Amidst reports that Mandira Bedi was dropped as the IPL3 anchor in India since she is past her ‘sell-by’ date, the anchor shares with CT her triumph of being the first woman anchor for the cricket matches on ITV in UK....

While Indian television might not get to see you anchoring the IPL shows, you are off to England to present live IPL matches on ITV for the UK audience!

Yes, that’s true. A couple of weeks back, I was told that I wouldn’t be a part of the IPL presentation for SET Max. And then, I was approached to be a part of presenting the matches live to over 20 million viewers on ITV. I am leaving for London today. I return to India after the first 15 days of the tournament. I’ll spend the next 15 days in India and will be watching matches live in Kolkata and Delhi. I’ve been approached by Sony to be a special guest for some of their pre-shows during that period. Once that gets over, I’ll be returning to the UK for the rest of the tournament.

Some reports in the media have quoted sources saying that you are not part of the anchor team here because you are past your ‘sell-by date’...

I don’t go by what sources claim on conditions of anonymity. I know what I bring to the table. Moreover, I have been offered to be a part of the channel’s programme when I return to India during the middle of the tournament. If someone thinks that I am past my ‘sell-by’ date, it’s his problem. I am not bothered. Sadly, I am always the sacrificial lamb. When a channel wants to start something, I am one who is put on the chopping block. I am disappointed and honestly, I must confess that when I first heard the news of not being part of the IPL3, all wasn’t well for me. But I’ve moved on.

How did you get to know that you wouldn’t be hosting IPL3 in India?
Rather than living in suspense, I asked the channel about their plans and whether they’d be needing me. I was told that this time around, there has been a change of policy. I was told that I wasn’t being replaced by another female anchor. With four male anchors, the show was going back to the basics and the presentation would be about serious, hardcore cricket.

Would that mean that serious hardcore cricket isn’t something that women can do? Is gender an issue then?
I really don’t know what to say. It is a policy decision and I admit that I felt bad. I was gutted when I first heard it. But there is no anger in me against the channel. I am not breaking any relations. I have done cricket with SET Max for seven years. They are the ones responsible for me being considered as an anchor. Even this show that I will be hosting in the UK has never had a woman cricket host. I can be disappointed but I can’t forget that I owe my connection to cricket to SET Max. I feel like starting all over again as I leave for the UK. It is a brand new audience for me. In India, I had time for people to get to like and accept me. I don’t know how forgiving and accepting the British audience will be.

What do you think you bring to the table that the other anchors (Samir Kocchar, Gaurav Kapur, Ayushman Khurana and Angad Bedi) don’t?
All of them are competent anchors. Gaurav and Samir have been part of the earlier IPL presentations. Angad, besides being Bishen Singh Bedi’s son, has also anchored Emotional Atyachar. He will know his cricket. Ayushman is a spunky chap and has hosted shows. As for me, I bring a certain energy to the show. On my own, I can’t claim that I add glamour to the shows. Last year, I was the only anchor who managed to get interviews with all the captains. I was on ground and I’ve seen that cricketers can get tough and also refuse to be interviewed. But nobody turned me down.

While in the UK, have you been given any instructions on your dress code? Is the noodle strap back?
Ever since I came on board, I’ve exchanged some 300 e-mails on this issue. Thankfully, those who’ve approached me are aware of my work. I didn’t wear saris for IPL2 in South Africa. This year, I’ll go for a mixed style. And yes, the noodle strap will be back. As the saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

On Monday as India debated about the Women’s Reservation Bill, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman ever to won an Oscar for the Best Director at the Academy Awards. In between, you got dropped in a show that will have four male anchors. What’s your take on women’s emancipation?

Kathryn’s win is big. But when it comes to women’s emancipation, I think we are still taking babysteps. Unlike my husband, I am a strong supporter of Women’s Reservation Bill. Progress has happened for women but I’d still say it’s only in pockets. Look at the banking sector and how well women have done there. It’s a small percentage of women who are treated as equally as their brothers. I understand that reservation might set in complacency but I feel it’s important for some women to be the voice of others.

Recuperating cricketer Jesse Ryder will be touching base with New Zealand Cricket in the next few days to plot the next phase of his recovery from abdominal surgery.

Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee, today said the 25-year-old had bounced back quicker than expected from the surgery reinforcing his abdominal wall, an area which has caused him trouble since last September when he was injured at the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Ryder turned out for his Wellington club Naenae Old Boys against Karori last Saturday, when he scored 11 with the bat, then grabbed the ball and conceded 10 runs off 11 overs of medium pace.

"He's a week ahead of his plans, he was feeling good about his body and where he was at, so he had a little bowl and it was perfectly fine," Klee said.

"There was absolutely no pain or problems and he felt 100 per cent the next morning. It's been a remarkable turnaround since he had the surgery a few weeks ago."

Ryder will play the second day of his club game this coming Saturday before looking hard at playing for Wellington at the end of the month in a Plunket Shield four-day match.

"We'll have a talk to New Zealand Cricket and find out where we can go with this from here," Klee said. "Obviously he's ahead of the schedule that had been mapped out. We just need to talk to them and see if we can progress things even further.

"They want to get some strength testing done, and that's probably going to give us a really good measure of where he's at."

Klee said Ryder had been training hard all the way through summer, with his only real restriction on doing sprinting.

"He's basically been batting since December, so it's not like he's been sitting around doing nothing for six months.

"He took it to another level (on Saturday) which probably surprised a few people, but there was no issue with it. "

Ryder has been included in the 30-man extended Black Caps squad for the Twenty20 World Cup later subject to proving his fitness.

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has described all rounder Shahid Afridi as the 'best man to lead' the team in the forthcoming T20 World Championship in the Caribbean, and said the flamboyant cricketer should be appointed skipper for all the three forms of the game.

"I'll go with Afridi as captain. In fact, I'll recommend Afridi for all three formats,"Raja said.

Sources inside the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suggested that the board is hesitant to continue with Afridi as captain of the T20 team after he was punished for ball-tampering during the fifth and last one-day international against Australia at Perth .

However, Raja backed Afridi, saying he has already been punished for his act.

"If that's the reason to overlook him as captain then I don't agree with it.He has been punished already. In any case, I think ball-tampering is no big deal. It's only that Afridi did it in a silly manner, probably in the pressure of the moment," The News quoted Raja, as saying.

The PCB is considering giving the captaincy to Shoaib Malik or Abdul Razzaq but Raja said it won't be a wise move.

"I personally believe that Its Afridi's chance. It's his time. He can handle the pressure. He was the best player of the World Twenty20 final last year. The only thing that he needs is to relax as captain. Once he does that, I'm sure he can get the best out of our team," he said.

Australia vs New Zealand 3rd ODI Highlights 09 Mar 2010 Hamilton Part - 1

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New Zealand cricket coach Mark Greatbatch reckons the current trans-Tasman tension is nothing compared to his playing days.

"The last time I played (against Australia), Merv Hughes spat on me," Greatbatch recalled with a chuckle.

Coincidentally, Hughes lumbered into the hotel lobby in his role as an Australian selector just as Greatbatch was reminiscing after the sides arrived in Hamilton to prepare for tomorrow's third Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day international.

"But we had a beer at the end of the day," Greatbatch added.

It was a welcome light-hearted moment for the New Zealand coach and selector who faces the task of assembling a fully-fit side amid a growing injury crisis.

Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart, fresh from an unbeaten 227 against Central Districts, was added to a New Zealand squad, which had swelled to 15 with key batsman Ross Taylor and James Franklin battling hamstring strains.

Stewart, 27, looks poised to make his one-day debut in the middle order at Seddon Park because Greatbatch said Taylor and Franklin were "most likely" to be ruled out of the third game with the five-match series level 1-1.

Captain Daniel Vettori, who defied a stiff neck to win the man of the match award in the second game at Auckland on Saturday for his double of two for 43 and 70 off 49 balls, pronounced himself likely to back up, while gloveman Brendon McCullum's sore back would also be assessed.

He could not keep wicket in Australia's 12-run win in Auckland, but if he can take the gloves it might enable the hosts to bolster their bowling stocks with either Nathan McCullum or Michael Mason.

There were no repeats of the Scott Styris-Mitchell Johnson stoush in Auckland but the tension between the sides will continue with the series poised on a knife-edge.

"It's competitive, it's great. It's Australia-New Zealand," Greatbatch said.

"It was pretty controlled (in Auckland). It was good aggression and it was good cricket. People enjoyed it. We've just to stay focused, we know if we can play well we're a chance."

Greatbatch was overjoyed with the Shane Bond-led bowling efforts in Napier and Auckland, but the batting is a big must-improve area.

Without Napier man-of the-match Taylor, New Zealand slumped to 89 for five at Eden Park chasing a revised 266 off 45 overs, before Styris, with 46 off 58 balls, and Vettori got them close.

In-form opener Brendon McCullum will again carry much of the side's batting hopes, after cracking 24 off 16 balls before being removed by a brilliant diving Brad Haddin catch off Mitchell Johnson, who ended with four for 51.

"The top four or five batters in international cricket, that's their job. So I don't think there's any more pressure," Greatbatch said.

"Brendon got away to a good start and probably took the wrong option and it was a great catch by (Brad) Haddin. We've just got to restart tomorrow."

Australia, meanwhile, were injury-free and confident of going back-to-back.

"Everyone's starting to hit the ball pretty well. A lot of us are getting 40s and 50s and some pretty good starts, and getting competitive totals like yesterday (273-7)," wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said.

"But it's pretty important we start putting some big scores together and start batting New Zealand out of the game."

New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori rates Ross Taylor and James Franklin 50-50 chances to face Australia in Hamilton tomorrow but neither will be pushed if they're not ready.

Taylor and Franklin, both battling hamstring strains, batted in the Seddon Park nets ahead of tomorrow's third Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day international against Australia but were still rated doubtful.

"Ross and James both trained but we're going to leave it until the last minute to make a decision. We're hoping they both can get through but I'd say they're both probably 50-50 at this stage," Vettori said.

"Probably if Ross could get through (he would play), but James because he needs to bowl as well, we'd be a bit more cautious with him. If Ross was able to get on the park we'd be pretty grateful for that."

Key batsman Taylor would be left to pass himself fit to play, and the decision won't be made until tomorrow.

Vettori said if both were ruled out, Scott Styris would probably bat No 5 with new cap Shanan Stewart at No 6 after he was called into the side as cover yesterday.

Vettori (neck) and Brendon McCullum (back) were both fit to play but Gareth Hopkins would keep wicket again.

With Stewart's inclusion and the injury concerns, New Zealand's squad swelled to 15 players yesterday.

With the series poised 1-1 after Australia's 12-run win in Auckland, tomorrow was a series-defining match.

"It's probably the most important game of the series. The team that can go 2-1 up only needs one more to win the series so we're trying to put everything into this game," Vettori said.

"We enjoy playing here, it's a great cricket ground and the guys are pretty excited about being here."

Clad in a Kings XI Punjab jersey and shorts, the Australian speedster Brett Lee is the cynosure of all eyes at the Sector 16 Stadium. Cricket fans circle the Aussie legend to get a close view and take his autograph. Lee looks all pumped up for the IPL challenge. Back after an elbow injury, Lee will be an important cog in the Punjab side.

Lee, who was part of the Australian team that won three World Cups and with 310 Test scalps in 76 outings, shocked the world recently when he announced his retirement from Test cricket. In a candid chat with the media, the 33-year-old talks about the reasons for announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Kings XI Punjab's chances in IPL-III, Sachin Tendulkar and the memorable moments in his Test career spanning 10 years.

Excerpts:
You are coming into IPL-III with an elbow injury. What is the status of your injury now?
The injury is healing very well. In order to get into the groove ahead of the IPL, I am in Mohali a week before the IPL kicks off for Kings XI Punjab. I have been bowling in the practice nets under the supervision of our physiotherapist Patrick Farhat. Let's see how things work out. However, I am not sure whether I will be playing the first match or the second one.

Do you think you could have prolonged your Test career if there was no T-20 cricket?
I think T-20 has created more opportunities that are great for cricket. In my case, the decision to take retirement was due to lifestyle reasons. Test cricket is definitely more demanding and time consuming. I have a little son back home. So, I really do not want to be away from him 11 months a year. Secondly, Test cricket does take toll on the body. In order to continue playing in different championships, I had to make the decision.

How difficult it was to announce retirement from Test career?
It was very difficult to make the decision. It was after months of deliberations with my family and close friends that I could come to the conclusion. It did not happen overnight. With more than 10 years of Test career under my belt I do not regret the decision at all.

I mean having playing along side Australian legends like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and the Waugh brother is a tremendous feat. Moreover, we dominated throughout the decade. So I feel quite content with the way my Test career went off.

How do you look back at your cricket career?
Ah (smiles), there is a sense of achievement and satisfaction when I look at my Test career. Last ten years have been quite good for me. Having being the second most bowled fast bowler after Glenn McGrath for Australia in the last ten years is an amazing thing. I could never imagine I could take over 300 Test wickets. It's incredible having survived for ten long years as a fast bowler.

Which Test performances are memorable for you?
First, my Test debut against India in Melbourne in 1999 when I took five wickets in the first innings, while second would be when I took my 300th wicket against the Kiwis.

How do you see Kings XI Punjab's chances in the coming IPL?
With Kumar Sangakkara coming in as our new captain will give Yuvraj Singh a breather. He can concentrate on his form as he is a valuable player for us. Then we have some blazing batsmen like Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Katich, Yuvraj and few others coupled with some amazing bowlers. Moreover, the young brigade that we have will further strengthen the side. We have gelled well and I guess we will have a good outing.

What are your thoughts on Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar?
He is a class apart. It is always a treat to watch him bat. He did surprise everyone with his unbeaten knock of 200 in ODI. But the time will come when he also retires from cricket, maybe in few months or years. I do not know when but when it happen it will be difficult for the fans to take that. It will be a huge loss.

Mumbai: Intense parleys were on between the top brass of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and prospective bidders for the two new teams of the high-profile league. The negotiations, it is learnt, are over the conditions laid out by the IPL.

At the time of going to press, not many had actually submitted the tender forms. The IPL officials are believed to be in negotiations with parties over this matter.

One of the key objections is the submission of bank guarantee for the amount one has bid for. If one buys a team at the base price of $225 million — which is the most likely eventuality — he is required to give a bank guarantee of that money which is about Rs1200 crore. Besides, the bidder could end up forfeiting the up front bank guarantee of $100 million (Rs430 crore) if he were to default in honouring his commitment.

“We are open to negotiations on this. If the governing council of the IPL agrees we can relax some norms,” a top official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told DNA. The governing council is to meet on Sunday morning before the announcement of the new teams is made.

The IPL officials, however, were tightlipped over the matter. IPL chairman Lalit Modi said he would field queries on the new teams only on Sunday.

Indications are that the Adani Group — which is likely to bid for a team in Ahmedabad — is being strongly backed by Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. The Pune bid, headed by Venugopal Dhoot’s Videocon, has the backing of a bigwig from Indian cricket.
Meanwhile, Cyrus Poonawala, the vaccine-maker from Pune, told this newspaper that he’s exploring options whether to be part of his city’s consortium or to join an existing team. “I’ve not yet made up my mind over my participation. I’m in negotiations with existing teams. And I have also the option of joining the Pune team,” he said.

A Videocon official, however, refused to pass comments on the company’s likely alliance even as reports suggested that Abhishek Bachchan could be part of his consortium. The Bachchans, currently out of the country, could not be reached for their reaction.

Zimbabwe tour of West Indies, 2nd ODI: West Indies v Zimbabwe at Providence, Mar 6, 2010 Highlights Part - 1

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