Sport

ICL camp gets underway

— PHOTO: H. Satish

HOPING FOR THE BEST: Nicky Boje, Chris Harris, Abdul Razzak, Azhar Mehmood, Hemang Badani and Russel Arnold strike a pose at the ICL practice session.

HYDERABAD: They have taken the plunge and now are hoping for the best. There was guarded optimism as the 10-day camp at the Lahari Resorts floodlit ground for the Chennai and Hyderabad teams got underway on Friday, ahead of the Indian Cricket League commencing in Chandigarh from November 30.

“The Twenty20 format is exciting and it is a great feeling to be part of this. Some of the best players against whom we have played, will now be our teammates,” said former South African cricketer Nicky Boje. “There is a sense of betrayal among some people back home. But we knew it was going to happen, even as we are excited about playing in this League,” he said.

Boje doesn’t believe that the match-fixing cloud and the fear of Indian police questioning him will haunt him. “I am willing to cooperate with any authority,” said Boje.

Pakistan’s Abdur Razzak believes that the ICL will provide a wonderful opportunity for India’s first-class cricketers to rub shoulders with some of the ex-stars of the game.

The mood of the internationals, especially those who still believe they have chance to be recalled to their national sides, was reflected by another Pakistan’s Azhar Mehmood. “It is a great opportunity to play competitive cricket of this level featuring so many internationals. If Pakistan selectors feel we are good to play for the country, we are more than willing to do that,” he said.

New Zealand’s Chris Harris, the leading wicket-taker for his team in the 1992 World Cup, insists that even at this age he is ready for the challenge. “We should enjoy this format and I hope that the ICL will itself get more fillip once the ball gets rolling,” he said.

They are aware that the ICL has failed to attract any active international cricketer into its fold. “Perhaps, the packed international schedule is a dampener. And also the fact that the BCCI and the ICC are not really keen about this League,” said Boje.

The Indian perspective was presented by Hemang Badani. “This is the first major step. It is too early to comment on the future. Right now we are looking at the first round of the ICL league in Chandigarh. We believe that once the League commences, and there are outstanding performances, this tournament will become the talking point everywhere,” he said.

His former Tamil Nadu teammate Sridharan Sriram said that the players were professionals and it is unfortunate that they are not being given the opportunity to play first-class cricket. “We don’t have too many options right now. At the end of day what matters for us is top quality competitive cricket,” he added.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who will be leading Hyderabad in the ICL, is likely to join the camp on Sunday.

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