The world of cricket

Clarke and Gayle exchanged words several times

West Indies star Chris Gayle has been fined after a series of verbal clashes with Australia batsman Michael Clarke during Wednesday’s win by the Windies.

Gayle was found guilty of failing to “conduct play within the spirit of the game” by match referee Mike Procter after a hearing in Mumbai.

Clarke was found not guilty of the same charge in a separate hearing.

“There is a line between what is acceptable and what is not and Chris crossed it,” said Procter.

Off-spinner Gayle became visibly annoyed after a prolonged exchange with Clarke, whose 47 was not enough to prevent a 10-run defeat for Australia.

“What started off as banter between the two players got out of hand and Chris Gayle went over the top in his reactions,” Procter added.

“We do not want robots on the field and we want to ensure players play with enthusiasm and passion.”

See also Champions Trophy, 2006.

Ross Taylor, the Central Districts batsman, will fly to India on Saturday to join New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad if Scott Styris is forced to return home due to a recurrence of a back injury. Styris, who missed the first game against South Africa, has been ruled out of New Zealand’s second game against Sri Lanka along with Shane Bond who hasn’t recovered from a back strain.

Styris had injured his back while playing for Middlesex and returned to New Zealand mid-way through the 2006 county season. He was passed fit for the Champions Trophy after months of rehabilitation but the injury recurred during a training session in Mumbai. “Scott has had a recurrence of a back strain. We want to give Scott every opportunity to remain in the squad and play later in the tournament,” said Lindsay Crocker, New Zealand’s manager, “In the meantime Ross will take the time to acclimatise and prepare should he be required.”

Taylor made his debut against West Indies in March. A hard-hitting batsman, he managed 46 runs in two innings and was considered unlucky not to be in the initial Champions Trophy squad after a prolific 2005-06 season in which he averaged 59 with three hundreds and three fifties in 13 List A innings.

Also see Champions Trophy, 2006.

Australia will target England skipper Andrew Flintoff when he bats at number three in Saturday’s Champions Trophy match, captain Ricky Ponting said.

“Absolutely,” he told reporters on Friday. “Whenever you’ve that kind of a player up the order, the opposition is thinking the longer he bats, the better for them.”

Flintoff has promoted himself up the order to boost the scoring in the early overs when field restrictions are in place. The move backfired in England’s opening defeat by India when Flintoff was out for a duck.

“Our thinking is if we can have a crack and get him early with the new ball, then that will leave them a bit thin with the power hitters down the ring, which is where he can do a lot of damage,” said Ponting.

“I guess he has always been a middle order batsman and probably hasn’t played enough of the new white ball. Hopefully we can get him out early. All our bowlers are looking forward to that challenge.”

Australia also lost their opening game, West Indies pulling off a 10-run victory in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Ponting denied his side faced extra pressure due to the defeat or because of the hype surrounding the forthcoming Ashes series.

“We’re worried about the one-day game at the moment,” he said. “Test cricket, it is still one month, perhaps even before we start thinking about it.”

India celebrate the largest Hindu festival of Diwali or “Festival of Lights” on Saturday and a packed stadium is expected. The losing team is likely to be eliminated from the tournament.

Also see Champions Trophy, 2006.