Stani Army

Reports emanating from England suggest that Danish Kaneria may well be one of the two players from the county club Essex involved in a match fixing scandal. Though no names have officially come out, one newspaper reported that Kaneria, along with a lesser known member of the county club, were involved in fixing last summer.

The allegations first surfaced last month but the club was not able to comment due to an on-going Police investigation which is yet to be completed. The interesting thing was that Kaneria did not meet up with his club Essex for the start of the County Championship as it was said he was taking part in a domestic tournament in Pakistan. This raises suspicion even more that he is one of the players involved as it likely Kaneria would have chosen to come over to England and play for his county rather than take part in domestic games in Pakistan.

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With all the noise about the Australian players coming over to England to play some County cricket before the Ashes, questions must be asked of England’s negative and defeatist responses.

Andrew Strauss said that English counties were being short sighted and national selector Geoff Miller said he was “disappointed” at the developments. Yet their responses could have been much more positive. They should have said that it doesn’t matter and that it also gives us (England) a chance to have a closer look at their players. It can work both ways.

And surprise surprise, the Aussies have picked up on the negativeness with Phil Hughes going back home and

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Rana Naved helped his County side Yorkshire reach their target of 330 in a 50 over Friends Provident Trophy game against Surrey at the Oval. Rana smashed 53 off 24 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes and remained not out having earlier picked up 3 wickets in his 10 overs.

Since his hair transplant, Rana has been given a new lease of life emerging as a genuine all-rounder.

With the ICL having released him from his contract on request, and Shoaib suffering a skin problem, Rana should be a shoe-in for the up and coming Twenty20 World Cup.