South Africa coach Micket Arthur worried about SA cricketers

South African cricket coach Mickey Arthur is worried about his players suffering burnout ahead of next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in England because of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

“I have it in the back of my head all the time that the boys could burn out during the IPL before the tournament (in England),” Arthur told the Afrikaans weekly Rapport here.

“The last thing I want is to take a team that is burnt out to England. That is why I am in regular contact with them and plead with them that they should condition themselves in a way that will ensure that there is still petrol in the tank for the tournament in England.”

Arthur said he was very proud of the performance of the South African players in the eight IPL franchise teams: “They are among the big stalwarts in their respective teams.

“I have been particularly impressed by the way in which they have taken on the responsibility to win the matches for their sides.”

Arthur appealed to his players to give him their best for just three weeks more in the England series, after which they could “go and relax for two months and forget about cricket altogether”.

[the article was originally published at http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/south-africa-coach-worried-about-cricketers-ipl-burnout_100191061.html]

IPL Miss Bollywood South Africa contest

Cape Town: The hunt for a filmstar during the second edition of the Indian Premier League got underway here in style with Raeesa Goga and Jasmita Chauhan handpicked to represent Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2009 Miss Bollywood South Africa contest.

Raeesa and Jasmita won the beauty contest from among thousand of fans gathered during the opening matches at Newlands here on Saturday.

The Miss Bollywood SA contest is a search for a South African beauty with star qualities from among the crowds during the matches.

The winner will be offered a role in a Bollywood movie and a free business class trip to India apart from 50,000 rand in cash.

A total of 50 winners will be picked up from the crowd from each of the eight venues.

With every IPL match having a designated home team, the Miss Bollywood SA winner of that game will be associated with its side.

[ credit : http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1248938]

Tendulkar - I will not take anything for granted

Cape Town: They might have made a resounding start to their IPL campaign with a convincing win over last year's runners-up Chennai Super Kings, but Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar is not ready to take things for granted and wants to build on the good start.

Tendulkar, who scored an unbeaten 59 to script his team's victory in the opening match of the second edition of the Twenty20 extravaganza, said, "The start is good but it is still a long way to go. I won't take anything for granted."

Tendulkar, who was adjudged Man of the Match, said the initial overs were difficult for batting and lavished praise on Sanath Jayasuriya and Abhishek Nayar for adjusting well.

"When I lost the toss, I realised there was a dampness in the wicket. The first 6-7 overs were difficult and later on Abhishek Nayar came and played a terrific innings and my job basically was to just be there and play till the end and guys on the other end played their strokes," he said.

On being asked what could be a decent total on the South African wickets, Tendulkar said anything around 150 would make a good fight.

"Looking at about 145-150 would be a decent total. Don't look at 180 plus but if you can get into 150-160 then it could be a good total," he said.

[credit : http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200904182280.htm]

IPL a 'thank you' to SA, says Khan

Bringing the Indian Premier League (IPL) to South Africa is a means of saying "thank you" to South Africa for its hospitality and warmth over the years, says Kolkatta Knight Riders co-owner and Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan.

Fondly known as the Tom Cruise of Bollywood, Khan lands in Cape Town on Tuesday in time for the league at the weekend. His team has already been training in Bloemfontein for two weeks.

The Kolkatta Knight Riders, owned by Khan, Indian businessman Jai Mehta, and his Bollywood actress wife, Juhi Chawla, is one of the eight teams participating in the IPL this year.

Khan, 43, has made several trips to Namibia and South Africa, visiting Joburg, Durban, Cape Town and, more recently, Sun City, but this trip will be special because it will be his first visit "with the kids". He is expected to arrive with his wife, Gauri Khan, son Aryan and daughter Suhana.

The family would stay for a few weeks, mostly in Cape Town, he said.

He said he was really looking forward to the tournament.

"South Africans are such warm people, very welcoming, very open and friendly."

He said the tournament was significant for his team because the whole team would be in town, unlike last year when some players did not take part.

"We're hoping to see some of the wildlife and we're really looking forward to meeting some of the people again... and drink some good South African wine," he said.

He was expecting some competition, but the team were aiming to make the top six and hoping to secure a position in the top four teams of the tournament.

"But South Africans won't need to worry - as an actor and as a film-maker I can assure you we will put on a good show."

Despite his claim to fame as a Bollywood legend Khan has always had deep roots in sport, particularly cricket. He recalls a stint as a "good" wicketkeeper when he was 19.

Khan said he had been working on many projects, mostly to do with sport, because as a teenager he was involved in many sporting codes, including hockey and cricket, which took priority.

"Many youngsters never really had access to these sports. In our country you can't really make a career of it. So I wanted to create something that my son could be involved in one day. When I was young playing cricket wasn't really considered a profession, so I really wanted to create a platform for young people to develop their skills and talents. I look at it as a part of my social responsibility."

Given that his name Shahrukh means "face of the king", it is not surprising the star is currently the top actor in India, according to Internet critics.

Khan has won several awards for his outstanding performances in Darr, in 1993, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, in 1995, Dil To Pagal, in 1997 and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, in 1998. He owns three production houses in India, Red Chillies Entertainment and Idiot Box, and runs the Dreamz Unlimited production company with co-star Juhi Chawla and director Aziz Mirza.

So what about Slumdog Millionaire?

Khan, who turned down a role in the movie, said he personally wanted to make the movie.

"I've said it's not an Indian film, it's a foreign film, and how India is portrayed in the movie is not the point of the film. The film is not about the country. But it was very well done. I think it turned out far better than if I had done it."

[credit : http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=17&art_id=vn20090414114913610C245954]

Oriental Insurance expects about Rs 3 cr premium from IPL

NEW DELHI: The sole insurer of the much-hyped Indian Premier Leauge (IPL), state-owned Oriental Insurance Company Ltd today said it expects
about Rs 3 crore premium from the second season of T20 cricket tournament.

Owners of most of the teams have taken insurance cover for personal accident, terrorism as well as loss of baggage for their members, Oriental Insurance Company Chairman cum Managing Director M Ramadoss said.

"There are slight increase in the premiums this year... we expect premium to be around Rs 3 crore from various types of insurance cover that we are providing to players and organisers," he said.

The premiums have gone up in the range of 5-10 per cent depending on international conditions and reinsurance charges, he said.

The reinsurer for Oriental Insurance is the UK-based Lloyd's.

Insurance companies distribute the risk on large covers by going in for re-insurance.

Of the 8 teams playing in IPL beginning on April 18 in South Africa, he said the sum assured and the premiums vary from players to players.

Concerned at the security of the cricket teams, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shifted the second edition of the event to South Africa.

[credit : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Insurance-news/Oriental-Insurance-expects-about-Rs-3-cr-premium-from-IPL/articleshow/4391361.cms]

IPL, CSA yet to resolve hospitality dispute

Durban: The organisers of the Indian Premier League and Cricket South Africa are yet to resolve the hospitality suites dispute at eight venues which will host the matches of the Twenty20 tournament.

The controversy arose following uncertainty over whether the owners of the suites will be allowed free entry there during the IPL matches.

Cricket South Africa CEO, Gerald Majola, said in a statement that everything was being done to resolve the problems.

"Cricket South Africa is in discussions with the DLF Indian Premier League and the cricket boards at the eight venues that will be hosting Season 2009 of the league in South Africa," he said.

"CSA will look to uphold the interest and rights of all stakeholders. Discussions are in the final stages of an amicable resolution for all parties concerned and CSA is confident that this matter will be settled soon," he added.

Majola, however, said CSA is not in a position to comment further and a statement will be issued after the conclusion of the discussions.

The venues where the IPL matches will be played are in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein and Kimberley.

The IPL is set to kick off in Cape Town on April 18.

[credit : http://cricketnext.in.com/news/ipl-csa-yet-to-resolve-hospitality-dispute/39872-27.html]