Sachin to play Twenty20 cricket at Lord's

Middlesex say they are close to signing Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist in a contract that will be partially funded by the MCC, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

English County Middlesex is signing the cricketing greats to play 5 T20 matches at Lord's - and are believed to have got the nod from Gilchrist, while Tendulkar is waiting for permission from the Indian Cricket Board to join.

"We expect to make an announcement shortly," Keith Bradshaw, chief executive of the MCC said. "The two clubs are working closely together."

Sachin Tendulkar, who completed 20 years in international cricket on Nov 15 will return to the England county trip after playing for Yorkshire in 1992 as a 19-year-old. He was the county's first overseas player and scored more than 1,000 runs averaging 46.52.

Adam Gilchrist has never played for a county side, and this would be his first time. He is expected to continue his relationship with the Middlesex though, and could even represent the county in a 50-over match against Australia.

Though the signings are anticipated to cost a fair amount, the organizers expect to recover the money through gate receipts and lucrative television sponsorship deals, especially to India, once Tendulkar is signed on.

Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills ruled out of T20i

The New Zealand will be without two player of the squad for first T20 International against Pakistan in Dubai.

All rounder Jacob Oram is returning to New Zealand on Thursday to be with his wife, Mara, who is expecting the couple's first child may be having the baby early.

Kyle Mills has a shoulder injury but is stay with the team. He is not expected to take part in the first Twenty20 International but may be available for the second match.

James Franklin, who has been sidelined with a back injury during the first part of the UAE ODI series, came through a light practice yesterday and may be available for the T20 matches.

The Blackcaps plays Pakistan in the first of two T20 Internationals at Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City on Thursday 12 November, and the second the following day.

Dav Whatmore to coach Kolkata Knight Riders

Former Indian Skipper Sourav Ganguly said Dav Whatmore will be the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the 3rd edition of Indian Premier League.

Ganguly who is expected to be back as Kolkata Knight Riders Skipper in the 3rd edition, said, "I have been informed that Whatmore will be our next coach. I know him for a long time. It will be exciting to work with him."

"Whatmore is very experienced and I'm looking forward to his association," he said.

Meanwhile, an official declaration on Whatmore's appointment is still awaited.

When contacted KKR CEO Joy Bhattacharya told PTI that an official announcement on Whatmore's appointment would be made in a couple of days.

The Australian just quit from the post of director of operations at National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Whatmore coached Sri Lanka to World Cup victory in 1996 and was also coach of Bangladesh team.

Shahid Afridi signs up with South Australia

Aiming a berth in the 2nd edition of the Champions League, South Australia has signed up glitzy Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi for their domestic T20 tournament, starting in December 2009.

South Australia officials believe that the inclusion of the hard-hitting all-rounder would increase their chances of making the final of the domestic big bash tournament, which will make them suitable for the cash-rich event.

Afridi has swapped Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis in the Redbacks' squad.

"We narrowly missed out on finals last season and these signings are definitely a boost to our quest to qualify for the Champions League 2009," SACA High Performance Manger, Jamie Cox said.

"I have made no secret of the fact that I view the Big Bash competition as the most commercial on the domestic calendar and the inaugural Champions' League also provides fantastic opportunities for young players to showcase their skills on the world stage," he added.

Afridi was the player of the tournament in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and has a unbelievable strike rate of 147 in 24 T20 internationals. He also has best bowling figures of 4/11.

Afridi has played 285 ODI matches with strike rate of 110. He has also taken 264 wickets with best figures of 6/38 against Australia.

Glenn McGrath set to replace Daniel Vettori for Delhi

The Delhi Daredevils are set to change the injured Daniel Vettori with Glenn McGrath in their squad.

The Daredevils' Chief Operating Officer, Amrit Mathur was quoted as saying, ""We have sought the approval from the organizers to replace the injured players and have given the names of McGrath and Yogesh Nagar, who were part of the new squad of 20."

The other players who are injured for Delhi Daredevils are AB de Villiers and Paul Collingwood.

The requests have just been proposed, and McGrath is expected to enter in Delhi pending their approval.

It may be reminded that after performing outstandingly in the inaugural IPL in India, McGrath was benched for the whole duration of the 2nd edition in South Africa 2009 and had even reportedly made comments about not returning for the IPL 2010. However, for now it seems McGrath is eager to fly in to the aid of Delhi.

No pressure on Deccan Chargers: Adam Gilchrist

Former Australian Opener Adam Gilchrist, who led the Deccan Chargers team to brilliance in the Indian Premier League-II earlier this year, is raring to imitate the feet in Champions League Twenty20, commencing from October 8.

Adam Gilchrist, who expressed watchful optimism about their performance in the upcoming 12-team tournament, insisted that the Hyderabad-based team is not moving any "extra burden" on the run-up to Champions League.

"I think there are expectations always at all times to do well," Adam Gilchrist said.

Meanwhile, the tournament is giving yet another chance to the controversial Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds to prove himself, as he is eyeing cashing in on the "benefit of taking rest".

Another member of the team, India cricketer VVS Laxman also said that his endeavour would be to put up his best in the upcoming tournament.

"I want to give my best in the tournament whenever I get the opportunity," he said.

Deccan Chargers would start their battle by taking on Somerset here on October 10.

Champions League Twenty20 teams and schedule 2009

Champion - New South Wales

Group-A: Deccan Chargers, Somerset and Trinidad & Tobago

Group-B: Eagles, New South Wales and Sussex

Group-C: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Cape Cobras and Otago

Group-D: Delhi Daredevils, Victoria and Wayamba

No.	Date	Match Details	Time (GMT)	Venue
1.	Oct 08	Bangalore Royal Challengers v Cape Cobras - Cape Cobras won by 5 wickets	14:30*	Bangalore
2.	Oct 09	Eagles v New South Wales NSW won by 53 runs	10:30	Delhi
3.	Oct 09	Deccan Chargers v Victoria Victoria won by 7 wickets	14:30*	Delhi
4.	Oct 10	Cape Cobras v Otago Cape Cobras won by 54 runs	10:30	Hyderabad
5.	Oct 10	Deccan Chargers v Somerset Somerset won by 1 wickets	14:30*	Hyderabad
6.	Oct 11	New South Wales v Sussex NSW won by 35 runs	10:30	Delhi
7.	Oct 11	Delhi Daredevils v Wayamba Delhi Daredevils win by 50 runs	14:30*	Delhi
8.	Oct 12	Somerset v Trinidad and Tobago TT won by 44 runs	10:30	Bangalore
9.	Oct 12	Bangalore Royal Challengers v Otago Bangalore won by 80 runs	14:30*	Bangalore
10.	Oct 13	Victoria v Wayamba Wayamba won by 15 runs	10:30	Delhi
11.	Oct 13	Eagles v Sussex Eagles win super over method	14:30*	Delhi
12.	Oct 14	Deccan Chargers v Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago won by 3 runs	14:30*	Hyderabad
13.	Oct 15	Bangalore Royal Challengers v Victoria Victoria won by 7 wickets	14:30*	Bangalore
14.	Oct 16	Somerset v Eagles Eagles won by 5 wickets	10:30	Hyderabad
15.	Oct 16	Trinidad and Tobago v NSW TT won by 4 wickets	14:30*	Hyderabad
16.	Oct 17	Cape Cobras v Victoria Cape Cobras won by 8 wickets	10:30	Bangalore
17.	Oct 17	Bangalore v Delhi Bangalore won by 8 wickets	14:30*	Bangalore
18.	Oct 18	Somerset v New South Wales, NSW won by 6 wickets	10:30	Hyderabad
19.	Oct 18	Trinidad and Tobago v Eagles TT won by 24 runs	14:30*	Hyderabad
20.	Oct 19	Cape Cobras v Delhi Daredevils Delhi Daredevils won by 30 runs	14:30*	Delhi
21.	Oct 21	Victoria v New South Wales 1st semi-final - NSW won by 79 runs	14:30*	Delhi
22.	Oct 22	Trinidad and Tobago v Cape Cobras 2nd semi-final - TT won by 7 wickets	14:30*	Hyderabad
23.	Oct 23	Final - New South Wales v Trinidad and Tobago NSW won by 41 runs	14:30*	Hyderabad

* - Day night Match

Sehwag no longer to captain the Daredevils

Explosive opener Virender Sehwag today stepped down as the skipper of Indian Premier League team Delhi Daredevils, which appointed Gautam Gambhir as his replacement.

Virender Sehwag, who is currently treatment a shoulder injury, cited his want to focus on his batting as the reason for stepping down.

Gautam Gambhir will now guide the side in next month's Champions League Twenty20.

"Sehwag has been a source of great strength and inspiration to the team. When he expressed want to step down in order to fully focus and concentrate on batting, we respected his conclusion and accepted his request," Daredevils owner GMR's chairman Srinivas Bommidala said in a statement.

Dinesh Karthik has been appointed Vice Captain.

Virender Sehwag thanked GMR for accepting his request, saying he would now exclusively focus on his batting.

"I would like to thank GMR for their understanding in accepting my request to step down. Personally, I would like to concentrate on my own batting and contribute to the team," he said.

"Gautam did a great job of captaining Delhi and also during IPL-2009 in South Africa this year. He has shown very good leadership skills and will bring fresh power into the Delhi Daredevils," he added.

Gambhir, on his part, said he would draw from his experience of leading the Delhi Ranji team on some while captaining the Daredevils.

Kolkata Knight Riders coach to be announced by month end

Kolkata Knight Riders is likely to announce the much-awaited coach's name before the beginning their season with three practice matches with Champions League T20 teams in Gurgaon.

"West Indies skipper Chris Gayle is expected to feature in the three practice matches from October 3 to 5 but all depends on his availability," former India skipper Sourav Ganguly who is all set to return as KKR captain in IPL III, told PTI.

Asked whether the coach and skipper's names would be announced ahead of the three fixtures, the Bengal southpaw said, "Maybe... We are somewhat waiting for the announcement. But as I have said, I am more concerned about the team."

The Shah Rukh Khan-owned side has already interviewed the likes of Wasim Akram, John Wright, Richard Pybus, Dermot Reeve and Michael Bevan among the foreign prospective candidates.

In their coach hunt held at Shah Rukh's residence in Mumbai, the team think reservoir including Ganguly has also interviewed the likes of Lalchand Rajput, WV Raman, Ashok Malhotra, Sandeep Patil and Praveen Amre among others.

According to sources, the team has delayed the declaration of their coach as they were discussing about the availability of the Pakistani great.

"We will be playing three matches in Gurgaon. On Chris Gayle's availibility, it all depends if he is available in that time," he said.

"We have signed in few players and we will be signing few more. This time, we have got some more time to prepare. It's an important season ahead and we are better organised this time. We are very hopeful of a good performance this time around," Ganguly added.

The inaugural Champions League T20 will have 12 teams and will include the domestic Twenty20 winners of West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, as well as Delhi Daredevils, who topped the round-robin stage of the 2009 IPL.

The inaugural Champions T20 League will be held from October 8-23, just after the Champions Trophy.

The 3rd edition of the cash-rich tournament will be held from March 12-April 25.