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Whatever
I've come to know is from the media only. I am innocent. If any charge
is proved against me, I will respect the law as I am a law-abiding
citizen-Ajay Jadeja on the accusations levied on him about match
fixing - Ajay Jadeja on the charges of fixing
matches.
" I would like to forget the day as fast as possible. I feel very
sad that in one tournament we played so well and in a matter of days,
just failed to put up any fight. We lost out not because of any
exceptional bowling, but our bad batting. I did not expect us to bat
so badly. Two catches cost us dearly. I am feeling miserably." -
Ganguly commenting on India's dreadful performance in Sharjah where
they got out on 54 against Sri Lanka in the finals.
The media refused to believe me when I said I was innocent. They first
tear my clothes off and now offer me new ones to cover myself - Kapil
Dev after being cleared of match fixing charges
Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and Nayan Mongia are in serious
trouble. But as far as the involvment of foriegn players is concerned,
the CBI seems to have covered its tracks by the frequent use of the
word 'alleged '. To me the CBI has committed what can be called a
legal sin by naming players like Alec Stewart, Ranatunga, Mark Waugh,
Desilva, Brian Lara, Dean Jones, and Martin Crowe without actually
detailing the nature of their involvment. I find it unbelievable that
some very credible people have been linked with people who I consider
the main villians: Cronje, Azharuddin and Malik. While I have a lot of
sympathy for the fact that people have been pointing a finger at Asia
and Asians almost to the extent that they have naively believed that
the root of all evil stems from Asia, I have as much sympathy with
people who don't live in Asia, and who weren't guilty of any wrong
doing - Tony Greig on the match fixing issue.
“The
dying breed of openers in Indian cricket is a cause of concern and it
is time we take it seriously. I know it is not easy, but then we have
the resources to tap and groom the right men. The board and the
selectors have a challenge in hand. They can’t find a Gavaskar we
know, but then let them look for two openers” - Sidhu on India’s
opening pair problem in Test match.
“The
last knockout tournament in Bangladesh raised a staggering amount for
the ICC coffers and so will this one. It was the basic idea of
Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then ICC President, and though he has not been
given due credit for strengthening the financial side of the ICC,
those who know it but are keeping quite for their own reasons, do
privately acknowledge and pay handsome tributes to him. Take a bow,
Mr. Dalmiya” - Gavaskar applauding Dalmiya on the introduction of the
Mini World Cup.
“I
think he is the most complete pace bowler in world cricket today. He
has wonderful skills, bowls left arm over the wicket and around the
wicket, the in-swinger, the out swinger, the cutters, the reverse
swing, the Yorker, the bouncer. I mean has got it all. A champion.
Absolutely - Hadlee on Wasim Akram”.
“Professionalism
is dealing with the conditions that you face and, no matter what,
going out and giving your all. There are one or two players in the
team who don’t understand that completely yet” - Richards on the
problems West Indies is facing right now.
"Australia,
It is the best one-day side. But the Nairobi Gymkhana pitch will
deteriorate. Teams batting second will struggle. It will be important
to bat first and make good use of the toss. As for India, too much
hangs on Ganguly, Dravid, Tendulkar and Kumbli (that's how he
pronounces Kumble’s name). A team is only as good as its weakest
link. India has a lot." Geoffrey Boycott on
his prediction for the ICC knockout winner.
"I
am not the kind of person who gives up so easily. Right now, I am
recovering from a groin strain, but it is just a matter of time before
I am fit again. I plan to play domestic cricket in Pakistan full-time
to win back my place." Aamir Sohail on his desire to play for
Pakistan.
"It
wasn't very easy. I was the vice-captain all right, but the
circumstances were difficult. However, I had the support of the whole
team and most of the country. Although it was a difficult task, I had
a full squad of dedicated players under me who rose to the occasion
and played some very good cricket." South African Captain Shaun
Pollock on his appointment.
"We
saw Sachin’s performance go down after he was appointed skipper. He
lost the cavalier attitude he normally brings to the game. Sachin and
Brian are both great players but perhaps they found there was too much
of thinking and not enough time to deliver as batsmen. But a captain
has to play very good as well, lead from the front. Also, sometimes a
general has to take the blame for his bad soldiers."
Vivian Richards
commenting on the two greats on their inability to captain their sides
well.
“I
just think I have to try to get them out, knowing that any bad balls
will be punished. But that's a risk I'd like to take. They can hit me
for five fours but if they give me their wicket, I'll be much happier.
Attack them, hurl bouncers at them, maybe have a go at them
verbally… whatever, but try to upset them”. Wasim Akram on his
thoughts on the two greats Sachin and Lara.
"It
sure feels good, but I have worked very hard for it. Now that I am
there, I have to make sure that I remain there. Quite a few players are
breathing down my neck. I have to keep performing in order to stay
ahead of the competition." Chris Cairns on he copes being the no.1
all rounder in the World
"No,
I always felt that they are much better players than me. Their
performances have been more consistent and of a higher quality than
mine. Anyway, I don't believe in comparisons like these. Everyone has
his own value in his team; that I feel is a better yardstick to judge
a player. Still, when people place me in the same list as those
players, I feel very happy. But I still think they are far superior
players than me." Inzamam ul Haq on being compared with Tendulkar,
Lara and Mark Waugh.
“I hope I
can put the money to good use to try to redress the wrongs I have done to my game and my
country.” Cronje, who admitted
taking money from bookmakers.
“In the
past also they have only attacked Pakistan. Instead of penalizing Australians and South
Africans for hiding facts, they want to further probe into the Pakistan case which has
made the investigation report public and did not hide anything.” Arif Abbasi (Former Chief of Pakistan Cricket Board) stated against the ICC.
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