We acted as per rules while suspending Rajasthan CA: BCCI
New Delhi: The BCCI said, on Wednesday, that it has acted as per its rules and regulations while suspending the Rajasthan Cricket Association just after former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi was declared elected as president of the state cricket body. Modi, who has been living in exile after being slapped with a life ban, was elected RCA President on Tuesday after the Supreme Court cleared the deck for the announcement of the election results held four months ago, prompting a livid BCCI to suspend the state cricket body. “Being aware and mindful that an anomalous situation would arise in the event Mr Modi was elected President of RCA, the BCCI filed an application before the parallel proceedings pending in the Supreme Court bringing the issue to the notice of the Hon’ble Court and seeking reliefs that its position on the said issue be clarified,” the BCCI said in a release. It went on to say that the Disciplinary Committee, which submitted its report on June 10, 2013 found Modi guilty on various counts after which as per Regulation 32 (iv), a Special General Meeting of the BCCI was called for on September 25, 2013 and the House “unanimously” adopted the report of the Disciplinary Committee. (PTI)
Pollard, Starc fined for ugly spat
Mumbai: Kieron Pollard of Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Mitchell Starc have been fined for an ugly spat during the Indian Premier League match between the two teams here on Tuesday. Pollard was fined 75 per cent of his match fee for throwing his bat at Starc, while the Australian fast bowler was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game”. The unpleasant incident between the two players took place in the 17th over of the Mumbai innings when Starc continued with his delivery stride despite Pollard pulling out of his batting stance. As the Aussie fired the ball at the West Indian, the batsman advanced menacingly towards Starc and flung his willow at the bowler but, luckily, it slipped out of the Trinidadian’s hand and dropped near him. A fuming Pollard had a word with the umpire, complaining about the bowler’s conduct. After the bat lay on the turf, the two on-field umpires intervened to talk to the angry players as Chris Gayle, playing for RCB, came on to calm his West Indian team mate. Fines were also handed to the two team captains – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – for maintaining a slow-over rate. (PTI)
Hamilton ready to make move on Rosberg
BARCELONA: Formula One’s European season kicks off in Spain this weekend with Lewis Hamilton on a roll and ready to wrest the championship lead from Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton has never won a grand prix in Spain but, after racking up three successive victories for the first time, the 2008 world champion can break new boundaries at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday. “I’m in a good place right now and I’m hoping that this will be the year,” said the Briton, who is four points behind Rosberg despite winning three races to the German’s one. “The circuit is fantastic, our car has performed well so far and I’m really looking forward to a good race.” Rosberg was on pole in Spain last year but has also never won there. Barcelona, the fifth round of the 19-race season that ends in Abu Dhabi in November, could also see the first big shake-up of the pecking order after the opening ‘flyaways’ in Asia and the Middle East. The return to the sport’s European roots, and its most fervent fans, sees the teams back in their palatial paddock ‘motorhomes’ and represents something of a fresh start. All the teams plan to bring upgrades and Renault, who power Red Bull and their four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, are confident they can bring much more to the party after a difficult start to the season. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won in Spain last year, from fifth on the grid, and arrives buoyed by his first podium appearance of the season in China last month when he finished third and way ahead of team mate Kimi Raikkonen. (Reuters)
