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Ireland ought to play more often against the bigger teams because they’ve won their respect given how they’ve performed in this World Cup, coach Phil Simmons has said

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2011Ireland ought to play more often against the bigger teams because they’ve won their respect given how they’ve performed in this World Cup, coach Phil Simmons has said. Ireland failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, but beat England and challenged Bangladesh, India and West Indies in the run-up to their final game of the tournament, against Netherlands on Friday in Kolkata.”We need to play more games against big guys because they all have respect for us now,” Simmons said. “We can play against big guys. We now no longer play to compete only, but to win. I think the biggest improvement is that we come looking to win the game (against bigger sides) and planning how to win the game.”The disappointing feature of Ireland’s performance, Simmons said, was the fact that they didn’t finish off matches despite pushing some of the top teams close. Though they overcame England in a thrilling finish, they lost narrowly to Bangladesh in Mirpur and faltered in what was shaping up to be a fighting chase against West Indies. More experience of playing against the bigger teams was the key to improvement, according to Simmons.”It’s disappointing that we put ourselves in a position to win, but could not follow up. I think it shows that we need more games at this level to get us ready against big guys.”Simmons admitted his team still had a long way to go to achieve Test status, but deserved to compete more often in the limited-overs formats. “We have been asking the ICC that we need more games. We are nowhere near Tests, but we sure can play one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches.”Ireland captain William Porterfield said the team’s batsmen need to step up. “In some of the games we put ourselves into winning positions. It would have been wonderful if we had a couple of wins under our belts,” he said. “We need to improve on a couple of areas in our batting. We have lost wickets in clusters in some of the matches, something we can’t afford to do against big teams.”Porterfield’s Netherlands counterpart, Peter Borren, said the game was significant as his team is yet to register a win in the competition. “Motivation is not difficult for us because we obviously have not had a win and hope to end on a high note,” he said. “Ireland has done well in the tournament and has been competitive, but if we go out there and win tomorrow, we will be making a statement.”

Younis Khan was pleased with his half-century on day three at the Basin Reserve as Pakistan went to stumps 11 runs ahead of New Zealand, having made 376

Andrew Fernando17-Jan-2011Younis Khan was pleased with his half-century on day three at the Basin Reserve as Pakistan went to stumps 11 runs ahead of New Zealand, having made 376. Younis’ 142-run stand with Misbah-ul-Haq formed the bedrock of Pakistan’s total as the pair ground New Zealand down for the best part of two sessions, scoring at less than three-an-over and batting out sixteen maidens between them.”I had a hundred against South Africa and now I have a good innings here as well,” said Younis. “Before the World Cup you need a couple of good innings like today’s one, so I’m happy about that.”He was also relieved to end his run of poor form on the tour, having made only 40 runs in five outings, which included three Twenty20s, a tour match and the first Test in Hamilton. “I needed an innings because I couldn’t make any runs in the Twenty20s and in the first Test I only scored 20 plus,” said Younis. “Today at the crease I just wanted to stay in, face more balls and play some shots.”Younis and Misbah batted patiently as the hosts toiled in the field, the pair happy to wait for the bad balls to put away rather than attempting to break the shackles, even with Daniel Vettori at his miserly best during the middle session. The partnership was cut short by a bad umpiring decision when Younis was given out, caught at short leg, after he had failed to get a touch on a Vettori arm ball. “We were a little unlucky because we were almost at 150 runs with the partnership. It’s in the nature of the game and the umpires are also human so I think you can’t blame anyone for that decision. In future I think we need referrals in Test games, in One Dayers and in Twenty20s as well.”The ferocious winds that buffeted the Basin Reserve on the first two days had eased on day three, and Younis was grateful at not having to battle the weather as well as a disciplined New Zealand attack. “It was my first time playing in these windy conditions. But as an international cricketer you’re supposed to do well in these conditions. I’ve already played eight or nine years in international cricket, so I should be used to it. The wind today wasn’t as bad today as it was in the last couple of days, so I was lucky.”Younis claimed that Pakistan’s performance tomorrow will crucial to the outcome of the match after the teams had little to choose between them at stumps on day three. “The match is quite even at the moment and whoever plays well tomorrow will have a good chance. The pitch is slow and it’s turning as well. It’s not a pacy one, so if you play proper shots at the crease you have a good chance to score good runs at the end.”

Even though it’s only for practice, the winners of the warm-up match between Australia and South Africa will take confidence out of beating their old foes

Firdose Moonda in Bangalore14-Feb-2011There are only two survivors from semi-final between South Africa and Australia at Edgbaston in 1999 in this World Cup. Only Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting have experienced the heartache and exhilaration that laid the foundation for an intense rivalry between the two countries in the 21st century. Most of the men in the present squads only had a small taste of the tough contest that plays out when these two teams meet, in the 2008-09 season. They’ll be served another morsel in the warm-up match in Bangalore, and even though it’s only for practice, the winners will take confidence out of beating their old foes.South Africa have more painful memories and will be particularly gleeful if they walk away with a victory, although coach Corrie van Zyl warned against reading too much into the match. “It’s important for us to win in terms of getting ready for the 24th, which is when the real thing starts,” he said. South Africa have another ten days before their World Cup campaign gets underway against West Indies in Delhi and are being careful not to get distracted before then.The outcome of tomorrow’s match could be one such distraction, perhaps more so if South Africa win. Australia are by no means the invincible side they once were, and they don’t have the same hold over South Africa that they once did, but the contest is still talked up. van Zyl is trying to get his team to think beyond that. “To think about those things in the past is unnecessary,” he said. “This is a different side now.”The biggest change for South Africa is that they have a more varied bowling attack than ever before, headlined by three frontline and two part-time spinners. Collectively, they took six wickets in the warm-up game against Zimbabwe, and after seeing the amount of turn the Bangalore pitch offered, they must be drooling at the sight of it. Australia lost 9 for 58 against India on Sunday, and their batsmen have plenty to ponder over before facing South Africa’s spinners, all of whom are likely to play.”We want to give everyone an opportunity,” van Zyl said, indicating South Africa may field all 15 players. It will be a helpful exercise for Dale Steyn, who got nothing out of the Chennai pitch and saw some Australian seamers succeed in Bangalore. Steyn bowled much slower than normal against Zimbabwe but there were no doubts over his fitness. “Dale brings a uniqueness to the bowling attack with his pace and swing and is obviously a very important player for us. We are looking to have a complete bowling attack and he is part of that.”There was a fear that one of the prongs of that attack, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, may be out of action for a while after spraining his knee against Zimbabwe but he was running during training with no problems. “He has done work with the physio and practiced under guidance and we hope he will be ready for tomorrow,” van Zyl said.The emphasis is on getting every member of the squad as prepared as possible and not on the overall outcome. With that in mind, the middle order is a concern because it did not have much time at the crease on Saturday. Although van Zyl would like to see the likes of JP Duminy, Colin Ingram and Johan Botha batting, he doesn’t want it to come “because the top order did a bad job.” Ideally he would like them to “get an opportunity at a later stage in the innings.”The only other player whose preparation is under scrutiny is Jacques Kallis. He batted with sublime confidence on Saturday but did not bowl and is unlikely to do so on Tuesday. van Zyl hoped the step-by-step reintroduction will pay off and Kallis will peak during the tournament. “When he has had periods of rest, he always comes back so strongly, so we hope that will happen again. It’s important that he is ready for the business end.”That end of the tournament is not for another five weeks, and even though many will see Tuesday’s match as a possible semi-final or final, it will be crucial for South Africa to remember that it isn’t and concentrate on their method, not the result. A victory over Australia later in the tournament will be much sweeter.

A pair of fighting half-centuries from Phillip Hughes in his first match for South Australia wasn’t enough to stop Queensland open their Sheffield Shield title defence with a comfortable win at the Gabba

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2012
ScorecardPhillip Hughes made 95 and 83 in his first match for South Australia but it wasn’t enough to prevent a Queensland victory•Getty ImagesA pair of fighting half-centuries from Phillip Hughes in his first match for South Australia wasn’t enough to stop Queensland open their Sheffield Shield title defence with a comfortable win at the Gabba. The 191-run margin was confirmed after Luke Feldman and Ben Cutting led a strong performance with the ball from Queensland, who dismissed South Australia for 271 in their second-innings chase of 463.The Redbacks began the day two wickets down and needing a minor miracle to avoid defeat, and the loss of Callum Ferguson for 44 to Cutting didn’t help their cause. Hughes departed soon afterwards for 83 to add to his 95 from the first innings, a fine output in his first game since moving from New South Wales, but with precious little support from the rest of the order it would have taken a couple of big centuries from Hughes to keep South Australia in the contest.Feldman (4 for 50) ran through the middle order and was at one stage on a hat-trick, as the Redbacks lost 5 for 18 in less than five overs, before Nathan Lyon (21) and Joe Mennie began a tail-end resistance. Mennie struck his maiden first-class half-century and finished on 79 not out from 74 deliveries as the fight ran out for the Redbacks.South Australia did not win a match in last year’s Sheffield Shield competition and have finished on the bottom of the table for each of the past three seasons. This loss extended their poor record to no wins from their past 17 Sheffield Shield matches.

Centuries from Sean Williams and Keith Dabengwa gave Zimbabwe XI the first-innings lead against Ireland on the third day as they finished on 506 for 6

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Sep-2010
ScorecardCenturies from Sean Williams and Keith Dabengwa gave Zimbabwe XI the first-innings lead against Ireland on the third day of their Intercontinental Cup match in Harare. Only three wickets fell for 331 runs as Zimbabwe XI completely dominated the day’s proceedings.Williams and Dabengwa began with Zimbabwe XI still 290 runs adrift of Ireland’s 465. They didn’t get bogged down though, and kept the runs flowing during their 237-run stand for the fourth wicket that came at more than 3.5 runs an over. Williams was caught by Gary Wilson off John Mooney’s bowling after having made 178 off 280 deliveries, his fourth first-class century.At 348 for 4, Zimbabwe XI were still short of Ireland’s total by 117 runs. Dabengwa then shared a century partnership with wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva to take his team past 450. However, both were dismissed by Kevin O’Brien in consecutive overs. Dabengwa made 140 off 291, his fourth first-class century, while Chakabva got 54 off 99.If Ireland thought they could run through the tail, their hopes were belied by Forster Mutizwa and Shingirai Masakadza who were still together at stumps, after taking Zimbabwe XI past 500 in a 49-run stand.Ireland used as many as eight bowlers in their bid to stem Zimbabwe, who picked up six points for taking the lead.

A Pakistani TV channel has broadcast previously unseen video footage of Mazhar Majeed in which he takes the names of four more Pakistani players who, he claims, work with him

Osman Samiuddin30-Nov-2010A Pakistani TV channel has broadcast previously unseen video footage of Mazhar Majeed, the player agent allegedly at the centre of the spot-fixing scandal, in which he takes the names of four more Pakistani players who, he claims, work with him.The video footage, obtained and shown by the news channel, is part of the hidden camera recordings that formed the original sting operation in August. In those, an undercover reporter pretending to be a member of a betting syndicate was seen meeting with Majeed a number of times to allegedly orchestrate spot-fixing scams involving members of the Pakistan team.At the time the tabloid revealed the names of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir and claimed that there were four others involved but didn’t name them. Butt, Asif and Amir were provisionally suspended by the ICC; the tabloid claimed to have exposed their plan, with Majeed, to bowl deliberate, pre-arranged no-balls during the fourth Test between Pakistan and England at Lord’s.The footage, well-placed sources confirmed to ESPNcricinfo, was shown as an exhibit in the ICC’s provisional suspension hearings of Butt and Amir, held in October in Dubai, and was part of the evidence submitted by ICC against the three.The freshly aired footage takes place in Majeed’s house, where he is talking to a reporter with a hidden camera who asks him about the players who work with him: “What’s the latest situation?” Majeed replies: “I’ll tell you who we’ve got then. We’ve got Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt, Wahab Riaz … that’s six, yeah? Imran Farhat … that’s seven out of 11 players.”Majeed goes on to explain how certain players are good for certain acts and how he targets younger players in particular. “It’s long-term thinking. These boys are going to be around years and I’ve got the best boys.” Senior players such as Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Saeed Ajmal, he says, do not interest him because they only have a few years left. Ajmal, he says, is “too religious.”Of the four players named in the claims aired on Tuesday, Umar and Riaz continue to very much be a part of the Pakistan side; both were selected today in Pakistan’s Twenty20 and Test squads for a tour to New Zealand. Riaz was questioned by Scotland Yard during the England tour, though he was released without any charge laid on him.The eldest Akmal, Kamran, has been frozen out, however, and has not been picked since the England tour. He was the subject of a notice sent by the ACSU after the World Twenty20 in May, but was recently told by the ICC that he is cleared to play for Pakistan.According to the PCB’s chief selector Mohsin Khan, Kamran wasn’t picked for the New Zealand series because the PCB didn’t clear him. Though his Test form has been poor, he would generally be considered an essential part of the limited-overs side given the balance his hard-hitting batting brings.Farhat was part of Pakistan’s squad in the series against South Africa but has also been dropped. His axing is likelier to be the result of poor performances, however, and the relative success of a new opening pair in Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez.The emergence of this footage is likely to increase concerns in the ICC – which has not commented publicly on any of the other four players – about the legal representation the suspended trio is getting. Earlier this month, the same channel broadcast text messages allegedly exchanged between Butt and Majeed. That led to the ICC asking the players’ lawyers to return the evidence given to them during the hearings, unhappy that it was being leaked to the media.Observers familiar with and, in some instances, involved in the case have repeatedly expressed concerns over the attitude of some of the lawyers and how it might affect the workings of the final hearings into the case, due to be held in January in Doha, Qatar. Sources who witnessed the provisional suspension hearings claim that the players’ lawyers signed a document agreeing not to discuss the hearing and the case publicly, something that has not happened.

Nottinghamshire replaced Somerset at the top of Group C with a three-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis system

15-Aug-2011
ScorecardNottinghamshire replaced Somerset at the top of Group C with a three-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis system in the Clydesdale Bank 40 floodlit match at Taunton.The visitors reached a twice revised target of 143 in 19 overs with one ball to spare thanks largely to Steve Mullaney’s 50 off 30 balls, with five fours and three sixes, and 42 from Chris Read.Somerset had posted 156 for 6 off 19.2 overs when a shower ended their innings prematurely after the match had been initially reduced to 25 overs per side, Jos Buttler scoring 34 and Nick Compton 34 not out.A further 55 minutes were lost, resulting in the revised target for Notts of 163 from 19 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system. But after just one over the rain returned and there was another break in play.With the visitors on three without loss, another revised target of 143 off 16 overs was announced. It meant Notts required a further 140 from 90 balls at more than nine an over. Although they lost wickets steadily, Mullaney’s big hitting, having been promoted to opener in the absence of Alex Hales kept them in sight of the required rate.And after he was brilliantly run out by Marcus Trescothick’s direct hit at the bowler’s end from backward point Read took over to see his side to the brink of victory, with a slice of luck in the penultimate over when he was dropped by George Dockrell at long-off off Steve Kirby.Former Somerset player Ben Phillips provided the killer blows with successive boundaries in the final over sent down by Alfonso Thomas.Phillips had earlier taken the key wicket of Trescothick after the Somerset captain had hit 30 off 19 balls. Craig Kieswetter’s bright 23 had helped the hosts to a brisk start, but they slipped to 94 for five before a stand of 62 in eight overs between Buttler and Compton.Both hit towering sixes over long-off when Samit Patel gave the ball some air. When Buttler was caught at long-on off Luke Fletcher the rain which had fallen steadily for much of the innings got harder, forcing the umpires to take the players off.Read was named Man of the Match, but it was Mullaney’s clean hitting that put Nottinghamshire in with a realistic chance. They now lead Group C with 15 points, while Somerset lie second on 13, having played two fewer games.

There had been some grumbling from club stalwarts when Warwickshire signed Shiv Chanderpaul, but today he justified the investment with a masterful century

George Dobell at Edgbaston24-Aug-2011
Scorecard
There was some consternation at Edgbaston when Warwickshire signed Shivnarine Chanderpaul. What sort of message, some supporters asked, did bringing in a short-term overseas signing send out to the club’s own young players? Those grumbles only increased after Chanderpaul’s lacklustre debut against Hampshire last week.Here, however, the West Indian justified Warwickshire’s investment with a masterful century. With the match and the Championship title in the balance, Chanderpaul contributed a chanceless – and so far unbeaten – innings of 167 which may well prove to have lasting consequences for both sides.While Warwickshire’s hopes of winning the title remain alive, Yorkshire’s chances of avoiding relegation receded yet further. The scores drifting in from The Rose Bowl will have done nothing to lighten the mood.This game hasn’t gone yet, however. Warwickshire’s lead is only 43 and, if Yorkshire can strike early on the third day and then bat far better in their second innings, they could yet turn this match.As it is, however, Warwickshire have an opportunity to bat the hosts out of the game. The pitch is beginning to shows signs of variable bounce and is offering sharp turn out of the foot-holes. As Chanderpaul put it: “the bounce is a bit up and down and it’s only the end of day two; it’s not going to get any better.”Not that you’d notice from watching Chanderpaul. Coming to the crease with Warwickshire on 5 for 2, he barely played and missed in almost six hours at the crease and at times made Yorkshire’s attack look very ordinary indeed. He made it look easy,” Yorkshire captain Jacques Rudolph admitted afterwards. “He showed his class and his experience and he was very difficult to control.”This was a disappointing performance from the hosts, however. While Ryan Sidebottom and, to a lesser extent, Steve Patterson, at least gave their captain a measure of control, Chanderpaul was able to milk the others as if they were Friesians. Richard Pyrah, dropping short with mystifying regularity, was pulled repeatedly, while Adil Rashid, bereft of confidence, looks a shadow of the bowler that once promised so much. David Wainwright bowled some decent spells but simply found himself engaged in a battle with a superior opponent and conceded four an over at a time his captain desperately required someone to apply control.Chanderpaul wasn’t the only batsman to impress. Tim Ambrose again looked in fine touch in recording his sixth Championship half-century of the season. It says much for the bowling, however, that Ambrose, at one stage, hit boundaries from six consecutive deliveries: four off Pyrah – three drives and a pull – and two pulls off horrid Rashid long-hops.With Chanderpaul, Ambrose added 111 for Warwickshire’s fifth wicket and, while he may regret again failing to convert his fine form into a century – he hasn’t scored one since 2009 – he might also consider himself unfortunate to be adjudged caught at slip off a ball that seemed to have turned from a foot hole and missed the bat altogether.Laurie Evans also prospered for a while. Demonstrating excellent balance and timing the ball beautifully, he undid much of his good work, however, by perishing to Wainwright’s fourth delivery, attempting a cut to a ball too full for the shot.Keith Barker, so good with the ball on the first day, also looked good with the bat. While there’s little pretty about Barker’s batting – it’s effective rather than pleasing – he’s already helped Chanderpaul add 76 for Warwickshire’s seventh-wicket and, unless Yorkshire strike early on day three, could take the game away from the hosts on the third morning.Most of all, however, there was Chanderpaul. After a watchful start, he grew in confidence and, having swept Wainwright out of the attack, he unveiled some unusually elegant drives and pulled with power and precision. Less eye-catching but equally impressive was the way he nudged and guided the ball into gaps. It was his ninth century in just his 34th Championship game. He’s also made 14 half-centuries.While Chanderpaul insists that international cricket remains his priority – “I’m available for them in all formats” he said – there is now a growing chance that his future is in county cricket. If the West Indies don’t want him – and they must be a very fine side to leave out such a talent – Warwickshire surely will.This was a performance made all the more surprising for the contrast with his batting against Hampshire. Before that game, however, Chanderpaul says he felt short of practise and he responded to the early loss by reporting to Edgbaston for extra training. It seems to have done the trick.The rest of Warwickshire’s batting folded a little too easily. Ian Westwood shuffled in front of one that went straight on, Varun Chopra missed one that nipped back and Jim Troughton again squandered a decent start by edging a flashing cut stroke. Later Darren Maddy was adjudged leg before despite there being a hint of bat involved.Still, with Chanderpaul there to provide backbone, such issues could be overlooked. Just as Mohammad Yousuf provided a telling contribution in the home game against Worcestershire, Chanderpaul may well have made the telling contribution here. It’s exactly what the overseas player is required to do.Off the pitch the news was less good for Warwickshire. It is understood that Rikki Clarke is almost certain to leave the club at the end of the season and is expected to sign for Sussex within days. While Warwickshire have offered him a new, two-year deal, Sussex have offered three years and the opportunity to bat a little higher up the order in limited-overs cricket. Sussex will be his fourth county side.He’ll be quite an addition. While the runs haven’t flowed in the quantity they might have done this season, Clarke has developed into a high-quality fast bowler. He also remains one of the best fielders in the country.Meanwhile the future of Lancashire’s Gary Keedy remains uncertain. While Warwickshire have offered a three-year deal, Lancashire have offered two years. Whatever he decides – and with the T20 and Championship title to be decided in the days ahead, he’s not going to decide this week – Keedy’s heart, you suspect, remains very much at Old Trafford.

Ian Bell returns to county duty on Thursday looking to put a testing winter behind him and re-establish his credentials as one of the world’s leading middle-order batsmen

George Dobell18-Apr-2012Ian Bell returns to county duty on Thursday looking to put a testing winter behind him and re-establish his credentials as one of the world’s leading middle-order batsmen.Bell enjoyed a prolific 2011, registering five Test centuries and averaging 118.75 in the calendar year. That all changed over the winter as Bell, struggling against the spin of Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal in particular, averaged 8.50 in three Tests in the UAE and 27.66 in the two on England’s tour of Sri Lanka. He was also omitted from the limited-overs squads that played against Pakistan.Bell, who turned 30 earlier this month, retains a hunger to reclaim a place in all formats and was keen to return to county duty as early as possible. He takes his place in the Warwickshire team that finished second in last year’s Championship and which travels to Liverpool to take on the current champions, Lancashire. Tom Smith remains unavailable for the hosts with a hamstring injury.Andrew Strauss, another man looking to recover his form after a testing winter, also returns to county duty. The England Test captain will be joined in the Middlesex side by Steven Finn – who is pushing for inclusion as the third seamer in England’s Test team – for their Division One match against Durham at Lord’s. Chris Rogers will captain Middlesex as Neil Dexter has temporarily stood down in order to concentrate on finding his form with the bat.Paul Collingwood, who missed the defeat against Nottinghamshire due to a virus, has recovered sufficiently to be named in a Durham squad containing eight players with international experience. There is still no place for Steve Harmison, however. England’s former spearhead is currently playing second-XI cricket as he seeks full match fitness.Somerset will be without the injured pair of Gemaal Hussain and Adam Dibble for their game against Nottinghamshire, who have won both their first two games, at Trent Bridge. Surrey are without Jacques Rudolph, who misses the game against Worcestershire for family reasons.In Division Two, Ravi Bopara will replace Mark Pettini in the Essex side to take on Yorkshire at Headingley, with Charl Willoughby also included in the squad for the first time following his move from Somerset.Edited by Alan Gardner

Rajasthan Royals are under Rahul Dravid’s leadership this season and have strengthened their batting, which was their weakness in 2011

Tariq Engineer03-Apr-2012Big pictureRahul Dravid will lead Rajasthan Royals after retiring from international cricket•AFPThe key to Rajasthan Royals’ 2012 season will be how they handle the transition at the head of the team. Shane Warne, their inspirational captain and face of the franchise, retired. The man who succeeded Warne is a cricket icon of equal standing but of different temperament. Warne was loud, aggressive and loved being the centre of attention. Rahul Dravid is quiet, restrained and simply goes about his business.What the two have in common though is the ability to lead by example and a deep knowledge of the game. Now that Dravid has retired from international cricket the IPL is his sole cricketing focus, and if anyone can manage the change in culture with as few hiccups as possible, it will be him.Last season was a mixed bag for the Royals, who started strongly and were in contention for a place in the playoffs before fading towards the end. A controversy over the pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, which resulted in the disciplining of Warne, was a distraction, but the side’s slide exposed the lack of depth in their batting. To the Royals’ credit, they have gone some way to address that weakness with the additions of Brad Hodge, Owais Shah and Dinesh Chandimal, who can double up as wicketkeeper and might prove to be the steal of the 2012 player auction.The loss of Warne will also be felt by the bowling attack, and the team will be hoping Brad Hogg, who had success in the Big Bash and the Bangladesh Premier League, can at least partially fill the void. Sreesanth potentially bolsters the seam department, but he hasn’t played competitive cricket for six months and is unpredictable.Key playersJohan Botha was a revelation up the order in 2011 and his unexpected form with the bat was crucial to the Royals’ early success. He also opened the bowling to great effect and the team will need more of the same from him to compete this year.Warne was one of two players retained by the Royals in 2011. The other was Shane Watson. The Australia allrounder will only arrive at the end of April, after the tour of the West Indies, but if the Royals can get off to a good start in his absence, Watson could provide a crucial late spark to help them qualify for the playoffs.Big names inThe Royals bought Chandimal, Sri Lanka’s newest batting sensation, for only $50,000 at the auction. They needed a wicketkeeper who can bat and they got him cheap. Chandimal’s ability and consistency was on show in the recent triangular series in Australia and he should add steel to the Royals middle order.Big names outRoss Taylor, the team’s self-described “finisher”, was traded to Delhi Daredevils on the last day of the trading window. Taylor had a decent tournament in 2011 without producing anything special, and the franchise quickly found a replacement in Shah.Below the radarA transformed Stuart Binny was Karnataka’s go-to man in the Ranji Trophy last season as the allrounder reaped the benefits of a new attitude and a commitment to fitness. He made 742 runs at an average of 67.45 and a strike rate of 83.46. He also took 20 wickets at an average of 20.10. If Binny can bring the same attitude to the IPL, the Royals might not miss Watson as much during the first half of the tournament.AvailabilityAustralia’s ongoing tour of the West Indies means Watson is unavailable until the Test series ends on April 27.