“As part of their annual poll of members, the Professional Cricketers’ Association surveyed 16 players currently involved in the England set-up. Eight indicated their readiness to put the IPL’s six-figure salaries before their country” – The Daily Telegraph
“Shane Warne’s wrong ‘un was about as subtle as his chat-up technique. But at the start of the 20th century, the googly was viewed as a sneaky piece of sophistry” – The Guardian on pre-Pietersen innovations that have caused the cricketing world to tut.
“A million dollars apiece is not to be sniffed at so you won’t find me crossing the road with my eyes shut” – Kevin Pietersen’s not-so-secret views on the upcoming Stanford All-Stars contest.
“I’d buy Luton Town Football Club” – Monty knows exactly what he’d do with five hundred grand.
“South Africa always have big plans for Kevin Pietersen but until Paul Collingwood was banned yesterday, for four one-day internationals, you can bet they did not include him being England captain” – Derek Pringle, writing in The Telegraph.
“I’ll have to take the punishment. It’s part and parcel of the job. As captain you do carry the can on that and it is my responsibility to get our overs bowled quickly. It’s a fair few games off and it’s something I never envisaged I’d have to do but I have to accept it,” – Paul Collingwood, following the news that he faced a four-match ban for a repeat over-rate offence by his side.
“In a sense, the Indian Premier League has done for cricket what the Premier League in England has done for club football except that, in the Indian fashion, it has been done like a popular yogic exercise where you stand on your head” – Mihir Bose, BBC’s sports editor.
“In the heat of the moment, a quick decision had to be made. Both players collided. I asked Sidebottom straight away: ‘Were you going for the ball?’ He said, 100 per cent, that he was going for the ball, for the run-out. [A] split second decision in a tight game, with emotions running high. The umpire asked me if I wanted to uphold my appeal, and I said I was still appealing” – Paul Collingwood on his decision to back Sidebottom, later regretted.
“All bilateral arrangements are suspended with Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect” – the English Cricket Board.
“India will not host or participate in any event featuring players from the ICL. England Cricket Board’s officials told us that laws in Britain do not permit them to restrict participation of players. That be the case, England’s teams will not be able to play in the Champions League staged in India. It’ll be very sad, but we have our own rule” – Lalit Modi, Board of Control for Cricket in India vice-president and chief organiser of the Indian Premier League.
Cricket Blips: England feed