Bernie Ecclestone returns millions to Bahrain rulers

BERNIE Ecclestone returned a multi-million dollar cheque to the Royal Family of Bahrain yesterday as the struggling nation faced up to the loss of its biggest showpiece sporting event.

The Formula One commercial rights-holder took the unprecedented step of waiving Bahrain's rights fees in the wake of the civil unrest that forced the first grand prix of the new season to be abandoned late on Monday.

Ecclestone told The Times it was an act of loyalty and good faith in a ruling family that had supported Formula One, despite the problems containing the unrest that filled the streets of Manama, the capital, with protesters again yesterday.

But it was also an act of generosity that flies in the face of Ecclestone's reputation for driving the hardest of bargains. Ecclestone's Formula One Management company and the teams stand to lose huge sums from the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"Nobody gains from this," Ecclestone said. "I want to be loyal to the King [of Bahrain], because he is doing everything he can to put things right with his people. He doesn't need people like me stabbing him in the back.

"Right from the start, we talked about the problems there, and he was straight with me. I am not there and I do not know properly what problems they are having. But the King was concerned about Formula One and our safety, which is why he took the decision to call off the race."

Ecclestone refused to say how big the commercial fee agreed with Bahrain had been, but dismissed speculation that it was as much as £37 million ($60m). However, losing Bahrain will put a substantial dent in Formula One's takings.

Ecclestone had committed to Bahrain by paying for tonnes of freight to be sent to the tiny Gulf state before the race, which was scheduled for March 13. That has to be redirected to Australia, which will host the first race on March 27.

There is also the problem of when, or even whether, Bahrain could rejoin the calendar. Although Ecclestone has pledged to find a slot, that is going to be a hard task in a packed season.

Source http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/bernie-ecclestone-returns-millions-to-bahrain-rulers/story-fn69qwst-1226010810143

Aussies stuggling early against Proteas

AUSTRALIA has lost two early wickets in it final World Cup warm-up game against South Africa in Bangalore.

Australia were 2-27 after 10 overs with skipper Ricky Ponting on six and Michael Clarke on 19.

Openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin both made ducks, with Watson out lbw to Dale Steyn and Haddin run out.

Ponting had earlier chosen to bat first. Both teams are allowed to use up to 15 players each in the match.

Australia recalled Steve Smith, Shaun Tait and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who were rested on Sunday, leaving out back-up paceman Doug Bollinger and reserve wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

Teams: Australia (squad of 13): Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Jason Krejza, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

South Africa (squad of 15): Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk.

Source http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket-world-cup/aussies-to-bat-first-against-proteas/story-fn67w6pa-1226006552646

CA praises Geelong Twenty20 bid

The lack of floodlights at Skilled Stadium and the underdeveloped market in Melbourne's west were critical factors that went against Geelong's bid for a Twenty20 team.

But Cricket Australia praised the bid as "outstanding" and said the strength of Geelong's submission had encouraged them to look at a further expansion of the domestic Big Bash competition.

Geelong was among three bids that Cricket Victoria submitted to CA for the two teams in the expanded Big Bash Twenty20 competition.

The league will expand from six to eight teams next summer, with Victoria's sides playing out of the MCG and Docklands.

NSW will also have two teams, based out of the SCG and Homebush.

"Our job is to make sure we take cricket to as many people as possible," said CA's marketing general manager Mike McKenna.

"When you split (Melbourne) in half, along a natural east-west divide that we have in the city, there's two really strong, growing markets.

"The west of Melbourne which is probably under-'specced' in terms of cricket at the moment, has tremendous growth and potential for us.

"It made a hard decision a little bit clearer when you looked at some of the facilities provided in those two venues (the MCG and Etihad Stadium) and I guess the critical issue was there's not lights yet at Skilled Stadium."

CA decided on the team locations at its Tuesday board meeting.

The board also asked CA management to look at further expansion of the league, given the strength of the Geelong bid.

CA will also keep the Sheffield Shield in its current form, but reduce the domestic one-day competition from 10 rounds to eight to accommodate the enlarged domestic Twenty20 schedule.

The Big Bash will start around December 15-17 and run for six weeks, with no other domestic cricket in that time.

Each team, which can have part private ownership, will play the others once before two semi-finals and a final.

"The Big Bash league will not be an exclusive window, it will be run in parallel with international cricket," said CA chief executive James Sutherland.

"Australian players who are playing Test cricket at the time won't be available to play in the Big Bash."

But CA is yet to announce other details of the expanded Big Bash, including whether it will involve player free agency.

"Most of (the questions) will be answered over the next couple of months, we're in discussions with State associations, final discussions around names and colours and with the ACA (Australian Cricketers' Association) around player rules," McKenna said.

Source http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/08/3133545.htm?site=sport&section=cricket