Harbhajan pulled up by the ICC

Calcutta: Harbhajan Singh has been officially reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first day's play Sunday in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Harbhajan, who kicked and damaged an advertising board after a misfield at the boundary, pleaded guilty to contravening Level 1 offence (Section 2.1.2) of the code which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings”. As he accepted the decision without contest, there was no need for a hearing.

Selection

Calcutta: The BCCI selection committee will Thursday meet at the Cricket Centre in Wankhede to select the side for the two-day Board President’s XI match against the visiting South Africans as well as the Indian team for the two Tests versus the Proteas.

Pak worry

Karachi: Young Pakistan left-arm pacer, Mohammed Aamir is uncertain for the remainder of the series with the recurrence of a groin problem. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia informs that Ryan Harris has been added to the Australia squad as a shadow player for Tuesday’s third match against Pakistan at Adelaide. Harris has been included as cover for Peter Siddle who has complained of back soreness.

Libel claim

London: Chris Cairns has lodged a libel claim with the High Court in London against IPL chairman Lalit Modi. The court confirmed that Cairns made the claim last week but said Monday it cannot give any more details on the case because Modi has not had time to respond.

Snub slammed

Melbourne: Darren Berry, the Rajasthan Royals’ coach, Monday lashed out at the IPL authorities for “humiliating” the Pakistani players in the January 19 auction and alleged “politics and foreign affairs got in the way of cricket decisions”.

Pink ball trial

Calcutta: Cricket Australia Monday confirmed that a pink ball would be on trial during a day-night Futures League match at Adelaide Oval next week, during a three-day match between South Australia and Western Australia.

Chess meet

Wijk Aan Zee: Viswanathan Anand had to settle for a eighth successive draw, signing peace with Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine in the eighth round of the elite group A at the Corus chess tournament.

Scoring change

Stuttgart: F1 teams have agreed to change the scoring system for the second time in two months to increase the reward for race winners and encourage overtaking. The scoring system was to have been extended to the top 10 drivers this season, with winners handed 25 points instead of 10. However, there was a proposal to distribute points 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.