Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne shocked at axing

Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has expressed his dismay at the news that his team has been axed from the Indian Premier League next season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Sunday it would terminate the contracts of the inaugural IPL champions and Kings XI Punjab after reported financial irregularities.

Both sides were founding members of the popular Twenty20 tournament and Warne's sadness was obvious after he posted several messages on his Twitter account on Sunday evening.

"It's a big shock," the legendary leg-spinner posted.

Shane Warne has also been a key part of the Rajasthan story, which began with an upset victory in the first edition of the IPL, while Aaron Finch, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges were the other Australians who played for the team in 2010.

Brett Lee and Shaun Marsh were on the books of Punjab.

Watson's continued success for both Rajasthan and Australia has been due in large part to the
careful management of his body by the Queensland-based Victor Popov and also John Gloster, the Royals' Australian physio.

Rajasthan were believed to have set aside the maximum figure of $A2 million to retain Watson and so keep him out of the forthcoming IPL auction, but all that has been thrown out by the BCCI's verdict.

"I've been lucky enough to be able to come over here to India for a number of years now," Watson said. "I've been able to feel a lot more comfortable coming over here and understanding the different grounds and the different conditions here."


SHANE Warne and Shane Watson need a new cash cow after their Rajasthan Royals were kicked out of the IPL last night.

Mott would have to quit Blues to coach IPL side 2010

MATTHEW Mott has been told by Cricket NSW he will have to resign as Blues coach if he accepts an offer to join new Indian Premier League franchise Kochi.

Mott worked for two seasons as John Buchanan's assistant at Kolkata Knight Riders, but Gilbert said increasing demands on coaches by the IPL franchises meant it was no longer tenable for Mott to remain in charge of the Blues as well as take on another demanding role.

''It's something that we gave a go, but unfortunately, in terms of best servicing our program here, we can't have Motty away for the periods of time they would require,'' Gilbert said.

''That's the way it goes. We found when Motty was at the Knight Riders that they wanted more and more of his time and it was compromising his role here. It's not fair on our players.

''Motty has indicated to me that he wants to go through the interview process with Kochi. I respect that. But if he is offered the job and decides to accept it, then he would have to resign from the role here. Motty realises that something has to give. This is a full-time job here at Cricket NSW.''

Fergie eyes off a rich Indian double

CALLUM Ferguson is on the verge of a double celebration. He is "quietly confident" of securing an Indian Premier League contract while an Australia one-day recall looks imminent.

The vibrant middle-order batsman is one of five South Australian Champions League stars being courted by IPL rivals trawling for talent before an expanded 2011 series.

"To get exposure to such a high level of cricket would be fantastic," said Ferguson, whose 200-run, Champions League spree and bumper 151.1 strike rate underlined his Twenty20 prowess.

"I am quietly confident I might get a chance. It would be nice."

Ferguson is at short odds to receive a recall for the limited-overs segment of Australia's tour of India. 

Klinger made three half centuries in a stunning debut as captain and is a genuine chance of gaining an IPL deal after being overlooked for the Redbacks' Big Bash campaign last season.

Ferguson, spearhead Shaun Tait (nine wickets), skipper Michael Klinger (226 runs), allrounder Dan Christian (eight wickets), and opener Daniel Harris (139 runs/six wickets) excelled in the Redbacks' surge to the Champions League semi-finals in South Africa.

"Maxy" believes the Redbacks' Australian limited overs trio - Ferguson, Christian and Tait - stand strong chances of landing IPL contracts and hopes to join them in the Twenty20 showcase.

"In terms of the tournament, there was a fair bit of hype about the Redbacks. Christo was leading the wicket-taking. I was making some runs, Ferg performed consistently well and Taity was the fastest bowler at the tournament."

While SA has basked in a $1 million Champions League pay-day, Klinger said it was important the team translated its success to other forms of the game. "There is a difference between T20 and four-day cricket. That is something we have to get our heads around," he said.