Cricket Buzz: Rain threatens Kolkata-Punjab IPL qualifier

With heavy rain since Sunday and more being forecast for Tuesday, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the Indian Premier League’s first qualifier between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab, at the Eden Gardens.

Both teams had to skip Monday’s practice as the ground remained under cover.

It’s been raining since Sunday afternoon because of a low pressure

formation over the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in its bulletin for the next two days, prompting fears of the first play-off match being washed out.

There's provision of a minimum five-overs-a-side game, but in case of abandonment the tournament has the provision of a reserve day on May 28.

However, it will be advantage Kings XI Punjab if both the days are washed out. As per the rule 21.10 (b) of the IPL Playing Conditions, the team with a better run-rate in the league stage will progress o the final.

"If conditions do not permit a Super Over within the time available to determine the winner or if the Super Over is tied, then the team which, at the end of the relevant regular season, finished in the higher position in the League table (in accordance with paragraph 21.9 above) will be deemed the winner of the relevant play-off match," 21.10(a) of the IPL Playing Conditions states.

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Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Kevon Cooper has been reported for bowling certain deliveries with a suspect action during Sunday’s IPL match against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai.

Cooper, who bagged two wickets in his four-over spell in a five-wicket defeat that saw Rajasthan lose the play-off spot to Mumbai, was reported by on-field umpires Rod Tucker and K Srinath, along with third umpire S Ravi, at the conclusion of the match.

The Trinidad and Tobago pacer was the most economical of the Rajasthan bowlers -- 9.50 – before Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 44-ball 95 blitzkrieg helped Mumbai get to the 190-run target in 14.4 overs.

Under the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action policy, Cooper is entitled to an 'official assessment' from the BCCI Suspect Bowling Action Committee, which comprises S Venkataraghavan, Javagal Srinath, Jayaprakash and honorary secretary Sanjay Patel.

However, pending any clearance by the committee, Cooper will be available for Rajasthan Royals selection in the next edition of the cash-rich league. However, if he is reported a second time he will be suspended from bowling for the remainder of that season.

Cooper's bowling action first came under the scanner in January 2011 when he went to the University of Western Australia to undergo tests and undertake remedial work to correct the fault.

In August 2011, the Trinidad and Tobago pacer was cleared to play and since is trying hard to earn a West Indies cap.

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Kumar Dharmasena of Sri Lanka and Bruce Oxenford of Australia will be the on-field umpires in the Indian Premier League final, in Bangalore on June 1.

Roshan Mahanama will be the match referee for the summit clash of the tournament's seventh edition.

Englishman Nigel Llong and Indian S Ravi will officiate in Qualifier 1, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab, at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday.

For the Eliminator in Mumbai on Wednesday, Oxenford will partner Vineet Kulkarni on the field.

Dharmasena and Australian Rod Tucker are the umpires for Qualifier 2, in Mumbai on Friday.

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Bangladesh have appointed former Zimbabwe Test captain Heath Streak as a specialist bowling coach after agreeing on a two-year contract.

The 40-year-old Streak, who played in 65 Test matches and 189 One-dayers, was Zimbabwe's bowling coach from 2009-13 and will join Bangladesh prior to next month's three-match ODI series against India.

"I look forward to the challenge of working with the Tigers and thank BCB for the opportunity," the former all-rounder said in a statement.

"It is exciting for me to be back into the international coaching arena again. It is my passion to coach at an elite level and I hope I can bring my experience as a former player and coach to the Bangladeshi bowlers."

Earlier this month, former Sri Lanka batsman Chandika Hathurusingha was named as head coach of the Bangladesh national side.