Pacer Dhawal Kulkarni part of 'Indian team management'

Perth: The Indian team have found a unique way of fitting stand-by pacer Dhawal Kulkarni into their scheme of things here at the World Cup. According to the International Cricket Council's regulations only 15 players per team will be accredited for the World Cup. However, Kulkarni, who was retained in case another injury occurred to India's pace bowling department, continues to be the team's Player No 16.

The sheet bearing the name of stand-by pacer Dhawal Kulkarni (encircled) as an Indian team management member

Yesterday at the Western Australian Cricket Ground here, Kulkarni's profile was changed, at least on paper. At the entrance of the players' and officials' access area, in the list of names and photographs put up, Kulkarni was put on the team management sheet that included Team India's non-playing staff like coach Duncan Fletcher, Team Director Ravi Shastri, among others. It's an oddity, unless of course, the pacer has been handed some kind of a coaching role, which has not been made official.

The UAE team indulge in a unique relay brisk walking race during training at the WACA in Perth yesterday. Pics/Ashwin Ferro

UAE's frisbee fun
THE United Arab Emirates team played out a unique, fun exercise during their practice scheduled at the WACA here yesterday. The players formed a circle with two men in between. Each member of the circle had to throw a frisbee around to any other teammate in the circle in such a way that it avoided the men in the middle. If a player threw it incorrectly or the receiving player dropped it, then both these players would have to come in the middle. As though this was not fun enough, the bunch then played out a brisk walking relay race that often saw some of the players incorrectly indulging in a jog to race the opponent. As punishment, the erring player was made to do on-the-spot push-ups, even as the whole group cracked up.