South Australian cricket "is in crisis with head coach Darren Berry now caught in the storm of a Big Bash League contract scandal that claimed high performance boss Jamie Cox on Friday." Berry and other high performance staff "will be interviewed regarding potential breaches of CA regulations relating to the contracting of Big Bash League players ahead of BBL 04." Fines of up to A$150,000 ($139,000) "could also be dished out by CA in a week that will blow the top off SA cricket" (SUNDAY MAIL, 5/24). ... Cricket Association of Bihar Secretary Aditya Verma "has now shot off a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa alleging violation of a Supreme Court ruling by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's president-in-exile." Verma is also "the face of the anti-N Srinivasan faction." Verma "has alleged that Srinivasan has violated the 'Societies Act' as a probe on spot-fixing and betting scandal has been ordered by the Supreme Court" (PTI, 5/26). ... The World Baseball Softball Federation "has agreed to send qualified coaches to Pakistan to supplement the ongoing efforts of Pakistan Federation baseball for the further development of the game at all levels" (PAKISTAN TODAY, 5/24). ... National Rugby League side Newcastle player Jarrod Mullen has dismissed reports of former Owner Nathan Tinkler bombarding him with abusive texts as "friendly banter." Tinkler's "controversial" three-year association with the NRL club ended on Friday, amid claims a number of Knights players were the subject of messages branding them "soft," accusing the club of having "no heart" and insinuating that "they would be traded." However, Mullen "claimed it was just a bit of fun." Mullen: "It was laughable I suppose" (BRISBANE TIMES, 5/26). ... The Australian Football League "will declare its backing for the Recognise campaign to acknowledge indigenous Australians in the Constitution and promise to promote it through every game in round 11 of the premiership season." Fans "will see the big R for Recognise at the grounds," and in advertising in TV broadcasts of the games -- with partners at Telstra behind this (THE AUSTRALIAN, 5/27).
