Category Uncategorized

ScorecardAn 81-run partnership between Tamar Lambert and David Bernard helped Jamaica tighten their grip on the third day of their opening game of the Carib Beer Cup at the Kaiser Sports Club. After managing a slender 38-run lead in the first innings, Jamaica were reduced to 39 for 4 due to a burst from Wilden Cornwall, the medium pacer. But a steady 55 from Donovan Pagon began the revival before Lambert and Bernard consolidated Jamaica’s position. Jamaica ended their second innings on 270 and left Leeward Islands with an uphill task of getting 309 for victory. Jerome Taylor’s double strike put Leeward Islands in further trouble as they ended the day on 16 for 2.
ScorecardAfter two days of inclement weather, play finally got underway in Trinidad as Guyana trudged along to 87 for 3 in 63 overs. Trinidad & Tobago got off to a fine start, after choosing to bowl, as Guyana were struggling at 17 for 3. But Narsingh Deonaire steadied the ship with 48 as the game meandered towards a draw.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited Waqar Younis to join Wasim Akram in making their international farewells during the forthcoming one-day series against either South Africa or Bangladesh.Wasim announced his retirement from international cricket last month but accepted an invitation from the PCB to make a final one-off appearance. But Waqar, who was sacked as Pakistan’s captain after the World Cup, has not indicated that he is considering retiring and so the PCB’s offer might come as a surprise to him.A spokesman for the PCB told Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper that the intention was for the pair to play together “in the final match of their illustrious careers”. Waqar might have something to say about that.

A century stand by Daniel Payne and a cavalier James Hopes has carried the Queensland Academy of Sport XI to 5-190 at tea on the third day of their cricket tour clash against New Zealand at Allan Border Field here today.Hopes made a sparkling 75 before he was caught behind off the bowling of Daryl Tuffey while Payne was eventually bowled for 57 in their 108-run fourth wicketstand.The QAS XI is chasing New Zealand’s first innings of 8(dec)-297.Tuffey (2-50) also took the wicket of opener Chris Simpson for five while Kiwi seamer Dion Nash had 1-22 off 10 overs.

Surrey 560 (Ansari 106, Burns 92, Burke 79, Wilson 72, Durston 6-113) beat Derbyshire 313 (Hughes 96, T Curran 5-71, Ansari 4-61) and 149 (Madsen 76, Durston 57, Batty 6-51) by an innings and 98 runs
ScorecardGareth Batty sealed Surrey’s promotion in grand manner•Getty Images

Gareth Batty took a hat-trick and 6 for 51 overall as Surrey clinched promotion from LV= County Championship Division Two by beating Derbyshire by an innings and 98 runs at the Kia Oval.Batty, the 37-year-old Surrey captain, finished the game in style by dismissing Tony Palladino, Mark Footitt and No. 11 Ben Cotton with the second, third and fourth balls of his 17th over.Palladino was caught at the wicket for 2 and then bowled both Footitt and Cotton, who became the fifth Derbyshire batsman to be out for a duck as they were bowled out for 149 in the second innings.”That’s my first hat-trick in first-class cricket,” Batty said. “My only other one came for Yorkshire Under 11s against Lancashire Under 11s at Woodhouse Grange School back in the late 1980s. I think Freddie Flintoff may have been one of my hat-trick victims that day – he was certainly one of my seven wickets! It’s difficult to remember, it’s a very long time ago.””Of course it’s a nice thing for me, and a great moment, but the hat-trick is really irrelevant because it’s winning this match and getting promotion to Division One that matters. To have won this game of cricket and got the points is what’s important. It was a must-win game for us, we felt, and I thought we played some magnificent cricket as a team to win it.”Sam and Tom Curran began Derbyshire’s slide by each taking a wicket with the new ball as openers Billy Godleman and Ben Slater both fell for ducks.And Derbyshire, who began their second innings at the start of the final day after Surrey had totalled 560 in reply to their first innings 313, were in some disarray at 9 for 3 when Tom Curran’s quick thinking ran out Chesney Hughes for 5 in the eighth over.Wayne Madsen, the Derbyshire captain, made a battling 76 not out from 154 balls, with 11 fours, and was joined in a fourth wicket stand of 86 in 26 overs by Wes Durston, who also impressed with a determined 57 from 78 balls, but that was Surrey’s only lengthy hold-up as they completed a 23-point eighth victory of the season by 2.40pm.Batty removed both Durston, leg-before, and Harvey Hosein, caught at short leg for a third-ball duck, in the fourth over after lunch and, four overs later, he reduced Derbyshire to 107 for 6 by having Tom Milnes also taken off bat and pad by Rory Burns at short leg for 3.First to go for Derbyshire was Godleman, who nibbled at a perfectly-pitched outswinger from Sam Curran to edge through to Ben Foakes, keeping in place of Gary Wilson who was nursing a neck muscle strain.In the next over, still without a run on the board, Slater was leg-before to Tom Curran for an 11-ball duck and, in the eighth over, Hughes’s needless run out left Derbyshire rocking.Madsen straight drove a ball from Sam Curran and his brother Tom intercepted it from mid-on and, seeing Hughes failing to respond immediately to his partner’s call, threw to the striker’s end for Foakes to complete the run out with the batsman still yards from safety.An on-driven four by Madsen off Tom Curran, and another boundary punched between mid-on and midwicket later in the over, settled Derbyshire though, and he and Durston went on to build a determined fourth-wicket stand.At 78 for 3 at lunch, from 30 overs, Derbyshire seemed to have weathered their early storm and looked capable of holding out for a draw despite their 247-run first innings deficit.Batty’s swift intervention after the interval, however, soon settled matters on a fourth-day pitch encouraging the veteran offspinner and the slow left-arm of Zafar Ansari, who broke a stubborn seventh-wicket stand between Madsen and Matt Critchley of 37 in 17 overs by having the latter leg-before for 5.”James Burke, the two Currans and Zafar Ansari all made significant contributions as young players who, I believe, will be interesting the England selectors,” Batty said. “They are also players who can adapt to the needs of the team, which is what we’re about.”Zafar, for instance, is developing into a very fine all-round cricketer and he’s the best under-25 spinner in the country in my opinion. He should definitely go to UAE in the Test squad as back-up for Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. But our success this season has not been about individuals. It’s been a squad effort, and that’s what you need these days.”

Damien Fleming, the former Australia fast bowler, has advised Shane Watson to play domestic cricket for an extended period of time to deal with his persistent hamstring injuries. Watson missed the opening games of the ICC World Twenty20 with a hamstring problem and broke down in his first match of the tournament as the injury flared up again.”I have a lot of empathy for him because I had a lot of injuries as well,” Fleming told the . “You can’t give it 100% and state cricket, let alone international cricket, is really unforgiving.”The only way you get over it is by having a prolonged run of injury-free [games] to get that confidence up, and I think coming back straight in to international cricket every time, it’s just not holding up. He needs to start building up a block of not only confidence in his body but confidence mentally as well.”The best thing for him is to start playing state cricket over a period of time and give himself a chance to play, and it does open up options for the selectors to start questioning his longevity. He has to give them a fair bit in injury-free games before he will play again.”Watson has been ruled out of the seven-match ODI series against India which kicks off on Saturday in Bangalore. He has had an array of injury concerns that have contributed to his Test tally stalling at three matches, the last of which was against West Indies in 2005-06.He was in doubt for the World Twenty20 with hamstring trouble but was cleared for the trip. He had a start-stop campaign in the World Cup due to a calf strain, having already missed much of the 2006-07 season – including the Ashes – with hamstring injuries. His most serious setback came when he dislocated his shoulder while attempting a dive in his most recent Test, nearly two years ago.But Adam Gilchrist, Australia’s stand-in captain, has come out in support of Watson. “People might look and say it’s silly to pick him but that’s not the case,” Gilchrist told . “He keeps presenting himself when he’s fully fit, and when he is fully fit, he can form a vital cog in that wheel of success for us.”He’s just a young, exciting cricketer in both forms of the game. He’s got the power and touch with the bat. There’s talk that he could even open in Test cricket, that’s how highly regarded he is with the bat.”And bowling, he just adds that extra dimension we may have lacked or certainly we may need in the absence of [Shane] Warne and [Glenn] McGrath. He’s highly regarded in the Australian cricket set-up and he knows that and that’s why it’s even more disappointing for him to break down like this.”

Australia 9 for 602 dec and 181 for 1 (Ponting 51*, Langer 88*) lead England 157 (Bell 50, McGrath 6-50) by 626 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out – England
How they were out – Australia

Glenn McGrath announced his return to Test cricket with the superb figures of 6 for 50, and Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer added an unbeaten stand of 113, as England’s cricketers were stripped of their dignity on an extraordinary day’s cricket that verged on the sadistic. Having been bundled out for a woeful 157, a deficit of 445, England’s morale was so bleak that, with a full 45 overs of the day’s play remaining, a three-day finish was a very real possibility. But Ponting was having none of it, and in a decision that echoed Mark Taylor’s move on this same ground in 1994-95, he opted instead to send England’s frazzled players back out into the field for another dose of chastisement.The tactic had been amply justified by the close, as Australia ground their way to 1 for 181, a massive lead of 626. Ponting himself was still there on 51, having passed 9000 runs in Test cricket, and all England had to show for another 40 overs of hard labour was the run-out of Matthew Hayden. As they trooped off the field after their third humiliation in a row, it was hard to believe that this was the same body of men who had retrieved the Ashes in such memorable fashion in 2005. As many as nine of the players on each team were present in that match at The Oval, but the gulf between mindsets could not have been more acute.Since their arrival Down Under, England have been bewildered by the ferocity of Australia’s resolve, and today no-one typified that determination better than McGrath. All year long he has been claiming that, at the age of 36, he is in the best shape of his life, but a ten-month absence to care for his sick wife Jane, and an unconvincing performance on the flat tracks of India last month, had the naysayers believing otherwise. Today, McGrath did as champions do, and let his bowling do the talking.Flushed with confidence after two cheap scalps last night, McGrath tore through England’s bewildered batting, teasing and tormenting England’s outside edges in precisely the manner that England themselves had failed to do at any stage of the match. He grabbed his first of the day when Kevin Pietersen shouldered arms unwisely to one that jagged back and rapped the pads, and after watching Brett Lee dismiss Andrew Flintoff for a third-ball duck, McGrath returned to mop up the tail.Flintoff’s dismissal was an especially dismal moment for England. All through the first two day’s play, he had been a lone pillar of strength, but suddenly, with his side in disarray at 4 for 78, he was on an absolute hiding to nothing. After surviving two deliveries, he nibbled at a third from Lee, and Gilchrist completed the catch that sent the crowd at the Gabba delirious.

England rallied insofar as a team in such dire straits can rally, with Ian Bell confirming that he is a cricketer reborn since his harrowing experience in the 2005 Ashes. He had to ride his luck and back his judgment during Lee’s opening salvo, which included an edge through third man off an angled bat, but he had enough chutzpah to see off both his nemeses, McGrath and Shane Warne, whom he greeted with quick feet and an focussed mind. He brought up his third fifty against the Aussies with a tickled single to leg, but unfortunately for England he was unable to push on, as Clark located one of the cracks on a widening pitch, and Ponting at second slip took a fine catch diving to his right.Geraint Jones had by this stage perished, trapped on the crease by a full-length inswinger from McGrath, and England’s innings folded in an embarrassing heap, with only Ashley Giles provided any token resistance in a defiantly chancy 24. Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison both fell for ducks, caught behind off Clark and McGrath respectively, and it was McGrath who wrapped up proceedings when Giles retreated to leg and top-edged a short ball to point. As he led his side off the pitch, McGrath clutched at his back in a mock display of old age. So far in this Test, Dad’s Army has been doing okay.It got no better for England as Ponting opted to give them another stint in the field. In theory it could have been a blessing in disguise for an attack that is woefully short of match fitness, but Hayden reverted to his best bullying mode to ensure there were no plus-points to be gained from the new ball. James Anderson, who has arguably endured an even worse match than the hapless Harmison, was beasted for three fours in a row, and though he gained his revenge with a pin-point run-out it was scant consolation. By the close even their direct hits were ricocheting for overthrows, as Australia marched on and on and on. It is more than just a beating that England are taking in this match, it is an evisceration.

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, questioned Michael Vaughan’s controversial fielding tactics, saying he would seek clear guidelines from Test officials.”We would like the ICC (International Cricket Council) match referee and umpires to give a clear definition of how the relevant law is to be read after what happened in Pindi,” Woolmer told AFP.Woolmer was referring to Vaughan’s ploy of moving while the ball is being bowled, during his team’s opening tour match against the Patron’s XI at Rawalpindi last week. Vaughan, on several occasions, was seen running from slip to leg-slip while the ball was in mid-flight.England won the three-day side match by 52 runs and are currently playing their second side match, their last outing before the first Test against Pakistan starts at Multan on November 12.The tactic contravenes cricket Law 41, which states: “Any significant movement by any fielder after the ball comes into play and before the ball reaches the striker is unfair. In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal dead ball.”Vaughan defended the tactic, saying it was a smart move. “I thought it was quite smart,” said Vaughan after the tour opener last week. I moved very fast, as soon as the ball had been released. If a player is going to sweep, it is an option – we’ll see if we use it in the Test matches.”Woolmer wants more clarity before the Test series starts. “I can understand the principle behind the ploy by Vaughan but we have to be clear on whether the law allows such things and that should be clear before the Tests.”Woolmer, who played 19 Tests for England, said the series should be played in the proper spirit and any controversies should be avoided. Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, has defended Vaughan’s tactics, insisting that a fielder is entitled to anticipate where a shot is likely to go and act accordingly.Roshan Mahanama, the former Sri Lankan batsman, will supervise the three-match Test series and Woolmer said he hoped he would clarify the situation before the series starts.

Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss cemented their names in therecord-books with an opening stand of 273, to swing a topsy-turvy matchback in England’s favour on the third day at Kingsmead. And at the close,Trescothick, who eventually fell for 132, was a contented man.”That was a fantastic day,” said Trescothick, “but we can’t get too happyor relaxed just yet. We’ve got two huge days ahead of us, and tomorrow’sfirst session will be crucial and will probably dictate the way this gameis going. They are going to be two big days of Test cricket.”Although England have encountered some difficulties while going for theirshots so far on this tour, Trescothick and Strauss had no qualms abouttaking the attack to South Africa today, and the approach paid dividends.”The wicket was pretty good,” said Trescothick. “We’re both positiveplayers and we made the most of our opportunities. The pace was differenttoday. It didn’t zip off the pitch so much, although it still does a bitwith the new ball when the seam’s hard. If we get through that periodtomorrow, we need to make the most of it.”In the course of their innings, Trescothick and Strauss passed 1000 runsas an opening partnership, and Strauss himself is just 33 runs away fromreaching 1000 individual runs. “Watching from the other end, he makes itlook pretty easy,” admitted Trescothick. “People keep bumping him,throwing everything at him, but it doesn’t really faze him too much.”We communicate well,” added Trescothick. “We talk a lot, and it doesn’talways have to be about the cricket – it could be someone walking past, ora song someone’s singing. We don’t have to focus all the time, but justrelax and enjoy what’s going on. Of course, it depends on getting to knowyour team-mates and how they respond,” he added. “Nasser never said a wordwhen he came to the wicket, but Straussy and I have a joke and relax eachother.And Trescothick admitted that Strauss’s unflappable temperament has helpedhis own game as well. “Of course it does,” he said. “If you’re playingwith someone who’s a nervous wreck, it’s bound to affect the way you play.But he’s full of confidence and taking it all in his stride. And he’s beenlike that all through his career. He’s calm, and it’s helped him do sowell so quickly.”Trescothick added that Strauss’s personality was precisely what theEngland team needed. “He’s an easy guy to fit in, and he’s perfect forwhat we need at the moment. His attitude is spot on, he works hard and heknows what he wants. As a partnership, we’ve got on well since he cameinto the team, and since we know we are going in together every time, wemight as well enjoy it.”For Trescothick, today’s century was an important landmark, as he hasattractedcriticism for his inability to replicate his home form on overseas trips.”This is a huge step forward for me,” he admitted. “I’ve not necessarilyfound the answer, but today, mentally, it was a big step in the rightdirection.”And just to be involved today was a high,” he added. “It’s a nice feelingto fight back from a difficult period where we didn’t bat or bowlparticularly well. But it showed the character of the team, which issomething we’ve worked on all year. We never give up, and we keep fightingand improving.”As for England’s situation, Trescothick refused to get carried away by onegood day’s batting. “A lead of 550 would be nice,” he joked. “But we can’tget too far ahead, as tomorrow’s a huge morning. We need to getpartnerships going, and the scoring-rate going, and set our totals.”

Adrian Le Roux, the physical trainer of the Indian team for the last year, has decided to quit the post and join the South African team as their trainer. Le Roux, whose contract with South Africa extends till 2005, will join the squad later this week.The Indian board (BCCI) was initially caught unawares by this development, but later issued a statement saying that it respected Le Roux’s decision, and would start searching for a replacement.Speaking to the Times of India, John Wright, the India coach, said, “it has come as a surprise. However, he has made a decision as a professional and we can only respect his judgement.” He added: “But he has left a schedule to follow for Indian players and I am sure everyone will try to live up to it.”Le Roux had joined the Indian team early last year, and had won the praise of the players after significantly improving fitness levels. Impressed by his performance, the Indian board had increased his salary and extended his contract by a year immediately after the World Cup.”He blended so well within the team and its structure and contributed immensely to the boys’ fitness. He took immense pains and spent time with individuals to improve their mental and physical toughness,” Wright said. “I can safely say that we all, including the boys, will miss him. But he had to make a personal decision and one could only wish him good luck.”In a statement, Le Roux said that he enjoyed his stint in India, but was delighted to get an opportunity to work with the South Africans. “It was a wonderful experience working with India, in a very different cricket culture, and I learnt a great deal with them,” he said. “It is obviously a great privilege to have the opportunity to work with one’s own national team and I am looking forward to the challenge of helping the team’s performance.”I wish the Indian cricket team and its management all the best for the future and I hope that they will continue to be a winning team.”Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Indian board, said that he understood Le Roux’s stand perfectly. “We have received a communication from Le Roux, resigning from the position of fitness trainer,” Dalmiya said. “Adrian did a wonderful job with the team and this was reflected in the results. The BCCI, however, respects his national sentiments and, therefore, a suitable replacement is being explored.”Working for his own country would obviously mean much more to Le Roux and the BCCI understands his sentiments. It will also give him an opportunity to stay with his family.”Dalmiya ruled out any action against Le Roux for breach of contract. He said that the board had already started the process of looking out for possible contenders for the post, and would announce the replacement soon.

The story behind the pie!In 1938 Somerset all-rounder Harold Gimblett collected some berries from the Quantock Hills on his way to play the Australians. As the Aussies were staying at the Castle Hotel he took the berries to the Chef and he put them in a pie.Don Bradman apparently gave it his seal of approval and ever since, whenever the Aussies come to Taunton, their reward from the Castle Hotel is to be presented with a Whortleberry pie.