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Marcus Trescothick suffered a breakdown during day two of the match against New South Wales and had to be cared for by the team doctor for two hours before asking for a release from the Ashes tour. Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, had already considered sending Trescothick home when the incident occurred on Monday.”We decided well maybe the best way to deal with it was bring his wife [Hayley] out,” Fletcher told . “And then I was a little bit uncomfortable about that, because was that going to help the problem?”Fletcher was planning to talk to Trescothick, who scored 8 before being bowled by Brett Lee, after the game about whether he should end the tour before the first Test. “I was pretty uncomfortable about it [sending him home],” Fletcher said. “It was taken out of my hands when Marcus came off the field in the afternoon [on Monday] and there was a reoccurrence of the problem he had in India.”Trescothick flew back to England in the lead-up to the first Test against India in February and he also missed the Champions Trophy in the same country last month before declaring his fitness for the Ashes. “He was feeling pretty upset,” Fletcher said of the SCG episode. “He wanted to go back.” Trescothick boarded a plane for England on Tuesday and a replacement will come from the team of “shadow” players that is due in Perth this week.”It was unpleasant in the change room with him,” Fletcher said. “The doctor just had to sit and console him for about two hours or so. After a while the doctor spoke to him and said to him it’s best if he does go home. I only told the chaps last night after the game.”Fletcher hoped the illness would not force the end of Trescothick’s 76-Test career. “I can’t say at this stage,” he said. “It would be foolish of me to turn around and say anyone’s Test career is over.”

Former England batsman Ian Ward has announced his retirement to pursue a career as a full-time cricket presenter and commentator.Ward, 33, was a key member of Surrey’s Championship-winning side between 1999 and 2002. He was rewarded with an England call-up in 2001, against Pakistan and Australia, but was quickly found out by Glenn McGrath, and failed to make an impression. He moved to Sussex in 2003 and was half-way through his contract. He hit 8575 first-class runs in a 14-year career.”I have really enjoyed my time at Sussex and the club have been very good to me,” he said. “I am disappointed I wasn’t able to make more of a contribution this year. I’d never missed a match through injury before so to miss so many games in the second half of the season was very frustrating.”Sussex are a great county to play for and I know I’ll miss it when the new season starts, especially the camaraderie in the dressing-room and the adrenaline rush you get as an opening batsman facing quick bowlers.”Ward has spent the last two winters as a presenter and commentator on Sky Sports. “Television provides its own challenges,” he said, “and I am really looking forward to developing my career in a different direction.”Ward’s departure follows that of Tim Ambrose, the wicketkeeper-batsman who joined Warwickshire last week. But Sussex, for their part, have no plans to replace either man with a big-name winter signing. “The cricket management [at Sussex] are highly confident of being able to fill the void with one of our own young players,” said Mark Robinson, the county’s professional cricket manager. “I have every faith and confidence in their ability to take up the challenge to prove themselves at this level.”

Western Australia have named an unchanged squad for their ING Cup game against Queensland. Luke Ronchi, the Warriors’ wicketkeeper-batsman, was asked to prove his fitness in a test on November 18 so a decision could be taken on his participation.Ronchi strained his left hamstring during the thriller against Victoria on Sunday, but expressed confidence about playing. Ryan Campbell was expected to be selected if Ronchi’s strain didn’t improve.Adam Voges, who aggravated a groin injury, and Peter Worthington, who injured his left ankle against Victoria, had both recovered and were named in the squad.Western Australia Michael Hussey (capt), Brett Dorey, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Brad Hogg, Steve Magoffin, Scott Meuleman, Marcus North, Luke Ronchi (wk – could be replaced by Ryan Campbell), Adam Voges, Darren Wates and Peter Worthington.

The second Test drifted towards stalemate on the fourth day after another gritty marathon from Hashan Tillakaratne. Both sides had opportunities to push for a series-clinching win but neither was willing to grasp the initiative, preferring instead to wait patiently for the other to slip up. If the day provided further evidence of the propensity of two-Test series to produce drab cricket, it also betrayed the lack of positive ambition of the two sides.Sri Lanka were particularly reluctant to force the pace, content to first rule out the possibility of defeat as they inched warily towards New Zealand’s 305 first innings score. The strategy changed at the tea interval after it became clear that Marvan Atapattu, who had spent most of the morning trying to sleep of the concussion sustained during his collision with Daniel Vettori yesterday, would not be able to continue batting. But by then the opportunity to put pressure on the visitors had been missed after a dreary afternoon session that yielded just 72 runs in 28 overs.When they were finally dismissed for 298, shortly after tea, there were 33 overs scheduled for the remainder of the day. New Zealand’s openers, Mark Richardson and Matt Horne, squashed hopes of a spectacularcapitulation, batting positively during a 65-run stand for the first wicket. Although Matt Horne was prised out for 27 by Muralitharan – caught at forward short leg – Mark Richardson batted positively for his unbeaten 51 and New Zealand were comfortably placed on 92 for 1 at the close. Barring a sensational final day, a draw is inevitable.Tillakaratne was never expected to take risks. As a batsman he places a high price on his wicket and as a captain he is overly wary of losing. His first priority today was to ensure that Sri Lanka could not lose. He achieved that objective, steering Sri Lanka past the 156-run follow-on target in the morning – revised because the first day was washed out and this became a four-day game.New Zealand too contributed to the drudgery. Immediately after lunch, Paul Wiseman, who had extracted dangerous bounce and turn from the flaking surface to pick up 4 for 104 in the innings, was asked to bowl over the wicket at Tillakaratne’s leg stump. A fielder patrolled the point boundary, blocking off Tillakaratne’s favourite run-scoring area against the slow bowlers. If Stephen Fleming was trying to frustrate the batsman into indiscretion, he was testing the wrong man. Tillakaratne plodded on.He scored just 27 runs in the middle session before trying to make a dash for his third successive test century after the decision had been made to declare or score quickly in the 10 overs after the break. However, although he found the boundary on four occasions during that short session, he missed out on his hundred as he chopped an off-break from Wiseman onto his stumps. Tillakaratne batted five-and-a-half hours for his 232-ball 93, hitting 12 boundaries in all. Earlier, Sri Lanka lost Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana and Kumar Dharmasena during an extended first session.Jayasuriya was on course for his 11th Test century having started themorning with a flurry of boundaries. Both Daryl Tuffey and Shane Bond were smashed through the off side before Fleming turned to the offbreaks of Wiseman – New Zealand’s only spinner in the absence of Vettori, who was hobbling around on crutches with a badly swollen left ankle.Jayasuriya, playing defensively, edged an offbreak that turned sharply into the hands of Fleming at slip – a regulation chance (126 for 3). He had scored 82 from 110 balls and his innings contained a high percentage of boundaries – 14 in all.Kaluwitharana came to the crease and announced his positive intentions with a sizzling pull in front of square. However, that didn’t prevent New Zealand’s tall pace bowlers from testing him. Famously impulsive,Kaluwitharana couldn’t resist hooking a quick shoulder-high bouncer from Bond and was pouched in the deep off a top edge (169 for 4).Minutes before the lunch break, the initiative bent further towards NewZealand as Wiseman claimed his second victim of the morning. Dharmasena was surprised by some extra bounce and gloved a catch to Fleming at a well-positioned leg slip (189 for 5).After the break, Kaushal ived more dangerously before being was well-caught for 20 by a diving Tuffey. Chaminda Vaas was also positive, cracking four boundaries in his 22 before being bowled by Jacob Oram, but the crowd but the crowd only really came to life when Atapattu, made his unexpected entrance. Cheered and clapped all the way to the middle, like a soldier returning from battle, his stay was shortlived as he complained of dizziness and retired hurt.

Any one arriving at New Zealand Cricket’s High Performance Centre as one of its Academy intake with the notion of having a breezy year at someone else’s expense soon gets a wake-up call.The programme developed through trial and error initially, and then on the basis of consultation with participants, has emerged as an outstanding grounding not only for cricket, but for sporting life.The 14 males who are in the Academy are on cricket scholarships while the four females included are on academic scholarships.The director of the Cricket Academy, Dayle Hadlee said for the males the priority was cricket but for the females the priority was education.As part of their Lincoln University academic scholarships, the women receive two return airfares, their accommodation, clothing, tertiary fees, spending money which includes paying for their lunches and weekend meals, a holistic programme involving their studies and their cricket.The Academy is driven by its mission statement which is, “To develop quality cricketers with the skills, disciplines, knowledge and attitude to succeed initially at the first-class level and ultimately on the international stage.”And of the 55 players to have been through the Academy 53 have played first-class cricket.The New Zealand representatives so far have been: 1996 intake – Craig McMillan, Matthew Bell, Shayne O’Connor, Martyn Croy, Andrew Penn, Kerry Walmsley, Llorne Howell, Greg Loveridge, Mark Haslam; 1997 – Daniel Vettori, David Sewell, Brooke Walker, Daryl Tuffey, Mathew Sinclair, Jacob Oram; 1998 – Chris Nevin, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills; 1999 – Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, James Franklin, Lou Vincent, Haidee Tiffen, Kate Pulford, Helen Watson.The typical programme undertaken by the male players starts in April with the development of the culture of the Academy, proficiency assessments and tour assessments.In May and June tertiary studies are attended to as well as sport science workshops, basic skills workshops, strategy games, cross sport training and an exit point interview is held.These interviews are specifically targeted at players who have wasted their time and arose out of an assessment that earlier in the programme saw players cramming at the end to get the full benefit.Hadlee said after talking this through with players this exit review system had been developed and so far no-one had failed to measure up to the requirements of the programme.But he added that lessons had been learned about the structure of the course and it was constantly evolving and this year’s course bore no resemblance to the first year it was held.After the mid-year break July and August are set aside for specialist skill workshops, tertiary exams, life skill workshops, visiting speakers and another exit point interview. An overseas tour is regarded as suitable around the end of August, but in the absence of a tour this year, the players went to Hanmer for a week.August-September involves match preparation, life skill workshops and a final exit point interview before the playing programme is embarked upon. Work on professionalism precedes the graduation from the Academy.The programme overview has the basic aim of creating, “thinking, well-rounded athletes who are highly-skilled cricketers by way of a multi-faceted, holistic programme.”A breakdown of the programme includes:Technical/tactical development (Computer analysis, biomechanical drills, skills workshops, master coaches, decision-making games, game awareness situations, key performance indicators, momentum graphs, daily records, cumulative records, net sessions, matches, quality debriefs).Cricket studies (Players’ suggestions, historical events, current issues, speeches, articles/videos, playing philosophies, quizzes, master classes, coaching course, code of conduct, match refereeing, umpiring course, coaching at local schools, playing goals, marketing and image issues, NZC high performance plan, visit to NZC head office, selection philosophy, visiting speakers).Physical development (medical, muscular skeletal, podiatry, sports optometry, nutritional, fitness, aerobic fitness, flexibility, speed, strength, agility, daily record keeping).Sports psychology (The academy culture, team standards/rules, expectations, goal setting, mental skills, monitoring self talk, relaxation techniques, improving concentration, psychological rehabilitation after injury, imagery routines, time management, communication skills and mental rehearsal and confidence).Injury prevention (posture alignment and muscle balance, sports injuries, soft tissue healing, principles of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, taping and bracing, massage, throwing injuries, low back pain in sport, pace bowling injuries).Cross sports training programme (Burnham Military Camp, trust exercises, high ropes course, Krypton Factor course, New Zealand school for acrobatics, kinaesthetic awareness, tumbling, aerobics, New Zealand Police fitness course, throwing technique, swimming, boxing/judo/fencing, orienteering/tramping, mountain biking, underwater hockey, yoga, hi/lo circuits, squash, indoor basketball and volleyball.Tertiary studies (Lincoln University/correspondence courses/work experience).Nutrition (Individual assessments, lectures-workshops, the cricket environment and health hazards, touring/travel, cooking lessons, self-catering).Life skills (House-keeping, university life, team building, media skills, financial well-being, taxation, contracts, public speaking, drug education, Kiwi pride, cultural awareness, community service).Playing programme (proficiency tour to Adelaide, international tours, inter-academy games, major association/state games, international ODIs).Clearly, there’s never a dull moment for participants in a programme that is the envy of several other cricket nations.

Front-runners Jamaica have a chance to move ahead of the remaining teams in the Carib Beer Series as they take on Barbados at Kensington Oval. Jamaica need a win in their top-of-the-table, fifth-round contest and Chris Gayle, their captain, believes batting will be the key.”It’s going to be a pretty good game,” Gayle said on the eve of the big game. “Barbados are looking to gain on us and we are looking to step up the points standings. We’re looking forward to it. We’ve been playing good cricket. Barbados have been playing good cricket as well. It is going to be interesting.”Vasbert Drakes, coach of Barbados, termed Jamaica ‘a funny side’ despite their batting prowess. “Sometimes they do not always click, and since Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels are not in the side, it will take a big chunk out of their batting,” he said. “It will all come down to how we plan and execute our plans against their batting line-up, and stay as disciplined as possible.”Jamaica gained first-innings points in their previous match against Trinidad & Tobago, which ended in a draw to give them 42 points. Despite completing three straight home matches against Leeward Islands, Combined Campuses & Colleges, and Guyana, Gayle said Jamaican were not going to relax.”We’re going to play attacking cricket … they [Barbados] are on their home turf. From what I gather, the last time they played here, they scored more than 500 runs. It’s going to be ‘even-Stevens’ going into this game. Hopefully, the approach is going to be just like in Trinidad.”Barbados won their first two matches but were beaten in an upset win by CCC in the third round. A high-scoring draw against Leeward Islands in Montserrat carried them to 30 points.Both sides have retained the same squads that traveled for their previous matches which means that Jamaica are without Marlon Samuels, and Dwayne Smith continue to lead Barbados in he absence of Corey Collymore.Both T&T and Windward Islands are geared up for their match at the brand new Windsor Park Stadium. As the competition heads into its late stages, both sides know the importance of maximum points.Windwards’ last game was a ten-wicket win CCC while T&T, Standford 20/20 champions, hope to come back after conceding first-innings points to Jamaica. Windwards have 12 points after having picked up their first points of the tournament with the win over CCC.For T&T, West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin’s century and half-century and Dwayne Bravo’s 95 in the last game were positives they can build on. T&T are joint third in the standings on 19 points.Guyana need to get on the board after losing their first three matches. They take on Providence after a break for the Stanford 20/20, where they failed to defend their title. Guyana have not won a first-class title since 2002. Their captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, is the leading run-scorer in the competition with 314 runs from three matches but has found scant support from the rest of the batsmen. The side is boosted by the return of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Sewnarine Chattergoon. Narsingh Deonarine, another international, is unavailable due to a back injury.It has been tough-going for CCC. Fast bowler Jason Bennett has been their leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets but like his side, inconsistency has been a worry. Eleven of those wickets came in the win over Barbados. There has been little back-up to speak of and even in the batting, the bulk of the runs have come from veteran Floyd Reifer (202 runs). Only three others have passed 100 runs for the competition.

Dean Elgar has provided a forceful defence of South Africa’s coaching staff, who have taken a public battering in the aftermath of the team’s back to back series defeats. Head coach Russell Domingo and his slew of support staff were most heavily criticised by former captain Graeme Smith who questioned whether the management was getting the best out of the players and directing them in the right way. Elgar insisted they are.”My words are pretty firm. What’s been said in the media is quite wrong and a little bit hurtful. Our management deserve a lot more respect, especially by those guys who have worked with them before,” he said. “People don’t know what our management team do behind closed doors, with regards to their work ethic and giving guys freedom to prepare their own way. They have ticked all the boxes in my eyes.”Elgar found no fault with either preparation or personnel although he conceded a full-time batting coach could be a welcome addition to a backroom staff that includes two bowling coaches. “Our preparation has been brilliant. That’s a non-negotiable for us,” he said. “I do think a specialist batting coach would add a lot of value. I know there have been a few guys asked to help us, to a bit of a negative response. Even though you are playing for South Africa, you sometimes do need that little bit of fine-tuning from someone else that is just observing from the sidelines. I do think there will be a benefit for one in the squad. With regards to who it would be, I’m not sure.”South Africa have been through three batting consultants, Gary Kirsten, Mike Hussey and Smith, who played under Domingo for nine months between June 2013 and March 2014. In that time, South Africa drew a Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, beat India at home and lost to Australia. That period also saw the retirement of Jacques Kallis before Smith signed off from the international stage, putting the team into its greatest transitional period in a decade.At first, it seemed South Africa would cope with the loss of big names. They won a series in Sri Lanka and beat Zimbabwe and West Indies under Hashim Amla. But the frailties began to show in India, where South Africa were beaten 3-0 on turning tracks, and the malaise has continued into the England series.Injuries to key members of their pace pack – Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn – have hamstrung then in one department while a misfiring batting line-up, which has been bowled out for their two lowest scores since readmission in the last two series, has handicapped them in the other. As a result, there have been questions asked about the mental strength of the side and whether the behind the scenes dramas including transformation, uncertainty over AB de Villiers’ long-term future and now, the domestic match-fixing scandal is bleeding into performance.Elgar admitted the scrutiny around the team’s performances had not gone unnoticed but insisted the team remained united. “The best is to try and laugh it off. If you let that affect you, it’s taking a few steps back. I’m sure every player will say they don’t read what’s in the media, I do read the media,” he said. “It is disheartening to hear those things in the media but the Test side is a tight unit. I know that the cricket doesn’t reflect that, but we are. I can vouch for that. It is a little bit unpleasant hearing it in the media. That’s their opinions. I know from where I sit the Proteas are a strong unit.”South Africa’s coach Russell Domingo is under pressure after a string of poor results•Gallo Images

But they are also a changing unit, and that may be the biggest difference between them and a settled England side. “The English players seem to know their game very well. Two years ago, they were in a similar position to us. They were getting a beating by Australia or another team. Their players have adapted very quickly. It seems like they know their role very well.”They have a lot of impact players within their side. Ben Stokes adds a huge advantage with bat and ball and fielding at gully. They’re also a very experienced unit. Especially with ball in hand, you can see they know their stuff. They’re highly skilled and focused and they know what to do on the international circuit.”South Africa’s experience has been whittled down to that extent that even Elgar, who has only played 24 Tests, is now considered part of a senior core, especially when it comes to the top two. Given that Elgar is the experienced opener he is expected to anchor the innings, something he wants to work harder on.”I have been reasonably happy but in the same breath very frustrated as well. I’ve got three 40s, which if people know me, that really grinds me,” he said. “I would rather go out for zero than in the 40s or 50s, when the hard work has been done. All you have to do then is apply yourself a little bit more. There are still two more innings in the series and I’ll try and make it count.”If he can, it may strengthen his case as a candidate for the Test captaincy, which will be decided on during the winter break. De Villiers remains the frontrunner for the job but Elgar, who could have more years left than de Villiers, has been picked to lead the South African A side against England in a fifty-over warm-up match and may now start mulling the possibility of the main job.”Since school cricket I was someone that wanted to lead from the front. I wanted to be the best in the side. It was something that was drilled into me from a young age. Irrespective of who you are playing against. It’s about pride,” he said. “If it had to come my way, it’s something I will have to think long and hard about. I don’t think it’s something that’s very easy. I know it’s something a lot of guys take very seriously.”

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