Chucking is technical fault, not crime - Dravid

Rahul Dravid believes bowlers who have been banned for suspect bowling actions are suffering from kinks, which once corrected should allow them to reintegrate with international cricket. He added that he would always give a bowler the benefit of the doubt before he passes a judgment on his action.

"Personally I don't think we should see chucking as a crime as such. It is just a technical fault that people have. So if you have a technical fault in the action, you correct that and come back. When you overstep the line, nobody says you are cheating. You say, okay, come back behind the line. And here we are saying, come back within 15 degrees [of elbow flexion] and play the game," Dravid said in an interaction with the audience after delivering the annual Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture.

In the past few months, several bowlers have been called up for tests by the ICC and subsequently banned if they failed to demonstrate a legal bowling action. The most notable examples have been Sri Lanka offspinner Sachithra Senanayke and his Pakistan counterpart Saeed Ajmal, arguably the best spinner in the world at the moment.

"I think the ICC has a rule in place," Dravid said. "They reviewed a lot of the old footage and they found out that the elbow bent to about 15 degrees was pretty normal and that is what everyone was doing. Glenn McGrath had a slight bend in his elbow up to 15 degrees. I am not suggesting that Glenn McGrath was chucking. They have a system in place and what I am glad about is that they are really enforcing it strictly.

"They are reviewing people, they are getting people caught. I give them the benefit of the doubt. I always give the bowler the benefit of the doubt. Murali went through every test possible at that time so you have to give him the benefit of doubt. What the ICC is doing now is they are being vigilant. What they are saying is that if once you are cleared in 2009, you can't [not] be checked again. You have got to keep monitoring, watching it closely and they see bowlers developing new types of deliveries, then why not go into the lab and have it checked."

The discussion then veered to the health of the three formats of cricket and Dravid said ODIs were being put under pressure by "meaningless games"

"I think one-day cricket is seriously struggling," he said. "I definitely think that one-day cricket without a context is struggling. When you think of one-day cricket from a point of view of Champions Trophy and the World Cup, it is relevant. But I think all the other one-day cricket should be given towards playing the Champions Trophy and the World Cup. And then you've got Test cricket and you've got the T20 format of the game. Meaningless one-day games and too many one-day games can actually be a problem and it is something that can be cut off. You should play lesser one-day cricket and play more tournaments. So Champions Trophy and World Cup, I would go for it, definitely."

Questions were also raised regarding young Indian cricketers' seriousness towards playing Tests after the team's meek surrender in the recent tour of England. Dravid, however, backed the next generation, saying he never got a sense of them not being serious about Tests during his week-long stint as a consultant with the Indian team ahead of the five-Test series.

"When people say that some of our boys don't care about Test cricket, that's completely wrong. Because all they are asking me is, 'how did you do well?'. They are not worried about a T20 game coming up. They are only interested in knowing how did we do well in England, how did we do well in Australia. Virat Kohli is asking those questions all the time. I don't think it is that they don't care. They care deeply but they were found out against a really good bowling attack on a difficult wicket. And they were not good enough in those particular Test matches. But I think they do care [about Tests] and they ask those questions."

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MacLeod the winner, Mooney the hero

Scotland 243 for 2 (MacLeod 116*, Gardiner 89) beat Ireland 241 for 9 (Mooney 96, Haq 5-54) by eight wickets
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In an ideal world, the ball would have flashed off John Mooney's blade, dissecting the two fielders stationed backward of point. It would have raced across the outfield and over the rope. It would have brought up his maiden ODI century. It would have prompted Malahide to rise in unison. It would have been a soul-stirring moment. But, this is not a perfect world, nor do such fairy tales regularly transpire.

As it was, Richie Berrington stooped forward, snaffled a low chance and ended an innings of consummate quality from a player who, less than twenty-four hours previous, had bravely revealed the full extent of his battle with depression.

Fittingly, all four corners of the ground rose in appreciation. It did not matter that the score under his name remained four short of a century or that Ireland's total was significantly under-par because, in the grand scheme of things, such particulars are irrelevant. The sight of Mooney back in the green apparel is enough in itself.

In the event, it was an innings that glued Ireland together against a purposeful Scottish side infused with a determination to wrestle a semblance of pride back following two underwhelming performances earlier in the week. Calum MacLeod's second ODI century ensured the visitors left with some positives to take before their World Cup preliminaries begin in earnest later this month.

The same top-order that had looked so helplessly vulnerable against the moving ball hitherto made light work of the target as they chased down 242 with minimal fuss. It was Scotland's first ODI win on Irish soil and was manufactured by a disciplined bowling performance led by Majid Haq's first five-wicket haul in the format.

It was little surprise that Preston Mommsen asked Ireland to bat first under cloud-laden skies. It was perhaps unfortunate that the outcome of a match was determined so considerably by the toss of a coin but it was another thing to ensure you made best use of such favourable conditions. Certainly, Scotland were resolute not to let the opportunity slip and built the platform for their wounded batsmen to flex their muscles.

The absence of Kyle Coetzer and Matt Machan has been felt significantly but in MacLeod they have an opening batsman enjoying the best form of his career; it showed here. A breakthrough season at Durham, particularly against the white ball, has raised genuine hopes that he is a player of the calibre Scotland have so desperately craved in recent years.

There was no sign of the hesitation that undermined his failures earlier in the week as he tucked into some charitable bowling from the hosts, who looked weary before wilting in the late afternoon Dublin sun. MacLeod formed a match-defining partnership with Hamish Gardiner, who may be looking over his shoulder nervously with Coetzer and Machan to return to the side.

The pair saw off the initial threat of Max Sorensen and Craig Young before taking advantage of easier circumstances as they matched each other blow for blow. That was until Gardiner, eleven short of a first century in Scottish colours, fell attempting to cut the part-time spin of Andrew Balbirnie.

Phil Simmons and the selectors will name an 18-man squad for the pre-World Cup tour to Australia and New Zealand on Monday and, while a series win was already assured, this reversal is a timely wake-up call.

Graeme McCarter is expected to miss out despite bowling eight economical overs with Young, who moved his tally of wickets for the week to nine with the early dismissal of Matty Cross, now ahead of him in the pecking order. None of the batsmen on the fringes added much weight to their case for inclusion on a morning during which Ireland stuttered and stumbled.

While they were able to negate the early advances of Scotland's new ball bowlers, albeit at a pedestrian pace, Haq's introduction in the 17th over paid instant dividends. Stuart Thompson feathered the offspinner behind to Cross and four balls later Andrew Poynter missed a straight one that went on with the arm. Mooney, however, added steel to the innings.

A towering six down the ground off MacLeod set the wheels in motion as he accelerated through the gears. Kevin O'Brien's departure, the ball after the second drinks break, halted Ireland's recovery after they had slipped to 95 for 4 but Mooney wasn't deterred.

It was his first half-century in four years and, in stepping down the pitch to Haq and crunching an expansive drive through cover, he brought up his highest ODI score, overtaking his previous best of 55. The fireworks were to come, though. An audacious reverse sweep which flew over the rope had the crowd purring and when he took Michael Leask for 12 off the 46th over, he moved within touching distance of three figures. It wasn't to be.

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Will Gidman ensures ton-filled draw

Gloucestershire 646 (A Gidman 264, Roderick 171, Sheikh 4-97, Freckingham 4-138) and 306 for 9 dec (W Gidman 104*, Shreck 3-44) drew with Leicestershire 565 (O'Brien 119, Eckersley 119, Smith 103, Robson 97, Redfern 60)
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Will Gidman marked his last home appearance for Gloucestershire with a century as the match with Leicestershire at Bristol meandered to a draw.

The allrounder, who is joining Nottinghamshire next season, hit an unbeaten 104 as the hosts batted for the whole of the final day to score 306 for 9 in their second innings, giving them a lead of 387.

Charlie Shreck briefly gave Leicestershire hopes of victory, but in the end both sides settled for 11 points from a match dominated by the bat.

Afterwards Gidman, 29, said: "I am absolutely thrilled to score a hundred on my last appearance for Gloucestershire here.

"I owe the club everything for making my career. This is a time of some sadness, but by the time November comes I know I am going to be very excited at the prospect of teaming up with Nottinghamshire.

"I don't know how big a step up first division cricket will be, but I am so looking forward to the challenge.''

Gidman's hundred completed a storybook farewell home game for him and brother Alex, who is joining Worcestershire for next summer. The elder of the pair added 38 to the career-best 264 he made in the first innings before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation.

A more decisive outcome had looked in store when Shreck found some swing at the start of the morning session to send back Will Tavare and Gareth Roderick, while Rob Taylor removed Alex Gidman.

That left Gloucestershire 89 for 4 and leading by only 170. Tavare was taken at second slip by Greg Smith for 4, Roderick, on 21, edged to wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien and Gidman was brilliantly caught one-handed at first slip by Jigar Naik.

The 33-year-old Gidman, who made his Gloucestershire debut back in 2001, raised his bat to all corners of the ground in response to the applause as he walked off.

Hamish Marshall and Ian Cockbain added 54 to ease any nerves in the home camp before Marshall, on 32, fell lbw to a full ball from Ollie Freckingham just before lunch, which was taken at 143 for 5.

That became 143 for 6 straight after the interval when Cockbain nicked a catch behind off Shreck.

Gloucestershire were then 224 in front with more than 60 overs left in the day and Leicestershire scented a chance, but Will Gidman shared a stand of 74 with Tom Smith to banish any chance of a victory for the visitors.

That partnership ended when Smith was picked up at gully by Taylor for 38 to give Naik his only wicket of the match. Craig Miles fell to the occasional offspin of Dan Redfern for 10, but Gidman was still there at tea, unbeaten on 67.

Redfern picked up another wicket when Liam Norwell was caught by O'Brien for one in the final session, but by then the only remaining interest was whether Gidman would reach his hundred.

He did so by square-cutting Redfern for his 15th four, having faced 122 balls and also hitting two sixes. Soon afterwards the players shook hands on the draw, the game ending at 4.20pm.

Leicestershire head coach Ben Smith said: "It was a tremendous fightback by us after the first day, but in the end the wicket had dictated the way the game went.

"It was a very good batting pitch, but there were some very good individual displays in our team and this morning there was a bit of help for the bowlers. It was the best I have seen Charlie Shreck bowl all season. His spell first thing set the tone and at one point we were really in with a chance of winning.''

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Goodwin announces retirement

Murray Goodwin has brought the curtain down on a 20-year professional career with the announcement he will retire at the end of this season for Glamorgan.

Goodwin made his first-class debut in the 1994-95 season for Western Australia in a tour match against England at the WACA where he hit 91 and 77. In 1998 he made his Test debut for his native Zimbabwe, against Sri Lanka in Kandy, and collected 19 appearances during which he averaged 42.84

After quitting international cricket due to family reasons he moved back to Australia and then secured what would become a long-term association with Sussex before spending the last two English seasons with Glamorgan where he has been a senior figure in a relatively young batting order.

His most recent appearance for the county came in August 20 when he made 59 in a Royal London Cup match against Sussex. He struggled in the Championship, scoring 347 at 23.13.

Gareth Rees was the second Glamorgan player to confirm retirement on Friday as he opted to return to study with a view to moving into the business world. Rees, 29, will finish with 5910 first-class runs at 32.65.

It was a day of mass departures for the county who also announced that pace bowler Michael Reed along with batsmen Stewart Walters and Tom Lancefield will not be offered new contracts. Reed had reached as far as the England Performance Programme but has been struck down by injuries this season and has not made an appearance.

Hugh Morris, the Glamorgan chief executive, said: "This is always a difficult time of the season with decisions made regarding which players will remain in the squad and indeed some players deciding their own futures.

"Murray, Gareth and Stewart have been leaders on and off the field and part of the first -team squad throughout their time at Glamorgan, making valuable commitments to the Glamorgan cause.

"Mike has struggled with injury this year and has chosen to move on, whilst Tom although pushing for a place in the first-team throughout the summer has found opportunities limited."

However, it has not all be about players departing. Will Owen, along with youngsters Kieran Bull, Jeremy Lawlor, Jack Murphy, Aneurin Donald, Dewi Penrhyn-Jones and Andrew Salter have all signed new contracts. Bull, an 19-year-old offspinner, has impressed after being a chance late in the season with six wickets in two Championship matches.

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Ireland take series after late wobble

Ireland 225 for 7 (K O'Brien 67) beat Scotland 221 (Berrington 101, Sorensen 4-40, Young 3-39) by three wickets
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For over a century the Scots have been voyaging across the Irish sea armed with whites and willow. On few occasions have they not made the return journey empty-handed and even the acclaimed hospitality will have done little to enrich their humbling visits to the Emerald Isle.

Their record on Irish soil in ODIs now stands at played six, lost six as Ireland once more claimed the bragging rights, but this time Scotland made them work for their victory and at 186 for 7 the result was far from assured before John Mooney calmed Irish nerves. A tighter game, though, will have done Ireland no harm in this pre-World Cup workout.

Scotland are a side resigned to the protracted nature of transition but even this, a week in which they have been outplayed and outmuscled, is an alarming reality check five months out from a third appearance on the sport's most exalted stage. There has, however, been a glimpse of light, or two, not least a striking innings from Richie Berrington, the South-African born batsman, who recorded his maiden ODI century.

It was a lone hand though. Much like on Monday, the Scottish top order wilted in the face of Ireland's calculated blitz and while Berrington, along with Josh Davey and then Ali Evans, managed to thrust their side to a semblance of respectability, they were unable to apply the same stranglehold they had been put under when Ireland went about their chase of 222.

As it was, a late rally ensured the scorecard would have a polished look to it from a Scottish perspective but they were always behind the eight ball. Kevin O'Brien scored his second fifty of the series - the first time he had reached the landmark in successive games for Ireland in seven years - to once again take the sting out of any potential Scottish retaliation with the ball.

However, a fine diving catch away to his right from wicketkeeper Matthew Cross off Evans to remove O'Brien, for 67 from 65 balls, in the 35th over was the moment of inspiration his side needed. Stuart Poynter was brilliantly run out by Evans at midwicket a couple of overs later and when Stuart Thompson was trapped in front by Michael Leask, Ireland were wobbling.

Just as he has done on countless occasions before, Mooney, in just his second game back from an extended break from the game due to a stress related illness, played the role of finisher to ease his side over the line with five overs remaining.

In truth, Ireland made hard work of a chase that ought to have been a lot more straightforward. They will, however, be all the better for the workout but for much of the early part of the match it did not appear they would be pushed that far. That they did was solely down to a century of great tenacity and perseverance from Berrington; he could teach his team-mates a thing or two.

An innings which started in survival mode gradually moved through the gears as he and Davey frustrated the hosts and halted their early onslaught. Max Sorensen had accounted for three of the top four, utilising the two-paced pitch and early-morning conditions, to reduce Scotland to 48 for 5. There was a distant possibility the visiting Scots would have a free afternoon to take in the sights of the Irish capital.

Berrington, however, had other ideas. His 84-run stand for the sixth wicket with Davey included an array of shots around the wicket before the latter could only fend Craig Young to gully. Berrington was having no such issues with the Irish bowlers as he struck eight fours and a powerful six to reach three figures for the first time. It was the type of innings worthy of being match winning. Ultimately, it was in vain.

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Glamorgan take charge as bowlers bite back

Glamorgan 282 and 145 for 5 (White 4-27) lead Derbyshire 203 (Allenby 3-42, Wagg 3-56) by 224 runs
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Graham Wagg added three wickets to his half-century as Glamorgan put themselves in a decent position against Wagg's old county Derbyshire after day two of their Championship match at Cardiff.

It was just about Glamorgan's day as they bowled Derbyshire out for 203 to give them a 79-run lead on first innings. Wagg, who scored 62 on day one, recorded figures of 3 for 56. Glamorgan extended their lead to 224 by reaching 145 for 5 in their second innings, Wayne White with four of the five wickets to fall.

Most of the damage to Derbyshire's reply was done before lunch as they were reduced to 86 for 5 in the morning session - still 196 behind. Not even the presence of India star Cheteshwar Pujara could help the visitors. He was third man out for 7 as Glamorgan's seamers had a productive morning.

After resuming on 8 for 0, the visitors suffered a setback at the end of the third over of the day when Billy Godleman was trapped leg-before by a full ball from Wagg. Derbyshire slipped to 45 for 2 when Ben Slater edged Wagg to Cosker in the gully off a rising ball, which heralded Pujara's arrival. He showed his class by driving Jim Allenby through cover but the Indian's innings was short-lived as he went lbw to Allenby.

Michael Hogan added to Derbyshire's agony as Wayne Madsen became the third leg-before victim and five overs before lunch Wes Durston became the fourth to go lbw, this time to Allenby. The parade of lbw victims continued when Gareth Cross was trapped by Hogan with the total on 127 and Alex Hughes fell the same way to Wagg.

Though White showed some resistance, young spinner Kieran Bull claimed two wickets in consecutive balls. David Wainwright chipped to Dean Cosker at short extra-cover and then Tony Palladino pulled the 19-year-old to short fine-leg.

That left Derbyshire 153 for 9 but White and Mark Footitt frustrated Glamorgan by putting on 50 in only seven overs to ensure their side registered a batting point before White skied Allenby to Wagg at mid-off.

Looking to extend their first-innings lead, Glamorgan's openers Jacques Rudolph and Will Bragg put on 61 but they then lost three wickets in the space of 17 balls. White struck with two lbws in consecutive overs to remove Rudolph and Gareth Rees, who went for a first-ball duck before Bragg was caught behind off Hughes.

Allenby and the in-form Chris Cooke stopped the rot to put on 75 in 23 overs. But when Glamorgan had reached 138 for 3, Allenby was caught by wicketkeeper Cross off White to bring nightwatchman Cosker to the middle and Cooke was then bowled by White.

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Kent collapse after Foster century

Kent 198 and 151 (Napier 4-28) lead Essex 328 (Foster 108, Napier 62, Ryder 58, Stevens 5-83, Claydon 4-76) by 21 runs
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James Foster led from the front as Essex closed in on victory against Kent after dominating the second day of their Championship Division Two encounter at Chelmsford.

After the home skipper scored his first century of the season to lead Essex to a total of 328 and an advantage of 130 runs, they then dismissed their opponents for 151 in the final over of the day to leave themselves needing just 22 runs on Thursday to record their fourth Championship win in five matches and keep alive their hopes of promotion.

Foster, taking full advantage of a pitch that had lost much of its venom and helped by bowling that was found wanting in line and length, drove with authority as he figured in two productive partnerships on the way to a score of 108 before he was pinned lbw by Mitch Claydon.

The first of 90 featured Jesse Ryder, who carried his overnight score to 58 before behind caught behind off Claydon's bowling. Then Foster found fine support from Graham Napier as the pair shared in a seventh-wicket stand of 114 in 20 overs that carried their side to a third batting point.

Napier, with some typical forthright strokes through the onside, hit 10 fours in an innings of 62 before he too fell to Claydon after hitting to Daniel Bell-Drummond on the midwicket boundary.

The departure of Napier led to a rapid conclusion of the innings, the final four wickets falling in the space of 17 deliveries for just one run. Two of those were claimed by Darren Stevens who finished with 5 for 83 from 30.1 overs, while Claydon emerged with figures of 4 for 76 from 23 overs.

Kent's hopes of getting off to a good start were soon ended as they lost two wickets before the total had moved into double figures. Ryder, as he had done in the first innings, got rid of Bell-Drummond lbw for 1, while David Masters removed Ben Harmison, who edged behind to Foster to depart for 2.

A recovery of sorts was launched by Rob Key and Brendan Nash, the latter soon despatching Monty Panesar for a six and a four in an over when he was introduced into the attack. But after they had put on 64 in 20 overs, Panesar had his revenge when he made a delivery lift and turn to find Nash's outside edge and Foster dived to his right to complete the dismissal.

Three overs later, Napier turned the screw by claiming two wickets in an over to leave the visitors in complete disarray. First of all he breached the defence of first innings century-maker Sam Northeast for only 2 and then ended the stubborn resistance of Key as he uprooted the Kent captain's off stump for 28.

In his next over he had Sam Billings caught at mid-on for a duck - his third victim in the space of seven deliveries at a cost of two runs.

Stevens and Claydon fell cheaply to Panesar and Masters respectively but a lively approach from James Tredwell and Adam Riley ensured that Essex would have to bat again. Tredwell struck Panesar for three successive fours during a partnership of 45 in nine overs before the arrival of offspinner Tom Westley broke the stand when he had Riley caught in the deep for 21.

Tredwell then became another victim of Napier's after he had made 29, caught on the midwicket boundary to bring the innings to a close. Napier finished with 4 for 28 from 9.2 overs while Masters and Panesar each picked up two wickets.

Reflecting on the day's play, Foster said: "It's obviously been a great day for us. We got a decent lead and then bowled them out but I am a little disappointed because I felt we should have got a lot more runs than we did when we lost those last four wickets for one run. But the way our bowlers performed was excellent.''

Stevens, whose five-wicket haul saw him pass 50 wickets for the season, said: "That's huge thing for me personally, it's the first time I've achieved it but I've probably never bowled 400 overs either. But the bigger picture is that we are in a poor position. Bowled out for not very many in the second innings and it's just not good enough.''

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Alistair Nicholson named ACA CEO

Former AFL footballer Alistair Nicholson has been named as the new chief executive officer of the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA). Nicholson will step into the role on October 27, filling the significant hole left by the long-serving Paul Marsh, who announced in June that he was leaving to become the new head of the AFL Players' Association.

Nicholson will join the ACA from his current role as head of entertainment strategy with Gemba, a sports consulting firm that he began working with while he was still an AFL player. A tall defender, Nicholson played 110 games for Melbourne during a ten-year AFL career from 1997 to 2006, and sat on the AFL Players' Association executive.

"His exposure to the issues faced by athletes during his time with the AFLPA, combined with his roles at Gemba make him a great choice for the position," Greg Dyer, the ACA president, said.

Shane Watson, who sits on the ACA executive and was part of the committee that chose Nicholson for the role, said he would be a good fit for the organisation.

"We're thrilled to welcome Alistair on board," Watson said. "In addition to his background in sport from a business and strategic viewpoint, Alistair has an impressive understanding of issues from a player's perspective, which I'm sure will resonate with current players as well as the broader ACA membership.

"I know the players will look forward to working with him and continuing the ACA's history of strong and passionate representation, and providing us with a vital collective voice in the game."

Nicholson said he was honoured to be chosen for the CEO position, which has had only two previous holders - Marsh and his predecessor Tim May.

"I am passionate about the range of issues facing players and motivated by the desire to ensure access to world leading services, including supporting players to prepare themselves for their post sporting life," Nicholson said. "The ACA is a terrific organisation and has achieved a large amount in a relatively short period.

"The current partnership approach provides a strong basis to build upon and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to grow the game of cricket in an increasingly sophisticated sporting environment, both in Australia and overseas."

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Cooke, Wagg lift rebuilding Glamorgan

Derbyshire 8 for 0 trail Glamorgan 282 (Cooke 74, Wagg 62, Palladino 3-34, Footitt 3-61) by 274 runs
Scorecard

The final rounds of the season, with their earlier start times and lengthening shadows, are accompanied by a sense of proceedings drawing to a close. For those counties that are not involved in the intrigues of title-chasing, or promotion and relegation, regular watchers begin to look towards the future.

Certainly there was a sense of that at the Swalec Stadium, where Glamorgan were advertising tickets for the 2015 Ashes Test, which go on sale on Wednesday. The first season under new head coach, Toby Radford, and Hugh Morris, the former England managing director who now fills a duel role as chief executive and director of cricket at Glamorgan, has not been awash with success and the club sit second from bottom of Division Two, having not won since the halfway point of the campaign.

The shuffling of squads has also begun around the counties, as contracts are examined and budgets calculated. Glamorgan have had two frontline bowlers, Huw Waters and John Glover, retire in recent weeks and a third, the hulking seamer Mike Reed, picked for the England Performance Programme over the winter, is expected to leave after turning down a new contract.

Still, the weather was such that sitting in the stands felt like being on the Costa del Cardiff and there was talk of a bright new spinning talent, "the best since Croftie", coming through the ranks. Kieran Bull, 19 years old and from Haverfordwest, took 4 for 62 on first-class debut last week - which leaves him a small matter of 1171 behind Robert Croft, who retired two summers ago but remains a passionate promoter of Welsh cricket.

There may have been disgruntlement at the performance of Glamorgan's batsmen, although half-centuries for Chris Cooke and Graham Wagg gave their first-innings 282 a veneer of respectability and the visiting attack performed manfully on a pristine-looking pitch.

Derbyshire have won their last three Championship fixtures - not to mention their last five against Glamorgan - and still have a mathematical, albeit faint, chance of promotion. Their season has been reinvigorated since an exodus of their own midway through and, if an immediate return to Division One looks unlikely, their supporters too can dream of bigger things next year.

Glamorgan had chosen to bat first on a beautiful September day, the pitch an inviting, oatmeal-coloured strip in a sea of green. Derbyshire fielded their new overseas signing, the India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, and while he has been given dispensation by the BCCI to play county cricket in order to improve his game against the moving ball, there did not look to be much assistance for the seamers early on.

Cardiff can be slow and low and Pujara, when he does bat, may not feel all that far from the surfaces he has been brought up on playing for Saurashtra. Here, wearing the 'baggy blue' of Derbyshire, he ran around gamely in the field, joining his team-mates in the huddle at the fall of a wicket, clapping encouragement and occasionally shining the ball. At least, with the sun shining and leather to chase, he did not need to pull on a sweater.

Tony Palladino trapped Jacques Rudolph lbw at the end of his fourth consecutive maiden but Derbyshire turned to the spin of Wes Durston after little more than an hour. They were rewarded for their perseverance with two more wickets before lunch and when Mark Footitt, whose venomous pace transcended the conditions, removed Mark Wallace for this second wicket to leave Glamorgan on 158 for 6 during the afternoon, it looked as if the hosts would fall well below par.

A 91-run stand between Cooke and Wagg, both of whom scored centuries in Glamorgan's previous match, was worth a couple of batting points before Footitt wrapped up the innings with his 65th first-class wicket of the season - taking him above Saeed Ajmal as the most penetrative bowler in the country. He can enjoy today. Pujara may enjoy tomorrow.

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Bangladesh pay for confused strategy

The team management's decision to field first on a flat pitch, despite having only three specialist bowlers, meant Bangladesh were chasing the game right from the start

Mushfiqur Rahim did what he set out to do as a batsman in the first Test. He was dismissed only once, after completing his century and in an attempt to extend a futile lead. He was the unbeaten batsman during Bangladesh's first innings debacle, and showed little difficulty in dealing with pace or spin.

As a captain, though, things did not go as planned, and West Indies wrapped up a comfortable 10-wicket win. Bangladesh came into the game with the stated aim of drawing it, but their chances of doing so seemed to shrink as soon as Mushfiqur elected to field first.

Having eight batsmen in their line-up should have been enough reason to bat first after winning the toss. Still, the pitch is always to be considered ahead of a five-day game and Bangladesh's first priority in Test matches is usually to stay in the game for the first couple of days at least. At the toss, Mushfiqur explained his decision to field saying there would be some help for the seamers for a few hours, and that batting would be easiest on the second and third days.

As it turned out in this Test match, the first-day freshness in the Arnos Vale pitch did not mean excessive moisture. It was merely a slow pitch that was at its quickest on the first morning. Mushfiqur's prediction that batting would be easier on the second day was correct, but then West Indies only lost three wickets on the first; Kraigg Brathwaite and Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted through the truncated second day. West Indies lost four wickets on the third morning, but by then they were trying to increase the run-rate.

Even if there was some help for the bowlers early on, Mushfiqur did not possess the resources to exploit it, having chosen only three specialist bowlers. Bangladesh chose a Test debutant in the left-arm spinner Taijul Islam; Al-Amin Hossain, who was playing his fourth Test; and Rubel Hossain, who has struggled to take wickets in Tests and has an average to show for it.

Upon returning to Bangladesh after completing the three ODIs and the abandoned T20, Mashrafe said that pitches in the West Indies were just like those back home. "Wickets in West Indies are not what they used to be," he said. "Now they are slow wickets which help spinners and are good for batting."

Mushfiqur would have known this too, this being his fourth West Indies tour. But senior batsmen like Tamim Iqbal, Nasir Hossain and Mahmudullah had been out of form while Shamsur Rahman and Imrul Kayes hadn't done well in the preceding ODI series. Shuvagata Hom was a newcomer. The team management, therefore, may have been looking to protect them on the first day.

Mushfiqur said the gap between Bangladesh's last Test and this one had a role to play in their first-innings debacle, when they were shot out for 182, but he wasn't impressed with his batsmen's approach.

"It wasn't easy to bat in Test cricket after six months so I would say that our batsmen perhaps fell while trying to get quick runs," he said. "To be honest, the wicket was really good. Our application wasn't right in the first innings. The result would have been different if we applied ourselves in the first innings. We should show similar guts [to the second-innings performance] in St Lucia."

Having failed to secure the draw that both Mushfiqur and coach Chandika Hathurusingha had targeted, Bangladesh will have to alter their goals substantially ahead of the second Test in St. Lucia.

When Ian Bishop asked him at the post-match presentation ceremony whether he would persist with the eight-batsmen strategy, Mushfiqur stressed the need for batting cover in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan. So that would mean, for now at least, that Bangladesh are likely to go into the second Test with the bowling attack similarly understaffed.

Even in the press conference following the presentation, Mushfiqur said he wanted his batsmen to score enough to ensure a draw. "If we can get 600 runs, it should help us draw the game."

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Du Preez sets up South Africa win

South Africa Women 161 for 5 (du Preez 69, Chetty 53) beat Ireland Women 115 for 8 (Luus 4-21, Khaka 4-23) by 46 runs
Scorecard

South Africa made it two handsome wins in a day against Ireland as they secured a 46-run success on the back of Mignon du Preez's 69 followed by four wickets apiece for Ayabonga Khaka and Suné Luus.

As in the first game of the day, South Africa made a far from ideal start as they lost Lizelle Lee to the second ball of the match, but the third-wicket stand of 103 between du Preez and Trisha Chetty, the latter who contributed 53 off 47 balls, ensured they would be out of reach.

Du Preez's innings, which included 12 fours and a six, was South Africa's third highest individual score in a T20 while the partnership with Chetty was their third best.

In reply, Ireland were three down inside the Powerplay against Khaka and the target became trying to bat out their 20 overs. They achieved that with Clare Shillington making a run-a-ball 31 before she was the first of the scalps for Luus' legspin. Khaka and Luus became the second and third South Africa bowlers to take four wickets in a T20 after Marizanne Kapp.

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Hope boos 'never happen again' - Moeen

Moeen Ali has admitted he was surprised by the level of abuse from the Edgbaston crowd on Sunday and hopes it "never happens again" but reiterated his desire not to make more of the issue.

Moeen was able to enjoy the more relaxed surroundings of New Road on Tuesday, but the events of the weekend continued to swirl around after the PCA chief executive, Angus Porter, was forced to respond to earlier comments about the booing that seemingly downplayed the issue of racism while yesterday Moeen's father had called the abuse "disgraceful".

"Sunday's gone now and I don't really think about it. Hopefully it'll never happen again," Moeen said after making 54 against Surrey. "A small group just booed and then more people jumped on the bandwagon a little bit it built up from there. I would prefer that people were cheering rather than booing us but it doesn't bother me one bit."

"I just tried to do the best I could for the team and I wasn't too fussed to be honest with you. I expected it a little bit, but not as much as it was. It's one of those things and hopefully it won't be as bad. [Hopefully] it'll slowly die down and you will see the same guys supporting England.

Throughout his first season in the national side Moeen has spoken about wanting to be seen as a role-model for young British Asians and his desire to see more of them supporting England, which is being suggested as one of the triggers for the vocal reaction from the crowds in Birmingham.

"I do not care really," he said. "I do not know the reason for it. I do not want to cause controversy and say too much, I just want to get over it and I just look forward to playing again for England."

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Morgan stokes fires of imagination

The Edgbaston T20 reinforced Eoin Morgan's credentials as the fulcrum of England's limited-overs cricket. Approaching his peak, is it time they made him their World Cup captain as well?

Butcher: A difficult summer to assess

So was that it then? A fleeting sight of Eoin Morgan as the fulcrum of an England limited-overs side. An England captain basking in a Twenty20 win against India that he did so much to achieve. A batsman finally back at peace with his game. Now all to be forgotten as the sun goes back behind the clouds which have gathered around England's World Cup challenge.

Even allowing for the growing hold of T20, England's NatWest T20 against India at Edgbaston on Sunday was an irrelevance. But what an irrelevance: a final ball that MS Dhoni failed to hit for six to pull off a win for India, and instead delight for England and Morgan, whose 71 from 31 balls had made the difference.

Morgan has had a troubled summer. His attempt to force his way into the Test side was stillborn and his returns in 50-over cricket have been so mediocre that his place was briefly held to be in jeopardy. When discussions take place about an alternative England ODI captain to Alastair Cook, Joe Root has begun to gain just as much attention.

But finally this was Morgan at his finest, a batsman blessed with sharp tactical thinking, fast bat speed and unorthodoxy, who stated that England limited-overs batsmen can relish the need to play risk-free cricket. And predictably, overly influenced perhaps by that final over, his captaincy gained nods of approval.

And now, it is over. Fun while it lasted. But as an example of how low T20 is on everybody's list of priorities, George Bailey has just resigned as Australia's captain to concentrate on the World Cup. So well done, Eoin. You have just impressed in a match already consigned to the tray market Irrelevant.

But perhaps that pessimistic conclusion is a little premature. Even before this game there were signs that one or two England selectors were no longer slavishly wedded to Cook's presence in the one-day side, presumably recognising that for all his qualities he had not played one domineering innings all summer.

If a shift is to be made ahead of the World Cup, it has to happen now. But Peter Moores, England's coach, still sounds loyal to Cook's captaincy of both the Test and ODI sides and Paul Downton, England's managing director, whose "observer" status at selection meetings gives him a greater influence on selection than that held by his predecessor Hugh Morris, has wedded himself repeatedly to Cook's captaincy.

That leaves Morgan to rub along. You have to go back to Sydney in January to discover his last ODI fifty, 12 matches since then without a memorable contribution. The excuse that England's top-order caution had not left him with enough time to influence a game eventually gave way this summer to a recognition that he was simply out of form.

"I've worked incredibly hard this year on my game, and I have been light on runs," Morgan said. "I can't pinpoint exactly where it's going wrong."

Critics might wonder whether Morgan has become so wedded to T20 cricket that he is having to suppress a creeping disenchantment with ODIs, especially bilateral series. In that he would not be alone. But he might also be out of kilter with England's strategy for winning one-day matches, with all the talk of setting up the game with centuries in the top four before Morgan's batting elixir turns a moderate total into an unbeatable one.

For a clue as to what the England public thinks, an impromptu poll by Michael Vaughan on Twitter is worth recording. Vaughan invited his sizeable following to respond on whether they favoured a Morgan captaincy of England's ODI side. By an overwhelming majority, they did.

When it comes to limited-overs cricket, Morgan is in with the 'in' crowd, he knows the latest dance. But when he understandably lauded the positive influence of the IPL on his career, it again made him sound a bit of an outsider in a country where England's greatest IPL advocate, a certain Kevin Pietersen, just happens to have become an outcast.

"I thought wonders of my experience of the IPL," Morgan said, a response to Ian Botham's advocacy in his MCC Spirit of Cricket speech that it should cease to exist because it is damaging the game. "It made me a more skilful player both in Twenty20 and 50-over cricket. The experience of watching the very best go about their business is huge, so I'm a massive fan."

Morgan remarked after the Edgbaston victory that it had been good for England to experiment. He was referring to examples such as Jason Roy's debut as an opening batsman, the most irrepressible talent in domestic cricket given his chance.

But the experiment that mattered was the one he could not discuss. It was Eoin Morgan as an England cricket captain. A potential England World Cup captain, approaching his peak, a few days before his 28th birthday. When England's selection panel convenes to discuss a mediocre ODI summer, they must place loyalty to Cook against a gamble on Morgan. If Morgan's time does not come in this World Cup, perhaps it never will.

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Shastri backs Fletcher's skills as coach

Ravi Shastri, who was appointed India's team director in the wake of the 3-1 defeat in the Test series in England, said he was proud of how the team bounced back to claim the ODIs by the same margin.

Reviewing his role and India's limited-overs performance, Shastri also credited the support staff, including head coach Duncan Fletcher, whose future has been hotly debated in light of India suffering a second successive Test series loss in England under his watch.

"I got more than I would have expected," Shastri said. "I say that only because England's record at home, not many sides have thrashed them 3-1 in a four-match ODI series. It is a big achievement, from what they were mentally after the Test series defeat, and then, to respond in that fashion made me feel proud."

Despite his abrupt appointment, senior players like MS Dhoni, the India captain, and Suresh Raina said Shastri's positive mind-set played a crucial role in keeping the dressing room upbeat during the ODI series.

Shastri was quite visible during the training sessions as he ran around the ground overseeing the players' drills and would pass on his observations during private chats. "I had a plenty of one-on-one chats," he said. "Not sessions. I was not afraid to speak to a guy individually. Ground, bus, bar, dressing room, while eating, we were talking cricket."

Shastri had made it clear that he would oversee everything during the ODI series and everyone would report to him, including Fletcher and Dhoni. That had raised further questions on Fletcher's future but Sanjay Patel, the BCCI secretary, had told ESPNcricinfo that nothing had been decided on the matter. Some board officials, though, believed Fletcher's job was hanging in the balance and Shastri's report on the ODI series might prove the difference.

"Fletcher is the coach," Shastri said. "He looks over the handling of various things including little, little stuff. He is tremendous. He would have done over a 100 Tests as a coach, which is massive. He is very good. He is technically very sound. He is a solid character. He is respected. He is a fatherly figure. Let the media say what they want. I have told you what I thought of Fletcher. I will go back and speak with the BCCI."

Shastri was also impressed by the trio of Sanjay Bangar, B Arun and R Sridhar, who were brought in as part of the coaching staff at his request. "All three of them have done an excellent job in the short period they have been given. I have to go back and sit with the BCCI to discuss what will happen in the long term."

Shastri, however, was non-committal when asked if he would be open to a similar role in a tournament like the World Cup. "My job was to be with the team for the ODI series. They have won it. I want to let that sink. I will return to India and then think about the future."

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Young's debut five-for sets up victory

Ireland 173 for 3 (O'Brien 56*) beat Scotland 172 (Leask 50, Young 5-46) by seven wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

The fine margins between success and failure in sport, and cricket in particular, are often defined by the tenacity to grasp an opportunity when one comes about. Certainly Craig Young, the fast bowler released by Sussex twelve months ago, chose a good moment to become just the ninth player to take a five-wicket haul on ODI debut as he stole a march in the race to make the plane for Australia and New Zealand.

Young's growth into a new-ball bowler with an uncomplicated action is timely for Phil Simmons and the Ireland selectors, five months out from the start of the World Cup. Boyd Rankin's decision to decamp and the retirement of Trent Johnston had left Ireland's fast-bowling ranks drained, the latter's shoes, in particular, proving too big to fill. Now, Ireland have a genuine heir apparent.

A spate of injuries and fluctuating form had threatened Young's undoubted potential - Sussex certainly thought so - but when it would have been easy to lose heart, the 24-year-old went away and returned to basics. An intense winter spent in Australia under the tutelage of Craig McDermott is reaping dividends. Figures of 5 for 46 were the eighth best return for a debutant in ODIs.

A hostile spell, during which he extracted considerable movement and bounce, broke the back of Scotland as the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals despite run-scoring proving easier than the mid-September conditions may have suggested. Michael Leask's maiden fifty apart, none of Grant Bradburn's top order were able to show the application required to build a foundation upon which their bowlers could mount an attack; the absence of Kyle Coetzer and Matt Machan was certainly felt.

Yet, this was by no means Ireland's strongest hand either. George Dockrell would have hoped to get some overs under his belt after falling out of favour at Somerset but was forced to fulfil 12th man duties because of a niggling shoulder injury. The difference between the sides lies in the strength in depth. Andy McBrine, deployed as the frontline spinner, belied his relative inexperience to apply a stranglehold in the middle overs and did his chances of World Cup inclusion no harm with two wickets.

For a long-standing rivalry reputedly fraught with neighbourly hostility, there has been much friction between the two sides of late. Scotland have now lost all four of their ODIs on Irish soil and 11 of their last 12 limited-overs meetings. While a humbling seven-wicket reversal did little to instil confidence ahead of a busy period of World Cup preliminaries, Ireland were, as is so often the case, ruthlessly efficient.

An unbeaten half-century from Kevin O'Brien underpinned a leisurely chase as the Irish batsmen negated the early movement to quash any hope Scotland had of exposing an inexperienced middle order. O'Brien passed the landmark of 2000 ODI runs with an innings of consummate quality that underlined his importance to Ireland's cause come February. In putting on an undefeated stand of 80 with Stuart Thompson, he ensured Ireland coasted to victory with 14 overs to spare.

The limelight was not to be taken away from Young though. A nervy start was punished by Calum MacLeod, who hinted at the form that has seen him make an impression at Durham this summer with a couple of crisp strokes through the off side, but Young returned a couple of overs later to settle into his rhythm.

Tall and well-built, he approaches the crease with a sense of purpose and seemed to catch both Hamish Gardiner and Preston Mommsen unaware with deliveries that got on to them a lot quicker than expected. Mommsen was left particularly bemused as a sharp delivery that pitched on middle, swung and then nipped away, managed to pierce his defences and clip the top of off stump.

Leask provided some temporary resistance. On just his fourth ODI appearance, the 23-year-old showed maturity beyond his years to add a sense of stability to an otherwise abject Scottish batting display that was on the brink of submersion at 101 for 7 when Freddie Coleman was strangled down the leg side by Thompson's first delivery. A 54-run partnership between Leask and Safyaan Sharif halted Ireland's charge and added a semblance of respectability to Scotland's effort. It was too little, too late though. It was fitting that Young returned to round off proceedings and complete his five-wicket haul to cap a performance that will surely see his name pencilled into Simmons' World Cup squad.

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BCCI mulls using observers in home series

The BCCI is set to extend the practice of intermittently appointing observers with the Indian team on overseas tours, for home series as well.

The role of the observer is not defined with reference to its function and its difference from the role of the manager on tour, who is also a representative of the board. This development also comes when the BCCI has kept national selectors from touring with the team.

When asked if the proposed move of appointing an observer for home series was aimed at pleasing voters, a top BCCI official replied in the negative and added that the board believed the "suggestions and presence" of the observers had helped the team management on the tour of England.

The board had sent three member representatives as observers - Vishal Marwaha, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association secretary, Kapil Malhotra, Cricket Club of India's vice-president and Ravi Jain, Delhi and District Cricket Association's media cell chief - with the team at various stages of the tour.

The BCCI has managed to push for more home games in the next eight-year FTP cycle, which will start after the 2015 World Cup. Over the last decade, the BCCI has preferred not to have a team manager for home games, except from July 2010 to the 2011 World Cup when Ranjib Biswal was appointed. Usually the liaison manager and the logistics manager take care of administrative functions for the team.

The appointment of an observer for overseas tours was only selectively used by various BCCI heads, starting with the Sahara Cup in Toronto in 1997. And the appointment of three observers in England, "all of whom are from demanding or influential members," according to a former BCCI office bearer, came with board elections around the corner.

The HPCA is headed by Anurag Thakur, the BCCI joint secretary and also a leader of the youth wing of India's ruling political party. Jain is a close ally of Arun Jaitley, a union minister who also controls the DDCA. And the CCI is widely believed to be the lone supporter, among the West Zone members, of sidelined BCCI president N Srinivasan who hopes to be re-elected.

Along with the observers staying in the team hotel, it is understood they were also being paid the same daily allowance as the cricketers.

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Moeen abuse shows cricket's dark side

The booing of Moeen Ali at Edgbaston revealed the ugly side of sporting rivalry and suggested intolerance remains in the UK. It should not be ignored

Dobell: Moeen boos detract from spectacle

It should have been the perfect end to an absorbing summer of international cricket. We had beautiful weather. We had a sell-out crowd. We had a run-soaked T20 that contained outrageous skills and an exciting finish.

We should have gone home talking about MS Dhoni's decision to turn down singles in the final over. His self-confidence and his preparedness to take responsibility for the team. Or, perhaps, his lack of confidence in his team-mates.

We should have gone home talking about Virat Kohli's only half-century of the tour in international cricket - the same number as James Anderson - or Eoin Morgan's brilliant innings. The England captain, so short of runs in international cricket this summer, helped England thrash 81 from the final five overs of their innings and scored 56 in the 15 balls before his dismissal. We might even have witnessed the birth of a new-look England side for both forms of the limited-overs game.

Either way, this should have been a brilliant advert for cricket. But instead there was a sour end to the summer. An unsettling end. An end that suggested, for all the progress we think we have made in creating a multicultural society in the UK, we have a long way to go.

Because, in the middle of Birmingham on a bright afternoon in 2014, we saw at least one player subjected to abuse from a far from insubstantial section of the crowd on the basis of either his religion or his national or ethnic origin.

Moeen Ali was booed when he came out to bat. He was booed when he came on to bowl. He was booed most times he touched the ball. And he was booed either because he is a player of Asian origin playing for England - Ravi Bopara also attracted some boos, though far fewer - because he is Muslim or, perhaps most pertinently, because he is of Pakistani origin and the vast majority of the crowd were India supporters.

On the back of every ticket and inside every match programme it states: "Spectators shall not engage in any conduct, act towards or speak to any player, umpire, referee or other official or other spectators in a manner which offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies that other person on the basis of that other person's race, religion, colour, national or ethnic origin."

By such a definition, it is impossible to justify these boos. It is inappropriate to dismiss them as "banter" - an invidious description used to excuse sexism, homophobia, bullying and racism in many walks of life - and it is inappropriate to dismiss them as a symptom of any rivalry that exists between Pakistan and India.

Nor should we link this with the booing experienced by Stuart Broad in Australia and James Anderson and Ravi Jadeja this summer. Those jeers, unappealing though they were, do not stem from a dislike of origin or religion. They reflected specific issues.

Nor should we fool ourselves that these are pantomime boos. Just as the monkey chants that used to shame football grounds in the UK were unacceptable, so it must be unacceptable to hear a player derided for their religion or origin. It is not funny.

And let us not mistake this issue with any pretence that this is simply a manifestation of support for India. Spectators are free to support whichever side they like and the passion for cricket from spectators of Asian origin in the UK is of huge benefit to the game. But there is a chasm between supporting one side and denigrating the players of the opposition. It would be irresponsible to link the two.

What, it might be asked, would be the reaction if an all-white crowd booed a player of Asian origin? What would be the implications if a black player was booed each time he touched the ball? If such behaviours are deemed unacceptable - and, thankfully, in this day and age, they are - why should the booing of a man on the basis of his religion or origin be any different?

Moeen was born in Birmingham and he graduated through Warwickshire's youth system. He has a mixed-heritage family with a white grandmother from the Birmingham area. His religion or ethnicity should not be issues and he has previously said that such behaviour does not affect him.

But there is an irony that Moeen has spoken of being a role model. He has spoken of showing that it is possible to be British, Muslim and proud of both. He has spoken of encouraging other Asian cricketers into mainstream league and club cricket in the UK. He has, despite his relative youth and inexperience, spoken only of inclusivity and unity. He makes an unlikely villain.

The episode proved difficult for the ground authorities to handle. Had the stewards started to eject those involved, the situation could have deteriorated. Had Morgan, who denied any knowledge of the booing, led his team from the pitch, the situation could have deteriorated.

But just because a situation is difficult, it does not mean it should be avoided. This sort of episode should not happen. It must not happen. And if we find it unacceptable - and we really should - we must not ignore it. Whatever the many mistakes of the past, 21st century Britain cannot be accepting of intolerance based around race, religion, colour, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any other such issue.

Cricket can unite. In Afghanistan and the Caribbean and LA and Ireland, it has been shown to bring people from differing backgrounds together. It does it in league teams around the country every week. Here it provided a peek behind the façade of multicultural Britain. It was an ugly, depressing sight. And it should not be ignored.

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Finch named Australia's T20 captain

Aaron Finch has been named as Australia's new Twenty20 captain, succeeding George Bailey, who stepped down from the role on Sunday. Finch, 27, will become the seventh man to lead Australia's T20 team when they take on Pakistan in a one-off match in Dubai on October 5.

As captain of the Melbourne Renegades for the past two Big Bash League campaigns, Finch has acquired plenty of T20 captaincy experience, and he has also led the Pune Warriors in the IPL. The No.1-ranked T20 international batsman in the world, Finch also led Australia A against the England Lions last year and the selectors were pleased with his performance.

"When George indicated that he was stepping down from the position, we thought Aaron was the obvious choice to succeed him," Rod Marsh, the national selector, said. "We know he will relish the opportunity to lead his country.

"He has a task ahead of him. He is taking on a young side that is currently ranked fifth in the world. His first challenge will be building consistent performances as they head towards the ICC World Twenty20 in 2016."

On Sunday, Bailey endorsed Finch as a potential successor, describing him as the kind of player who thrives on the leadership. Finch said he was looking forward to leading his country for the first time.

"Having the honour to captain your country in any form of the game is something that all young cricketers dream about," Finch said. "It came as a big surprise but it was a very nice phone call to receive from Rod Marsh. I never imagined when captaining in the past that it would lead to national responsibilities.

"I've just set out to be the best player that I can and luckily an opportunity like this has come my way. I have been fortunate enough to play under some fantastic captains, including Michael Clarke and George Bailey and I have learnt a lot from them. It goes without saying that I will do my utmost in this role as we lead into the ICC World T20 in about eighteen months' time. It's going to be very exciting."

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O'Keefe named in Australia's Test squad

Spinner Steve O'Keefe could finally be given a chance at Test cricket after being named in Australia's squad to play Pakistan in the UAE in October. O'Keefe was named as part of a 15-man Test squad that also includes allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who is yet to make his Test debut, while Phillip Hughes was included as the backup batsman and Glenn Maxwell as a spin-bowling allrounder.

However, Australia's major selection issue could be yet to come, with captain Michael Clarke still recovering from the hamstring injury that forced him home from the one-day series in Zimbabwe. Clarke has been named in the squad and with six weeks until the first Test in Dubai, he has time on his side, but the increasing frequency of his hamstring injuries makes him far from a certainty.

The incumbent No.3 Alex Doolan retained his place in the squad despite not fully making the position his own during the tour of South Africa earlier this year. His main rival for a place in the side will be Hughes, who is in strong form after a winter spent mostly with Australia A but will travel to the UAE early to work on his batting against spin with coaching consultant Muttiah Muralitharan.

There is also the possibility that Australia could choose Marsh as a second all-round option alongside Shane Watson, although including both in the XI would risk unbalancing the side. Marsh will also depart for the UAE with strong recent form behind him, and not just from the one-day series in Zimbabwe; he and Hughes both made first-class double-centuries for Australia A this winter.

Marsh's chances of playing alongside Watson might increase if the selectors wanted two spinners on the turning pitches in the UAE, in which case debutant O'Keefe could join Nathan Lyon. O'Keefe, 29, has long been overlooked by Australia's selectors despite his strong statistical record at domestic level, but he was the only logical selection for this trip after topping the Sheffield Shield wicket tally last summer with 41 victims at 20.43.

A left-arm orthodox bowler and useful lower-order batsman, O'Keefe would be the 14th spinner to play Test cricket for Australia since Shane Warne if he makes his debut in the UAE. He could be considered unfortunate to have been that far down the list given his first-class record of 128 wickets at 24.72, which is superior to several of his predecessors including fellow left-armers Xavier Doherty, Michael Beer and Ashton Agar.

O'Keefe's only previous international experience has come in the Twenty20 side, when he played seven matches from 2010 to 2011. However, he will have to compete with Maxwell for the position as second spinner behind Lyon after Maxwell was included having not played Test cricket since Australia's ill-fated tour of India early last year.

"We have picked Steve O'Keefe as the extra spinner for the Test tour," national selector Rod Marsh said. "We are unsure what pitch conditions we will encounter in the UAE but we need to be prepared to play two spinners. Steve was the highest wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield last season and we are confident he can perform at the next level.

"Glenn [Maxwell] is a talented allrounder who enjoys playing on dry pitches. Phil [Hughes] has been in excellent form and has been rewarded with a place in the Test squad. His attitude to his game has been first rate and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.

"Mitch Marsh is a player of immense talent and is a bright prospect for the future of Australian cricket. His form with Australia A has been fantastic and he carried that through to the recent Zimbabwe tour. If he gets his opportunity, we know he will make the most of it."

A 14-man one-day international squad was also chosen for the three matches against Pakistan, with uncapped New South Wales allrounder Sean Abbott the most notable inclusion. Abbott, 22, topped the Ryobi Cup wicket tally last summer with 16 victims at 20.93 and after a solid Sheffield Shield season as well, he won the Steve Waugh Medal as his state's best player for 2013-14.

Abbott and David Warner, who had missed the recent tri-series for paternity leave, were the only inclusions from outside the group who toured Zimbabwe, along with Watson, who was originally named but was forced out through an ankle injury. Hughes was left out of the ODI squad despite his solid form in the tri-series, while Ben Cutting and Kane Richardson were also dropped.

Abbott has also been included in the squad for the one-off T20 in Dubai that opens the tour. Australia's first T20 squad under new captain Aaron Finch features the uncapped legspinner Cameron Boyce, while fast bowler Pat Cummins has also been named and could play his first international for two years.

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Taijul bursts out of obscurity

Taijul Islam is unlike most Bangladeshi left-arm spinners in that he picks his wickets by turning the ball and not just relying on the straighter one, a skill apparent in his five-for on Test debut

Taijul Islam is no stranger to making a great start. He took six wickets on first-class debut to help Rajshahi Division to victory in April 2011. Between that game and his five-for on Test debut in St Vincent, the left-arm spinner has gone through several hurdles to reach international cricket, much of it under the radar.

He only recently came to prominence after after a fruitful Bangladesh Cricket League, when he was top wicket-taker. He took 55 wickets in the 2013-14 first-class season, and was picked to tour West Indies for the A side. Nine wickets from two four-day games kept him on the selectors' radar. With Shakib Al Hasan suspended and Bangladesh in need of a left-arm spinner, Taijul became the first cab off the rank.

Part of a three-man bowling attack in his first Test, Taijul was never going to be Mushfiqur Rahim's go-to bowler. However, he changed his captain's mind with a steady build-up of dot balls and used his flight cleverly. West Indies might not have known of him and he hasn't carried the scars of his team's weak form. That freshness helped.

His first wicket was Kirk Edwards, a result of his attacking mindset even when the opposition was strongly poised. Taijul was making the ball dip on Chris Gayle as well, giving the bowler enough encouragement to toss the ball up and give it enough time to turn. Edwards played across the line and was caught at silly mid-off.

The next four wickets, one might say, came cheaply as the batsmen got out trying to slog. But Darren Bravo was foxed by his change of angle. Taijul was swatted for two fours before he moved around the wicket and tempted the batsman again. Bravo, going for the hat-trick, was caught at mid-off. Kraigg Brathwaite had to place the need for quick runs above his natural game. Denesh Ramdin and Jerome Taylor also fell in service to a four-plus run-rate, but Taijul was not tempted to bowl flatter and ended up with the wickets.

Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud, the man who gave Taijul his first-class break, was not surprised by the debutant's success. Mashud said that Taijul was different from other left-arm spinners in the domestic circuit because he could make the ball do more than just slide on. Perhaps that is why the 22-year old, with only three seasons' first-class experience was selected ahead of more accomplished bowlers of his variety.

"He knows that giving the ball a bit of air and letting it turn is not a bad thing," Mashud said. "He is one of the rare bowlers in Bangladesh now who doesn't just bowl the arm ball. I don't think it was surprising to get a five-wicket haul on Test debut but Taijul has been in good form this season so that has helped him too."

Taijul was in the shadow of the more established left-arm spinners like Saqlain Sajib, Suhrawadi Shuvo and Sanjamul Islam. But after Taijul had taken 14 wickets in his first three games for Rajshahi, Mashud ensured he had a place in the squad for the next three seasons. The split of the Rajshahi team to create Rangpur Division two seasons ago meant that Shuvo moved away and Taijul became a regular member of the country's most successful first-class team.

There were a spate of left-arm spinners snapping up five-fors and Taijul was part of the support-act with Rajshahi, which has contributed to him slipping under the radar. Mashud believes that Taijul got recognition from the two BPLs in 2012 and 2013, though his wicket-taking ability wasn't coming through. His only had two from three matches in 2012 and nine from as many games in 2013. But he did display maturity in certain matches where his team needed someone to bowl tightly.

"In the first season, he just played three games but his economy rate was enough to suggest he was strong enough to handle the pressure. He was a regular for the Rajshahi side last year," Mashud said.

He is the sixth Bangladeshi bowler to have taken a five-for on debut. The last man to do that was Sohag Gazi, who is out of the team for issues with his action. But Gazi's slump in form recently has shown that you need a lot more than a sparkling debut performance to survive in top-level cricket.

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