Williamson ton crushes Cobras

Northern Knights 206 for 5 (Williamson 101*, Devcich 67) beat Cobras 44 for 2 by 33 runs (D/L method)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

In most Twenty20 matches, the brevity of the format allows teams a chance to mount a comeback even if the scorecard makes for grim reading. This did not seem like one of those matches. Kane Williamson showed off his increasing proficiency in the format with a maiden T20 century to lead Northern Knights to their highest score, and Trent Boult and Tim Southee underlined their customary threat with the new ball to leave Cobras on the mat. By the time the rain came down in the eighth over of the chase, the asking rate was nearing 13 and saved Cobras from what was shaping to be an hour of minimising the margin of defeat.

At the start of the year, Williamson was not seen as someone who could play Twenty20s. Everything about him seemed old-school, from the manner in which he batted - lacking the glamorous mega hits the fans and the format loves - to the way in which he celebrated his centuries - with a mild wave of the bat. He hadn't played a single game in the format in all of 2013.

In 2014, though, he has been immense in Twenty20s, averaging over 40, striking at 137, and almost doubling his aggregate in the format. In Raipur, he showed how versatile his game is. His first 15 runs all came behind the wicket as he used the pace of the bowlers. He picked off four successive twos in the fourth over, nudging the ball in the gaps and running hard to signal a shift in momentum after a tight start from Cobras bowlers.

There had been plenty of close calls for both him and opening partner Anton Devcich early on: in the first over itself, there was a mix-up and Williamson was nearly run-out; in the second, there was an unintentional four for him to third man as he was late in leaving the ball; in the third, Devcich just beat the throw from point; in the fourth, a Williamson top edge flew for six over fine leg; in the fifth, Devcich was reprieved at short fine leg by Justin Kemp, who hurt his hand attempting a low catch.

Williamson and Devcich capitalised on that fortune to build a 140-run stand at more than 10 an over. Williamson was superb at placing the ball behind the stumps, and used the inside-out chip to good effect, while Devcich unveiled a series of sweeps and reverse-sweeps. The acceleration came in the middle of the innings, with 74 runs arriving in a five-over spell - there was also a 37-ball sequence in which there was only one dot delivery. The next scoreless ball was in the 14th over when Devcich was run out.

Daniel Flynn followed for a duck, but BJ Watling kept the frenetic pace up with a 20-ball cameo in which he feasted on Kemp. Williamson was muscling the ball around by this stage, including a powerful hit to cow corner for six off Rory Kleinveldt.

Charl Langeveldt, who hasn't played a competitive game in nearly a year, delivered several yorkers to stifle the runs and for a brief while it seemed as though Williamson might struggle to reach his hundred. He got there in grand style, though, with a stunning shot that sailed over cover for six even though he was flopping over towards the leg side. That also took Knights beyond 200, to a score that looked beyond Cobras' reach.

A full-strength Cobras line-up would have had Dale Steyn, Sunil Narine and the Ram Slam's most successive bowler, Beuran Hendricks. Instead, a severely weakened Cobras were taken apart by a team that had already played three matches at the same venue.

Read More..

Tridents out to show they belong

Match facts

Saturday, September 20, 2014
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)

Big Picture

Compare the overseas contingent for the two sides, and it seems like a massive mismatch is lined up: Kings XI Punjab can call on top-drawer international talent in Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey, Thisara Perera, David Miller and - later in the tournament - Mitchell Johnson, while Barbados Tridents have the less luminous talents of Sri Lankan opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera, allrounder Jeevan Mendis, Zimbabwe's Elton Chigumbura, New Zealand allrounder James Franklin and South Africa's Neil McKenzie.

To make matters worse, Tridents are missing their captain and Twenty20 superstar Kieron Pollard, the vastly experienced Shoaib Malik and allrounder Dwayne Smith - their three best batsmen in the Caribbean Premier League this season.

But it might not be all one-way traffic. McKenzie knows a thing or two about beating fancied IPL teams in the Champions League, having made deft half-centuries in 2010 and 2012 to help South Africa's Lions franchise defeat Mumbai Indians. They also have a solid pace attack, which includes Ravi Rampaul and Jason Holder, both of whom have plenty of experience of playing in Twenty20s in Indian conditions.

That attack will be severely tested though against a batting line-up that is arguably the best in the IPL. On Thursday, Kings XI gave another demonstration of their batting might - even ducks for Virender Sehwag and Miller didn't prevent a barrage of big blows that took them to victory with plenty of deliveries to spare. Can Tridents stop the batting machine?

Form guide

Kings XI Punjab WLWLW (most recent first, completed matches only)
Barbados Tridents WWWLW

Watch out for

Kings XI were missing Johnson and Sandeep Sharma due to injuries in their first game, but instead of the experienced L Balaji or the highly-rated domestic allrounder Rishi Dhawan, they picked Railways' Anureet Singh. He showed it was a good move too, getting the new ball to swerve round and then producing a burst of leg-stump yorkers towards the death to stem the runs.

In a squad filled with players lacking international experience, Ravi Rampaul - the leading wicket-taker in the CPL - will have a major role to play. Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger rattled the Kings XI top order on Thursday with the new ball, something Rampaul will have to repeat, given the depth of the Kings XI batting.

Stats and trivia

• When it comes to six-hitting in Twenty20s, Virender Sehwag and James Franklin have almost exactly the same record - Sehwag (133 sixes in 140 innings), Franklin (132 sixes in 139 innings)
• Only Essex (8) have hit more Twenty20 centuries than Kings XI (7)

Quotes

"We are not intimidated. We are a good unit. We didn't win the CPL by luck. We played good cricket throughout and if we can continue that momentum in the Champions League, I think we are going to have a good chance of reaching very far."
Barbados Tridents captain Rayad Emrit

Read More..

Prince did not consider Gale outburst 'racial slur'

Ashwell Prince has said that Andrew Gale's tirade in which he called him a f****** Kolpak did not cross his mind during the heat of the argument as a racial slur.

Gale has been since charged by the ECB with racist abuse - the first occasion this charge has been levelled in English domestic cricket.

Prince was speaking to the South African internet-based radio station Ballz Radio, his first comments since the incident which led to Gale facing an ECB disciplinary charge.

"I took offence at the way he spoke to me. To be quite honest, I didn't stand there and think that might be a racial slur," he said. "The guy walked towards me and had a go and I defended myself. The ECB feel it has racial connotations and it's up to them to do whatever they want to do."

The ECB's escalation of Gale's charge to a full disciplinary hearing has created much debate on whether the Kolpak term - a reference to the EU legislation named after the Slovakian handball player, Maros Kolpak, which allows certain overseas players to be classed as locals - can be termed a racial phrase or purely a technical term.

The rest of Gale's uncouth exchange, in which he is believed to have told Prince to "f** o** back to your own country", will also come under ECB scrutiny. Prince's comment that he did not perceive racial abuse was in answer to a direct question about the Kolpak term - but he did not level allegations against any other part of Gale's verbal assault.

Prince was more intent on insisting that he did not start the confrontation and, although he admitted he was trying to waste time towards the end of the third day of the Roses match at Old Trafford, he dismissed it as common practice.

"I don't think I've come across anyone in my 270-odd first-class matches who has abused a fielder for moving from backward point to silly point, so to suggest I sparked off this incident is laughable," he said.

"I didn't say anything. I was stood in the middle of the pitch as it was coming to cut-off time, they were bowling two spinners and wanted to bowl as many overs as possible. Obviously, the experienced player I am, I was stood in the middle of the pitch tying up my thigh pad and taking as long as possible to make sure there would only be one more over.

"He's taken offence to this - it's a ploy of timewasting, I'll admit this but everyone who has ever played the game as done it, it's nothing new - and he's come from backward point to silly point, walking in my direction, and hurled a whole lot of abuse at me. Those who know me and those who have played against me know I will not tolerate that type of thing. I defended myself and whatever was said, was said."

Gale was charged with a Level 2 offence under the ECB's code of conduct by the two umpires standing in the match - Steve O'Shaughnessy and Steven Garratt - and immediately banned for two games under the totting-up procedure. The charge was subsequently escalated by the ECB to a Level 3/4 offence with Gale informed he was accused of using racist and abusive language.

Lancashire have remained silent on the affair.

Gale's hearing is now likely to take place in early October rather than next week due to a clash with the final week of the Championship which would have impacted the availability of key witnesses. Prince will therefore be available for Lancashire's final match of the Championship season in which they face a relegation-decider against Middlesex.

After being banned for the rest of the season, Gale was not allowed to be involved in the official presentation of the Championship trophy at Trent Bridge after Yorkshire beat Nottinghamshire after the ECB felt "it would not be appropriate" with the disciplinary process ongoing.

Read More..

BCCI's disciplinary committee to discuss RCA issue

The BCCI's disciplinary committee will meet in Mumbai on Saturday to assess the Rajasthan Cricket Association's reply to the show-cause notice it was issued by the Indian board following its suspension on May 6. Representatives of the RCA will also attend the meeting as special invitees.

The RCA was suspended by the BCCI after former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, who was expelled by the BCCI last year for "committing acts of serious misconduct and indiscipline", was elected the state association's president. The BCCI suspended it for allowing a banned individual to be a part of its affairs, and, later, omitted the various teams representing Rajasthan from its domestic programme for the upcoming season. That left the players anxious and confused as to what their future holds.

This meeting might clear up some of that confusion. It will be the first time BCCI and RCA officials sit together at the same table since the RCA was suspended.

The BCCI's disciplinary committee includes sidelined BCCI president N Srinivasan, interim board chief Shivlal Yadav and vice-president Rajiv Shukla. Srinivasan, who has been sidelined by the Supreme Court of India while the investigation into the alleged corruption in IPL 2013 is ongoing, will not be a part of the meeting, but BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel will be present. The RCA will be represented by Modi's trusted lieutenants, deputy president Mehmood Abdi and secretary Sumendra Tiwary.

The meeting is being held a couple of days before the BCCI and the RCA are due to hand in responses to the appeal filed on behalf of 75 cricketers affected by the issue, in the Rajasthan High Court, asking that the players not be allowed to suffer because of the administrative stalemate. However, ESPNcricinfo understands that only the RCA's reply to the BCCI's show-cause notice will be discussed, and not the appeal.

The disciplinary committee meeting has been convened as per the BCCI regulations. According to the BCCI rulebook, within six months of the suspension of an individual or a member, a future course of action in the matter should be decided upon. Accordingly, the disciplinary committee will discuss the matter in detail on Saturday and forward its recommendation to the BCCI's working committee, which will meet in Chennai on September 26.

The issue is far more complex than it appears. The BCCI expelled Modi in September 2013 based on a special disciplinary committee's findings. The RCA, which was then headed by CP Joshi, had voted in favour of Modi's expulsion. The expulsion had meant Modi could not be a part of any official cricket activities conducted by BCCI and its members.

However, since the RCA is governed by the Rajasthan Sports Act, Modi could not only represent the Nagaur district in the RCA elections, but was also elected as the association's president. Subsequently, the BCCI - as per its rules - had to suspend the RCA.

Read More..

Sussex complete Nottinghamshire's demise

Sussex 391 (Nash 178) and 406 for 6 dec (Joyce 149, Nash 85, Wells 79) beat Nottinghamshire 413 (Taylor 126, Libby 108, Hales 57, Magoffin 4-72, Hatchett 4-99) and 193 (Taylor 46, Magoffin 4-51) by 191
Scorecard

Sussex picked up their sixth win of the LV= County Championship season with a 191-run triumph over Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

Chasing a victory target of 385 from a minimum of 75 overs, the home side were bowled out for 193 in 60.3 overs. Steve Magoffin claimed 4 for 51, to take eight wickets in the match, with three wickets apiece to Chris Jordan and Ashar Zaidi.

Earlier, as Sussex batted on until 20 minutes before lunch, Ed Joyce, who had been undefeated on 115 overnight, fell for 149 after sharing a stand of 60 with Luke Wells, who scored 79. Luke Fletcher, on his 26th birthday, was the pick of the Nottinghamshire attack, taking 3 for 66, to add his first-innings haul of 3 for 67.

Alex Hales and Jake Libby negotiated a tricky three-over spell before lunch as Nottinghamshire embarked on their pursuit, but both fell soon afterwards. Hales was snapped up at slip by Jordan, off Magoffin, who then had Libby caught one-handed by Chris Nash at short leg.

Michael Lumb was also caught by Jordan - a stunning reflex effort, at the second attempt, from Zaidi's second ball of the innings. Riki Wessels was yorked by Jordan, who then had James Taylor caught down the leg side for 46, eight runs away from reaching 1,000 in the Championship this year.

Samit Patel scored seven from 40 deliveries before becoming Magoffin's third victim, aided by another Jordan catch in the slips.

Zaidi, bowling a 20-over spell which was broken only by the tea interval, turned a ball sharply to knock back Chris Read's off stump and then trapped Luke Wood lbw. Jordan finished the match off by bowling Harry Gurney, to seal the win with 9.3 overs to spare.

Sussex had added a further 162 runs during the morning session, declaring just before lunch. Luke Wright showed his intentions by pulling Gurney into the midwicket seats before driving Fletcher straight to mid-on.

Joyce was caught at deep midwicket from the bowling of Gary Keedy, having faced 159 balls, hitting 17 fours and three sixes. Wells, who faced 13 deliveries before getting off the mark, then went up a gear, playing shots all around the wicket as he galloped to his 50 from 48 balls and had hit three sixes and 13 fours by the time he hit Patel to Fletcher at long-off. Ben Brown also cleared the ropes and was unbeaten on 38 at the time of the declaration.

Nottinghamshire's season comes to an end with them occupying third place on 206 points - but they could be overtaken by Durham, Somerset and Sussex, who all have a game in hand on the Trent Bridge side.

Read More..

Smith resists as Hampshire stumble to draw

Kent 507 (Bell-Drummond 153, Northeast 128, Billings 92, Coles 4-84) drew with Hampshire 351 (Ervine 121, Vince 70, Tredwell 4-102) and 248 for 9 (Smith 142*, Riley 4-36, Tredwell 4-110)
Scorecard

Hampshire are safely over the penultimate fence but dragged their hind legs through it. They just about avoided disaster against Kent via Will Smith's splendid rearguard century and now take a 10-point cushion into the final week over the fast-finishing Essex.

Hampshire were striding to promotion like Crisp to the 1973 Grand National with thumping victories over Kent at Canterbury and Leicestershire last week. But they were outplayed here and Essex are coming with another late surge, whittling down a 44-point deficit at the start of the month, and are looking to get up near the line like Red Rum in '73.

Hampshire's task remains straightforward. Any kind of victory at Glamorgan next week will see them promoted. But if Hampshire only draw, Essex will be guaranteed to pip them if they take 23 points against Worcestershire. If Essex draw at Chelmsford, Hampshire will need four points at Cardiff to guarantee promotion.

The margin for error at Glamorgan would have been far less without Sean Ervine, whose day three century produced three batting points that were wholly unexpected, and Will Smith batting through the final day to secure a draw.

"Over the last couple of days you've seen two of the best hundreds you're likely to see in the county game," Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams said. "The five points could be crucial, they might not matter, but in terms of the team showing resilience we've shown to be a tough team to beat this year. It's nice going into the last game with something riding on it."

Smith's century, his second in the Championship this season, capped a fine week where he also passed 1000 runs in a season for the first time and signed a new three-year contract with Hampshire. Crucially, he delivered five extra points for his side to give them a buffer for next week.

"I was due an innings like that," Smith said. "It was very very tricky. But over the years I've developed a method where I think I'm okay at staying in and gradually I've found a way to score as well. Given the situation, concentration wise and knowing what it means to the club to get those extra points it's got to be right up there as my best hundred."

Much credit is also due to No. 11 James Tomlinson, who held out gamely for Ervine in the first innings and Smith on the fourth evening. In total he ate up 69 deliveries in the match. Hampshire were also helped by the morning session on the final day being washed out in an electrical blaze.

Saving the game looked as straightforward as building a hotel on an empty piece of land with no planning restrictions with Hampshire only three down with 36 overs left in the day. But just as the collapse of the contractors stalled the hotel project at the Ageas Bowl, six wickets falling in 10.1 overs, including three in 13 balls straight after tea, held up Hampshire's promotion push.

Kent's two offspinners, Adam Riley and James Tredwell, shared eight scalps as the wicket began to crumble. When James Vince had slashed Calum Haggett to first slip - third man out, brilliantly caught by Darren Stevens - there was no hint of a problem. But the wicket began to turn.

Tom Alsop became the first of four lbw victims playing back to Riley, who then twice turned deliveries past the outside edge of Sean Ervine as signs of concern grew. In the first over after tea, Riley beat Ervine's inside edge to earn another lbw. There was no second rescue act. Matt Coles also got a good stride down the wicket but that still did not deter Nigel Cowley giving him out lbw.

Imran Tahir blasted Tredwell over long-on for six but, next delivery, Tredwell turned one past Tahir's forward grope and bowled him. Over 20 overs remained but once again Tomlinson held firm and Smith extended the lead to a safe distance. Kent captain Rob Key offered his hand with 10 overs left in the day.

Smith had little trouble against the spinners, getting well forward - particularly to Riley who bowls a little quicker than Tredwell - and right back to ride the turn. Unbeaten on 66 overnight after steadily seeing Hampshire through a potentially tricky third evening, he tucked and nudged his way to what he described as up there with his best centuries.

From early on in this match it was apparent Hampshire's final home match of the season would feature no promotion party - chairman Rod Bransgrove was away on business anyway - but the Ageas Bowl season still ended with an exciting day.

There is much about Hampshire on the field that can be likened to the hotel still being built at the Northern End of the Ageas Bowl. Eastleigh Borough Council have not quite had to step in to pay Jimmy Adams' wages or Imran Tahir's business class flight but like the hotel, the date of when Hampshire's Championship side are going to be back competing with the best in the country continues to be pushed back.

Both could be next spring, the latest completion date for the hotel and when Hampshire will begin their first campaign in Division One since 2011 should they gain the required points next week.

Read More..

Rogers lifts Middlesex from the brink

Somerset 523 for 9 dec (Hildreth 182, Trego 91, Kieswetter 69, Overton 63, Abell 50) drew with Middlesex 223 (Morgan 82, Roland-Jones 77) and 328 for 4 dec (Rogers 203*, Denly 60)
Scorecard

If Middlesex do avoid relegation - and they really should now - they will owe it largely to Chris Rogers.

It was Rogers who contributed a double-century at Lord's in April to help his side chase down 472 to beat Yorkshire. It was Rogers who hit a century in the win over Northamptonshire. And it was Rogers who batted for seven-and-a-half hours here to register a second double-century this season and salvage his side a draw that all but ensures Middlesex of safety this season.

We should probably no longer be surprised when Rogers plays innings like this. A career that started at the WACA in 1998 - he made his debut in a tour match for Western Australia against England - has now brought 70 first-class centuries (the same amount as Shivnarine Chanderpaul) and 11 double-centuries. This innings also took his career average above 50. Only Murray Goodwin, with 71, has more centuries of those still playing and he has announced his retirement.

Most impressively, Rogers seems to deliver most, for Middlesex at least, when his side require it most. Here, had he failed, Middlesex's unpredictable middle-order would have been exposed and they faced going into the last match of the season with a fragile lead over Lancashire. As it is, they have a cushion of 19 points. They are all but safe.

Rogers is not an especially attractive player. He does not empty bars or thrill spectators. Balls are, generally, steered or pushed or nudged or punished. They are rarely ramped or thrashed.

But, aged 37 and with a career's worth of experience behind him, he knows his limitations, he revels in the contest and he has a concentration span that could out stare the moon. His main skill - survival and occupation of the crease - remains an essential part of the longer-forms of the game and, as he explains it, he has made a virtue of his limitations.

"I'm not as fluent or as talented as other players in many respects," Rogers admitted. "So I have to rely on other things.

"Decision making is one of those things and probably intelligence is another. And just the willingness to fight: I probably play my best innings when up against it. I was coming off three bad scores here and was starting to feel the heat a little bit.

"This was an important result for us. The thing we have always prided ourselves on is being hard to beat, but we've almost lost that a little bit. If we hadn't got anything out of this game, we would have gone to Manchester with everything wide open. We couldn't afford a loss. This changes things a bit.

"We almost hit rock bottom on day two. There was a lot of criticism flying around and, as a captain, I was throwing some of it at the players. But to do that, you have to stand up yourself. So that's something I can be proud for us.

"It was great to be the guy who once again stands up for Middlesex. I'm very proud to play for this club. I love playing for Middlesex and it would be nice to play at least one more season for them."

With such skills, and such knowledge of English conditions, you would have thought him an almost certain selection in Australia's Ashes squad in 2015. But there is much cricket to be played before then and Rogers' age - he is 37 - may count against him.

Nor are Middlesex guaranteed to wait for him. "I know Middlesex are under pressure to look for a player," he said. "As those available are few and far between. It will be interesting to see what happens."

Rogers highlighted the loss of allrounder Gareth Berg - who has missed most of the season due to a career- threatening injury - as a key factor in Middlesex's struggles this season and also credited the first-innings partnership between Eoin Morgan and Toby Roland-Jones as the turning point of this match. "Without their stand, Somerset would have been fresh to attack us in the second innings," he said. "Things could have been very different."

Rogers was assisted by a pitch that, by the end, had lost whatever life and pace it ever had. With Somerset's bowlers obliged to remain in the field for more than 200 overs in succession, it was not surprising that the attack lost its string.

Perhaps, if Jack Leach were able to find a bit more pace on his spin, perhaps if Alfonso Thomas had made better use of the second new ball, perhaps if Peter Trego had enjoyed just a bit of luck - he beat the edge several times - things might have been different. In truth, though, this was a painfully slow wicket by the end and Rogers, in such circumstances, presents a significant challenge.

It was heartening, though, to see Craig Overton produce a small but wonderful spell in mid-afternoon that briefly threatened to bring the match to life. After winning a fortuitous leg before appeal against Joe Denly, who may well count himself unfortunate having justified his return to the team with just his third half-century of the season, he unleashed a fearsome bouncer that appeared to disconcert Morgan and, a few balls later, he left a straight one that hit his off stump.

It all means that Somerset will finish mid-table. While that represents a slight improvement on last season, it has also brought a sinking realisation that the club's best chance of winning that elusive maiden Championship title has probably gone for now. They had their best chance between 2009 and 2012.

Those were golden years for the club. While they did not win the trophies their performances warranted, they went close often, they entertained regularly and they produced a couple of players who may play big role in the future of the England side. Next season will see them start a new phase. They will certainly have a new director of cricket and quite possibly other changes in the club's hierarchy.

The old pavilion will also have gone. The likes of Sammy Woods, WG Grace, Don Bradman, Viv Richards and Ian Botham all emerged from the wooden building that has looked over this ground since 1882. And it offered the finest view of cricket in England, too.

But the new Somerset has, quite rightly, ambitions. It wants on-field success - something of a rarity through much of Somerset's history - and it wants to host international cricket. A rather charming ceremony after the close of play saw present and former players share their memories of the building and explain the need for the redevelopment. It was, perhaps, rather strange that there was no mention of the departing director of cricket, Dave Nosworthy.

The new man faces a tough challenge. He has some good young players, but he also has a level of expectation that will take time to satisfy.

Not everything will change, though. Marcus Trescothick insists he is "enjoying it all as much as I did when I was 21" and promises to be around "for another few years yet." He has become as recognisable as part of this club as the tower of St James' Church and the view of the Quantocks. And while some may suggest that, aged 38, his time is coming to an end, he remains, by a distance, his side's leading run-scorer in the Championship season.

Rogers, Trescothick and the old pavilion at Taunton... they don't build them like that anymore.

Read More..

Petition filed on behalf of 75 Rajasthan players

A writ petition on behalf of 75 players representing the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has been filed in the Rajasthan High Court in Jaipur on Tuesday. The appeal, the latest development in the administrative standoff between the BCCI and the RCA which has resulted in Rajasthan teams being omitted from this season's domestic programme, indicated that the players were suffering "only for one reason, which is the grudge between BCCI and RCA". It stated that the players were not being allowed to participate in any of the national tournaments being organised by the BCCI, and basically asked that the players be allowed to play.

The appeal was signed by players from various teams (Under-19, Under-23, Ranji players and women cricketers). It was filed on behalf of "Nikhil Doru and others" by Jaipur-based advocate Sachin Mehta, and argued by senior advocate Sudhir Gupta. Doru, 35, is a wicketkeeper-batsman who last played for Rajasthan in 2009 Ranji Trophy.

Justice MN Bhandari, hearing the matter, issued notices to the BCCI and the RCA, seeking responses from both within a week.

Incidentally, even if Mehta claimed that he independently approached the court on behalf of the players, indirectly he was representing the RCA based on recent events. Last week, the players were told to report to the RCA office in Jaipur even as many of them were playing the Colvin Shield inter-district tournament. About 50 players, including Ranji cricketers and various age-group ones, gathered at the RCA office. It is understood that senior RCA officials addressed the gathering and read out a draft petition that they said would be filed and submitted in the court.

It is understood that the RCA officials told the players they would be appealing to the court on behalf of the players, that they should be kept out of the issue as it was between RCA and the BCCI. The draft appeal was read out by a RCA official without being handed to the players.

Although it was not made obligatory for them to sign the document, the players said they were confused. Some signed, but it is understood that four senior players - Vineet Saxena, Pankaj Singh, Dishant Yagnik and Ashok Menaria - opted out along with a few others.

Various players whom ESPNcricinfo spoke with expressed helplessness and being caught in this muddle. An unnamed player said that he was reluctant to sign because he was not "sure of the consequences". He said the players were not accustomed to legal issues. He also pointed that being the "sole bread winner" of his family, he did not want to take an unknown route, which he feared could prove fatal in the long run. "I did not think it would be wise of me to fall into this," the player said.

Another Ranji player said he decided to sign because "we are just cricketers", who could not say no. According to him, he and his team-mates did not have a choice but "stick to the RCA". He said that the RCA did not force them, but they had "no choice". "Or do we?" he asked.

That is a pertinent question. The players find themselves in a tight corner, where they have to just trust the RCA. The only other party that can help, the BCCI, has only reacted form a distance. The BCCI's ad-hoc committee, appointed to oversee the game in the disputed states, has not addressed the players. Sanjay Patel, the BCCI secretary, had said that an umbrella team comprising teams from two disputed states (Bihar and Uttarakhand) could feature in the domestic season, but he pointed that that was only an option.

Such vague responses do not help the Rajasthan players, who are anxious and verging on desperate. "We are totally stressed out mentally, because we do not know what our future will be. We don't know what to do - whether to look for another state to play for as a professional or to just stay put," a player said.

As far as on-field activities are concerned, the RCA had carried out the process of organising trials and tournaments preceding the domestic season, as is routine. Now, the players are playing the Colvin Shield, which started September 10 and will go on till September 30.

The saga dates back to Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman who was banned by the BCCI for "committing acts of serious misconduct and indiscipline", being declared the RCA president in May. Minutes after he was declared president, the BCCI suspended the RCA for allowing a banned individual to be a part of its affairs. Later, the BCCI omitted RCA from its domestic programme for the upcoming season.

With inputs from Amol Karhadkar

Read More..

Never term coaches as Indian or overseas - Bangar

Sanjay Bangar, the India assistant coach, has said that it is unfair to categorise the coach as Indian or overseas, and that what matters instead is the competence of the man in the job.

"It should never be termed as an Indian or an overseas coach," Bangar told ESPNcricinfo in an interview to be published on Thursday. "We need to get over such things. You need to be competent enough. You need to be challenging your own benchmark on a regular basis. Cricket is evolving and any person in that capacity (coach) needs to constantly evolve, try and improve and bring fresh ideas."

Bangar, along with B Arun and R Sridhar, was rushed to England by the BCCI in August to assist Duncan Fletcher for the ODI leg of India's tour after the 1-3 Test series loss. Despite the abruptness of the BCCI call, Bangar, the 41-year old former India opener, said he was far from being "overwhelmed" at the job. "I just look at the job as one level ahead, as a responsibility. It is again about trying build relationships, trying to earn respect, trying to earn the trust of the people you work with. It takes time."

Bangar, who retired from first-class cricket in January 2013, was handpicked by Ravi Shastri, the team director during the England ODI series, because he felt that an Indian could serve the team better. "It all boils down to individuals," Bangar said. "How badly one wants to make a mark that probably drives the kind of work he eventually does."

When he received a call from the board, Bangar was putting in place plans for Kings XI Punjab's campaign in the Champions League T20 as only the second Indian head coach of an IPL franchise after Lalchant Rajput at Mumbai Indians in 2008. Discarded as not fit for T20 as a player as recently as 2009, Bangar excelled as coach when his tactics and open approach helped Kings XI to make their maiden IPL final, where they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders, the same franchise that had sent Bangar back home five years ago.

Bangar spoke in the interview about how he relied on the experience of Virender Sehwag, who he said was instrumental in keeping the Kings XI dressing room competitive. Sehwag, 35, has been out of the India side for more than a year, but according to Bangar, he still carried the same imposing presence as a batsman with which he had built his career. "His overall personality and the way he conducted himself without any sort of inflated self-importance had a tremendous impact on the entire group. Not just the uncapped Indian players, but even among the overseas players."

Bangar was optimistic about Sehwag still being able to make an international comeback. "By the way he has played his cricket (in the IPL) he has made a case for himself. The hundred he got in the qualifier (122 off 58 balls against Chennai Super Kings) was a special innings and everybody would agree to it."

Read More..

India support staff set for longer run

Sanjay Bangar, B Arun and R Sridhar are expected to remain part of India's coaching staff until the World Cup. The trio were part of a rejig of the backroom personnel after the 3-1 loss to England in the Tests. A decision regarding Ravi Shastri's role of team director and Duncan Fletcher's as head coach will be made at the BCCI's working committee meeting on September 26. The popular opinion among the BCCI top brass though is that it would be too risky to change the coach with barely four months left for the World Cup.

ESPNcricinfo understands that Bangar, Arun and Sridhar have been hinted that they were in line to continue as assistant coaches and fielding coach upon their return from England. As a result, the Andhra Cricket Association, which had appointed Sridhar as their head coach for the coming domestic season, have made alternate arrangements for their team's support staff. A formal call will be made during the working committee meeting, which will also discuss Shastri's report.

The three of them were praised by Shastri after India ended their tour of England with a 3-1 series win in the ODIs. "All three of them have done an excellent job in the short period they have been given," Shastri had told ESPNcricinfo.

This could mean that Trevor Penney and Joe Dawes, who were given a break as fielding and bowling coach respectively, might no longer stay part of the coaching staff. Their contracts, though, run until the end of the world cup and a decision to terminate them or use them in other roles would also be taken at the meeting. One of the options being considered is to use Dawes and Penney as coaches at the National Cricket Academy at Bangalore.

The BCCI top brass are keen to retain Shastri as team director for the world cup, however Shastri himself is undecided over whether he wants to enjoy the tournament from the dressing room or commentator's box.

Read More..

Bravo fined for verbally offending Bangladesh batsmen

Darren Bravo, the West Indies batsman, has been found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct for verbally offending the opposition batsmen during the fourth and final day's play in the second Test against Bangladesh in St Lucia.

Bravo was found to have breached Article 2.1.8 of the code, which relates to "…Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that either : (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute."

An ICC release stated that Bravo had been warned on several occasions not to approach and verbally offend the opposition batsmen and repeatedly failed to heed the umpires' instructions.

Bravo disputed the offence and a formal hearing was then conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama, with the charge having initially been brought by on-field umpires Steve Davis, Richard Illingworth, third umpire Marais Erasmus and fourth umpire Peter Nero. Mahanama found Bravo guilty and issued a fine of 30% of his match fee.

"The umpires felt that the player's behaviour brought the game into disrepute and he was reminded of his responsibilities to extend respect at all times to both his opponent and to match officials," Mahanama said.

Read More..

Gale charged with racist abuse after 'Kolpak' outburst

Yorkshire's captain Andrew Gale has become the first county cricketer to be accused of a racism offence after he was charged on Wednesday by the ECB for a confrontation with Ashwell Prince in the Roses match which included a rejoinder to return to his own country, followed by a disparaging use of the term "Kolpak".

ESPNcricinfo revealed that the Kolpak term was part of the issue under investigation by the ECB hours after Gale was barred from collecting the Championship trophy on Yorkshire's behalf following their clinching of the title with victory against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

Now the Daily Telegraph has confirmed that the ECB intends to press ahead with the charge in defiance of Yorkshire's fury that their captain's reputation has been tainted.

The ECB's charge will be that Gale used abusive language with racist connotations when the case the governing body laid itself is heard by its own disciplinary committee.

Yorkshire are assembling a legal team to contest the charge, which has left relationships between the county and the ECB - historically, often shaky - at their lowest levels for years and soured celebrations of their first Championship title for 13 years

The hearing could take place next week with Gale anticipating a Level 3 charge.

Gale's outburst came against Prince, Lancashire's South African batsman, who qualifies to play domestic cricket by virtue of the Kolpak rule, on the third evening of the Roses match on September 3.

Gale had become increasingly incensed at OId Trafford by Prince's sledging and timewasting as Yorkshire pushed for victory. As tempers flared, Prince told Gale to get back to his fielding position, Gale's rejoinder to Prince was that he should get back to his own country and included a reference to Prince's Kolpak status. There was a dose of bad language on both sides.

The umpires brought a Level 2 charge and Gale was suspended for two matches but the ECB was not satisfied that the affair had been sternly enough dealt with.

Prince's immediate on-field gesticulations indicated that he viewed the outburst as having racist overtones, and as a Cape Coloured South African immersed in South Africa's apartheid history, his response was perhaps not altogether surprising.

Yorkshire will contend that there is no country, nor racial origin for Kolpaks - it is simply a descriptive term for those from many countries who are playing in county cricket because of reciprocal EU trade agreements.

The ECB itself has lobbied hard against Kolpak registrations, with some success, and some senior officials have not always referred to their presence in county cricket in a decorous manner. They, though, are not on trial.

The ECB, led by the chairman Giles Clarke, is adamant that its task is to uphold behavioural standards in the game and no right-thinking person would question that removing the scourge of racism from cricket is a noble aim. Whether Gale's outburst can be fairly regarded in that vein, and whether this is an appropriate occasion on which to make a stand on such a sensitive and important issue, will now be fought out by the lawyers.

Read More..

Libby emulates Taylor with debut ton

Nottinghamshire 310 for 3 (Libby 108, Taylor 101*, Hales 57) trail Sussex 391 by 81 runs
Scorecard

Centuries from Jake Libby and James Taylor helped Nottinghamshire close on 310 for 3 on the second day of their Championship match against Sussex at Trent Bridge. On his county debut Libby scored 108 from 262 balls, hitting 16 fours and sharing in a stand of 181 in 48 overs with Taylor, who ended the day on 101 not out.

Earlier, Sussex had come within nine runs of maximum batting points before being bowled out for 391. Resuming on 358 for 9, Ashar Zaidi had frustrated Nottinghamshire's bowlers during the first half hour of the day as he and Lewis Hatchett added a further 33 runs to the score. Zaidi was put down in the slips by Samit Patel, denying Luke Fletcher what would have been his 200th first-class wicket but then perished in the next over to Harry Gurney.

In reply, Libby opened the innings with Alex Hales and the two right-handers were both reprieved by Ed Joyce: Hales put down from the bowling of Chris Jordan and Libby, on 25, dropped off Steve Magoffin.

From then on chances were few and far between as Hales passed 1000 first class runs for the season, although 78 of them had come during his one-match loan to Worcestershire earlier in the campaign. Hales advanced to 57 but was then beaten by a Magoffin delivery that nipped back and clipped his off stump. Michael Lumb followed swiftly, edging behind without scoring.

Libby advanced to his 50 from 119 balls, with eight fours and showed great temperament throughout. Alert enough to punish a tiring attack, he played his shots all around the wicket and had the ideal partner in Taylor, who could appreciate what was at stake for the youngster.

Libby's hundred came just before the second new ball was due, running Chris Nash to the third man boundary to become only the 11th Nottinghamshire player to score a ton on his debut - and the first since Taylor, who was quick to congratulate his batting partner. A couple of overs later Libby was gone for 108, departing to a standing ovation after being bowled by Hatchett.

Taylor had enough time left in the day to reach his first Championship century of the season, his own hundred coming from 146 balls with 12 fours.

Libby was proud of his century and pleased he could share the occasion with his family. "The whole day has been crazy, it's just been surreal," he said. "I was very nervous in the nineties and obviously to get it away past point for the hundred was a great moment. Both parents were in the crowd and it's obviously a great moment for them. I'm just chuffed with how it has gone."

Sussex opener Nash is hoping his side can get some more wickets on Wednesday. He said: "I always enjoy coming here but it's been a very tough day. You really have to work hard for your wickets out there - it's a very good pitch to bat on."

Read More..

Match swings after Roy resistance

Surrey 181 and 279 (Roy 81, Footitt 3-62, Wainwright 3-62) lead Derbyshire 210 (Madsen 63, Meaker 4-39, Linley 4-79) by 250 runs
Scorecard

Jason Roy hit an aggressive 81 from 86 balls to lead a dramatic Surrey counterattack on the second day of their Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire at The Oval.

Roy's thrilling strokeplay either side of tea transformed a contest which seemed to be Derbyshire's for the taking when they had reduced Surrey to 114 for 5 in their second innings after earlier reaching 210 themselves for a 29-run first innings lead. But with Arun Harinath supporting him solidly with 42, in a sixth wicket stand worth 122, Roy quickly took control on a pitch on which 25 wickets had tumbled in a day and a half.

Surrey, bowled out for 279 just before stumps, have set Derbyshire 251 for victory on day three - and that is by no means a straightforward task. Beautiful late summer sunshine, however, seemed to draw some of the sting from a well-grassed surface and Roy swept to a 61-ball fifty to become the sixth Division Two batsman to pass 1000 Championship runs for the season.

When Harinath fell, edging behind off left-arm spinner David Wainwright, it was a 10th catch in the match for 18-year-old debutant Harvey Hosein, equalling a Derbyshire wicketkeeping record held jointly by Bob Taylor, who performed the feat in 1963, and Harry Elliott, in 1935. Hosein then claimed that Derbyshire record all to himself by snapping up Gareth Batty's edge off Mark Footitt.

Harinath's dismissal, in the 65th over, was followed five balls later by that of Roy, who marked the recall of Footitt by pulling the fast bowler's third delivery back straight to Alex Hughes at deep square-leg.

Earlier, Roy had taken 10 runs from the last over before tea, bowled by Footitt, and after the interval two fours in succession through the covers off Hughes signalled his intention to press the accelerator. Ben Cotton's fast-medium and Wes Durston's offspin then felt the full force of Roy's swashbuckling strokeplay and Derbyshire's batsmen will have to play well to reach their win target on a pitch that still has something in it for seamers and spinners alike.

Derbyshire's first innings, which resumed on 164 for 5 in reply to Surrey's initial 181, lasted only another 80 minutes as Wayne Madsen, ninth out for 63, saw his lower order crumble against pace trio Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meaker and Tim Linley.

Hosein, driving with no foot movement, edged behind off Dernbach for four to the fourth ball of the day and Wayne White was bowled by Linley for 6. Wainwright nicked Dernbach to first slip on 1 and after Madsen had reached 1000 first-class runs for the season, he edged Meaker to keeper Gary Wilson. Cotton, after a few lusty blows, was held by Steven Davies at third slip to give Meaker figures of 4 for 39.

By lunch Surrey had lost both Rory Burns,caught at third slip driving loosely and Vikram Solanki, edging behind, to Cotton and - after the interval - Davies, Zafar Ansari and Wilson all got in without being able to go on. Davies, on 22, was bowled by medium-pacer Hughes and Ansari's dogged two-hour 35 ended when Hosein accepted another edge. When Wilson chopped on against Wainwright, for 16, Surrey were at a low ebb, but Roy and Harinath came to the rescue.

Read More..

Borthwick, Collingwood punish Northants

Durham 362 for 8 (Borthwick 136, Collingwood 101, Wagner 4-95) v Northamptonshire
Scorecard

Centuries by Scott Borthwick and Paul Collingwood helped Durham to 362 for 8 at Chester-le-Street after an opening-day washout. Bad light ended play 10 overs prematurely, but 181 runs were added in the afternoon session as relegated Northants threatened to fall apart.

After reducing Durham to 110 for 4 they allowed Borthwick and Collingwood to put on 67 in the next 10 overs and they went on to add 187 in 41. Both batsmen are in prime form, with Borthwick scoring 176 in last week's win at Lord's, where Collingwood made two half-centuries to follow his hundred at home to Nottinghamshire the previous week.

The bowlers gave them some easy pickings in the afternoon, when there were also several examples of shoddy fielding. With acting captain James Middlebrook giving himself only seven overs, Northampton's over rate read minus three. But the seamers kept running in enthusiastically and tightened up as the cloud cover increased and the ball began to swing.

After Northamptonshire had chosen to bowl, Keaton Jennings pushed forward and edged Neil Wagner to first slip. It was Jennings' third successive duck and it would have also been his third successive golden duck had he not been dropped first ball at Lord's.

Wagner also had Ben Stokes caught by Andrew Hall at slip for 13 but the New Zealand Test left-armer conceded runs at six an over until he was brought back late in the day. The new ball was due, but he swung the old one in to have Collingwood lbw, then had Chris Rushworth caught behind to finish with 4 for 95.

Borthwick reached 1000 Championship runs on 19 as he and Mark Stoneman put on 40 for the second wicket before the opener fell lbw to Azharullah. Michael Richardson took 13 balls to get off the mark and made only 11 before he was beaten by a ball from Hall which swung past the outside edge to hit off stump.

Once Borthwick and Collingwood had made their flying start, the only subsequent chance they gave Northamptonshire came when Borthwick was dropped on 82, a regulation shin-high chance to wicketkeeper Ben Duckett off one of Maurice Chambers' better deliveries. Borthwick slowed up either side of being dropped, but on 97 he eased Azharullah through backward point. He was always going to run three, but was handed four when Chambers, who had run round from third man, dived over the ball.

Read More..

Tamim's wicket was key - Ramdin

West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin said that changing Suleiman Benn's end during the Tamim Iqbal-Mominul Haque third-wicket partnership was what swung the St Lucia Test his way. As soon as Benn had Tamim caught off a top edge, the home side took the next seven wickets in 18.5 overs to win by 296 runs.

Bangladesh were reeling at 48 for 2 when Tamim and Mominul consolidated to add 110 runs for the third wicket. They played out a session without getting out, only their second such period during the Test series. They survived a Darren Bravo drop when Mominul edged one to him at first slip with his score on 29.

After both had reached their slowest fifties in Test cricket, Ramdin asked Benn to change ends and bowl with the wind blowing from the on-side. Tamim gave Shannon Gabriel a catch after which came the collapse.

"We were trying to keep the run-rate down and try to create the opportunity but we didn't take that chance," Ramdin said. "We also tried to switch the bowlers around, and make them hit [Suleiman] Benn against the breeze. He [Tamim Iqbal] tried that and it came off for us."

Ramdin, however, felt that wickets in hand on the final day could have led to an open game. "It was a very good batting pitch, still," he said. "Going into the fifth day, it could have gone either way with wickets in hand. But it becomes very difficult for a new guy coming into bat here and get a start."

He praised the contributions of Man of the Match Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Man of the Series Kraigg Brathwaite, although there were times when the pair tested their captain's patience with their diligence. But Chanderpaul was not dismissed once in the series while Brathwaite scored his first double-hundred in an aggregate of 324 runs at an average of 108.

"Those two stood out throughout the series for us," Ramdin said. "Kraigg's double-century and Shiv didn't get out in the series. They batted and batted, and took the opposition out of the game. India is going to be a very big series for us, and I am sure we will come good there."

Chanderpaul, who reached his 30th Test century earlier in the day and is now four short of Brian Lara's 34, said that his mantra was to tell himself to remain at the crease when the day ends and come back to bat the next day.

"I obviously feel great, winning the Test match was the most important thing," Chanderpaul said. "It was our aim from the beginning, get as much as we can from the first innings and see where we go. As a batter, you can't think about getting out. You have to think about coming to bat the next day. I was trying to maintain that and hopefully I can carry on wherever I go."

But it was all doom and gloom for Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who was left picking up the pieces after a second Test series loss. He conceded that the team had not found out a way to avoid a collapse during crucial periods in a match.

"It has been a problem in the last couple of years," Mushfiqur said. "We haven't worked it out yet. It is all sorts of mental and skill-related things. Sometimes it is skills, sometimes it is mental. We need to be tough. Because this is Test cricket, we need to be tough for the whole session, not one or two hours.

"I think Tamim, Mominul, Mahmudullah, Al-Amin played well, as did Taijul. But we need to improve a lot as a group. We have a home series coming up against Zimbabwe which will be a tough one so all the boys will get a break and let's see how it goes."

Read More..

Dhoni glad to have Bravo back

After Chennai Super Kings were knocked out of the IPL earlier this year, MS Dhoni had highlighted the injury to West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo as one of the main reasons for the campaign ending early.

Bravo had been the leading wicket-taker in the 2013 IPL but could play only one game in the 2014 season before being sidelined by a shoulder problem. One of the five players retained by Super Kings ahead of this year's player auction, Bravo is back with squad for the Champions League.

"We missed Dwayne Bravo during the IPL. He got injured," MS Dhoni said. "That really affected the strength, combination and stability of the side. It is good to have him (Bravo) back."

Two days ahead of the start of Super Kings' CLT20 campaign in Hyderabad, Dhoni talked about how little time there was for the squad to prepare for this tournament. "We don't get 10 days before the start of the tournament. It is usually pretty fast. Especially the fact, most of the Indian cricketers, they are part of the ODI squad and they are coming from England, which means [they] will be arriving here late.

"In my case, I just came here (Hyderabad) today. So, you don't get the same amount of time with the team. As I said, it has its own challenge. Still it is good. We get enough time to get together. The two months of IPL, the time, we spend that really helps us. It becomes like a refresher course, where you get together and start getting your acts together."

While the IPL has been a blockbuster hit over the years, attendances and the following of the CLT20 have lagged well behind, but Dhoni defended the tournament. "The idea of Champions League T20 is brilliant. But also, it becomes difficult to indulge the Indian crowds at the same level if you compare to IPL. Because, if two teams from abroad are playing, you won't get the same kind of crowd, may be when two Indian teams are playing, the interest of crowd grows. This is a challenge."

Read More..

Parvez Rasool tells of flood horror

Parvez Rasool, the India offspinner, has spoken of the hardship he and his family have endured during the on-going floods in his home state of Jammu & Kashmir. He said his home in the Anantnag district had been flooded and they had been without proper communication for about ten days.

The northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir has suffered extensive damage to life and property since the beginning of September because several rivers were in spate due to torrential rainfall. "For the last 11 days, I was literally cut off from society as none of the telephones or cell-phones were working," Rasool told PTI. "It was a helpless situation for me and my family. We were staying on the first floor as the ground floor was filled with floodwater.

"The situation was terrible but it's better in Anantnag right now. I am planning to come to Srinagar within next two days. I haven't been able to contact my Jammu & Kashmir Ranji team-mates.

"In fact, a local NGO over here did tremendous work as they reached out to people with food, essential medicine and clothes. We also received help from the NGO as we were stuck inside our house.

"After watching them work for three to four days, I also joined the relief workers and did my bit in helping them. I am only 25, but people, who are of my grandfather's age said they have not seen anything like this [flood] in their lifetime. There were times when we were taking water from the overhead tanks and boiling everything as there is a chance of infection.

"I only hope that by next week things change for the better as the people from the economically backward sections are the ones who have been suffering a lot. You feel pained watching their plight.

Rasool said he hoped to resume cricket practice as soon as possible. "It's never happened that I have missed training for two weeks. I have to get back to training."

The Indian domestic season begins with the Vijay Hazare one-day competition on November 7.

Read More..

Trent Bridge brings out Nash's best

Sussex 358 for 9 (Nash 178, Fletcher 3-49) v Nottinghamshire
Scorecard

Chris Nash continued his special relationship with Trent Bridge by scoring his third County Championship century on the ground to help Sussex to 358 for 9 on the first day of their match against Nottinghamshire. Nash scored 178, the first time he had reached three figures this summer, his runs coming from 235 balls with 32 fours. It was the 31-year old's 17th first-class hundred, with four of them coming against Notts.

After a scratchy start against the new ball he prospered to reach 70 not out by lunch and was on 160 at tea. His only alarms came after passing his hundred when twice he somehow managed to escape having edged the unlucky Samit Patel. The first instance, when on 116, saw him find a gap between wicketkeeper Chris Read and first slip Alex Hales. Nine runs later, a genuine edge seemed to go through Hales' attempt to grab it before racing down to the third man fence.

Veteran spinner Gary Keedy, who had pocketed a total of nine wickets during recent defeats to Durham and Yorkshire, ended Nash's resistance in another impressive showing. After almost five hours at the crease the opener attempted a sweep and became the second batsman to be given out lbw in that manner by umpire Richard Kettleborough.

Earlier Keedy, who ended with 3 for 96, had altered the complexion of the day by dismissing both Craig Cachopa and Luke Wright in the same over, late in the afternoon session. Cachopa narrowly missed out on his sixth 50 in seven innings, edging Keedy to slip, after sharing in a punishing stand of 133 with Nash and then Wright was trapped in front five balls later.

Notts included two debutants in their side, 21-year old batsman Jake Libby and England Under-19 left-arm medium-pace bowler Luke Wood, who picked up his maiden wicket with the first delivery after tea when he enticed Michael Yardy to steer into the hands of Michael Lumb in the gully.

At that stage Sussex had lost three wickets in as many overs but regained the initiative with Ben Brown making 46 and Chris Jordan adding 25 before both fell to the new ball. Luke Fletcher, the only right-arm bowler in the five-man attack, claimed them both to end with figures of 3 for 49, having earlier had Ed Joyce smartly taken at slip by Riki Wessels. Late in the day Wood struck again, having Steve Magoffin caught at the wicket, to secure a third bowling point for his side, with Sussex having already obtained four points for their efforts with the bat.

"We are playing on pitches that are not normal Trent Bridge pitches because, with the inclusion of Gary Keedy, we want them to spin, so I think we've come out of that reasonably well but day two will tell us how well," Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, said. "I thought Luke Wood was terrific. He was running in at half-past five with the same skill and aggression that he showed when he was running in half-past 10. It was good that the captain put him on to bowl straight after tea and I'm very pleased he got that first wicket and pleased he chipped in again right at the end.''

Sussex head coach Mark Robinson said he was delighted for Nash, adding: "I'd have taken that score at the beginning of the day but probably not at 250 for two - we got careless. Chris Nash is a good player and I'm delighted for him. He's not had the year he wanted. He had a ruptured appendix that really put him back but he's just had a 19-day break and has come back really well. He was outstanding at Hove last week and has carried that on here.''

Read More..

Kieswetter puts career fears behind him

Somerset 266 for 5 (Hildreth 70, Kieswetter 69, Abell 50) v Middlesex
Scorecard

It might be pushing the truth a little to claim that Craig Kieswetter was blind but now can see, but the Somerset keeper has admitted he feared his career might be over after sustaining a serious eye injury a little over two months ago.

Kieswetter sustained a broken nose and fractured orbital socket after he was struck by a short ball from David Willey on July 12. For three weeks it was unclear whether he would regain the level of sight required to pursue a career in cricket. But now, with the double-vision having cleared, Kieswetter regards the whole experience as positive and claims it gave him not only a fuller appreciation of his position as a professional sportsman, but also of the affection in which players are held at a friendly, well-supported club like Somerset.

"Once the extent of the injury became clear, I was panicking," Kieswetter said. "There was a week before the surgery and two weeks after that I was worried that I might not play again.

"For the first 90 minutes I was full of adrenalin. But then, as I was passed from surgeon to surgeon and it became clear there was an issue with my optical floor, I was panicking. But my surgeon did a fantastic job and I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the support I have received.

"I had double vision in one eye for a couple of weeks after surgery and, even now, it is not 100% when I look directly up. It takes time to get over the injury and the trauma.

"Sometimes as players, we can be a bit aloof towards supporters. But the care I had showed what a special club this is to be around. It is a special thing for a player to feel that sense of belonging.

"I might be walking down the street or out for dinner and people I didn't know would come up and ask how I was. Even the reception when I walked out to bat today gave me goose-bumps. It's important I return the favour. I was delighted to give something back today."

Kieswetter "gave something back" by providing the most fluent batting of a day which ended with Somerset having edged Middlesex a little closer to relegation. Contributing 70 at little less than a run-a-ball, he made light of an unusually green wicket and, when greeted with the inevitable short ball near the start of his innings by Toby Roland-Jones, responded by pulling it for six. No matter that there was something of the top-edge in the stroke, he played it with conviction and was soon timing the ball sweetly through the covers.

With Tom Abell and James Hildreth also contributing patient half-centuries, Middlesex, were restricted to one bowling bonus point despite inserting Somerset in overcast conditions.

Middlesex have another 14 overs on the second day in order to claim more bonus points - they require a maximum of 13 more points from their final two games to ensure Division One survival - but are now in an uncomfortable position ahead of their final game against the other relegation candidates, Lancashire, next week. After winning four of their first six matches, Middlesex have failed to win any of their last eight, with the last victory coming on May 21.

They were a little unfortunate here, though. Ball beat bat regularly in the first session and, with 17 of the first 34 overs maidens, batting became a pretty desperate fight for survival.

"We didn't get out rewards today," Richard Johnson, the Middlesex bowling coach, said. "We reckon they must have played and missed 50 or 60 times, but it was just one of those days."

But Middlesex also squandered at least two chances. Abell was reprieved on 4, when Eoin Morgan put down a sharp chance at third slip, and 28 - Dawid Malan, at second slip, the guilty man on this occasion. A couple of other chances dropped just short of the cordon on a surface which, despite the grass covering, remains slow and dry.

There were moments when it appeared Middlesex might capitalise. Certainly after Marcus Trescothick guided one to gully and Nick Compton was bowled by one that nipped back, and then when Abell was run-out backing-up off Neil Dexter's boot, it seemed Somerset might subside. But each time they found a player to dig them out of trouble, first Abell, with a 123-ball half-century, and then Hildreth, with a 130-ball half-century.

Only Kieswetter looked comfortable, though. After returning to the nets a couple of weeks ago with batting coach, David Houghton, Kiesweeter regained his confidence against tennis balls and has gradually built up the pace and intensity of net sessions. He still retains hopes of winning a late call to the England World Cup squad, but aims to play in the Big Bash if that proves beyond him.

"I wouldn't be playing if I didn't think I could still play at that level," he said. "And my personality is such that I always like I should be playing for England. But having had this time to reflect on everything - the injury, being dropped by England and everything else - I realise I am one of those lucky people who earns a living doing something they truly love. It's the game I fell in love with as a kid.

"A lot of players forget that perspective check. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I have seen the bigger picture. Hopefully the whole experience has made me mature. I hope I've improved as a person and as a cricketer."

Another man coming to terms with trauma and disappointment - albeit of a very different characteristic - is Ashley Giles. Giles admits he lost his appetite for coaching for a while after missing out to Peter Moores in the race to be appointed England coach, but is now recovering his enthusiasm for the job.

He is expected to visit Taunton at some stage this week with a view to talking to the club about the role of director of cricket. It is worth noting, though, that it took Giles five years to transform Warwickshire from rabble to Championship winners. Whether Somerset, a club impatient for success after years of near-misses, will provide such time remains to be seen.

Read More..

Roach leaves Bangladesh in tatters

Bangladesh 104 for 7 (Tamim 48, Roach 5-33) trail West Indies 380 (Chanderpaul 84*, Johnson 66, Al-Amin 3-80) by 276 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Kemar Roach thrilled on his way to a five-wicket haul, leaving the Bangladesh batsmen dazed and confused. His 12-over spell after the tea interval gave West Indies full command at the end of the second day, with the visitors left lurching at 104 for seven.

They are now 276 runs behind West Indies' 380 all out from earlier in the day. The three-man pace attack was what Denesh Ramdin used for all but two overs till stumps.

Roach removed Shamsur Rahman in the sixth over and after tea, and accounted for Anamul Haque, Tamim Iqbal, Nasir Hossain and Taijul Islam to complete his sixth five-for and his first of the year. His deliveries would invariably be on a good length or further up, tempting the batsmen to either play the ball or leave with some confusion.

Roach was lucky to get the wicket of Shamsur, who tickled a legside delivery, neatly caught by Ramdin diving to his left. Anamul couldn't make up his mind whether to leave or play the ball. He suffered that torment for just over an hour until his attempted leave took the bat's face and ended up in Darren Bravo's hands at first slip. Tamim, having made 48 off 75 balls, was constantly being dragged away from the stumps even when he was leaving the ball. After several close shaves, Tamim went sideways, edging the ball far from his body.

Nasir Hossain's prod was more out of speculation but he hardly wasted time in the middle. Taijul was set up with relentless short balls, two hitting him in the gloves, and then he timed one right into third-man's lap. Roach's five-for was complete

Apart from Roach's five, Jerome Taylor took two wickets while Shannon Gabriel went wicketless, but the plan to attack Bangladesh was a three-man strategy.

Gabriel was the quickest of the lot, regularly hitting 90mph and he attacked the stumps mostly but he also beat the bat a number of times. He had stung Tamim on the front boot with a yorker just before tea and the batsman only survived the review because Hawkeye suggested the ball had pitched inches outside the leg stump.

Taylor bowled more at the body, reintroducing the Bangladesh batsmen to their old fear: the short ball. His delivery to Mominul Haque was virtually unplayable with the batsman completely unaware where the ball that hit him in the gloves had gone.

It was smartly caught by Jermaine Blackwood at short leg, and the spit that was created by the seam hitting the pitch just short of a good length made it the most dangerous delivery of the day.

Thirty-nine minutes later, Taylor moved the ball back into Bangladesh's best batsman on the tour, Mushfiqur Rahim, and dislodged the off stump.

Earlier, the West Indies innings ended an hour into the second session, after Shivnarine Chanderpaul had held it together with an unbeaten 84. He had made an unbeaten 85 in the first innings of the first Test, but here in St. Lucia the situation was more complicated.

When he joined Darren Bravo late on the first day, the fourth-wicket pair had to negotiate an invigorated Bangladesh bowling attack. They guided West Indies to safety but Bravo didn't last too long in today's morning session, losing his patience after Robiul Islam and Al-Amin Hossain had strung together seven parsimonious overs. In the first six overs of the day, West Indies scored only two runs, both being no-balls.

Bravo was drawn into following a Robiul outswinger, edging to the wicketkeeper for 46. It triggered a collapse and three more wickets - those of Jermaine Blackwood, Ramdin and Roach - fell in the next 21 balls. Al-Amin was on a hat-trick at one stage after he had made the ball straighten after pitching to find the edges of Blackwood, caught at first slip, and Ramdin, caught behind.

West Indies were 269 for 7, and Chanderpaul only had the tail for company. Help came from No 9 Jerome Taylor, who hammered 40 off 31 balls with five fours and two sixes. The 41 minutes of mayhem threw Bangladesh off-kilter, evidenced by Mominul Haque dropping Taylor at cover, when he was on 18. And even after Taijul Islam broke the 54-run eighth wicket stand, Bangladesh's wait wasn't over.

Sulieman Benn made 25 and added 52 with Chanderpaul for the ninth wicket, before he was caught at fine leg off Al-Amin. The innings ended soon after, when Robiul bowled Shannon Gabriel in the 124th over. Al-Amin finished with three wickets while Shafiul, Robiul and the expensive Taijul picked up two each.

The bowlers may have thought they did a good enough job by taking 7 for 134 in the first three hours but they will have to put in a gargantuan effort with the bat as well, to drag the Bangladesh innings past the follow-on mark, if they are to have another bowl at the home side.

Read More..

Saqlain Sajib wrecks Zimbabwe A

Bangladesh A 30 for 0 trail Zimbabwe A 206 (Chakabva 64, Sajib 9-82) by 176 runs
Scorecard

Bangladesh A left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib blew Zimbabwe A away on the first day of the unofficial four-day match in Cox's Bazar, as he collected 9 for 82 - the best bowling figures in first-class cricket by a Bangladesh player, beating Abdur Razzak's 9 for 84 in 2012.

The visitors were bowled out for 206 in their first innings, after which Litton Das and Shadman Islam guided Bangladesh A to 30 for no loss at stumps.

Sajib started by removing Tino Mawoyo in the 15th over, but Zimbabwe A captain Vusimuzi Sibanda and Brian Chari led a recovery by adding 61 for the second wicket. Chari fell to Sajib after lunch, having made 30 off 56 balls, and he was soon followed back to the pavilion by Mark Vermeulen.

That third wicket prompted a mid-innings collapse as Zimbabwe A lost their next four wickets for just nine runs. Sibanda was dismissed for 62 off 99 balls with five fours, and was quickly followed by Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Luke Jongwe and Tawanda Mupariwa, as Zimbabwe A fell to 122 for 7 by the 39th over. Jongwe was bowled by Farhad Hossain, before Sajib removed Mupariwa to claim his fifth victim.

The wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva added 65 for the eighth wicket with Wellington Masakadza, the younger brother of Hamilton and Shingi. Chakabva was the last man out, for 64 off 110 balls with three fours, as Sajib walked off with his first nine-wicket haul. He is now only the second Bangladesh bowler after Razzak to achieve this feat. Sajib's previous best was 7 for 29 during the 2009-10 National Cricket League.

Read More..

Tahir parachuted in for Hants push

Imran Tahir, the Pakistan-born South Africa legspinner, has rejoined Hampshire for the final two weeks of the season as the club look to close out promotion back to Divison One of the County Championship.

Tahir, 35, last played for Hampshire in 2011 and was part of the side that won the county's first T20 title in 2010; he also helped them to Finals Day a year later.

In 2009 he was Hampshire's leading Championship wicket-taker with 52 scalps at 32.90 and two years later took 28 first-class wickets at 24.46 in eight Championship matches - but that season saw Hampshire relegated and now Tahir hopes to put that right.

Hampshire need 27 points in two matches to make certain their promotion and have matches at home to Kent and away to Glamorgan remaining.

"It was definitely in my mind when I agreed to come here and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Tahir said. "I'm only here for the last two matches but If I can contribute to Hampshire getting promoted then I will be very satisfied.

"It's always nice to be in England - I love it here. Hampshire were the club who gave me my first chance so I owe them a lot. I've played for a few sides in England but I do really enjoying playing my cricket here and I have a lot of respect for Hampshire and the people.

"Hampshire have played really good cricket all season and I'm just here to give all I've got for the next two games. I really enjoy playing my cricket at Hampshire and hopefully we'll do well and get over the line."

Tahir has previously been parachuted in at the end of the season. In 2008, he appeared for Hampshire's final game of the year despite having been called back by his South African club Titans two weeks previously. He took eight wickets in the match but it wasn't enough to lift Hampshire over eventual champions Durham.

Read More..

Bangladesh running away from batting issues

The St Vincent and St Lucia Tests have shown that Bangladesh's batting habits continue to be ineffective in any conditions slightly different from those they encounter at home.

The 35th over of the Bangladesh innings produced ten runs and a wicket, which was an unimportant contribution to their score and only gave West Indies the wicket of a tail-ender. An unsafe 79 for 6 became a more perilous 89 for 7.

What stuck out during this over was the constant chatter that came from the other end. Barring the first ball, Kemar Roach was bowling only short-pitched deliveries at Taijul Islam but Mahmudullah kept telling the man on strike that the next one would be a full ball. He said it after Taijul was stung on the gloves off the second ball, after he had fended the next one off his elbow guard for four leg byes, and after the next two balls, to which the No.8 again backed away.

Initially it seemed as if the senior batsman was preempting what Roach was going to bowl, and hoping that the next one would indeed be a full ball. But Mahmudullah's motive sounded like an indirect attempt at bringing Taijul to the pitch of the ball.

It is what club coaches sometimes do in Bangladesh when the young batsman has only just started to play with the cricket ball. The coaxing would obviously be backed up by an actual full ball and sometimes slipping in the short one, but it has often worked.

The simple reverse-psychology would work on someone only starting out on the game but Taijul was having none of that. He was not going to stand still to Roach for any one of those deliveries. Finally, he backed away and ramped the sixth ball into third-man's hand.

Taijul has a 64 in his 20 first-class matches so far, but he is a tail-ender. These days everyone in the playing XI is expected to have some gumption to hold his own, with a precondition that they would have batted at a competitive level in their formative years.

Roach's hounding of Taijul, and the batsman's sliding away from the line of the short ball each time, showed how unprepared most Bangladeshi cricketers are when they enter international cricket. The manner of his batting made it easy to realise that he was fearing getting hit, and that invariably happens when a batsman is not used to facing this sort of attack. But this cannot be an excuse for Taijul or for Bangladesh cricket.

To go a little deeper, it is indicative of how little attention is paid in pitch development even in first-class venues. The acceptance that Bangladeshi cricketers will always play on flat pitches that only offer slow pace and little bounce doesn't just trouble Taijul but the more established players like Tamim Iqbal, Nasir Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Bangladesh's cricket calendar is shaped as such that international cricket clashes with domestic cricket, and since the Dhaka clubs are opposed to playing the Premier League one-day tournament without the national players, first-class cricket doesn't see any of the senior players hone their skills regularly.

It is true for most Test countries that their international cricketers are hardly available for region, club, county or franchise but in the case of the tenth Test playing nation, such absence hurts the international cricketers as much as it constricts the domestic game.

So when the senior cricketers are repeating the same mistake in Test cricket, are being sucked into a false comfort zone or cannot easily find their way out of poor form, a lot of things are blamed, except their appearance in domestic matches.

The economy of Bangladesh cricket is kept sound by ensuring these players get to play Dhaka Premier League and the Bangladesh Premier League at every given opportunity. But when Test status was sought 14 years ago or fiercely protected earlier this year, was it done just for the "status"?

Let alone the domestic game, the idea of playing more first-class cricket against Associate Nations has never been given due attention. The BCB have made it clear in the recent past that they would avoid risking a loss to one of these lesser ranked nations. Former president AHM Mustafa Kamal dawdled for a long time before approving a T20 series against Ireland two years ago. When Bangladesh won a game there, he hastily arranged an extra game, only to lose that one.

Shane Jurgensen and before him Stuart Law requested time and again to arrange some four-day cricket against the likes of Ireland, UAE or Afghanistan but the BCB kept quiet. Nepal and Afghanistan have come out and said how little the BCB have supported them.

The connection between these decisions and how Taijul batted is long-winded but a simple route. When the BCB doesn't pay attention to the cricketing needs of the Bangladesh team, and that means skill development and the quest for constant improvement in their all-round game, the writing is on the wall for the cricketers, established in international cricket or not, to struggle in alien conditions.

Bangladesh's last tryst with a green-top was in Zimbabwe last year and they were crushed in both innings of the first Test match. In 2012 they did not face a pitch that offered pace and bounce while in 2011 it was only the West Indies and Pakistan attacks in Mirpur and Chittagong that made them uncomfortable; the year before they faced swing and seam in England for two Tests and struggled.

The other side of the argument is that Bangladesh need not change pitches at home just to prepare for conditions that they face only once or twice every year. But as has been the latest evidence in slow St Vincent and rapid St Lucia, the batting habits that have been set for years are ineffective in any conditions that are slightly different than at home.

So when Roach comes to hit Taijul, he will not listen to Mahmudullah from the other end but will continue to run away. Saving his bowling fingers, saving himself. How that reflects on a Test-playing nation is for all to see.

Read More..

Illegal bowling actions: FAQs

The whats, whys and hows of illegal bowling actions, and the related corrective measures and penalties.

What is an illegal bowling action?
An illegal bowling action is one in which the bowler's 'elbow extension' exceeds 15 degrees while he is in his delivery stride. The ICC set the 15-degree limit for all bowlers in November 2004.

What constitutes elbow extension?
Elbow extension includes flexion (in this case, the closing of the elbow joint) and extension (the straightening of the elbow joint).

Does a bent arm automatically signify an illegal action?
If the arm is bent at the onset of the delivery stride but remains rigid or does not flex or extend beyond the permissible 15 degrees during the duration of the stride, the action is not illegal. An action is only illegal if the arm flexes or extends beyond the permissible limit while in the delivery stride.

What happens after a bowler's action is reported by the match officials?
Once the match officials' report is received by the bowler's team management or home board, he must undergo testing on his action at an ICC-accredited facility within 21 days. At present, there are ICC-approved centres in Brisbane and Cardiff, and another one in Chennai is expected to be functional soon. The player is free to bowl until the results of the test are out.

What does the test involve?
The bowler is expected to replicate the action he uses during an international match and bowl at the same speed too, for the various deliveries being tested. His action is captured by multiple cameras and his movement is monitored using sensors placed on his body. The test, which is conducted by biomechanists and human movement experts, measures the degree of flexion and extension for every delivery and determines whether the action violates the prescribed 15-degree limit.

If the action is found to be illegal, what then?
The player will be suspended from bowling in international cricket immediately and a report of the test will be sent to the player's home board. On receipt of the report, the board has the option of appealing the results to an ICC-appointed bowling review group (BRG) within 14 days. However, should the appeal fail, the BRG could impose a ban on the player for a period of time.

What is the process if the player's board decides not to appeal?
The player will have to undergo remedial work on his action. He can apply for retesting at any point of time, and if his remedied action passes the ICC's 15-degree rule, he will be allowed to resume bowling in international cricket.

What happens if the bowler's action is found to be illegal a second time?
If the player is suspended a second time for an illegal action within two years of the first instance, the second suspension - from bowling in international cricket - shall last for a minimum of one year. He will be allowed to apply for reassessment only at the completion of the one year.

What if only one of a bowler's deliveries is deemed to be illegal?
If testing shows that the bowler's action is illegal only for a particular delivery, say the doosra, he will be banned from bowling just the doosra in international cricket until he corrects his action for this particular ball and has it passed as legal. If he is found to have bowled the doosra in an international game without having it reassessed first, he will be reported and suspended from bowling in internationals altogether, and the suspension shall be considered a second suspension in keeping with the terms mentioned in the previous question.

Read More..

Dahiya back as Delhi Ranji coach

Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Vijay Dahiya has been reinstated as the chief coach of the Delhi Ranji Trophy side while former Test batsman Yashpal Sharma will head the selection panel, according to a list released by the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA).

Dahiya had coached Delhi in the 2012-13 season before DDCA decided against renewing his contract as assistant coach Sanjeev Sharma was elevated to top post. However, Delhi failed to clear the group stage last season under Sanjeev.

Sanjeev is in line to become one of the domestic match referees.

Gursharan Singh will be the chairman of selectors for the Under-23 side, which will be coached by Ajay Verma while another former Delhi skipper, Bantoo Singh, will head the U-19 selection panel and Raju Sharma has been appointed chief coach.

Anil Jain and Kamal Talwar will be the chairman of the U-16 and U-14 teams. Shikhar Dhawan's childhood coach Madan Sharma will be in charge of U-16 side while U-14 team will be under S M Khan's tutelege.

Read More..

Lahore Lions bowlers sink listless Mumbai Indians

Lahore Lions 139 for 4 (Akmal 38*, Shehzad 34) beat Mumbai Indians 135 for 7 (Tare 37, Cheema 2-22) by six wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Mohammad Hafeez had tried to portray Lahore Lions as the underdog, saying he would be content if his team played to potential and enjoyed themselves. As the match wore on however, it was revealed to be a ruse as a bowling line-up that looked fit for an international team confounded Mumbai Indians.

A target of 136 would not bother most T20 champions and Lahore Lions, who had won the Faysal Bank T-20 in 2014, had Ahmed Shehzad at the top and Umar Akmal during the finish to guide them home and leave the defending champions with a tougher path for their place in the main draw.

The top order had been a point of concern through the IPL for Mumbai and those same concerns followed them to the Champions League. Aizaz Cheema's nagging lines forced Mumbai to slip from a sedate 20 for 0 in the third over to 23 for 3 in the fourth.

Cheema induced Lendl Simmons into holing out to mid-off for 7. Jalaj Saxena, on debut for Mumbai, was on the receiving end of a lovely outswinger and edged to slip the very next ball. The hat-trick was denied by Ambati Rayudu, but an optimistic single could have caused problems had Saad Nasim nailed the throw at the non-strikers' end. Lions were not hurt badly by that missed opportunity as Rayudu's swat to midwicket resulted in an edge to the keeper in the next over.

Michael Hussey, who was picked ahead of Corey Anderson, added 44 runs with Aditya Tare to halt the slide. A cracking pull had got Hussey going and he looked imperious while lifting Hafeez over long-off but the pace of Wahab Riaz, melded with a good line outside off, had him nicking to the keeper. Tare trudged on for 37 off 36 balls, his efforts to accelerate stymied by offspinner Adnan Rasool, who conceded only 13 in three overs.

Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar went on a slogging spree in the final few overs but the final score of 135 looked quite light, 18.4 overs later it was proved so.

Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad collected 51 for the opening partnership but some smart fielding helped Mumbai hit back. Pollard dived and got under a skew to long-on and Tare displayed good presence of mind to have Jamshed stumped, as the batsman wandered out of his crease without realising the ball had dribbled off his bat and pad to the keeper. Akmal arrived with 55 required off 37 balls and defused the situation with a flurry of boundaries - he helped smack Lasith Malinga for 15 runs in the 18th over and killed the chase with four, six and four.

Read More..

Openers set up strong day for West Indies

West Indies 246 for 3 (Johnson 66, Brathwaite 63) v Bangladesh
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Given that only a small crowd came to the Beausejour Stadium to watch West Indies' 500th Test match, the swaying fortunes of West Indies and Bangladesh was what illuminated the occasion. The first day of the second Test could have gone either way. In the end, it was the home side who emerged happier, but not to the extent they may have imagined at the end of a wicketless first session.

West Indies were 246 for three at stumps, a score that reflected the fact that they did not take full advantage of a 143-run opening partnership between Kraigg Brathwaite and the debutant Leon Johnson. It also flattered them, since they lost their way in the final session and Bangladesh bowled well but dropped some important catches.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo, unbeaten on 34 and 44 respectively, steered West Indies through a tough period. They have so far added 61 for the fourth wicket, with Bravo starting off with a string of fours and sixes before shutting up shop. But the partnership could have ended in the 72nd over when Al-Amin, who was getting the ball to straighten from around the wicket, found Chanderpaul's edge only for Nasir Hossain to drop it, diving to his right from second slip. He could have left it for first slip, where Anamul Haque would only have had to lean forward to make the catch.

The Bangladesh pace bowlers ended the day with their heads slightly higher after a disappointing first session. After Mushfiqur Rahim chose to field first on a pacy and bouncy pitch with lateral movement, they hardly attacked the stumps in the first session.

Johnson and Brathwaite gave West Indies the ideal start, going through the first session wicketless. Having scored at just over two runs an over before lunch, they picked up the pace soon after, adding 82 before Brathwaite, having scored his sixth fifty, played an out-of-character shot, chasing a wide ball from Shafiul Islam and spooning a catch to point.

Johnson's 66 showed promise, not just while threading the ball through the covers or hitting straight. He took his time getting off the mark, off his 17th ball, but he adjusted manfully even though he is not a regular opener. He reached his fifty off 135 balls, but couldn't take advantage of a half-chance, when he edged the ball through the slips on 61, and fell after adding just five more. Johnson's 162-ball innings contained five fours and a six.

His dismissal, leg-before to Taijul Islam, came 25 balls after Brathwaite's dismissal. He could have had another reprieve if he had asked for the review within 15 seconds but he was late by three seconds after consulting Kirk Edwards, the non-striker. Hawkeye suggested that the ball from Taijul Islam would have missed the leg stump.

Edwards had yet another unproductive outing, getting out for 16 to a good low catch, diving to his left, by Shamsur Rahman at cover off Mahmudullah. He had been given a life on five when Taijul Islam dropped a simple chance off his bat at backward point.

Shafiul was lucky to get the wicket of Brathwaite but saw two chances, the ones given by Johnson and Edwards, going down off his bowling. This being his first Test in more than three years, it would be a satisfying first day though he too, like Robiul Islam and Al-Amin Hossain, was trying to overdo the swing and seam movement in the first session.

Robiul was having a poor day as he was wayward and undisciplined, but he bowled well after tea, getting the old ball to jag both ways to the left-handers. He gave Chanderpaul some food for thought with the second new ball too, as shots were attempted and edges missed by whiskers.

Al-Amin also improved as the day progressed, ensuring he kept the ball up and used the movement in the air without forcing things to happen. He beat Chanderpaul in the 72nd over and a ball later, had him edging. He was livid at the slip cordon when Nasir dropped the catch.

West Indies added 93 runs in the last session without losing a wicket, ending the day on a bit of a high. Bangladesh, on the other hand, must have been peeved at not taking the chances. They will have a ball that is just five overs old and a pace attack that has learned what not to do on this pitch in the morning session.

Read More..