Smith's heroics too late for Lancashire

Lancashire 144 (Smith 42*, Fletcher 3-15) and 7 for 1 need another 342 to beat Nottinghamshire 272 (Patel 93, Hales 61, Anderson 5-55) and 220 (Wessels 90, Smith 5-53)
Scorecard

If Lancashire do go on to save - or even win - this game, they will owe a great deal of their success to Tom Smith.

Smith not only top-scored with the bat to help his side avoid the follow-on, but also claimed a five-wicket haul to precipitate a remarkable collapse in Nottinghamshire second innings. It was his first five-wicket innings in first-class cricket since August 2010 and only the third of his career.

Unfortunately for Smith, it will surely make no difference. Lancashire's target of 349 to win in a minimum of 105 overs would be testing in any conditions. On an early-season pitch that continues to provide disproportionate assistance to the seamers, it will require something approaching a miracle.

The pitch has eased, though, and is becoming ever slower so a draw should not be completely out of the question. Luis Reece's departure five minutes from stumps, playing on as he attempted a lavish pull, was hardly the ideal start.

The Smith-inspired collapse was the most dramatic episode of a day on which 15 wickets fell. Nottinghamshire lost their last seven wickets for just 32 runs including a spell of six wickets for 14 runs in 46 deliveries. Smith, gaining sharp movement off the seam, claimed 5-11 in his final spell including Michael Lumb, edging a perfect delivery that forced a stroke and moved away sharply, and Alex Hales, who left one which nipped back to hit his off stump.

By then, though, it was probably too late for Lancashire. The damage inflicted by the debacle of their first innings was too great and any hope they had of keeping their eventual target to manageable proportions was ended by Riki Wessels' impressively fluent innings.

Wessles, feasting on an attack that dropped short far too often for the conditions, struck 10 fours and two sixes - both slog-sweeps off Simon Kerrigan - to hammer a nail in Lancashire's hopes. He also punished a weary-looking Anderson, thrashing him through the covers and clipping him through mid-wicket. Anderson eventually produced a yorker to end Wessles' innings, but by then the game was all but gone.

Anderson's mood was not improved when Kabir Ali, who had earlier bowled with impressive skill, missed a straightforward chance at mid-on, simply failing to lay a hand on a mis-hit from Wessles, who had 85 at the time.

It could have been worse for Lancashire. Had Kabir been caught at first slip by Wessles in the morning session, they would have been 84-8 in their first innings and facing the prospect of the follow-on. As it was, Smith averted that possibility with a patient innings - it took him 24 balls to get off the mark - and, after adding 25 for the eighth-wicket with Kbair, added another 38 for the ninth with Kerrigan. It took the return of Luke Fletcher, strangely over-looked until the 26th over of the day, to end the resistance. Fletcher struck with his first two deliveries to polish off the innings.

Lancashire might also reflect that they erred tactically, too. Under the amended playing conditions this year, the home county decide whether to make the heavy roller available in the game and each side can then utilise it for a maximum of seven minutes once in the match. Nottinghamshire made it available but, by not utilising it ahead of their first innings, Lancashire sentenced themselves to batting on a pitch that had started damp and therefore become indented in Nottinghamshire's first innings.

Lancashire's logic was that rain would curtail play on the second day and they did not want to waste the use of the roller. But, as it happened, the 33.2 overs they faced was enough to see their top six dismissed and set the tone for the game. Nottinghamshire, by contract, used the heavy roller ahead of their second innings and saw the batting conditions improve markedly. Lancashire are highly likely to use it ahead of the final day, but the damage is surely already done.

Still, they insist they are looking to provide opportunities for their batsmen and the final day of this game - perhaps Peter Moores' final day of Championship cricket as Lancashire coach - certainly offers one. The recklessness shown by Reece, the latest in a long-line of opening batsman that has included Smith and, improbably though it sounds, Stephen Parry (against Durham in 2009), suggests that the search for a reliable top-order batsman goes on.

If the final day of this game goes the way of Nottinghamshire, Lancashire may have to reconsider their admirable but self-defeating attitude towards an overseas player.

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Jayawardene, Sangakkara lash out at board

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara have lashed out at SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga for his handling of the news of their retirement, soon after they landed in Sri Lanka following a victorious World T20 campaign.

The manner in which their retirements were made public caused controversy, when chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya expressed deep disappointment at not having been made aware of the retirements first. Sangakkara had announced his retirement in a one-on-one newspaper interview, while Jayawardene did so via the ICC's Twitter mirror campaign, in the week before their first official match.

"I'm very disappointed that without asking us what we had said about our retirements to any media, our board secretary went to the media and made certain comments about us," Jayawardene said. "If he had been a responsible person, he would not have done that. He would first have asked us what we had announced."

Jayasuriya later reconciled with the Jayawardene and Sangakkara, after he had spoken at length with the players. He had put their disagreement down to miscommunication - a sentiment Jayawardene agreed with.

"We later spoke to the selector who had also made comments, and he had also been told that we had announced our retirements. However, we hadn't said that. We had said this was our last World T20, that's all.

"I've now brought a letter with me saying I'm retiring from World T20, and I'll hand that over. But I'm very disappointed about the way we were put into that mental state before a tournament like this, by the person who is responsible. That's the true story."

When pressed for his thoughts, Sangakkara said he agreed completely with the views Jayawardene voiced.

"When I was asked by The Island newspaper, I said this was my final World T20. Neither I, nor Mahela, went out of our way to make these announcements - we just answered questions that were asked of us. Luckily, we were able to clear it up with the one person we had wanted to talk to - chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya. Once we talked to him, it became clear to him and both myself and Mahela what had actually happened. We aren't responsible for what happened."

Sangakkara had clashed with Ranatunga in October last year, over his Champions League representation, while Jayawardene had a run-in with the board at the end of 2012, about a confidential letter to SLC that had been leaked to the press. The players are also presently engaged in a contracts dispute with the board, after they had demanded SLC reinstate a players' share of the payment SLC receives from the ICC, for global-event participation.

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Meaker makes quick impression

Surrey 280 (Ansari 74, Davies 67, Allenby 4-47) and 50 for 2 lead Glamorgan 209 (Allenby 52, Meaker 4-57, Linley 3-24) by 121 runs
Scorecard

Surrey, with a lead of 121 and eight second innings wickets remaining, still have vague hopes of adorning Graeme Smith's return to the capital with victory in his first match in charge - and much of that it is down to Stuart Meaker.

On the previous day, England chairman of selectors James Whitaker was present at the Oval, and the talk was of him keeping tabs on Meaker in particular. After Mitchell Johnson's exploits over the winter, the emphasis on speed is greater than ever, and Meaker is one of a handful of bowlers singled out for possessing raw pace.

An injury-plagued 2013 campaign meant Meaker had to have surgery on both his right knee and right shoulder in the winter. After a good pre-season behind him that featured a 6 for 6 against Cambridge MCCU and his work here on the third day, there will be many at Surrey and beyond who will be buoyed by his progress.

Entrusted with the new ball, Meaker's first wicket was that of Gareth Rees, snaffled by Graeme Smith with a combination of bucket hands and torso. He had to wait till after lunch for his next key involvement which proved crucial to Surrey's cause, as he took three wickets for 12, in a fast yet focused five overs from the Vauxhall End.

Four balls into his new spell he had the wicket of Will Bragg, who had looked balanced and in good touch for his 38, before he pressed forward and edged through to Steven Davies. With his tale up, Meaker started to go through the gears. He held an aggressive line but, where others with his pace might have been tempted to dole out some short stuff, he had seen enough to know he was doing the right thing.

His next wicket of Murray Goodwin was perhaps the most valuable. Both Goodwin and Jim Allenby had scored the bulk of Glamorgan's Championship runs last season - 2,379 - and were the likeliest paring to launch a comeback. A combination of pace and a bit of movement into Goodwin meant the partnership only managed 10.

Meaker then had his fourth wicket with the next ball, as he sent Mark Wallace back for a golden duck. There was some confusion over the wicket, as a stifled lbw shout turned into an appeal for a catch at first slip. It was only after Smith had taken the catch and raised his arms that the umpire sent Wallace on his way, much to the dismay of the Glamorgan skipper.

Earlier in the day, Meaker had played a fine hand, initially supporting Zafar Ansari who was finally dismissed by the 259th ball he faced, as Michael Hogan came around the wicket to find his outside edge. His innings featured 216 dot balls, or which 99 were left - it might not have been pretty, but it was an great display of patience and sheer bloody-mindedness: Smith would have approved.

Meaker might well have added more after Ansari's departure, but he was run out when Chris Tremlett failed convincingly to turn down the offer of a third run. The bails were removed at the non-strikers end, with Meaker halfway down the pitch.

To Tremlett's credit, he atoned for the error with some big hitting, including three fours and a six off one Graham Wagg over. His effort with the ball started poorly, with his two overs before lunch going for 14. He went into the break with a kick of the turf in annoyance, but returned with more pace and conviction in the afternoon session.

That Glamorgan passed 200 owed much to a handy 24 from Ruaidhri Smith and a fine half-century from all-action hero Allenby. In Surrey's first innings he had bowled 30 overs for just the fourth time in his 159 first class innings, leading the way with four wickets. Here, he counter-attacked superbly, punishing any width and cashing in when Meaker and young Tom Curran over-pitched or offered too much width.

Curran in particular struggled when he was brought into the attack in the 36th over as Allenby, and then Wagg, went after him. Soon, his captain had repositioned himself at mid-off and Curran had his maiden Championship wicket, as Wagg mistimed, allowing Rory Burns to run around to point and take the catch.

Curran would eventually bring the innings to a close with a smart caught and bowled, but the wickets of Burns and Smith, both to the impressive Wagg, will have tarnished Surrey's day. It could have been worse, as a big shout for LBW against Sibley was turned down, with less than five overs left in the day.

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Failing the spin test

To be considered one of the best teams in the world, New Zealand must play spin with more surety on the subcontinent

The shadow of a ball whirring at myriad rpm from the hands of Rangana Herath and Sachithra Senanayake loomed large over New Zealand as they exited the World T20.

The wiles of spin struck again, just as they had on all recent tours to the subcontinent against India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. New Zealand need to return to the laboratory and formulate an antidote before venturing to the United Arab Emirates to play Pakistan later this year and West Indies in June.

Herath and Senanayake were accurate and probing, but the New Zealand batsmen - Kane Williamson apart - acted like they were hurling chainsaws in Dhaka. The New Zealanders played French cricket around their pads, fended forlornly or, in Brendon McCullum's case, looked to heave an imaginary six somewhere near the Ganges Delta.

A boom summer hasn't suddenly turned to bust. Achievements at home against West Indies and India outweigh being shunted from the World T20. However, playing spin under pressure creates contagion in the dressing room. To be considered one of the best teams in the world, it's imperative New Zealand play spin with more surety on the subcontinent.

New Zealand Cricket has taken initiatives. Last year a New Zealand A team went to India before the Bangladesh tour in October. New Zealand subsequently drew the Tests and lost the ODIs, followed by a drawn ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Their record in the subcontinent is poor, even since coach Mike Hesson injected his brand of composure, determination and pragmatism from July 2012. Since then, in six Tests away against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India they have won one - courtesy of Ross Taylor's batting in Colombo in his final Test as captain. In eight completed ODIs away against those sides they have won one; in six T20Is they have won three. The struggle against spin is constant.

Dramatic steps might be required, like cricketers committing to subcontinental working holidays. That way batsmen and bowlers can get better, which in turn could improve the quality of spin in New Zealand domestic competitions.

Perhaps the country's emerging talent could forgo the time-honoured tradition of English leagues and pints of best bitter to head for a cocktail of maidans and masala. Such adventures would introduce players to quality spin at an early age with the long-term benefit of representing New Zealand more competently.

	Achievements at home against West Indies and India outweigh being shunted from the World T20. However, playing spin under pressure creates contagion in the dressing room

NZC could establish links through former national players and coaches like David Trist, John Wright, and Stephen Fleming who have forged solid contacts in the subcontinent. Intrepid cricketers could experience a local club for a couple of months, perhaps forgoing plush hotels for the "character building" surrounds of a quality youth hostel or billet. Tuk-tuks rather than air-conditioned buses would be the choice of transport. NZC could offer scholarship assistance.

Donning a cap in humid mid 30-degree temperatures and practising your craft on the dustbowls of an expansive maidan on a Saturday afternoon, just like Sachin Tendulkar did a generation ago in Mumbai, must hold allure. Alternatively, players could make their name among the plethora of clubs in the Colombo suburb of Cinnamon Gardens.

Australia's Matthew Hayden exemplified the benefits of immersion when he prepared against spin for a month in India ahead of the legendary 2001 Test series that the hosts came back to win 2-1. Hayden's average of 109.80 was more than twice his next best team-mate (Steve Waugh at 48.60).

A sustained spell in a club competition is ambitious. Another option could be schooling players at one of numerous academies, particularly in India. Relationships could also be struck with a local association to face quality young spinners in net sessions.

Trist acclimatised to the culture by visiting Pune regularly over 12 years to assist with coaching and developing the game. He also went on subcontinental tours as a New Zealand player (1969-70) and coach (1999-2001).

"It's totally logical to send players for sustained periods, because unless you conquer at the homes of four Test nations you're seldom going to be in the money on the world stage. I've never fully understood why NZC has not established a relatively cheap base there. Once airfares are paid, the costs are not huge. I think the issue is New Zealand has a hangover from the days when going there was equivalent to a death warrant with the state of food and hygiene. Today, as a burgeoning middle class develops in India and Sri Lanka, it's more doable."

Trist says a mindset exists where touring the subcontinent equates with drudgery.

"That's why we see pre-tour camps held in Australia or 'somewhere more convenient'. Those environments counter the heat but not the culture shock. You've got to take a pragmatic approach to bridge the gap if New Zealand are to be an outstanding, rather than promising, international side.

"Embrace the vagaries of pitches, heat and the challenges to preparation. Play spin constantly; India's not exactly short of quality net bowlers. It's all very well going to England and playing county or league cricket in similar conditions to home where you can head to the pub afterwards and feel familiar in the company of the locals.

"You can't afford to 'be a New Zealander' in India. Show a willingness to cope by immersing yourself in the culture and you'll come out a better person."

Hesson says they can't treat the World T20 crumble as an epidemic.

"We've scored a lot of runs in the last year or so against spin, like 600-plus against Shane Shillingford and Co [in Dunedin]. Our high-performance plan to play spin occurs before the Black Caps, like through our A team programme. By the time they get to the Black Caps, they should have had an abundance of cricket to build defensive screens and be in a position to put those training hours into practice.

"Last year, we sent the likes of Anton Devcich, Jimmy Neesham, Colin Munro and Tom Latham to the subcontinent as examples of players who needed experience there. It is not difficult to build relationships with academies and associations. It's more about finding the necessary resource and finance and finding a space to fit it into the month a player has off each year."

Hesson says spinners also need to visit the subcontinent.

"They have to adapt to the conditions by bowling more into the wicket because the variation comes more from skidding and turning on the surface rather than in the air."

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Lancashire batting in question

Lancashire 77 for 6 trail Nottinghamshire 272 (Patel 93, Hales 61, Anderson 5-55) by 195 runs
Scorecard

Only 34 overs were possible on the second day of this game, but there was enough play to suggest that Lancashire's batting could be a major issue for them this season.

Lancashire were reduced to 77 for 6 by the time rain intervened, meaning they still require 46 more runs to avoid the follow-on. While conditions remain helpful for seam bowlers, this is something close to a second string attack for Nottinghamshire. Had Andre Adams, who has a calf injury, or Peter Siddle, who hopes to arrive on Tuesday having resolved his visa issues, been available, things could have been much worse for Lancashire.

This is not a new problem for them. In 2012, the year they were relegated in the County Championship, it was their batting that let them down. They passed 400 only twice in the season and only one batsman - Ashwell Prince - scored more than 700 runs. Prince was also the only man in the side to score a century at home.

So their failure to strengthen is a surprise. While the presence of Simon Katich helped them gain promotion last year - both he and Prince passed 1,000 Championship runs - there was little sign of improvement from the regular players, with no-one else reaching 750. With Katich retired, the burden on Prince who is now 36, appears excessive.

Help may be at hand. The club, keen to provide opportunities for their young batsmen, have yet to sign an overseas player and could call for reinforcements. Faf du Plessis, who made such a positive impression upon the club in his previous stint as a Kolpak registration in 2008-09, is one obvious candidate and would now be able to gain a visa as an overseas player.

But such measures tend to mask problems rather than solve them and Lancashire are, admirably, taking a longer-term view. They aim to provide room in the side for the likes of 23-year-old Luis Reece to develop into a high-quality player who could serve club and perhaps country for several years.

But, Reece apart, the lack of batsmen who have developed through the club's system is an obvious weakness and does threaten their Division One survival prospects. Karl Brown and Steven Croft, two locally developed players who were not selected for this match, do not have the first-class averages (26.32 and 31.29 respectively) to suggest they are the answer to Lancashire's problems.

Lancashire never looked likely to prosper in their first innings here. After Paul Horton, attempting to play across a full ball, was the only victim of a fine first spell from Luke Fletcher, Reece, with feet of cement, fenced at one he could have left off the decidedly slippery Harry Gurney. Andrea Agathangelou lost his off stump having left one that nipped back, before Prince was drawn into poking at one he could have left to present Jake Ball with his maiden Championship wicket. Ball, a rangy seamer, followed up with the delivery of the day, nipping back into the left-hander Luke Procter, to win a leg before decision. By the time Alex Davies' loose drive was beaten by another than nipped back, Lancashire were in something approaching disarray.

There is a little mitigation. Such early-season pitches magnify batting flaws and, had Glen Chapple and Kyle Hogg been available for Lancashire, it is likely that Nottinghamshire might have struggled to pass 200.

But take James Anderson out of this Lancashire side - and England surely will - and the county remains as overly-reliant on Chapple as it has for much of the last decade. And that, in turn, might have consequences for the coaching aspirations of Peter Moores. For while Lancashire's long-term ambitions are clearly to be applauded, it would be an odd situation whereby the ECB employed their new coach from a team struggling towards the bottom of the Championship and seemingly unable to mend a long-existing weakness.

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'Showed we could win big moments' - du Plessis

South African captains have previously returned from major tournaments red-faced. Kepler Wessels, Hansie Cronje, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers have had to explain why the teams they led crashed out in varyingly curious or embarrassing ways.

Faf du Plessis came back rosy cheeked. Even though the group he was in charge of did not bring home the thing South African supporters wanted most - a trophy - they learned a lesson which du Plessis believes will ensure they capture a cup in the near future.

"Previously we deserved a lot of criticism we got for the way we played in big moments. But now this team has showed we can perform under high pressure," du Plessis said. "To get 170 in the semi-final after losing a wicket in the first over was a really good effort. In terms of playing big moments, this team has showed we can also do it."

South Africa's batting has been their Achilles' heel in major tournaments in the past. At the Champions Trophy last June, despite batting fairly well throughout the event, they slipped to 80 for 8 in the semi-final against England before staging a small recovery while their stumbling in their chasing a modest 222 against New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup in Dhaka remains fresh in the mind.

When du Plessis arrived at the Shere Bangla Stadium to prepare for South Africa's shootout against India, "the first thing I thought about was my scrum in the middle with the New Zealand players that day," he said. Du Plessis was involved with the run-out of AB de Villiers that derailed the chase, back in 2011, and was involved in an on-field altercation with Kyle Mills which was the first sign of South Africa's implosion.

Even though that was more three years ago and du Plessis was a relative rookie at the time, the experience was fresh in his mind. South Africa wanted to guard against the mistakes they had made that day, and their many other fluffs before the final hurdle in previous tournaments. "Because we played the first week in Chittagong, we felt very confident when we went to Dhaka," du Plessis said. "The past experience wasn't too much of a factor so I didn't feel it necessary to talk too much about it."

But when Quinton de Kock was dismissed at the end of the first over, to cap off a underwhelming showing in what du Plessis dubbed "the most pressure he has played under," South Africa could have unraveled. Du Plessis was the next man in and knew he could not repeat the 2011 episode. He built partnerships with Hashim Amla and JP Duminy and South Africa posted what he thought was a winning total.

It went wrong in the field where "too many extras," cost South Africa and although du Plessis is concerned about the wides, he does not want that to detract from the way his team defended totals in their other three matches. South Africa's matches against New Zealand, Netherlands and England went deep and they left it late to assert themselves.

That they could set themselves up for a final assault through the man du Plessis said he considers South Africa's man of the tournament, Imran Tahir, and could then close the deal with Dale Steyn represents progress for both du Plessis and coach Russell Domingo. Another South African side would not have won matches they seemed destined to lose. This one did and that experience will stand them in good stead for tournaments to come, starting with fifty-over World Cup next year.

Du Plessis is not currently part of South Africa's ODI set-up, after he was dropped ahead of the India series last December, but he hopes the door will still be open for him. He said one of the primary issues confronting the team's preparation for the tournament is squad certainty, which will largely depend on the availability of Jacques Kallis. The all-rounder remains interested in turning out at the event and will play in most of the almost 30 ODIs South Africa have planned before the competition to work on combinations.

For once, that could be the only thing South Africa have to worry about because the a lot of the extensive mental preparation they usually do would have been taken care of at this World T20. "I am very happy with the team's performances. Apart from not winning, I was really proud of how everyone performed. For me it wasn't a disappointment. We've proven to ourselves we can play in big moments," du Plessis said.

South Africa have seen first-hand that it can be done. They also watched Sri Lanka break an 18-year trophy drought to earn another title and du Plessis, in particular, was heartened by Sri Lanka's performance. "I was very happy for Sri Lanka. I thought India were too strong for them but they proved me wrong. Where Sri Lanka did well is that they restricted India's powerhouse batting," he said. "I am really happy that they also had a chance to win something." Now he will hope that South Africa, like Sri Lanka, will not have to lose in five finals before they finally win one.

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Gibson shifts focus to 2015 World Cup

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson wants his team to immediately shift gears towards the 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year following a semi-final exit which led to them relinquishing their World T20 title to eventual winners Sri Lanka. Gibson was optimistic that his team could put forth a formidable charge at another global tournament, and has urged his troops to ride the wave of their impressive T20 form over the past few months.

"I've been speaking to Richard Pybus (Director of Cricket) about getting together a core group of players to target the 50-over World Cup, getting some fitness done and making sure those guys are at the peak of their fitness," Gibson said. "All those [series] are opportunities to start to formulate a team or a squad of players that will then become the basis of the team that is likely to play in the World Cup, and get those guys playing together as often as possible.

"It would give captain [Dwayne] Bravo an opportunity to work with this group of players and get a brand of cricket that he wants to play developed and strong, so that by the time we get to the World Cup next year, the guys are ready to peak again and have a real good go at winning a world title."

Gibson added that while a 30-man preliminary squad would be chosen to groom the final team, there was a sense of urgency needed in establishing the nucleus of the team as early as possible.

"You have to look at where we are going and then you look at the people that we have in the Caribbean that are likely to succeed in those conditions and give them the opportunity to play," he said. "You will have a World Cup 30-man squad but by now there will be a core group of 15-20 players that you will be looking to choose from and give opportunities to, and whittle it down. You have to get that 15-man squad playing as much cricket together as possible and start to develop some cohesiveness.

West Indies have not won the World Cup since the first two tournaments held back in 1975 and 1979. They exited at the quarter-final stage in India three years ago, reached the Super Eights at home in 2007, and were quickly dispatched out of the first round in South Africa in 2003. Despite their indifferent form in recent World Cups, Gibson said that there was 'a hunger inside the team' following their World T20 loss, which he hoped would spur the players on.

"I think the taste of winning a world title in Sri Lanka [in 2012] has given everybody a fantastic appetite for it [winning titles]. We know what it takes, we know it's going to take a lot of hard work and commitment to the cause and that's what we are starting to see now."

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Ryan Harris given Australia A coaching role

Ryan Harris has taken an unexpected early step into coaching, having been named assistant coach of Australia A for a home series in July and August. Cricket Australia has confirmed that Harris will be the official assistant to head coach Michael di Venuto for the series against South Africa A, India A and the Cricket Australia National Performance Squad, which will take place in Darwin, Palmerston, Townsville and Brisbane.

Harris is currently recovering from knee surgery following his key role in the series win in South Africa and hopes to be available for Australia's Test series against Pakistan in October. However, the coaching opportunity with Australia A will keep Harris involved in the game during an otherwise lengthy lay-off, and he said he was excited to be given the chance.

"I certainly didn't expect or ask for this opportunity but I jumped at the chance when [CA's general manager of team performance] Pat Howard asked me," Harris told the Courier Mail. "To get this sort of position, you normally have to have been coaching for a long time so I am very fortunate.

"I am the first to admit I have got a lot to learn about being a coach. And it is not for me to go in and change things. I will just try to give the guys some advice when they need it and hopefully they can learn a bit from my experiences."

Australia's selectors have named a preliminary 21-man group for the Australia A series, including incumbent Test No.3 Alex Doolan and other fringe members of the Test squad such as Phillip Hughes, James Faulkner and Moises Henriques. The two leading wicket takers in the Sheffield Shield this summer, Steve O'Keefe and Jason Behrendorff, were named, as was the injury-prone Pat Cummins.

There was no place for Matthew Wade, who has been viewed as the backup to Brad Haddin since he was dropped from the Test team following last year's tour of India, although Tim Paine was also left out, with national selector John Inverarity declaring them both "known quantities". New South Wales gloveman Peter Nevill and Western Australia keeper Sam Whiteman were both named in the group.

"Sam Whiteman and Peter Nevill have shown excellent recent form with the gloves and the bat and thoroughly deserve the opportunity to impress at this level," Inverarity said. "Matthew Wade and Tim Paine have had considerable international experience and are well regarded known quantities. The NSP is hopeful that this international exposure with Australia A will provide Sam and Peter with invaluable experience.

"Steven O'Keefe and Cameron Boyce have performed well during the 2013-14 season and will share the spin bowling duties. Steven topped the Sheffield Shield bowling aggregate and averages with 41 wickets at less than 21 per wicket. Cameron took 26 wickets with his steadily improving legbreaks.

"The NSP is especially keen for the potential future international all-rounders, James Faulkner, Moises Henriques and Mitchell Marsh to have this opportunity to develop further and enhance their claims. Alex Doolan will be looking to build on his promising start in Test cricket and Phillip Hughes, Callum Ferguson, Chris Lynn, Tom Cooper and Peter Forrest have enjoyed productive domestic seasons and will be looking to push for higher honours.

"Mitchell Starc has recovered well from the injury which kept him out of cricket for most of the summer. He may use the Australia A program to prepare optimally for the 2014-15 season. Pat Cummins has been making pleasing progress and some appearances for Australia A will be a significant step in his return.

"Josh Hazlewood has recently taken a big step forward by taking 6-50 from 22 high quality overs in the Sheffield Shield Final at Manuka Oval in Canberra and this will give him a great deal of confidence. Jason Behrendorff and Chadd Sayers have bowled very well in Shield cricket throughout the summer. They have been prolific wicket-takers with 40 and 36 wickets respectively. Kane Richardson and Ben Cutting have established themselves as white ball prospects and will be looking to enhance their claims for selection in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup squad."

Australia A's winter begins with two four-day matches against India A in Brisbane starting from July 6, followed by a quadrangular one-day tournament in Darwin. That is followed by a pair of four-day games in Townsville against South Africa A in August.

Australia A preliminary squad Jason Behrendorff, Cameron Boyce, Tom Cooper, Pat Cummins, Ben Cutting, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Peter Forrest, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Phillip Hughes, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Steve O'Keefe, Kane Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc, Cameron White, Sam Whiteman.

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Sri Lanka savour long-sought success

'Hard work, not luck, paid off' - Malinga

"There were two gentlemen who gave a lot not only to Sri Lankan cricket but to cricket as a whole. May be the Almighty wants them to win a World Cup and leave on a high. That's why He put his hand in this so that they get another match."

When Darren Sammy made this prediction at the end of the first semi-final, one felt how strongly the West Indies captain believed in destiny, particularly after a hailstorm hit the Shere Bangla National Stadium to give Sri Lanka a win through D/L, and depriving the defending champions of an assault in the last few overs.

Sri Lanka's captain Lasith Malinga said the win had nothing to do with luck, but a lot of hard work and planning which brought them the victory. Either way, destiny or not, it was down to winning the big moments, and that's where Sri Lanka stepped up.

Sammy's statement also brought to mind the sheer respect that world cricket has for Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Sammy was right in the end. Perhaps it was all meant to be, as Sri Lanka won a major tournament final, after four failed attempts in the last seven years.

Both had announced their retirement prior to the start of the World T20, drawing a bit of flak for taking away too much attention. The team however, said they wanted to win it for their two ayyas, the word for elder brother in Sinhalese. Sangakkara said that they won it for every Sri Lankan.

"It is wonderful that the side wanted to win it for us," Sangakkara said. "But there are 20 million other people to win for. It's not just about me or Mahela.

"It's about an entire squad, everyone who stands with you and behind you. We get noticed because it's our last game, but at the end of the day everyone has played a part."

Sangakkara paid tribute to everyone who supported Sri Lanka cricket, and the cricket team, through thick and thin. There have been tough moments, particularly the four tournament final defeats over the past seven years.

In 2007, they were steamrolled by Australia but the momentum was with Sri Lanka in 2009 when they lost to Pakistan in the World T20 final. In the 2011 World Cup final, they seemed to have India on the mat but were pushed out of that contest by MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir. At home, in the last World T20 final, Sri Lanka failed to chase a moderate target against West Indies.

"This is the first time I have been a part of a team that has won a World Cup," Sangakkara said. "It's hard to describe exactly what you feel, but you feel humble. You realise how difficult it is to get here, how much support you need, not just from your team-mates, but from your family, your fans, the support staff.

"You can never do anything alone. You may be the best batsman in the world or the best bowler in the world, but you can't do anything without support. At moments like this you have to look back, reflect and be thankful for that support, because without that you wouldn't be here. It's been an amazing journey. It's time to walk away, and to walk away like this is even better."

Before Sangakkara spoke, Malinga said that he backed his experienced players to come good on the big day, as he understands their ability having observed them for the past decade.

"I've played over ten years in this team, I know every single player, their ability, what they can do," Malinga said. "I enjoyed my captaincy in the last three games, I know exactly what particular players have what ability. I used that experience during my captaincy and I was successful.

"Anyone can say anything. Some say winning is luck, some say winning is talent. I really trust that we didn't have luck. We worked hard, we know our ability, we can do that, everyone is talented, that's why we won the match. I don't believe in luck."

Sangakkara, in a way, echoed Malinga's viewpoint when asked if the game of cricket had finally given back to him and Jayawardene after years of serving the game. He said it was about finally taking an opportunity.

"I don't think the game owes us, or any player, anything. Our job is to try and play it as best as we can, and walk away hopefully having made a positive impact.

"The game gives us the opportunities and it's up to us to try and take them. We had four opportunities before this, and today we took it. You need a bit of ability, luck, planning, execution. Right place, right time, right game."

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Sri Lanka's life assurance policy to the rescue again

India had no answer to the Sri Lankan bowlers at the death, particularly Lasith Malinga, whose wide yorkers were worth their weight in gold

Cullinan: SL brought out their best game on big day

At the end of the 15th over, India were 95 for 2. They had erected a platform, Virat Kohli feverishly throwing up scaffolding while Yuvraj Singh pulled on his overalls and got ready to go to work. Nuwan Kulasekara bowled the next over and Kohli rattled 14 off the first three deliveries, as India moved friskily into three figures. Keep going at that sort of rate and they would set a useful 160-odd, enough to put the pressure on to a Sri Lanka batting attack that has developed a few creaks.

Kohli finished the over on 70 from 50 balls. He would end the innings being run out for 77 from 58. The last four overs of the India innings dragged them under like a dead weight. Yuvraj never got going, and practically played a match-losing knock, as Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga and Sachithra Senanayake colluded in a T20 closing spell for the ages. Kumar Sangakkara, whose unbeaten half-century clinched the match, said he had never seen anything like it.

If Quentin Tarantino's film Deathproof was about cricket, it would star Malinga bowling the final overs. He is Sri Lanka's life assurance policy. Here he filled the 18th and 20th with yorker after yorker, mostly wide, occasionally trying to play the xylophone on the batsman's toes, all virtually unhittable. Yuvraj poked and prodded; at the other end Kohli twiddled and fumed. MS Dhoni could barely touch him, either, while two of the runs that did come at the end were byes, when even Sangakkara was foxed.

Yuvraj had already taken three balls to get off strike to Senanayake in the 17th, then Kohli was kept down to two singles from the remaining two balls. Twice Malinga sneaked dipping full-bungers past Yuvraj, as Sri Lanka ticked up the deliveries without conceding a boundary.

Malinga had the triple burden of captaincy, expectation and the memory of 2012. "Past is past," he said dismissively afterwards, when asked about the final against West Indies two years ago, when his second over was taken for 21 and his third 19. Flamed by Marlon Samuels, he ended with figures of 0 for 54. This time he was wicketless again, but not trophyless. Past is past, now.

With 12 balls to go, Kulasekara returned, changing ends. Yuvraj spooned a full toss to long-off, who must have considered whether dropping it and allowing the batsmen to run two was a better option than taking the catch. India had lost their lead balloon but the gravitational forces were by now too strong. This is supposed to be the time of the innings that bowlers lose the thread and completely unspool; instead, Kulasekara targeted the inner edge of the tramlines unerringly and tightened the game even further.

Malinga bowled a wide in the final over, almost as if out of pity. Dhoni couldn't hit the first three legitimate balls, one of which slowed down to flirt with off stump on its way through. Kohli finally managed to get on strike for the last delivery of the innings, having faced just seven of the preceding 23. No boundaries had been scored and none would be. Worse, Kohli was dismissed by a direct hit trying to squeeze one last concession out of Malinga. Four overs, 13 singles, a two, two byes, a leg bye and a wide.

Sangakkara had one word for the display: "immaculate". It denied India a score approaching competitive, somehow managing to vacuum-wrap the Man of the Tournament and neuter his team-mates. Kohli had a medal hung round his neck come the end but not the one he wanted; Yuvraj had an albatross.

"Those last four overs were immaculate," Sangakkara said, "I haven't seen four overs like that bowled to a guy on 70-something off 50 balls and to a guy like MS Dhoni who can hit any ball out of the park, for them not to be able to get bat on ball for four overs, 24 balls, that just goes to show the quality of our bowling attack and the hard work that they've done, the planning before this game and how we executed that. I think that really set up the win, chasing 130, you'd take that any day on any wicket but to restrict a side like that we needed something special and our bowlers produced it."

Faced with India's prince and one of their grand old dukes, Malinga, Kulasekara and Senanayake thought nothing of deference. Afterwards, it was Dhoni who had to pay tribute. "You should give credit to the Sri Lankan bowlers," he said. "They executed their plan brilliantly. They were looking for wide yorkers and all the balls were perfect wide yorkers. I think they only bowled one wide, other than that they were right on mark, which made it all the more difficult for our batsmen to score freely."

Two years ago in Colombo, West Indies resuscitated their chances in the latter stages to set Sri Lanka a target that was beyond their reach. This time around, fittingly, it was Malinga with the hooded cloak and scythe, and India's chances that were put to rest.

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