Tridents squeak by to keep Hawksbills winless

Barbados Tridents 130 for 9 (Carter 35, Brathwaite 2-17) beat Antigua Hawksbills 129 for 8 (Samuels 66, Rampaul 4-15) by one wicket
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Antigua Hawksbills' luckless 2014 Caribbean Premier League campaign continued with a one-wicket defeat at the hands of Barbados Tridents Friday night at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Akeal Hosein shook off a kamikaze run-out - which consumed his partner Rayad Emrit, the ninth Tridents wicket - on the third ball of the final over by calmly flicking a two through midwicket with the field spread to scamper to a win with two balls to spare.

The loss keeps Hawksbills winless from five games and only a dramatic turnaround in their final four games will give them a chance at advancing into the CPL playoffs. The Tridents win ensures they keep pace at the top of the CPL table with Tallawahs, Red Steel and Amazon Warriors as all four teams currently sit level on six points.

Tridents captain Kieron Pollard sent the Hawksbills in to bat and Danza Hyatt's runout three balls into the match set the tone for a poor start by the visitors. Ravi Rampaul made further inroads by striking three times before the end of the power play to leave the Hawksbills 24 for 4 at the six over mark.

Marlon Samuels pieced together a responsible 66, including a 51-run fifth-wicket stand with David Hussey in a bid to salvage the innings. Any hopes of a late charge were scuttled when Kieron Pollard fooled Samuels with a slow bouncer on the first ball of the 18th over to send a catch to Ashley Nurse at mid-off to make it 111 for 6. Rampaul claimed Sheldon Cottrell with a yorker in the 19th to cap off a Man-of-the-Match effort with figures of 4 for 15 as Hawksbills finished on 129 for 8.

One match after smashing an unbeaten 110, Dwayne Smith fell without scoring in the first over of the chase after mistiming an attempted pull off Cottrell to midwicket. Tridents recovered to reach the halfway stage of the chase on 70 for 3, needing a run a ball the rest of the way with Jonathan Carter well set on 25.

Even after Kieron Pollard fell for 14 hooking Carlos Brathwaite to deep square leg, Tridents seemed on course for an easy win. But Carter ran himself out for 35 as he attempted a needless second in the 16th over. It sparked a slide as three wickets fell in 10 balls to turn the match in Hawksbills favour.

Hawksbills inched even closer when Nurse went for a reckless heave in the 19th over and skied a catch to point, making it 119 for 8. Tridents entered the final over needing 10 to win with two wickets in hand.

A single on the first ball of the 20th turned to three, thanks to a poor collection by the wicketkeeper that allowed a second run which was then compounded by a sloppy overthrow. Emrit reverse swept the next ball for four before the final frantic two balls produced hope and then more heartbreak for Hawksbills.

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Wright makes record 153 in huge chase

Sussex 226 for 3 (Wright 153*) beat Essex 225 for 3 (Westley 109*, Ryder 75) by seven wickets
Scorecard

Luke Wright produced an incredible innings as he smashed an unbeaten 153 from 66 balls to lead Sussex to a seven-wicket triumph over a shell-shocked Essex side at Chelmsford.

It represented the highest score in English domestic Twenty20 cricket, eclipsing the unbeaten 152 by Graham Napier when the sides met on the same ground six years ago. Wright's astonishing effort contained 12 fours and 11 sixes, the last of which came off Napier to equal his mark, and he followed it up by pushing the allrounder for a single to set a new record.

Sussex looked down and out in the face of a daunting target of 226 when they srrived at the five-over mark with only 48 on the board and two wickets down. They lost another soon afterwards, that of Harry Finch, but then Matt Machan joined Wright in a partnership that yielded 159 runs in 12.1 overs.

Wright had a packed crowd taking evasive action as he repeatedly sent the ball into orbit, with none of Essex's six bowlers able to stem the flow of runs.

Wright's heroics came after Chris Nash was bowled by David Masters without a run on the board and Napier had breached the defences of Craig Cachopa with the total on 14.

Essex must have thought then that they were poised for an easy triumph but the brilliant Wright had other ideas. Machan was content to play the supporting role in the unbroken fourth-wicket stand, although his 41 came from only 26 balls.

It must have all left the table-topping home side wondering what they had to do to finish victorious after Tom Westley and Jesse Ryder had helped post what had appeared a winning score.

Westley struck a competition career-best 109 not out from only 58 balls after arriving when Mark Pettini was run out by Cachopa from short cover with a direct throw in the opening over. Westley was soon making the Sussex attack pay dearly for some wayward bowling as he struck five sixes and 12 fours, reaching his half-century and moving into three figures with strokes that sailed high into the packed crowd.

Earlier this month, he had struck 105 against Kent in the same competition but it was Ryder who set the tone for the onslaught. The New Zealander followed three successive fours in Matt Hobden's opening over with three sixes in the fast bowler's next as he went on to complete his half-century from just 21 deliveries.

Ryder went on to make 75 from just 37 balls which included eight fours and four sixes before he was caught on the long-on boundary off the bowling of Nash. He and Westley had put on 124 in only 11 overs as skipper Nash also used six bowlers in a vain attempt to stop the flow of runs.

Following Ryder's departure and the cheap dismissal of Ravi Bopara for 4, skipper Ryan ten Doeschate came in to smash 30 from 15 balls, 20 of them in boundaries, in an unbroken stand of 75 with Westley from 32 deliveries. That included 52 from the final three overs to set Sussex a daunting task but it was a target that they achieved with some degree of comfort as they eased home with nine balls to spare thanks to Wright's phenomenal innings.

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Hales, Taylor dump Yorkshire out

Nottinghamshire 201 for 4 (Hales 67, Taylor 35*) beat Yorkshire 200 for 5 (Finch 89, Bairstow 60) by six wickets
Scorecard

On a hot Friday evening suitable for a Meatloaf lyric or a William Faulkner novel the hopes of fervid home supporters at Headingley were dashed when Yorkshire lost to Nottinghamshire by six wickets in their final North Group match in the NatWest T20 Blast.

Their defeat means that Andrew Gale's men finish fifth in the group and are knocked out of this year's competition while second-placed Nottinghamshire, whose batsmen mounted a famous run-chase, will entertain Hampshire at Trent Bridge on August 3.

As much as anything the game was a victory for the resourceful top order Nottinghamshire have assembled this summer over the individual power-batting of Aaron Finch and Jonny Bairstow, both of whom made fifties in their side's total of 200 for 5. The defeat was particularly bitter for Finch, who made a 46-ball 89, including seven sixes, in his final innings for the county before he returns home to join a national training camp.

But cricket remains above all a team game and each of Nottinghamshire's six batsmen reached double figures as their side scored at a smidgeon more than ten an over to secure the spoils. Notts were given a good start by Steven Mullaney, who clubbed two sixes off Ryan Sidebottom's second over before he miscued Tim Bresnan to Alex Lees at mid- on.

The momentum was maintained by Riki Wessels, who added 70 in eight overs with Alex Hales before he, too, was caught by Lees, this time at deep midwicket off Azeem Rafiq for 29.

With seven overs of the innings left Nottinghamshire needed 85 and their major hope of victory seemed to have disappeared when man-of-the-match Hales, whose 40-ball 67 included three sixes, holed out to Bresnan, Rafiq taking the catch in front of a jubilant Western Terrace.

But still James Taylor's batsmen were not to be denied; still they managed to keep themselves in with a chance of victory, yet when Samit Patel was taken at long-on by Finch off Richard Pyrah, 39 were needed off 17 balls.

What followed will live long in the minds of Nottinghamshire supporters and may feature in coach Mick Newell's team talks when he reminds his players never to abandon hope. James Frankin and skipper Taylor simply demolished the Yorkshire attack, taking 20 runs off Sidebottom's last over and scoring a remarkable 38 runs off what turned out to be the final 11 deliveries of the game.

Franklin began the fun when he hit Pyrah for two leg side sixes and he finished it when he thrashed Bresnan into the football stand to complete his six-ball innings of 19 not out. In between those blows, Taylor stroked three stylish fours off Sidebottom before hitting the former England seamer right over the Western Terrace.

The change in the game's flow could not have been symbolised more graphically than by that shot. Nottinghamshire's short-form skipper finished with 35 not out off 14 balls; his innings should remain one of the highlights of his career.

Yet while the visitors' batsmen were applauded as they left the field the result will have come as a savage disappointment to many of the 8662 spectators at Headingley, many of whom arrived hoping to salute a victory and make their arrangements for the quarter-final.

No one will have been more crestfallen than Finch, whose innings took his team towards their season's best short form score. "Yawksher! Yawksher! Yawksher!" bayed the zealots on the Western Terrace and Finch responded with even greater style than he displayed in making 88 against Lancashire in June. Many of his sixes travelled many rows back into the crowd and were a triumph of timing as well as force.

His onslaught on Taylor's bowlers began with the seventh delivery of the game when Finch dispatched the former Yorkshire seamer Ajmal Shahzad over wide mid-off. The crowd yelled its delight, suggesting that whatever the Book of Luke suggests about prodigal sons, they get short shrift in Cleckheaton.

In company with Jonny Bairstow, Finch added 81 for the third wicket in eight overs on an evening when few bowlers on either side managed to avoid punishment. When Finch fell to a brilliant leg side diving catch by Chris Read off Franklin, Bairstow continued the onslaught, making 60 off 34 balls.

Jake Ball was the most successful Nottinghamshire bowler but even he may have doubted that his 3 for 38 was enough to help his side prevail. As Yorkshire continued to pile on the runs, three drummers looking for all the world like extras from Fritz Lang's Metropolis exhorted the crowd to yet more celebrations. They had reckoned without Nottinghamshire's batsmen. James Taylor and his men will certainly be a match for Hampshire in the quarter-finals, and a match for anyone on Finals Day, should they get there.

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Dungarpur a guiding force - Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar acknowledged the "instrumental role" Raj Singh Dungarpur had played "in making me the cricketer I am" by terming the former cricketer-turned-administrator as a guiding force.

Tendulkar was speaking at the release of the the book Raj Singh Dungarpur - A Tribute, compiled and edited by Samar Singh and Harsh Vardhan, at the Cricket Club of India, Dungarpur's home in Mumbai ever since he came to Mumbai from his province in Rajasthan as a teenager.

"From a chairman of selectors to the manager of Indian team, I have had a relationship with Raj bhai at different levels," Tendulkar said. "First, he was encouraging me as a youngster and making sure that I got all the possible facilities. Then, picking me for a team and then travelling with me and guiding me."

"I remember, whenever we sat with him, he would have amazing stories of the past and share those wonderful anecdotes with us. All the players would be glued to him because we wanted to understand how the cricket was played in the past, different different eras. Not just that but when he was with the team, he was more of a father figure. Everyone looked up to him, everyone respected him, everyone wanted to be around him."

In an evening that turned out be a prolonged celebration of Dungarpur's life, especially since Tendulkar's arrival was delayed due to a technical snag in an inbound flight from Hyderabad, some of Dungarpur's closest friends revived the persona of the former Rajasthan captain who served Indian cricket in various capacities. Besides being the manager of the Indian team on various critical tours, including the 1984 trip to Pakistan when prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated midway through the tour, Dungarpur was also the chairman of the selectors. He later served as the BCCI president from 1996 to 1999.

It was Dungarpur who after being impressed with Tendulkar's heroics on the school circuit forced one of his protégés Kailash Gattani to take the teenager along on a schoolboys' tour to United Kingdom in the summer of 1988. While Gattani recalled how Dungarpur forced him to include Tendulkar in the touring party despite his apprehensions of "how a 14-year-old could cope with the UK culture where you have to carry your own kitbag, cook your own food and wash your clothes", Tendulkar recalled how Dungarpur organised sponsors for him.

"Kailash Gattani is also here with us, it was when you came to me and asked me if I would like to be a part of Star Cricket Club, which would be touring UK in the month of May. But I didn't have deep pockets," Tendulkar said.

"Raj bhai again was instrumental in finding a sponsor for me and making sure that I left on that plane. I clearly remember I met him here at the club and he said in his own style: "Tumhi cricket khelaayche, baakiche kaam maazyawarti sodaayche (you play cricket, leave the rest to me)". With that kind of support and encouragement, all you want to do is go out and score as many runs as possible because that is something which made him happy. If someone is taking so much effort to make sure that all the facilities are provided for you to go out and express yourself in the middle, it gave me tremendous joy to score in the final of the Harris Shield. I scored a triple hundred and I could see that Raj bhai was in his chair and various cricketers would join and have a chat with him. But while batting, he was already there and watching me bat, which was a big thing."

Tendulkar also recalled how Dungarpur helped him focus on the task at hand rather than thinking too much about selection issues. When Tendulkar had made a sensational first-class debut for Mumbai in 1988-89, he was expected to be included in India's squad for the tour to the West Indies. But it was Dungrapur, the chairman of selectors, who put an end to the speculation.

"We were playing Ranji Trophy semi-final at Wankhede. I was warming up early morning and there I saw Raj bhai walking next to the net and he called me outside the net and said, 'see, I want you to focus on Ranji Trophy right now. I know there have been a lot of talks on whether you should be part of the Indian team now or not. Let me tell now that you are not going to the West Indies'," Tendulkar said. "He was then the chairman of the selection committee. He said after you are finished with the Ranji Trophy, make sure you appear for your SSC exams."

While the gathering waited for Tendulkar, former India captain Ajit Wadekar recalled how he along with his Bombay teammates ensured Dungarpur's dream of Rajasthan beating Bombay and winning the Ranji Trophy title remained unfulfilled. In the 1960s, Rajasthan lost to Bombay in seven successive Ranji finals.

"That was Raj's lone dream. He even tried importing players from Mumbai to get the better of us and made greats like Vijay Manjrekar and Subhash Gupte play for Rajasthan as professionals. But by then, Manjrekar and Gupte were a bit over the hill and we in the Mumbai dressing room wondered who would field for them," Wadekar quipped.

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Cook's lonely battle to survive

West End, a village to the north-east of Southampton and home to the Ageas Bowl, is a bit of a ghost town nowadays. Southampton is a university town, full of students. The students have all gone back home for the summer break. For those left behind it has simply been too hot to venture out. It has not been raining yet, it has been humid because of the proximity to the sea, and temperatures have been touching early 30s over the last week or so. You will struggle to find people outside in the afternoon.

No matter how sleepy the environs might be, those interested in England cricket can feel the importance of the coming weekend for one man and his team. It hangs there like the humidity.

England are one match down in a series of five. The captain Alastair Cook, the basket in which England cricket chose to put all its eggs, has hardly scored a run. The seniors have been letting down the newcomers. Some have called Cook's refusal to give up captaincy defiance and even a cry for help - "I am not going until I feel a tap on my shoulder"; some call it denial and possibly arrogance. If England lose the series, Cook will most likely have to go. There are other careers hanging in the balance, too.

It was mildly surprising then that three days before the Test India were the only team training. It can sometimes pay to go away from the cricket and come back refreshed, but three days away from it would have been a bit much. Around the time India were leaving, at around 4.30pm, in came Alastair Cook, wearing shorts that seemed too loose, falling off his waist. There are bigger things he needs to get a grip on right now.

Cook went up to the England dressing room, and soon coach Peter Moores followed. By now it was only Cook, Moores and a few groundsmen in the ground. Minutes later they asked Nigel Gray, the head groundsman, to join them. A chat was had after which Gray proceeded to water the pitch, which looks green but not as green as the one at Lord's, and the captain-coach duo went to a net at the edge of the square.

A lady of Indian origin, who had been there for India nets and had seemed pretty pleased with how England had been beaten at Lord's, said "good luck Alastair" as Cook walked towards the ground, now dressed in England training kit, with helmet and pads on. "Thanks," said Cook. "I feel sad for him," she said after Cook had left. That glee of having seen England lose had gone. Further endorsement to the belief that Cook is a decent allround bloke.

The next week, though, is not about being decent. It is one of the most important weeks of Cook's career. And he is not taking it lightly. Much like they were on the Lord's balcony about three hours after the defeat, Cook and Moores were working at things again. Cook at least has thousands of runs to go by, Moores might not have a leg to stand on should they lose here and concede an unassailable lead. The two went out, did not take a look at the pitch, and headed straight to the net. A few gentle throwdowns from 15 yards were followed by proper ones from the Sidearm from a full pitch length.

There was a moment of concern in the first few minutes of the session. Moores walked towards Cook, and they both looked at his finger for what seemed like two minutes. Cook then strapped the glove back on, and went into a long session.

The lady who wished Cook luck left soon. The groundsmen followed not much after. Two men fighting to save their careers continued preparing alone in a desolate ground in a desolate town. Two men who are supposed to have preferred fit-in culture to misfit match-winners.

One of those misfits, a possible match-winner, Michael Carberry, was here earlier in the day, practising with his Hampshire team-mates, after which he did a photoshoot in whites. Those were not the England slightly-blue whites, though. Times are desperate for England, but it is difficult to see how Carberry will get another chance.

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Khawaja makes immediate impact

Lancashire 164 for 8 (Khawaja 44, Prince 43, Breese 3-19) beat Durham 137 for 7 (Mustard 49, Ali 3-19) by 27 runs
Scorecard

Lancashire sealed top spot in the NatWest T20 Blast North Division with a routine victory by 27 runs over out of contention Durham at Old Trafford.

The home side won their sixth match in succession and their 10th of out of 14 in all as they completed their group campaign in comprehensive fashion thanks mainly to impressive performances from Usman Khawaja and Kyle Jarvis, both playing for the first time in Twenty20 this season.

Khawaja, playing in place of the rested Tom Smith, top scored with 44 off 25 balls in a competitive 164 for 8, although the hosts should have posted more on a typically abrasive Old Trafford surface.

Durham's reply never got going as they ended their involvement in the competition with a whimper, despite an impressive comeback with the ball after Khawaja and Ashwell Prince had got Lancashire off to a flyer with an opening stand of 84 in 7.1 overs, their best of the season.

Jarvis led a much-changed Lancashire bowling attack, minus Junaid Khan and Andrew Flintoff, with 2 for 25 from four overs as Durham finished with 137 for 7. Phil Mustard top-scored with 49.

Khawaja and Prince took advantage of some poor leg-side bowling before Durham, led by their experienced West Indian offspinner Gareth Breese, improved with some effect to restrict Lancashire to a total within reach.

The wicket of Prince, bowled by Breese with the first ball of the eighth over, was the first of five to fall for 23 runs in 32 balls as the Lightning slipped to 107 for 5 in the 13th. Breese took 3 for 19 in four overs while his partner in crime Paul Collingwood finished with 2 for 21.

Khawaja was strong playing to leg before he holed out to deep midwicket off Breese in the 10th, having hit seven boundaries. Steven Croft's 31 off 28, including the only six of the innings, helped to get Lancashire moving again but three late wickets, including two for the medium pace of Keaton Jennings, ensured there was not too much damage done.

Durham's reply got off to a slow start at eleven without loss after three as Croft, Kabir Ali and Jarvis all bowled tight overs. That pressure paid off in the fourth over when Scott Borthwick chipped Wayne White to mid-off with the score on 12.

Jarvis struck in the next when Callum MacLeod found mid-on as Durham fell to 25 for 2 on their way to a Powerplay score of 27 for 2, a score in stark contrast to Lancashire at the same stage.

Michael Richardson was caught behind off Croft in the eighth over before Durham reached halfway at 49 for three with another 116 still needed.

Collingwood miscued and skied Jarvis to point as Durham fell to 66 for 4 in the 13th before Mustard holed out to deep backward square leg against Ali with the last ball of the 17th.

Durham, at 108 for 5, needed 57 off the last three and Ali struck twice in the last as he comfortably defended 35 and finished with three for 19 himself.

Khawaja said afterwards: "It was my first T20 and it was a lot of fun. It was a bit touch-and-go there after we batted but the boys bowled really well.

"I've watched every single game here and we haven't looked like losing. Some of the games we've been getting 200 easily and that's why I was a bit surprised we only got 160. It was a bit odd.

"There's a really good vibe in the changing room, especially when the T20s come around. We've finished first in the table, we've beaten the best sides and we're very confident."

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Last-ball finish for record crowd

Surrey 138 for 8 beat Middlesex 137 for 8 (Morgan 43, Meaker 4-30) by two wickets
Scorecard

Highlights: Surrey prevail in last-ball finish at Lord's

When the ECB's top table formulated their plans for the recast T20 Blast, it was doubtlessly evenings such as this that headed their blueprint. A crowd of 28,500 was expected and although pockets of seats suggested it was a little less it was still likely that a new record for domestic Twenty20 cricket in this country had been set. While many were simply content to revel in the searing sun at HQ, they were treated to a game that befitted the occasion.

If truth be told, it should have been plain sailing for Surrey but their neighbours were in no mood to bestow handouts. In the end Zafar Ansari and Stuart Meaker desperately scurried a single off the last ball to edge them closer to a home quarter-final. Indeed, the result - a two-wicket Surrey win - will prompt the competition's head honchos to lick their lips in anticipation of a similar bonanza across the river in the knockout stages.

Surrey have encountered a couple of hiccups in recent weeks and so nearly fell at the penultimate hurdle here. In restricting the home side to 137 for 8, on a pitch that although topped with green rewarded a positive approach, they did much of the legwork but stumbled before crossing the line.

Kevin Pietersen scored a brisk, if not convincing, 28 and cameos from Rory Burns and Azhar Mahmood - the latter brilliantly caught, away to his right, by John Simpson - twice looked to have set the result in stone but this was a game that exhibited everything good about a competition that can often be ridiculed.

Harry Podmore gave Middlesex a beacon of hope by taking wickets in the 17th and 19th overs before Dan Christian increased the noise levels inside Lord's by having Gareth Batty caught in the deep. Requiring five to win off the final over, Batty holed out to Joe Denly before Ansari and Man of the Match Meaker managed to scramble home.

It has been quite a week for Meaker. A combination of injury and the strength of fast-bowling resources at Surrey's disposal left him downcast and discarded but a period in the shadows has provided a healthy dose of sustenance. In taking a career-best 4 for 30 he derailed Middlesex and unearthed the batting demons that have riddled their forgettable campaign. An unprecedented doubleheader in late May underlined the club's desire to experiment but a six game winless run ended their interest in the competition long ago. Still, it has barely impacted on their gate receipts.

Eoin Morgan had the crowd purring with an array of masterful strokes that have become part of his limited-overs repertoire. A powerful slash off Mahmood set his innings in motion and despite both Denly and Dawid Malan falling when they looked set, Morgan had little hesitation in getting on top of the bowlers - an inside out cover drive off Batty that sailed over the rope was a particular highlight.

But much like his side, Meaker found his straps after a slow start. Denly, who had been the beneficiary of a rare blunder from Batty at first slip, greeted the fast bowler with consecutive boundaries towards a crammed Mound Stand as he leaked 15 runs from his opening over. But Meaker looks a fitter, hungrier beast since his return and regularly clocked high speeds although breached Morgan's defences with a perfectly executed slower-ball. It was a delivery that changed the dynamic of the game: Middlesex proceeded to loose 6 for 26 in the final six overs of their innings.

Yet, Surrey will know they have work to do if they are to harbour any hopes of going one better than last year. On this occasion they had luck on their side. Jason Roy was dropped twice in quick succession as Ollie Rayner and then Ryan Higgins shelled steepling chances and then Morgan was unable to complete the run-out off the final ball that would have resulted in a tie.

Little has deterred Roy during a season that has seen him dish out severe punishment to all that have crossed his path but not many bowlers send it down with quite the pace and bounce of Steven Finn. Roy was eventually stumped off Ravi Patel, whose left-arm spin was impressive on the day he was called up by England Lions.

Finn, meanwhile, provided further evidence that he has returned stronger with a lively burst that accounted for Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over with one that lifted steeply. He also removed Robin Peterson as Middlesex just about kept themselves in the match during the closing stages, but ultimately a campaign that has been woeful for them for all the effort it was another defeat. The crowd, however, had been entertained.

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Nicol, Broom and Nethula switch teams

Former New Zealand internationals Rob Nicol, Neil Broom, Dean Brownlie and Tarun Nethula have all switched domestic teams for next summer, while spinner Bruce Martin has missed out on a first-round contract for 2014-15. The six major associations have named their initial contract lists for next summer, although further contracts can be awarded in the second round on August 8.

Nicol has returned to Auckland, where he began his career in 2001-02, after spending the past five seasons with Canterbury, and he will be joined by legspinner Nethula, who will also return to his first team, Auckland, having spent four years with Central Districts. In another case of a player returning home, Broom will head back to Canterbury having played for Otago since 2005-06.

It had already been announced that Brownlie, who was dropped from New Zealand's central contract list earlier this month, had shifted from Canterbury to Northern Districts. Other departures from Canterbury include Brad Cachopa to Auckland and George Worker to Central Districts.

Auckland gained not only Brad Cachopa but also his brother Carl, from Central Districts, although the third brother Craig has left Auckland to play in Sussex. Auckland's first round of offers did not feature veteran opener Tim McIntosh, nor spinner Martin, who was part of New Zealand's Test team less than a year ago but struggled in the Plunket Shield and took 23 wickets at 53.73.

Tipene Friday has moved from Auckland to Otago, while Otago have also handed a contract to fast bowler Bradley Scott. Canterbury have gained young wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher from Northern Districts, while they have also offered a deal to Brendon Diamanti.

The six teams can offer nine to 14 contracts in the first round and then complete their squads in the second round on August 8. The domestic contracts commence on October 1.

Auckland Dean Bartlett, Michael Bates, Brad Cachopa, Carl Cachopa, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Donovan Grobbelaar, Anaru Kitchen, Tarun Nethula, Rob Nicol, Robert O'Donnell, Matt Quinn, Jeet Raval.

Canterbury Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Neil Broom, Brendon Diamanti, Andrew Ellis, Cam Fletcher, Peter Fulton, Roneel Hira, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Johnston, Ryan McCone, Henry Nicholls, Ed Nuttall, Logan van Beek.

Central Districts Doug Bracewell, Greg Hay, Jamie How, Marty Kain, Andrew Mathieson, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ajaz Patel, Seth Rance, Bevan Small, Ben Smith, Kruger van Wyk, Ben Wheeler, George Worker, Will Young.

Northern Districts Graeme Aldridge, James Baker, Jono Boult, Dean Brownlie, Joseph Carter, Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn, Jono Hickey, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, Mitchell Santner, Anurag Verma, Brad Wilson.

Otago Nick Beard, Michael Bracewell, Derek de Boorder, Jacob Duffy, Ryan Duffy, Tipene Friday, James McMillan, Aaron Redmond, Iain Robertson, Brad Rodden, Hamish Rutherford Jesse Ryder, Bradley Scott, Sam Wells.

Wellington Brent Arnel, Tom Blundell, Grant Elliott, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Dane Hutchinson, Andy McKay, Stephen Murdoch, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Michael Pollard, Ili Tugaga, Henry Walsh, Luke Woodcock.

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Chopra, Trott keep contest even

Warwickshire 163 for 3 (Chopra 81, Trott 62*) trail Sussex 413 by 250 runs
Scorecard

With pitches such a talking point over the last two weeks, it is only right to commend the one here at Horsham. Offering bounce for the seamers and turn for the spinners, while also rewarding patience from the batsmen, the surface puts those of some full-time county grounds to shame.

After a flurry of wickets on the first evening, credit, too, to Ben Brown and James Tredwell this morning for applying themselves to the tune of 71 runs for the eighth Sussex wicket. Had they folded early, with Keith Barker testing both with movement through the air, then Warwickshire would have ended day two in a far stronger position. As it is, Sussex were able to add 97 runs in the morning session to take them past 400 before the 110th over, giving them a fourth batting point.

After lunch, Boyd Rankin cleaned up the last two wickets, trapping Brown lbw and dismantling Lewis Hatchett's stumps. Some joy for him after being smarted earlier on for three consecutive fours by Tredwell. It summed up the balance nicely.

And yet, Horsham came close to not being able to put on this match because of a lack of a lead sponsor. However, an anonymous backer came in - it is not known whether he is even a Sussex member - to ensure this week went ahead.

"Come on the mystery benefactor," was the cry from Chris Nash to Steve Magoffin, the ball after the Australian seamer had sent Ian Westwood on his way for the first Warwickshire wicket. The talk in the Sussex dressing room leading up to the game was that Magoffin dipped into his own pocket to ensure this Horsham fixture went ahead; after all, it was he who benefited most from last year's fixture, with match figures of 12 for 31 as Somerset were skittled out twice in less than two days.

However, his first wicket here - a ball that Westwood could only prod through to Chris Jordan at first slip - was one of few deliveries from him that went to hand after finding the batsman's edge. In the first over, those in the cordon were hopping around as the ball fizzed off Varun Chopra's bat and a foot short of their ankles.

It was one part of a far-from-convincing start from the Warwickshire captain, who manage to tough it out to score his first Championship half-century in 14 innings. In the fourth over, he was subject to a vociferous lbw appeal, led by Jordan. This time, the edge of his bat saved him. Later on, it would take him past 50 as he nudged aerially - and not too deliberately - through a vacant third slip for four.

He was almost sold down the river on 23, when Jonathan Trott pushed to Luke Wells at backward point and set off for a single concocted by his own desperation. Chopra had given up the run only for Wells to throw wide of the stumps.

Trott himself took time to settle into his natural groove, starting with streaky edges past third slip. In truth, he was lucky to have been allowed the chance to bat into the evening session. On 21, he edged former team-mate Steffan Piolet through to the keeper. However, as Sussex's appeal turned into jubilation, Trott, along with Alex Wharf's finger, were unmoved. Naturally, the following delivery went for four.

From then on, Trott was less tetchy, allowing the ball to come on to the bat nicely, most notably when using his feet to hit Tredwell through the covers. His shot to reach his fifty - an exquisite on-drive off Magoffin - was arguably the best of the day.

However, Sussex did well to reel in the visitors thanks to a fine partnership with the ball between Hatchett and Tredwell. While the offspinner tied down an end, varying his length and loop, Hatchett attacked the channel outside off stump and was eventually rewarded with the wicket of Chopra, who was beginning to drive imperiously.

Tredwell also should have had two wickets to show for his work, but had Trott dropped by Brown and Sam Hain by Ed Joyce at leg slip, on 58 and 3 respectively. As it is, the game is nicely poised, with positive results for either side still a real possibility.

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Red Steel franchise name issue resolved

The issue regarding the name of the Caribbean Premier League franchise Red Steel has been resolved and the team will once again be called "Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel", the CPL has said.

The CPL had earlier agreed to omit the words "Trinidad & Tobago" from the name, based on a request from the Minister of Sport Anil Roberts. According to Roberts, the use of the country name infringed "on the protocols surrounding the use of the name and the sovereignty of the nation".

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