All posts by csb10.top

The England team arrived in rain-drenched Bangladesh today for their month-long tour, which includes two Tests and three one-day internationals. Officials of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) greeted the team at Dhaka’s Zia International Airport upon their arrival aboard an Emirates flight.England, without the injured Lancastrian duo of Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson, will face a Bangladesh team buoyed by an improved display during their recent tour of Pakistan. They put up a tough fight against Pakistan, coming within one wicket of registering their first Test victory in the third Test at Multan.Michael Vaughan, leading England on tour for the first time, told reporters on arrival that he was looking forward to a good series and will not be underestimating the home side. “In their last Tests, Bangladesh played positive cricket against top-class teams like Australia and Pakistan,” he said. “We will not take them lightly.”Bangladesh, who were granted Test status in 2000, have lost 23 of their 24 Tests to date. The only draw came in a rain-hit match against Zimbabwe. They have also gone 44 one-day internationals without recordiung a win, since their surprise victory over Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.The Test series starts in Dhaka on Oct 21. After the Bangladesh leg of the tour, which ends on Nov 12, England go on to Sri Lanka for three more Tests and three ODIs.

A change in direction for former New Zealand women’s selector Kirsty Flavell will result in her standing down from her national selection role.Flavell has been appointed the coach of the Canterbury women’s team for next season.She will take up the position from July 1.The former international batsman, and the first woman to score a double century in Test matches when scoring 204 against England in 1996 which is still the record score for a New Zealand woman, has been on the New Zealand panel over the past two years.Flavell played in 38 one-day internationals for New Zealand and in six Test matches while also playing 33 first-class and 33 one-day matches for her Canterbury side.Canterbury’s director of coaching and development Richard Hayward said: “I am delighted that Kirsty will be coaching the Magicians. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position and we look forward to seeing the team develop under her guidance.”We acknowledge the contribution made by Vicki Burtt during her two-year term as coach. Whilst Vicki did not reapply for the position, she will continue to be heavily involved with the development of women’s cricket in Canterbury”.

Tasmanian allrounder Shane Watson will return to Australia’s Cricket Academyover the winter especially to work with Dennis Lillee in rehabilitation fromthe back injury which forced him out of the World Cup.Watson, 21, was among 25 players announced today by the Australian CricketBoard and the Australian Institute of Sport as the intake for the 2003Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy. He was at the Academy in 2000.They will participate in the Academy’s residential program for two six-weekblocks between May and August.The players are:

PLAYER	STATE	CLUB	PLAYER TYPE	AGE
Luke Butterworth	TAS	Glenorchy	RMF, LHB	19
Daniel Christian	NSW	University	RHB, RMF	19
Mark Cleary	SA	Kensington	RMF, RHB	22
Adam Crosthwaite	VIC	Richmond	WKT, RHB	18
Chris Duval	SA	Northern Districts	RMF	19
Callum Ferguson	SA	Prospect	RHB	18
Matthew Gale	VIC	Ringwood	RMF, RHB	19
Stewart Heaney	ACT	Tuggeranong Valley	RHB, OB	22
Ben Hilfenhaus	TAS	Ulverstone	RHB, RM	20
Matthew Innes	VIC	Footscray-Victoria University	LHB	18
Shane Jones	VIC	Footscray-Victoria University	RHB, OB	19
Trent Kelly	SA	West Torrens	RMF, RHB	19
Jason Krezja	NSW	Fairfield-Liverpool	RHB, OB	20
Nick Kruger	QLD	Valley	LHB, RM	19
Rhett Lockyear	NSW	St George	RHB	20
Steven Magoffin	QLD	Western Suburbs	RMF, LHB	23
Scott Meuleman	WA	Melville	RHB	21
Aaron Nye	QLD	Western Suburbs	RHB	24
Tim Paine	TAS	University	RHB, WKT	18
Luke Ronchi	WA	Perth	RHB, WKT	22
Shaun Tait	SA	Sturt	RMF, RHB	20
Callum Thorp	WA	Wanneroo	RM, RHB	28
Shane Watson	TAS	Lindisfarne	RHB, RMF	21
Simon Williams	NSW	Penrith	LHB	22
Peter Worthington	WA	Midland-Guildford	RHB, RM	23

As well as Watson seven other players have already played first-classcricket. They are: Western Warriors players Scott Meuleman, Luke Ronchi,Callum Thorp and Peter Worthington and Southern Redbacks pace bowling duoMark Cleary and Shaun Tait and Queensland batsman Nick Kruger.Cleary also made his Australia A debut at the WACA Ground in Perth in April,in the final one-day international match of Australia A’s series againstSouth Africa A.Four other members of this year’s CBCA intake have played in Australia’sdomestic one-day competition, the ING Cup. Victorian wicket-keeper AdamCrosthwaite, Kruger, and Southern Redbacks pair Callum Ferguson and TrentKelly all made their ING Cup debuts in season 2002-03.Crosthwaite and Kelly are also two of five CBCA scholars who were part ofthe 2003 Australian Under-19 team that contested a series of four-day andlimited-overs matches against the England Under-19 side this season.Butterworth, Christian and Gale were the other members of that team.ACB general manager, game development, Ross Turner said the Academy haddeveloped a strong record of success since it was established in 1987.”Over the past 15 years, the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy has built animpressive reputation for developing and refining the skills of Australia’selite young cricketers,” Turner said.”Since 1987, the CBCA has produced 139 first-class cricketers, 32 of whomhave gone on to represent Australia at either the Test or one-dayinternational level.”In Australia’s recent World Cup victory, 13 members of the 17-man squadgraduated from the academy, and that is indicative of the strength andquality of the program.”This year’s intake again features some promising players, many of whom havealready started to exhibit their skills in Australia’s domestic first-classand one-day competitions, and many others who have reached under-age staterepresentation.”With the experienced coaching staff and the continued support from ourprincipal sponsor, the Commonwealth Bank, and the Australian SportsCommission, the academy is well placed to maintain its record as a qualityfinishing school for young cricketers.”AIS Director Michael Scott said the significance of the Commonwealth BankCricket Academy should not be underestimated.”The achievements of the CBCA and the Australian Test, one-day internationaland domestic cricket stars it produces, is testimony to the Academy’sphilosophy, facilities and coaching,” Scott said.”The coaching staff, headed by Bennett King, has taken the CBCA to a newlevel of professionalism in the preparation of Australia’s next generationof elite cricketers.”The CBCA is a successful model that cricket authorities and other sportsaround the worldstrive to replicate.”Commonwealth Bank executive general manager of brand marketing andinformation management Graham Ford said the Commonwealth Bank was delightedto play a supporting role in the development of Australia’s most talentedyoung cricketers.”The Bank is extremely pleased to continue its long term support of theCommonwealth Bank Cricket Academy, which has proved to be a vital part ofensuring that the nation’s leading young cricketers have the opportunity toreach their full potential,” he said.The 25 scholars involved in the main program will live at the AIS trainingbase at Henley Beach in South Australia for two six-week blocks between Mayand August.The players work with the CBCA coaching staff, led by head coach BennettKing and senior coaches Wayne Phillips, David Moore and the newly-appointedJohn Harmer, to refine and develop their skills.The 25-player squad was selected by CBCA head coach Bennett King, inconsultation with the head coach of each state and territory cricketassociation, the chairman of the national selection panel, Trevor Hohns, andthe AIS.This year, 30 other young cricketers from around Australia will attend theAcademy as camps-based scholarship holders.They will travel to Adelaide for a series of camps during the year to workon their specialised skill in fast-bowling, batting, spin bowling orwicketkeeping, before returning to their state squads.The Academy also offers an overseas program for international scholars andteams to visit and train at the Academy.

A spectacular thunderstorm brought an end to the round eight State Shield game between Northern Districts and Otago at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton.It came in mid-afternoon, with ND 130/4 after 34.3 overs, having won the toss.The bulk of ND’s runs, 112, came in a partnership between James and Hamish Marshall. The twins improved the record stand for ND’s fourth wicket against Otago by one run. It was previously held by Barry Cooper and Grant Bradburn, at Mt Maunganui in 1994.The Marshalls rescued ND from the parlous position of 13/3. King of the pinch-hitters Simon Doull was first to go. Extra bounce accounted for him as he tamely edged a Kerry Walmsley delivery to Lee Germon, who was deputising for the injured Martyn Croy behind the stumps.Grant Robinson fell to a brilliant diving catch by Chris Gaffaney at square leg as he attempted to hook James McMillan. Robinson has failed to translate his composure at the crease into runs in the State Shield. His three today gives him a total of 16 in three innings.Matthew Hart lasted only two deliveries, playing around a low full toss from Walmsley for a duck. Having won defending an improbably low total against CD in New Plymouth two days ago, it seemed that ND were set on repeating the strategy.The Otago opening attack was tight and disciplined, Walmsley finishing his first spell with figures of 6-0-19-2, while McMillan had 6-1-16-1. Walmsley in particular made good use of the bouncy nature of the pitch, also achieving movement away from the right handers.Slow pitches have limited the impact of the revised regulation allowing one head-high bouncer an over in New Zealand. It was a factor today with the batsmen tentative about getting on the front foot, making themselves vulnerable to lateral movement.The threat subsided when the medium pacers took over the attack. The Marshall brothers built their partnership sensibly, rejecting big shots in favour of working the ball around and sharp running.James Marshall dominated the strike and the scoring in the early phase of the stand. Hamish’s first boundary did not come until his 56th delivery.As the thunder began to rumble James Marshall was out, caught behind off a thin edge off Nathan McCullum for 49, including six fours.Then it rained. The Hamilton ground staff battled heroically against the elements, but after so much rain in recent weeks there was nowhere for the water to go.Both sides receive two points for an abandoned fixture. That is enough to secure ND’s place in the knock-out stage of the State Shield and to maintain the challenge for top spot, with Canterbury beating Auckland today, Otago have lost ground, and are now heavily dependent on other results going their way if they are to stay in the competition.

Shane Warne has been sent home from the World Cup after failing a drugstest, the Australian Cricket Board confirmed at a Johannesburg pressconference.ACB chief executive officer James Sutherland revealed that leg-spinnerWarne had tested positive for a diuretic – a drug often used to helpweight loss or as a masking agent for other drugs.Sutherland said that Warne would be flying home later today and wouldundergo further tests in Australia.Warne has been recovering from a shoulder injury and has been on afitness programme since the start of 2002.The test, carried out by the ACB, was a routine test.Sutherland told the press conference: “I am here today to announce thatShane Warne has expressed his wish to stand down from the AustralianWorld Cup team and will return to Australia today to complete furtherdrug tests and face a hearing under the ACB anti-doping policy.”This follows Shane’s advice to us that the Australian Sports DrugsAgency have told him he has tested positive for a diuretic on samples heprovided in Sydney last month.”Shane notified the ACB yesterday as soon as he received the news and hebelieves the failed tested is because of a flu reduction medication hetook in Sydney last month.”The ACB has referred the matter to the ACB anti-doping committee basedon our belief that he may have committed an offence under the ACBanti-doping rules.”The hearing will take place in Melbourne as soon as possible.”Sutherland added: “There has been an anti-doping policy since 1998. Allplayers have been educated about the policy.”We support the testing.”At the same time, we commend Shane about his approach, including comingforward as soon as the information was made available.”We have advised the ICC of the situation and have applied to thetechnical committee for approval to replace Shane in the World Cup squadcommittee.”Warne said: “As James has said, I was shocked and absolutely devastatedthat the test sample indicated a presence of a prohibited substance.”It’s not finalised until my B sample.”I’m shocked because I have not taken performance-enhancing drugs.”I did take a fluid tablet before my comeback game in Sydney and didn’tknow it contained any banned substance.”I have decided to return home in the best interest of the team andaddress the situation personally which the ACB are supportive of.”I want to repeat, I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs and amconfident it will be cleared up soon.”My previous tests have always come back negative. I have spoken to myteam-mates and they are supportive.”

Chris Drum, the 27-year-old Auckland medium-fast bowler, worked up good speed while he was demolishing the touring Bangladesh cricket side with his ten-wicket bag at Eden Park Outer Oval, but have to move even more smartly on Tuesday morning.Drum has been included in the New Zealand 12 preparing for the first Test against Bangladesh starting at WestpacTrust Park on Tuesday. However, he is aware of the public (and perhaps untimely) statement by Sir Richard Hadlee, the chairman of selectors, that Drum is most likely to be 12th man for the Test.Drum has taken that comment on the chin, but is also aware that Auckland are starting a State Championship four-day match against Otago at Carisbrook, and Drum would prefer action at Carisbrook to being supercargo at Hamilton.”Things are working toward getting me to Dunedin,” said Drum today, his ten-wicket smile still spread over his handsome face. “I will have to stay in Hamilton until Tuesday morning in case something goes wrong with the team, but if I am not wanted I will get to Dunedin as quickly as possible.”Drum was delighted with his first ten-wicket bag for Auckland not so much because he was playing against inexperienced batsmen, but because he worked to a good line and kept up his pace very well – his match figures were 39.3 overs, 16 maidens, 66 runs, 10 wickets.It also convinced Drum, in his first four-day match of the season, that all his annoying past aches and injuries had gone, especially the damaged A/C joint which took him out of his comeback Test against Pakistan last season.”I was able to give it 10 weeks rest before I tried bowling again, and it seems to be holding up very well.”Getting 10 wickets in an Auckland win gave me a real buzz, and I am delighted that I feel fully fit, and am in the Test team frame again.”

Christchurch’s weather has been much better behaved in the latter part of this week and if it remains that way the stage is set for a thrilling opening to the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Bert Sutcliffe Oval when host New Zealand meet Sri Lanka in the tournament opener.Both teams have had victories in the warm-up games available to them in the rain-affected build-up, New Zealand over Pakistan and Sri Lanka over England.It is a tough task for the New Zealanders, apart from the fact they are playing at home in front of local supporters, they also have to live with the fact that the CLEAR Black Caps are performing so well in Australia, the national side are the defending ICC KnockOut champions and the women are the holders of the CricInfo Women’s World Cup.That realistically should not be a problem as they settle into the tournament because they have enough else to think about.Qualifying for the Super League part of the programme is top of the list. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are in one of the tougher pools with Zimbabwe the other Test-playing nation in their group while Namibia is expected to be a tough competitor.No slip-ups can be afforded.New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said losing one of the planned warm-up games was a disappointment and unlike some other sides, New Zealand’s opening game of the tournament meant it had no time for another warm-up game today.Greatbatch said he was very keen to see his team of talented young players perform as naturally as they could with some helpful structures in place so they maximise their opportunities.”We don’t want to stifle their flair but there is a fine line. We would have liked another game.”We have three Test-playing nations in our pool so we can’t take any game lightly,” he said.The Auckland pool where India, South Africa, Bangladesh and Canada meet is the other pool with three Test-playing nations in it.Pakistan and England are joined by Papua New Guinea and Nepal in the second Christchurch pool while Australia and the West Indies are in Dunedin along with Scotland and Kenya.Other pool play begins in all three venues on Sunday.”We need to be urgent in what we do and we need to do the basics right,” Greatbatch said.New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive Martin Snedden spoke to the side when it first assembled in Christchurch and reminded them of the methods the senior New Zealand team used when they took part for the first time in the tri-series in Australia in the summer of 1980/81.”They used a policy of hitting straight, bowling straight, containing the opposition and fielding precisely and if they could do that consistently they knew they would go close,” he said.Sri Lankan coach Owen Mottau said the weather had been frustrating for his side but there was nothing that could be done about that. His players were also having to adapt to cooler conditions than those they were used to.”I don’t think out boys have seen such green wickets. The ball doesn’t seem to spin that much but it is a matter of coping with the conditions. That is what they Under-19 tournament is all about, they’ve got to learn to think about it,” he said.The Sri Lankan side was made up of schoolboys. They were a good fielding side and they bowled reasonably well.”If our batting clicks that would make us very competitive.”Expectations in Sri Lanka are high, but they are high whenever Sri Lankan teams play. Our first goal is to make the Super League, we’re not thinking past that,” Mottau said.Teams will be chosen from:New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Simon Allen, Michael Bates, Peter Borren, Neil Broom, Leighton Burtt, Brook Hatwell, Stephen Murdoch, Rob Nicol, Iain Robertson, Jesse Ryder, Ian Sandbrook, Jordan Sheed, Richard Sherlock.Sri Lanka: Dhammika Niroshana, Jeewan Mendis, Kanchana Gunawardene, Chandra Kumara, Chatrith Fernando, Damith Indika, Eashan Abeysinghe, Chrishanth Perera, Lasith Fernando, Upul Tharanga, Prasad Ranwaka, Lakpriya Wijesiriwardene, Mohamed Maharoof, Dammika Prasad.The full programme of games for the weekend is (all games start at 10.30am):Saturday: Group B – New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Bert Sutcliffe Oval. Sunday: Group A – Bangladesh v South Africa, Colin Maiden Park No 1, Auckland; Group B – Zimbabwe v Namibia, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch; Group C – Pakistan v Papua New Guina, Lincoln Green, Christchurch; Group D – Australia v Kenya, Carisbrook, Dunedin.

Day 1 of 3Berkshire made full use of a very flat wicket at the delightful Alderley Edge ground, batting to the 100 over 1st innings closure for a total of 466 – 5 wickets.Richard Howitt carried his bat for 170 not out-a career best score. His innings was a model of concentration, and chanceless, with a powerful array of shots all around the wicket.There were three centuries in the Berkshire innings, something of a rarity in Minor Counties cricket.Lee Nurse and Howitt put on 181 for the first wicket off 43 overs, before Robin Fisher bowled Nurse for a stylish 108.Julian Wood joined Howitt and runs continued to come freely before Fisher too bowled Wood for 29.The innings continued to gain momentum as Paul Prichard joined Howitt, the two adding 176 for the 3rd wicket in 35 overs, before Prichard departed for 101 off just 109 balls.Fisher was Cheshire’s most successful bowler. He worked hard through 42 overs of slow left arm for his 3 wickets on a wicket that gave bowlers little encouragement and certainly no margin for error.A mixture of bad light and drizzle halted play briefly, before Cheshire batted through the remaining seven overs untroubled, finishing the day on 16 for no wicket.Day 2 of 3Cheshire lost early wickets. Danny Leecha little unluckilycaught at slip, one of three wickets for Carl Crowe; Simon Ogilby caught at mid-wicket and Andrew Hall bowled by seamer Steve Bloyce.There was no further encouragement for the bowlers as Richard Hignett and Nafees Din gradually got on top- though both were badly dropped when well setadding 181 for the 4th wicket from 37 overs.Hignett departed with the score at 247-4, caught miscuing to mid on for 81. Mike Bolger was needlessly run out for 3 and at 260-5, a follow on situation was looming. Simon Renshaw gave good support to Din, 92 was added for the 6th wicket before Din fell lbw to Wood for an attractive 160.The declaration came at 409-6 from 93 overs leaving Berkshire 14 overs in the day to get their 2nd innings under way.Nurse and Howitt took the score quickly to 54 before Nurse was lbw to David Pennett for 16 and Howitt edged a good one to keeper Simon Ogilvy off the same bowler. Night watchman James Ettridge was caught-a little unluckilyat short leg off Simon Fisher and the day ended with Berkshire on 71-3, a lead of 128 going into the final day.Day 3 of 3Batsmen again flourished on the final day. Crowe and Prichard batted attractively, adding 82 for the 4th wicket before Prichard sliced to Hignett on the cover boundary for 61, scored off 48 balls.Wood and Crowe added 61 for the 5th wicket before Crowe departed for 39. Wood, batting at his forceful best, took his score to 158 from 123 balls before charging Fisher to be stumped by yards and promptly declared at 365-8.Fisher’s return of 5-87 from 27.1 overs was just reward for his control of line and length on a batting paradise of a wicket.The target of 423 in 51 overs was indeed a stiff one, but on a wicket that provided ideal batting conditions throughout, this equation was always going to be a difficult one, with a draw always the likely outcome.Unexpectedly, Cheshire were soon on the back foot as wickets tumbled. Leech played loosely to be caught at slip and Din drove uppishly to be caught and bowled by Steve Bloyce. Bloyce sustained his pace and direction to trouble the batsmen. He had Hall caught behind, Hignett trapped lbw and at 108 for 6 with 14 overs remaining, a Berkshire win was on the cards.James Whittaker and Mike Bolger had other ideas, taking the score to 143-7 before Whittaker was taken at short leg off Crowe. There was no further drama as Dave Pennett and Bolger batted out the last five overs, taking the score to 180-7 at stumps.Bloyce finished with 5-58 off his 18 overs – a first 5 wicket haul for the young Finchampstead seam bowler.Both sides take 10 points from the match. Berkshire lead the table jointly at this stage with 33 points, with Cheshire just 1 point behind.

Sri Lanka’s five-man selection panel has picked two uncapped players in a14-man squad for the Janashakthi National Test series against Zimbabwestarting next Thursday.Matara born fast bowler Prabath Nissanka, 21, who made his limited oversdebut in Sharjah in October and played in one game during the recentlycompleted LG Abans tri-series, comes into squad in place of fast bowlingall-rounder Suresh Perera.Middle order batsman Chamara Silva is introduced into the squad afterMichael Vandort broke a finger in his left hand whilst training with hisclub. Vandort is expected to be available for selection in time for thesecond Test in Kandy.The 22-year-old right-hander, who has played eight One-Day Internationals,celebrated his call-up with a brilliant century (127 from 118 balls) againstthe Zimbabweans in their three day warm-up game, but will only play in thefirst Test if there is an injury to one of the established top six.Leggie Upul Chandana is left out, partly because he failed to impress duringthe LG Abans series, but also because the selectors, with one eye on theupcoming overseas tours, are keen to return to a fast bowler focusedstrategy during this series.So, left-arm spinner Niroshan Bandaratillake, who remains in the squaddespite claiming just four wickets in the West Indies series, is unlikely toplay.Nissanka and Charitha Buddika will compete for the third fast bowlers slot,but Buddika, who made his Test debut against West Indies in Galle, remainsthe leading contender with his recent good form and greater reliability.Sri Lanka:Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, RusselArnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Hashan Tillakaratne, Chamara Silva, ThilanSamaraweera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, CharithaBuddika Fernando, Prabath Nissanka, Niroshan Bandaratillake

AUCKLAND, NZ – All eyes are on star all-rounder Chris Cairns as the NewZealand cricket selectors consider their Test squad for the tour ofAustralia.With the tour of Pakistan almost certain to be cancelled in the comingdays, Sir Richard Hadlee’s panel is faced with re-selecting the squadfor Australia within the next three weeks.That would allow the players time to prepare for a build-up which couldbegin as early as October 23, and a touring schedule which starts inBrisbane on November 1.Cairns hasn’t played for New Zealand in nearly a year – going back aone-day international against South Africa last November – but waspoised to create the biggest re-shuffle in the squad picked for theaborted Pakistan tour.The 31-year-old was on the recovery trail after undergoing surgery torelieve a patella tendonitis problem in his right knee and was showingencouraging signs of being available for the Australian series.NZC fitness adviser Warren Frost said today Cairns was making steadyprogress towards a full recovery and was hopeful he would be availablefor selection.”Our goal is to try to have him right for Australia but we wouldn’t letthat goal over-ride the player’s best interests,” Frost said.”At the moment Chris is ‘smashing’ his leg, which involves working hardon his strength. Three times a week he’s bowling about eight overs offhalf a run-up, and he’s now running on grass as opposed to the gymnasiumtreadmill.”The only other lingering question is whether Hadlee’s panel will againoverlook batsman Matt Horne, whose 29-Test career has so far realisedfour centuries, including an innings of 133 in the third Test at Hobartin 1997-98.Horne struggled in his most recent Test against Zimbabwe in Wellingtonin December, when he compiled one and nought.He had a successful tour of India with New Zealand A, and can point tosome reasonable success in the international arena and a first-classaverage of 41.