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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.

A fine opening stand of 221 between Graeme Smith and Andrew Puttick put Nashua WP in the driving seat at the end of the first days play in the Supersport Series match against luckless Boland at BOE Park in Paarl.WP skipper HD Ackerman won the toss on a placid pitch and elected to bat first. His decision was vindicated as WP reached 306/2 at the end of day one thanks mainly to centuries from Smith and Puttick. At the end Puttick was undefeated on 142 runs. Smith who dominted the latter stages of the parnership with Puttick was dismissed for 122. The other WP batter back in the hut was last weekends hero Jonathan Trott who fell to a brilliant catch at mid wicket.The Boland bowlers struggled the entire day without much success.

The BCB is in discussion with Zimbabwe Cricket to cut one Test from the bilateral series to be held in January next year. Naimur Rahman, the BCB cricket operations committee chairman, said that the proposed reduction was due to Bangladesh’s preparations for the Asia Cup T20 and World T20 tournaments following the Zimbabwe series.

Domestic season schedule announced

The Bangladesh domestic season will begin on September 17 with the National Cricket League first-class tournament. The Bangladesh Premier League will span four weeks in November and December, after which the second first-class tournament, the Bangladesh Cricket League, and the marquee List-A competition, the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, will complete the 2015-16 season.
BCB director Naimur Rahman said they are trying to set a consistent domestic calendar and hoped there would not be the usual delay in starting these tournaments.
Proposed tournament dates
National Cricket League, Sept 17-Nov 8
Bangladesh Premier League, Nov 25-Dec 25
Bangladesh Cricket League, Jan 5-Feb 20
Dhaka Premier League, Mar 11-May 9

The tour was originally scheduled to have three Tests, five ODIs and three T20s. Now it is likely to have two Tests, three ODIs and three T20s with Zimbabwe landing in Dhaka on January 11, and the tour ending on February 18.ESPNcricinfo has learned that the Bangladesh team management was consulted before the matter was discussed in a meeting of board directors and officials on Monday. Naimur said the team management wanted to reduce the number of ODIs to two but it will still remain a three-match series. However, it was learned that there has been some consensus between the two boards about the number of ODIs to be reduced to three from five.Bangladesh’s remaining international commitment in 2015 is the two-match Test series against Australia in October. After the Zimbabwe series ends in mid-February, Bangladesh will play in the Asia Cup T20 tournament from March 1 to 10. The following day the team will be off to India for the World T20, which will end on April 3.Naimur said the BCB is waiting for ZC to give its view on the tour composition, after which it will be placed in the board meeting for approval. “We are still in talks with Zimbabwe. We have proposed to reduce one Test,” Naimur said. “They said they will let us know after discussing among themselves. We have to consider the cricketers’ rest and recovery, at the same time we are committed to playing ODIs and T20s after the Tests. So we have to prepare accordingly. That’s why we are reducing the number of Tests so that we can prepare for T20s.”The concern is also about the fitness levels of Bangladesh’s fast bowlers in Tests. “Our frontline pace bowlers are already suffering from injuries. We have to think of their recovery.”I always want to play. We had more Tests but we also have other commitments. I later saw that it wouldn’t be possible to play more Tests realistically.”Naimur insisted that Test cricket remains important for Bangladesh, as they are holding domestic first-class tournaments like the National Cricket League and Bangladesh Cricket League, but they gave priority to T20s this time because the players do not have the physical ability to play an extra Test in a season dominated by T20s.”Because Tests are important, we are using tournaments like BCL and NCL to prepare players for the longer version. But we also have to think what might happen to a cricketer who plays three Tests, three ODIs and three T20s.”We know that our cricketers’ physical condition hasn’t reached that level. We have to think particularly about the pace bowlers.”

Ross Taylor has been ruled out of New Zealand’s tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa after undergoing minor surgery for a groin injury. Taylor suffered a blow to the groin during training a day before the third ODI in Harare and will miss the remaining two matches against Zimbabwe, as well as the following two T20Is and three ODIs against South Africa.A New Zealand Cricket release stated that with 16 players in the squad, no replacement will be required for Taylor. James Neesham took the batsman’s place in the New Zealand XI for the third ODI against Zimbabwe.

Leicestershire have been granted planning permission to install floodlights at Grace Road, a development that has been viewed as vital to the club’s survival.Floodlit evening T20 matches have become increasingly important to driving gate revenue in the domestic game and Wasim Khan, Leicestershire’s chief executive, said the decision would help the club “retain and grow our audiences”. Khan had previously addressed residents’ concerns about light pollution by warning that, without floodlights, “we might not be here in five years’ time”.The path has now been cleared, with Leicester City Council unanimously approving the proposals. Leicestershire will begin work immediately and hope to have the floodlights in place in time for their opening NatWest Blast game in May.”It is fantastic news for Leicestershire County Cricket Club that planning permission was granted at the meeting,” Khan said. “Floodlights are an important aspect of supporting our sustainability strategy and we look forward to improving the match-day experience for our supporters.”We saw an average 48% increase in attendances at Grace Road for NatWest T20 Blast matches in 2015. The installation of floodlights will help us to both retain and grow our audiences. We can start our NatWest T20 Blast games later in the evening which will give more people the opportunity to attend after work.”Leicestershire are currently one of four counties without permanent floodlights. Gloucestershire have been granted planning permission, while Somerset are expected to draw up plans as part of their ground redevelopment, which would leave Worcestershire as the only county unable to play evening games.

Dimitri Mascarenhas has been drafted into the England squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa after Ryan Sidebottom was ruled out because of injury. Sidebottom has not recovered fully from the side strain he suffered in the third Test against India at The Oval.Mascarenhas’ ability to finish an innings was on display during England 4-3 series win against India. He scored 52 off 39 balls at Bristol and clobbered Yuvraj Singh for five consecutive sixes during his 36 off 15 balls at The Oval. He also provided a reliable bowling option, taking six wickets in four ODIs at an average of just under 23 and an impressive economy-rate of 4.02 runs per over.”He’s [Mascarenhas] been putting in these great performances for Hampshire, and now obviously there’s a groundswell of opinion to get him into the England side,” Hampshire cricket manager Paul Terry told . “He’s shown what he can do, he’s got the opportunity and he’s taken it. Now he’s got another opportunity to go away with England and play abroad, and we’ll see how he does.”Mascarenhas’ inclusion in the Twenty20 squad was approved by the ICC late on Saturday.

Scorecard

A magnificent 158 from Chris Benham took Hampshire into Division One of the Pro40 for next season after comprehensively beating Glamorgan at The Rose Bowl, in the tournament’s inaugural play-off. Set a sizeable 266 to win, Glamorgan were never in the hunt and they crumbled limply to 114 all out.The day revolved around Benham whose wonderfully attacking innings provided the perfect end to Hampshire’s summer. It was his second one-day hundred and by some distance his best innings for the club who he has played for since he was 10. Right from the outset, he took the attack to Glamorgan’s bowlers – particular to James Franklin, before using his feet to the spinners. Though the pitch was even and true for the seamers, there was no shortage of turn available for Robert Croft and Dean Cosker, but Benham’s poise and balance – not to mention his fearless strokeplay – was a cut above.To emphasise the quality of his strokeplay, no other Hampshire batsman passed 30 and six failed to even reach 10. And in 130 balls, he smashed 21 fours and a six. His captain, Shane Warne, was understandably elated at Hampshire’s elevation to the first division but reserved special praise for Benham.”I thought he played magnificently. It was one of the best innings I’ve seen all year and he took it away from Glamorgan,” Warne told Sky Sports. “Hopefully he’ll know what he has to do [to progress further]. I’m just proud of him – he’s a potential captain of the club and we’re lucky to have him.”Glamorgan’s reply began disastrously when James Bruce, who bowled an impressive line at decent pace, removed Richard Grant with his second ball. Warne, always unpredictable as a captain, threw Sean Ervine the new ball which brought immediate success when he removed Mark Wallace for 3. Though David Harrison crashed five fours in a breathless 28, there was scant support from the middle-order who folded in rather inevitable fashion. Appropriately it was Warne who took the final wicket of the summer, removing Cosker to hand Hampshire a crushing 151-run win.”It’s not easy getting up for it at the tail-end of the season,” Warne said, “and it all comes down to how much passion you’ve got. We’re hungry. Unfortunately we didn’t play well last year in the Pro40 and got relegated. We’ve got a really good squad, some young players and it’s a privilege to captain this club.”

With Australia needing a win to retain the Ashes there were some surprised people at The Oval when Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden trooped off straight after tea despite being 112 for 0. England were only to happy to retreat back to the dressing while, for once, the majority of the crowd will probably not have been to disappointed by the lack of action.But Langer defended the decision after the close, telling reporters: “We spoke about it briefly at tea-time. I asked Ricky [Ponting] and Gilly [Adam Gilchrist] what their thoughts were and they felt it was the same as any other Test match.”When we walked out to bat it was very dark. Andrew Flintoff was reverse-swinging the ball just before tea and we felt it was best to play him in the best conditions possible. Unfortunately it hung around for the whole session. But at this stage we’ve only lost half-an-hour, an hour. The way this series has gone most Tests have been decided in four days.”Take it from me, we were none for a hundred, we’d have loved to keep batting.” added Langer, “But, at the end of the day, the reality is when you weigh up the options every time it comes up the question is if you do lose a wicket early, the new batsman has to come in against a reverse swinging ball. It was very dark after tea. We’ve seen Flintoff bowl well in dark conditions against the new batsman.”For England the best part of the day came during the morning session when the tail wagged impressively after the early loss of Geriant Jones. Ashley Giles provided most of the frustration for Australia with one his typically gritty innings. He admitted he’d been taken aback by Australia’s move to come off for the light. “We were ready to start and we were a little bit surprised and shocked. Of course I hope they live to regret it but there’s three days left in this Test match, there’s a lot of time. We can’t, and Ricky Ponting can’t, afford to cloud watch.”

Stuart Law, the former Australian batsman, was today honoured by becoming one of the youngest life members of Queensland.Law, 35, now lives in England and plays for Lancashire in the English County Championship, but he spent 16 years with Queensland, in which time he led them to five Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup titles and two domestic one-day trophies, as well as becoming their most capped player and leading runscorer.At the annual Queensland Cricket general meeting today, Grant Law, Stuart’s father, accepted the award on his son’s behalf before Law himself spoke in a recorded message. “I had to ring the old man to find out the magnitude of what was bestowed upon me,” Law said. “To be recognised so soon after my retirement, well, I’ve just been blown away.”He added: “I played with my heart on my sleeve for Queensland and this will enable me to keep my foot in the door and have a say in the future of Queensland cricket. I believe we can still be the power force we’ve become over the last ten years. It’s a tremendous honour – I do still love Queensland cricket with all my heart and this will keep me close. Thank you very much.”Law retired from Australian domestic cricket at the end of last season to move to England to concentrate on playing for Lancashire. He played in 54 one-day internationals for Australia, but was selected for only one Test, against Sri Lanka in December 1995.

MCC is pleased to announce that there will be free admission to the men’s and women’s Varsity cricket matches at Lord’s on Wednesday 2nd July.MCC President, Sir Tim Rice, said:

“Following last year’s successful trial, we want to give everyone another opportunity to enjoy, free, some high quality cricket at Lord’s. The Varsity match is one of the game’s most famous fixtures. It has given many excellent players – from Mike Atherton to ‘Plum’ Warner – their first opportunity to shine on the public stage. I hope that a large crowd will come to the home of cricket to see some stars of the future – in both the men’s and the women’s matches”.

Last year’s fixtures produced some outstanding cricket. A real highlight was the spectacular finish in the women’s game, with Cambridge winning a thrilling contest by 1 wicket.This year, on 2nd July, the women’s match will again be staged on the Nursery Ground, while the men’s match will be played, as usual, on the main ground at Lord’s.Singer & Friedlander Investment Management will be sponsoring both matches for the second successive year.Past Varsity matches have helped to bring many future Test stars to public prominence – including Oxford’s Colin Cowdrey (England), Martin Donnelly (New Zealand) and Imran Khan (Pakistan), and Cambridge’s Mike Brearley (England), Majid Khan (Pakistan) and Peter May (England).Sir Tim Rice added:

“Last month, MCC welcomed almost 9,500 schoolchildren, free, to the England v Zimbabwe Test at Lord’s.Over the last two days, we have been delighted to stage the Capital Kids Cricket Festival at the ground – to the delight of the 200 schoolchildren who have taken part.We want to maintain this momentum. In a fortnight’s time, we look forward to welcoming the largest possible number of people – including countless children – to Lord’s, for one of the most historic fixtures in world cricket.This reflects MCC’s determination to increase the number of young people who are introduced to cricket – for the long-term good of the game”.