Peter Phillips, the Jamaican security minister, has called for a review of the investigations into the death of Bob Woolmer. This comes two days after police closed the case stating that Woolmer’s death was due to natural causes.Justice Ian Forte, a former president of the Appeal Court, will lead the probe. Reuters quoted Phillips saying that the review would look into “the appropriateness of the techniques and the standards of professionalism employed by the police investigators, as well as the medical and other professional personnel.”Phillips said the exercise was to be completed within six weeks and a report submitted by July 31.Phillips declined to comment on the conclusions arrived at by the Jamaican police in the Woolmer case and said that given the high-profile nature and the circumstances surrounding the case, he believed it necessary to commission a review of the investigations.

Division One

Sussex are closing in on a crushing victory at Horsham, after piling on the runs in the first innings and then reducing Durham in their second innings to 108 for 6. Durham now trail by a significant 200, with four wickets in hand. Four wickets apiece for Liam Plunkett and Paul Wiseman were scant consolation as Sussex, led by Chris Adams’ 193, racked up 517. Sussex now have two more days to close out the match, but they will be confident of doing so on the third.Anthony McGrath’s 24th first-class century helped Yorkshire to a solid position against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, after losing the first day to rain. McGrath was unbeaten on 142 at stumps, and he was well supported by Younis Khan’s 49 – together they put on 87 for the third wicket – and particularly so by Jacques Rudolph. The pair added 177 for the fourth wicket.

Division Two

Weighty contributions from Somerset‘s top order, including Marcus Trescothick’s 146, consolidated a promising position at Taunton. Neil Edwards missed out on a fourth first-class hundred, when he fell for 96, while Justin Langer added 83 as Somerset battered their way past Northamptonshire‘s 221, to take a first-innings lead of 238. When Northants batted again, they lost Chris Rogers and Stephen Peters almost immediately, courtesy of the inevitable Andrew Caddick and Charl Willoughby, but Usman Afzaal (46) and David Sales (12*) began to repair some of the damage. Nevertheless, Somerset are very much in the box seat.David Hussey’s century gave Nottinghamshire a steady platform against Gloucestershire after play finally got underway at Trent Bridge following a first-day washout. Notts eased to 259 for 4, with Hussey unbeaten on 114. The early loss of Stephen Fleming for 1 did not hamper the home side, Jason Gallian making 45 and then Mark Wagh easing to 74.

Yorkshire 184 for 8 (39.5 overs: White 54, Brophy 54, Murtagh 3-34) beat Middlesex 183 for 8 (40 overs: Scott 54*, Pyrah 3-22)
ScorecardYorkshire overcame a late wobble to beat Middlesex by two wickets off the penultimate ball of their Pro40 clash at Headingley.They had seemed to be coasting as they reached 158 for 3 chasing a modest 183, with the required rate at around a run a ball. James Dalrymple’s dismissal of Gerard Brophy for 49 pulled the rug from under the innings as five wickets fell for seven runs. Tim Murtagh inflicted most of the damage with three wickets but Rich Pyrah (15 not out) kept his head to see Yorkshire across the line.Middlesex also suffered from a collapse, but theirs came at the top of the order as they slid to 61 for 5 before Ben Scott anchored a recovery with an unbeaten 54. Pyrah was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 22 off his eight overs.

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.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain, has been summoned as a witness by a London tribunal that will hear umpire Darrell Hair’s suit against the ICC. Hair is suing for alleged racial discrimination in the aftermath of the Oval controversy.Inzamam was the Pakistan captain in that Test, which saw his side charged with ball-tampering. The team refused to take the field in protest against that decision, following which the match was awarded to England.Hearing of the case begins on October 1 at the Central Office of London Tribunals and is expected to last two weeks.A report in the said the summons would compel Inzamam’s attendance for cross-examination. Had Inzamam been in Pakistan rather than in England – playing county cricket for Yorkshire – the tribunal would not have had the power to call him, the report said.Hair’s lawyers, Finers Stephens Innocent, wrote to Inzamam requesting his attendance, but did not receive a reply. The summons, the said, was served in the presence of Stewart Regan, the chief executive of Yorkshire CCC.Inzamam now has to decide whether to fly back to Pakistan and return to England before the hearing commences or stay in London.Hair is to be represented by Robert Griffiths QC, an MCC cricket and general committee member, and will be opposed by Michael Beloff QC.He is likely to call on fellow umpire Billy Doctrove, with whom he stood at The Oval. Also expected to appear on Hair’s behalf are John Jameson, a former assistant secretary of the MCC, and Jimmy Adams, the former West Indies captain.Hair, who remains on the ICC’s Elite panel, was restricted to officiating Associate matches in the aftermath of the Oval saga.

England are one win away from their first one-day series success in the sub-continent for 20 years and another notable inclusion in Paul Collingwood’s young captaincy CV. From a limited-overs shambles only a few months ago, the team is developing into a competitive unit.There have been hiccups along the way – notably the World Twenty20 and their opening-match defeat in this series – but those reversals make the subsequent performances even more impressive although their work in Sri Lanka is far from complete.”At the moment it feels good to have won the first two games, but if we lose the next two games I’ll be absolutely devastated because I know how much hard work and effort we’ve put into it,” said Collingwood. “It would be massive, but the good thing is that the lads are still going really hard at it.”Collingwood, who will play through his shoulder “niggle” which required a precautionary scan, is delighted with the way his team have adapted to the conditions. “It’s a different challenge to back home because you don’t have to do as much as it’s the same English style of playing, but when you come over here you have to learn and adapt quickly.”That first game was a real eye-opener for us and it’s brilliant that everyone went away and said ‘we’ve got well beaten, what can we do about it?’ After the first game, when we were beaten fair and square, to adapt so quickly after that and learn the length to bowl and the changes of pace needed was a good effort.”England’s victories have come despite the top order not firing in any of the matches. Alastair Cook’s 46, made in the defeat, is the highest score from the top four and changes haven’t been ruled out. Luke Wright would be an option, although he went through a slump in the Twenty20, but the side has looked well balanced with Graeme Swann filling an allrounder’s role at No. 8.In terms of interest back home, the tour of Sri Lanka isn’t registering very high alongside the Rugby World Cup and European football qualifiers. But that doesn’t bother Collingwood one little bit. “I couldn’t give a monkey’s whether they’re watching or not,” he said. “For these 15 players here and the management, to win out here would be a massive thing.”England (probable) Alastair Cook, Phil Mustard (wk), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (capt), Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson

In spite of their improbable victory in the recent ODI series in Sri Lanka – their first on the subcontinent in 20 years – England are expected to revert to their seasoned five-day specialists when the squad for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka is unveiled at The Oval tomorrow.England emerged triumphant by three games to two in Dambulla and Colombo earlier this month, in a contest that was played out on slow low wickets and at an unusually Test-like tempo. But for several members of that squad, as well as the veteran Mark Ramprakash, disappointment is on the cards.Foremost among England’s considerations will be the wicketkeeping position. Phil Mustard took the gloves and opened the batting during the ODIs, but having failed to establish himself in five opportunities, England are expected to revert to Matt Prior, whose Test career began with a remarkable debut century against West Indies at Lord’s in May, but who sustained a broken thumb during the recent World Twenty20 in South Africa.Prior’s position came under scrutiny following a poor series with both the bat and the gloves against India last summer, but having worked their way through six wicketkeepers in the past 12 months, the selectors are expected to give Prior another opportunity to establish himself. He is a key disciple of the new coach, Peter Moores, having learnt his craft under Moores at Sussex, and was Geraint Jones’ understudy on England’s last visit to the subcontinent in 2005-06.One man who seems certain to have earned a recall on the strength of the one-dayers is the offspinning allrounder, Graeme Swann, whose first matches for England in seven-and-a-half years were an unmitigated triumph. He spun the ball prodigiously, produced vital runs down the order, and assuming he recovers from the hamstring injury he sustained ahead of the final ODI, could be a useful sidekick to Monty Panesar, who will start the series as England’s No. 1 spin option.In the absence of Andrew Flintoff, Swann’s allround credentials will doubtless boost his chances of a call-up, while Ravi Bopara is another man well-placed to step up a level, following his nerveless displays in coloured clothing this year – although he could well be put on stand-by in the development squad that is due to be stationed in India during the tour. One man who has been headed in the opposite direction is the former stalwart Andrew Strauss, who this time last year was a candidate for the captaincy.Strauss’s form slump has already led to his omission from the one-day set-up, but having secured an ECB central contract, he seems set to retain his place in a 15-man squad. The man who will miss out is likely to be Ramprakash, whose prospects of a recall at the age of 38 were being talked up last week following his stunning summer of run-scoring for Surrey. Owais Shah is the other man in the frame for the final batting slot, having made 88 and 38 in his only previous overseas Test appearance, at Mumbai in 2005-06.England’s obligation towards their centrally contracted players should also ensure recalls for Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard, both of whom missed large portions of the summer schedule with injuries. Harmison, with a hernia operation behind him, is hoping to prove his fitness in two first-class matches for Highveld Lions in South Africa.James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad – all of whom excelled during the recent ODI series victory – are expected to fill the remaining fast-bowling slots, with the only other significant change being that of the captain, Michael Vaughan. Four years ago, Sri Lanka was the scene of Vaughan’s first major tour as England captain, but he was unable to emulate the feat of his predecessor, Nasser Hussain, whose 2-1 victory in the 2000-01 series was one of England’s finest of all time.Possible squad Michael Vaughan (capt), Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Andrew Strauss, Owais Shah, Matt Prior (wk), Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann, Matthew Hoggard, James Anderson, Stuart Broad.

South Australia have called on the former New South Wales batsman Daniel Christian in a bid to shore up their batting and he is expected to play in the next match. Christian, 24, was out of contract after New South Wales surprisingly chose not to offer him a deal for this season, although he played every one-dayer and Twenty20 match last season.His move to Adelaide will boost the Redbacks’ struggling top order. The side has lost all three of its Pura Cup matches, and won just one of its FR Cup matches this year, against New South Wales where the batsmen squeezed a last-ball victory.Rod Marsh, SACA’s high performance manager, told that he hopes Christian’s arrival can begin a turnaround for South Australia. “I’m very excited about it. He’s a lovely young man and I think he’s got a lot to offer South Australian cricket,” Marsh said. “He’s a kid with good talent, he’s been a very good junior player.”He was at the Academy with Callum Ferguson and Shaun Tait and I think he will fit in very well. I think he’s a bit unlucky not to be in the New South Wales contract list, they just couldn’t fit him in.”I’ve had my eye on him for a couple of years now. He offers a bit of everything. He can bat anywhere in the top seven or eight. He bowls quicker than a lot of people give him credit for. So, without being too harsh, I think that we can do with a player of that quality in the squad. We’ve got to start getting a winning culture happening.”Christian had a promising first season in the FR Cup last year, finishing the limited-overs season with 256 runs, second only to Brad Haddin for New South Wales. “[I’ve] just come down here to work on my own game and hopefully get some runs on the board and perform well,” Christian told . “I dive around the field and things like that and just try to enjoy it as much as I can.”A member of the victorious Australia Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2001-02, alongside new team-mate Mark Cosgrove, he also offers sharp bowling and was an Academy graduate in 2003. But it’s his batting that is badly needed with several Redbacks batsmen either injured or out of form.”It puts more pressure on those playing to make sure they play well,” Marsh said. “All good cricket teams have pressure put on them by those outside the team. Look at the Australian team. As a batsman you wouldn’t want to fail with [Simon] Katich playing so well. [Nathan] Bracken’s taking wickets, Tait is coming back from injury. As a consequence you see Mitchell Johnson bowling well on debut.”Although Christian has not been signed to South Australia’s contract list, Marsh said he could soon feature in first-class games as well as one-dayers. Christian has not yet chosen a club to play for but is expected to do so by this Sunday to give him a run ahead of the Redbacks’ next game, which is against Western Australia next Wednesday.Marsh doesn’t rule out chasing other players to boost South Australia’s stocks either. “We are always on the lookout for good cricketers and it’s always been a firm belief of mine that you want the best 66 players in the premier competition,” he said. “South Australia over the years have had a history of recruiting some outstanding players – Bradman, Sobers, Gibbs, Garner – some not as good. If we have to go outside the state, then we have to go outside the state.”

India get into action with their first tour game against Victoria on Thursday, two days after their arrival in Australia. The Indians won’t be taking the game lightly given that it’s the only practice match before the first Test, but both sides have concerns over injuries and the weather with rain forecast for the next three days.Victoria have been in good form this season, equal on points with top-ranked New South Wales, and will take the game against India as a chance to blood allrounder John Hastings and batsman Aaron Finch.Victoria’s bowling will not be at full strength with fast bowlers Shane Harwood and Gerard Denton injured and Dirk Nannes being rested. Cameron White, the captain, is ruled out while Brad Hodge, who is to lead the side in White’s absence, is an uncertain starter and will be passed fit only after his back is assessed on Thursday.The visitors will look to playing most of their first-choice Test XI but Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan, who didn’t take part in training on Tuesday, are uncertain for the clash. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who along with Tendulkar and Zaheer missed the final Test against Pakistan in Bangalore, is fit to play the opener and said the game was a crucial one for the team.”It’s always better to have a few sessions before a big Test match [and] we don’t really have much time for practice,” Dhoni told the . “Tomorrow is crucial … I think most of the players would love to play.”Tendulkar, Dhoni said, was improving, “[but] if he needs some more time to rest himself and recover, to be 100% for the first game, he can take it.”Dhoni played down talk of the team not having enough practice and of the importance of the forecast of rain. “You’d love to have more time [for practice], but that’s too many ifs and buts,” he said. “Even if it rains there’s nothing can be done about it – we’ll go indoors and have a knock, do whatever we can.”Dhoni said the team were aiming for a win. “If you are on the field and if you are playing you have got to win, there is no question of just playing the game for practice.”He said the team would have to adapt to the bouncy pitches in Australia. “Getting used to the conditions is very important … so the practice game is important, especially when you’re coming from a series in India,” he said. “When you’re playing in Australia, the length you’re bowling is very important, very different to where you bowl in the sub-continent or England.”Meanwhile, Greg Shipperd, the Victoria coach, said despite missing a few regulars, his team would give India a tough fight. “We will come out and play some good quality cricket and I’m sure probably surprise them,” he told sportal.com.au. “I think it [the pitch] will be quite grassy – it will be hard and I’m sure it will be a good cricket wicket with plenty of pace in it.”He said the team had enough strength in bowling and was expecting legspinner Bryce McGain to make an impression, which could aid him in winning the nod for a place in the Australian Test squad. Ricky Ponting revealed that McGain was considered by the selectors as a candidate for the Boxing Day Test.”A four- or five-for from Bryce McGain here certainly throws his hat into the ring for the second Test,” Shipperd said. “I was disappointed for Bryce [missing out on the Boxing Day Test] because I thought it was a 50-50 bet between him and Hogg.”Teams (from):
Victoria : Brad Hodge (capt), David Hussey, Aiden Blizzard, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Nick Jewell, Michael Klinger, Andrew McDonald , Bryce McGain, Robert Quiney, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade (wk), Allan Wise.India: Anil Kumble (capt), Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Pankaj Singh.

Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, says the rights of cricketers must be weighed against the importance of retaining strong Test teams as speculation mounts that Shane Bond might join the Indian Cricket League (ICL). New Zealand Cricket is already encouraging its selectors not to choose players who have already taken part in the league and now a report in the suggests Bond has agreed to play in the ICL in 2008.”With New Zealand and these other poorly paid countries, it’s incredibly enticing at the end of their career, or even in the middle of their career, to look after themselves,” May told the paper. “It’s their job and they’re trying to do the best for their families.”You may well see more ICL contracted players signed up. So what are we going to do, have a New Zealand second XI out there? Is it in New Zealand’s national interest to put out a half-baked team?”Is it in world cricket’s interest? These are the questions people really need to sit down and think about. And there is also the rights of the players to ply their trade. We want to encourage people to play cricket professionally, don’t we? It’s not necessarily a bad thing, this ICL.”New Zealand Cricket has told its selectors that when they choose national and representative squads they should consider other players ahead of those who have taken part in the ICL. Daryl Tuffey was the only one of the six affected players who was realistically in the frame for further Test and ODI action.However, if Bond joined the ICL it would provide a major crisis for cricket in New Zealand. The reported that if NZC tried to stop Bond, or any other player, signing up with the ICL it could face legal action for restraint of trade.