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.

Ben Hollioake will miss next week’s opening one-day international against New Zealand after tests were carried out on his troublesome left knee.The all-rounder, 24, missed the last two ODIs in India because of the injury, which sparked fears that he might be forced out of the reminder of the tour.But to Hollioake’s relief, a scan yesterday revealed no cartilage defect, and he has been told to rest for a week, which rules him out of the first ODI of the five-match series in Christchurch.Hollioake also missed today’s opening warm-up match against a NorthernDistricts XI under the lights of the WestpacTrust Park Stadium.

JamesAnderson Photo CricInfo

By the end of the 2002 domestic season, Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson had played in three one-day matches. Now the 20 year-old fast bowler from Burnley finds himself selected for England’s squad to appear in the World Cup alongside the likes of Glenn McGrath, Allan Donald and Wasim Akram.Had it not been for injury problems to other bowlers, Anderson would probably have spent the winter with the ECB National Academy in Adelaide. He was one of the promising young players selected to hone their skills and attitude under the tutelage of Rod Marsh.However, a succession of injuries to the senior squad and good reports from Marsh saw him elevated to join the England party for the VB Series where he impressed with his distinctly sharp bowling and his temperament. In three matches he took five wickets at 23.4 each and, while his economy rate was only 4.87 an over, he did not look in any way out of place in the international arena.Joining him in the World Cup party is another young fast bowler who, although selected in the original party for the Ashes, had little hope of one-day action at the start of the tour. Steve Harmison is another to benefit from injuries to the likes of Darren Gough and Simon Jones and after two matches in the VB Series where his pace and bounce impressed, he is off to South Africa as well.For some time the England management has said that the key to one-day success was experience. Those ideas have been thrown into utter disarray by the string of injuries throughout the Australian tour, causing a major reassessment of resources.

PaulCollingwood – cements place Photo CricInfo

Even this squad has three major doubts included. Andrew Flintoff has taken an age to overcome a double hernia operation last summer and, amid accusation and counter-claim concerning his rehabilitation, is still not yet fully fit. Ashley Giles had his bowling wrist broken in the nets and has not yet been able to rejoin the tour. Craig White, who joined the Ashes party when it was evident Flintoff would not recover, was himself injured during the Melbourne Test. He sustained a rib muscle injury and while the initial prognosis was for a six-week recovery period, such injuries are notoriously slow to heal in bowlers.The selectors, however, have put their faith in all three recovering in the knowledge that ICC regulations allow them to change the squad at any time should the medical information prove over-optimistic.The chairman, David Graveney, sounded up beat when assessing their prospects. Referring to Flintoff, he said, “He his making good progress in his rehabilitation work and has been bowling at around 90% pace in the nets whilst experiencing much less pain. The indications are that Andrew will be fit and able to play a full part in the competition.”Ashley Giles has been given the go-ahead from his specialist to begin training and bowled six overs in the nets over the weekend without suffering any pain or reaction. Again, I am satisfied that Ashley will be able to play a full role for England in the World Cup.”So far as Craig White’s injury is concerned, his recovery is in its early stages. Craig will be receiving intensive treatment with the aim of having him available for the finals of the VB Series should England qualify.”Graveney also said that he hopes to have both Giles and Flintoff available for the VB finals. However, he will be as aware as everybody else of the dangers associated with rushing players back into action before they are ready.Young Somerset left-arm spinning all-rounder Ian Blackwell is on hand should Giles not recover. He was drafted into the Champions Trophy squad in September and has continued to do well to merit his place in the World Cup party. Apart from his bowling that has stood up well to pressure, he can change the course of an innings with his powerful batting.Of the other all-rounders, Paul Collingwood is hardly used as a medium pace bowler by the national side, but he sealed his place with a sparkling hundred against Sri Lanka in Perth. Ronnie Irani, on the other hand, has had a difficult tour with the bat. After initially impressing going in at number three in the warm-up matches, he has failed consistently in the internationals. His bowling has not been as effective as it proved to be last summer either, but it is that part of his game that has gained him his place.Michael Vaughan will presumably bat at three behind the established one-day opening pair of left-handers, Marcus Trescothick and Nick Knight. It is conceivable, though, that he might be elevated to allow a right-left opening partnership to cause problems for the opposition bowlers.With the captain, Nasser Hussain, at four and then the all-rounders, there is a solid look to the batting. Wicket-keeper Alec Stewart can be included among the all-rounders in what will probably be his farewell to international cricket. If his keeping abilities might be on the wane, there is, as yet, nobody in a younger age bracket demanding his place as a wicket-keeper/ batsman.Although neither have had a particularly good tour of Australia, the pair of opening bowlers with most experience – Andrew Caddick and Matthew Hoggard – retain their places. One or even both know that they are up against fresh, young opposition for a place in the starting eleven and that could be the spur to get them back to full throttle.In any event, it is not bowling that is likely to win the World Cup for England. It is only if the batsmen all hit form together that there is more of a possibility, and then it is up to the bowlers to sustain the position.Some will say that this England squad is ill equipped to even challenge for the title, but that is harsh. The format of the competition means that the team could lose a few matches while finding its feet and then get it all right in the knockout stages. Stranger things have happened.Squad: Nasser Hussain (captain), James Anderson, Ian Blackwell, Andrew Caddick, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Mathew Hoggard, Ronnie Irani, Nick Knight, Alec Stewart (w-k), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Craig White.

Warwickshire’s Ian Bell has been declared fit to join his fellow England hopefuls at the ECB’s Academy in Adelaide this month.Bell, 20, has spent the last three months recuperating from a fracture in his lower back, but has now been given the all-clear and he will fly out to Australia on Thursday.Bell said: “I am certainly looking forward to two weeks intensive coaching from Warwickshire’s new coach, John Inverarity before linking up with my colleagues at the Academy and going on to tour Sri Lanka.”Naturally slightly longer term it is my ambition to break into the Test team, but given the opportunity I would jump at the chance of playing against the Australians.”Bell, a former England Under-19 captain who won a gold award in last year’s Benson and Hedges Cup Final, has also agreed a two-year deal with cricket manufacturer Slazenger.”After my recent injury worries it is nice to have some positive news – hopefully my relationship with Slazenger will prove very profitable in terms of runs,” Bell added.”However the next three months are crucial to me, as I start my preparations for the 2003 domestic season.”

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels will fly to the United States to seek medical treatment for his left knee on Thursday.The decision was reached following dialogue between Rev. Wes Hall, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board; John Pinnock, Samuels’ United States-based agent; Samuels and two medical specialists in the United States."Marlon will fly to Barbados and onto New York on Thursday and will see Dr. Ainsworth Allen to get an evaluation of his knee," remarked Michael Hall, the chief cricket operations officer of the WICB."From New York, Marlon will travel on Monday to Baltimore to see Dr. Michael Mont, a highly-rated knee specialist, to get a second opinion."Samuels was withdrawn from the West Indies’ 15-member squad to the Cricket World Cup 2003 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya after a medical report on his left knee – on which he had surgery earlier this year – revealed there was a strong chance it could deteriorate during 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.”

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 today reiterated that it had played no part in the allocation of matches to local television channels.CWC 2003 Executive Director Dr Ali Bacher was involved in facilitating the process whereby both SABC and Supersport would have the rights to televise ICC Cricket World Cup matches in South Africa and Africa.The SABC on-sold rights to the pay channel Supersport in a deal that permitted Supersport to televise live all 54 scheduled matches and SABC 27 of them.Neither the International Cricket Council nor the CWC 2003 organising committee played any role in this 54-27 division of matches which was entirely a business arrangement between SABC and Supersport.Fully aware of the SABC’s allocation of 27 matches, Dr Bacher had consistently urged both SABC and Supersport to find a way for the national broadcaster to screen more games.On one occasion – when SABC3’s planned coverage of the Zimbabwe-England match in Harare fell away after the late cancellation of the fixture – Dr Bacher intervened personally to gain permission from Supersport for the pay channel’s coverage of the West Indies-New Zealand game on the same day to be carried on SABC3.Had this not been arranged at the 11th hour, SABC3’s live cricket slot that day would have been left void.The ICC and CWC 2003 were also not party to a decision that SABC3 screen live only five of the nine Super Six matches.Both SABC3 and Supersport will broadcast the ICC CWC 2003 Semifinals and Final in the week ahead.Rodney Hartman
Communications Director
ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003
Tel: +27 11 446 3604
Fax: +27 11 446 3622
Mobile: +27 83 389 0904

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 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”.

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”.