Warwickshire have signed Sanath Jayasuriya to play in next year’s Twenty20 Cup.Jayasuriya, 38, retired from Test cricket earlier this month but will continue to play ODI and Twenty20 games for Sri Lanka.”Sanath has vast experience in all forms of cricket but especially the one-day format,” said Ashley Giles, the county’s director of cricket. “He’ll be a great man for the younger members of our squad to learn from and his knowledge of the game will be crucial in the Twenty20 format of the game. I’m looking forward to working with him next summer.”Jayasuriya played in the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa earlier this year, beginning the tournament in his typically blazing fashion with half-centuries against Kenya and New Zealand before a string of poor scores. He was dismissed for a duck in his most recent international, against Australia.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA fine 79 from Johmari Logtenberg – her second fifty in one-dayers – led South Africa women to a comprehensive 98-run win over Pakistan in the first ODI at Pretoria.On winning the toss South Africa chose to bat but lost their opener, Daleen Terblanche, for just 2 when she edged Qanita Jalil behind. That brought Cri-Zelda Brits, the captain, to the crease who played an attractive cameo of 39 from just 42 balls – cracking six fours – before falling to Sana Mir. The innings was then anchored by Logtenberg who, though she only struck four fours, remained unbeaten on 79 from 95 balls. Ashlyn Kilowan provided a quick-fire 12 in the dying overs as South Africa’s innings ended on 225 for 7.And Kilowan was immediately to the fore with the ball in Pakistan’s reply, too. Removing Tasqeen Qadeer for 1 and Sajjida Shah for 7, South Africa had the game by the scruff of the neck. Once Bismah Maroof was run out by Logtenberg, Pakistan were limping on 22 for 3. Sana Mir (23) and Urooj Mumtaz (29) dropped anchor but only managed to delay the inevitable as South Africa romped home by 98 runs.The second ODI is at Harlequins, in Pretoria, on Tuesday.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced that it is prepared to host a one-day series against one or both of Kenya and Zimbabwe in March.A short press release from the board on Tuesday to that effect caught the Kenyan Cricket Association by surprise. A KCA spokesman said that it had not as yet been notified. Cricinfo contacted Zimbabwe Cricket for a response but at the time of writing had not had a reply.The BCB statement said that it would host a tour between March 10 and 24. Although this would clash with Kenya’s proposed ICC Intercontinental Cup tie against Holland, the ICC has indicated that should Kenya arrange an ODI against a Full Member then it would allow the Intercontinental tie to be rescheduled.It appears unlikely that Zimbabwe would entertain the idea of taking part in a tri-series. They have more than enough problems at the moment and their priority has to be to try to get a side to the Caribbean in April rather than take on an additional commitment they might not be able to fulfil.The ICC, especially Malcolm Speed, has been working hard behind the scenes to try to get Full Member countries to agree to play Kenya, but this has proved far from straightforward. Bangladesh are the first to make a concrete proposal, although it is reported that Pakistan might offer to host a short three-ODI tour in April.The idea of a tri-series involving these three countries was raised last June at the ICC annual meeting in London and at that time was provisionally scheduled for November. That was put back to February and it has to be hoped that the latest announcement means that it will finally happen, with or without Zimbabwe.
Preparations have already got underway for the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA), the construction of a brand-new stadium in Guyana is set to begin in April.Guyana is one of the eight Caribbean countries that won the bid to host the World Cup, and one of the primary requirements is for each representative to have a stadium that is up to international standards. At present, all international cricket in Guyana is played at the venerable Bourda ground in Georgetown, which is currently one of the largest stadia in the region, but has been deemed too outmoded for such a showcase event. The new ground is expected to have a seating capacity of 15,000 to 20,000.Four Indian companies have shown interest in the construction of the stadium, and two of these submitted their bids on February 1. Both companies, Lawson Turbo and Sha-Poor-Gi Pat-Lon-Ji, were in Guyana in December to conduct assessments and their initial estimated cost is US$25 million.The press release further stated that the amount will be obtained through a US$6 million grant from the Government of India, and a US$19 million loan from the Exim Bank of India. Both companies have the required experience in building stadia in and outside of India
Gloucestershire have announced that Ian Harvey will not be returning to the club next season. Harvey, who has been a key part in their one-day success for the past five years, rejected a new contract offer, saying, “I wish to take time to consider my future over the autumn and winter and may well take a break next summer.”Harvey was the Man of the Match in this year’s Cheltenham & Gloucester final in which Gloucestershire thumped Worcestershire by seven wickets. But after the game he hinted that he may not be coming back next summer among rumours of a change around at the club. He said, “If they want to go in a different direction, that’s fine. I have no idea if I’ll be back.”However, speaking today, he has not ruled out a return to county cricket: “Should I decide to play county cricket next season then I do feel I need a fresh challenge.”Tom Richardson, Gloucestershire’s chief executive, said: “We made Ian the best offer we could and we are extremely disappointed that he will not be continuing with us. However, being an allrounder all year round is extremely demanding and also we do understand if he needs the impetus of a new challenge. He has played magnificently for us on numerous occasions and we are extremely grateful to him for all he has done for the club.”Harvey follows John Bracewell, the coach, and Jonty Rhodes, their other overseas player, out of the door. Bracewell is to coach New Zealand while Rhodes has announced he will retire from first-class cricket at the end of the English season.
Cheltenham and Gloucester man-of-the-match winner Keith Parsons is back in light training.The local hero, who played a major part in helping the Cidermen win their first silverware for 18 years, reported back to the Chesterfield Hospital in Bristol recently to see the surgeon who carried out the operation on his knee back in October.Keith told me: “They were pleased with the way that things are going and they have taken my crutches away. I’m walking now and I can also go cycling and swimming, but it’s going to be a slow process and I won’t get back running until February.”Everything is progressing quicker than they first thought, and I’m happy to report that I am back in light training and have been down to the gym tonight.”I’m sure that all Somerset supporters will be hoping that Keith is back to full fitness in time for the start of the 2002 season in April.
Sunderland dropped what could be a vital two points in their bid to finish in the play-off places after they were held 0-0 by Lincoln City on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors recorded more possession and shots on goal than their hosts but were ultimately wasteful in attack, and The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for the Wearsiders on the day:
Ross Stewart (6.9)
Admittedly tied with Bailey Wright in terms of overall rating (6.9), Stewart ranks third here given that the former at least managed to keep a clean sheet as a centre-back.
The striker lost out on five of his duels in total and failed to score with any of his three of his shots on goal, while he also recorded no dribbles or key passes and gave the ball away seven times.
Lynden Gooch (6.8)
Given a 6.8 rating, Gooch ranked as Sunderland’s second-worst player at Sincil Bank.
The winger lost three duels and never managed a shot on target or dribble, while he was guilty of losing possession on 15 separate occasions, the joint-fourth most out of any of his team-mates.
Dan Neil (6.7)
Neil ranked as the Black Cats’ worst performer with a 6.7 rating.
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Hauled off for Jermain Defoe after 74 minutes, the midfielder was unsuccessful in five of his duels and recorded no shots on target, dribbles, clearances or key passes, making two fouls and losing the ball 11 times.
In other news, find out what ‘shocking’ incident from Saturday left this Sunderland podcaster fuming
Canterbury captain, Gary Stead’s wish that his side would come out and “playtheir best with their backs to the wall,” in this Shell Trophy match withCentral Districts, came true.Thanks to his genie in a bottle, Gareth Hopkins, the first one of his threewishes for the rest of the season was granted.Wish list “number one” was “to bat for as long as we can and save the game.”Number two is to win the Shell Cup, for the eighth time in 10 seasons.Number three is, in the Shell Trophy, to “learn to win again at this level.”At a sunny Village Green ground in Christchurch, Canterbury’s previous threedays of disappointment seemed like a bad dream.They batted without a care in the world, with Aaron Redmond (80) and GarethHopkins (100 not out) making their top scores of the season.It was Central who had the nightmare task of removing stubborn all-rounderson a very good wicket. Occasionally the Stags broke through, but two standsof 97 meant they would have to bat again.At 5.20pm, just after Hopkin’s reached his gritty ton, the players shookhands, with a result impossible. Canterbury, were by then 362/8, 117 ahead,with a maximum of 13 overs remaining.The loss of 68 overs yesterday came back to haunt CD, as did the catchesthey dropped. Hopkins was missed today on 39 – a difficult caught and bowledchance given to Gareth West.He went on to score his second career century, and averages 82.75 for theseason. He and Carl Anderson (20) effectively killed offCentral’s fantasy of a Shell Trophy win during an eighth wicket stand of 63.Central deserved the win in reality, as they had been on top from the firsthour of the first day. Only rain and Canterbury’s unsung lower middle orderheld them off.Tomorrow’s clash at Timaru between the same sides will be different. Havingrediscovered their form, and with Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan and ChrisHarris back, Canterbury’s line up will be given “real steel” to use captainGary Stead’s phrase.
Saqib Ali, the UAE captain, says his win over Bermuda yesterday has given his team tremendous confidence ahead of the World Cricket League Division Two which gets underway in Namibia on November 24.”The victory has lifted our spirits and has done a world of good to our confidence,” Saqib said, reflecting on the 138-run win in Abdu Dhabi. “Obviously there was a situation where we could have ended up on the losing side and had it happened, it would have been the worst possible preparation for an important event like the World Cricket League.”The victory was sweeter because of the way we earned it. We made a mess of things on the first two days, crawled our way out on the third day before delivering the killer’s blow on the last day.”It was a fine match for Saqib on a personal level, notching 142 as UAE swept to a 138-run win over a pitiful Bermuda. Not a bad way in which to begin your captaincy tenure. “We killed two birds with one stone in this match – collected 14 points from a precarious position and had a much-needed match practice ahead of the World Cricket League,” Saqib said. “The WCL Division Two is a tournament that will inch us closer to our dreams of playing in the 2011 World Cup.”Division Two of the WCL will be staged from November 24 and December 1. Other than UAE, Argentina, Uganda, Denmark, Oman and Namibia will take part.While the bottom two teams will be relegated to Division Three, the top four teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier (formerly the ICC Trophy) in UAE in April 2009 where they will be joined by Kenya, Scotland, the Netherlands, Canada, Ireland and Bermuda. Reflecting on his team’s victory over Bermuda, Saqib said: “I think there were three key moments that turned the tide in our favour.”Firstly, Arshad and Naeemuddin Aslam gave us a glimmer of a hope by featuring in a 133-run partnership, secondly Arshad and I put on 155 for the fourth wicket in quick time, and lastly Irfan Ahmed bowled a superb opening spell on the fourth morning to claim 3 for 35, including the prized scalp of an in-form (David) Hemp.”I think we were all over the place on the first two days because we are not used to playing four-day cricket. It was our first game in nearly two months but once we settled down, we showed that we definitely belong to this format provided we get regular matches.”We have played well here and would have liked to take the momentum forward but the schedule is such that our next game is after two months. It’s very hard on the players to perform as individuals and as a team.”
Shabbir Ahmed is once again eligible to play for Pakistan after the ICC lifted a year-long ban on him, imposed during the England tour to Pakistan last year. A report detailing the improvement in Shabbir’s action had been sent to the ICC from the Universiity of Western Australia, after which the ban was lifted.The ICC sent a notification to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informing them that Shabbir could resume his international career with immediate effect. “The ordeal for me is finally over and I am very keen to try and fight my way back into the national team,” Shabbir told reporters in Karachi where he is playing in the Twenty20 Cup for Multan Tigers. “I have faced a hard time in the period the ban was imposed on me. I felt hurt because I was banned only because two or three of my deliveries were reported by the umpires,” he said.Shabbir, who has taken 51 wickets in 10 Tests, was banned from playing international cricket on December 19, 2005. He was the first person to face such a suspension under the ICC’s new legislation, which states that any bowler reported twice within a year can face a year out of the game.
‘I felt hurt because I was banned only because two or three of my deliveries were reported by the umpires’
Professor Bruce Elliot, the biomechanic specialist it appointed to review Shabbir’s action last mont, compiled the report. After forwarding it to the PCB, David Richardson, ICC General Manager, re-stated the ICC’s policy in relation to suspected illegal bowling actions. “The findings of the report means that Shabbir can resume bowling in international cricket,” said Richardson.”But the effect of the report by Professor Elliott or any other report from a biomechanical expert cannot be to clear Shabbir without limitation in the future. Everyone needs to be aware that no bowlers are ever ‘cleared’ as they could simply revert to bad habits.”All bowlers are subject to further reporting if the match officials are of the view that they have concerns about whether a delivery or deliveries conform to the laws of cricket when observed with the naked eye.”The report of Professor Elliott and his team at UWA concluded: “Ahmed should be congratulated on being able to modify the level of his elbow extension. However, both he and Pakistan cricket officials are encouraged to continue to monitor his delivery action to ensure it does not regress from a legality perspective.”If Shabbir is reported again, he will be suspended from bowling at international level until his action is reassessed.