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Vernon Philander drops a dolly © Getty Images

A clanger from Philander
With the Indians struggling to get a move on, Robin Uthappa decided he must take charge. Johan van der Wath pitched one short, Uthappa executed his favourite front-foot pull, and was so disheartened when the top-edge looped towards mid-on that he didn’t even bother to run. Waiting under the ball, though, was the ever-generous Vernon Philander, who made an absolute hash of the catch. Uthappa survived, but not for long.Sharma’s smashing maiden fifty
Rohit Sharma started slowly, but then showed that he is more than capable of wielding the willow. With only one ball to go, he had worked his way up to 44. Then came the perfect finish: van der Wath bowled a high full toss, Rohit got under the ball and pulled it high and handsome over square leg for six. He ended exactly on 50, and the way he played, it’s surely the first of many in his international career.Done in the by the lights
Morne Morkel bowled with plenty of fire, but it wasn’t quite as good for him in the field. In the 15th over, Mahendra Singh Dhoni completely miscued a pull and the ball sailed towards long-on, where Morne Morkel ran in, then lost the ball in the lights and realised he had run in too far. The ball dropped behind him but inside the boundary, and you could be sure that Albie, the unfortunate bowler, wouldn’t have felt much brotherly love at that moment.Perfect placement
Two balls after the Morne miss, Dhoni tempted fate again when an attempted flick lobbed up in the air just beside the pitch. Three fielders – the bowler, the wicketkeeper, and short square leg – all raced in, only for the ball to fall perfectly in between.One for the classic catches series
Graeme Smith’s eye would have lit up when he saw a wide and full delivery from RP Singh. He wouldn’t have known, though, that the ball would fly off the edge, or that Dinesh Karthik, at second slip, would fling himself to his left, get to the ball with both hands, and bring off a stunning catch.Jonty in Indian colours
Justin Kemp had beaten New Zealand almost single-handedly yesterday, but his knock here was nipped by a sensational piece of fielding. Stationed at cover, Rohit Sharma swooped in on a Mark Boucher drive, picked up the ball one-handed, was airborne and almost parallel to the ground as he flung the ball at the stumps. Direct hit, Kemp gone. Could the evening get any better for Rohit?Bowled, or four?
Sreesanth bowled it full and slightly wide, Mark Boucher got an inside-edge, the ball raced to fine leg, and Sreesanth hung his head in despair. The reaction seemed justified, except that he hadn’t seen the ball clipping the off bail on its way to the boundary. The expression of despair suddenly turned to glee as everyone realised what had happened. Boucher trudged back, and South Africa slipped further into the mire.

Stuart Broad will have his first taste of international cricket after an impressive season © Getty Images

After a week where the focus shifted dramatically from action on the field to action off it, England and Pakistan will face each other for the first since The Oval Test in Monday’s Twenty20 International at Bristol.In the aftermath of the events of the final Test this match, and the following five one-day internationals, were in serious doubt, so much so that the ECB put plans in place to play an International XI if Pakistan withdrew from the tour.However, following the Darrell Hair revelations the hearing into Inzamam-ul-Haq’s charges has been moved to the end of September. Although Pakistan still have the events of last weekend hanging over their heads they have vowed to move on with the rest of the tour.Andrew Strauss told Sky Sports News: “We’re looking forward to getting cricket back in the headlines for the right reasons. If we are going to do that, it means we’re going to have to win these games.”The most important thing is for people to see good cricket being played, to see good, tight games and then hopefully the attention will be turned back to the good parts of cricket rather than what’s just happened.”Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, added similar comments: “We want to play cricket, entertain everyone as much as we can and win this series. We are looking forward to the cricket and getting everything else that’s happened over the past week out of the way.”What’s happened in the past week has not been good for cricket. We just want to leave that alone now and get on with the rest of the tour. All the players want to do is forget what has happened. We think that is possible.”England will be aiming for a vast improvement from the first one-day portion of their summer, when they went down in the Twenty20 against Sri Lanka before being crushed 5-0 in the ODIs. That squad was full of experimentation, and so is the selectors’ latest effort at finding the right balance for England’s limited overs game.Stuart Broad and Michael Yardy have earned their first taste of international cricket after impressive domestic seasons, and Yardy arrives on the back of Sussex’s C&G triumph over Lancashire. For Broad, it was only a question of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ he would be selected after topping the economy tables in the domestic Twenty20 competition and impressing everyone who has watched him.At the other end of the age spectrum is the grand old-timer, Darren Gough, who has talked a good game all season and now gets the chance to push his claims for a World Cup spot. He is 36, has suffered sore shins in recent weeks, and isn’t the liveliest in the field, but England’s one-day efforts have been so woeful he is back by default.Pakistan will provide a stern challenge and under normal circumstances they would be clear favourites. But the last week has been anything but normal and it is still to be seen how much they really want to be here.Shoaib Akhtar is back after recovering from his ankle injury while Mohammad Asif showed his ability during the final Test. When you include Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and the explosive all round talents of Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi and the fit-again Shoaib Malik they are a formidable outfit. And that doesn’t even touch on the top-order batting.Whatever happens on the field for the remainder of the tour the extraordinary developments of the last seven days will still dominate. But for the two sets of players this is the start of the last serious cricket before the Champions Trophy and there are places up for grabs and trophies to win.England (from) Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Michael Yardy, Ed Joyce, Rikki Clarke, Jamie Dalrymple, Chris Read (wk), Stuart Broad, Sajid Mahmood, Darren Gough, Steve Harmison, Jon LewisPakistan (from) Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Shahid Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneira, Rao Iftikhar

Ricky Ponting must remember the lessons of New Zealand’s 2001-02 tour© Getty Images

The popular comparison between Australia and New Zealand is with two sport-loving siblings. For years Big Brother took a passing interest andexpected no surprises. Any upset was written off as a fluke, and NewZealand gained consolation instead of congratulation. The contests havealways been spirited … and are getting closer.The Trans-Tasman Trophy is fought between the Shaky Isles and a continent,but New Zealand have grown up. Where they once rode behind Richard Hadleeduring home-and-away series wins in 1985-86, the players now walk in line.Three summers ago they eyed their opponents as stubbornly as the All-Blacks during the haka. Over three Tests – two were seriously rain-affected – the sides could not be split. Neither captain left with a victory, but StephenFleming had more to smile about.Apart from two series against India, it was Australia’s toughest assignment since that 16-in-a-row winning streak. New Zealand are struggling with niggles and sniffles this time, and have talked down their chances. Their attack has attracted the pop-gun cliché, and the squad includes Hamish Marshall, a batsman without a maiden first-class century. If they manage a win it will be only their third in a Test Australia. Hadlee set up the first with 9 for 52 and 6 for 71 at the Gabba in 1985-86, and walked off the WACA with 11 wickets and the series three weeks later.But as the younger brother stands taller, the older one doesn’t knowwhether the threat is comical or serious. Ricky Ponting should remember2001-02, because the Kiwis will hit hard. Back then, Steve Waugh donated arun-chase at Brisbane and New Zealand finished just ten runs away from taking aTest remembered for the weather and hulking Chris Cairns boundaries.Hobart was also rain-ruined, but at Perth the world champions-elect wereturned on in a style they had used to dominate opponents.Four New Zealanders reached centuries before Daniel Vettori’s 6 for 87almost allowed them to enforce the follow-on. Safety eventually came lateon the final day for Australia with some generous decisions from the Zimbabweanumpire Ian Robinson. Three Tests have been the maximum for Trans-Tasmanaffairs; that one was crying out for five.Rather than expansion, this summer’s contest has contracted and will bedecided in two matches over 13 days. It may be long enough to determine anAshes winner, but a tourist would be scowled at for taking so little timeover a South Island ski holiday or a north Queensland adventure. Australiaenter from the strength of a final-frontier victory over India, andunder-rating the opposition remains their biggest concern. Walking overBangladesh proves little, although Fleming’s double-century and Vettori’s20 wickets stood out. Weaknesses have been appearing since losing threeTests to England during the winter.Fleming returned from Bangladesh with a mystery illness, Vettori iscarrying a sore shoulder that restricts his throwing more than hisbowling, and Nathan Astle has a wonky back. Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffeyare also missing, and Chris Cairns has retired from Test cricket. Jacob Oram, the allrounder, and the squad of fast bowlers face a tough two weeks.Hopefully Fleming’s illness will not affect his tactical decisions. How hedeals with the Australian batsmen should be a feature of the series. BothWaughs were targeted with short balls last time, and Damien Martyn’scompulsive cutting was exposed. The best captain in the world needs to beready for the globe’s top team.Australia have held the Trans-Tasman Trophy since a 3-0 victory in NewZealand in 1999-2000, a series which included the return of Matthew Haydenand the resurgence of Martyn. Both men will again be watchedclosely as Hayden reacts to a slump in India and Martyn discovers if hecan reach even higher than his subcontinental heroics.A broken thumb has reportedly left Shane Warne without a flipper. Couldthis be a twist on his trick of introducing a new ball with the summer’sfashions? His confidence is high despite the injury that forced him tomiss the final Test of a breakthrough series in India, and he marks hisrun against a favourite opponent.Warne has already suggested Fleming cannot pick his variations, and thetwo are good friends. But Warne plans to “nail him”, “give it to him” andlaugh about it over a beer afterwards. Both teams try to play in the sameold-fashioned, aggressive style and matches are anticipated with grudges.Because of this the players – and the countries – seem closer. Almost likebrothers.Peter English is Australasian editor of Wisden Cricinfo.

Tim Lamb: a hard act to follow© Getty Images

The ECB’s challenge of finding a replacement for Tim Lamb, who steps down as chief executive in September, is not proving straightforward, according to a report in today’s Daily Telegraph.It’s not a lack of numbers – the board has apparently received more than 150 applications – so much a lack of quality. The salary of around £175,000 is not considered enough to lure high-calibre candidates, especially given the public nature of the job and increasing workload associated with the role.Lamb’s is not the only role the ECB are seeking to fill after a string of resignations among senior staff in recent months. Commercial director Mark Sibley went within days of Lamb’s announcement, communications director John Read left last week and Des Wilson, head of the corporate affairs and marketing sub-committee, resigned over the Zimbabwe issue in June.The changes come at a bad time for the ECB, which is about to start tricky negotiations for the renewal of television and sponsorship deals. Contracts with Channel 4 and Sky (TV) and BBC (radio), and Npower, Vodafone and NatWest (sponsors) all expire in 2005.

Yorkshire CCC have today announced that they have slashed admission prices for their 3 home Twenty20 Cup Matches on 14th, 20th and 24th June.Adults will be admitted for only £2 and children U16 will have free entry when accompanied by an adult.To encourage more Cricket in the Community the Club are offering free tickets to all schools in Yorkshire via the Cricket Development Officers. Any school wishing to participate should contact Howard Clayton at the Yorkshire Cricket Board in the Yorkshire Cricket Centre on 0113 2033610 or [email protected]

The Under 23 Youth Cricket Tournament conducted by the Board of Control forCricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) gets underway this weekend with 20 teamscompeting for honours in the Premier Division.This time the twenty clubs will be spilt into four groups of five in thepreliminary round. Two teams from each group will qualify for thequarterfinals.The matches leading up to the quarterfinals will be two days affairs andfrom then on it will change into a three-day contest. A total number of 47matches will be played in the tournament altogether, with the finalscheduled on 26th, 27th and 28th of October at the Sinhalese Sports ClubGrounds.This year, two key players have shifted clubs. Promising batsman Ian Danielhas moved from Sinhalese Sports Club to Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Clubwhile fast bowler Prabath Nissanka has left Matara and joined Bloomfield.The tournament features quite a few youngsters, who are pushing for placesin the national squad, including, Kaushalya Weeraratne, MuthumudaligePushpakumara, Michael Vandort and Jehan Mubarak.Bloomfield look to be one of the strongest sides with Ian Daniel, RashanPieris Prabath Nissanka and Kaushalya Lokuarachi teaming up for them.Last year Sebastianites Cricket and Athletic Club won the tournament.

Football Association chairman David Bernstein has made a full and sincere apology after the recent revelations unearthed by the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

The news has been uncovered that police officers were made to change their statements in an attempt to detract blame from the officials onto the fans; 96 people died in the incident.

Bernstein has made a heartfelt apology to Liverpool fans and all those impacted by the disaster.

“We are deeply sorry this tragedy occurred at a venue the FA selected,” a statement, published on Sky Sports, reads.

“This fixture was played in the FA’s own competition, and on behalf of the Football Association I offer a full and unreserved apology and express sincere condolences to all of the families of those who lost their lives and to everyone connected to the City of Liverpool and Liverpool Football Club.

“This should never have happened. Nobody should lose their lives when setting out to attend a football match and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published and the truth to be told.

“For 23 years the families have suffered unbearable pain and we have profound sympathy for them.

“I would like to commend the professional work of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, while also recognising the tireless commitment shown by so many people in maintaining the fight for justice, particularly the family support groups.

“The FA has co-operated fully with the Independent Panel throughout this process and has released all documentation in line with their requests. I would also like to make clear that we will of course fully co-operate with any further inquiry.

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“The FA and English football has changed immeasurably, and learnt many lessons in the last 23 years. Through advancements in safety and investment in facilities English football is now a much safer, more welcoming environment for supporters,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

Canada face a stiff challenge from Bermuda in their bid to return to the Under-19 World Cup when the five-team round-robin Americas U-19 Qualifier begins at Mapleleaf CC, King City in Toronto on Monday.Argentina, Caymans Islands and debutants Bahamas are the other teams taking part in the week-long competition. The winner will join the ICC’s 10 Full Members, hosts Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Ireland (who recently qualified from the East-Asia Pacific and European Regions respectively) at the 16-team U-19 World Cup to be played in Malaysia next February. Canada missed the 2006 event in Sri Lanka but participated in the 2002 and 2004 tournaments.Familiar home conditions, an improving infrastructure and more international exposure helps Canada to start as firm favourites and coach Courtney Gonsalves is optimistic that his players are ready for the event. “All the players attended the elite programme we started last October in which we set up talent hunt and training camps throughout Canada,” he said. “Our goal is to qualify for next year’s U-19 World Cup and I am sure that the combination of this elite programme along with exposure in the premier division will help us achieve our target.”However, Canada are likely to be tested by Bermuda who have been bolstered by the inclusion of allrounders Malachi Jones and Stefan Kelly, who played in the recent full World Cup, while the youngsters’ captain Rodney Trott narrowly missed the event. The trio will rejoin the senior Bermuda team for the match against Ireland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup after completing the Toronto assignment.Bermuda coach Arnold Manders believes his team’s hopes of earning a finals berth are better than ever. “I think our chances of winning are greater than previous years because we have played more matches as a team and the players are confident in their individual roles.”Bermuda prepared for the tournament by playing eight domestic 50-overs-a-side competition matches between May and June besides participating in the Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament in Barbados which was also used as a training camp for the Americas U-19 Qualifier.”We have worked tirelessly on the team concept, and the individual discipline of the players have really improved. Our team this year is mentally stronger [than previously] and combined with the intense training the players received from the coaches, this should result in a good team combination. The players have the knowledge and now they need to produce.”For Argentina, it will be their first appearance in this event as an ICC Associate Member. They have previously struggled at the junior level but it would be dangerous to discount them, particularly after the senior team’s heroics in Darwin in June where they earned promotion to the World Cricket League Division 2 by qualifying for the final of the Division 3 tournament.Middle-order batsman Pedro Bruno, left-arm seam bowler Santiago Irigoyen and allrounders Ignacio Redruello and Tomas Birnie were part of that successful campaign in Darwin, but instead of making big predictions, coach Hamish Barton has set his sights on winning at least once in Toronto. “Basically our main goal is to win one game. We feel this is a realistic goal for the Argentine team considering the team’s past performances and the stage of its development.”Barton said the sport is still in the embryonic stage in Argentina and the team has prepared as best it can in the tough winter season. “The players are very much in the development stage and we are aiming to do the basics right and achieve our specific goals for each skill area, the experience and exposure to international cricket.”The team has prepared as best it could as it is winter in Argentina at the moment and training has been extremely difficult at times. But the team has trained well and the development of the players over the last three months has been very pleasing.”Caymans Islands have always been very competitive at youth level and nobody is expecting them to be far behind this time. Captain Ramon Sealy, along with top-order batsman Darren Cato and bowler Kervin Ebanks, have played in the Caymans Islands domestic Division 1 tournament for the last two years.Sealy sees batting as his team’s strength. “I think the team has a good chance of winning because we have a strong batting line-up which is not only capable of setting high totals but chasing them as well.”Bahamas are the only Affiliate Member in the group and are fielding a team for the first time. The senior team will participate in next year’s ICC World Cricket League Division 5 to be played in Jersey in May.Bahamas captain Gregory Taylor hopes that the Americas U-19 Qualifier will help his country’s bid towards earning ICC’s Associate Membership. He said: “We hope to achieve recognition as an Affiliate power house and to show the ICC and the world that we are ready to become an Associate Member of the ICC. Two years ago we did not have a full U-19 team, but we worked hard under the guidance of coach John Welch to achieve this. Jonathan Barry, Jeremy Jesubatham, Rodrick Mitchel and I came up in the U-15 program from 2001 and have played a lot of cricket with the seniors.”The United States of America, who took part in their first U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006 are missing this time as the USA Cricket Association is currently suspended as an ICC Member.Argentina Juan Tomas Birnie (capt), Alejo Tissera, Augusto Mustafa, Facundo Duggan, Hernan Fennell, Horacio Esperon, Ignacio Fermani, Ignacio Redruello, Juan Pablo Bordacahar, Pablo Siracusa, Pedro Bruno, Ramiro Rodriguez Delgado, Santiago Iritxity Irigoyen, Santiago Paez Nicoletti.Bahamas Gregory Taylor (capt), Adrian Dean, Ambry Moss, Anwar Sawyer, Corie Frazer, Franz Taylor, Fritz Stubbs, Jeremy Jesubatham, Jermaine Adderley, Jonathan Barry, LaSalle Thompson, Marc Taylor, Rodrick Mitchel, Rudolph Fox.Bermuda Rodney Trott (capt), Christopher Douglas, Dennico Hollis, Greg Maybury, Hodsoll Kyle, Jordan De Silva, Khiry Furbert, Lamar Richardson, Malachi Jones, Marico Bassett, Stefan Kelly, Steven Bremar Jr, Tamauri Tucker, Terryne Fray.Canada Abishek Krisnamoorthy (capt), Chris Monohar (vice-captain), Arsalan Qadir, Asif Manjra, Hasan Raza Zaidi, Jaskeerat Singh Kalon, Kevin James, Khushal Gangopadhyay, Majid Usman, Pratik Patel, Riayzkhan Pathan, Rustum Bhatti, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Usman Iqubal.Cayman Islands Ramon Sealy (capt), Corey Cato, Dale Parker, Darado Thompson, Darren Cato, Earl Hart, Kervin Ebanks, Patrick McConvey, Robert Hewitt, Sacha DeAlwis, Shane Cato, Vincent Ebanks, Zachary McLaughlin.

Shane Watson was in form for Australia A during the Top End Series © Getty Images

The Mental as Anything song used to belong to Stuart Law as he strode out at the Gabba, but this summer it could be heading Shane Watson’s way after he spent the off-season fine-tuning his batting fluency. Watson has had so many net sessions at Queensland Cricket’s Brisbane headquarters with Jamie Siddons, the national assistant coach, that state team-mates have joked they haven’t been able to book the bowling machine.Over the past couple of years Watson has employed a more rigid stance with a prominent, almost Graham Gooch-style back lift, but he has relaxed his approach as he looks to steal the No. 6 spot for the Ashes from Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds. “Absolutely, that’s my goal,” he said. “I’m never going to make any secrets about that. That’s what I’ve been working so hard for.”Watson is particularly satisfied with his development over the past five months in both disciplines, but he must earn a spot with his batting before he can provide the additional boost of regular overs of fast bowling. An impressive 161 not out for Australia A in the Top End Series was quick proof the changes were working and there has been pre-season talk that he is closing on a middle-order berth for the first Test on November 23.”I’ve spent hours on bowling machine,” Watson, who will tour Malaysia in two weeks with the one-day team, said. “I’m trying to be a bit more natural instead of rigid. Batting like that had its effect to lift me to a different level, but now I’m trying to progress even further.”While Siddons has been Watson’s batting light – “Jamie has spent so much time with me” – he has also been advised by Troy Cooley on his bowling action, which gains regular attention after numerous back injuries. Last summer Watson started strongly and had collected his second Test wicket when he partially dislocated his shoulder in the first Test at the Gabba, recovering late in the season to earn one-day spot for the tour of South Africa.”I’ve been working with the best coaching resources in the world and they’ve been working extremely well with me,” he said. “I’m giving myself the best chance to improve. When I become the player I want to be it will give the team a lot more options.”He starts this season in superb shape apart from a few of aches from the squad’s wilderness adventure over the past week. During the camp Watson realised he had been a consistent over-eater as he coped with scrawny dinner rations ranging from a piece of steak and a potato to half a can of cold soup with bread.”We didn’t get much food and I’ve always eaten a lot,” he said. “We did a lot of arduous stuff like six-hour walks that were pretty intense, and I learned that I probably don’t need as much energy in my body as what I normally get.”

ScorecardFive wickets after tea infused life into a game heading for a draw, but the Titans could not prise out the Lions’s last two wickets. Lions ended on 276 for 8, far short of the unrealistic target of 409 they had to chase in 84 overs.Daryll Cullinan, the Titans captain, batted on for 12 overs at the start of the day, eventually declaring with the score on 394 for 9. From the very beginning, it became obvious that the Lions were not going to chase the target. At tea, they were 164 for 3. Five balls after tea, Adam Bacher edged Paul Harris to slip for 93. Dale Steyn then took two more quick wickets, and there was panic. The score was now 189 for 6. Hylton Ackerman and Ahmed Omar staged a revival amid fading daylight, but with the reintroduction of Stein, two wickets fell of consecutive balls. But Ackerman went on, and remained unbeaten on 81, a captain’s innings that saved his team.
ScorecardThe target of 374 set by Western Province Boland proved to be beyond the Warriors’s reach. The 114-run victory suggested WPB’s campaign was back on track after a rocky start to the season.To win, the Warriors needed some player to make a big score. What they got instead were only starts. Mark Bruyns, Arno Jacobs and Mark Boucher all failed to convert good starts into a winning score. Bruyns had worked hard and looked set for more when he was caught off Charl Willoughby for 61. Jacobs was patient in getting to 60 when he was also caught off Willoughby. Boucher was watchful but was bowled by Neil Johnson for 49. From 214 for 4 the innings fell away as the Warriors were bowled out for 258, with Rory Kleinveldt taking 3 for 40.
ScorecardThe Dolphins made a splash in Durban, squeezing past the Eagles by two wickets to move to the top of the table. After bowling out the Eagles for 193 in the second innings, it should have been an easy win. But the road to 206 was not easy, for Victor Mpitsang took three wickets to leave the Dolphins reeling at 40 for 3. Three more wickets, including Dale Benkenstein and Lance Klusener, heroes of the first innings, left the Dolphins on 110 for 6. Two more wickets for Roger Telemachus and the game was all but lost at 142 for 8.But Andrew Tweedie, at No.9, and Zahir Abrahim, one place below him, put on 67 in 12 overs to snatch an unlikely victory. Tweedie, who had scored at nearly a-run-a-ball, ended on 42.