All posts by csb10.top

Fitzroy Doncaster’s batting star, David Plumpton has been named in a 13 man squad to contest the Bushrangers first ING Cup match of the season against the Southern Redbacks in Adelaide this Saturday.Plumpton, 25, was ecstatic with his selection. “Initially being awarded a playing contract was exciting enough, but I guess you then turn your attention to gaining selection. To be considered so early in the season is a bonus and if I make the twelve for Adelaide, hopefully I can really help the side get off to a winning start in the ING Cup competition”.The elegant right hander was last season selected in the Victorian Premier Cricket “Team of the Season” and played a major role in Fitzroy Doncaster’s premiership success, scoring 957 runs with a top score of 170.Joining Plumpton in the squad are Richmond paceman Ian Hewett and Melbourne’s batting all-rounder, Andrew McDonald. Jason Arnberger and Will Carr will return from Adelaide at the conclusion of the current Pura Cup match.BUSHRANGERSMatthew Elliott (c), Darren Berry, Ian Harvey, Shane Harwood, Ian Hewett, Brad Hodge, Mathew Inness, Nick Jewell, Michael Lewis, Andrew McDonald, David Plumpton, Graeme Rummans, Cameron White (one to be omitted)

With the Norwich Union season drawing towards its close, and still a number of issues to be decided, there’s an intensity about all the matches taking place at present. The next round is spread over three days, with the bulk of them to be played on Sunday.It is then that the already relegated Somerset Sabres take on Kent Spitfires at Taunton. The Spitfires cannot take the title they won with a late run last year, but they can still land one of the minor places in the prize money. There is also a possibility that Leicestershire Foxes could use some stealth and cunning to reach those heights as well. They go to Scarborough to take on Yorkshire Phoenix.The matches in Division Two on Sunday could go a long way towards deciding the promotion issue, and indeed, the divisional title. Gloucestershire Gladiators, who are top, meet Derbyshire Scorpions who are not out of the promotion race. Meanwhile Essex Eagles in third place take on the second team in the table, Surrey Lions. Northamptonshire Steelbacks are currently just out of the promotion bracket and they visit Lancashire Lightning – perhaps aware of the dangers of combining steel with lightning.On Tuesday the Yorkshire Phoenix team will be descending on Edgbaston to play Warwickshire Bears, who cannot now take the title but will want a high finish. Then, on Wednesday, the lights will be shining at Grace Road as Leicestershire Foxes meet Somerset Sabres in the last of this season’s floodlit matches.

Only 10 overs were possible on the third day of the Frizzell County Championship game at Headingley, as intermittent heavy showers and gloomy light scuppered Hampshire hopes of pressing home their advantage.In the time available, Hampshire achieved one success when opener Craig White, who had passed his fifty in the 12 balls bowled before another lengthy stop, had his off stump uprooted by a shooter from Dimitri Mascarenhas for a painstaking 67, made in 63 overs.No play was possible until 3.30pm before another shower and deeply threatening clouds forced the players off six minutes and two overs later. On the resumption, only one ball was bowled when the umpires consulted their light meters and the action stopped again.With the light brightening, play restarted again at 5.15 in which time White was removed but the light became gloomy once more and, on a frustrating day for Hampshire, there was no option but to call it off for the day.

The Kent Cricket Board today announced the appointment of Jamie Clifford as Director of Cricket Development in succession to Bill Dover who retired at the end of May.Jamie, 26, will take up the post on 1 July. He is currently Marketing Manager for Wisden Online and before that held posts with World Challenge Expeditions, the youth development and educational travel specialists. In 1994/5 he held a Short Service Limited Commission with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. Jamie was educated at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate before graduating from Wye College.Commenting on his appointment, he said:
“My deep love of cricket was developed and nurtured in Kent; so I am delighted to have been offered this fantastic opportunity to contribute to the future of cricket in the county I have supported all my life.”Chairman of the Kent Cricket Board, Chris Swadkin, added:
“We are delighted that Jamie has accepted the job. We are sure that he will prove to be energetic and innovative in his approach. There is a great deal to be done within the recreational game in Kent. The Board has a clear plan and much looks forward to working with Jamie and his team to help raise the profile of the game of cricket throughout the county.”

SYDNEY, Oct 30 AAP – Life after international cricket for Mark Waugh is set to follow a well-worn path into Channel Nine’s cricket commentary team.Nine director of Sport Gary Burns said discussions with Waugh’s management begin tomorrow about him joining old team-mates Mark Taylor and Ian Healy behind the microphone.”But I’m not sure he’s a certainty this summer for the CCP (Central Commentary Position),” Burns said today.”He’s going to play first-class cricket for New South Wales this season and that goes on at the same time as the international season.”He commentated in the mid-winter season here – the one dayers against Pakistan – and went pretty well I thought.”But Burns baulked at the idea Nine was keen to secure Waugh.”Not that keen, we are full – fuller than a fat lady’s sock really,” Burns said.”Nobody’s going to join the commentary team while they are still playing, so he’s going to have at least another season.”But we’re hoping we can work out a way we can see him guest commentating on appropriate matches.”And don’t forget the World Cup (in South Africa next year) for instance, we will have a major hosting and down stream operation back here in Sydney while that’s all going on and I hope to see him involved in that.”

Despite all the goodwill gestures generated by cricket officials fromIndia and Pakistan while drawing up the fixtures for the Asian TestChampionship (ATC) at Lahore on Friday, there was always the lurkingdoubt that all was not hunky dory. Some of the comments made by thePakistan Cricket Board chairman Gen Tauqir Zia, the lack of assuranceby the Indian government on a bilateral series and the long troubledhistory of cricketing ties between the two countries had all led tothere being a strong undercurrent of tension and uncertainty over notonly the ATC but also the future of India-Pakistan cricket ties.But not even the most cynical observer of the strained cricketingrelations between the two countries would have bargained for such aquick torpedo to be thrown at an already besieged boat. Within just 72hours of the announcement of the fixtures in Lahore, the Indiangovernment has thrown a heavy spanner into the works. First, theSports Minister Uma Bharti, unhappy at the `unilateral announcement’that India would play Pakistan at Karachi during the ATC in September,conveyed the government’s displeasure to the president of the Board ofControl for Cricket in India, AC Muthiah over the issue.About the same time, a second salvo was fired by External AffairsMinister Jaswant Singh who said that the Indian Government was againstcricket matches between India and Pakistan bilaterally as the onedayers between the two countries and their televised aspect made them”less cricket and more gladiatorial contests.” Replying to a questionon the government’s decision not to play cricket with Pakistan, hetold reporters in New Delhi that the Sports Ministry had sought hisMinistry’s advice and he had expressed these views to them. Singhadded that given the prevailing atmosphere, it was not advisable forextended cricket tours bilaterally of that nature.Bharti, who is known for her outspoken views, came down hard on theBCCI. Taking exception to the reported assurance given by the BCCI tothe PCB on the Indian cricket team’s participation in the ATC, Bhartisaid the Sports Secretary has already conveyed the Ministry’sdispleasure on this to Muthiah. “They (BCCI) should not take so muchliberty in making such announcements,” she told reporters in NewDelhi.Bharti went on to state that there was a certain protocol to beobserved for India to play matches in Pakistan. According to her, toplay in Pakistan, "the Board has to first give a written proposal tothe Sports Ministry which in turn would forward it to the Ministry ofExternal Affairs. The final decision rests with the MEA.” Sheclarified that no such proposal for the Indian team’s tour to Pakistanin September to participate in the ATC had been received by theMinistry.Asked about reports about India making some sort of goodwill gestureon the eve of Gen Parvez Musharraf’s visit, Bharti said “there is nosuch proposal with her Ministry now. The MEA will take a decisionabout bilateral ties in the changed scenario and obviously cricketingties would also figure in that,” she said adding “When the tiesthrough sports are to be discussed, the views of the Sports Ministrywould be taken into account."Bharti however stressed that like arts and culture, sports too had arole in promoting bilateral ties of two countries. But asked whetherthe Government’s decision not to play cricket with Pakistan in abilateral series had contributed to further souring of relations, theSports Minister snapped back “The bilateral cricketing ties hadnothing to do with the souring of the relations between the twocountries. It was the souring of the relations which resulted in thesnapping of bilateral cricketing ties,”.Interestingly enough, while discussing the agenda of the ACC meeting,Tauqir Zia said that the Indian government had issued a ‘no-objection’letter to the BCCI, supposedly lifting any sanctions whatsoever on theIndian team’s playing on Pakistan soil. However, Zia was not clear inreply to a question whether the letter authorized the revival ofbilateral ties between the two neighbours. He maintained that nothingwas yet clear about bilateral ties between India and Pakistan.However, he sincerely hoped that this ‘softening’ of the IndianGovernment’s stance would help in the re-establishment of bilateralties. Perhaps he spoke too soon!The fact however remains that the agreement at the meeting to have asystem by which a side failing to honour contractual obligations toplay in a series has to offer compensation to its rival team is boundto add to the tension. For some time now, Pakistan had been demandingsuch a compensation clause to be included in the ICC’s ten-yearcalendar for Test playing countries. After claiming that India’sdecision to cancel its scheduled tour to Pakistan last year had costsubstantial financial losses to it, the PCB had urged the ICC tointroduce such a clause to deter any country from going back onplaying commitments in future. Being a signatory at the ACC meetinghas now put India at a considerable disadvantage.The irony of the whole sorry episode is that BCCI secretary JaywantLele had stated only on Monday that in case of a clash of datesbetween the ATC and the indoor one-day series against Australia, bothscheduled in September this year, the Indian team would prefer tohonour the commitment in Pakistan. He said he would ask the AustralianCricket Board to defer the dates for the three one day games,scheduled for September 14, 16 and 18. The dates for the ATC Testagainst Pakistan are September 13 to 17. So the BCCI is now in theunhappy situation of losing out on both engagements. Worse, it hasplayed its cards so badly, it is in a no win situation. It is facedwith a government unhappy with its recent postures and an aggressivePakistan Cricket Board, besides having its hands tied by signing thepenalty clause. Where does – or where can – it go from here? Moreimportant, what happens now to the future of India-Pakistan cricketties?

Play did not start until 3.15 at The Rose Bowl where Hampshire, resuming from their overnight 245-8, still needed 34 more runs to avoid being asked to follow on.James Hamblin and Chris Tremlett extended their ninth wicket partnership to 52 before Hamblin was adjudged lbw to DeFreitas, two short of a maiden half-century. Chris Tremlett and Alan Mullally crept towards the requested figure before, in what could only be described as a mental aberration, Tremlett drove the ball to Carl Crowe at mid-wicket only to see Mullally attempting a run. Sent back, the former Leicestershire fast bowler was yards out, and Hampshire were all out just six runs short of the follow-on target.Derek Kenway fell early in Hampshire’s second innings, as he edged Dagnall to the wicket-keeper, but Kendall and Crawley held the innings together for 60 runs before Crawley edged spinner Carl Crowe to Neil Burns, possibly a vital wicket for the visitors. Kendall and night-watchman James Hamblin safely negotiated the final overs.With a 74-run deficit, Hampshire will be looking to bat throughout the day to save the game, but with heavy showers forecast, they may be helped along the way. Defeat would give Leicestershire the honour of being the first visiting side to record a victory at the Rose Bowl in the Championship.

Although the pitch has crumbled and a hobbling Muttiah Muralitharan is turning the ball square, wickets remain an elusive commodity in the First Test Match in Galle. England lost only four wickets on the third day as an unbeaten maiden Test century by Marcus Trescothick enhanced his team’s chances of saving this crucial game.An excruciatingly slow pitch made the cricket painstaking at times and many English supporters filtered away early, for a refreshing afternoon dip in the Indian Ocean. England scored just 175 runs in 98 overs to finish the day on 202 for four.England won’t lose sleep over their slow scoring, but they will take great delight in the manner in which they were able to keep Sri Lanka’s spinners at bay, even if Muralitharan was not at his best today. England now need just 69 runs to avoid the follow on.Not so long ago Marcus Trescothick was lounging in the Somerset Second XI. Now he is rapidly becoming England’s best discovery for years.He came into the side during the One-Day International series last summer, made 79 runs on his debut and soon forced his way into the Test team. Before today he had scored three Test half-centuries, but had failed to score the century he craved.”It was nice to get the first one out of the way. I did feel nervous in the nineties and I have been working hard on getting a hundred for England. To get it in a different part of the world, on wickets that I am not particularly used to, is really pleasing,” he said.He has every right to be pleased too for this was an epic display of skill, concentration and fitness. He has now been on the field of play for three continuous days and admitted that he needed to drink 15 litres of water today to stave off dehydration. He said he tired towards the close, but was forced to concentrate by Muralitharan, who he described as “one hell of a bowler”.The Sri Lankans, however, were also impressed. Although he was nearly caught and bowled when he had made just 19, he looked astonishingly comfortable against the magical off spinner and received generous applause from the home side when he squirted him into the off side for his hundred.In Pakistan Trescothick used his feet to the spinners, but in Galle he was scared stiff of leaving the crease: “It turns much more in Sri Lanka and with Muralitharan having a mystery ball, which is difficult to pick, it is very difficult to use your feet.” Nevertheless, he drove powerfully through extra cover when Muralitharan over-pitched and used the slog sweep liberally against Sri Lanka’s lesser spinners.He admitted afterwards: “I haven’t been the greatest player of spin in the past, but I am improving all the time and have been working hard on my technique. My method is starting to work.”Trescothick and Michael Atherton gave England a dream start with an 83-run opening partnership. Sri Lanka had a frustrating morning. Atherton was close to lbw when on 19, he was dropped at silly point on 28 and Muralitharan dropped a caught and bowled chance off Trescothick.Three balls after lunch, though, Chaminda Vaas trapped Atherton lbw for 33 with a delivery that swung into the right hander. Nasser Hussain mustered only three runs as he was pinned to his stumps by a vicious off spinner from Muralitharan. Graham Thorpe made seven from 37 balls before he was snapped up at second slip via boot and bat to leave England precariously placed on 117 for three.Alec Stewart, however, gave Trescothick dogged support and the pair added 80 runs for the fourth wicket, only 19 of which were made by the sticky Stewart. Thirty minutes before the close his innings was cruelly cut short when he was adjudged lbw as he tried to pull a delivery from Jayasuriya that appeared to pitch inches outside leg stump. Robert Croft then came in as a nightwatchman and survived to the close without alarm.

Australia’s chances of recording a history-making seventh successive Ashes series victory over England received a major boost today when any lingering doubts over the fitness of pace bowlers Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie were dispelled. In respective tests ahead of the tour – which begins next month – both proved their readiness for the campaign by emerging unscathed from rigorous individual fitness sessions before a range of team officials at the Sydney Cricket Ground.The news represents a particularly heartening development for Australia, which will rely heavily on its fast bowling contingent during its three-month long visit to English shores. Having been forced to make do without an injured Lee on its way to a 2-1 Test series loss in India – its first series loss for eighteen months – the prospect of leaving him at home again would have represented an especially grievous blow. The New South Wales speedster, who has legitimate claims to being the fastest bowler in the world at present, has been edging his way back to full fitness after undergoing surgery to correct damage sustained to his right elbow in a one-day international match against Zimbabwe in early February.Gillespie, meanwhile, has been absent from the Australian line-up for long intervals over the last four years. He was a lionhearted performer in India and also played a major role in the preceding 5-0 whitewash of West Indies but has battled a succession of injuries around those two series. His latest came during the closing stages of the tour of India; stress reactions in his left foot forcing him to endure close to two months of general rest and recovery.Along with Glenn McGrath, Lee and Gillespie potentially form the most destructive pace bowling trio in world cricket. But circumstances have contrived to ensure that the three have only come together in the same Test eleven once – in Perth in December when, by no mere coincidence, their team powered its way to a crushing innings victory.Gillespie will now assume his place in the fourteen-man party selected to play in the NatWest Series of one-day international matches against England and Pakistan that begins on 7 June. Lee, for his part, will fly out of Australia on 18 June, joining Gillespie and fifteen other of his countrymen in readiness for the series of five Tests against England that commences on 5 July.

Replacements for North Zone Duleep trophy squad

• Virender Sehwag (ankle injury) – ID Singh (J&K)

• Yuvraj Singh (not cleared for four-day cricket by NCA) – Bipul Sharma (Punjab)

• Virat Kohli (asked for rest) – Uday Kaul

• Gautam Gambhir (Champions League) – Rahul Dewan (Haryana)

• Harbhajan Singh (Champions League) – Gurvinder Singh (Himachal Pradesh)

• Rajat Bhatia (Champions League) – Sunny Singh (Haryana)

• Amit Mishra, who had originally been deemed unfit, has now been cleared, and will travel with the squad as the 16th member.

Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, has been named Punjab’s captain for the upcoming Ranji season. He has been out of the Indian Test side for more than a year, but returned to the Twenty20 squad for the World T20 last month.Harbhajan flew back home after sustaining an injury during the tour of England last year. He led Mumbai Indians to the Champions League trophy, proof of his ability to perform in T20, but picked up a shin injury around the time he was omitted from India’s squad for Australia.That injury also curtailed his Ranji season to three matches, when as Punjab captain he only took two wickets for 204 runs. He also led Punjab in the one-day Vijay Hazare tournament and the Twenty20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.This year, he signed a county contract with Essex, where he played steadily if not spectacularly (13 first-class wickets at 33).His presence in the side will be a boost to Punjab, who are without a head coach after Vikram Rathour vacated the post to become a national selector.Punjab Ranji squad: Harbhajan singh (capt), Mandeep Singh (vice-capt), Karan Goel, Jeevanjot Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Uday Kaul, Mayank Sidhana, Amitoze Singh, Rahul Sharma, Siddarth Kaul, Manpreet Gony, Sandeep Sharma, Gurkirat Mann, Bipul Sharma and Rajwinder Singh