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The man who seven months ago predicted the demise of Test cricket has gone far to sparking its revival. By carrying his bat through an attritional fourth day in Adelaide, Chris Gayle proved not only that his passion for the five-day game still runs deep, but also positioned West Indies for a victory charge that would capture the attention of the world and the imagination of the Caribbean’s long-suffering fans.Gayle has been demonised for his controversial views on Test cricket and typecast, not without reason, as a Twenty20 mercenary. Strike action and a series of 11th-hour arrivals ahead of major international matches prompted many commentators to wonder whether his commitment was to West Indian cricket, or the Allen Stanfords and Shah Rukh Khans of the world. Even the West Indies chief executive, Ernest Hilaire, expressed reservations over his suitability as captain.But over 411 sweat-soaked, muscle-cramping, concentration-sapping minutes, Gayle confirmed his desire to lead West Indies through this darkest of periods. His unbeaten 155 on a testing wicket was a triumph of patience and determination – traits many had forgotten he possessed – and went far to demystifying the Australian attack before the eyes of his young, eager team-mates.”That innings from Chris was unbelievable,” the coach David Williams said. “It’s very difficult scoring on that track and it was evident in the way Chris played. He doesn’t normally play like that. But he had to conserve his natural play and try and stick around. We know that scoring is very difficult on that wicket.”Gayle set the tone for a West Indian revival when, barely an hour after Australia had sealed an innings and 65-run victory at the Gabba, he called a team meeting that stretched long into the night. Rather than allow the disappointment of defeat to fester within the playing group, Gayle and the team management outlined a blueprint for success that emphasised the need for more accountability among the batsmen and greater leadership from the team’s veterans.The difference in the tourists was evident from the opening session in Adelaide. A resolute first innings batting performance was supported by a superb bowling effort, in which Gayle displayed a gambler’s flare for field placings and bowling changes. West Indies’ responded positively to their captain’s adventurous tactics, and Gayle provided further cause for optimism with an inspired second innings century that might just prove the catalyst for the breaking of their nine-Test losing streak on Australian soil.Gayle has played more prolific, fluent and explosive innings over the course of his 84-Test career but few as important in the context of the match and the general state of the game in the Caribbean. By curbing his innate need to dominate at the crease, he produced a substance-over-style innings that should serve as inspiration to his team-mates, and made plausible a victory that barely a week ago appeared improbable in the extreme.”That’s Chris, he plays his game very seriously,” Williams said. “He’s a very determined guy. Look back at Chris over the past year or so, he’s played extremely well in the Test matches that he’s played. It’s just a matter of leading the guys the right way.”Caribbean fans have experienced too many false dawns to lose themselves completely in this moment, but after the year that’s been, they at least have cause for positivity. Win, lose or draw, Gayle and his team have proven they possess the competitive desire and raw talent to compete with the world’s best. And that is a cause for celebration in itself.

The first day’s play of three games – between Goa and Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, and Jharkhand and Vidarbha – was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Group A

Scorecard
A Wilkin Mota-inspired Tripura gained the upper hand against Rajasthan in Agartala. Mota grabbed a career-best 6 for 22 to help Tripura skittle out the opposition for 102; only three Rajasthan batsmen reached double-digits. Mota again stood out in the reply, making an unbeaten 38 to steer his team to 73 for 3 at stumps.

Group B

Scorecard
Only 30 overs were possible on the opening day of the fixture between Madhya Pradesh and Kerala in Indore. MP scored at a brisk pace, with Naman Ojha and Hrishikesh Kanitkar scoring half-centuries. Both were unbeaten after adding 120 for the second wicket, as MP finished the rain-affected day on 134 for 1.

Virender Sehwag has said his fellow opener Gautam Gambhir is a leading candidate to captain India in the future. Sehwag felt Gambhir, his team-mate at the club, state and national levels, had the potential to be groomed into a leader and that appointing him vice-captain in South Africa was clear indication that he could graduate into the captaincy.”He [Gambhir] is a good cricketer, is very intelligent and Delhi have won the Ranji Trophy under him already once [in 2007-08],” Sehwag said in Mumbai.Gambhir, named deputy to MS Dhoni in the Champions Trophy after Yuvraj Singh was forced home with a finger injury, was recently appointed Delhi Daredevils captain after Sehwag opted out of the role. Sehwag made public his intentions of not wanting the Indian vice-captaincy as he felt the selectors were better off grooming a youngster for the job, but was open to leading his country. “I never said I don’t want captaincy,” he said. “I don’t want to be the vice-captain of Indian team.”Elaborating on his decision to step down from the leadership role with the Daredevils, Sehwag said he was disappointed the team couldn’t qualify for the IPL final under him. “I tried for two years and we didn’t qualify for the finals so I told the owners to try someone else’s luck as mine was not working.”Sehwag targeted Australia’s tour of India for seven one-day internationals later this year as the time for his return to international cricket. He said he would start by playing for Rest of India in the Irani Trophy next week and then graduate to the Daredevils in the Champions League Twenty20 before the home series beginning October 25. “I’m not yet fit for international cricket as I can’t throw the ball from the boundary. During the Irani Cup I will be standing the slips since I’m the captain [of Rest of India] and if I perform I stand a good chance.”Sehwag returned to on-field cricket recently for the low-key JP Atray tournament after shoulder surgery for an injury sustained during the IPL and ruled him out of the ICC World Twenty20, a short visit to the West Indies, the triangular ODI series in Sri Lanka and the ongoing Champions Trophy.

ScorecardThe sun shone for much of the day at Taunton, but it did not shine for Worcestershire. They finished the third day with the match almost within their grasp, their first victory of the season assured unless remarkable events took place. Unfortunately for them that was exactly what did happen. Three South Africans in Zander de Bruyn, Craig Kieswetter and Alfonso Thomas, and one peripatetic Englishman in Ben Phillips combined to score 334 fighting runs between them and snatch victory cruelly from the visitors.Somerset began the day on 203 in their second innings, their four top batsmen all gone, still 88 runs behind Worcestershire’s first innings and needing a remarkable fightback to save themselves from defeat. Holding the fort were de Bruyn and Kieswetter. To their credit, they approached their gigantic task in a positive spirit, but without the carelessness or recklessness that had characterized so many of the Somerset innings hitherto in this match.Worcestershire’s bowling attack is but a shadow of itself last season, and the batsmen were soon taking 15 off an over from Richard Jones, mostly by Kieswetter. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the partnership was the way the pair kept pushing the ball neatly through the gaps in the field for four; it was extremely well-judged batting. Kieswetter was the first to his 50, which came off 78 balls; de Bruyn reached his own off the very next ball, his 77th. de Bruyn now launched into Moeen Ali, hitting him for a six over square leg and a lofted four in the same over.Kieswetter survived a stumping chance on 53, and then joined the assault, hitting a ball from Jones for an effortless flat six over the covers. But they did not exceed themselves, until with 90 to his credit Kieswetter forgot which end of the ground he was batting on and sliced a catch to the fielder at deep point just inside the long boundary.At lunch Somerset were 71 ahead on 362 for 5, with de Bruyn on 87 and the team daring to hope for a draw. But there was another period of uncertainty to come soon after the interval. First Gareth Andrew, the most consistent of the Worcestershire bowlers, moved a ball back to trap Peter Trego lbw for 9. de Bruyn, after being stuck some time on 99, reached his century off 151 balls, but on 106 he flashed rashly outside the off stump to a ball from Jack Shantry and was caught at first slip. At 398 for 7, the match was right back in the melting pot.Centre stage was now taken by two bowling all-rounders, Phillips and Thomas. Both have seriously underperformed for Somerset with the bat but now, when the team needed them, they came good at last. Phillips in particular showed that he is a batsman of great natural ability who seldom manages to put it together. He drove with real power and authority, and an effortless sweep off Ali would have even cleared the long boundary, as it landed on a balcony of the new block of flats beyond the stands.The minutes ticked away for Worcestershire, as they saw their hopes of just one victory for the season steadily ebbing away, and the batsmen thrived without showing any sign of pressure. Phillips’ 50 came off 72 balls, and by tea Somerset were 480 for 7, with the game almost safe. The first few overs after tea were critical for Worcestershire if they were to retain any hopes of victory – but the two batsmen were clearly aware of their responsibilities and played safely and soundly.By the time Thomas reached his 50 with an edged hook for four the match was safe, and all that remained was Phillips’ century, which would have been the second of his career. He certainly deserved it, but on 84 he slashed and was caught at slip off Andrew. This ended a most worthy stand of 125 runs which had finally destroyed Worcestershire’s hopes. Minutes later, the players agreed on an early finish and a bitterly disappointed Worcestershire team trooped off the field, denied just one small comfort at the end of a dismal season. Andrew was their player of the second innings, with five hard-earned wickets.

The ICC has said that its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), on investigation, found “no substance” and “no evidence” to support suggestions that Pakistan players had contact with Indian bookmakers during their tour of Sri Lanka.”The ICC and its members have a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and rightly so because the integrity of our great sport with its great spirit is one of its greatest assets,” Haroon Lorgat, ICC chief executive said. “On that basis it is entirely appropriate that any suggestions in relation to that subject are always reported to and properly investigated by the ACSU.”I am pleased those investigations have indicated nothing untoward has taken place on this occasion but it is a reminder that all of us – players, officials and supporters – must maintain our vigilance to ensure we remain on top of the issue of corruption.”There had been allegations that bookies were seen staying on the same hotel floor as the Pakistan team in Colombo. The Pakistan board subsequently informed the ICC to investigate these allegations and also sought legal advice on unsubstantiated accusations by former chief selector Abdul Qadir on the involvement of the players.

Australia have drafted in Chris Hartley, an uncapped wicketkeeper, for tomorrow’s two-day match against England Lions at Canterbury to provide cover for Brad Haddin and Graham Manou.Haddin fractured his ring finger half-an-hour before the start of the third Test at Edgbaston and England gave Australia permission for Manou to make his debut in his place. But Manou has aggravated a hand injury that he sustained while batting at Edgbaston, and neither player will be risked for the Australians’ final warm-up ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test.Hartley, 27, who plays for Queensland, arrived at Canterbury last night having played for Chorley Cricket Club in the Northern League near Manchester this season.”Brad Haddin is recovering from a fractured finger sustained prior to the third Test in Edgbaston. To maximise his recovery, he will not play the game against the English Lions at Canterbury,” said the Australia physio, Alex Kountouris.”Graham Manou sustained a right-hand injury during the third Test in Edgbaston. He was making good progress and unfortunately re-aggravated the injury two days ago. As such he will not play against the Lions to maximise his recovery and have him in the best possible condition for the fifth Ashes Test.”

The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has strongly defended itself against criticism from former cricketers Clive Lloyd and Michael Holding. Speaking to Cricinfo last week, Lloyd had said WIPA was “not trying to achieve anything but strengthen their bank balance” while Holding had wondered if some WIPA officials were “trying to settle personal grouses with the board”.In a statement on its website, WIPA called Lloyd’s charges “most unfortunate, wrong and misleading” and said Holding had “produced no evidence to substantiate his charges” and was “expressing his personal belief”.The players’ body also hit back at Lloyd for terming the players who went on strike “greedy”. WIPA said many of its members had rejected lucrative contracts with the unsanctioned ICL and pointed out that Lloyd and other leading players of his generation had signed up with the Kerry Packer’s rebel World Series Cricket (WSC), which had forced the West Indies board to field second-string sides for several series.”The reports of that time of upheaval in West Indies cricket indicate that Clive Lloyd, as West Indies captain, played a pivotal role in influencing other West Indian players like Michael Holding, Deryck Murray and Joel Garner to join him in the WSC. Unlike the IPL in which Chris Gayle and others are involved and which is recognised by the ICC, WSC was not sanctioned by this body. Lloyd and his team blazed the path for better remuneration for players by participating in the WSC.”WIPA does not think that Mr Lloyd and others did so for greed.”The dispute between WIPA and the board intensified when 13 leading West Indian players boycotted the Test series against Bangladesh earlier this month. The players ended their strike and made themselves available for international selection last week after the appointment of an arbitrator to resolve the impasse through mediation.

Auckland have appointed former Zimbabwe spinner Paul Strang as their head coach for the next two years.Strang, 38, had taken over as head coach in February for the 2008-09 season when Mark O’Donnell was appointed assistant coach of the national side for the India series. Auckland Cricket had decided to review the position of long-term coach at the end of the season and Strang has clearly impressed. Under his tenure as coach Auckland clinched their fourth State Championship in eight years.”Paul has a great deal of cricket experience and he enjoyed immediate success as a coach last season as Auckland stormed home to win the State Championship,” said Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade.Strang has been part of the coaching staff at Auckland for just over a year and also worked with their A team. Former New Zealand opener Matt Horne has taken over Strang’s full-time role as high performance coach for Auckland Cricket.The change of coaching staff ends O’Donnell’s seven-year tenure as Auckland coach. “The team has enjoyed considerable success under his leadership but his fixed term contract ended in June and in the view of the association it was time for a change,” said Eade.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Cometh the hour, cometh the man …•Associated Press

In a demonstration of power-hitting with which he carried Chennai Super Kings in the first IPL, Suresh Raina again showed his ability to dominate and, when the need arose, get out of a jam. Chennai were in early trouble after being put in to bat but the early loss of the openers to Shane Warne’s introduction of spin didn’t deter Raina, who dispatched the Rajasthan Royals attack to all parts of SuperSport Park. His one-man show was complemented by a disciplined and enthusiastic fielding display – including a wicket and two catches to the man of the moment – and Chennai wrapped up victory by 38 runs.The spade work for victory had been done with a gem from Raina. His blazing innings started and ended in the face of adversary but it didn’t show on his face or in his choice of shots. Chennai had lost their leading run-scorer, Matthew Hayden, and Parthiv Patel to loose shots against Yusuf Pathan, who opened the attack with Dimitri Mascarenhas. But after that edgy start Chennai were put back on track through a 67-run liaison between Raina and S Badrinath. Raina was due a good score and he decided attack was the best way of defence.He took the initiative early on, taking Mascarenhas for four and six and then clubbing Yusuf over long-off for six more. Badrinath was promoted ahead of MS Dhoni, Jacob Oram and Albie Morkel with Chennai in trouble and he reciprocated with a smart cameo of 29. He relieved the pressure with three off-side boundaries and hit Yusuf out of the attack. Badri’s inventiveness – making room, getting the wrists into play, lofting over the infield – allowed Raina to continue blazing and he carved a brilliant front-foot six over point off Munaf Patel’s first delivery.Once he found his tempo, Raina was unstoppable. A deft tickle for four off Siddharth Trivedi was one for the purists, a thick inside-edge next ball for the same result just the bit of luck Raina needed to script an epic. He continued to produce punishing pulls and gorgeous shots down the ground, but the slice over cover-point was the sight of the evening. Shane Warne was pulled and cut for boundaries in his first over as Raina reached fifty from 27 balls.By now the mood in both camps had reversed. Rajasthan’s early momentum faded into repeated misfields that allowed boundaries, and where Chennai had been unsure with the bat at the start, Badrinath was uppercutting for four. There were risks, but they were calculated. The fifty-run partnership needed just 33 deliveries.Rajasthan took two wickets shortly after the break but with Dhoni giving him strike, Raina broke the shackles with consecutive boundaries in the 17th over. The run rate had now crossed seven and increased with consecutive sixes, both sliced over covers, in a 24-run 18th over during which Kamran Khan had to limp off with a twisted ankle. In the last over Raina raised his bat on 98, when the electronic scoreboard got it wrong after he slapped four past cover. Next ball was slashed up in the air and excellently taken by Graeme Smith at deep backward point. The only batsman to cross 30, Raina’s exemplary 98 off 55 balls lifted Chennai to a competitive total.That innings not only gave the crowd something to cheer about but also gave Chennai’s bowlers a solid platform to work with. A revamped new-ball attack of Morkel and Sudeep Tyagi kept it tidy and waited for errors, which came rather soon. Smith’s vigilance had played a big role in the last game but here he was impetuous, reaching out and guiding Morkel to point in the second over. Swapnil Asnodkar was another to fall going for a big shot, except that he swung his bat down onto his own stumps.As if his innings wasn’t torture enough for Rajasthan, Raina starred with the ball. Rob Quiney was given a life when Dhoni fluffed a stumping, but the bowler had his revenge when he beat bat with a slider.Yusuf came out blazing but failed to convert, lofting L Balaji down to long-off where the man who could do no wrong took the catch. Dhoni held back on using Balaji till the 11th over and the bowler immediately made an impact, not allowing any room. When Ravindra Jadeja skied Balaji miles into the starry night and Hayden settled under a steepler, the candle had gone out. The rest was a formality as Balaji took four, a solid comeback after a poor last match.It was apt that the last wicket, a massive top edge, should land in Raina’s hands. His grip remained firm from start to finish.

ScorecardIan Bell started the Championship season in fine style to steady Warwickshire after a rocky start•Getty Images

Ian Bell has already stated how much he wants his England place, but it was his bat that spoke most eloquently on the opening day of the Championship season as his fine, unbeaten 84 dominated the shortened first day’s play of Warwickshire’s match against Somerset at Taunton.While most of the players still looked rusty after the winter’s break, Bell was in prime form from the start. He came in after a brief opening stand of 13 when Tony Frost departed for 7, caught at the wicket while trying to withdraw his bat. Bell’s first ball, from Ben Phillips, lifted sharply, but he handled it well and then drove the next confidently past mid-on for two.While his partner Darren Maddy battled for 55 minutes to score his first five runs, Bell was keeping the score constantly on moving, playing most of his strokes with time to spare. Only the left-armer Charl Willoughby, who enjoyed no luck, made him play and miss once or twice.Some of the bowling was not particularly testing, Mark Turner in particular had two very erratic spells, and even Phillips, who took all three wickets to fall before lunch fell away afterwards. But before the interval Bell was master of all he surveyed, especially with the cover drive. Both Phillips and Peter Trego were dispatched to the boundary twice in the same over with effortless strokes. He also pulled their short deliveries impressively, and reached his 50 just before the break off 84 balls.By then he had also lost Maddy, whose dogged innings of 17 came to an abrupt end as a superb delivery from Phillips splayed his stumps, and then Jonathan Trott walked in front of the next ball to depart lbw without offering a shot. Jim Troughton saw off the hat-trick delivery and was to survive the day with 58 to his name, out of an unbroken partnership of 123.Lunch did not seeme to agree with Bell, who lost his fluency in the fifty-odd minutes possible by the rain in the afternoon session, adding just eight to his score in the short session. By way of contrast, Troughton’s touch improved leaps and bounds and when play resumed temporarily after tea he was quick out of the blocks and moved to his half-century off 102 balls.Bell never quite regained his pre-lunch form, but he didn’t throw his wicket away and finished the day within sight of a century. He did play an uppish shot for four that just evaded backward point when on 76, but otherwise the home side never really looked likely to remove him. There was a slightly bizarre ending to the day’s play, as Omari Banks was unleashed to bowl for the first time and the umpires apparently decided after a single ball that the batsmen might be in physical danger if they had to face an off-spinner in gloomy light.The day was Bell’s, although Phillips, who admits to being inconsistent, will doubtless be pleased with his performance during the morning. The weather was fairly typical for this time of year: overcast with a slight mist and the light often not very good. But there were several hundred spectators for Taunton’s first day of the new season, and they were probably quite entertained by the cricket on offer.