Centuries from Gloucestershire opener Phil Weston and South African batsman Jonty Rhodes ensured that this Frizzell County Championship Division Two clash went into the fourth day as Hampshire toiled in the hot Sunday sunshine.The visitors still required 95 to make Hampshire bat again overnight and had already lost Craig Spearman and nightwatchman Mike Smith in the process so many thought that the game – and a win for Hampshire – would be wrapped up with a day to spare.However, the West Countrymen knew that they had a good two days to bat out and negotiated the first to close with a lead of 237 and the forecast very possibly on their side for Monday.Weston, carrying on from his steady 39 in the first innings, played patiently alongside Chris Taylor as the pair added 62 for the third wicket which edged them close to lunch. Taylor was snapped up by the persevering Udal, caught Robin Smith at short leg for 31.But this only brought in Rhodes to record his highest score for his adopted county and his highest since his unbeaten 57 against Hampshire at Bristol some six weeks ago. He had not been in the best of forms of late – but made serious amends against a Hampshire attack which was to lose Alan Mullally to a hamstring strain.The injury will see him miss the four-day trip to spinner-friendly Northampton starting on Wednesday.Weston went to his first century for Gloucestershire – he moved from Worcestershire in the closed season – but perished just two balls later when he nibbled an edge to Pothas off Ed Giddins.Gloucestershire were working in good partnerships throughout as Hampshire tried to eke out every wicket on a pitch which seems to have improved in its trustworthiness as the game has progressed.Weston and Rhodes added 96, Rhodes and Windows 75, Rhodes’ stand with Gidman and Harvey both realised 31 while his partnership with Ball posted 27. It was hard work for Hampshire’s bowlers in dislodging the resistance.But it was Rhodes with a delightful innings of 134 not out, coming from 251 balls and including 12 fours and three sixes – one of which, off Giddins, took some seven minutes for the ball to be found!The needless run out of wicket-keeper Stephen Pope helped Hampshire finish off the day on a high, but chasing down approximately 250 will be a challenge on a wicket which could be freshened up a bit by some forecast heavy overnight rain and thunder.

Despite his success in picking up five wickets during South Africa’s famous victory at Lord’s, Andrew Hall has been given special permission to play for Worcestershire in their C&G Trophy semi-final against Lancashire on Saturday.Hall played an important part in South Africa’s one-day squad, but signed for Worcestershire after he had originally been left out of the Test side. But when Jacques Kallis was ruled out of the second Test following the death of his father, Hall was drafted in and proved an immediate success.South Africa were initially reluctant to allow Hall to play in the match against Lancashire, but they had a change of heart after being contacted by Worcestershire’s director of cricket Tom Moody.”Tom Moody has spoken with our coach Eric Simons and they have agreed on that position as regards Hall," said a South Africa spokesman. “We’re going to release him for Saturday’s game. He will be available to play for Worcestershire in their semi-final."”It’s great news for us," said Moody. "It means we can go into the game with Lancashire at full strength. I would like to thank South Africa for their help in this matter.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) faces the prospect ofa possible legal dispute with Taj Television, a Dubai-based sportsbroadcaster, if it fails to recognise a three-year television andsponsorship contract signed in October 2001.According to BCCSL sources, the executive committee is close to an agreementthat will see the Singapore-based WSG Nimbus reinstated as the BCCSL’stelevision and sponsorship rights holder for the forthcoming England tour ofSri Lanka.But Taj Television, who have already sold television feeds to Sky Sports forthe series, and are currently selling the title and other sponsorshiprights, are adamant that their contract, due to run until 2004, cannot justbe brushed aside. “We have a contract with the BCCSL that is legal andbinding,” said Jude de Valliere, spokesman for Taj Television, in Colombo.The deal being brokered is designed to save the BCCSL from a potentiallycrippling US$11 million damages claim after a Singapore arbitration courtruled that the board – led at that time by a government-appointed interimcommittee – had cancelled a contract with WSG Nimbus “unlawfully andillegally” in 2001 for allegedly missing payment deadlines.”What we are hopeful to do is reduce the US$11 million damages claimed on usand ensure that future matches are televised,” Mohan de Silva, the BCCSL’ssecretary, told AFP. “The talks have been going very well and we are hopeful ofreaching an amicable settlement within a week.”The BCCSL is expected to argue that the Taj Television contract is “null andvoid” because it was not signed with a properly elected executivecommittee – even though the interim committee, which had sought the adviceof the Attorney General, had been invested with government authority.

Cricket Australia has come to the aid of Sri Lanka’s cash-strapped cricket board, agreeing to play two extra one-day internationals during next year’s tour, a gesture of goodwill that will raise an estimated US$800,000.The Australians will now play five ODIs in Dambulla and Colombo in late February followed by three Test matches in Galle, Kandy and Colombo during March. The two extra matches will help raise much-needed funds for the Sri Lankan board (SLC), which is facing a financial crisis because of falling revenues and a potential US$11million damages payment. Last year the board made a loss of US$900,000.Mohan de Silva, the secretary, said: “Australia understood our financial position and it was very decent of them to agree to this request.” SLC believes it will net an additional US$400,000 each match. The board hopes to sign a new three-year broadcasting contract in January.In return, Sri Lanka have agreed to play two Tests in Darwin and Cairns during Australia’s winter next year. “We have now also agreed to visit next June and July to play in the northern territories,” confirmed de Silva.Australia last toured Sri Lanka in September 1999 soon after winning the World Cup. They lost a one-day series final and were then beaten 1-0 in the rain-affected three-Test series that followed.Tour schedule:

Arrival – February 14First ODI – February 20 – Dambulla (day/night)Second ODI – February 22 – Dambulla (day/night)Third ODI – February 25 – Colombo (day/night)Fourth ODI – February 27 – Colombo (day/night)Fifth ODI – February 29 – Colombo (day)First Test – March 8-12 – GalleSecond Test – March 16-20 – KandyThird Test – March 24-28 – ColomboDeparture – March 29

SUPPORT ASIAN TELEVISION NETWORK AND PRESIDENT & CEO SHAN CHANDRESEKHAR FORHIS COMMITMENT AND ENTERPRISE.PLease pass this on and have posted on provincial and league websites.We were informed on the phone tonight that the Tri Nation Series of ODI’sbetween Australia India and New Zealand will be carried on Asian TelevisionNetwork – Toronto 1 (Channel 15 in Toronto or 602 and Channel A in other areas. Itwill also be carried on Bell ExpressVu on Channel 802 we understand.In addition, next Saturday morning at 9:00 am India and New Zealandhighlights are scheduled to be seen.Please let ATN, Rogers and Bell Expressvu KNOW if you appreciate more cricket.Enjoy. Use it or lose it?

Saturday’s match will be the 14th one-day international at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad. Like at Bangalore, India have an enviable record here, winning five matches and losing just one (one match was washed out). New Zealand haven’t had as much to celebrate: just one win – against Zimbabwe in a 1987 World Cup match remembered more for Dave Houghton’s exploits than for anything New Zealand did – and two defeats, against Sri Lanka and India.

There’s been plenty of talk about conditions not being equal for both teams in many matches in the TVS Cup, but past record suggests that the team batting first will have as much chance as the team chasing: in 12 decisive matches here, the team batting first has won six and lost as many, while the win-loss record for the team winning the toss is 6-6 too. Playing under lights doesn’t seem to make a difference either: in six day-night games, the team batting first has won three and lost three. However, India have never lost a match here after calling correctly at the toss, winning three times, while one match was rained out.

If Saturday’s match is anything like the previous clash between India and New Zealand here, then the crowd at the Lal Bahadur Stadium will have plenty to cheer. In that match, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid pulverised New Zealand, adding a world record 331 for the second wicket as India amassed 376, and won by a whopping 174 runs. Tendulkar made an undefeated 186 while Dravid got 153. Neither has bettered that performance in an ODI.

An Indian victory will not only take them into the final, it will also preserve their record in triangular tournaments at home: in six previous competitions, they have always made it to the final, and have gone to win lift the title four times.

Stephen Fleming’s abdominal strain means that Chris Cairns will lead New Zealand, and while that may seem a huge bonus for the Indians, Cairns has a 100 percent record as captain. In his only ODI in that role, New Zealand achieved a splendid victory against Australia in a VB Series match in 2001-02. Cairns made a vital 31 in New Zealand’s 235, and then took the crucial wicket of Michael Bevan, as Australia folded for 212.

After their short and soggy one-day international series against Sri Lanka, England now turn their attention to the three-Test series, starting at Galle on December 2.However, after the last two ODIs were wiped out by the bad weather, Duncan Fletcher has warned that the squad are under-prepared for the Tests. And with only one three-day match against a Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI on Wednesday before the first Test, Fletcher is understandably concerned about England’s lack of match practice.”We want the Test-playing guys to get a good three-day game and the practice in, so there is concern that the rain could leave us a little unprepared,” said Fletcher. “Our plan for this week’s game was going to be to leave out Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, but because of the weather Michael now wants to reconsider that.”The specialist Test players – Nasser Hussain, Graham Thorpe, Mark Butcher, Geraint Jones, Matthew Hoggard and Robert Croft – arrived in Sri Lanka three days ago and have been practising on their own. All apart from Jones are expected to play in the warm-up match, with Croft, in particular, eager to prove his worth and fight Ashley Giles and Gareth Batty for a place in the Test side.”He has come out here and joined the squad with the other spinners,” Fletcher said, “obviously the other two have got the inside rail at the moment and we will have to make an assessment after the three-day game.”The good news for England is that James Anderson is now walking without crutches and there is a slim possibility he may now be in contention for Galle.

Australia’s run of bad luck with injuries seems set to continue, with Jason Gillespie ruling himself an unlikely starter for Australia’s third Test against India, which starts on December 26 at Melbourne. Gillespie strained his right groin and was forced to leave the field on the last day of the Adelaide Test, which India won by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series.”I’m feeling pretty good this morning, and the medical staff are pleased it isn’t too bad, but I’m not holding high hopes of playing at Melbourne,” Gillespie said. “My guess is I’ll be running and just starting to bowl by then, which will be good, but as for the rigours of a five-day match, I’m not sure I’ll be ready for that.” According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Gillespie could realistically be expected to return only for the fourth Test, at Sydney.”I’d obviously be very keen to play,” Gillespie added. “This is a great series to be involved in, and I’d want to play my part. I also felt that Adelaide was the best I’d bowled in Tests for about a year, though the rewards didn’t come my way.” Gillespie finished with match figures of 2 for 128.Talking about the moment when he first felt the injury, Gillespie said: “I hit my delivery stride and felt a twinge in my groin. I was going to try another ball but Stephen [Waugh] said I should go and get it checked.” Gillespie was in his 11th over of the innings.With Glenn McGrath already ruled out for the entire series and Shane Warne still serving a one-year ban, Australia’s bowling attack will be severely depleted if Gillespie is indeed ruled out. The good news is that Brett Lee is all set to return, while Brad Williams’s shoulder injury is expected to heal completely in a week’s time.Australia will name their third-Test squad on December 22.

Australia 263 for 9 (Bevan 56, Martyn 42) v Zimbabwe. Match abandoned
Scorecard

Steady rain at the MCG forced the match to be abandoned after the Australian innings was complete. The umpires decided to call the match off at 20.35pm local time. Both teams split points (three each) and will now travel to Perth for their final match against India. Australia finished on a healthy 263 for 9 after 50 overs, despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Damien Martyn’s 42 off 40 balls delighted the sparse crowd before Michael Bevan came to the fore with a run-a-ball 56.Heath Streak opted to field first on a cloudy day, and with Andy Blignaut, tried to extract maximum movement off the pitch. There was hardly anything pitched short, but the line was wayward on a few occasions, and Martyn made them pay. When it was straight, he wristily turned the ball away to square leg. He came down the track a few times and lofted it crisply over the bowler’s head. There was also his favourite slap-cut, when the ball was sprayed wide. No Gilchrist, no brutality. But his 42, off 40 balls, was gorgeous. And when he missed an in-cutter from Streak and was given out lbw, with rain imminent, he was visibly disappointed.Matthew Hayden threatened to impose himself on the game after the brief break when he clattered Douglas Hondo to the midwicket fence. But he fell on the very next ball. Unsure about one that pitched on off stump, he managed an inside edge that ricocheted on to the stumps (69 for 2). Hayden made 23.Ponting held things together as Michael Clarke (11) and Ian Harvey (23) fell after promising starts. Clarke completely misjudged a straight ball from Blessing Mahwire, the debutant, and shouldered arms as the ball clipped the top of his off stump (97 for 3). Harvey smacked a straight six of Ray Price’s first ball, but was run-out after being sent back by Ponting (139 for 4). Ponting smashed a few himself, with a hoicked six over midwicket being the highlight. But just as he and Bevan went about setting up a launching pad, Ponting (35) attempted a wild slog-sweep, and the top edge was easily taken at square leg (155 for 5).That left Bevan in familiar territory. Brad Haddin gave him good company and Bevan settled down into his role of nudging and pushing. Haddin lofted the spinners with ease and summoned the strength to clear the ropes a couple of times. Both put on 58 crucial runs, many of which were quick singles. Bevan favoured the third man region – 24 runs came there – and executed a few delicate late-cuts that could have easily been mistaken for edges.Haddin (32) fell in the 43rd over, inside-edging a ball on to his stumps (213 for 6), and Brad Hogg followed soon after. But Andy Bichel joined Bevan and they accelerated in fine fashion. They added 38 in exactly five overs, and shifted the momentum to a considerable extent. Bevan went for a run-a-ball 56 as he attempted a risky second run in the penultimate over (252 for 8), but Bichel finished off with a towering six, and Australia had seized the initiative. Rain, though, had the final say.

North Zone 279 (Dharmani 73, Powar 4-62) and 17 for 1 lead West Zone 172 (Mane 54, Mongia 3-13) by 124 runs
Scorecard
North Zone gained the advantage against West Zone at Dharmasala, and gave themselves a great chance of qualifying for the final at Mohali. After managing to post 279, thanks to a valuable contribution from Sarandeep Singh (42 off 38), the North bowlers did their bit.West were bowled out for a paltry 172, and barring Vinayak Mane, who made a patient 54, none of the others passed 25. Amit Bhandari, the medium-pacer, had a good day with the ball with 3 for 50, while Dinesh Mongia, with his left-arm spin, ended with fine figures of 3 for 13. The North batsmen had to negotiate nine overs before stumps and Aakash Chopra fell early for just 2 as he was bowled by Munaf Patel. However North lead by 124 and held all the aces at the end of the second day.