Ellis, Nicholls guide Canterbury to easy win

ScorecardFile photo: Andrew Ellis produced career-best figures to induce a collapse•Associated Press

Andrew Ellis and Henry Nicholls produced fine displays with ball and bat respectively to help Canterbury romp to a comfortable seven-wicket win against Northern Districts in Hamilton. Ellis triggered a match-turning collapse with career-best figures of 5 for 9 in 2.2 overs as Northern Districts slumped from 90 for 2 to 153 all out.In a world-record fielding effort, Peter Fulton picked up five catches, to equal the T20 record for most catches and Cam Fletcher claimed two stumpings and three catches, also equalling the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a T20 game.After choosing to bat, Anton Devcich got Northern Districts to an explosive start with an 18-ball 43, an innings that featured three sixes and five fours, as 60 runs were piled on within five overs. However, the Canterbury bowlers chipped away at the wickets while captain Daniel Flynn struggled to increase his strike-rate and was the sixth man out in the 18th over with a 47-ball 43. Tim Seifert provided the required impetus with a brisk 30 but they were quickly bowled out for 153 after being 147 for 5. Todd Astle and Ronnie Hira both produced economical spells and picked up two wickets apiece.Hira began the chase with a six over midwicket and struck a quick 24. However, Northern Districts dragged themselves back into the match after dismissing both openers in the space of four balls. Henry Nicholls and Peter Fulton then formed an 87-run stand to quash any hopes of a comeback win. Nicholls remained unbeaten with a 52-ball 58 and in the company of Leo Carter, carried Canterbury to an easy win with nine balls to spare.

No-ball issues put the skids on Pattinson's rhythm

James Pattinson celebrated six wickets during West Indies’ first innings at the MCG, but you’ll only see four on the scorecard. Twice during the opening session of the third day, Pattinson dismissed Carlos Brathwaite, only to have the umpire ask for a review of the front foot. On both occasions, Pattinson was shown to have delivered a no-ball. Brathwaite went from not really out on 13, to not really out on 50, to really out on 59.It was all part of a frustrating session for the Australians as Brathwaite and Darren Bravo almost batted through until lunch without loss. Brathwaite was eventually caught and bowled by Nathan Lyon just before the break. That and some more lower-order fight pushed West Indies along to 271 and discouraged Steven Smith from enforcing the follow-on. Instead a potential three-day Test, the game was set to last four days or perhaps even five.That means plenty of work still ahead for Pattinson and the rest of the bowlers. While he was pleased to finish with 4 for 72 in a Boxing Day Test, he knows he created more work for himself. In the 48th over of the innings, Brathwaite was bowled trying an ugly cross-bat slog, and in the 66th over he hooked a short ball straight into the hands of fine leg. Both were called retrospectively as no-balls.”I’ve always been pushing the line, ever since I’ve been playing cricket,” Pattinson said. “It’s momentum and stepping over the line, it’s obviously something I have to work on because it cost us a bit of time today and a few runs. I have to work on it and try to improve that.”They were two of four no-balls that will show on Pattinson’s analysis at the end of the innings, but the lack of on-field calls for the wicket deliveries suggests that others might have slipped by unnoticed. Asked whether umpire Chris Gaffaney had warned him he was close to overstepping, Pattinson said no, but he took responsibility for the no-balls himself.”It was more after I bowled the no-balls, he wasn’t telling me before that,” Pattinson said. “I know I’m always up there, it’s quite hard. I’ve got to try and get into a rhythm where I can stay behind the line and not push it but umpires do try and help you out a fair bit.”So far in this series, Pattinson has collected nine wickets at 18.55, making him Australia’s leading wicket taker so far, which is a pleasing result given this series marks his return after a long injury lay-off. After initially rebuilding his action to be much more side-on, Pattinson has reverted to an action that is something of a compromise between side and front, and it seems to be working.”I still feel like I’m not 100% yet,” Pattinson said. “Obviously when you do bowl no-balls it is in the back of your mind a little bit. So I’m still not running in as hard as I would like to be, because I’m sort of a bit wary of that front foot.”I’ve just got to try to get a stage where I’m running in full steam and not worrying about overstepping, but apart from that I’m pretty happy with the way the ball is coming out. I feel like I’m getting better and better each time I bowl. If that’s the worst it’s going to get – bowling a couple of no-balls, I’ll take that.”Australia remain in a powerful position to push for victory with two days to play, boasting a lead of 459 runs with seven wickets in hand in their second innings, but West Indies at least showed some resistance on day three. Pattinson said he had been impressed by the way West Indies both batted and bowled after their underwhelming displays of the first five days of the series.”Darren Bravo didn’t give us much at all,” Pattinson said. “He was pretty solid. He made us work really hard for his wicket. The same as Carlos Brathwaite when he came out. We thought he was probably going to tee them up a bit more than he did. But he looked pretty solid and fought pretty hard.”When they came out they bowled pretty well in tough circumstances when they’re 300 behind and could easily have just dished up a few half-volleys for us. Our boys batted well. It was a pretty good day’s cricket.”

Worcestershire begin New Road repair work

Groundstaff have begun the major job of restoring New Road © Getty Images

Worcestershire have begun the long process of renovating New Road after the ground was hit by two floods this summer. The club are taking the opportunity to lay new drainage in an attempt to help in the event of further flooding.The surface of the square has been skimmed to remove all the unwanted grass, thatch and contaminants before it is scarified and seeded. The practice area will receive the same treatment. The top layer of the outfield will also be removed and 250 tonnes of top dressing and 1000kgs of seed will be applied. While the work on the outfield is being undertaken, additional underground drainage will be installed at the pavilion side of the ground.”The severity of the deposits left from the second-highest flood at New Road has actually given us the opportunity to carry out some very extensive renovation to the entire playing area,” head groundsman Tim Packwood said. “It is very strange to see the ground looking like a ploughed field at this time of year but we have to take a long term view and try to repair it in time for the 2008 season.”The cost for this work alone will pass the £50,000 mark but I do believe we will end up with better wickets and a quicker drying outfield in the future. We need to take advantage of the growing period over the next three months and establish a strong grass growth before the winter sets in.”

Peters keeps Northants in the hunt

ScorecardPoints tableStephen Peters guided Northamptonshire to a comfortable eight-wicket win against Glamorgan to keep their hopes of the title alive. Peters and Usman Afzaal added an unbeaten 113 for the third wicket as their team cruised to the target with 23 balls to spare after rain reduced the match to 36 overs.Northamptonshire had early bowled and fielded impressively despite being hampered for stages by a damp ball as play continued during drizzle. Robert Croft held the Glamorgan innings together with 54 off 84 balls, but lacked support with the next highest score being 17. Lance Klusener, Jason Brown and Monty Panesar each took two wickets.David Harrison hit back with a brace of his own at the start of the Northants reply, but none of the Glamorgan attack could do anything to stop Peters and Afzaal. They are now level on points with Essex but have played a game more.

Wickets tumble across the country

Division One

Points TableNaved-ul-Hasan and James Kirtley each took four wickets, as Sussex dismissed Kent for 267 at Hove. The home side stuttered in reply, however, losing both openers and ending the day on 47 for 2.13 wickets fell at Edgbaston between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The Sri Lankan spinner Malinga Bandara took 4 for 67 as Warwickshire were dismissed for just 208. Gloucestershire faired little better, however, losing three wickets with just 29 runs on the board.Hampshire v Nottinghamshire – full report here.Surrey v Middlesex – full report here.

Division Two

Points TableGlen Chapple destroyed Leicestershire with 5 for 22, bowling them out for just 165. Chapple was well supported by Murali Kartik who took 4 for 43, but Lancashire were to lose two wickets by the close of play. Both Mark Chilton and Ian Sutcliffe were dismissed, as the home side trail Leicestershire by 104 runs.Yorkshire’s batsmen were at the mercy of Northamptonshire’s spinners, Jason Brown and Monty Panesar, on the first day at Northampton. The pair took all ten wickets, as Yorkshire stumbled to a paltry 177; only Craig White could offer much resistance with 51. Brown took 5 for 65 and Panesar was particularly economical, conceding just 32 runs from 27.5 overs. In reply, the home side reached 98 for 2.Playing in just his second first-class game, Wayne White took 4 for 77 as Derbyshire bowled Somerset out for 259. There were fifties for John Francis and James Hildreth, who hit 84. Derbyshire reached 129 for the loss of just one wicket at stumps.Will Jefferson’s second hundred of the season was the cornerstone of Essex’s 397 for 7 against Worcestershire. Jefferson ought not to have been the sole centurion; two of his teammates, Ronnie Irani and Ryan ten Doeschate, fell in the nineties. Kabir Ali took 2 for 76.

West Indies women's board to merge with WICB

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation (WIWCF) are set to merge, in time for the March 2005 deadline agreed upon by the ICC and the International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC).Ms Anne Browne-John, a WIWCF representative, said the two organisations had agreed to move forward on the basis of a business plan that, among other things, will present options for integration as well as consider the financial, legal, operational and ownership implications for both partners. It is likely the plan will have input from a wide range of stakeholders in the game.She added that the WIWCF was aware the unification would call for great compromise and commitment from both parties at all levels, but believed it would be to the benefit of the sport.The WIWCF, in its 30th year, is a full member of the IWCC and an associate member of the WICB, and the West Indies women’s team is playing in the IWCC World Cup in South Africa next year.

Heat and dust … and marriage

One man makes such a difference. Sachin Tendulkar is recovering from a finger injury and his absence has taken its toll on the most important match of India’s domestic season – the Ranji Trophy Final. The summit clash between hosts Mumbai and Tamil Nadu which started today at the Wankhede Stadium has an air of silence surrounding it.When Tendulkar used to walk into the sun, the bowl would reverberate with his name. Now, the silence echoes. Many of the stands are empty, and the most prominent emptiness is that of … the Sachin Tendulkar stand. It is dotted with shining blue seats, a pattern unbroken by the presence of even a single spectator.The Vijay Merchant stand is also empty, though a few seats in the Sunil Gavaskar stand are taken. There appear to be not more than 1000 people present, and most of them are in the Garware Pavilion.Why is this so? A Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official, when quizzed by this reporter on the attendance, has a theory: "There’s so much cricket these days … you switch on any sports channel and cricket hogs the limelight. Why would anyone want to come and watch this match?"The absence of Tendulkar is also a factor. Tendulkar, who plays for Mumbai whenever his international schedule gives him the time to do so, is in the USA recuperating from finger surgery. Had he been playing, surely the crowds would have filled up.An anchor from a prominent Hindi news channel walks by, looks around, and corners a 12-year-old spectator. You’d think they’d both have Tendulkar on their mind. The anchor shoves her microphone at the kid’s throat and asks: "So, what do you think about Rahul Dravid getting married?"The child replies, "I am a great fan of his and I think he should get married."Amid this talk of marriage, people start taking their clothes off. The organisers have not provided any fans – the electrical kind – in the stands, and the heat is unbearable. Young men game for an afternoon of sport remove their shirts and vests. Who said the Ranji Trophy was easy going? It’s all sweat and toil, even for spectators.

Overseas players keen to catch women's cricket wave in NZ

New Zealand’s success in staging last year’s CricInfo Women’s World Cup has had an unexpected benefit for Christchurch women’s cricket.Players are lining up to come and sample cricket here.Among those expected to be playing their cricket here this summer are England under-19 and Yorkshire player Claire Atkinson and Netherlands captain Pauline te Beest.Te Beest is targetting a place in the Canterbury side in the national competition.Sri Lankan World Cup vice-captain Sudarshini Sivanathan is another who has made enquiries about coming back to Christchurch.Yorkshire all-rounder Clare Gough, who got close to the England team for last year’s tournament, is also interested while another Dutch player Alarda Mol is also reported to be keen.White Fern Nicola Payne, who has been a contact point for many wanting to play in Christchurch, said the World Cup was excellent advertising for cricket in the city and in New Zealand, along with other players who have played here talking about their experiences when they go home.

Mushtaq spins Sussex to the top

Division One

Mushtaq Ahmed took nine wickets in the match as Sussex crushed Durham © Getty Images

Mushtaq Ahmed bowled Sussex to an expected success at Horsham on Sunday, to wrap up the game within three days. They needed just three wickets – with Steve Harmison unable to bat because of his hernia problem – as Durham began the day 200 runs in arrears. They managed to add 98 today, before losing by an innings and 102 runs. Mushtaq ended with 4 for 77 and Robin Martin-Jenkins mopped up with 2 for 35. Fifties from Ottis Gibson and Dale Benkenstein could not help Durham.The win means Sussex go top, at least temporarily, while the leaders Yorkshire were held up by more rain against Warwickshire at Edgbaston – completing a miserable, wet weekend for them.

Division Two

At Taunton, play was delayed until 4pm and then just two runs (in extras) were added by Northamptonshire before bad light stopped play. It would have been a frustrating day for Somerset who have their visitors three down in the second innings and trailing by 161 runs.Rain, meanwhile, obliterated the third day at Trent Bridge, with Nottinghamshire frozen at 271 for 4 and heading for a draw with Gloucestershire after a first-day washout.

Katich and Jaques win opening race

Phil Jaques has been given a chance ahead of Matthew Hayden at Kuala Lumpur © Getty Images

Simon Katich and Phil Jaques will get the first chance to audition for an opening berth after Matthew Hayden was omitted for match one of the tri-series in Malaysia on Tuesday. Ricky Ponting also confirmed Glenn McGrath would make his international return against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur after nine months away due to his wife Jane’s illness.While the inclusion of McGrath was expected, the pairing of Katich and Jaques was a surprise, but the team is tinkering as Adam Gilchrist, the usual opener, stays at home in Perth. Jaques, the New South Wales left-hander, has appeared in only two one-day internationals and Australia’s initial experiments look to the future instead of the past.Hayden was chosen for his first one-day tour in more than a year on this trip, but he will have to wait for his chance in the large squad of 18, which will appear in four preliminary fixtures over the next two weeks. Other notable absentees from the first side were Michael Hussey, the tour vice-captain, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and Damien Martyn, while the emerging trio of Dan Cullen, Mitchell Johnson and Mark Cosgrove was given an opportunity to perform.”It’s been hard to map it all out to tell you the truth,” Ponting told . “We’re looking to give equal game time to all the players here, some guys will get two games, some three games, so it’s just the way we’ve worked it out.”Ponting said the bowlers would also be rotated to ease them back into competition after a five-month break. “We might have to [bowl short spells],” he said. “It might be the same for all our bowlers, these sorts of conditions after the long break we’ve had, it’s going to be hard for anyone, doesn’t matter how much work you’ve done in the off-season.”Australia Simon Katich, Mark Cosgrove, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Dan Cullen, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath.

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