Scorecard Defnding champions New South Wales played out a tense draw against Queensland at The Gabba, a result which makes it almost impossible for them to retain the Pura Cup.Set 327 from 55 overs to win in the second innings, NSW managed 8 for 277 with Man of the Match Phil Jaques blazing a run-a-ball 146. When Jaques dragged on a slower ball from Michael Kasprowicz, NSW were 8 for 270 with 33 balls remaining. Stuart Clark and Doug Bollinger then stonewalled to leave Queensland with only two first-innings points from the captivating match.The result left NSW fifth on the Cup table with only 11 points from eight matches and no realistic chance of playing in the final. They are 11 points behind second-placed Tasmania (22) and seven behind Queensland (18). To add insult to injury for NSW, their appeal against the one-point penalty, incurred for a slow over-rate against Victoria in December, was dismissed by Cricket Australia today.Starting the final day on 6 for 125, 306 in arrears, Mark Waugh (90) and Matt Nicholson (35 not out) put on 118 runs fopr the seventh wicket, and Steve Waugh declared the innings after Mark’s dismissal. Jimmy Maher, the Queensland captain, opted against enforcing the follow-on and then made a sporting declaration of his own after they smacked 2 for 124 in 18 overs. Clinton Perren’s quickfire 57 was the highlight.NSW looked a strong chance of winning when Steve Waugh was in full flight with Jaques. Waugh was in sparkling touch, racing to 28 off 20 balls before Joe Drawes trapped him leg-before with an in-cutter, ending a 55-run stand which put the NSW Blues back on track after they slumped to to 3 for 141. Jaques and Greg Mail (50 off 67) had given the them the perfect launch-pad with a 101-run stand before Kasprowicz (4-74) triggered a minor collapse.Kasprowicz induced an inside edge from Mail for wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe to take a brilliant diving catch. This gave Kasprowicz the dual milestone of 800 first-class wickets and the record as the leading Queensland Shield/Pura Cup wicket-taker (384). The previous record belonged to Carl Rackemann.Kaprowicz then followed up by dismissing Brad Haddin (10), also caught behind, before latching on to a skied pull shot from Dominic Thornely (1). Mark Waugh fell for 5 when he scooped Kasprowicz to Craig Philipson on the third man boundary. And despite Jaques’s sparkling efforts, NSW ended 50 runs short.
Ahead of the first of the VB One Day series final matches against Australia in Sydney Somerset all rounder talked about his performances so far for England this winter.He told me earlier today: "As you can imagine I’m thrilled to bits with the way that my bowling has improved this winter and over the moon the way I bowled and also the way the team fought the other night against Australia."He continued: "As for my batting, I’m just frustrated really because I know I can do it, and I feel in good nick in the nets too. I don’t think there are many games where an all rounder has a good game both bowling and batting, normally one part stands out more than the other."However despite being out of form with the bat `Blackie’ remains upbeat. He concluded: "I’m not too worried though because I’m still working on things and I have also played a DVD of my innings against India, when I scored 82, to see what I did differently if anything. Lets hope I can rediscover that form for the finals."
England’s women take on the touring Australian side in the First CricInfoSeries Test Match at Shenley on Sunday.In a concentrated period of international women’s cricket, the reshapedEngland side will play three One Day Internationals, sandwiched between twofour-day Tests, before the Australians move on to Ireland.England’s young side will be looking for a good performance as they embark on their stated mission – to challenge for the 2005 World Cup, and to be ranking in the top two nations by 2007. Having enlisted Australian Coach John Harmer, who will take over at the end of the CricInfo Series, England will be looking for positive progress over the coming weeks from their youthful lineup.The last time the two teams met, at the BIL Oval near Christchurch during the CricInfo Women’s World Cup, Australia won by 54 runs. Having bowled and fielded impressively to restrict the Australians to 190-7 off their 50 overs, the England batsmen were dismissed for 137.England will hope to repeat their impressive work in the field, their strength during the World Cup. Clare Taylor and Lucy Pearson are the Gough and Caddick of women’s cricket. One of the best opening attacks in the world, they will want to make early inroads into the strong Australian batting order.England also look strong in the spin department. Laura Harper and Dawn Holden are great prospects, and both made rapid progress during the World Cup. The longer game will be an interesting challenge for their undoubted talents.The batting is built around Claire Taylor, England’s batsman of the World Cup. Captain Clare Connor found form towards the end of the competition, and experienced Jane Cassar will shoulder a lot of responsibility. However, withCharlotte Edwards suffering from long-term injury and Barbara Daniels sidelined, England will be looking towards their young all-rounders to makea major contribution. Less experienced players like Caroline Atkins and Jackie Hawker must view this tournament as an opportunity to test their talents against the best in the world.The Australians – the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars – will still be smarting from their defeat against New Zealand in the World Cup Final in December 2000. The strongest team in the tournament, Australia were bowled out three runs short of their target in a pulsating final. However, like their male counterparts, the Australian women are an impressive unit.The batting has a familiar look. Evergreen captain Belinda Clark, prolificopener Lisa Keightley and pugnacious all-rounder Karen Rolton will provide astrong backbone to the order. Sally Cooper is the young prospect who will want to make an impact, and a recall for Michelle Goszko in the absence of Zoe Goss, are the two less familiar players who will be looking to cement their place in the order for years to come.Charmaine Mason, Therese McGregor and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, perhaps thequickest of all women bowlers, are a formidable pace attack, and they will be well supported by Rolton, and all-rounders Avril Fahey and Olivia Magno.With the Australians seeking to reaffirm their undoubted pedigree and England rebuilding with a side bursting with young all-round talent, a tantalising CricInfo Series is in prospect.
Roshan Mahanama, the former Sri Lanka batsman, will step down from the ICC elite match referees panel at the end of the year so that he can spend more time with his family and focus on his business activities in Sri Lanka.Mahanama joined the elite panel in 2004 and has refereed in 58 Tests, 222 ODIs and 35 T20Is till date, including in three World Cups and the Champions Trophy 2009.”This has been an extremely difficult decision as I am very passionate about cricket, which has been an integral part of my life for over 40 years as a cricketer, coach and ICC match referee,” Mahanama said. “However, in life a time comes when one has to keep moving forward based on obligations and priorities. My time has come to devote an uninterrupted focus and attention to my family, who made massive sacrifices over the years to enable me to pursue my career for over three decades.”Geoff Allardice, the ICC general manager – cricket, thanked Mahanama for his contributions. “Roshan has been one of the pioneers of the elite panel and has been an integral component during the phase when the referee’s role was evolving,” Allardice said. “Roshan, very efficiently and intelligently, integrated his cricketing knowledge into match management skills to earn huge respect and appreciation from the entire cricketing fraternity.””Roshan’s hallmark as a match referee has been his meticulous preparation and methodical approach,” Vince Van Der Bijl, the ICC senior umpires & referees manager, said. “His efficiency and dedication to the task in serving cricket has shone through his time with the ICC.”
Sunday’s 1-1 draw with now champions, Leicester, means Manchester United’s top four hopes continue to look bleak.
Despite guiding his side to the FA Cup final, Louis van Gaal’s future hangs in the balance due to another disappointing league campaign.
Speculation that the Dutchman will be replaced by Jose Mourinho persists around Old Trafford, but even if LVG’s tenure does come to an end, he will at least, leave behind a side bursting with potential.
The under-pressure manager has introduced a host of youngsters into his first-team as the season has progressed, and there are enough green shoots of hope around to suggest that Man United will be a real force in the title race next term.
Here are FIVE young Red Devils with the potential to contribute to a much higher league position in 2016/17…
Anthony Martial
The outlandish fee paid for Martial made him the biggest gamble of all Van Gaal’s transfer buys.
Arriving in the summer for £36.5m, plus add-ons, at just 19, the young Frenchman’s transfer raised plenty of eyebrows at the culmination of Man United’s desperate search for striking reinforcements.
Ironically though, he has proved by far the most effective of Van Gaal’s acquisitions to date.
An electric first campaign in a United shirt has seen the former Monaco man become one of world football’s hottest starlets.
Van Gaal originally commented that Martial was a player for the future, but the forward has not looked back since endearing himself to United fans by scoring against arch rivals Liverpool.
He is already a key player for the team and will be crucial in their upcoming campaign. So high is Martial’s stock though, that the continent’s biggest clubs are sure to be on standby to attempt to lure him from Old Trafford should United fail to secure a Champions League berth.
Jesse Lingard
Lingard’s journey to the United first team has been a slow and steady, rather than explosive arrival, but he seems now to have secured his place with a fine run of form in the second half of the season.
The winger has been monitored closely by Roy Hodgson since the turn of the year, a sign that his transformation from promising youngster to established Premier League star is nearing completion.
Lingard, now 23, has been at United since the age of seven. Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes and now Van Gaal all seem to have been impressed by the Englishman, with his pace and work-rate seeing him gradually force his way into the first-team squad.
Lingard has already netted several important goals for the Red Devils and is forming a good understanding with the likes of Martial and Rashford.
While injuries initially gave Lingard his chance, more established names like Juan Mata, Ashley Young and the expensive Memphis Depay now sit on the bench while Van Gaal continues to prefer his rising star.
Marcus Rashford
Few players have made a more sensational impact at the start of their career than Rashford.
The untried teenager replaced Martial, injured in the warm up, against FC Midtjylland with United needing a result to progress back in February, and promptly netted twice on his debut in a 5-1 win.
Van Gaal then continued with the youngster against a much tougher Arsenal side in the league. Incredibly, he repeated the feat, sinking the Gunners with another two goals.
Rashford has been displaying a lethal touch ever since with further strikes helping United continue their Champions League push and reach the FA Cup Final.
The 18-year-old already looks every inch the natural finisher. With bristling pace and the movement of an experienced poacher, he will be a key asset for United next term.
Adnan Januzaj
The emergence of Januzaj was one of few positives from the season that United endured under David Moyes.
The youngster’s undoubted natural ability and spark of creativity came to the fore while the side floundered in the immediate aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
Despite his contribution, United had a dismal campaign and Moyes’ departure saw the starlet’s development come to an abrupt halt.
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Not being a part of Van Gaal’s immediate plans, Januzaj was then given a temporary move – which was surely the envy of most loanees – to Dortmund. The Brussels-born man, however, failed to make an impact at the Westfalenstadion and returned to United.
The winger is now 21 and it could well be that next year represents a final chance to establish himself at Old Trafford. How best to incorporate his precocious talent will be a key decision for whoever is United manager come August.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
So severe have United’s defensive injury problems been this year that most of their youth-team defenders have been given some sort of chance in the first XI.
Few have made quite the impact of Fosu-Mensah, though.
The youngster made his debut in the home victory over Arsenal, where the headlines were stolen by fellow teenage sensation Rashford.
In every appearance since, however, the 18-year-old’s hulking frame has really caught the eye as he set about Premier League opponents like he’s been doing it for years.
The versatile Dutchman has so far been introduced to the side at full back but is known to be equally at home in the heart of the defence or in midfield.
His sheer athleticism and combative nature has seen the Old Trafford faithful take him almost immediately to their hearts, but make no mistake; Fosu-Mensah is a talented footballer and in just a few short weeks has proved he could be formidable part of United’s push for honours next year.
Players who appear in unofficial events will have their contracts cancelled under policy guidelines announced by Cricket Australia. The conditions do not apply to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is sanctioned by the Indian board, but they do affect those considering joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL).The decision follows ICC regulations and similar guidelines forced Shane Bond, the New Zealand fast bowler, to terminate his national deal. No current Cricket Australia contract holders have publicly expressed their desire to be part of the ICL, but there is potential for younger domestic performers to be attracted to the competition. Stuart Law and Ian Harvey took part in the original tournament in India in December, but both have finished their inter-state careers in Australia.In one of two conditions released by Cricket Australia it said “selectors will treat players who take part only in ICC-approved matches more favourably than those who do not”. The other clause stated “players will not be offered contracts or be permitted to continue to be a party to player contracts if, during the term of those contracts, those players take part in unofficial cricket events”.The ruling pushes Australians towards the IPL and the planned Champions Twenty20 competition that is due to involve domestic teams from Australia, India, South Africa and England.
Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore has said that confidence was the key to their emphatic victory against India at Trinidad on March 17. Bangladesh have two more matches – against Sri Lanka and Bermuda – and are strong contenders from Group B to qualify for the Super Eight stage.Bangladesh dismissed India for 191 and then chased down the target with five wickets in hand. Whatmore said that the difference with this side was self-belief. “There is more self-belief,” Whatmore told AFP. “The Bangladesh side of two or three years ago might not to be able to overhaul the target of 192 against India.”A lot of these boys are willing to work a lot harder out in the middle in difficult periods. That’s the main difference. Our bowling attack has come along well. The fielding has improved and I was very pleased with what I saw [against India]. The catching is good. Our ground fielding is an area we would like to improve even further.”Bangladesh made it clear that they were not going to be pushovers by beating New Zealand and Scotland in their warm-up matches before stunning India.”We wanted to have very good preparations first,” said Whatmore. “We got to the West Indies before any other team. A particularly good game against New Zealand gave us confidence and we had another victory against Scotland. These games have given us confidence. In the bigger match, what we are trying to do is to replicate good things we did in previous matches.”Bangladesh’s chase against India was led by three teenagers – Tamim Iqbal, Saqibul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim – who scored half-centuries. Tamim had scored 46 off 48 balls in the warm-up game against New Zealand and pummelled India during his 51.”Tamim probably learnt his lessons from the match with New Zealand. He’s got a bit to learn still, but he has got the ability to be an asset to any team. Hasan’s learning and is learning pretty fast. So is Rahim. It was a very significant victory [against India]. It gives us a reasonable chance to go on and realise our first objective, which is to get to the Super Eight stage.”
Shane Warne has dismissed rumours of an impending ODI comeback for Australia. Warne, back in England for the start of a county season with Hampshire, was reported by AFP saying he had no intention of coming out of his self-imposed one-day international retirement.Warne was mystified by comments made by John Buchanan, Australia’s coach, hinting he might be ready to change his mind in time for the World Cup next year in the West Indies. “I must have said it 14,000 times. I have retired and I have no aspirations to return,” Warne reiterated after skippering Hampshire to victory in their C&G Ttrophy match against Essex at the Rose Bowl.This contradicts statements made by Buchanan, published by Australian papers, which said there had been discussions with Warne about the possibility of a return. “Ricky [Ponting], myself and Andrew Hilditch [chairman of selectors] have all had discussions with Shane about the World Cup,” Buchanan told . “There needs to be commitment or otherwise from him. Either he makes himself available in terms of the team moving forward with its plans, or not. And then the selectors will have some decisions on their plate from there. Shane spoke to us in South Africa, and then again in Bangladesh.”But Warne insisted, “I have to be fair to the squad. There is a lot of cricket ahead in the next year with the ICC Trophy, the VB Series and the World Cup and they have to prepare. I have been out of the limited-overs team for three years and I have absolutely no desire to come back.”I have taken 200 wickets in the last two years in Test matches and that is no coincidence. I have been playing better than ever. John Buchanan must have misunderstood what I was saying and I know people have been saying that I have been talking to Ricky Ponting but in Bangladesh there was not much else to do but talk.”Warne, who missed Australia’s victorious World Cup campaign in 2003 after failing a drugs test which saw him banned from professional cricket for a year, added, “If Ricky said to me at some stage ‘look we really need you’, then I would think about it, but I don’t think it would ever come to that. The team has done really well without me and I will be barracking for them in the World Cup, but not playing for them.”Warne, who has 293 wickets from 194 one-day internationals, subsequently went into voluntary retirement from ODIs. His only appearance since came in last year’s tsunami charity match between Asia and the Rest of the World in front of his home crowd at the MCG, a fixture controversially awarded full limited-overs international status.
After losing their fourth consecutive series to South Africa, West Indies’ coach, Bennett King, has said that their approach will be as positive in the fourth Test – which begins in Antigua tomorrow – as it has been through the series.”People have noticed an improvement in the way the players have been approaching the cricket on the field, but it has not turned into results just yet,” King was quoted by AFP. “Coming into this role, I was not expecting to all of a sudden see West Indies become the No. 1 side in the world. Things take time. It cannot be fixed in a matter of months, but over a period of time.”What the period of time is, I do not know, but if they are not improving from match to match, then I’ll start asking myself questions about if I am doing the job I am supposed to be doing,” he continued. “While the players are still in the process of improving, and they are giving me that feedback, I’ll continue going down the same path for the time-being.”There were two changes to the squad, with Tino Best replacing Reon King, while Ryan Hinds made way for Narsingh Deonarine.Best, who has not played competitive cricket since the England tour last August due to a back injury, said he was raring to go in the fourth Test without feeling the pressures that are part of a comeback. “It is always a good opportunity to play for the West Indies. I relish the opportunity,” Best was quoted in the Jamaica Observer. “I think I’m fit. I’m 100%. I’ve been working hard. The physical trainer is doing a great job so far.”I don’t feel under any pressure. That’s the number one thing you get out of your mind, any pressure on your mind. You just want to go and relax and feel confident. As long as you put on that maroon cap you always feel confident. Just work hard.”However, South Africa are looking to continue piling the misery on their distraught opponents. Graeme Smith indicated that his side would not take things lightly despite winning the series. “One thing we learnt from the eight or nine months of tough times is that we cannot afford to take a Test match win, Test match form or personal form for granted, so we will be looking to perform well out there every single day of the match.”Some people may look back at our victories in Trinidad and in Barbados and may consider them easy, but there were far from being easy wins,” he said. “We have worked very hard for our two victories under some trying conditions. We should never be satisfied with our position, and we should look to take our game up a level or two each time.”
The Indian squad currently touring Australia have impressed many critics with their work ethic and team spirit, and the latest to join their fan club was Bruce Reid, the team’s current bowling coach. Speaking to the Press Trust of India, Reid gushed about the manner in which the Indians approached this tour, right from planning against opposition players to their positive attitude throughout the series. “I was so impressed with their mindset,” he said. “There is much to learn from the Indians for the other Test nations.”Reid continued: “They were just not worried about individual reputations. They just played as they saw it. At team meetings they barely mentioned the names of the Australian bowlers. They played each ball as they saw it, but it was irrelevant who bowled it. I know they rated Jason Gillespie very highly, but they felt the more they talked the bowlers up the more of an issue they would become, so they hardly spoke of them.”Reid also raved about the manner in which the Indian batsmen dismantled Stuart MacGill. MacGill took 14 wickets in the series, but they came at the high cost of 50.79 apiece. “When coach John Wright tried to teach his players how to play spin, they laugh at him. They just don’t rate it. You should use your bat all the time against spin and it seems to get them in far less trouble. All of them play that way. They just try to avoid pad-play.”The Indians’ tendency to back their instincts came in for praise as well. “For all their technical mastery, the Indian batsmen backed their instincts and were not overly obsessed about making technical adjustments to cope with conditions and pitches,” Reid observed. “They never got technical about things at all. In the nets, you would never hear them talking about their backlift or where their top hand was. They just played.”Past Indian teams have often worried about the grass on the pitch, but Reid remarked that this squad wasn’t too bothered, and believed in playing their natural game. “They just didn’t worry at all whether the wickets were fast or slow or whatever. It was the same with practice wickets,” he said. “I’ve played in teams who have whinged about practice wickets but it never worried the Indians. They’d just go in and have a bash.”There was special mention of Akash Chopra, who finished with a modest average of 23, but spent plenty of time at the crease, ensuring that the middle order would not have to face the new ball. “He never made a 50 in the Tests but you cannot underestimate the role he played in sticking around to protect Rahul Dravid from the new ball. It just made a huge difference and it’s been a long time since any openers have done as well in Australia. He is so gutsy.”The team spirit shown by the entire squad didn’t go unnoticed either. “In the past, if they were coming out for warm-ups, some of the older guys and the big individual stars might have come ten minutes after the rest of them. This time they would all come out together. They did everything together.”