All posts by csb10.top

It’s high time we had another caption competition and, fortunately for us (and you), Graeme Smith was spotted on the back of a Harley-Davidson. This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to be really very funny indeed (and give you a chance to win a prize). So what is Smith thinking?The best three will receive a copy of Harry Thompson’s and Lawrence Booth’s , both cracking reads.Entries should be sent in to [email protected] and must include your name, postal address, email address – oh, and your witty offering too of course. Bonus points for those who Photoshop their entries with speech bubbles to save us the bother…Get to it. Be witty.

Sri Lanka have asked Pakistan to schedule their bilateral one-day series, which was proposed to fill the gap caused by Australia’s pull-out, so that the dates do not clash with those of the Indian Premier League (IPL).Arjuna Ranatunga, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chairman, had agreed in principle to a one-day series in Pakistan after Australia postponed their tour due to security concerns but the reported dates were between April 23 and May 5, which coincide with the IPL, which runs between April 18 and June 1.”We have told Pakistan that we are keen to help Pakistan only if it [the series] did not clash with the IPL,” Duleep Mendis, the chief executive of the SLC, told AFP. He said that the SLC had already released players for the IPL.Cricinfo had reported that the IPL could affect the series because several Sri Lankan and Pakistan players had been bought by the franchises during the first auction on the basis of their availability, and a newly scheduled series would be an inconvenience. The PCB said that it was willing to offer SLC $800,000 for the five ODIs but only if they sent their full team.Player sources denied any pressure was placed on SLC by the cricketers to delay the tour: “Media speculation over the weekend that some of Sri Lanka’s players might have been considering an early retirement or a series boycott to play in the IPL rather than tour Pakistan is totally unfounded. Playing for Sri Lanka is the No 1 priority.”Meanwhile, Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, which is running the IPL, told Cricinfo he had contacted officials of the PCB and the SLC regarding the proposed series. “But it was just at the proposal stage. So we didn’t go any further into it,” Shah said.

Given the circumstances it was almost inevitable that the cricket would be overshadowed by all that had gone before. Even so there was a curious emptiness about the first day of the, as we now have to call it, five-day match between South Africa and India at SuperSport on Friday.For a start, it has been difficult to find an appropriate label for the game. Quite obviously it does not have the blessing of the ICC and is therefore not a Test match (and the ICC, incidentally, managed to get quite sniffy about a reference to an unofficial "Test"). A tour match? Well, yes it is, but that seems to miss the target as well.The prevailing wisdom at Centurion on Friday was that at least one of the competing teams, India, will attempt to have the match upgraded to full Test status some time in the future when emotions have subsided and the parties on all sides of the issue are better prepared to listen to rational argument.Whatever the case, the first day produced another patchy batting display from India who were sent in to bat by Shaun Pollock, ending the day on 221 for eight. The Indians left out Virender Sehwag (presumably to better strengthen their case if and when the reinstatement case is argued), had skipper Sourav Ganguly out with back and shoulder spasms and left out seamer Ajit Agarkar.All of this made space for Ashish Nehra, Venkatesh Prasad and Connor Williams who has probably spent last month or so wondering what he was supposed to be doing in South Africa.But when he finally found himself on the field, not for a Test match, but for a reasonably close approximation) he might have wondered whether it had been worth the wait. He was hit around the body by both Pollock and Nantie Hayward before falling leg before to Lance Klusener for 5 as India crawled through to lunch at 44 for one.The batting perked up after the interval, but so too did the Indians manage to get themselves out: Rahul Dravid for 5, Shiv Das for another dogged 46, Sachin Tendulkar for 27, carelessly flicking at one down the leg side, and VVS Laxman for 14, well caught in the gully by Gary Kirsten.At 107 for five, India were in trouble and South Africa already into the tail, but here, interestingly, the tourists began to display rather more resolve.South Africa had generally bowled tidily with Jacques Kallis as effective as at any stage during the two official Test matches, but Deep Dasgupta and Anil Kumble then dug in to add 51 for the sixth wicket (a record partnership, incidentally, for five-day matches that are not Tests between the two countries).Dasgupta was eventually undone by a short one from Nantie Hayward that he poked off his ribs to square leg for 36 and then Harbhajan Singh flapped happily around until he was run out for 29. Even then, South Africa couldn’t quite finish it off despite Javagal Srinath having to retire hurt after being struck on the hand by Hayward.Hayward, in fact, was to finish with best figures of the day after bowling Kumble for 27 off the last ball of the day. His return was three for 70 while Kallis took two for 15 and for once Pollock went wicketless.It was, in the end, a hollow day, dressed in the trappings of Test cricket but not quite the real thing. Some would argue that this match should never have taken place in the first place – and there are strong reasons to pay heed to this point of view. For all this, though, we have a game of cricket, if not quite a game of Test cricket.

Shot of the day
Ian Bell’s response to Dilhara Fernando’s first ball of the morning.It was full and straight, and Bell creamed it straight back down theground, past the non-striker’s off stump by a whisker, and all the wayto the rope. Last night Matthew Hoggard has spoken of England’s desireto hit the ground running in this match. With one shot, Bell showedthat England were determined to live up to that promise on a dailybasis.Catch of the day
Chamara Silva’s outstanding snaffle at short midwicket. Bell had beenbatting with determination and poise, but his desire to remainpositive in the face of Muttiah Muralitharan’s onslaught eventually proved hisundoing. It needed a massively alert fielder to take advantage of hismiscued drive, however, as the ball squirted in the air off a thickinside-edge and Silva at full stretch to his left ended an excellentinnings and carried Murali ever closer to destiny.Stonewaller of the day
The free-flowing Michael Vaughan is not used to being entrenched whilebatting… except, of course, when he’s playing a Test in Kandy. Threeyears ago, Vaughan led England’s rearguard on this ground with aseven-and-a-half hour 105. Today, he dug in with the determination ofa captain with four days in which to capitalise on an outstandingfirst-innings bowling effort. Muralitharan kept him pinned down at thepress-box end of the ground, and by the time he was dismissed (much tohis chagrin) for 37, he had occupied the crease for a furthertwo-and-a-half hours.Over of the day
There was only one bowler who mattered today. A feverish crowd chantedand drummed in appreciation, and Murali did not disappoint, as hereeled his way towards the world record with a mesmeric performance.The zenith came in his 18th over of the day – six deliveries, everyone a live hand-grenade. Paul Collingwood fenced a ripper inches shortof a sprawling silly point; Ravi Bopara turned one tentatively off histoes and into the hands of short leg, but replays showed he’d justmanaged to jab it into the turf first. But Murali’s eyes weretwinkling with anticipation, and sure enough, Bopara’s maiden Testinnings ended with a leg-side strangle next ball.Anticlimax of the day
Kandy hasn’t known such heights of reverence and worship since theBuddha’s tooth was last paraded through town. The world record was athis mercy, as Ryan Sidebottom took guard in preparation for the ordealhe was about to face. Six deliveries were negotiated but none of themcomfortably, but then the weather closed in from the surroundinghills, and the quest had to be put on hold for another 24 hours.

Victoria 251 (Hussey 84, White 61, Magoffin 5-67) and 0 for 17 trail Western Australia 9 for 428 dec and 5 for 277 dec (Marsh 96, Voges 79*, Ronchi 61) by 437 runs
Scorecard

Victoria face a monster fourth-day chase as they fight for Pura Cup final-hosting rights, after Shaun Marsh’s 96 set up a lead of 454 for Western Australia. The Bushrangers reached 0 for 17 at stumps with Nick Jewell on 6 and Lloyd Mash on 9, meaning they required a further 438 for an unlikely win.Western Australia could have enforced the follow-on after the Bushrangers were dismissed for 251, at which point they trailed by 177. Cameron White began the day as their primary hope but he could only add five to his overnight score and at 61 became Steve Magoffin’s fifth victim.Shane Harwood and Bryce McGain grabbed two wickets each in the Warriors’ second innings, however Marsh and Luke Ronchi got the home side away to a strong start. Ronchi was promoted to open as Justin Langer rested his sore back and his 61 from 62 balls set the scene.Adam Voges continued to extend their lead with 79 not out before the declaration came at 5 for 277, giving Victoria a nine-over period to face late in the day. Although they have built their reputation on chasing big targets in recent years, the Bushrangers’ current task would be one of their greatest achievements if they could pull it off.Victoria and New South Wales have already reached the Pura Cup decider and the teams are equal on points, meaning the hosting rights will be determined by the current games and the final round, which starts on Friday. New South Wales also failed to claim first-innings points in their match against Tasmania.

Former Pakistan captain turned politician Imran Khan, who gave authorities the slip over the weekend as a state of emergency was imposed through the country, has vowed to oppose President Pervez Musharraf from hiding.Imran, leader of the (The Justice Party) opposed to Musharraf, escaped from his family home while it was being searched by police as part of a government crackdown on the legal fraternity and opposition politicians.In a message passed to Reuters by his ex-wife Jemima, Imran said: “The police have ransacked my house and ill treated my family members.” He went on to accuse the USA of being complicit in Musharraf’s actions.”Our aim is to continue the struggle and mobilise the youth of the country from underground.”Jemima told the Daily Mail: “The police ransacked his house and roughed up his family. He managed to escape just before they returned with an arrest warrant to cart him off to Kot Lakpat jail. He is now in hiding along with most of his party and thousands of others who fear reprisals for criticising the government.”Imran turned to politics soon after retiring from international cricket in 1992. Though his party has limited grassroots support and has enjoyed scant electoral success, Imran has been among the most vociferous critics of the Musharraf regime.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) are the favourites to qualify for next year’s Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, when the East Asia-Pacific qualifier begins in Vanuatu on Wednesday. Just one place is available.It will be the first of five regional qualifying tournaments to be played up to the end of August – with one qualifying place up for grabs from each. Europe’s will be held in Belfast from 23-26 July, the Americas in Toronto from 13-18 August, Asia’s in Malaysia from 20-29 August and Africa’s in Benoni from 25-30 August.In all, 31 teams will take part, with the five winners joining the ten Full Members and Malaysia for the main event which starts on 17 February where Pakistan will aim to complete a hat-trick of titles. They beat West Indies in the 2004 final, and India last year. PNG failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cups, but played in the two previous competitions.The other three teams are Japan, Vanuatu and Fiji. Vanuatu is one of the six Affiliates taking part in the tournaments with the others being Qatar, Afghanistan, Oman, the Bahamas and Ghana.It will be Japan’s debut appearance at this level after becoming an Associate in 2005, while Fiji was the host of the previous EAP Qualifier when it was staged in 2001.The president of Vanuatu Cricket Association, Mark Stafford, said the tournament will provide a valuable boost for the growth of the sport in Vanuatu. He said: “We have focused on developing our junior cricket programs and structures, and hosting the EAP U/19 Qualifier complements our ambitions to cultivate a strong junior base.”The tournament also has the backing of the Vanuatu Government, with the Minister for Youth Development and Training, the Honourable Dunstan Hilton offering his support. “We have been a long time supporter of cricket in Vanuatu. We realise how important this tournament is to continuing the development of the sport.”On the opening day, Japan will take on PNG at the Kazaa Field while the Independence Park will host Fiji and Vanuatu. The top two teams will play for the title with the winner earning a ticket to Malaysia.Vanuatu Andrew Mansale, Trevor Langa, Frederick Timakata, Simpson Hopeman Obed, Lazaro Carlot, Johnathan Dunn, Brendan Gabriel Francis Piau-Lynch, Steven Mark Piau-Lynch, Trevor Rambay, Patrick Kaltaneaki Matautaava, Henry Chilia, Silou Delarue, Selwyn Garae, Victor Aru.Fiji Josefa Rika (capt), Maciu Babiau (vice-captain), Viliame Yabaki, Peni Dakainivanua, Sekope Biauniceva, Makutu Seru, Viliame Manakiwai, Coqabula Waqabaca, Tukana Tavo, Patrick Tuidraki, Vilikesa Nailolo, Joni Dauveipapitaiso, Gaurang Patel, Enoch Tamani.Japan Kodai Hirano, Takumi Nomura, Naoki Kamatani, Naotsune Miyaji, Masahiro Azuma, Ryo Ikeba, Hideyo Ishida, Taketeru Yoshida, Shohei Okuma, Yosuke Higashimoto, Naoki Toyoda, Naoki Hayashi, Jiro Takenaka, Raheel Kano.Papua New Guinea Tony Pala Ura, Heni Siaka, Tanti Heni, Joel Tom, Miller Rabura, Alfred Amini, Colin Terian Amini, Arua Vagi Dikana, Jonathan Diho, Jason Kila, Loa Nou, Jacob Morea Mado, Harry Eua, Willie Toua Gavera.

Shoaib Malik has been retained as Pakistan’s captain until December 2008 after the PCB extended his current appointment by another year. Malik was made captain in April, following Pakistan’s dismal World Cup performance, originally until December this year.”Malik has shown enough promise to warrant more time as captain,” Nasim Ashraf, the board’s chairman, said. “He has led the team well and all the players are comfortable with him.”We are looking to have continuity in the captaincy as this is instrumental in the improvement of the team. Malik is young and learning and the perfect choice.”The appointment of a vice-captain, however, will be made on a series- to-series basis. Younis Khan, deputy for the tour of India, is the third vice-captain during Malik’s tenure; Mohammad Asif was appointed for the Abu Dhabi ODI series against Sri Lanka, while Salman Butt replaced him for the ICC World Twenty20 and the home series against South Africa.Asif, meanwhile, might be sent to Australia for treatment on the elbow injury which forced him out of the ongoing ODI series in India. He also missed four out of the five ODIs against South Africa last month, and the status and extent of his injury remains uncertain.”We have two reports on his [Asif’s] injury. One specialist says he requires surgery, another feels he can recover without surgery. We have sent his reports to a top specialist in Australia and we are awaiting his response,” Ashraf said.Pakistan are due to play three Tests against India after the ODIs, before taking on Zimbabwe for a five-match ODI series at home in January.

After their crushing victory by an innings and 242 runs in the previousmatch, India A will guard against complacency as they seek to wrapup the series against South Africa A in their second and final Test beginning in Dharamsala tomorrow.The Indians will be aware that the South Africans, boasting of a host of Test players, are capable of leveling the series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium. The team, led by the experienced Boeta Dippenaar, also includes Test players Ashwell Prince, Charl Langeveldt, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Robin Peterson.”They [South Africa] have many good players in the side, we cannot forget that,” said Indian captain Mohmmad Kaif.Besides, the bouncy wicket may also aid the visitors, who had collapsed against the spinners in the previous match in Delhi. Commenting on the pitch, curator Anuj Paldas said, “This is green a top and it will offer bounce. But it will also assist the spinners in the last two days.”Kaif, however, did not think a bouncy pitch against the South African bowling line-up would be a problem for his team. “I’m not sure if this South African bowling attack is that good,” he said.Batsman Suresh Raina, who missed out to Bengal’s Manoj Tiwary in Delhi, is likely to be in the playing XI for this match as the team management tries to rotate its players. Raina, who just recovered from a knee injury, last played for India in January and the match would beparticularly significant for him and other fringe players ahead of the busy international season.Seamer Ishant Sharma, keen to retain his berth in the Test squad, would be looking to exploit the conditions while fellow fast bowler Pankaj Singh would also be relied upon by the team.South Africa would be under pressure after being battered in all departments of the game in the last match. However, Dippenaar was optimistic of his team’s chances in the seamer-friendly conditions. He added that seamer Dale Steyn will play, after missing the Delhi match.”The Indians played a better quality of cricket in Delhi and more than their spinners, we have to look at our fielding,” he said. “We dropped almost everyone before 30, which we won’t like to repeat here. But the seaming track can definitely benefit us.”

Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, has blamed his side’s poor batting for the series loss to England after conceding an unbeatable 3-1 lead with one match to play. A comfortable five-wicket win at the Premadasa Stadium sealed England’s first ODI triumph in the subcontinent since 1987.”I don’t think we’ve batted well for the last three games,” said Jayawardene. “One or two individuals have been having good days but we’ve not been batting as a unit to put runs on the board for the bowlers to bowl at.”He admitted England were the better side and that they deserved to win the series. “Losing matches is not easy for us, especially at home, but credit should go to England because they’ve played some really good cricket. Some of their players have performed really well and they’ve basically outplayed us in the last few games.”Paul Collingwood, the England captain, termed his side’s comeback “unbelievable” after they won their first one-day series in Sri Lanka despite losing the series opener.”Before we came here a lot of people wrote us off. We lost that first game and the way the lads have bounced back has been unbelievable. They’ve learnt and adapted new skills and showed a lot of character.”I am very, very proud and it was a very proud moment when we knocked those runs off. I’m proud of all the players that have been involved and the management have been fantastic.”He said the series victory against India had given the team a lot of confidence.”We knew the areas we needed to improve and the key has been the belief we have built up over the last few weeks, especially the India series which was a big thing for us – that belief was not going to go after one game.”Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen scored half-centuries to help England coast to victory after the bowlers had restricted Sri Lanka to 211.