Lucy Pearson, England’s opening bowler, today became the first Englishwomanto take ten wickets in an Ashes Test Match throughout it’s 69 year history;but it was not enough to prevent Australia reaching 163-4 and a lead of 110runs.Pearson said “it’s amazing to be the first Englishwoman to take ten wickets,especially in a match that forms The Ashes Series. You dream of taking tenwickets in a game. The great thing is, I have a good opportunity to takemore tomorrow and that’s fantastic”.In the first session of play, England added a further thirty-six runs totheir overnight total, finishing their first innings on 187 in reply toAustralia’s 134. Emma Twining dismissed England’s final batters thismorning to match Julie Hayes’s figures of 3-32.The lead of 53 runs looked all the more substantial as Pearson trapped KrisBritt lbw in the ninth over for just 3. Six overs later she dismissed theAustralia Captain, Belinda Clark, who was caught at mid-wicket attempting topull for 16.Laura Newton removed the dangerous Karen Rolton for 15 and Pearson thendeceived Melanie Jones who nicked a quick delivery through to Claire Taylor,England’s wicket-keeper.At 49-4, Australia were still 3 runs behind England but diligent battingfrom Lisa Sthaelaker, who has relinquished her openers position, togetherwith newcomer Alex Blackwell, saw the pair remain unbeaten for the fifthwicket at stumps.Sthaelakar recorded the highest individual score of the Ashes Series so far,finishing on 65 not out, and Blackwell 51 not out. England’s bowlersfrustrated the pair following the tea interval, with Sarah Collyer again thetourists most economical bowler, and restricted the scoring rate to littleover one an hour, Blackwell staying on 20 for eleven overs.But the breakthrough didn’t arrive, despite Pearson taking the new ball withthirteen overs of play remaining.With one day of the Ashes remaining, the initiative is now back with thehome team.

An emphatic decision in support of New Zealand’s cancellation of its 2001 tour of Pakistan, and the withdrawal from its replacement tour in May last year, has been made by the International Cricket Council’s disputes committee.Pakistan had sought compensation under the provisions of the ICC’s future tours programme.The committee comprised: Justice Ahmed Ebrahim, Justice Albie Sachs and Steve Camacho.In a unanimous opionion the committee said:”In the light of the events of September 11, 2001 it was not unreasonable for NZC [New Zealand Cricket] to cancel its original tour of Pakistan. The situation in the world generally, and particularly in the region which includes Pakistan, was highly volatile and unpredictable. As itsubsequently emerged, Pakistan was directly involved in the war which saw the overthrow of the Taliban regime. In the circumstances NZC’s decision was acceptable.”Given the proximity of the Karachi bomb-blast and the deaths caused by it, we find that NZC’s cancellation of the re-scheduled tour in May 2002 was also acceptable.”In the circumstances, compensation is not payable,” they said.Because of the withdrawal on the day the second Test was due to start in Karachi last year, New Zealand and Pakistan have still to resolve when they can fit the match in.Pakistan won the first Test of the two-Test series by a massive innings and 324 runs, the heaviest loss suffered by New Zealand, when Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 329 runs for Pakistan.There has been some talk that the match may be played before New Zealand’s tour to India later this year, but nothing has been confirmed.NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said he was pleased with the decision which had reflected concern for player safety and security being warranted.Snedden said he was in consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the matter.

There was no containing the delight and pleasure that there was on the faces of the Somerset players after they completed a six-wicket victory over Durham early this afternoon.Resuming on their overnight total of 75 for 2, the Cidermen lost Jamie Cox with the score on 82 that brought James Bryant to the wicket to join Peter Bowler.The new signing quickly settled in and in drove the ball with confidence as he first took successive boundaries off Neil Killeen and then off Nick Phillips.Bowler meanwhile was steadily moving the score towards the target of 195, and brought up the Somerset hundred, and then his own half century, that included 7 x 4’x and came from 133 balls.By lunchtime Somerset had reached 162 for 3 wickets, with Bowler not out 62 and Bryant on 44.Following the break Bryant brought up his half century, his first for the county, which included 9×4’s and came from 96 balls, but was out shortly afterwards for 51 when he was caught by wicket-keeper Andrew Pratt off the bowling of Phillips.Richard Johnson came into join the veteran Bowler , and together they saw the Cidermen home to a six wicket victory, by which time the opener had taken his score onto 67 and Johnson had scored 23 runs.After the game Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "We are all absolutely delighted and this win has given us the confidence that we needed, but it wasn’t easy out there. They bowled hard at us, but our batsmen saw us through to victory."He continued: "James Bryant gave a real battling performance and showed what he is capable of. We have got to enjoy moments like these."

Douglas Hondo picked up five wickets and Grant Flower cracked a century togive Zimbabwe the upper hand against British Universities at Edgbaston, inthe opening match of their tour.After a rain-affected first day, the Universities resumed on a healthy 92for 2, but by the time Hondo had taken four wickets in three overs, theirinnings was in tatters. They folded for 146, as 15 wickets fell in the day.Zimbabwe launched their reply with a brace of fifties for Mark Vermeulen andStuart Carlisle, but by the time Rob Ferley and Justin Bishop had rippedthrough the middle order, Zimbabwe were themselves in some considerablestrife at 183 for 7. Flower, however, stood firm, adding 119 for the eighthwicket with his captain Heath Streak (37 not out).

Outgoing International Cricket Council (ICC) president Malcolm Gray hasadmitted that the contracts controversy was laced with evils like “greed andparochialism”, according to a report from India Abroad News Service.Gray, who will hand over stewardship of the ICC to Pakistan’s Ehsan Mani onThursday, spoke at length about issues that have strained relationshipsbetween players, national cricket boards and the ICC. The interview quotesGray as saying: “The contracts issue was a problem that was entwined withgreed, bad management, lack of communication, nationalism and parochialism.”Further, he admitted that the ICC could have handled the imbroglio moresensitively. “We at ICC should have realised that the communication betweenthe players and the boards was lacking in many parts of the world. Maybe wecould have done more to ensure the players were properly informed and theirviews taken into account.”Gray’s statements come in the wake of a claim of £ 50 million by the GlobalCricket Corporation (GCC), who earlier entered into a US$ 550 million,seven-year sponsorship deal with the ICC. The deal assured the GCC of antiambush-marketing measures, some of which could not be fulfilled in thecourse of the World Cup.Shortly before the ICC Champions Trophy and the World Cup, uneasycompromises were reached and the tournaments got under way. It is thesecompromises that have given rise to circumstances in which the GCC can stakeits claim for £ 50 million from the ICC.Gray appreciated the gravity of the situation, but remained optimistic thata solution would be reached. “It is a complex issue and the claims that haveemanated will take time to find solutions. However, if they are approachedwith a sense of reasonability by all parties, an answer could be arrived atin a relatively short time.”

Close Sri Lanka 129 for 5 (Jayawardene 32) and 208 lead West Indies 191 (Nissanka 5-64) by 146 runs Prabath Nissanka led a Sri Lanka fightback with the ball on the second day of this decisive second Test, exploiting a juicy Sabina Park pitch to claim his first Test five-for, as West Indies were skittled out for 191. But West Indies’ pace quartet then made deep inroads into Sri Lanka’s top order to leave the match on a knife-edge at the close.West Indies held a clear advantage on the first evening after dismissing Sri Lanka for a paltry 208, but Nissanka – playing in only his fourth Test – clawed the visitors back into the game with 5 for 64. Muttiah Muralitharan chipped in with the prize scalp of Brian Lara – his 50th wicket against West Indies, in his seventh Test.The bowler’s dominance continued though the final session. Corey Colleymore livened up the Kingston crowd with the wickets of Sanath Jayasuriya (13), who was trapped lbw, and Kumar Sangakkara (12), the first innings top-scorer, who edged behind (43 for 2). When Marvan Atapattu (28), Sri Lanka’s sheet anchor, flirted at a good-length delivery to give Jerome Taylor his first Test wicket, the Sri Lankans were back in trouble (80 for 3).Mahela Jayawardene (32) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (23) shepherded Sri Lanka back into a more comfortable position during a 38 run stand for the fourth wicket. But two wickets in three balls just before the close meant it was West Indies that finished with their nose ahead. Jayawardene nicked a Fidel Edwards outswinger and Taylor flattened Kalauwitharana’s stumps. Sri Lanka closed on 129 for 5 with a slender 146-run lead.Earlier, West Indies had been given a good start by Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds. Gayle smacked 14 off Thilan Thushara’s third over, and then Hinds smashed successive fours of Chaminda Vaas. It had all the hallmarks of being a bad day for Sri Lanka when Muralitharan dropped a skyer from Gayle at mid-on. But then Nissanka weighed in. Gayle tried to leave a ball but gloved it to Sangakkara at gully for 31 (54 for 1) and then Hinds’s flashing drive got an edge through to Kaluwitharana, the wicketkeeper. Hinds made 19 (59 for 2).Lara arrived to a hero’s welcome after his double-hundred in St Lucia, but this time Muralitharan won their personal tussle, trapping the flummoxed Lara leg-before with his arm ball. Muralitharan’s delight and the crowd’s stunned silence testified to the importance of that wicket. Lara had made 10 and West Indies’ decision to play the extra bowlers meant that their tail was almost exposed to the eager Muralitharan.Much depended on Ramnaresh Sarwan, but he was bowled behind his legs by Vaas as he shuffled across his stumps for 31 (107 for 4). Thereafter, wickets tumbled. Nissanka removed Omari Banks and Marlon Samuels, both caught low at first slip by Hashan Tillakaratne, and Muralitharan bamboozled his way through the tail.Collymore and Edwards added an idiosyncratic 16 runs for the last wicket as Tillakaratne mystifyingly left Nissanka kicking his heels at long leg. When Nissanka was eventually summoned it took him four balls to end the resistance. In a low-scoring match, the runs eked out by the West Indies tail could be decisive.Day 1 Bulletin: Edwards enjoys a fairytale debut

Hampshire’s young Academy side will have a pennant to proudly display in the Rose Bowl trophy cabinet after shattering BAT Sports four-year old unbeaten record in all-day `time’ cricket.Their comprehensive 56-run win at Southern Gardens means the Young Hawks finished with the best overall record in the nine weeks of all-day cricket and will be presented with a pennant to show for their success.At this stage, the result looks unlikely to affect BAT’s pursuit of Havant’s championship crown.The two clubs have still to meet on August 16 in one of the four remaining 50-over contests but BAT still effectively enjoy a 37-point lead at the top.BAT skipper Richard Dibden hopes the Academy defeat will act as a "wake up" call to his players that the championship race isn’t done and dusted, despite the still healthy lead.They were certainly well beaten by the county hopefuls, who daringly declared at 245-8 after 61 overs and then gradually worked their way through the BAT batting to nail the would-be champions for 189."It was an exceptional performance," glowed Academy Director Tony Middleton, who put only one contracted professional (Charlie van der Gucht) into the field.The victory over BAT came just a fortnight after the Young Hawks had beaten defending champions Havant in their own back yard."This win was even better. BAT are a better side (than Havant) and the lads bowled them out on a much better pitch," Middleton enthused.The Academy’s success was built around teenage wicketkeeper Tom Burrows, who featured in two significant partnerships after Chris Thomason (2-27) had removed openers Ed Bruce and Alex Richardson.He survived two early chances and, with wine award winner Kevin Latouf alongside, steered the Academy to a comfortable 127-2 at lunch.The pair added 95 and appeared to be heading towards half-centuries when, soon after the resumption, Latouf was slow backing up and was run out by Dan Goldstraw for an excellent 48, which contained nine fours.Burrows, the Reading youngster who caught the eye of the Rose Bowl crowd as substitute wicketkeeper against Yorkshire last season, favoured on-side shots but provided the perfect foil for Ian Hilsum (41) to really push the score along.The Islander really went for his shots, hitting eight boundaries in a crisp 41 before he too perished against an erratic BAT fielding display and was run out by Neal Parlane’s deep throw.Three wickets fell for nine runs, including that of Burrows for fine 77 (ten fours), as the Academy slipped to 206-6.But some timely strikes by Dave Griffiths (21) and Luke Merry (18) enabled Hilsum to raise a few eyebrows with a 62nd over declaration, which left BAT 59 overs to get 246 runs for victory.When the prolific Parlane thudded Griffiths over extra-cover for a six which was still rising when it hit the pavilion roof, it appeared as though Hilsum might have miscalculated.But two strikes by Matt Metcalfe (2-29) quickly accounted for Richard Kenway and Dave Banks, and left the rampant Kiwi with added pressure.Not that it appeared to concern the New Zealander, who continued to strike boundaries at will – quite impressively through the on-side – and who appeared to have found a reliable partner in Graham Noble.The pair took BAT’s reply to a threatening 94-2 at tea and set up a potentially absorbing evening session.Noble soon fell leg before to James Manning after the break , but it was at 121-3 that the match took a decisive twist.Van der Gucht replaced Manning at the tennis court end and promptly served up a juicy full-toss on to the middle of Parlane’s bat.But instead of celebrating his third six of the innings, the Kiwi picked out Manning on the deep mid-wicket boundary and departed for a thoroughly entertaining 69.It took his season’s aggregate to 767, some 248 runs behind Robin Smith’s all-time Southern League record (1,015 runs in 1982) with four matches remaining.James Schofield (32) and Chris Thomason (27) both got going, but BAT were suffering from a distinct lack of application in the middle-order ranks.Mitchell Stokes produced a useful spell of 1-33 off 14 overs when it mattered as BAT’s rear-end faltered.Griffiths (3-35) returned to bowl Schofield and then removed Terry Rawlins and Goldstraw in quick succession to leave BAT 189 all out.Dibden, left high and dry on 13 not out, criticised his players for "failing to bat time" but had no complaints at losing to an Academy side which has certainly come of age in the past two months.

ScorecardIndia A’s tail crumbled at the hands of Stuart Thomas early on the second day of their three-day tie against Glamorgan, reducing them from their overnight score of 149 for 6 to 165 all out in a jiffy. Glamorgan, in their turn at the crease, responded strongly with 104 for 4 by stumps.Thomas, a former England A medium-pacer, bowled with good control, snapping up Parthiv Patel, Amit Mishra, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Aavishkar Salvi in the space of 10 runs. India A lasted just 7.5 overs on the second day.Amit Bhandari and and Salvi struck early for India A, having Glamorgan at one stage at 35 for 3. Balaji then bowled Daniel Cherry, but that was India A’s last success for the day. Adrian Shaw (27 n.o.) and Mark Wallace (24 n.o.) stitched together a 49-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking Glamorgan through to stumps only 61 runs behind with six wickets in hand.

Close South Africa 260 for 7 (Kirsten 109*, Zondeki 50*) v England
Scorecard

England start the second day of the fourth Test against South Africa at Headingley with a slight edge, but knowing that it could have been so much better. Yesterday they came up against the granite-like resistance of Gary Kirsten, whose 18th Test hundred helped South Africa to recover from 21 for 4 to close on 260 for 7.Kirsten admitted that his innings might not have been pretty to watch, but he rated it as one of his finest. “A lot of people say that suits my game, to hang in, to play terribly and to look horrible,” he told reporters. “I was able to do that. That innings was up there with my best. The circumstances dictated that. It’s always nice to get runs in adversity.”With Monde Zondeki, who frustrated England’s bowlers with 50 not out, his maiden first-class half-century, Kirsten added 118 for the eighth wicket, and England have to strike early this morning if they are to avoid letting South Africa completely off the hook.Click here for the Day 1 Bulletin
Click here for the Wisden Verdict

Shahid Afridi was named captain of a 14-man Pakistan A squad for next month’s triangular one-day series to be played at Kolkata. The tournament will take place between December 13 and 21 and will include India and Sri Lanka as the other two teams.The members of the squad have been advised to report for a training camp that will start in Lahore from November 29.Squad Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed bin Nasir, Naved Latif, Amin-ur-Rehman (wk), Umar Gul, Mohammad Khalil, Mohammad Irshad, Mansoor Amjad, Faisal Iqbal, Bilal Asad, Imran Nazir, Abdul Rauf.