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A comfortable ten-wicket win over the Combined Campuses & Colleges put Jamaica on top ofthe standings in the Carib Beer Series. Chasing just 26 to win, after they dismissed the CCC for 213 in theirsecond innings, Jamaica eased home after tea on the third day at Kensington Park. Jamaica’s spin-bowling trio of Nikita Miller, Odean Brown, and captain Tamar Lambert shared the ten CCC second-wickets to fall, Miller the most successful with 4 for 65 from 31.4 overs. Legspinner Brown, who took ten wickets in the opening match against Leeward Islands, took 3 for 40 and Lambert, bowling offspin, 3 for 59. CCC’s overnight pair of Simone Jackson and Nikoli Parris batted solidly till just before lunch, when Miller had Jackson caught behind for 49 playing defensively forward to leave the home team on 120 for two at lunch. Jackson and Morris added 91 for the second wicket and the innings crashed after the interval, as CCC, as they lost their last eight wickets for 76 runs.
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Title-holders Barbados put themselves in a great position to whip Guyana, first totalling 531 – their highest total of in six seasons – and then reducing the opposition to 85 for 3 in their second innings when fading light ended play seven early on the third day of their second round match at Kensington Oval. Resuming on 256 for 3 Ryan Hinds perished in the second over of the day, for 108, but wicketkeeper Carlo Morris’ maiden first-class half-century, on his 28th birthday, and some positive, attacking batting from Sulieman Benn and Alcindo Holder lifted Barbados. Morris slammed a run-a-ball 70, Holder and Benn also helped themselves to scores of 58 apiece and Shamarh Brooks, set to captain West Indies Under-19 in this year’s ICC Youth World Cup in Malaysia next month, made 39. Holder and Brooks added 86 for the fifth wicket, in contrasting styles, before Morris and Benn put on 91 for the seventh. Kemar Roach, the fast bowler, had Guyana in early trouble wen he nipped out openers Travis Dowlin and Royston Crandon in his first two overs. Leon Johnson, the former West Indies yout captain, and fellow left-hander Narsingh Deonarine consolidated with a stand of 75 before Deonarine fell to Benn’s left-arm spin. Johnson, unbeaten on 21 from 101 balls, and Ramnaresh Sarwan have plenty to do on day four.
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Leeward Islands swung themselves back into the game with the crucial wicket of Andre Fletcher and left themselves four wickets away from victory at Queen’s Park. Set 289 to win, Windward Islands collapsed to 186 for 6 at stumps on day three. Fletcher played some aggressive shots in his 57 but his dismissal, in the final hour of play, triggered a slide that saw the home team drop from 164 for 3 to 167 for six. Earlier, disciplined bowling from captain Deighton Butler and offspinner Liam Sebastien revived the Windwards’ fortunes as the visitors’ last five wickets tumbled for a mere 42 runs. Leewards resumed on 179 for 5 but Butler’s 4 for 50 and Sebastien’s 3 for 62 cut them to 221. Omari Banks, the captain, made 57, the highest score of the innings.

ScorecardGaurav Dhiman, the Karnataka allrounder, caught the eye as India Under-19s eased to a comfortable 46-run victory over England, in the first one-day international at the Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium in Agartala. Dhiman blazed his way to 43 off just 30 balls as the Indians piled up 299 for 9, and then dismissed both openers as the English challenge faltered in the first 20 overs.With M Tewari also smashing 46 from 37 balls, the India Under-19s didn’t lack momentum. Mayank Tehlan provided the solidity with a dogged 84-ball 51, and there were contributions right down the order, with Piyush Chawla thwacking three sixes in his 32 from 17 balls. Mark Lawson’s legbreaks fetched him 2 for 46, and although David Griffiths took two wickets they cost him 48 from four overs.In response, the English side slumped to 81 for 6, not helped by two early run-outs. Moeen Ali (57) and Tom Smith (56) spared them an absolute hiding by striking half-centuries, but the result was never in doubt, and the Indians wrapped it up with 20 balls to spare. Dhiman finished with 2 for 58, while Kuldip Sharma (2 for 20) and Andimani Pradeep, the offspinner from Andhra Pradesh (2 for 45), were also among the wickets.

Middlesex Crusaders secured a six wicket victory over Glamorgan Dragons at Cardiff in the last round of National League matches.With three needed of the final ball young Irishman Joyce took an ambitious swing, and bottom edged the ball to the third man boundary.A nail biting finish never seemed on the cards after seamer Aaron Laraman had taken a career best 6-42 to restrict the Glamorgan Dragons to an under par 191-9. The Welshmen relied heavily on in form Michael Powell and his better than a run a ball contribution of 86 with 8 fours and a six off Ramprakash.Middlesex Crusaders seemed to be cruising, with Langer remaining undefeated on 75, but when Ramprakash top edged a hook, and Laraman was bowled the innings faltered, and the Londoners were grateful for Joyce’s fortuitous last ball heave.It was a sad ending for Maynard who was also dismissed for 0 in his last game as Glamorgan’s captain.

Andrew Symonds, whose big hitting and canny offspin have made him an integral part of the Australian team in recent times, has been suspended for two matches, and fined his fee for the same, after he was found to have breached team rules by drinking and staying out late on the eve of the game against Bangladesh. At the toss, Ricky Ponting had said that Symonds had the flu, but by the close of the Australian innings, it emerged that he had been omitted for disciplinary reasons.To compound Australia’s woes, they were at the receiving end of a stunning Bangladeshi performance, though Simon Katich, who replaced Symonds, acquitted himself creditably with a rapid cameo. Symonds had apparently come out for the warm-up with the smell of alcohol on his breath, and in no fit state to play.After the shock defeat, Ponting, John Buchanan and Steve Bernard – captain, coach and manager – met to discuss the issue, and exchanged views with Cricket Australia headquarters in Melbourne. The nature of the reprimand and suspension will be announced before Australia clash with England at Bristol later on Sunday. Though the possibility of sending the player home was discussed, he will stay with the squad for the remainder of the NatWest Series.According to Australian Associated Press (AAP), Ponting became aware of the situation only minutes before he went out for the toss. He was quoted as saying: “Was I angry with Andrew this morning? Of course, yeah. I think all of his teammates would be as well.” Incidentally, Ponting himself had come through well-documented problems with the booze, having been suspended for his part in a bar brawl in 1999.Symonds had attended a dinner with seven other team-mates to celebrate Shane Watson’s 24th birthday, but while the others retired at a reasonable hour, he opted for more liquid refreshment. Afterwards, Ponting spoke of what was expected from his players when he said: “As a team, under the players’ spirit of cricket pledge, we pride ourselveson playing cricket hard but fair, but also on being good role models.”We take this sort of thing very seriously and I am very disappointed with what has happened, as is Andrew. Andrew is aware he has let the team down, as well as all his cricket fans, but most of all he has let himself down.”While Ponting referred to the incident as an unwanted distraction, Symonds was contrite when asked to explain his actions. “I know no-one has to accept this, but I apologise to everyone for what I have done,” he said. “I know it was the wrong thing and I am very embarrassed.”

John Dyson, an Australian opener perhaps best-remembered for his acrobaticcatching, especially a gravity-defying pouch during a Test at Sydney in 1981-82,believes an equally remarkable turnaround in Sri Lanka’s form is possiblewhen he slips into the hot seat as head coach.

Dyson, who starts a 20-month contract on September 1, signalled his loftyambitions during a recent orientation visit to Colombo. A 49-year-old with apassion for positive thinking, Dyson believes Sri Lanka have a chance ofknocking world cricket champs off their top perch.”From a world cricket point of view the first team to extend Australia willbe doing world cricket a favour,” said Dyson at his first media conference.”It’s everybody else’s job to knock them off their perch – that’s thechallenge that faces Sri Lanka.”He claims to be a fan of “the aggressive style of cricket that Sri Lankaplay”, although he admitted during a recent newspaper interview to somesurprise with their uncharacteristically dour approach during the recentTest series against New Zealand – a series he could only follow over theinternet.”You wouldn’t want every team in the world playing exactly the same varietyof cricket. You’ve got to get the team to play to their strengths and theirstyle of cricket. I think the Sri Lankan team has a great deal of depth anda great deal of talent.”He believes that the biggest weakness of the side is “maintaining theconsistency of performance.” So, it seems, his first task as he startsworking with the national squad will be unraveling the reasons for theirunpredictability.Dyson’s appointment was a surprise, announced just hours after the newThilanga Sumathipala led team had won a landslide victory in the cricketboard elections. It followed a depressing two-month period when a host ofleading coaches – including Bob Woolmer, Steve Rixon, John Bracewell, GrahamFord – had knocked back approaches from the board.Dyson, a schoolteacher with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, whichhas given him a grounding in sports psychology, biomechanics and physiology,has not previously taken full charge of a national or first-class side. Hehad been assistant coach while at New South Wales.But he came recommended by Tony Greig, the television commentator and formerEngland captain who has strong links with the new board. Aravinda de Silva,the chairman of the new cricket committee, liked what he saw and amemorandum of understanding was soon signed.Dyson needed no second invitation: “This is an opportunity to achieve one ofmy goals. I am pretty lucky to be offered this opportunity with a side withsuch potential. I am very pleased to be here and I am very excited to beinvolved with the Sri Lanka cricket team – I can see great things ahead forthem.”There’s definitely some areas we can work on and given that we improve inthose areas, we take one step at a time and move forward. What I’ve learntso far is that with a team effort, the BCCSL and the playing staff, we canhave a very good future,” he said.”It is very important at this level the players do receive individualattention on most aspects of the game,” said Dyson. “I will be looking veryclosely to developing personal training sessions in conjunction with theirphysiotherapist, and also personalised skill development sessions forplayers so that their undoubted potential is actually maximised.”Dyson, like Dav Whatmore, will not have a vote on the selection panel, athome or on tour. That had been a source of frustration for Whatmore – whoadmittedly worked with selection committees of varying competency – butDyson doesn’t expect it to be a major hurdle: “There are parameters we haveto work within, and I accept that this is a different system to what I amused to. But I am confident we can still achieve our objectives within thesystem.”

Lancashire 350 for 8 (Law 159, Bichel 3-56) v Worcestershire
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Stuart Law cracked a superb 159 on the opening day of the penultimate round of County Championship matches, as Lancashire launched their survival bid with a spirited performance against Worcestershire at New Road. His efforts were backed up by a pair of half-centuries from Iain Sutcliffe and Glen Chapple, although Andy Bichel hit back with three vital wickets for Worcestershire, who themselves are in need of as many points as they can muster, given that they currently occupy the third relegation spot.Until Bichel returned for his final spell of the day, the honours belonged to Lancashire. But then Law and Dominic Cork were prised out in quick succession to leave Lancashire gasping for the last batting point on what is a good pitch. Law’s late dismissal, six overs before the close, was initially announced as caught behind, before being amended to lbw ten minutes later. His unhappiness was plain: head bowed, with feet shuffling turgidly, he was almost unaware of his ovation. For exactly five hours he had looked a class apart. Assertive throughout against Worcestershire’s four-nations bowling attack, he crunched 24 fours and a six, mainly through cover.His innings has already had a strong impact on this first-division basement battle, although aside from the prestige factor, it is unclear quite how damaging relegation will prove to be. Admittedly the prizemoney for winners and runners-up varies, but the ECB handout does not. Nor has Duncan Fletcher shown a marked partiality to top-division players. And this year the second-division teams have attracted some of the world’s leading lights, in the form of Ricky Ponting, Andy Flower and Shane Warne.After winning the toss under clear skies, Lancashire started weakly. Mark Chilton’s off stump was plucked out by Bichel to leave them 5 for 1, and Mal Loye was dropped in the gully on 8 shortly afterwards. Meanwhile Sutcliffe was in scratchy form, and Worcestershire were in command. The heat persuaded their captain, Steve Rhodes, to use his quicker bowlers in short spells, and when Matt Mason returned to the attack, he wangled a fatal waft from Loye. That brought Law to the crease in hot sunshine and, like the ice-cream van to the north side of ground, both were immovable until the dying overs.The dry, slightly mottled wicket, with balding strips of brown grass, warranted the early introduction of Ray Price, who spun through eight tidy overs before lunch. The break gave Sutcliffe a touch of fluency before Rhodes gleefully stumped him in the same over that he reached 50. Worcestershire’s decision to include a second spinner – Shaftab Khalid ahead of Nadeem Malik – may yet prove crucial.Carl Hooper never looked at ease before he fell lbw to Andrew Hall, and the pressure was piled onto Law. He was aided for a time by the debutant, Andrew Crook, who appeared casual and confident after his exploits in the 2nd XI, but he eventually played back to Khalid and was caught behind for 27. Law found a redoubtable ally in Chapple, and together they added 108. Chapple used his feet well to counter the turn and exhibited a useful array of strokes, only to fall in the final hour, trying to hit the ball over extra cover. Then Bichel returned, and Worcestershire inched back into the ascendancy.Deb Biswas is a freelance writer with the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.

Nasser Hussain today spoke of the colossal importance of England’s forthcoming tour of Australia, while giving an assurance that he is completely focused on the massive challenge that lies ahead.Hussain flies out to Australia tomorrow – a week ahead of the rest of the England party – with his wife Karen and 16-month-old son Jacob. Their second child is scheduled to be born on November 20, between the first and second Test matches in Australia.”It’s going to be a huge tour for me personally,” said the England captain. “I’m going to be fully focused. The present regime is helping as much as it can.”We have a coach and captain who understand there is no reason why you shouldn’t play your best cricket just because you have your family around. In many ways it is the other way round.”But in many ways it will always be a problem. Wives and families do have other jobs and commitments and sometimes players will have to consider the two – a great career as an international cricketer and their family lives.”Everyone’s situation is different and sometimes you have to choose between how many pound signs you want against what you want to do personally.”Hussain also warned that Graham Thorpe, who pulled out of the original Ashes squad for family reasons, might need to score a hatful of runs to win his England place back. He also backed Thorpe’s replacement, Kent’s Robert Key, to win his spurs Down Under.”Graham will be missed – I’m not hiding from that – but the lad replacing him is a fine player,” said Hussain. “All four selectors wanted Robert Key on the plane to Australia. He played in the summer – it isn’t a selection committee that looks backwards.”Other players have come in – the Flintoffs, Trescothicks and Vaughans – and taken their opportunities. There is no point playing Robert in two Tests and then going back. You have to move forward. If he was good enough to be in our team this summer then he’s good enough now.”However Hussain indicated that the door might not be closed on Thorpe forever. “I would hope at some stage he will be back playing for England. He has always been the sort of player who can turn on a switch and get runs as long as he is mentally right.”England cannot just dismiss one of their best players of the last 10 years but Graham will have to prove to the selectors that he can get runs in international cricket,” he added.Hussain, who was launching the England party’s new range of off-field clothing, also responded to comments made by Darren Gough, who expects to miss the first two Tests as he continues to recover from knee surgery.”We knew Darren wouldn’t be getting off the plane straight into 100% cricket because he needs rehab. Obviously it’s disappointing to hear what he said about the first two Tests but maybe he’s being a bit pessimistic because of all the injuries he’s had. I’d rather wait and see how he goes out there.”Hussain himself insists there is cause for optimism. “If key areas and key battles are won – and the first Test is a very important area – there’s no reason why not and I hope everyone in my squad will feel like that.”For us to beat Australia a few things have to go right off the field but there is no reason why that shouldn’t change.”

Heath Streak has resigned as Zimbabwe’s captain. Streak made a series of demands to the Zimbabwean Cricket Union, threatening to quit the game altogether if they were not met: but the ZCU called his bluff, and he has been replaced by Tatenda Taibu with immediate effect.According to the ZCU, Streak presented their board of directors with anultimatum during their quarterly meeting. His demands included the immediate review of the selection panel, to leave a maximum of four selectors who would not be directors or commentators and who should have played first-class or Test cricket.Streak apparently said he had no confidence in the teams being selected, and added that he was under stress as he was doubling up as the players’ representative, and the players were continuously raising grievances to him. Streak had earlier said that he was not happy with the management of the team, or with Geoff Marsh, the coach, saying that he had misrepresented him to the selectors.But the acrimony between Streak and the ZCU became apparant when the ZCU issued a statement claiming that Streak had been sacked and that he had retired “from all forms of cricket”. This was denied by Streak. “I don’t want to say anything until matters have been cleared,” he said. “Things aren’t exactly as they have come out. What has happened so far is not my wish.”Streak, who is still only 30, has played 59 Tests and 183 one-dayers. He has had two stints as Zimbabwe’s captain but, despite the odd success, he was unable to change their fortunes. If indeed he has played his last game for Zimbabwe he will follow other big names, such as Andy Flower, Alistair Campbell and Henry Olonga, out of international cricket.Streak recently signed as one of Warwickshire’s overseas players for the coming county season. It may be that he will be available to play rather more often at Edgbaston than he originally expected.Taibu, the diminutive wicketkeeper, had been Streak’s vice-captain in recent series. He will take charge for Zimbabwe’s home series against Sri Lanka in two weeks’ time, when he will become their first black Test captain. He is not 21 until May 14, and so also stands to become the youngest Test captain of all – the record is currently held by Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who was 21 years 77 days old when he first captained India, in 1961-62.

Sachin Tendulkar has opted out of the Test series against Zimbabwe as he felt he wasn’t strong enough to return to the rigours of Test cricket. According to a report sent by John Gloster, the team physio, to the Indian board, Tendulkar, who is recovering from an elbow surgery, wasn’t yet ready to return to competitive cricket.The national selection panel have picked Dheeraj Jadhav, the opener from Maharashtra, as Tendulkar’s replacement for the two-Test series, beginning at Bulawayo on September 13.SK Nair, the BCCI secretary, confirmed this and added that though Tendulkar had returned to light net sessions, he didn’t feel confident enough to return to Test cricket. Nair also revealed that Gloster, the team physio, had sent a mail to the BCCI “where he further stated that the strength component of the rehabilitation plan was progressing positively acording to plan but it was not yet sufficient to progress to the next level of competetive play.”Tendulkar has been dogged by a painful tennis-elbow for nearly a year and it forced him to miss one-day tournaments in Holland and England as well as two Tests against Australia. After the home series against Pakistan last season, Tendulkar decided to get his elbow operated.Nair also added that the selectors had decided to pick Jadhav as the replacement after a telephonic discussion. Jadhav, who was the leading run-scorer in domestic cricket two seasons back, had been included in the Indian squad for the final Test against Australia at Mumbai last year but didn’t make it to the final XI.

Matt Prior says he will be ready to step in as a batsman – and not just a wicketkeeper – should England require him to do so on their tour of Pakistan in November. Prior, Sussex’s wicketkeeper-batsman, knows he has been included in the Test squad as an understudy for Geraint Jones, but he says he would be able to replace a frontline batsman, too. He does not, however, expect to play if the first-choice players are fit.”I want to make sure that if anyone slips up – and it doesn’t have to be Geraint Jones, it could be one of the batsmen – then I will be 100 per cent ready to come in and perform,” he told , a Brighton-based newspaper. “I’m completely prepared for the fact that I might go there and not play a single game. At the moment I’m more prepared for that than actually playing.”But Prior, 23, promised to seize any opportunity that comes his way. “This might be my one chance and if I don’t get another one then I want to be able to look back, say I gave it 100 per cent and that I couldn’t have done any more. If I don’t play then that’s because the team has done well. But I don’t want to come home with regrets. I just want to work hard and when I think I can’t work any more I will work even harder.”England squad Michael Vaughan (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Geraint Jones (wk), Simon Jones, Alex Loudon, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior (wk), Andrew Strauss, Chris Tremlett, Marcus Trescothick, Shaun Udal.