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Deb K Das talks exclusively to Gladstone Dainty, the president of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA)Gladstone Dainty has made clear that he is far from impressed with the International Cricket Council (ICC), and furthermore, he is refusing to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with it regarding Project USA, the ICC-sponsored initiative for the development of cricket in the USA.Dainty said it was important for US cricketers, and the cricket world in general, to understand why he was taking this position. This was why he had sought me out on the sidelines of the US National Championship finals in Los Angeles.Project USA was uppermost in his mind at the time. He said that the ICC was pressing the USACA to sign a Memorandum of Agreement that would validate the role that Project USA would play for the next ten years in the USA. And he did not like the terms that were being offered, let alone ICC’s attitude, which was more of an ultimatum — “take it or leave it” was the way it was described.Dainty’s objection, he made clear, was a fundamental one. He was opposed to the idea that funds raised by Project USA would be transferred to an “offshore” bank account, and would be administered by officials based outside the United States at their own discretion and judgment. He had no problems with an independent body being in charge of administering the funds. However, in Dainty’s view, such a body should include individuals based in the USA, with background and experience with the circumstances that applied to US cricket.Over the past few years, he said he had seen persons and organisations from inside and outside the USA operating within the US cricket scene under their own agendas, which were not always in the best interests of US cricket. And further, US cricket was simply not understood by the ICC — this was exemplified, he continued, by its obdurate refusal to simplify ICC eligibility requirements or to provide sufficient funds as “seed money” for proper development for a vast country like the USA, although the complexities of the marketplace had been repeatedly communicated to the authorities.There were other difficulties cited by Dainty. For instance, there could be possible problems with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in maintaining USACA’s non-profit status. Then there was the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), whose tendentious and protracted post-9/11 procedures had led to ICC’s eligibility requirements becoming a stranglehold on development. A comprehensive MOU would need to address these issues as part of any overall agreement between USACA and ICC. Yet none of these items had been included in any of the discussions that had taken place so far. USACA could hardly sign an agreement that did not cover these points.These matters of detail boiled down to a single overriding principle, according to Dainty. US cricket was not just a marketplace for the ICC to sell itself and its programs, and dole out money as and when it wished — this was a kind of “colonialism” which he wanted no part of. To him, Project USA would work only if it combined marketing and development in a single US-based entity, and this was something he was pushing for.We parted on a note of mutual acknowledgement. I had never met Dainty before. He had been described by supporters and critics alike as a kind of godfather of US cricket, inaccessible to all except the few he chose to communicate with, and yet exercising absolute control over USACA affairs.Nothing he said to me dispelled any of those impressions, but I became aware of something I had not known before — his passion and total commitment to what he saw as US cricket, and his willingness to do whatever he could to sustain his vision.

Michael Vaughan is confident he will be fit to play in the second Test against New Zealand, after scans on his injured knee revealed "no real damage"."It’s terribly disappointing to miss a Test match", said Vaughan, "but the positives are that it doesn’t look like I’m going to be out for too long."After injuring his knee at practice on Monday, Vaughan was carried off on a stretcher, causing much concern to his team-mates and England fans alike, considering his previous history of knee trouble.”What happened was a bit freaky," he admitted. "But I have had the knee operated on a couple of times and there are a few tears in the cartilage that I have had dealt with before. It was a big precaution to be carried out of the nets in the way I was, but it is a knee that needs looking after. What might have looked a bit dramatic was the right thing to do at the time.”Vaughan praised the choice of Marcus Trescothick, who has not captained England in a Test match before, as his replacement: “He is a level-headed guy who will give it his best shot; the team are in the capable hands of an astute man out there in the middle."

Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, addressed the media today at a scheduled press conference between the conclusion of the preliminary round of CWC 2003 and the start on Friday of the Super Sixes.Dr Bacher addressed the following issues:The competing teams:I wish to congratulate the six teams who have qualified, and wish them every success in the matches ahead. I would also like to pay tribute to the Associate Member Countries teams that competed with such commitment and a sense of fun. They have been like a breath of fresh air.The exit of the South African team: We are all very disappointed, and we share the disappointment of the nation and the players. But what we have been able to do is to show the world that we have the capacity to manage a global sporting event of this nature. What we need is the people of South Africa to continue to buy into the importance of this tournament, and to continue supporting it the way they have done. The South African team might be out of the World Cup, but South Africa is still in it.Crowd attendance and gate receipts:For the 34 preliminary round games in South Africa some 400 000 people have attended, representing some 70% of capacity. It is estimated that a further 200 000-250 000 will attend the 12 remaining games of the tournament giving a grand total (including the Opening Ceremony) of 675 000 out of the 825 000 total capacity.I am very heartened by these figures. We have now banked R80 million from ticket sales and our initial budget was R25 million.Attendances have shown how the South African public have embraced the tournament as a great cricketing occasion. For example, attendance for the Kenya-Bangladesh match at the Wanderers on 1 March was 17 897, Bangladesh-Canada at Kingsmead on 11 February was 10 482, and Canada-Kenya at Newlands on 15 February was 12 590. In addition, for the six matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya, total attendance was 29 549.Security at the grounds in South Africa:I would like to thank the South African and international supporters for their exemplary behaviour and good spirit.The worst crowd incidents reported were three minor scuffles, each lasting about 30 seconds, at the India-Pakistan game at Supersport Park. They were quickly stifled and 6 people were ejected from the ground. I am pleased to say that no one has been injured at any game, there have been no pitch invasions and no attacks on players.It is clear to me that the policies of our Security Directorate have worked.I wish also to make special mention of the SA Police Service for its unstinting commitment and support for CWC 2003.The ‘look’ of the CWC 2003 stadiums:The clean consistency of the blue, gold, black and white ‘look’ of the stadiums has been remarked upon very favourably by many knowledgeable people. I would like to think that we have now launched an ICC Cricket World Cup brand that will be used again and again, not necessarily in the same colours but with the same consistency. I would be bold enough to suggest that, having attended two Olympic Games, the CWC branding is as good, if not better, than the Olympics.The pitches and playing areas:These have truly done credit to an event of this magnitude. Our pitch consultants, groundsmen and curators must be congratulated on producing playing surfaces of the highest standard.In addition, the upgrades at all the stadiums are truly fantastic and I have been very impressed with the new scoreboards and replay screens.The CWC 2003 Ticketing System:This is one of the unsung success stories of the tournament, a fully computerized system that provides absolute security and crowd control. It is interesting to note that, through the security built into the turnstiles and tickets, 12 870 people have tried unsuccessfully to gain access to grounds without valid tickets. Without this ticketing system, they would have gained entry undetected.Volunteers 2003:This has been another success story of the tournament. Wherever I go, volunteers are friendly and helpful. I get so many good reports about them and the country is truly proud of them. This is a legacy that we will leave South African sport.Marketing, PR and Communications:One of our main objectives at the outset was to rally the country behind this event. I believe that this has been achieved and that these campaigns have resulted in South Africans embracing the event.We have always said that, even if South Africa doesn’t win the World Cup, we want this to be a very special event for South Africa, Africa and the International Cricket Council. It’s time … now for the country to continue to show its support for the important matches that lie ahead.Availability of tickets for the Super Sixes:The public are reminded that, in keeping with an assurance made earlier this year, a limited number of tickets will become available in the ticketing system for the nine upcoming Super Six matches. People wishing to attend these matches should keep a check on the CWC ticket sales channels by either visiting their local CWC stadium ticket office, calling the ticket hotline on 083 123 2003 or logging onto the website www.cricketworldcup .Tickets now on sale will be limited to four per person.

Portugal are the 2001 ECC Trophy champions.The European Cricket Council’s tournament for ICC Affiliate Member nations fromthe continent was decided on Saturday at the Seebarn No.1 Ground, Vienna, whenPortugal easily defeated the host nation Austria by nine wickets in the 35-overs-a-side final.Austria, winning the toss after batting first, made 158 for 9 from their 35overs. Austrian captain Andrew Simpson-Parker was top score with 43 whileIntesab Mehdi (4/21) and Humayun Shahzad (3/36) were the best bowlers forPortugal.A 126-run first-wicket stand between Portuguese captain Akbar Saiyad and hisopening partner Nadeem Butt set the visitors on their way to an easy victory.Saiyad was dismissed for 44, Butt remaining unbeaten on 91 from 92 balls.The ten-team tournament began on August 10 with teams playing in two groups,situated at Seebarn and the southern Austrian town of Velden. Belgium, Croatia,Finland, Greece, Malta, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland were the otherparticipants.Both Portugal and Austria, by reaching yesterday’s final, qualify for theEuropean Cricket Championships to be staged in Ireland in July 2002. They willcompete alongside ICC Associate Member countries in Europe (Denmark, France,Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland) and anamateur XI from England.Greece won the last ECC Trophy tournament staged in Corfu two years ago,defeating Portugal, the winners of the inaugural competition in 1997, by ninewickets.Cricket in Portugal among expatriate Englishmen can be traced back as far asthe days of the Duke of Wellington, but it was in 1994 that the FederacaoPortuguesa de Cricket was formed, with Affiliate Membership of the ICC beinggranted in 1996.

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.

Miriam Grealey has stepped down as coach of Ireland women due to family commitments, Cricket Ireland has announced. She had held the position for two and a half years, as well as coaching the development side for six years.Grealey has been heavily involved in cricket for decades, including an 18-year international career for Ireland.She said of her decision, “I’ve really enjoyed my time with the Ireland senior team, but it has just become too time consuming with my family responsibilities. I will still be involved with coaching at grass-roots level, and will assist Cricket Ireland in any way I can. I wish my successor all the very best in the role.”Cricket Ireland chairman David Williams said: “Miriam’s service to the game in Ireland has been without equal and I thank her on behalf of all in Cricket Ireland. Her dedication, loyalty, and professionalism has been instrumental in the success of the women’s game in recent years. She will be sorely missed.”Her replacement is expected to be sorted out in the next few months, a board spokesperson told Cricinfo: “The issue of the women’s coach will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cricket Committee and I expect an announcement to be made about the way forward before the end of this month.”

Following in the footsteps of Bangladesh’s recent announcement to establish a women’s side, the UAE have announced their plans for a national team. The project starts this Saturday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.But they will have to get their skates on – UAE’s first engagement is in six weeks, with the Asian Cricket Council’s tournament which runs from July 11 to 17. Bangladesh will also play, alongside Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore and Thailand.Two former India players, Smitha Harikrishna and Pramila Korikar, will help to establish the set-up. The pair have each played 22 one-dayers, while Korikar also has five Tests to her name.

The ICC has asked for an explanation from the Indian board for the crowd trouble that had erupted during the April 9 one-day international between India and England at Guwahati.”Malcolm Speed [the CEO of ICC] has sent us [BCCI] a letter asking for explanation over what he’s called serious breach of security,” Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, told PTI. “I will forward the letter to the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) for its reply which I hope to get in four or five days.”The ICC has also sent a copy of the report sent to it by match referee Roshan Mahanama which is a standard procedure. After getting the reply from ACA we would send a reply to the ICC.”However, the ACA had not received any letter from the BCCI till late last evening. Ghanshyam Baruah, the treasurer of the ACA, told the , a Guwahati-based daily, that they had not yet received any intimation from the Indian board.Crowd trouble erupted during the game after the umpires had called off play because of a wet outfield. There was rioting in the Eastern stands and the police had to fire tear gas shells to break up the mob. The trouble escalated when the crowd began to target the television cameras, in place to cover the match and at least four cameras were badly damaged. It was later revealed that the damage was around 6.5 to 8 million rupees (US$146,000 to 180,000).

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.”

England 285 and 422 for 5 (Vaughan 140, Trescothick 88) drew with West Indies 751 for 5 dec (Lara 400*) to secure a 3-0 series win
Scorecard

Michael Vaughan produced a captain’s innings of 140, to put his personal seal on an historic 3-0 series victory in the Caribbean. On a soporific final day in Antigua, the game briefly sparked back to life when West Indies’ spinners grabbed three quick wickets with the final hour approaching, but Graham Thorpe and Geraint Jones stemmed the jitters and batted with enough common sense to force Brian Lara to call off the hunt.It was a peaceful end to a high-octane series, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the Barmy Army, who sang lustily to the bitter end, and no wonder. Only one other side in history has ever pulled off a 3-0 away win in the Caribbean – Ian Johnson’s 1954-55 Australians, whose team included such luminaries as Richie Benaud, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Neil Harvey. It remains to be seen whether the likes of Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones will be spoken of in the same breath.After Lara’s phenomenal unbeaten 400, England did remarkably well to avoid being crushed by his sheer weight of runs. Despite following on after a first-innings bout of vertigo, Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick had regained England’s composure by the fourth evening to close on 145 for 0, and that was the hard part done. It was always going to take something out of the ordinary for West Indies to wrest the initiative back from there.Both Trescothick and Vaughan were quickly into their stride as the day resumed, cutting and square-driving a West Indian attack that appeared resigned to its fate. The pair had been England’s missing links throughout the series, but by the time their partnership ended at 182, they had almost exactly doubled their tally from seven previous efforts.It took a bizarre dismissal to separate them. Trescothick had moved to within 12 of his hundred, when he played forward to a full-length slower ball from Edwards, and somehow squeezed a catch to Ramnaresh Sarwan in the covers. It was a puzzling end to a cathartic innings, and Trescothick was as bemused as any onlooker as he trudged off – had he not checked his shot, he would surely have played it straight into the ground.Vaughan, however, was determined to seal the series with a captain’s knock, and he crashed to his hundred with a gorgeous cover-drive off Edwards, and then followed up with another one in the same over, just for good measure. He had one scare on 99, when Tino Best skimmed his bails with an offcutter as he shouldered arms, but Vaughan would no doubt put it down to impeccable judgment. This was the third time in four English follow-ons that he had made a century, and it was his most significant batting contribution since a similarly backs-to-the-wall effort against Sri Lanka at Kandy last December.After lunch, and with Lara off the field, the game began to drift as West Indies’ spinners wheeled away and Vaughan moved effortlessly towards another milestone. But Sarwan, West Indies’ stand-in captain, brought himself into the attack and in his very first over, he rolled a legbreak across Vaughan’s bows for Ridley Jacobs to snaffle a faint deflection off the glove. Vaughan was gone for 140, and England weren’t entirely out of the woods just yet.

After their crucial contributions earlier in the series, Nasser Hussain and Mark Butcher were the perfect partnership to carry England to safety. Hussain, who was undoubtedly playing in his final innings in the Caribbean, bristled with attacking intent, with Best’s comeback over with the new ball disappearing for 11 runs. Butcher, meanwhile, sailed past his fourth fifty of the series – a metaphor for England’s serene progress.But it wouldn’t have been fair to let the series drift away without a final plot twist, and it was the innocuous spin of Ryan Hinds who sparked the final session into life. His first victim was Butcher, who had made 61 when he aimed a heave over midwicket and snicked a thin edge through to Chris Gayle at first slip (366 for 3). It was so thin, in fact, that Gayle wasn’t fully aware that he had made the breakthrough.Four overs later, Hinds struck again as Hussain swept ambitiously out of the rough and was bowled round his legs for 56 (387 for 4). At this stage, England still trailed by 79, and while Andrew Flintoff could have knocked that deficit off in a matter of minutes, he was determined to emulate his first innings and play sensibly. He wasn’t able to resist temptation, however, when Sarwan lollipopped up a rank full-toss, and Lara pocketed a simple miscue at midwicket (408 for 5).Lara quickly recalled his pacemen for one final victory push, but there was to be no fairytale ending for West Indies. Instead, as Vaughan held aloft the Wisden Trophy and England embarked on a lap of honour, they had to satisfy themselves with a reclaimed world record, and the belated recovery of their pride.