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Sussex 207 (Nash 106) and 118 for 2 (Yardy 60*, Goodwin 15*) trail Yorkshire 400 for 9 dec (Rashid 111, Wainwright 104*) by 75 runs
ScorecardBarring a turnaround at Canterbury of the magnitude that Yorkshire themselves pulled off in the first innings of this contest at Hove, Sussex – the reigning County Champions – are assured of First Division cricket next summer. But they have not gone about it the easy way. After the first day of this match they had been in total control with Yorkshire, their main relegation rivals, teetering at 84 for 6 in their first innings. Instead, they go into the final day of the season needing another 75 runs to avoid an innings defeat, after letting their ascendancy dribble away from one session to the next.Fortunately for Sussex, Kent are conjuring up an even worse performance in their grand finale against Durham, and therefore the result of this contest ought (ought …) to be academic. For the time being, however, there is a match (and, potentially, a season) to be saved, and between the efforts of Chris Nash in the first innings, and Michael Yardy in the second, Sussex are doing just enough to make the draw the most likely result. By the close, Yardy – the club’s newly appointed captain for 2009 – was 60 not out from 121 balls, a performance that, coupled with the Canterbury scoreline, had served to drain the tension in Sussex’s ranks.If both Kent and Sussex do succumb on the final day, however – and their first-innings collapse of 4 for 14 in nine overs suggests it’s not out of the question – then the man to whom Sussex’s plaudits must belong will be Nash, whose superb 106 from 184 balls was instrumental in securing the vital bonus point that enabled them to leapfrog Kent on 155 points to 154. Nash had been the only man to look remotely comfortable during their collapse on the first evening, when Matthew Hoggard and Adil Rashid reduced them to 25 for 3, and he was once again the kingpin of the line-up as he breezed to the second first-class century of his career.Not for the first time in the match, batting was made to look a simple task while the sun was shining in the morning session, and Sussex seemed comfortably placed at lunch on 112 for 4. Murray Goodwin was superbly stumped down the leg-side by Gerard Brophy off the medium pace of Steve Patterson, but Nash and Matt Prior had added 48 for the fifth wicket, with Prior unbeaten on 25 and untroubled by the hand injury that forced him from the field on Thursday afternoon. After the break, however, Sussex’s innings began to disintegrate.Prior was the first to go, brilliantly caught one-handed at point by Rich Pyrah as he carved violently at a wide ball from Patterson. Chris Adams, in his final appearance as Sussex’s captain, then fell one over later in a similar fashion, caught for a duck – again by Pyrah at point – but this time off Tim Bresnan. At 129 for 6, Sussex were still 71 runs adrift of that vital point, but Nash found a stable ally in Wright, and duly brought up his second first-class century in emphatic style – consecutive boundaries off Matthew Hoggard, a clip off the toes followed by a sweetly-timed square drive.The pair added an invaluable 64 for the seventh wicket, and were within seven runs of their bonus point when David Wainwright’s spin was belatedly called into the attack. His first ball was a rank long-hop, but the force was with him after his remarkable tail-end century, and Nash pulled his shot greedily, and straight to Adam Lyth at short midwicket. Robin Martin-Jenkins hung around long enough for Wright to take Sussex past 200, but was then adjudged lbw to Adil Rashid as he offered no shot to a straight one, and Wainwright snaffled the tail with two wickets in three balls, as Mohammad Sami and Jason Lewry both went tamely.During the tea interval, Yorkshire enforced the follow-on – a decision that had cricketing merit but, ironically, meant that they have not yet killed off their own relegation worries. With Yardy taking the lead and Nash continuing in the same composed vein he had shown all day, Sussex’s openers posted a first-wicket stand of 88 that enabled their anxious fans to settle more easily into their deckchairs. But then, out of the blue, Nash propped forward to Rashid and edged a simple chance to Jacques Rudolph at slip, and Wainwright, who is enjoying a glorious match, then pinned Carl Hopkinson plumb lbw with a full-length quicker delivery.At this stage of proceedings, Sussex had few concerns despite their predicament, as the scoreline at Canterbury had Kent five-down for hardly any. By the end of the day, however, Justin Kemp and Ryan McLaren were turning their fortunes around in quite some style. There’s still plenty to play for on the final day of the season.

Kevin Pietersen should focus on England’s immediate challenges before predicting success in an Ashes series that is nearly a year away, according to Australia’s vice-captain Michael Clarke. After leading England to a dead-rubber victory over South Africa in his first Test in charge, Pietersen said his team had what it takes to regain the Ashes.But his comments followed a generally disappointing 2-1 series loss for England and he now has the task of turning around their one-day form in a five-game ODI series against South Africa. In his first one-day match in charge, Pietersen led England to a comprehensive loss to New Zealand at Lord’s.”I think KP needs to concentrate on beating South Africa first rather than worrying about the Ashes,” Clarke told the . “If anybody is thinking about the Ashes, in my opinion they are thinking way too far ahead. It’s going to be an interesting time in Pietersen’s career to see how he goes as captain.”Both teams have tough Test tours of India coming up in the next few months and England also have a trip to the West Indies to worry about before tackling Australia. Following Australia’s visit to India they host New Zealand and South Africa, then head to South Africa for a return Test series.They start their preparation at a training camp in Queensland this week, which will also serve as their warm-up for the upcoming three-game ODI series against Bangladesh in Darwin. They will spend the next ten months gradually building towards the Ashes but their schedule is so gruelling Clarke wants to ensure they do not look too far ahead.”The one thing I want to make clear at the camp is we have some really tough cricket coming up before England next year,” Clarke said. “We have three massive Test series in the next year.”All three – India in India, South Africa home and away and England in England – are going to be as hard as each other. It’s about adapting, because all three are completely different conditions. All our planning for the next 12 months will come from the camp.”Clarke is in charge for the one-day internationals in Darwin, which begin on August 30. Ricky Ponting will miss the series as he recovers from wrist surgery, while Matthew Hayden’s ongoing heel problem will be assessed at the camp.

Scorecard
How they were out

Andrew Flintoff almost single-handedly kept England’s hopes alive at Edgbaston with an evening burst to bring back memories of his golden days. During a gloomy final session the tension levels rose and the crowd got behind the home side. Flintoff removed Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers having earlier claimed his 200th Test wicket by shifting top-scorer Neil McKenzie for 72. South Africa’s lead is 25, but this match is now wide open.The highlight of the day – reduced to 65 overs by rain and bad light – came in the shortened last session with a duel between Flintoff and Kallis that provided some of most compelling viewing of recent times. Flintoff was at his most fired-up, knowing that England’s series prospects probably rested on how many wickets they could claim before the close. He revived memories of the Donald-Atherton confrontation, at Trent Bridge in 1998, as he rattled Kallis with pace and swing. He should have had him lbw on 55 when a yorker arrowed into his boot in front of middle, but Aleem Dar turned down Flintoff’s pleading to his dismay.Flintoff had barely calmed down when his next over came around and this time he had his man, a searing yorker going under Kallis’ bat and uprooting off stump. From set-up to execution it was a row of deliveries to match the magical over he sent down to Ricky Ponting in 2005, and for the first time in the match Edgbaston found its voice.AB de Villiers was given a tough examination – and appeared to get an edge off James Anderson on 1 but no-one appealed – and soon fell into Flintoff’s bouncer trap as he hooked down to Ryan Sidebottom at long-leg. Feelings between the teams began to boil over again with Prince and Mark Boucher clearly unhappy about the viewing from Flintoff’s end, but the England players quickly told them to get back to batting. The pair survived until the light closed in, but England will come hard again in the morning with the new ball four overs away.The transformation from the England side that wallowed through the first session to the one that energised the closing stages was stark, but it remains to be seen whether they have already given themselves too much ground to make up. Given their current fragility with the bat a lead into three figures will put South Africa well on the way to claiming the series with a match to spare.

England were presented with ideal bowling conditions, but spurned the opportunity during a lackadaisical morning when South Africa only lost the wicket of nightwatchman Paul Harris. Even that was after a stand of 77 with Neil McKenzie, who continued as he has throughout the series, judging what to play and what to leave, drawing the bowlers to attack the stumps and then clipping them through the leg side. For a moment McKenzie feared his innings had ended on 29 when he edged Flintoff low to Andrew Strauss at first slip, but not for the first time in this series there was doubt over the carry. Strauss thought he’d caught it but didn’t look entirely convinced, McKenzie remained and Flintoff stayed on 199 wickets.McKenzie’s hard work was rewarded when he brought up his fifty off 100 balls shortly before lunch. After the break he received a life on 57 when Collingwood’s miserable match continued with a spurned chance at second slip off Flintoff. However, Anderson gave England a much-needed boost with a brilliant piece of athleticism, sprinting from his follow through to hold Amla’s inside edge that ballooned into the off side. Anderson once again performed manfully for Michael Vaughan, moving the ball late at pace to trouble all the batsmen and could easily have had another wicket.Anderson’s pumped celebrations were soon followed by Flintoff’s as he trapped McKenzie plumb in front, being the 12th Englishman to reach 200 Test wickets. Another wicket and England were back in contention, but it was only going to be a matter of time before Kallis made a contribution. It wasn’t without fortune, though, as he was twice troubled by yorkers, edging one past second slip and another within inches of his stumps.Slowly the fluency returned as he picked off consecutive boundaries from Collingwood, although a thick inside edge did rocket into Tim Ambrose’s leg as he was stood up to the stumps. Vaughan eventually turned to Monty Panesar in the 52nd over, but he began poorly with a couple of short balls which were easily put away by Kallis. The half-century came off 93 balls in the first over after an hour’s delay as South Africa approached a lead. England needed something special to stop the series drifting away and Flintoff provided. He has given his country a lifeline, are they good enough to take it?

Match facts

Saturday June 28, 2008
Start time 10.45 (9.45GMT)

The big picture

The wheels haven’t quite come off for England, but the nuts have certainly been loosened. After being swept aside remorselessly in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, New Zealand have stolen the march and fought back with impressive resolve. The series reached an ugly flashpoint at The Oval on Wednesday, when Paul Collingwood decided not to withdraw an appeal for a run-out against Grant Elliott, the New Zealand allrounder who collided with Ryan Sidebottom. Elliott is now doubtful for the final match with the thigh injury sustained during the incident. Collingwood apologised, but his four-match ban – for a slow over-rate, not the Oval furore – further hampers England’s plans. It leaves England’s most influential batsman, Kevin Pietersen, with the task of trying to salvage a 2-2 draw in the final match at Lord’s on Saturday. But as New Zealand’s nerveless chase at The Oval suggested, they have peaked at just the right time.

Form guide

England L L NR W L (most recent first)
New Zealand W W NR L W

Watch out for

Ravi Bopara For someone who has battered county cricket’s bowlers in the past month, Bopara’s nervous, fidgety performance in this series has undoubtedly been a concern. He fought through the difficulties at The Oval impressively, however, and at last notched a worthwhile score with a 78-ball 58. A superb diving catch to dismiss Daniel Vettori reinforced the return of his confidence, and with Collingwood absent, England need him to fire in the middle-order if they are to have a chance of drawing the series.Daniel Vettori New Zealand’s captain has cast a forlorn figure this summer, but his euphoric celebrations at The Oval marked a turning point in fortune for his side. Admittedly, their joy was one of relief – justice had been served after Collingwood’s win-at-all-costs decision – but, moreover, New Zealand showed an icy calm resolve in chasing 246. Vettori can take credit for their resurgent form. Forever accurate with the ball, he has shown hitherto hidden qualities of tactical leadership as the series has progressed. He, more than anyone, will be desperate to ensure New Zealand finish their difficult tour on a deserved high.

Team news

Alastair Cook has fully recovered the shoulder injury which ruled him out earlier in the series, and is the likely candidate to replace Collingwood. It seems improbable he will fill Collingwood’s No.5 position however, meaning Luke Wright could be shunted down the order.England (possible) 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Ian Bell, 3 Kevin Pietersen (capt), 4 Ravi Bopara, 5 Luke Wright, 6 Owais Shah, 7 Tim Ambrose (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 Ryan Sidebottom, 11 James Anderson.New Zealand have a couple of injury concerns which could prevent them naming an unchanged side. Elliott will have a late fitness test on his thigh, while Kyle Mills tweaked his back during a net session at Lord’s. If Elliott misses out Gareth Hopkins could earn a recall and Michael Mason is on stand-by to come in for Mills, whose loss would be a major blow to New Zealand after his performances with bat and ball in the series.New Zealand (possible) 1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Jamie How, 3 Ross Taylor, 4 Scott Styris, 5 Daniel Flynn, 6 Jacob Oram, 7 Grant Elliott, 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Mark Gillespie.Umpires: Steve Davis and Nigel Llong

Stats and trivia

• England have only won four of their last ten ODI matches at Lord’s, but were victorious in their last two matches against India and West Indies last year.
• New Zealand have never faced England at Lord’s in a one-dayer. They won their sole appearance against West Indies in the 2004 NatWest Series beating them by 107 runs.
• England will miss Collingwood’s captaincy, but moreover his runs: he is the leading run-scorer in the series with 149 at 37.25.
• New Zealand may be leading 2-1, but only McCullum appears in the the top five run-scorers with 114 at 38.00. Perhaps predictably, his strike-rate of 121.27 is the best of any top-order batsman.

Quotes

“When you perform like we have in the last two or three games, then guys start believing we are a good side.”
“Captaining England has been a dream of mine but I also understand that I’m assuming the role in Paul’s absence as he is the captain and leader of the one-day side.”

Scorecard

Bermuda claimed a tense 11-run victory against Canada despite Sunil Dhaniram’s all-round brilliance and won the three-ODI series 2-0 in King City. Canada were chasing a revised target of 196 because of a shower during the lunch break but were dismissed for 184, out of which Dhaniram struck 79 off 86 balls to follow up his 5 for 32 that helped restrict Bermuda to 201 for 8. It was the second time in two days that Canada lost a close game.A 78-run stand between Dhaniram and Harvir Baidwan (33) revived Canada after they had collapsed to 61 for 6 against Bermuda’s medium-pacers, George O’Brien and Ryan Steed. O’Brien, in particular, was in top form, running through the middle order to finish with 3 for 31.Dhaniram, however, brought Canada to a position from which they could push for victory – they needed 24 off 18 balls with two wickets in hand. The debutant Sami Faridi edged Stephen Outerbridge for four, after which Dhaniram whipped one to the fine-leg boundary to bring the equation to a run a ball. However, Dhaniram was bowled by one that kept low from Outerbridge and Bermuda had an opening. An injured Umar Bhatti walked out to bat with his hand in a sling, and soon enough, Faridi was run out while trying to farm the strike, handing Bermuda victory.Earlier, Bermuda stumbled to 89 for 5 after they were put in by Canada. Jonathan Trott (48) and Outerbridge (42) added 72 runs for the sixth wicket, after which Jekon Edness scored a 47-ball 35. The recovery, however, was cut short by Dhaniram, who after trapping Outerbridge lbw, bowled three batsmen to finish with career-best figures of 5 for 32.

Viv Richards wants West Indies to retain their bulging pace attack to take advantage of a Kensington Oval pitch that is expected to help the fast men in Thursday’s third Test. The home side did not pick a spinner in the drawn second match against Australia and Richards wants more of the same.”We will have the conditions that should suit fast bowling – Antigua was not,” Richards said on Cana News. “West Indies have to try and find the best fast bowling attack that is possible, and bring back some memories of what it used to be like at Kensington Oval.” West Indies need to win the match to level the series, but the Frank Worrell Trophy has already been re-captured by Ricky Ponting’s team, which leads the contest 1-0.While Richards has confidence in the hosts’ attack, his former team-mate Joel Garner said the current bowlers were “lazy”. “Fitness is a major part of their problem,” Garner said in the Courier Mail. “If you are physically fit you are mentally fit. They aren’t.”The mental attitude is not right. I would say they are lazy. The intensity is only there for 1½ sessions and then they go to sleep. They bowl in bursts which is not what is needed.”Richards said the team had taken “great strides” recently, but “we can only keep on speaking about potential for so long”. “There comes a time when you are measured by winning,” he said. “Sometimes we make a little progress this year and then, for some reason, we take a few strides back the following year.”

Match facts

Monday, May 19, 2008
Start time 20.00 (local), 14.30 (GMT)

The Big Picture

The Delhi Daredevils’ semi-final hopes have dimmed after four defeats in five outings but they couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to reignite their campaign. Delhi’s frustrations coming into the game are compounded by losing two close encounters over the last ten days, but they shouldn’t have too many sleepless nights ahead of their encounter with the weakest side in the tournament.Gautam Gambhir, with 465 runs at 46.50, has gained a big lead in the run-chart and is followed by his captain, Virender Sehwag, who has cracked 338 runs at 37.55. They also possess a well-oiled bowling unit, which has been further strengthened by the control show by the legspinner, Amit Mishra.The under-fire Rahul Dravid is soldiering on, as his 36-ball 75 against Rajasthan showed, and continues to solidly defend his under-performing team-mates. While the team has tried an assortment of openers, nothing it seems, can alter their early fall of wickets, something which continues to put a heavy burden on the middle order.Their problems have been further exacerbated by the failure of their bowlers, who have taken just two wickets in their last two matches. Zaheer Khan, and to a lesser extent Praveen Kumar, are the only ones who have managed to give a good account of themselves. Worryingly, Dravid admitted that “the intensity was not there” after the Rajasthan game, a situation that needs immediate addressing if Bangalore don’t want to earn the wooden spoon.

Tournament position

Delhi Daredvils: P11, W5, L6, NRR +0.295
Bangalore Royal Challengers: P10, W2, L8, NRR -1.577

Form (last five matches, most recent first)

Delhi Daredevils: LWLLL
Bangalore Royal Challengers: LLLLW

Watch out for …