Warwickshire 608 for 7 dec (Knight 303*) lead Middlesex 163 and 216 for 2 (Hutton 116*) by 229 runs at Lord’s
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Wasim Akram, Courtney Walsh and Henry Olonga are among an astonishing array of past and present Test stars to play for Lashings against the Scottish Saltires in a special Twenty20-format evening game on Friday, 25 June.The Lashings batting line-up includes players such as Richie Richardson, Grant Flower, Gregg Blewett and Shahid Afridi, and under the management of Alvin Kallicharan the star-studded team will surely provide spectacular entertainment for the Edinburgh crowd. More than a thousand tickets for the game have already been sold, which is thought to be a record advance sale for a cricket match in Scotland.Lashings Richie Richardson (capt), Jimmy Adams, Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Gregg Blewett, Sherwin Campbell, Vaspert Drakes, Grant Flower, Rashid Latif (wk), Junior Murray, Henry Olonga, Franklin Rose, Courtney Walsh, Stuart Williams.
Scottish Saltires Craig Wright (capt), Yasir Arafat, Stewart Bruce, Majid Haq, Dougie Lockhart (wk), Gregor Maiden, Dewald Nel, Sridharan Sriram, Ian Stanger, Greig Williamson, Ryan Watson, Simon Smith(12th man).

USA 297 for 9 dec and 183 (Leverock 7-57) beat Bermuda 201 for 8 dec and 165 (Smith 65, HR Johnson 5-38) by 114 runs
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With USA in a comfortable position at the start of the final day, leading by 237 runs with six wickets in hand, one would have thought that the visitors would add a quick 60 or 70 runs to their total and get the home team to face a few overs before lunch . If that was the plan it went astray. Just after play, heavy rain delayed play for 71 minutes, and that was followed by the unexpected..In just less than 15 overs USA were bowled out for 183, adding just 40 runs to their overnight total. The one-man wrecking crew responsible for this was the left-arm spinner, Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock. His haul of 7 for 57 in just 16.2 overs was a welcome birthday gift for the big allrounder, who celebrated his 32nd birthday a day earlier.Bermuda was given a target of 280 for victory, and with extra time added for the rain delay, it was estimated there were 88 overs remaining to play. But if Bermuda had any plans of chasing this total, USA’s opening bowlers, Charles Reid and Howard Johnson, put an instant stop to that, both capturing wickets in their first over.It was left to Clay Smith, Bermuda’s captain, and Leverock to construct a rear-guard action.But Johnson continued his fine bowling, when he was brought back into the attack, capturing the wicket of the defiant Leverock, who occupied the crease for 78 balls and contributed 23 to the total.Smith continued to battle for the draw and Denis Archer offered some support but when Nasir Javed got Smith to play on it was all but over for Bermuda. His innings of 65 in 161 balls included seven fours. Johnson was Team USA’s best bowler, with figures of 17-3-38-5.The win now gives USA a chance of advancing to the semi-finals in Dubai. To do this they must hope either for a Bermudian victory in Toronto next month against Canada, or for no result game due to rain. They picked up 32 points while Bermuda earned 16.5 bonus points.The Man-of-the-Match award, which easily could have gone to Smith if Bermuda had drawn the match, went to Steve Massiah for his brilliant century in USA’s first innings.The final match between Canada and Bermuda will be played in Toronto, August 13 to 15, 2004.

Michael Vaughan praised a consummate team effort, as England launched into the celebrations of an historic summer of achievement. "It has been a tremendous summer," said Vaughan. "We have played good cricket, but it has been hard work. To get 20 wickets at each of the Test matches grounds is fantastic."By winning the final Test at The Oval by 10 wickets, England carried their unbeaten run to 10 wins in 11 matches, including seven consecutive wins in a single summer. Only two England sides in history have equalled that run of form, which was last achieved by Percy Chapman’s team, against West Indies and Australia in 1928-29.”It has been a real team effort," added Vaughan. "We have seen new guys come in and play well. Every single player in the dressing-room has played a huge part in our success, and we will celebrate in the proper manner. It will not sink in for a few days what we have done this summer.”Vaughan’s own form has been patchy – one glorious match at Lord’s, in which he scored back-to-back centuries, has been balanced by more modest returns elsewhere, but with the team more or less running itself, he was able to reflect on a very happy summer’s work. “I am pretty fortunate,” he said. “I have a very good set of players here and I am just one who leads them out into the middle. We are getting the rewards for our hard work.”

His mood was in stark contrast to that of Brian Lara, who vowed not to throw in the towel despite presiding over the whitewash. "England played really well, and congratulations must go to them," he said, but added that he was not about to walk away from the team. "I want my employers to know that I am here, willing to serve them in whatever capacity.”I’ve seen captains in the past who have given up when they’ve been sacked," said Lara, whose role has been under ferocious scrutiny all summer. "I’m going to be around for a long time – I’m willing to do whatever job the West Indies Cricket Board wants me to do. It’s my duty to be there to be an elder statesman in the West Indies cricket team for quite some time to come as long as I remain as an asset to the team."West Indies have now lost nine of their last ten Tests against England, a side they once dominated so ruthlessly, and Lara admitted there would be no easy solution to West Indies’ problems. "It’s going to be very difficult to get a quick fix after a result such as this," he said. "We set a lot of targets in the dressing-room, but we achieve less than 50% of them.”We’re asking some very young guys to do a big man’s job and they need every bit of help possible,” he added, suggesting that a psychologist should be employed to help them come to terms with their responsibilities. "Each individual needs to be worked on to ensure they understand what international cricket is all about.

The Australian board has expressed its reservations over the state of the new stadium in Hyderabad, where Australia are scheduled to play their only warm-up game of the Indian tour. The local association, though, is confident of getting the stadium in top shape in a week’s time.The game is due to be played in a new stadium in Uppal, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, and a few photographs sent from India this week left the Australian officials tentative. The Australians are scheduled to play the Board President’s XI in a three-day game starting on September 30., a daily based in Melbourne, quoted a Cricket Australia spokesman as saying, “There clearly was a lot of work that still needed to be done and there’s been a close monitoring process and continuing discussion.”Our continuing concern is that it is an important match because we are coming off the back of two one-day tournaments, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of those iconic trophies so we need to have comfort that the venue, including the practice wickets and the wicket, are going to be appropriate for the running of a practice match.”Michael Brown, the operations manager, and Tim May, the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, had made a routine pre-tour visit six weeks ago. The facilities at the new stadium were far from complete then with the outfield bereft of grass and raised concerns about whether the match would need a change of venue or not.It is learnt that Hyderabad was originally supposed to host the tour game against South Africa, in November. The board later interchanged the tour games and Hyderabad was awarded them the game against Australia, leaving them racing against the clock.However, Shivlal Yadav, the secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Associaion, was confident of overcoming the obstacles. He told Wisden Cricinfo that they had found a sponsor for the naming of the stadium and added, “The preperation is going on at a very brisk pace and we had a practice match today between two local teams.”Yadav also confirmed that Brown and May were due to visit the stadium on September 18 and watch a two-day practcie game. “The wicket on which they are going to play is also being prepared. We still have 14 days more, so we are confident of getting it ready.”

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The Eagles beat the Lions by 59 runs at Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein, and in so doing extended their Standard Bank Cup lead to 10 points.After being put in, the Eagles started off in a rush. Morne van Wyk and Jonathan Beukus brought up the 100 up in 17 overs with the Lions pace attack struggling with their length. Far too many short balls were bowled giving the two plenty of opportunity to hook and cut.David Terbrugge broke through with the wicket of Beukus for 45 and then Benjamin Hector was needlessly run out for 4. Adam Bacher and Derek Crookes slowed the run rate but innings’ foundation had been laid. Van Wyk had laboured to 78 when Bacher trapped him in front, leaving it to Davey Jacobs to score 50 off 53 balls before he too was run out helping the Eagles to 247 for 5.The Lions batting just never looked the part while the bowlers, with home ground advantage, found their length early on. Stephen Cook struggled to 58 as the middle order failed dismally, collapsing to 116 for 7. Throwing caution to the wind, Enoch Nkwe showed some attacking spirit to register a career-best 49 not out while Adam Bacher (27) and Garnett Kruger (10 not out) were the only other batsmen to get into double figures. At the end of the 45 overs the Lions were 188 for 9, 10 runs short of saving the bonus point.
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An exciting match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni ended in victory for the Titans as they chased down the 219 set by the Dolphins.Batting first after being sent in, the Dolphins recovered well with Doug Watson and Wade Wingfield putting on 51 after the early loss of Imraan Khan. Dale Benkenstein, the in-form ex-Dolphins captain, scored 59 as he upped the tempo. Lance Klusener, again batting at No. 8, swung the bat for a quick 30 but was again left not out after only facing 30 balls. With one of the most lethal strikers of a cricket ball batting so low down the order, one wonders about the Dolphins tactics. In they end they could only muster 219 for 7 in their 45 overs.The Titans made heavy work at the start. Alviro Petersen was out in the third over and then AB de Villiers and Goolam Bodi put on a subdued 69 before Bodi was caught for 30. de Villiers followed, caught behind for 50 while Daryll Cullinan hardly troubled the scorers. Needing eight an over – and rising – things looked all over the Titans. Justin Kemp and Gerald Dros then turned the game around with some lusty blows, and by the time Kemp was caught for 54 only 20 runs were required off 21 balls. The partnership had been worth 96 runs in 14 overs. In the end the Titans won with an over to spare and Dros undefeated on 59.

VVS Laxman’s omission from the Indian one-day side for Bangladesh has sent a wave of displeasure through the Hyderabad Cricket Association, who made clear their disapproval to the BCCI with strong words.”We express our utmost dissatisfaction at this move which will demoralise a talented batsman,” a letter addressed to Jagmohan Dalmiya and the national selectors stated. Then Shivlal Yadav, the secretary of the association, released a press statement making public his feelings about the move. “The Hyderabad Cricket Association wishes to place on record its surprise and anguish at the way VVS Laxman has been `rested’ from the one-day matches for the Bangladesh tour.”There is no injury that Laxman is carrying and we feel he hasn’t been `rested’ due to genuine reasons. At a time when other players in the team are carrying injuries, we are surprised to note that Laxman has been rested.” Yadav also observed that Laxman had played a role in `rigorous’ tours that involved Australia, South Africa and Pakistan, but was not afforded the opportunity against Bangladesh.However, Laxman’s one-day form has dipped after the VB Series in Australia, where he struck three centuries. His ability on the field has come into question as well.One-day figures for India’s top seven since the Asia Cup in July 2004

Recent claims by the Kenyan Cricket Association (KCA) that it had arranged tri-nation one-day tournaments for the next four years appear to be a triumph of hope over reality. An investigation by Cricinfo reveals that none of the overseas boards we asked have committed to participate.In November, Sharad Ghai, the KCA’s chairman, announced that the board had struck a deal with an unnamed American company to invest US$6 million (Sh486 million) to guarantee four home series between August2005 and November 2008. The tournaments would have involved each sideplaying each other three times, with the top two going through to afinal, a total of ten games.”Hosting these teams is impossible for the KCA given our financial position and that is why this arrangement with this company is very good for us because we cannot lose money,” Ghai explained. But critics were quick to point out that Ghai had declined to identify the company, raising concerns as to the strength of its commitment. It has still not been named.The weekend before last, Jasmer Singh, the KCA’s communications and publications manager, gave more information, explaining that the four tournaments would involve India, South Africa and Kenya in 2005; Australia, West Indies and Kenya in 2006; South Africa, Pakistan and Kenya in 2007; and England, Sri Lanka and Kenya in 2008.A spokesman for the South African board confirmed that the KCA had approached it to participate next year. “We have responded to them that we cannot play in the 2005 tournament due to a prior commitment,” he explained. “The 2007 tournament is being considered by the playing affairs department.” The Indian board was equally non committal. ‘Nothing has been finalised regarding the one-day tournament in Nairobi,” we were told by an official. “I can’t say anything at this stage.”The following year’s tournament looks equally doubtful, with Cricket Australia stating that it had “no commitment to play cricket in Nairobi in 2006,” and the West Indies board maintaining it had not received any approach. With regards to 2008, a spokesman for the England & Wales Cricket Board said quite firmly that “we haven’t agreed to participate,” and Sri Lanka Cricket said it knew nothing about the proposed games. A reply is still awaited from the Pakistan Cricket Board, but there have to be serious concerns asto the likelihood of any of the events happening.Without the cricket, there will almost certainly be no Americansponsor, and equally the players will grow increasingly frustrated. Atthe outset of the ongoing strike by Kenya’s leading cricketers, theywrote to Ochilo Ayacko, the minister for sport, highlighting theirgrievances. At the top of the list was “a lack of matches at theinternational level.” The letter added that it was “the duty of theKCA to organise such fixtures while all this time we had beenhoodwinked to believe it was the duty of the ICC.”Singh admitted that attracting sponsors was an ongoing problem, onenot helped by the walkout. But to attract sponsors, there have to bemore matches (Kenya’s next serious outing is not until June when theyplay Uganda in the Intercontinental Cup) and without the moneysponsorship brings, arranging games becomes that much harder.Cricinfo contacted the board, and a spokesman told us that ” at no stage has it been stated by KCA that the three-nation tournaments have been confirmed. We stated that these are the proposed schedule of tournaments, which will depend on how and when Test-playing countries can accommodate Kenya in the already clustered 10-year schedule. Some boards have already responded.”The countries are aware of this and are looking at the available proposed dates. Kenya has previously organised threeand four-nation tournaments involving all Test-playing countries on various occasions, most successfully. The proposed tournaments full costs have been underwritten by an American company. Therefore the tournaments will be self sufficient.”

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Phil Jaques batted throughout the first day to guide New South Wales to a hard-won advantage in the top-of-the-table clash against Queensland at Bankstown Oval. In front of about 800 spectators and Mark Waugh, who was visiting his old club ground, Jaques reached 131 by stumps on a dull pitch and a deliberately sandy outfield to compensate for the short boundaries.Usually a dashing batsman, Jaques collected seven fours in his 266-ball innings, but had numerous firm shots stop short of the boundary. Queensland were ruing a Wade Seccombe dropped catch off Matthew Phelps when New South Wales were 1 for 122, and the No. 3 went on to reach a hard-earned 90. Seccombe grabbed his second chance late in the day off Ashley Noffke and the home side was 2 for 256 at stumps.”Any hundred is a good hundred but against Queensland, when the outfield is slow, it feels really good to have batted the whole day,” Jaques said. “They didn’t over-do it [with the sand] but it’s a bit disheartening when you hit a couple through the gap that would be four normally, and you only get two for it.”Queensland, who are two points in front of the Blues, started well with the wicket of Greg Mail, caught by Jimmy Maher at second slip off Andy Bichel, after Brad Haddin, who played for Australia at Adelaide on Wednesday, won the toss and batted. “You don’t normally come off the field after taking only two wickets and be excited about how well you’ve bowled,” said Maher. “It’s probably the first time in my career.”

Saqlain Mushtaq is unlikely to be considered for the Pakistan squad to tour India after failing to recover in time from knee surgery. Saqlain, whose last Test appearance produced unflattering figures of 1 for 204 against India at Multan last year, is still on crutches, and has little or no chance of getting games under his belt before the squad is chosen on February 18.Saqlain enjoyed a wonderful tour in 1999, when his offspin was the difference between the two teams in an epic Chennai Test decided by his dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar. But despite an impressive haul of 208 wickets in his 49 Test, Saqlain has been on the periphery in recent seasons, with Danish Kaneria now firmly ensconced as the premier slow bowler.Another to miss out on the Indian experience will be Umar Gul, whose intelligent use of swing and seam won Pakistan the Lahore Test against India last year. Gul broke down during that game and was subsequently diagnosed with three stress fractures in his spine. South African specialists, who have been monitoring his progress, don’t expect to have a clear picture until at least June.In Saqlain’s absence, the likes of Shahid Afridi – who was in great form in the VB series and who made a thrilling Test hundred at Kolkata in 1999 – might come into contention to supplement the spin-bowling component.There are also injury concerns over Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, neither of who played a part in Pakistan’s improved displays at the denouement of the VB Series in Australia. However, both should be fit to face India, if selected.