India in Sri Lanka

Twenty one year old Michael Vandort looks all set to make his debut for Sri Lanka as the home team made attempts to bolster their batting for the third Test against India to be played at the Sinhalese Sport Ground at Colombo.
He is likely to replace Suresh Perera who has not lived up to the promise he showed in the one-dayers and had failed to take any wickets.
Moreover his bowling has been restricted following a suspect action reported by umpire Steve Bucknor. Sri Lanka obviously do not want a repeat of the past two series where they went one up in the first match and lost the next two Tests.

Australia in England

Australia drove the final nail in the English coffin when they beat the hapless hosts by an innings and 25 runs in the fifth and final Test at the Oval to take the Ashes series 4-1.
After rain disrupted the fourth day's play it more or less appeared that the English team had switched off and crumbled like a pack of cards in their second innings to be all out for just 184.
Alec Stewart (34) and a cameo in the end from Darren Gough (39 not out) couldn't prevent the only result that was likely in this match, yet another Australian win. McGrath (5-43) and Warne (4-64) were the main destroyers.

Asian Test Championships

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Akram has been included in the 16-member squad for the Asian Test Championships. Akram has just returned from England and will accompany the team for nets from today.
The first match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh begin tomorrow at Multan.

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New Zealand's ICC appointed match referee John Reid for the first match of the Asian Test Championships arrived in Pakistan to officiate the first of the Asian Test championship matches beginning tomorrow at Multan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had protested against his appointment following the incidents that led to Shoaib Akhtar being reported for a suspect bowling action and Waqar Younis being suspended for tampering with the ball last year.
Reid this time confirmed that he will be "as strict as ever".

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The Asian Test Championship will be played over the next six months, with the final scheduled for next February. The first match begins on Wednesday at Multan between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The second match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh takes place in October, while the Sri Lanka and Pakistan encounter will held late January-early February. The dates of these matches will be announced shortly.
Only three countries are taking part following an Indian government decision not to allow their team to play in the competition.

Miscellaneous

With Alec Stewart announcing his non-availability to tour India the wicket-keepers on the county circuit are all sitting up to grab the attention of the selectors.
Stewart has held an unchallenged sway over this position since 1993. Those in the race include Essex's James Foster, Yorkshire's Richard Blakey, Kent's Paul Nixon and Lancashire's Warren Hegg.
The Lancashire keeper who was Stewart's deputy on England's last tour of Australia is most likely to get the nod.

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A number of letters written by the late Sir Don Bradman in the 70's and 80's were returned to the family by the person who purchased them in an auction.
The letters were purchased by an organization of businessmen calling themselves Some Australians Value Ethics (SAVE). The family has urged all those who have similar letters to return them.

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Ahmedabad will host the second Test match against the Englishmen according to the revised schedule for the England tour of India. Mohali will stage the first and Bangalore the third.
There has also been a swap of venues for the one-day series that will be played following a Christmas/New Year break with Kolkata hosting the first match and Mumbai, the third.
The fifth and final game that was awarded to Hyderabad will now be played at Kanpur.

Brief Scores:

England v Australia (5th Test)
at Oval, London (5th day)
Toss: Australia
Australia: 641-4 decl (M Hayden 68, J Langer 102 retd hurt, R Ponting 62, M Waugh 120, S Waugh 157 not out, D Martyn 62 not out).
England: 432 (M Trescothick 55, N Hussain 52, U Afzaal 54, M Ramprakash 133; S Warne 7-165) 184 184 (A Stewart 34),D Gough 39 not out; McGrath 5-43, Warne 4-64).
Result: Australia won by and innings & 25 runs.
Man of the match: SK Warne
Players of the series: GD McGrath (Aus), MA Butcher (Eng).

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