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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) clarified the reasons as to why they could play only two Test matches against Pakistan instead of the normal three. According to the original schedule England was to play a six-match Ashes series this summer. However keeping in view of ECB's latest broadcasting deals, it was decided to expand the international schedule to seven Tests during the English summer. With the ICC implementing the new plan for Test playing nations wherein each country had to play each other at home and away within 5 years, Pakistan had to visit England now and not in 2004 as was originally planned. So the ECB had to allot a two-match Test series to Pakistan, while reducing the six-match Ashes Test series to a five-match one. ECB further clarified that this decision was not a reflection on the ability of the Pakistan team. In the meanwhile, the ECB are looking forward to allot a four-match Test series when Pakistan tour England next in 2006. It took a young off-spinner from Derbyshire to put the brakes on the Pakistani batting after the lunch when Pakistan was cruising at 106-2. Nathan Dumelow claimed four wickets to help Derbyshire wind up Pakistan's innings for 262. At close of play on the second day Derbyshire still needed 30 runs to make Pakistan bat again with 8 wickets in hand. The scores at close on the second day: Derbyshire: 166 & 66-2; Pakistan: 262
South Africa became the first visiting team to win four ODI matches in a row in the Caribbean, when they defeated the West Indies by seven wickets and with 8.2 overs to spare in the fifth match at Bridgetown, Barbados. The visitors thus won the seven-match series by taking an unbeatable 4-1 lead. Even Brian Lara's innings of 92 could not help the West Indies get past 200, a target which the South Africans easily over hauled thanks to yet another hundred from opener Herschelle Gibbs, who also crossed a personal landmark of 2000 runs during his knock of 107.
Ajay Jadeja's petition against the BCCI and the government of India has been listed for final disposition on July 11 at the Delhi High Court. This was after allowing the CBI to implead itself in the case. Jadeja's counsel however felt that by impleading the CBI have helped to strengthen Jadeja's case and was hopeful that Jadeja would be able to play again soon for India. Meanwhile the BCCI have had no response from the ACB regarding the match fixing story that arose nearly one and a half months after the Aussies had left India. Two Australian players and the coach were reported to have received anonymous calls during the final Test match at Chennai in March. Meanwhile BCCI secretary JY Lele also denied having any knowledge of the incident until the story broke in the media
Indian cricket coach John Wright, who over the past six months has become an important person in Indian Cricket is back after a deserving holiday following the Australian series. He is now in Bangalore preparing for the team's visit to Zimbabwe that begins at the end of the month. Wright, during an interview failed to comment on any of the touchy points of Indian cricket such as wicket-keeping, bowling strength and inconsistent batting. He, however, felt too much is being made of India's poor record overseas. He also played down his role in the aggressive captaincy style of Sourav Ganguly and the newly found confidence of the Indian team. A Pakistan A side will be touring Sri Lanka in the second week of June to play three unofficial Tests and three unofficial one day matches in the island nation.
The star of Indian's Test series win against Australia, Harbhajan Singh, accepted the offer made some time ago by the Punjab chief minister to join as Deputy Superintendent with the Punjab Police. Harbhajan while thanking the chief minister has accepted the offer, but would continue to play for his present employers Indian Airlines until the formation of the Punjab Police cricket team. Indian Airlines had recently promoted Harbhajan as Assistant Manager. If approved the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy matches will soon see games played under a new format. The suggestions have been that the Duleep Trophy, which is now being played as a round-robin format, will be played on a knock-out basis, as it is too long drawn out and lacks in competitive spirit in the current format. For the Ranji Trophy, it is suggested to place the 15 teams, which qualify for the knock-out in two groups, while placing the twelve teams, who do not qualify in two other groups. After league matches are played within the four groups, the sides that finish last in the first two groups will be relegated while the sides that finish on top of the other two groups will go ahead to the next round. The top four teams in each of the first two groups will then play a knock out round to decide the winner of the trophy. This new format, which is currently used for the English county championships, will perhaps change the present scenario where most zonal matches are hopelessly one-sided. These suggestions are forwarded to the BCCI's technical committee, who are scheduled to meet in New Delhi next week.
Northamptonshire were 320-4 at close on the first day against Surrey at Northampton. Mike Hussey and Jeff Cook put on 172 in 40 overs. Lancashire were 45 without loss after dismissing Leicestershire for 240 at Grace Road. Lancashire's pace bowler Glenn Chapple took five for 40. Somerset was dismissed for 257 by Yorkshire, who were 2-0 at close. Mark Lathwell (65) was the top-scorer, as Somerset lost their last six wickets for 32 runs. Hampshire reached 267-8 against Worcestershire at Southampton. Dimitri Mascarenhas, a former Australian, hit a career best 104 to rescue Hampshire after the first six wickets had fallen for 79. Dutch World Cup batsman Bas Zuiderent hit his second hundred in three days when he scored an unbeaten 122 for Sussex who reached 318-5 at close against Nottinghamshire. Veteran Kim Bartlett's unbeaten 92 helped Gloucestershire reach 247-7 against Middlesex. West Indies vs South Africa at Bridgetown, Barbados (5th One day international)
West Indies: 199 in 49.2 overs (BC Lara 92; JH Kallis 4-22, A Donald 3-41)
Yesterday's News
News Roll archive
Compiled by: Mohandas Menon
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Pakistani Shoaib Akhtar with a new remodeled action will not be as fast as he used to be according to the team's bowling coach Daryl Foster. Foster felt the fast bowler will lose out in speed but hopes he will make it up with accuracy. Shoaib, who appeared to have put on a little weight bowled 12 overs while capturing two wickets on the first day of their match against Derbyshire and was clearly not in full speed. Foster hopes Shoaib will provide the support to Wasim and Waqar and that the trio will form a fearsome bowling combination.
Former skipper and keeper-batsman Alec Stewart said England is ready to take on Australia and hoped the recent good form they showed could be translated into an Ashes win. England has not won the Ashes since 1986-87 and Stewart feels that although the Aussies are favourites, England has a good chance. However, before they tackle the Australians, England will have to deal with the talented Pakistanis in a two-match Test series.
