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Day 2 of 3Stone:
Staffordshire 367-7 and 185-5dec (GF Archer 80*)
Northumberland 182 (D Follett 7-67) and 32-0Bedford:
Lincolnshire 257 and 144-6
Bedfordshire 277-5dec (DJ Roberts 126*, JA Knott 64*)Finchanpstead:
Berkshire 231 and 130-8.
Herefordshire 432-7 (I Dawood 98, CW Burroughs 96*, HV Patel 93, MC McCagne67*)Dean Park:
Dorset 178 and 152-4 (D Cowley 67*)
Devon 361-9Long Marston:
Hertfordshire 405-7d
Cumberland 125 (ST Knox 56, BJ Frazer 7-36) and 79-0Manor Park:
Suffolk 364-7
Norfolk 177-8Thame:
Wiltshire 312 and 94-4
Oxfordshire 261 (C Knightley 86, R Bates 7-112)Swansea:
Shropshire 420-6 and 72-2
Wales 293 (OA Dawkins 164, A O’Connor 5-76)Day 1 of 3Alderley Edge:
Cheshire 404-7 (R Hignett 183, D Leach 152*; C Shreck 5-113)
Cornwall 36-0

While emphasising that they had not abandoned their policy ofrebuilding, the West Indies cricket selectors yesterday included twoalmost forgotten over-30s in a 22-man training squad in preparationfor the home series against India.Junior Murray, the 34-year-old Grenadian wicket-keeper/batsman, andStuart Williams, the 32-year-old Nevisian opening batsmen, both ofwhom last played Test cricket on the 1998-99 tour of South Africa,were called up on the strength of outstanding performances in thecurrent Busta Series.The rebuilding process doesn’t mean that you go all youth. You pick ateam that you think has balance, chief selector Mike Findlay toldNATIONSPORT last night.Anybody who played in the Busta championship is eligible for selectionto the West Indies team. They [Murray and Williams] performed well andtheir performances warranted selection.Williams, whose previous 28 Tests yielded modest returns (1 092 runs,ave. 24.26), has been in rich form this season, reeling off 722 runsat an average of 72.20.Murray, who played in 31 Tests and 55 One-Day Internationals, hasbecome only the third player to score four centuries in a regionalfirst-class tournament on the way to 642 runs (ave. 53.50).Findlay, however, pointed out that the pair’s inclusion did not signala departure from the selectors’ goal of looking to the future.There are a few players there, who, although they are not youngsters,given the standard of West Indies’ cricket, their performances in thisseries have been outstanding, he said.The camp, which runs from March 21 to 28, comes ahead of a series offive Tests, which starts in Guyana on April 11.The 22 include four players without international experience.Left-handed Grenadian opener Devon Smith is called up after making aseason-high total of 750 runs, while Jamaican Gareth Breese isrewarded for a consistent season in which his right-handed battingbrought him 360 runs (ave. 45.00) and his improving off-breaks 35wickets.Jamaican Darrell Powell and Adam Sanford of the Leeward Islands, twofast bowlers in their first season of regional cricket, have also beensummoned. Powell, long identified by Andy Roberts as one of immensepotential, claimed 23 scalps, while the Dominica-born Sanford took 37.Two notable casualties from the recent tour of Sharjah are formervice-captain Sherwin Campbell and fast bowler Corey Collymore.We don’t think they warranted selection on this squad, based on theperformances of those who are selected, Findlay said.

Scorecard

Netherlands bounced back from their crushing defeat in last week’s four-day game to cruise to a six-wicket win over Kenya in a rain-affected ODI in Rotterdam.After the heavy rain over the previous week reduced the game to a 24-over affair, Netherlands captain Jeroen Smits unsurprisingly chose to bowl first on a slow pitch. Kenya’s openers Kennedy Otieno and Alex Obanda provided a steady, though slow, start before left-arm spinner Pieter Seelaar struck.Otieno and his captain Steve Tikolo, two of Kenya’s most experienced batsmen, took their side to a promising 96 for 1 before Otieno was run out. Tikolo fell soon after – stumped for a 32-ball 34 – as Kenya lost their momentum; they mustered only 22 runs in the final eight overs to finish on 118. Seelar, fresh from his five-for in the four-day match, was the most effective bowler with returns of 3 for 22.Netherlands’ chase got off to a poor start as Darron Reekers fell in the first over, giving a catch to Obanda at backward point. Eric Szwarczynski and Tom de Grooth kept the asking rate in check and had taken the hosts to 40 by the ninth over before de Grooth was run out by a direct hit. Bas Zuiderent (41 not out), returning from a thumb injury, and Szwarczynski then added 66 to ensure that their bowlers’ good work didn’t go in vain.The next stop for Kenya on their European tour is Belfast, where they play three one-dayers against Ireland.

Put aside pot smoking in South Africa, player revolt in the West Indies or rows over who is entitled to a share of cars won in Australia, the players’ revolt of 2002 is the darkest day in New Zealand cricket history.Even bomb blasts and the aftermath in Sri Lanka in 1993 pale in comparison to the body blow that has struck the game in this country as a result of the intransigent stance adopted by the players in their confrontation with New Zealand Cricket.It is ironic that at a time when the New Zealand game has reached a position of prominence on the world scene, largely as the result of corrective procedures inflicted on the game in the fall-out from the centenary summer of 1994/95, the foundations developed are being chipped away by the players who have already benefited most from the increased stature of the game.It is doubly ironic that the man at the helm of the game here, Martin Snedden was himself a players’ advocate during the late-1980s.However, New Zealand cricket changed today. It changed in a way that has never affected a sport in this country before.A wedge has been driven between players, administrators and the cricket public that may never be healed.Certainly, the players, should they ever play for New Zealand again, will find themselves on the receiving end of a level of criticism the likes of which they have never experienced before.Cricket in this country has, in a sense, been Americanised with a level of industrial activity that can only be seen as the forerunner of what is to come in other sports.It may be that the result of this stand-off sees New Zealand fielding a side well below strength in the forthcoming internationals. And it may be several years before the lofty status of third-ranked side in the world is achieved again.And even if the break-up of the Players’ Association occurs with some players opting to accept whatever offers they can, they also leave themselves open to further criticism.The ball game has changed forever.The fortunate thing for the longer term good of the game, which has recovered from disaster before in New Zealand, is that the infrastructure is in place to help younger players develop.One of the benefits of the re-structuring of the New Zealand game has been the development of the High Performance Centre at Lincoln University. Its presence may be the most vital piece of strategic worth in the history of the game here as it becomes the focal point in re-establishing New Zealand’s international game.It appears that the sticking point in the negotiations, after all the rhetoric, was the share of the NZC financial pool that the players are entitled to. They want more, in line with other countries, notably Australia.NZC, having put in place their programme, say they can’t afford it.The players want more disclosure on the last year of NZC’s involvement in the International Cricket Council (ICC) payout from Global Cricket Corporation which has the ICC television rights until 2007.NZC have a four-year plan as the base of their finances, the players want to know more about the fifth year.Perhaps they are just unfortunate that the income from the fifth year will be outside the contract period for some of them.Plenty of past New Zealand players could reflect similarly that the passage of time had also denied them financial rewards.But that is the way the cricket cookie crumbles.Equally, it would be irresponsible of NZC to commit to contractural arrangements beyond which they have some expectation or control.No matter what else may happen in this whole saga, November 5, 2002 will serve as the greatest day of shame in the game in New Zealand.DISCLAIMER: The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of New Zealand Cricket.

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has ordered that at least four of the country’s 15-man Asia Cup squad must be Emiratis.The UAE side has traditionally been almost entirely made up of expats from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India who are eligible under the ICC’s four-year qualification rules. This was at its most apparent during the 1996 World Cup when the only non expat in the UAE side was Sultan Zarawani, the captain, whose place was more down to his passion and wealth than cricketing ability.But the ECB has now moved to counter this with the introduction of a quota. Mohammad Tauqir has been named as the deputy to the captain, Saqib Ali, while Fahad Alhashmi, Alawi Shukri and Salman Farooq have also made the tour party.Shukri, who had been campaigning for such a system, told The National that it was “a very good day … we have won one small battle”. He plays for UAE Nationals Club, a side of UAE passport holders plus three overseas players.However, Shukri admitted to the newspaper that he was not exactly in the best state of mind for the tournament. “I have barely picked up a bat in three weeks, which probably is not the best preparation for playing against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” he said. “But hopefully I will be OK.”

India managed to draw the second Test against England, although the hosts had repeated glimpses of victory throughout an intriguing final day at Trent Bridge. After telling contributions from Dravid, Ganguly and Tendulkar, a flurry of wickets around the tea interval raised the possibility of a rapid run chase similar to the one England pulled off against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford; in the event, India’s young wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel and Zaheer Khan took the tourists to safety. England remain one-nil up with two Tests remaining.The draw was favourite throughout the day, albeit marginal at times, as India lost just two wickets in the first two sessions. Sachin Tendulkar made 92 (113 balls, 17 fours), but after looking comfortable for the first hour’s play, he was beaten and bowled by a perfect off-spinner from Michael Vaughan as he tried to drive the Yorkshireman through the covers. Vaughan had come on after England’s seam attack had searched fruitlessly for a breakthrough in the early overs.Dravid was fortunate to survive a confident appeal for caught behind off Hoggard when he was on 73 in the first over after the lunch interval. Umpire Koertzen shook his head, but replays suggested the thinnest of edges. That was the one blemish, as Dravid played with restraint and elegance to reach his first Test hundred against England. He had reached 115 (244 balls, 16 fours) when Nasser Hussain turned to Cork, bruised knee and all. He found enough reverse swing to rap Dravid on the pad with a ball that would have gone on to hit leg stump. Dravid had added a vital 134 runs with his captain, Sourav Ganguly, who was again in impeccable touch.Laxman was perilously close to the same fate off his first ball. He survived until tea, but was dismissed afterwards thanks to excellent captaincy. Hussain had moved Craig White back towards the backward square leg boundary, where Laxman obligingly hit Cork straight down his throat. When Ganguly was bowled off the inside edge by Harmison for 99 (159 balls, 13 fours) England were daring to hope again.Agarkar, after making 32, was lbw offering no stroke to the first ball of a new spell from Vaughan. Harbhajan Singh lost his off stump to a near full toss from Harmison. If India had folded quickly at that point, England would have fancied their chances of scoring around 130 to win in 20 overs. As it was, Patel and Zaheer held firm, and the series remains very much alive.Michael Vaughan was made Man of the Match for his 197, and there was a nice touch of sportsmanship from England, who let India’s 17-year-old wicket-keeper lead the teams in after his valuable contribution to India’s escape.

Holders Tapal CC received a rude shock when they were beaten by seven wickets by Baqai Dolphins in the 17th Karachi Gymkhana Callmate Cricket Festival played Friday.Opting to bat first Tapal having advanced to 111 for three collapsed to be all out for 150 in 20 overs. Chasing 151 runs for victory, Baqai Dolphins achieved the target with five deliveries to spare in reaching 151 for three in 19.1 overs.Opening batsman Maisam Husnain led the victory charge with a dashing knock of 59 runs, laced with six boundaries. Mohammad Imran unbeaten with 39 and Aftab Ahmed (20), were also amongst the runs.With one victory against Al Noor Gymkhana and one defeat against the Baqai Dolphins, Tapal are still in with a chance to reach the quarterfinal if they win their last match in Group B against UBL Academy.Summarized scores: Tapal CC 150 (Hassan Arshad 36, Hanif-ur-Rehman 26, Alay Hyder 26; Adnan Malik 4-28, Atif Maqbool 3-20, Shoaib Hashmi 2-2-30); Baqai Dolphins 151 for three in 19.1. overs (Maisam Hasnain 59, M.Imran 39, Aftab Ahmed 20).Saturday fixture: Al Noor Gymkhana v UBL Academy 1-30 p.m.

Charles Forward, the hard hitting Old Tauntonians & Romsey left-hander, wrote himself into the Southern Electric Premier League record books with a stunning undefeated double-century against Division 2 rivals Sparsholt.

Forward became only the third batsman in Southern League history to make 200, following Mel Hussain (205 in 1984) and Hampshire’s Robin Smith, who hit a double century for Trojans at Petersfield two years earlier.Ironically, only 92 of Forward’s 200 not out came in boundaries – he his two sixes and 20 fours – but it was enough to totally demoralise injury-hit Sparsholt, who lost Carl Nicols (broken toe) and Mike Ball (groin).With Max Smith (68) sharing a 187-run opening stand, OTS piled up a massive 345-6.Totally bemused, Sparsholt managed 152-7 in reply, with Ollie Kelly (40) top scoring.United Services lost top spot to Easton & Martyr Worthy – seven wicket winners over Rowledge – after suffering a last ball defeat against the Hampshire Academy at Burnaby Road.US improved from an uncertain 64-4 to make 196-8, with Tom Clark (67 not out) and Damien Carson (33) playing lead middle-order roles.The Academy, fielding their youngest team so far, were in the driving seat at 138-4 after useful contributions by Iain Brunnschweiler (44) and Chris Benham (26).But they stuttered on the run-in, with 15-year old Basingstoke prospect Mitchell Stokes hitting an unbeaten 17 to guide the county youngsters home off the fourth ball of the final over.Raj Naik was the inspiration behind Winchester KS’s 79-run win at Hungerford, where Hampshire’s Jason Laney retired hurt after top edging an intended pull shot into his forehead.Laney’s injury, when he had made 46, had a significant impact as Hungerford were going well at 113-1, chasing Winchester’s awesome 285-6.Spinner Naik (4-38), who was bowling when Laney was injured, cut through the Hungerford middle-order, eventually leaving the Berkshire club 79 runs adrift on a demanding post-tea chase.Naik (90) top scored for WKS, sharing a 119-run second-wicket stand with Paul Baker (60), before Jimmy Taylor (25) and brother Martin, with a quick-fire 21, helped the visitors to 285-6 (Jason Williams 4-75).Australian all-rounder Aaron Heal had a major influence on Lymington‘s three-wicket win over Premier Division 2 strugglers Trojans at Stoneham Lane.He ripped out the Trojans middle-order to finish with 4-35 before guiding his side to the brink of victory.Glyn Treagus, who played for Trojans as a teenager, struck two early blows before Simon Williams (62) and Nigel le Bas (25) gave the innings some substance.Skipper Williams repeatedly lost partners to Heal’s left-arm spin and was eventually ninth batsman out as Trojans reached 132.Lymington lurched to 38-3 before Heal (38) found reliable partners in Matt Molloy (16) and Dave Coles (24) to steer Lymington to victory.

For the second straight year, the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) has recorded an operating loss of close to half-million dollars.And the deficit has come in spite of more than $300 000 in revenue from its newly-introduced lottery.Draft financial statements obtained by the WEEKEND NATION revealed the BCA incurred a loss of $456 098 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002.This follows a shortfall of $657 344 the previous year when the BCA recorded its biggest loss in more than a decade.Additionally, the BCA’s auditors say they have been "unable to confirm or verify by alternative means the amount of $248 498 included in the balance of $1 161 164 due from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)."Accordingly, we were not able to determine whether any adjustments might be necessary to the balance from the WICB revenue, excess expenditure for the year and accumulated funds."The financial statements, which are to be presented at the July 30 annual general meeting at Sherbourne Conference Centre, are certain to be debated vigorously among members of the largest and most respected sporting association in the island.During the year under review, the BCA did not increase its revenue, the figure dropping from $2 324 744 to $2 309 382.The lottery, which started in mid-February, brought in $333 333 and advertising returns went up by close to $50 000, but revenue from sponsorship, rental of boxes and subscriptions all declined by substantial amounts.Another area where revenue decreased was from the share of gate receipts from international matches during the 2000 home season. The BCA’s share from WICB was $30 063 compared with $114 157 the previous year.The BCA managed to decrease its expenditure by $216 608, but it is significant to note it spent $237 685 in legal and professional fees.

Two century partnerships dominated the second day as Northern Districts moved into a commanding position against Otago, whose position at the foot of the State Championship was confirmed.ND finished on 320/5 in their first innings, a lead of 202. Scott Styris was the individual performer of the day, with a career-best 127 not out.Otago added 11 to their overnight score to be all out for 118. Joseph Yovich had David Sewell caught behind to finish with four for 58.The ND innings began as disastrously as Otago’s had, with both openers falling early to casual shots.James Marshall nudged a leg-side delivery from Kerry Walmsley into the hands of wicket-keeper Duncan Drew. Matthew Hart drove rashly at Sewell to give Craig Pryor a catch at second slip. At 10/2 it seemed that another ND collapse was on its way.But it was not to be. Michael Parlane and Grant Robinson put on 104 for the third wicket, only the second century stand for ND this season.Parlane’s 65 came from 115 balls, including 11 fours and a six. At his best, Parlane strikes the ball as fluently as anybody. Two cuts off successive deliveries from Pryor illustrated his range. A delicate shot went fine of third man for four, followed by a bludgeoning hoist, square for six. Pryor also dropped Parlane, off Sewell, on 41, but had his revenge by returning to attack to remove the batsman’s off stump.Robinson began cautiously, not hitting a boundary until he had been in for 13 overs. He had some luck, with edges not going to hand, but batted with increasing confidence. The left-hander out-scored Parlane in the latter phase of the partnership, no mean feat in itself. He finished with 45, with eight fours.ND cannot go on converting bowlers into top order batsmen. They need specialists who will develop into long-term regulars. Robinson’s performance today hinted that he may fit the bill.Another hundred partnership followed at once, as Styris and Hamish Marshall put on 112 for the fifth wicket. Styris dominated from the outset, causing a flurry of bowling changes from Otago skipper Craig Cumming as he became increasingly desperate to cut off the flow of runs.Marshall was overshadowed at first, but accelerated later, hitting six fours and a six on his way to 43 from 69 balls. The partnership occupied only 24 overs before Marshall padded up right in front of the stumps to the first delivery of a new spell from Walmsley.A tough chance on the square leg boundary was knocked over the line for six by Chris Gaffaney to allow Styris to reach fifty and Drew missed a stumping chance that would have given Scott Waide his first first-class wicket when Styris was 83.Styris reached the second century of his career from 112 balls. In all, he hit 10 fours and five sixes, the biggest of which went into the rush hour traffic over wide long on. The time has come to take Styris out of the pigeon-hole marked ‘one-day specialist who bats a bit’. His innings today was fine attacking, orthodox batting, full of good shots all round the wicket. He is ND’s leading scorer in the State Championship.Robbie Hart (20 not out) supported Styris well in the last hour, as they put on an unbroken 79 for the sixth wicket.The day ended controversially. The penultimate ball saw the last of a series of caught behind appeals turned down. The bowler, Walmsley, was visibly annoyed. The batsman, Robbie Hart, pulled away from the next ball just before the point of delivery. Walmsley carried on and removed a bail. Hart stood his ground. The umpires consulted before ruling that the ball was dead.Walmsley and his opening partner Sewell were the only bowlers who bowled with consistent control. They were unlucky not to take wickets in their new-ball spell at the end of the day. Walmsley finished the day with two for 48, Sewell with one for 59.Waide and Nathan Morland bowled a lengthy spell of off spin in partnership after tea. It was controlled, but largely unthreatening.ND will attempt to bat through to lunch tomorrow before setting Otago a target of 350 plus. An innings victory is a realistic prospect.