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Scorecard

England A were set a daunting target of 367 on the third day of their Duleep Trophy match against East Zone in Amritsar, after a day of hard toil for their bowlers. East Zone resumed in the morning on 65 for 3, and though they soon slipped to 132 for 5, the tail showed impressive resilience to hoist the total to a daunting 308.England’s bowling honours were shared by Sajid Mahmood, leading the attack since the departure of Simon Jones, and the captain James Tredwell, who added four more wickets to his first-innings 5 for 101, but conceded his runs at exactly five an over.East Zone, who had secured a first-innings lead of 58, took control once again in a sixth-wicket partnership of 106 between Laxmi Shukla (60) and Devang Gandhi (59). Tredwell eventually broke through, but England A’s prospects were dented by the sight of Shiv Sunder Das striding out at No. 9. Das, who has already played 23 Tests, made a century in the first innings and had decided to put his feet up in the second, but he eventually used his feet well to make 55, before Mahmood dismissed him to bring an end to the innings.England, who learned a thing or two about approaching tricky targets in their humiliating defeat against South Zone last week, made the worst possible start to their chase when Scott Newman was bowled by Shib Paul before for a fourth-ball duck. Michael Lumb then followed, lbw for 13 (25 for 2) and that victory seemed rather a distant prospect. But Ed Smith (33) and Kevin Pietersen (29) carried England safely through to the close without any further alarms, leaving them needing a further 288 on the final day for victory.

It’s ironic that a year that began with India celebrating a new openingcombination has ended with them grappling over the choice of their top two. Anage-old problem appeared to be sorting itself out but now it’s exploded into theirfaces.The New Year Test in Cape Town sawDinesh Karthik open for the first time and, with six 50-plus scores in six Tests,took up the role like a duck would to water. Karthik was India’s highestrun-getter in the series in England and, along with Wasim Jaffer, went aboutsetting the base for tall totals. Often it wasn’t just a platform, it was aterminus.Karthik’s poor form during the Pakistan series caused a few ripples before YuvrajSingh’s magnificent 169 in Bangalore caused what Anil Kumble termed a”happy headache”. After precisely one more Test that’s looking more like amigraine right now.A lot has happened over the last month or so: Karthik fell cheaply in his fourinnings as opener against Pakistan, Yuvraj cracked hundred, Virender Sehwag, in poor domestic form, was picked in the squad toAustralia on a hunch, Rahul Dravid, going through a lean phase, was asked to open,Dravid endured an agonising first innings at Melbourne, didn’t score much in thesecond dig, and, India lost heavily. To add to their worries Wasim Jaffer, whokept scoring through all the early turbulence, also fell early in both his chancesin Melbourne.”If you look at our batting order then all seven of them are batting well,”Kumble said of the line-up picked for the first Test, “and the other two openers, whocould have possibly taken someone else’s place, weren’t really getting runs. It isa difficult position for me. If Viru and Dinesh Karthik were in great form thenthe choice would have been easier.”It’s a hard choice for a captain but it’s a strange statement too. Karthik hasbeen off-colour since the Pakistan series and Sehwag has made more headlines forhis failures rather than successes on the domestic circuit. Both were picked, it’sbeen suggested, thanks largely to Kumble’s backing. As a captain he would haveexpected this situation.Neither were played in the tour match – probably because the first XI was decidedby then anyway – and were largely left to face the bowling machine. India wereleft with no choice but to push Dravid up to open. Kumble said as much. “WhenYuvraj is playing so well and we don’t pick him, you say why not? Then when we putRahul up the order and then make way for Yuvraj, you say ‘no you shouldn’t havedone that’. There are always ifs and buts, but for me personally I need to lookat the team dynamics and who is batting well.”Back-to-back Tests mean the team has little time to brainstorm. The SCG pitchappears to hold the key to their opening plans. Mitchell Johnson spoke about a”slow” pitch he had played on “not too long ago” but also added that he doesn’texpect a similar pitch for the Test. There has been talk of the surface being abit bouncier than normal, allowing the Australian pace bowlers an advantage.If India see some good pace and carry on the surface, there would be a temptationto play Sehwag. It won’t be a decision based on any logic but an outrightshoot-in-the-dark gamble. It might be a spectacular flop but could, with chunks ofluck, turn into a masterstroke. Kumble, who is normally known to be one to coverall bases, isn’t someone who has relied on a gambler’s instinct. He might still wantto play it safe, hoping for the same seven to fire, but he would surely be temptedto attempt the punt. You wouldn’t bet on it but a new year is supposed to beabout surprises.

Cricket Kenya will be holding a meeting of leading stakeholders on December 1 and 2 at Nairobi’s Parklands Sports Club.Those invited to attend include representatives of clubs and associations, sponsors, cricketers, and the media. CK has also invited both the African Cricket Association CEO Cassim Sulliman and ICC high performance manager Richard Done to attend.High on the agenda will be discussions about the ongoing crisis affecting the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association, as well as planning the way ahead for Kenyan cricket in general.

Scorecard

Mumbai Champs lost their second match in a row after T Kumaran struck with 6 for 21 to hand Chennai Superstars a 38-run win.After winning the toss, the Superstars were given a powerful start by Ian Harvey, who hit six fours and four sixes in his 41-ball 63. He added 78 with Chris Read before Read was trapped leg before by Nathan Astle for 34. But Harvey stuck into Astle in the 13th over, hitting two sixes and a four off the first three balls before he holed out to fine leg off the last ball. The over had cost 18 runs and the Superstars were at 109 for 3. After Harvey’s dismissal, the Superstars steadily lost wickets and only added another 48 in the next seven overs. Their total of 157 is the highest so far in the tournament and Harvey’s 63 is the highest individual score so far.The Champs began the chase positively with Dheeraj Jadhav flicking three fours off Harvey in the first over. But by the halfway mark of the innings they had lost their openers and were at 56 for 2. But the Champs had Astle and Johan van der Wath at the crease to counter the required run-rate that was steadily climbing. Kumaran, though, having snapped up Jadhav for 30, was planning a counter-attack of his own. In the 15th over he bowled Astle and had a defensive van der Wath caught off Russel Arnold. Though Brian Lara was at the crease, the chase had more or less slipped out of the Champs’ hands. In fact, over the last six games, only one team has won while chasing.Kumaran further dealt crushing blows when he dismissed Lara, Shreyas Khanolkar and Subhojit Paul in the same over. By then the Champs needed 45 off 12 balls and with only two wickets remaining. They lost those in the penultimate over, handing an easy victory to the Superstars. The Champs are the only side to remain pointless this far into the tournament.

One of the most fascinating genres of history is alternative history,where historians ask “What if?” What if Hitler had attacked the middleeast instead of Russia? What if Mahatma Gandhi had chosen the freemarketer, C Rajagopalachari, as his successor instead of socialistJawaharlal Nehru? And in terms of cricket, we might well ask: what ifIS Bindra had won the power struggle with Jagmohan Dalmiya in the mid-1990s and become the decision-maker in Indian cricket?That last question is no frivolous one. Bindra and Dalmiya hadtogether begun a process of modernising the BCCI in the early 1990s,and Dalmiya is today given credit for bringing commerce into Indiancricket, and making the board the richest in the world. Yet, is thatthe whole story? Bindra, the man who has made Mohali such a hugesuccess story as a venue for international cricket, points to Mohali,and the contrast it makes to the rest of India. “[The stadium at]Mohali has one-third the capacity of [Eden Gardens] Kolkata and makesthree times the money”, he tells me. “What does that tell you?”We are standing by the practice nets at Mohali, and Bindra is minglingwith the journalists, making sure that they get refreshments and arelooked after. Impeccably dressed, he is sophisticated but not asophist, and he speaks crisply, without the jargon and cliches thatbureaucrats often pepper their conversation with. One more thing: herefuses to say anything negative about his old rival, Dalmiya, despitebeing asked about him.He isn’t averse to expressing his dissatisfaction with the way Indiancricket is being run, though. And without saying it in so many words,he implies that too much of the credit for getting big money intoIndian cricket is given to one man.”Madhavrao Scindia was the board president in 1993,” he tells me,”when we first sold TV rights to TWI. Jaggu [Dalmiya] and I persuadedhim to do so. And then, when we won the battle over uplinking in 1994,I was board president. That’s when the money started coming in toIndian cricket, and the graph has gone up steadily since then.””So what would you have done differently had you continued running theIndian board?” I ask. He looks at me keenly, as if to guage if I ambeing mischevious, or really want to know. Then he opens up, andbegins listing out the items in the to-do list that never was.Bindra’s Wishlist: One – Break out of the honorary system
The BCCI is run by honorary office bearers, who have day jobs thatkeep them busy, and Bindra would like to see it professionalised. “Setup a board of directors, hire full-time executives, led by a CEO, whoare accountable, and the system will run beautifully.”I ask him why he didn’t make this transition when he was president.”I tried,” he says, “And [AC] Muttiah tried as well,when he was president. But vested interests came in our way.””You mean the state associations,” I ask. “But why do they oppose it?””Oh, they are scared that if a professional structure is established inthe BCCI, it will percolate to the state associations as well, andtheir power will be affected.””So will this ever change,” I ask. “If the state associations, whocontrol the BCCI with their votes, are going to keep blocking thesemoves, what’s the solution?””In a democracy,” says Bindra, “you have to take the people along. Andthe state associations be convinced. After all, it is intheir benefit also. Once they see what they are gaining from it, theywill surely agree.”Bindra’s Wishlist: Two – The BCCI should start a TV Channel
“India is the hub of world cricket,” says Bindra, “and we shouldexploit that. Why sell the TV rights if we can exploit them ourselves?We should start a TV channel. And I have a blueprint for how it wouldrun.”First, we would show 100 days of international cricket in India. Letthe world come here to play. Look at the American sports, they don’tgo out of the US to play baseball, so why do we have to go out all thetime to play cricket?””That’s 100 days of international cricket,” I say. “What about therest of the year?” And that takes us to the next two points onBindra’s wishlist.Bindra’s Wishlist: Three – Promote domestic cricket
“It is not fair,” says Bindra, “that international cricketers make somuch money when domestic cricketers get just a lakh a year. Now, whyhas Sachin become such a star? It is because his face is seen on TVall the time. Before the days of television, great players did notmake so much money. Television makes the difference, and that is whywe need to promote domestic cricket, to get local cricketers on TV.”I find it ridiculous that people in India watch US college basketballon TV – basketball, mind you – and don’t watch theRanji Trophy final.”Bindra’s Wishlist: Four – Start an international league
“We should start a league like the European soccer leagues,” saysBindra. “Build it around cities or states, and a fierce localfollowing will develop. Invite international players. With theaudiences in India, it can reach the level of European soccer.”It can be bigger than international cricket.”Bindra says that Lalit Modi, who currently runs cricket in Rajasthan,made a proposal just like this recently, planning to get scores ofinternational cricketers at Rs1crore each. The feasability ofinvesting that kind of money was arrived at after talks with a certainTV channel. All the loose ends were tied up, but the BCCI vetoed hisidea. “Vested interests again,” says Bindra.Bindra’s Wishlist: Five – Get into merchandising
“Do you know that the BCCI hasn’t even registered its logo?” saysBindra. He talks of how the Indian colours are valued so highly byfans, and how there is a massive black market in those. Foreign clubs,such as Manchester United, make huge amounts of money throughmerchandising, and Bindra is amazed that the BCCI is not takingadvantage of such a revenue stream.”They haven’t even registered their logo,” he repeats. He shakes his head sadly.Bindra’s Wishlist: Six – Make cricket a spectator sport in India
Isn’t it already? Not quite. Indian grounds are notoriouslyspectator-unfriendly, and the PCA Stadium at Mohali, despite a namethat doesn’t slip easily off the tongue, is a magnificent exception.It is compassionately capitalistic: it takes outstanding care of itsspectators; and it makes pots of money, despite having the cheapestseats around.”Students should be able to come and watch the game without burningtheir pockets,” says Bindra. “At Rs 60 for five days, we sell cheapertickets than any other ground, and we provide the best facilities. Wewant them to come and enjoy themslves. Cricket should be like acarnival.”So how does the PCA make money, then? Well, for one, the hoardingaround the perimeter of the ground sells for much more than at othergrounds. He doesn’t chase sponsors; they come to him and he uses hisposition of strength.And two: corporate hospitality. In India, he points out that the mostexpensive tickets, priced at Rs10,000 or more, are the first to sellout. There is clearly a market here that isn’t being tapped wellenough by the BCCI, but at Mohali, Bindra exploits it to the hilt. Italso allows him to sell the the cheapest seats so, well, cheaply.Bindra’s Wishlist: Seven – Beat Cricinfo
“The BCCI doesn’t yet have a website,” says Bindra, “but we [the PCA]have just started our website. It’s early days yet, but we believethat it will do well, and maybe after a year, we’ll do better thanCricinfo.” He looks at me and smiles. When I’d introduced myself tohim I’d told him that I’m covering this series for the, so he doesn’t know that I also write for Cricinfo.I smile at him and wish him luck.

Matthew Hayden is now the undisputed Number One batsman in the world according to the latest PwC Ratings. In the final official international before the World Cup, Hayden has gone top of the PwC Ratings for one-day batsmen.This puts him simultaneously at number one in the Test and one-day tables, a feat achieved by very few batsmen in the past. Tendulkar, Lara and Viv Richards are other members of this exclusive batsman’s club.Brett Lee ends the VB series at fifth in the bowling ratings, his best ODI level yet. Lee is one of four Australian bowlers in the PwC top twelve.For England, Andrew Caddick has returned to the top ten, but Marcus Trescothick has dropped out of it, after a poor end to the tournament.The latest ODI tables are attached. More information on the PwC Ratings can be found at: www.cricketratings.com

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP – All-rounder Craig White is the latest victim of the injury curse that has plagued England throughout this Ashes tour.A scan last night showed White had suffered a tear to his side muscle, meaning he might not bowl for another six weeks.White has been England’s best player in this fourth Ashes Test with three wickets in Australia’s first innings of 6 (dec)-551 and a top score of 85 not out in England’s reply of 270.”It could be six weeks before I’m right to bowl again. We’re going to wait and see after this Test and see how it feels,” he said.”I’ve bowled a few overs on this tour, so I think it’s just wear-and-tear.”White added it was “probably touch and go” as to whether he would be fit to bowl in the World Cup in two months.He said he first felt a twinge on day one of this Test.He needed strapping and painkillers yesterday and bowled at half pace.He also felt pain while playing cross-batted shots in his innings.White felt bowling in his current state would be like asking someone to bat with a broken thumb.He was also doubtful as to whether England would play him as a specialist batsman after his form at the crease in this Test.”That could be the case, but I’m in the team as an all-rounder,” he said.”So if I’m not bowling, I don’t think I will be playing.”Despite this setback, White was pleased with his form on this tour.He was not in the original Test squad and was in Australia to prepare for the one-dayers.White is England’s leading wicket taker with 14 and his unbeaten knock here represented a return to Test batting form.Playing in a Boxing Test also fulfilled a long-standing dream for White.He was raised in Australia, wearing his England T-shirt 20 years ago as he watched the tourists win the Boxing Day Test by three runs.After two matches for Victoria in 1990 as an off-spinner, White moved to England and made his Test debut in 1994.”It’s gone well personally, I was in Adelaide just to prove my fitness for the one-day tour … it’s nice, a good feeling,” he said of this tour.

The League urgently needs help to ensure that it continues to run effectively.Firstly, we are looking for a League Secretary. Colin Savage fills this post as part of his role as Hampshire Cricket Board Administrator. However, increasing demands on the HCB post, which is intended to be part-time, mean that this arrangement is not working and cannot continue beyond the League AGM.As no volunteer has come forward since we highlighted this problem in the 2001 Annual Report, the League is therefore seeking a Secretary with an Honorarium of £1,000 per year, plus reimbursement of expenses.This is also the last year of Alan Bundy’s three-year tenure as Chairman,the League has not had a Vice Chairman for four years, and the Treasurer, Brian Funnell, made it clear at the 2002 AGM that he will also be standing down at the end of this year.This means that the following posts will need to be filled at the 2003 AGM to ensure the continued administration of the League:Chairman
Vice Chairman
League Secretary
Treasurer
The posts of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Treasurer are voluntary but travelling and other legitimate expenses can be claimed.Applications for the post of Secretary should be sent to Alan Bundy by 130 September, and nominations for Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer to the League Secretary by 15th September 2003.

Marcus Trescothick suffered a strain to his right thumb, not as at first feared a fracture, during the final session of play on the second day of the second Test at Chittagong.The injury occurred when Trescothick, who was at first slip, dived to his left in an unsuccessful bid to catch an edge from Mushfiqur Rahman off Matthew Hoggard. The ball struck him on the end of his thumb, and a clearly uncomfortable Trescothick immediately jogged off the field. He was rushed to hospital and there were fears that he might have sustained a more serious injury.”It was very, very sore and I was worried that it might be something serious, especially after what happened last year,” a clearly relieved Trescothick said.”At this stage I’m not sure when I’ll be back but I’m hopeful of playing in the one-day series. I feel relieved after being very sceptical about my immediate chances.”

Ricky PontingOn rating his double-century
The one in Melbourne last year was the most satisfyingbecause of the way that series was headed. The way itwas built up, and being Stephen [Waugh’s] last series,I wanted to make sure I was doing as much as I couldto make sure he went out on a winning note.On his innings
I’m really happy with the way I played and felt reallyat ease throughout the whole innings.On joining Greg Chappell and Don Bradman with fourdoubles
I didn’t know that. A lot of those milestones tend tobe popping up around this team at the moment. It’snice to be mentioned in the same breath as those guysand it’s a great way to start the year after adisappointing one last year.On how he’ll celebrate
I don’t think a lot about the game away from the game.I’ll go home tonight to a wife who doesn’t talk toomuch about cricket, so that’s always nice. Australia’sNext Top Model is on so I’ve been told I’m watchingthat.On the position of the game
If we bowl really well in the morning I’ve got afeeling that we’ll win the game tomorrow. There’senough in the wicket for the spinners that if we bowlwell we’ll create another nine chances. There’s everychance the spinners will start tomorrow becausethere’s nothing in it for the fast bowlers.On Gilchrist’s batting
You’ve just got to let him go and sit back and enjoyit. Once he gets on a roll like he did today, theworst thing you can do is say something and make himstop it. The way he hit the ball and changed thecourse of the game was outstanding. He’s a once in alifetime player, [so] 13 centuries is unbelievable for awicketkeeper in the amount of Tests he’s played.Adam GilchristOn the clarity of his ball striking
I hit some nice ones towards the end, but felt a bitscratchy early. With Shoaib [Akhtar] I got lucky witha few edges either side of the slips cordon. From thehook shot that I attempted off Shoaib, where I skiedit and got lucky again, I switched on.On making starts this season
It’s nice to get to the hundred after several inningsof getting 40 or 50. As far as hundreds are concerned,they are not always the barometer that you judgeyourself against. It’s what the team is requiring atthat time.On attempting another six to bring up his century
I wasn’t being drawn in by the crowd. There was a ballthere to cover-drive for four but all morning I wastrying to muscle them a bit too much. It was never inmy mind to try and do three in a row.On the batting plan with Ponting
We just wanted to get as many as we could aheadbecause the wicket is doing plenty for the spinbowlers. We didn’t have any clear intention to go outthere and be ultra aggressive. Someone told me thatRicky only faced 13 balls in the first hour. Neitherof us were aware of that.On the pitch
It’s turning at reasonable pace so it’s enough tocatch edges and beat the bat. They only lost onewicket and scored at four runs an over tonight sowe’ve got to be watchful of that, and that we don’tget too over-attacking.On Danish Kaneria’s bowling
He’s been outstanding throughout the series. He’s gota lot of wickets and fortunately someone has riddenhim for long enough to produce the runs. He’s veryeffective with an extremely good wrong-un that someguys struggle to pick. And he’s got a lot of courage.Danish KaneriaOn his bowling against Australia
I’ve played against some of the best batsmen in theworld in the best team in the world and my confidencehas gone up. It will help when I play for Pakistan.On his confidence level
It is natural because when I was young I tried thesame type of bowling. My coach told me that if you arefrightened of your bowling getting hit you will be nomore. Legspin is attacking, you can get runs and youcan get wickets. I just want to bowl my line andlength.On getting advice from Shane Warne
No, I haven’t asked anything from Shaney. I have neverasked him because his bowling and my bowling aredifferent. He’s more side-on and I have a round-armaction.On wanting more wickets than Warne
When I finish my cricket I want to make my name as theworld’s greatest legspinner, God willing. I want [morewickets] than any spinner. My last wicket was my 101stand, Inshallah, I will do my very best to get my target.On being fined for the Clarke outbust
I am very sorry for that because of the crowd andeverybody hearing it on the tv. Me and Clarke weresaying some things to each other. Then he hit me forsix and I got him out. I was excited. You never knowwhat you are saying or not saying. I didn’t mean tosay it because he’s a very good guy and a friend. Ithas cost me a lot, I’m playing a free game.On the lead Pakistan need to win
If they are chasing around 200 or 250 it would be agood fight for us. It would not be easy for them toget runs very quickly.