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KIMBERLEY (January 10) – Griqualand West scored their highest total in a limited overs match to cruise to a comfortable 167-run victory over North West in the Standard Bank Cup on Wednesday evening. The home team’s total of 318 for nine wickets in their 45 overs was also the third highest in the history of the competition.North West could only manage 151 all out in 31.4 overs.Griquas’ victory was set up by a superb opening partnership of 173 between Pieter Koortzen and Loots Bosman. Their stand fell 13 runs short of Griquas’ first-wicket record partnership, also scored against North West last season.Koortzen produced his best first class performance of 134, scored off 103 balls and including 15 fours and four sixes before he played a delivery from Garth Roe onto his own wicket.Koortzen had previously come desperately close to a century with two scores of 99 against Free State and KwaZulu-Natal this season.Bosman’s 86 was equally impressive, coming off 48 balls and including 11 fours and five sixes.North West were always going to be found wanting against that kind of performance. Burton de Wet and Mark Lavine stood out with a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket, scored off 57 balls. Lavine led the scoring for his team with a 46 off 35 balls and featuring six fours and one six.Griquas seamer Johann Louw led the home team’s bowling attack with a superb performance that saw him claim five wickets for 43 runs.Louw came close to his hat-trick when he took three wickets in four balls, sending Mark Strydom and Alfonso Thomas back to the changeroom before being denied the honour by Garth Roe. But Roe went with the very next ball to cap a solid performance by Louw.

ScorecardIan Westwood scored his second century against Middlesex this season before Warwickshire’s lower order collapsed•Getty Images

Warwickshire’s response provided the measure of Middlesex’s first innings, which may not have been below par to the extent it was suspected after the Division One leaders made hard work of getting their noses in front. With Ian Blackwell, the former England allrounder, coming in at No. 8, Warwickshire’s batting line-up looked irresistibly strong, yet there were more failures than successes and they take a lead of only six runs into the third day, eight wickets down.Yet they had been 175 without loss as Ian Westwood and Varun Chopra again demonstrated their effectiveness as an opening partnership. The two have shared four three-figure stands this season, three of those in the last six innings. Until Chopra fell to a fine, diving catch by Sam Robson at gully off the first ball of Gareth Berg’s second spell, they seemed capable of establishing a lead all on their own.They had ridden their luck at times, in terms of streaky runs off the edge of the bat, but as on Tuesday nothing went to hand. And as the ball aged their authority grew. Chopra, unusually, was the more passive partner, allowing Westwood to take the lead. The left-hander’s first 51 runs spanned 85 balls, to which he added his next 41 at a run a ball, increasing his boundary count from seven to 16. Only in the 90s did he feel he should take stock, facing 22 balls while scoring only six before his 17th four took him to 102.Westwood gave up the Warwickshire captaincy two years ago after enduring a full season without a first-class century. This was his fifth since then and his second in the space of three weeks, both against Middlesex.It seemed to give Warwickshire a platform for a substantial total yet thereafter the innings somewhat lost its way. No subsequent combination was able to add more than 29 and if Chris Wright and Keith Barker are parted quickly on the third morning Warwickshire will have achieved scarcely better than parity.A hailstorm drove the players from the field with a dozen overs left of day two, leaving puddles on the outfield that had not drained more than an hour after the storm had passed, which illustrated the problems the groundstaff still face after such a wet summer.They were not helped in their attempts to protect the square by the umpires’ indecision about when to take the players off, even though dark clouds were looming ominously. Jim Troughton cannot have been impressed either, given that it was in pretty poor light that he was caught at second slip off Tim Murtagh, who is not exactly on the slower side of medium.Others had less obvious excuses. As on day one, anything bowled too short asked to be hit but fuller deliveries posed problems. There were some notable catches, with Steven Crook matching Robson for athleticism at gully when he held a stunner, diving to his right, to give Neil Dexter the wicket of Darren Maddy.It was Dexter’s medium pace, ultimately, that did for Westwood, inducing a chip to mid-off from a mistimed drive, after facing 183 balls for his 120. There was a maiden Championship wicket for the 21-year-old left-arm spinner Ravi Patel, who started nervously but found some confidence after William Porterfield edged to slip.The innings took a sharp downturn after the new ball became available, with Toby Roland-Jones inflicting the most damage and removing three of Warwickshire’s better bets for another substantial score. He had Rikki Clarke caught behind with a ball that found some extra bounce and followed up when Tim Ambrose edged one that cut away late. Blackwell was leg before to one that nipped back and stayed low.

Wayne Madsen, the Derbyshire captain, has signed a new three-year deal with the club after leading them to Championship promotion in 2012.Madsen, 28, was Derbyshire’s leading run-scorer in the Division Two campaign with 885 including a career-best of 231 against Northamptonshire which formed part of a 261-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Tom Poynton.The Division Two title was Derbyshire’s first piece of silverware since 1993 and the retention of Madsen, who made his county debut in 2009, is another piece of the jigsaw as they prepare to try and stay in Division One.”What we achieved last year was incredible and this is a club that’s growing and moving in the right direction on and off the field,” Madsen said. “To lead this squad is a great honour, I’m so excited about where we are heading and we’re looking forward to challenging ourselves in Division One next season.”Head coach Karl Krikken added: “The way he has led the side this season, in his first year in the job, has been absolutely magnificent. He’s got a great captaincy style and the example he sets the younger players in terms of his work ethic is fantastic. I’m delighted we’re continuing to work together to keep taking the club forward.”

Continued staedy rain in Harare caused the abandonment of the second day’splay without a ball being bowled. The prospects for any play on the thirdand final day are not good.

PCB to review policy after Uma Bharti’s clarificationThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday it would look into the policy statement made by the Indian Sports Minister Uma Bharti that the government has objections only on India playing Pakistan in bilateral series’ and not in ICC approved multilateral tournaments.The PCB Director of Operations Brig Munnawar Rana, talking to Gulf News from Lahore said “We have just come to know about the new stance that India’s objection of playing against Pakistan is confined only to bilateral cricket matches.”On Pakistan’s stance, Rana said “As far as we are concerned there is no change in our stance that if India is not playing against us, we will not play against them. In the light of the latest development from India, we will have to discuss the matter. We have not taken any decision on this matter so far, as we will be discussing this issue at the highest level before coming out with a statement on our stance.”Raj Singh, Marsh satisfied with North Zone academyThe NCA chairman Raj Singh Dungarpur said on Thursday that he was pleased with the facilities offered at the Ferozshah Kotla for training the players selected for the North Zone academy. Talking to reporters, Dungarpur who is inspecting the zonal academies said though he was apprehensive over Delhi as a venue, he was satisfied with the infrastructure provided at the Kotla. “There were some apprehensions regarding the choice of Delhi in preference to Mohali for the North Zone academy. In fact, I was more inclined towards Mohali but after seeing the excellent facilities and infrastructure here, I think we haven’t made a wrong choice,” Dungarpur said.BCCI consultant and former Australian coach Geoff Marsh also expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the academy and said they were ideal for training the youngsters. “The facilities are fantastic. We have a good pitch, former Test cricketers as coaches, an excellent gym and swimming pool for physical fitness and above all 20 talented and bright youngsters,” Marsh added.Dates, venues for India’s tour to Sri Lanka announcedIndia will play three Tests during their forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka. India will also take part in a triangular one-day series with New Zealand as the third team. Sri Lanka take on New Zealand in the opening match of the triangular series on July 18 at the Premadasa International Stadium, while India play their first match on July 20.The schedule of India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July-August 2001 during their 46-day tour is as follows:Triangular Series: July 18: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (Premadasa Stadium),July 20: India v New Zealand (Premadasa Stadium),July 22: Sri Lanka v India (Premadasa Stadium),July 25: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (Rangiri Dambulu Stadium),July 26: Sri Lanka v India (Rangiri Dambulu Stadium),July 27: India v New Zealand (Rangiri Dambulu Stadium),July 30: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (Sinhalese Sports Club),July 31: India v New Zealand (Sinhalese Sports Club),August 2: Sri Lanka v India (Sinhalese Sports Club),August 4: Final (Premadasa Stadium).India also plays a three day game commencing from August 8 at Matara. The three Tests are at Galle (August 14 to 18), Kandy (August 22 to 26) and SSC, Colombo (August 29 to September 2).Laloo Prasad to contest BCA electionsThe former Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav is all set to take up fresh guard as he has filed nominations for the post of Bihar Cricket Association to be held on May 20. His name was proposed by the associations’s life member Alok Raj and seconded by former Ranji Trophy player Ajay Narain Sharma. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is May 16.The other contender for the post is Bollywood star and BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha. Meanwhile, for the Cricket Association of Jharkhand, no nominations have been filed.Two day umpires seminar to be held in KodaikanalThe Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) will conduct a two day umpires’ seminar at St. Peter’s School, Kodaikanal on May 5 and 6. The seminar will be inaugurated by the TNCA secretary Ashok Kumbhat and will be held under the auspices of Dindigul District Association.ICC umpire and former Indian captain S Venkataraghavan will be holding technical sessions. He will be assisted by the Chairman of the TNCA umpires committee R Radhakrishnan.

Durham’s Paul Collingwood continued his rich vein of form to earn his second Benson & Hedges Cup Gold Award of the week in the match against Leicestershire at Chester-le-Street.Following his 89 at Derby on Tuesday, Collingwood bowled Aftab Habib in a tight spell of medium pace, held two slip catches and hammered 95 not out in a seven-wicket win.His 111-ball knock, in which he shared an unbroken stand of 140 in 25 overs with Jon Lewis, guided Durham past Leicestershire’s inadequate total of 200 for seven with 7.2 overs to spare.With three wins out of four they are now virtually certain of a quarter-final place, although they will need a roll call before Monday’s final group game at Headingley.Queenslander Martin Love missed the game with a cracked finger and will be out for at least ten days, while Nick Speak tore a hamstring in the field and Neil Killeen limped off with an ankle injury after taking two for 13 in 8.3 excellent overs.With left-arm seamer Simon Brown not expected to start the season for two more weeks because of a side strain, Durham’s resources are stretched.But Leicestershire’s attack, already without Phil DeFreitas and Jimmy Ormond, looked much the more threadbare after Billy Stelling retired with a back problem after his first two balls were driven to the boundary by Collingwood.Darren Stevens was the only Leicestershire batsman to impress, hitting 54 off 73 balls.

Senior Indian cricketers want the Cricket Board to have a “contract” systemfor greater security and a graded system of payment linked to seniority. This was stated by a member of the Board’s finance committee and Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Ratnakar Shetty, who was asked by the BCCI to speak to the players regarding the contract system.Shetty told PTI in Mumbai on Friday that this was just a suggestion whichcame from the players. A decision in this regard will be taken by the Board’s finance committee only after going through all the aspects.Meanwhile, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who had talks with Shetty, said in Bangalore that the contract was likely to take shape after three more rounds of meetings with the Board.Shetty returned here from Bangalore last night after speaking at length to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, besides Ganguly.Asked whether such system will work in India, Shetty said “it has to be seen after it (system) comes into existence. But for this, the players will have to turn professionals and also their tax and legal problems have to be taken into consideration”.”When a player gets injured and is out of the team for months, he does not get paid enough though the Board bears his medical and travelling expenses,” Shetty said. “Hence, the players want something like a contract system which will give them a sense of security.”However, the players have not demanded a specific amount but asked for graded payment according to seniority as except India and Pakistan, the system is in application in almost all cricket playing countries, he said.Asked for his opinion on these suggestions, the former manager of the Indian team said that it would instil a sense of security among junior players who are knocking at the doors of the national side.Asked how long the Board would take before coming to a conclusion, Shetty said if everything went well, the system could be applicable by the next season.

New fast bowler Simon Francis is fully fit and has set his sights on a first team spot with the Cidermen this season.The 23-year-old who was born and brought up in Kent signed for Somerset at the end of last season after he was released by Hampshire.What attracted him to Somerset, I asked. “I had been speaking to Kevin Shine during the season about what he was doing at the club, and talked to some of the players and it all sounded pretty impressive. The set-up here is very professional and now that I’m here it’s even better than I expected.”The two coaches here are so young that they could still both be playing first-class cricket themselves. They are a lot more open-minded and in touch professionally.”The young fast bowler told me that he had been on the Hampshire staff for six years, but missed the first four months of last season after suffering a stress fracture of the back, ironically in the pre-season friendly at Taunton.”I bowled just two or three overs in the match and then had to go off,” he told me.What was he hoping for this season, I asked. “I’m aiming to get a full season under my belt and get a regular first team spot. A lot will depend upon the availability of Andrew Caddick, and with the success that both Richard Johnson and Steffan Jones had last season there will be a lot of competition for bowling places. I see myself as the third seamer in the side.”I asked how his training had gone this winter. “The whole set-up at Somerset is dedicated to success. My bowling has improved and I’ve refined my action. I’m excited and can’t wait for the season to start.”How was he enjoying living in the West Country, I asked. “It’s a lot quieter than I expected, but I’m settling in well down here. Everyone is so friendly and I get along with everybody.”I’m buying a property locally and would like to think that this is going to be my home. I’m looking at being at Somerset as a long-term commitment.”Certainly the Somerset Coach Kevin Shine rates the new fast bowler very highly. “I’ve been aware of him for two or three years and when I heard that he had been released he came straight down here and signed for us, even on the back of his disappointment.”He’s picked himself up and performed really well, which says a lot about him. He’s got himself into good shape and really impressed me with his ability to assimilate and practice. He’s working outside of the comfort zone and will do anything that is required.”Finally I asked Simon what his dream for the season would be. “I would just love to play for Somerset at Lord’s in a cup winning side. I think that’s realistic.”Let’s all hope that the dream comes true for Simon and the rest of the team!

When Marlon Ian Black, MIB, dubbed, “Man In Black” after that famous movie, was called into the team to play in place of the injured Mahendra Nagamootoo there was talk about him being the man to trouble the Indians. He had the pace, he had the 4-fer on debut in Australia. But, sadly and strangely enough, it was the men in white coats, the two umpires, who inspired more discussion than the action out in the middle. Nevertheless, India ended on 165/4, a lead of 259 after West Indies were dismissed for 235.The game however, is not about umpiring decisions alone. There’s no point harping about it more than necessary. And that is refreshing. There’s always room for criticism, and both Asoka de Silva and Daryl Harper, on watching replays, will agree that they did not do themselves any favours in this match. Part of an elite panel, their mistakes will not cost them too dear. Ask Shiv Chanderpaul, or Merv Dillon or Sachin Tendulkar. The story might be a bit different.The day began with the hosts adding 48 runs to their overnight score. West Indies were all out for 245 in response to India’s 339 on the third day. Carl Hooper with an even 50 helped whittle down the Indian lead to 94.Merv Dillon, keeping Hooper company, saw off all of 35 balls before he was trapped plumb in front by Ashish Nehra. Moving the ball in to the right hander quite significantly, Nehra proved to be a potent force. After the fall of Dillon, the seventh West Indian wicket, with 201 on the board, the West Indian skipper helped the tail along.Not taking any chances, Hooper shielded Black (9) and saw to it that the last four wickets added 65 runs. In the last 10 innings, the last four have managed just 14 per outing. Hooper finally fell after 111 balls at the wicket for his half-century, hitting Zaheer Khan straight to the Indian captain at covers.The West Indian innings ended when Sachin Tendulkar took a well-judged running catch in the deep to pouch a skier from Adam Sanford (12).A short period of just six overs had to be negotiated before lunch and the Indian openers Shiv Sunder Das and Sanjay Bangar were found wanting. In the 5th over of the day Dillon trapped Das in front of the stumps for a duck. The intensity in Dillon’s face was there for all to see and Asoka de Silva responded positively to a long appeal.Then came the famous Indian top-order collapse.Yet another careless swish from makeshift opener Sanjay Bangar cost him his wicket. In an action replay of his first innings dismissal, Bangar edged Adam Sanford to the slip cordon, after doing all the hard work in getting to 16 off 62 balls. Rahul Dravid (36 runs, 62 balls, 6 fours), who looked in prime form, hitting the ball fluently, perished when things were going India’s way, caught behind down the leg side off Cameron Cuffy. And then, Sachin Tendulkar was trapped lbw by Sanford for a duck. India in trouble at 77/4 at tea.The Tendulkar dismissal was one that will be talked about for a long time. Perhaps not at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad where the fans went crazy when the little master from India was given out. There’s been enough criticism about the umpiring this series. Adjudging Tendulkar leg before wicket to a delivery that would have sailed well above the stumps, de Silva gave critics chance to have a go at him.They say cricket is a great leveler. One hopes that is the truth. No one wants a series to be marred by too many rain breaks or umpiring decisions. After all, what could be more exciting than a close finish to this Test match?Sourav Ganguly, much maligned for his batting in the first Test, and his irresponsible stroke in the first innings, played tentatively yet carefully to remain unbeaten on 48 (142 balls, 3 fours). There was nothing special about Ganguly’s innings and yet the fact that he kept it simple, and managed to stay at the wicket for a length of time. True, it was not an innings of pure defiance and yet, the willingness with which he took on the short pitched stuff showed off a belligerence people are not used to seeing.VVS Laxman, fluent as ever, remained at the wicket with 60 (125 balls, 7 fours) to his name as India reached 165/4 at the end of the third day. Laxman too, like his skipper, was under fire for the fact that he had not made any big score since his epic knock against the Australians at Kolkata. Responding with an innings that smacked of those words, `application’ and `character’ Laxman helped India quietly reach a position of strength.With a lead of 259, this game is very interestingly poised. There’s a little man called Lara, waiting to score his first hundred at his home ground, who can take on anyone on his day. There’s Harbhajan Singh and a wicket that is steadily deteriorating. If you’re a betting man, perhaps you should just quietly walk away. This one isn’t anywhere near over yet.

The Bath Cricket Festival is all but upon us, and plans for events to coincide with the county championship match against Hampshire on Wednesday June 12th, and the N.U.L. match against Leicestershire on Sunday June 16th are at an advanced stage.Once again Bath Area Chairman Robert Appleyard and his hard working committee have been very busy throughout the winter to make sure that everything is in place to help to make the 2002 Bath Festival even more of a success that it was in 2001.The following events have been arranged:
Tuesday June 11th. Garden Party and tour of the world famous Holbourne Museum in Bath. Tickets are £15.
Thursday June 13th. Cheese and Wine Party in the Friends of Bath marquee at close of play. Tickets are £5.
Friday June 14th . Bath Cricket Festival Dinner. SOLD OUT.
Saturday June 15th. `Barbecue on the Rec.’ Tickets only £5 and £1 per pint!For bookings or any further information regarding any of these events please contact Robert Appleyard on 01225 313906, or visit the club office on the Recreation Ground during the festival.Earlier today Robert told me: “I hope that people will come along and support these events the profits from which are vital to help us offset the cost of staging the festival, and also will enable us to make a generous donation to Rob Turner’s benefit.”