David Collier, the ECB chief, came out in defence of the scheduling of international matches, citing the larger gaps between matches as the reason why the England players are not as overworked, compared to their other counterparts.His comments came in the wake of widespread criticism of the scheduling of England’s winter tours to India and Pakistan, which forced a few players to withdraw due to injuries and left others jaded. This prompted the coach Duncan Fletcher to rest Andrew Flintoff, England’s stand-in captain, for a couple of ODIs, with the series already decided. England were without the services of five of their key players in the Ashes series, namely Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones and Ashley Giles and Fletcher expressed concern about more players succumbing to injuries and burn-outs.”There is a limit of 15 Tests and 30 one-day internationals around the world which was respected in the Future Tours programme,” he told the PA Sport news agency. “That is the guideline certainly England are sticking to and we are actually considerably less than that in terms of Test matches and one-day internationals.”We cannot do anything to lessen the impact of the tours but I think one of the things where England is different to every other nation is that we are playing more or less 12 months of the year. That means we do have bigger gaps between our games than other nations but there is not an extended period of break that some of the other teams have.”Flintoff led a depleted side in India, which exceeded expectations in the Tests, drawing the series 1-1 but were exposed in the ODIs, losing the seven-match series 5-1. Despite the result, Collier felt that some positives had come out of the tour, giving Duncan Fletcher, the coach, the chance to identify new players ahead of next year’s World Cup.He said, “Any side in the world would have struggled having lost five senior players but it has given Duncan an opportunity to look at the players who are on the fringes of selection for the World Cup and that will give us a much stronger squad going into the World Cup build-up.”Collier also had some encouraging news for England fans hoping to acquire sufficient tickets for this year’s Ashes series in Australia. He said that negotiations were on with Cricket Australia to provide for English fans, expected to turn out in large numbers following England’s thrilling victory in previous year’s edition of the Ashes.”We have had discussions with Cricket Australia about obtaining tickets. England fans are always tremendously resourceful and have managed to get contacts in Australia and certainly tour groups and the Barmy Army have got some tickets so some are being made available”, he said. “It is similar to this country last year when we had such a huge interest – a bigger interest than we have had in a series before.”

Despite losing two close contests to go down 2-1 in the five-match one-day series, Rahul Dravid was confident that the Indian team could bounce back in the Trinidad double-header over the weekend. Looking back at the third ODI in St Kitts, Dravid agreed that the Indian batting in the last 15 overs – they scored 41 runs and lost six wickets – cost them the game. “The last 15 cost us. We played really badly and the three run-outs were critical.”The biggest worry for India has been their poor batting in all three matches. Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag have each played one big innings while Mohammad Kaif has chipped in with two half-centuries, but the rest of the middle order has struggled to come to terms with the slow West Indian pitches. “We need to get more runs from the lower order but we will come back,” Dravid said. “The batsmen are getting used to the slow wickets and will get better.”Looking ahead to the last two games, Dravid remained upbeat about India’s chances. “We can win the next two matches. The one positive in this series has been that all three matches have been close and we have not played anywhere near our best.” The last two games will be played on Friday and Sunday.

Lashings 274 for 7 (Tendulkar 98) beat Middleton 182 (Richardson 3-9) by 92 runs
Scorecard

Sachin Tendulkar’s return from injury continued with 98 for Lashings against Middleton on Sunday.Tendulkar, who had made big hundreds on his first two outings for Lashings, top scored as his side made 274 for 7 in 40 overs in front of a sell-out crowd who basked in the continuing heatwave at the seaside ground in West Sussex. Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, who is playing for Pyrford in Surrey, made 70 while Rashid Latif chipped in with 41.In reply, Middleton were dismissed for 182. Bruce Scott (41), who retired after sustaining a knee injury and was taken to hospital, was the highest run-getter for the side.

The perennial inability of West Indies teams at all levels to enforce strong positions has cost the A team two likely victories in the first three matches of their England tour. But Tony Howard, the team manager, said on Monday that he was generally pleased with the way things have gone.He acknowledged that he was disappointed with the way the team was beaten by Worcestershire by nine runs in a 50-over match on Sunday, but said he was encouraged by the overall attitude of the team and by several individual performances.However, he was more concerned that the players learn and improve during the tour that comprises four first-class and four one-day matches against the counties and a two-day match against the touring Pakistanis.”Apart from the matches themselves, everyone has been at daily net practice,” he said. “They are all keen to make the best use of the opportunity.”Howard was also keen that the team should uphold the image of West Indies cricket on the first A tour to England in 2002 when, according to , “their behaviour made more impact than their cricket”.”It’s a point we’ve spoken about and emphasised,” Howard said. “The players seem to appreciate their role. After the Durham match, the umpires came to me to compliment the team for its demeanour on the field.” Howard identified Runako Morton’s 105 against Durham as “an innings of the highest class, in any company” and Lendl Simmons’ even 100 against Leicestershire as confirming his potential and his progress.He reported that Daren Powell had bowled with pace, swing and consistency that had previously eluded him and noted that Dwayne Smith had an excellent allround game, especially with the ball.The manner of Sunday’s loss to Worcestershire was a let-down, Howard admitted. “Yes, we held the advantage both in the field and then batting but we let it slip,” he said. “We discussed it at length after the match to determine where we went wrong and how to ensure we don’t let it happen again.”Worcestershire were reduced to 70 for 7 by the pace and swing of Powell and the medium pace of Darren Sammy and Dwayne Smith but recovered to reach 213 all out in 49 overs. The West Indies appeared headed for victory at 183 for 4 but the last six wickets collapsed for 21 runs.

ScorecardIan Westwood tightened Warwickshire’s grip on this match with a glorious 177 not out, his career-best total. His knock boosted Warwickshire to 366 for 5 against West Indies A, a lead of 132.Westwood received solid support from Mark Wagh (48) as they set about erasing the deficit and together they moved their opening partnership on to 92 before Wagh was caught by Dave Mohammed off the bowling of Darren Sammy. In fact it was that pairing of Mohammed and Sammy who were the only two of West Indies’ strike-force to hit the target; they grabbed the five wickets between them.The captain Sylvester Joseph tried six bowlers in all, but not one of them could blast through Westwood’s defences, as he moved in sight of his maiden first-class double-century, having already left his previous highest of 124 way behind. His knock included 23 fours and one six and was compiled over a mammoth nine-and-a-half hours.There was some relief for the bowlers, though, as they picked up the occasional wicket throughout the day. Mohammed removed the debutant Navdeep Poonia for an impressive 35, and then Alex Loudon for just 10. Luke Parker made 30 before Sammy dismissed him and Moeen Ali followed shortly after to the same bowler, for a disappointing 5.Still, Warwickshire will be delighted with their efforts and head into day three in pole position.

Yuvraj Singh, one of the key batsmen in the Indian one-day side, has been ruled out of their first game of the DLF Cup against West Indies on September 14.”He will land [in Kuala Lampur] on 14th morning,” Niranjan Shah, the board secretary, told Cricinfo. “He is down with fever and the doctor has advised him a few days rest.” Sources close to the team told Cricinfo that Yuvraj had an allergic reaction to the medicines prescribed for the fever.Yuvraj was part of the training camp at Bangalore and had been most appreciative of Greg Chappell’s innovative ways to involve players in training-sessions. He also toured Sri Lanka with the Indian squad for what turned out to be an abandoned tournament and last played a full match against Sri Lanka A at Colombo.Since October 2005, Yuvraj has been a lynchpin in India’s one-day set-up, rattling up 1128 runs at 56.40. It was a phase when he reeled off four centuries and eight fifties. India will not only miss his pivotal presence in the middle order but also not have his services with the ball, where his fastish left-arm spin has come in handy on several ocassions. India will hope to have him back for their second match of the series, against Australia on September 16.Meanwhile Greg Chappell, the Indian coach, said that the team would treat the tri-series as practice for the Champions Trophy. Chappell was also positive about the time that the Indian team spent in Sri Lanka where all the matches were washed out. “The players have such a hectic schedule that we don’t get such time off from the field often. So we utilised the break [in Colombo] to focus on other aspects of the game,” Chappell told . The humid conditions in Malaysia, Chappell added, were not a worry. “We are used to hot conditions,” he said.The first match of the tri-series between West Indies and Australia is on September 12. All matches are day and night fixtures.

Harbhajan Singh, India’s offspinner, accepts that his role in India’s set-up has changed but still aspires to be the best in the business. Looking at his senior team-mate Anil Kumble for inspriration, Harbhajan has declared that his best is yet to come.In an interview to , Harbhajan revealed that he was a more complete cricketer. “I have become sure of myself. I don’t like sitting out because there is no greater joy than playing,” he said. “I don’t allow pressure to affect me. Whatever opportunities I got, I have given my best. I will be in the team if I am good. Getting picked or getting dropped will happen because of my cricket.”Harbhajan admitted that the series against Australia in 2001 was the turning point, but maintained that his will was stronger that his talent. “My role has changed over the years,” he said. “My responsibilities have increased, expectations from me are high but I am on the right path and it is up to me to carry myself forward. My best is yet to come.”After an indifferent patch last year, Harbhajan has taken 22 wickets at 27.13 from 17 matches in 2006. “I am working hard. I have some tricks,” he said. “I have to get wickets by bowling better and not by just talking. I believe I can do it. It comes from within. I know what is good for me.”An integral part of India’s Champions Trophy campaign at home, Harbhajan admitted his goal was pursuing Kumble’s level of success. “I want to be known as the best. I would like to see myself where Anil is today,” he said. “I would like to win as many matches as he has. If I don’t, then I would be disappointed. Anil is the greatest role model that you can think of, and he has set a benchmark for excellence.”

Australia continued their unbeaten streak in the Rose Bowl Series with an 85-run victory that took them to a 4-0 advantage. The home side’s 9 for 252 proved too great a target for New Zealand, who were bowled out for 167 in 44.3 overs.An already tough chase was made harder for the visitors when Nicola Browne was taken to hospital after retiring hurt on 6. Taking a quick single, Browne was hit in the back by a Kate Blackwell throw, overbalanced and in the fall knocked a tooth through her lip. It was a sorry end to a disappointing day for Browne, who opened the bowling for New Zealand and delivered five wides and a no-ball in her third and final over.Australia fell one run short of their highest score against New Zealand, with the opener Leah Poulton and the stand-in captain Lisa Sthalekar leading the way. Poulton, in her fourth one-day international, followed up her match-winning century on Tuesday with an entertaining 68 from 76 balls, which included ten boundaries, before she was run out attempting a quick single. Poulton, a former Australia Under-19 captain, attacked while the field was up during the first 20 overs and was particularly strong when playing down the ground.Sthalekar continued her consistent series with 43 from 42 balls, but she was caught after top-edging an attempted slog over midwicket from the bowling of Anna Dodd. Jodie Purves kept the scoreboard ticking with a run-a-ball 33, while Nitschke (20 not out) and Blackwell (15) also contributed to the strong total.When the medium-pacer Helen Watson replaced the wayward Browne the scoring temporarily dried up. Watson tied the batsmen down, bowling 26 dot balls before Australia scored from her, and claimed the wicket of Melissa Bulow in her third over.Bulow (14) tried to break the shackles by lofting Watson over the infield but was caught by Ros Kember running back at mid-off. When Michelle Goszko (29) joined Poulton in the 11th over the runs began to flow again as New Zealand pushed through their two powerplays.Poulton took 16 off one Aimee Mason over and during the middle of the innings the New Zealand bowlers struggled for penetration. Sarah Tsukigawa (2 for 39) and Watson, who finished with 2 for 32 from ten overs, minimised the damage, although the side was not helped by 16 wides. Watson was a shining light with the ball and she also hit the stumps from midwicket to run out Kirsten Pike for 1.Tight bowling, fielding and early wickets to Shelley Nitschke, the left-arm orthodox spinner, helped set up Australia’s win. The fast bowler Clea Smith, who replaced Cathryn Fitzpatrick for this match, removed the dangerous Rebecca Rolls for 11 and New Zealand were struggling at 1 for 23 in the tenth over.Haidee Tiffen and Kember had just begun to find the boundary with some ease when Nitschke (3 for 32) claimed both batsmen. Kember was caught at mid-on attempting to loft the ball over the infield for 18 and Tiffen was bowled for a 31-ball 30.Although Maria Fahey (56) made her second consecutive half-century to add some respectability to the score, she lost partners at regular intervals and the required run rate spiralled. Smith and Sarah Andrews returned to take the final wickets and finished with two apiece.Australia will be without the captain Karen Rolton for the final game in the series on Saturday. Rolton, who missed the past two matches, will be out for up to eight weeks and is expected to have surgery on her injured knee early next month.

Not only did Karnataka begin the Ranji Trophy season on a wrong note, being shot out for a paltry 85 at Baroda, but also found themselves without their newly-appointed captain Yere Goud, who was prevented from playing on technical grounds.Having moved from Railways to Karnataka, Goud needed to obtain a NOC (no objection certificate) from his employers. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), in turn, had to seek clearance from the Indian board (BCCI) to play him in the state team.”September 30 was the cut off date for getting the NOC,” the KSCA assistant secretary B Sudhakar Rao told . “We wrote to the Railways and presumed that they would have sent it across to the board. Unfortunately, this did not happen.” However, Rao was confident that Goud would play the second game against Haryana at Mysore starting on December 1.It’s a curious case, especially because Goud’s return to Karnataka, whom he represented in the 1994-95 season, wasn’t a hurried one. He had been identified as captain as early as in August and trained with the probables, in their pre-season preperation, for nearly four months.

ScorecardSadagoppan Ramesh’s fine 118 enabled Kerala to edge ahead of Madhya Pradesh on the third day at Palakkad. Resuming on 122 for 2, Kerala chipped away at MP’s lead with Ramesh sharing a useful partnership with his skipper Sreekumar Nair. Ramesh’s wicket, for 118, triggered a mini collapse with Kerala struggling on 241 for 7 but handy lower-order contributions from Vipin Lal (37) and Sadanandan Anish (42*) guided Kerala past MP’s total.
ScorecardA composed 148 from Madusudhan Acharya was complemented by half-centuries from O Afzal and Shalab Shrivastava as Vidarbha took the upperhand on the third day at Margao. Resuming on 237 for 3, Vidarbha moved to 436 by the end of their innings. Both Afzal and Shrivastava were aggressive in their stints – managing 17 boundaries between them – playing their part in gaining a 130-run lead. Goa ended the day on a trcky 87 for 4, still 43 adrift of avoiding an innings defeat.
ScorecardBad light allowed only 35 overs of play on the third day at Dharamsala. Himachal Pradesh lost four wickets in the time available, allowing Orissa, still 13 runs ahead, to harbour hopes of an outright win.
ScorecardJammu & Kashmir strengthened their position on the third day at Jamshedpur with Jharkhand just 56 runs ahead with only five wickets standing. Resuming on 208 for 3, J&K forged ahead thanks to half-centuries from Majid Dhar and Dhruv Mahajan but Shankar Rao and Sumit Panda – with nine wickets between them – helped Jharkhand pull things back. Jharkhand, though, couldn’t consolidated their position, losing five wickets for 133 by the time stumps were drawn.