The Redbacks returned to Adelaide from Brisbane today after defeating Queensland by 9 wickets. The Redbacks were the first team to beat Queensland in Brisbane for almost three years.Last years Bradman Medalist Mike Smith received Man-of-the-Match honourswith figures of 9-138.The Redbacks now sit in 2nd place on the Pura Cup Table on 20 points, 2behind leaders the QLD Bulls.ING- REDBACKS v TIGERS – Adelaide Oval Friday February 1.The Rebacks will now take on the Tasmanian Tigers this Friday February 1 ina Day/Night match at Adelaide Oval. The Redbacks are in equal 3rd place onthe ING Table on 18 points with the Blues. The Queensland Bulls again head thetable with 23 points, with the Warriors on 22.The Redbacks squad for this Friday’s match is as follows:

• Darren Lehmann (Captain)
• Greg Blewett (V.Captain)
• Nathan Adcock
• Chris Davies
• David Fitzgerald
• Mark Harrity
• Ben Johnson
• Graham Manou
• Paul Rofe
• Mike Smith
• Paul Wilson
• Brad Young

The match will start at 2.30pm and finish at 10.15pm.JUNIOR REDS MOVIE DAY WITH THE REDBACKSOver 250 Junior Redbacks supporters will get the opportunity to mingle withtheir favorite Redbacks players this weekend. The players will attend aspecial screening movie at the Academy Theatre in the City at 3pm on Sunday.Country CarnivalThe BankSA Senior Country Carnival starts next Monday. Eight senior countryzone teams will come to Adelaide to compete over 2 weeks. The Team of theChampionships will then be selected to play in the Favell Woon game atAdelaide Oval No.2 against the Favell XI.

Somerset all rounder Ian Blackwell is beginning to feel the benefits of his new dietary regime.”Blackie” has been on a very strict diet since the end of the festive season on January 6th, during which he happily admits he “had a bit of a blow out.”Earlier today at the County Ground the 23-year-old, who is working in the office over the winter, told me: “Since I went on the diet a month ago I have lost six kilogrammes, which is very pleasing indeed.”Ian told me that he intends to stick to the new regime, and has been helped by the fact that his partner Clare is only buying foods that fit in with his new diet. “If it isn’t in the house then I can’t eat it, which is a great help,” he said.One of the downsides that “Blackie” is experiencing is the fact that many of his clothes don’t fit him now as well as they did before his diet. “Look at these trousers, I had them made for me when I went out to play in the Hong Kong Sixes, and now they are too big round the waist!” he said.”Blackie” has been joined on his diet by fast bowler Ian Jones, who was released by Somerset at the end of last season. Since then the 24-year-old has remained living locally, and is keen to try to find a new county for himself for 2002.Ian Blackwell said: “Ian Jones is also feeling the benefits of the diet that we are both following. It’s been a great help for both of us, it’s always good to have someone to help you along.”

Sanath Jayasuriya’s Sri Lanka have enjoyed unprecedented success in Testcricket during recent months, and will start the Asian Test Championship(ATC) final against Pakistan brimming with confidence, but they are alsowell aware that Waqar Younis’s talented team represents a real threat to aremarkable run of eight straight wins.Despite the unfortunate last-minute withdrawal of India, which prevented thetournament from capturing the interest of spectators and sponsors, the crownof Asian Test champions is at stake and the finale, no matter how drab theopening one-sided bouts against Bangladesh, promises to be a worthy battle.It’s a crown that Sri Lanka would dearly like to wear. Ambitions have beenbroadened over the past year and Jayasuriya’s men are aiming their sights onbecoming established as one of the top three Test sides in the world. WithSouth Africa being flounced by Australia, the number two position nowappears tantalisingly vacant.Although both have played each other regularly in the one-day game, withalternate success, it has been over 18 months since the two sides last metin a Test match, in Sri Lanka where Moin Khan’s Pakistan romped to anemphatic two-nil series win, and times have changed for both sides.Pakistan’s comprehensive defeat had marked the start of a disappointing runfor Sri Lanka, with a drawn home series against South Africa soon after,followed by a drumming in South Africa and a humbling defeat at home againstNasser Hussain’s England.But, just when Sri Lanka’s Test form was becoming a subject of concerneddebate, Jayasuriya and coach Dav Whatmore engineered a remarkable turnaroundin the team’s fortunes. Spurred on by the ever-prolific MuttiahMuralitharan, with the batsmen enjoying a purple patch, Sri Lanka defeatedIndia, Bangladesh, West Indies and Zimbabwe.Pakistan, meanwhile, have seen a change at the helm, with the talismanicWaqar Younis steeping into the shoes of Moin Khan, a move that revitalisedboth his previously flagging career and the fortunes of the side.Waqar has welded the mercurial talents of his side together into a strong,closely knit unit, leaving an apparent sense of harmony within the side. Noteam relishes a skirmish against Pakistan when all parts are pulling in thesame direction and the Sri Lankans will be wary.The contest is shaping up into a tussle between Pakistan’s battery offirebrand fast bowlers and Sri Lanka’s silky batsmen. With Lahore promisingassistance for the speed merchants it will be a mouth-watering spectacle.Whatmore certainly expects a trial by pace: “The final conditions areobviously difficult to predict, but judging by their squad, which includes anumber of fast bowlers, we are expecting pace and bounce in the pitch and apace based attack.”It will prove a welcome challenge for Sri Lanka as they embark upon a toughyear overseas, during which opponents will be zeroing in on a perceivedfragility against high caliber pace bowling on lively pitches.However, Sri Lanka’s top order is looking in increasingly good shape. MahelaJaywardene has emerged as one of top five batsmen the world, the stylishKumar Sangakkara has quickly settled into the pivotal number three positionand Jayasuriya is back to his belligerent best.The middle order has been bolstered by the recall of Hashan Tillakaratne inAugust, who has scored three Test hundreds and two fifties since, and theintroduction of Thilan Samaraweera, a workmanlike all-rounder whoseperformances have been a revelation since making his debut against India -he currently averages a staggering 103 after eight games.During their last eight Test matches they have rattled up first inningsscores of 610-6, 555-5, 590-9, 228, 627-9, 586-6, 505 and 418, which helpsexplain why four matches were won by an innings and two by ten wickets – theremaining two matches were hardly close run affairs.Whatmore naturally hopes for more of the same: “We just have to carry onwith how we have been performing with the bat and we will be looking toconcentrate on following the same processes that have produced our recentsuccess.”The surprise omission of Wasim Akram from the squad certainly helps. Themajority of Sri Lanka’s batsmen identify Akram as the pivotal and mostpotent member of the Pakistani bowling attack. His supreme control of swingplus the sheer weight of his personality make him a formidable adversary andSri Lanka would prefer that he didn’t play no matter what his present formor fitness.”We were a bit surprised to not see his name in the squad,” admittedWhatmore. “Every side in the world recognises that he is truly world-classperformer and he has played particularly well against us in the past.”Pakistan would be equally delighted if Muralitharan were not playing. Theoff-spinner, who reached 400 Test wickets in record time, has brushed offthe barbed comments made by Bishen Bedi last month about his action and willbe looking forward to locking horns again with Pakistan’s aggressivebatsmen, against who he has enjoyed considerable success in the past,claiming 60 wickets in 11 games at 24.92.But should the pitch offer the life expected, then Sri Lanka’s seamers willhave to share their burden of the workload. The absence of rookie quickDilhara Fernando will be missed, but Chaminda Vaas still leads a disciplinedseam bowling attack with Nuwan Zoysa and Buddika Fernando likely to play.”Our seamers lack the raw pace of the Pakistanis, so we will beconcentrating hard on accuracy, making sure that we get the ball in theright area as much as possible, building up pressure on the batsmen,” saysWhatmore. “If the bowlers are going to get more response from the wicket,then we can exploit that too.”Nevertheless, despite their recent good form and the absence of both Akramand Saeed Anwar, Sri Lanka probably start as the underdogs, partly becausePakistan have the home advantage but, more importantly, due to the timing ofthe final. They are in the midst of preparations for the tour of England andare returning to the competitive fold prematurely.”We are coming straight out of training whereas Pakistan are fresh out of aseries with West Indies,” said Whatmore. “We go into the final a bit shortof competitive action with the players having only played a couple ofdomestic matches and that is going to make it difficult for us.”And he plays down the importance of stretching the sides victorious run tonine matches: “Our focus is never result orientated, instead we look at theprocesses necessary for achieving success. If we do those well, then we willbe happy.” But he remains upbeat: “The boys are very fit now, raring to go,and are looking forward to the challenge of taking on our neighbours intheir own backyard.”

THE Western Australian Cricket Association selectors today added batsman Marcus North to the Western Warriors team for the Pura Cup match against New South Wales in Newcastle from January 23-26.North, 23, joined the team in Newcastle along with fast bowler Matthew Nicholson who is making a comeback following recovery from a wrist injury and illness last month.North was added to the Warriors team following advice from Australian team management to the WACA that fast bowler Brad Williams will remain with the Australian team which begins the VB Series finals series on Thursday, January 23.The Warriors Pura Cup team to play NSW is:Justin Langer (captain), Mike Hussey (vice-captain), Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Murray Goodwin, Shaun Marsh, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Callum Thorp.

The Warwickshire CCC General Committee have appointed long standing committee member Neil Houghton as Club Chairman with immediate effect, following his term of office as Vice Chairman for the past 4 years. He replaces the previous Club Chairman, M.J.K. Smith who had decided to step down after 12 years in office.Neil Houghton has served on the Warwickshire Committee for 20 years, and has occupied the offices of Honorary Treasurer and Vice Chairman during that time. The son of former Aston Villa and England footballer, Eric Houghton, Neil is currently a partner with local Birmingham based accountants, Felton & Co.In addition, former Moseley RFC and England rugby player Ian Metcalfe takes over as Vice Chairman. Ian has served on the General Committee for the past 15 years, and is a partner with Wragge & Co.The Committee also took the opportunity to re-appoint Steven Mills as Honorary Treasurer. Steven is a well known local business man, and Chief Executive of Ferraris plc.,

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Feb 2 AAP – Australia will use 14 players in its World Cup warm-up match against a South African provincial side here on Tuesday.Captain Ricky Ponting said today fast bowlers Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie would both be eased back after their recoveries from injury.The only member of Australia’s 15-man squad to be rested will be Michael Bevan, nursing a torn groin muscle that might yet heal in time for Australia’s opening World Cup game against Pakistan on February 11.Ponting said getting McGrath and Gillespie back on the paddock was a priority after their struggles with a back strain and elbow ligament damage respectively.”What we’re going to do in the first game is use all 14 players, excluding Bevo,” he said.”We’ll give the guys who have been out of cricket a little while a solid hit-out without probably using them as much as we can.”We’ll ease them back into their cricket a little bit.”It will be a good hit-out for everyone. We haven’t played for a week, it’s a bit unusual for us not to play for a week or so, it will be good to get time in the middle.”Australia has two practice matches, both of them in Potchefstroom.The second is on Thursday.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that the nominated charity for 2003 is "Childrens Hospice South West".Little Bridge House in North Devon is presently the only hospice for children in the South West. Children’s Hospice South West is going to build a new hospice in the Bristol area. When a child is diagnosed with such an illness which offers no hope of a cure or when treatment is abandoned families feel isolated and alone in their grief. The new hospice will offer respite, relaxation and friendship in the 24 hour care of a very sick child as well as excellent medical and palliative care. They will also offer support for the whole family following the child’s death, for as long as needed. The cost of providing such a service means they have to raise over £1.8 million every year. In the South West alone there are 800 children facing death in childhood. The new hospice will make a tremendous difference to the lives of so many families experiencing the uniquely difficult challenge of caring for a very sick child.Club Captain Mark Alleyne "The players at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club are very pleased to help raise funds and awareness for the new hospice. We are aware of the role of Little Bridge House and feel strongly about supporting the new hospice in the Bristol area."Hayley Nash, Regional Fundraiser "This is a very exciting time for everyone at Children’s Hospice South West with our plans to build a new hospice in Bristol well underway. In order to build, equip and sustain this new hospice we need to raise £10 million. We are therefore absolutely delighted to be the nominated charity for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. Their support will help us raise vital funds and enable us to raise awareness of the desperate need for a second children’s Hospice in the South West"

In a controversial leaked report, the South African team has been accused of undisciplined preparation for the World Cup. The players mentioned included Herschelle Gibbs (accused of "bingeing") Allan Donald (excessive drinking) and Lance Klusener (poor fitness).The report filed to the United Cricket Board (UCB) by Andrew Gray, the South African team’s fitness trainer, was published by a Cape Town newspaper. Eric Simons, the team coach, is expected to issue a statement on behalf of the players on Thursday, after a team meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the controversy that erupted on the eve of the first Test at Chittagong.However, Gray, now with the South African team touring in Bangladesh, clarified that the report did not refer to preparations just before for the World Cup. He said the comments were made in December last year as part of letters to individual players in the World Cup squad. But Gerald Majola, the UCB chief, admitted to the South African media that some of the issues raised in the report were of great concern, and are being addressed as part of an ongoing process to improve the team’s performance.The report also allegedly accused Jacques Kallis of having a poor lifestyle outside cricket, branded Andrew Hall, Charl Langeveldt and Klusener as "fatties", and Shaun Pollock of being a chocolate addict.Reacting to the report, Klusener called it a "huge red herring". He told the Daily Mercury: “Our failure (in the World Cup) had nothing to do either with our condition or the way we prepared for the tournament. It had more to do with our skill levels.” He pointed out that all the players had passed a fitness test at Cape Town’s Sports Science Institute two weeks before the tournament.Reacting more sharply, Donald called the published report "absolute rubbish". He told the South African media: "Gray will never say that about the players. Prior to the World Cup, we were advised on how to prepare for matches and when we could relax a bit. We are all professional sportsmen. We’re not idiots who’ll drink too much before South Africa’s cricket matches.”Donald told News 24 that the South African players on tour in Bangladesh were very disappointed about the report. “I spoke to Corrie van Zyl (bowling coach) and he said that he felt like a boxer who was being knocked down as soon as he tried to get up from the canvas.”As a result of this load of rubbish the players won’t get any recognition for their achievements in Bangladesh. Everything’s blown out of proportion. I’m very frustrated. It’s almost unbelievable and it’s yet another attempt to further sink South African cricket.”

Scotland felt the full force of Marcus Trescothick’s bat as the England opener helped himself to a magnificent unbeaten century as Somerset romped to a ten wicket victory at Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh in the first round of the 2003 Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.Trescothick received a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the field after an exhibition of batting that won him the Man of the Match Award,after hitting the winning runs and bringing up his own century from just 70 balls that included 5 x6’s and 13×4’s.With bad weather threatening Trescothick and Jamie Cox (39 not out) made light work of their target of 139 which they reached with more than thirty overs to spare, to set up an attractive fourth round tie against Surrey at Taunton at the end of the month.At the start of the day the Scotland total relied largely upon a painstaking 51 from opener Douglas Lockhart who batted through until the thirty eighth over before he eventually fell caught by Rob Turner off Mike Burns, and an unbeaten 45 from Craig Wright.Although Andy Caddick was missing because of a foot injury the home batsmen struggled against the Somerset seam attack on a slow wicket, and after an hour’s play had managed just 41 runs from seventeen overs.Both Nixon McLean and Richard Johnson beat the bat on numerous occasions, but it was the West Indian test bowler who got the first blood for the Cidermen when Dominic Rigby gave a straight forward catch to Keith Parson at short square leg.Neil MacRae and Lockhart added 30 for the second wicket, with MacRae bringing a cheer from the home crowd with a six off McLean before he was trapped LBW by Simon Francis in the fifteenth over.Parsons, who replaced Johnson at the Inverleith Park End then accounted for the middle order when he took the three wickets during his ten over spell, that reduced Scotland to 69 for 5.Wright and Lockhart then took the hosts to 99 before Burns came onto bowl to deprive Lockhart the pleasure of bringing up the hundred for his side.The Scots innings slipped to 105 for 9, before an unbeaten last wicket partnership between Wright and Paul Hoffman who added 33 in the final seven overs, to give the Cidermen a total of 139 to chase.For Somerset Parsons ended with 3 for 29, Mike Burns 2 for 13 whilst there was one wicket a piece for McLean, Johnson and Ian Blackwell.At the end of the day Somerset skipper Mike Burns said: “This was a very professional performance here today. Our fielding and bowling were excellent and then to see the `big fella’ getting runs like that was just what we wanted. This was an excellent start to our C and G campaign and long may it continue.”Marcus Trescothick said: “We have done the job we needed to do. After not winning a one day match so far this season we have now found our form. It felt good out there today and everything hit the middle of the bat for me.”Coach Kevin Shine said: “This was a thoroughly executed professional performance in what could have been a difficult fixture for us. We gave a good bowling and fielding display and then Marcus batted brilliantly, well supported by Jamie Cox.”

Hampshire 262 for 5 (Kenway 120*, Mascarenhas 50) beat Zimbabwe 246 (Marillier 54, Giddins 4 for 33) by 16 runs Zimbabwe’s preparations for the NatWest Series suffered another setback as they slumped to a 16-run defeat against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl. They were bowled out for 246 with Ed Giddins reviving fond memories of his 5 for 15 against Zimbabwe at Lord’s in 2000.This time Giddins took 4 for 33, and despite 53 from Douglas Marillier and consistent scoring from the middle-order, Zimbabwe couldn’t reach Hampshire’s 262, in which Derek Kenway excelled with 120 not out.The Zimbabweans reshuffled their batting order, with the inexperienced Charles Coventry opening with Marillier and Dion Ebrahim dropping down to No. 3. Coventry made only 2 before miscuing Dimitri Mascarenhas to cover, and Ebrahim only 5 before playing on to Giddins. That made Zimbabwe 19 for 2 in the ninth over, a position which only emphasised their fragile batting.However, their stocks revived through an enterprising partnership between Marillier and Tatenda Taibu, but just as it was looking dangerous Taitu attempted an ill-advised hook against James Hamblin and holed out at long leg for 29 (87 for 3) in the 22nd over. This left much depending on Marillier, who was closing in on his half-century, and the experienced Grant Flower.Marillier was soon bowled by Shaun Udal (111 for 4), but Flower (22) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (38) kept up the momentum before Andy Blignaut launched a rapid 44 from 30 balls to keep Zimbabwe in the hunt. He needed the tail-end to stay with him, but that was asking too much. Gary Brent was bowled for a duck (203 for 8) and Ray Price went for 4 (243 for 9) and that was that.Put in by Taibu, Hampshire made a solid start before Kenway began to play more fluently, batting through the innings for an admirable 120. At 154 for 5 however, Zimbabwe were on course to restrict Hampshire to a low score, but Dimitri Mascarenhas then put pay to that. He chipped in at the end with a rapid half-century and kept the board busy in an imaginative innings, using his feet well, placing the ball cleverly and teasing the fielders with speedy running, as Hampshire clocked up a respectable 262 – a score which was too much for Zimbabwe.And to make things worse for them,, during the match they received the depressing news that their most consistent batsman, Stuart Carlisle, did indeed break his thumb fielding against Somerset. Carlisle hopes he may be fit to play in the last two matches of the triangular tournament, and will stay on with the squad as the selectors have refused to send a replacement.