Heroes Recover To Close Out Win Against Rockets

Hyderabad Heroes 166-6 (Binny 48, Boje 47, Patel 2-21) beat
Ahmedabad Rockets 163-3 (Goodwin 59, Sodhi 41no, Harris 2-19) by three runs
Scorecard
ICL 20s Indian Championship, Game 22, Gurgaon
By Aaron Kumar

The Hyderabad Heroes staged a superb recovery to beat the Ahmedabad Rockets by three runs after at one point being 30 for four in game 22 of the ICL 20s Indian Championship in Gurgaon. They posted 166 for six and then had to survive a brutal onslaught from Reetinder Sodhi as they became just the second team to defend a total in Gurgaon.

The Ahmedabad Rockets won the toss and elected to field and made the perfect start when they Jimmy Maher was caught by Ryan Campbell off the bowling of Jason Gillespie to leave the Heroes 10 for one in the third over. The Rockets capitalised on their early breakthrough as they bowled with exceptional control which put the Heroes batsmen under immense pressure and this pressure told as Heath Streak trapped Ambati Rayudu LBW to leave the Heroes 30 for four in the seventh over.

Stuart Binny and Nicky Boje showed signs of aggression as the pair set about repairing the Heroes innings, and they went on to bring up their 50 partnership. However, just when it seemed as though the Heroes were set to push for a competitive total in the last few overs Binny was dismissed caught by Baburao Yadav off the bowling of Sumit Kalia for a blistering 48 to leave the Heroes 89 for five in the 14th over.

After Binny’s dismissal Boje took on the role of being the aggressor for the Heroes as he smashed a reverse sweep for six of the bowling of Bhima Rao, but not long after he was adjudged LBW for 47 as the Heroes found themselves 129 for six in the 18th over.

Some big hitting from Chris Harris (37 from 18 balls) enabled the Heroes to post a very competitive total of 166 for six.

Chasing 167 for victory the Rockets made a sedate start with Murray Goodwin and Ryan Campbell content to rotate the strike, as the Rockets found themselves 24 for no loss after five overs. Boje provided the Heroes with their first breakthrough when Campbell (33) was adjudged LBW to leave the Rockets 54 for one in the 10th over.

The Rockets continued to struggle to get any momentum going in their innings as they found themselves 67 for one after 12 overs, with the run rate required more than 12 an over at this stage. Goodwin hit consecutive sixes over mid on to bring up the Rockets' hundred, the sixes also sent a message to the Heroes that the Rockets were setting themselves up for a late charge.

Just when it looked as though momentum may have been swinging the Rockets way their captain Damien Martyn was dismissed, brilliantly caught by Rayudu in the deep, bowled Harris for 16, and when Goodwin followed soon after for a very well-made 59 the Rockets found themselves 115 for three in the 17th over and the game appeared to be up for them.

Reetinder Sodhi hit a couple of lusty blows to give the Rockets some hope, and needing 27 to win off the final over it looked as though Sodhi might help the Rockets steal the game when he smashed a six over midwicket followed by a one bounce four. However, the Heroes held their nerve and despite another six by Sodhi off the last ball of the game, it was Harris’s team who emerged victorious by three runs.

England Hold On For Narrowest Of Wins

England 141-6 (Pietersen 44, S Ganga 4-23) beat
Trinidad & Tobago 140-9 (Ramdin 37, Flintoff 3-30) by one run
Scorecard
Stanford Super Series Game Four, Antigua
By Jim White

After their win against Middlesex the previous evening, the Caribbean and new Champions Cup winners Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) fell just one run short of beating England in game 4 of the Stanford Super Series in Antigua.

England’s total of 141-6 was mainly in debt to captain Kevin Pietersen (44 off 30 balls) and Ian Bell (37 off 41) and the best T&T bowling was again Sherwin Ganga with 4-23. In reply T&T were restricted to 140-9 with Denesh Ramdin (37 off 36) and Lendl Simmons (21 off 18) and required 3 off the last ball of the game. England’s most successful bowlers were Andrew Flintoff (3-30) and a miserly Paul Collingwood (2-11).

England were invited to bat but had to change their line-up due to a mystery virus that affected 4 of their team. In came Cook, Bopara, Swann and Harmison to replace Wright, Sidebottom, Broad and Anderson.

Another poor start was compounded by the loss of three cheap wickets before captain Kevin Pietersen joined Ian Bell to put on 48 in just over 4 overs. This included an unlucky 13th over of the game, bowled by Amit Jaggernauth, that was dispatched for 21 including two big sixes. Bell was eventually caught at long-off for a well-crafted 37 off 41 balls.

Flintoff joined in with a huge six over long–on and as both batters kept trying to clear the ropes, Pietersen eventually holed out for 44 off 30 balls before England ran well to bring the total up to 141-6. Cook the specialist number 9 was next man in.

Simmons and Justin Guillen began the reply against the spin of Samit Patel and Flintoff. Simmons was dismissed after a quickfire 21 off 8 balls with 11 runs coming off Flintoff’s first over. However normal service was resumed by Paul Collingwood and three quick wickets brought T&T in line with the England score at 63-4 after the first 10 overs.

Sherwin Ganga (14 off 13) and Ravi Ramdin (37 off 36) brought T&T back into the game and looked like they were going to pull off an unlikely victory as Ramdin climbed into Steve Harmison to deposit him for 6 over mid-wicket and a couple of fours off Flintoff (3-30) meant that was left to Badree 7* off 5 and Ramdin to run 3 off the last ball to win.

A tie would have meant the first ever Stanford super over – one over each, anyone can bat and anyone can bowl. The England players were only told by umpire Simon Taufel before the last ball was bowled, much to their utter disbelief and amusement! A 1/1 if you like.

The subsequent run-out meant that it was not needed and England remained undefeated before their big match on Saturday.

Sarwan Looking Forward To 20/20 For $20m Match

Stanford Superstars batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan believes that his side is more than a match for England and if they do the basics right, they stand a good chance of winning the Stanford 20/20 For $20 million on Saturday.

Sarwan, who captained Guyana to the inaugural Stanford 20/20 title in 2006, told Cricket World that he was looking forward to the match, which will see the biggest sum of money on offer for one match that cricket has ever seen.

"So far it has been good," he said. "If there is any complaint then it is probably with the way the surface has been playing but generally the turnout has been good, the atmosphere has been great and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

"I think the fact that Trinidad & Tobago only lost to England by one run gives us a lot of confidence going into the game, and it shows that we are on an equal footing with England. I think if we can do the basics right that would hold the key - Trinidad and Tobago did the basics pretty well and they almost won the game."

Team-mate Lennox Cush pinpointed England's Andrew Flintoff as a huge threat when he was interviewed earlier in the week, and when asked who he sees as the main threat from England, Sarwan agrees that the Lancashire all-rounder will be hard to stop.

"I think Freddy Flintoff with both bat and ball, but obviously we cant take anything away from Kevin Pieterson - we know what he is capable of doing; I think those two are going to be the players that we will have to keep our eyes on, but in Twenty20 anyone can stick their hands up and play a brilliant role whether it is with the bat or the ball."

In 2006, Sarwan played a key role in leading Guyana to glory in the Stanford 20/20 and he feels that experience will stand him in good stead.

"In the Caribbean, we haven’t played much Twenty20 apart from the Stanford," he commented. "Even the West Indies players haven’t played much Twenty20 so obviously myself, Chris [Gayle] and Shiv [Chanderpaul] are going to try to share the experience that we have had at international level and at Twenty20 level that we have played so far."

The Superstars are hoping for more scenes like this on Saturday night	© Brookes La Touche Photography

The last time a West Indian team clashed with England in a final of any competition was back in 2004 when the West Indies upset England to win the ICC Champions Trophy at The Brit Oval and when asked if victory on Saturday would compare to that triumph, Sarwan was brutally honest with his reply.

"Financially Stanford would be better to be honest," he said. "But I think that the ICC achievement was great because West Indies cricket hadn’t been doing that well so to win during the period that we did, where we were not favourites and played as the underdogs was a great achievement for us and I also won MVP (Most valuable player) in that tournament.

"But I think this will be a great achievement if we can beat England - we would be the first team in the history of any sport to win 20 million dollars so it is a great opportunity for us to be part of history."

Sarwan was talking to Cricket World's Aaron Kumar. The historic match takes place at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Coolidge, Antigua and you can listen to live, unofficial commentary by tuning in to Cricket World® Radio from 2130 GMT on the night.

Gambhir And Laxman Pile On The Runs

India 613-7 dec. (Gambhir 206, Laxman 200no, Tendulkar 68, Johnson 3-142) v
Australia 50-0 (Katich 29no)
Scorecard | Ball-by-ball
Airtel Border-Gavaskar Trophy, third Test, day two, New Delhi

Opener Gautam Gambhir hit his maiden double-century and Vangipurappu Laxman his second to put India in control of the third Test against Australia in New Delhi.

Gautam Gambhir pulls powerfully

© REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (INDIA)

VVS Laxman plays a wristy shot

© REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (INDIA)

India reached 613 for seven before declaring on the second day before Australian openers Simon Katich (29 not out) and Matthew Hayden (16 not out) getting through a difficult hour's worth of batting with their wickets intact.

Gambhir, who was eventually out for 206, and Laxman added 278 runs for the fourth wicket to leave the visitors toiling on a Ferozshah Kotla pitch expected to help spin bowlers later.

The wristy Laxman was going strong, having completed his 13th Test century and sixth against Australia before lunch as the hosts pushed for quick runs and the declaration.

Gambhir was the first to go after lunch when he played at a mildly swinging delivery from Watson onto the stumps.

He batted for over nine hours, hitting 26 fours and a six in his 380-ball knock, having scored his second consecutive century on the opening day.

Laxman played typically wristy shots and pulled both Lee and Johnson for fours in adding 50 runs to his overnight score.

Lee almost snared Laxman, forcing him to fend a rising ball which eluded the slip cordon, before denying him the single to reach triple figures for 11 deliveries.

The batsman eventually drove leg spinner Cameron White through cover for four to reach the landmark and once he lofted Michael Clarke over mid-on to reach his double-century, Anil Kumble declared the innings.

Kumble had earlier made 45 while Zaheer Khan was unbeaten on 28.

The first Test in Bangalore ended in a draw. The final Test starts in Nagpur on November 6th.

Gambhir and Watson will face an ICC disciplinary hearing and both have been charged with ICC Code of Conduct breaches after the pair made contact when Gambhir was taking a run on day one. They were both deemed to have contravened both the spirit and the laws of the game.

Abdur Razzaq Reported By Test Umpires

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action by umpires Daryl Harper and Asoka de Silva after the second Test against New Zealand in Mirpur.

A report prepared by the umpires highlighted concerns over the player's quicker ball and having monitored it during both the One Day International and Test series, decided it needed further scrutiny.

He becomes the latest spinner whose faster ball has come in for further analysis, following the likes of Marlon Samuels, and Johan Botha, who were both eventually banned after biomechanical tests.

Footage of his bowling will now be analysed by the player in consultation with ICC and BCB officials within 21 days and if his action is found to be illegal, he will be banned from bowling it until he undertakes remedial action although if only one particular delivery is deemed to be illegal, he will be allowed to bowl, but not bowl the offending delivery.

Razzak has to date taken seven wickets in five Tests and 110 wickets in 79 One Day Internationals.

Bangladesh lost the series in question 2-1 (ODIs) and 1-0 (Tests).

Vaas And Henderson Complete All-Stars Side

Fast bowling great Chaminda Vaas and Twenty20 king Tyron Henderson will round out a talent-packed All-Stars team at next week’s Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

The duo are the final two additions to a line-up that already contains Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies), Justin Langer (Australia), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Matthew Hoggard (England) and Stephen Fleming (New Zealand).

The All-Stars will join six test-playing nations and hosts Hong Kong in the showpiece tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club on 8-9 November.

Vaas, 34, ranks as Sri Lanka’s best ever pace bowler with 348 wickets in 107 test appearances. In addition, the left-armer has taken 400 wickets in 322 one day internationals.

He is also a dangerous lower-order batsman with a test century and 13 fifties to his name.

"I'm delighted and honoured to be invited to play for the All-Stars this year," said Vaas.

"Of course, I've played with Sanath many times before and we'll enjoy teaming up again, but the rest of the guys have been respected opponents for many years so it will be awesome to be in the same team as them for this tournament.

"We've got a very strong side, but we also know all the other teams will be trying extra hard to beat us.

"The Sixes has a great reputation for fun and entertainment and we'll be doing our best to give the fans at the Kowloon Cricket Club something to cheer."

South African allrounder Henderson starred with both bat and ball for Middlesex this year as they won the English Twenty20 Cup.

He played some savage innings – blasting 59 from 21 balls against Durham in the semi-finals and belting 43 from 33 balls in the final victory over Kent – while also cementing his status as the all-time leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket worldwide.

Henderson was a member of the South Africa team that won the Sixes in 2006.

"I’ve really enjoyed playing at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and it will be great to be involved again," he said. "It’s an exciting tournament for players and fans alike and the atmosphere at the Kowloon Cricket Club is just brilliant."

The All-Stars have been drawn in the Sobers Group alongside Sri Lanka, Australia and hosts Hong Kong.

"We’ve got a great chance to win the tournament, but we know we’re in for three tough pool games," added Henderson.

"Sri Lanka are the defending champions, Australia are always ultra-competitive and Hong Kong have scored some upsets down the years, so we’ll be on our guard. It promises to be a fun but also testing weekend."

Tournament director Mark Burns was delighted to welcome Vaas and Henderson to the All-Stars.

"It’s a world class squad and one which every cricket fan in Hong Kong will want to see in action," said Burns.

"The batting line-up of Chanderpaul, Langer, Jayasuriya and Fleming is awesome, Hoggard and Vaas are a fantastic opening bowling attack and Henderson is the top allrounder in Twenty20.

"I think their biggest problem is going to be deciding who to leave on the bench for each game!"

In the other half of the draw, arch-rivals India and Pakistan will meet in the Bradman group together with England and South Africa.

Major Awards For Makhaya Ntini And Shaun Pollock

Cricket South Africa on Wednesday extended its warmest congratulations to two of the game's icons, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock, on being awarded the National Order of Ikhamanga – Silver at a ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria this week.

The National Orders are the highest awards that the President of South Africa can bestow on citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of prominent contributions to nation building and the achievement of excellence in various fields of endeavour.

They were the first awards during the presidency of Kgalema Motlanthe.

"Cricket South Africa congratulates two of its finest sons, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, on being awarded the National Order of Ikhamanga – Silver," commented CSA CEO Gerald Majola.

"CSA also extends its gratitude to President Kgalema Motlanthe for bestowing this singular honour on them.

"Shaun and Makhaya represent all that is good about cricket, and they have been role models for both their sport and South Africa wherever cricket is played around the world."

In his reaction Ntini said it was extremely humbling to be honoured in this way. "This is an award in a million and means the world to me."

Other sports personalities to be honoured included rugby stars Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery.

Claire Taylor Celebrates 100th ODI With Series Win

England Women 99-2 (C Taylor 29no, Sultana 1-11) beat
India Women 126-2 (Raj 55no, Brunt 1-10) by eight wickets (D/L)
Third One Day International, Taunton - England lead the series 3-0

Claire Taylor celebrated her 100th One Day International by hitting the winning run as England Women moved into an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with an eight-wicket win over India Women at Taunton.

India Women dodged the rain showers to reach 126 for two, their highest score of the series so far, after they were asked to bat first and England then successfully chased 99 to win with more than four overs to spare.

They were rocked by an early loss of a wicket when Katherine Brunt got reward for a disciplined opening spell with Karu Jain trapped in front for four, but unlike in previous matches, India were able to consolidate and rebuild with Jaya Sharma and Mithali Raj putting on 98 for the second wicket.

The left-hand/right-hand combination worked well for India as England's bowlers struggled to match the consistency of Brunt, who conceded just ten runs from her eight overs.

Nicola Shaw finally broke the partnership when she had Sharma superbly stumped by Sarah Taylor for 42.

Raj reached her half-century shortly before a heavy downpour ended India's innings with Amita Sharma unbeaten on 11.

With a maximum of 21 overs available, England warmed up for the Twenty20 International tomorrow by opening with Charlotte Edwards alongside Sarah Taylor and they were given the flying start they wanted.

The pair put on 46 in quick time before Taylor was run out, misjudging a single on the on-side having made 24 and Edwards fell when she skied a sweep to be caught byy Niranjana off of Sultana for 25.

That set the stage for Claire Taylor to take her side home, ably assisted by some innovative strokes from promoted Lydia Greenway, who was unbeaten on 18.

Taylor guided the winning run to third man off the fourth ball of the 17th over to seal a perfect day for her, and the team, who claimed their third series in a row this summer as they continue to justify their tag of favourites for this winter's World Cup.

Bees Swarm To Test

Bees Swarm to the Test
Players and officials lie on the ground as bees fly over the pitch
REUTERS/Action Images
Australian and Indian players lie on the ground as bees fly over the pitch on the third day of their third test cricket match in New Delhi October 31, 2008.

Penalties Imposed On Players For Breaches Of ICC Code Of Conduct

Herschelle Gibbs South Africa v Pakistan, 1st Test, 11-15 January 2007 at Centurion
Breach of code 3.3 - Using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, gender, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin. Banned from 1 Test, 1 Twenty20 Int and 1 ODI match
Chris Broad

Imran Farhat South Africa v Pakistan, 2nd Test, 19-23 January 2007 at Port Elizabeth
Level 1 breach of Code C2 - conduct that brings the game into disrepute – Not Guilty
Chris Broad

Dwayne Bravo India v West Indies, 3rd ODI, 27 January 2007 at Chennai
Breach of code 1.5 - Excessive appealing. Severe Reprimand
Alan Hurst

Paul Hoffmann Canada v Scotland, 5th Match, 31 January 2007 at Nairobi (Ruaraka)
Level 2 breach of Code 2.4 - Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between Players in the course of play. – fined 50% of match fee
Roshan Mahanama

Shahid Afridi South Africa v Pakistan, 1st ODI, 4 February 2007 at Centurion
Level 3 offence under section C2 of the Code which refers to “conduct unbecoming…which could bring (players or officials) or the game of cricket into disrepute.” – Banned for 4 ODIs
Chris Broad

Omer Hussain Bermuda v Scotland, 13th Match, 5 February 2007 at Nairobi (Ruaraka)
Breach of code 1.3 - Showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse – Not Guilty
Roshan Mahanama

Imran Nazir South Africa v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, 7 February 2007 at Durban
Level 1 offence, clause 1.4, which refers to “Using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture.” – Not Guilty
Chris Broad

Prosper Utseya Zimbabwe v Bangladesh, 4th ODI, 10 February 2007 at Harare
Breach of code 2.11 - Failure by a Captain to ensure that his team meets the minimum over rate requirements – fined 405 of match fee
Chris Broad

Inzamam-ul-Haq Ireland v Pakistan, 9th Match, 17 March 2007 at Jamaica
Level 2 breach 2.11 - Failure by a Captain to ensure that his team meets the minimum over rate requirements – fined 50% of match fee
Chris Broad

Robin Peterson South Africa v Sri Lanka, 26th Match, 28 March 2007 at Guyana
Level 1 breach of code 1.2 - Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings – Official Reprimand
Jeff Crowe

Brendon McCullum New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 39th Match, 13 April 2007 at Grenada
Breach of code 1.3 - Showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse – fined 20% of match fee
Mike Procter

Mohammad Asif Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, 20 May 2007 at Abu Dhabi
Level 1 breach of Code C1 - Players and/or Team Officials shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game – Official Reprimand
Javagal Srinath

Fidel Edwards England v West Indies, 4th Test, 15-19 June 2007 at Chester-le-Street
Level 1 offence, clause 1.4, which refers to “Using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture – fined 15% of match fee
Alan Hurst

Denesh Ramdin England v West Indies, 2nd Twenty20 Match, 29 June 2007 at The Oval
Breach of code 1.3 - Showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse – Official Reprimand
Mike Procter

James Anderson England v West Indies, 2nd ODI, 4 July 2007 at Edgbaston
Level 2 breach of Code 2.4 - Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between Players in the course of play. – fined 50% of match fee
Mike Procter

Runako Morton England v West Indies, 2nd ODI, 4 July 2007 at Edgbaston
Breach of code 2.8 - Using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another Player, umpire, Referee, Team Official or spectator – Not Guilty
Mike Procter

Stuart Broad England v West Indies, 2nd ODI, 4 July 2007 at Edgbaston
Level 1 breach of code 1.1 - Breach of the Logo Policy – Official Reprimand
Mike Procter

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth England v India, 2nd Test, 27-31 July 2007 at Trent Bridge
Level 2 breach of Code 2.4 - Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between Players in the course of play. – fined 50% of match fee
Ranjan Madugalle

Paul Collingwood England v India, 2nd ODI, 24 August 2007 at Bristol
Level 2 breach 2.11 - Failure by a Captain to ensure that his team meets the minimum over rate requirements – fined 50% of match fee
Roshan Mahanama

Fidel Edwards South Africa v West Indies, T20I, 11 Sep 2007 at Johannesburg
Level 1 breach of Code C1 - Players and/or Team Officials shall at all times conduct play within the spirit of the game – fined 50% of match fee
Chris Broad

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth Australia v India , T20I 2nd Semi Final, 22 Sep 2007 at Durban - Breach of code 1.5 - Excessive appealing. – fined 25% of match fee
Chris Broad

ICC Pays Tribute To Former Umpire Nigel Plews

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has led the tributes following the death of former umpire Nigel Plews yesterday.

"It was with great regret that we learned of the death of Nigel Plews, a top-class umpire who worked hard for the good of the game, both on the field and in the committee room," a statement from cricket's governing body read.

"Nigel made an enormous contribution to cricket through his deep knowledge and appreciation for the game, its laws and the way it should be played. He was an advisor to the MCC and the ICC on matters relating to laws and playing regulations and made many important contributions while sitting on various committees and working groups that have had a lasting and positive impact on the game.

"At the time that he was breaking through to the top level of umpiring he was something of a rarity in that he had never played first-class cricket before becoming a match official.

"But this did not hold him back unduly and having played and umpired club cricket in his native Nottinghamshire, Nigel’s talent as an umpire was spotted and he was selected onto the first-class panel in England in 1982.

"He quickly established himself as a highly respected match official at county level and he was appointed to his first One Day International in 1986 in a game between England and New Zealand at Old Trafford.

"The step up to the higher level was one he took in his stride and in 1988 he was appointed to his first Test, a match between England and the West Indies, also in Manchester. In total he stood in 11 Tests and 16 ODIs before finally hanging up his white coat at international level at the end of the English summer of 1996.

"Nigel was a true gentleman and a great friend to umpires and others involved in the game. At 6ft 6ins he was certainly a big man but through the contribution he made to the world of cricket he can truly be described as a giant."

Umpires in the Test matches between India and Australia at Mohali and Bangladesh versus New Zealand at Chittagong, as well as the ODI between Zimbabwe and Ireland at Nairobi on Tuesday 21 October will wear black armbands.

ICC Appoints Umpires For Series In South Africa

The ICC has announced details of umpire and match referee appointments for the upcoming ODI and Test series in South Africa.

South Africa will get its home season underway with two ODIs against Kenya and will then host Bangladesh for a three-ODI and two-Test series.

The ODIs will be overseen by Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees while Nigel Llong of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires will stand along with local appointments.

Mahanama will then hand over the charge to Alan Hurst, also of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, for the Test series which will be officiated by Steve Davis of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Ian Gould of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires.

Appointments for future matches and series will be announced in due course.

South Africa

Match referee for ODI series against Kenya and Bangladesh – Roshan Mahanama

31 Oct – South Africa v Kenya (ODI), Bloemfontein – Nigel Llong and local appointment
2 Nov – South Africa v Kenya (ODI), Kimberley – Nigel Llong and local appointment
7 Nov – South Africa v Bangladesh (ODI), Potchefstroom – Nigel Llong and local appointment
9 Nov – South Africa v Bangladesh (ODI), Benoni – Nigel Llong and local appointment
12 Nov – South Africa v Bangladesh (ODI), East London, Nigel Llong and local appointment

Match referee for Test series against Bangladesh – Alan Hurst

19-23 Nov – South Africa v Bangladesh (Test), Bloemfontein, Steve Davis and Ian Gould
26-30 Nov – South Africa v Bangladesh (Test), Centurion, Steve Davis and Ian Gould

ICC Women's World Cup Launched In Sydney

Australia’s women’s cricketers helped launch the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 at a special function in Sydney.

They were joined by ICC President David Morgan, CA Chairman Jack Clarke and players from India, England and New Zealand to launch the tournament that will be played from 7-22 March next year in Sydney, Newcastle, Bowral and Canberra.

The 25-match tournament features the top eight teams in women’s cricket, with Australia the number one seed and defending champion. In eight previous World Cups, Australia has won on five occasions. England (twice) and New Zealand are the other nations to have won the ultimate prize in women’s cricket.

"With people watching the World Cup on TV or coming out to the games, the popularity of women’s cricket in Australia is going to increase and you’ll see a lot more girls playing the game," Australia captain Karen Rolton said.

"I’ll be telling the players to treat the World Cup like they would any other tournament. There will be a bit of additional pressure because we’re playing at home but hopefully we’ll have great support.

"It’s going to be important for the players to enjoy the experience and hopefully we’ll win enough matches to make it through to the final."

Cricket Australia Chairman Jack Clarke said that the ICC Women’s World Cup was an important opportunity to promote the women’s game in Australia.

"Cricket Australia and Cricket New South Wales are committed to producing a world-class cricket event. The ICC Women’s World Cup is about more than just cricket however. It’s a chance to leave a legacy for young girls and boys around the world to one day aspire to become the champions of the future," Mr Clarke said.

"Cricket Australia has a formal Females in Cricket Strategy in place and to date we’ve had some outstanding successes. We hope that this event will further inspire a broader female involvement in our sport at all levels, including participants, spectators, umpires, coaches and administrators."

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are currently playing a series against India that is acting as an important step in the team’s preparation for their defence of the World Cup. After a two-run win to the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in yesterday’s Twenty20 International, the teams will start their five-match one-day international series at Hurstville Oval this Friday (31 October) starting at 10am.

Hong Kong Name Women's Squad For Japan Matches

Hong Kong has announced a 14-member women's squad to play against Japan in October. Experienced captain Neisha Pratt will continue to lead the side, while all rounder Keenu Gill will be her deputy.

Youngsters Dominique McClusker, Annie Ho and Smita Chhetri are the three newcomers in the squad, as selectors look towards the future and the upcoming U19 ACC tournament. The squad also welcomes back wicketkeeper Emma Phillips, and swing bowler Ishitaa Gidwani, both of whom missed the Bangladesh tour.

'There is no doubt Hong Kong is developing some strong young talent,' Julie Atkinson, the chairperson of selectors, said. 'We have some very capable youngsters who will relish the opportunity to take on Japan. This is a great opportunity for these girls to play in Hong Kong and to further prepare for the U19 tournament in December.”

The team will host Japan from October 8th to 13th, playing three 50 over games. The first game will be played on October 9th at HKCC, the second on October 10th at KCC and the final game on October 12th at Mission Road. Entry is free and members of the public are very welcome.

Hong Kong Squad: Neisha Pratt (capt), Keenu Gill (vice capt), Chan Sau Ha, Connie Wong, Annie Ho, Godiva Li, Betty Chan, Ishitaa Gidwani, Mariko Hill, Manpreet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur, Smita Chhetri, Dominique McClusker, Emma Phillips

Double Dose Of Trans-Tasman Rivalry To Hit Sydney

Cricket fans will be served a double dose of trans-Tasman rivalry this summer with the announcement of a men’s and women’s Twenty20 double-header at the SCG next year.

In a repeat of the concept successfully pioneered by Cricket Australia earlier this year in Melbourne, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will play New Zealand before the men’s KFC Twenty20 International between the same nations on Sunday 15 February.

The world’s first men’s and women’s Twenty20 International double-header was contested at the MCG in February this year when the Australian and English women’s teams played before Australia and India’s clash in a KFC Twenty20 International.

It will be the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ last official match before they defend their ICC Women’s World Cup crown in Sydney.

“The double-header will not only add another chapter to the history of trans-Tasman competition, but it will also be a great promotional vehicle for women’s cricket and the ICC Women’s World Cup which will start in Sydney three weeks later,” Acting Cricket Australia CEO, Michael Brown, said.

“After the success of the first double-header at the MCG, Cricket Australia and Cricket New South Wales have worked hard to ensure we provide an opportunity to stage another match this summer.”

New Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars coach, Richard McInnes, said the match was an ideal way to prepare the team for the pressures they will face at the World Cup.

“The match will give the team a valuable opportunity to play on a big stage in a high pressure environment ahead of the World Cup and World Twenty20 which will be played in June next year,” he said.

“After the reception they received at the MCG earlier this year, the players are excited at the prospect of playing in front of a large crowd in Sydney. However we have a lot of hard work to do before then, starting with a tough series against India, a team we expect will be one of the main dangers at the World Cup.”

The first international assignment for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars of the summer will be a six-match series against world No.2 India in Sydney and Canberra from 28 October-9 November. The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have not played India at home since February 2006.

After the series against India, Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad members will return to their respective states to play in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) in December and January.

Following the WNCL, the team will travel to New Zealand for the Rose Bowl Series, with the Twenty20 International at the SCG to follow immediately after the end of that tour.

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars – Road to the World Cup

Series v India

Tuesday 28 October: Australia v India, Hurstville (T20)
Friday 31 October: Australia v India, Hurstville (ODI)
Saturday 1 November: Australia v India, SCG (ODI)
Wednesday 5 November: Australia v India, North Sydney (ODI)
Saturday 8 November: Australia v India, Canberra (ODI)
Sunday 9 November: Australia v India, Canberra (ODI)

Twenty20 International at SCG

Sunday 15 February: Australia v New Zealand, SCG (T20)

Rose Bowl Series

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will travel to New Zealand in early February 2009 for a Rose Bowl Series against the White Ferns. The match schedule will be announced soon.

ICC Women’s World Cup - England Squad

ICC Women’s World Cup - England Squad

©England v South Africa The Natwest Women's Series - Lord's - 8/8/08 England Captain Charlotte Edwards (L) shares a joke with the team Credit: Action Images / Paul Harding Livepic

Mark Lane, the England Women’s head coach has made one change to the victorious summer squad by naming the uncapped wicket-keeper Lauren Griffiths in the15-player squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia in March 2009.

Griffiths, who plays her cricket for Cheshire and was part of this summer’s academy squad, will provide replacement for Sarah Taylor if required. The 21 year-old replaces Lynsey Askew from the summer squad.

England are in a strong position to take the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup having finished 2008 unbeaten in a series. They retained the Ashes in February and followed that with a 3-1 series win over New Zealand.

In July they beat the West Indies 1-0 at Loughborough, before smashing both South Africa and India 4-0 this summer in rain-affected series. They are currently unbeaten in 14 one-day internationals.

Captain Charlotte Edwards also won the 2008 coveted ICC Women’s Player of the Year Award.

On her inclusion Griffiths commented: “Playing for England has always been something I've dreamt of and it’s a great honour to be selected in the squad, especially for a World Cup.

“I’m out in Australia already playing cricket and training in Victoria for the winter in preparation for the tournament.

“I was so surprised to be included in the squad, but it’s a great opportunity and I’m really looking forward to touring with this set of players.”

Edwards added: “It’s such an exciting time for us as a squad with these two forthcoming global tournaments.

“We’ve got a great blend of youth and experience going to the ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia and we’ll be looking to continue our success of 2008.

“It won’t be easy, but we’re well prepared and know what we have to do to ensure we’re all performing at our optimum when we arrive in February.”

Lane finished: “All our focus this year has been on the World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 – everything we have done over the past twelve months has been for these two global tournaments.



“It will be a tough but exciting competition as the standard of women’s cricket is continually improving and there are four or five teams who on their day could all become World Champions.”

Squad:Charlotte Edwards (capt), Caroline Atkins, Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Lydia Greenway, Lauren Griffiths, Isa Guha, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh, Beth Morgan, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Nicky Shaw, Anya Shrubsole, Claire Taylor, Sarah Taylor

Groundsman of the Year Awards 2009 on 10 September 2008

Groundsman of the Year Awards Winners 2008

From L to R Les Stephens (Lytham CC)Private Club category , Graeme Flett (Gordonstoun School)Educational establishment category, Ian Vautier (Granville Sports Grounds States of Jersey LA)Local Authority category and Phillip McCormick (Stormont- Ireland)ICC Europe category.

IOG Saltex Is Ideally Designed For Cricket Club Groundsman

As the CAD drawing office manager and technical consultant for children's play company Hand Made Places (now a division of Broxap) and a regular exhibitor at IOG SALTEX, it's no surprise that Charles Stopher describes his visit to last year's show as "a great experience; it was good to see our products being demonstrated and to compare designs with other play equipment displays".

But the day spent at the open space management extravaganza at Windsor also proved satisfying in another way, he says.

"It was fascinating to chat with grounds care professionals and discover that they experience similar problems to me in creating and maintaining the perfect cricket square!"

When Charles Stopher is not embroiled in designing and planning children's playgrounds, he can often be found at Milland Cricket Club - because he's the club captain and head groundsman at the West Sussex club.

"When I took over as head groundsman about five years ago I would just mow the strip a couple of times a week, following instructions from the previous groundsman. But, of course, it starts to take over and you try harder and harder to get the square into top condition."

The club www.millandcc.play-cricket.com has around 30 members and plays every weekend during the season. There is one square with 11 wickets, so play can be rotated, and the grounds care team is kept busy two or three times a week working various strips which are at different stages.

"It's all a question of planning; to drag brush and hand rake, cut the grass, water and roll. The process takes about two weeks to prepare each wicket for a game so each strip due to be used will be at a different stage - some therefore requiring more time spent on them than others.

"Getting the best out of the wicket using the equipment we have is hard work," he says. "We are only a small club and funds are limited as is our equipment. It would make a world of difference is we were to have a scarifier with all the reel attachments.

"However, grounds care does get under your skin, and I feel compelled to learn more and more about how the professionals do it - which is one reason why I enjoyed IOG SALTEX so much.

"In addition to the displays of grounds care equipment, what I found most useful was the IOG Skills Village workshop on mowers and machine maintenance. This was really helpful in showing me how to make the most of our mower."

While he admits to spending ever more time learning about fertilisers and dressings, for example, he says he has no plans to become a professional groundsman. But he's looking forward to all aspects of this year's IOG SALTEX - and taking Milland's other volunteer staff to the show will help them learn as well.

IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and will embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children's outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment. The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors - from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

IOG SALTEX

The Spead Of The Word

“Time for a change” says Tim Merrell, Managing Director of The Grass Group. “We are now representing a number of mainline companies and I wanted our customers and suppliers to be able to see we are promoting individual brands but through a group they will know and trust. Nothing has changed in terms of the people etc”

“We are also delighted to be working with TYCROP, who decided they needed a change within the UK market and were very impressed with the new structure and how we are growing and able to represent them in the UK” says Paul Trowman, General Manager of The Grass Group. “We have an excellent product range to offer our dealers and we look forward to a long successful relationship with all concerned”.

The Grass Group has been set up as a neutral platform through which we are representing TRILO, PROGRESSIVE, TYCROP, GREEN CLIPPER and PRO BLADES.
In terms of positioning the new strapline “professional from the ground up” we hope to encapsulate both the attitude and deliverables of the Group and our people.

This new structure allows for the growth of The Grass Group as the company continues to diversify and expand its business operations.

Please feel free to call us on the same number 01638 720123 if you would like to know more about the Group and how we can help make your job easier!

Tendulkar Surprised By Ganguly's Decision To Retire from International Cricket

World record run-scorer Sachin Tendulkar has talked of his surprise at former captain Saurav Ganguly's decision to retire at the conclusion of the ongoing Test series against Australia.

An Indian board official stated earlier this month that ageing stars Tendulkar, Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble had been told to plan their retirements by December.

Ganguly then announced his plans to step down after the Australia series.

"I was little bit surprised but you know...the individual knows exactly when to move away from the game and I don't know exactly what's going on in his mind, what he thinks of his future," Tendulkar said.

"I am sure it must have taken him a long time to reach that. And it's a big decision. It is a difficult decision.

"If he feels that this is the way to go, then we all should respect (that)," he told NDTV channel in an interview to be aired on Friday.

India's batting struggled during a 2-1 series reverse at the hands of Sri Lanka but aside from Dravid, the 'big four' have all played key roles in putting India 1-0 up against Australia. Captain Kumble has also been below his best and missed the second Test with a shoulder injury.

"One is made to believe that this is the right opinion...(to) know exactly when to move away from the game," Tendulkar added.

"We individuals will take that decision when we feel it is the right time."