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Scorecard

Rakesh Solanki kept Baroda in the run at the end of the third day of their Ranji semi-final against Delhi in Indore. Solanki anchored the innings with a fine 96 but it was Yusuf Pathan who helped Baroda seize the initiative with an unbeaten 61-ball 86. Delhi, though, removed Solanki in the last over of the day to ensure that they remained in the hunt.Baroda had struggled in the first session, losing three wickets but Solanki featured in two partnerships that swung the momentum. He was involved in a 79-run stand with Shatrunjay Gaekwad before adding a further 118 runs with Yusuf, who turned on the heat in the last session.Yusuf had walked in to face the second ball of the final session and immediately chose to counterattack. He drove, cut, lofted and swept merrily in an entertaining innings that had Delhi bowlers in complete disarray. Spin or seam made no difference as he plonked the front foot forward and knived through the line. He started off by driving the legspinner Chetanya Nanda to the straight boundary before flashing Amit Bhandari twice in succession to the cover boundary. Nanda went around the wicket and aimed at the rough but Yusuf continued to attack, hitting two towering sixes over long-on and sweeping a couple to the boundary. The new ball too didn’t make any impact on him as he repeatedly drove Sumit Narwal and Parvinder Awana.But the wicket of Solanki kept Delhi in the game. It was a marginal decision as Solanki played across to a full delivery from Rajat Bhatia and it appeared to be heading down leg side. By then, though, Solanki had played a stellar part in reviving the fortunes of Baroda.He started off uncertainly, playing and missing outside off, but hit a few punchy drives to get going. As the day wore on, he got increasingly confident and the nervous pokes were replaced by confident drives and cuts. Whenever the bowlers pitched short, he pulled them for boundaries. Solanki sealed one end during the final session of the day while Yusuf went berserk to charge Baroda towards a sizeable lead. Though Solanki was given a reprieve, on 93, when he cut to gully where Aditya Jain spilled a straightforward chance but he couldn’t capitalise.But it was Gaekwad who led the repair job in the second session with an assured knock of 46. He defended compactly and showed impeccable timing while attacking. The highlight of the knock was his successive boundaries of Amit Bhandari. The bowler had hit the full length from around the wicket – a line that had proved very profitable for him on the first day – but Gaekwad stretched well forward to drive him to straight boundary before producing the shot of the day – a gorgeous cover drive. Baroda had begun to break free.Solanki too found his stride and 78 runs came in the second session before Gaekwad fell to a soft dismissal. He closed his bat a touch early to a short-of-length delivery from Awana, only to see the leading edge carry back to the bowler.The first session had seen Baroda repeat the mistakes of the first day. The bat was pushed away from the body, the feet didn’t come in line and the reading of line left a lot to be desired. Awana kept the ball in the right areas to lure the batsmen to their demise. Connor Williams drove away from the body, Satyajit Parab dragged on a loose drive to the stumps and Azharuddin Bilakhia shouldered arms to a length delivery around off stump only to lose the off stump. Baroda were still trailing by 16 runs at that point but Solanki and Gaekwad started the fightback.The next setback for Baroda came in the first ball of the final session. Nanda got one to skid on straight and had Pinal Shah playing all around it. Nanda should have had the new batsman Yusuf early with another slider but the umpire turned down a confident shout for lbw. By the end of the day, Baroda had stretched the lead to over 200 but Delhi struck in the end to leave the game tantalisingly poised.

Damien Martyn is the favourite to receive the prestigious Allan Border Medal at a gala ceremony in Melbourne tonight. As a Test and one-day player, Martyn’s superb performances through the voting year, from February 11 until yesterday, are expected to earn him Australia’s highest individual award ahead of Justin Langer and Shane Warne.Warne’s return from a one-year drugs suspension was superb, netting 75 wickets, and Langer scored 1481 runs for 2004, but Martyn’s consistent brilliance after a lean 2003-04 stood above both of his Test-only team-mates. Martyn registered six Test hundreds – two each in Sri Lanka, India and Australia – and 1373 runs during the polling period, and played in 21 one-day matches, including making 24 in yesterday’s three-wicket VB Series loss to Pakistan.Martyn is also a contender for the Test Player of the Year along with Langer and Warne, while Michael Clarke, who will be judged on 731 runs, including two hundreds and three fifties, is tipped for the one-day award.

Frizzell County Championship Division One
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Essex 77 for 2 v Nottinghamshire 284 at Chelmsford
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Chris Cairns thrashed a rapid 70 from 73 balls, then took a wicket in his first over, as Nottinghamshire and Essex jostled for position on the first day at Chelmsford. Cairns added 98 for the fifth wicket with Jason Gallian, whose 65 spanned three hours and provided the backbone of an erratic innings in which six batsmen failed to reach double figures. Jon Dakin was the main cause of the wobbles, picking up 4 for 53 in 16.5 overs. Cairns then trapped Will Jefferson lbw for 1, but Andy Flower and Mark Pettini added an unbeaten 46 for the third wicket as Essex closed on a high.Warwickshire 342 for 6 v Lancashire at Edgbaston
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Lancashire’s hopes of making a late charge for the title were dealt a blow at Edgbaston, as Jonathan Trott and Dougie Brown added 216 for the sixth wicket to steal the momentum for Warwickshire. The early part of the day had belonged entirely to Lancashire, and to Glen Chapple in particular, who swung and seamed his way to three quick wickets, including Michael Powell in the first over. Kyle Hogg and John Wood joined the fun as Warwickshire were reduced to 101 for 5, but with Peter Martin absent with a back strain, Trott and Brown turned the tables. Trott eventually fell for 126, and on 112, Brown retired hurt with a calf problem. But Lancashire have much ground to make up.Frizzell County Championship Division Two
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Gloucestershire 331 for 5 v Derbyshire at Bristol
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He is better known for his quick scoring, but Jonty Rhodes displayed the adhesive side of his game today, as he batted for the best part of six hours for an unbeaten 121, his third Championship century of the season. Rhodes’ effort further compounded Derbyshire’s woes at the foot of the second division, as Alex Gidman and Matt Windows contributed a pair of well-paced 40s to help Gloucestershire to an imposing 331 for 5 at the close. The recent unknown, Paul Havell, who took four wickets against the South Africans last week, was again Derbyshire’s most successful bowler, picking up 3 for 68 from 22 overs. At one stage, Gloucestershire had been a wobbly 78 for 3, but Rhodes stopped the rot and put his team on top.Worcestershire 364 v Hampshire 4 for 0 at the Rose Bowl
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Worcestershire didn’t have too many positives to take from Saturday’s capitulation in the C&G final, but for their reserve wicketkeeper Jamie Pipe, who stood in for the injured Steve Rhodes, the Lord’s effect was clearly inspirational. He cracked an unbeaten 104, his maiden first-class century, to keep their title hopes alive at the Rose Bowl. Pipe came to the middle at the fall of Stephen Peters for 87, and immediately took the attack to Hampshire’s bowlers, adding 137 for the sixth wicket with Justin Kemp, who made 90. When Tim Tremlett and Laurence Prittipaul ripped through the lower order, however, it seemed that Pipe would be denied his dream. But with Worcestershire’s No. 11 boshing boundaries at the other end, he just edged past the mark.Durham 190 v Northamptonshire 166 for 1 at Wantage Road
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Mike Hussey has announced he wants to take a break from County cricket next season, but it hasn’t broken his concentration for the time being. Nor, indeed, that of his partner-in-crime Phil Jaques, who crashed his way to 102 not out in an unbeaten second-wicket partnership of 165, as Durham were given a lesson in batting and bowling at Northampton. Durham, who won the toss and chose to bat, were bundled out for 190 in 60.3 overs, thanks to a five-wicket haul from Jeff Cook. It didn’t take long for their bowlers to respond, however. Shoaib Akhtar, who has clearly forgotten there’s a Test match taking place back home, dismissed Tim Roberts for a first-ball duck. But that was the high point of Durham’s day. Northants already look set for a crushing victory to boost their prospects of the second division title.Somerset 228 v Yorkshire 86 for 3 at Headingley
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After months on the sidelines with a knee injury, Matthew Hoggard returned to first-class cricket with a huge splash at Headingley, picking up career-best figures of 7 for 49 to leave Somerset in the lurch. Yorkshire’s day, however, was marred by an injury to Steve Kirby, who appeared to be struck on the head in his followthrough by a Nixon McLean straight drive. But for Hoggard it was the sweetest of returns, and a timely reminder of his abilities ahead of England’s winter tours. Somerset were bowled out for 228, with Darren Gough also in the wickets, but they clawed back some lost ground by the close, reducing Yorkshire to 86 for 3 in reply.

The issue of racial discrimination in Zimbabwean cricket has cropped up again, with Murray Goodwin alleging that black cricketers were getting a free ride into the team. Goodwin, who last played for Zimbabwe three years ago before quitting due to pay disputes with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, said: “It sounds really racist but in actual fact it’s the truth and that’s a sad state of affairs because these guys don’t have to perform as well as the European guys to get a game.”You’ve got guys getting promoted because of performance and other guys getting promoted because of their colour. It’s hard because when you’re playing in a team and you’ve got these guys getting a free ride – it’s not their fault at all – the selection [policy] is a bit of an issue. Everyone’s trying to play in a team and you can’t begrudge that … but you’re just wary of how they select you and on what grounds.”Meanwhile, Geoff Marsh, the Zimbabwean coach, has told his players to forget about the political implications of their tour to Australia. Marsh believes that the politics of the Zimbabwean situation has the potential to distract his side at a time when they need to be completely focussed on the cricket. “When the political situation gets involved in the game of cricket in Zimbabwe I try to take it out.”Adam Gilchrist agreed with that approach. Writing a column for Fairfax papers, Gilchrist supported Australia’s decision to play against Zimbabwe in the 2003 World Cup, stating that the decision stood vindicated within ten minutes of their arrival in Bulawayo, when a local woman gave him a hug and said: “Thank you so much for coming, for giving us a ray of brightness in these difficult times.”He strengthened his argument further by talking about the lack of protest over Zimbabwe’s tour to Australia. “Surely if the reasons for not playing are moral ones, why would the same rules not apply when the Zimbabweans are here? Either people have short memories, or perhaps we are realising that participating in sporting events doesn’t mean that we are either supporting or disregarding the policies and regimes of the government of the country we are playing. Although we are well aware of the tragic heartache that has been caused and the issues that remain unresolved, we are simply sportsmen proudly representing our country.”

The Sri Lankan selectors have recalled Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner,in place of Kumar Dharmasena for the second Test against Australia which begins at Kandy on Tuesday.Herath, now 26-years-old, last played for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in June2000. He has played three Test matches, including two Tests against Australia on their 1999 tour to Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka are expected to abandon their one pace bowler strategy on a pitch that is expected to offer greater assistance to the fast bowlers. Nuwan Zoysa is tipped for a return after his impressive performances during the recent one-day series.Sri Lanka have also drafted in Saman Jayantha, the uncapped opening batsman,as a standby for Sanath Jayasuriya and Thilan Samaraweera.Both Jayasuriya, who needed one stitch after splitting the webbing on his righthand, and Samaraweera, who tore a groin muscle in Galle, hope to be fit for the crucial Test and will try to train on Sunday afternoon after the team’s arrival in the hill-country capital.Squad1 Hashan Tillakaratne (capt), 2 Marvan Atapattu, 3 Sanath Jayasuriya, 4 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 5 Mahela Jayawardene, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 8 Avishka Gunawardene, 9 Chaminda Vaas, 10 Nuwan Zoysa, 11 Nuwan Kulasekara, 12 Muttiah Muralitharan, 13 Rangana Herath, 14 Upul Chandana, 15 Kaushal Lokuarachchi, 16 Saman Jayantha (standby)

“The sight of Andrew Strauss delivering the penultimate over of this mismatch said more about the state of Zimbabwe cricket than any number of words,” wrote Richard Hobson in . “There is something seriously wrong when a full one-day international match meanders to its inevitable conclusion with the spotlight on a declaration bowler.”Writing in , Angus Fraser was all praise for at least one man in the whole affair. “[Michael] Vaughan’s manner during the crisis talks in Johannesburg, and his handling of the difficult situation in Zimbabwe, have been exemplary. He has remained calm, strong and in control. The players know he has been representing their views and this has allowed them to concentrate on their cricket.”But cricket was never really the only thing on the menu. “Cricket has a rich tradition of politicisation,” wrote Paul Kelso in . “It was possible to see the past fortnight as little more than a sporting non-event, a curiosity in an apparently tranquil corner of Africa. But to do so is to ignore the reality of life in Zimbabwe. It was always impossible for the tour to remain free of politics.”Judged on the narrow terms by which he defined the affair, [David] Morgan at least can look back on the past fortnight with some satisfaction,” Kelso added. “With moral considerations discarded and financial imperatives the prime motor, he delivered on his promise to make the tour happen and gained credit within the ICC.”Derek Pringle pointed out in the that despite the squeaky-clean tranquillity there was at least one material loser in the England party: “Of the sanitised view afforded players, press and the handful of travelling supporters, the only incidents around the cricket were when three teenage protesters in Harare waved placards at the team and when the England masseuse Vikki Byrne had her sunglasses pinched.”But Pringle also sounded a worryingly familiar warning note: “With England set to play a minimum of two Tests here within the next four years, the muddle could be raised all over again. The moral argument for not touring Zimbabwe, cited by England fast bowler Stephen Harmison – but unacceptable for entire teams under current ICC directives – holds good, at least while diplomatic relations between the two countries remain in tatters.”

Ashley Giles has rounded on his critics after England’s failure in the first Test at Lord’s, by suggesting that a selection of former players would rather see Australia retain the Ashes than watch the current England side achieve what they themselves failed to do.”That might sound bitter, but that’s the way it feels,” Giles was quoted as saying in The Daily Mail. “Michael Vaughan has taken a lot of flak, so has Geraint Jones, so have I. We expected some if we lost, but there has been an amazing amount of stuff hitting the fan.”Giles’s position in the side has come under particular scrutiny, after he contributed 11 expensive and wicketless overs to the 239-run defeat in the first Test at Lord’s. He contributed little with the bat either, and could come under pressure to retain his place as the series progresses.”It’s at times like that when you think, ‘If this is what people think, bugger them’. I am fighting a losing battle here,” added Giles. “But then the other part of you says, ‘Sod them, I’ll get on with it.'”

Hampshire Second XI reached the final of the ECB Second XI Trophy for the fourth time in five seasons when they defeated neigbours Sussex 2nd XI by 41 runs at The Rose Bowl today (Monday).Skipper Will Kendall chose to bat first on a hot day after winning the toss, and despite losing his own wicket early, saw his side get off to a flying start. James Hamblin (56), Greg Lamb (53) and Lawrence Prittipaul (37) brought them to 153 for 3, but the home side could not sustain this rate as wickets fell at regular stages when stability was needed. Just 72 more runs were scored for the loss of 7 wickets, with Michael Yardy Sussex’s left arm seamer being the pick of the visiting bowlers with four wickets.Both Sussex openers Neil Turk and Chris Mole were out cheaply and it took two experienced heads to steady the innings. Carl Hopkinson and Bas Zuiderent saw them safely to 97, and seriously in with a chance of victory, but, as with Hampshire wickets fell steadily, losing their 7 wickets for just 53 runs to give Hampshire the comfortable winning margin of 41 runs.Lawrence Prittipaul and Greg Lamb took three wickets a piece, but a great feature of the performance was the fielding of this young side. “This has been a feature of the whole run in this competition,” said veteran scorer Tony Weld.Hampshire 2nd XI will meet Warwickshire 2nd XI in the Final on September 8th at The Rose Bowl.

Division One

Points TableOn the first day of Glamorgan’s match against Gloucestershire, a century by Daniel Cherry was of little consolation to the Welsh county, who were relegated to Division Two. Middlesex only needed one point to force Glamorgan, who lie at the bottom of the first Division, to the second Division. Despite this news, which came at midday, Glamorgan’s batsmen managed 350 for 8, thanks to Cherry who was unbeaten on 152. Mark Hardinges and Malinga Bandara each took three wickets for Gloucestershire.Jonathan Trott’s third century of the season gave Warwickshire a decent start to their match against Division One leaders Sussex, but only two of their batsmen made substantial contributions. Trott, who was unbeaten on 130, formed the bedrock of Warwickshire’s innings. Yet despite his knock, and 69 from Nick Knight, there was little of any substance from the rest of Warwickshire’s batsmen. James Kirtley was the pick of Sussex’s bowlers with 3 for 71 from 20 overs.Rain continued to thwart Middlesex’s game against Kent, but there was enough play to see Owais Shah go through to his sixth hundred of the season after being dropped when he had not added to his overnight 34. Earlier, Ed Smith failed to add to his overnight score of 40 as he fell to Amjad Khan, and Khan struck again soon after to remove Ed Joyce for 12. Shah found a willing partner in Paul Weekes, and together they put on 138 for the fourth wicket, to leave the visitors on 297 for 5 at stumps.Surrey made up for lost time in their match against Hampshire, by scoring at over four an over in rattling up 378. There were a pair of 70s for Scott Newman and Mark Butcher, Newman’s 71 coming from just 65 balls. Jonathan Batty then struck a hundred around which his team built a solid total. However, wickets continued to tumble as Hampshire bowled Surrey out, with James Bruce taking 3 for 82. Mohammad Akram then struck in Hampshire’s reply, to leave the visitors struggling on 13 for 2, 365 runs behind.

Division Two

Points TableA partnership of 249 between Mal Loye and Stuart Law gave Lancashire control, on the first day of their match against Worcestershire. Loye, who struck an unbeaten and magnificent 170, and Law, with a brisk 143, dominated the day and rescued Lancashire when they were tottering on 63 for 2. They got off to the worst possible start when their captain, Mark Chilton, was dismissed by the Australian Matthew Mason for a first-ball duck. Although they lost Law, whose 143 came from 189 balls, shortly followed by Andrew Symonds, Loye then combined with Marcus North in a partnership worth 69. Lancashire finished on 388 for 4.Essex and Somerset were again frustrated by the rain at Colchester, but did at least manage 70 overs in which Essex reached 220 for 5. Will Jefferson was the mainstay of the innings with a knock of 93, before becoming the first of two quick wickets for Ian Blackwell. Ronni Irani clobbered four sixes and three fours in his unbeaten 43, before a torrential downpour left the ground underwater.Only 14 overs were possible at Grace Road on another frustrating day for Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. Put into bat by Northants, Leicestershire’s openers made 29 without alarm, with Darren Robinson unbeaten on 11 and John Maunders reaching 15.Durham lost Paul Collingwood, who failed to add to his overnight score of 33, and Mike Hussey in quick succession on a rain-affected day at Scarborough against Yorkshire. Despite the early losses, Gordon Muchall, who struck 42 and Dale Benkenstein, with 59, consolidated in an unbeaten partnership worth 108. Durham ended the day on 260 for 3.

M Baladitya, a wing commander in the Indian Air Force, was appointed media manager of the Indian team for the one-day international series against Sri Lanka and South Africa. Baladitya had been the co-coordinator of the team during the home series against Pakistan.SK Nair, the secretary to the Indian board, told reporters, “Baladitya will look after the media interests of both teams, India and Sri Lanka, as the touring side does not have a media manager. If any assistance is required by the Sri Lankan team, he would help them. As no administrative manager of the Indian team has been appointed this time, he will also do his duty, though we have appointed AV Jagatnath as the coordinator”. Baladitya and Jagatnath will be travelling with the Indian team for all the one-day internationals. Nair added that, as usual, one local manager for each team will be appointed at every venue.Speaking to Rediff on whether his appointment would see an end to planned leaks to the media from the dressing room, Baladitya said: “That I cannot say. I will try my best to keep the media informed as much as possible. Even during matches I will move around and keep giving them required information. The basic intention of appointing a media manager is to keep the players away from the distraction of the media”.