With the Indian Premier League just days away from its launch, followed immediately by the conclusion of the Indian Cricket League’s second season, Twenty20 cricket has caught on like a virus. Sri Lanka will have its own version with its inaugural six-team inter-provincial tournament scheduled to take off on Thursday.With the national team away in the Caribbean, and a few seniors set to take part in the IPL, the tournament has opened the doors for many budding cricketers trying to make their mark at this level. The inter-provincial limited overs series which was held in December and January was, however, fortunate to have the full contingent of national players.Jehan Mubarak and Kaushalya Weeraratne will have big shoes to fill when they lead Kandurata and Wayamba respectively, which shared the inter-provincial limited-overs title. Weeraratne will be taking over from Kumar Sangakkara and Mubarak from Mahela Jayawardene. With the unavailability of Chaminda Vaas, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya (all to IPL) Basnahira North will be led by Thilina Kandamby, Basnahira South by Prasanna Jayawardene and Ruhuna by Indika de Saram respectively.However for the first two matches on April 17 and 18, both Mubarak and Weeraratne will not be available due to their commitments in the West Indies. In their absence, Wayamba will be led by Jeevantha Kulatunga and Kandurata by Thilan Samaraweera as the province’s vice-captain Chamara Kapugedera is also in the Caribbean. In addition, Ajantha Mendis, Mahela Udawatte and Ishara Amerasinghe (all Wayamba), Thilan Thushara (Kandurata), Nuwan Kulasekera (Basnahira North), Upul Tharanga (Ruhuna) who are all also in the Caribbean, will miss the first two games as they are due to return only on April 18.One unique feature is the introduction of a Schools Invitation XI, led by Dinesh Chandimal, which comprises as many as eight of the 14 cricketers who represented Sri Lanka in the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. Ashan Priyanjan, Thisara Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne and Sachith Pathirana – four from the World Cup squad – have been included in the Ruhuna, Wayamba and Kandurata teams.Sidath Wettimuny, the Inter-provincial committee chairman, said there would be mixed reactions to exposing a Schools XI to Twenty20 cricket, but reasoned that it would expose them to the domestic level and give an opportunity to play under pressure against the best cricketers in the country.Each team will play five matches in the first round before which the top four teams qualify to play in the Super Four round on a league basis. The top two teams in the Super Four will qualify for the final, whcih carries prize money worth Rs 2,250,000. The losing finalist will receive Rs 1,125,000.The Man of the Tournament carries prize money worth Rs 50,000 while the Man of the Final gets Rs 25,000.
The Gulf News reports that a ten-team tournament will be held in Fujairah between June 21 and August 2.Called the Crown Prince Cup, the event will feature four teams from Fujairah and six from other emirates. Matches will be played under Twenty20 rules.”More and more UAE nationals are having a growing interest in cricket, so I can promise you that in the future there will be a UAE cricket team with 100% Emirati representation, “Sultan Saif Al Samahi, Chairman of Fannan Sports and Cultural Club, said. “Of course, youth form Fujairah will get their chance in that dream”.”This is a chance to mingle with different communities such as the Indian, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis, who have a great passion for the game,” Ahmad Ebrahim Saif, chief coordinator for the tournament, said. “We are sure that, during and after the tournament, there will be more UAE nationals who will find this game very interesting.”Matches will take place at the Municipality Cricket Ground and at the cricket ground of the Fujairah Indian School.
Bangladesh have named Saqibul Hasan and Forhad Reza, two young allrounders, in their 15-man squad for the tour of Zimbabwe and Kenya following outstanding performances with the youth teams over the past year.Hasan is a left-arm spinner and a middle-order batsman who had an outstanding season with the Bangladesh under-19 squad and is currently with the A squad in Zimbabwe. Reza, a middle-order batsman and a seam bowler, was the top-scorer in last year’s domestic league.Faruq Ahmed, the chief selector said: “They are very good cricketers in all departments of the game. We have high hopes from them and it’s time for them to perform at the international level.”Tushar Imran, the middle order batsman with 35 ODIs under his belt and the left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak were dropped from the side that also sees the return of Mushfiqur Rahim, the U-19 captain. Bangladesh, who beat Kenya 4-0 in a one-day series at home earlier this year, will leave for Nairobi on July 16.They will play three one-day matches against Kenya on July 19, 22 and 23. Habibul Bashar’s team will also play five one-dayers against Zimbabwe starting on July 29.Squad Habibul Bashar (capt), Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriar Nafees, Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar, Aftab Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Farhad Reza, Saqibul Hasan, Alok Kapali
ScorecardThe Titans made short work of the 86 required for the win over theWarriors in East London, and in the process they jumped to the top of the table with a lead of 8.32 points over nearest rivals the Dolphins. Brent Kops was the only wicket taker in the Titans’ second innings, with Dale Steyn taking the Man-of-the-Match honours for his 10 wickets in the match. Scorecard
In Cape Town, Western Province Boland collapsed from their overnight 205 for 5 to be bowled out for 239 in their second innings, setting the Eagles a target of 131. Roger Telemachus, who took two of the wickets to fall, ended with 4 for 40.An early scare for the Eagles, who lost three wickets for 30, was righted by Boeta Dippenaar and Morne van Wyk as they took the score to 109 before van Wyk departed for 38. A further wicket was lost, but by that time the target was well in reach. Dippenaar reached 56 as the Eagles won by five wickets. The third loss for WPBOL leaves them languishing at the bottom of the table. ScorecardWith no likelihood of any result in Durban, the umpires and captains called the game off early as the Dolphins led by 111 with four first innings wickets still standing. The Lions can blame themselves for the result, after batting for two days before declaring and in the long run they lost out by 1.24 bonus points on the Dolphins. The highlight of the Dolphins innings was 106 not out from LanceKlusener, who played a more sedate innings than he is used to. Doug Watson claimed the Man-of-the-Match award with his 92 while Hashim Amla continued showing the prolific form that he is in by rolling off another 50.
Stephen Fleming, New Zealand’s captain, has slammed the format of the NatWest Series, saying that it is unfair to expect top international teams to play back-to-back matches.The tight ten-match NatWest Series schedule means that 10 matches are played in 17 days, with back-to-back games on successive weekends. The visiting sides almost always draw the short straw and have a double-header over one of the weekends, while England play only the once with time to rest between matches.”I’m not happy full stop with back-to-back games. I’ve strongly stated that for some time," Fleming told reporters after the first game in the series at Old Trafford was abandoned. “The fact that it is the case in this tournament so be it, now is not the time to complain about it. But on principle, looking further ahead, I don’t think they should play a part because I don’t think it is realistic to expect high-class performances during a whole weekend.”Two teams do it and it tends to be one team that misses out. I’m strongly in favour of the scheduling having at least one day, even three days in between games. That’s just to make sure the paying public get the opportunity to see athletes at their best, not those that have had a big day before and are trying to repeat that which can be quite tough over 100 overs.”
Frizzell County Championship Division OneEssex v Surrey Scorecard Before this season Martin Bicknell had made just one first-class century. In the first month of this season he’s already made two – perhaps he’s despaired of getting back into the England side as a bowler, and is gunning for Andy Flintoff’s allrounder spot. Today he cracked 117 not out, with 13 fours and a six, building on the rescue act started by Graham Thorpe – celebrating his return to action with a gritty 52 – and Azhar Mahmood (77). By an early close Surrey had reached 337 for 8 from 90 overs. Graham Napier, another allrounder with England aspirations, took 4 for 73.
Leicestershire v Middlesex Scorecard Leicestershire will have been glad of the rain that caused a premature end at Grace Road – they had slumped to 19 for 3 in the gloom, losing Rob Cunliffe and Darren Maddy for ducks and Virender Sehwag for 10. Earlier Maddy had been an unlikely hero with the ball, wobbling it around at medium-pace and taking 5 for 49. Middlesex had been in trouble themselves, at 93 for 7, but recovered to 201 all out, with Ashley Noffke top-scoring with a forthright 40 from No. 9. He put on 53 with Paul Weekes (29) and 49 more with Chad Keegan (32).Sussex v Nottinghamshire Scorecard Richard Montgomerie’s first century of the season took Sussex to 330 for 5 on the traditionally run-filled pitch at Horsham. Montgomerie hit 14 fours on his way to 105, and shared stands of 87 with Murray Goodwin (38) and 123 with Tony Cottey (58). Stuart MacGill, Nottinghamshire’s Australian legspinner, did most of the bowling, and finished with 3 for 96 from 29 overs.Warwickshire v Kent Scorecard A short day at Edgbaston – only 51.5 overs before the rain set in. In that time Warwickshire recovered from 6 for 3 – Michael Powell and Mark Wagh both went to Martin Saggers for ducks – to reach 195 for 7. The innings of the day was a rapidfire 120 from Jim Troughton, who belted 21 fours and a six in his 131-ball stay.Frizzell County Championship Division TwoDurham v Derbyshire Scorecard Durham batted consistently in reaching 296 for 6 in the 95 overs possible at the Riverside. Jonathan Lewis (52) and Martin Love (54) added 103 for the second wicket before three batsmen were out with the score at 137. But then Gary Pratt (62) and Vince Wells (61*) put on 126. Graeme Welch was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 53. There was drama even before the start, as Chris Bassano fell ill after the teams had been nominated. Lewis, Durham’s captain, sportingly allowed Derbyshire to replace him (with Steven Selwood), earning himself a pat on the back for the ECB for upholding the spirit of cricket.Hampshire v Somerset Scorecard An unbeaten century by Jamie Cox was the cornerstone of Somerset’s solid score of 224 for 6 on an abbreviated first day at the Rose Bowl. Somerset dipped to 30 for 3 after two early strikes from the lofty Chris Tremlett, but Cox, who has faced 236 balls already, hung on. Wickets went down regularly at the other end until Keith Dutch (30*) stopped the rot. He and Cox have so far put on 62 for the seventh wicket.Worcestershire v Gloucestershire Scorecard Only 29.1 overs at New Road, where Worcestershire, put in, made their way to 72 for 4. There were two wickets for Jonathan Lewis (including the dangerous Graeme Hick for 20) and one apiece for Mike Smith and the New Zealander Ian Butler.Yorkshire v Glamorgan Scorecard Another truncated day at Headingley: this time only 63 overs were possible, during which time Yorkshire staggered to 190 for 9. Gary Fellows hung on for 53, in 103 balls, but otherwise Glamorgan’s pace bowlers held sway – Michael Kasprowicz finished with 4 for 47. India’s Yuvraj Singh, making his Yorkshire debut, fell to him for 11.Other MatchDurham UCCE v Lancashire Scorecard Consistent batting from the Durham students lifted them to 285 for 6 before rain brought a slightly early close at the Racecourse Ground. The opener Simon Hawk – one of those rare birds with four initials – made 59 and David Brown 41 against an unfamiliar-looking Lancashire attack. Chris Schofield, who three years ago was preparing to make his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s, took 3 for 37 from 24 tight overs of legspin.
Having been given the perfect platform to build a monumental innings, Surrey squandered the opportunity with a performance which totally lacked application.After losing their second wicket on 171 with Ian Ward falling lbw to Matthew Hoggard for a patient, three-hour 63, they lost their next three wickets rapidly to be reduced to 222 for five.The damage was inflicted by off-spinner Andy Gray, an Australian with a British passport who had been playing club cricket for Scarborough and has impressed enough to be included for his second Cricinfo Championship match in addition to a few one-dayers.Gray produced an inspired ten-ball spell which brought him three wickets for one run. He had Adam Hollioake caught at short mid-wicket, driving uppishly, then two overs later, took a return catch from Ally Brown and bowled Alec Stewart for a first-ball duck.Mark Ramprakash with his fifth first-class half-century this season steadied the innings. Having been dropped on one by Gray off Matthew Hoggard, he was not out on 53 along with Ben Hollioake whose 43 included six boundaries and two sixes. They saw Surrey to 291 for five at stumps, a lead of 56.The London side had been given a marvellous start by their opening batsmen Mark Butcher and Ward after dismissing Yorkshire in the first innings for 235.Butcher, who has been in excellent form both in international and domestic cricket this seaso,n continued his run spree with a brilliant knock which ended ten short of a well deserved century, ten minutes before tea, which was taken on 167 for one.Ward, playing an equally good innings although at a slower pace, was 61 not out at the end of the second session having reached fifty from 93 balls and hitting five boundaries. It was his first, first-class half-century in 24 innings, having hit fifty in early May at Northampton.He had shared a stand of 164 in 44 overs with Butcher whose fifty had come with some speed from only 54 balls and with the help of eight fours. None of the six bowlers used by Yorkshire was able to make an impression on him until Anthony McGrath, who top-scored for Yorkshire earlier, came on to bowl.He succeeded in getting the breakthrough, having Butcher caught at slip as he edged his drive. He had faced 153 balls with 52 of his runs coming from boundaries.Yorkshire had lost quick wickets in the morning session with the five remaining from overnight falling in just over an hour and a half’s play for the addition of 56 runs to the 179 that they scored on the first day.Ian Salisbury began the slide, taking the wicket of Richard Dawson in his first over without a run being scored and then in his fourth over he had Gray caught for three and Yorkshire were 197 for seven.It was then Saqlain Mushtaq’s turn to get among the wickets after his fine long spell yesterday without a dismissal. He sent back Simon Guy from a bat/pad catch without scoring ,despite facing 25 balls, and then trapped Steve Kirby, who had taken 30 balls to get off the mark, leg before wicket for two, from 49 balls.Yorkshire were 234 for nine and a run later the innings was wound up with Salisbury claiming his fourth victim, for 49, as Hoggard fell lbw.While wickets tumbled at the other end, McGrath progressed confidently, taking his overnight 69 to an unbeaten 116, nearly half of his side’s total. It came from 272 balls and included 11 boundaries and the only six of the innings which he hit over wide mid-wicket off Saqlain whose two wickets today cost 24 runs.It had been a most responsible innings from McGrath, spanning nearly five and a half hours at a time when Yorkshire urgently needed it.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has stressed on the importance of starting well in the three-match one-day series against Zimbabwe. Mashrafe also said that Bangladesh had found ways to build partnerships even after losing wickets in the last 12 months.”I think all the fans will be expecting [a whitewash] but we the cricketers shouldn’t be doing that,” Mashrafe said. “The first match is going to be important, like it is in every series. In the last Zimbabwe series, we lost four early wickets in the first ODI. In our first match of the World Cup, we were 4 for 119 against Afghanistan. On both occasions Shakib and Mushfiq put together partnerships. People are most tensed in the first match and once it is over, the task becomes easier. At this moment the first match is significant to us.”Bangladesh’s ODI resurgence began with a 5-0 win against Zimbabwe in 2014, and it gained a massive boost when they beat Afghanistan in their World Cup opener earlier this year. Bangladesh have form on their side after having won the last four ODI home series in a row. Their combination, though, oscillates between playing eight batsmen and three specialist bowlers and seven batsmen and four specialist bowlers. In the absence of Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain, coupled with Mashrafe’s own fitness worries, Bangladesh are likely to fit in a three-man pace attack, taking out one of the top-order batsmen. If they go ahead with the two pace bowlers in Mashrafe and Mustafizur Rahman, they will look to Nasir Hossain to bowl ten overs.Pace has reaped reward for Bangladesh this year but spin has always worked well against Zimbabwe in these conditions, and Mashrafe has hinted that Bangladesh will go in with a spin-based attack.”We have to make the team thinking of the opposition’s weakness, as well as our strength,” Mashrafe said. “I like to combine these two factors. Our main goal is definitely to win but I feel right now it will be their weakness that will get more preference. The wicket is also a factor. We will also not like to play away from our strength.”Mashrafe conceded that the team will miss Soumya Sarkar, who was ruled out on Thursday with a side strain, but his absence will open up chances for the likes of Imrul Kayes and Liton Das to make contributions in the top order.”The whole team will miss Soumya, who is not just a good cricketer but also a fine team-mate,” Mashrafe said. “He is a thrilling player, having made 80-odd in our last ODI. It isn’t great news that we are missing him. But Liton and Imrul now have the chance to do well.”
As per Claret & Hugh, there has been an exit update out of West Ham United involving left-wing back Arthur Masuaku as David Moyes makes a brand new transfer demand.
The Lowdown: Masuaku sidelined…
Masuaku, unable to show glimpses of last season’s brilliant form, has only managed four Premier League starts all campaign under Moyes with the Congolese ace’s fitness issues becoming a cause for concern.
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According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, as transcribed by FootballFanCast, the defender has been suffering with an ongoing knee injury which West Ham believe is caused by playing on hard pitches.
This comes after Masuaku underwent knee surgery in late 2020 to correct a pain in that area which has been troubling him for two years, yet now it seems the problem hasn’t gone away.
The Latest: Moyes makes new transfer demand…
According to C&H, as Moyes makes a brand new transfer demand to West Ham, with the Scotsman now actively seeking a left-winger, this ‘could well spell the end’ for Masuaku.
Indeed, as per the insider, West Ham’s boss now feels that a new natural left-footer is required on that side after Pablo Fornals’ fine display there against Wolves.
The Verdict: Correct call?
Despite turning it on in glimpses since his move to east London, with Irons teammate Aaron Cresswell calling him a ‘fantastic player’, the time may well be here to back Moyes with a new left-winger.
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Masuaku’s injury record is a real concern at this stage and the Scotsman will need players who can shore up certain positions reliably – especially if West Ham qualify for next season’s Champions League.
In other news: ‘My understanding’ – West Ham transfer revelation now out of Rush Green involving ‘exceptional’ £37m star, find out more here.
Saturday April 19, 2008 Start time 15.00 local time (10.00 GMT)
The Big Picture
The series predictably stands at 4-0 with Bangladesh perched on the edge of another series whitewash. They showed stiff resistance in the third match in Lahore, nearly upsetting the home side in a high-scorer, and in Multan, showed the hunger to bat out the 50 overs after tottering at 109 for 8 in the 29th over. These performances, however, weren’t enough to keep the series alive. Shakib Al Hasan’s batting has been their biggest gain but he has lacked support from an inconsistent top order.The series may be already in the bag for Pakistan, but they need one more win to break their existing 18-year-old record of ten consecutive victories. The dead rubber will be witnessed by the President Pervez Musharraf, and that should be an added incentive for the home team, who said before the series they wouldn’t settle for anything less than a 5-0 sweep.
Form guide – Pakistan
Last five matches – WWWWWPlayer to watch: Salman Butt has topped the run charts among both teams with 315 at an average of 78.25 which makes him the obvious trump card for Pakistan. The bowling may not be of the highest quality, but to his credit Butt has made the most of it. He has scored at a strike rate of 92, and Bangladesh have struggled to keep him in check. His last three knocks, all above 50, have been the deciding factors in Pakistan’s dominance.
Form guide – Bangladesh
Last five matches – WLLLLPlayer to watch: Shakib Al Hasan has run into some excellent form of late: before his 75 in Lahore, he had registered four single-digit scores in his previous games. Not the quickest of scorers, unlike his more flaboytant peers at the top, Shakib took the attack to Pakistan with a 73-ball knock that night and gave his side some hope of pulling off an upset. His 108 in Multan showed his determination to push the score to some respectability, when many would have imagined an early finish to the innings at 109 for 8. With 187 runs in four games, Shakib tops the table for the highest run-getter for Bangladesh.
Team news
With the series already in the bag, Pakistan are likely to give an opportunity to Naumanullah, the 32-year-old batsman who has been prolific in the domestic circuit but hasn’t played an international game yet. Wahab Riaz, the left-arm fast bowler, will play instead of Sohail Khan. Bangladesh are likely to play the same team which lost in Multan.Pakistan (likely) 1 Salman Butt, 2 Kamran Akmal (wk), 3 Mohammad Yousuf, 4 Shoaib Malik (capt), 5 Younis Khan, 6 Misbah-ul-Haq, 7 Naumanullah, 8 Shahid Afridi, 9 Mohammad Asif, 10 Wahab Riaz, 11 Umar Gul.Bangladesh (likely) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Junaid Siddique, 3 Aftab Ahmed, 4 Mohammad Ashraful (capt), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Mashrafe Mortaza, 8 Farhad Reza, 9 Dhiman Ghosh (wk), 10 Syed Rasel, 11 Abdur Razzak.
Pitch and conditions
The pitch looks like a typical subcontinent track which should offer plenty of runs. The captain winning the toss will want to bat first and put the runs on the board.
Stats and trivia
Pakistan need to one more win to register their 11th successive ODI victory, which will be a record for them.
Pakistan have dominated the day-night games at the National Stadium, winning five out of six games.
Mohammad Yousuf is the highest run-scorer at this venue for Pakistan, with 697 runs in 11 matches.
Quotes
“Winning is winning, it’s not in our hands who our opponents are.” Shoaib Malik“If we bat first and put up a total something like we posted in third game then we have a chance in the last match.” Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach