NZ A reach the final four in India

New Zealand A qualified for the semi-finals of the Coromandel King Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup in Hyderabad yesterday.The tourists claimed a 50-run win over South India Corporation Agencies (SICAL) by 50 runs in a rain-adjusted match.NZ A scored 258 runs in 49 overs. The feature of the innings was a 99-run third wicket stand between Chris Nevin and Glen Sulzberger, two players who will join the CLEAR Black Caps in Pakistan at the weekend.Nevin scored 73 from 74 balls, hitting 14 fours in his innings while Sulzberger scored 54.Adding support were Hamish Marshall who scored 47 from 54 balls and Jacob Oram who hit 34 from 41 balls.NZ A were looking at a huge score when reaching 161/3 in 30 overs, however, it lost wickets during the latter part of the innings.SICAL went out to a rain-reduced target of 234 in 40 overs but at 132/7 from 27 overs, the players were forced from the field by drizzle. When play resumed the target had been reduced to 213 in 34 overs, or an immediate target of 81 runs in seven overs.Indian international Robin Singh hit out and scored 55 not out from 65 balls.But an outstanding start by Chris Drum, who took four for 32 during the innings, had SICAL reeling at 19/3 and its task became all but impossible with the rain break.

Somerset Roll of Honour, 2001

Somerset County Cricket Club have produced a roll of honour for the 2001 season based upon the performances of all the teams that represent the county, right across the age groups.Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me: “We have produced a Roll of Honour this season because we think that it is important that all of our leading youth players feel that they are part of the county club. By linking their performances with the professionals the younsters can see how their achievements compare to other players in the club.”

BATTING HONOURS221 v Yorkshire M. Burns 1st XI186 v Essex J. Cox 1st XI175 v Leicestershire P. Trego 2nd XI174* v Essex R. Timms U16’s169 v Hampshire D. Cocks U16’s164 v Glamorgan P. Bowler 1st XI147 v Glamorgan M. Trescothick 1st XI142 v Glamorgan W. Durston 2nd XI139 v Northants K. Parsons 1st XI138 v Leicester P. Bowler 1st XI134 v Sussex G. Rose 2nd XI126 v Sussex J. Knott 2nd XI124 v Gloucester R. Timms U15’s123 v Gloucester L. Stokes U19’s122 v Northants M. Wood 1st XI122 v Northants I. Blackwell 1st XI121* v Surrey N. King U16’s121 v Glamorgan M. Trescothick 1st XI120 v Surrey I. Blackwell 1st XI119 v Worcester C. Hunkin 2nd XI118 v Essex K. Dutch 1st XI118 v Leicester M. Lathwell 2nd XI115 v Essex R. Turner 1st XI113 v Glamorgan M. Trescothick 1st XI113 v Northants L. Stokes U19’s112 v Gloucester M. Trescothick 1st XI110* v Northants G. Andrew U19’s111 v Devon L. Lewis U14’s111* v Oxfordshire J. Fear U12’s106 v Dorset J. Fear U12’s104 v Leicester P. Bowler 1st XI103 v Cornwall R. Timms U15’s103 v Northants I. Blackwell 1st XI102 v Glamorgan I. Blackwell 1st XI102 v Cornwall J. Fear U12’s102 v Dorset S. Green U17’s101 v Northants M. Burns 1st XI101 v Cambridge M. Lathwell 1st XIBOWLING HONOURS6-22 v Hampshire H. Livingstone U13’s6-40 v Northants K. Dutch 1st XI6-46 v Surrey J. Tucker 2nd XI6-54 v Leicester M. Burns 1st XI6-63 v Northants I. Jones 2nd XI5-16 v Dorset A. Grundy U15’s5-24 v Gloucester N. King U15’s5-33 v Hampshire M. Bulbeck 2nd XI5-40 v Essex R. Johnson 1st XI5-62 v Surrey R. Johnson 1st XI5-81 v Yorkshire A. Caddick 1st XI5-84 v Glamorgan A. Caddick 1st XI5-106 v Glamorgan R. Johnson 1st XI5-107 v Leicester R. Johnson 1st XI5-115 v Kent S. Jones 1st XI5-122 v Northants I. Blackwell 1st XI5-127 v Northants R. Johnson 1st XILEADING CENTURIONS IN ALL SOMERSET CRICKET WERE:-I. Blackwell 4M. Trescothick 4P. Bowler 3J. Fear 3R. Timms 3M. Lathwell 2M. Burns 2L. Stokes 2SOMERSET’S ENGLAND PLAYERS THIS YEAR WERE:-M. TrescothickA. CaddickR. JohnsonR. Timms U15’sM. Parsons U16’sTWO SOMERSET PLAYERS WERE ALSO SELECTED TO PLAY FORENGLAND IN THE HONG KONG SIXES:-R. JohnsonI. Blackwell

Play called off in tour opener

Umpires have called off play on the second day of New Zealand’s opening cricket tour match in Brisbane due to heavy rain.The tourists were hoping to resume at eight for 297 in their four-day opener against the Queensland Academy but the Allan Border Field was under water when the players arrived this morning.Ground staff attempted to soak up the surface water but play was officially abandoned for the day shortly before 12.30pm (AEST).The match will resume at 9.30 tomorrow morning, weather permitting, with New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming unbeaten on 133 and Daryl Tuffey not out12.

Pakistan Under-19 win one-day series

Pakistan Under-19 sealed the five-match one-day seriesagainst their Sri Lankan counterparts by taking anunbeatable 3-0 lead after winning the third game by 15 runsat Sheikhupura Stadium Saturday.Left-hander Kamran Sajid struck 61 off 76 balls with fourfours as Pakistan made 200 for nine in 45 overs afterwinning the toss, according to details available here.Enadulade Wijeratne claimed three for 46 and Sri Lankanskipper Dhammika Niroshan took two for 16.The tourists, in reply, were dismissed for 185 in 43.3 overswith Charith Fernando making 63 off 88 balls. His knock waslaced with four boundaries.Yasir Shah was Pakistan’s most successful bowler withfigures of three for 38. New ball pair Najaf Shah andMohammad Khalil chipped in with two wickets apiece whilegiving away 35 and 28 runs respectively.The final two matches are scheduled for Gaddafi Stadium inLahore.

Stead delighted the losing sequence has ended

Victory for Gary Stead’s Canterbury team against Otago at the Village Green in round two of the State Championship brought to an end a remarkable run for the side.It was their first win in 18 first-class games dating back to February 1999, when Craig Cumming, now with Otago, led Canterbury to a 302-run win over Northern Districts at WestpacTrust Park.Stead had his second triumph as a captain in his 26th game in charge of a Canterbury first-class team. He couldn’t remember the other win. “I’m sure I have. I would have been sacked by now if I hadn’t,” he joked.For the record, it was in 1995/96, also against Otago at Lancaster Park (now Jade Stadium). That day Stead’s team, which he was leading for a fourth time after three straight losses, was victorious by a five-wicket margin.Fittingly at the Village Green this week Stead’s 35 not out saw Canterbury home to a four-wicket triumph at 131/6 after the extra half-hour had been claimed on day three. It was Canterbury’s first win on their new ground at the eighth attempt.Stead told CricInfo, “I’m over the moon with it really. I thought throughout the three days we dominated things.””Day one maybe not as much as we would have liked after bowling Otago out for 214, but Michael Papps’ innings set up the game for us and set up a hundred run lead which was going to be crucial on a wearing wicket.”The 29-year old former Black Cap said, “It was getting low and I think Craig Pryor, David Sewell, Kerry Walmsley bowled into the wicket well, there was a little bit of inconsistent bounce at times and I suppose a little bit of nerves came into it from our guys. We haven’t been in this position for a while.”Showing visible signs of relief, he said, “Just to get that one under the belt I’m sure will be good for the future as well, just having that winning feeling. There’s a good feeling in our team and we’re playing some good cricket.””There’s a really good feeling in our team at the moment,” Stead commented on Canterbury’s resurgence in 2001/02.”I think the management last year had a slightly different style. Maybe (coach) Mike Sharpe and (manager) Grant McWhirter’s enthusiasm has added a little bit to the team. But the guys really want to do it for each other out there as well,” he said.”The effort that we put in with our pre-season training, our work in the nets, and our work before and after each game as well has been quite a thrill,” Stead concluded.Canterbury’s next game is on Monday at Gisborne against Northern Districts where Stephen Cunis is likely to replace Ryan Burson, who will be at a family wedding in Japan. Robbie Frew, who made 165 in a second team trial at the weekend may come in for Brad Doody at opener.

Umpire's concession saves Nash from stronger penalty

Dion Nash’s appeal against his three-game suspension has been denied by New Zealand Cricket’s national commissioner Nick Davidson.Nash will be banned from playing until January 3.Davidson said in his decision that Nash had been cautioned during play on the day previous to the incident in the State Championship Auckland-Otago game in Dunedin.Another warning was given to players on the morning of December 20.”The breaches followed such warning and involved two quite distinct acts,” Davidson commented.”The first was to employ some expression of ‘disappointment’, abusive in some way of the batsman. Whether the expression ‘f… off’ was then directed to the Umpire or batsman is uncertain.”For the player to tell an Umpire to ‘f… off’ would draw a very heavy penalty, well beyond the penalty imposed in this instance.”I have no reason to disbelieve Mr [Dave] Quested [umpire] but he made the very fair concession that the remark may have been directed at the batsman, which saves the player from a heavier penalty.”But this further remark when told that he would be reported, namely, ‘I don’t give a f…’ was contemptuous and dismissive of an experienced Umpire, simply doing his job. It was a complete refutation of his responsibilities as a senior player,” Davidson said.”He followed this up by speaking abusively to [Lee] Germon, accusing him of ‘cheating’ in a crude way. Any suggestion that such remarks directed at an opposition player are legitimate is rejected out of hand,” he said.Davidson said cricket continued to be sullied by overt breaches of the Code of Conduct.”All players throughout New Zealand have been advised that compliance with the Laws and the Code is expected, and respect for opponents, umpires and the game’s values are fundamental,” he said.Players had been made aware that precedents in rulings in earlier seasons would have little bearing on penalties for Code breaches this year.”In this case there were two distinct and serious breaches, involving abuse of another player, and a contemptuous attitude and response to an Umpire. They followed a warning,” Davidson said.”While the Association Commissioner’s Decision is at first sight firm, it cannot be described as severe or excessive and on close analysis I have concluded that it is entirely reasonable and would have been increased, were it not for Mr Quested’s very fair concession on appeal.”Dion Nash can count himself fortunate in that regard.”The directive from New Zealand Cricket is quite clear. A strong stand must be taken against conduct of this kind. The Association Commissioner’s decision reflects that,” he said.In finishing his finding, Davidson drew a line in the sand that will be applied for disciplinary matters in future.”Cricket involves strong contest, often between individual players.”Emotion and disappointment are normal responses. They are to be distinguished from personal abuse, dissent and contempt for umpires,” he said.

Experienced trio dropped as Tigers' selectors wield axe

Tasmania’s selectors have reacted to their team’s dismal recent form by swinging the axe today, dropping three of the state’s most experienced players from the side to play Queensland in a Pura Cup match in Hobart starting on Thursday.Opening batsman Dene Hills, upper order batsman Michael Di Venuto and all-rounder Shaun Young are the trio dumped from the side which lost to the Bulls by ten wickets inside two days in a match in Brisbane last month.All have been near-permanent fixtures in the state’s team for the last decade.Unusually, the starting eleven has been named three days ahead of the match, with left handed opener Scott Mason, all-rounder Scott Kremerskothen and left arm wrist spinner Shannon Tubb the new inclusions. Di Venuto has been named as twelfth man.Mason, who has been in sparkling form in club cricket and in ACB Cup competition, has already played once at Pura Cup level this season – scoring 30 as wickets tumbled on the opening day of the match against Victoria in Hobart in November.Kremerskothen returns to first-class cricket after being felled by a Stuart Clark bouncer and sustaining a fractured cheekbone in the state’s opening match of the season.Tubb, who has been in brilliant form for club side Clarence, has been included in the state squad for the first time this season. He last represented the Tigers in a Pura Cup match in Sydney nearly twelve months ago.The changes follow a disastrous run of results for Tasmania. After securing first innings points in their first-class opener in Sydney, and crushing Western Australia in a limited-overs in Perth the following week, the Tigers’ only other points in the two domestic competitions have come against Victoria.Queensland has meanwhile made one alteration to its squad, including young pace bowler Damien Mackenzie as cover for Michael Kasprowicz. Kasprowicz bowled only two overs in the Bulls’ 76-run ING Cup win in Hobart yesterday before leaving the field with slight soreness in his hamstring.Teams:Tasmania: Jamie Cox (c), Sean Clingeleffer, Michael Dighton, Shane Jurgensen, Scott Kremerskothen, Daniel Marsh, Scott Mason, David Saker, Shannon Tubb, Shane Watson, Damien Wright, Michael Di Venuto (12th man).Queensland: Stuart Law (c), Jerry Cassell, Joe Dawes, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Michael Kasprowicz, Martin Love, Damien Mackenzie, Jimmy Maher, Brendan Nash, Ashley Noffke, Clinton Perren, Wade Seccombe (12th and 13th men to be named).

Warne named as Australian vice-captain for VB Series match against New Zealand

Shane Warne has been named Australian vice-captain for the VB Series match against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday 17 January, it was announced today.Warne temporarily replaces Adam Gilchrist in the role after Gilchrist stepped down to spend time with his wife Melinda and new-born son Harrison. He is replaced in the side by Western Australian team-mate Ryan Campbell.32 year-old Warne, who is Australia’s leading wicket-taker in Tests and one-day internationals, was nominated for the position by the national selection panel of Chairman Trevor Hohns, Allan Border, David Boon and Andrew Hilditch.That nomination has been accepted by the Australian Cricket Board’s (ACB) Directors.It is a return to the vice-captaincy, albeit temporarily, for Warne, who previously held the position before Gilchrist took over for Super Challenge 2000 at Colonial Stadium in August 2000.Gilchrist will resume the role when he rejoins the squad, which is expected to be when it assembles in Brisbane on Friday ahead of the match against South Africa at The Gabba on Sunday 20 January.ACB Chairman Bob Merriman said: “The national selection panel recommended Shane’s temporary appointment for the match against New Zealand in the absence of Adam Gilchrist.”The Directors have agreed to that recommendation and we wish Shane and the rest of the Australian team all the best.”Shane Warne said: “It’s great to be back in the role as vice-captain, even if it is only temporary.”As it was when I was first appointed vice-captain, it is always an honour to be in a leadership role for Australia, especially when there are so many other candidates within the side.”When I was relieved of the vice-captaincy back in 2000, the ACB told me the door was not closed so it was great to be told the news I was appointed vice-captain for the upcoming match.”My job now is to give Stephen whatever support he needs as we look to get our first win on the board in this year’s VB Series.”As for the future, there is no point in looking too far ahead. As far as I’m concerned, Stephen Waugh and Adam Gilchrist are doing a great job as captain and vice-captain and I’m just filling in for this match, but it’s nice to know I’m still in the thoughts of the Board and the selectors down the track.”In Warne’s previous spell as vice-captain, he helped guide Australia to victory in the 1998/99 Carlton & United Series against England and Sri Lanka, filling in for much of that series as captain when Stephen Waugh was absent with a hamstring injury.Thursday’s match at the SCG is a sell-out, as are the matches on 20 January (Australia v South Africa at The Gabba) 22 January (Australia v South Africa at the SCG) and 8 February (second VB Series final at the SCG).Tickets for other matches in the VB Series are available from usual outlets.South Africa currently tops the VB Series ladder with eight points from two wins against Australia and New Zealand. The Black Caps are in second place after beating Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the opening match of the series.Australia is yet to record a win from two matches.The umpires for the Australia-New Zealand VB Series clash at the SCG are Simon Taufel and Bob Parry, with Darrell Hair the third umpire and Hanumant Singh, the former Indian Test batsman, the International Cricket Council’s match referee.The match is a day-night game starting at 1430.

Collingwood charm makes impact in England

England’s fighting recovery to peg a game back in the National Bank One-Day International series with New Zealand drew the plaudits of the British press today.Paul Collingwood’s effort in taking four wickets for 38 most captured the imagination.A sampling of the opinions follows:The Daily Telegraph: “When Paul Collingwood made his England debut against Pakistan last summer, many observers classified his medium-paced bowling under ‘cafeteria’ or, in other words, ‘help yourself’.”But while Collingwood’s little seamers may have served up a banquet for the Pakistan batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq in June, he certainly spoiled New Zealand’s appetite yesterday, taking four for 38 to maintain England’s interest in this series.”Collingwood’s decisive spell began when New Zealand were 128 for three, well-positioned to overhaul England’s painstaking total of 244 for five. Stephen Fleming and Lou Vincent were cruising along nicely in a half-century stand but, when Vincent drove a gentle out-swinger to backward point, a clatter of wickets helped the tourists ease home by 43 runs.”While New Zealand is known as the land of the long white cloud, it must also rate as the spiritual home of the trundling seamer. Wickets like yesterday’s toffee-coloured strip turn a lack of pace into a positive advantage, which may explain why the national one-day team used to base their attack around three bowlers nicknamed Dibbly, Dobbly and Wobbly.”Yesterday, though, Collingwood did more than just float the ball into the blockhole. He found prodigious swing in both directions, finding an excellent late in-ducker to pin Chris Harris in front. “I was surprised to see it doing so much when I came on,” he said afterwards, “but it’s certainly good news when it’s swinging at my pace.”The Guardian: “How transient can be success or failure in one-day cricket. How fickle the nature of the game. Two matches down in a five-match series and playing like dogs, England had been subjected to the sort of derision in New Zealand that usually greets them across the Tasman. The New Zealanders were rampant, it was said – and, indeed, they were playing superbly. Bring on Bangladesh. They will give England a decent game.”Well so much for form. England turned it on its head at McLean Park last night, overwhelming the Black Caps by 43 runs to keep the series alive and shut one or two rather loud mouths. England have won four of their past eight matches, New Zealand only two. Who then is playing more consistently?”The Times: “Just in time, England have caught up with the pace being set by their opponents. They kept their one-day series with New Zealand alive by means of a greatly improved all-round performance in this contented little city where the spirit of F. Scott Fitzgerald seems to linger over the art deco houses in the humid air of Marine Parade.”A few streets away at McLean Park the spectators were a good deal less sophisticated than the Great Gatsby and his friends but they had a happy evening in the way that small populations do when a big event comes to town. Happily for the series, if not for the New Zealand team and their supporters, the peculiar arts of one-day cricket were more decorously displayed on this occasion by England.”Resolute innings by their three best one-day batsmen, Nick Knight, Marcus Trescothick and Graham Thorpe, plus a fine spell of medium-paced swing bowling by Paul Collingwood, contributed to a hard-fought but ultimately satisfying win despite Stephen Fleming’s determined effort in response.”The Independent: “On Paul Collingwood’s arrival in New Zealand there was ugly gossip that customs officers took one look at his disembarkation card and laughed when they saw what was on the line marked for occupation. In the land of Chris Cairns they knew an all-rounder when they saw one.”Since last summer, when England first selected him, Collingwood has laboured under the unfortunate cricketing label. He had provided evidence of being an all-round cricketer in the sense that Les Dawson was an all-round entertainer. Collingwood bowled, Dawson sang, but neither of them got the notes in the right order.”Until yesterday, that is, in the case of Collingwood. He turned up at McLean Park under pressure for his place in the side, the batting having not gone too well lately either. In eight overs of slow medium pace – but, crucially, slow medium pace which swung – he took 4 for 38 and England won the third one-day international in the National Bank Series by 43 runs.”England won more comfortably than they might have expected. Their total of 244 after being put in was certainly adequate, but that did not make it unattainable. The side batting second had won seven of the last eight matches at the ground.”The Sun: “When skipper Nasser Hussain demanded a win, Collingwood was the man who swung it.”He also wobbled it, curved it and swerved it. The Kiwis simply had no answer to the movement he gained with his medium-pacers.”And, following laser surgery on his eyes in December, he was able to savour his triumph with perfect vision.”Collingwood revealed: “In Zimbabwe last October, I was struggling with my contact lenses because of the heat and dust.”‘So, before leaving for the one-dayers in India, I had the laser treatment. It was a complete success and I no longer need to wear contacts and I have 20-20 vision.'”Durham’s Collingwood was one of the England players under the microscope as the management assess the likely squad for next year’s World Cup.”But, being mainly a batsman, even he could not have expected to make such a persuasive case with the ball. He had THREE wickets in his previous 15 one-day internationals, now he has seven.”

Ian Blackwell reflects on his memorable year

Somerset all rounder Ian Blackwell just missed out on a place in the final Ashes Test, but at the end of the second day’s play at Sydney he reflected on the memorable year that he had just enjoyedHe told me: "A lot has happened for me in 2002 and it only feels likeyesterday since I was working in the office at the County Ground last winter answering the telephones and helping to sort out the membership forms."At the start of the year `Blackie’ set himself the tough target of playing for England and to help him to achieve this he embarked upon a pretty strict dietary and training regime.He continued: "Half of my goals have come true, a one day birth and I am delighted at my progress and achievements to date. To get selected for the World Cup in February in South Africa has really topped off a very successful year for me personally."Before he sets off for Africa with the rest of the squad of fifteen, England have the remaining matches of the triangular one day series to complete, with the next game being against Australia in Hobart on January 11th.`Blackie’ who has turned in some impressive performances with both bat and ball told me: "I’m hoping to achieve similar things in the second half of the VB series and help England get to the finals which is almost on now. Fingers crossed during the World Cup and I think we should do quite well in South Africa."He concluded: "I was very close to playing at Sydney but it didn’t materialise unfortunately but still it now gives me something extra to strive for, along with getting promotion for Somerset in 2003."

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