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Des Wilson, the chairman of the ECB’s corporate-affairs committee, has delivered a blunt attack on those calling for reform of the first-class game, warning them that if they couldn’t be positive then they should “keep off our pitch”.Wilson’s comments came in a speech to the First Class Forum at Lord’s, during which he announced the best attendance figures for seven years. Crowds were up by 38% for the Tests against Zimbabwe and South Africa, compared with those against Sri Lanka and India in 2002, he reported, while there was a 22% rise in attendances for the domestic season as a whole, boosted by the new Twenty20 Cup. The number of people attending County Championship matches was up from 505,202 to 530,938.But Wilson issued a warning to those insisting that the domestic game needed changing, accusing them of destabilising the sport by saying that a number of counties should be closed down. He said that would “not be a reform but a retreat”, and that the constant sniping risked undermining the ECB’s negotiating position on broadcasting rights.Wilson repeatedly highlighted the increase in attendances. “In commercial language, this is growth and growth is what every business and every business partner dreams of,” he said. “That is why we object to the persistent talking-down of our negotiating position in relation to broadcasting rights.”The so-called reformers tell us we should be businesslike in the way we run cricket. But what other business has to endure those who claim to be its friends going out into the marketplace day after day talking down its value? I say to the ‘reformers’, this is our business. If you can’t be positive, keep off our pitch.”They’re advocating voluntary euthanasia when what the game really needs is an injection of confidence in its inherently good health,” he continued. “We need a winning England to fly the flag for the game, to win converts and make money, but all for a greater purpose: to revive and drive forward our game.”This is not Australia or South Africa, where a much smaller population is concentrated in relatively few places. We should not preserve the counties out of nostalgia for yesterday but because we need them today.”

Andy Blignaut, the Zimbabwean allrounder, has got his hunger back and is now looking to feast on Australia’s batting order. He went into a self-imposed 14-month exile from cricket until a year ago after a furious spat with Zimbabwe’s cricketing authorities.With the dispute firmly consigned to history, Blignaut is now relishing the prospect of Zimbabwe’s first Test against Australia in Australia. “I had a bit of a problem with some of the admin people, and people around me and I was not then really focussed on the game at that point, so I thought it was better just to step back for a while,” he explained on Friday.”That is well behind me now, and I am itching to bowl at the Australian batsmen,” he said after a training session with team-mates ahead of next month’s two Test series. “I have recaptured the hunger.”Blignaut has already made a promising comeback after his stay away from the game, showing good touch as an allrounder in the World Cup and in a Test series in England earlier this year.”I think that Australian pitches could be quite good for my type of bowling,” he said. “Australian pitches are bouncier, and I certainly like that. But bowling really goes to basics. You have to keep the ball in the right area and give yourself the best chance. The Australian top order is very strong, but if you get the ball on the spot it takes the ball to move only about two inches (5cm) and your luck can be in.”Blignaut will open the bowling with Heath Streak. “Obviously, if we cannot perform well, there will be a lot more pressure on the guys who have to back us up,” he said. “It is up to us to do the job. It is a privilege to play with a guy of Heath’s calibre. I especially like to play against the Australians. It’s a great challenge, and it gets the adrenaline going.”Bruce Reid, Zimbabwe’s bowling coach, has been impressing on his charges theimportance of length on Australian pitches. “He has emphasised the importance of getting the batsmen to play as much as possible,” said Blignaut. “He has taught us a lot — we just have to keep it in the head and carry it out on the field.”

Graeme Smith, South Africa’s captain, has fractured the middle finger on his right hand, but is expected to be fit for the Test series against West Indies next month.Smith injured his finger when attempting to take a catch off his own bowling during a match between Western Province and the Highveld Strikers.”It is an innocuous, undisplaced fracture and is not to serious,” said Shane Jabaar, Western Province’s physio. “There is a fair amount of swelling and bleeding underneath the nail but he has no problem bending the finger and it is unlikely to get any worse. The only thing that would prevent him from playing would be the pain.”Smith has been fitted with a splint to protect the finger and it is unsure whether he will play in this Friday’s Standard Bank series match against Border.West Indies, currently touring Zimbabwe, play their first Test in South Africa on December 12 at Johannesburg.

Close Victoria 348 for 5 (Hodge 153*, Harvey 54*) lead Indians 266 for 9 dec by 82 runs
Scorecard

The Indians got an early taste of what might be in store for their bowlers over the next couple of months, as Victoria cruised to 348 for 5 at close of play on the second day of the warm-up match at Melbourne, a first-innings lead of 82. Brad Hodge led the way, hammering an unbeaten 153, while Matthew Elliott, Jonathon Moss and Ian Harvey all chipped in with useful contributions. Earlier, the Indians had declared at their overnight total of 266 for 9.The Indian bowlers did a decent job at the start of the day, keeping the scoring rate down to around two an over, but lost their way after lunch as Hodge cut loose. He, and most of the Victorian batsmen, were especially severe on Harbhajan Singh, for whom it was a nightmare start to the tour. Touted as one of the main wicket-taking options for India on this tour, Harbhajan was anything but threatening as he repeatedly pitched it short and was spanked square of the wicket on the off side. And when he attempted to flight the ball, most of the batsmen were prepared to use their feet and play attacking strokes.After Ashish Nehra gave the Indians an early wicket, having Jason Arnberger caught by Rahul Dravid at slip for 8 (21 for 1), Elliott and Hodge stitched together a fine 64-run stand. Harbhajan broke that partnership when Elliott edged a catch to Sadagoppan Ramesh at silly point, but then came the most productive period for Victoria, as Hodge and Moss pummelled an increasingly lacklustre Indian attack.The pair had added 107 off just 22 overs when the Indians got the breakthough in bizarre fashion. Harbhajan, back into the firing line after a brief respite, flighted one which was driven back to the bowler by Moss, who, for some reason, continued to advance down the pitch. Harbhajan flung the ball back at the stumps leaving Moss stranded (192 for 3). Moss made 42.

David Hussey (21) continued the assault on Harbhajan, though, advancing down the pitch to hit a couple of fours and a six over long-on. Nehra, the best of the three seamers, forced Hussey to edge a catch to slip, and when Andrew McDonald was trapped in front by Harbhajan, Victoria had suddenly lost two wickets in five balls (232 for 5).All hopes of an Indian fightback were quickly scotched as Hodge and Harvey then put together the second century partnership of the innings. Hodge slowed down considerably after reaching his hundred, which came off just 138 balls. Harvey started slowly, then picked up momentum with some booming hits, including the obligatory six off Harbhajan.After some woefully inaccurate stuff, Harbhajan seemed to find better rhythm in the final session, but by now Hodge and Harvey had turned their attention to the Indian seamers. Balaji, especially, lost both his line and length and was carved away for boundaries square of the wicket on both sides. With a healthy lead already in the bag, Victoria have an opportunity to pile on some more quick runs and then ask some questions of the Indian batting on the final day.

Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting continued their remarkable run of form in 2003, as Australia returned to something like their best form on the second day of the Melbourne Test. Neither man though was taking anything for granted, not after the manner in which India had stormed back at Adelaide after being under the cosh for most of the first two days.”It was a very satisfying day all round,” said Ponting, whose unbeaten 125 took him to 1340 runs for the year. “We had identified the first session as one of the biggest in the series for us. We didn’t have much luck yesterday and we put a couple [of catches] down, which never helps. Sehwag played beautifully as well. We hung in there, but we know that we need three more good days to win this match.”Hayden, who now has three successive hundreds at the MCG, said it was an awesome place to play cricket, with bumper crowds cheering all the way. He admitted though that it was no stroll in the park. “We had to work hard early, but once you get in, the game tends to open up. It’s a rewarding place to play cricket.”Hayden said the Adelaide debacle, when Australia batted in shockingly cavalier fashion on the fourth afternoon, had receded into the background after today’s display. “We’ve put that behind us now. We needed a big partnership to get back in the hunt after a tremendous bowling performance in the morning. Punter [Ponting] and I bat really well together. On this wicket, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself … it’s hard to play square-of-the-wicket shots. Ricky tends to play straight and he also pulls, which is very similar to the way I play.”Ponting also spoke of Adelaide, saying, “It hurt us. The environment in the dressing room afterwards was very different. There were two sessions of play on the fourth day where the Test was lost, and we knew we’d let ourselves down.” But he added that his brilliant 242 at the Adelaide Oval hadn’t influenced the way he played this innings. “I don’t look back too much at all. I didn’t think of Adelaide at all.”

Neither man was too interested in the run aggregates for the year, though Ponting raised a laugh or two when he said, “Stephen [Waugh] told me I was level with Mark [on 20 Test hundreds] when I walked back in. It’s been a good year so far, and hopefully it will get better.”For India, the talking point was Zaheer Khan’s fitness, or lack of it. Rahul Dravid said he was fit enough to play when the team was announced, but that he had felt a twinge in his hamstring the fourth or fifth over he bowled in the morning. “He showed character to stay on and keep bowling,” he said. “It is a slight worry though, but he knew he had to keep going today.”Dravid accepted that India had had a “tough day”. “We didn’t bat well,” he said. “We had a great platform but we couldn’t build on it. It was a combination of poor shots and them putting the ball in the right areas. From 278 for 1, we should have done much better.”Of Ponting and Hayden, he said, “They showed why they’re two of the best in the world at the moment. It was a tough day for them yesterday and a tough one for us today. You shouldn’t forget that we’re playing a very good side.”Dravid brushed off suggestions of a momentum shift, saying, “We didn’t have momentum the first two days at Adelaide either. I’m not a big believer in that. We showed some spirit today, and we just have to come back and try our best tomorrow.”Ponting said that Zaheer’s injury was a big blow for India. “He was bowling well within himself. It’s a good sign for us. They capitalised on the mistakes we made yesterday and now it’s up to us to take advantage of some good fortune.”Tomorrow, all that will most likely be relegated to a snippet, as the headline writers gear up for the next instalment of Australia’s favourite ongoing soap opera, the Steve Waugh retirement show. There’ll be enough and more red rags on show…thank heavens we’re not in Pamplona for the running of the bulls.

Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, known universally as Venkat, is to retire from the elite panel of international umpires during the forthcoming Test series between Sri Lanka and Australia. Venkat’s final match in charge will be the second Test at Kandy, which starts on March 16.Venkat, whose involvement in international cricket spans nearly 40 years, made his umpiring debut in India’s 1992-93 home series against England, and will have stood in 75 Tests and 52 ODIs by the time he finally bows out. Prior to that, he played 57 Tests and 15 ODIs as a member of India’s famous quartet of spinners, alongside the likes of Bishan Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar.He played his first Test aged 19, against New Zealand in 1964-65, and after an on-off career, finally bowed out at the age of 38 against Pakistan in 1983-84. He was India’s captain for five matches, including four on the 1979 tour of England.Malcolm Speed, the chief executive of the ICC, said that Venkat would be recognised as one of the outstanding umpires to have stood in international cricket. “Venkat came to umpiring after a terrific career as a player, administrator and media commentator,” said Speed. “He has stood the test of time in an exceptionally demanding profession.”He has seen international cricket and international cricket umpiring undergo extraordinary change,” Speed added, “and has stood up to the scrutiny that now comes with being involved in the game at the elite level. His integrity and passion for cricket are of the highest order and he has helped ensure that the spirit of the game remains intact for those that will follow.”Under the two-tiered panel system used to appoint international umpires, Venkat may yet be able to move back to the secondary panel of umpires, from which the respective boards choose who stands in home ODIs. But he has yet to confirm whether he wishes to make himself available.In Venkat’s career, he has also taken on the roles of Indian team manager, secretary of the Tamil Nadu cricket association, national selector, newspaper and magazine columnist and expert TV commentator, as well as acting as an international match referee in both Test and ODI matches.

Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain and serial Warne-baiter, haslabeled Shane Warne as a potential liability for the forthcoming Test seriesagainst Sri Lanka and described Australia’s current team as “unimpressive.”In an interview with Australia newspapers, Ranatunga, now a politician,believes Sri Lanka’s batsmen have little to fear if, as expected, Warne isnamed in Australia’s Test squad on Friday for the first time since aone-year drugs ban.”I feel that they will struggle, especially under these conditions,”Ranatunga is quoted as saying. “The present Australian team areunimpressive, when you look at the teams they used to have with the Waughsand Glenn McGrath.””Sri Lankan sides are quite good with spin … and Warne might have anissue here. Warne has been out a long time and he might struggle to getthrough the Sri Lankan batting line-up.” Ranatunga added, “The Australianspin attack is not impressive at all when you see that we have Muraliand others on our side.”Ranatunga had made a pastime out of baiting Warne ever since, on the eve ofthe 1999 World Cup, Warne suggested that the Sri Lankan team would be betteroff without Ranatunga.Ranatunga urged Sri Lanka’s current team to stand up to Australia in thefield. “I don’t know about this team but we used to feel when we gave it[verbally] back to the Australians they would crumble. I was one person whowas always against sledging but that was how it seemed. I’m not sure whatthis [Sri Lankan] team will do.”

Group A
ScorecardEven though Australia beat Sri Lanka by two runs in a thrilling finish at Rajshahi, it was not enough to take them through to the Super League.Australia finished level on points with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, but an inferior net run rate meant that they ended up third in the group, and will now compete for the Plate Championship.Another sell-out crowd was treated to a fascinating game that was only decided when Manoj Chanaka was caught off the first ball of the final over with Sri Lanka two runs short. However, in the grand scheme of things, that was meaningless, as after being put into bat and scoring 186 for 9 , Australia needed to restrict Sri Lanka to less than 98 to qualify.At one point, it looked like they were going to do it. Sri Lanka’s top four were all back in the pavilion with only 10 runs on the board as Gary Putland took three of these early wickets.However, Farveez Maharoof joined Kaushal Silva came together for Sri Lanka to steady things down and put them back on track. Scoring at little more than three an over, the pair carried Sri Lanka to safety.After the game, Maharoof, who was named man of the match, said, “It is very difficult to win if the top order don’t score any runs but I am pleased to have scored some runs and I hope we can play much better as a team in the Super League.”Meanwhile, Bennett King, Australia’s coach, praised his team for their attitude.”If our boys had performed the way they did today in the match against Zimbabwe then we would be going to Dhaka tomorrow,” he said. “But instead we are heading to Chittagong to play in the Plate.”

Nottinghamshire’s C&G Trophy game against Wiltshire has been switched to Trent Bridge after heavy rain prevented the tie being completed in the two days initially allocated.”The ECB recognised earlier this week that adverse weather looked likely to result in a number of matches failing to get under way and so approved an additional two reserve days for fixtures in this round," said David Collier, the Notts chief executive. “As a result, our game against Wiltshire will now be played at Trent Bridge on Monday, May 17, with the 18th held in reserve."He added, “We are extremely grateful for the foresight and flexible approach shown by the ECB in allowing this move and for the co-operation of our opponents. As a result of this agreement, cricket will be the winner and we look forward to welcoming Wiltshire to Trent Bridge.”

ScorecardMichael Papps did his chances of playing in next week’s opening Test at Lord’s no harm by scoring an impressive 126 against Kent at Canterbury. He put on an opening stand of 244 with Mark Richardson, who scored 92, as the New Zealanders closed a dominating day on 297 for 2.Papps had struggled earlier on in the tour, but he made a timely return to form, hitting 18 boundaries in his innings and mammoth stand with Richardson. He is expected to make way if Stephen Fleming, the captain, is fit to return to the team, but Papps made the most of two dropped slipped catches early on to post a big score. He survived a straightforward chance to Rob Ferley at second slip on 23, and then David Fulton put down a more difficult slice at first slip off Alamgir Sheriyar with Papps on 34.He and Richardson batted together for almost five hours until David Stiff, who bowled 20 no balls in the day, trapped Papps lbw (244 for 1), and then bowled Richardson shortly after (253 for 2).Those two wickets were welcome relief for Kent, but Nathan Astle and Scott Styris then cashed in on the platform set by Papps and Richardson. Astle, who edged his second delivery from Stiff and was dropped by Matthew Walker at second slip, hit a bright 32 not out, including seven fours, and Styris ended unbeaten on 14.