Worcestershire openers Philip Weston and Anurag Singh went some way towards wiping out Gloucestershire’s first innings total of 222 on a busy opening day at New Road.When light rain stopped play with 16 overs to bowl, they had put on an unbroken 84 to make the most of paceman Andy Bichel’s second demolition job on the West Country side this season.The Australian followed up a career-best 6 for 44 at Bristol in May by taking 6 for 54 on a pitch with plenty of seam movement and some disturbing lift.Bichel went without reward in his new-ball spell, and despite losing early wickets to Kabir Ali and David Leatherdale, Gloucestershire looked well-placed after a measured 54 by Kim Barnett.But Bichel came back shortly before lunch to land a double blow. In successive balls, Barnett drove to backward point and Mark Alleyne edged to wicket-keeper Steve Rhodes.Chris Taylor, with 50 from 85 balls, promised a recovery in the afternoon until Bichel and Stuart Lampitt accounted for Jeremy Snape and Ian Harvey in consecutive overs.Taylor then went to an edge off Kabir and Bichel later removed Jack Russell and James Averis in the space of three balls as Gloucestershire approached terminal decline at 183 for 9.But last man Ben Gannon helped put on a useful 39 as Martyn Ball attacked Bichel and eventually reached 45 from 60 balls with nine fours.The final act was almost bizarre. Gannon was badly dropped at square leg and took a single to bring Ball back on strike but he fell to a catch at second slip from Bichel’s next delivery.

The CLEAR Black Caps’ efforts in Sri Lanka, before last night’s reduced overs match, could have netted them four wins out of four but for two tight finishes against the Sri Lankans where the home side came out on top.These results, in the face of some severe sickness that seemed to affect half the team, has the Black Caps still in with a chance to take their place in the tournament final.On what seem to be some very low scoring wickets, the toss has played a very important part in these contests as the team winning the toss has some clear advantages, but that is all well and good because then the team has to make the most of the advantage.The Kiwi boys need to win their last game to make the final and, in spite of last night’s loss, I really think they can take this tournament.Instrumental in the series so far has been Dion Nash.It’s great to see him back and leading from the front.He is a class player and his form considering he has been out of top cricket for some time, is tremendous. His aggressive style is well known throughout the cricketing world and opposition teams know they have a battle on their hands when the name D Nash appears on the score sheet.Along with his skill, his off field contribution is just as big, as his astute reading of the game will no doubt be helping Stephen Fleming. I hear that Flem was hardest hit by the bug going around and I hope he has recovered well because I reckon he is due for a big score.Along with Dan Vettori, and the ever reliable Chris Harris, New Zealand has some experience and quality to call on. Throw in excellent performances from the two young men opening up the bowling in Tuffey and Mills and the NZ bowling attack is looking very competitive.I have been following the Black Caps recently on my lap top from South Africa. Hooked up to CricInfo’s superb ball by ball coverage means I can follow the fortunes of the guys all over the world.The reason I am currently in South Africa is to aid in my recovery from the knee surgery I had in Febuary this year. Here in Johannesburg it is winter just as it is in New Zealand.But here there are a few differences that will allow me the best chance to get back to full fitness as fast as I can.Last week I had my first bat on a grass wicket since January 2 which was my last game for the Black Caps.This is what has brought me to Joburg, the ability to have a functional rehabilitation incorporating proper outdoor practice, not be confined to indoor training where the floors would be too unforgiving on my newly operated on knee.While, with Christchurch recording record low temperatures, that’s not really a place to be trying to practice cricket!!The temperature here is 20 degrees during the day and there is not a cloud in the sky. The South Africans are so lucky to have this weather and top rate training facilities available to them at this time of year. My commitment to getting my place back in the Black Caps has seen me source out the best possible facilities in the world to help in my rehabilitation.It is early days yet but things have gone very well and I am hoping to begin bowling this week and can’t wait. Along with information passed through to me on the Black Caps website from our fitness trainers it means my progress is monitored by our experts so I’m lucky to have the best of both worlds, communication from home and some of the best facilities in the world to train.

Worcestershire paceman Kabir Ali will miss the rest of the season after surgery on the dislocated collarbone he suffered in last week’s Norwich Union League win over Durham.

Cricket clubs, especially those with adequate financial resources,have been strongly urged to develop their facilities.Doing so would ensure that Barbados moves into a position to playfirst-class matches outside of Kensington Oval and also have enoughgrounds to quality for hosting regional tournaments such as the RedStripe Bowl, says Minister of Sports Rudolph Cappy Greenidge.He threw out the challenge to clubs in an address at the BarbadosCricket Association’s (BCA) 2000 awards ceremony at Kensington Oval onFriday night.I am going to appeal to clubs, especially those clubs with money to dowhatever is possible to upgrade their grounds, clubhouses and ourcricket generally, Greenidge told the small audience.There are clubs with money that are doing absolutely nothing to helpus. We are lagging behind places like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago andGuyana when it comes to having three or four grounds that we can playcricket at simultaneously in any particular tournament.Since the inception of the Red Stripe Bowl in 1997, Barbados havenever hosted a leg of the competition. Jamaica, which can boast ofhaving at least six grounds capable of staging such matches, will hosta zone for the fifth successive year next month, while Guyana, whichhas just as many grounds, will do so for the third time in five years.Whenever you are having a regional tournament now, the teams come intoone island and play at Ground 1, 2 and 3, Greenidge said. All of thosegrounds would have to be at a certain level. We do not have that leveland I believe that the time has come for us to move away fromKensington as being the only place that we have that we can playcricket like that.The Windward Club ground in Lucas Street, St Philip, was utilised lastyear for a first-class match between Barbados and South Africa A, butit was not used during this year’s Busta Cup when each of Barbados’six home matches was played at Kensington.Greenidge identified Windward, the North Stars ground in Crab Hill, StLucy, and the Cable & Wireless BET ground in Wildey as those withpotential to hold regional matches.We have grounds in Barbados that are up there and they are almostready but we need to spend some money to get us up to where Jamaica,Trinidad and Guyana are, he added.The sports minister also urged the BCA to try to have its annualawards ceremony no later than four weeks after the completion of theseason, as the celebratory effect could be diminished if it was heldwell after the season.He, however, commended the BCA for its innovations for this domesticseason, which included the introduction of covers and a new format inwhich matches were played over two successive days, starting at 10:30a.m. daily.No one can ever criticise the BCA for that. It is history that whoeveris president, whoever is responsible for those initiatives, especiallycovers, must at some time be regarded as a person or as a group ofpersons to have made a significant contribution to cricket inBarbados, Greenidge said.He observed that in an effort to attain outright results over the twodays, some teams were approaching batting in a rush and he suggestedthat half-hour could be added to the beginning and end of each day’splay, thereby extending the match by a further two hours.He also lauded the BCA for having a benefit match for Winston Reidearlier this year and said he hoped there could a chain of benefitmatches for those who have contributed so much to cricket.

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 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

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 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.

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.

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.