Australian star Simon Katich ensured his new overseas counterpart from Sri Lanka did not take all the headlines today, when he was presented with his county cap during the innings break under the Rose Bowl floodlights on Wednesday evening.Katich, who has enjoyed his first season with Hampshire Cricket both on and off the field, was given the prestigious cap by chairman Rod Bransgrove during the game with Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the National League.The Australian Test star has hit 640 runs in first-class cricket at a pleasing average of 53, including two centuries and four half-centuries and combined it with 13 wickets with his leg-spin at less than 30 runs apiece.He has also helped the side edge into promotion contention in the limited-overs games with 310 runs at just under 40.

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has announced that West End Redbacks recruit Andy Flower has chosen the Sturt District Cricket Club as his Grade club for season 2003-04.Signed to play with the West End Redbacks for the next three seasons, Flower chose Sturt primarily for its close proximity to Adelaide Oval.Flower is the first international player signed to the Redbacks since England’s Gladstone Small played for West Torrens in 1985-86, to play Grade cricket in South Australia.The Sturt District Cricket Club approached Flower earlier this year and anticipates that he will be involved in supporting junior programs at the club.Expected to arrive in Adelaide at the beginning of October, Flower should be available to play his first game for Sturt on October 11, with the possibility of playing 12 out of 25 days of Grade cricket with the club.Although not a part of Flower’s decision-making, Redbacks coach Wayne Phillips played cricket for the Sturt District Cricket Club for about 22 years.The SACA’s cricket operations manager, Harvey Jolly, said the decision by Flower would be a real boost to the club."Sturt are a mature cricket club, with an impressive history and an excellent development program in place. I’m sure the club will take this opportunity to ensure Andy’s presence around the club helps to boost the enthusiasm of its players, particularly its younger cricketers.""There is no doubt that Andy’s participation will see an overall boost to the Grade competition in South Australia, and we would also expect to see the interest level in the competition grow."

Mark Waugh, the veteran Australian batsman, has hinted that the coming domestic season could be his last in first-class cricket. Speaking at New South Wales’s season-launch function in Bowral, Waugh suggested that he may well hang up his boots shortly.”I’m not getting any younger,” said Waugh, who’s now 38. “I’m not saying this is it for sure, but I’ve got to be realistic. I’m probably nearly done. There are young players on the fringe at the moment who will be ready next year, and I don’t want to stand in their way. But at the moment I’m still keen, and it’s going to be another good year for the Blues [NSW], so why not keep going? You’re a long time retired.”Waugh played 128 Tests for Australia, scoring 20 centuries, but is now focussing on a strong showing for his state in this season’s domestic competitions. Last year he played a major role as NSW won both the four-day and one-day competitions, and he is keen to assist in the development of up-and-coming players, such as Michael Clarke, one of those in contention for Waugh’s old spot in the all-conquering Australian one-day side.”There’s a lot of talent here,” said Waugh. “Just being around them keeps me going a bit. Hopefully I can help make them better players.”Clarke, 22, has already represented Australia’s one-day side, and is also tipped for a Test cap before the end of the coming southern summer. “He’s very talented,” Waugh commented, “but I still think he’s got a little way to go. I think he’d be successful straight away if he got called up, but I’d like to see him make a few more hundreds in the Pura Cup first.”New South Wales kick off their Pura Cup season against Western Australia at the SCG on Nov 4. For Sydneysiders it should be a case of”Grab the esky! We’re going to the cricket”, for what could be one of their last chances to watch the silky skills of the junior Waugh.

A maiden first-class century from Victorian David Hussey guided the Bushrangers to first innings points today and a shot at history in the Pura Cup match against Queensland at the Gabba.Victoria was in a commanding position at the end of the second day’s play with the Bushrangers at 6-351 in response to Queensland’s first innings effort of 277.Hussey, the younger brother of Western Australian batsman Mike Hussey, compiled a hard-hitting 106 off 140 balls which included 20 fours and a six before he was eventually caught behind by Bulls keeper Wade Seccombe off the bowling of Joe Dawes.The Bushrangers will be hoping to maintain their dominance tomorrow and secure Victoria’s first outright victory at the Gabba since 1983 when Ray Bright led the southern visitors to an all-too-rare win.Victoria’s previous outright success in Brisbane before the 1983 win came in February 1965.Hussey joined opener Jason Arnberger at the crease shortly after the lunch break with the Bushrangers’ run chase teetering on the brink at 4-143.They combined for a 120-run stand to dash Queensland’s hopes of claiming first-innings points.The Bulls were their own worst enemies as both Hussey and Arnberger were dropped off the bowling of Dawes during the second session of play.Arnberger was eventually dismissed for 89 when he was trapped lbw after shouldering arms to a Shane Jurgensen delivery but the damage was well and truly done.After passing Queensland’s score midway through the final session, Victoria pressed home its advantage with Jon Moss (33 not out) and captain Cameron White (25 not out) helping the Bushrangers build the leads to 74 runs.The Bulls were in with a chance of stealing first innings points earlier in the day after they snared wickets either side of the lunch break.Mitchell Johnson picked up the valuable scalp of Brad Hodge for 40 just before the break and Andrew McDonald’s departure soon after the resumption of play gave the Bulls a sniff.However, the initiative was snatched from their grasp by Hussey and Arnberger who played patiently but severely punished some wayward Queensland bowling.Hussey said he was not overly jubilant despite bringing up his maiden first-class ton.”I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t go on with it and got out straight after I got the hundred,” Hussey said.”It was good conditions for batting.”

Younis Khan’s recall was the only surprise when Pakistan’s selectors named a 16-man squad for this months’ tour of New Zealand. The side leaves on December 11 and during the six-week trip will play two Tests and five one-day internationals."Younis has been recalled chiefly because he enjoys excellent record in New Zealand," explained Aamir Sohail, the chairman of selectors. "The team management is also of the view that they might need some more experience in the middle order."Sohail explained that the team was picked on the basis of improvements seen in recent months. "The set of players which we have provided have been playing together for the last six or seven months and have shown remarkable improvement," he said. "Although we realise that it will be a tough tour as some will be making their maiden appearances there, we are confident that under the guidance of Inzamam-ul-Haq and coaching of Javed Miandad, the boys will maintain their good performance."This is the best combination we can provide considering the conditions in New Zealand. There are plenty of options for the team management in all the departments to field a winning team."Pakistan squad Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Saleem Elahi, Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Asim Kamal, Younis Khan, Moin Khan (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Danish Kaneria, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Umar Gul.*Azhar Mahmood will be added to the squad for the one-day series.

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The West Indians’ tour match against Border at East London ended in a drizzly draw after persistent rain, and a saturated outfield meant there was no play for the second consecutive day.It spoiled an interestingly poised match with the West Indians leading by 195 runs in their second innings. However, rain had the final say and Brian Lara and his team will now prepare for the Boxing Day Test at Durban.Day 2 Bulletin
Adam Sanford did his chances of a Test recall no harm after he took 5 for 58 to give the West Indians the advantage in their tour match against Border. After Border were dismissed for 251, a half-century from Ramnaresh Sarwan guided the West Indians to 168 for 3 at the close of the second day.Resuming on 68 for 2, Border made a quiet start before they lost three wickets for three runs as Sanford cut through their middle order. He trapped Steven Pope lbw for 28 and then dismissed Justin Kreusch and Laden Gamiet in the space of three balls.Piet Stydom and Abongile Sodumo steadied the innings with a stand of 81 before Strydom, who top-scored with 74, was one of Dave Mohammed victims. Mohammed, the wrist-spinner and late call-up to the squad, also impressed with 3 for 89 as the last four wickets fell in only six overs.Vasbert Drakes also grabbed a couple. He had both Burton de Wett and Abongile Sodumo caught as West Indies gained a first-innings lead of 27 runs.When the West Indians batted again Sarwan led the reply with 71 not out, batting for three-and-a-half hours. He started briskly, reaching his fifty from 55 balls, but thereafter chose to consolidate, the next 21 runs coming off 63 balls.But Wavell Hinds’ continuing poor form was a worry, managing 1 from 24 balls before he prodded at Tyron Henderson and was caught behind.

The South African board has received a cash donation of 200,000 Rand from Bellingham Wines.The announcement was made during the innings break of the fifth and final one-dayer between South Africa and West Indies at the Wanderers.The money is from proceeds of sales of the wines during the last year’s World Cup.Harry Dare, Bellingham’s marketing director, said, “We are delighted to be associated with cricket, especially during the prestigious event like the World Cup." He added, “For the wine brand to support cricket development is very special.”Maxwell Jordaan, the manager for amateur cricket, expressed his gratitude. “This unexpected windfall will go a long way to assist the remote regions of our cricket affiliates," he said. "It will serve as a fantastic kick-start for our elite programmes within our newest fledgling associates.”

Close Western Australia 6 for 562 dec and 5 for 244 (Langer 84, North 82*) lead Tasmania 5 for 384 dec (Dighton 101, Watson 139, Marsh 51*) by 422 runs
ScorecardThe run-fest continued at the Bellerive Oval, as 436 were scored for seven wickets on the third day of the Pura Cup match between Tasmania and Western Australia. Tasmania got 192 of those – doubling their overnight total – for the loss of just two wickets, allowing them to declare at 5 for 384, 178 adrift of WA’s first-innings total. By close of play, WA had stretched that lead to 422.Michael Dighton and Shane Watson, the unbeaten batsmen, were the stars for Tasmania. Both notched up hundreds, and put together 194 for the fourth wicket, bailing the team out from a tricky 87 for 3. Dighton made 101 before being trapped in front by Marcus North, the part-time offspinner, while Watson went on to score 139 from 193 balls.Justin Langer led Western Australia’s reply after Tasmania’s bold declaration, scoring 84 in quick time. North then came in and hammered a rapid 82 not out off just 84 balls, inclusive of 10 fours and two sixes, ensuring that WA had enough runs on the board to allow Langer the option of declaring at the overnight total and give his bowlers an entire day to take ten wickets.

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Venugopal Rao led South Zone to a remarkable victory on the final day of their Duleep Trophy match against England A at Gurgaon. He scored a sparkling 228 and added 226 with Sridharam Sriram (117), and then put on an unbeaten stand of 212 with Subramaniam Badrinath (100*) as South Zone reached their colossal target of 501 runs with six wickets to spare – the fourth-highest last-innings total to win a first-class match.Rao, who was a member of India’s victorious U-19 World Cup squad in Sri Lanka in 1999-2000, added another 140 runs to his overnight 88. He guided South Zone to their incredible win, made even more remarkable considering they were 1 for 2 on the third day. The highest fourth-innings total was achieved earlier this year, when Central Province amassed 513 for 9 against Southern Province in Sri Lankan domestic cricket.South Zone resumed at 171 for 2, still needing 330 to win, and made steady progress with Sriram, 78 not out overnight, reaching his hundred in a flurry of boundaries. But Sajid Mahmood checked the progress, having Sriram caught behind by Matt Prior for 117 (227 for 3) before Rao and Sridharan Sharath (28) added a breezy 64 for the fourth wicket.Again England A struck – Sharath caught by Kevin Pietersen off Graham Napier – but again South Zone’s victory charge was not stalled as Rao gained momentum in his impressive innings. Badrinath did more than just keep Rao company as he raced to an unbeaten century as the England bowling figures piled up. Worryingly for Duncan Fletcher, Simon Jones, who is to join the full squad in the Caribbean, went for 89 from 13.5 overs, while James Tredwell conceded 122 from 36 overs.Rod Marsh, England A’s coach, was scathing in his criticism after the match. “We had no-one to blame but ourselves,” he told the BBC. “I don’t know whether it’s arrogance or what, but it’s pretty dumb. When you bowl with so little discipline, miss easy opportunities in the field, you don’t expect to win cricket matches at this level.””If they’ve got any pride, some of them will take a lot of heartache away,” he added. “Others will have forgotten about it already. That doesn’t upset me, but it’s going to upset their cricket careers, I think.”

As West Indies try to rebuild their fragile confidence and regroup for the last two Tests against England, starting with the third match in Barbados tomorrow, they will be hoping that a new manager, Tony Howard, means a new start. Two down after two, and with most of the islanders finding 101 reasons not to be cheerful about the state of their national game, they desperately need a change in fortune … somehow.One thing in West Indies’ favour is the return of Fidel Edwards in place of the disappointing Adam Sanford, meaning the attack will be a Bajan barrage of Edwards, Tino Best, Corey Collymore and Pedro Collins. Prior to the first Test, that bowling attack was supposed to be the weak area of the team, but all of a sudden it reads fairly well on paper, and performs pretty well on the pitch. The batting, on the other hand, has been a never-ending horror story.A bit of grit has been added to the squad with the return of Daren Ganga, who scored two Test centuries against Australia last year but was dropped after West Indies’ forgettable tour of South Africa. He is likely to replace the injured Devon Smith at the top of the order, and his studious approach could be just what his side needs to get them back towards the top of the class.Much more, however, depends on Brian Lara, who has admitted that his batting so far hasn’t been good enough. If ever he was due a big score, this Test is it, and he remains firmly at the top of England’s hit list. Ramnaresh Sarwan, meanwhile, needs to come to the party – on the pitch that is – and Shivnarine Chanderpaul must build on that brief glimpse of form he showed in Trinidad if West Indies are going to stop England from securing their first series win in the Caribbean for 36 years.West Indies’ preparations haven’t been helped by recent comments from Gus Logie, the coach, and Tony Cozier, the veteran broadcaster. Logie openly questioned his team’s mental strength and discipline to succeed in Test cricket, while Cozier slammed their poor fitness and lazy preparation. Howard – who played one Test himself, back in 1971-72 – certainly has a big job on his hands.England, by comparison, are sitting pretty – although there will be no resting on laurels just yet, even though a draw would ensure that Michael Vaughan becomes only the third captain to lead England to a series victory in the Caribbean. They have again named an unchanged side, albeit one with a few chinks in the armour which West Indies could exploit.Marcus Trescothick is the primary cause for concern. He has managed just 18 runs in four Test innings, and a scratchy 50 against a Carib Beer XI last week didn’t instil a lot of confidence either. Meanwhile Ashley Giles’s unthreatening and uneconomical overs continue to keep Gareth Batty interested – and he took 5 for 53 in that Carib Beer match. Another Englishman (or is it a Welshman?) waiting in the wings is Geraint Jones. He also impressed in the last warm-up game with 66, and Chris Read knows he needs to contribute with the bat at No. 7 to keep Jones on the sidelines for much longer.England are sure to have masses of support at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, with several platoons of the Barmy Army sweeping in to what was once known as West Indies’ fortress. England famously pulled off a stunning comeback in 1994, from a similarly desperate situation to the one West Indies now find themselves in. It remains to be seen whether Lara can keep the English at bay this time.West Indies (probable): 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Daren Ganga, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Brian Lara (capt), 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Dwayne Smith, 7 Ridley Jacobs (wk), 8 Tino Best, 9 Pedro Collins, 10 Corey Collymore, 11 Fidel Edwards.England 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Michael Vaughan (capt), 3 Mark Butcher, 4 Nasser Hussain, 5 Graham Thorpe, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Chris Read (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Matthew Hoggard, 10 Simon Jones, 11 Stephen Harmison.