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Division One

Phil Jaques and Stephen Moore combined for an opening stand of 234, and Vikram Solanki also hit a hundred, as Surrey’s woes continued on a tough first day against Worcestershire at New Road. Jaques was in typically belligerent form, bringing up his ton off 126 balls, and his innings eventually included 17 fours and two sixes when he was caught behind off Matthew Nicholson. But Surrey’s bowlers continued to toil with Moore crossing to a hundred for the first time this season before being stumped off Ian Salisbury. Although Salisbury provided the breakthrough it was an unproductive day for the spinners with he and Chris Schofield going for 165 off 44 overs. With the openers having done their job, Solanki reached three figures shortly before the close and Surrey had another day to forget.Mark Chilton struck his first century of the season as Lancashire fought back from a poor start during a closely contested encounter with Durham at Chester-le-Street. Chilton’s 115 was vital for Lancashire after they’d slipped to 63 for 3 – with Brad Hodge out for 1 – following their decision to bat first. The recovery began slowly, but Chilton’s fourth-wicket stand of 140 alongside Stuart Law built during the afternoon until, with Law – dropped on 5 by Will Smith – appearing set for another large score, he fell to Ottis Gibson for 60. Chilton, though, went to his hundred from 185 balls before being stumped off the last ball before tea. Luke Sutton and Glen Chapple pushed their side closer to 300 during the evening session, while former New Zealand offspinner Paul Wiseman collected his second wicket. Bad light ended player 14 overs early.Centuries from Joe Sayers and Anthony McGrath made it a tough day for Kent as Yorkshire built a strong first-innings position at Tunbridge Wells. The pair added 204 for the second wicket with Sayers hitting his third Championship ton of a fruitful campaign and McGrath his first to follow his fine one-day form. McGrath was marginally faster to three figures, 220 balls to Sayers’ 233, but was trapped by Andrew Hall three balls after reaching the landmark. Sayers remained unbeaten through to the close and, despite a failure for Younis Khan, Yorkshire are ideally placed to push onto a monstrous total.Sussex failed to make the most of a solid start against Hampshire at Arundel although Mushtaq Ahmed’s late fifty redressed the balance somewhat. Chris Nash and Richard Montgomerie laid a foundation of 105, but Shane Warne and Chris Tremlett shared the top four wickets as Sussex slipped to 130 for 4. Chris Adams (52) and Andrew Hodd (28) added 77 then another four wickets fell for 26 after Shaun Udal removed Adams. However, Mushtaq brought out the long handle and swung a 43-ball 54, adding 69 with Luke Wright, to edge Sussex over 300. He fell to the final ball of the day, bowled by Stuart Clark for his first scalp, while the bowling honours went to Warne and Tremlett.

Division Two

2nd daySeventeen-year-old James Harris has already produced the goods with the ball this season, now he as shown his ability with the bat becoming the youngest Glamorgan player to score a Championship half-century. His unbeaten 87, alongside a stand of 185 with Robert Croft, who made 115, meant Glamorgan reached the heights of 429 after being 193 for 8 on the first day against Nottinghamshire at Swansea. Croft’s hundred, his seventh in 341 first-class matches, took 158 balls but it wouldn’t have been possible without Harris’s support. He faced 224 balls and was not all defense, either, striking 11 boundaries before Dean Cosker fell for 30 to leave him 13 short of a memorable century. Nottinghamshire were strongly placed in reply at 143 for 1, but Cosker nipped out Jason Gallian (78) and, crucially, Stephen Fleming for eight via a brilliant catch at slip. However, the final say went to Harris as he trapped Mark Wagh lbw and removed Chris Read with the last ball of the day.Derbyshire continued to control their clash against Gloucestershire at Derby after declaring on 500 for 9 and taking five wickets. Ant Botha built on Steve Stubbings’ opening-day century, adding 93 with Greg Smith and 85 with James Pipe, but was run out two short of his ton. When Simon Katich eventually ended the innings, after 157 overs, his bowlers set about making full use of the total under their belts. From 83 for 1 Gloucestershire slumped to 120 for 5 as Tom Lungley took three wickets, including Chris Taylor for a third-ball duck.1st dayRonnie Irani’s runs will be sorely missed by Essex, but in Ravi Bopara they have a run-machine of the present and future, or at least until England take him away. He hit his second consecutive Championship ton to give Essex the honours against Northamptonshire at Chelmsford on the day Irani announced his retirement. Bopara was dropped twice, on 0 and 90, before reaching his hundred, with a powerful cut, off 182 balls. His knock included a six over long on and he ended the day four short of his career-best. He added 116 for the second wicket with Varun Chopra, a stand broken by a sharp catch from Stephen Peters, a former Essex player, at slip off Jason Brown. Grant Flower then provided solid support, in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 182, as the home side accumulated steadily.Somerset overwhelmed Leicestershire on the opening day at Taunton, racing into a lead of 189 after skittling the visitors for 168. Steffan Jones grabbed 6 for 61, ripping through Leicestershire’s middle order. The paltry effort was put into stark perspective when Marcus Trescothick and Neil Edwards sped past the total shortly after tea and both went onto post centuries. Edwards’ came first, off 114 balls, followed by Trescothick’s second of the season and he had time to pass 150 before the close. Somerset screamed along at nearly six-an-over and Stuart Broad, who conceded 84 off 12 overs, will be wondering if he timed his return from injury correctly.

IS Bindra: ‘We have always acted like equal partners’ © Getty Images

A top Indian board (BCCI) official today refuted allegations that the Asian bloc had entered into an understanding with the West Indies to bag the rights to host the 2011 World Cup at a recent ICC meeting.The West Indies voted for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but in return the BCCI agreed to play a triangular series at a neutral venue to help raise funds for the Caribbean islands in the lead up to the 2007 World Cup, media reports had said.IS Bindra, a BCCI Marketing Committee member and a former president, rebutted the charges. “We playing the West Indies in North America or the Caribbean had nothing to do with the World Cup bid,” Bindra said. “It was part of the ongoing scheme of playing 25 matches against top teams at neutral venues over a period of five years. Playing in North America would benefit the Caribbean because there is a considerable expatriate population there [North America].”There was no quid pro quo for their support. They voted for us because they thought it was in the best interest of world cricket, and it was morally right, that the 2011 World Cup be held in the subcontinent. We had jointly fought in 1987 when we got the World Cup moved out of England.”Bindra also denied former ICC president Malcolm Gray’s allegation that the subcontinent won the bid by flexing its money muscle. “It was they who had the veto, from 1909 when the ICC was formed to 1993,” Bindra said. “We have always acted like equal partners.”Bindra said he was questioned by the ICC members at the executive board meeting in Dubai earlier this week “for half an hour” when he told them the 2011 World Cup, if held in the subcontinent, would generate USD 400 million more. “I told them that the ICC makes USD two million from a match day whereas we make USD 8.77 million, which is more than four times. The ICC sold the television rights [of 2003 WC] to India for USD 250 million and for seven-eight million USD to Australia.”Asia won the bid to host the 2011 World Cup overcoming a joint bid by Australia and New Zealand by ten votes to three.

Rajshahi secured their first domestic one-day title with a 140-run victory over Barisal in the ninth round of the National Cricket League at Barisal Stadium. The win gave them 16 points, and with second-placed Sylhet’s match against Khulna being abandoned, that was enough.Rajshahi, who have won eight games in succession after losing their opening match, were always in control after posting 280 for 9, Moniruzzaman and Raqibul Hasan putting them on their way with an opening stand of 80 in under 12 overs, and then Anisur Rahman anchored the middle of the innings with a 90-ball 75. A fourth-wicket stand of 113 between Anisur and Mushfiqur Rahman ended the match as a contest. Barisal were never in the hunt after a poor start, and they did well to recover from 38 for 6. Mushfiqur won the Man-of-the-Match award for his 48 and 4 for 33.Dhaka remained in third position despite slipping to a second straight defeat against Chittagong at the Fatullah Stadium. Dhaka struggled to build any momentum and were held to 193 for 9 after winning the toss, with Ahsanullah Hasan (4 for 36) ripping through the middle order. Gazi Salahuddin cracked an excellent 90 to set Chittagong on their way to a four-wicket win – only their second win in the competition – and Shabbir Khan saw them home with a well-paced 61 not out.Dhaka will have a chance to make amends when the penultimate round of the four-day Nation Cricket League starts on Wednesday. They need four more points from their remaining two games to retain their title.

Scorecard
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 Centre of Excellence is a very busy place to be at the moment and probably there is nobody who is busier than Pete Sanderson, who is the Youth Development Officer and Coaching Coordinator.In response to numerous requests he has received from all quarters to run an additional ECB Level 1 Coaching Course, Pete Sanderson has arranged for this to take place over the weekend of April 19th, 20th and 21st, with the assessment on April 28th.All of the tutors will be ECB Staff and Advanced Coaches, and the course is offered on a first come, first served basis. The fee is only £70, thanks to the financial support of the Somerset Cricket Board, and applications must be received by March 31st.Further details of the ECB Level 1 Coaching Course can be obtained by contacting the Centre of Excellence at Taunton, on 01823 352266.

Maharashtra kept piling up the runs on the secondday of their West Zone Ranji Trophy league matchagainst Saurashtra at Rajkot on Sunday before theydeclared at 539 for six after the innings lasted168 overs. At stumps, Saurashtra starting theirlong haul, were 41 for no loss off 10 overs.Overnight not out batsmen Surendra Bhave andHrishikesh Kanitkar carried on from where theyleft off on Saturday. Their second wicketassociation was worth 313 runs off 99.5 oversbefore Kanitkar was bowled by Hitesh Parsana for190. Kanitkar batted 394 minutes, faced 304 ballsand hit 27 fours and three sixes. A little later,Bhave was finally out for 149 after having batted519 minutes. The veteran faced 384 balls and hit15 fours and a six. Abhijit Kale (55) and SagarShah (45 not out) then flogged the tiredSaurashtra attack before the declaration.Saurashtra openers Sudhir Tanna (23) and PrashantJoshi (12) batted confidently in the final overstill stumps were drawn. But it is a long, hardroad that Saurashtra still has to traverse.

Celtic centre-back Stephen Welsh was forced off for Scotland’s U21 side with what appeared to be a groin problem, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Welsh under Postecoglou

Welsh began the campaign as a regular under Ange Postecoglou and has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season.

The 21-year-old, who Celtic youth coach Martin Miller hailed as a ‘fan favourite’ and ‘phenomenal’, made his last start in green and white back in February against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa Conference League.

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Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have established themselves as Postecoglou’s first-choice pairing, with Welsh and Christopher Jullien on standby.

The Latest: Welsh’s injury

Welsh was one of a number of Celtic players who have been away on international duty and captained Scotland’s U21 side against Kazakhstan on Monday.

The Daily Record revealed that the centre-back had to be taken off shortly after half-time with what appeared to be a groin injury days before a crucial Glasgow Derby with Rangers.

The Verdict: Never ending

You’d expect that Welsh wouldn’t have started at Ibrox on Sunday, however, it would have been handy for Postecoglou to be able to call upon the defender from the bench if needed.

He may not get that luxury following this injury update, with Postecoglou already having concerns over Daizen Maeda and Tom Rogic during the current break.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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The Celtic boss hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to injuries during his first season in charge, and unfortunately, they aren’t showing any signs of slowing up.

In other news: ‘As well…’ – Journalist drops claim on more exit news at Celtic Park; it’s a potential ‘bonus’. 

	‘We fed [Ambrose’s] strengths and he capitalised. He played very well too, and probably took the game away from us’ © Getty Images

New Zealand’s captain, Daniel Vettori, was predictably despondent as he reflected on his side’s 126-run defeat against England at Wellington, a result that levelled the series and gave England the momentum going into next week’s decider in Napier. The match was played on the liveliest pitch that the teams are likely to encounter on this trip, and Vettori believed that New Zealand’s failure to capitalise on their first-day breakthroughs was the decisive moment of the match.On the first afternoon England’s middle-order, visibly lacking in confidence after their horrific display at Hamilton, had been on the ropes at 136 for 5 after being asked to bat first. But the carefree Tim Ambrose, playing in only his second Test, counterattacked gamely in a superb 149-ball 102. England never looked back after that, and though their catching went awry in the second innings, a brace of five-wicket hauls from James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom cemented their dominance of the game.”Obviously it’s a very disappointed dressing-room,” said Vettori. “If we reflect back on the Test match it was a pretty even one expect for the third session on the first day. We let Tim Ambrose get away through some poor bowling and by feeding his strengths, and if you analyse the rest of it, it was a pretty even contest. But because of that [first day] we left ourselves too much to do on the last day.”It wasn’t immediately apparent just how significant Ambrose’s efforts would be to the end result. Vettori had no qualms about bowling first at the Basin, a pitch that traditionally plays at its best on the second and third days, but admitted that New Zealand soon came to rue their missed opportunity of that first day.”We didn’t reflect on it at the time but as the days went on I suppose we started to realise how important that lost session was for us,” he said. “We knew the wicket was pretty sporty, but for us to have made inroads and for them to post the score they did, we knew we had to bat very well and we didn’t. But it just all comes back to that session. We fed [Ambrose’s] strengths and he capitalised. He played very well too, and probably took the game away from us.”After the total team effort that New Zealand put together at Hamilton, the Wellington Test was something of a reality check for Vettori and his men. Although the selectors made no changes to the batsmen for Napier, definite shortcomings among their top-order were exposed on a pitch that aided England’s younger, faster, seam attack. Their senior seamer, Chris Martin, was also visibly off the pace after his exertions in the first Test, while Kyle Mills finished the match with pain behind his left knee, a development that earned a precautionary call-up for the 19-year-old paceman, Tim Southee.”I thought Jacob [Oram] and Kyle Mills were outstanding in the way they bowled on this wicket,” said Vettori. “Chris may be a bit disappointed but we will give the seamers a bit of a rest before the final Test. They’ve had a huge workload over the last two Tests and hopefully they can get a rest and come into the third Test on a wicket that we know will be extremely flat, and a tough ask for our bowlers.”Even so, the Napier pitch is likely to suit New Zealand’s adhesive style of play. Their success in Hamilton stemmed from the patience they were willing to show on a flat, lifeless deck. England contributed to their downfall by scoring at barely two runs an over, but they received an exclusive diet of wicket-to-wicket deliveries and were offered none of the width that Ambrose in particular was able to exploit in this Test.”The Napier pitch will be very flat, we know what to expect,” said Vettori. “It’ll be a good deck and tough work for the bowlers but it was like that in Hamilton and we expect the same thing from them in Napier. It always does [have more pace than Hamilton] but if you get a couple of days of sun then it will tend to slow down a little bit. It’s generally quite a good cricket wicket, because if you’re prepared to put something in then you’ll get something back.”

	‘For us to be bowled out for 198 in the first innings was purely down to Anderson. He hit the right lengths early on and did a really good job © Getty Images

That wasn’t quite the case at Wellington, and in the build-up to the Test, Vettori was openly critical of the surface that Brett Sipthorpe, the curator, had prepared for this Test. But he refused to use it as an excuse in the aftermath of defeat. “If you want to be a good side then you have to adapt to all conditions and have to win in all types of conditions,” he said. “You can’t turn up in Sri Lanka and ask for the type of deck you want, so you have to be adaptable.”Vettori added that he doubted whether England would have wanted such a sporting track either, although the way in which their bowlers fared would suggest otherwise. England were devoid of both their most experienced men, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison, but Anderson thrived in the first innings, Sidebottom starred in the second, and Stuart Broad played a vital enforcing role in both innings, on a pitch far removed from the lifeless horrors of his Colombo debut.”You have to look at the way Anderson bowled,” said Vettori. “For us to be bowled out for 198 in the first innings was purely down to him. He hit the right lengths early on and did a really good job. I suggest Hoggard would have done a similar job but to have fresh legs to do some very good work can only lift a team. New players coming in bring in enthusiasm and it lifts a team.” They were sentiments that suggested that Southee could yet feature in the final match.The spotlight, however, will be on New Zealand’s batsmen when the third Test gets underway. Not only will it be Stephen Fleming’s swansong after a record-breaking 14-year international career, it will also be a chance for Mathew Sinclair and Matthew Bell to repay the selectors’ faith after sketchy starts to the series. Bell received a further boost after the game when he was awarded a Cricket New Zealand contract, but with a series top-score of 29, he’ll need to keep up his interest payments.”The top five didn’t get the runs we required but thought Mathew [Sinclair] batted well in the second innings,” said Vettori. “I enjoyed how positive he was in trying to get on with the job. That was exciting to see. In saying that, you still need to keep getting the runs to keep getting selected. The selectors have to ask some questions but hopefully those guys have a lot more runs in them, and more chances to score those runs.”

Division One

Mark Ramprakash drives off the back foot as he steadies Surrey at The Oval © Martin Williamson

Sussex were facing the prospect of a heavy defeat after they were asked to follow on for the first time in almost three years by Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Dale Steyn and Darren Maddy took three wickets each as Sussex slumped to 151 after Steyn had earlier boosted the home side’s total with a quick-fire 31. Sussex quickly fell to 14 for 3 before a stand of 85 between Carl Hopkinson and Chris Adams steadied the innings. But Maddy’s skiddy medium-pace claimed both and when Matt Prior, named in England’s 25-man performance squad, was lbw for 3, Sussex were in real trouble. Unlike last week, when Heath Streak declined to make Lancashire bat again, Maddy quickly stuck Sussex back in. Richard Montgomerie failed for the second time in the day and Maddy again proved to be a golden arm to leave Warwickshire in controlShane Warne showed he had lost none of his ruthless streak as he declared Hampshire‘s innings with Nic Pothas 15 short of a century and was immediately rewarded with two quick Surrey wickets at The Oval. However, Hampshire were stopped in their tracks by a mixture of bad light, drizzle and Mark Ramprakash. Warne played his part with the bat during the morning session, striking a breezy 48 before falling to a well-judged catch by Ramprakash on the cover boundary. After the declaration, 20 minutes before lunch, Dimitri Mascarenhas struck with his fourth ball as the in-form Scott Newman feathered a catch to Pothas. Jon Batty fell in similar circumstances before the innings was steadied by the experienced hands of Ramprakash and Mark Butcher who added 119. The light caused problems during the afternoon, preventing the first sighting at the bowling crease of Warne until nearly 6.30pm. In the end he sent down just three overs as Ramprakash eased to another half-century and there was an enticing battle awaiting on the third day.A painstaking century from Joe Sayers pushed Yorkshire slowly into the lead against their North East rivals Durham at Headingley. It was turgid progress but served Yorkshire’s cause well after Younis Khan had been trapped lbw for 42. Sayers’ hundred came off 318 deliveries and he has so far batted for more than eight hours. How Durham will be regretting their drop when he had just 3 on the first evening. The main stand came with wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy, who was the most fluent batsmen of the day making 80 off 110 balls. The partnership ended when Brophy stepped on his stumps against Steve Harmison as Durham hit back with a flurry of wickets. Sayers, though, couldn’t be shifted and Darren Gough helped add another 50 runs for the eighth wicket.

Division Two

Ronnie Irani crashes another boundary in his career-best double century © Getty Images

Ronnie Irani hit a career-best 218 as Essex piled up a mammoth 584 for 7 against Glamorgan at Chelmsford. He reached his double century off 329 balls and passed his previous best of 207 with an on-driven six off Alex Wharf. He and Ryan ten Doeschate came within four runs of achieving a new sixth-wicket record for Essex, but ten Doeschate pulled a long-hop to Robert Croft at fine leg after reaching 148, his best score for Essex. Glamorgan’s bowlers were finally put out of their misery after 167 overs in the field, but the openers quickly realised there were still plenty of runs on offer. Matthew Elliott and Daniel Cherry opened with 139 and Elliott ended the day 15 short of his century after facing 127 balls.Wickets continued to tumble at Lord’s as Middlesex claimed a first-innings lead of 47 against Northamptonshire. Alan Richardson finished with four scalps as Middlesex claimed a lead of 47, which would have been more without Lance Klusener’s 44. Johann van der Wath took his seventh wicket of the match – Nick Compton playing no shot – before a long rain break during the afternoon. When the players returned for a brief session before the close Northamptonshire struck two vital blows to keep the match wide open.A 98-ball hundred from Craig Spearman was wasted by Gloucestershire as their batting collapsed to hand Nottinghamshire the ascendancy at Bristol. Spearman and Kadeer Ali added 146 in 35 overs for the first wicket, but once Andy Harris broke through the innings fell away. Spearman was removed by Ryan Sidebottom shortly after reaching his ton and Paul Franks took three middle-order wickets. Rain ended the day early but Gloucestershire were facing a sizeable deficit. Earlier, Nottinghamshire had fallen one run short of full batting points as Ashley Noffke claimed six wickets, including Samit Patel for 89.A captain’s innings from Darren Robinson helped pull Leicestershire ahead of Somerset at Grace Road. He added 154 with Australian Jim Allenby after nightwatchman David Masters fell early. Somerset fought back as Robinson and Allenby went in quick succession, but Tom New and Mansoor Amjad formed another solid stand of 117. New, who started the season with runs against Nottinghamshire, supported the more aggressive Amjad who hit 12 fours in his 67. Charl Willoughby eventually removed Amjad, who will soon leave for a Pakistan training camp, but not before Leicestershire gained a narrow lead.

Mathew Sinclair could pack his bags for South Africa © Getty Images

Mathew Sinclair, the former New Zealand opener, revealed his plans of leaving the country and playing first-class cricket in South Africa, shortly after the New Zealand Cricket awards function at Auckland. Sinclair was the recipient of the Redpath Cup, the award given to the batsman whose performances in men’s First-Class cricket have been the most meritorious.Sinclair had been approached to join Eastern Province, a South African domestic side, for their final two games in April but had declined because of commitments to Central Districts and his wedding. He confirmed that talks are on with Eastern Province and is seriously considering the offer, keeping the financial benefits in mind.Sinclair was not awarded a central contract last year, much to his dismay, and stated that if he is ignored again this year, he would leave the country. New Zealand Cricket are due to announce their central contracts for a 12-month period starting June.”I don’t want this developing into a Dutch auction but I’ve got to look after my financial situation and it’s a very lucrative offer, especially when you compare it with what I’m getting at Central Districts,” Sinclair told stuff.co.nz. “It’s hard to see me getting a (NZC) contract after I missed out last year. I’ve scored a lot of runs this summer but, really, what are my chances? I’m not holding my breath.”Sinclair has enjoyed a good domestic season, piling up 848 runs at an average of 53 and won the award ahead of other strong contenders like Nathan Astle and Peter Fulton. He was left out of the national squad to tour South Africa due to his personal commitments but could be called up later should the team require any replacements.”I’ve given New Zealand cricket and Central cricket 10 years of my best service and if I go I’ll continue to live here for the other six months. I’m pretty serious about it. The opportunity has come from nowhere and they (Eastern Province) are very interested in getting a top-order batsman,” he said.Sinclair’s last match in New Zealand could come next week when Central Districts tackle Wellington in the State Championship final at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, the same ground in which he announced his arrival in Test cricket, smashing 214 on debut, against West Indies in 1999. However, his form deserted him almost instantly, with a string of inconsistent scores and was in and out of the side. He last played a Test in 2004, against Australia at Adelaide.