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The ECB pitch inspectors were in evidence at the Rose Bowl at the close of a second day’s play which had seen 22 wickets fall and edged Hampshire towards an early defeat, still requiring 184 to win but with only six wickets in hand.ECB Cricket chief Alan Fordham and pitch guru Tony Brown were both looking attentively at the surface shortly after Shaun Udal was up-ended and bowled by a shooter from paceman James Anderson with the final ball of the day. But the wicket could not be totally blamed for the day’s carnage, but it will depend on their take on events whether any penalty may be incurred.Only two runs had been added to the overnight tally when Shaun Udal became wicket one to open the wicket-taking barricades, led by the 19-year-old Anderson playing just his sixth first-class game.Helped by his captain and wicket-keeper Warren Hegg, who took five catches, Anderson collected a career-best 6-23 and he undermined the Hampshire innings to great effect. Only Will Kendall standing tall and recording a score of over 20 – his 54 a study of concentration and resilience that was barely seen by his teammates.Still conceding a lead of 51, Hampshire made an excellent start in whipping out Alec Swann and David Byas with only two on the board. A partnership between Mark Chilton and Stuart Law eased the fears before they both went to leave the visitors 61-4.However, veteran Neil Fairbrother, with a Championship average of just 16, recorded his best score of the season (39) and with Glen Chapple (31) quickly posted 70 for the fifth wicket.On his dismissal to the outstanding Shaun Udal, Lancashire collapsed with only Warren Hegg (23) and Gary Keedy (16) hanging around – but it was enough to take the lead past 200 and beyond, finally being bowled out for 239.It could have been more but for Udal, who bowled unbroken from the Northern End, and closed with his third five-wicket haul of the season (5-59 from 23 overs).What was required in Hampshire’s chase was not to lose too many wickets in the 12 overs remaining and have a solid building block from which to stage a charge towards 239 in the morning.What they did not require was to lose four wickets, including both openers and skipper Robin Smith in reaching 54-4 when Udal had his off-stump removed by the pacy Anderson, who also tempted Smith into an edge to Fairbrother at slip.Kendall and White both went to John Wood to leave Hampshire tottering and looking at their second defeat of the Championship campaign.But, whatever happens tomorrow may be undermined by the men in ties who were in consultations with groundsman Nigel Gray at 7.15pm tonight.

The past week has already seen a three-day Test match with Pakistan swamping New Zealand at Lahore. India managed to put on a better show in their second innings, taking the match into the fourth day. If you have tickets for the fifth day though, one would recommend planning alternate entertainment. With two days to play, India trail by 123 with six second innings wickets in hand.The day began with a typical West Indian lower order performance. Carl Hooper (115) blazed a flamboyant trail, scoring two centuries in a series for the first time in his career. The workmanlike Shivnarine Chanderpaul (101 not out) too chipped in but then the tail collapsed spectacularly. The last six wickets fell for 18 runs, ending the West Indian innings on 394, a lead of 292.Resuming in their seventies, both Chanderpaul and Hooper marched on to centuries. Talented and yet never quite doing justice until recently, Hooper was a different man on the day. Confidence personified, the West Indian skipper thrashed the bowling to all parts, scoring boundaries at will before one hoick took the edge. Tendulkar got under a steepler and Hooper’s 115 (235 balls, 18 boundaries) came to an end.Ridley Jacobs, into the team to bolster the batting, fell for a duck, edging Nehra through to the ‘keeper.Next man, Merv Dillon made 6 before a short pitched ball from Nehra proved to be too hot to handle. Fending the ball away, Dillon found Das under the helmet on the leg side.Pedro Collins and Adam Sanford both perished for ducks to Harbhajan Singh and a comedy of errors saw last man Cameron Cuffy run out.Chanderpaul was left high and dry on 101 (231 balls, 13 boundaries) as West Indies ended with a healthy lead of 292.A sincere lad of humble beginnings is Wasim Jaffer. And one is always glad to see someone like that doing well. Looking completely the part as an opener, Jaffer partnered a nervous Das well.A West Indian lead of 312 was always going to be daunting. India needed a good start and Jaffer seemed to realise that. The Mumbai opener put his head down and played the bowling on its merit. There weren’t too many loose balls on offer, but Jaffer made every single one that came his way count.Standing tall and driving well off the back foot, Jaffer concentrated on the cover-point region. Although not attempting to thrash the ball, Jaffer had the touch and the timing to beat the fence with ease. Pedro Collins came in for severe treatment, his bowling ideal for Jaffer to thump away. Short of a length and outside the off, going away with the arm, the angle and pace was ideal for Jaffer to score off. The fact that the offside field was packed did nothing to deter Jaffer.In the 23rd over of the innings, however, there was a flutter. A fierce chop from Jaffer went straight towards Ramnaresh Sarwan at cover. The West Indian dived forward and collected the ball. Unsure, umpire Asoka de Silva referred the matter to the third umpire. After seeing replays from several angles, Billy Doctrove was unable to say for sure that Sarwan had caught it cleanly. The batsman was, rightly, given the benefit of doubt.Soon after, however, Jaffer fell against the grain of play. Das tapped a Cuffy delivery slowly towards point and set off for a quick single. Chanderpaul swooped in, scored a direct hit underarm and Jaffer (51, 75 balls, 10 fours) was short of his crease.As is so often the case, the final session of the day proved to be the hardest to bat out. After tea, India went from 80/1 to 169/4. Barring major miracles, this match is now well and truly in West Indies’ lap. In the final session, 41 overs were bowled, 89 runs scored and three crucial wickets lost.It was Shiv Sunder Das who fell first. Although not terribly convincing at the wicket, Das battled it out to see off 138 balls for his 35 before a hard flick to the onside found Sarwan. Fielding close, Sarwan grabbed the chance, a sharp one.The fall of Das’ wicket brought Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar together. The partnership did not last as long as India would have liked. In the 48th over of the innings Dravid (14) nicked Sanford through to Jacobs behind the stumps.And then came the big wicket of the day. Merv Dillon bowling wicket to wicket got Tendulkar to play down the wrong line to a delivery slanting in, the appeal was spontaneous and umpire Asoka de Silva upheld it. Tendulkar was gone for just 8. Replays suggested the ball might have sailed over the stumps. Tendulkar will certainly consider himself a touch unlucky.Laxman knows these positions where India is in deep trouble. It is after all in such a state that he made a name for himself with his epic 281 against Australia. The same Laxman, however, is too much of a stroke player to be rock solid. Driving and pushing away from his body, Laxman tends to give the bowlers a chance.The Hyderabadi stylist was caught behind once off the bowling of Pedro Collins. Fortunately for Laxman a no-ball was called and he batted through to stumps with 30 against his name. Ganguly, finding the going tough under constantly fading light, was on 15 when bad light was offered and the players left the field.Spare a thought at the end of the day for Cameron Cuffy, the unsung hero of the West Indies team. Contrary to everything Caribbean fast bowlers have been in recent times, Cuffy bowled with unnerving accuracy, sending down 18 overs for just 3 runs. The 15 maiden overs he bowled were the kind that we’re used to seeing Glenn McGrath bowl, and certainly heaped the pressure on the Indians.

The ECB has announced a four-year extension to its existing television contract with BSkyB and Channel Five in a deal worth around £300 million (US$600 million).The current contract expires at the end of next summer, and the new agreement will keep all live home English cricket at Sky until the end of 2013. Channel Five retains the rights to show highlights shortly after the close of each day’s play.”We held extensive talks with all broadcasters and were determined to be as flexible as possible in terms of our packaging and scheduling to allow the maximum number of bids for cricket from all areas of the broadcast industry,” ECB chairman Giles Clarke said. “The ECB recognise and are grateful for Sky Sports’ loyalty to the sport – both at home and when the England team tour overseas.’It had been expected that BBC and Channel 4 might submit rival bids, but in the event neither showed interest. Channel 4 were aggrieved at losing out in 2005 and the company is in a less robust position that it was four years ago.The BBC’s decision to stay out of the process left Sky effectively unchallenged. When BSkyB was awarded the contract at the end of 2005, the ECB, with Clarke at the forefront of negotiations, was lambasted in many quarters for not keeping broadcasts on terrestrial television, but it is likely to get a much easier ride this time because of the lack of interest from mainstream broadcasters.Instead, Clarke trained his guns on the BBC for their lack of interest. “Now is the time for a real debate on the future of public sector sports broadcasting, which I know is under consideration and under review,” he said. “All these people interested in cricket buy TV licences, and surely they should have a right to expect that the public sector broadcasters mount bids for the nation’s summer sport, as they do in the case of one of them for 12 other sports?”An ECB spokesman suggested that the BBC’s lack of interest stemmed directly from their re-acquisition of the rights to Formula One motor racing, which requires a commitment of 16 weeks a year. “Just how many people play Formula One?” said Clarke. “If the BBC is to remain part of this it must answer to the millions of cricket fans in England and Wales how it prioritises its investment in sports rights.”The BBC, however, hit back with indignation at Clarke’s comments. “We’ve always said any bid for live Test cricket was subject to value for money and fitting into scheduling,” said a spokesman, “In our view neither of these criteria were met. We have consistently argued that not having cricket as a listed event puts it out of the reach of all terrestrial broadcasters. That’s the ECB’s choice and they are entitled to it, but it’s absurd to blame the BBC for this outcome.”At the weekend, Scyld Berry, the editor of Wisden, wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “Children in far more than half the households in this country will grow up without ever having seen [Andrew] Flintoff, or any other England cricketer, perform live. (And so uncool is it to watch highlights that fewer than a million watch those on [Channel 5]). How can any sport prosper when its role-models perform in purdah? No doubt the ECB will blame the BBC for not making a substantial bid. But the game’s authorities should negotiate the best bid, not the biggest.”The new Sky deal will include the Stanford quadrangular Twenty20 tournament in England as well as the EPL when it starts in 2010.At the same time Five have agreed a deal for a highlights package to be screened at 7.15-8pm. There will also be, for the first time, Welsh language television coverage of five matches involving Glamorgan on S4C with five matches plus the Welsh Village Cup.

For long under the shadow of his illustrious brother CK – elderto him by 19 years – Cottari Subbana Nayudu established himselfas one of the prominent players in first-class cricket in thecountry in the thirties and forties on the strength of his allround capabilities.

As a leg-spin googly bowler Nayudu was in a class of his own.This is reinforced by the fact that he took 295 wickets in theRanji Trophy, a record that stood for over a decade till anotherleg-spinner VV Kumar surpassed it in 1970. A big spinner of theball, Nayudu was an attacking bowler illustrated both by hisaverage (23.49) and by the fact that he needed just 56 matches toreach the mark. It must not be forgotten that Nayudu was also avery capable late-order batsman who scored 2575 runs at anaverage of 30.20 in a quarter century long career in the nationalchampionship.A tower of strength to various teams in the Ranji Trophy, Nayudureserved his greatest feats for Holkar and was a key player ofthe princely state’s halycon period from 1944 to 1954. In elevenyears, Holkar failed to reach the final only once and Nayudu wasamong the cricketers responsible for this enviable record. Hetook 14 wickets in a match once and twice captured more than 30wickets in a season, a commendable feat given the fact that veryfew matches were played in the formative years of thecompetition. In 1942-43, Nayudu became the first bowler to take40 wickets in a season, a tremendous achievement considering thathe played only four matches.A glutton for work, Nayudu loved bowling long spells and somehowit seems fitting that he holds the world record of sending downmost number of deliveries in a first-class game. In the RanjiTrophy final against Bombay in 1944-45, Nayudu bowled 152.5 overs(917 balls), a unique feat of endurance. His two spells are worthrecording for posterity 64.5-10-153-6 and 88-15-275-5. At leasthe was rewarded with 11 wickets for his toil even if Bombay wonthe match.In a three-decade long first-class career that commenced withrepresenting the Hindus in the Quadrangular in the earlythirties, Nayudu scored 5786 runs at an average of 23.90 withfour hundreds while picking up 647 wickets at 26.54 apiece.It is against this impressive record that Nayudu’s Test figuresmake for rather bewildering reading. In 11 Test matches, hescored 147 runs at an average of 9.18 and picked up just twowickets at 179.50 apiece. It would be easy to dismiss him as oneof the many players who could not successfully make thetransition from first-class cricket to the international level.The point was that he was in and out of the side. He played twoTests against England in 1933-34 and was not picked for the 1936tour of England. Sent later to reinforce the side, he played twoTests.He toured England again in 1946, playing in two more Tests. Onthe 1947-48 tour of Australia he played in four Tests and thenwas brought back for one last fling against England at Kanpur in1951-52. Admittedly, in almost all the Tests, he had difficultyin maintaining control over line and length.But even in the midst of this mediocre record, Nayudu’s name isassociated with one storybook feat. This was in his debut Test atCalcutta. India following on 156 runs behind, were 149 for sixwhen Nayudu joined Dilawar Hussain. There were still nearly twohours left and the odds were heavily stacked against the hometeam saving the game. Nayudu held on firmly to score 15 out of aseventh wicket stand of 52 and by the time he had been dismissed,the clouds of defeat had evaporated. Just to prove that he couldalso play strokes, Nayudu’s runs were made up of a six, two foursand a single!By any yardstick, Nayudu was an unusual bowler and C Ramaswamiwho was his teammate on the 1936 tour has left us this vividportrait: “CS bent his body so low while delivering the ball thathis head was almost on a level with the top of the stumps. Hestretched his arm fully and threw his body weight into hisdelivery so that the ball came off the pitch very quickly. Healso spun the ball extremely well but unfortunately his lengthand direction were not always controlled. Probably because ofthis unpredictability CS got quite a number of wickets. Batsmendid not seem to know when CS was going to produce that unplayableball.”The apt description just about sums up Nayudu’s art and skill.

A security delegation of the ICC has begun its inspection of grounds in Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy, to be held in September this year. The four-man delegation, consisting of two ICC officials and two from their security consultants, arrived in Karachi yesterday morning and then visited three stadiums today.Speaking to reporters at the National Bank of Pakistan stadium – which will host some practice matches – Campbell Jamieson, the ICC’s general manager-commercial, said that this was a routine visit, in line with protocol for all ICC events.”We will go to Lahore and Rawalpindi after this to review the security arrangements. This is part of normal ICC protocol. It happens at all our events,” Jamieson said. No questions were taken from journalists, Jamieson only adding that the delegation had enjoyed their time in the country so far.The team was accompanied by PCB officials Zakir Khan and Nadeem Akram and was due to meet the home secretary after the stadium visit. They then head off to Lahore in the evening to carry out further inspections tomorrow before going to Rawalpindi. Along the way, the team is expected to be briefed by various government and local security officials about arrangements for the tournament.The delegation’s findings will then be presented to the ICC for discussion at their next annual meeting on June 29th, at which a final decision will be made on whether or not to go ahead with the event in Pakistan.Though generally such inspections are routine procedures, this trip will be closely monitored because of recent upheaval in Pakistan. Last year was a particularly turbulent one, with a series of suicide bombings through the country, culminating with the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto in December. This year began in similar vein, but since general elections in February and the arrival of a new government, the violence has lessened considerably. It still wasn’t enough, however, to prevent Australia from postponing their trip for a full series in March-April.Before the Champions Trophy, however, Pakistan will also host the Asia Cup in June-July and it is thought that if that event goes off without a hitch, the chances of the Champions Trophy going ahead will also become brighter. The ICC has announced Sri Lanka as an alternate venue in case it is not deemed safe to host the tournament in Pakistan.

Kevin Nash and Luke Ronchi share the same Bashley-Rydal dressing room every Saturday – but next Thursday they’ll be the deadliest of rivals in a key Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy 2003 first round tie at Hursley Park.Pace bowler Nash and his Australian team-mate will be on opposite sides when Wiltshire play the Hampshire Cricket Board in what amounts to the first of two qualifying matches for next season’s C & G Trophy.Nash will be taking the new ball for the Moonrakers, with Ronchi, signed up as the HCB’s overseas player, batting at four for the Hampshire team.”I’ve never bowled to Luke in a match situation; only in the nets,” Nash said.”He’s obviously the Hampshire danger man – and potential match-winner – as he plays his shots and scores so quickly.”If the ball’s there to hit, he will – and very hard.”But Nash knows his Perth buddy is not infallible. “Luke is always likely to give a chance, as he tends to be a bit loose and hit the ball in the air every now and then….,” he added.The Hampshire Cricket Board have a double incentive to beat their Wiltshire neighbours in the qualifier at Hursley Park, which starts at 11 o’clock and admission for which is free.For starters, there’s the incentive of a home tie against Staffordshire in the second round but, more significantly, the knowledge that, should they lose, the bulk of the Board team will never play representative cricket again.Among radical changes announced by the ECB, Board teams will not be allowed to participate in the C & G Trophy after the 2003 season.And, in addition, the 38 County (Board) Championship, under its present guise, is to be scrapped, leaving top recreational cricketers in First Class counties without any representative cricket at all.Frank Kemp, the ECB’s Cricket Operations Manager (Recreational) confirmed that “from the 2004 season, entry to the C & G Trophy will be restricted to one team from the 18 First Class counties, in addition to the 20 Minor Counties, plus Denmark, Holland, Ireland and Scotland.”No entry for Board teams like Hampshire into the country’s top 50-over competition means that, theoretically, top club cricketers like Dan Goldstraw, Paul Gover and the like will no longer have the opportunity to pit their skills against the top pros, unless the transfer their allegience to neighbouring Minor Counties.The ECB is also to scrap the existing two-day Under-19 County Championship – which Hampshire won several seasons ago and are semi-finalists again this term – and to introduce an age limitation into a new-look one-day 38 County Championship.”The age limitation will be Under 21, with up to two ‘over-age’ players allowed to play in each team,” Kemp clarified.Next season’s reshaped 38 County Board Championship will continue on a geographic eight-group basis leading to quarter, semiand final matches.”This change reflects the ‘developmental’ aspects of much County Board cricket and the fact that Under 19 cricket does not consistently involve the best players of this age, who are often playing County 2nd XI cricket,” Kemp explained.It is anticipated that the majority of matches will be played when school and university players are available, ie from June onwards.The ECB’s plans met with considerable opposition – none more so than from Hampshire themselves – but appear to have fallen on deaf ears.”These changes are seen as a big disappointment to the best Hampshire club cricketers who aspire to represent their home county, both in the 38-county competition and in the C & G Trophy,” said HCB Administrator Colin Savage.”At a time when the ECB is aiming to support and encourage cricket clubs – an important part of its National Strategy – this can only be seen as a big backward step.”It also removes the opportunity for the County Board to achieve a home tie in the third round and raise extra revenue for its crucial role in cricket development.”Wiltshire have named five Southern Electric Premier League players in their side.South Wilts opener Russell Rowe and Winchester’s Jimmy Taylor will be in the top order batting positions, with Bashley-Rydal’s Kevin Nash spearheading the Moonraker’s attack.Paul Draper (South Wilts) and Calmore’s James Hibberd are named as the two all-rounders in the Wiltshire side.Hampshire are weakened by the absence of top BAT wicket-taker Dan Goldstraw and Havant opener Andy Perry.Hampshire CB: Paul Gover (capt), Mackie Hobson, Richard Hindley (Havant), Roger Miller (Andover), Damian Shirazi, Dave Banks, Richard Dibden (BAT Sports), Lee Savident (Portsmouth), Dave Greetham (Normandy), Luke Ronchi (Bashley), Danny Peacock (Lymington).

ADELAIDE, Oct 26 AAP – New South Wales leg-spinner Stuart MacGill picked up a crucial wicket before tea today to leave South Australia struggling at 3-81 in its first innings.MacGill had Greg Blewett caught for 31 late in the second session after he and SA skipper Darren Lehmann put on a 61-run partnership on day two of the Pura Cup match at Adelaide Oval.The Blues declared their first innings at 6-474 at lunch after former Test opener Michael Slater top-scored with 177.The Redbacks were immediately under pressure in reply, with openers Ben Johnson (four) and David Fitzgerald (seven) both falling cheaply.Stuart Clark picked up both their wickets, having Johnson caught behind after an attempted pull shot caught his glove and ballooned to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.He then trapped Fitzgerald lbw, after Fitzgerald had looked extremely uncomfortable in his short stay at the crease.Lehmann and Blewett were then thrust into the familiar role of trying to rescue their team from early trouble.They took 15 overs to make 61 and were looking comfortable until Haddin took a sharp catch from Blewett (31), who got a thin bottom edge to a cut shot close to his body off a delivery which kept low.Lehmann, looking to post a big score to boost his chances of Ashes Test selection, was unbeaten on 34 from 44 balls and looking in increasingly good form after a scratchy start to his innings.Mark Higgs was with him at the crease but yet to score.Clark had the figures of 2-26, from 10 overs, at tea, and MacGill had 1-23 from three overs.

Kent need another 185 runs to beat Lancashire after they bowled the hosts out for 347 at Liverpool. Skipper David Fulton, on 85 not out, helped his side reach 174 for two at stumps. Earlier there were three wickets apiece for Majid Khan, Martin Saggers and Mark Ealham, and an unbeaten 80 from Peter Martin towards the Lancashire total.A double century from Darren Lehmann has enabled Yorkshire to fight back into contention at Arundel, closing on 357 for four in their second innings, 220 ahead of Sussex. Lehmann made 216 (one six, 25 fours) and Michael Lumb an unbeaten 89 for the visitors.Warwickshire look well set for victory at Birmingham after Somerset ended the day on 248 for six, still needing another 197 for victory. Dominic Ostler went on to 175 this morning to help set the visitors a daunting 446 for victory, and despite half centuries for Michael Burns and Ian Blackwell they look unlikely to get there.Worcestershire duly completed a rout of Durham at New Road. Kabir Ali (four for 77) and Andy Bichel (three for 84) repeated their first innings success as the visitors were bowled out for 215, Danny Law fighting a lone rearguard with an unbeaten 72. Worcestershire won by an innings and 308 runs.Middlesex look on target to beat Glamorgan at Cardiff, despite a century from the home skipper Steve James. Forced to follow on after being bowled out for 235 in their first innings (Phil Tufnell six for 96), Glamorgan were 301 for five at stumps, still 97 runs behind.An unbeaten 60 from Ashley Cowan boosted Essex to 325 all out this morning, Ian Harvey finishing with five for 64. Gloucestershire started poorly in their second innings, but Jack Russell and Ian Fisher pulled things round, each making an undefeated 74 as the hosts reached 245 for six at stumps, 303 ahead.Northants have taken control of their game against Notts, after the visitors were reduced to 169 for eight in their second innings, just 238 ahead. Jason Brown and Graeme Swann each took three wickets.

It is a sign of the times that of the twenty names put forward as aprovisional list for the ECB National Academy to go to Australia at the endof the current season, two of them are from the British Asian community. Itwas not so very long ago that Asians did not feature on county staffs. Nowthere are only two or three that do not have representatives from withinthat community.Looking further afield, it is not only in England that Asians are playing aprominent role in cricket development. In the emerging nations of theEuropean Cricket Council, the game is being nurtured throughout theassociate and affiliate members of ICC by Asians. They are at the heart ofdevelopment programmes right across Europe and now the process has gone fullcircle in that Kent have recruited Amjad Khan, a fast-medium bowler andright hand batsman who is not of Anglo-Asian descent at all. He is Danishand first came to the county’s attention when playing for Denmark againstthe Kent Cricket Board in the NatWest Trophy of 1999.He has not yet been selected for the Academy – though many more performanceslike those he has been putting in of late and he could be there one day -but there is delight in Worcestershire and Northamptonshire that Kabir Aliand Monty Panesar respectively have been included on the shortlist.

Kabir Ali is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who hails from Birmingham. Hisearly cricket was in club cricket in Warwickshire where his father ShabirAli played club cricket, and he was then picked up by Worcestershire. Herepresented England Under 19s in both “Test” and one-day cricket and, stillonly 21 years of age, he has been making quite a name for himself by virtueof the best possible reason, namely taking wickets.It was a process that started last season when he only played in fourfirst-class matches but in that time took 14 wickets at 18.07 each,including five for 22 against Gloucestershire. That was the cheapest maidenfive-wicket return for Worcestershire, and he seems to specialise in makingan immediate impact. He took four for 29 on his Benson and Hedges Cup debutagainst Glamorgan in 2000 and took the gold award, in the same season thathe recorded his maiden first-class fifty against Nottinghamshire.He actually made his debut in 1999 with a single first-class match, playedten further games in 2000 when he appeared no more than a youngster whomight or might not make it. Then he made definite progress in 2001 beforehis form and performances this season have marked him out as a definiteprospect.He has extended his best bowling figures to seven for 43 and has contributedwith the bat as well, with his highest innings now standing at 51 not out.These are encouraging signs, for it is easy for a player to make an earlyimpression and then fade. Kabir Ali, rather than fading, has made steadyprogress and has impressed as good a judge as Rod Marsh, the Head Coach ofthe National Academy.If he does gain selection to party that eventually goes to Adelaide for thewinter, his other career will have to be put on hold. In his spare time, andto boost his income, Kabir Ali works as a male model. Now there have beenquite a few posers in the game, but Kabir Ali’s posing is done strictly forthe camera. When he gets his cricket kit on, he has consistently producedthe goods to show that he has a genuine future in the game.

Northamptonshire’s left-arm spinner Mudhsuden Singh Panesar (or “Monty” ashe is known throughout the game) does not have any pretensions as a fashionmodel, but he has the potential to develop as a model for other left-armorthodox spinners to follow.He learned his cricket in Bedfordshire, having been born in Luton and goingto Bedford Modern School. From there he went on to Loughborough Universityand with the close links between Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, he madehis first-class county debut last season having played a couple of years ofminor county cricket. Again, he made an immediate impact with match figuresof eight for 131 on his debut against Leicestershire with four for 11 in thesecond innings from 20 overs.In the first innings of that match he had to bowl at Shahid Afridi as hereached a century off 74 balls and went on to 164. Panesar did not suffertoo badly, for although his four wickets cost 120 runs, they were scored off35 overs.This was all part of the learning process that saw him feature in theEngland Under 19 side for two seasons. His has not been a rapid rise to thetop, for by the start of this season he had bowled just over 100 overs inhis two first-class matches. He has played in one more so far this season,taking his workload to 117.3 overs in three first-class matches, with 13wickets at 31.53 each.Those might not appear to spectacular figures, but there is a classical,timeless quality about his bowling action that suggests he might not go theway of so many of his type and suffer an attack of the ‘yips’. Certainly hehas done enough to impress the selectors and if he does make it to Adelaidefor the winter, watch out for the name of Monty Panesar establishing himselfas one of the best spin bowling prospects in English cricket.

It almost had to happen, really.It is three months since Tasmania last played Queensland in a Pura Cup match in Brisbane. It is three months since the Tigers came across one of the most capricious and controversial ‘Gabba pitches in memory. It is three months since they recorded – in the one game, no less – their two lowest totals in domestic first-class competition. It is three months since they were beaten in the fastest time ever taken to complete a match of its kind in Australia, and it is three months since they found themselves at one of the lower ebbs in the state’s cricketing history.Queensland’s ten wicket victory back then went a long way toward sealing its spot in the Final, and it appeared to have gone just as far in ending Tasmania’s summer.But, in the three months since, nothing has proved more fateful than that experience.That it is Queensland and Tasmania that have ultimately emerged as this Australian first-class season’s two best-performing teams, and that the concluding contest of the summer should be staged between them in Brisbane, combines wicked irony with delicious anticipation.It is crunch time in the Australian domestic summer and, whatever course the 2001-02 Pura Cup Final follows, it is impossible for it not to create a delightful new slice of history.Thirteen years have passed since a state last won this competition three times in a row, and the feat has never been achieved by Queensland. With triumphs over Victoria in each of the last two years still fresh in the memory, opportunities to join the ranks of some of the most exalted Australian domestic teams do not come much better than this.For Tasmania, the possibilities are no less exciting. Though the Tigers represent the smallest state in the country, and confront a routine lack of respect from mainlanders every year, they have refused to acquiesce with expectation this season. Moreover, in collecting 26 of a maximum 30 points from their last five outings – the four they surrendered were largely attributable to appalling weather in Melbourne – they have established themselves as the form team of the competition.And, should they reverse that outcome from their Brisbane duel earlier in the summer, it would be among the most amazing results in Tasmanian sporting history. As parties go, the victory celebrations would have few forerunners within their state.The visitors’ task seems simple enough in itself. They merely need to continue riding the wave that has carried them to a stage of the competition that their state has only known twice in its past.Given how well their bowlers are combining, and how effortlessly they seem to be collecting 20 wickets in their matches these days, it does not seem too daunting a requirement. Veteran David Saker and journeyman Shane Jurgensen have been outstanding, aligning movement both ways with metronomic line. Gerard Denton offers another dimension with his extreme pace, filling the void that was left when Shane Watson was called away to international duty in February. And, though injury threatens his participation this week, the fact that Damien Wright’s immaculate line and length is now being paired with sizeable lower order contributions with the bat and accomplished catching in the gully means that his role in Tasmania’s revival has also been central.Strong performances from the top and middle order – traditionally seen as the key to Tasmania’s game – have also been flowing readily after being uncharacteristically absent prior to Christmas.Opening batsman and captain Jamie Cox looks to be back to his best with scores of 174 and 72 in his two most recent matches; former Western Australian Michael Dighton has settled in seamlessly both to his new surroundings and his role at number three; Daniel Marsh provides a cool head and an efficient run scoring presence; and Michael Di Venuto is as eager for anyone for meaningful runs at the end of a troubled season and on the back of two previous experiences in first-class deciders.The spirit and determination embedded in the batting of Scott Mason at the top of the order – not to mention his role as a cheerleader in the field – have also been intangible assets.As have the nerve and skill of wicketkeeper-batsman Sean Clingeleffer at number seven.Yet the Tigers’ assignment over the next five days is likely to be as challenging as any they have encountered.Though five key players are missing (Matthew Hayden, Andy Bichel, Jimmy Maher and Nathan Hauritz to international commitments, and Adam Dale to long-term injury), there remains no state team as professional as Queensland.From Stuart Law’s on-field leadership right through to the off-field administration, few stones are left unturned in Brisbane in the search for optimum results.It is not by way of chance or accident that the Bulls will be appearing in their seventh first-class final in the last decade, nor that they are shooting for a remarkable fifth title in only eight years.This time around, the top six in their batting order has a slightly unstable look to it, with three players of considerable experience aligned with another trio with precious little. Yet, in Martin Love, they have the consummate big occasion player. Rival captain Cox rates him alongside South Australia’s Darren Lehmann as one of the two most dangerous batsmen in the country and it’s difficult to disagree.Injury and form have scuttled the seasons of Law and of Andrew Symonds to an extent but both have sound records against Tasmania. Instructively, Law also has an outstanding record in finals matches, albeit that Victorians might mutter something about the fact that his luck at this time of year may be due to run out.Bichel and Dale may be unavailable but there’s still a lot to like in the Queenslanders’ pace attack as well.It has been three seasons since Michael Kasprowicz was permitted the opportunity to play in such a match, and a further two since he last received first-hand experience of the joy of a title victory. A fine fast bowler even when little is at stake, he looms as one of the key players in this contest.Ashley Noffke needs little introduction at this time of the season either, having gained man of the match honours in a devastating performance in the corresponding game 12 months ago. Joe Dawes is always lionhearted, rarely strays from a line and length, and was the competition’s leading wicket-taker last summer. And, though a surprise inclusion when called up to the side late in the season, young left armer Scott Brant has proved as adept at conquering batsmen as anyone.For all the talk in recent days about the Bulls being understrength in this match, it also shouldn’t be forgotten that Tasmania has been deprived the services of Watson, Ricky Ponting and, potentially, Wright.Conditioned by the knowledge that the sides’ two previous meetings have not even entered a third day, and that both captains have talked up the attacking qualities of their respective line-ups in the hours leading into the match, an engrossing battle can be confidently expected.The closing game of the 100th full season of this competition is approaching and there have been few climaxes more keenly awaited.