England are considering arranging more matches to allow their injured players, and Andrew Flintoff in particular, to get match-fit before the winter’s Ashes series.Already without captain Michael Vaughan, who is hoping to make his return from knee surgery in January, England fear the comeback of Flintoff could be delayed by a lack of available action. Flintoff is due to have a second operation on his troublesome left ankle this week which will sideline him for three months, ruling him out of the Pakistan Test and one-day series and establishing him as a major doubt for October’s Champions Trophy tournament in India.But without playing in the Champions Trophy, Flintoff will be desperately short of match action before England arrive in Australia for a one-day match and two three-day games prior to the opening Test in Brisbane on November 23.David Graveney, England’s chairman of selectors, has admitted to being “mischievous” when he suggested Cricket Australia may want to help arrange practice matches, but it is an avenue England may consider anyway. “I was being a little mischievous when I said that, but there are a couple of areas we may look at,” he explained. “We know [former Hampshire batsman] Paul Terry has a set-up in Perth and we could look at setting up matches in India, so there are a couple of places we could go to if we felt it would help.”Flintoff remains a priority for England because of his importance to the side, but the same could apply to injured duo Ashley Giles (hip) and Simon Jones (knee), although both of them remain major doubts for the Ashes because they are yet to play this season. England do not want a repetition of the last Ashes tour, when Flintoff and Darren Gough were picked while still recovering from injuries and had to be sent home without playing any part in the series.”The last trip to Australia was shambolic,” stressed Graveney. “Freddie arrived at the Academy in Adelaide and he could hardly walk, let alone bowl. “Regrettably we may be heading for the same situation to a degree. We might have a number of guys going there that are physically fit, but not match fit.”I believe Flintoff will be physically fit. What we have to do with Freddie and Ashley, because he’s making positive noises as well, we’ve got to arrange enough cricket for them so they are running when they actually get there for the first Test on November 23.”

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been retained in Pakistan’s 16-member one-day squad for the five-match series against England after recovering sufficiently from his elbow injury. Shahid Yousuf, the 20-year old right-handed batsman from Sialkot, is the only new face in the squad.Wasim Bari, the chairman of selectors, said that Yousuf was included based on the merit of his performances with the Pakistan A side in Abu Dhabi and Australia. Akhtar, who has not played for Pakistan since February, was expected to play the final Test at The Oval but was eventually not risked. Bari confirmed that he had now recovered well enough.”We have decided to retain Akhtar for the one-day series as he has recovered well from his ankle injury,” Bari told Reuters. “Yousuf is a fine batting prospect who has done well for the A side in recent months in two major tournaments.”Shoaib Malik, the allrounder, has also been included, after he was cleared to play by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical panel. Malik missed the Tests owing to an elbow injury and will join the squad later this week.Faisal Iqbal, the middle-order batsman and pacers Mohammad Sami and Shahid Nazir will return home after the Test series.Squad Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Imran Farhat, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved, Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria.

Match abandoned
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Australia were denied a certain victory in the third match of the DLF Cup, as the wet weather played havoc for the second match in a row at the Kinrara Oval. After Australia mustered 244, India, set a revised target of 170 in 29 overs, were decimated by an outstanding spell of fast bowling by Mitchell Johnson, who ripped out the heart of the Indian batting in two hostile overs. He returned magnificent figures of 4 for 11 to have the Indians reeling at 35 for 5 in eight overs, before the rains returned to save India the blushes.Already having lost a rain-affected match to West Indies on Thursday, India were lagging in third place on the points table, but their bowlers put in a fine show after Australia won the toss, recovering from an early battering to restrict them to 244. Shane Watson, promoted to open the innings for the first time in his ODI career, rode his luck early on and bludgeoned some fine blows en route to a career-best 79 while Michael Clarke made a controlled 64. But the Indian attack, led by the irrepressible Harbhajan Singh (2 for 24) hit back in fine style, ensuring that India needed an asking rate of less than five an over to get their first points of the tournament.Sachin Tendulkar versus Glenn McGrath was the big contest everybody had been waiting for, and their tussle, though brief, lived up to the hype. McGrath rattled Tendulkar on the helmet off the first ball he bowled to him, and then kept Tendulkar guessing with excellent variations in length and seam movement. Tendulkar hit back with an audacious down-the-pitch hoick over midwicket before the rains sent the players scurrying back with India on 16 without loss after five.The three overs of play after resumption was the most dramatic passage of the entire day. Johnson has been touted as the next big thing in Australian fast bowling, and he showed just why he is so highly rated, destroying the famed Indian line-up with pace, swing and seam. The revised target of 154 in 24 overs clearly meant the batsmen had to up the pace instantly, and the pressure told, as Dravid scooped a drive to cover. Irfan Pathan walked out, and was greeted with a jaffa – the ball pitched on middle and off, and took off stump even as Pathan shaped to get into line.Virender Sehwag briefly provided respite with an upper-cut off Stuart Clark for six, but then succumbed to a misunderstanding with Tendulkar, who himself was next out after surviving the hat-trick ball. When Yuvraj Singh edged a catch to slip, India had lost five wickets for 19 runs in three overs, and were staring at a humiliating defeat, before they were rescued by the rain.The Australian innings was split into two parts – the first one was all about their batsmen – especially Watson – dominating completely, while the second part belonged to the Indian bowlers.

Watson and Phil Jaques, his opening partner, got the innings going in fine style after a circumspect first six overs, which fetched only 23. The next four overs produced 41, though, and the Australians were well and truly underway, as both batsmen launched into Ajit Agarkar and Munaf Patel – the Indian new-ball pair – with a series of pulls, lofted straight-drives and punches through the off side. India had one chance to stop the rot before it had even begun, when Watson – then on 13 – got a leading edge off Agarkar, but Harbhajan made a mess of the chance at cover.The first wicket added 64, and though Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn didn’t contribute much, Australia were rollicking along thanks to Watson. Plonking his front foot down the pitch, he took full toll whenever the bowlers pitched it up, thumping fours down the ground and through cover. And when they pitched it short, Watson unleashed some fierce pull shots, none more destructive than the one off Munaf in the eighth over – the ball soared over midwicket for six. Irfan Pathan, still woefully short on confidence, was taken to the cleaners too, as he leaked four fours in an over. Then Harbhajan was introduced into the attack, and the momentum shifted completely.Controlling his length, pace and flight superbly, Harbhajan immediately commanded respect from the batsmen. The pitch afforded him some turn, and he used it perfectly, turning it in from outside off, and keeping the batsmen guessing with the occasional doosra. He soon got the vital wicket of Watson – who clipped one to midwicket – and then rode on that success. Mark Cosgrove didn’t have an answer to his guile either, and with Sehwag offering fine support at the other end, Australia were suddenly on the defensive.With Australia losing the momentum, it was left to Clarke to play the role of sheet anchor. His approach too changed as the wickets fell, and fluent strokeplay gave way to nudges and pushes as he sensibly reined himself in. He finally fell trying to force the pace, as Agarkar and Munaf returned with accurate second spells. A brief spell of rain forced the players off the field with seven deliveries left, but, on resumption, they needed only three more to take the final Australian wicket and wrap up the innings.Dravid woud have been looking forward to four points at the halfway mark, but by the end of the game, he would have been mightily relieved to get two.

Phil Jaques c Sehwag b Munaf 25 (64 for 1)
Ricky Ponting c Tendulkar b Pathan 19 (92 for 2)
Damien Martyn c Dhoni b Singh 4 (113 for 3)
Shane Watson c Raina b Harbhajan 79 (157 for 4)
Mark Cosgrove c Dravid b Harbhajan 1 (167 for 5)
Brad Haddin run out (Sehwag) 16 (200 for 6)
Michael Clarke c Raina b Munaf 64 (230 for 7)
Mitchell Johnson c Dhoni b Agarkar 1 (232 for 8)
Stuart Clark c Singh b Munaf 7 (243 for 9)
Hogg c Dhoni b Agarkar 12 (244 all out)
IndiaRahul Dravid c Martyn b Johnson 6 (20 for 1)
Irfan Pathan b Johnson 0 (20 for 2)
Virender Sehwag run out (Clarke/Haddin) 8 (34 for 3)
Sachin Tendulkar c Haddin b Johnson 12 (34 for 4)
Yuvraj Singh c Hogg b Johnson 0 (35 for 5)

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Upul Tharanga’s rich vein of form continued as he hammered his second hundred in a row and his fourth in nine innings, to help Sri Lanka coast to a 144-run win against Zimbabwe and all but ensure a place in the main draw of the Champions Trophy. Tharanga’s 110, and his 165-run third-wicket stand with Kumar Sangakkara, lifted Sri Lanka from an ordinary start to an imposing 285 for 7. Zimbabwe briefly looked in the mood for a fight when Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza were involved in a 63-run partnership for fourth wicket, but a heap of wickets on either side of the stand meant it was yet another dreary one-sided contest.To be fair to Zimbabwe, though, this effort was some improvement on their shambolic display against West Indies. During large parts of the Sri Lankan innings they kept the runs under control – in fact it was the first time in six innings that Sri Lanka didn’t top 300 – and bowled and fielded with plenty of enthusiasm, with the 19-year-old legspinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi being the pick of the bowlers. However, Tharanga and Sangakkara eventually turned it on, and when it was Zimbabwe’s turn to bat, their utter lack of ability against top-class bowling was again ruthlessly exposed.When Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and chose to bat, he would probably have expected another deluge of runs from the start, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers weren’t in the mood to follow the expected script. Sanath Jayasuriya and Jayawardene went cheaply without striking a single boundary between them as Anthony Ireland and Tawanda Mupariwa, the new-ball bowlers, kept a tight leash over the runs with their control over line and length.Tharanga and Sangakkara began the rebuilding exercise, but after 30 overs there were still only 137 on the board, with the slow bowlers taking over from where the seamers had left off. Gradually, though, the batsmen took charge, taking more risks, using their feet and peppering the boundaries.Tharanga continued from where he had left off against Bangladesh, driving sumptuously through the covers and point off either foot, and once even tonking Mupariwa straight and long for a superb six. When the spinners came on, he creamed more fours the offside, making room and hitting into the gaps to perfection.Sangakkara’s start was very subdued – after 42 balls he had 22 – but recognising the need to up the pace he changed gears in style, putting the spinners on the defensive by using his feet to clip it through midwicket or drive through cover. Both batsmen targeted Prosper Utseya, who had a rare off day and even bowled a couple of no-balls, and Kamungozi in a seven over burst which fetched 65 and changed the momentum of the innings completely.Both Tharanga and Sangakkara – who went past 5000 ODI runs during his innings – fell in successive overs after adding 165, the highest third-wicket partnership in Champions Trophy history. Sri Lanka lost a couple of quick wickets thereafter, and though Marvan Atapattu batted with plenty of urgency at No.5, Sri Lanka managed only 65 in their last ten overs, with Kamugozi showing plenty of maturity in bowling during the slog.As it turned out, the total was more than sufficient. There was a brief threat – and signs of a challenge – during a 12-over period when Taylor and Masakadza went after the bowlers with aplomb, flaying fours through the off side against a listless Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof and forcing Jayawardene to cast furtive glances at the scorecard. However, both bowlers hit back with wickets, and when Zimbabwe lost three in five balls – including those of Taylor and Masakadza – to slump to 89 for 6, the match was as good as over. Utseya and Mupariwa resisted stoutly, but it only served to delay the inevitable and marginally reduce the margin of defeat.

<Sri LankaSanath Jayasuriya run out (Chigumbura) 9 (38 for 1)
Mahela Jayawardene c Taylor b Ireland 4 (49 for 2)
Upul Tharanga b Matsikenyeri 110 (214 for 3)
Kumar Sangakkara c Matsikenyeri b Chibhabha 80 (219 for 4)
Tillakaratne Dilshan c Kamungozi b Utseya 6 (235 for 5)
Farveez Maharoof lbw b Kamungozi 13 (259 for 6)
Muttiah Muralitharan c Matsikenyeri b Kamungozi 10 (273 for 7)
Zimbabwe
Piet Rinke b Perera 1 (7 for 1)
Tafadzwa Mufambisi c Jayawardene b Malinga 5 (7 for 2)
Chibhabha c Dilshan b Malinga 4 (23 for 3)
Brendan Taylor b Fernando 30 (86 for 4)Hamilton Masakadza c Sangakkara b Maharoof 30 (86 for 5)
Elton Chigumbura run out 2 (89 for 6)
Stuart Matsikenyeri c Jayasuriya b Fernando 2 (107 for 7)
Prosper Utseya c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 20 (126 for 8)
Anthony Ireland c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 0 (134 for 9)
Tawanda Mupariwa b Malinga 20 (141 all out)

Brian Lara once again cited Greg Chappell’s comments – that West Indies’poor run of form had made it difficult for them to win close games – as the spur for athrilling three-wicket triumph at the Motera Stadium. The victory not onlytook West Indies into the semi-finals as they seek to defend the trophythey won two years ago in England, but it also ensured that eitherAustralia or India, two of the pre-tournament favourites, will be missingfrom the climactic week of action.Addressing the media after his batsmen had chased down 223 with two ballsremaining, Lara said: “Going back to that statement that Greg [Chappell]made in Jamaica, the guys are really determined each time they get out onto the field against India. We’ve done that in the Caribbean, and inMalaysia we had a win and a loss. Here again, most importantly, playingIndia at home, the guys knew the enormous task it was.”Yes, we were winning against them, but in foreign conditions to them.Playing here in Ahmedabad, they definitely had the advantage, with thecrowd and knowing the pitch. We wanted to win, and we planned to win, andthe guys executed well.”Despite a worrying wobble at the end, Lara was more than satisfied withthe manner in which the top order went about the task, propelled byanother blistering cameo from Chris Gayle. “I thought it was very wellcalculated by all the batsmen,” he said. “Partnerships were veryimportant, and it was a lot of mature batting from the likes of ChrisGayle and right through. Dwayne Bravo, batting for the first time at No. 3,had a 50-run partnership with Chanderpaul, the man of the match, whoguided it.”Sarwan seems to be gaining more and more with experience, showing theclass and determination that he has. It was a good victory, but notcomprehensive. It came down to the last. Someone was saying: ‘West Indieswill always give you excitement’. We gave you this match and we gave you ado-or-die in Mohali on Sunday (laughs).”Though he didn’t focus too much on individuals, Lara was delighted withthe form shown by Runako Morton, who followed up a superb 90 againstAustralia with a vital 45 in this game. “We’ve been working on getting himto play a lot of shots and manoeuvring the ball around the field,” hesaid. “He knew he had to work on it, and was willing to do it. What weknow about Morton is that he doesn’t give up his wicket very cheaply, andhe’s someone that done very well in Test matches in recent times. Now’s headapting to the one-day game, and he’s definitely someone we like havingaround. The last two games, he’s shown that he wants to be in the team.Consistency is now what’s expected.”

In the space of little over a week, West Indies have prevailed over bothAustralia and India, and Lara, who played his part in the first triumphwith a dazzling 71, refused to rate one above the other. “We spoke aboutthese two games, playing against the No. 1 team in the world and playingagainst the hosts, and I don’t think any one gave us more satisfaction,”he said. “If we get past the first round in the World Cup, Australia andIndia are two teams we’re going to meet in the second round. Getting thatadvantage, playing away from home and beating them, is good. But we’ve gotto move on. This is just the build-up to it [the World Cup], and I’m veryhappy with the way we’re approaching it.”The upswing in West Indies’ one-day fortunes has coincided with Lara’sthird stint at the helm, and he attributed recent impressive victories tomore thorough preparation off the field. “I think regrouping and findingout exactly where we’ve been going wrong,” he said, when asked if he couldpinpoint a factor or two for the reversal of fortune. “It’s never been asituation where we’re short in confidence, or on talent. It’s aboutgetting it together, and doing a lot of background work. The guys talk alot of cricket off the field, that’s where you learn the game. It’s verygood to see the younger players make a contribution and that’s where we’rewinning the game – off the field.”There was some sympathy for an Indian line-up that will face intensecriticism if they exit their own party on Sunday. “The conditions arepretty difficult, the pitches are not batting paradises,” he said. “Indiaalso have a lot of their experienced batsmen up in the top five. So if youkeep them tight, contain and take wickets, it’s a little vulnerable in themiddle. But the likes of [Suresh] Raina and [Mahendra Singh] Dhoni haveless than 100 one-day matches. They’re going to learn the game as they goon, and you expect India in their conditions to excel. In a tournamentlike the World Cup in the Caribbean, where the pitches are similar toIndian ones, I think India are going to be a force to be reckoned with.”His own participation in the game was in doubt till the very last, butLara suggested that pulling out had never really been an option, givenwhat was at stake. “I wasn’t a hundred percent, but I thought we’d leaveit as late as possible,” he said. “This morning, I did some work with thephysiotherapist and felt a lot better. I thought it was a very importantgame for us. We didn’t want to come back on Saturday and have to winagainst England.”The fact that he made only five didn’t bother him, with Marlon Samuels’slash to third man ensuring that there would be no fatal twist in thetale. “It was a short ball, but I didn’t pick up the slower ball,” he saidwhen asked of his dismissal. “I had to try to change the shot midway. Itwas unfortunate to drag it back onto the stumps. But we knew exactly whatwe had to do. We kept wickets in hand, and won at the end of the day.”And after an outing where nearly everyone impressed, it’s going to be abrave man who ridicules their chances of going all the way again.

Shane Watson is aiming to be fit for Boxing Day after he conceded he would not be ready for the third Test starting in Perth on Thursday. Watson’s recovery time for the injury was originally a couple of days, but three weeks after straining his hamstring he is still waiting for the all-clear.In the lead-up to the first Test he put in a lot of work in an attempt to play, but he now believes the extra effort has delayed his plans. “I’ve been trying, with all the medical staff, trying to get up for the first Test and then the second Test, it has probably prolonged it a little bit,” Watson told . “It hasn’t really had a full-on chance to absolutely heal.”Watson was not picked in Queensland’s squad for the domestic one-day game today but is hopeful of being ready for the match against South Australia on Wednesday. Despite missing the early Tests, Watson was concerned about doing further damage that would affect his ODI prospects.”There’s an unbelievable amount of cricket coming up,” he told . “We’ve got to think about not just trying to get right for the third Test, but making sure that it won’t be any longer than that. I will be right for around Christmas time at least, in a worst-case scenario.”There is so much cricket to come, with the one-day series [against England and New Zealand] and then the World Cup. There’s one thing I will be, I will be absolutely fresh compared to maybe the guys who have toiled away so hard over the last couple of Tests.”The Bulls will be boosted by the inclusion of Matthew Hayden for today’s match, with Lachlan Stevens left out of the 12-man squad. Queensland are on top of the FR Cup table with four wins from their six matches.Queensland FR Cup squad Jimmy Maher (capt), Matthew Hayden, James Hopes, Andrew Symonds, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Michael Buchanan, Chris Hartley (wk), Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Chris Simpson, Mitchell Johnson.

When Pakistan and the West Indies meet next, after the final ODI at Karachi tomorrow, it will be for the opening game of the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica in just under three months time. Signs emerged at Multan during the last ODI that cricket’s premier tournament is looming on the minds of both sides, as line-ups were changed, experiments made and players tested.Pakistan went about the experiments with greater zeal, though ultimatelypaying the price for them and it is unlikely, injuries permitting, that theywill do so again with the same gusto. “We experimented in Multan and wefelt that it was right to do it then as opposed to in the final game,”said Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, at the National Stadium.Their batting struggled in Multan, though they were, for various reasons,without their immense middle order trio of Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq andMohammad Yousuf for the first time since 2004. The captain is “98%certain” to play tomorrow, having almost fully recovered from a fingerinjury. Yousuf is in Karachi and also likely to play, as is Abdur Rahman,who has been so impressive in the two games that he has played so far.Woolmer insisted that there were still some positives to be drawn.”We were without our middle three in Multan and the loss was disappointingbut we can take positives from that in Yasir Hameed’s batting and MohammadSami as well,” Woolmer explained. “We have learnt a lot from that game andwill be coming out in Karachi firing on all cylinders.”His opposite number, Bennett King, will no doubt hope his side does thesame and a drawn series here will nicely bookend a long, arduousthree-month road trip from which some light has emerged.”We made the final of two big competitions and onlylost to a high-quality side on each occasion. So as far as ODIs areconcerned, the results are very encouraging,” King told reporters.And the medium-term implications of a good finish are not lost on him. “Itis important that we finish the series on a good note with Pakistan beingin our World Cup pool. From our perspective, when we played Pakistan athome to where we are now, there has been a lot of improvement. We area dangerous force in ODI cricket. We found some good form the other night inMultan and we’re looking forward to this match.”Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose return to the top of the order proved socrucial then, is fit to play despite struggling at various points throughhis innings but Jerome Taylor’s inclusion, after being rested at Multan,is not as certain as might be expected from a bowler who has made such animpression. “We’ll see how Jerome pulls up in the morning. In thesubcontinent, with illnesses and injuries, it’s a day-to-day thing. We’repretty sure of what side will play but we’ll see. The wicket looks prettyflat and there isn’t as much moisture to help the fast bowlers. We’relooking forward to it and will pick the best side for the match.”Much of the talk of both men though was geared towards forthcomingchallenges. Pakistan head off to South Africa for a full series in Januaryand the West Indies to India for a series of one-day internationals in thesame month. Soon after that comes the face-off at Sabina Park. In whichcase, tomorrow becomes the first of numerous dress rehearsals for the realthing.

With the four-match series against the West Indies winding to a close, India are stuck with more questions than answers. While it would be over the top to say they are indisarray, the Indian team certainly needs to clear the question marks hanging over certain key players in the lead-up to the World Cup.The most important, perhaps, is Irfan Pathan, who had, through his ability to score runs both at the top of the innings and later on, given the team the option of going light on the batting and playing the extra bowler. But, with his bowling falling away to the extent that he lost his place in the team, all talk of balance seems a bit of a luxury.Speaking at a press conference ahead of the final one-dayer against West Indies, where Pathan is set to return to the side on the back of seven wickets in his last Ranji Trophy match, Rahul Dravid took the safety-first option when asked about him. “The proof of the pudding will be in the eating,” said Dravid. “When Irfan goes out there and playsa few games and performs, only then will we know. I’m just looking forwardto him playing again. Him bowling well and performing well – those areimportant words – are critical to the balance of the team so we hope thathe’ll do just that.” Pathan’s batting form has been on a steady rise, sothere’s no real concern there. If his bowling comes through then that’sone less headache India have.Sreesanth’s meteoric rise in Test cricket has, intriguingly, had little todo with his fortunes in the one-day game. His performances in Tests,both in West Indies and in South Africa, were forceful and filled withpurpose, sometimes even inspirational, but he has bled runsin ODIs. He’s the kind of bowler who you want to be able tocall up at any time, but he’s by no means a certainty to make the cut forthe World Cup just yet.”Sree’s a young bowler and is competing for a spot in the side as anyoneis. He’s finding out it’s not that easy to bowl on Indian wickets. He’sgot to keep learning and improving. That’s part of what it is to be ayoung cricketer. We’ve got to be patient with some of our youngcricketers. It can be hard to bring on and develop a young player here inIndia because of the expectancy of immediate results,” said Dravid. “Thatdoesn’t always happen, especially with the difference between domestic andinternational cricket being a big one. You look at some of the other teams – Marlon Samuels has been doing well but they’ve given him so much time and been patient with him. That’s something we have to learn.”

The other massive cause for concern is Munaf Patel. Not long ago he wasleading the pack of young fast bowlers coming through. Now, after thesorry episode of South Africa, where he sat out virtually the wholeseries only to return for the final Test well below full fitness andembarrass himself, the road back may not be so easy. Munaf’s honesty inrevealing the extent of his injury was under question, and no captain willstick his neck out for a player who he believes has been economical withthe truth. Dravid, though, had encouraging words for Munaf. “Just watchingMunaf in the nets today, even though he was not in the squad, was good. The way he was running in and bowling …” he said. “We needed to find outwhether he had come back fit and from what I’ve seen in the nets that’sheartening.”Dravid, who was batting against Munaf and even otherwise watching himfrom close quarters in the nets, may have seen something that was notobviously evident. But from thirty feet away it certainly did not looklike Munaf was near full fitness. He was not steaming in, appeared to bebowling well within himself – almost as though he feared a relapse – anddid not extract that trademark rearing bounce. But with only four gamesagainst Sri Lanka left before the World Cup, Munaf will certainly get alook in. Whether he goes on to book himself a place for the big tournamentremains to be seen.With so many doubts over the fast bowlers, the role of the spinnersbecomes far more critical and Dravid agreed when this was put to him.”The experience of Anil [Kumble] and Harbhajan might give us the option of usingthem even in the Power Plays,” he said. “If we’ve got four experiencedbowlers and Anil and Harbhajan can do a job for us in the twenty overs ofthe Power Plays it may even give us the option of playing an extra batsman.”The reason why most teams want to play three fast bowlers is thePower Plays. But with the experience of our two main spinners they might beable to do that job and that could be quite critical.” It might not only becritical to India’s fortunes, but also to Ramesh Powar’s, for as someone who’s performances are seldom mentioned, he could well find himself a place in the squadahead of one of the quick men.

Sialkot lost some ground to Karachi Harbour, conceding a lead of 216 runs but this should not bother them inordinately as they are assured of a place in the final irrespective of the outcome of the current match played at the United Bank Limited Sports Complex in Karachi.Karachi Harbour, who had a 71-run lead when the third day began, pressed on, and reached 145 for 3 in their second innings. The highlight, undoubtedly, was the 225-ball 46 from Sialkot’s Tariq Mahmood. Sialkot managed 222 after their last three wickets added 77. In response Khalid Latif of Karachi batted one over short of 200 balls for his 58 while Fawad Alam stayed unbeaten on 43. Karachi Harbour, who ended the day on 145 for 3, can rest easy, for they have been saved the prospect of avoiding relegation by Lahore Shalimar, who have already taken the downward plunge.Lahore Shalimar have been relegated to the Silver League after their last match of the league stage against Peshawar was abandoned without a ball being bowled in three days. Bad light and rain combined to make play impossible, and the game at the Arbab Niaz Stadium was called off with a day left to play. This means that Lahore Shalimar are officially relegated while Peshawar, who were champions in 1998-99 and 2004-05, finished in fifth place.Karachi Urban were left in tatters by the offspin bowling of Saaed Ajmal in their second innings, but still managed to set Faisalabad a target of 313 runs, and managed to pick up three vital wickets at the end of the third day of their Quaid-e-Azam Gold League match at the National Stadium in Karachi. Although Karachi Urban could muster only 158 in their second innings, their first-innings lead of 154 put them in a position of strength. It was a lead that would be crucial as Karachi Urban fell prey to the wiles of Ajmal, the 29-year-old offspinner, who took 6 for 49, helped along by the mediumpace of Asad Ali (3 for 48). By the end of the day, however, Karachi were back on top as Faisalabad had lost three wickets for 37 runs and were still 276 short of the target. Faisalabad need a win, which looks improbable at this stage, to book themselves a place in the final against Sialkot.

Dave Langford-Smith’s four wickets helped Ireland thrash Canada by seven wickets in their warm-up match at St Augustine in Port-of-Spain.Chasing just 116, Ireland raced to their total inside 27 overs with Jeremy Bray, the opener, remaining unbeaten on 41. Canada struck three times but, with Bray finding good support in Andre Botha (21), the Irish cruised home.That Ireland’s run-chase was such a formality owed much to Langford-Smith who again showed impressive form, removing Canada’s openers cheaply before adding a further two tailend wickets.”We bowled in good areas and were rewarded,” Trent Johnston, the Ireland captain, said. “It was good to be in a position like we were after bowling. Langford-Smith worked very hard after a tournament in Kenya. He is running in well, bowling well and his confidence is sky-high after getting seven or eight wickets in the first two games.”Despite the loss and obvious frustration, John Davison, Canada’s captain, remained pleased with the preparation Canada have had going into the World Cup.”It sure is a big disappointment,” he said. “They bowled in good areas and never allowed us to play shots. I think our preparations, minus today’s outing, for the World Cup are [going] pretty well.”