Kumble strikes, finally
Never before in a Test has Anil Kumble waited so long for hisfirst wicket. After 46 overs in the first innings – where he wasmilked, cut and blasted – and 16 overs in the second – where he wasreduced to firing it down legside to stem the run-flow – the momentfinally arrived. Shifting to the pavilion end, reverting to over thewicket, he speared one on middle stump and managed to break it justenough. Yasir Hameed, who was in the midst of a superb spell as heupped the ante, pushed forward and was beaten by both spin and pace.Kumble spun around to ask the question, Simon Taufel’s hand slowlybegan its ascent and the Bangalore crowd let out a mighty relievedgasp before going completely berserk. (SV)Glorious certainty
In an unpredictable game, there is at least one element that is always predictable, though not monotonously so: Shahid Afridi will attack. The first time he gets strike in Pakistan’s second innings is off the last ball of the first over, from Irfan Pathan. Pathan drops short. Afridi pulls him for four.He comes on strike to play the fifth ball of Lakshmipathy Balaji’s over. No-ball short outside off, Afridi slashes and misses. Next ball, drifting down leg, glanced for four to fine leg. Last ball, lofted off-drive for four. That’s now 12 off 4, an average of 3 runs per ball. But don’t be misled – Shahid Afridi does not deal in threes. (AV)Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is on the staff of Cricinfo.

July 8-11 – Frizzell County Championship

ScorecardHarbhajan shone with the bat at the County Ground in Bristol, smashing 11 fours and 3 sixes as Surrey piled up a massive 603 without one batsman going past three figures. By stumps on day two, he had taken a wicket as well as Gloucestershire struggled to avoid the follow-on.July 6 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardAfter two other bowlers from the subcontinent, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Mushtaq Ahmed, had helped restrict Surrey to 144, it was the turn of the Asian contingent at the Brit Oval to try and wrest victory. Harbhajan bowled with tremendous control to concede only 13 from his spell and there were two wickets for Azhar Mahmood, but Sussex still eased home with three balls to spare.July 5 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardThough he was included in the XI, Harbhajan had no role to play in this abbreviated day-nighter at Chelmsford as Surrey slipped to a one-run defeat.July 1 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardSurrey notched up their fifth win in six Twenty20 games with a 23-run victory against Kent at The Oval. In a match restricted to 15 overs per side, Surrey scored at more than 11 an over. Kent made a spirited fist of it, as Harbhajan found out, going for 28 in two overs, but they finally fell short of the target.June 29 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardHarbhajan was overshadowed by the other specialist spinner in the team, left-arm Nayan Doshi. Doshi took 3 for 31 to Harbhajan’s none for 25 as Surrey won another rain-affected game, this time against Sussex at Hove.June 28 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardIn a match affected by the weather, Surrey pulled through by 22 runs. Middlesex could bat only 11 overs, and we well short of their target of 101. Harbhajan bowled just the solitary over, and went for 13 runs.June 25 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardHarbhajan took 2 for 22, but that wasn’t enough to stop Hampshire from stealing a three-wicket win at The Oval. Surrey won the toss and batted, but could manage only 118, a total that was well below par.June 23 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardSurrey’s second consecutive win in the Twenty20 competition was set up by the batsmen, who racked up 200 against Middlesex at Lord’s. Harbhajan again didn’t do too much, conceding 29 runs from his four overs.June 22 – Twenty20 Cup

ScorecardHabhajan’s first Twenty20 game for Surrey ended in victory for his team, as they thrashed Kent by seven wickets at Beckenham. Kent managed only 140 for 8 in 20 overs, and though Harbhajan went wicketless, he bowled economically, conceding just 22 runs from four overs.June 15-18 – Frizzell County Championship

ScorecardHarbhajan Singh turned in his first outstanding performance of the season for Surrey, taking 8 for 83 in the match, including a first-innings 6 for 36 that broke the back of the Hampshire batting. Surrey won easily, by an innings and 55 runs. Surrey batted first and scored 361 – where Harbhajan chipped in with a 16-ball 25 – and then stunned Hampshire, knocking them over for just 146. Martin Bicknell and Mohammad Akram provided the initial breakthroughs, dismissing the openers, and then Harbahajan took over, and cleaned up the middle order. In the second innings Akram was the star with a five-for, but Harbhajan managed 2 for 47 as Hampshire were bowled out for 160.June 8-11 – Frizzell County Championship

ScorecardSurrey completed just one innings as their County Championship match against Middlesex ended in a draw. When Middlesex batted first Harbhajan had a long spell, bowling as many as 35 overs, but could only pick up two wickets giving away 87 runs as Middlesex put on 437. Surrey managed to top this, scoring 460 in their sole innings of the match. Harbhajan landed one second-innings wicket as Middlesex declared on 356 for 6 when time ran out.June 5 – National League

ScorecardHarbhajan Singh’s first National League one-day match, against Warwickshire at the Whitgift School, Croydon, did not go well at all. Warwickshire scored a strong 309 for 8 in 45 overs, and Harbhajan could pick up just one wicket as he gave away 59 runs in nine overs. He failed with the bat, scoring just one as Surrey lost by 49 runs.June 1-4 – Frizzell County Championship

ScorecardHarbhajan Singh did not exactly set the stage alight in his first County Championship match of the season for Surrey. He had moderate pickings of 3 for 117 in the match. In the first innings he managed to snare Tony Frost, the No. 8 batsman, and Heath Streak, the No. 9 batsman, while in the second innings he bagged a top-order wicket, dismissing Jonathan Trott. The match ended in a draw.

Paul Wiseman has been to India twice before. Finally, on his third visit, the results are beginning to come through. On a chaotic day where India’s batsmen threw their bats at everything in pursuit of quick runs Wiseman helped himself to four wickets. Excerpts from a post-play press conference:About his four wickets in the second innings
Of course, it feels great, although I would have felta lot better if I hadn’t dropped a catch off DanielVettori’s bowling. But yes, I did get probably thefour best batsmen of spin bowling in the world, sothat felt good. They were in an attacking mood, andthat always gives the bowler a chance.On New Zealand’s strategy for the final day
We’ll have to take it as it comes, by the ball. We’llreassess the situation at lunch, and if we’ve had aflyer in the first session, maybe we’ll have a shot atthe target. But it is a tough ask.On the wicket’s role in the final day’s play
The pitch already has some bounce in it. In fact, Ithink it is better for the spinners than peopleoriginally thought. There’s no prolific turn, butthere is some bounce. Daniel got a few to bouncetoday, and I expect it will turn even more tomorrow.India have two world-class quality spinners with them,so it’s definitely going to be tough.On his strategy against Sachin Tendulkar
I just tried to bowl as slowly as possible. The wicketwas already slow, and that made the batsmen reach forthe ball and hit it. A few stopped on the batsmen too,and with Sachin, he was on the ball early. But he hadto score quickly at the time too.On the mood in the New Zealand camp
The mood’s actually pretty good. We would have takenthis position if it were offered to us at thebeginning of the day, I think. It could have goneworse, and we could have had to follow on.

Chris Hartley, Queensland’s reserve wicketkeeper, will captain the Queensland Academy of Sport 2nd XI for the first time against Tasmania, starting on Monday.Hartley, 23, was one of the finds of last summer after scoring a century on debut and playing in the ING Cup and Pura Cup finals when Wade Seccombe was on international duty.Seccombe has returned to the Bulls line-up for Sunday’s opening ING Cup game against NSW at the Gabba.The 2nd XI team for the four-day game includes two leg-spinners in the Norths wrist-spinner Greg Chiesa and Ryan Leloux, who is currently at the Cricket Academy.Queensland Academy of Sport 2nd XI Chris Hartley (c), Ryan Broad, Greg Chiesa, Joe Dawes, Steve Farrell, Ryan Leloux, Damien Mackenzie, Brendan Nash, Steve Paulsen, Daniel Payne, Lachlan Stevens, Chris Swan.

Scotland and Canada qualified for the semi-finals from Group B, leaving Netherlands and Naimbia to join the scramble for the final World Cup place.Scotland went into their final group match against Holland as the only unbeaten side in Group B. Holland had to win the match to stand a chance of qualifying while Scotland would be through if they could come close to matching Holland’s run-rate.These circumstances made for a tense opening spell after Scotland were put into bat by Holland and when light rain disrupted play they were struggling at 138 for 5. When the game resumed, Scotland’s middle order all chipped in with valuable runs to lift the total to 221 all out. Scotland’s seam attack found the damp conditions to their liking and made early inroads into the Dutch batting line-up. A series of batsmen made steady starts but only Ryan ten Doeschate was able to pass 20 as the wickets continued to fall. Holland crumbled to 123 all out with Ryan Watson the chief destroyer with four wickets.Canada knew that net-run-rate could be a determining factor in Group B ahead of their match against Papua New Guinea. So after losing the toss and being put in to bat, openers John Davison and Desmond Chumney wasted no time in hitting out. They raced to a century partnership before Davison was out for 62. Though Romero soon followed for 50 the momentum was maintained by Zubin Surkari (45) and Ian Billcliff, who hit an unbeaten 102, to lift Canada to 319 for 3 in 50 overs.With the Scotland against Holland match at that stage still in the balance, Canada knew it could be crucial to their chances of a top two finish for them to bowl out Papua New Guinea cheaply and Umar Bhatti and Don Maxwell made important early breakthroughs. Mahuru Dai held out for 52 runs as Papua New Guinea edged past the 100 mark. They were all out for 159 but, with Holland losing to Scotland, net run-rate was no longer an issue and Canada had sealed a place at a second consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup.In the other Group B game, Oman recovered from 12 for 3 to post 170 for 9 in 50 overs. Captain Azhar Ali led the fightback, top scoring with 60 runs. It was not enough to trouble Namibia’s batsmen who reached the target in 41.2 overs for the loss of four wickets.Naimbia will now play UAE on Saturday, with the winners of that tie meeting the winners of the game between Denmark and Holland. That final tie will decide which country earns the right to play in the 2007 World Cup.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4th day
Bulletin – Murali spins Sri Lanka to victory
Verdict – Outclassed but unbowed
Quotes – Is Murali racing Warne?
3rd day
Bulletin – Sangakkara puts Sri Lanka in charge
Verdict – Sangakkara makes his point
Quotes – ‘This is right up there with my other hundreds
News – Vaas sustains hamstring injury
Big Picture 1 – Kandy’s unwelcome guest
Big Picture 2 – Sangakkara celebrates
2nd day
Bulletin – Sri Lanka build a healthy lead
1st day
Bulletin – Vaas leads Sri Lankan fightback
Preview
Flu-ridden Sri Lanka looking to wrap up series
News Lawson retained for second Test
News Sri Lankan camp hit by illness

Zambian cricket was thrown into chaos with the news that the Zambian Cricket Union has been dissolved, the latest move in a long-running dispute between various members of the board.The dissolution was announced by Absalom Mwansa, the chairman, along with his own resignation. He explained that as there was nobody able to take over from him, he had no choice but to take that course of action. “I want to uphold my personal integrity and respect that I command in cricket circles,” Mwansa wrote, “and I also want the sport to be run in a transparent manner.”But the act was criticised by Moffat Mbewe, the board’s general secretary, who said the suspension was unconstitutional. “A body such as ours can only be dissolved by the National Sports Council of Zambia and not the chairman,” Mbewe explained. “If he had consulted before making such an erroneous decision, we would have guided him.”Until an extraordinary general meeting can be called, the country’s cricketing affairs will be controlled by the ZCU’s two affiliates, Midlands Cricket Association (MCA) and Copperbelt Cricket Association.Mwansa’s resignation came in the same week that Musa Zulu, the ZCU’s treasurer, announced that he was stepping down.

New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) confirmed the appointment of JustinVaughan and Steven Riddell as its two new directors, at NZC’s AnnualGeneral Meeting in Christchurch today. They will replace Terry Jarvis and Peter Sharp, who did not seek re-appointment.The outgoing directors were congratulated by Martin Snedden, the chiefexecutive of New Zealand Cricket. “Both these directors selflessly gave their time and expertise to assist with the governance of cricket in New Zealand and have assisted in steering NZC to develop and maintain cricket as the country’s number one summer game,” he said.Vaughan is the chief executive of a medical technology company and has played six Test matches and 18 One-Day Internationals for New Zealand. He was the captain of the Auckland team for four seasons and was twice voted Auckland Player of the Year. He has served on the board of Auckland Cricket since 2001.Riddell is a company director who has served on the board of Canterbury Cricket since 2001. He has served on the management committee of the Buller Cricket Association and is its life member.The new directors will be faced with the task of lifting the board out of its current financial crunch.New Zealand Cricket posted a loss of $6,105,152 in the 2004/05 financial year, NZC announced in its annual report.”Revenue was down on budget as NZC felt the full impact of theabandonment of the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand. Fortunately we shouldrecover most of these lost revenues when Sri Lanka tour in January nextyear,” NZC Chief Executive Martin Snedden said today.”Revenue was also affected by the ICC’s continued prudent retention offunds from the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.”It is hoped the ICC’s contractual dispute with the Global CricketCorporation can be brought to an end during the current financial year, at which time NZC should receive a final distribution from the retainedfunds.”NZC operates a four year financial cycle to cope with the fluctuatingnature of revenues received between world cups. In some years revenue is significantly higher due to NZC’s participation in international cricket tournaments and in other years revenues are significantly reduced due to lower overseas broadcasting income from inbound tours. The 2004/05 year is the third year of the current cycle.

Scorecard

Leicestershire’s 66-run victory over Somerset booked them a place in tomorrow’s finals day. Set 173 to win, Somerset failed to take the attack to Leicestershire’s bowlers, and wickets continued to tumble. Only John Francis, with an innings of 49 from 44 balls, threatened to deny Leicestershire a victory; Jeremy Snape and Dinesh Mongia both bowled remarkably tidily, each picking up two wickets. Mongia’s figures of 2 for 6 from four overs were particularly impressive. Leicestershire’s innings was built around the top four batsman, with Darren Maddy hitting 42 from just 27 balls, and Mongia 39 from 23 balls; Mongia’s innings, and his two cheap wickets, earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.
Scorecard

Sri Lankan champions Chilaw Marians booked their place in the finals of the International 20:20 competition by cruising past Titans. Setting Titans 180 for victory, the South African side could only manage 112.Janaka Gunaratne claimed 4 for 21 to polish up the Titans’ lower order as they lost wickets at regular intervals in the run chase, while Dinuk Hettiarachchi claimed three victims to give the Marians a further boost.The Marians had chosen a bold approach when batting first with Ishan Mutaliph blasting 32 as they raced along to 98 for 1 off eight overs. Nimesh Perara hammered eight fours in his 39 off 18 balls to give them further momentum, after Paul Harris had claimed two wickets with successive balls and come very close to claiming a hat-trick.But Johann Myburgh three wickets for seven runs in his first two overs as the Marians’ failed to bat out their full 20 overs. In the end, their total of 179 proved more than enough.But it wasn’t to prove costly as they came out on top, and will accompany the PCA Masters XI in Finals Day tomorrow.

Scorecard

After yesterday’s near washout, the International 20:20 got underway today with Somerset against Faisalabad Wolves, and the Wolves eased through to victory by 30 runs. Mohammad Hafeez got proceedings off to an electric start, clobbering 79 from only 35 balls to give the Wolves early momentum. He then took three wickets in Somerset’s reply in what was an excellent all-round effort.Hafeez hammered six sixes and six fours in his explosive innings, four of his sixes coming off one over from Keith Parsons. The opener received good support from Asif Hussain, whose 30 from 32 balls was positively pedestrian in comparison to Hafeez’s knock. The Wolves, who yesterday lost their opening game in a bowl-out against Leicestershire, needed a good score and a high run-rate in order to qualify for the finals, ending on 207 for 5 from their 20 overs.Haveez was eventually out to Ian Blackwell, who trapped him leg before, but Ijaz Ahmed struck a quickfire 40 to see the Wolves past the 200 mark.Somerset couldn’t match the Wolves’ run-rate, and lost crucial early wickets. Despite a predictably violent innings from Blackwell, the outcome of the match was never in doubt. He came to the crease in the second over of the innings, and smashed 12 fours and two sixes in his knock of 82 from just 48 deliveries. When he holed out to long off, it spelt the end of Somerset’s hopes, although John Francis did strike a quick 41.Hafeez was the chief destroyer for the Wolves, picking up 3 for 23 from 3.4 overs and deservedly collecting the Man-of-the-Match award.

The appointment of Robin Marlar as the MCC president for the coming year always had the potential to be something of a banana skin for the club, but even his critics must have been surprised that he managed to make the front page of a national newspaper less than 24 hours after taking office.Marlar, who, in a journalistic career of more than 40 years has never shied away from speaking his mind, warranted the second lead story in the weekend’s Sunday Telegraph with a comment he made about women’s cricket.With reference to comments made to Cricinfo last week by Clare Connor, England’s captain, that two schoolgirls (Sarah Taylor and Holly Colvin) would be in the Brighton College 1st XI next summer, Marlar leapt off the fence. “Girls! I think it’s absolutely outrageous.”The MCC’s view is that mixed cricket at adult level doesn’t happen. If there’s an 18-year-old fast bowler who can bowl at 80mph and he’s been brought up properly then he shouldn’t want to hurt a lady at any cost.” , Marlar was then asked what if a girl could bows at 80mph? “Then, I’d be asking some serious questions about whether she’s had a sex change.”There is a terrific difference between social and competitive cricket,” he added. “Fred Trueman knocked me around when I batted against him at the age of 17. I do not see many men playing in women’s league football.”The MCC has done much to shed its image as being a home for old-fashioned and male-chauvinistic octogenarians, but Marlar’s comments will hardly help.Rachel Heyhoe-Flint, the first woman member of MCC’s committee, sprung to Marlar’s defence. “Robin is just being a gentleman,” he said. “He just has some anxieties about a girl playing in a match which is reaching a tense conclusion and worrying if a male bowler will stick in a short ball.”But John Spencer, the master in charge of cricket at Brighton College and, like Marlar, a former Sussex player, disagreed. “Robin’s comments are outdated because there are laws of sex discrimination in place now,” he told The Times. “Girls are attracted to Brighton College because they know they will be given a fair deal. I have tried to be careful over selection when the opposition have had a very fast bowler, like Dulwich College did this summer. But the school believes in equal opportunities and I know of one or two other schools who include girls in their first XI.”The MCC press office better brace itself. This is unlikely to be the last time that Marlar will speak his mind.