Thursday, 30 June 2011

Cricket World Cup 2011: Eoin Morgan's return could give tired England some much-needed zest

Eoin Morgan netted on Wednesday night for the first time since arriving from London on Tuesday and Chris Tremlett was promoted to be a full member of the World Cup squad after spending four weeks trawling around India and Bangladesh as first reserve.

With Kevin Pietersen now back home and Stuart Broad embarking on a 24-hour journey back to London, the England players have been talking up Morgan’s arrival, an indication of how highly he is regarded by his team-mates.

England will privately admit they are relieved an injury allowed them to bring Morgan back into the squad, a situation summed up by Andy Flower’s reaction to Pietersen’s departure. “One door closes, another opens,” was the coach’s view.

Morgan has little time to acclimatise. He will bat at five against Bangladesh on Friday as England know they have badly missed his adept handiwork and range of scoring shots in the middle overs of an innings.

His mental strength during run-chases suggests he is made of stern stuff, which will encourage England to believe he can make the switch from the cold London winter, and a planned trip to Rome to watch Manchester United in the Champions League, to playing in front of 20,000 fans baying for Bangladesh victory.

“I’m delighted to be here,” he said. “Getting a call from Andy [Flower] a couple of days ago was a great feeling. Obviously I have been part of the squad in the past but to come back in and be part of a World Cup squad is very exciting.

"I don’t feel that undercooked or underprepared. I feel very fresh and over the next couple of days my preparation will be similar to how it has been in the past and I feel ready.

“I have played in a World Cup for Ireland but all through that World Cup I said I wanted to play for England, which has always been the bigger picture and bigger plan, so this is a dream come true.

"To lose two world-class players in Kevin and Stuart is going to be a big loss but, as we saw in the Ashes, guys have come in and filled other guys’ places, done very well and we have gone on to do exceptionally well.”

In Bangladesh a year ago Morgan was central to England’s 3-0 victory in the one-day series, averting a potential defeat with a century in Dhaka to average 89.50 from the three matches.

Morgan suffered the first significant blip of his England career in Australia, where he spent weeks failing to force his way into the Test team before looking out of touch in the six one-day matches he played before being sent home with a broken finger.

He averaged only 17.66 as some of his more elaborate strokes proved to be his downfall and he ignored the pain of a finger injury which, when diagnosed as a fracture, cost him his World Cup place.

“I just didn’t play well. There were some games when I gave it away too easily and got out to bad balls. All I can do is learn from that. It was a bad series for me but hopecrikcfully I can learn and move on,” he said.

England trained for the first time last night since a victory over South Africa on Sunday that changed the complexion of the group. A win for England, combined with a West Indies win over Ireland earlier in the day, will guarantee their place in the last eight.

It is a different story to a week ago when defeat to Ireland threatened their passage into the knockout phase.

Morgan’s defection to England provided an added sense of revenge for Ireland. “It was an outstanding innings for Kevin O’Brien. I was pretty distraught we lost but Ireland played really well,” he said.


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Cricket World Cup 2011: England's Stuart Broad has scan on side strain and is a doubt for Bangladesh match

 Bitter blow: Stuart Broiad has undergone a scan on his left side the results of which are expected later on Tuesday Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Broad took a career-best 4-15 in the match at Chennai but had tests Tuesday morning and is now awaiting the results to find out the seriousness of the injury.


"I'm not too down at the minute because I don't know what the injury is," Broad said. "But obviously, I'll be bitterly disappointed if it's the end of my World Cup.


"I've not had a side strain in this manner before and I dont know the symptoms but I do know it's a bit sore at the moment I'm doubtful for Friday's game but I dont know anymore than that.


"It's a common injury among bowlers, if the injury is an actual tear you have to take your time and not rush back."


England has already lost star batsman Kevin Pietersen for the rest of the tournament because he needs hernia surgery, drafting in Eoin Morgan as a replacement.


"Pending further assessments of scans we will also know what the outlook is like for the rest of the tournament," England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman James Avery said.


Broad played in England's opening win over the Netherlands but missed the subsequent high-scoring tie against India because of a stomach complaint. He returned for the shock loss against Ireland.


Broad sustained a side strain on the recently completed tour of Australia but the current injury is a new one and unrelated to past problems.


"It's in a different area," Broad said. "I didn't get the short stabbing pain that I did in the Ashes, so that's a good sign this is not as severe as that."


Broad said he felt the injury when he returned to bowl for his second spell against South Africa and that the injury stiffened up when the adrenaline of the match faded.


Ajmal Shahzad is the most likely replacement for Broad should he fail to recover.


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Cricket World Cup 2011: England's use of Kevin Pietersen as an opener could be 'genius', says Matthew Hoggard

 Worth a shot: England have made the right decision in promoting Kevin Pietersen up the order, according to Matthew Hoggard. Photo: AFP

The former England bowler, and Pietersen’s team-mate in two Ashes series, said that the Surrey batsman’s ability to clear the infield during the powerplay overs could make him a shrewd choice at the top of the order.


England have confirmed that Pietersen will open with Andrew Strauss for England’s opening World Cup group game against Holland on Tuesday. It will be the first time that he has opened the innings for England in any form of international cricket.


For Pietersen, the move brings him almost full circle. He first came to England’s attention when he scored 61 from 57 balls batting at No 9 for KwaZulu Natal against Nasser Hussain’s tourists a decade ago.


“It’s an experimental move that could be worth a shot,” Hoggard said in an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport.


“He’s a very destructive batter, and you know that if he bats for 50 overs there’s going to be a big score at the end of it. If he can get back to his destructive best then he’s going to take some stopping.”


Hoggard, who played 26 one-day internationals between 2001 and 2006 and was in the squad for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, also believes that the surprise element of Pietersen’s sudden promotion could be a factor in its success.


“KP has always said that he can’t just go out and slog, he actually needs to build an innings. You could say it’s a lack of foresight, but it could be a little bit of genius,” he said.


“Nobody’s going to think of KP opening the batting. Teams are going to have to think on their feet. I’m sure it’s a plan that hasn’t just come out of nowhere. If it comes off they’re going to look absolutely fantastic. But if it doesn’t, questions will be asked.”


Pietersen said after the warm-up victory over Canada in Bangladesh on Wednesday that he had a “nice little feeling” about the role, and Hoggard believed that despite the failure of other established middle-order batsmen, such as Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid, to make a similar impact at the top of the order in the 50-over game, Pietersen had the game to make the tactic work.


“Kevin Pietersen is the kind of batter who will relish the role,” Hoggard said. “He’ll have had a big say in where he bats. If KP wants to bat at No 1 and he can get himself into any kind of form, then it’s going to be very difficult to stop him in the powerplays. He can hit the ball 360 degrees. There’s not a shot in the book that he can’t play.


“The big factor is where you put your two fielders. Do you try and go full and straight to start off with? If you get it wrong it’s going to whistle through the covers at an alarming rate of knots. You can’t really bowl it outside his off stump, because he’ll come across the stumps to hit you.


“It’s going to cause some opening bowlers a lot of headaches.”


When asked whether the prospect of bowling at Pietersen with the new ball would have worried him, Hoggard replied: “Every batter worried me.”


Matthew Hoggard was speaking on behalf of ESPNcricinfo.com, which is delivering multi-platform coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup.


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Cricket World Cup 2011: Eoin Morgan joins up with England squad as Kevin Pietersen arrives back in UK

 Touch down: Eoin Morgan has been ushered into the England squad to replce Kevin PIetersen who will undergo surgery on a hernia next week Photo: AP

The batsman arrived at England's team hotel in the southeastern Bangladeshi city at about 2:30pm local time. He will start training as soon as possible and coach Andy Flower has said he is in consideration for Friday's Group B match against Bangladesh.


Morgan would have been in the 15-man squad already but for a broken finger sustained on the tour of Australia. Fully recovered, he was called up Monday after Pietersen was ruled out for hernia surgery.


Pietersen has arrived back in Britain and is likely to have surgery next week, ruling him out for six weeks.


He will miss the Indian Premier League Twenty20 but should be fit for the start of England's first summer test against Sri Lanka on May 26.


There was further bad news for Flower this morning following news he may lose bowler Stuart Broad for the rest of the campaign. The 24-year-old is awaiting the results of a scan on a left side strain.


For the moment however, Broad is optimistic about his chances of remaining in India for the duration.


"I'm not too down at the minute because I don't know what the injury is," he said. "But obviously, I'll be bitterly disappointed if it's the end of my World Cup.


"I've not had a side strain in this manner before and I don't know the symptoms but I do know it's a bit sore at the moment I'm doubtful for Friday's game but I don't know anymore than that.


"It's a common injury among bowlers, if the injury is an actual tear you have to take your time and not rush back."


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Wednesday, 29 June 2011

V Sri Lanka England: Rod Bransgrove hoping Rose Bowl increase ash

"This means that we try to step compete as equals with the Lord because of their long tradition and history, but we are setting ourselves up to be a symbol of the future of the game rather than the past.".

"We will be a lighthouse, a statement of confidence in the future, which will ensure that become the most favourable choice [for international cricket]."

A smooth running of its first Test will help the cause and partly make up for slowing the sale of tickets which are unlikely to reap the revenue needed to cover the £ 1.5 million fresh directed by paid club host the match against sri Lanka.

Hampshire have opted against the erection of temporary stands for this game, which will give at least the ground an intimate feeling, and England will play in front of crowds come around the mark of 10 000 for the first two days.

Among the spectators will be executives of England and Wales Cricket Board country and it would be understandable if there are difficult moments. As a self-made man, Bransgrove has always refused to be drawn on the size of his wealth. It also has the confidence to speak frankly and the ECB remains a source of frustration.

His relationship with Giles Clarke, President, draws a "no comment", but it is doubtful that the pair be on good terms if early.

We are talking about after Bransgrove met David Morgan, the former President of the ECB is currently a review of county cricket, and it is fair to assume Welsh left the Rose Bowl with a lot to think about a President who has been at the forefront of the push for a proper evaluation of franchise in England cricket.

"There are a number of county cricket issues that need to be addressed," said Bransgrove. "I am concerned, that there is a gap between the Test and reasons for non-Test reasons." There are elements of confidence missing which we should have as stakeholders of the ECB.

"The interpretation of the word - F was free for a period of time in county cricket." I would like to see, it's a little thinking outside the box by the ECB. The word free has become synonymous with lack of control.

"In my opinion ECB are dominated by the orientation of the control instead of a direction for expansion where say you, ' how can we improve and develop the game, or more to come people financially."

"Sometimes, we tend to establish rules for the whole of the fleet will operate at the same speed as the slower battleship which, in sport, appears to be the opposite of what you want to do."

"When the game is retained to compensate for the less effective then the game as a whole suffer." There are people who want to get involved in the game, but they are viewed with suspicion.

"People think they have a profit motive is wrong, but if we make a profit here means cricket Hampshire is doing well and which should be in the best interest of the game."

The Rose Bowl was 15 years ago a farmer's field and Bransgrove said Hampshire were insolvent 1.8 million of £, when he resumed in 2000.

The Rose Bowl project is not finished. It is subject to the completion of a hotel four stars of 175-room has been faced with planning issues, spanning a period of due diligence with Eastleigh County Council, which indicated a decision could come this year. .

An expansion on the nine hole golf course existing is also part of long-term plans, and that the regime as a whole have a cost of end of £ 80-£ 100 million, which includes approximately 30 million pounds of public funds and a piece of the Bransgrove cash, seems to be in the region of £ 6-8 million.

At cricket, Hampshire have bid for one of the seven agreements currently out offers gathering and in September Bransgrove know if his ambition burning"to host a Test of ash against the Australia, probably in 2015, will become réalitée.

At this time, the field will be completed and that would be the right time for me to step back. We put our best foot forward and we can now only wait and see what is the result. »


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V England-Sri Lanka: the Lord falls flat when Test cricket must hype driven to provide the true competition

 Lord's falls flat when Test cricket needs lively pitches to provide true contest. Steve Finn, Lord's cricketHard yards: Steve Finn feels the pain as Sri Lanka benefit from flat window in Photo of the Lord: PA

But I will still be less keen on a final Test World Championship at Lord's in 2013.

Why? The damned pitch, that is why. This is not some rant because it seems that the eternal replace Cardiff on the list of the West Indies tour next year, even if clearly was much more spin in the Department of CMC PR that out of the environment last week.

Test of a Lord is, has always been and always will be a wonderful opportunity. But I have absolutely no idea of how they will determine the winner of this final. They will play the game for six days or more?

They will be hand just the trophy on the side with an advance to first sleeves? Mr. Duckworth and Lewis concocted a magic formula, we are talking about?

It is a concern, as indeed the heights of Test everywhere are. Last week Lord's pitch was simply too flat. Yes, you can point to the skid of the trio of Englandbeanpoles and the loss of the game due to rain, but the truth is that the surface looked like never deteriorate.

All the baloney on the allegedly late Declaration of England was just that; Baloney. Cardiff's pitch for the first Test may be painfully slow, but at least it has deteriorated.

Pitch of the Lord may not appear all that draws dozy as he did for six consecutive between 2006 and 2008, but is however not the case for the examination of the five results prior to the draw last week against sri Lanka bears scrutiny.

They include the presence of a lack of interest in the West Indies in 2009, a Bangladesh exceeded in 2010 and two Tests involving Pakistan, last summer, including the less said the better. However, the 2009 ashes victory was quite wonderful in all respects.

Test cricket has need of land with life. A category whereas as much should be writ large in England and Wales Cricket Board country "balanced scorecard" for allocations of Test.

Premiums must be paid to strike a balance ' to the players on the field test.

Groundhog days on "land of the Chief Executive", as coined by Steve Harmison in one of his moments more perceptive, should attract not only our censorship, but financial pain, not the gain of these business leaders anticipate.


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Feel The Heat With Latest Cricket Scores


Catching up with the cricket matches is not feasible and practically possible these days due to the lack of time as every one has a schedule to match up with. Actually, with various cricket tournaments taking place, nobody wants to miss a single action of a match and especially the latest cricket scores. In fact, fans start making preparations weeks ahead to watch their favorite game without any hassle. However, at times luck and circumstances do not favor and plans fail but thanks to the advancement of information technology that one can feel the magic even if he or she has missed the live action.

It has become easy to follow the match even after it gets over, thanks to the high-tech inventions that we can get ample of information about on the latest cricket scores without even watching the match. Well watching a cricket match is something that every cricket lover enjoys but unfortunately, when there are important things to do then we have to rely on various mediums that are available to get the latest cricket scores. It is very difficult for the cricket followers to constrain themselves from watching the match, but due to the advent of technology it has become possible. One of the most reliable and easily accessible medium is the internet, as one can log into various websites that are dedicated towards fulfilling the needs of the users. In fact, the web is the best medium to get the latest cricket scores.

The web has made things easier for cricket fans like us. In fact, internet gives us access to innumerable cricket sites that help us to stay updated with the latest cricket scores. In addition, these websites also facilitates in gathering information on the on going game and the players. The best thing about the latest cricket scores through the Internet is that one can be anywhere and still can get ample of information on the match that is being played at the click of a button.

The other mediums that are available are news channels and other sports programs that are telecasted or broadcasted throughout the live match are again a good source of getting the latest cricket scores. The news channels keep on flashing the latest cricket scores every hour and this helps cricket fans to stay updated with the match. Information on latest cricket scores can also be gathered through the mobile phones.

In fact, the cellular service providers additionally help cricket fans to subscribe to the latest cricket scores and to the latest cricket happenings. Once one has registered oneself to this service, the network provider makes it a point to send messages on the latest cricket scores. This is another good way of keeping oneself glued to the match and living the excitement through various mediums and still stay connected without watching the match. In fact, the high-tech is indeed a boon for all cricket lovers and cricket fans whose lives are dedicated to cricket and latest cricket scores.








Ella Wilson is a cricket fanatic. She simply loves the game and tries to catch live action no matter where she is. To know more about cricket score,live cricket match score,cricket ,cricket discussion,Cricket News and latest cricket scores visit at http://www.stickiewicket.com



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Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Surrey v Northamptonshire: Cameos from Rory Hamilton-Brown and Gareth Batty put Surrey in driving seat

 Appealing moment: (left to right) Rory Hamilton-Brown, Gareth Batty and Steven Davies of Surrey jump up for an appeal during the first day of the LV= County Championship Division 2 match against Northants at The Kia Oval  Photo: GETTY IMAGES

And in the circumstances, Surrey missed out against Northamptonshire. Their total of 322 was decent, but well short of what they should have achieved against the visitors who ended the day on 12 without loss.


It was a frustrating day for Surrey, who looked on several occasions to be building promisingly, only to be hamstrung by the loss of key wickets at key moments. The absence of Mark Ramprakash to a knee injury has deprived their talented young batting line-up of a little steel.


Northamptonshire captain Andrew Hall could be satisfied with his side’s work. But he might reflect that but for a pair of contrasting cameos from Rory Hamilton-Brown and Gareth Batty, it could have been better still. Coming in with Surrey 88 for three after a brisk but wasteful start, Hamilton-Brown launched a characteristic, rambunctious counter-attack.


Seizing the initiative – and striking the ball very hard – Hamilton-Brown put on 59 for the fourth wicket with new signing Tom Maynard, who batted fluently until he was bowled attempting to sweep James Middlebrook.


Batty was more circumspect, marshalling the tail and picking the gaps with intelligence. He finished with 64, the 27th half-century of his first- class career.


Northamptonshire’s bowlers plugged away patiently. Chaminda Vaas, playing his first game for the county, snared Michael Brown leg before off the second ball of the day, but looked less threatening after the shine wore off the ball.


Middlebrook took advantage of the considerable turn to collect three wickets, but Northamptonshire will be well aware that the home side have, in Batty and Chris Schofield, two spinners capable of capitalising on the dry surface.


Will Gidman and Jonathan Batty put on 156 for the sixth wicket to guide Gloucestershire towards a respectable 224 for six against Derbyshire at Bristol. Coming together at 65 for five, Gidman made the most of his early good fortune on his way to 89, while Batty finished the day unbeaten on 61 after a four-hour vigil at the crease.


At Grace Road, left-arm spinner Dean Cosker took four wickets as Glamorgan held Leicestershire to 231 for nine, with Claude Henderson’s unbeaten 74 the main resistance on a low-scoring day.


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The Ashes: England's leadership of Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower made vision a reality

But it was an easy mistake to make. Both countries loiter embarrassingly low down the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings, don’t they? And England did only beat Bangladesh by an innings once in four encounters home and away last year. They have just hammered the Australians by an innings three times in four Tests.

Anyway, you may have gathered that there has been some joy at this result. Some schadenfreude even. Maybe also some smugness that this column long ago predicted that there was very little to fear out in Australia (except a country risibly obsessed with tiny rules and regulations).

There have been so many column inches devoted to it that even the most avaricious of readers must have struggled to keep up. I’ve tried to do so, so apologies if there is some repetition, but I am pretty sure that here are a few things you have not read.

That camp in Germany was rather a good idea

I hesitate to use the phrase ‘boot camp’ because my ears are still ringing from the volley of expletives Andy Flower sent in my direction the last time I did that. To say he was not happy about the response of the press and public would be rather an understatement.

And he was right when saying that nobody outside of the inner circle really knew what had gone on there. There were some photos of players boxing and that was about it. And then it emerged that James Anderson had cracked a rib. Some said he would miss the start of The Ashes, maybe even as many as two Tests.

Goodness, talk about hysterical exaggeration. Anderson actually completed all the tasks asked of him in Germany. It was only when he tried to play a round of golf upon returning home that it became clear he had a small problem. Note the adjective ‘small’. He played in the first tour match and was, by a country mile, England’s best bowler of the tour.

Oh, and I hear that England’s players frequently referred to the Germany trip both on and off the Australian fields.

Andrew Strauss missing the Bangladesh tour last year helped win the Ashes

Remember the fuss that caused? A bevy of former England captains lined up to denounce the decision as nothing short of treachery. How could the England captain desert his post? Because he was absolutely knackered, and wanted to be ready for the Ashes and the forthcoming World Cup, that’s why. And England gave their next captain, Alastair Cook, some valuable experience.

Given the crowded international schedule that shows no sign of uncluttering, resting players is going to be an ever-present reality. Anderson is back home now after all. The one I worry about is Flower, though. He will need a break soon. He must schedule it.

The four-bowler theory was correct all along

It beggars belief that some observers are still urging England to use a five-bowler strategy because it is ‘the next step forward’. Yeah right, let’s weaken the side in an instant. How many wickets do you need to win a Test match?

England took 20 wickets in Australia in four of the five Tests, only failing on the Gabba feather-bed. Their six specialist batsmen, plus the still underrated Matt Prior, constantly forged strong positions on which the bowlers thrived. Those praising the winning mentality garnered in the three warm-up matches might want to recall that Ian Bell’s 192 was rather important in defeating Australia A.

Every team would like five frontline bowlers, but they can only be accommodated by the presence of a genuine all-rounder. England do not possess such a cricketer.

You can try arguing cases for Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad at No 7, but that position demands an average of 40 in Test cricket. See either doing that? Nope.

Our problem in English cricket is that vision is viewed as suspiciously as a door-to-door salesman. Other sports are little different. Look at what happened to Sir Clive Woodward at the hands of the senescence-and-flatulence-laden Rugby Football Union.

Hopefully John Steele is about to rectify that, but the message in English cricket at the moment is simple: everyone is entitled to their opinion, but beware of Strauss and Flower. They can make monkeys of anyone. As the Australians have discovered.


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The battle over £1.2bn 'Project Victoria': timeline

March 31 2010: A meeting is held in Bukhara Restaurant of the Maurya Hotel in Delhi between Stewart Regan (Yorkshire), Colin Povey (Warwickshire) and David Hodgkiss (Lancashire) and two IMG representatives.

April 5: Colin Graves, chairman of Yorkshire, contacts Giles Clarke to discuss contents of the meeting.

April 12: Clarke receives a letter signed by chairmen of counties based at Test match grounds explaining a meeting had been held in Delhi with Modi and IMG.

April 28: Clarke met with chairmen from Test match ground counties and discussions are held about a working party which has the responsibility of, among other things, exploring Twenty20 cricket opportunities.

May 2 (2.21pm): Regan sends Clarke the minutes of the meeting with Modi and IMG.

May 2 (3.12pm): Clarke sends email to Shashank Manohar, president of the BCCI.

May 6: BCCI issues charge against Modi based on Clarke email which has been leaked to the media in India.

May 8: Daily Telegraph reveals Clarke is facing possible legal action from IMG.

May 15: IMG serve a writ for libel on Clarke.

June 16: Modi begins libel proceedings against Clarke.


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The Cricket World Cup Email: Geoffrey Boycott on England v West Indies

Michael Yardy is a nice lad but he has been a buffet bowler. So between them there have been 20 overs of rubbish. Two fifths of the overs bowled by England have been easy to hit. Matt Prior’s wicketkeeping and batting have gone backwards and one of our best one-day batsmen, Paul Collingwood, can’t make a significant run.

On top of that one of our best one-day bowlers, Stuart Broad, is injured and those are just a handful of the problems we face. Perhaps England need to play a few fresh faces and get a bit more energy into the side.

You can’t win matches consistently with two or three guys playing well and the rest not shaping up. So far either the bowlers have bowled well and the batsmen failed or the batsmen have done well and the bowling lacked control. It has to change fast but time has almost run out.

• Geoffrey Boycott will be previewing all of England's games throughout this tournament, while Derek Pringle, Scyld Berry and Steve James will also bring you their thoughts on the rest of the action.

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Stat of the day: Canada reached 50 in just 4.4 overs against Australia - the quickest half-century opening stand of the tournament thus far.

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Tweet of the day: @Swannyg66 "I hear Chris Moyles is doing a marathon broadcast for comic relief? Surely an equally long silence from him would double the income?"

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Yesterday at the World Cup

Shoaib Akhtar has confirmed he will retire from international cricket after the World Cup. The Pakistan pace bowler has repeatedly struggled for fitness throughout his career.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting apologised for his on-field strop after colliding with Steve Smith during the win over Canada. "It wasn't a great reaction I guess," he said.

England have confirmed that Kevin Pietersen has undergone surgery on the hernia injury which ruled him out of the World Cup. He is expected to be fit to return to the side in time for the home series against Sri Lanka this summer.

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Today's debate:

Is Ricky Ponting damaging Australia's chances at the World Cup? Tweet @telegraphsport, or send your emails to sportfeedback@telegraph.co.uk.

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Your emails:

"Broad is the sensible option as England's next one-day captain - guaranteed starter, but the management need to manage his fitness better. It's no surprise that he is breaking down, he has been beasted on the strength building program and rushed back after his Aussie injury. And guess what, he gets a new injury at the World Cup. The bloke needs more overs bowled, not more weights lifted. Bowling fitness CANNOT be achievd in the gym," writes Tommy Atkins.

"Let's be honest, if England reach the last eight it will be a tremendous achievement given the schedule they have been forced to stick and the injuries they have had. It would be a real shame if they finally came home from this epic tour with feelings of disappointment and resentment, given what they achieved just a few months ago," says Mark Thomas.

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Fantasy Cricket World Cup
Eoin Morgan (7) is the only England batsman in form, while Suliemann Benn (5) has been W Indies' best bowler. telegraph.co.uk/fantasycricket.


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Monday, 27 June 2011

The Ashes: Ricky Ponting welcomes Australian cricket investigation into series after England drubbing

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said on Friday that the game would undergo a thorough review of all facets following the humiliating 3-1 Test series loss to fierce rivals England.

Writing in The Australian, Ponting said any review needed to go beyond Test cricket and study all levels of the game.

"There is a review after every season, of which I'm always a big part," Ponting wrote.

"I understand there will be a lot more involved in the review this time around and rightly so.

"It's going to be a lot more in-depth than I've ever been involved in and probably as big as those conducted when Australia was really struggling in the mid-80s."

The beleaguered skipper, who had a miserable series with the bat, said despite Australia's much-lauded domestic Sheffield Shield competition, the country was not producing enough Test-quality players.

"The performance of the elite team over the past few weeks has been very disappointing," he wrote.

"But I think it's important we look a fair bit deeper into Australian cricket than just the last couple of weeks.

"It's going to be really interesting to see what the review brings up.

"I think the whole structure of Australian cricket needs looking at."

Ponting said state cricket would have to come under the microscope, adding he was not sure it was as strong as it needed to be, and said club cricket and junior cricket also needed to be looked at.

"There are a lot of things we can look at, but right at the moment it appears as though we're not producing enough high-quality Test cricketers," he wrote.

Ponting conceded Australia, who have slipped to fifth in the Test rankings after many years at the top, had been outplayed by a rampant England.

"All of England's players stuck to their plans and executed them well," he wrote.

"They have been well rewarded for that. When we were batting or bowling we were not disciplined enough or skilled enough in the moments that really mattered. That's the difference between the teams at the moment."


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Tamim Iqbal set to replace Michael Hussey as a short-term replacement at Nottinghamshire

The experienced Australia batsman will return to his homeland after Sunday's Friends Life t20 clash with Lancashire to prepare for the one-day international series against Sri Lanka, and 22-year-old Tamim has agreed terms to deputise for the six subsequent fixtures. His signing is subject to approval from the Bangladesh and England and Wales Cricket Boards.

Outlaws director of cricket Mick Newell said: ''David has been excellent for us and he still has a lot to offer to the Australian team.

''His contract with us was always subject to international commitments and I'm pleased that we have been able to secure a quality replacement.

''Finding quality overseas players at short notice is always a challenge but we are very pleased to have agreed a deal with a player of Tamim's quality,'' said Newell.

''He's an exciting player who has established himself on the international scene at a young age and he is already assured of a long Test career.''

Tamim averages 40.13 in Tests and has a reputation as a fluent scorer, with an international Twenty20 strike rate approaching 100.

He said: ''It has been a dream come true in every sense as I have longed to play county cricket ever since I became a professional cricketer.

''I have enjoyed every moment whenever I have been in the UK in the past and it is a privilege to be part of such a great club like Nottinghamshire, which has an awe-inspiring tradition and character.

''I am very excited to take the field and perform and help with Notts' mission of winning the Friends Life t20.''

Notts were fined £600 on Tuesday after they were found not to have registered Hussey for their opening win over Derbyshire, in which he scored 60.

Hussey's compatriot Adam Voges will captain the side for the remainder of the competition.


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Vikram Solanki puts Hampshire to the sword as Worcestershire take control at New Road

Daryl Mitchell declared at 403 for eight as soon as Solanki was dismissed for a 272-ball 173 that lasted almost six hours and included 25 fours and a six.

Alan Richardson, Worcestershire’s 36-year-old seamer, then unsettled Hampshire with three for 52 to leave the visitors 171 behind at the close, on 232 for seven.

Richardson claimed the 400th first-class wicket of a career which has lasted 16 years and included four counties when he had Liam Dawson caught behind from the sixth ball of the innings.

Half-centuries from Jimmy Adams, James Vince and Nic Pothas provided some resistance before Shakib Al Hasan, who had earlier hit 54, took two wickets near the close to put the home side in the ascendancy at the end of the second day.

At Grace Road, Division Two leaders Northamptonshire dismissed bottom-of-the-table Leicestershire for 168 with Lee Daggett and David Lucas claiming four wickets a piece. Stephen Peters, dropped on 54, hit an unbeaten 76 as Northants closed the first day 32 runs behind with eight wickets in hand. Wayne White had earlier hit 54 before Leicestershire lost their final five wickets for 13 runs in six overs.

Elsewhere in Division Two, 14 wickets fell as Gloucestershire enjoyed the better of the opening day at the Oval, closing on 171 four in reply to Surrey’s 225 all out.

But for Zander de Bruyn’s responsible 66, Surrey might already be ruing preparing a green, seamer-friendly pitch.

When the clouds dispersed in late afternoon the Gloucestershire batsmen, led by Chris Taylor with 52, were rewarded for demonstrating far greater resolve.


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The Cricket World Cup Email: Scyld Berry on NZ v Pakistan, and Shoaib Akhtar's moodmap

It was always likely to be this way: many of the qualifiers were going to be mis-matches. But there is another effect: several countries will go into the knock-out stage without a hard game behind them – one of those fight-to-the finish games in which a team’s spirit is forged.

Australia is one such team: the winners of the last three World Cups have yet to have a close game that shows up their weaker links. Which is great for the other teams that have a realistic chance: not perhaps New Zealand if they have lost their captain Daniel Vettori to injury; not perhaps West Indies, as they have forgotten what success is. But England, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and, above all, the hosts India, could all come to the boil and reach the World Cup final.

In the meantime, India v Netherlands could be another of those mismatches, given the power of India’s batting. The main interest may well lie in the margin: bigger than 80 runs or five wickets?

• Geoffrey Boycott will be previewing all of England's games throughout this tournament, while Derek Pringle, Scyld Berry and Steve James will also bring you their thoughts on the rest of the action.

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Stat of the day: Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor scored 84 runs from 22 deliveries in their blitzkrieg against Pakistan.

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Tweet of the day: @swannyg66: "Played golf today. My caddy proved to be invaluable. Insightful comments such as 'that was triple bogey sir' and 'you missed your putt sir"

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Yesterday at the World Cup

England confirmed that Stuart Broad is out of the World Cup with the side strain he suffered against South Africa. Chris Tremlett is expected to replace him in the squad.

Bangladesh's playes have been barred from writing columns after captain Shakib Al Hasan used a newspaper piece to attack the former players who have criticised his side following the collapse against West Indies.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has backed his team to recover from their drubbing against New Zealand, saying "we had a bad day but we're not going to panic."

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Today's debate:

Who is to blame for England's injury crisis? Tweet @telegraphsport, or send your emails to sportfeedback@telegraph.co.uk.

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Your emails:

"Stuart Broad and the rest of the team are pounding the gym like never before. The old timers say that the best fitness for bowling is bowling. Could strengthening his core muscle sets actually make it easier to tear?," mails Sam Coleman.

"Tremlett proved more than a capable replacement for Broad in the Ashes. I know this is a different format. but Tremlett has played far more cricket over the past 2-3 months and must be in much better rhythm than Broad was," add Antony Curren.

"So New Zealand scoresd 92 runs off the last FOUR overs. Remarkable, n'est-ce-pas? Impossible, others might say. Wonder what the odds of that happening were?," mails Jat.

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Fantasy Cricket World Cup
Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar are both obvious, but safe, bets against Holland today. www.telegraph.co.uk/fantasycricket.


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Cricket World Cup 2011: South Africa spinner Imran Tahir fractures thumb casting doubt on availability

Tahir, the second-leading wicket taker at the World Cup, suffered the injury while taking a return catch to dismiss Jonathan Trott en route to figures of four for 38 in Chennai.

The 31-year-old Pakistan-born leg-spinner has been a revelation at the tournament, having taken 11 wickets at 8.90, after making his Proteas debut in their opener against West Indies.

His participation in the remainder of the global showpiece is, however, now in some doubt with Cricket South Africa revealing today they would make a decision on his fitness in the next two days.

"Imran injured himself during the game against England while attempting the caught and bowled, which dismissed Jonathan Trott," Proteas' manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement.

"The x-ray that was done today revealed a small undisplaced fracture in his left thumb.

"The images have been sent home to Cricket South Africa's medical committee and we are waiting for the hand specialist, Dr Mike Solomons, to give us an opinion.

"His thumb has been splintered and immobilised and a decision on what happens further will be made in the next two days."


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England v West Indies: Andrew Strauss and Graeme Swann back for World Cup clash but Ajmal Shahzad ill

 Skipper: Andrew Strauss (left) is fine but there are now doubts over Ajmal Shahzad (right) Photo: AFP

Both reported fit for practice at the MA Chidambaram Stadium this afternoon, but Ajmal Shahzad has emerged as a new doubt for Thursday's crunch World Cup fixture after also succumbing to a stomach upset.


Shahzad is the sixth England player to be taken ill at some point on this month-long trip so far.


But only Stuart Broad, who subsequently had to return home because of a side strain, has yet missed a match and Strauss appears confident he and Swann should be able to take on the Windies.


"I'm feeling very well now," Strauss said. "I was laid low the night before last and yesterday morning.


"Graeme Swann is recovering well and should be practising today. I don't know if he is quite as buoyant as I am, but we're still very confident he'll be fine for tomorrow.


"Ajmal Shahzad has been struck by it as well and he probably will not practise today.


"We're not sure at this stage whether that is going to affect his chances of being selected tomorrow."


Shahzad took three wickets in England's shock defeat to Bangladesh in Chittagong on Friday, a result which means they must beat West Indies to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.


Doubts over the Yorkshire seamer's fitness may reopen the door to James Anderson, even though team management are thought to feel the Ashes hero is due a rest after such an arduous winter.


Strauss declined to confirm or deny any selection issues before match day.


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Sunday, 26 June 2011

England v Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan ruled out of third Test at Rose Bowl with broken thumb

Dilshan was unable to bat in the second innings of the second Test at Lord's, having broken his right thumb after two blows on it from England fast bowler Chris Tremlett.

He then sat out the three-day tour match against Essex at Chelmsford, but only today have Sri Lanka accepted the opening batsman will not be fit in time to face England again on Thursday.

Team manager Anura Tennekoon said of Dilshan: "He definitely won't be playing.

"The main reason we've kept him out of this Test match is that, had he played and got another blow while fielding on that thumb, he might have been out for the rest of the tour.

"So as a precautionary measure, we have kept him out."

Former captain Sangakkara, who resigned from the role in Tests and limited-overs matches after this year's World Cup, has therefore been persuaded to take the job on again.


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Friday, 24 June 2011

V Sri Lanka England: loss fear Hampshire after bad weather rain on the Rose Bowl parade

Rain falls regularly during most of the day messing up a historic opportunity for the club and hit attendance, with a 20 per cent approximately of ticket holders, who paid up to 70 pounds each, failing back.

A crowd of autour 6,000 only given James Anderson Bowl the first ball of cricket Test at the Rose Bowl and attendance grow to only 7 500 at its peak in early afternoon, reviving memories of the first test in Cardiff.

"I am very disappointed by the weather conditions and impact, it has had on attendance," said Rod Bransgrove, Chairman of Hampshire. "It is very regrettable our first day Test match was marred by persistent rain, but it is we have managed to play on very quickly as soon as it stopped."

"Today is all about the Rose Bowl on the table and to become a Test match ground." We have always recognized that we need to reach this stage, and this is our chance to show that we can provide world class facilities and a Test match ground.

"Everyone knows that we can manage the crowds because we have had up to 23,000 before here." This is not the issue. But five days on the bounce is a new challenge and producing a field of five days is a first for us. »

The Member, Nigel Gray, was unable to prepare the ground Wednesday due to heavy rains and personal was mowing window in the minutes before departure. Gray produced a surface bouncy seemingly tailor-made for Chris Tremlett, back for the first time since his departure from Hampshire in 2009.

"A few years ago the lands were low and slow", said Tremlett.

"Addressing the ADB Hampshire were similar this season and it is surprising to obtain something so green with this good carry, it is vital that we make the most of the conditions." "For the people of Hampshire and Rod Bransgrove, it was a great moment for them, and it is a shame that we are not part of a full day."

Corporate sales were lower than expected and it is likely Hampshire will make a profit once the relocated estimated £ 1 staging expenses were paid.

"We had a very good marketing campaign and I am proud of my team but then slows down when people started long-term research, forecasts for the sale of tickets," said Bransgrove.

"At the end of the game sit with ECB and analyze how good it was and what we can improve."

There were many officials of the ECB in the field even if his old enemy Giles Clarke, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, was not present due to business commitments.


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V Sri Lanka England: side Andrew Strauss failed to make the most of the conditions at the Rose Bowl, said Geoffrey Boycott

Towering success: Chris Tremlett deserved his haul six wicket but Sri lanka should have been overthrown on day two despite the games at length limited Photo: GETTY IMAGES

There was no source of inspiration in the cricket today. It is even a field hosted for seam bowlers if you Bowl straight and he pitch-up.


Chris Tremlett was by far the best launcher and seems to improve all the time. Her lift was disconcerting and its line was good. He overthrew a nice full length and deserved his wickets.


Jimmy Anderson was probably too much with the ball. Step that a bowler can run and swing half or half sewing it. This is impossible. But its good bullets were simply too good for everyone to nick.


But in England from the point of view, he considered to have good pace and already overthrown 23 overs in the match after his injury aside.


Stuart Broad is a great concern. It is of course of confidence and it shows on his face. It is no doubt he tried like hell to Bowl the right line and pitch the ball, but most of the time that is short and wide and has completed to resort to the bouncers. Why Strauss kept so long, it is astounding.


It has the best spinner in the world in Graeme Swann. He did not get to bowl until the hands and then took a one-stop with his second ball.


A score of 177-9 to Sri Lanka would be a fairly good performance by England if it were a flat batting pitch but, sorry, on this type of surface, that we should be having overthrown for much a total lower.


Their batsmen are used for flat land, non-bouncy that perhaps a little later, turn the. They never see conditions like this. Their feet is non-existent. They transform the seamers squares.


They are so frustrated with the ball moving and bouncing they play of airy fairy shots. In fact of the tail-enders to side leg before the bowlers delivered the ball.


They have no patience because they are used to be able to play many shots on good frappeurs locations and again in England was struggling to get out their terrain tailor-made for seam bowlers.


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Thursday, 23 June 2011

Warwickshire dispatch sorry Northants with ease at Wantage Road

The Friends Life T20 Marathon has not yet reached its halfway point but, it seems, Northamptonshire will have to concentrate their efforts on the County Championship and CB 40 competitions, in which they remain the only unbeaten side in the country.

A fourth defeat in six matches at Wantage Road left Northamptonshire adrift at the foot of the north group, the result of a timid batting performance on a slow pitch.

Twenty20 cricket is supposed to be about thrills, spills and sixes. There was little of that in a Northamptonshire total that produced just eight boundaries and the lowest score against Warwickshire in the competition.

They were 17-2 after the six Powerplay overs, when batsmen are supposed to cash in and only passed 88, their lowest total in the competition, thanks to some much-needed late aggression from Johan Botha and David Murphy.

The pitch, which was being used for the third time, has lost much of its pace and Warwickshire, inspired by Chris Woakes's intelligent variations of pace, had little difficulty keeping Northamptonshire on a tight rein.

When Northamptonshire tried to attack they invariably ran into trouble, typified by Stephen Peters who went down the pitch to drive Jeetan Patel, jabbed the ball into the ground and was easily stumped by Tim Ambrose.

Botha, who struck half of Northamptonshire's boundaries, provided some entertainment and Keith Barker assisted Northamptonshire by bowling two no-bowls in a wayward final over.

But no side has successfully defended such a meagre total and Warwickshire cantered home despite the early loss of Neil Carter.

Darren Maddy lifted James Middlebrook for the only six in the 34th over of a forgettable contest and passed 2,000 Twenty20 runs in helping revive Warwickshire's quarter-final hopes with their first win in five matches.


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The third Test, England v Sri Lanka third day: here

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OVER 46: ENG 191/3: Six overs left after this one but play will end at 19.30 irrespective. Will Pietersen make a charge towards three figures?

OVER 45: ENG 188/3: Perera's rest is over and he's back on to the joy of Pietersen whose perfect posture allows him to drive staright out of the textbook and down the ground for four.

OVER 44: ENG 183/3: Little threat from Herath as he's extracting no turn from this flat pitch. Pietersen gives him the charge and the ball bounces out off his bat and to safety, although he's stretching his torso after that exertion. Pietersen 78, Bell 34.

OVER 43: ENG 179/3: Lakmal has made a hash of that in the field and Bell gets a fortuitous boundary. Then Pietersen goes big and whacks Welegedara up and over mid-wicket for another boundary. These two are really cruising along.

OVER 42: ENG 169/3: Here he is, it's Herath, the left-arm spinner (Pietersen's nemesis). There's a delay while protective clothing is sanctioned from the dressing room and when Sri Lanka are ready Bell gets his lap-sweep out. Boom - Pietersen hath no fear as he takes a big stride and crashes Herath through extra cover before he rocks back and has to react swiftly to keep out one that goes straight on.

OVER 41: ENG 164/3: There's a bowling change ... who is it? No, Herath remains consigned to fielding duties and it's Welegedara instead. England are rattling along at four an over, with Bell as fluent as ever and Pietersen on a mission - to score a century, get himself further exposure on the telly, in the headlines and shut up the majority of the written press.

OVER 40: ENG 161/3: Herath, why are you not bowling? Give us a sign, a hand-signal of some sort to tell us why your captain is ignoring you. Perera's tenth over of his spell sees Bell get down on one knee and play the most delicious square-drive for four. Bell ends the over with a single.

OVER 39: ENG 156/3: Soft hands from Bell gains four more to third man before he narrowly misses a cut which has Jayawardene excited behind the stumps. Lakmal meanwhile isn't interested and is left exasperated as Bell runs him down to third man again, this time for three. That's the 150 up. Pietersen makes it an over to forget for Lakmal, punching him through extra cover for four and there's 13 overs left today.

OVER 38: ENG 144/3: Fernando tests his injured limb as Bell pushes one out to him and collects a single before the lumbering fast bowler can cause any strife. The suggestion from the Sky box is that Fernando has been off to blow dry his hair - and it has to be said he does own a magnificent puffy mullet befitting of the 1980s rather than Hampshire 2011. Streaky boundary for Pietersen down to third man which moves him on to 65.

OVER 37: ENG 139/3: Sri Lanka are feeding Bell's pull shot and that's two more. Surprised Herath hasn't been required yet, given Pietersen's liking of their seamers. Super take by Jayawardene who almost needed a step-ladder to reach that Lakmal bouncer. Lakmal has realised that bowling full to Pietersen results in boundaries. Hello, Fernando is back, hobbling but back, just as Pietersen plays a front foot hook for two.

OVER 36: ENG 134/3: You can't keep a great player quiet for long and Pietersen is sending the ball back past Lakmal for four. That's nine on-drives he's played and has connected with all nine.

OVER 35: ENG 130/3: All the aggro over the rain seems but a distant memory and thoughts are turning towards dinner as Bell swivels on his toes to pull Lakmal away for four. I was supposed to play against Bell in a county under-15 match, only for Warwickshire to pull him out at the last minute, deeming him 'too good' for that level of cricket. Too good for county cricket? Apparently so. Fearful of my loopy leg-breaks? Definitely not!

E-mail From statman Peter Rowntree: "This innings has taken Ali Cook to just short of the 400 run mark for the three tests, with another 4 Tests to come this summer he is still on target to score 1000 Test Runs over the 7 tests. Assuming he maintains his form and also of course that the weather doesn't continue to destroy the cricket."

OVER 34: ENG 126/3: Indeed, Pietersen is going through a temporary lull, letting Perera enjoy a maiden. Final delivery was close to the edge, Pietersen survives.

OVER 33: ENG 126/3: Fernando's busting out his slower ball with increasing frequency but Pietersen isn't fooled. Bad news for Sri Lanka as Fernando pulls out of delivery at the last moment for a second time in succession and as he walks back to his mark he keeps walking all the way to the pavilion and has left the pitch for treatment. Lakmal is called upon to complete the over. Samaraweera could be following Fernando after being on the receiving end of a full-blooded Bell cut in the gully. No, he's okay, and that's drinks.

OVER 32 ENG 125/3: Now, the wicket may tame Pietersen and see him go into his shell for a while. Another wicket in the next few overs and Sri Lanka can be mighty pleased with their evening's work, having been very much down and out while Cook and Pietersen were motoring along.

OVER 31: ENG 124/3: That wicket was as likely as the covers staying off for more than a few hours, but Cook is gone and Bell is at the crease and off the mark with four down to the vacant third man boundary.

Wicket WICKET: Cook c Samaraweera b Fernando 55 England 120/3 Where did that come from? Cook looked so assured and patient but as we saw with Trott earlier on, he is fallable. Fernando throws one out wide and Cook pushes it high to gully where Samaraweera clings on at the second attempt.

OVER 30: ENG 119/2: Cook's wagonwheel displays the majority of runs scored square of the wicket, nothing down the ground, unlike Pietersen who walks into his shots to get himself on the front foot. England are knocking it around with ease. Partnership worth 105 off 139 balls.

OVER 29: ENG 115/2: There it is, 50 for Alastair Cook, the new joint record holder for consecutive half-centuries in Tests for England. That's his sixth in a row and as the claps around the ground die down they then sound out again as Pietersen brings up his 50. Both are in the zone and centuries are there for the taking. Pietersen, predictably, has reached the landmark a whole lot quicker than Cook, who cuts a no-ball from Fernando for a single out to the sweeper. Sri Lanka are leaking runs here and captain Sangakkara has to make a change.

OVER 28: ENG 109/2: Cook moves to 49 as well. England have no problems here and are poised for a decent first innings lead ... famous last words.

OVER 27: ENG 106/2: It's Fernando rather than Herath who is brought into the attack and some buffet bowling sees Cook pull England past the 100-mark. Pietersen will like a piece of this and immediately drives down the ground for three - it would have been four but for a last-ditch dive which saw the fielder, Welegedara, nose-dive into the boundary fence-thingy. He's up and will soldier on. Two more to Pietersen takes him to 49.

Twitter Sympathy from the great Shane Warne: "Feel for the sell out crowd at rose bowl today - very frustrating for all... This rain for last 4 days has been a joke - summer ??????"

OVER 26: ENG 94/2: Perera has Cook in a tangle as he plays and misses, but otherwise the medium-pacer has been very ordinary and Cook helps himself to a single. That carry is still there as Jayawardene takes a length delivery above his head.

OVER 25: ENG 93/2: Pietersen is on the drive at every opportunity and has confidence in the pitch as well as himself. Sri Lanka will be thinking about turning to the spin of Herath before long as they fetch another Pietersen boundary ... and another, this time down the ground. High backswing, high follow through, bosh. Pietersen on 44, Cook 39.

OVER 24: ENG 85/2: Two more to Cook who will keep the scoreboard ticking while Pietersen races it along. The ground is bathed in sunshine at long last and Cook welcomes the sight of summer by pulling Perera for four.

OVER 23: ENG 79/2: Cook will take longer to play himself in, as he re-configures the mechanics of his game. A single to leg means he keeps the strike.

OVER 22: ENG 78/2: Pietersen straight into the groove, driving Perera behind square to the boundary. Perera's response is a huge shout for caught behind down the leg-side but replays show it merely flicked the pad. Pietersen is quickly on to a short ball and that's four more through mid-wicket. He looks imperious today.

OVER 21: ENG 70/2: Welegedara re-starts play to the biggest cheer of the day and Pietersen races to the other end for a single and pinches the strike.

17.05: Confirmation from the umpires that tea was taken to stay in keeping with the regulations. Play is now scheduled to start again at 17.20 despite the next cloud burst likely to arrive then, or a drinks break or toilet stop etc etc

17.00: Covers are coming off - how many times have I said that today? This weather is a real tease.

16.55: There's a mop-up job going on. It's slightly raining and I understand that the restlessness in the crowd has led to one chap, dressed as Robin, being escorted from the playing surface.

16.45: Covers are still on and just as well because it's throwing it down. This needs to be one of the last showers of the day or else we could risk a wash out. We've seen approximately 11 minutes of cricket since lunch.

E-mail The anger is spreading to the digital world and Satya Ganeis: "I am not paying $20 per month to watch ad after ad after ad and watching grass grow. I want some cricket!"

16.34: There are regulations in place about long final sessions (no more than three hours), but at what price common sense? Mike Atherton says the crowd have moved on from 'frustrated' to 'angry', and the umpires are being greeted by a chorus of boos as they head out to have a look.

16.27: You guessed it! The tea interval is almost over, play is due to resume and the covers are coming back on as it's raining. The crowd have sat there for 20 minutes in the sun, while the players are sat indoors. Utterly ridiculous.

16.25: I predict a riot at the Rose Bowl and the umpires could well be subjected to the remains of the spectators' own teas when they decide their own stomachs are sufficiently full to get this match underway again. Five minutes until the scheduled re-start, that's five minutes for the rain to break Hampshire hearts.

E-mail Forget the players and the crowd, suggests Satya Ganeis: "Spare a thought for the poor groundstaff! Busy day in the office for them!" Indeed it has been and they have certainly earned their corn today, but hey, what do they do during the seven or so hours of play?

16.13: The crowd are flabbergasted as the announcement is made over the tannoy, and in true Victor Meldrew-style, I don't believe it! Play is due to re-start at 16.30, in time for the next band of rain to arrive.

16.11: What? No way. The sun is out and an announcement has been made that they are taking tea! Just wait for the crowd to find out.

16.10: This Rose Bowl crowd are ready to burst, such has been the frustration during the past couple of days. There'll be plenty of noise if they disappear off, as planned, for tea at 16.40. Ground staff are 'roping' the outfield to remove the moisture and we SHOULD be starting in a few minutes.

16.06: Here come the umpires for the umpteenth time and loud cheers welcome the signal for the covers to be taken off.

16.05: The crowd are chanting 'off off off off off off off', presumably referring to the covers rather than the ground staff's clothes. Weather prediction is no more rain until 5pm. Come on, get out there and let's get on with it, don't worry about tea, Cookie will have a few jelly beans in his pocket to share out.

16.02: It's stopped raining, the sun is out, Lord make your mind up, you're making us dizzy.

16.00: Blimey, it's pouring. Will they take tea now? Or maybe wait for the sun to come out and then take tea?

15.58: The crowd are slow-clapping as the players are ready, then the clouds mess it all up and the players go off again.

15.41: The skies have cleared considerably and word is tea will be taken at 16.40 - what is the point of creating another stoppage? Surely they should have had a quick bite and then play through to the end of the day. Strange.

15.35: Update from the middle is that play will resume at 16.00.

15.15: Bit of moisture on the pitch will give Sri Lanka a helping hand, as long as they can keep the ball dry when they come back out. It's raining cats, dogs and frogs now, though, and I don't see them re-starting for at least another 15 minutes - and that's if it stops in the next five.

15.10: RAIN 69/2: Menacingly dark, spots of rain and Cook moves on to 32 with a single off his legs. The floodlights can come on but are yet to be utilised - saving on electricity costs perchance given the amount they've forked out for this Test? Now the rain is hammering it down and Cook is sprinting off the pitch, my he's legging it!

OVER 20: ENG 68/2: Pietersen is on the drive for a single off Lakmal and there's a slim chance the cloud might miss the Rose Bowl. Cook isn't missing anything, as he cuts in front of square for four. His judgment has been nigh perfect, with the gloved pull his only blemish so far. Another boom out of the middle of his Gray-Nicolls flies out to the sweeper on the cover boundary.

OVER 19: ENG 62/2: Welegedara completes his over, which sees Pietersen add a single and the monster cloud move closer. 'That's ours', says Bumble.

15.00: We can add a young Donny Osmond to the Cook look-alikes, but is doesn't detract from his batting does it. Anyhow, the players are ready to start, a huge grey cloud is looming and I reckon we'll have an over or two before they go off again.

14.55: Appears to be brighter, the covers are off and we should have some action in a matter of minutes. Just watched an interview with Alastair Cook talking about his Ashes achievements, it reminded me of what a square jaw he has - an Essex team-mate of his once said Cook gets likened to racing driver David Coulthard ... as well as Will from The Inbetweeners!

14.45: The latest shower has passed, play will resume at 15.00.

14.25: We'll adjust to the 24 hour clock as play is interrupted again because of rain. The covers have been called for and the players are slowly making their way off with a mere sprinkling of drops falling. No, now it's getting heavier. I'm afraid this is how it's going to be today ...on, off, on, off, on, off ... and so forth.

E-mail I was wrong about Peter Rowntree, he's nowhere near Scandinavia! "I am writing to you from Colombia in South America where I have lived for some years now. But don't mind you associating me with Scandanavia, its a lovely part of he world, especially Denmark and Finland and great people too. The weather has really dominated this test, with extremely difficult batting conditions, a lot of ball movement because rain never far away, and of course the batting sessions have been very short making it difficult for batsmen to play themselves in. But keep up the great commentary."

OVER 18: ENG 61/2: Tea due at 4.10pm. Lakmal is coming around the wicket to Pietersen and he's really in the groove today, timing the pants off a push through mid-on for three. So, Pietersen is out of form, is he? As for Cook, we all know what kind of form he is in as he drives through extra-cover for four.

OVER 17: ENG 54/2: Welegedara opens up to Cook with two slips and a man back on the hook - we've seen a few top edges in this Test with the extra bounce in the wicket. There we are, an edge from Cook, though it's regulation towards second slip and it drops just short.

2.15: Here we go again. Teacakes were passable, probably unworthy of full price, though perfectly worthy of 10p. So, will KP come out all guns blazing or will he take his time and play himself back in? Expect Cook to nudge and nurdle for an hour or so and unless Sri Lanka serve up some real dross.

Twitter "KP looks like he has bought his A game to the Rose bowl... Could be a entertaining afternoon.." Michael Vaughan ready for a rumoured 2.15pm start.

E-mail "Sorry it's raining. Anybody interested in Radio 3's recommendation for best recording of Wagner's Tristan today? No? ...... don't blame you. Sooo want KP to get a big score." Elaine, good to hear the rain isn't dampening your musical passion, though I think a spot of shopping or a day out might be higher up the agenda than Wagner's Tristan - unless of course the Wagner you refer to is that wally from the last X-Factor?

E-mail Peter Rowntree: "Talking of weather forecasts, I looked at the long range weather forecast for the UK early in the year. Not just idle curiosity I have a planned trip to the UK later this year (first time for 7 years). That forecast said: 'Dry spring, wet June, changeable July with some violent thunderstorms and very hot dry August going through to September. So portents not that good for rest of Sri Lanka tour, but certainly look good for second part of Indian Cricket Tour'." I'm unsure where Peter is writing from, so I'll take a guess: I reckon he's....in Scandinavia?? Why? Just a hunch.

1.50: Right, with a delay to come while the covers come back off it's time to try out these teacakes, toasted this morning and purchased from Asda last night for the princely sum of 10p (packet of four). I know, I shouldn't expect a taste sensation for that price but I'll judge them as if they were full price.

1.45: This is like having April in late June, who has messed with our climate? Next we'll be seeing Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Co pegging it for cover as a tornado comes rumbling over the hill behind the Rose Bowl. The sun is now out.

1.40: Darn, bad news, it's hosing it down and the covers are on. Fingers crossed it's a passing shower and the sun will emerge soon.

1.35: Play due to restart in a few minutes and the Sri Lankan bowlers are out limbering up ready for an afternoon of KP and Cook, for that is what I predict it will be. Just waiting on a weather update.

LUNCH: Good timing with a shower about to burst over the ground. England's response lurched briefly towards disaster when Strauss and Trott went in quick succession, however, Cook and Pietersen were comfortable and both are well set for big scores when play begins again. Time for some grub, nothing major after a McDonalds McMuffin brunch. Back shortly.

OVER 16: ENG 54/2: Nasser Hussain is receiving some stick from Sir Ian Botham, who says his nose resembles a surfboard's 'skeg'. Charming. Then he likens him to Hampshire keeper Nic Pothas in the looks department. Herath is on for an over of spin before lunch. Cook nicks a single so KP will have two deliveries to survive ... bash! He advances down the wicket and crashes him through extra-cover for four, and that's lunch. Cook 22 Pietersen 22.

OVER 15: ENG 49/2: Cook joins the party which is livening up, as he feasts on a wide half-volley from Fernando. Fill your boots Alastair. If these two stay together for a while England will have a lead this afternoon. Slower ball from Fernando tricks no-one, especially not Pietersen.

OVER 14: ENG 44/2: Here's Perera, opening at 82mph and replacing Lakmal, who took 1/17 off 6. Pietersen fancies this and his rapidly on to Perera's first full delivery, spanking it at mid-off, who gets a hand but is practically knocked over by the force of the shot and it races away for four. Pietersen 18, Cook 16.

OVER 13: ENG 40/2: Fine assortment of fancy dress in the Rose Bowl crowd today, not too dissimilar to what you find while walking around London each day. Fashion - why bother? Both Cook and Pietersen collect runs off Fernando who is less threatening than his stature suggests. Rain is skirting the ground.

OVER 12: ENG 36/2: Few spots of rain, this could be another unwanted interruption. KP is having a look at the heavens and, as if taking strength from above, he canes Lakmal back down the ground for four and adds another single to deep square. He's in aggressive mood this morning and let's just hope they can stay out there.

OVER 11 ENG 30/2: Fernando is on, bustling in, all rippling pecs and masculinity as he explodes into the crease ... and it's a no ball, how tame! Another no ball. Another no ball? No, his feet are now legal. Calls for a catch down the leg side but HotSpot shows nothing. Pietersen attempts to wallop a short one outside off through mid-wicket but toe-ends it for a single. Clouds gathering around the Rose Bowl.

OVER 10: ENG 26/2: Pietersen is making the most of his time before facing spin and drives slightly uppishly down the ground off Lakmal. That's seven off his first five balls. Cook then pokes forward away from his body and there are a few interested viewers in the Sri Lanka slip cordon, who then pipe up even louder off the next ball as Cook gloves a pull over the keeper's head for a single. That was on him quicker than he expected and evoked memories of those dire Sri Lankan pull shots in their innings.

E-mail "I won't be bombarding you with emails regarding Test Matches and Wagner today. Just dropping in to say pleased that Broad has got a wicket, pleased that play is under way, pleased that the sun is shining (at time of writing) and oh dear me, Strauss is the new Pietersen it seems." No discussion with Elaine on opera today then.

OVER 9: ENG 22/2: There's Cook on the pull. Welegedara drops short and Cook latches on to it like a man who has scored about 1,000 runs in his last six innings. Oooo, well fielded, Cook denied another boundary after pushing through mid-on. A double-ton beckons.

OVER 8: ENG 18/2: They're making a pigs-ear of this are England. The new ball isn't doing all that much as Strauss and Trott have largely brought about their own downfalls. Trott's concentration is usually sharper than that. So, Pietersen is in and off the mark with a boundary which clatters into the stumps on its way back past Lakmal but has the legs to reach the long-on fence, rope or whatever that thing is circling the pitch.

Wicket WICKET: Trott c P Jayawardene b Lakmal 4 England 14/2 Disaster! Trott drives expansively and gets a thick edge behind. Lakmal's ploy of bowling around the wicket has worked a treat and Trott heads off to join Strauss in the sulking corner of the pavilion.

OVER 7: ENG 14/1: Yes!! There's Cook timing it beautifully off the back foot for four. Cheers from the crowd and the England recovery is underway.

OVER 6: ENG 10/1: Lakmal poses Trott no problems and the England No 3 is quickly working himself into leg-side mode, moving across his stumps and playing to leg when most would play straight or into the off side. Don't complain, it works. When Lakmal, coming around the wicket, does spear one across Trott he leaves it alone.

OVER 5 ENG 9/1: The metronomes are together. Time for the crowd to have a snooze and wake up when England are 200/1 with Cook and Trott both nearing centuries. Trott is due a century - he hasn't scored one since the first Test. He rolls one out into the leg-side and they run three.

OVER 4: ENG 6/1: Lakmal around the wicket to Cook who is right behind it. He's due a failure says the Law of Averages and no sooner had I said it Lakmal strikes him on the pad and there's a big shout ... no, it's hit him outside the line. Maiden.

OVER 3: ENG 6/1: Strauss simply played down the wrong line and could have left it alone. Like Pietersen to left-arm spinners, Strauss has an issue which is gaining a hold on him. Trott is off the mark first ball and Cooks adds another single into the covers.

Wicket WICKET: Strauss c Paranavitana b Welegedara 3 England 4/1 Got him! Strauss falls to a left-armer again as he pushes forward and edges a comfortable catch to Paranavitana to slip. The England captain is going through a rough trot....speaking of Trott...

OVER 2: ENG 4/0: Cook, playing in his 66th consecutive Test - a record for England, is off the mark with a cheeky quick single off Lakmal and Strauss replicates.

Twitter "What is after the match @DGoughie. You taking me out ! The only way is essex apparently." Freddie Flintoff's mind wanders towards the post-match activity following James Foster's Big Bash tonight.

OVER 1: ENG 2/0: Jeeez, Strauss is almost cleaned out first ball! Welegedara cuts one back through the gate and it somehow misses everything. Strauss has had a hard time against left-armers in his career. He's off the mark with a nicely-timed couple through mid-wicket.

11.42: Here come Strauss and Cook, sun shining, heavy roller has been out, decent pitch, run-fest? Could well be.

SRI LANKA 184 all out: England were expected to wrap the innings up quickly this morning and they have done just that, though few predicted Broad to be the man to do it. His solitary wicket in the innings, he's been coming in for criticism for his lack of penetration, but while England are bowling sides out for under 200 it would be unjust to suggest England's bowling attack requires major attention. Sri Lanka, however, have been shambolic. It's as if we are watching Bangladesh, not the side considered a real force not so long ago. Sure they've lost Murali, Malinga and Jayasuriya, yet this lot have shown no bottle and should be embarrassed by their efforts so far.

Wicket WICKET: Welegedara c Morgan b Broad 7 Sri Lanka 184 all out And that's it! Broad has done it, that's why he has opened the bowling this morning - what the hell do I know! Welegedara spoons straight to Morgan at cover and the players make their way indoors ready for England's knock.

OVER 64: SL: 184/9: Tremlett's getting some serious carry through to Prior - this Rose Bowl pitch is a cracker with lift and pace for the bowlers and regular bounce for the batsmen. Fernando goes wild and almost sweeps himself off his feet with a slog, only to miss before lobbing one into the off-side where Cook makes a mess of his dive and they claim a couple.

OVER 63: SL: 182/9: It's Stuart Broad to open from the other end. Why oh why is Anderson not opening? It would be a confidence booster for Broad to snare a wicket, otherwise I see no reason for him to open up. He starts with a no-ball and is quickly up into the high 80s mph. Short ball has Welegedara ducking and he then plays and misses.

OVER 62: SL 181/9: 'A fabulous physical speciman', says David Lloyd of Tremlett. That he is, but Fernando is far from intimidated and slashes a full delivery through point for four to move him on to 37. He's shown more guts than a number of his team-mates higher up the order.

11.20: Here we go, Fernando and Welegedara resume Sri Lanka's innings and it will be Tremlett to open up, keen to make it seven wickets and then back to the pavilion for a rest.

11.10: Murali is in action today. The whirling twirling rubber-man will be at Chelmsford for Essex wicketkeeper James Foster's benefit match known as 'Fozzy's Big Bash'. An Essex XI are taking on an All-Star side featuring Darren Gough and Freddie Flintoff.

11.05: Excellent, the covers are coming back off and play will start in 15 minutes. The sun has peeped its head out and the nasty rain clouds are scuttling off into the distance - we just need it to stay like that now.

11.00: Biggest selling day of this Test so far and what do they get? Rain. David Gower, from his lofty perch in the Sky box, thinks it will pass in ten minutes, so don't lose faith just yet.

Twitter "Sri Lankan team opting for the casual look this morning.. Jeans and T shirt to the ground.." Michael Vaughan spots Sri Lanka sauntering in as if expecting a day of inactivity.

10.55: Uh-oh, the covers are on and the umbrellas are going up. It looks like a quick shower but is enough to make spectators scamper off for cover and another trip to the bar (maybe a bit early for that). This Test has been a massive anti-climax so far, but with three days left there is time for a result and hopefully a few spectacular performances.

10.30: Morning all. Yesterday's biblical deluge has cleared and we should have plenty of action today, provided the Rose Bowl dodges the showers. England made the most of the couple of hours play on Friday, Chris Tremlett especially, but Sri Lanka put up a powder-puff fight and, resuming on 177/9, can expect to be in the field pretty sharpish.

Meanwhile, here's some reading to whet your appetite:

Derek Pringle on Chris Tremlett's six wicket haul

Nick Hoult on how Allen Stanford is still haunting England


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