Lance Hamilton of Central Districts, showed he might be a left-arm bowler in New Zealand who can fill the boots of the now-retired Geoff Allott with his five-wicket bag against Canterbury at the Village Green today.In his comeback year, after missing the 2000/01 season through injury, Hamilton took four wickets in 10 balls at either end of Canterbury’s innings today as the early-season pacesetters stumbled against accurate swing bowling on a dead pitch.Five wickets went for 45 runs this morning, with the last three going to Hamilton, as Canterbury collapsed to a first innings score of 153.Hamilton’s career-best of 5-30 was complimented with two wickets in his opening over when Canterbury followed on 212 runs behind.But then Robbie Frew, with 79 not out, and Shanan Stewart (54) added 111, the highest partnership of the match, to give Canterbury a chance of setting a target on the fourth day in a match where teams have made whole sessions belong to them.CD took all three on the first day, Canterbury the first yesterday and the last two today, and Hamilton ensured the Stags, took the opening session today.”We had two good sessions, but they were definitely needed,” laughed Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe.”After that Auckland pitch,” Sharpe explained, “where our batters were in a bit of a different mind about what to play and what not to play, I think it overran into this game as well.”Canterbury had its first loss of the season, by an innings, on a suspect Auckland wicket last week.”Even up in Auckland Robbie Frew showed some good signs. He’s come into the side and waited for a couple of games and he’s really taken his opportunity, occupying the crease very well,” said Sharpe of his 31-year-old opener, who saw off Hamilton today after his devastating start.Hamilton took 14 wickets in three matches for New Zealand A in England during June 2000 after taking 31 at 20.22 for CD in 1999/00.Missing the whole of last season through injury, the Papakura-born 28-year-old has now taken 18 wickets this term.”He actually got the ball to swing back in from over the wicket,” noted Sharpe. “To be able to angle the ball back in is very dangerous on a low, slow wicket.”Canterbury lost Jarrod Englefield (completing a pair) and Michael Papps in Hamilton’s opening six balls, but survived a further 83 overs in the rest of the day, occasionally batting eloquently towards stumps.When Stewart was unluckily lbw to the second ball after tea, a third Riccarton club player, Gary Stead, helped Frew see Canterbury to within 34 runs of CD by the close.Frew nudged to his highest score for a year, after joint top scoring in Canterbury’s first innings, while Stead also hung around, increasing his stroke play to the spinners towards the close. They made CD bowl top lines, leaving everything that wasn’t straight and, in Frew’s case, after being left out for most of the season, reproducing his second team form today.At a ground where the southwesterly wind was so cold CD coach Dipak Patel wore a scarf, Canterbury may be able to set Central a target tomorrow and copy their 102-run comeback win at Pukekura Park early in the season.”It’ll be great to get into that position where we can put some pressure onto them, but its a long way to go yet,” smiled Sharpe after his team showed the mettle for a fight to reward their new coach yet again today.

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP – English fast bowler Andy Caddick received an official reprimand here today after pleading guilty to an on-field misconduct charge during the fourth Ashes Test.Caddick received a Bronx cheer from the crowd yesterday after 100 runs were recorded against his bowling and in response gave his knockers the finger.Match referee Wasim Raja conducted a hearing this morning and Caddick apologised.Raja said in a statement that he took into account Caddick’s previous excellent record, but warned him about his future conduct.

The eleven young cricketers who are currently attending the E.C.B. Regional Academy at the County Ground in Taunton are benefiting from Athletic Careers Advice (A.C.E.), a new initiative that originates from Australia.Regional Academy Director Mark Garaway told me: "The A.C.E. initiative is being funded jointly by Sport England and the E.C.B. and at present three people have been appointed to oversee the programme in the eighteen first class counties and the sixteen E.C.B. certified Academies."Mark continued: "Martine Woodward from Bath is working on the A.C.E. initiative in our region, which includes Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Worcestershire and ourselves, and she will be here to work with the Academy boys again on this coming Sunday. Martine will be here to consolidate the A.C.E. modules and provide careers and higher education advice to the members of the Academy."The A.C.E. programme has been running at the Regional Academy at Somerset County Cricket Club since September, and sessions so far have included, time management, personal presentations, media training, outward bound and public speaking. This Sunday’s session will focus upon personal image and presentation.The Academy Director stressed: "We have got to be able to cater for the career needs of the players outside of the game whatever stage they are at in their career. It is equally applicable to an 18 year old as it to a 35 year old who is at the end of his playing career."Mark concluded: "Currently Martine is spending quite a bit of time with us because the Somerset Regional Academy is now established and up and running."

Sri Lanka’s performance against New Zealand was not only convincing but alsouplifting, with the manner in which it was attained giving credence to theteam’s claims that their form is peaking at just the right time.

During the last three months Sri Lanka’s confidence had received a severebruising from a string of humiliating defeats in South Africa and Australia.Pundits predicted further embarrassment in the World Cup.

But, all along, coach Dav Whatmore urged players and fans to look at the bigpicture and realise that, despite losing, Sanath Jayasuriya’s side wasgaining priceless experience in unfamiliar conditions.When Sri Lanka claimed back-to-back victories at Sydney the managementclaimed that they had turned the corner and were gradually becomingacclimatised to the quick, bouncy pitches that predominate in Australia andSouth Africa.

Yesterday’s 47-run victory provided credibility to Whatmore’s positiveassertions, which had previously been considered little more than wishfulthinking. It appears that all the heartache may have been worthwhile afterall.Crucially, Jayasuriya, the key player in Sri Lanka’s limited overs toporder, is in the best form of his life. Crucially, immaculate shot selectionhas been married to his natural belligerence, meaning that he is able tosustain his batting onslaughts and build match-winning scores.

A phenomenal strike rate ensures that when Jayasuriya fires properly, SriLanka invariably emerge victorious. Should he be able to sustain his purpleform throughout the tournament then no side is unbeatable and World Cupglory is attainable.

The batting of Hashan Tillakaratne was perhaps even more encouraging. Thenumber three position was a serious concern and there were doubts as towhether the adhesive 34-year-old could adapt his patient game to the demandsof the modern one-day game.But he answered those doubts emphatically during a mature and industriousinnings, gluing the innings together and ensuring that Sri Lanka did notlose their way when wickets tumbled in the slog over. With the side packedwith so much attacking flair his presence is reassuring.

In the field the side produced their most disciplined performance forsometime. All the bowlers contributed and not a single no ball was conceded.Moreover, the fielding – with the exception of a fumbling Pulasthi Gunaratneon the boundary – was slick and businesslike.The next three games now provide an opportunity to build momentum with gamesagainst Bangladesh, Canada and Kenya. The next crucial encounter will beagainst West Indies at Cape Town.

Qualification for the Super Sixes sis now virtually assured, assuming nomajor upsets, but wins against South Africa and/or West Indies will beimmensely valuable with points due to be carried through to the second roundleague.If they can with one or both of those games then their chances of qualifyingfor the semi-finals will be much improved. From there, with the likes ofJayasuriya and Murali in the side, anything is possible.

Sri Lanka’s team management has reacted furiously to match fixing suspicionsfollowing their shock defeat to Kenya.A news wire report had earlier claimed the sport’s Ant-Corruption Unit (ACU)was scrutinising the game closely.The report said that a special request had been made for a videotape,although the ICC later said this was simply normal procedure.”It’s an insult to this side,” said Sri Lankan manager Ajit Jayasekera.”The reason we lost was because we batted badly. It was a gettable total,and the batting let the side down.”We vehemently deny this allegation. Just because we lost the match to ateam like Kenya it is disgusting to be accused of match fixing. I am veryannoyed.”Kenya Cricket Association chairman Jimmy Rayani was also disappointed by theallegations.”What is the point of having a World Cup if everybody knows the results ofall the games?” he said.”Don’t insult us every time we beat a big team.”An ICC spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that the ACU had spoken to teamrepresentatives and reassure them that normal procedures were beingfollowed.

PAARL, Feb 25: Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram on Tuesday had reasons to celebrate after he became the first bowler to scalp 500 batsmen in One-day Internationals when he dismissed Holland’s opener Nick Statham.Wasim had to wait a bit longer for his 500th victim as Holland decided to field first after winning the toss but he wasted little time in achieving the milestone. He has now taken 502 wickets in 354 one-dayers.Incidentally, Wasim’s first scalp was Australian opener Robbie Kerr when the demon left-arm speedster began his international career in late 1984.Wasim intends to quit international cricket after the World Cup but was undecided when to make the announcement.”I am talking to my family, friends and well-wishers about the retirement. It (the decision) will not be a hasty one as I do not want to regret it afterwards,” he told Dawn.Wasim said he was lucky to have won every honour the game could bestow on a player and would not like to become a liability and quit when on top.”I am no longer getting younger and I am fully aware that it is getting difficult every day to keep yourself motivated and fit to give your best at both limited over and Test versions of the game,” he said.The former Lancashire captain also revealed that he was considering an offer from English county Hampshire to skipper their team this season as a replacement for the banned Australian spin king Shane Warne.Wasim also disclosed that after quitting the game he would be signing on with television channel ESPN as a commentator as cricket had been his life and the only job.Reuters adds: The 36-year-old admitted he was a relieved man. “I was really under pressure last night and, like any youngster, although I am not a youngster, I couldn’t get to sleep. But now I’m relaxed and, yes, relieved… It was a feeling more of relief than ecstasy.”Statham out for a duck after playing a typically inswinging Wasim delivery back on to his stumps.”I’m very excited but in the end what matters is that Pakistan should qualify,” added Wasim, who later returned to the attack to take two more wickets and help his side to a 97-run victory. “I think we are going in the right direction.”I would like to dedicate this to all the people who have supported me in the last 18 years.”Wasim said two former Pakistan captains as the biggest influences on his career.”Imran (Khan) was the main man who helped me, and Javed Miandad,” he said. “Imran and Javed Miandad taught me how important it was to work hard and do it with passion, and I am still doing that.”Pakistan captain Waqar Younis is the only other player to take more than 400 One-day International wickets.

Steve James, who withdrew before the start of Glamorgan`s County Championship match withHampshire at Cardiff should be able to return to action next week.The Glamorgan captain, who had aggravated a knee injury, saw a specialist in Cardiff who drainedhis swollen knee, and James should be able to play in the two limited overs friendlies that Glamorgan have arrangednext week against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and Middlesex at Cardiff.

Hard hitting Paultons all-rounder Tony Richman wrote himself into cricketing folklore when he smashed a maximum six sixes in a single over in a Holt and Haskell Border Cricket League match at Bramshaw.Bramshaw’s Jamie Terris found himself on the receiving end as Richman hit 36 runs off the 15th and last over of the Paultons innings.”We were struggling a bit at 82-7 with only six balls of the innings left, so I decided I ought to do something about it,” smiled Richman, who lives in Salisbury Road, Totton.And how he did!The first ball of Terris’s fateful final over found the middle of Richman’s bat – and landed smack in the middle of the adjoining golf fairway.Terris, no mean hitter of the ball in his prime, fired his next delivery into Richman’s legs – but the outcome was the same!”There was a short boundary on the pavilion leg side, so it was a fairly easy to flick the ball off my legs and over the wire fence,” Richman said.Ball three soared back over Terris’s head onto Bramshaw’s 344-yard 18th fairway, scattering a four-ball.”I thought for one moment I was going to hit the golfers, but they dived for cover when one of the fielders screamed ‘fore’,” he added.Richman, having taken Paultons’ score to 100, took no credit for his fourth six-hit. “It was an ugly cow shot,” he confessed.Ball five was a juicy full-toss, which Richman dumped over the fine-leg boundary.Richman confessed that it never occurred to him that he was on the brink of cricket history. “I didn’t have time to think about it,” he said. “I was just determined to hit Jamie’s sixth ball as hard and as high as I could.”And he did – over square-leg’s head for a record-equalling six which sent the Paultons total spiralling to 118-7.It put Richman’s name alongside Sir Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri, the two best known batsmen to have scored 36 runs off an over. “I’ve seen some black and white clips on television of Sir Garfield Sobers hitting Malcolm Nash for six 6’s in an over at Swansea in 1968, but that was a bit before my time,” said the 23-year old.Ravi Shastri matched Sobers’s feat in a Ranji Trophy match in India in 1985.Terris, meanwhile, took it all in good part. “All credit to Tony. There were some tremendous hits, but Bramshaw is an intimate ground,” he said.”The disappointing thing was that he’d skied a big hit in my previous over – and it landed just short of a fielder.”The only other local cricketer known to have hit six sixes in an over is Langley Manor’s Kevin Cresswell, who performed the feat in a Southampton Evening League match at Mansel Park five years ago.The unfortunate bowler on that occasion was Andy Ford, who currently plays Southern Electric Premier League cricket for Burridge.

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Before this Test, Nasser Hussain warned his team-mates not to expect a repeat of their easy win in the first match at Lord’s. He was right – so far this Test has been even easier. Zimbabwe gave more ammunition (if any were needed) to those who argue that they are the worst side to tour England on another humiliating day for them in the second npower Test at Chester-le-Street. In under two sessions they lost 11 wickets, and were again forced to follow on.But Zimbabwe’s ineptness must not take anything away from a dream debut by Richard Johnson, who took 6 for 33 in a magnificent display of swing bowling. Johnson overshadowed James Anderson, the previous new sensation, and Steve Harmison, the local hero, as he took two wickets – Mark Vermeulen and Stuart Carlisle both lbw – with his third and fourth balls in Test cricket. Grant Flower denied him what would have been an extraordinary hat-trick.Johnson had to wait until his fifth over for his third scalp, Sean Ervine (0) nicking him to the wicketkeeper Alec Stewart (23 for 5). And when Travis Friend played around a straight one to give Johnson his third lbw (31 for 6), he was on the verge of becoming the latest England bowler to take five wickets on debut since … James Anderson a fortnight ago. And with a bit of help from Darrell Hair, Johnson claimed that fateful fifth when Heath Streak offered no stroke to a lavish inswinger (35 for 7). It was a dubious decision from Hair, but Johnson wasn’t too bothered about the technicalities.Tatenda Taibu, the only batsman to roll his sleeves up against the swinging ball, demonstrated the same technique and fight he showed in the first Test. But when he too became an lbw victim to Johnson, another milestone was in his sight: Dominic Cork’s 7 for 43 against West Indies at Lord’s in 1995. With one wicket left in the innings, it was a toss-up between himself and Harmison on who would get it, but it went Harmison’s way when he trapped Ray Price for another lbw as Zimbabwe crumbled to a dismal 94 all out in just over 32 overs.Johnson had earlier made his mark with the bat as well. He joined an exclusive list, including the likes of David Gower, when he hit Andy Blignaut for four first ball, and that set the tone for a cameo 24 off 14 balls. His innings included four fours and a steepling six off Price, but more importantly, along with Ashley Giles, he spoiled Zimbabwe’s good early work after they had removed Alec Stewart and Anthony McGrath in a controlled display of bowling.Stewart added only one run to his overnight score before he fell leg-before to Streak. That wicket ended a sixth-wicket partnership of 149 between Stewart and McGrath – the joint-highest for any wicket against Zimbabwe – and also put the brakes on England’s progress. McGrath continued to play the tight bowling with control, but his patience began to wear thin, and he fell 20 short of a maiden Test century when he edged Blignaut to Taibu trying to force the pace.Giles continued to frustrate Zimbabe with some bracing boundaries as he clubbed his way to 50, his second consecutive Test half-century, and he guided England to a dominating total of 416.Zimbabwe made a better fist of things second time round, only losing the one wicket of Vermeulen for a pair, as they closed on 41 for 1. But the day belonged to Johnson. Click here for today’s Wisden Verdict

Nepal set the Youth Asia Cup 2003 alive from the outset with a crushing victory over Maldives in one of two opening day games played in Karachi yesterday.The tournament was shifted from Singapore to Pakistan due to SARS concerns.Ten Under-19 Asian teams are playing at seven different grounds and the finalists will qualify for next year’s Youth World Cup to be staged in Bangladesh in January-February.This Asian Cricket Council-sponsored tournament has been organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This year’s event has been split into two pools. Pool A is: United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Singapore, Nepal and Qatar while Pool B is: Malaysia, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Oman and Thailand.

A total of 23 matches will be played and the league round matches will be played on single league basis. The opening matches on Monday were Nepal vs Maldives at National Stadium, Karachi and Singapore vs Qatar at the Karachi Gymkhana Ground.Nepali opener Kanishka Chaugan gave his team a great start by scoring a 109-ball 125, including 15 fours and a six, as his side scored 391 for 4 to set his side on the way to a massive 344-run victory over Maldives at the National Stadium in Karachi. Maldives were bundled out for a paltry 47 in 31.3 overs with extras finishing as the top scorer with 13.Chaugan shared a 138-run first-wicket stand with Yashwant Subedi who hit 63 from 66 balls that included eight fours and a six.For the second wicket, Chaugan put on 70 runs with Sharad Veswakar (30) while the third wicket produced 99 of which Shakti Gauchan’s contribution was 60 from 54 balls with four fours.Maldives were unable to cope with the Nepali bowlers and wickets were evenly shared between Lakpa Lema (3-5), Shakti Gauchan (2-3), Irfan Ahmed Siddiqui (2-6) and Manjean Shrestha (2-16).In the other game at the Karachi Gymkhana, Qatar’s Qamar Sadiq’s all-round performance was not enough as Singapore won their opening match by 40 runs.Batting first, Singapore collected 249 for 9 in 50 overs with Iftikhar Haider belting four sixes and a four in his rapid 51-ball 65.Mohammad Athar picked up 3 for 25 while Qamar chipped in with 3 for 38.Allrounder Qamar was in action again when Qatar batted scoring 36. Mohammad Imran finished unbeaten on 44, as Qatar were restricted to 209 for 9.Qatar’s Ronald Josphe stole the bowling honours with 3 for 34 while Rizwan Madakia bagged 2 for 21.Brief scores:
Nepal vs Maldives: Nepal 391-4 in 50 overs (Kanishka Chaugan 125, Yashwant Subedi 63, Shakti Gauchan 60, Ahmed Hassan 2-73) beat Maldives (47 in 31.3 overs) by 344 runs (Lakpa Lema 3-5).Singapore vs Qatar: Singapore 249-9 in 50 overs (Iftikhar Haider 65, Athar Khan 3-25, Qamar Sadiq 3-35) beat Qatar (209-9 in 50 overs) by 40 runs. (Mohammad Emran 44 not out, Qamar Sadiq 36, Rizwan Madakia 2-21, Ronald Josphe 3-34).Tuesday’s fixtures are, Kuwait vs Malaysia at Quaid-e-Azam Park (Umpires: Asad Rauf and Islam Khan. Match referee: Munawar Agha); Hong Kong vs Oman at National Stadium (Umpires Nadeem Ghauri, Afzaal Ahmed, Match referee: Taslim Arif).