Recent Test form had been putting the team under pressure; so this was avery satisfying series win. We gathered our thoughts and reflected after thedisappointing loss in Kandy, before responding magnificently in the finalTest in Colombo. It was a fine team performance that will give us greatconfidence for the future.

The star of the show, of course, was Muttiah Muralitharan. What anout-an-out champion he is. There were no demons in the wicket throughout thematch; it was easy paced, consistent in bounce, and offered very little inthe way of lateral movement. Murali, however, beat them in the air and offthe pitch during a marathon five-hour spell. It was an incredible feat ofskill, fitness, concentration and determination.Murali’s attitude throughout the three-match tour has been highlyimpressive. We have set out to play on new types of surfaces that offer fastbowlers greater assistance and none of the pitches deteriorated into thedustbowls that we have become used to at home in the recent past. Murali,however, who stands to gain most from crumbling surfaces, has notcomplained. In fact, he has thrown his support behind the move, which justshows that he has the team at his heart.When we batted, we placed a higher price on our wickets than we had done inKandy. Four batsmen capitalised on good starts to score centuries and thatis crucial. We will not win consistently if the batsmen throw away theirwickets after making good starts – 30’s and 40’s are not good enough, weneed big scores. Hopefully, we have learnt from the second Test and realisedthat we have to be tougher when we bat, especially in tight situations inthe second innings.The innings of Marvan (Atapattu) and Mahela (Jayawardene) were classyinnings and it was a terrific achievement for Mahela to score hundreds inconsecutive Test matches, but I would like to single out Hashan(Tillakaratne) and Thilan (Samaraweera) for special praise.Hashan had been under tremendous personal pressure after failing to click inthe first two games – he did though bat for nearly three hours in Kandy,which shows just the kind of grit and determination that we have beenlooking for. He must have been having sleepless nights before that innings,but he soaked up all the pressure and played some excellent strokes after hehad played himself in. To respond with an unbeaten century, his highest everscore for Sri Lanka, speaks volumes for his mental strength. He is extremelyfit too so, although he is 34-years-old, lets hope that he can keepdelivering for the next couple of years.Thilan has always been a workmanlike cricketer. He had forced his way intothe side with the sheer weight of performances with the A team and indomestic cricket. At every level in which he has played he has made the mostof his opportunity and did that again in his first Test match. When he firstwent out to bat with Hashan, we were expecting him to just play a supportiverole, which he did do for the first part of his innings, but after tea heplayed like a top order batsmen and reeled off some exceptional shots. Hemay not have bowled many overs in the game, but he picked up the key wicketof Ganguly to round off a perfect debut.Having established a lead of 376 India were left with over two days to bat.Although the wicket offered our bowlers even less assistance than in thefirst innings, we were always confident of winning, even after they startedso well, adding 107 for the first wicket. We just had to keep plugging awayand the bowlers did just that, maintaining a good line and length, which putthem under pressure and eventually led to those four wickets at the end ofday four.We have won a Test series for the first time since we beat Pakistan in March2000, but we will not be getting carried away. Sterner tests lie ahead. Wehave the West Indies here in November and we are off to England, SouthAfrica and Australia next year. These will be difficult tours and successwill be dependent upon us continuing to grow and develop as a team. We are,though, moving in the right direction.Indeed, one of the most pleasing aspects of this victory is that it wasachieved on good cricket wickets. Murali dominated the game in Colombo, butthe other bowlers all contributed, particularly Dilhara (Fernando) in Galleand Chaminda (Vaas) in Kandy. To win consistently abroad we need them tocontinue supporting Murali and do that we have to get used to this newsystem. If we hadn’t started practicing now then winning in May next yearagainst England would be very difficult indeed

At the end of the Second Eleven Final between Somerset and Surrey at The County Ground today, second eleven coach Julian Wyatt, who is taking time off from cricket to travel was presented with a round the world air ticket by Somerset Chairman Richard Parsons, in recognition for his services to cricket in the county.The Chief Executive Peter Anderson personally thanked the crowd of over a thousand for their attendance. Speaking over the public address system Mr Anderson said, “Thank you all very much indeed for coming along today, and for the level of support you have given to the match. You’ve been a credit to the club.”Regarding the match the Chief Executive told me, “This has been a good learning for the youngsters, who didn’t enjoy being on the losing end. They have to learn to bowl a tight line and length when the pressure is on, which they didn’t do today.”

Otago’s new look under the State sponsorship announced today was demonstrated at a funcation at the Otago Cricket High Performance Centre.Those attending the Dunedin function included Otago Cricket’s patron Arthur Ibbotson and Mrs Ibbotson, life member Iain Gallaway, president Warren Shirley, board members Stuart Heal, ‘Jazz’ Hewitson and Peter Dobbs, and representatives from Otago Cricket’s major sponsors, State, the Dunedin Casino and Bentley’s Hotel.State Otago Volt Robbie Lawson and State Otago Spark Rowan Milburn modelled the uniforms at the function.

HONG KONG, October 23, 2001 – In a stunning coup for the tournament, MikeWalsh, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), today revealedthat Pakistan will send a stellar squad of current Test and one-day stars tothe 2001 Cathay Pacific/ Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixes to beheld from November 10-11 at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC).The Pakistan Cricket Board has informed organisers that their Sixes squadwill include current international team members Wasim Akram (LHB, LH fast),Abdur Razzaq (RHB, RH fast medium), Rashid Latif (RHB, wicketkeeper), ShahidAfridi (RHB, RH leg-spinner), Azhar Mahmood (RHB, RH fast medium) and ImranNazir (RHB, RH leg-spinner). Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan and Shoaib Malik completethe Pakistanis’ eight-man squad.”With this announcement, Pakistan must now be the team to beat at the 2001Cathay Pacific/ Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixes,” said Walsh.”Six of this team will be playing in the Sharjah one-day tournament beforearriving in Hong Kong. As the ‘defending champions’, they will not only bedeep with talent but also match hardened. That should be a tough combinationto defeat.”Akram captained his nation to victory the last time the Sixes were contestedin Hong Kong in 1997.Akram is widely revered as one of the game’s all-time greats, andundoubtedly one of the very best left-handers to have played the game. Witha slew of international records to his name, the 35-year-old has played 103Tests and 319 one-day internationals (ODI). He is the only player to haveclaimed 400 international wickets in both forms of the game and boasts ahighest Test score of 257 not out.Afridi (21) will also be one of the players to watch during the Sixes. Asthe current record holder for the fastest century in ODI history, when hepounded 11 sixes as he brought up his hundred against Sri Lanka off just 37balls, the small boundaries at the KCC are sure to be to his liking.Latif (31) is another established member in Pakistan’s national team withhis dependable middle-order batting combining with his emergence as one ofthe best wicketkeepers in international cricket. Razzaq (21), considered aninternational all-rounder in the making, possesses enough natural talentthat his fast medium pace bowling offsets his ability to bat at number threewhen required.Mahmood (26), who impressed with innings of 128 not out and 50 not out inhis 1997 Test debut against South Africa is a genuine internationalall-rounder while 19-year-old Nazir, considered one of the most excitingtalents in world cricket, has already notched Test and ODI hundreds.Players such as Dean Jones, Tom Moody, Craig McDermott, Jonty Rhodes, RobinSingh, Agit Agarkar, Matthew Maynard, Ben Hollioake and Steve Elworthy haveall committed to the Cathay Pacific/ Standard Chartered Hong Kong CricketSixes.Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and the UAEwill join Hong Kong at the 2001 tournament. The teams will be drawn into twopools for the tournament with the top two sides in each pool entering theCup semi-finals and the remaining two sides contesting the Platesemi-finals.Tickets for the Cathay Pacific/ Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixesare now on sale from Hong Kong Cricket Club, the Kowloon Cricket Club andDot Cod Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar in the Princes Building, Central.Passes for the two days of the tournament are priced at HK$450 for adultswith children’s tickets (15 years and under) costing $HK250. Corporatehospitality is also available.For further information please contact David Deller at WSG – Asia on (852)2891-2000 or Mark Burns at the Hong Kong Cricket Association on (852)2504-8101.

Western Australian pacemen Matt Nicholson and Jo Angel stormed through the South Australian lower order to dismiss the Redbacks for 206 and claim a first innings lead of 21 on day two of their four day match at Adelaide Oval today.Nicholson finished with 4-58 and Angel with 3-48 as SA crashed from a position of strength at 3-163 to lose its last seven wickets for 43.South Australian all-rounder Ben Johnson, in his first four-day state match of the season, valiantly tried to guide the Redbacks to first innings points, opening the batting and carrying his bat through the innings of almost six hours to finish unbeaten on 121 from 243 balls.Chasing WA’s first innings of 227, SA started the day at 0-6 but was soon 3-31 after Brad Williams dismissed Bradley Young for two and Greg Blewett for a duckand Nicholson picked up the scalp of SA skipper Darren Lehmann for 12.Johnson, who was only called into the side to replace regular openers Jeff Vaughan (concussion) and David Fitzgerald (illness), combined with Chris Davies (52) for a three-hour fourth wicket partnership of 132 runs, which seemed likely to deny WA first innings points.But it was the only partnership of substance in the innings – the next best was 23 between Lehmann and Davies for the third wicket – and ended when Daviesattempted a suicide single to 12th man Kade Harvey at mid-on on the last ball before tea.That wicket sparked a remarkable batting collapse, with Nicholson picking up three wickets in the first five overs after tea, before Angel snared the last three wickets to clean up the tail.No player other than Johnson, Davies and Lehmann (12) managed more than two for SA.Johnson said the run-out of Davies was the crucial moment in the day’s play.”It was obviously disappointing when he ran himself out, that really was the turning point,” he said.”Up until then we were clearly in control but we were unable to get another partnership to happen.”WA was 0-23 at stumps in its second innings, an overall lead of 44, with Scott Meuleman on 14 and Mike Hussey on seven.

There were many bright moments in the 2001 season despite some disappointing outcomes. This week I am going to choose four players that made significant progress. My definition of progress is not based purely on statistics but, just as importantly, the contribution to the team ethic.Chris Taylor is the youngest of the four and started the season with a lot expected of him. After a slow start, Chris had a chance created by the absence of Ian Harvey on international duty and he grabbed it with both hands. John Bracewell and I were very worried about Chris and had decided to give him an extended run at number four with no one-day responsibilities.We were so elated with Chris’s response that it was impossible to leave him out of the one-day side but this did not affect him as he plundered a couple of big hundreds and entertained with some real sparkling performances. The key for 2002 is to keep challenging Chris as there is immense talent in there and we intend to get full value.James Averis’s opportunities came in abundance in 2001 but so did his workload. The much publicised absence of Mike Smith and Jon Lewis propelled James to our first choice new ball bowler. James was a regular in the successful one-day unit but was keen to have a more rounded game, performing consistently in both forms of cricket.James managed to retain some of the excellent form in the one-day game while he developed as a first-class bowler. These efforts made him the choice as player of the year and with quality support in 2002, I expect James to make even bigger strides.The next two players, unlike Chris and James who were both capped in 2001, have rather more experience but are still hell-bent on improving and taking their games forward. Both did so with such effect that I was not the only one impressed. Jeremy Snape and Martyn Ball both received England call ups and as I write they both have made impressive starts with Jeremy getting man of the match on debut. Martyn has been limited to one first-class game in India but came out of it with a lot of kudos.For us, Jeremy’s bowling was limited but his batting was destructive. Jeremy became one of the main reasons we were in the top three sides in the country for batting bonus points. Achieving his maiden hundred at Derby, he went from strength to strength and added a couple more. Doing all this at number six had a numbing effect on the opposition and very often we could take advantage of a demoralised outfit.Although Martyn’s contribution with the bat was up there with his best, I thought his bowling had the consistency of a quality performer. History suggests spin has not been our most potent force but Martyn emerged as one of the best performing spinners in the country. His allround efforts are magnificent and we expect the international experience has further enhanced his game which would leave him with a major role in 2002.Once again, there are reasons to look forward optimistically to next season.

It’s been a long time coming but Canterbury captain Gary Stead is going to have to wait until another day before ending the frustration associated with trying to break a 17-game streak without a win today.His Canterbury side, having been batted into an impregnable position by Chris Harris and Aaron Redmond yesterday, was three wickets short of victory after Wellington’s eighth wicket pairing of Chris Nevin and Andrew Penn batted for 93 minutes to achieve a draw.Since the start of the 1999/00 season Stead has been without luck, but it got so much closer to turning around today that the moral victory taken should bear fruit in the near future.Canterbury could take plenty out of the game.When Wellington were 29/7 in their first innings, it was going to take a miracle for Wellington to come back, and it couldn’t. The target of 410 it needed to win was too much for it at Rangiora’s Dudley Park.When four-day cricket was adopted for the New Zealand domestic programme, these were the sorts of games that were dreamed about.It had a little bit of everything. Three fine centuries, each a gem in its own way, good bowling, by Wade Cornelius and Ash Turner who had career-best performances of substantial quality so early in their careers.There were plenty of overs by spin bowlers on the last day as Canterbury probed for victory, as Wellington attempted to set up a winning chase and as it ultimately batted to save the game.You can’t ask for much more.Wellington went into their second innings knowing they had to achieve the fourth highest run chase in domestic cricket history in New Zealand by posting 410 runs.They were given a superb start when going to lunch on 174/2 with their skipper Richard Jones on 101 not out. Jones batted in a controlled fashion throughout his innings to thoroughly deserve his fourth century for Wellington within the calendar year.But disaster struck when he was caught at short leg by Brad Doody from off-spinner Paul Wiseman’s bowling from the first ball he faced after lunch.His loss was the last thing Wellington needed, and the reaction of Grant Donaldson, who had shared a 101-run stand for the third wicket with Jones, and new batsman Matthew Walker did nothing to help the cause. They appeared smitten with the bowling and became caste, adding only 22 runs in 55 minutes.They loosened up when the new ball was taken but their increased action also increased the prospect of a wicket and it was Warren Wisneski who claimed his fourth leg before wicket decision of the match to remove Donaldson for 44. That was effectively the end of any Wellington considerations of victory.Walker kept attacking and saw the 200 up in 306 minutes, but at 231 he was gone when caught by Wisneski at slip from Wiseman’s bowling for 33.Rhys Morgan and James Franklin followed before the anchors were finally thrown out by Nevin and Penn.It was a fine game with the bat for Penn as it was his partnership with Franklin in the first innings that prevented Wellington going down the gurgler. After batting for 89 minutes he was 11 not out while Nevin was 45 not out having faced 140 balls.Wiseman had 44 overs and took three for 78 while Redmond bowled 23 overs and took none for 44 while Harris’ 17 overs resulted in one for 35.The wet nature of the pitch on the first two days and the occasional sun showers during the last two days meant that in reality the last day of the pitch was still around a three-day pitch and held little spite for batsmen who got themselves in, something borne out by Nevin and Penn’s defence.But considering this was the first game in a long campaign it was an appetiser of the highest order that left both teams with lessons to absorb, the supportive Rangiora public with memories of a competitive match, and the hint of better things ahead for both teams.

Centuries from Sadagoppan Ramesh and Sridharan Sharath gave Tamil Nadu the vital first-innings lead, giving them five points from their drawn Ranji Trophy league match against Kerala at Chennai.Opener Ramesh, unbeaten on an uncharacteristically slow 41 overnight, resumed in similar vein on Friday. Hitting just three fours in his knock, Ramesh made 126 off 391 balls and 62 minutes. He lost Hemang Badani soon after play resumed, but Sharath have him enough support for the pair to post 176 runs for the fourth wicket.Sharath fell with the score on 336, having made 102 off 226 balls, hitting nine boundaries. Ramesh remained unbeaten at the close of play on Day Four, accompanied at the end by Ashish Kapoor, who made 32 not out. Tamil Nadu ended the day on 407/5, attaining second place in the South Zone league points table.

Frontrunner Queensland was in disarray tonight after courageous South Australian Chris Davies stirred the Redbacks for another Pura Cup cricket mauling at the Gabba.Queensland could hardly be in worse shape after two days, slumping to 6-107 in its first innings in reply to the Redbacks’ 6(dec)-553, which included an unbeaten 119 from Davies.The 23-year-old suffers from the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, and his maiden first-class century was greeted with a loud roar from his teammates.The Redbacks cheered plenty more times as the day continued, leaving Queensland in even worse condition than the scoreline suggested.At stumps, batsman Martin Love was in hospital after he was knocked out by a pinpoint bouncer from Mark Harrity while paceman Michael Kasprowicz nursed ahamstring problem.To cap a dirty day for the Bulls, fast bowler Ashley Noffke, who appeared to be limping, was trapped LBW by Greg Blewett (1-14) with the very last ball of theday.During the collapse, Test opener Matthew Hayden chipped away for an unbeaten 38 and the Bulls will hope Love is cleared by doctors to rejoin him tomorrow.Love underwent precautionary X-rays in hospital after the Harrity bouncer struck him behind the left ear.Queensland was 1-33 when he was hit, sparking a procession of fallen batsmen including Jerry Cassell (zero), Stuart Law (11), James Hopes (11) and WadeSeccombe (five).They were unable to replicate the dominance of the South Australian batsmen, including century-makers Davies, Blewett (109) and Darren Lehmann (129).Davies was the individual star of the day, bringing up his century with a six off part-time spinner Law (1-54).The 23-year-old, a hero to fellow cystic fibrosis sufferers, didn’t return to the field during Queensland’s innings so he could rest.Davies admitted he was exhausted after his four-hour knock but said he was among the “lucky” sufferers of CF – a disease which affects the lungs and pancreas,leading to a shortened life expectancy.”I’ve been dealt a mild case and I keep on top of things. I don’t take any tablets at all,” Davies said.”I’m pretty much a test case around Australia because not too many people in my position are doing what I am.”I do the right things – go home early, stay reasonably fit – and I haven’t been in hospital for a long time.”But I was a bit knackered this afternoon and the guys thought it was best if I had the rest of the day off because I lose more salt than everyone else and it’s hard to replenish straight away.”Lehmann eventually called a halt three overs before Queensland could have suffered the humiliation of asking for a third new ball.While the Bulls’ bowlers were inconsistent, the Redbacks were smart, particularly towards Hayden.The left-hander has swatted Test attacks for the last 12 months but South Australia tied him up, keeping him to less than half of Queensland’s total.At the other end, Jimmy Maher (six) skied an impatient pull shot, Cassell didn’t play at a ball which would have bowled him and Law edged a catch behind.Mike Smith (2-25), Harrity (2-40) and Paul Rofe (1-23) shared the wickets before Blewett struck late.

England coach Duncan Fletcher has dismissed remarks made by Sunil Gavaskar about England’s performance on the recent tour of India.The Indian batting legend labelled the England side as “the champion whingers of the world.” Writing in an Indian newspaper, Gavaskar criticised England for complaining about inadequate training facilities, as well as mentioning the standard of umpiring. Before Christmas, Gavaskar blamed England for making the Test series boring because of the strategy of bowling Ashley Giles left-arm spin over the wicket into the rough in an attempt to restrict Sachin Tendulkar’s stroke play.Until now, Fletcher has ignored Gavaskar’s criticisms, at least in public. However, after the first training session of the New Zealand leg of the tour at the Westpak Trust Stadium in Hamilton, the England coach spoke out about the comments.”It’s very important to realise that he’s on the ICC panel and should have an unbiased opinion and secondly its very sad when a good wine goes sour.”However, Fletcher’s primary concern now is to prepare his squad for the first match of the tour in New Zealand against Northern Districts XI. This was the one practice session before a busy schedule of matches.The squad left Mumbai just hours after levelling the series with India at 3 – 3 with the thrilling two run victory in the final game. There were stops in Hong Kong and Auckland on their way to Hamilton.Fletcher said: “It can be quite a problem switching to an environment like this and I think the players are going to have to put quite an effort into getting switched on here. We don’t know at the moment whether that’s down to jet-lag or not. As soon as that last game was finished we travelled right through the night and the players could be tired.”It’s more difficult to adjust than people realise – it’s totally differentcoming from India to here and I have a feeling this game might have come alittle too early.”The only fitness worries for England centre on Ben Hollioake, the Surrey all-rounder who missed the last two matches in India with a knee problem, and fast bowler Matthew Hoggard, who was sent for blood tests after fainting on a flight from Kanpur to Delhi. However, physiotherapist Dean Conway is not ruling Hoggard out of consideration for the Northern Districts match.All-rounder Craig White was not expected to join the party until the arrival in New Zealand after having keyhole surgery on his knee. In fact he recovered quicker than expected and rejoined the squad in India. Having not played there, however, he is expected to be included in Hamilton.It is possible that White might be used to give impetus to the early middle order where there have been tendencies for England to be one-paced. They are expected to be given a good workout by a strong ND XI that includes five players with Test experience – Matthew Hart, Hamish Marshall, Simon Doull, Daryl Tuffey and Grant Bradburn.