Jamaica 372 and 252 for 2 (Gayle 150*) beat Leeward Islands 180 and 442 (Jacobs 140, Morton 103) by 8 wickets
Scorecard
Chris Gayle smashed his second century of the game and propelled Jamaica to a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the final of the Carib Beer Series at Alpart. Gayle, who had rattled up 131 in the first innings, took Jamaica to their second title of the season and also became only the second Jamaican to score two centuries in the same match in the West Indies first-class competition. Allan Rae, who died recently, had achieved the feat 58 years ago.Gayle creamed two sixes and 15 fours on the way to his 21st first-class hundred. He sealed the triumph with characteristic flourish as he lofted Omari Banks, the offspinner, for a straight six about half-hour before tea. He had his share of luck and survied two reprieves – an edge that flew between the wicketkeeper and first slip and an extremely close lbw appeal later in his innings.He shared a vital 164-run stand with Wavell Hinds (48) that set the platform before adding 64 with Tamar Lambert to complete the comfortable victory.

Scott Mason, the Tasmanian batsman, has died from a heart failure in the Royal Hobart Hospital at Hobart.Mason, 28, who played 28 first-class games and eight limited-over matches for Tasmania, has missed the entire 2004-05 season owing to his heart condition. But he had been given approval to resume light training and was hoping to return to the first-class scene later this year. After facing a few balls in the net session at the Bellerive Oval on Thursday he had to be rushed to hospital.Jamie Cox, his team-mate and opening partner, paid tribute by saying, “Just such a likeable guy, and an inspiration, and I guess you could say tragically but ironically he was one of the heartbeats of our team. There aren’t enough words to say enough about this little mate, he was a beauty.”

South Australia crumbled to be all out for 149 on the opening day of its season-opening Pura Cup cricket match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval today.All five Victorian bowlers took at least one wicket, with paceman Will Carr the star.Carr finished with 4-42, including a spell of 3-7 in 3.2 overs after lunch to skittle the SA lower order.Leg-spinner Cameron White and paceman Michael Lewis took two wickets each, with Mathew Inness and Ian Harvey chiming in with one scalp apiece.White was impressive, finishing with 2-18 from 12 overs, superb figures considering he conceded nine runs in a loose first over.He made the vital breakthrough of SA captain Greg Blewett, who top-scored with 36, just before lunch.Blewett was given out lbw, although he could be considered unlucky as he was well forward when he was struck on the front pad.That broke the Redbacks’ best partnership of 39 runs, which Blewett shared with SA’s NSW recruit Mark Higgs (33).Higgs, who scored 33, was the only other SA batsmen to get more than 20.The SA tail performed woefully as the Redbacks lost 6-24 in the last 19 overs of the innings.

BRISBANE, Oct 16 AAP – Brendan Nash can’t match the size or reputation of his famous classmates and teammates but he became Queensland’s unlikely star in the Pura Cup cricket clash with NSW at the Gabba today.Nash batted through the first day, posting an unbeaten 141 as the Bulls reached 4-299 after being sent in to bat.It was Nash’s second first-class century but his most mature, outshining well-known teammates Jimmy Maher (39), Andrew Symonds (42), Martin Love (27) and Stuart Law (14).The son of a Jamaican Olympic swimmer, Nash was born in Perth, raised in Cairns and schooled at Brisbane’s Nudgee College in the same year as AFL Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis and Wallaby flyhalf Elton Flatley.The 24-year-old left-hander, holding down the place of Test opener Matthew Hayden, is the shortest and lightest member of the Bulls squad and he became the thorn in NSW’s side.”It was really tough batting early on and the wicket wasn’t as flat as it looked,” Nash said.”It was just a matter of concentrating and there were times when I had bad patches of about five overs but I came through and I’m pretty happy with the way I stuck at it.”Nash survived 282 balls in 370 minutes against a Blues attack which struggled to take quick wickets on a greenish deck.Don Nash (2-39) and Nathan Bracken (1-52) kept the brakes on the batsmen early after the Blues began without Stuart Clark, who was ruled out hours before the match with an ankle injury.Rookie Doug Bollinger (0-46) made a sound first-class debut in Clark’s place while leg-spinner Stuart MacGill (1-93) toiled for 28 overs, earning a reward when he had Love caught at slip.MacGill almost had Nash twice in the final session but the Queenslander survived sharp chances at 104, 115 and 133 to leave the Blues lamenting their missed opportunities.They were relieved to abort another demolition job by Symonds, who smacked five fours and one six in a run-a-ball innings after tea.But, as happens too often for Symonds, he provided a regulation dismissal just when he seemed to be scoring with ease, edging Don Nash to Michael Clarke at second slip.Lee Carseldine (17 not out) then joined Brendan Nash for the one-hour journey to stumps, with Nash knuckling down in the final overs.He has been a fringe player for the Bulls since rejecting an approach from the West Indies two years ago, when fast bowling great Courtney Walsh asked him to consider a switch.”Queensland had given me an opportunity and I wanted to take that with both hands,” Nash said.The Bulls were grateful today as Nash built on the promise shown when he made 96 in last season’s Pura Cup final win over Tasmania.

Division One

Middlesex tumbled to 272 all out on the second day, leaving Hampshire with a lead of 83. By the close they had extended that to 114 with nine wickets remaining and Middlesex’s bowlers have much work to do to bring them back into the match. Ed Joyce struck 54 on his return from ICC Trophy duty with Ireland, and Jamie Dalrymple made 62. But Dmitri Mascarenhas accounted for Ed Smith and Owais Shah early on, and added another to take 3 for 38 as Middlesex struggled. Shaun Udal also grabbed 3, for just 18 from 9.3 overs. Melvyn Betts wrapped up the Hampshire innings early on the second day, removing Shane Warne and Udal as the visitors ended with 355. Betts finished with 3 for 62.Gloucestershire‘s top order crumbled as fourth-placed Surrey cemented a rock-solid platform on the second day. Harbhajan Singh’s quickfire 84 made sure that Surrey continued to exploit the benefits of batting first – they made 603 in their first innings. Singh smote 84 from just 95 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes, and put on 68 for the ninth wicket with Martin Bicknell (76 not out). Then Gloucestershire lost wickets in steady succession, before Alex Gidman halted the slide with an unbeaten half-century. Nevertheless, Gloucestershire have much to do on the third day.Chris Read’s unbeaten century steered Nottinghamshire into a strong position against Glamorgan at at Trent Bridge. David Hussey (81) and Stephen Fleming (78) both came within sight of centuries as Nottinghamshire strode into a decent lead and they will fancy their chances of killing the game off on Sunday. Glamorgan’s reply then got off to a wobbly start – they were 108 for 4 by the close. They still trail by 50 runs with six wickets remaining and face a tricky third day to save the match.

Division Two

Mal Loye made a double century and Dominic Cork was in sight of a ton as Lancashire seized the initiative against Durham. After shooting Durham out for 167 on the first day, Lancashire’s batsmen tucked into some indifferent bowling to finish the day on 519 for 9, a very handy position indeed. Loye posted exactly 200 from 280 balls, with 30 fours before he was trapped lbw by Simon Davies. Cork struck two sixes in unbeaten 96 which he will be confident of converting into a century on Sunday. Lancashire now lead by 352 runs with one wicket remaining in the first innings.Graeme Smith struck a triple century – within a day – to launch Somerset to 533 for 8 by stumps. Matthew Wood added 74, joining his captain Smith in a second-wicket stand of 203. John Francis fell for a duck as Somerset set about their reply to Leicestershire‘s 330 – the visitors adding just eight to their overnight score. But Smith strode on undaunted, posting 27 fours and 11 sixes. His stay at the crease finally came to an end when, on 311, fellow South African Claude Henderson tempted him to send a catch to Chris Rogers. Ian Blackwell added to Leicestershire’s woes, with a rapid 59 from just 55 balls. Darren Maddy took four wickets but there is no doubt that Somerset will be much the happier side.Worcestershire dismissed Yorkshire for 300 on the second day, giving themselves a 45-run lead to take into the second innings. By the close of play, they had extended this to 58 for 2, a lead of 103, and an intriguing match continues to hang in the balance. Yorkshire were indebted to a fifth-wicket stand of 120 between Richard Pyrah and Craig White, each of whom struck half-centuries.

Matthew Hoggard, the swing bowler, has questioned the longevity of Australia’s mostly 30-something attack and doubted their ability to knock England over twice. Hoggard was largely ineffective in the 2002-03 Ashes series, where his six wickets cost 62.5 runs each, but he expected his team-mates to target the greybeards when the series starts tomorrow.”They’re getting on a little bit – we’ve got back-to-back Test matches so it’ll be interesting to see if they can put in the consistent performances for 25 days,” Hoggard told the . “It’ll be interesting to see if they have the firepower to bowl us out twice.”Glenn McGrath and Shane Ware are 35, Michael Kasprowicz is 32, Jason Gillespie 30 and Brett Lee 28. Hoggard, 28, challenged McGrath to make it to the end of the five-Test series in September. “It’s going to be tough on the body, it’ll be interesting to see if he is the world-class bowler he was and to see if Jason Gillespie can find some form,” he said. Hoggard also said Warne was “not the force he was” and was taking a defensive option by bowling more around the wicket.While Hoggard was busy talking down Australia, his pace partner Steve Harmison was trying to convince everybody he had a nasty streak. A key component if England are to be successful, Harmison said bowling fast was his job.”I feel I’ve got a nasty streak in me but it’s when I’m in my cricket gear and have got the ball in my hand,” he told . “I don’t believe you frighten batsmen. You work them to your advantage. I don’t go out intentionally to hurt anyone or frighten anyone.”Harmison was another young bowler to struggle against Australia in 2002-03 when he claimed nine victims at 50.55. Since then he has played 25 Tests, topped the world rankings and stirred up Australia’s one-day batsmen with his steepling bounce.

Sachin Tendulkar, who is recovering from an elbow injury, says he does not know if he will be fit for next month’s Test series against Zimbabwe. “I can’t say for sure whether I will be able to play against Zimbabwe but am recovering well and hope to take the field soon.”India will start a month-long tour of Zimbabwe next week during which they will play a tri-series also featuring New Zealand, to be followed by two Tests against Zimbabwe from September 13. Tendulkar has not been picked for the ODIs because of the injury but has been named in a 15-member Test squad subject to fitness.”I have started practising a little and the next step is to increase the load,” said Tendulkar. “A long-term plan is more important so I will not be worried if it takes a couple of weeks more.” Tendulkar underwent surgery in London in May after being troubled by ‘tennis elbow’ over the past year, forcing him to miss several one-dayers and two home Tests against Australia.Tendulkar is the fourth-highest scorer in Test cricket with 10,134 runs in 123 matches and has the highest aggregate in one-dayers with 13,642 runs in 348 matches, including a record 38 centuries. He is also on the verge of overtaking Sunil Gavaskar’s record of Test centuries with both players having 34 tons against their names.

Division One

Points TableHampshire’s excellent season ended on a disappointing note as they lost to Nottinghamshire and, in the process, were relegated to Division Two. Notts batted confidently to reach 248 for 5, with David Hussey striking a particularly savage 75 from just 53 balls. Rain forced a revised target of 165 to win, in 20 overs, but Hampshire were skittled out for 127. Despite an enterprising 36 from Jono McLean, Hampshire’s fate was sealed. Notts’ win also ensured their Division One status for another year.Gloucestershire beat Glamorgan in a high-scoring match at Bristol, but their win was in vain as they were relegated to Division Two for 2006. Set 263 to win, Craig Spearman got the home side on track with 81 from just 71 balls as Gloucestershire won by three wicketsDivision One champions Essex cruised to a seven-wicket win over Northamptonshire at Northampton. Northants posted 208, with fifties for Martin Love and Damien Wright. But a career-best 94 from Alastair Cook saw Essex home with more than four overs to spare.Lancashire brushed aside relegation fears with a 75-run win over Worcestershire at New Road. In a rain-affected match, Worcestershire were set 187 in 33 overs but were dismissed for 111 in the 29th over. James Anderson was remarkably economical in taking 3 for 12 from 5.1 overs. Lancashire’s 186 for 8 was built around Stuart Law’s 86. This defeat for Worcestershire relegates them to Division Two for 2006.

Division Two

Points TableLeicestershire beat Kent by 40 runs at Leicester, largely thanks to HD Ackerman’s knock of 78. The home side reached 280 for 5, and rain forced a revised Duckworth-Lewis target of 269 from 43 overs. But with the score on 170 for 6, rain once again intervened – this time for good – allowing Leicestershire through to a 40-run win.Somerset thrashed Derbyshire by 135 runs at Taunton to end a thoroughly forgettable season for Derbyshire. Ian Blackwell and Keith Parsons both hit 75 as Somerset hit 300 in their 45 overs. And, despite a brisk 62 from Hassan Adnan, Derbyshire crumbled to 165 all-out, with Blackwell turning in a superb performance in taking 5-26.Sussex romped to victory over Yorkshire at Hove, thanks to a woeful batting performance from the visitors. Put into bat, Yorkshire were blown away for 99 with Luke Wright taking 3 for 20. Derbyshire knocked off the required runs with consummate ease, and in the process took the Division Two title.Durham knocked a revised target of 154 to beat Warwickshire by 8 wickets – but both teams were promoted to Division One. Warwickshire were indebted to Dougie Brown’s 48 in their 187 for 8. Rain intervened for Durham’s innings, but they cruised to victory with more than four overs to spare, with Paul Collingwood unbeaten on 67.Surrey eased to an eight-wicket win over Scotland at The Oval. Craig White dug the Scots a score of respectability with 88 from 85 balls, as the visitors made 212 from their 45 overs. A rain interruption altered Surrey’s eventual target, which was reduced to 203 from 43 overs. They managed it without serious alarm, with Jon Batty hitting 51 and Scott Newman 80.

</tableMakhaya Ntini and Chris Gayle have been left out of the 12-member World XI team for the first one-day international of the ICC Super Series against Australia at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne on October 5.Australia have included Cameron White, the Victoria captain, in their team while Stuart Clark and James Hopes were left out. White will make his one-day debut in the first game of the Super Series. He had taken 2 for 49 for Victoria in the warm-up game against the World XI. Both teams decided to name their Supersubs before the toss.Sunil Gavaskar, the World XI chairman of selectors, confirmed that Virender Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara will open the batting for the World XI. Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting said that Simon Katich will replace Matthew Hayden as Adam Gilchrist's opening partner.Teams
World XI
1 Shahid Afridi, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Rahul Dravid, 5 Jacques Kallis, 6 Brian Lara, 7 Kevin Pietersen, 8 Andrew Flintoff, 9 Shaun Pollock (capt), 10 Daniel Vettori, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan, 12 Shoaib AkhtarAustralia
1 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Shane Watson, 8 Andrew Symonds, 9 Cameron White, 10 Brett Lee, 11 Glenn McGrath, 12 Nathan Bracken

Pakistan will go in to the first Test against England at Multan without allrounder Abdul Razzaq, who has been ruled out with an elbow injury.Razzaq ruptured tissues in his elbow and has been advised at least three weeks’ rest by doctors. At 25, having made his debut in 1999, he has only played 37 Tests but his allround versatility, the ability to bowl at a sharp pace, and bat aggressively at any position, means he is seen as a vital cog in Pakistan’s lineup. He has taken 77 wickets and scored 1523 runs in Test matches since making his debut.Wasim Bari, chairman of selectors, told AFP, “We have not included him in the 16 because he will take time to regain fitness.” Razzaq also told AFP earlier that the injury was “painful” but he had been hopeful of recovering in time to make the squad.Razzaq has fond memories of playing against England; he scored the first of his three Test centuries at Faisalabad during England’s 2000-01 tour. Pakistan’s three-member selection committee is likely to finalise the squad late Friday and submit it to the Pakistan Cricket Board, who may announce the final line-up at the weekend.Pakistan are also uncertain about the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar, although Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, said the bowler looked good at the national training camp in Lahore and during the practice match between a Pakistan XI and Rest of Pakistan side. Shoaib bowled 20 overs on a flat pitch, taking a solitary wicket.