Canterbury narrowly won the first innings points, but Northern Districts isthe only side with a realistic chance of achieving outright victory, after aschizophrenic day’s cricket on day three.In a dramatic first half-hour Stephen Cunis ripped the heart out of the NDmiddle order with a devastating display of swing bowling. In muggy, overcastconditions he picked up three wickets in a spell of six consecutive maidenovers.He first removed night watchman Bruce Martin (0) and overnight batsman NeilParlane (35). He then picked up the scalp of the unfortunate Grant Bradburnfor a duck in his one-hundredth first class match for ND.Joseph Yovich fell before lunch, LBW to the left arm spin of Carl Anderson,and Northern looked in dire trouble going to the break at 188/7.But the defending champions are not a side that throws the towel in whenthings start getting ugly. A fighting undefeated 72 from Matt Hart providedthe backbone to Northern’s tail-end resistance. His partnerships of 31 withYovich and 44 with brother Robbie gave the ND effort some respectability.Then back-to-back record stands against Canterbury of 69 (ninth wicket) withSimon Doull and 62 (tenth wicket) with Graeme Aldridge took Northern towithin sight of first innings points.Doull struck Northern Districts’ first half-century of the match. His hardhit 54 (74 balls, eight 4’s, one 6) was like Viagra to ND’s impotentrun-rate, at last lifting it above two.But Carl Anderson broke the partnership when he bowled Doull with a ballthat kept low as he attempted a slog through mid-wicket. It was the highestND partnership of the match and the first of the innings to exceed 50.Number 11 Aldridge came to the wicket with ND still well short of Canterbury’s 344. But Matt Hart began to play some punishing shots and the tenthwicket partnership took ND within 15 runs of overhauling Canterbury’s firstinnings score.Canterbury captain Gary Stead turned to the experienced Chris Harris tobreak the stand. The Canterbury stalwart had not bowled well and hadn’tpicked up a wicket in conditions that should have suited his uniquelytrundly deliveries.But with his third ball Harris tempted Aldridge into playing an ill-advisedsweep shot. The ball struck the back of Aldridge’s horizontal bat andballooned gently to Warren Wisneski at slip. The big fast bowler wrapped hislarge mitts around the ball and a jubilant Canterbury side trotted off thefield having secured two hard-won Shell Trophy points.But the second batting collapse of the day was to come from Canterbury. Thesoutherners began badly with Stead out fending at a ball from Yovich. RobbieHart took a simple catch and Stead departed for just one. JarrodEnglefield’s miserable run then continued when he also fell to Yovich, LBWfor one.Robbie Frew became the third casualty and the second batsman to fall withthe score on 12. He would have felt a little aggrieved as Robbie Hart had noright to catch the leg-glance he played off Simon Doull. But Hart leapt tohis left to brilliantly snare the ball in his left glove and, at 12/3Canterbury was right in the unpleasant brown stuff.Night watchman Carl Anderson (8 not out) and Harris (4 not out) made itsafely through to stumps, but with only a slender first innings leadCanterbury will need to defend stoutly tomorrow to ensure a draw.

Essex trail Glamorgan by 41 runs with nine wickets intact after being forced to follow on 171 runs adrift with the visitors Darren Thomas enjoying another superb day.Early in the day, he reached 138 to record the highest score by a No 8 batsman in his county’s history before Glamorgan were finally dismissed for 370, adding another 35 to their overnight score before 26-year-old Thomas then weighed in with five wickets.Essex made an abysmal start declining to 23-3 within seven overs when they began their reply and the loss of Stuart Law for 19 provided another crucial setback when the Australian gave a return catch to bowler Owen Parkin off a leading edge.Barry Hyam though grafted responsibly and late support from Ashley Cowan and Peter Such only served to expose the earlier frailities of the home batsmen. The ninth wicket added 38, the highest of the innings, until Such on 25 was caught at mid-on off the bowling of Dean Cosker.The same bowler then collected the wicket of the resilient Hyam who reached a career-best 63 before being bowled around his leg although he was fortunate to survive a catch to slip with his score on 52, one short of his previous highest in the competition.The squandered chance cost Thomas a five-wicket haul although the bowler was rewarded with the wicket of Paul Prichard in the fifth over when Essex started their second innings.They did restore some propriety to proceedings, however, with an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 102 between Paul Grayson and Darren Robinson that saw both batsmen reach half-centuries to offer some encouragement to their side when they resume in the morning.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India officials in Mumbai weretight lipped about the visit of Central Bureau of Ivestigation (CBI)sleuths from Delhi to the Cricket Club of India (CCI) on Monday.BCCI Executive secretary Sharadh Diwadkar told PTI that it was just a”courtesy call” and “we invited them (CBI sleuths headed by DeputySuperintendent Nikhil Duggal) to have lunch at the CCI. However, theywill be visiting the BCCI office in a couple of days before theirdeparture to Delhi,” Diwadkar added.Two CBI officers arrived in Mumbai on Sunday to visit the BCCI officeand get information about whereabouts of a bookie, who was involved inthe match-fixing scandal, and make a detailed enquiry over Telecastrights, sold by the board’s top officials.When queried as to what exactly transpired during the lunch, Diwadkarsaid “we did not discuss anything as such with the two gentlemen fromthe CBI but they have assured me that they would be visiting ouroffice soon.”The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary Prof RatnakarShetty was also present.

A chronic strain of the right hamstring muscle has forced West Indies batsman, Brian Lara, to withdraw from taking any further part in the West Indies’ current tour of Zimbabwe.The injury has been affecting the left-handed batsman for the past 10 months. Lara was advised when he sustained the strain that it would require rest in order to enable full recovery, but continued playing and training during three successive tours.During this period, Lara was never more than 80 to 90% match fit at best. Since arriving in Zimbabwe, Lara has been experiencing a higher than normal intensity of pain and has been unable to participate properly in preparation for this series. After careful consideration by Lara and team management, it was decided that it was in Lara’s best interest and in the interest of the future of the team that he be rested.Lara returned to the Caribbean over this past weekend, and will be available to return to the team only after he has fully recovered from his injury. No replacement has been named for the left-handed batman.”This is a blow to the West Indies team and to cricket fans in Zimbabwe who were looking forward to seeing Brian for the first time as a Test player. However, it’s a necessary step if Brian is to return to his best form in the future,” said team manager, Ricky Skerritt.Lara himself commented that he “regretted having to make this decision” but that the injury had reached the point where it had prevented him from preparing properly for performing.”I am looking forward to returning to the team at the earliest opportunity,” said Lara.Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Courntey Browne and leg spinner Dave Mohammed will replace Ridley Jacobs and Dinanath Ramnarine respectively for the Kenya leg of the West Indies tour.The WICB have offered no explanation as to why Jacobs or Ramnarine were being replaced. However, chairman of selectors, Michael Findlay in an interview said that Jacobs was being rested. While in Kenya, the West Indies will play two four-day matches and three One-Day Internationals.

The Sri Lankan Sports Minister, Lakshmann Kiriella, has questioned theomission of off spinner Thilan Samaraweera from the squad to play in theforthcoming Coca Cola Cup against India and New Zealand.The Sports Ministry confirmed this morning to CricInfo that Kiriella isunhappy that Samaraweera has not been given a chance after his impressiveperformances against Pakistan A and has still not passed the 15-man squad.In Sri Lanka it is customary for the Sports Minister to approve theselectors squad, but this is rarely more than a rubber-stamping exercise.The intervention of the Minister is unusual, particularly so for a minorissue.His actions though are no unprecedented. In 1994 the Sports Minister wasrequired to involvement in a dispute over the omission of Aravinda de Silvafor Sharjah tournament because he failed to pass a fitness test. Theincident sparked a vehement player protest, which included the then captain,Arjuna Ranatunga, refusing to tour. Even then, however, on an issue of highimportance, the Sports Minister’s role was confined to involvement, ratherthan intervention.Samaraweera recently captained Sri Lanka A against Pakistan and performedexceptionally well in both the Test Matches and One Day Internationals, butthe experienced Kumar Dharmasena was preferred. It must have been a marginaldecision, but with five pace bowlers selected it came down to a difficultchoice between the two off spinners.When CricInfo contacted the chairman of the selection committee T.B.Khelgamuwa this morning he said that he had not been notified of anyintervention by the Sports Ministry.The Ministry said that they would be taking up the matter with cricket boardChief Executive Anura Tennekoon, but did reveal as to whether they wouldoverrule the original selection at such a late stage.

The day after Richard Johnson was called up at short notice to the England squad as standby for the Third npower Test, before the final team was announced this morning, Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me “It’s wonderful news for Richard and an honour for the club to have three players in the England squad. Somerset wouldn’t want to stop anyone playing for their country.”He went on “but the question needs to be asked how it is possible for two bowlers called up to be injured in the preparation period.”Regarding Somerset missing a fast bowler for two sessions of play at Canterbury yesterday he said, “we didn’t receive a phone call to say that he was needed until about 11.30am, and we weren’t able to get Jamie Grove to Canterbury to replace him until ten minutes before the end of play.””Of course England comes first, but our bid to win the CricInfo Championship for the first time in our existence is equally important,” Mr Anderson continued.”One of the reasons Johnson came to Somerset was the high regard he had for our coach Kevin Shine, and the good wickets that we have here at Taunton, which provide a real test for a quick bowler.”Finally the Chief executive added, “we’ve got a professional staff, and as one door closes another one opens, and there is a chance now for one of the other bowlers. Jamie Grove has been disappointed this season and now he has got his chance.”

Darren Bicknell’s sixth NCL century set the platform for Notts to claim their first home victory over Northants in six meetings.The visitors were set a revised D/L total of 281 from 42 overs which was further reduced later another stoppage. Without ever threatening to get close to their target they were restricted to 185 all out and remain deep in relegation territory.The winning margin for the Outlaws was 82 runs (under D/L), giving them their first win in five matches and lifting them up to fourth in the table.After a tea interval of high farce – when the Steelbacks’ target was amended several times – the visitors began their reply with Mike Hussey and Matt Cassar occupying the crease. Dangerman Hussey was quickly removed, snicking Greg Smith to Greg Blewett at first slip.Two more wickets fell cheaply as the innings failed to gather any early momentum. Russell Warren and Tony Penberthy were both caught behind by Chris Read to give wickets to Nadeem Malik and former Northants player Richard Logan.Graeme Swann got off the mark with an all-run four – John Morris doing the chasing to the longest boundary – but didn’t add to it before playing around a straight one from Malik.Alec Swann committed cricketing suicide by trying to pinch a quick single to Blewett at mid-wicket but was still a yard short as Pietersen took the return and whipped off the bails.With the game well out of their reach Northants opted for batting practice but Kevin Innes couldn’t hang around for long before being bowled on the back foot by Pietersen.Cassar, who had opened on his first appearance of the season, batted patiently to record a half-century (104mins 70 balls 5x4s) but it didn’t arrive until the 29th over.He added eight more before losing his leg stump in Logan’s first over from the Radcliffe Road End. A smart piece of work from Chris Read ran out Paul Taylor to reduce the total to a hopeless 143-8.Thirty more runs were added before rain, in the 35th over, again interrupted play. After the briefest of intermissions the players were sent back out with Northants requiring a further 94 runs from 2.2 overs with just two wickets in hand!Michael Strong went immediately upon the re-start and then there was an historic moment as Paul Johnson picked up his first wicket in 20 years of one-day matches for Notts when he bowled Jason Brown. David Ripley remained not out on 40.Earlier, a heavy shower had curtailed the Outlaws innings with 16 deliveries still to be bowled. The home side had crashed 28 boundaries and six sixes in amassing 267-6 with skipper Darren Bicknell hitting 115 and sharing in a stand of 166 with Greg Blewett, who made 71.

Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson is to make representation to Duncan Fletcher after being told that his two England contracted players will not be available to play for the county after the Cheltenham and Gloucester Final at Lord’s on Saturday.Originally it had been assumed that the two players would return to Somerset to play in the last two Championship matches of the season, against Essex at Chelmsford on September 5th, and Northants at Taunton on September 12th. Their presence could well be a deciding factor in whether or not ‘The Cidermen’ finish in second place which would will be the highest championship finish that the county has ever achieved in its history.Earlier today the Chief Executive commented: “It seems that out of all the contracted players Nasser Hussein, Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick are the only fit ones who are not being released to play for their counties for the rest of the season. Somerset are not happy about this situation and are planning to make representation to Duncan Fletcher.” He went on: “It’s down to the individuals to try to get their release if they want to play for Somerset.”Regarding the England overseas touring parties that were announced on Tuesday Mr. Anderson said: “One must feel sorry for Richard Johnson for not being selected after being called up to the squad on three occasions. We must assume that he will be on standby and ready to fly out if there are any injuries.”He continued: “We are surprised that Ian Blackwell hasn’t been named in the one-day squad after the season he has had, and even more so that he hasn’t been included in the Academy side. Somerset nominated Matt Bulbeck and Pete Trego, but neither have played enough to justify their selection.”With regard to Matt Bulbeck he continued: “We are sending Matt out to Perth in Australia to the Paul Terry School after Christmas to help him to prepare for next season.”

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s cricket history international umpireAsoka de Silva has been assigned by the International Cricket Council (ICC)to officiate in two Tests of a three-Test series between Pakistan and NewZealand commencing next month in Pakistan.De Silva (45) who represented his country in ten Tests as a right-armleg-spinner, will officiate the first two Tests of the series at Peshawar(October 2-6) and at Faisalabad (October 13-17).He is the fourth Sri Lankan umpire to figure in the ICC’s internationalpanel of umpires after K.T. Francis and B.C. Cooray – both retired, andPeter Manuel.De Silva officiated in two Tests of the recently concluded home seriesagainst India. Having first come into the Test scene against Pakistan atGalle in June 2000, De Silva has so far officiated in five Test matches.The new assignment will be his second as an ICC umpire. He did one Test inZimbabwe against India early this year.Presently, Sri Lanka has only one umpire (De Silva) in the ICC panel. Theywill nominate their second choice very shortly.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore made the most of an early life to light up the final day of the Black Caps’ drawn cricket tour clash with the Queensland Academy of Sport here today.Parore was dropped on four and went on to hit an unbeaten 100 to rescue New Zealand from disaster.The Kiwi `keeper took the crease with New Zealand at 5-110 in its second innings and the Queensland second XI with a sniff of victory.But he chimed in with skipper Stephen Fleming (68) to put together a 158-run partnership to steer the Black Caps out of trouble.New Zealand declared its second innings closed at 6-296 with Parore unbeaten with Dion Nash not out 10.Set an impossible 327 for victory, the match ended in a tame draw when the home side finished at 2-114 in its second innings with Brendan Nash unbeaten on 29and Lee Carseldine not out 16.Parore enlivened proceedings with 16 fours and one six.While it was a practice match, Parore said his rescue mission with Fleming was a confidence booster before next month’s first Test against Australia in Brisbane.”It was nice to be under that pressure. It was good experience to face to come in and absorb the pressure that we will have to face against the Australians,” he said.”It was nice to be in a realistic situation.”Even though Parore’s innings was full of class and some glorious shots, it wasn’t flawless and if the chance he offered on four had been taken, the Kiwis could have been staring at a first up tour defeat.Queensland Academy of Sport all-rounder James Hopes capped a fine match finishing with 2-25 off 14 tight overs in New Zealand’s second innings.That followed his 75 in the QAS first innings.The tourists now head to Canberra for a match against an ACT XI starting on Sunday before returning here to prepare for the first Test against Australia which starts on November 8.