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Essex have taken the Division Two title in the Frizzell County Championship, beating Nottinghamshire by seven wickets at Chelmsford. Nottinghamshire were already assured of promotion themselves. Essex began the day needing another 211 runs with eight wickets in hand. They lost Mark Waugh when the Australian had made 76 at better than a run a ball and had put on 125 with Will Jefferson who was joined by Aftab Habib. The pair took Essex to their target without wasting any time. When the Jefferson hit the winning runs off the bowling of the Paul Johnson, playing his last match for Nottinghamshire before retiring, the tall opener was on 165, with Habib on 57.Worcestershire were set 373 to win by Derbyshire – and got them with one wicket to spare. That last man was none other than Graeme Hick, who came in at number 11 suffering from a fractured thumb. David Leatherdale with 89 not out and Gareth Batty with 74 had made the win possible with a stand of 122 for the fifth wicket, Matt Mason, who went into this match with a first-class batting average of 7.50, scored fifty, but when the ninth wicket fell there were still 13 runs required. Hick scored ten of them. Kevin Dean finished a fine season with another five wickets.Glamorgan batted on to reach 528 for seven before declaring. M.J. Powell (Michael) was out for 92, while Robert Croft was 71 not out when he set Northamptonshire an unlikely 447 to win. Another M.J. Powell, this time Mark, was the man to hold up the Glamorgan bowlers with an innings of 108 as his side made 242 for six to secure the draw.In Division One, Warwickshire pulled of a stirring victory by three wickets against Sussex at Hove to secure runners-up spot behind Surrey. Warwickshire needed 401 to win in the fourth innings and thanks to a hundred from – that’s right – M.J. Powell (Michael again), ninety from Dominic Ostler and 79 not out from Dougie Brown, Warwickshire made it.Meanwhile the champions, Surrey, went on to 492 for nine before they declared with Adam Hollioake recording a double hundred and Ali Brown a mere single. Leicestershire were in all sorts of trouble at 11 for four before 68 from Neil Burns halted the slide. But the reprieve was only temporary as Tim Murtagh finished with five for 39, Leicestershire were bowled out for 142 and Surrey finished their triumphant season with a win by the little matter of 483 runs.

Bushrangers vice-captain and champion wicketkeeper Darren Berry, will tomorrow break Dean Jones’ all-time games record for Victoria, in the Pura Cup clash against the Tasmanian Tigers.Berry, who currently shares the record with Jones on 124 matches, said he was looking forward to the occasion. “At the start of my career, to think I would one day break this record would have been unimaginable. This is an honour I rank as high as any I have received throughout my career and I’ve been very privileged to have played with so many great players in that time. My major focus now however is the match itself and hopefully contributing strongly to a Bushranger victory”.The Bushrangers finalised their twelve for the match, when paceman Mick Lewis was left out of the initial thirteen man squad. Bushrangers coach David Hookes said that Lewis had not recovered sufficiently from the groin strain he incurred during the previous Pura Cup match against the Southern Redbacks. “Our upcoming schedule is extremely heavy and as such we just can’t take risks on players that aren’t one hundred per cent. Mick was close, but ultimately the selectors felt it in his long-term interests that he miss the match”.Lewis’ misfortune now paves the way for Shane Harwood to possibly make his first-class debut for the Bushrangers. Harwood comes into the match in fine form, snaring nine wickets for his club side Melbourne on the weekend.BUSHRANGERSShane Warne (c), Darren Berry (vc), Jason Arnberger, Will Carr, Matthew Elliott, Ian Harvey, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, Mathew Inness, Nick Jewell, Jon Moss, Graeme Rummans

Lancashire duly secured victory in plenty of time for lunch, giving Hampshire their second Frizzell Championship defeat of the season, which with the ECB imposing a 8 point penalty for a sub-standard pitch meant the home side finished their match minus five, having won three bowling points after Lancashire were dismissed in their first innings.The batting today reflected the dire situation at the start of day. Resuming at 54 for 4, still 174 from an unlikely win, John Francis and Zimbabwean Neil Johnson raised a slight hope, posting 27 runs before being bowled by Keedy’s second ball of the day. From then on it was a procession with John Wood polishing off the tail.The talk of the day was however the state of the pitch, and Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett issued the following statement …”Hampshire Cricket acknowledges that the Championship pitch versus Lancashire was below average but nonetheless feel harshly treated in having 8 points deducted”.”Nigel Gray is in constant touch with the ECB and we will be seeking further advicew and guidance to ensure that this situation does not re-occur”.Hampshire’s next home Championship match is not until August 14th, so much work will be done between now and then.

Western Australia and South Australia have little more than pride to play for in their Pura Cup match tomorrow following Tasmania’s demolition job at Bellerive Oval today.The Tigers’ ten-wicket win over NSW sent it roaring into next week’s final against Queensland at the Gabba leaving the Warriors and Redbacks to play for third place in the competition.The Warriors were 5-220 at stumps, a lead of 265, with Chris Rogers (83no) and Brad Hogg (43no) at the crease.Rogers resurrected WA’s innings from a precarious position at 5-102 after quick Mike Smith (4-49) had torn through the Warriors’ top order.He needs 17 runs for his second hundred in the match.The Redbacks were earlier bowled out for 301 in their first innings reply to the Warriors’ 7(dec)-346.After a promising start the WA innings got the jitters after opener Michael Hussey (16), Murray Goodwin (25) and captain Simon Katich (5) were all back in the pavilion at 3-52.It was particularly disappointing for former Zimbabwean Test batsman Goodwin who was looking to revive his first-class cricket career with his recall to theWarriors.And in-form Marcus North (10) couldn’t continue his run-scoring feats while Ryan Campbell (30) was his aggressive self before Smith removed him for his fourthwicket.Earlier wicketkeeper Shane Deitz (86) justified his return to the Redbacks team by top scoring while Warriors paceman Jo Angel (3-53) was the pick of the bowlers.Angel is only two wickets away from becoming the second highest wicket-taker in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup history.He needs the pair of wickets to pass Terry Alderman on 384 scalps and also become WA’s all-time leading wicket-taker in domestic first-class cricket.And Redbacks batsman David Fitzgerald (26) earlier made a brave return to the crease after he retired hurt yesterday when a Williams bouncer fractured hischeekbone.He was the last to go for Matthew Nicholson’s (2-78) second wicket.

Anthony More, the curator of the Antigua Recreation Ground at St John’s, is a puzzled man. “I don’t know why people are saying that the wicket in Antigua is one of the slowest,” he says. “Two years ago, South Africa defeated us here, and we won against Pakistan on this surface the year before. So I am not at all ready to listen what others are saying.”More was a member of the West Indies ‘A’ side, a fast bowler who could not make it to the Test team because of the presence of the Robertses and the Holdings in the Caribbean side. He has played county cricket too. More is now more often seen running the roller across the wicket of the Recreation Club, trying to improve the nature of the pitch with a sincerity that can almost be compared to worship.The outfield of the Antigua Recreation Ground is the best-looking in this series thus far. The grass is present, but it has been rolled into smoothness. As the days pass by, it will grow. The surface of the wicket has been watered and rolled to make it harder and bouncier. More has prepared a wicket that almost guarantees an enjoyable Test match.Winston Benjamin and Andy Roberts took advantage of the ground’s sylvan surroundings to have a quiet chat. Benjamin is the coach of the West Indies under-19 side now. Five years ago, when the Indian team travelled to these islands last, Roberts was the president of the former cricketers’ association here. “Now I am only a former cricketer,” he announces with a laugh.The Indians are practicing at the ground adjacent to the hotel, while the West Indians will be doing so in the ground beside the airport. That is the system here; the participating teams are not allowed practice in the Test venue itself, simply because there are no such facilities provided in this ground.Any feelings that the practice field will be inadequate for the Indians disappear once the ground comes into view. The Indians are staying at the Jolly Resort Hotel, which is equipped not only with a cricket field but also a golf course.The main ground in St John’s has a pavilion named after its most famous son – Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards. Andy Roberts and Richie Richardson also have two stands named after them. The Curtly Ambrose stand is not yet up, although the administrators are quick to assure that it will be soon.

Veteran all rounder Graham Rose, returned to the scene for Somerset Seconds at Beckenham against Kent yesterday and ended the day with the impressive figures of seven overs , six maidens, three wickets for one run.After being put into bat the hosts were quickly in trouble and had slumped to 62 for 9 before a the last wicket pair came to their rescue.At the other end of the age range young Michael Parsons also enjoyed the good figures of 3 for 54 off 11.4 overs.When Somerset batted they had reached 120 for 6 by the close of play, with Piran Holloway making 38 and Matthew Gitsham 22.

If a team had to win the Ranji Trophy title for the first time, they would no doubt choose to do it by a comprehensive margin on home turf, in front of their staunchest supporters, and against a team that rudely deprived them of the title the year before. On Saturday, Railways satisfied every one of those criteria to lay their hands on India’s premier domestic trophy for the first time in the team’s history.Setting their opponents a target of 391 almost guaranteed the hosts the title. Few teams today have the ability to survive two days on a crumbling track against quality spin, let alone chase massive totals with confidence and ease. The Karnail Singh Stadium pitch, as if doing its best to aid the local lads, co-operated by getting markedly slower and lower, aiding vicious turn as the final progressed.Railways skipper Abhay Sharma may have been tempted to even open the bowling with Murali Kartik, but he tossed the ball first to his opening bowlers – Harvinder Singh and Zakir Hussain – and they repaid him in no small measure.Harvinder Singh got rid of Nayan Mongia, promoted up the order, in his very first over. Four runs later, Zakir Hussain had Connor Williams caught behind, and Baroda were reeling at five for two.Atul Bedade, coming in at number three, was to offer the only resistance from Baroda’s side on the day. Zakir Hussain removed skipper Jacob Martin and Tushar Arothe as well, both batsmen departing for single-figure scores. Martin was trapped plumb in front by a well-directed delivery, while Arothe was caught behind with the score on 42, giving Abhay Sharma his third catch of the innings.Bedade and Bhoite then managed to steady a violently rocking ship somewhat, adding exactly 50 runs for the fifth wicket. Railways, meanwhile, introduced spin into the attack, bringing on Kulamani Parida; Murali Kartik, inexplicably, was brought in only after Jai P Yadav bowled three overs of innocuous medium pace.Parida broke the partnership by removing Bedade in the 25th over, the batsman having made 59 off 73 balls with 12 fours. Three balls later, Kartik, finally introduced into the attack, snapped up a return catch to dismiss Satyajit Parab for a duck. When, in the same over, Kartik had Yousuf Pathan caught in the deep, Baroda were starring down the barrel of the gun at 92 for seven.After the fall of Bhoite for 12 off 44 balls, Valmik Buch attempted to delay the inevitable, hitting two fours in scoring 10 off six balls. But Buch fell to Kartik with the score on 106 and, 20 minutes after lunch, Rakesh Patel attempted a wild heave off Parida only to have his stumps knocked back. Railways had completed a 277-run victory, a comprehensive margin that reflected their complete domination of this final.Last year, the Ranji final between these very two teams was dogged by controversy, Railways feeling done in by poor umpiring decisions. Baroda, this year, can only blame their batsmen for their debacle, although some serious criticism of a wickedly under-prepared track for a Ranji final would not be completely out of order.Elation reigned on the ground as soon as the last wicket fell, supporters rushing to garland Abhay Sharma with currency garlands and falling to their knees to kiss the wicket. Jacob Martin, at the presentation ceremony, gave due credit to Railways for their splendid cricket in the final, while Abhay Sharma lifted the Trophy appearing suitably aware of the historical significance of the occasion.

South Zone took the bowling honours on the opening day of their CK NayuduTrophy Semifinal amtch against West Zone at the Sunshine ground in Cuttackon Wednesday. After bundling out West for just 194, South Zone proceeded tolose three quick wickets to end the day at 53 for 3.Electing to bat, West made a solid start with openers JN Saha (41) and BJoshi (37) adding 72 runs in 19.1 overs. But the fall of Joshi triggered acollapse and the innings folded up in the 70th over of the innings. Only YTakowle (43) made any significant contribution. The wickets were shared byall around with Tamil Nadu medium pacer L Balaji (3 for 51) and Mohd Faiq(3 for 29) being the pick.South Zone in response made a shaky start losing TS Suman (4) off the thirdball of the innings, bowled by Kulkarni. Deepak Chougule (1) was the nextto be dismissed in the third over of the innings. Chougule was bowled byUday Kulkarni. Then Tahir Hussain and Arjun Yadav (29 batting) took thescore on to 46 when Tahir was caught by Kulkarni off S Yadav. Therafter,Arjun and ASK Varma (1 batting) took the team to stumps.

The statement by Indian coach John Wright that Anil Kumble has to fight his way back into the Indian team made for interesting reading. Till a few months ago, the idea of India’s main strike bowler of the last decade having to `fight’ to come back to the team would have been unthinkable. Ever since his return to the Indian side for the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1992, Kumble has been a permanent fixture in the playing eleven. In fact, he played 60 Tests on the trot from Harare in October 1992 to the Test against South Africa at Bangalorein March 2000. No other Indian spin bowler has played in as many successive Tests.The 30-year-old ace leg spin-googly bowler from Karnataka has bestrode the Indian spin scene like a colossus taking 276 wickets in 61 Tests. The next best haul by an Indian spinner during the same period was less than 100 wickets. It did not matter if Kumble was generally a match winner only on home wickets. Indeed, the difference in his performances at home and away is quite marked. In 31 Tests at home, Kumble has 175 wickets at an average of 21.38 In 30 Tests abroad, he has only 101 wickets at an average of 39.46. Despite this, he still remained India’s first choice spin bowler and on quite a few occasions he has been the only spin bowler in the playing eleven. even on foreign soil.In Kumble’s absence, the Indian spin attack generally struggled to take wickets in the three Tests against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the start of the 2000-2001 season. With Kumble continuing to be on the sidelines thanks to the shoulder injury he sustained in Sharjah in October last year, tough times were predicted for the Indian spin attack, particularly in the series against the all conquering Australians. Who was there to take the wickets, it was argued even as we prayed and hoped for Kumble to recover quickly. The panic strickenselectors threw the net far and wide in an effort to find adequate replacements. Leg spinners, off spinners, left arm spinners, part timespinners et al were summoned to the camp prior to the selection of the team to take on the Australians but the cupboard seemed to be bare.We had all reconciled ourselves to the fact that the Indian spin attack was going to be harshly treated till Kumble returned when suddenly Harbhajan Singh burst upon the scene. Even as there were no other spinners worth their name, the young offie became the toast of the nation and the scourge of the Australians by taking 32 wickets in three Tests. By doing so, not only did he play a leading role in India’s astonishing comeback win in the series but he also did something that no one thought possible – push Kumble out of his placeas India’s reigning spin king. At the moment then, Kumble can no longer assume that his place in the side is assured. Once he recovers from his shoulder ailment he has to, in John Wright’s words, "fight" his way back into the side.This is certainly an unaccustomed and rather unwelcome role for Kumble. `Prima donnas’ do not generally like to be shoved out of their exalted status but then if this is a new situation for Kumble, it is not something new for leading bowlers. Kumble’s great contemporary Shane Warne himself has had to face competition from Colin Miller and Stuart MacGill, especially after his return to the game following treatment to an injured shoulder but took up the challenge boldly. Kumble is also made of sterner stuff. He can be counted upon to counter Harbhajan’s challenge as the country’s leading spin bowler ina healthy, competitive manner. But the snag is that there are no domestic or international matches for him to prove his fitness or that he has lost none of his skill. He says he hopes to be match fit and available for selection for the South African tour from October. "If I recover before the Sri Lankan tour in July-September, that will be a bonus," Kumble is quoted to have said.It is likely that neither Kumble and the selectors would be inclined to rush his return to international cricket. Infact Sourav Ganguly has already indicated this. So Kumble being ready and available before the tour of South Africa is unlikely. Unless Harbhajan performs very poorly on the tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Kumble can only come back as the side’s second spinner. And there have been occasions, especially on foreign soil, that India have played only one spin bowler. So it is a challenging – if unfamiliar – scenario that lies ahead for Kumble. How well he rises to the occasion could well determine his future.

While West Indies were recovering from one of their slowest starts in recent memory in the World T20 final, miles away Trinidad & Tobago were battling to put up a decent score themselves.T&T could not watch the first half of what turned out to be a historic game for West Indies because they were playing a Champions League T20 warm-up match against Auckland in Johannesburg. It was probably a good part of the match to miss and by the time T&T would have settled in front of the televisions they wouldn’t have felt too bad about losing by eight wickets because West Indian cricket had achieved something great.Before the match, David Williams had called the result, down to the method of victory. “When you have guys like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Ravi Rampaul, there is a lot of experience so we just knew that they are going to do well,” he said. “They will have to graft hard but they will win this one.”For West Indies, a world event has ended in success but T&T, such a competition is only just beginning. Williams said the CLT20 has a similar importance for players at domestic level as an ICC trophy is to international players. “It’s a big thing for us. It’s our mini World Cup,” Williams said. “This competition is important to all aspects of cricket in West Indies. The guys look forward to this and our regional competition is so hyped up because of this T20 tournament.”Of all countries who have enjoyed success from twenty-over cricket, India could be talked about as the biggest recipients. But of individual cricketers who have benefitted from the format, West Indian names would crop up. Gayle, Pollard and Bravo aside, T20 has given players like Sunil Narine and Kevon Cooper and teams like T&T a stage to show off on.That’s not to say their involvement in the format has been a honeymoon. T&T were close to pulling out of this edition of the CLT20 because of a monetary dispute. When they settled their differences and arrived in South Africa, none of them would admit to the behind-the-scenes issues. Rayad Emrit said he “knew nothing about it,” and Williams would not discuss the reported fall-out.The focus, he said, was simply on qualifying. T&T are used to a tough ride in the tournament. In the year when qualifying was not yet part of it, they were underrated but went on to reach the final. Since the preliminary phase was introduced last year, they are the only team to have come through that, played in the tournament proper and have returned to do it all again.”We did this last year and we’re pretty aware of what it’s going to be like,” Williams said. “We know it’s going to be tough. But we did extremely well in the tournaments in the Caribbean and we played a few extra matches so we are in good stead.”T&T’s preparations had to take place without five senior players including captain Denesh Ramdin and premier quick Ravi Rampaul but Williams said that was actually an advantage to the team. “They have been playing T20 cricket over in Sri Lanka so that will be good for us,” he said. “Someone like Darren Bravo will have got a lot of experience from there. He is going from strength to strength and is an important member of the team, we’re hoping he is going to do well for us.”Rampaul is another player who will be a major factor for T&T in South African conditions. He could keep Shannon Gabriel, another bowler who could be a handful on bouncier tracks. “We’ve got a lot to choose from,” Williams said. “We don’t know if Shannon is going to get in, if he does I know he is going to do well. He has been training for a long time and he is fit and ready to go.”More important than individuals will be the team effort as a whole, according to Williams. For that to happen, Williams hope that the World T20 shine will rub off on T&T will have to be proved correct.