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Tom Sears, the former chief executive of Derbyshire, has been appointed as the new chief executive of Cricket Kenya. He moves into a position which became vacant in December when Tom Tikolo was forced to resign after mismanaging board funds.Sears, 40, who has been head of business development at New Zealand Cricket since 2008, was commercial director at Worcestershire between 2000 and 2005 and then spent three years as CEO with Derbyshire. He was widely credited with turning round Derbyshire’s finances. When he took over they were making losses, but a restructuring programme had led to them reporting profits in his last two years.Before that he was involved in rugby administration and also spent time as a journalist.His first job will be to accompany Samir Inamdar, the board’s chairman, to the ICC annual conference in Singapore in late June.Cricket Kenya received more than 70 applications for the post.

Match facts

Thursday May 27, 2010
Start time 11.00am (10.00GMT)Andrew Strauss and Shakib Al Hasan go head to head in a series that isn’t expected to cause England many problems•PA Photos

Big Picture

Less than two weeks after securing the World Twenty20 crown in Barbados England’s focus has returned to Test cricket. After soaking up their success, a visit to Downing Street and the Player of the Year dinner it’s back to the serious business with minds and bodies needing to adjust to the five-day game.It is a very different England side that will take the field on Thursday to the one that was chasing Paul Collingwood around the Kensington Oval. For starters the Twenty20 captain isn’t there, having been rested along with Stuart Broad, and six of the likely starters at Lord’s weren’t in the Caribbean while a seventh, James Anderson, was a drinks carrier. Andrew Strauss is back to lead the side for the first time since January after sitting out the Bangladesh tour as is his understudy Alastair Cook who led the squad on that trip.This short series should be a formality and the onus is very much on building – and maintaining – momentum during the season ahead of next winter’s Ashes series. The squad rotation is with a view to finding out about a few younger players with Eoin Morgan and Steven Finn at the head of that list as Andy Flower adds to his options.England were made to work hard for their success in Bangladesh, but on home soil will be expecting less resistance from the tourists. The visitors’ warm-up form has been poor with a heavy defeat against England Lions last week and Shakib Al Hasan has been laid up with chicken pox. This tour has to be viewed as another learning experience for the team and they are going to have to adjust to foreign conditions if they want to be a force in the world game.Given the low expectations taking the games to five days would class as a success for Bangladesh, but if there is any help on offer for England’s attack even that may prove too much. Four years ago they were beaten before lunch on the third day and they’ll want to give a better account of themselves this time.

Form guide (last five completed matches)

England WWLDWBangladesh LLLLL

Watch out for…

Eoin Morgan has made his name in the limited-overs game with a series of matchwinning innings in 50- and 20-over matches. That composure has been enough to earn him a Test chance despite a disappointing first-class record where he averages 36. Flower has clearly seen something he likes. The challenge for Morgan is to focus his energy into building long innings, although two matches against Bangladesh won’t push him to his limits. With Collingwood likely to return to face Pakistan this could be a brief window for Morgan to stake his Ashes claims.Such is the desire to play at Lord’s for visiting cricketers that Tamim Iqbal will battle the pain barrier to line up on Thursday. But beyond his personal drive to savour headquarters he is also vital to any chance Bangladesh have of making a sustained contest out of this Test. He was the stand-out performer when the two sides met earlier this year and if he can continue that form in foreign conditions his reputation will be further enhanced.

Team news

Although this would be a good chance to experiment with five bowlers, it seems likely England will stick to their preferred route of a batting-heavy line-up which means a debut for Morgan ahead of Ajmal Shahzad. A host of Test specialists return, including the under-pressure Jonathan Trott at No.3, while Matt Prior will want to quieten speculation over his place.England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Andeson, 11 Steven FinnShakib has recovered from chicken pox and Tamim will play despite his wrist injury with both vital to Bangladesh’s hopes. Given concerns over how their batting will respond, it is no surprise they are packing the top order. Mohammad Ashraful returns and Jahurul Islam, who made an unbeaten 58 against the Lions, also plays which means Mushfiqur Rahim is down at No. 8. There is no place for left-arm spinner Abdul Razzak so Shakib can expect plenty of overs.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Jahurul Islam, 5 Mohammad Ashraful, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 9 Rubiul Islam, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Shahadat Hossain

Pitch and conditions

The recent heatwave in London has abated to be replaced by more normal conditions with sunny intervals and cloud. England’s pace attack won’t mind overhead conditions to help them and there is a chance of some rain during the weekend. The pitch is rarely a concern at Lord’s and a pacey track is expected which should encouraged batsmen and bowlers who are good enough to take advantage.

Stats and Trivia

• England remain the only Full Member nation never to have lost an international match against Bangladesh
• During the 2005 Test at Lord’s, Bangladesh were dismissed for 108 and 159 as England romped to an innings-and-261-run victory
• Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh wicketkeeper, made his debut in that match but played as a batsman only, while Shahadat Hossain also made his first appearance and went for 101 in 12 overs.

Quotes

“The success we’ve had over the last 12 months has been built around hard work and graft and I think we need to take that to the next level.”
“I’m really excited to play at Lord’s in a Test match. It will be a dream come true and I really want to play, because I don’t know when I’ll get another chance.”

Scorecard
West Indies women extended their winning run in the lead up to the World Twenty20 tournament, putting it past Pakistan by four wickets in a close scrap in St. Kitts on Monday.The hosts struggled to chase down Pakistan’s under-par score of 84, but middle-order batsmen Deandra Dottin and Stacy-Ann King struck calm 20s to ensure that that they prevailed with two balls to spare. Their contributions came after left-arm spinner Sadia Yousuf wrecked the start of the chase with a fine spell of 3 for 10 in four overs, to leave West Indies stuttering at 35 for 3.Dottin and King then combined to add 29 runs, before the floodgates opened once again. Qanita Jalil struck twice with the score on 77, but it was too little too late for the visitors.The 19-year-old Dottin struck four fours and a six in her 28 off 23 balls while King hit two sixes in her unbeaten 25 off 19 balls.The win was set up by a stifling spell from left-arm medium-pacer Shanel Daley, who returned exemplary figures of 4-0-6-4. Cordel Jack and Tremayne Smartt chipped in with two wickets each to keep Pakistan under constant pressure, as only three batsmen went past single figures.

Umar Akmal, the Pakistan batsman, has picked up a side strain during the preparatory camp for the ICC World Twenty20 but is expected to be fit in time for the tournament which starts on April 30.Akmal has stopped taking part in the nets sessions at the training camp in Lahore, and is the fourth player to be injured since the camp started – Pakistan’s leading Twenty20 bowler, Umar Gul, injured his shoulder earlier this week, while allrounder Yasir Arafat and batsman Fawad Alam are also facing fitness problems.Shahid Afridi, who will lead Pakistan’s defence of their World Twenty20 crown, was convinced his players would recover in the three weeks remaining before the competition starts in the West Indies.”There is nothing serious about the injuries, which is why I’m confident that the boys will be ready to give their best in the World Twenty20,” he told the .He said both Akmal and Gul will return to practice in a few days. “Umar is getting troubled by the injury because it becomes painful when he bats which is why he is not attending the nets,” he said. “[Regarding Gul] We are expecting to get the (MRI) report soon but I’m hoping that Gul will be back to training within the next three days.”The Pakistan squad is undergoing rigorous training in Lahore in a bid to improve fielding and general fitness. They are slated to play Bangladesh and Australia in the league phase, on May 1st and 2nd respectively.

Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan fast bowler, has renewed his contract with Tasmania, whom he represented in the Twenty20 Big Bash during the Australian domestic season. Naved was banned for one year by the PCB due to disciplinary reasons, but was eligible to play domestic cricket and in foreign leagues. He is also negotiating a contract with Sussex to participate in the English domestic season later in the year.”I have this new contract with Tasmania and I am also negotiating another contract with Sussex to play for them this summer,” Naved said. “When I am not banned from playing in foreign leagues obviously I am looking for opportunities to play regularly and this contract by Tasmania is a good development for me.”I am hopeful of the Sussex contract as it will mean I can continue my cricket in England in the coming summer.”Naved was among seven Pakistan players penalised by the PCB in the aftermath of a disastrous tour of Australia. Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf were banned indefinitely, Shoaib Malik was banned for one year along with Naved while the Akmals – Kamran and Umar – and Shahid Afridi were fined and placed on probation.

The ICC has written to the Indian board expressing concerns over the facilities at Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, one of the eight venues for the 2011 World Cup. Andy Atkinson, the ICC pitch consultant, has reportedly suggested several changes that need to be undertaken ahead of the tournament that starts in 11 months.”The quality of the outfield was bumpy with small bare patches and divots all around and below the expected standard for international cricket,” read a notice given to the Karnataka State Cricket Association, which hosts the venue. “Grass appeared lacking in nutrients and unanticipated amount of weeds present. It is noticeable that the playing surface needs renovation and repair to bring it up to the required condition. Overall, the condition of playing surface is disappointing.”Speaking to the daily , Brijesh Patel, the KSCA secretary, said: “The ICC team came at the end of last season [December] and the pitch was totally worn out. We are aware of the kind of wickets that are required for ODIs, Tests and Twenty20s.”The Indian board’s chief administrative officer, Ratnakar Shetty, was confident the KSCA would address the ICC’s concerns. “What they [ICC] have expressed are just a few cautions. We’re definitely following it up with all eight associations and I am sure after the IPL, Bangalore will be devoting time to develop the outfield and the pitch,” he said.This season’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final between Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh was shifted to Mysore after Rahul Dravid expressed concerns over the pitch and outfield, and later the final was also held at the Gangothri Glades owing to the flatness of the Chinnaswamy surface.

Petersen pierces the field
Silly point, short cover, and extra cover were in place as Amit Mishra tossed up a legbreak on middle and off stump. Alviro Petersen, a debutant, took on the challenge, strode forward and drove handsomely to the boundary. It was easily the shot of the in morning.Mishra kicks dust
The last ball of the same over was a straighter one that pitched on middle stump, held its line and, as Hawk-Eye indicated, probably would have hit between middle and leg. But when the umpire turned down Mishra’s vociferous appeal, he couldn’t believe it and raised his arms and shrieked. He had bowled 53 overs without a wicket in Nagpur and continued to toil.Laxman drops a sitter
They don’t come much easier. Hashim Amla tried to cut a delivery outside off from Harbhajan Singh but the outside edge travelled straight to VVS Laxman at first slip. He juggled thrice but couldn’t hold on. He made amends, though, by running from first slip towards short third man to catch Jacques Kallis, also off Harbhajan.Spell of the day
4-1-12-0. It was delivered by Ishant Sharma, whose first spell in the afternoon was about half hour before tea. Until then, play had been dominated by Petersen and Amla. Maintaining speeds between 129 and 140 kph, Ishant pitched accurately – short of a length on the off-stump line. Even Amla, who had survived 100 overs in the series till then, was hopping and skipping as he tried to fend off Ishant’s snorters, one of which hit him on the hips. It was a crucial spell because the runs dried up for the first time in the day.Blunder of the day
After Petersen’s departure on the brink of tea, South Africa needed Amla to extend his vigil. He was more aggressive today compared to Nagpur and had stepped out dangerously against Harbhajan but got away. There were a few misses as he tried to upper-cut Ishant during his hot spell as well. But off the fourth ball after tea, an away-going short delivery from Zaheer, Amla went for an unnecessary pull, and the edge travelled into MS Dhoni’s gloves.Harbhajan’s tent
As soon as Harbhajan trapped Ashwell Prince and JP Duminy off consecutive deliveries, Dhoni set a tent-like field to help his spinner take a hat-trick. Men had already been positioned at first slip, silly point and short leg, and joining them now were a leg slip and an additional slip. Memories of 2001 returned as Harbhajan charged in to claim a dramatic hat-trick. Even as Dale Steyn survived the ball, the ring of close fielders jumped up and appealed in unison out of sheer excitement., Harris
India did not forget Paul Harris’ choking lines and lengths in the first Test as well as his quips to mentally disintegrate them. So Zaheer, having just run out AB de Villiers, walked alongside Harris, the new man, as he stepped into the raucous Eden Gardens. Next, Ishant did not waste time in bowling in the channel and repeatedly breathed under Harris’ nose. Smiles and words were exchanged. Harris tried to stay calm, but the pressure was relentless, and he eventually edged a delivery that shaped away a bit. Ishant bowed dramatically with folded hands (traditional Indian greeting ‘namaste’) to see the South African out.

It was a mighty close finish at the Saxton Oval in Nelson, where Auckland edged past Central Districts by one run. Chasing 163, Jacob Oram faced the last ball of the match, needing six to win, but he could only manage a four past point. Put into bat, Auckland were driven by Lou Vincent, who made 57 off 49 balls, with four fours and two sixes. His 53-run stand for the third wicket with Gareth Hopkins was the best of the innings. Oram was expensive, conceding 36 off his four overs, but picked up three wickets. Central made steady progress towards the target when Mathew Sinclair and Ross Taylor were together, adding 55 for the third wicket. But a double-strike by Ravi Bopara brought Auckland back into the match. Central suffered another crucial blow when Graham Napier was run out in the final over. Oram couldn’t finish it off as Auckland moved to third in the points table.Canterbury were no match for Northern Districts and Daniel Vettori, whose all-round performance was the highlight of a 71-run win at Seddon Park. Vettori hit 49 and took three wickets to shut out Canterbury within 16 overs in their tall chase of 185. Canterbury’s decision at the toss backfired as Peter McGlashan and Tillakaratne Dilshan got Northern Districts off to a rousing start. Dilshan hit five fours and a six in his 28 off 17 balls before Andrew Ellis dismissed him and his partner in one over. Vettori then took charge of two fruitful partnerships – 45 and 51 – with BJ Watling and Anton Devcich respectively. Vettori hit a four and two sixes in his knock, which ended in the penultimate ball of the innings. Canterbury stumbled to 36 for 3 in their chase and by the eighth over, lost half their side for 51. Bradley Scott bowled a disciplined spell, taking 3 for 11 in three overs, running through the middle and lower order with Vettori who took 3 for 31.The match between Wellington and Otago at the Basin Reserve was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Mashrafe Mortaza has been named as Bangladesh captain for next month’s home tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and India. The BCB’s board of directors, who convened in Mirpur today, said the fast bowler would also lead the side during the home Test series against India which follows.Mortaza, who picked up an injury in the West Indies soon after taking over as captain from Mohammad Ashraful, missed the home ODIs against Zimbabwe in October-November after failing to recover in time from a knee surgery. Shakib Al Hasan, who led the team in his absence, has been named as vice-captain.”A selection from the 26-member squad of the preliminary national team camp will play a practice one-day match against Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday, December 26, 2009,” a release from the BCB said.The tri-series begins in Dhaka on January 4 and will be followed by two Tests against India at Chittagong (January 17-21) and Dhaka (January 24-28).The contracts of 13 national team players have also been renewed till November 30 next year. These include Mortaza, Shakib, Ashraful, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Syed Rasel, Junaid Siddique, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Raqibul Hasan, Mahmudullah and Enamul Haque jnr. The fresh contract will be effective from December 1, 2009.It was also decided that the IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, of which Mortaza is a part, will be playing three exhibition Twenty20 matches against a select BCB team between February 1-5 next year.The board also informed that a fresh process would be initiated soon for the recruitment of the BCB CEO.

Kemar Roach is smaller than the great West Indian bowlers of the past but faster than he looks. Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Corey Collymore were Roach’s childhood heroes and he would like to carry on the tradition by leading the side in the three-Test series against Australia starting next week.Standing at well under six feet, Roach is a 21-year-old with a reasonably gentle run-up before he explodes through the crease and his slippery deliveries surprised the local batsmen. He regularly hurried Nick Kruger, who carried a headache after being struck on the helmet during his 172, and collected Ryan Broad’s edge with a lifting delivery before lunch.While Roach’s 1 for 67 off 23 overs came in the Bulls’ hefty total of 4 for 384, he gained frequent plays and misses and was frustrated not to win a couple more calls from the umpires. “That’s what cricket is all about – hard days and long days,” he said. “I know to work hard to get wickets and I’ll bowl all day if I have to. It was tiring but I was accustomed to that, I’m accustomed to bowling a long time. It’s not a problem for me.”Roach, who was clocked at 94.5mph [152kph] during the Champions Trophy, was called up for the two Tests against Bangladesh during the players’ strike and was the leading bowler with 13 wickets in the lost series. “He just ambles in but then it is on you,” Kruger said. “He is quick and he got me with a good one – I have got a bit of a headache.”Kruger felt Roach was holding back too. “He was just ambling in there today,” he said. Both Kruger and Wade Townsend, who also scored a maiden century, had some tough moments in the early stages but recovered for a satisfying 243-run stand for the second wicket.”They came hard at us but we batted pretty well,” Kruger said. “It was my day, I had a couple of chances and they were probably recovering from a bit of jet-lag.”The West Indians were not helped by some dropped chances, but Roach expected the performances to improve for the first Test. “There’s more cricket to play and that was only one day,” he said. “I don’t think we will be that bad again.”