Nick Knight gained some consolation for his omission from the England squadfor the next Test Match against West Indies by hitting a match-winning century for Warwickshire against Glamorgan in their NatWest Trophy quarter-final match at Birmingham.The left-hander, who in spite of being recognised as a limited-overs specialist had missed the recent NatWest Series triangular tournament through injury, struck 118 runs in the victory by 81 runs. His 123 runs third-wicket partnership with Dominic Ostler (63) was the foundation of the 273-7 total.Glamorgan’s hopes were dashed by a break-down of the middle-order against host captain Neil Smith who took 3-37 from his 10 overs. With the loss of Matthew Maynard (36) at 130-6 Glamorgan collapsed to the extent that at one point five wickets fell for 53 runs in 12 overs.Adrian Shaw (32) and Robert Croft (30 n.o.) hit out at the end but the visitors were dismissed for 192 with 32 balls remaining. Allan Donald (3-29) cut through the lower order. David Hemp did not have a happy game against his former county in that having been dismissed to the first ball he failed to catch Keith Newell in the slips off Ed Giddins with the opening delivery of Glamorgan’s reply.That early break-through was achieved, however, when Matthew Elliott steered a ball from Dougie Brown to Michael Powell. From 9-1 then Newell (35) and Steve James (27) took the score to 68. Then two swift blows reduced them to 77-3: James was run out as he hesitated and shortly afterwards Newell missed his stroke at a sharply-turning off-break which bowled him.Maynard started by hitting three fours from his first five deliveries but his partner, Adrian Dale, was stumped smartly by Keith Piper off Smith at 99. The run-rate was almost seven-an-hour but wickets were starting to fall including that of Maynard who was bowled while cutting.Earlier with Warwickshire put in to bat two wickets fell for 25-2 as Alex Wharf took 2-9 in six overs – then Knight hit his century with 11 fours from 143 balls in his innings overall. Ostler provided firm support in hitting seven boundaries and Trevor Penney scored his 42 runs at more than one-a-ball.Knight had just hit 16 in an over from Darren Thomas when he lobbed a catch to Maynard from Owen Parkin’s slower ball. Nevertheless his innings had not been without blemish as he was missed at both square-leg and, more blatantly, at the wicket.

Bloomfield SC beat Antonians by 80 runs in a Duckworth Lewis affected match. However, the win was not enough to secure a place in the semi finals as both Tamil Union and SSC won their games.Antonians, initially chasing a victory target of 220, after the encounter was reduced to 42 overs due to delay start, had their target revised to 203 from 34 overs, after rain interrupted in the 8th over of their run chase.Pacemen Darshana Gamage(2/22) and Hemantha Alles(2/24) took early wickets before Duminda Perera(3/39) struck twice to leave them on 41 for six and squash any lingering hopes of victory. They eventually finished on 123 for 9 from 34 overs.Only Charles Silva (26) and Chandana Samarasighe(38)scored runs for Antonians.Bloomfield SC, who batted first, suffered an early shock when both their openers, Chaminda Ruwan(08) and Pubudu Dassanayake(11), were dismissed early on to leave Bloomfield on 36 for two.Thereafter, Sajeeka Abeynaike(73)and skipper, Kumara Dharmasena(34), rescued the innings with a 102 run partnership for the third wicket. With some quick runs from the tail and 27 extras they finished on 219.Reflecting on the tournament Kumar Dharmasena said: “We had a set back at the start of the tournament, but we managed to recover and improvee as the tournament progressed.”Bloomfield’s new coach, Oshadi Weerasinghe, was impressed with the performance of Dharmasena: “The leadership of Kumara Dharmasena has really encouraged the others in the team and I am surprised that his all round performances this season have not been rewarded.”

Northern Districts won an extraordinary and sometimes bizarre match by three Duckworth/Lewis runs at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, leaving Wellington angry and disappointed at the end.With 14 still needed, six overs and two balls to bowl and the last pair at the wicket, the umpires offered Northern the light. Knowing that they were ahead on Duckworth/Lewis calculations, the offer was gleefully accepted.With two spinners bowling (as demanded by umpire Bowden as a condition for play continuing in the gloom) there was no danger to the batsmen. Indeed, it could be argued that they were in less danger than anybody else in the ground.Wellington were obviously disgusted at the decision, with hats being thrown on the ground and the players remaining in the middle for some five minutes, debating the issue with umpires Wright and Bowden before reluctantly accepting their fate.That was not all. Earlier a rain interruption had been extended by an unnecessary 90 minutes because the covers had come apart at the seams, like the two teams at various stages of the day. Without this interruption a full, fifty over match might have been completed.All this overshadowed a magnificent performance from Wellington quickie Andrew Penn. He finished with figures of 8-1-28-7, the second best ever in domestic limited overs cricket (Willie Watson holds the record with 7-23 for Auckland against Otago in 1984/85). Penn now holds the best bowling records for Central Districts and Wellington, both against Northern.He finished with figures of 8-1-28-7, the second best figures ever domestic limited overs cricket (Willie Watson holds the record with 7-23 for Auckland against Otago in 1984/5) Penn now holds the best bowling records for Central Districts and Wellington, both against Northern.It was an outstanding piece of bowling, with movement and extra bounce on a consistent off stump line. It was also one of those days when the edges were found and carried to the fielders, but Penn deserved any good fortune that came his way. With the ODI squad being announced tomorrow, he could not have picked a better day to stake his claim.Wellington began well, having won the toss and chosen to bat. Nevin hit three fours off Tuffey in the sixth over, taking his side to 47-2 when he was out.Thereafter it was a struggle, as Wellington crept to 119-7 from 40 overs when the rain fell and the covers leaked. Bradburn, as usual, was Northern’s best bowler, finishing with 10-1-25-1.The numbers having been crunched, Northern were left with a target of 144 in forty overs. They began appearing to think that it would all be a bit of a breeze, Hamish Marshall and Simon Doull appearing to be aiming to finish it all in less than 20 overs, never mind 40.Then, thanks to Penn, it all turned to dust, with a spectacular collapse reducing the home team to 47-6. Hart and James Marshall worked quietly and carefully to bring Northern back into it (the required rate was always around three an over and was never an issue).The return of Penn disposed of both of them. Tait and Tuffey continued the good work, Tuffey hitting a six over mid-wicket off Jefferson, a sign that the light was not an impenetrable problem for the batsmen.The last few balls were, in some ways, the strangest of the lot. Roger Twose bowled them, his first spell of the season. His first four balls were all wides, with another following later in the over. However, he got the wicket of Tait, caught by a skyer at mid off.It was then that the umpires took the decision to offer the light. Common sense said that the game should be played to a conclusion, but when has that had much to do with events on a cricket field?The win puts Northern equal on points with Otago at the top of the table. Wellington are bottom and need to win against CD on Sunday if they are not to lose touch.

Batsman Matthew Wood looks set to make his first team debut for Somerset against Yorkshire at Bath in the CricInfo Championship match that starts on Wednesday.The 20-year-old right-handed opening bat who plays club cricket for Exmouth has been on the Somerset scene for several years, and last year played for Devon in the Nat West Trophy.Matthew has enjoyed a run of good form this year including an impressive century for Somerset Seconds, in the one day win over a strong Gloucestershire side at Bristol.Second XI coach Julian Wyatt rates him very highly, and has brought him in to replace Peter Bowler, who will miss the match because of his law exams.Matthew Bulbeck is missing as a precaution to enable him to make a full recovery from the injury he sustained against Surrey in the Championship, and Jason Kerr and Jamie Grove are added to give bowling options.Richard Johnson and Rob Turner who both missed Sunday’s match with food poisoning are expected to be fit to play.

Otago’s modern indoor cricket facility is starting to prove very popular as teams work on their winter programmes and clubs start to build up for their seasons.Otago has 35 winter representative squads working out of the facility and time is having to be managed carefully.Because of the high use of the indoor facilities, the Otago Cricket Association has spent another $20,000 doing up a secondary area for use by club cricket sides.”Otago chief executive Graeme Elliott said today, “The beauty of having the facility is that we can do work with all those squads.”The squads and individuals have been doing their preparations there while clubs haven’t really used it yet. However, we are starting to get enquiries.”The main part of the complex has two batting strips, one for pace and another for spin and the bowlers’ run-ups are softened to minimise injury prospects for bowlers.The coming season is a big one for Otago as it is celebrating its 125th summer.Jubilee activities are still being planned but one feature promises to be the presentation of New Zealand Cricket’s individual Test Black Caps to New Zealand’s surviving triple century makers, Glenn Turner, Ken Rutherford and Mark Richardson while a member of the Blunt family is expected to be able to attend the function to receive Roger Blunt’s cap.

Mathew Sinclair’s Yorkshire Premier League club team mates at Cleethorpes showed they had been learning from Sinclair’s example when taking a big hand in the side’s win over Appleby Frodingham at the weekend.The Cleethorpes club which has had the benefit of Sinclair’s amazing run of batting form, lifted itself three places in the League by taking a 70 run win.Sinclair only scored 27 when opening the innings with skipper Mike Smith.Smith was out for 30 soon after Sinclair, and with a middle-order collapse following, Cleethorpes were in trouble.However, the effects of the Sinclair influence were felt down the order as Stuart Airey and Nick White rescued the innings so Cleethorpes had a competitive 174/9 from their 55 overs.Cleethorpe’s home pitch at Chichester Road proved hard enough for Jonathan Davies to find pace and bounce which allowed him to trouble the visiting batsmen. He took four for 21 from 13 overs as Frodingham slumped to 63/7. Some lower order resistance took the score to 104 but 12 overs remained when Cleethorpes claimed the win.Now sitting in eighth position, the side will be looking for another win at the weekend against Driffield before Sinclair departs for New Zealand’s three-nations tournament in Sri Lanka.Another New Zealander, Auckland batsman Richard King has been playing for Appleby-Frodingham in the Yorkshire League. King has been opening the batting.am opening the batting and enjoying the opportunity. However, before last weekend’s game he had to fly to Australia to be with his sick mother.His scores during the season have been, 5, 25, 40, 43, 88, 123, 88no and 79no for an aggregate of 491 and an average of 82.0In the Lancashire League with Accrington, Tama Canning took four for 61 against Church who were all out for 137. However, Accrington could only reply with 118 and the loss left them in ninth position in the 14-team competition.Another member of the CLEAR Black Caps team travelling to Sri Lanka, Lou Vincent has been playing for Esholt in the Bradford League. In 11 games so far, he has scored 437 runs at an average of 62.4 with a top score of 137 not out. He has also picked up 14 wickets at a cost of 14.0.

Gloucestershire batsman Matt Windows and Hampshire spinner Shaun Udal tookthe honours on an intriguing first day of the CricInfo Championship seconddivision match at Cheltenham.The visitors had to do without skipper Robin Smith and all-rounder DimitriMascarenhas, both late withdrawals through injury, and it looked as if theywould have an unproductive day in the field until Udal instigated a collapsewhich saw six wickets fall for 62 runs.Neil Johnson was the only Hampshire bowler to enjoy success in the morningsession, after Gloucestershire captain Mark Alleyne had won the toss.Johnson had Dominic Hewson caught behind by Adrian Aymes, as he tried towithdraw the bat, and Kim Barnett was dismissed in the same manner as hedrove at a wide delivery.But Windows and Chris Taylor regained control for Gloucestershire with athird-wicket stand of 137. Both players cut and drove the majority of theirboundaries through the off-side and it was good entertainment for the 3,000festival crowd.Taylor had moved smoothly to 56 before he was well caught by acting captainWill Kendall at mid off, and then Windows departed when he holed out to AlexMorris in the deep.His 91 came from 181 balls, contained 16 fours and a six, and signalled awelcome return to form for the England A batsman, who went into the gamewith a meagre average of 19.Alleyne, Jeremy Snape and Ian Harvey all got out after making a start andwhen Jack Russell also departed, it looked as if Gloucestershire would fallbelow 300.However, they were indebted to a ninth-wicket stand of 62 between MartynBall and Alastair Bressington, who is making hs first appearance of theseason after finishing his studies at university in Cardiff.Ball struck four boundaries in his 40 before he was caught by Johnson at second slip off Chris Tremlett, who promptly wrapped up the innings by dismissing Ben Gannon for a duck.

Simon Katich will become Australia’s 384th Test cricketer against England at Headingley, starting Thursday.Katich, 25, was today named to replace injured Steve Waugh, who has a torn calf, in the Australia middle order for the fourth Ashes Test.”I’m ecstatic,” said Katich.”When you first start you have a dream of playing for Australia but you never think it will happen.”It was a nice big surprise to be given the nod.”Katich had a restless night’s sleep, knowing he was heavily favoured to earn selection ahead of fellow West Australian Justin Langer.His parents, sister, girlfriend, manager and university mates are all heading for Leeds to watch him play.Katich was told of his promotion to the XI by Waugh and interim captain Adam Gilchrist at the ground this morning.”I found out just before we had a huddle at the start of practice, Gilly and Tugger called me over and said, ‘good news, you’re in,'” said Katich.”I still consider myself fortunate – if Stephen was right I would not be playing.”Katich will be Australia’s first batting debutant in three years and 37 Tests since Darren Lehmann versus India in March, 1998.He missed out on a certain Test debut when Waugh played against doctor’s orders with a fractured nose against Sri Lanka in September, 1999.The following Australian summer, Katich was struck down by chicken pox, glandular fever and a mystery virus which sidelined for two-and-half months.He became so fatigued that he fell asleep while padded up in the West Australian dressing room during a Pura Cup game had to be woken by team-mates when itwas his turn to bat.”I used my illness as a big positive,” said Katich.”It was disappointing at the time but I learned a lot.”It makes you more determined when you come back.”It’s a positive, it’s a test of character.”Katich has scored 273 runs at an average of 91 on tour.Last summer, he made a century against every State and scored 1,145 runs in the Pura Cup, beating Langer’s WA record by eight runs.Katich handed back his baggy green cap after touring Sri Lanka in 1999 without playing a Test and vowed to use Damien Fleming’s if required to field earlier in the series.He will receive his cap before play on Thursday.AUSTRALIA: Adam Gilchrist (c), Ricky Ponting (vc), Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shane Warne,Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath (12th man to be confirmed).

The disappointing performance of the Bangladesh squad has clouded the cricketing atmosphere of country. The million fans all over saw their side succumbing before the Lunch on the third day – in a pitch, which appeared to be batting friendly. Most of the batsmen were seen lured by the cunning deliveries off the Pakistani bowlers and threw their wickets away childishly. The task of hanging on to the crease was not daunting but the players failed to execute this anyhow. Danish Kaneria, the leggie, proved to be the culprit taking his haul of a dozen wickets to bring down the tourists.If Kaneria proved to be such a threat for Bangladesh, then what Muralitharan would be? This ace spinner from Sri Lanka has beguiled the celebrated batsmen of the world for innumerable occasions. He is in the peak of his form now pulling mammoth success against India.Let’s hope for the best. The time has come to give our cricketers some moral boost-ups and confidences instead of disdaining them. They played badly in the both innings in Multan but that is not the end of Bangladesh cricket. It is only the beginning and plenty of mistakes might be waiting in future. The history of India and Pakistan are not enjoyable when they were new in Test arena.So, we should keep on watching how much our boys are learning from their blunders. That should be the exact approach for the Bangla Tigers right this moment.

Despite leading his Hampshire side to CricInfo Championship Division Two promotion, Robin Smith has admitted to contemplating handing over the captaincy reigns at the end of the season.Smith, who replaced John Stephenson as captain in 1998, has been upset by his own batting form over the past couple of seasons and attributes the blame for this dip on the pressure of leading the side.The former England batsman, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Thursday, the same day Hampshire secured promotion at Trent Bridge is considering playing out what is expected to be his final year amongst the rank and file.He believes the time maybe right to hand over the challis. “It has been a grat honour to have been chosen to captain Hampshire”, he said.”But I feel my own game has been affected for the worse.”I have to hold my hands up and admit I have been disappointed with my own form since taking on what at the moment is a pretty stressful job.”If the club feel it is better for me to concentrate on my own game and score the runs, then I will stand down. If not then I will also be happy to continue.”He is not expecting to annouce his decision until well after the dust has settled on a successful season in charge.Will Kendall is his likely successor, having been appointed vice-captain at the start of the season. However, his personal form this season has been far from impressive either.