Debutant Liam Norwell produced a superb all-round performance to put Gloucestershire in a commanding position against Derbyshire at Bristol

09-Apr-2011
Scorecard
Debutant Liam Norwell produced a superb all-round performance to put Gloucestershire in a commanding position against Derbyshire at Bristol. Norwell contributed 19 to a last-wicket stand of 76 with David Payne, who made an unbeaten 46, as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 343.The 19-year-old pace bowler then took 6 for 46, including the last four wickets for two runs in 11 balls, as Derbyshire were dismissed for 157. Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman enforced the follow-on and the visitors reached 30 for no wicket from nine overs by stumps.Gloucestershire had started the day on 224 for 6 and Ian Saxelby departed in the second over when he hooked Jon Clare to long leg, where Tim Groenewald took a fine catch low down. Jon Batty, unbeaten on 61 overnight, advanced to 70 before he gloved a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Luke Sutton off Groenewald. It was Batty’s best score in 31 innings for Gloucestershire since he joined from Surrey last year.Lewis, who had batted with characteristic freedom in making 29 from 26 deliveries, was dismissed in the next over when Clare ripped out his off stump. But then came the last-wicket heroics from Norwell and Payne, which prolonged the Gloucestershire innings for a further 32 overs.There were few alarms for either batsman, although Derbyshire felt aggrieved not to get any of three confident appeals for catches at the wicket given by umpire Martin Saggers. The first came against Norwell, when he was on 6, and the other two were against Payne, when on 17 and 44.Payne was within sight of a well-deserved half-century when he rightly declined a second run to midwicket and Norwell was beaten by Groenewald’s throw to Sutton behind the stumps. Payne’s 100-ball innings contained eight boundaries, six of which came through the offside and the other two were turned off his legs through midwicket.When Derbyshire batted, Garry Park was first to go when Norwell, with his third ball, had him caught by Will Gidman at gully. Three more wickets fell in quick succession as Wes Durston fell leg before to Lewis, Wayne Madsen was caught behind off Norwell and Chesney Hughes drove
Saxelby to Payne at mid-off.Only another 19 runs had been added when Greg Smith mistimed a drive off Norwell to Lewis at mid-off. Then, three balls after the tea interval, Lewis had Dan Redfern caught at the wicket off a thin edge, which made it 92 for 6. Sutton and Clare hinted at a recovery with partnership of 56, but Norwell returned to have Sutton caught behind for 35 and the teenager soon wrapped up
the rest of the innings.He had Groenewald leg before to his second ball. Then, in his next over, Clare was taken at second slip by Chris Dent and Antonio Palladino gave Batty his fourth victim behind the stumps.
In Derbyshire’s second innings, Park was dropped on eight when Saxelby spilled a chance at third slip off Lewis. He was on 11 at stumps with Madsen on 17.

Ottis Gibson, the West Indies coach, hailed the team spirit and character his side showed in winning the first Test against Pakistan by 40 runs on Sunday

ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-2011Ottis Gibson, the West Indies coach, hailed the team spirit and character his side showed in winning the opening Test against Pakistan by 40 runs to secure their first success in more than two years.It ended a 17-match wait for a Test victory having last won when they overcame England at Sabina Park in 2009, a side who Gibson was bowling coach of at the time, and gave some much-needed respite to the West Indies management after being roundly criticised in the lead-up to match.In a low-scoring encounter at Providence, Gibson felt it was the fight shown by the batsmen that helped them over the line. “The way we batted out the first day and the way we understood how difficult it was going to be showed me that everyone understood what was happening,” he said.”In the past, given the nature of the pitch we would probably have capitulated, but to hang in there and battle all day on the first day was what probably set us up for the fight we showed in the next three days.”A key period in the match was the 48-run stand for the final wicket in West Indies’ second innings where debutant legspinner Devendra Bishoo hung on with Shivnarine Chanderpaul to set Pakistan a target beyond 200.”The contribution from the lower order was exceptional,” Gibson said. “One of the things we have changed in our nets is that ‘everybody is a batsman’. Everyone must be seen to be trying to improve in the batting department. That was a huge difference in the match.”The performance of captain Darren Sammy, who was named Man of the Match after finishing with seven wickets in the game, was another huge positive for Gibson. Sammy’s position at the helm had been questioned by those who doubted he was good enough to hold his place in the side but he answered his critics emphatically.”For Sammy, who was under so much pressure, to perform the way he did was a credit to himself and the way he goes about his work. He’s an honest worker and a hard trier,” Gibson said. “You could not ask for more. Also for Ravi [Rampaul], who has been in and out, to come back into the team was great to see. He is a pleasure to work with and has a thirst for knowledge.”Bishoo came in and did a great job with the ball. He’s a keen, hungry, young cricketer who just wants to get better and do great things for the West Indies,” he added. “He’s an asset to have around. When he didn’t get any wickets for us in the second innings others stepped up and delivered. That is what team is all about.”The contribution of the whole team, was great. Everybody worked hard and we all stuck together. We won the first match so that means we can’t lose the series, but we don’t want to stop there. Winning the series is the goal. It has always been the goal.”Gibson’s next target is to try and back up the victory with another strong performance in the second Test in St Kitts which starts on Friday. He admitted that will be difficult, especially for a side that has struggled desperately for consistency, but hopes they can take confidence from the showing in Guyana.”Long before the Pakistanis arrived we spoke about the belief in the team that we could win the series. We want to win in St Kitts and take the series. Before Sunday’s result it was more than two years since we won a Test match and a series. You will have to go back a long time since the West Indies last won back-to-back Test matches.”The team will feed off this win and we will enjoy it. In international sport you have to enjoy your success, especially in our case where our last victory was more than two years ago.”

Duncan Fletcher, the new Indian coach, has said that his coaching philosophy will not be dictatorial in approach but will be about offering advice to the players

Sriram Veera13-May-2011Duncan Fletcher, the new Indian coach, has said that his coaching philosophy will not be dictatorial in approach but will be about offering advice to the players. Fletcher also pointed out that he had mentored Gary Kirsten and that was one of the main reasons that influenced Kirsten to recommend him for the post and for the BCCI to appoint him.”It’s not about dictating to the Indian players how I want them to play – sure to some degree you have to try influencing them – but it’s about offering advice to the players and it’s up to them to take it on board,” Fletcher said in his first news conference as India’s coach in Chennai. “Gary Kirsten followed my philosophy. He came and spoke to me before he took up the Indian job. I offered him advice on how to handle situations and he took that on board. And now, by Gary sort of pushing me for this job by taking my credentials to BCCI, he realised that my philosophy of coaching is right for India. Hopefully it’s right.”Fletcher said that he has been observing the Indian players over the last few months during his role as batting consultant to South Africa and New Zealand and reiterated that he was not going to make any wholesale changes. According to him, the most important thing would be to gain the respect of the players and he said that works both ways. “You have to gain their respect and they have to gain my respect. And that’s what this is about. Once you have that then it makes your job easier. It’s something you just have to work on as time progresses. I have worked with some big players elsewhere as well and you just got to develop this man-management process.”During the stint with South Africa and New Zealand I watched the Indian players. Sometimes I find more interest in quietly watching these players off the field and just observe because it interests me. “A coach’s relationship with the captain is the most crucial aspect of the job and Fletcher said he wouldn’t have taken up the role if he didn’t respect [MS] Dhoni as a captain. “It’s quite important that even before I was offered this job I had high regard for Dhoni. In fact I wrote a few articles which showed how I rated him as a very very good captain – not only on the field but how he handles the players off it.”India’s bowling is considered the team’s weak link and Fletcher said he has had an extensive chat with Eric Simons, the bowling coach, on May 12 about the bowlers and also met with Dhoni. “Having chatted with Eric Simons – he is a very good bowling coach and one I have lot of faith in – you must understand that I don’t want to come in and make lots of changes. I have the players during India’s last tour of South Africa and the series against New Zealand; so I have some idea about the bowlers but I would want to observe a little bit and then make some decisions.”Fletcher said he was very excited taking up the coaching role and said he arrived at the decision after giving it a lot of thought and speaking to the likes of Kirsten. “I asked for four-five- days time from the board. It was just to make sure you settle down as there are some areas you have to be careful about because it’s a high-profile role. I made a few calls, in particular to Gary Kirsten and I then accepted it.”India are the No.1 ranked Test team and ODI world champions and Fletcher admitted that it would be a challenge to maintain that momentum. “Yes, it will be difficult and that’s one of the things you consider before taking up the job. Hopefully I can add value somewhere down the line. First West Indies, then we are going to England where there will be lots of swing and seam. Then Australia where there will be bounce. Hopefully, the knowledge I pass on will be effective.”Fletcher also had a brief taste of the Indian media and the Indian’s board’s iron-hand approach. Suddenly, out of the blue, he was asked about his views on DRS, a system that the Indian board has steadfastly opposed. “I think it’s a system that will come in place. Obviously there are imperfections but once those imperfections are sorted out, it will play a role.”N Srinivasan, the board secretary, then leaned across and muttered something to Fletcher. Srinivasan, then, addressed the journalist who asked that question and said, “That was a loaded question. Mr Fletcher doesn’t know BCCI’s stance on DRS. You should have prefaced your question properly.”There was another instance of Srinivasan’s interjection. When Fletcher was asked about his views on rotation policy, Srinivasan chose to answer: “It’s a selection matter, no? He can give advice but ultimately it will come down to selectors. But I am sure when the coach sits in those meetings; his take will be taken on board by the selectors.”There was also a delightful faux pas from Fletcher. “Hopefully, my observations on these players will prove useful when I coach the England team. I mean the Indian team.”

Debutant Abdul Razzaq stunned Lancashire with a brutal innings as Leicestershire claimed their second Friends Life t20 win of the summer

08-Jun-2011
ScorecardAbdul Razzaq turned the match at Old Trafford on its head•PA Photos

Debutant Abdul Razzaq stunned Lancashire with a brutal innings as Leicestershire claimed their second Friends Life t20 win of the summer at Old Trafford. Chasing a Duckworth-Lewis boosted target of 165 from 19 overs, the Foxes had slumped to 99 for 6 in the 15th over and later needed 62 off the last 24 balls.Pakistan’s Razzaq then clubbed five sixes and three fours in a 30-ball 62 with a little help from tailender Wayne White. The pair shared an unbroken 66 inside five overs for the seventh wicket as White hit two maximums in 17 off 10 deliveries.Razzaq only landed in England the day before but helped to take 25 off the 16th over bowled by home skipper Steven Croft. Having been dropped by Stephen Moore on 26, the allrounder cleared the long-on fence with successive balls.White then hit maximums in a similar area off Gary Keedy and Kyle Hogg in the last two overs as the points were secured with four wickets and one ball to spare. Fellow overseas allrounder Andrew McDonald had laid a solid platform with an excellent 57 off 40 balls but Leicestershire slipped from 60 for 2 in the seventh.The hosts’ trio of spinners, Keedy, Simon Kerrigan and Stephen Parry all struck, with Keedy and Kerrigan getting two wickets each to put the skids under the visiting reply.Lancashire openers Moore and Tom Smith were the reasons why their side posted a competitive total, adding 88 inside 10 overs after a slow start. Moore top-scored with 48 off 39 balls and Smith 45 off 27, increasing their scoring rate after taking only 29 runs off the first five overs.Despite Smith holing out to McDonald at long-off as part-time spinner Josh Cobb struck in the 10th, the hosts scored 60 runs off the next five. Smith pulled Matthew Hoggard for six and whacked Cobb over long-off – the ball before departing – and Moore square-cut Hoggard for another maximum.Claude Henderson played a part in dragging things back by getting Moore stumped by Paul Nixon and Croft caught and bowled in the 13th over on the way to figures of 2 for 26 from four. Lancashire also lost Paul Horton and Gareth Cross but a four and six off the last two balls of the innings from Jordan Clark boosted the total.Smith then got Cobb caught at mid-on by a juggling Clark with the first ball of the Leicester innings before McDonald found his feet quickly. He shared 33 for the third wicket with James Taylor but the innings slipped as soon as the latter was trapped lbw by Kerrigan.Nixon was stumped by Cross off a Keedy wide, McDonald punted the same bowler to Horton at long-off and Jacques Du Toit found Clark at midwicket off Kerrigan before Razzaq’s fireworks turned the contest and inflicted a first defeat of this season’s campaign on Lancashire.

A round-up of the final and third-place playoff of the ICC East Asia-Pacific Region Division One Twenty20 tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2011Papua New Guinea maintained their unbeaten run in the East Asia-Pacific Region Division One Twenty20, beating Vanuatu by a comfortable margin of 58 runs in the final in Port Moresby. The victory books PNG’s spot in the Global Division One Twenty20 playoff in the UAE early next year, which will determine the two Associates or Affiliates to play in the 12-team World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.PNG elected to bat and got off to a streaky start when in-form opener Asad Vala was dropped by opposing captain Andrew Mansale. Vala, who had 344 runs in the tournament leading up to the final, and Tony Ura took advantage of Vanuatu’s slip-up, adding 56 off 5.2 overs before Jelany Chilia got Vala to edge to the keeper. Ura stood firm though, putting on 47 runs with Chris Amini, before falling for 48. By then the platform was laid for PNG – with the scoreboard reading 103 for 2 in the 11th over – to push on to a big total. Mahuru Dai and Jason Kila provided the final surge, striking four sixes to carry PNG to 195 for 5.The Vanuatu openers got the chase off to a steady start, but wickets in the fifth and sixth overs put PNG in front. From there on PNG picked up wickets regularly and kept the batsmen in check. Only Patrick Matautaava was able to inject some much-needed momentum into the Vanuatu innings, striking two fours and three sixes in his 36 off 18 balls. But when he was caught off medium-pacer Joel Tom – who was the pick of the bowlers for PNG, claiming 3 for 31 – in the 19th over, victory was already beyond Vanuatu.PNG captain, Rarva Dikana said the win at home, especially in front of the sizeable crowd, was fitting. “It is a huge achievement for the country, especially considering all of the development work going on,” he said. “I’m glad we could do this for everyone involved in cricket in PNG.”Ura, who was the second highest-scorer in the tournament behind opening partner Vala, was named Man of the Match. Tom and Matautaava, along with Fiji’s Iniasi Cakacaka, were the tournament’s top wicket-takers with nine wickets.In the third-place play-off game, an all-round performance from Samoa earned them a 30-run victory over Fiji. Samoa were sent into bat and though they lost opener Sean Cotter early, a steady 43 from captain Geoff Clarke, followed by whirlwind knocks from Faasao Mulivai (67) and Pritchard Pritchard (28*), carried them to a competitive 172 for 3.Fiji’s chase started poorly when they lost opener Sekove Ravoka in the first over. A 58-run second wicket partnership between Joji Bulabalavu and Iniasi Cakacaka steadied the innings, but a flurry of quick wickets after that derailed their chase. They slumped from 58 for 1 to 68 for 5 and couldn’t get going after that, getting bowled out for 142. Samoa’s bowlers were steady with Cotter, the most successful, claiming 3 for 9 in three overs.

Creating a professional ethos and identifying new talent are the key focus areas for West Indies as they aim to break into the top half of the Test table by 2015, their captain Darren Sammy has said

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jul-2011Creating a professional ethos, improving fitness levels and identifying new talent are the key focus areas for West Indies as they aim to break into the top half of the Test table by 2015, their captain Darren Sammy has said. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Sammy, who was appointed captain until the end of the 2011 season, also spoke about his experience thus far, the role of seniors in the side and his dynamics with former captain Chris Gayle.”Obviously bringing the whole professional attitude into practice properly and getting fit [are top of the agenda],” Sammy said, outlining the side’s vision, as they strive to shake off years of sub-par performances. “I believe the fitter you are, the more right decisions you will make. You will not cramp up under pressure. Being in the top five by 2015, and building a strong team that will go out and compete against anybody [are also part of the plan].”If you noticed over the last couple of years, we have been rotating the same guys. So now we are exposing a few more players, getting the right system, the right work ethic to go out and represent West Indies. Start changing the whole laidback type of culture, just strictly being professional. Knowing what to do for the team, and doing whatever it takes to make the team win [are the goals].”Sammy took charge of the side in a period of turmoil caused by the team’s on-field disappointments, and continued wrangling between the board and senior players, Gayle in particular. Several critics have questioned Sammy’s place in the side as an allrounder, pointing to his modest batting returns at No. 8. Sammy has gained more success with the ball – he has 46 wickets in 16 Tests – but his presence in the team relegates the much faster Kemar Roach to the bench. Sammy said the criticism was unfair and believed his record was good enough to merit a spot in the starting XI.”I think I have justified my selection as a bowler in the team,” Sammy said. “My batting has obviously not been up to scratch. It’s something I have to work on.”If I look at my Test record it is okay. In every team somebody will always be the fall guy. So far it’s always been me. It’s tough luck on Kemar. At the end of the day the selectors pick the team. What’s good is that we have competition for spots in the bowling department.”Sammy also revealed that while he was ready to lead the team through the tough times, he had no qualms over playing under someone else. “I am not somebody who, if not the captain, will be sulking and stuff like that. To be honest, I never dreamt of being the captain. Whether I am the captain or not, I will be the same person. I enjoy my job, but what I am saying is I would enjoy my cricket even if I am not the captain.”The Gayle-WICB dispute has raged for the bulk of Sammy’s tenure as captain – he took charge after Gayle’s demotion. However, he challenged the perception that he was the board’s man and insisted he had always enjoyed a good working relationship with Gayle and had no part to play in how the feud unfolded.”The whole situation with Gayle is not in my hands. I have no issues with Christopher. He helped me throughout the World Cup. I was always going to him for advice and stuff like that. It’s sad that we have an issue like this now. Hopefully something positive will come out of this issue.”Even as West Indies make a concerted push towards introducing new talent, Sammy said seniors like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan have a role to play in the side’s future. “You saw today [fifth day of the Dominica Test] what Shiv [Chanderpaul] does and what he has been doing throughout his career. He has the ability to rally the younger players around him. And we have a number of young players in the team presently, but you saw the way he guided Kirk Edwards through to his first century. Hopefully he can carry on batting like he’s been doing.”Sars [Sarwan] is a class player. I believe that he will bounce back being the classy player that he is and the fighter that he is. So I will never write Sarwan off. I believe he still has a lot to offer.”

Sanjay Bangar, the former India allrounder who currently plays for Railways, is among the applicants for the position of Mumbai’s coach

Abhishek Purohit26-Aug-2011Sanjay Bangar, the former India allrounder who currently plays for Railways, is among the applicants for the position of Mumbai’s coach. The new coach will be appointed on Monday by the Mumbai Cricket Association’s cricket improvement committee (CIC).”I had applied at the end of the IPL,” Bangar told ESPNcricinfo. “But I have not had any communication with the MCA after that.”Mumbai have been without a coach since former India batsman Pravin Amre quit earlier this year, following an underwhelming season in which the 39-time champions lost in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals to eventual winners Rajasthan. Former player Vilas Godbole has been filling in as stand-in coach for the Mumbai side playing in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai.Mumbai-based Bangar is a domestic veteran having played 150 first-class matches in a career spanning 18 years and, at 38, is still an integral part of the Railways team. He was with the Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise in IPL 2011 as part of the coaching staff.If he is chosen as the coach, it would mean the end of Bangar’s first-class career and his association with Railways as a player, something which he holds very dear. “If it happens, it is going to be a very tough decision for me. I have loved being part of the Railways side over the years.”MCA treasurer Ravi Sawant said the position of Mumbai coach was filled by invitation and therefore the candidates were not restricted to people who have applied for the post. “The Cricket Improvement Committee will meet on Monday and after deliberating will invite a suitable person to coach the Mumbai team,” he told the . “This position is filled through invitation, and not application.”Balwinder Sandhu, member of the committee that will select the coach, was of the view that sufficient coaching experience counted when it came to mentoring the most-decorated domestic team in the country.”I have always been of the view that we should call the candidates for interviews, ask them about their plans for Mumbai cricket and then decide,” Sandhu said. “But that has not happened so far. We will take a call on the position soon.”When the CIC meet to decide on the new coach, former Mumbai players Sanjay Manjrekar, Milind Rege and Sanjay Patil will not be there as they have been removed from the CIC, with the MCA deciding on a fixed term for members of the committee. Rege and Manjrekar have been a part of the committee since its inception in 2001. “They said that we have completed eight years and we are no more required,” Rege told . “I don’t want to comment on their decision. But I will always be available for Mumbai cricket whenever required.”

A solitary half-century, a near king-pair, an average shading 20.00 and three different opening partners in his first five matches indicate how patchy Abhinav Mukund’s baptism into Test cricket has been

Nitin Sundar29-Aug-2011A solitary half-century, a near king-pair, an average shading 20.00 and three different opening partners in his first five matches – the numbers are indicative of how tough Abhinav Mukund’s baptism into Test cricket has been, but he is encouraged by the way he has come through.”The results don’t show how much progress I made,” Abhinav told ESPNcricinfo. “I have definitely got the belief that I could do well and there’s so much that I have learned. It was a tough couple of tours [West Indies and England], but I can take a lot of confidence out of them.”Abhinav was far from the reckoning at the start of the season but injuries to Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir gave him a chance in the West Indies alongside his Tamil Nadu opening partner M Vijay. His performance on that tour sealed the third opener’s slot for England ahead of Vijay, but Abhinav insists he will always look up to his “senior partner” in whose company he has amassed runs for his state.”I’ve been opening with Vijay since I started playing at the domestic level [so] it was really good to open with him in my first three Tests,” Abhinav said. “Both of us know that there is competition, but that doesn’t affect our equation. He has helped me a lot in the domestic set-up, where we have had long partnerships and spent a lot of time in the middle.”Abhinav dropped out of the XI with Sehwag returning for the last two Tests against England, despite his century batting at No. 3 in the tour game against Northants, and he played no further part in the tour. The setback did not affect Abhinav, who admitted that shoehorning him into the XI for Edgbaston would have upset the team’s combination.”I batted at No. 3 in the tour game only to give Dravid a break,” Abhinav said. “I wanted to get a few runs and put some pressure on the management. At the end of the day, I believe that opening batsmen should open. [However] I don’t really mind playing lower down the order if slots open up there and I can contribute.”Abhinav’s debut coincided with that of the new India coach, Duncan Fletcher, who he says has had a positive influence on his batting. “Duncan hadn’t seen me much before the West Indies tour,” Abhinav said. “There were a lot of pointers he gave me, small things. The wickets in West Indies were a lot bouncier than I expected – especially Jamaica and Barbados. He showed me how to play much closer to the body, which was very helpful for someone like me who has grown up batting on South Indian wickets. It is something that I can use when playing on wickets with bounce and movement.”Walking out with different partners on a regular basis did not, he said, affect his mindset. “You can’t control injuries, especially on-field ones as happened to Gautam,” Abhinav said. “I had played with Dravid before [in the West Indies], and opening with him wasn’t a big difference since he comes in at No. 3.”Abhinav’s biggest challenge in England came at Trent Bridge where he chose to take first strike in the second innings despite being on a king pair. “I really wanted to take the first ball, no matter what,” he said. “I wanted to back myself and taking first strike was a positive move. It was very important that the openers showed a sign of solidarity, since the team revolves around the start the openers make.”Like in the first innings, Abhinav edged his first ball into the cordon, but Tim Bresnan put down a simple catch. Abhinav could not cash in, though, and managed only three as India sank against a bouncer barrage.”It was a really good ball,” Abhinav said about the James Anderson outswinger that nearly gave him the ignominy of two first-ballers. “Considering it was a good ball, I could have got a king pair but I didn’t. At the end of the day, though, I didn’t get too many either. I should have carried on.”Abhinav’s batting has reminded several cricket followers of the former Tamil Nadu and India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh. Abhinav said his team-mates, including Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh, refer to him as ‘Taki’, which used to be Ramesh’s nickname. “Apparently, even my mannerisms off the field are similar to his,” he said. “It is nothing conscious, since I haven’t seen Ramesh bat much. By the time I got my break into the Ranji side, he had moved on to other things.”

Australia’s captain, Michael Clarke, hopes he will have some input into who replaces Tim Nielsen as the team’s coach

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Sep-2011Australia’s captain, Michael Clarke, hopes he will have some input into who replaces Tim Nielsen as the team’s coach. Clarke arrived back home in Sydney on Wednesday night after leading Australia to a 1-0 Test series victory in Sri Lanka, where Nielsen finished the tour by announcing his decision to step down from the coaching role.That means Australia will have an interim coach for next month’s tour of South Africa – probably one of the assistants, Steve Rixon or Justin Langer – while the search goes on for a full-time replacement. Clarke is believed to have a very high regard for his former New South Wales coach, Rixon, and while he did not name any preferred names, he said he hoped his opinions would be considered as Cricket Australia looked for their new man.”I hope I will [have some input],” Clarke said. “I have a really good relationship with James Sutherland, the CEO, and I’m pretty sure it is important the captain and coach have a strong bond. I would imagine I would have some sort of impact and I’ll be communicating with James over however long, to try and work out who they think the best person for the role is.”There’s a lot of successful coaches around the world, and I think the priority, as the review has made very clear, is they are going to try and get the best person for the job. I think Tim Nielsen has done an amazing job for Australia. He’s been fantastic for me, not only as a captain, but as a player and he’s certainly going to be missed.”Leading candidates to replace Nielsen will include Rixon, who has a successful track record having coached New Zealand as well as New South Wales, and Mickey Arthur, the former South Africa mentor. Arthur is preparing for his second season as coach of Western Australia.Nielsen’s resignation came after the release of the Argus review, which recommended a more wide-ranging brief for the head coach. Whoever gets the new job will not only guide the national team, he will also direct the coaching style that will filter down to state and academy level, and with Clarke will be one of Australia’s five-man selection panel.

A blistering opening partnership between Robin Uthappa and S Anirudha set up an impressive win for India Green against India Blue in Nagpur

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Oct-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: Robin Uthappa struck a blistering ton and was involved in a double-century opening stand•Sivaraman Kitta/K Sivaraman

A blistering opening partnership between Robin Uthappa and S Anirudha set up an impressive win for India Green against India Blue in Nagpur, and secured their place in the final of the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy. India Green were asked to bat first once again, however, this time they made better use of the fine platform laid by their openers and piled up 348 for 9 in their 50 overs to all but shut India Blue out of the match at the halfway stage.Uthappa carried his form from the first match into this game, launching his aggressive knock with a lofted four to long-off and a well-executed pull off Irfan Pathan. Anirudha played the support role in the pair’s century stand in the previous game, but here he matched Uthappa shot for shot. He struck Irfan for two boundaries as well, before depositing a short ball on the leg stump from Pradeep Sangwan beyond long-on.The pair was aided by some wayward bowling from Irfan early on, as he repeatedly strayed on to the pads in an attempt to get the ball to swing in. India Blue captain S Badrinath tried to stem the flow of runs by bringing on Amit Mishra in the fifth over, but Uthappa and Anirudha continued to pick up fours and sixes at will. After the openers pummelled 34 runs off two overs, India Green had raced to 86 after eight. Unlike against India Red though, they did not waste their fine starts and pushed on to centuries, bringing the 200 up as early as the 23rd over.The bowlers finally found some relief after Uthappa retired. Mohammad Kaif struggled to keep the momentum going before rushing down the track and playing down the wrong line to hand Mishra his first wicket. Anirudha gifted his wicket away, lofting a full toss on the leg stump to midwicket off part-timer M Vijay. Uthappa returned after India Green lost Mohnish Mishra and Ishank Jaggi in quick succession, but could not match his early tempo, striking just one more four before P Parameswaran had him bowled. Sangwan claimed wickets late in the innings as the batsmen looked for quick runs, to finish with 4 for 58 form his ten.India Blue, who needed to win to make the final, made a poor start in the chase as Tanmay Srivastava edged behind off left-arm medium pacer Samad Fallah, with CM Gautham completing a spectacular diving catch. Vijay and Saurabh Tiwary did not let the asking-rate get out of reach though, in an 87-run stand for the second wicket at better than a run-a-ball. After Vijay fell, beaten by Iqbal Abdulla’s turn, Dinesh Karthik provided Tiwary with adequate support. The pair added 48 before Tiwary hit straight to Jaggi at long-off, cutting short his promising innings of 74 off 70. India Blue had one last go at the target through Karthik and Manish Pandey, before Karthik was adjudged lbw off Abhimanyu Mithun for 49.From then on, wickets fell at regular intervals and the required rate soared, and India Green closed out the game in the 42nd over courtesy a fine tumbling catch by Kaif to get rid of Sangwan. Badrinath, who had gone off the field during the first drinks break of the India Green innings, did not bat. Uthappa was named Man of the Match.India Green will play India Red in the final on Thursday at the same venue.