All posts by csb10.top

With the return of Marcus Trescothick from England duty, apart from Andy Caddick who is injured, Somerset will be at full strength for their Cheltenham and Gloucester fourth round tie against Surrey at the County Ground in Taunton on Wednesday.This means that one of the most successful attacks in first class cricket, Richard Johnson and Nixon McLean will be reunited after Johnson was passed fit to play, and so far this season the pair have already taken 56 first class wickets between them.`Johnno’ told me: "I’m obviously looking forward to it, this is a big occasion for us and it’s what you play cricket for. I’m delighted to be fit enough to be able to play."Despite the number of Test players who will be playing for the opposition skipper Mike Burns feels that Somerset go into the match with the edge. "I think it will be a good game and we feel confident. We will be absolutely up for it on Wednesday and this is probably the draw that they would have least liked, playing against us down here at Taunton in front of a full house," he told me.The Cidermen have got an impressive record in the C and G and have made it through to three finals out of the last four years, and have lost just once in the last two years of the premier one day competition and that was in the 2002 final at Lords.Whilst the Somerset players were busy getting in some final practice, Head Groundsman Phil Frost and his team were busy making sure that wicket and the outfield were in peak condition and ready for the match.Taunton born Keith Parsons who was Man of the Match following Somerset’s victory over Leicestershire in the 2001 final told me: "We are all looking forward to the game immensely. We have got a good track record in the competition and I’m really looking forward to getting out there. It would be good to get on another roll in the cup this year".All rounder Ian Blackwell told me: "We are all looking forward to the match and obviously we are excited because there is no bigger game than to play against Surrey.However we are all up for it and hopefully all of our players will perform well and we get the right result."Batsman James Bryant who has played an important part in the sides impressive performances in the county championship told me: "I’m looking forward to playing here at Taunton with a big crowd atmosphere for the first time. I’m happy with my form, but so far I haven’t got any big scores so tomorrow would be a good time to put this right."Coach Kevin Shine has named a squad of twelve for the match- Jamie Cox, Marcus Trescothick, James Bryant, Mike Burns, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Keith Dutch, Rob Turner, Richard Johnson, Nixon McLean, Steffan Jones and Simon FrancisSomerset chief executive Peter Anderson told me this afternoon: "With a fine day in prospect judging by the number of telephone calls and personal callers we have had for tickets I think that we will get a lot of people here. I’d be very surprised if we didn’t see a crowd in excess of 5000 inside the ground which will create quite an atmosphere, but tickets will be available on the day."

Somerset beat Glamorgan by 7 wickets in a remarkable Twenty20 match at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff that saw 390 runs scored in just 38 overs, and all despite steady drizzle that fell throughout what turned out to be a quite amazing match.Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat first, with Robert Croft and Matthew Maynard blasting 53 in just 4.5 overs before Croft departed for a quickfire 28. Ian Thomas was then unluckily run out backing up without facing a ball, before Mike Powell fell leg before to Keith Parsons for 8. Two overs later Matthew Maynard departed for 39, and Glamorgan had reached 81-4 in just the 9th over.David Hemp maintained the momentum, scoring an unbeaten 49 off just 33 balls, and with useful support from the lower order, Glamorgan reached 193-7 at the end of their 20 over allocation – the highest so far in the new competition, passing the score of 188/7 that Warwickshire had made against the Somerset bowlers last Friday night at Taunton.However, the new record lasted a mere 70 minutes, as Somerset galloped past the target with two overs in hand. Jamie Cox and Carl Gazzard set the tone with a remarkable opening partnership, adding 61 in just 4 overs as Cox raced to a 19 ball half-century with 11 crisply struck fours and a huge six off fellow Australian Michael Kasprowicz, who was struck for 25 runs in his third over.Gazzard also unfurled some scintillating strokes, and Somerset`s reserve wicket-keeper had struck 6 fours from just 10 balls when he chipped Adrian Dale into the hands of Robert Croft at mid-on. Dale then removed Jamie Cox who was caught behind by Mark Wallace for 53 off just 21 balls.Keith Dutch, who had struck 70 in Somerset`s first game, kept the scoring rate in double figures with 8 further boundaries as the Glamorgan attack found it difficult to maintain any semblance of control in the damp and slippery conditions. Dutch was in sight of his second hal-century when Keith Parsons hit Adrian Dale to the long-leg boundary as Somerset romped home with 7 wickets in hand and still 12 balls to go.Somerset`s total of 197-3 became the highest in the new competition, and after this plethora of runs, the rain soaked crowd, that included many schoolchildren, must have gone home rather damp, but very happy after witnessing such a remarkable contest that saw almost 400 runs being scored in just 145 minutes.

Dr Anant Joshi, medical adviser to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has stated to that Harbhajan Singh will need at least two-three months to recuperate from his knuckle surgery. That will include six weeks of recovery and intensive physiotherapy sessions.Harbhajan’s surgery, to be performed at Avenue Hospital in Melbourne, will correct a ligament injury in the middle-finger knuckle of his right hand. Thehospital also treated Shane Warne for a finger injury four years ago.Ananth clarified that Harbhajan’s condition is not similar to Warne’s. “Atthis point, it seems to be similar to Sachin Tendulkar’s injury. It is basically soft tissue repair and, generally, for injuries as such, the pins are not inserted, but the final decision will be taken by the surgeon.”In a soft tissue injury, surgery is usually required to clear the inflammatory tissue, tissues that hamper healing around the joints. The scar tissue needs to be removed so that the fingers can cover their full scope of movement.”The injury, said Dr Joshi, “will not hamper Harbhajan in the future, but, in fact, it will help him perform better.”

Yuvraj Singh is the second Indian to play for Yorkshire – the first was Sachin Tendulkar. Yuvraj’s season started with a couple of bright knocks, most notably a 71 off 37 in a Twenty20 game against Leicestershire. However, since then Yuvraj has struggled to get among the runs, and his season has been punctuated by a string of low scores, especially in the four-day competition.
Yorkshire averagesAugust 25-28 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire drew with GlamorganNo frolic on the Colwyn Bay sands for Yuvraj, who made 2 and 6 in a match that Yorkshire almost lost. They were 124 for 6 chasing 381 on the last day when Anthony McGrath, who had made 92 in the first innings, weighed in with 127 not out. For Yuvraj, a miserable season got even more depressing.
Scorecard ReportAugust 24 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Glamorgan by 1 runYorkshire fell short in a thrilling chase, as Glamorgan sneaked to a one-run win. Yuvraj came in at No. 5 and scored 23 off 30 balls, but despite Michael Lumb’s 92 from 94 balls, Yorkshire couldn’t quite get past Glamorgan’s score of 237.
Scorecard ReportAugust 17 National Cricket League
Yorkshire beat Worcestershire by 3 wicketsYuvraj’s dismal county season in England continued with Yorkshire’s National League game against Worcestershire. He made 12 – quickly too, off five balls with three fours – before being dismissed off his sixth ball. His contribution to Yorkshire’s successful chase of 171 was thus almost negligible.
Scorecard ReportAugust 3 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Gloucestershire by 8 wicketsReturning to the team after being dropped for a four-day match, Yuvraj’s form showed no sign of improvement, as he scored just 5 from 12 balls. There was some cheer for him, though, when he dismissed Alexander Gidman to pick up his first wicket in the National League championship. Gloucestershire romped past the Yorkshire total of 183 to win by eight wickets.
Scorecard ReportJuly 27 National Cricket League
Yorkshire beat Kent by 18 runsYuvraj contributed just 11 runs in Yorkshire’s total of 197 in 45 overs, but it was enough to seal an 18-run win as Kent were bowled out for 179.
Scorecard ReportJuly 23-26 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire drew with HampshireYuvraj’s run of poor form continued against Hampshire. He managed a mere 26 as Yorkshire put together 384, thanks mainly to 155 from Matthew Wood. In response, Hampshire scored 289, and even that would not have been possible if not for Simon Katich’s unbeaten 143. Rain prevented play on the third day, and in their second dig, Yorkshire rattled up a quick 211 with Yuvraj having to remain content with an unbeaten zero off just as many balls. Hampshire clung on to earn a draw after being set 307 to win in 80 overs.
Scorecard ReportJuly 15-18 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire lost to Durham by three wicketsMore failures for Yuvraj – he was dismissed for just 7 and 0, taking his Frizzell Championship aggregate to 111 in seven completed innings. This merely capped a wretched outing for Yorkshire, who slid to a three-wicket loss against Durham.
Scorecard ReportJuly 6 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Surrey by seven wicketsYuvraj made 25 off 27, with five fours, but, yet again, failed to convert his start into something more substantial. Yorkshire were all out for 199, and Surrey won easily, thanks largely to a century from Mark Butcher.
Scorecard ReportJuly 2-5 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire beat Derbyshire by 10 wicketsYorkshire won handily, but Yuvraj hardly contributed. He made a laboured 6 off 31 balls in the first innings, and did not bat in the second as Yorkshire won by 10 wickets. His Indian counterpart in Derbyshire, Mohammad Kaif, had a mixed outing – he followed a duck in the first innings with a combative 87 in the second.
Scorecard ReportJune 27-30 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire beat Somerset by 10 wicketsAnother failure for Yuvraj in the longer version of the game – he managed just 5 to take his aggregate to 98 in five Frizzell County Championship innings – but Yorkshire eked out a comfortable 10-wicket win.
Scorecard ReportJune 24 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire beat Nottinghamshire by 18 runsAn uneventful game for Yuvraj: he made 4 when Yorkshire batted first and scored 196, and took a wicket in the only over he bowled. Yorkshire won by 18 runs, their margin of defeat in their National League game just two days ago.
Scorecard ReportJune 22 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Leicestershire by 18 runsYuvraj made 50 off 46 opening the batting, but once he was out, Yorkshire lost their way, and fell 18 runs short of Leicestershire’s total of 251. Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj’s Indian counterpart in Leicestershire, starred for them, making 65 off 80. Yuvraj had a bad day with the ball, with figures of 0 for 54 in seven overs.
Scorecard ReportJune 20 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire beat Durham by 55 runsYuvraj opened the batting as Yorkshire batted first and began belligerently, smashing 22 off 9 balls with 3 fours and a six. Yorkshire kept the tempo up after his dismissal and ended with 198. Durham never had a chance, and Yuvraj played a key role with the ball as well, picking up 3 for 20 in his 3 overs.
Scorecard ReportJune 19 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire lost to Lancashire by 7 wicketsYuvraj, opening the batting, made 13 off 11, as Yourshire could tot up only 102 in their 20 overs. Lancashire overhauled their target with 41 balls to spare.
Scorecard ReportJune 16 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire lost to Leicestershire by 16 runsYuvraj hammered 71 from 37 balls, but it wasn’t enough to help Yorkshire overhaul Leicestershire’s total of 174. For the second Twenty20 game in a row, Yuvraj’s Indian conuterpart in the opposing side made a first-ball duck; two days ago it had been Mohammad Kaif for Derbyshire; now it was Virender Sehwag.
Scorecard ReportJune 14 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire beat Derbyshire by 45 runsYuvraj made a sensible 44 off 42 balls as Yorkshire posted 186 in their 20 overs. Despite a battling 67 from Michael di Venuto, Derbyshire were never in the hunt. Yuvraj’s Indian team-mate, Mohmmad Kaif, made a first ball duck.
Scorecard ReportJune 8 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Kent by 22 runsAn unhappy outing for Yuvraj. Kent made 208 in 45 overs batting first (Yuvraj 0 for 22 in four overs) but Yorkshire stumbled early and could not recover. Yuvraj, batting at No. 5, made just 9.
Scorecard ReportMay 30-June 1 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire lost to Durham by 167 runsYuvraj made a solid 56, off 83 balls, in Yorkshire’s first innings, as they posted 220 in reply to Durham’s 280. Durham then made 200 and skittled Yorkshire out for 93. Yuvraj was one of nine batsmen to be dismissed on single figures – batting at No. 3, he made 1.
Scorecard ReportMay 28 C&G Trophy
Yorkshire lost to Worcestershire by 67 runsYuvraj, batting at No. 5, made 27 off 32 in an unsuccessful run chase, as Yorkshire fell short of Worcestershire’s 244 by 67 runs. Earlier, he had turned his arm over to some effect, conceding only 27 runs in his 6 overs.
Scorecard ReportMay 25 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Glamorgan by 4 wicketsYuvraj played well for his 34, off 53 balls, but it wasn’t enough – Yorkshire scored 153 in their 32 overs, and lost easily in a rain-curtailed game which was decided, eventually, by Duckworth-Lewis.
Scorecard ReportMay 21-24 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire drew with GlamorganYuvraj made an uneventful debut for Yorkshire, scoring 11 in the first innings and being unbeaten on 25, off 51 balls, in the second innings. The weather was factor in this game, which drifted to a tepid draw.
Scorecard Report

Copdock:
Shropshire 288-7 (SJ Adshead 103) v Suffolk 215Shropshire won by 73 runs.Welwyn Garden City:
Cambridgeshire 308-8 (S Kellett 117, RJ Rollins 62) v Hertfordshire 249 (DM Ward 53, SG Cordingley 51)Cambridgeshire won by 59 runs.

England v South Africa, 4th Test, Headingley, Day 3

God bless Headingley. It is as grey and foreboding as an East German suburb, and forever wary of the advancing claims of younger, trendier venues. But almost without fail, its grim northern conditions produce an absolute nugget of a Test match. Forget that aberration on Trent Bridge’s crumbler – what you see is what you get at Headingley, and after three days of intensely hard labour, South Africa have all but ensured their rightful share of the series.It takes one to know one, and in Gary Kirsten, South Africa have a batsman completely in tune with the venue, the game and himself. Not since Steve Waugh’s twin centuries at Old Trafford in 1997, has there been a performance that has so singlehandedly decided the destination of a match against England. Kirsten himself was denied his own double, but the manner of his dismissal in the second innings – nailed lbw by a shooter – epitomised the demons he had overcome.Even Graeme Smith’s fabulous efforts have been outdone. Both Smith’s double-hundreds were painted on blank canvasses, and with equal partners – in Herschelle Gibbs and Kirsten himself – to share the burden. Kirsten, on the other hand, rescued South Africa from 21 for 4 in the first innings, and it wasn’t until the third afternoon, when Jacques Kallis joined him at a jittery 31 for 2, that he found a partner of comparable technique and resolve. Together they squashed the new ball, and squeezed England’s prospects into the margins.There was one man in the England team who could have matched Kirsten – and indeed bettered him – but crucially, he toppled off the tightrope in a moment of rare carelessness. Nasser Hussain has rarely looked in such formidable touch as he has since resigning the captaincy (if “touch” is the right word for someone who commutes every ounce of his rage and injustice into every stroke). While he was seeing off South Africa’s second new ball, that vital first-innings lead appeared a formality. But the part-time legspinner, Jacques Rudolph, struck with his second ball in Test cricket, and England’s lengthy tail was exposed.There was one man who raged against the dying of the innings. Andrew Flintoff has no fondness for Headingley. Four innings had yielded four ducks over the course of five years, and from the moment he steamed to the middle at the fall of Alec Stewart, one sensed his would be another all-or-nothing affair.So it proved – Flintoff’s opening gambit was a furious cross-batted heave for two off Makhaya Ntini (never mind the fact that a similar stroke had just accounted for Stewart), and by the time he missed a straight one from Ntini he had clubbed 55 vital runs. It was proof that a positive attitude pays dividends on even the dodgiest of surfaces, but England need more than just wishful thinking to turn this one around.Click here for today’s bulletin

Thilanga Sumathipala, the president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), has made a personal plea to the country’s prime minister, Ranil Wickramasinghe, for an urgent investigation into a series of newspaper articles linking him to underworld killers.Sumathipala released details of a personal letter to the prime minister in the media following the third week of front-page allegations by the Sunday Leader newspaper.The articles alleged that Sumathipala had a close relationship with a mafia figure called Dammika Amarasinghe, who is facing trial for a series of contract murders. The newspaper also alleged that Sumathipala was involved in a failed plot to assassinate the Sunday Leader editor.Sumathipala refused to make public comment after the first two articles appeared, but broke his silence after being accused of authorising the use of cricket-board funds to pay for a trip for Amarasinghe to watch the 1999 World Cup in England.On Monday, he called for an emergency meeting of the board todiscuss the allegations. The executive committee unanimously resolved to conduct an investigation into the alleged use of funds, announcing in a media release: “We have taken this action to clear the name of the then Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka and have asked for a full report from the auditors within 14 days.”Sumathipala, who is also the chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, a government-controlled telecommunications giant, claimed that the newspaper has been “continuously and sustainedly endeavouring to humiliate me in the public eye by making false accusations”.In a personal letter to the prime minister, in which he requested an urgent investigation into the behaviour of the newspaper, Sumathipala continued: “This malicious smear campaign is replete with inaccuracies, falsehoods, manipulatively misleading distortions and innuendos.”Sumathipala also asked for special security and protection, arguing that his family was now in danger. “It has been written with calculated intent to incite underworld elements to kill me and I consider this is a grave danger and threat to my life.”Sumathipala was elected as board president for the third time in June, winning a landslide victory against the former national captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

Why did you retire from Tests so suddenly?
It was a question of body and mind. It had been on my mind for a while and I got enough signals from the body during the series in the West Indies. I really wasn’t prepared for that, and my body didn’t respond during the last two Tests. Like the team, I started the series well, but things fell away after the first two Tests. Also, I don’t think I was bowling upto to my expectations on a consistent basis. I was looking for a green patch or two to help me and to be honest, at this point in time, I don’t see myself in the Test squad on Indian wickets.I’ve always advocated that only the best fast bowlers should play and I had reached a stage where my body couldn’t do what my mind asked of it. I was running out of steam and I was depending on helpful wickets, regardless of the fact that I was still bowling a decent line and length. The results also played their part. Had we won in Jamaica, I might have changed my mind and played through the tour of England.Why did you want to carry on playing one-day cricket then?
A lot of wrong signals have been given by certain sections of our board. I love one-day cricket with its entertainment value and high intensity, but the real game is Test cricket. Having played so much cricket – and bowled so many overs in both forms of the game – it wasn’t possible to keep going without a break. I did ask the selectors to rest me for one or two one-day tournaments just so I could be fit for the Tests. The bowlers who are playing now will face the same problem soon enough, with so many matches being played.I still maintain that Test matches are special. You win one, you’ll cherish it for life; and if you lose, it might haunt you forever. In the one-day game, you can win today, lose tomorrow and then win again the day after. It’s not right for people to say that I pick and choose my matches. I took the break because my body needed it but when I’m not playing, I really miss the game. I don’t think it’s right to perform well below your best – but just about good enough – merely to keep your place in the side. In such a case, it’s better to take a break and come back refreshed.Disappointed to miss out on the one-day squad?
Not really. I expected these things to happen. A few people in the system haven’t understood me. After all, how many have bowled for the country as much as I have? Only someone who has done that can understand the plight of fast bowlers in this country.Wasn’t the English tour a big temptation for you, having done so well the last time?
You could say that, but the West Indies tour was very disappointing, especially after we started so well. If we had won in Jamaica, things might have been different. But by then I was tired, body and mind, and bitterly disappointed with my own performance.When you look back at your Test career, are you satisfied?
There are highs and lows.But do you feel you’ve underachieved?
To some extent, yes.You once said that you were a mediocre performer compared to someone like Glenn McGrath…
I don’t like to make excuses for myself. For example, I could say that I have played half my cricket on docile tracks that aren’t conducive to fast bowling. Even if it’s a good grassy pitch overseas, you still have to bowl well to take wickets. At the end of the day, it comes down to your own performances and how they’ve served the team, and in that aspect I don’t think I’m in the same bracket as Waqar [Younis], Wasim [Akram], McGrath and a few others.Your strike-rates and averages are much better at home…
I think one of the biggest problems when we go abroad has been the lack of a third seamer. The situation is getting better now. But over the last 10 years, how often have we had an effective third seamer? Why didn’t the third seamer deliver most of the time? We invariably got breakthroughs in most of the games but the third seamer failed because he had no experience at that level. Why is that? Because he can never find a place in the team when we play at home. I think the change has to come at the grassroots. We need to see pitches that allow you to play three seamers.One of the biggest criticisms directed at you down the years has been your comparative lack of aggression…
I respect those opinions but I’m aggressive in my own way. It’s just that my brand of aggression is not for the TV. I just take the ball and do my job.But could your body language have encouraged the opposition?
Body language doesn’t get you wickets. I don’t believe that aggression can get you wickets…Of late though, you had taken a different approach to your bowling, pitching the ball up a lot more…
Things were getting better, yes, but the results still weren’t there. I was trying my best to do that. You have to adapt as you go along and this was one of the changes that paid dividends. When you’re a young fast bowler, there’s always a tendency to pitch it a little short. It depends on the conditions too, to an extent. But sooner or later, a bowler realises that pitching the ball up is the key.Did you get the right advice in the early stages of your career?
Yes, I did. Kapil [Dev] was great and I used to speak to him all the time. Dennis Lillee was another great influence. The sad thing is that I didn’t get to play enough with Kapil.But did any of them tell you to pitch the ball up more?
Yes, they did but I used to get wickets even otherwise. Maybe if I had pitched it up more, I might have got more wickets. That is certainly one of my regrets.You once said that most Indian captains were batsmen, which was why you never got bowler-friendly pitches here. Can you elaborate on that?
That’s a matter for the captains and the team management. They need to realise that if we are to win consistently abroad, we need to produce pitches that give at least some encouragement to the fast bowlers.How disappointing was it for you to see a grassy pitch shaved off on the captain’s instructions?
This was one of the factors that contributed to my retirement. Earlier, I never used to think about how the wicket might play, whether it had grass or not. But with age catching up, you look at these things.Did your relationship with the captain have anything to do with the decision to retire?
A lot of people have been talking about my relationship with [Sourav] Ganguly. As such, there is no problem between us. Why would my decision be based on someone else’s actions or reactions? Ganguly and I go back a long time. I’m much senior to him and I know him very well.Expressing your emotions on the field doesn’t mean that we don’t get along well. People have read it wrong. As long as our expressions are directed towards winning the match, there is no problem.We are both very frank people who have known each other a long time. People just try too hard to read something into certain gestures.Any regrets when it comes to your batting?
It was disappointing, but with the amount of bowling I did, it was hard to concentrate with the bat. The injuries and the fractures didn’t help.Talking of injuries, how much did that shoulder injury in 1997 set you back?
Tremendously. That was a period when I was peaking and had I maintained that form for three or four years, I might have been a very different bowler. That pushed me back to square one and it took eight to nine months just to get back.Who complemented you best with the new ball?
Look, I don’t have any favourites. [Venkatesh] Prasad and I got the chance to bowl together for quite a long time; Zaheer [Khan] is a very good bowler. So is Ashish Nehra. He moves the ball well. Tinu Yohannan is one of the best athletes I have ever seen in Indian cricket.You were a young man when you first toured abroad. How did you think the touring experience can be made easier for rookies?
Long tours are always hard. I think fitness is key, and in that regard Andrew Leipus has done a fantastic job for us. The physiotherapy aspect is just as important. You need to get to the root cause of the injury and treat it…But from a mental aspect?
That’s all part and parcel of the game. When you go abroad, you have better conditions, better practice facilities and the best food. There is nothing to complain about. The only thing is, when you lose, your mental state can become quite fragile and you start doubting your own capabilities. The food, the travelling, the different culture, that shouldn’t really bother you. It’s for the seniors to buck up the young players if they’re going through a bad patch.Were the seniors very supportive when you were starting out?
Yes, and that’s still the case. The players take a great deal of interest in each other’s game and the youngsters get a lot of encouragement. Some of the youngsters – [Mohammad] Kaif, [Dinesh] Mongia and the fast bowlers to name just a few – have a great attitude and that helps.What does the future hold for Javagal Srinath?
I believe I just need to work hard and keep myself fit for the World Cup. I’ll make myself available and it’s up to the selectors to pick me. It’s only right that they groom players for the future but I’ll keep working and see how it goes. I really want to play the World Cup though.That would be the logical conclusion to your career…
Yes. I don’t see anything beyond that.

Ramiz Raja, the Pakistan board’s chief executive, today expressed his disappointment after four New Zealand players and a team official chose not to tour Pakistan for the scheduled five-match one-day international series next week.Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris and Ian Butler all opted out of the tour after the New Zealand board received a threat regarding their safety.In a statement, Ramiz said that the PCB was "disappointed with this news because it strongly feels that Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket as proven with five Tests and 10 one-day internationals against Bangladesh and South Africa."He added that they had hoped to host a full strength New Zealand side for the series, and stressed that even though they respected the decision, they would make their feelings known to the New Zealand board.

Australia have announced their 13-man squad for the final Test against India at Sydney. As expected, Steve Waugh gets a chance to bid farewell to Test cricket at his home ground. Jason Gillespie returns to the squad, while the 12 who did duty at Melbourne retain their places.Gillespie suffered a groin strain in the course of the second Test at Adelaide and was forced to sit out at Melbourne. His selection to the squad, which would be pruned down to 12 men in the lead up to January 2, is subject to a fitness test. Although rested, Gillespie travelled with the Australian team to Melbourne, and was monitored closely by team medical staff. Erroll Alcott, the Australian team’s physiotherapist, said, “Jason has undertaken a thorough rehabilitation program since suffering the injury in Adelaide and his progress is certainly encouraging. He has bowled off a full run a number of times now, and despite not showing any signs of pain, he will remain under daily review up until the Sydney Test.”Squad 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Steve Waugh (capt), 6 Simon Katich, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Brett Lee, 9 Brad Williams, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Stuart MacGill, 12 Andy Bichel, 13 Jason Gillespie.