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Robin Peterson revived a game that appeared to be drifting towards a draw when he demolished the Sussex batting to put Derbyshire in with a chance of victory at the County Ground

07-Jun-2010
Scorecard
Robin Peterson revived a game that appeared to be drifting towards a draw when he demolished the Sussex batting to put Derbyshire in with a chance of victory at the County Ground.The South African left-arm spinner found turn and bounce to take 4 for 10 in 11 overs as the visitors lost five wickets in 10 overs to collapse to 71 for 7 in their second innings.That put them only 163 ahead going into the final day and Derbyshire, who had trailed by 92 runs after Luke Wright claimed a career-best 5 for 65, will fancy their chances if the rain which is forecast stays away.The prospect of Derbyshire taking control of the match seemed unlikely at the start of the third day when they were still 36 runs short of saving the follow-on, and they had a couple of scares before they reached the 280 target.Tom Poynton was dropped by wicketkeeper Ben Brown off Wright with the score on 258 and Steffan Jones was missed on nought with the home side seven short. Wright bowled Poynton for 14 off his pads but Jones and Peterson had taken Derbyshire to within one run of a third batting point when James Anyon had Peterson caught at second slip for 31.Jones again showed he is a handy batsman and swept Monty Panesar for six before rain held up the game for more than two hours after lunch. When play resumed, Jones and Tom Lungley cut Sussex’s lead to under 100 before Wright had Lungley lbw and Mark Footitt caught behind in the space of four balls, with Derbyshire all out for 337.Footitt had been wayward in the first innings but he bowled a testing opening spell in the absence of Lungley who was off the field with a back problem. Michael Yardy drove and clipped Jones for two fours in the first over but was then lbw to a full-length ball from Footitt and Chris Nash was fortunate when he edged the fast bowler between the wicketkeeper and first slip.Peterson gave a glimpse of the problems that lay ahead for Sussex when one delivery to Ed Joyce took off and the Irishman became his first victim when he top-edged a sweep and was well caught for 20 by substitute Jon Clare running from slip.Murray Goodwin was caught behind for six when Greg Smith found some movement with his medium pace which began a startling decline with Peterson snaring three wickets for one run in 15 balls.It was lift that accounted for both Nash and Wright who edged to slip before a quicker ball pinned Michael Thornely lbw as he played back. Smith switched to off spin from the Pavilion End and struck in the final over of a dramatic last session when Anyon was lbw padding up to leave the match fascinatingly poised.

Simon Katich signed off his Friends Provident t20 campaign in spectacular style with a match-winning innings for Lancashire against Leicestershire

25-Jun-2010
ScorecardSimon Katich signed off his Friends Provident t20 campaign in spectacular style with a match-winning innings for Lancashire Lightning against Leicestershire Foxes in their North Group clash at Grace Road. The Australian left-hander smashed a blistering 41 off 19 balls, hitting eight boundaries, as Lancashire chased down a victory target of 177 to win by six wickets with three balls to spare.The Foxes had posted a challenging 176 for 6 – their best score of the season – with Jacques Du Toit and James Taylor both making half-centuries. But Lancashire were always up with the required rate and Katich finished things off with a boundary blitz that sent the Foxes crashing to their fourth defeat in a row at home.It is Katich’s final game for Lancashire in the competition. After playing for them this weekend in the County Championship game against Yorkshire he joins up with the Australian squad for the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan.Lancashire were given the perfect start to their chase by openers Stephen Moore and Tom Smith who put on 44 in the first five overs. Moore stuck three sixes in his 26 off 15 balls and Smith hit three fours and a six as he made 32 off 25 balls.Steven Croft continued the Lancashire charge with a quickfire 42 off 36 balls and also included a six before being brilliantly caught behind by Paul Nixon off the bowling of James Benning. But it was only left-arm spinner Claude Henderson who caused any real trouble to the visitors claiming two wickets in two balls to give Foxes some hope of a victory.But Katich and Paul Horton snatched that away from them in a fifth-wicket stand, with Katich hitting six boundaries off the first 10 balls he faced. He smashed two more in the final over to send his side to victory with three balls remaining. Horton made 30 off 21 deliveries.The Leicestershire innings was dominated by Du Toit and Taylor, who shared a third-wicket stand of 92 in 11 overs. Du Toit made 69 off 50 balls, hitting three sixes and five sixes and Taylor was once again impressive in a knock of 61 off just 37 balls with three sixes and four fours. But it was not enough to end the Foxes’ nightmare run of form at home.

Cricket South Africa has decided to accept the recommendations tabled by the fact-finding commission it set up to investigate the dispute among members of the Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB)

Cricinfo staff21-Jul-2010Cricket South Africa has decided to accept the recommendations tabled by the fact-finding commission it set up to investigate the dispute among members of the Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB). The proposals have called for the establishment of an interim structure, comprising an independent administrator who will be assisted by an advisory panel.The independent administrator will be appointed by CSA, so will the advisory council, in consultation with GCB’s stakeholders. The administrator will also act as chairman to an interim nine-member board of elected representatives.The crisis within the GCB can be traced to its dispute with CSA over the running of the IPL in South Africa in 2009. The differences with CSA were resolved when it was agreed – following a mediation process involving South Africa’s Ministry of Sport – that the GCB would elect a new board from the province’s “advantaged and disadvantaged clubs,” the appointment of a Change Management Committee and the drafting of a new constitution.Claims of delays in implementing the recommendations of the mediation process followed, to which CSA reacted by appointing a three-member committee, led by former Chief Justice of South Africa, Justice Pius Langa, and also including Justice John Smith and Professor Willie Basson.

Danish Kaneria has been cleared to return for Essex in time for Twenty20 finals day on Saturday

Cricinfo staff12-Aug-2010Danish Kaneria has been cleared to return for Essex in time for Twenty20 finals day on Saturday. Kaneria was released from the Pakistan squad after the first Test against England and the PCB wanted him to regain form at county level, but the club had already acquired the Australian legspinner Bryce McGain as a replacement overseas player.However, despite McGain collecting a strong tally of ten wickets in two County Championship matches, he could be forced to make way after the ECB cleared Kaneria to resume his position with Essex. Kaneria will remain with the county for the remainder of the summer, unless he is called back into Pakistan’s touring party, which leaves McGain’s position in doubt.”It is obviously great news that Danish will be available for finals day, we are all delighted to welcome him back,” Paul Grayson, the Essex coach, said. “He is a top-class performer in Twenty20 cricket and is a match-winner in his own right. He knows us and we know him well and his record is outstanding across all formats of the game.”Kaneria will join Dwayne Bravo as the overseas contingent for Essex in their Twenty20 semi-final against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl. Hampshire will be without the batsman Michael Lumb, who has broken a foot, while Essex are confident Ryan ten Doeschate will play after a long lay-off due to a torn calf.”The squad is in great shape and is looking strong ahead of Saturday,” Grayson said. “Ryan ten Doeschate looks fit and our only injury worry remains that of Graham Napier”.

Somerset moved back into contention for a first ever County Championship title with a nine-wicket victory over Lancashire at Taunton

09-Sep-2010
ScorecardSomerset moved back into contention for a first ever County Championship title with a nine-wicket victory over Lancashire at Taunton. The 23 points gained by the home side took them to within two of leaders Nottinghamshire and they will go to Durham for their final game next week in confident mood.Charl Willoughby took 3 for 37 and Alfonso Thomas 3 for 53 as Lancashire were bowled out for 170 in their second innings, Steven Croft top-scoring with 46. That left Somerset needing just 48 to win and they knocked off the required runs in 8.4 overs for the loss of skipper Marcus Trescothick. Nick Compton was unbeaten on 30 at the end.The day began with Somerset 350 for 8 in their first innings, leading by 91 runs. Ben Phillips fell quickly, but Murali Kartik, unbeaten on 38 overnight, moved to his second half-century of the season off 70 balls with eight fours and a six. Some lusty blows from last man Willoughby helped extend the lead to 123 before he was run out by Simon Kerrigan.Lancashire’s hopes of getting back into the game suffered a double blow with their second innings score on 22. Paul Horton was unhappy at being judged lbw to Phillips for two and Tom Smith was caught by Peter Trego at third slip driving at a Willoughby away-swinger.
It was 32 for 3 when Mark Chilton was pinned leg before by a ball from Thomas that nipped back off the seam. Then Thomas claimed the key wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, on 20, with a delivery that kept low and brought another lbw decision.At lunch the scoreboard read 62 for 4 and the total was extended to 109 before Croft’s battling innings ended when he was given out caught in the gully off bat and pad, having faced 101 balls and hit five fours. The batsman signalled his annoyance at the decision by kicking the ground and swishing his bat angrily several times on the way back to the pavilion.In the same Trego over Gareth Cross was also out to a bat-pad catch, this time the ball carrying through to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter. Saj Mahmood also fell for a duck, lbw to Phillips with the total on 116, but Luke Procter (32) and Kyle Hogg (37 not out) ensured that Somerset would have to bat again with a stand of 41.Procter was caught behind cutting at Willoughby, having faced 108 balls, but Gary Keedy and Kerrigan both departed without scoring as Somerset, encouraged by the result at Trent Bridge, moved in for the kill. Lancashire took five points from the game and must now watch the outcome of a three-horse race for the title in the final round of matches as Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Yorkshire tussle for top spot.

Bangladesh’s hunt for a bowling coach has finally come to an end with the appointment of Ian Pont, the former Essex fast bowler

Cricinfo staff14-Sep-2010Bangladesh’s hunt for a bowling coach has finally come to an end with the appointment of Ian Pont, the former Essex fast bowler. He has been awarded a contract till the end of next year’s World Cup and will join the Bangladesh team’s training camp on Thursday in Mirpur.Pont, 49, played for Essex, Nottinghamshire and Natal before retiring from first-class cricket in 1990. He has extensive coaching experience, having managed the Netherlands side for two years leading up to the 2007 World Cup, besides working with county teams Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Essex and Kent as a fast bowling coach.The appointment fills a vacancy created by the resignation of former Sri Lanka fast bowler Champaka Ramanayake due to illness. Former South African allrounder Lance Klusener had been the Bangladesh board’s original choice but after prolonged discussions he turned down the offer earlier this month.Pont has developed a specialised coaching method known as Advanced Biomechanics Speed & Accuracy Technique and has authored the coaching manual “The Fast Bowler’s Bible”, which was published in 2006.

Richard Thompson was named on Tuesday as the new chairman of Surrey County Cricket Club.

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2010Richard Thompson was named on Tuesday as the new chairman of Surrey County Cricket Club. Thompson, 43, becomes the youngest chairman in the country and also the youngest in the club’s history. He replaces the outgoing chairman David Stewart, who led Surrey for seven years.Speaking after his confirmation, Mr. Thompson said: “I am honoured to become chairman of Surrey County Cricket Club. David Stewart will be a tough act to follow and Surrey owes him a great deal of thanks for the contribution he has made in the past seven years as Chairman and further seven as Honorary Treasurer before that.”Surrey is a unique and great club. Despite a period without trophies, I am confident that with the players coming through, the foundations are in place for a period of success in the future. Our members and supporters have been patient and supportive over the past few seasons. I hope with a policy of growing and developing our own talent wherever possible, that any success Surrey CCC may enjoy will be built on firm foundations with Surrey grown talent at the core.”Cricket is going through a period of great change. I will do all I can, to help steer Surrey through those challenges and be a stronger club as a result.”David Stewart added: “It has been most enjoyable and a real privilege to have steered the Club through such exciting and challenging times these last seven years. I am convinced that Richard is the right person to lead the club through the next chapter in its rich history.”

Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis admitted that he was scared that West Indies opener Chris Gayle would get to Brian Lara’s world record score of 400

Sa'adi Thawfeeq in Galle16-Nov-2010Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis admitted that he was scared that West Indies opener Chris Gayle would get to Brian Lara’s world record score of 400 during the second day of the first Test at Galle.”He played extremely well and I thought he would go on to get the 400. Fortunately he got out and right throughout we wanted to dismiss him because we knew he could make a difference with a big knock and get those runs quick too.”Mendis, who ended up with his second six-for at Galle, bowled Gayle for 333 with a ball that went through his defence to spark a West Indies collapse. “Since the wicket didn’t take any spin at all for one and half days, our task became tougher. I thought he would give me the charge, but he didn’t. If someone is giving the charge you have an opportunity to get him out.”I bowled only three of my five deliveries since there was not much spin. I just wanted to bowl line and length. Our plan was to bowl line and length and put pressure on their batting. I bowled the other two deliveries only later in the innings. I just tried to mix it up today since there was some turn on the wicket towards the latter part.”Mendis stated that the wicket was still good for batting, but too slow. “We are obviously missing Murali [Muralitharan]. Whatever the wicket he gets, he turns the ball and makes it difficult for the batsmen. We are trying to fill his void. Suraj [Randiv] bowled well too. We feel his absence.”

Peter George helped South Australia keep Tasmania to 251 on the opening day at Bellerive Oval, but the Redbacks would not have been too comfortable by the close, having lost two quick wickets

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Nov-2010
ScorecardAlex Doolan top scored for Tasmania with 68•Getty Images

Peter George helped South Australia keep Tasmania to 251 on the opening day at Bellerive Oval, but the Redbacks would not have been too comfortable by the close, having lost two quick wickets. At stumps, the visitors were 2 for 10, with James Smith on 7 and Callum Ferguson yet to score.They still trailed by 241, which started look a better total when Daniel Harris was caught at slip for 1 off the bowling of Adam Maher, and Michael Klinger was bowled for a duck, offering no shot to Luke Butterworth. Their lapses undid some of the good work set up by George and Daniel Christian with the ball.George finished with 4 for 65 and Christian collected 3 for 52 as the Tigers lost wickets on a regular basis. The major source of resistance came from Alex Doolan, whose innings of 68 came to an end when he was bowled by Christian.The 29-year-old former New South Wales fast man Tim Lang picked up his maiden first-class wicket when he had Ed Cowan caught behind early in the innings, but George was the main worry for Tasmania. A week after having little impact at the same venue against England, George collected the first and last wickets, and also removed the dangerous Mark Cosgrove for 40.