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How Do You Solve a Problem Like Steve Harmison? England appeared lost for answers on the second day at the Gabba, after their misfiring spearhead had been treated to a second consecutive day of public chastisement. After 12 insipid overs on the opening day of the series, Harmison sent down 18 more today, finishing with the demoralising figures of 1 for 123 as Australia rattled along to a vast 9 for 602.”It’s fair to say Steve’s not been at his best,” said Andrew Flintoff afterwards. “He’d be the first to admit that, but it’s not from a lack of trying. He’s giving it everything he’s got but he’s struggling for his rhythm in this game. But there was an upturn to it. He bowled 30 overs and in patches he did get better.”Those patches were sadly few and far between. As on the first day, he opened with a wide – though not quite as grotesque a delivery as the one that had sailed clean into Flintoff’s hands at second slip (“I’d rather it had come off the edge,” Freddie later deadpanned) – and though by the end of his spell he was loping in to the crease with a renewed predatory streak, with the score already sailing into the stratosphere it was all a little too late for this Test.”I thought he was working hard to get his bowling right,” added Flintoff. “We’ve got people around who can work with him but Steve probably knows when he’s bowling well himself. He got better through the innings, but when it’s not going right it affects your confidence a little bit. Harmy is just striving to get back to his best.”One man on the park at the Gabba today claimed he knew what to do with Harmison, but unfortunately for England, it wasn’t one of his team-mates. Instead, Glenn McGrath, Australia’s No. 11 and uber-bunny, was on hand to dish out the advice after chipping in with a composed and unbeaten 8.”I was trying not to premeditate but that’s exactly what I was doing,” said McGrath as he doled out his batting tips to an amused audience. “I felt Harmy was only going to bowl short at me or at the stumps, so I thought if it was short I could get inside, or if it was full on the stumps I could play down the wicket. But I didn’t get out.”I feel for Harmy because the radar wasn’t quite switched on,” McGrath added. “But he’s got a pretty big fight to get back on track there. His confidence is definitely down, there’s no doubt about that.”Flintoff, meanwhile, was desperately trying to put a brave face on another tough day in the field. “Australia do come hard at you, it’s something we expect and it’s something they’ve done,” he shrugged. “It’s been two hard days. Australia played well, and in patches we did alright. Matthew Hoggard came back and bowled well. Ashley Giles in his first Test match for a year, I thought he bowled lovely. There are encouraging signs. But it’s fair to say tomorrow we are going to have to bat well.”

Malcolm Speed, the ICC’s chief executive, has denied media speculation that its Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating incidents during the recent Videocon Cup one-day series between Zimbabwe, India and New Zealand, labelling them “totally inaccurate and without foundation.”We do not normally comment on the operational activities of the ACU, but in light of the volume of utterly unfounded reports relating to the recent tri-series in Zimbabwe it is important to make it clear that there is no investigation being undertaken into this series,” Speed said. “It is disappointing to see such wild and unfounded accusations circulating in the media and we have taken the unusual step of commenting on this speculation as we do not wish the reputation of the sport, the teams or the players to be tarnished by utterly inaccurate media reports.”The ICC never usually comments on the ongoing operations of the ACU, but the widespread media coverage of the allegations forced it to speak out.Earlier, Daniel Vettori had rubbished allegations that there was anything untoward about New Zealand’s recent win in the series. An Indian newspaper had reported that the ICC had deployed two members of the anti-corruption unit to look into allegations of match-fixing in the tournament.”That’s the first I’ve heard of it, it’s news to me and I’d imagine it’s news to the team as well,” Vettori told the New Zealand Press Association. “It seems to always follow us around when we win something.”Vettori was the lynchpin of New Zealand’s victory in the final, taking 2 for 34 in a tidy 10-over spell mid-innings that put the brakes on India. A fine opening stand between Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming then sealed the issue for New Zealand.”But we’re pretty comfortable with how the game went, how we played it and how they played it — 280’s not a bad score in a final,” said Vettori. When asked whether he or any of his team-mates was approached by bookmakers or suspicious characters during the series he said, “Nothing at all, there’s nothing gone on to my knowledge.”New Zealand Cricket was quick to back its players. “All we have seen regarding speculation surrounding the series is reports from Indian newspapers,” Martin Snedden, the chief executive, said. “I have very strong trust in the integrity of our players and am more than confident there is no basis to any suggestions they were involved.”

With barely a week to go before Canada’s Intercontinental Cup match against Bermuda in Toronto, the Canadian board (CCA) has finally selected a venue – but the choice has left many surprised and disappointed.With the cash-strapped CCA unwilling to pay to use one of the main venues, it was left with few alternatives and plumped to play the game at Sunnybrook. While the ground might sound idyllic, one local told me that aside from their being no pavilion to speak of, there is "no running water, no hydro, no covers, no sightscreens and a very poor schoolyard scoreboard."The venue is used regularly for cricket, but there has not been a turf wicket there since 2001, when they were specially laid for the ICC Trophy. Last season the artificial pitches, which are used for all games, were relaid, and the adjoining grass wickets were damaged during that work and never repaired.Reports suggest that the CCA has been carrying out some urgent work on the grass pitch, but the chances of getting a surface good enough to last three days, and good enough for a first-class match, in such a short time is almost impossible."A three-day wicket takes considerable preparation or it will deteriorate after the first day or so, and either become dusty and turn square or be so lively on the first day that a medium-pacer will be unplayable," a local curator explained. "I cannot believe that the umpires will allow it [the game] to proceed on this track."

The CCA faces other problems. The venue is in a picturesque public park, and as such it cannot be fenced off and so there will be no opportunity to charge for admission. Without any cordoning off, there will also be problems in erecting any tents or marquees to sell alcohol. That, coupled with the fact that players will not have immediate access to washing facilities, means the entire venture is verging on a farce.This is Canada’s chance to show the world that it is ready to be taken as a serious player in world cricket. The Canadian board appears to be hell-bent on squandering that opportunity, and with ICC officials in town for the match, it could be a very public humiliation.Back in May, the CCA attempted to get the Intercontinental Cup tie against USA in Florida postponed, claiming that there had not been adequate time for preparation. Rightly, the ICC ruled the game had to go ahead. This time, the CCA has had seven months to prepare, and yet they only approached the three clubs with good grass wickets – Ajax CC, King City and the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club – in late July.For the good of Canadian cricket, it has to be hoped that, somehow, the whole thing comes together and works. If it doesn’t, then the CCA, already deeply unpopular in some quarters, will face increasing calls for change.Click here for www.canadacricket.com’s full report on Sunnybrook

Wales have taken a further step towards being recognised as an international side in their own right. With just three days to go until their unofficial ODI against England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, they have run into an injury crisis.Wales won last year’s inaugural fixture by a massive eight wickets, but this time around they will be without the man who carried them to victory. Glamorgan’s captain Steve James, who top-scored with an undefeated 83, has been ruled out by a knee injury.Tony Cottey has damaged his back and will miss out as well, while Andrew Davies broke a thumb during a Second XI Trophy match at Neath on Monday and he will be out for four to six weeks. Jonathan Hughes also sustained a hand injury but the extent of that is not known at present, though his participation is in doubt.There is some good news for Wales. Steffan Jones had been released by Somerset and will be available to play, while the captaincy has been passed to that most passionate of Welshmen, Robert Croft, who took 2 for 36 and lamped a rapid 30 in last year’s match. Mike Kasprowicz, Glamorgan’s overseas player, follows in the footsteps of Jacques Kallis as an honourary Taff.Wales squad Ian Thomas, Robert Croft (capt), Mike Powell, Matthew Maynard, David Hemp, Adrian Dale, Jonathan Hughes, Mark Wallace (wk), Michael Kasprowicz, Alex Wharf, David Harrison, Darren Thomas, Steffan Jones, Dean Cosker.

West Indian fast bowler Marlon Black lost his place in international cricket as well as income of $A100,000 following an attack on him early this year, a court in Melbourne was told today.Three men – Brian Siali, 24, of the Melbourne suburb of Burwood; Gideon Tuinauvai, 21, also of Burwood, and Sione Puamau, 21, of Ringwood – have pleaded guilty to intentionally causing serious injury in the assault that took place on 11 February outside Colonial Stadium.The Victorian County Court heard that Black was punched and kicked repeatedly to the head and body by the three men and struck with a garden stake before being left unconscious.Crown prosecutor Jack Vandersteen stated that Black took four months to recover from the beating.Mr Vandersteen added that his client had been forced out of the West Indian team’s home series against South Africa (which began in March) as a result and that he had suffered severe financial and emotional loss.Black, 26, has played in a total of four Tests and four One-Day Internationals for West Indies, and has also been a member of Trinidad & Tobago representative sides since 1993-94. He appeared in each of the first three matches on West Indies’ five-Test tour of Australia last summer, claiming 4/83 in Brisbane on his international debut.The pre-sentencing hearing is continuing.

ScorecardIrfan Ahmed blasted four sixes and nine fours during his 55-ball 98•ICC/Sportsfile

Opener Irfan Ahmed blazed to a 55-ball 98 after which left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed took a career-best 5 for 12 to lead Hong Kong past Namibia by 83 runs. The victory ensured Hong Kong’s qualification for the playoff stages and remain in the hunt for a World T20 spot. Namibia, despite the loss, will join them.Hong Kong, having been inserted, got off to a rapid start – 56 in five overs – before Gerrie Snyman dismissed Jamie Atkinson in the sixth over. Two 30-plus partnerships took the total past 120. Irfan then added 54 runs off 26 balls with Babar Hayat for the third wicket, but both batsmen fell in the space of two balls. Hong Kong were 178 for 5 in the 18th over, but could only add 19 runs in the remaining 15 deliveries to finish on 197 for 8.Irfan had four sixes and nine fours to make his career best score, but fell fell two runs short of what would have been the first century of this year’s World T20 Qualifier.Namibia openers Snyman and Stephan Baard began the chase strongly. They took the score to 23 for 0 in the second over but fell in successive balls to seamer Haseeb Amjad. Then Hong Kong captain Tanvir Afzal got rid of Raymond van Schoor in the fifth over but Namibia kept up with the asking rate and were 101 for 4 in the 11th over. But they lost the remaining six wickets for only 13 runs.Nadeem was at the centre of that collapse, strike twice in 12th and doing it again in the 14th over to run through the tail and bring the match to a very quick and abrupt finish.

Leicestershire have reported an increased turnover for 2015 and a small profit – compared with a loss of £225,000 last year – but the auditors of the club’s accounts have warned of a level of debt that could threaten their future viability.Last season saw Leicestershire win their first Championship game since 2012 amid renewed optimism at the arrival of Wasim Khan as chief executive. While income increased by more than £600,000 (largely down to a bigger ECB grant) and the club recorded a surplus of £4315, the club’s “net liability” stood at almost £350,000.In Leicestershire’s annual report, independent auditors Grant Thornton UK have noted the club’s reliance on a bank overdraft arrangement with “no specific renewal date”, the withdrawal of which could threaten their ability to continue as a business.”These conditions, along with the other matters explained in note 1 to the financial statements, indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Club’s ability to continue as a going concern,” said the report.Leicestershire’s accounts for 2014, when the club’s debts were around £300,000, contained a similar note. The lifting of a covenant on Grace Road in the same year does, however, give the county greater security, with the ground valued at £3.65m, and Khan was confident that progress is being made.”Leicestershire County Cricket Club has had an excellent financial year,” Khan said. “While accepting that it is a challenge when ECB funding makes up a significant amount of our revenue streams, these challenges are widely faced around the county circuit.”The lifting of the covenant on the ground has given us financial security and, comparatively, our liabilities are pretty low. We have no medium to long term debt that needs servicing and the bank overdraft facility, which is part of our net current liabilities, is used purely for operational purposes as and when required.”Our accounts show a significant turnaround from a deficit of £225,153 in 2014 to a surplus of £4315 in 2015 and our current cash flow is as strong as it has been in five years. Notice of a Special General Meeting has been given purely in relation to the club rules. It is not related to the publication of our financial performance in the last year.”Khan recently referred to Leicestershire’s precarious position during the process to secure planning permission for floodlights at Grace Road, saying if the club could not run as a sustainable business “we might not be here in five years’ time”.Earlier this month, Leicestershire secured approval for floodlights, which will enable them to play NatWest T20 Blast fixtures in the evening. The development’s significance is reflected by the fact match receipts actually fell in 2015 – largely due to income from an India tour game the year before – at a time when T20 on Friday nights has become in increasingly important revenue stream for counties.Another boost to the club’s financial position came on Friday, with the announcement of a five-year naming rights agreement for Grace Road with local company Fischer Future Heat – the first time in the ground’s 137-year history that it will carry the name of a sponsor.”The club had an excellent commercial year in 2015 and further major developments have been announced,” Khan said. “Planning permission has been gained for the installation of floodlights, which will allow us to start NatWest T20 Blast fixtures at a later time and help us to build on encouraging figures for 2015. A 48% increase in our NatWest T20 Blast attendances was bettered only by Yorkshire.”Leicestershire County Cricket Club also signed a five-year deal with Fischer Future Heat, who became our first ever official ground naming rights partner on Friday. Elton John is also set to perform at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road on June 11 and that will have a hugely positive impact on the city of Leicester as well as the club.”The club’s annual report has been sent to members and a Special General Meeting has been called alongside the Annual General Meeting for February 24.

Shane Warne and Brian Lara have been confirmed for this month’s Hong Kong Sixes tournament.They will represent an All-Star side in the tournament which takes place over the weekend of October 27 and 28. India’s Anil Kumble and Virender Sehwag, Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi and Zimbabwe’s Heath Streak are also taking part.Warne said: “I have heard so much about the event from some of the great players that have been here over the years, so to come and play myself is very exciting.”Hong Kong, England, Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa are all represented at the tournament, which has been running since 1992.

Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, has sparked confusion over the choice of venue for the final of the 2011 World Cup to be jointly held in the four subcontinent cricketing countries.Addressing a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Ashraf told reporters, “I don’t think the allotment of matches or the venue for the final is done as yet. We are holding a joint meeting in India on December 11 to discuss these issues.”The remarks appear to contradict an agreement reached between the co-hosts in July which allocated 22 matches to India, 16 to Pakistan, nine to Sri Lanka and six to Bangladesh. It was decided then that one semi-final was to be held in Sri Lanka, one in Pakistan and the final in India. At the time of the agreement, Shaharyar Khan was chairman of the Pakistan board, though it doesn’t appear that any agreement has been put down in writing.In response, a senior Indian board official only said, “Since India have not been allotted either of the semi-finals it should naturally follow that the final comes to India, especially considering our successful staging of the Champions Trophy.” However, the same official would not say that the matter was cast in stone. He said, “It’s still five years away, and a lot could happen between now and then.”All four boards are scheduled to attend the meeting in New Delhi on December 11 to discuss issues relating to the 2011 World Cup and it is believed that Pakistan, under the new chairman, may well ask for the scheduling to be looked at again. In particular, a source close to the board told Cricinfo, Pakistan feels it should be allocated more matches than the current 16 it has.”Pakistan had 16 matches during the 1996 World Cup but the tournament is bigger now than it was then,” the source said. “There are more matches now, so the quota of games Pakistan should be higher. But we are working for an amicable solution to the situation.”Also expected to be on the agenda during the meeting will be the formation of the Central Organising Committee (COC), a joint body that will coordinate organisational matters between the hosts. Of relevance will be where the headquarters of the COC will be based and the make-up of the body in terms of members from each board.