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East Zone 388 and 216 for 9 dec (Gandhi 87) drew with South Zone 331 and 7 for 0
Scorecard
Despite a valiant 72-run ninth-wicket partnership between Ramakrishnan Ramkumar and Narender Pal Singh, South Zone failed to gain the first-innings lead in their opening match of the Duleep Trophy at Dharmasala. Assured of two points, East Zone settled for batting practice and killed all hopes of a thrilling climax.Having secured a crucial 57-run first-innings lead, East were precariously placed at 33 for 4. Rohan Gavaskar’s breezy 37 off 38 balls ensured there would be no collapse, even as Devang Gandhi compiled a fluent 87 to take the team to safety. Gandhi’s knock contained 10 fours and a six. Sunil Joshi was the most impressive of the South bowlers, as in the first innings, finishing with 6 for 160 in the match.East declared at the fag end of the day, and South played out the three overs without losing any wickets. Shiv Sunder Das had laid the solid foundation for East on the first day with a dogged 120, and Laxmi Ratan Shukla’s energetic 84 propped up the total on the second day. None of the South batsmen converted their starts, and only Sadagoppan Ramesh and Sunil Joshi passed the 50-run mark. Central Zone 549 (Khoda 156) drew with West Zone 352 for 4 (Jadhav 154, Kanitkar 96, Martin 50*)
Scorecard
Dheeraj Jadhav might have tested everyone’s patience with his 445-ball 154, but that innings ensured that West Zone came away unscathed after their opening match against Central Zone at Gurgaon. Jadhav’s monumental effort was complimented by dogged knocks from Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Jacob Martin. Kanitkar contributed 96 to the 216-run partnership with Jadhav, and Martin helped himself to 50, remaining unbeaten in the end.Central’s mammoth 549 was largely built around Gagan Khoda’s 156 at he top of the order. Four other batsmen achieved half-centuries as the West bowlers toiled for more then six sessions. In the end though, neither team picked up any points from the match.

A threat from the Asian Cricket Council directed at New Zealand Cricket appears to have crossed in the mail with news that New Zealand manager Jeff Crowe is to visit Pakistan next week to ascertain security coverage for the proposed tour by New Zealand in April.The ACC, meeting in Sharjah, yesterday issued a statement that if New Zealand did not fulfil its obligation to tour Pakistan in April, then India would pull out of its end of year tour to New Zealand.The threat is an attempt by India to have Pakistan’s backing as part of its bid to take on the International Cricket Council over the commission looking into the factors behind the abandonment of the third India-South Africa cricket Test last year – a match thrown into chaos after India rejected punishment dished out by ICC match referee Mike Denness.Last week’s meeting of the board of NZC decided to accept the new dates for the tour in April, subject to security concerns being met.NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said assurances had been received both from the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Government that security “would not be compromised.”Snedden said he believed it also made sense to send Crowe to discuss specific security arrangements.Crowe will leave for Pakistan immediately after the last ODI in the National Bank Series with England at Dunedin. He will return before the first Test in Christchurch a week later.”Should issues surrounding player safety be satisfactorily resolved the Board is keen for the CLEAR Black Caps to play Pakistan as soon as practical to ensure the credibility of the World Test Championship,” Snedden said.Ever since the abandonment of the tour after the September 11 terrorist atttacks in the United States and in advance of the escalation or retaliation in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s neighbour, Snedden has said the obligation for the tour would be made.However, the threat by India to withdraw from its tour would have severe implications for the state of world cricket.NZC made their decision to send Crowe last week and only learned of the threat today through the news media. No formal notice has been received.”We’ve got a lot of goodwill towards Pakistan,” Snedden said.”We’re not getting too excited about this threat, it is an irrelevance in our thinking. We intend to meet our obligations,” he said.

At draw of stumps on the third day Haryana were struggling to avoidthe follow on against Punjab, having lost seven wickets for 247 intheir North Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the Gandhi ground inAmritsar on Monday.Haryana resumed their innings at the overnight score of 41 for 1.Padamjit Sehrawat got a life off the fourth ball of the day when hewas on 20, dropped at second slip by Pankaj Dharmani off ReetinderSodhi. After this both Paramjit and Ishan Ganda played sensibly andadded 120 runs for the second wicket in 265 balls. The duo dominatedthe first session and were not separated until lunch, taking the teamtotal to 137 for 1. Padamjit in particular was more aggressive as hecompleted his 50 in 106 balls with the help of six hits to the fence.Ganda supported him well by taking the singles and doubles.In the second session Haryana added only 63 runs and lost two valuablewickets. Padamjit was the first to go in the fourth over after lunch,brilliantly caught by Dinesh Mongia at second slip off the bowling ofSodhi. He had scored 88 runs in 189 balls during a stay of 253 minutesat the crease with the help of 10 boundaries. Parinder Sharma was thenext to depart at his individual score of 21 when he snicked a legcutter from Harbhajan to wicket keeper Jugnu. Haryana was reeling attea with the score reading 200 for 3.The last session of the day belonged to the bowlers as they caputuredfour wickets in this session at the cost of 47 runs, Harbhajan takingthree of them. He trapped Rajesh Puri (14) and Ajay Ratra (0) in frontof the wickets with consecutive balls. Ganda played a laboured knockof 67 runs as he stayed for 300 minutes and faced 206 balls. His knockwas studded with seven hits to fence. He was sent back to the pavilionby Gagandeep Singh after misjudging an incoming delivery which he leftonly to see it uproot his off stump. Sanjay Dalal was the last todepart as he edged an outgoing delivery from Bharat Bhushan into thesafe hands of Mongia at second slip.With one ball to spare the umpires called off play. Haryana stillrequires 89 runs to avoid the follow-on with three wickets in hand.

Manchester United have been stepping up their pursuit for the new manager that they are hoping to appoint to join Old Trafford this summer, however there could be a huge setback emerging already for the club as their front-runner is being chased by other clubs.

What’s the word?

The Daily Mail are reporting that Erik Ten Hag has spoken to two other European clubs with regular Champions League football, and has a firm offer from one of the clubs that he is interested in.

The Ajax boss is said to have had an interview on Monday with the powers at Manchester United, but is understood to not be the only candidate who has been engaging in ongoing discussions with club chief executive, Richard Arnold and his team, according to the report.

Supporters will be worried

There is no doubt that Ten Hag has been a solid favourite for the challenging managerial position at Old Trafford amongst supporters ever since Ole Gunnar Solksjaer was sacked last November.

The 52-year-old is currently committed to managing his Dutch side, Ajax, but is clearly open to a new challenge if reports are to be believed with him being connected to a number of clubs, and with news emerging that the manager is attracting attention elsewhere it will surely worry Man United supporters as the club competes to seal the deal.

The achievements and progression that Ten Hag has made at his current club is clearly the reason he has become one of the most sought after managers, impressively reaching a Champions League semi-final in 2019 with Ajax and since then has won two Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups, with this winning mentality something that the Manchester giants are desperate for.

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The Red Devils manager decision is expected to be finalised imminently as the club works to rebuild their status and get back to winning ways as they are set to suffer their longest trophy drought in four decades, and gaining clarity on who will be the future manager could inspire a more settling atmosphere at the club as Ralf Rangnick sets to see out a disappointing season, after crashing out of all competitions.

In other news: “We are told by senior sources” – Sky drop Man Utd manager update that fans will love

The ICC have given their strongest indication yet that Darrell Hair, the umpire who was reinstated yesterday, will return to Test umpiring for England’s home series against New Zealand in May.Hair has undergone a rehabilitation period since he was effectively removed from international cricket – with the exception of umpiring the occasional Intercontinental Cup match – in the aftermath of England’s forfeited Test against Pakistan at the Oval in 2006. Dave Richardson, the ICC’s general cricket manager, said yesterday that the board will “probably keep him away from Pakistan matches where we can” but added that Hair’s first real opportunity will come during England’s first home series of the summer.”Both teams rate Darrell Hair very highly,” Richardson said. “It’s likely that he will get an opportunity.”Hair’s reinstatement has sparked outrage in Pakistan, with Inzamam-ul-Haq, who captained Pakistan in the Oval Test, saying he was “shocked and disgusted” by the news. Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan board chairman during the Oval Test, also expressed similar sentiments.

Ashley Giles has a history of hip problems © Getty Images

Ashley Giles has undergone an exploratory operation on his right hip in Vail, Colorado after suffering pain during Warwickshire’s pre-season tour of Grenada.Giles flew to the States to visit his specialist on Tuesday after withdrawing from the MCC match against Sussex at Lord’s last week. At the time he said how frustrating it was to be back on the sidelines. “Unfortunately, now I’ve gone back a couple of steps but fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious and we can sort it out and get me back on the pitch really quickly.”After missing the whole of the 2006 season with persistent hip and groin problems he returned to the England fold during the Ashes tour. He played the first two Tests before being omitted at Perth, and then having to fly home to be with his wife who’d been diagnosed with a brain tumour.The ECB said they would not be releasing any further information at the moment.

‘ It was difficult to play a free-flowing game. It was a working-class day’ – Andrew Symonds © Getty Images

The recent one-day batting collapses of both Bangladesh and Australia have left Habibul Bashar and Ricky Ponting concerned and searching for answers.With their second straight win, Australia won the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh but Ponting expressed concerns over the collapses. “The only concern that has come out in the last couple of games for us has been the fact that we have lost groups of wickets,” Ponting told AAP. “Some of them we always talk about not doing, but unfortunately we have done it in the last couple of matches, we have another game now to make sure we rectify that.”However, Ponting added his satisfaction over the series victory with one match in hand. “It is always nice to win any series. We had a lot of pressure in both the games. Today it was pleasing to see that Andrew [Symonds] and Michael [Clarke] play very well in tough situation and we are looking forward to the other game. The innings by Andrew was a sign of his maturity, and how far he has come in this game. Michael didn’t play a typical knock too.”Symonds, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the first ODI, reckoned the wicket didn’t allow him to play his natural game. “It was difficult to play a free-flowing game,” he said. “It was a working-class day. Clarke and I bat a lot together so we got our heads together.”For the second match in running, the top order didn’t perform for Bangladesh. “I am upset and worried with the way we lost too many wickets in the early stage,” Bashar, the captain, said. “We did it in the first match and repeated in the second. I think this was the reason we lost our way.”Bashar was grilled about the decision to send Khaled Mashud, the wicketkeeper, ahead of Alok Kapali. Mashud made a scratchy 36 off 62 balls. “It could have been better if we had sent Alok early, said Bashar. “But holding Alok back was a management decision as we wanted to keep one batsman late in the order so that someone could bat through, if required. Mashud went in early because we lost quick wickets. We wanted to be flexible in the match. If we didn’t lose wickets early, we would have sent Alok ahead.”Bashar admitted that the absence of Aftab Ahmed was felt. “The last minute omission of Aftab definitely affected us. Ashraful [who was axed ahead of the game] might or might not have scored and nobody can control these things in cricket. Batting in the second-half wasn’t that easy on this wicket, unlike the situation in Cardiff. Also, losing too many early wickets forced us on the back foot. I think we were struggling to use this wicket to our benefit. Symonds and Clarke batted really well and we failed to take wickets when we needed them.”

Keith PIper: out of action for the rest of the season © Getty Images

Keith Piper, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, has been ruled out of the remainder of the current English season after failing a drugs test. On May 12, Piper pleaded guilty to a doping offence involving cannabis, and on Thursday an ECB disciplinary panel banned him until September 30, five days after the current English season is due to end.A statement issued by the ECB said the panel had ruled that Piper, already serving an interim ban, “be suspended from involvement in all cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB until September 30, 2005.” The panel added that if Piper, 35, wanted to return to county cricket he should also undergo drug counselling and undertake a drug test before September 30, which would be administered under the auspices of the ECB. The panel also added that Piper would “thereafter be target-tested six times in the following 18 months”. Piper, who had been playing mainly one-day cricket of late, was ordered to pay £250 (US$455) towards the costs of the hearing.In 1997 Piper had failed an in-house drugs test for which he served a one-match ban. His fellow Warwickshire players Paul Smith, now retired, and Graham Wagg have also served drugs-related bans. Last season Wagg was given a 15-month ban by the ECB after testing positive for cocaine and, as a consequence, saw Warwickshire terminate his contract. On Sunday, Piper’s former Warwickshire captain Dermot Reeve, the retired England international, admitted that he was fighting cocaine addiction.Warwickshire’s chief executive Dennis Amiss said: “We feel that Keith Piper’s punishment is appropriate and that it sends out the right message to current and future players. While it is dangerous to draw distinctions between types of drug misuse, and certainly not excusing it, the club considers that Keith’s offence is at the lowest level. However, Keith’s positive test for use of a recreational drug lets down both the county and the game.”We will now work with the ECB and the Professional Cricketers’ Association to support Keith through what will be a very difficult period. In time we hope that Keith can continue giving to the game and we will be discussing the career options that are open to him.”Keith is developing his skills as a coach and while his positive test is a major setback, should he still wish to further his career in this area, the club feel it is appropriate to offer him whatever support and rehabilitation he requires.”

Ricardo Powell, the West Indian Test batsman from Jamaica, is among five newcomers in a youthful Trinidad & Tobago squad to face the Leeward Islands in their opening Carib Beer Series match. The hard-hitting Powell, who has played one Test and 79 one-day internationals, was granted permission to represent T&T after marrying a Trinidadian and taking up residence there.The other newcomers are the left-arm spinner Davindra Krishna, who has captained the West Indian Under-15 team, the opening batsman Tishan Maraj, a former T&T U19 skipper, and the former national youth team players Kenton Thompson and Amit Jaggernauth. Krishna, who has had a niggling shoulder injury, is expected to have a fitness test before the match, which starts on Friday (Jan 10).In the absence of the regular captain Daren Ganga, who is with the West Indian team in South Africa, the opener Imran Jan will take charge for the first time.Trinidad & Tobago squad
Imran Jan (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Tishan Maraj, Ricardo Powell, Shazam Babwah, Aneil Kanhai, Gibran Mohammed, Marlon Black, Reyad Emrit, Amit Jaggernauth, Davindra Krishna, Theodore Modeste, Kenton Thompson, Rodney Sooklal. Manager: Omar Khan. Coach: David Williams

An unbeaten century from Damien Martyn and an excellent bowling and fielding effort has seen Australia break its VB Series points duck with a27-run victory over South Africa here at the ‘Gabba ground in Brisbane tonight. In front of a record crowd, the Australians held their composure tobowl the Proteas out for a total of 214 in the 49th over as they chased the home team’s 4/241.Martyn’s innings of 104 (from 121 deliveries), which ultimately secured him the man of the match award, was the key component in Australia’s win.He came to the crease with his team in trouble after another poor start but proceeded to take the match out of the South Africans’ clutches as hecompiled a defiant 171-run stand for the third wicket with Ricky Ponting (80).After a run of outs that had netted the Australians losses in each of their first three matches of the tournament, the new opening combination of MarkWaugh (15) and Matthew Hayden (10) found no ready cure to their team’s ills. Waugh survived two confident lbw appeals before inside edging tobe brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off paceman Steve Elworthy (2/53) while Hayden, dropped at 8, then mistimed a pull to beheld at mid off from the same bowler.The Australians also lost their way at the other end of their innings, watching as Ponting drove a Lance Klusener (1/48) delivery to Herschelle Gibbsat cover and Andrew Symonds (3) play off a leading edge at spinner Nicky Boje (1/43). Only 42 runs were collected from the final eight overs asMartyn and Steve Waugh (22*) were pegged back by Shaun Pollock (0/28) and Boje in particular.In between times, though, Martyn and Ponting made batting look easy on a true surface. Driving was a feature of their respective innings: Pontingregularly finding the boundary while Martyn’s excellent placement and running between the wickets also cleverly accelerated the scoring rate.In the context of South Africa’s later inability to mount any more than one half-century partnership, their ability to guard against the consistent loss ofwickets also proved crucial.”There is always pressure to win and we knew we had to win the game,” said Australian captain, Steve Waugh, at the end of a match played before35,671 people – an all-time record attendance for a one-day international match in Brisbane.”We wanted to make sure we improved tonight.”Waugh later added that he was “disappointed” by recent media criticism of his side though “not surprised” by the attacks in the wake of Australia’ssurprisingly slow start to the tournament.Neil McKenzie (68) led a determined South African chase, and received useful support from Jacques Kallis (37) along the way. But thecomparatively early surrender of openers Gary Kirsten (22) and Gibbs (18) always made life difficult for the tourists.The South Africans had begun their pursuit aggressively, reaching a mark of 0/34 in the seventh over before Gibbs hit Glenn McGrath (4/37) toAndy Bichel at mid on for an easy catch. His error set the tone for generally indiscreet shot selection and the fall of wickets on a regular basis.McGrath, though he dropped a comfortable catch off Bichel’s bowling as Kirsten top edged a cut to third man, was a persistent thorn in the tourists’side, snaring a pair of wickets at either end of the innings. Symonds (3/48) and Jason Gillespie (2/60) combined to wreck the middle order andBichel (1/27) – arguably the pick of the attack – restrained the run flow superbly.Gillespie snared the two key wickets, trapping Kallis in front of his stumps as the talented right hander shuffled marginally across his crease and thenluring McKenzie into playing one of the few false stokes of his innings.McKenzie, though starved of meaningful support at the other end, had still been threatening to steal the game at that stage – and almost any hope ofa finals appearance away from the Australians as well.But when he tried to guide a Gillespie delivery through the slips in the 41st over only to see the ball disappear into wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist’sgloves, the Proteas’ aspirations of victory suffered a major setback.Pollock (18) followed him to the pavilion three overs later, mistiming a pull at Symonds to hit a catch to Hayden at deep square leg and effectivelyend the contest.Symonds had earlier induced Jonty Rhodes (2) to thin edge a catch to Gilchrist and had also caused the demise of Boucher (10) as he divedforward to complete an inspirational caught and bowled dismissal.