ICC Cricket Committee to meet at Lord's on Wednesday and Thursday

The ICC Cricket :  Committee will hold its annual meeting at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on 30 and 31 May.

A wide range of issues will be discussed during the two day meeting including Twenty20 strategy, the annual review of the Decision Review System (DRS) and the format of ODI cricket.

The committee is chaired by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd and is administered by David Richardson, ICC General Manager - Cricket. It includes representatives of all stakeholders in the modern game, including players, coaches, match officials, the media, the law-makers (MCC) and statisticians.

The committee's remit is to discuss and consult on cricket-playing matters and to formulate recommendations to the Chief Executives' Committee and the ICC Board for approval. The next meetings of those committees are set for Kuala Lumpur during the ICC's annual conference week, from 24-28 June.

Among the items for consideration by the ICC Cricket Committee are:

Twenty20 Strategy

The ICC Cricket Committee will continue the important strategic discussions which are ongoing and have previously been held at the ICC Board and Chief Executive's Committee (CEC). Members of the Cricket Committee will be able to add their views in refining a long-term strategy intended to protect the appeal of Twenty20 as well as to ensure the viability of all three formats of the game.

The ICC Cricket Committee will consider:

· The role of Twenty20 cricket in the growth of the game in the developing cricket world

· The volume of Twenty20 cricket (relative to the volume of the other formats) to be played at bi-lateral Full Member level

· Global Twenty20 ICC event(s);

· The proliferation of domestic leagues (involving foreign players and, in some cases, private ownership) and the consequent impact on international cricket

The ICC Board and CEC have already agreed that the ICC World Twenty20 will remain a joint men's and women's event and will be increased from 12 to 16 men's teams from 2014 onwards.

Format of ODI cricket

At last year's ICC Cricket Committee meeting two changes to the ODI format were introduced. Teams were compelled to take the batting and bowling Powerplays between the 16th and 40th overs and were required to use two new balls, one from each end.

At the same time, Members were encouraged to continue trialling the following innovations at domestic level:

· Increasing the maximum number of overs each bowler could deliver

· No compulsory close catchers

· A maximum of four fielders outside the 30 yard circle during non-Powerplay overs

· Increasing the number of short pitched deliveries (above shoulder height) that can be delivered per over from one to two.

These changes and suggested trial innovations are aimed at making the 50-over game a more attacking one, both from a batting and bowling perspective, especially during the middle overs. It is also aimed at improving the balance between bat and ball and to create an identity for ODIs distinct from the Test and Twenty20 formats.

The ICC Cricket Committee will consider the impact of the rule changes and the outcome of these trials and whether any other changes should be introduced to further enhance the format at international level.

Day/Night Test match cricket

The ICC Cricket Committee will receive reports of the ongoing trials and consider reports involving the development and feasibility of using different colour balls in multi-day formats in day/night conditions.

Illegal bowling actions

The ICC Cricket Committee will receive an update on the research project, commissioned by ICC, with the assistance of MCC, aimed at developing wearable technology that can be used to monitor bowling actions by providing real time feedback to the athlete, coach and umpires during training/match environments.

A prototype sensor has been developed capable of producing data that would indicate whether or not the bowler's elbow is being straightened during the delivery swing. The next phase of the project will involve the further development of the sensors and the validation of the data produced.

Switch hit and reverse sweep shots

In May 2009, the ICC Cricket Committee endorsed an MCC view that the switch-hit was an exciting shot which offered the bowlers a good chance of taking a wicket and thus one which should remain a legitimate part of the game. With the more frequent and skillful use of the switch hit, the Committee will be asked to again consider the matter from the perspective of retaining a fair balance between bat and ball.

Decision Review System (DRS)

The committee will carry out its annual review of the Decision Review System. The Committee will, inter alia, consider actual results, the reliability of the technologies used and the extent of improvements thereto, the appropriateness of the current DRS LBW protocols and, specifically, the impact thereof on the game (balance between bat and ball).

Other items on the agenda include:

· Reports on umpire performances and player behaviour

· Pace of play and the use of substitute fielders

· Consideration of the VJD system as a method for the calculation of target scores in reduced limited overs matches.

The ICC Cricket Committee comprises:

Chairman - Clive Lloyd (former West Indies captain)

Ex-Officio (two) - Sharad Pawar (ICC President) and Haroon Lorgat (ICC Chief Executive)

Past players (two) - Ian Bishop (former West Indies fast bowler) and Mark Taylor (former Australia captain)

Representatives of current players (two) - Kumar Sangakkara (to send written comments due to his playing commitments) and Tim May (ex-Australia off-spinner, ICC Cricket World Cup winner in 1987 and now Chief Executive of FICA)

Full Member team coach representative (one) - Gary Kirsten (South Africa coach)

Women's representative (one) - Clare Connor (former England women's team captain who represented her country in 16 Tests and 93 ODIs, current chair of the ICC Women's Committee)

Member Board representative (one) - David White (NZC Chief Executive)

Associate representative (one) - Trent Johnston (Former Ireland captain and current player)

Media (one) - Ravi Shastri (former India captain and a respected commentator)

Umpires' representative (one) - Steve Davis (member of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires)

Referees' representative (one) - Ranjan Madugalle (ICC chief match referee and former Sri Lanka captain)

MCC representative (one) - John Stephenson (MCC Head of Cricket MCC and a former England Test and first class cricketer. MCC is the guardian of the laws of cricket)

Statistician (one) - David Kendix (a statistician/scorer and the man responsible for the creation and development of the Reliance ICC Rankings; nominated by the ICC to sit on the committee)

Media arrangements:

A media conference will be held at the conclusion of the ICC Cricket Committee meeting. The conference will take place no earlier than 1500 on Thursday 31 May and will be held in the Thomas Lord Suite at Lord's Cricket ground.

Broadcasters wishing to bring OB vans should be advised there is no parking at Lord's due to Middlesex playing Sussex on Thursday. For any specific requests please contact MCC Filming and Photography Manager Clare Skinner on +447960 863 826. Media intending to cover the media conference are requested to show some sort of a press ID, like ECB media pass or NUJ card upon arrival at the Grace Gates.

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Pakistan ready to play India anywhere: PCB chief

CHENNAI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf in an interview to ‘Times of India’ said that Pakistan was willing to play India anywhere including on their home turf.
According to the Indian paper, Ashraf who was in Chennai to attend the IPL final is expected to meet BCCI officials in an effort to renew cricketing ties between the two countries.
Relations took a turn towards the positive when the BCCI allowed the Sialkot Stallions to take part in the Champions League to be held in India in October. When asked about Pakistani players being selected in the IPL, Ashraf replied that would be discussed with the BCCI and there would be some serious breaking news soon.
Ashraf added that he had a zero tolerance policy for corruption in cricket and Pakistan was trying to move ahead from the spot-fixing saga. The PCB chairman when commenting on Mohammed Amir said the young cricketer was trapped and the cricket board wanted him to come back.

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Samuels defies England in second Test

NOTTINGHAM: Marlon Samuels resisted England's attack once more in the second Test to give the West Indies the merest glimmer of hope at Trent Bridge here on Monday.
The West Indies were 141 for eight at lunch on the fourth day -- a lead of just 83 runs.
But considering they'd resumed on 61 for six this represented something of a recovery, although England were still on course for a victory that would give them an unbeatable 2-0 lead in this three-match series after a five-wicket win at Lord's.
Samuels, who made 117 in the first innings, was 52 not out, his fifty coming in 130 balls with eight boundaries.
Shane Shillingford was unbeaten on nought.
Both Samuels and West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who each made hundreds during a seventh-wicket stand of 204 in the first innings, were unbeaten at the start of Monday's play.
Samuels was 13 not out and Sammy nought not out.
They made a positive start, with Samuels clipping Tim Bresnan for a boundary off his pads while Sammy drove him through extra-cover for four.
Samuels, who'd been involved in some fiery verbal jousts with James Anderson, later square-drove the Lancashire paceman for another stylish boundary.
And the Jamaican took West Indies to 100 by fluently driving an over-pitched Stuart Broad delivery through the covers for an even better four.
Sammy too went for his shots, slamming Bresnan for a boundary behind point.
But Bresnan had Sammy lbw -- his fourth leg before wicket of the innings -- for 25.
Sammy reviewed the decision and replays showed the ball, which hit him on the back leg, would have just clipped the top of the stumps.
As Aleem Dar had already given Sammy out, the Pakistani umpire's call was upheld and West Indies were now 110 for seven after their two best batsmen of the match had only added 49 this time around.
Kemar Roach struck several fours before he was lbw to Anderson for 14 although England had to review umpire Asad Rauf's original not out decision before West Indies were 139 for eight.
England captain Andrew Strauss, occasionally setting defensive fields with just the one slip, equally curiously opted against using Graeme Swann's off-spin before lunch.

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England vs W. Indies: Strauss unbeaten on 125

TRENT BRIDGE: England edged forward to 340-6 at lunch on day three of the second test, still trailing West Indies by 30 runs with four first innings wickets remaining.
England captain Andrew Strauss is unbeaten on 125, with 20 fours from 268 balls, and Tim Bresnan is 4 not out at Trent Bridge.
Starting the day on 259-2, England lost four wickets during Sunday's morning session.
Ravi Rampaul, who has 3-61, trapped Kevin Pietersen lbw for 80 and Kemar Roach (2-71) removed Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy also bowled Matt Prior for 16.

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I apologise for my misbehaviour at MCA: SRK

CHENNAI: An ecstatic Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan today apologised for his misbehaviour with the Mumbai Cricket Association officials at the Wankhede Stadium after a match against Mumbai Indians.
Surrounded by his wife and daughter and other kids, the Bollywood superstar said, "I want to apologise to the kids for my misbehaviour at MCA. I apologise to all who saw me differently. I shouldn’t have behaved in that manner. But today my team has won, so I guess, all you fans should forgive me. We have won at last."
He praised each and every player. "I am proud of Gautam and the boys. We made a video of families of all our players and saw Manvinder Bisla`s parents speaking about their son. They must be very proud and so am I. I want to tell the people of the Bengal, that now this team belongs to you."

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Pakistan cricket squad leaves for Sri Lanka

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team left for Sri Lanka via Dubai on late Sunday night
The squad included Muhamamd Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Umer Akmal, Ahmed Shahzad, Hammad Azam, Haris Sohail, Khalid Lateef, Muhammad Sami, Nasir Jamshed, Raza Hassan, Saeed Ajmal, Shakeel, Shoaib Malik, Tanveer Sohail, Yasir and Umer Gul.
Pakistan will play five one-day, three Test and two T20 matches in Sri Lanka from June 01 to July 12, 2012.

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Kolkata become IPL champions for first time

CHENNAI: Kolkata Knight Riders defeated defending champions Chennai Super Kings by five wickets with two balls to spare to win become the Indian Premier League champions for the first time.here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.on Sunday.
Chasing a big target of 191 runs, the Knight Riders achieved their victory in 19.4 overs after a hard contest in the final of the fifth IPL tournament.
Opener Manvinder Bisla top scored with 89 after Kolkata lost their captain Gautam Gambhir for two. He smashed five sixes and eight fours in his 48-ball innings.
He was followed by South African allrounder Jacques Kallis, who made 69 from 49 balls with seven fours and a six.
For Chennai, Australian pacer Ben Hilfenhaus claimed two wickets for 25
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first.
His team piled up 190 for only three wickets in the allotted 20 overs with Suresh Raina (73) and Michael Hussey (54) and Murali Vijay (42) being the main scorers.
Pakistan’s premier sports tv channel Geo Super showed all the matches of this tournament including the final live from the venues in India.

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England eye series win as Windies slump again

NOTTINGHAM: West Indies' latest top-order collapse left England on the brink of a series-clinching victory in the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Sunday.
The tourists had slumped to 61 for six in their second innings at stumps on the third day.
That gave them a lead of just three runs after England had made a first innings 428 featuring captain Andrew Strauss's second hundred in as many Tests.
Marlon Samuels (13 not out) and West Indies captain Darren Sammy (nought not out), who both made hundreds in the first innings, were together at the close.
Earlier in this match they'd shared a stand of 204 but it was now going to take something special, with two days left, to prevent world number ones
England, who won the first Test at Lord's by five wickets, from going 2-0 up in this three-match series.
James Anderson removed both West Indies openers in a spell of two wickets for three runs in eight balls while fellow seamer Tim Bresnan followed up with three for nine in 26.
Anderson bowled Kieran Powell for one after the left-hander inside-edged a drive onto his stumps and then had Adrian Barath lbw for seven.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, officially the world's best batsman, walked out at number four instead of his usual number five slot when the tourists were forced into a rejig as regular number three Kirk Edwards was suffering with 'flu.
So far this series, Chanderpaul had come to the crease at 86 for three, 36 for three and 42 for three.
But having batted for over 10 hours in total at Lord's and spent more than two hours compiling 46 in the first innings of this match, Chanderpaul batted for just 24 minutes on Sunday.
The left-hander had made a mere 11 when his renowned concentration faltered as he fell into a hooking trap, top-edging Stuart Broad's bouncer to Jonathan Trott at long leg.
And when Darren Bravo, who took Edwards's spot at three, was lbw to Bresnan the desperate review showed the ball hitting middle stump -- West Indies were 45 for four and still 13 runs adrift of making England bat again.
They avoided the embarrassment of an innings defeat when Samuels clipped Bresnan for a boundary through mid-wicket.
But in the space of three balls Bresnan had Ramdin and Edwards lbw, the latter out for nought.
England resumed Sunday on 259 for two in reply to West Indies' first innings 370. Strauss was 102 not out and Kevin Pietersen 72 not out.
It was left-handed opener Strauss's second century of the series after he ended an 18-month wait for a Test ton with 122 at Lord's.
But whenever he'd been previously been not out overnight on a Test hundred, Strauss had never added more than six runs.
It was Pietersen though who was unable to press on Sunday when he was lbw to Ravi Rampaul's inswinger for 80, ending a third-wicket partnership of 144.
Fast bowler Rampaul, who missed the first Test with a neck injury, led the attack well with three for 75 in 32 overs.
The West Indies then saw fast bowler Kemar Roach take two for six in 16 balls with the new ball to reduce England to 308 for five, removing Ian Bell and Jonathan Bairstow, who struggled against anything pitched short.
Strauss found runs hard to come by Sunday, managing just 39 in 98 balls, and he was eventually caught behind off the medium-pace of Sammy.
He batted for more than seven hours in total, facing 303 balls with 22 fours.
England were still behind when Strauss was out at 363 for seven.
But West Indies, who bowled well, then had to suffer a frustrating eighth-wicket stand of 53 between Bresnan (39 not out) and Broad (25).
Part-time spinner Samuels ended the innings with two wickets for one run in nine balls.

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England take 58-run lead against Windies

NOTTINGHAM: England captain Andrew Strauss made 141 before Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad joined forces to give the hosts a first innings lead against the West Indies in the second Test here at Trent Bridge.
At tea on Sunday's third day, England were 428 all out in reply to West Indies' 370 -- a lead of 58 runs.
It was far less of an advantage than England would have wanted on a good batting pitch but far more than looked likely when Strauss was out with his side still behind on 363 for seven.
West Indies, who bowled well, had to suffer a frustrating eighth-wicket partnership of 53 in 92 balls between Bresnan and Broad before the latter miscued a sweep against spinner Shane Shillingford and was caught for 25.
Part-time spinner Marlon Samuels, who scored a century when West Indies batted, polished off the innings with two wickets for one run in nine balls.
Bresnan was 39 not out.
Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul led the tourists' attack with three wickets for 75 runs in 32 balls.
The West Indies took four wickets in Sunday's first session before captain Darren Sammy dismissed Strauss for his second hundred in as many matches, following the opener's 122 in a five-wicket first Test win at Lord's that gave England a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.
Strauss was 102 not out and Kevin Pietersen 72 not out at the start of Sunday's play.
But Pietersen had added just eight when he was lbw to Rampaul's inswinger.
Despite his challenge, Pietersen was out for 80, ending a third-wicket stand of 144.
The West Indies took the new ball as soon as possible with England 299 for three off 80 overs.
And it brought rewards with Kemar Roach, who'd sent down eight no-balls Saturday, getting back into his stride with two wickets for six runs in 16 balls to reduce England to 308 for five.
Fourth delivery with the new ball, Roach had Ian Bell aiming across the line, lbw for 22 although the tourists had to challenge umpire Aleem Dar's original not out verdict.
Jonathan Bairstow, in his second Test, never looked comfortable against the short ball and, trying to turn a rising Roach delivery legside, got a leading edge to mid-on and was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
This was the first time in Strauss's 21 Test hundreds -- one shy of the England record of 22 held jointly by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott -- the left-hander had added more than six runs when not out overnight on a century.
But the 35-year-old found runs hard to come by Sunday, managing just 39 in 98 balls including four boundaries.
He was eventually out when, trying to drive, he was caught behind off Sammy. Strauss batted for more than seven hours in total, facing 303 balls with 22 boundaries.

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Windies recover as England stall in second Test

NOTTINGHAM: West Indies fought back well to take four wickets on the third morning of the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Sunday as they checked England's progress .
At lunch, England were 340 for six in reply to West Indies' 370 -- still 30 runs behind after resuming on 259 for two in ideal, sunny, batting conditions.
England captain Andrew Strauss was 125 not out, having started the day unbeaten on 102 -- his second hundred in as many matches after his 123 in the five-wicket first Test win over the Windies at Lord's.
Tim Bresnan was unbeaten on four.
This was the first time in his 21 Test hundreds -- one shy of the England record of 22 held jointly by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott that Strauss had added more than six runs when not out overnight on a century.
But the fact he'd scored just 23 runs in the session was testament to the accuracy of West Indies' attack, with fast bowlers Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach doing the damage.
Kevin Pietersen had looked in excellent touch while making 72 on Saturday.
But he'd added just eight runs to his overnight score when he was leg before to a Rampaul inswinger.
Despite his challenge, Pietersen had to go for 80 to end a stand worth 144
At that stage, Rampaul had taken three for 43 and the rest of the attack none for 210.
The West Indies took the new ball as soon as possible with England 299 for
three off 80 overs.
And it brought rewards with Roach, who'd sent down eight no-balls Saturday, getting back into his stride with two wickets for six runs in 16 balls to reduce England to 308 for five.
Fourth delivery with the new ball, Roach had Ian Bell aiming across the line, lbw for 22 although the tourists had to challenge umpire Aleem Dar's original not out verdict.
Jonathan Bairstow, in just his second Test, never looked comfortable against the short ball and, trying to turn a rising Roach delivery legside, got a leading edge to mid-on and was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who scored his maiden Test hundred on Saturday, then got in on the act when the medium-pacer bowled Matt Prior off the inside edge.

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Sourav Ganguly tips KKR to win IPL 5

KOLKATA: Rating Gautam Gambhir ahead of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as far as captaincy is concerned, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly on Saturday put his money on Kolkata Knight Riders to win the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League.
The Indian selectors might have lost faith in Gambhir who was removed from vice-captaincy ahead of the Asia Cup, but Ganguly named the Delhi opener as the skipper to lead his best XI also featuring Dhoni.
"Gautam Gambhir is the best captain of the IPL. I really liked the way he supported his players. He persisted with Yusuf Pathan as he delivered his best performance (for KKR) in two years," Ganguly said, referring to the allrounder's 21-ball 40 in their win over Delhi in the first qualifier.
The Dhoni-led Super Kings who play their third final in as many years may be the favourites on paper but Ganguly put both the teams at par and hoped the Knight Riders would win their first title in five years.
"I want to wish both the teams. But I want to see a new champion. I think KKR would win this time," he said.
"Gambhir would be equally confident on the field. They (KKR) are a pretty balanced side and have been consistent this season. They have the players to win matches."
Ganguly however said Gambhir would not have to prove the selectors anything.
"I don't think he would play with a mindset that he would have to prove something. The way they have performed this season is enough to inspire themselves for the big day tomorrow," Ganguly said.
The Bengal icon however said the core CSK players could be "role models" for any side.
"They have stuck to their side for five years with players like Dhoni, Vijay, Badrinath being the core of the side all these time. They can be a role model for any T20 side."
"I've always said Dhoni is unparallel in the short versions, though there would always be a question mark on him when it comes to Test cricket," Ganguly said.
The veteran said toss would play a crucial role at the Chepauk and also key would be the way Dhoni's men tackle mystery spinner Sunil Narine.
"Toss would be vital. I'm sure (Gautam) Gambhir would hope to win the toss and set a target. The whole game would change if Gambhir wins the toss.
"But at the same time, Chennai's 50 per cent job would be done if they manage to tackle Narine.
Ganguly's Best XI: Gautam Gambhir (c), Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Cameron White, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Lasith Malinga; Stand-bye: Virender Sehwag; Coach: Stephen Fleming.

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IPL final today: Kolkata v Chennai

CHENNAI: Two-time defending champion Chennai Super Kings will start as the overwhelming favourite in the Indian Premier League final against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday following two dominating performances in the playoffs that saw them seal a place in the final for the fourth time in five years.
Chennai packed off star-studded Mumbai Indians in the “Eliminator” - the equivalent of a quarterfinal - after just about scraping through to the four-team playoff. It then ran up the season’s highest total of 222-5 on Saturday to bat league topper Delhi Daredevils out of the contest in the second “Qualifier.”
Opener Murali Vijay hit 113 from 58 balls to help Chennai win by a huge margin of 86 runs at the Chidambaram Stadium.

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Strauss answers Sammy ton with unbeaten century

NOTTINGHAM- England captain Andrew Strauss struck his second hundred in as many matches to answer one earlier Saturday from West Indies skipper Darren Sammy in the second Test here at Trent Bridge.
At the close of the second day, England were 259 for two in reply to the tourists' first innings 370, which featured Sammy's 106 -- the all-rounder's maiden Test century.
England were 111 runs behind, with Strauss 102 not out and Kevin Pietersen, who had struck a six and 10 fours, unbeaten on 72.
They'd so far added an unbroken 136 for the third wicket as they both cashed in on an excellent batting pitch.
Strauss, who had gone 18 months without a Test hundred before scoring 122 in England's five-wicket series opening win at Lord's, his Middlesex home ground, posted his 21st century in 96 matches at this level on Saturday.
That meant the 37-year-old left-handed opener was now just one short of the England record of 22 Test tons held jointly by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott.
Alastair Cook, Strauss's opening partner, had twice been caught behind off Kemar Roach no-balls when, on 24, he edged paceman Ravi Rampaul to wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.
But Strauss and Jonathan Trott, who got off the mark with a cover-driven four, took England through to 123 for one at tea with a brisk stand of 80.
But neither Trott nor England had added to their score when, on 35, he was lbw to a Rampaul delivery that cut back sharply
Trott called for a review but the umpire's decision was upheld.
Pietersen wasted little time in attacking Shane Shillingford, left out at Lord's, by going down the pitch to loft the first ball he received from the off-spinner for six over long-on.
England had their moments of good fortune -- Pietersen was lucky when, on 25, he saw an inside-edge off Rampaul just miss the stumps before going for four.
But the West Indies were discovering, as England's bowlers had before them, that there was precious little room for error on this pitch.
Rampaul, who missed the first Test with a neck injury, was the pick of the attack with two for 42 in 18 overs.
Strauss cut the medium-pace of opposing skipper Sammy for a four that took him into the 90s before a boundary off Shillingford through mid-wicket saw him to a 192-ball century with 18 fours.
West Indies resumed Saturday on 304 for six, having collapsed to 63 for four, with Marlon Samuels 107 not out and Sammy a then Test-best 88 not out.
Sammy went to 98 by slicing a drive off Stuart Broad over the slips and next ball had another lucky break when, aiming legside, he somehow got the ball through point for another boundary that took him to a century.
But the 28-year-old, playing his 26th Test, had produced plenty of 'proper' shots too in completing a 140 ball-hundred with a six and 16 fours.
However, both he and Samuels were out soon afterwards as Tim Bresnan, expensive on Friday, removed the century-makers in a spell of three wickets for 10 runs in 19 balls that saw him finish with four for 104 in 27 overs.
Sammy holed out on the hook to Pietersen at deep square leg to end a stand of 204 with Samuels that was a West Indies record for the seventh wicket against England, surpassing the 155 shared by Garry Sobers and Bernard Julien at Lord's in 1973.
Samuels, who'd added just 10 to his overnight score, exited for 117 when he edged Bresnan and James Anderson held a sharp catch in the gully.

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England 123-1 in reply to Windies’ 370 in second Test

NOTTINGHAM: England captain Andrew Strauss led England's reply after West Indies skipper Darren Sammy scored his maiden Test hundred on the second day of the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.

At tea, England were 123 for one -- a deficit of 247 runs after West Indies had made 370 in their first innings.

Strauss was 45 not out and Jonathan Trott 35 not out, with their unbroken second-wicket stand of 80 coming in just 101 balls.

Alastair Cook, Strauss's fellow left-handed opener, was the man out in the session, for 24, after twice being 'caught' behind off no-balls.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach repeatedly over-stepped -- his 10 overs had so far featured eight no-balls.

One of those was when Cook, whose 79 helped England to a five-wicket win at Lord's that gave England a 1-0 lead in this three-match series, was brilliantly caught one-handed by diving wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin for one.

However, Cook was recalled after umpire Aleem Dar used television technology to check for a no-ball he hadn't called on the field.

It was a similar story when the paceman, angling the ball had Cook, on 12, edging a regulation catch to Ramdin.

This time, however, Dar had signalled the no-ball himself.

But Cook wasn't able to make the most of his double reprieve.

Ravi Rampaul, who missed the first Test with a neck injury, produced an excellent rising delivery which Cook could only nick to the reliable Ramdin, who made no mistake as he 'caught' the Essex batsman for the third time.

Rampaul kept things tight in an opening spell of one for 28 in 11 overs.

But the pitch was still a good one on which to bat.

Strauss's back-foot force for four off Sammy brought up England's fifty while Trott got off the mark with a cover-driven boundary against the medium-pacer.

Eventually, with England 96 for one, Sammy brought on Shane Shillingford after the off-spinner had been left out at Lord's.

It wasn't long though before Trott was driving him for four while Strauss weighed in with a trademark squre-cut four off Sammy, whose pace meant he'd little margin for error on such a good surface.

West Indies resumed Saturday on 304 for six, having collapsed to 63 for four after their top-order's latest failure, with Marlon Samuels 107 not out and all-rounder Sammy a then Test-best 88 not out.

Sammy went to 98 by slicing a drive off Stuart Broad over the slips and next ball had another lucky break when, aiming legside, he somehow got the ball through point for another boundary that took him to a century.

But the 28-year-old, playing his 26th Test, had produced plenty of 'proper' shots too in completing a 140 ball-hundred with a six and 16 fours in just over three hours at the crease.

However, both he and Samuels were out soon afterwards as Tim Bresnan, expensive on Friday, removed the century-makers in a spell of three wickets for 10 runs in 19 balls that saw him finish with four for 104 in 27 overs.

Sammy was dismissed when he holed out on the hook to Kevin Pietersen at deep square leg.

His partnership of 204 with Samuels was a West Indies record for the seventh wicket against England, surpassing the 155 shared by Garry Sobers and Bernard Julien at Lord's in 1973.

And 340 for seven became 341 for eight when Samuels, who'd added just 10 to his overnight score, edged Bresnan and Anderson held a sharp catch in the gully. (

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PCB announces central contracts for players

KARACHI: Experienced duo Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq missed out on central contracts on Saturday when the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a list of 21 players who will receive pay increases.

Players will get a 25 per cent increase in their monthly contract retainers and another 10 percent hike in their match fees.

"After three years we have increased the fees payable to the players which we hope will be a morale boost for them," PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said in a statement.

"We have also given recognition to those players who have distinguished themselves with consistent performances in the domestic circuit. We have also recognised Under-19 players in the list and this will serve as a huge encouragement for them."

All-rounders Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were given contracts but fast bowler Mohammad Sami was another surprise exclusion.

Sami was recently recalled to the national team for the tour of Sri Lanka and was picked for all three formats of the game.

Contracted players:
Category A: Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Rehman, Umar Akmal.
Category B: Shoaib Malik, Taufiq Umar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema.
Category C: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Adnan Akmal, Hammad Azam, Wahab Riaz, Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Nasir Jamshed.
(Reuters)

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Sammy also hits ton as Windies make 370 against England

NOTTINGHAM: West Indies captain Darren Sammy scored his maiden Test century as the tourists kept England in the field for most of the second morning of the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.
The West Indies were eventually dismissed for 370, with Sammy making 106 and Marlon Samuels 117.
Their partnership of 204 was on a West Indies record for the seventh wicket against England, surpassing the 155 shared by Garry Sobers and Bernard Julien at Lord's in 1973.
England were eight without loss in reply at lunch.
Andrew Strauss, the England captain, was four not out and fellow left-hander Alastair Cook two not out.
But Cook had a reprieve when, on one, he was brilliantly caught one-handed by diving wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin off fast bowler Kemar Roach.
However Cook was called back after umpire Aleem Dar used television technology to check for a no-ball he hadn't called on the field.
Replays revealed Roach had over-stepped by a distance to the despair of the West Indies, battling to level this three-match series at 1-1 after losing the first Test at Lord's by five wickets.
West Indies resumed Saturday on 304 for six having collapsed to 63 for four and 136 for six after their top order's latest failure, with Samuels 107 not out and all-rounder Sammy a then Test-best 88 not out.
Sammy went into the 90s with an off-driven four off James Anderson.
But he sliced a drive off Stuart Broad over the slips to go to 98 and next delivery had another lucky break when, aiming legside, he got the back of the bat on the ball, which then sped past Ian Bell at point for a four that took him to his century.
The 28-year-old, playing his 26th Test, had completed his maiden hundred at this level in just over three hours, facing 140 balls with 16 fours and a six driven against off-spinner Graeme Swann on Friday.
However, both he and Samuels were out soon afterwards as Tim Bresnan, expensive on Friday, removed the century-makers in a spell of three wickets for 10 runs in 19 balls that saw him finish with four for 104 in 27 overs.
Sammy was eventually dismissed when he holed out on the hook to Kevin Pietersen at deep square leg.
And 340 for seven became 341 for eight when Samuels edged Bresnan and Anderson held a sharp catch in the gully.

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