100-day countdown to the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 begins

More tickets to be available from 12 June; 100 bats presented to Kandy school children

Photographs available on Getty Images

More than 350 school children from Kandy district formed a giant '100' at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, celebrating the 100-day countdown to the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012.

At a special event held to commemorate the day at the stadium, the International Cricket Council (ICC), together with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), also donated 100 cricket bats amongst the girls and boys who participate in competitive cricket in the district of Kandy.

During this event, the ICC also announced the launch of more tickets for all matches of the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 from 0900 (Sri Lanka time) on Tuesday, 12 June 2012.

ICC Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat said: "We are now 100 days away from the first ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Asia. This year's event promises to be even more explosive as player skills in the T20 format have expanded and cricket fans from around the world are dashing to be in Sri Lanka.

"The second phase of the ticket sales will be another opportunity for fans that missed out on booking their tickets earlier this year to secure their stadium seat and experience the excitement of every ball being hit at the event."

The ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 will be staged from 18 September to 7 October in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele, with the women's group stages in Galle.

Upali Dharmadasa, President of Sri Lanka Cricket said: "The ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 is a sporting spectacle not to be missed by any fan. Sri Lanka is ready and excited to host this global event and I sincerely encourage all cricket fans to purchase the remaining tickets early to avoid last-minute disappointment."

The tickets represent excellent value, with prices starting at as little as US $0.25 for the single group games and the final itself is attractively priced between US $2.50 and US $45.

The ICC Women's World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 will be free of charge for spectators in the group stages, which will be played in Galle. The women's semi-finals and final will be played on the same day on the same ground as the men's semi-finals and final and will be covered by the same ticket.

Tickets will be available at box offices located in Colombo, Hambantota and Kandy at selected MoneyGram outlets in Bank of Ceylon branches. It is mandatory for those purchasing tickets to have their NIC or a valid passport with them.

A maximum of four tickets can be purchased by each person for the Super Eight stage, semi-finals and finals, and a maximum of six tickets per person for the group stage.

Online booking of tickets will be available by logging onto www.icc-cricket.com. Ticket collection will take place from 1 August 2012.

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West Indies put Best foot forward

England were 221 for five in reply to West Indies' first innings 426, a deficit of 205 runs and needing a further 56 to avoid the follow-on, at the close of the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston here on Sunday.

Ian Bell was 76 not out and nightwatchman Steven Finn nought not out.

England lead this three-match series 2-0.

Earlier, England were 113 for three in reply to West Indies' first innings 426, a deficit of 313 runs, when bad light stopped play on the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston here on Sunday.

Only one over, from part-time spinner Marlon Samuels, was possible after tea before the umpires decided conditions were unsafe and took the players off at 4.36pm local time (1536GMT) even though the floodlights were switched on.

Tino Best's dramatic 95, the highest-ever Test score by a No 11 batsman, saw West Indies stun England in their series finale at Edgbaston here on Sunday.

West Indies were 426 all out at lunch on the fourth day after fast bowler Best, playing his first Test in nearly three years, helped see Denesh Ramdin, who finished on 107 not out, to a century with the wicket-keeper only on 63 when the last man came to crease.

Best's innings surpassed India paceman Zaheer Khan's 75 against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2004 as the highest Test score by a No 11.

And his partnership of 143 with Ramdin was a West Indies' record for the 10th wicket in Tests, overtaking the 106 shared by Carl Hooper and Courtney Walsh against Pakistan at St John's in 1993.

It meant England would now need 277 to avoid the follow-on.

England, who'd controversially rested new-ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad, having already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series, saw their attack treated with disdain by Best, whose shots were worthy of a top-order batsman.

West Indies resumed on 280 for eight after losing the toss.

Ramdin was 60 not out after Marlon Samuels, following up his hundred in England's nine-wicket second Test win at Trent Bridge, had made 76.

England needed just three balls Sunday to take West Indies' ninth wicket when Steven Finn, brought in alongside fellow paceman Graham Onions in the absence of Anderson and Broad, had Ravi Rampaul caught behind.

But Best promptly off-drove Finn for four and then held the pose just to ram home to his opponents how good a shot it had been.

And Onions, who'd taken three wickets Saturday, also came in for the Best treatment when a half-volley was driven wide of mid-off for four.

When the 30-year-old Best steered Onions through the slips for four, he surpassed his previous highest Test score of 27, made against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2005, with this just his 15th match at this level.

Ramdin was almost out when, on 69, he cut hard at Finn and Kevin Pietersen failed to hold a sharp, head-high, chance at gully.

England captain Andrew Strauss brought on off-spinner Graeme Swann in a bid to break the stand.

But when Swann dropped short with successive balls, Best twice expertly cut him for four.

There was no stopping Best, who greeted seamer Tim Bresnan's third ball Sunday by lofting him over mid-on for four to go to 49.

A single off Bresnan saw Best -- only called up to this tour as a replacement for injured fast bowler Shannon Gabriel -- to fifty in 44 balls.

Ramdin's single off Bresnan, after which he nearly hit the bowler's head as he waved his bat in celebration, saw the keeper to a hundred in 160 balls with nine boundaries.

Ramdin produced a piece of paper from his pocket with the words "Yea Viv, talk nah" written on it, after West Indies great Vivian Richards had criticised him for failing to deliver on his promise after the second Test.

It was Ramdin's second hundred in 45 Tests following his 166 against England at Bridgetown three years ago.

And when Best uppercut Bresnan over the slips for yet another boundary he surpassed Zaheer's record and, soon afterwards, Best drove Bresnan for a stunning straight six.

Lunch was delayed by 30 minutes, technically to allow England extra time to take the last wicket, although it also gave Best a chance to complete a hundred.

But he fell just short, skying Onions to Strauss at first slip, having faced just 112 balls with a six and 14 fours.

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Record-breaker Best strikes after running riot

BIRMINGHAM: Tino Best's astounding 95, the highest ever score by a Test No 11, rocked England at Edgbaston here on Sunday.
England, at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test, were 221 for five -- a deficit of 205 runs and still needing a further 56 to avoid the follow-on -- with Ian Bell 76 not out.
A West Indies' 10th-wicket Test record stand of 143 -- the third highest in all Tests for the last wicket -- of 143 between wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin, who made 107 not out, and Best took the tourists to 426 all out.
Fast bowler Best's innings was all the more impressive as this was his first Test in nearly three years, with his previous highest score at this level 27.
The Bajan then took two wickets for 37 runs in 12 overs to set the seal on a memorable day.
There was no hint of the run-fest to come when West Indies, resuming on 280 for eight after losing the toss, saw Ravi Rampaul dismissed three balls into Sunday's play.
Ramdin, himself in Test exile for two years before this tour, was then 63 not out.
But Best made England pay for their controversial decision to rest new-ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad, having already established an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series.
'Stand-in' seamers Graham Onions and Steven Finn were driven in the style of a top-order batsman by the 30-year-old Best.
Indeed it was Ramdin who was almost out when, on 69, he cut Finn and Kevin Pietersen failed to hold a sharp chance at gully.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann went the same way as the pacemen, cut for two fours in successive balls by the inspired Best.
There was no stopping Best, only called up to this tour as a replacement for injured fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, as he completed a 44 ball-fifty.
Ramdin's single off Tim Bresnan, after which he nearly hit the bowler's head as he waved his bat in celebration, took him to a hundred in 160 balls with nine boundaries.
Ramdin, who made 166 against England at Bridgetown three years ago, then produced a piece of paper from his pocket with "Yea Viv, talk nah" written on it, after West Indies great Vivian Richards had criticised him for failing to deliver on his promise after the tourists' nine-wicket second Test loss.
England were too often 'chasing' the game, with captain Andrew Strauss slow to reinforce his ring of close catchers.
Best uppercut Bresnan for yet another boundary to top Zaheer Khan's previous Test best by a No 11 of 75 for India against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2004 and then drove the seamer for a stunning straight six.
But in sight of a hundred, Best skyed an Onions slower-ball to Strauss at first slip.
Best faced just 112 balls with a six and 14 fours.
His partnership with Ramdin erased the previous West Indies 10th wicket Test record of 106 put on by Carl Hooper and Courtney Walsh against Pakistan at St John's in 1993.
After Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott fell cheaply, the 30-year-old Best's day got better when he had Strauss brilliantly caught by first slip Darren Bravo to leave England 49 for three.
Bell, on 20, survived a sharp chance to short leg Adrian Barath off debutant 'mystery' spinner Sunil Narine.
But otherwise Narine, who'd produced remarkable figures in his brief first-class and Indian Premier League career, posed few problems with Pietersen driving him for a huge six over long-on.
However, Pietersen exited for 78 when he guided spinner Marlon Samuels to West Indies captain Marlon Samuels at slip.
England were now 186 for four after Pietersen and Bell had put on 137 and there was still time for Best to bowl Jonathan Bairstow as the batsman aimed across the line.

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England wobble after Best runs riot

BIRMINGHAM: West Indies backed-up a stunning last-wicket stand featuring Tino Best's record 95 with early wickets before England recovered to 111 for three at tea on the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston here Sunday.
That left England 315 runs behind West Indies' first innings 426 and still needing a further 166 to avoid the follow-on after Best had made the highest-ever score by a Test match No 11 during an extraordinary 10th wicket partnership of 143 with wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin, who posted an unbeaten 107.
As the first two days of this match were washed out, England had to get within 150 runs, rather than 200, and reach 277 to avoid the follow-on.
But when Ravi Rampaul had Alastair Cook lbw, they were 13 for one.
Jonathan Trott then played on to West Indies captain Darren Sammy before Best's first Test in nearly three years got even better.
The fast bowler had England captain Andrew Strauss, trying to cut a ball that was too close to him, brilliantly caught by Darren Bravo at first slip.
England were now 49 for three.
But Kevin Pietersen (45 not out) and Ian Bell (20 not out) repaired the damage with an unbroken stand of 62, although Bell survived a sharp chance to short leg Adrian Barath off debutant spinner Sunil Narine.
Earlier, there was no hint of the torrent of runs to come when West Indies, having resumed on their overnight 280 for eight after losing the toss, saw Rampaul dismissed three balls into Sunday's play.
Ramdin, himself in Test exile for two years before this series, was then 63 not out.
But Best, who surpassed Zaheer Khan's 75 for India against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2004 as the highest Test score by a No 11, was quicky into his stride.
He made England pay for their controversial decision to rest new-ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad, having already established an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series.
'Stand-in' seamers Graham Onions and Steven Finn were driven in the style of a top-order batsman by the 30-year-old Best, whose previous highest Test score was just 27.
Indeed it was Ramdin who was almost out when, on 69, he cut hard at Finn and Pietersen failed to hold a sharp, head-high, chance at gully.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann went the same way as the pacemen, cut for two fours in successive balls by the inspired Best.
There was no stopping Best, who lofted Tim Bresnan, now England's senior seamer, over mid-on for four.
A single off Bresnan saw Best -- only called up to this tour as a replacement for injured fast bowler Shannon Gabriel -- complete a 44 ball-fifty.
Ramdin's single off Bresnan, after which he nearly hit the bowler's head as he waved his bat in celebration, took him to a hundred in 160 balls with nine boundaries.
Ramdin, who made 166 against England at Bridgetown three years ago, then produced a piece of paper from his pocket with "Yea Viv, talk nah" written on it, after West Indies great Vivian Richards had criticised him for failing to deliver on his promise after the tourists's nine-wicket second Test loss.
Best uppercut Bresnan over the slips for yet another boundary to surpass Zaheer's record and then drove him for a stunning straight six.
Few would have begrudged Best a hundred, but he fell just short, skying an Onions slower-ball to Strauss at first slip as the home skipper equalled the England Test record of 120 catches by an outfielder held by Colin Cowdrey and Ian Botham.
Best faced just 112 balls with a six and 14 fours.
His partnership of 143 with Ramdin was a West Indies record for the 10th wicket in Tests, overtaking the 106 shared by Carl Hooper and Courtney Walsh against Pakistan at St John's in 1993.

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Psychologist hired to aid paceman Aamer's rehab

KARACHI: Pakistan has hired a psychologist to help in the rehabilitation of paceman Mohammad Aamer who was convicted and banned in a spot-fixing scandal, an official said on Sunday.
Aamer, 20, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were sent to prison for their parts in a spot-fixing scandal and banned by the ICC for a minimum of five years.
"We have hired Maqsood Babri to counsel Aamer as part of his rehabilitation," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said.
"The sessions of counselling will start soon and in this regard we are in touch with the ICC also." While banning the trio, the ICC anti-corruption tribunal led by Michael Beloff had advised the ICC and PCB to rehabilitate the three players.
Aamer appeared in ICC anti-corruption educational video warning the future players of the pitfalls of spot-fixing. He was also debriefed twice by the PCB last month.
Babri said he will do his best to help Aamer. "It's a challenge for me but I will do my best to counsel Aamer so that he can find his way back to international cricket," he said.
"Aamer is an exceptional talent and we must help him regain his place."
The trio along with their agent Mazhar Majeed was charged with accepting corrupt payments in return for bowling deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test against England in August 2010.
Aamer was released in February this year after serving half of his six month sentence, while Asif was released two months later. Butt and Majeed were still completing their sentences of 30 and 32 months.
Aamer rose to fame in 2009 and was regarded as the hottest property at international level before he was embroiled in the scandal. The ICC had to withdraw his name from the nomination for the year's best young player award because of the scandal.

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Samuels, Ramdin hit fifties as Windies reach 280-8

BIRMINGHAM: Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin both scored fifties as West Indies reached 280 for eight against England at stumps on the third day of the third Test at Edgbaston here on Saturday.
Samuels followed his hundred in England's nine-wicket second Test win at Trent Bridge with a stylish 76 as this match finally got underway after the first two days had been washed out without a ball being bowled.
West Indies, who had been a solid 85 for one at lunch, slumped to 152 for five but rallied thanks to a sixth-wicket stand of 56 between Samuels and wicketkeeper Ramdin.
At the close, Ramdin was 60 not out after completing a 97-ball half-century with six fours. Ravi Rampaul was unbeaten on two.
Graham Onions marked his recall to Test duty in the absence of rested paceman James Anderson and Stuart Broad with three wickets for 56 runs in 24 overs while Tim Bresnan took three for 74 in 26.
England's position might have been stronger had they not dropped three slip catches.
History was against either side winning this match as only twice before, when England beat New Zealand at Leeds in 1958 and New Zealand defeated Bangladesh at Hamilton in 2001, had teams won a Test after the first two days had been washed out completely.
That England captain Andrew Strauss opted to field first after winning the toss against a West Indies side whose top-order collapses had helped the hosts into an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-Test series was no surprise.
And Onions, in his first Test in over two years, nearly had an early wicket.
Adrian Barath had made four when he edged the Durham quick only for Ian Bell, fielding in the third slip position often occupied by Anderson, to drop the straightforward chance.
Instead it was Bresnan who struck first when he had Kieran Powell caught by second slip Graeme Swann for 24 to leave the tourists 49 for one.
Barath was still on his lunch score of 40 not out when he was reprieved again by Bell, who dropped an easy chance off fast bowler Steven Finn, recalled in the absence of Broad.
Fortunately for England, it was not an expensive miss as Barath had added just one run when Onions had him lbw Test debutant Assad Fudadin, in for the dropped Kirk Edwards, saw his promising innings end on 28 when he gloved a well-directed Bresnan bouncer and Bell, to the delight of his Warwickshire home crowd, at last held a catch.
Samuels struck successive deliveries from off-spinner Swann for a six and a four to complete a 76-ball fifty.
But shortly before tea Narsingh Deonarine, in for the injured Shivnarine Chanderpaul, edged Onions to Strauss at first slip.
Samuels, again involved in plenty of 'verbals' with his opponents, was out when, five deliveries before the arrival of the new ball, he fell lbw to Bresnan's off-cutter.
The Jamaican reviewed New Zealand umpire Tony Hill's decision but replays indicated the ball had just pitched in line and Samuels's entertaining innings, featuring a six and 10 fours, was at an end.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who scored his maiden Test hundred at Trent Bridge, was dropped badly by Strauss off Middlesex colleague Finn.
But the all-rounder was still on 16 when he fell to the same combination to leave the West Indies 241 for seven.
And shortly before stumps, the accurate Onions had Test debutant Sunil Narine playing on for 11. (AFP)

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Pakistan outplayed by Sri Lanka in 2nd ODI

PALLEKELE: Paceman Thisara Perera bagged a career-best 6-44 and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a century as Sri Lanka posted an easy 76-run win over Pakistan in the second one-day international here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts, who scored a challenging 280-4, bowled Pakistan out for 204 in the day-night match despite an impressive 96 by opener Azhar Ali to level the five-match series 1-1
Opener Dilshan top-scored with an unbeaten 119 for his 13th one-day hundred, hitting one six and 11 fours in his brilliant 139-ball knock to help his team set a stiff target.
Azhar, playing only his sixth one-dayer, looked set to complete his maiden one-day hundred before he was bowled by paceman Nuwan Kulasekara. He cracked 12 fours in his 119-ball knock.
Man-of-the-match Perera got his first wicket when he held a superb one-handed return catch to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez (14) before removing Younis Khan (four) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (27) to reduce Pakistan to 127-3.
He took three more wickets to complete his third haul of five or more wickets in an innings.
Sri Lanka earlier rejigged their batting order after losing the opening one-dayer by six wickets on Thursday, with Upul Tharanga returning as an opener and skipper Mahela Jayawardene coming in at number five.
The hosts batted steadily after winning the toss as Dilshan added 70 runs for the third wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (32) and 86 for the next with Jayawardene (53), who opened in the last game.
Dilshan reached his century in the 43rd over when he pulled paceman Umar Gul for a single and then hit fast bowler Sohail Tanvir over mid-wicket for the first six of the match.
Sri Lanka scored 56 runs in the last six overs, with Perera smashing two sixes and as many fours in his unbeaten 24 off just 14 balls.
Jayawardene was bowled by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal soon after completing his half-century, hitting eight fours in his brisk 45-ball knock.
Off-spinner Hafeez, Tanvir and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi were the other wicket-takers for Pakistan.
Tanvir struck in his fourth over when he had Tharanga (18) caught behind and then Hafeez held a return catch to remove Kumar Sangakkara (18) with his first delivery.
But there was no stopping Dilshan, who continued to gather runs comfortably and completed his half-century with a four off Afridi.
Pakistan made one change from the team which won the first match as they brought in debutant paceman Rahat Ali in place of injured Mohammad Sami, while Sri Lanka retained the side.
The third one-dayer will be played in Colombo on Wednesday.

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Onions at the double as Windies slump

BIRMINGHAM: Graham Onions marked his England recall with two wickets as West Indies collapsed to 164 for five at tea on the third day of the third Test at Edgbaston here on Saturday.
The tourists, who had been a solid 85 for one at lunch, lost four wickets for 79 runs in the second session, with Durham paceman Onions's figures now standing at an economical two for 32 in 18 overs.
Fellow seamer Tim Bresnan weighed in with two for 44 in 16.
Marlon Samuels, who scored a century in England's nine-wicket second Test win at Trent Bridge, was 50 not out and Denesh Ramdin one not out.
History was against either side winning this match after the first two days had been washed out without a ball bowled.
Only twice before in Test history had a team triumphed in such circumstances, with England beating New Zealand at Leeds in 1958 and New Zealand defeating Bangladesh at Hamilton in 2001.
It was no surprise when England captain Andrew Strauss opted to field first after winning the toss against a West Indies side whose top-order collapses had helped the hosts into an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-Test series.
Before this match, England had left James Anderson out of their 12-man squad in order to rest the Lancashire seamer and, before play started Saturday, they also omitted Stuart Broad.
Onions and Steven Finn were called up in place of the new-ball duo and, in overcast conditions, it was Onions, in his first Test in over two years, who nearly had an early breakthrough.
Adrian Barath had made just four when Onions took his outside edge only for Ian Bell, fielding in the third slip position often occupied by Anderson, to drop the straightforward chance.
Although he had looked the least threatening of England's three seamers, it was Bresnan who took the first wicket when he had Kieran Powell caught by second slip Graeme Swann for 24 to leave the tourists 49 for one.
However, it wasn't long before debutant Assad Fudadin, in for the the dropped Kirk Edwards, drove Finn through the covers for four.
Off-spinner Swann came on in a change to England's all right-arm pace attack but Barath responded by advancing down the pitch to loft him for a straight six.
Barath, 40 not out at lunch, had yet to add to his interval score when he was reprieved again by third slip Bell, who dropped an easy chance after Finn took the shoulder of the bat.
Fortunately for England, Barath had added just one run when he was lbw to an understandably delighted Onions, his exit only temporarily delayed by an unsuccessful review, as a 106-ball innings, featuring a six and four fours, came to an end.
And 90 for two soon became 99 for three when Finn caught and bowled Darren Bravo after the batsman checked a drive.
Fudadin, who went more than half an hour without scoring, saw his promising innings end on 28 when he gloved a well-directed Bresnan bouncer and Bell, to the delight of his Warwickshire home crowd, at last held a catch.
Samuels then drove Bresnan through the covers before striking successive Swann deliveries for a six and a four to complete a 76-ball fifty.
But shortly before tea Narsingh Deonarine, in for the injured Shivnarine Chanderpaul, edged Onions to Strauss at first slip

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Bangladesh rest Shakib for Zimbabwe T20s

DHAKA: Bangladesh have rested former captain Shakib Al Hasan for the forthcoming Zimbabwe tour following a request from the player, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Saturday.
Shakib was in Bangladesh's 15-man squad for the trip, which features an unofficial tri-series Twenty20 tournament involving hosts Zimbabwe and South Africa from June 18-27 in Harare.
Bangladesh were added as the third team at the last minute to what was originally a five-match series between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The all-rounder has been playing domestic and international cricket for the last two years without a real break.
He was involved in a domestic league last week after returning from India where he played in the Indian Premier League for champions Kolkata Knight Riders until May 27.
"The break was approved considering the continuous cricket Shakib has played over the last two years," the BCB said in statement.
“The Board is hopeful that the rest will allow the world's number one ranked test and ODI all-rounder to return for the next assignments of the national team refreshed.(Reuters)

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England had left James Anderson out

BIRMINGHAM: Adrian Barath rode his luck to guide West Indies to 85 for one at lunch on the third day of the first Test against England at Edgbaston here on Saturday.
Barath was 40 not out, featuring a six and four fours, and Test debutant Assad Fudadin 15 not out.
After the first two days had been washed out without a ball bowled, it was no surprise when England captain Andrew Strauss opted to field first after winning the toss against a West Indies side whose top-order collapses had helped the hosts into an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series.
Before this match, England had left James Anderson out of their 12-man squad in order to rest the Lancashire seamer and, before play started Saturday, they also left out Stuart Broad -- although judging by the conversation he had during the warm-up with England coach Andy Flower this came as a surprise to Broad.
Both Graham Onions and Steven Finn were called up in place of the new-ball duo and, in overcast conditions, it was Onions, in his first Test in over two years, who nearly had an early breakthrough.
Barath had made just four when Onions took his outside edge only for Ian Bell, fielding in the third slip position often occupied by Anderson, to drop the straightforward chance.
And Barath had added just one run when he survived an lbw appeal from Onions after England failed in their review of New Zealand umpire Tony Hill's original not out decision.
But both left-hander Kieran Powell and Barath did off-drive Tim Bresnan, opening the attack alongside Onions, for well-struck fours.
Although he had looked the least threatening of England's three seamers, it was Bresnan who took the first wicket when he had Powell caught by second slip Graeme Swann for 24 to leave the tourists 49 for one.
However, it wasn't long before left-hander Fudadin, in for the the dropped Kirk Edwards, drove Finn through the covers for four.
Off-spinner Swann came on in a change to England's all right-arm pace attack but Barath responded by advancing down the pitch to loft his fifth ball for a straight six.

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England win toss, field against Windies in final Test

BIRMINGHAM: England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to field against the West Indies in the third and final Test at Edgbaston here on Saturday.
In a match where the first two days had been washed out without a ball being bowled, both teams made changes to the teams that played in the second Test at Trent Bridge, where England's nine-wicket win gave them an unbeatable 2-0 lead in this three-match series.
England, having left James Anderson out of their 12-man squad in order to give him a rest ahead of the South Africa Test series, also gave his new-ball partner Stuart Broad a break.
In their places came fellow seamers Steven Finn and Graham Onions.
Finn played the last of his 13 Tests against Sri Lanka in Colombo in April and Onions, capped eight times by England, was playing his first Test since appearing against South Africa at Cape Town in 2010.
West Indies made four changes.
Assad Fudadin was given a Test debut in place of struggling batsman Kirk Edwards, who had made four ducks in eight innings this tour, while Narsingh Deonarine came in for injured middle-order mainstay Shivnarine Chanderpaul, out with a side strain.
And the tourists also made two alterations to their bowling attack, with 'mystery' spinner Sunil Narine given a Test debut in place of fellow slow bowler Shane Shillingford.
Meanwhile fast bowler Tino Best was recalled for his first Test in nearly three years after Kemar Roach was ruled out of the tour with a shin injury.
England: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Graham Onions, Steven Finn
West Indies: Adrian Barath, Kieran Powell, Assad Fudadin, Darren Bravo, Narsingh Deonarine, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Darren Sammy (captain), Tino Best, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SL) and Tony Hill (NZ)
TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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Dilshan ton boosts Sri Lanka in Pakistan ODI

PALLEKELE: Tillakaratne Dilshan cracked an impressive century to help Sri Lanka post a challenging 280-4 against Pakistan in the second one-day international on Saturday.
The opener hit one six and 11 fours in his 139-ball 119 not out for his 13th one-day hundred to boost Sri Lanka's hopes of levelling the five-match series in the day-night match in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka, who lost the opening one-dayer by six wickets on Thursday, batted steadily as Dilshan added 70 for the third wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (32) and 86 for the next with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (53).
He reached his century in the 43rd over when he pulled paceman Umar Gul for a single and then smashed fast bowler Sohail Tanvir over mid-wicket for the first six of the match.
Sri Lanka scored 56 runs in the last six overs, with Thisara Perera hitting two sixes and as many fours in his unbeaten 24 off just 14 balls.
Jayawardene was bowled by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal soon after completing his half-century, hitting eight fours in his brisk 45-ball knock.
Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, Tanvir and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi were the other wicket-takers for Pakistan.
Tanvir struck in his fourth over when he had opener Upul Tharanga (18) caught behind and then Hafeez held a return catch to remove Kumar Sangakkara (18) with his first delivery.
But there was no stopping Dilshan, who continued to gather runs comfortably and completed his half-century with a four off Afridi.
Pakistan made one change from the team which won the first match as they brought in debutant paceman Rahat Ali in place of injured Mohammad Sami, while Sri Lanka retained the side

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England win toss, to bowl

BIRMINGHAM: England won the toss on Saturday and chose to bowl first against West Indies on day three of the third and final test, after rain had completely washed out the first two days at Edgbaston.
England, seeking to sweep the series 3-0, controversially omitted Stuart Broad meaning they have now opted to rest their two leading fast bowlers after James Anderson was left out of the original squad.
Their places have gone to Graham Onions and Steven Finn. West Indies made four changes to their side that was beaten at Trent Bridge, as the world's top-ranked batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul missed out with a side injury. Struggling batsman Kirk Edwards also made way as Assad Fudadin came in for his test debut and Narsingh Deonarine was recalled. Off-spinner Sunil Narine was also given a test debut in place of Shane Shillingford, while fast bowler Tino Best cameback for his first test appearance in three years.
It is the first test match in England since 1964, when Australia were touring, to lose days one and two to the weather.
Teams: England: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, JonathanTrott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior(wicketkeeper), Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, Graham Onions.
West Indies: Adrian Barath, Kieran Powell, Darren Bravo, Assad Fudadin, Marlon Samuels, Narsingh Deonarine, DeneshRamdin, Darren Sammy, Tino Best, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul.

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Sri Lanka bat in second Pakistan ODI

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene elected to bat after winning the toss against Pakistan in the second one-day international in Pallekele on Saturday.
The tourists lead 1-0 in the five-match series following their six-wicket win in the opening one-dayer on Thursday.
Pakistan made one change as they brought in debutant paceman Rahat Ali in place of injured Mohammad Sami, while Sri Lanka retained the side.
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath.
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Rahat Ali.
Umpires: Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI) and Paul Reiffel (AUS) TV umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

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Rain still thwarting England-Windies Test

BIRMINGHAM: Rain continued to delay the start of the third and final Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston here on Friday after washing out Thursday's first day completely.
A fourth straight session was lost to the weather, with no play before lunch on Friday after fresh early morning rain saw the pitch and square remain fully covered at the scheduled start of 11am local time (1000GMT).
Not since 1964, during an Ashes clash at Lord's, have the first two days of a Test in England been washed out without a ball being bowled.
As the toss has yet to take place, neither side have named their team.

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ICC picks Malinga to promote World T20

NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council on Friday named Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga as the event ambassador for the World Twenty20 to be held in the island nation later this year.
The explosive fast bowler with the sling-arm action is expected to play a key role in Sri Lanka's fortunes in the 12-nation event starting on September 18.
Malinga will be the "face" of the World Twenty20 advertising campaign in the host nation and will promote the event globally, the ICC said in a statement.
"His distinct, stylish and colourful personality is synonymous with the intensity of Twenty20 cricket," the governing body added.
Malinga, 28, who gave up Test cricket last year to prolong his limited-overs career, said he was "honoured" to play a part in the first World Twenty20 to be hosted by an Asian nation.
"I sincerely thank the ICC for giving Sri Lanka the opportunity to host an event of this magnitude and I invite all cricket fans to show their support and
unite in the spirit of the game," he said.
Malinga is the only bowler to have taken four wickets off successive deliveries in international cricket, achieving the feat against South Africa in the 2007 50-over World Cup in the Caribbean.
He is also the only bowler to have claimed three one-day international hat-tricks.
Malinga has taken 101 wickets in 30 Tests, 186 wickets in 118 one-dayers and 40 wickets in 32 Twenty20 internationals.
England will defend the title at the fourth edition of the World Twenty20, having won the 2010 event in the Caribbean. India (2007) and Pakistan (2009) won the first two editions.

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KARACHI : The ICC Board taking serious notice of decline in the governance of Pakistani cricket asked Pakistan Cricket Board to adopt strict measures and report back within thirty days.

ICC, which re-affirmed its zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket, will work with the PCB through an enhanced role for the Pakistan Task Team in order to protect the integrity of the game and restore confidence.

The Board also committed to an independent review of the capability and capacity of the ICC's anti-corruption measures to deal with the challenges of corruption in the sport, said an ICC statement issued here on Wednesday.

At the meeting, the Board received an update on spot-fixing allegations against three Pakistan players during a recent tour to England. Under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, the players Salman Butt, Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif were provisionally suspended from all cricket.

In accordance with the provisions of the code, all three have appealed that provisional suspension and an independent hearing will take place in Doha, Qatar, on October 30-31 and will be chaired by the head of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission, Michael Beloff.

As has been the case up to now, comment from the ICC on this issue will be strictly limited so as not to prejudice the case.

"We reiterated our support for the strong and decisive action which was necessary to protect the integrity of the great game of cricket. We have stressed, without any comment on the present case, that we will not tolerate any form of corruption in cricket and that we will work tirelessly to root out those who have acted in a way which brings cricket into disrepute," ICC Chief Sharad Pawar said during the ICC Executive Board Meeting.

"The future of our great sport depends on the public maintaining their confidence in the games they are watching. We owe it to every player, administrator, every cricket lover to win this battle against a very small minority who may wish to corrupt this game. The matter of integrity is non-negotiable. Integrity and honesty are the bedrock of our game and ICC will protect that foundation stone with everything at its disposal," he said.

Members Board were instructed and agreed to undertake independent enquiries into any substantive allegations of corruption within the domestic game, unless there are credible disciplinary processes already contained within the constitutions of those Member Boards.

The ACSU, which is rated as a leading anti-corruption unit in world sport, will also address capacity issues and staffing levels within the unit as a part of its internal review.

A series of measures were approved by the ICC Board to deal with the challenge and to assist the PCB, who have agreed to the following measures.

1. ICC Board to issue a broad advisory to all players reminding them of their individual and collective obligations to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld and the severe consequences of a failure to do so.

2. PCB must act and be seen to be acting to uphold the zero-tolerance attitude to corruption in sport. In this regard, the PCB is required to conduct a thorough review of player integrity issues across all authorised cricket in Pakistan and report back to the Pakistan Task Team within 30 days, including that they have achieved the following:

* The implementation of a competency-based education programme for all registered players

* The implementation of a proper, accountable and robust disciplinary process for the sport

* The implementation of a deterrent and detection process to protect the game from corrupt elements, whether it be players, officials, agents or any other individual

* The introduction of a domestic anti-corruption code which mirrors the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

3. PCB shall desist from taking any actions which might put themselves in a conflict of interest position as regards the allegations that are the subject of disciplinary proceedings.

4. PCB must strongly encourage their players to provide any relevant information to the ACSU on a confidential basis. Any player who comes forward and in that process incriminates himself could, under the ‘Substantial Assistance' provisions of the Anti-Corruption Code, seek to use his co-operation as a mitigating factor in the consideration of appropriate sanctions.

5. PCB should desist from making public comments and disclosing confidential information which undermine the integrity, reputation and image of the game and/or any ongoing disciplinary or criminal investigation/proceedings.

6. At the same time the Pakistan Task Team will be authorised by the ICC Board, under a revised mandate, to undertake a review and provide a series of recommendations which will help PCB to:

* Carry out any reforms which may be deemed necessary to restore confidence in the administration of the game in Pakistan; and

* Deliver the above measures.

7. If the PCB fails to carry out the above to the satisfaction of the Board (acting in consultation with the Pakistan Task Team) within the next 30 days, the Board will consider what further action (including, if appropriate, sanctions) is required in the circumstances.

8. The Pakistan Task Team shall be reconstituted with the agreement of the Board.

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IRELAND TEAM

 

!Write Ireland Well Wishes! 

***(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 05 IN TEST)***

**(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 06 IN ODI)**

*(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 07 IN T20)* 

Physical Address: Unit 22, Grattan Business park Clonshaugh, Dublin 17, Ireland
Postal Address: Same as above
Telephone + 353 1 8947914
Fax + 353 1 8488035
General enquiry email: info@irishcricket.org
Website: www.cricketeurope4.net/IRELAND/index.shtml

HistoryCricket was introduced into Ireland by the English in the later stages of the 18th Century. The first record of a cricket match being played is in Phoenix Park in 1792 between a Colonel Lennox XI and an All Ireland team under the guidance of Major Hobart. The first native Irish club, Ballinsloe, was formed in 1825, and the majority of Irish clubs were set up in the next 50 years - among the most famous are Phoenix (1830), Waringstown (1851), Sion Mills (1864) and Cork County (1874). 

Ireland played its first international game in 1855 when it beat The Gentlemen of England by 107 runs, and three years later it beat the MCC by an innings and 10 runs. In 1879, Ireland drew with Surrey, its first game against a county, and in the same year embarked on a tour of the USA and Canada. In 1888, Ireland began a series of games against Scotland, and the two teams have met each other on over 100 occasions since. An embryonic Irish Cricket Union was set up in 1890, although it was 1923 before it really became representative. A new streamlined Cricket Ireland board was set up in 2008 to govern the game more effectively.

Ireland became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1993, and played in its first ICC Trophy in 1994. Mike Hendrick became the first full-time Irish coach in 1995; his successors include Ken Rutherford, Adrian Birrell and Phil Simmons. A Chief Executive was appointed for the first time in 2003, and the post is currently held by Warren Deutrom.

International competitionIreland has gained a number of international scalps over the years, defeating the West Indies on no fewer than three occasions in 1928, 1969 and 2004. The 1969 win saw the mighty West Indies dismissed for just 25, as Ireland recorded a nine-wicket win. Ireland's first win over international opposition had seen South Africa beaten in 1909. In more recent times, the side won the 2009 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, defeating Canada by nine wickets, which retains its ODI status and a place in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The 2007 World Cup competition saw Ireland tie with Zimbabwe, and then famously defeat Pakistan to qualify for the Super Eights phase, where it comfortably beat Bangladesh. Ireland has also won the Intercontinental Cup three times, beating Kenya, Canada, and Namibia. In 2009, Ireland qualified for the Super Eights phase of the ICC World Twenty20, by defeating Bangladesh, and came within four runs of defeating England in an ODI in Belfast just after England?s Ashes win in the same year.

Its consistent progress continued in 2010 when it once again reached the ICC World Twenty20 and won the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division One in emphatic style in the Netherlands.

In 2008, Ireland produced an unprecedented clean sweep of all European Championships from U13 through to senior level. Ireland's U19 side has competed in six World Cups, including the most recent - in New Zealand in 2010 ? where it managed one victory after finishing first in the qualifying competition.

Ireland's most famous players include Jimmy Boucher, Dermot Monteith, Garfield Harrison, Ivan Anderson, EDR Shearer, Eddie Ingram, Alec O, Riordan, Ossie Colhoun, Stephen Warke, and in more recent times, Ed Joyce, Kyle McCallan, Eoin Morgan, Peter Gillespie, Boyd Rankin, William Porterfield, Niall and Kevin O'Brien, and Trent Johnston.

Domestic competition
There are four separate provincial unions - Northern Cricket Union, North West Cricket Union, Leinster Cricket Union and Munster. These all play their own individual league and cup competitions from senior right down to junior level. There have been senior interprovincial games in the past, but these haven't taken place over the past few years due to fixture congestion. There are interprovincial competitions at youth level, and these are used to select national representative youth sides. The Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup is played by the senior sides from all four regions. It has taken place since 1982 - the balance of power has shifted in recent years from the northern clubs who dominated in the early years, to Leinster-based clubs in more recent times.

Development programs
Ireland's success in the 2007 World Cup gave a great boost to the popularity of the sport in the country. The exposure afforded by prime time television coverage of eight games found the sport becoming a major talking point in pubs and clubs throughout Ireland. Whereas previously many wouldn't have been aware of the existence of an Irish side, that now is no longer the case. After Ireland's win over Pakistan on St Patrick's Day, cricket occupied a prominent place not just on the back pages, but also the front pages.

There has been an incredible surge in youngsters playing and participating in the sport following the World Cup. Clubs right across the country are reporting a dramatic upsurge in numbers, typically by 100-300 per cent. This increased demand has meant many clubs running special sessions and camps. This of course has led to many seeking coaching qualifications to meet this demand. In Northern Ireland, the upgrading of the two development officers posts to full-time has enabled a massive increase in the development work in the region.  An extra five ?ICC Introduction to Cricket? courses have been held for school leavers, college students and teachers, adding greatly to the coaching pool.

Girls? representative cricket has also re-emerged, after a number of years? absence where it was not possible to do so. Over 30 new schools have been included in the Extended Schools Programme and sessions for the visually impaired and special needs groups offered for the first time. All have been a great success and requests for further and wider ranging sessions have been received. It is a similar story in the south, where youth development officer Brian O?Rourke has coordinated a wide-ranging programme.

The Northern and Southern Sports Councils have been very supportive in the past few years, and cricket is now one of the main beneficiaries of government funding. This has seen an improvement in facilities at clubs throughout the country. One exciting project which has been completed in recent times is at Bready Cricket Club in the North West, who have built an international standard ground and indoor training centre, which has drew universal praise from all who have used it.

Women's cricketWomen's cricket was amalgamated into the Irish Cricket Union in 2003 and the game has grown from strength to strength. The Irish senior side competes in the Leinster men's league, and has gained promotion on a regular basis. It also competed in the ECB LV County Championships for the first time in 2009. It has been very successful in attracting sponsorship, and major nations such as India, Australia and South Africa have toured Ireland in recent years.

While the game is primarily strong in the Dublin area, there has been an upturn in popularity in the north, and the game is now played in a wide number of schools. This resurgence is evident in quite a number of youngsters from the north being included in youth representative sides. 

The national women's side has played in five ICC Women?s World Cups to date ? the most recent of which was in 2005 ? and they have twice won the European Championships ? in 2005 and 2009.
 

 

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AFGANISTAN TEAM

 

!Write AFGANISTANI Well Wishes! 

**(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 13 IN ODI)**

*(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 12 IN T20)* 

Physical Address: National Youth Cricket Stadium Kabul Nandari, Kabul, Afghanistan
Main Switchboard Numbers: +93 788133144/799 041858
General enquiry email:acb.ceo@afghancricket.af or info@afghancricket.af

ACC Twenty20 Cup co-champions, ICC World Cricket League Division 5 champions, ICC World Cricket League Division 4 champions, ICC World Cricket League Division 3 champions and now Asia's newest ODI nation: Afghanistan are the rising stars of Asian cricket. Already with a global following, it plays with dash and panache, cares only for winning and considers every match played to be a matter of national honour. Since becoming an ACC member its progress has been rapid and it has reached unprecedented heights for an Affiliate nation.

From zero-access to cricket 10 years ago, and with precious little other sport on offer in the country, Afghanistan's international success is generating tremendous interest. With the highest proportion of school-age children in the world, one in five, according to the United Nations and 60% of the country below age of 21, there is huge potential for cricket to play a huge part in establishing sport as a social force in Afghanistan.

Being beaten by Hong Kong in the 2006 ACC Trophy semi-final was actually beneficial to Afghanistan. For all its talent it had yet to develop a winners' tenacity. Placed in ICC World Cricket League Division 5 as a result of its ACC ranking, it would have to play anything up to 25 matches in order to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Starting at Division 5 meant it had a chance to progressively build confidence and competence against other countries. It won Division 5 by the narrowest of margins and was more convincing in Division 4 where it was unbeaten. "The opposition has been tougher each time," says former captain Raees Ahmadzai, Man of the Match in the Division 4 Final, "we are learning about our strengths and weaknesses with each game we play." Winning Division 3 in Argentina at the start of the year was a tremendous effort.

Robin Marlar, President of Marylebone Cricket Club, said in 2006 that there are a couple of Afghan cricketers already good enough to play Test cricket. Current MCC committee member and former England cricketer Matthew Fleming visited Kabul in November 2007 and said that "if Afghanistan played England in Twenty20 cricket, it would win at least one match out of ten."

Afghanistan's profile rose still further in 2010 when they won the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers to reach the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. Although it lost both matches - to India and South Africa - the experience will stand them in good stead for the future. It impressed in the field, it was with the bat – against short-pitched bowling of a venom they had not encountered before – which showed the difference between them and the those at the highest level of the game.


Afghanistan can now rightly consider itself the leading Affiliate nation, a statement that was backed up by its third-place finish in the ICC World Cricket League Division One in July 2010.


Its next major goal will be to reach its first 50-Over World Cup via the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in 2013.

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