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Simon Katich has won the backing of the captain Ricky Ponting and one of the selectors, David Boon, as he aims to settle into the Test opening role after Matthew Hayden was forced home from the Caribbean due to injury. When Hayden missed the first Test in Kingston because of his achilles tendon problem, Katich opened but he failed to have much impact, scoring 12 and 1.The Sabina Park match was Katich’s first Test following two and a half years out of the team and an extended run in Hayden’s spot might allow him to calm his nerves. Ponting said Katich deserved another opportunity after he started well in the first innings against West Indies only to flash at a wide one outside off stump and drive a catch to gully.”He seemed to get a bit carried away in the first innings of the first Test,” Ponting wrote in the . “He was back in the Test team, sighting the ball well and he struck a few boundaries early and he just went for one that he should have left alone.”I had a good chat with him yesterday and he said he felt as good as ever at the crease in the second innings but he got one that surprised him a little with a bit of pace and a bit of inswing. He’s riding an incredible wave of confidence. He’s seeing the ball well and hitting it well and I am sure we will see him make some runs in the next game.”Katich’s recall came after a stunning 2007-08 domestic campaign in which he broke the record for most runs in a Pura Cup season. Although he generally bats at No. 3 for New South Wales he has opened for them on occasions. Justin Langer became a successful Test opener after jumping from No. 3 and Boon, who did the same, believes Katich can do a good job replacing Hayden.”I wouldn’t say it’s like versus like, but if you bat in the top three you should be able to open if required,” Boon told the paper. “It’s easier for an opener to go back down the order than it is for someone to go up and open, but if you bat in the top three, as long as you get it in your brain that you want to do it, it’s fine.”Katich also knows that he could be auditioning for an eventual full-time opening role after Chris Rogers, who made a one-off appearance against India at the WACA in January, lost his Cricket Australia contract. Hayden, 36, wants to play until at least next year’s Ashes tour, providing his fitness holds out.

The tributes paid to him when he passed away three years agotoday (July 6) were notable for their warmth and sincerity. “Hehad style, elegance and grace not only as a batsman but also as aman,” said the then president of the Board of Control for Cricketin India Raj Singh Dungarpur. Former Indian captain Lala Amarnathcalled him “a gem of a person.” Throughout the length and breadthof India, the tributes poured in from those whose lives he hadinfluenced. And Motganhalli Laxminarasu Jaisimha did touchnumerous lives in India and abroad even though he was only 60when he breathed his last following a long fight against lungcancer.

As a batsman, Jaisimha provided a lot of entertainment to thespectators and that was why he was a surefire draw. Even in anera chock-full with colourful personalities -­ his contemporariesincluded the likes of Salim Durrani, Nawab of Pataudi Jnr,Farookh Engineer, Abbas Ali Baig and Budhi Kunderan ­- Jaisimhawas instantly recognisable. Silken elegance was the phrasegenerally used to describe Jaisimha’s batting style and I wouldnot want to change it. For, that is indeed the best way hisapproach could be described.On and off the field, Jaisimha was the personification ofelegance and charm. He could not do a mean thing or play a meanstroke even if he tried. Grace came naturally to him. There wassomething about him that made Jaisimha the darling of the masses.His slim figure, which he maintained till his last day, theboyish good looks, the inimitable gait, the trademark silk shirtand scarf, the sleeves buttoned at the wrist or the collar turnedup ­- all these attracted immediate attention. Indeed, he madecricket seem chic and his style and approach had a tremendousimpact on the teenage cricketers of his era, among them the youngSunil Gavaskar, for whom `Jai’ was a boyhood idol.When Jaisimha reached the crease, the attention then turned tohis wristy strokes, the manner in which he caressed the ball tothe boundary and the way he leapt out to play the lofted drive orpull. Off the field, he was an extrovert. Gregarious by nature,he was the life and soul of any party and enlivened theproceedings with in-jokes or naughty stories, always told withinthe realms of decency and in his impeccable English andinimitable style, complete with a good laugh at himself, if itwas a merry-Andrew situation.He brought all these extrovert qualities into his cricket andthus there was never a dull moment when he was around.Conservative thinking officials and selectors considered him tobe `flashy’ and he was frequently dropped down the order. But heachieved success at both positions and it is worth recalling thattwo of his three centuries in Tests were made as an openingbatsman.In truth, Jaisimha would have made good at the top or in themiddle-order for inside that extrovert lay a shrewd cricketingbrain. Tactically he was considered the best captain of his timein the country and it is well known that Pataudi and Ajit Wadekarconsulted him on matters of strategy while leading the country.As a batsman and captain, Jaisimha occupies an honoured place inIndian cricket. In 39 Tests from 1959 to 1971, he scored 2056runs at an average of 30.69. His name is associated with suchstorybook feats like being the first to bat on all five days of aTest match -­ while scoring 74 in 390 minutes in a famousrearguard action against Australia at Calcutta in 1959-60 -­ andhitting 74 and 101 in a Brisbane Test eight years later afterarriving two days before in Australia as a replacement.As a leader, he captained Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy for 16consecutive seasons and South Zone in the Duleep Trophy foralmost a decade. His profound knowledge of pitches and the mannerin which he out-thought the opposing skipper made him theconnoisseur’s delight.After his playing days were over, Jaisimha kept in close touchwith the game he had adorned for so long. From 1977-78 to1980-81, he served four terms on the national selectioncommittee. He was a popular TV commentator who regaled audienceswith succinct comments and analyses. He managed the Indian teamto Sri Lanka in 1985. He was prominent among those whoencouraged the game at the schools level and was the cricketingambassador of many leading companies who sponsored suchprogrammes. A couple of years before he died he became the statecoach and handled the job with the same shrewdness and enthusiasmthat he showed during his playing career.Above all, Jaisimha will be remembered fondly for his qualitiesas a person. When he died, there was a sense of shock and a pallof gloom not only in Hyderabad but also among the cricketingfraternity all around the country. For many, it was a personalloss, for `Jai’, as he was popularly known, had touched numerouslives with his warmth and sincerity. This was reflected in thetributes that said it all on behalf of those who came in touchwith Jaisimha.

Hampshire lost their final Frizzell County Championship match of the season, but not before giving the County Champions a long wait in the field. Surrey decided to declare overnight, after enough of the side had turned up before the start to field.Setting the home side the unlikely task of scoring 514 to win, they soon had Laney, Adams and Crawley back in the pavilion all to the seam of Martin Bicknell for 27, Crawley finishing his first-class season with a first-ball nought.When skipper Will Kendall fell to Bicknell’s 4th dismissal an early finish looked on the cards, but John Francis joined Neil Johnson in a stubborn partnership that took them to lunch without further mis-shap.John Francis fell soon after the interval to give Bicknell’s his fifth wicket and when Johnson was adjudged lbw to Salisbury for 86 (his highest first-class innings siunce the opening match of the season) it looked all up.Bicknell who had earlier left the field after one bowling spell in the morning, left again after his second, but this time was not to return for the remainder of the day.Nic Pothas who had suffered a moderate season with the bat, was joined by Dimitri Mascarenhas and the pair struck up an entertaining 98 run partnership, with Mascarenhas being particularly cruel on Ian Salisbury and Saqlain Mushtaq.Mascarenhas was finally out for 67, smiting 9 fours and three sixes, two of which were planter in Nursery Ground next door.Shaun Udal, probably Hampshire most consistent player in 2002 continued in this vain before playing on to Salisbury, and then Pothas passing his highest score for Hampshire was cruelly given out caught at slip for 99, when to all intents and purpose the ball came off the top of his arm.When the last wicket fell, Hampshire had lost, but they held their heads high as they posted their 6th highest fourth innings score in their 138 year history, and the match of 1,557 runs the second highest ever involving Hampshire, this on a wicket that a few weeks ago had been docked eight points by the ECB. Nigel Gray the head groundsman has to be congratulated on this superb turnaround.

Australia has gone 3-0 up in the series and has retained the Ashes as a consequence. Leading England by 271 runs in the first innings Australia took the eight necessary wickets to finish England’s innings at 8 for 223 – Australia won by an innings and 48 runs.England in their defence were a much more improved side this time round. Their bowlers bowled better and their batsmen made an effort in the second innings. But still their improvements could not match it with the Australians.The day started poorly for England losing three wickets for one run within the space of two overs. Nightwatchman, Richard Dawson was the first to depart. The 22-year-old appeared upset after falling to a Jason Gillespie three card trick. After bowling two balls that kept quite low, he bowled a fuller one outside the off stump, which Dawson slashed, to a waiting Steve Waugh in gully. He did not add to his overnight score of eight.The next over, Michael Vaughan and Mark Butcher were involved in bad calling and then the consequential run out. After wanting two after taking a single, Butcher sent his partner back only to see the bails fly off before he could reach safety. Brett Lee fielding at mid-on threw the ball to Adam Gilchrist who came in front of the stumps to throw the ball to Glenn McGrath waiting at the bowlers end. Vaughan, well out of his crease went for nine.Mark Butcher then fell leg before wicket to McGrath without scoring. England was well and truly strung out at four for 34 and Australia could smell success. Though they did not count on Nasser Hussain and Robert Key grounding out an innings saving performance.In the consequent session, Hussain and Key dug in leaving outside the off stump alone, which McGrath and Gillespie religiously patrolled. They waited for the bad balls and punished them accordingly. Hussain and Key then reached mini milestones, a 50 partnership off 159 balls.They played no silly shots and were a credit to themselves and England as they tried to restore hope and dignity to the visitors, which has been stripped away over the past two Tests and indeed since 1987. A minor victory came when the Australian skipper had to change field placings to reflect the stoke play of Hussain and Key.Still though there was the ever-lurking presence of Australian pressure and the abundant amounts of confidence. After grounding out 23 runs from 106 balls, Key fell leg before wicket to McGrath, giving the lanky paceman his 200th Test wicket in Australia. McGrath joined an illustrious club, which only Shane Warne and Dennis Lillee are apart of. He trapped Key with the inswinger and ended a partnership of 68 runs.Alec Stewart came to the crease in an aggressive frame of mind and looked early to take upon the Australian attack. Lee dropped Stewart early and it proved costly as he went on to be 66 not out. He played a naturally aggressive game and his bravado and temperament saw him ride out the innings.Hussain given out caught behind on 61 was unimpressed with the decision and showed his annoyance as he returned to the dressing room. He had been given a life one ball before with Man of the Match, Damien Martyn dropping him at first slip. Replays suggested Hussain had a cause for frustration, although it was not as completely clear.Stewart continued in his quick fashion and made a half-century off 66 balls. He smashed Warne, McGrath and Lee to the boundaries offering some hope that England may indeed wipe out the deficit.His partners though could not match his stamina and fell quickly. Craig White, more impressive with the ball than bat this summer, made 15 before Warne tossed one up and White looking for the sweep missed it completely; Gilchrist stumped White, who was well out of his crease.Alex Tudor only could contribute three runs after he ducked into a Lee thunderbolt, which opened him up above the eyebrow with new ball and hard seam. Lee seemed genuinely concerned but Tudor had to retire hurt.Steve Harmison, the last of the line with Chris Silverwood unable to bat after he damaged his ankle ligaments on day one was cleaned bowled by Lee. The quick bowled a full toss and it hit middle and leg stumps after Harmison took a hug swing at it.Australia achieved three victories in quick time as a result of fast runs with great bowling to back them up. In this team are excellent players who each have the ability to grab the match by the scruff of the neck and turn it in Australia’s favour.England, on the other hand, has been rattled by injuries and is at the end of an era. Their most successful players of recent times have either retired or are a few matches off retirement and therefore are in a process of rebuilding. Harmison, Dawson and Vaughan have shown that England can be competitive and have displayed positive signs for the future of England at Test and one-day level.

Only 44 overs were possible on the first day of this three-day Minor CountiesChampionship game at Lamphey, Pembrokeshire, as the rains came in mid-afternoon and ended play for the day with Wales on 185-5 wickets.David Lovell and Owen Hopkins added 92 for the third wicket, but Berkshire did not help their cause by dropping three catches and conceding 27 extras, mainly through some wayward bowling. Nick Denning with 4-48 from 16 overs was the pick of the bowlers.

If there were a crime called cricket brutality, Barbados cricketerswould be wanted men this morning. And most likely, they would becharged, convicted and given the maximum sentence.For the second day running, West Indies ‘B’, a team comprising reserveplayers from around the Caribbean, were battered, bruised and beateninto submission.The youngsters spent the first half of the day constantly retrievingballs from the boundary as Barbados sped to the highest total of theseason with the help of Ryan Hinds maiden first-class hundred and somebig-hitting from a few others.The lashes were enough to deflate them, and, for the second half ofthe day, the West Indies ‘B’ team went through even more misery inlosing all but one of their first innings wickets.They now trail by the small matter of 407 runs.No team has had it so rough during the season and it does not take arocket scientist to predict that Barbados will complete the mostemphatic victory of the tournament sometime today or early tomorrow.It will not get them to the semifinals of the Busta InternationalShield unless the Windwards Islands secure first innings points in adrawn match against Trinidad and Tobago. The progress by the Windwardsyesterday, however, will offer some encouragement to SherwinCampbell’s men.Having scored more than 400 against Guyana in the previous series,West Indies ‘B’ were expected to give a good showing, but they wereundermined principally by left-armers Sulieman Benn and Pedro Collinsafter early defiance from Krishna Arjune and confident strokeplay fromDonovan Pagon.Benn followed up his five-wicket haul in Anguilla with a similareffort, while Collins took three wickets, one with the finest ball ofthe day that shattered the stumps of Antonio Mayers, one of the fourBarbadians in the West Indies ‘B’ team.Roland Holder, the most experienced of them, fell to one of the mostdisappointing strokes, a cross-batted swing that found him leg-beforefor 27.Benn also removed Pagon, the century-maker on debut last week who wasstruck low on the boot to a faster ball.Pagon had shown some enterprise by swinging Benn for a six overbackward square-leg, but his downfall was at the start of a slide inwhich seven wickets fell for 64 runs.Even the most die-hard Barbados supporter might have felt sorry forthe West Indies ‘B’ team.The batting just did not click yesterday and their bowling attack isclearly not up to the standard you would expect to see in a firstclass match.The onslaught of the previous day extended until early into theafternoon session when Barbados finally declared after reaching thesecond 500 of the season.Ryan Hinds, 87 at the start, duly completed a long-overdue first-classcentury in his 31th first-class match and 18th at the regional level.The Barbados vice-captain went on to make 166 off 246 balls, aninnings that he will cherish for some time.I thought that it came at a very vital stage. This is my fourth seasonand it was very important that I got a hundred under my belt, the 21-year-old West Indies recruit said. I was very patient. Thank God I hada chance to make it today. The support was good. Floyd (Reifer) andKurt (Wilkinson) kept me going. Apart from Hinds’ 100, following thoseof Campbell and Wilkinson on the opening day, there were halfcenturies from Reifer and Courtney Browne yesterday that contributedto Barbados’ cause against a very weak bowling attack. One might wantto say that, but at the end of the day, this is cricket we are playingand I thought that it was an important 100, Hinds said. I have beenworking very hard in the nets. Most of the guys have been trying tohelp me and I am very thankful for it. Hinds arrived at his century 20minutes into the day and would soon launch into Reon Griffith,cracking the Guyanese fast bowler for three boundaries in an over. Oneof those was a disdainful straight hit that typified the confidence ofthe left-hander, whose innings included 17 fours and a six that wascarted over mid-wicket off off-spinner Chaka Hodge. That set thepattern for the mayhem that followed. There was only one other six inthe morning session, coming from Reifer, who hoisted Hodge back overhis head. The scoreboard ticked over to the extent that the firstsession yielded 132 runs, but the fireworks were reserved for thebrief period after lunch, when many spectators might have beenexpecting a declaration at 481 for five. Hinds and Browne were stilltogether and Browne exploded with awesome venom after the break. Heneeded only a few deliveries to move from eight to 52 not out, hisrapid advance highlighted by four beefy sixes, including three insuccession from Vishal Arjune. The ‘keeper’s half-century came fromonly 43 balls. After Hinds was well caught by fellow Barbadian AntonioMayers on the mid-wicket fence, Benn came out and clobbered threesixes off four balls.

Eight members of a proposed 10-member interim committee, appointed to runthe affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) earlierthis month, have formally accepted letters of appointment from SportsMinister Johnston Fernando.Roshan Mahanama, former Sri Lanka Test batsman and Sri Lanka A coach untilstanding down recently, is among those to have confirmed his participationin the committee despite being reported to having a strained relationshipwith Sidath Wettimuny and Michael Tissera.But although the interim committee have now held two meetings, and wereapparently appointed in the first week of April, there has still been noofficial confirmation from the Sports Ministry or the Chief Executive’soffice that a new interim has been appointed after the previous VijayaMalalsekera led committee stood down on March 31.The two members to not accept their letters of appointment are TrevorRajaratnam and Mohan de Silva, both former BCCSL Executive Committeemembers, who have legal cases pending against the BCCSL and are believed toseeking advice before deciding whether to accept Fernando’s invitation.The interim committee is headed by Hemaka Amarasuriya and has been asked toserve until the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. A press conference with thenew members is expected to be held in early May at the BCCSL headquarters.Full 10-member committee:Hemaka Amarasuriya (chairman), Nalin Ladduwahetty, Michael Tissera, SidatWettimuny, Mohan de Silva, Lawrance Amarasena, Trevor Rajaratnam, KushilGunasekera, Triphone Mirando, Roshan Mahanama.

Pakistan Customs lifted the Patron’s Trophy after knocking off the required 155 runs for the loss of six wickets on the fourth day of the final against National Bank, played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.National Bank did go down in the match, but not until putting up a valiant fight in which they took four Customs wickets on the morning of the penultimate day of the five-day final.Starting the day at 51 for two, still requiring 104 more runs to claim the ultimate honours, Customs lost their third wicket at 68. Nasim Khan, the top scorer in the Customs first innings could make 14 in the second before being adjudged lbw off the bowling of Zahid Saeed.Aamer Bashir who made 70 in the first innings, stabilized the Customs innings, getting a fine 37 (52 balls, 6 fours) while adding 27 for the fourth wicket with Naved Latif. However, with the departure of Naved at the personal score of 12, the balance of the match tilted slightly in National Bank’s way as their bowlers claimed three wickets, including that of Aamer Bashir, with the addition of 16 runs, reducing Customs to 111 for 6.At this juncture, Ali Naqvi combined with the wicket keeper Wasim Yousufi to knock of the remaining runs without any further casualty. Ali remained not out on 41 (47 ball, 9 fours) while Wasim made an unbeaten 9 (15 balls, 1 four).Shabbir Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets for 42 in 17 overs. Zahid Saeed also claimed three wicket giving away 85 runs.

England saw their authority diminish in the fading light at Lord’s as YousufYouhana and Younis Khan claimed back some of Pakistan’s ground to finish thethird day of the First npower Test match trailing by 276 runs.England overcame the news that their captain Nasser Hussain would be out for three to four weeks after breaking his thumb while batting this morning by taking four early Pakistan wickets.Andrew Caddick caused tremors in the opening overs of Pakistan’s reply bytaking 3-26 in a first menacing spell that lasted ten gripping overs. At onepoint he had taken two wickets and conceded three runs in the space of 21balls to give England a dream start in the defence of their first inningstotal of 391.But with the score on 60 for four, Yousuf and Younis joined forces to calmtroubled waters and a change in bowling, with Yorkshire left-arm seamer RyanSidebottom and all-rounder Dominic Cork coming into the attack, allowedPakistan to recover some decorum.By the close, the pair had moved the score to 115 for four, having almostdoubled the total without any further loss and the stylish Yousuf finishedunbeaten on 26 while Younis dominated the bowling with 32 from 41 balls,including five well struck boundaries.Until that point, Caddick and Darren Gough were working hard at bringingPakistan down, well aware that the reduction of the match to four days, withone lost to rain, had made their job of enforcing the follow-on easier.Pakistan now needed at least 242 to avoid having to bat again straight awaybut when Inzamam-ul-Haq was caught behind off Caddick for 13, edging a ballthat moved off the seam, the writing was on the wall with Saeed Anwar andSaleem Elahi already back in the pavilion inside five overs.Saleem had succumbed by edging Caddick’s third ball to first slip where Mike Atherton made no mistake.Atherton was also in place with his hands at the ready when dangerman Saeed also guided the ball to the slips off Gough, having hit three boundaries to make 12 with the score 21 for two.All three were prized wickets with both openers having hit form in recentweeks and the brilliant and big-hitting Inzamam always a constant danger.The dazzling all-rounder Abdul Razzaq (22) went to the same combination ofStewart and Caddick with a shot that was not dissimilar to Inzamam’s andafter 18 overs of the innings, the Pakistanis were in deep trouble.But the removal of Caddick and Gough from the attack signalled easiertimes and when the umpires offered the batsmen bad light at 5.45pm, anyfurther play looking unlikely, the tourists were back on song but by nomeans out of danger.Hussain could only watch the proceedings from the balcony, nursing his broken thumb. Alec Stewart took over the role at Lord’s, but the selectors will keep their options open for the Second Test at Old Trafford.Hussain had resumed the day with his score on 53 but his partnership with nightwatchman Sidebottom lasted just another 13 balls before the shaggy-toppedYorkshireman was caught at first slip off Wasim Akram without adding to hisovernight total.Alec Stewart launched immediately into a run fest, getting off the mark witha well timed pull through mid-wicket for four. His aggression was met headon by Shoaib who responded with a series of bouncers aimed at the batsmen’shead and body.While his tactics failed to break up the partnership, it unnerved Hussainwho was struck hard on the hand by a short pitched delivery and within acouple of overs his wicket had been snapped by Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan’smost successful bowler.Stewart and Hussain added 53 for the sixth wicket but the seventh wicketfell four overs later when Stewart on 44 was plumb lbw to Shoaib,who had made a rapid recovery after falling awkwardly on his ankle.In the post-lunch session, England’s tailenders fought bravely to boost the total with Ian Ward, the Surrey batsman and England debutant, making an encouraging first impression with a solid and steady contribution of 39 from 81 balls.When he mistimed a pull shot off Waqar Younis that eventually fell into the hands of Abdur Razzaq at mid-wicket, England were nine runs short of 400 but 21 runs ahead of their record total against Pakistan at Lord’s.

Abdur Rehman, the Pakistan left-arm spinner, has been banned for 12 weeks by the ECB under its anti-doping rules after testing positive for the recreational drug cannabis during his stint with Somerset in the English domestic season. The penalty is binding on all countries signed up to the World Anti-Doping Code.Rehman will be suspended until midnight of December 21. He has already been withdrawn from the Sialkot Stallions squad for the Champions League T20, which begins on October 9 in South Africa.The sample that tested positive for cannabis was provided by Rehman on August 8, during the County Championship match between Somerset and Nottinghamshire. “I apologise to my family, the PCB, the ECB, Somerset County Cricket Club, my team-mates and my fans,” Rehman said. “It was an error of judgement on my part that will cost me dearly and I would like it to be a lesson to all others in sports elsewhere.”I will do my best to stay fit and focussed during my suspension, and, god-willing, will be available for selection for the India series should the PCB see it fit.”Somerset chief executive Guy Lavender said the club supported the ECB’s decision. “The club does not condone the use of illegal drugs in any circumstances and all Somerset players are made fully aware of this policy on a regular basis.”Rehman played four Championship matches for Somerset and took 27 wickets, which included 9 for 65 against Worcestershire. He had established himself as a key player for Pakistan over the past year and caused England plenty of problems during the Test series in UAE, where he claimed 19 wickets in three matches. Overall he has 81 wickets in 17 Tests at 28.40 apiece.