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On a pitch tailor made for their quartet of spin bowlers, Tamil Union look set to spring a surprise in the first semi final of the Premier Limited Overs tournament at Premadasa International Stadium tonight. They have bowled out the tournament favorites, Colts Cricket Club, for a meager 174 in 48.4 overs.Tamil Union have one of the strongest spin attacks in the land. Led by the irrepressible Mutiah Muralitharan, who picked up five wickets for 15 runs in 9.4 overs, the spin bowlers took nine of the wickets to fall. The Colts batsmen struggled to play them on a slow paced pitch that spun extravagantly.Colts CC had won the toss and begun confidently, despite the loss of Romesh Kaluwitharan for just six runs in the sixth over of the innings. Chaminda Mendis and Kulatunga compiled 67 runs for the second wicket and Colts CC looked set for another impressive total.However, Upul Chandana turned to Mutiah Muralitharan in the 16th over of the innings and in partnership with left arm spinner, Niroshan Bandaratilake, he turned the course the course of the match. Colts CC lost four wickets for just six runs and slumped to 92 for five.Kulatunga had played some sparkling shots including a brace of boundaries in Ranga Dias’s first and last over. However, he was less assured against the spinners, and started the slide when he charged down the wicket to Muralitharan and was caught at cover. He had scored 35 from 52 deliveries.Sajith Fernando walked to the crease in confident fashion but was caught in the very next over as he top edged a sweep. Then, Chaminda Mendis, who had scored a solid 35 from 69 balls, was clean bowled by Muralitharan four balls later. In the same over Sujith Janaka looked unlucky to have been adjudged caught behind.Were it not for Chaminda Vaas (18) and Eric Upashantha (34), who added 45 runs for the seventh wicket, Colts would not have even surpassed 150. The pair batted patiently and sensibly. Aware of the responsibility that now lay on their shoulders, they eschewed risks and concentrated on picking up singles.Just when they looked like they were on the verge of grasping the initiative back, Chaminda Vaas tried to pull sweep Upul Chandana and was brilliantly caught by a tumbling Brijesh Jeganathanan on the mid wicket boundary.The skipper wasted no time in recalling his premier bowler and Muralitharan just proved too good for the Colts lower order. They lunged and prodded as best they could but were eventually bowled out for a total that looks too small.

Scorecard

A triple strike by Ashish Winston Zaidi left Mumbai reeling at 48 for 4 before a 119-run partnership between Amol Muzumdar and Ramesh Powar and a plucky breezy effort from Vinayak Samant pulled them out of the crisis to leave the game intriguingly poised by the end of the third day at Wankhade Stadium. It was a super Sunday at cricket today; a veteran bowler rocked the hosts early, two proud mumbaikars then fought back before a young allrounder pulled things back for the visitors. Praveen Kumar, the 20-year old allrounder, prised out Powar enroute to a three-wicket haul to restrict the target, leaving UP with a slight advantage.But the first stab at Mumbai came from a 34-year old journey man cricketer, Zaidi. Dubbed as the Amar Akbar Anthony of Indian cricket due to the uncommon name, Zaidi threatened to repeat his famous demolishing act of 1997-98 against the same opponents at the same venue. That was a semi-final encounter as well and Zaidi ripped apart Mumbai to shot them out for 98 on the first day. At the end of opening day in the current encounter he was quoted in as saying, “I just got one wicket today… Vinita [his wife] will seek an explanation tonight”. Vinita will be a happier woman tonight as Zaidi threatened to win it for UP with his opening burst. Mumbai, overnight on 21 for 0, lost Khanvilkar, edging behind off Shalabh Srivastava. Just one run later, Zaidi removed Sahil Kukreja, the other opener, in the same fashion before trapping Vineet Indulkar off the next ball to put UP on top. It was then UP ran into Amol Muzumdar, the wall of Mumbai cricket.Muzumdar continued with his good run this season – a run-tally of 569 at 71.12 with two hundreds and three fifties- and went to lunch at a personal score of 37 and team’s at 87 for 4. Powar joined Muzumdar and the duo brought up the Mumbai 100 in the 47th over. The hard-hitting Powar, who had sparkled with both bat and ball this season, proved an able ally to the finesse of Muzumdar. Kaif rotated his bowlers, throwing spin and seam at the pair but the two applied themselves and brought up the 150 in the 58th over and soon the 100-run partnership was up – in 120 minutes and of 174 balls. Just when Mumbai threatened to bat on to a big target, the UP youngsters struck.Kumar, who hit Mumbai hard in the first essay with a four-wicket haul, induced Powar to edge behind to Amir Khan before Chawla engineered the exit of Muzumdar for a well-made 86 to push Mumbai to 177 for 6. But the 36-times champions fought back through Vinayak Samant, the wicketkeeper batsman, who propelled them past the 200-run mark. Samant, who opened the batting in the first innings and batting at No 7 in the second, came up with a plucky unbeaten effort, guiding the tail, to steer Mumbai to a fighting total. Of the 94 runs that came after he arrived at the crease, his contribution was a breezy 64 of 79 balls.In the nine overs they were left to face UP showed a positive intent and with Kaif even making a signal of bravado. Kumar, the opener, attacked from the word go- three fours in a 13 ball knock -before falling to Aavishkar Salvi in the third over. Enter Kaif, a meek option of a deploying a night-watchman was available but the captain decided to set an example to his team and send a message to the opposite camp and at close UP still needed 175 to win and enter the finals. It happened in 1997-98, would history repeat itself? Day four will provide us with the answer.

A report in today’s Times claims that the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) is so angry with the decision to allow two overseas players per county in 2005 that its members are considering strike action.On Tuesday, the First Class Forum announced that there would be no change to the number of overseas players in 2005, even though it had been widely expected that it would be cut to one per county, which was the recommendation of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).”These people [the CAC] have done a lot of research for the good of the game and the county chairmen have refused to take note,” Martyn Ball, the PCA chairman, told the newspaper. “The players in this country are very upset about that.”The PCA has campaigned long and hard on the issue. It is worried about the number of foreign players appearing in domestic cricket, a situation exacerbated by the European Union laws on rights to work which have enabled many overseas-based players to gain domestic qualification courtesy of their ancestry.At the PCA’s AGM last month, there was an overwhelming vote to reduce the number of official overseas players. “It became very heated,” Ball, who plays for Gloucestershire, explained. “Some wanted to look at taking union action and discussed the possibility of withholding labour from televised matches. But we took legal advice and decided against it.” But now he admitted that might be a possibility. “I’m not saying we’ll be taking action, but we’ll look at our position and I’m not discounting it.”While there is a degree of self-interest in the PCA’s stand – overseas players, it claims, prevent talented English players from coming through – Ball was eager to highlight the effect on the national side, and on England’s finances.”It seems ludicrous that, while we’re also taking massive steps to strengthen the grass roots and build academies, so much money is going on overseas players,” he said. “The game in this country needs a strong, vibrant England team, but if we continue to limit the opportunities for our best young players, it’s always going to be a struggle to compete for the Ashes or the World Cup.”

The West Indies Cricket Board has accepted a recommendation for their members to integrate women’s cricket into their operations by June 30 next year. The recommendations were made by the board’s Integration Steering Committee (ISC) which met for the first time on June 22 and presented their report to the board at the Directors meeting in St Maarten earlier this month.As a result of the WICB’s move, all future women’s tournaments will be held under the auspices of the WICB. The ISC was established by the Board and the West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation to guide the integration of the two organisations, in keeping with a decision taken two years ago by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC) for merging the cricket organisations.Women’s international cricket became officially integrated with the men’s game under the auspices of the ICC after the Women’s World Cup in South Africa earlier this year. The board has accepted another recommendation that will see the establishment of a Cricket Committee for women’s cricket to oversee women’s cricket under the auspices of the WICB.This committee will make recommendations to the WICB Development Committee for future women’s cricket initiatives.

Scorecard
Points table

A fine Matthew Phelps century gave New South Wales hope of avoiding defeat against Western Australia as they finished the third day at 3 for 235. Still 156 short of making the Warriors bat again, the Blues could at least reflect on an improved day when bad light and a storm forced an early finish.However, Phelps was disappointed to leave four minutes before the interruption for 124 when Brett Dorey had him caught behind. Phelps walked out in the sixth over and recorded his third hundred of the season in an innings that included 19 fours from 178 balls.Justin Langer, the Western Australia captain, enforced the follow-on after Ben Edmondson’s two wickets ended the home side’s innings for 117, with Jason Krejza the last man out for 22. The second attempt also started badly for New South Wales, who were 3 for 6 in their first go, as Phil Jaques failed for the second time, leaving with 4 after hitting Steve Magoffin to David Bandy at point.Phelps and Craig Simmons (43) steered away from trouble with an 86-run partnership before Dominic Thornely arrived to post a half-century. Thornely was unbeaten on 56 and Aaron O’Brien was not out on 0 when play was called off. Magoffin had figures of 2 for 26 while Dorey collected 1 for 58.

Scott Brant, one of Essex’s overseas players since 2003, has decided to leave the club after discussions with his family.Brant, 21, was born in Zimbabwe, but he has now settled in Queensland, Australia. He took 49 first-class wickets in his two summers at Essex with his left-arm fast-medium. “I have had two fantastic summers in England so far,” he said in a statement, “but feel that if I was to play county cricket next year, it would only be for part of the season. I fully understand Essex require a player who can commit for the whole season and would like to thank them for the understanding they have shown in this matter.”David East, Essex’s chief executive, said: “We thank Scott for his contributions over the last two years, and wish him well for the future.”

Scorecard
Gallery

Queensland’s two-year Pura Cup revenge is almost complete as they batted and battered Victoria into submission, boredom and a certain second place at the Gabba. With their 6 for 900 declared , the Bulls reached the state’s highest score and the 11th biggest in first-class history.Shane Watson’s 201 and Clinton Perren’s 173 continued the gorging and the pair shared a state-record partnership of 329 for the fourth wicket, which ended only when Watson retired hurt with cramp. Jimmy Maher, who started the demolition with 223 and needs only a draw to gain the trophy, promised to “bat and bat and bat” and the declaration was ignored as the Bulls charged through scores rarely reached.Victoria hammered 710 over three days at the MCG on the way to winning the 2003-04 final, but Maher’s side made that total look like a small one as they tortured their opponents for 242 overs. Queensland’s previous best score was 687 against New South Wales at Brisbane’s Exhibition Ground in 1930-31.Watson stayed long enough to pick up his second first-class double-century – and his maiden one for Queensland – in an innings of 342 balls with 23 fours and a six. Perren was more attacking towards the end of his display, blasting five sixes and ten fours, as they took the score from 3 for 531 to 860 before Andy Bichel replaced Watson.Bichel was promoted in the hope of getting a season double of 50 wickets and 500 runs, but he made only 3 and was followed by James Hopes and Perren as Dirk Nannes doubled Victoria’s wicket tally and finished with 3 for 150. The declaration eventually came when Chris Hartley and Daniel Doran pushed to 900.”It was almost surreal,” Maher told . “Guys were looking today and seeing it tick over to 750, 800, 850. It’s amazing, 900. We could have easily have gone on to get a thousand, really. It was tempting but we wanted to have a bit of a crack at them tonight. It’s a phenomenal day. One I think we’ll remember for a long, long time.”The moods of the visitors were already Lake-Eyre low as they started their second innings 556 behind, but they were drained further by the loss of the openers Jason Arnberger and Lloyd Mash. Mitchell Johnson, one of two Queensland players who didn’t bat, picked up both wickets as Victoria went to stumps at 2 for 38.

The Supreme Court today restrained Doordarshan from downlinking the live feed of the upcoming India-West Indies Test and ODI matches, the exclusive telecast rights of which are with TEN Sports.TEN Sports had filed a petition seeking stay of the government guidelines making it mandatory for sports channels to share feed of sporting events of national importance with Prasar Bharti.A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhan directed that Prasar Bharti should not take any coercive step or action for obtaining the live feed of the matches.TEN Sports had challenged the Bombay High Court order of December 21, 2005. The matter pending before the high court was later transferred to the Supreme Court. The private channel contended that if the matches were telecast on Doordarshan it would suffer huge losses.Earlier, the court had allowed live telecast of India-Pakistan ODIs on Doordarshan after TEN Sports and Prasar Bharti reached an agreement that the latter would deposit a sum of Rs 15 crore in court.However, the bench justified the previous decision saying that “matches of an Indo-Pak series are different from the others … For West Indies, many people may not be interested.”

Australia are taking no chances on further injuries ahead of the World Cup and have ordered their squad members not to play for their states in the Ford Ranger Cup final on Sunday. Queensland had named Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, while Victoria were expected to play Brad Hodge in the MCG clash.Matthew Hayden was originally included in the Bulls’ line-up but was ruled out when he broke a toe during his record-breaking 181 against New Zealand on Tuesday. Andrew Symonds (arm) and Brett Lee (ankle) are already in doubt for the West Indies trip and Michael Clarke is carrying a hip problem, leading the selectors to be extra-cautious with their remaining players.Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said he had discussed the situation with Hodge, Watson and Johnson. “All three are being rested on the recommendation of the Australian coach and support staff on the basis that this is in the best interests of the Australian team as they continue their preparation for the World Cup,” Hilditch said.The decision angered Terry Oliver, the Queensland coach, who said his players should be available unless they are injured. “If there is a plan to rest players just for the sake of being rested, I’d be very disappointed,” Oliver told . “There is a duty under their contracts to play state cricket. I have had a look at the schedule for the World Cup and it’s not that heavy. Watto [Watson] is one bloke who would certainly benefit from this game of cricket on the weekend.”Australia’s move came as Johnson told the paper he would require “clean-up” injections for a minor injury to his right ankle. John Buchanan, the Australia coach, said it would be disappointing for the state competition that the stars would not be there but it was a necessary precaution.”Having been a state coach I understand the position of the states and recognise that this is a premier fixture in the domestic calendar,” Buchanan said. “But in this case I believe there’s a bigger picture and that’s the World Cup and the preparation of players in the Australian squad for that tournament.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out

The incomparable Glenn McGrath homed in at regular intervals, and despite a chancy innings of great character from Devon Smith, West Indies were staring at a considerable first-innings deficit by stumps on the second day at the Gabba. When play ended 45 minutes past the scheduled close, they were 6 for 182, still 253 in arrears, with McGrath having scalped 4 for 54.Having defied the Australians for four hours and 175 balls, Smith was finally undone by McGrath going round the wicket, and he stared in bemusement at his tormentor as he walked back to the pavilion. There had been some handsome drives through cover and point early in his innings, especially against a lightning quick but erratic Brett Lee, but Smith was frequently clueless against Shane Warne getting the ball to spin like a top out of the rough.Having just about survived a stumping chance off a slider, and then seen Ricky Ponting put down a tough chance at silly point, Smith was still alert enough to take full toll of the chances that came his way. After being clunked on the helmet by a ferociously fast (151.3 kmph) bouncer from Lee, he added 60 with Brian Lara – the victim of a very ordinary umpiring decision – and then went on to see Warne and McGrath squeeze the life out of the West Indian innings.Earlier, both Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan had looked in ominously good touch, but McGrath eventually wore both down with his patented line of attack outside off stump. Sarwan’s dismissal was especially important given that he and Smith had been motoring along at close to six an over after giving Lee a real pasting. But once Nathan Bracken helped stemmed the run flow, and Warne came on to display his inimitable wares, it was backs-to-the-wall time.Lara was circumspect rather than dashing until a full-length delivery from Lee trapped him on the crease, while Shivnarine Chanderpaul attempted to hit his way out of stroke-less quicksand. Most unfortunate was Marlon Samuels, who had scored 257 against Queensland in the warm-up game. Having started with a peachy drive through the covers off McGrath, he perished to a ball that could only be described as perfect.In truth, it had always seemed a question of when, rather than if, the West Indies would crumble, especially once Australia’s tail wrested the momentum by refusing to subside in the morning session. After rain had caused a half-hour delay, both Warne and Lee were jittery against the second new ball, but a combination of luck and stout defence kept Fidel Edwards and Corey Collymore at bay.When the bowlers strayed, they were usually made to pay, and a Lee straight-drive off a Collymore full-toss set the tone for what was to follow. Warne, who had edged, driven and glanced his way to 47, finally succumbed to Daren Powell’s first ball of the day, but by then the partnership was worth 75. And if West Indies assumed that Warne’s exit meant the end was nigh, they were swiftly set right by Bracken, who started by pulling Powell for four, and then dismissively thumped Collymore over extra-cover.The odd delivery continued to zip past the outside edge or swaying helmet, but as both men grew in confidence, the scoreboard started to tick over. Lee unveiled a sumptuous on-drive off a Powell half-volley and after a vociferous leg-before appeal was turned down, he slashed one over the slips for four more.Bracken wasn’t idle either, getting some beefy blows in, but the definitive shot of the morning was left to Lee, a monster hit over midwicket that resulted in the ball being lost. Powell, who had earlier had Bracken snick a no-ball behind the stumps, had his revenge with the replacement ball, but as Lee walked off to a standing ovation, West Indies were left to ponder a morning session where the best-laid plans had gone awry. And in would get no better, with McGrath – who now has 101 wickets against West Indies alone – intent on proving just why he’s been in a fast-bowling league of his own for so very long.

AustraliaShane Warne c Ramdin b Powell 47 (8 for 369)
Beaten by away movement, edged behindBrett Lee c Collymore b Powell 47 (9 for 417)
Mistimed pull caught over his head at mid-onNathan Bracken c Sarwan b Edwards 37 (435 all out)
Hint of away movement, edged drive well caught at second slipWest IndiesChris Gayle c Gilchrist b McGrath 10 (1 for 21)
Big flail results only in a thin edge behind the stumps Ramnaresh Sarwan c Gilchrist b McGrath 21 (2 for 74)
Drawn into a tentative prod, and a thin edge behindBrian Lara lbw Lee 30 (3 for 134)
Struck on the back pad by Lee bowling round the wicket. The angle would most likely have taken the ball past leg stumpShivnarine Chanderpaul c Bracken b Warne 2 (4 for 149)
Mistimed a pull to a short ball, brilliant caught on the dive inches from the ground at wide mid-on Marlon Samuels c Gilchrist b McGrath 5 (5 for 161)
Edged a perfectly pitched leg-cutterDevon Smith b McGrath 88 (6 for 174)
Shouldered arms to a round-the-wicket delivery that shaped back a touch