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Scorecard

Jimmy Maher emphatically bounced back from his form slump and Ryan Broad made his first substantial Pura Cup contribution as Queensland closed in on first-innings points at Brisbane. The Bulls, who reached 4 for 325, could have already taken the lead had they not let South Australia’s last pair, Shane Deitz and Shaun Tait, build a frustrating 89-run partnership in the morning session.In reply to the visitors’ 377, Maher and Broad put Queensland in command with a 263-run opening stand before the Redbacks claimed 3 for 13 to halt the home team’s momentum. Maher’s 169 was easily his best score this season – his previous highest was 52 – and he cracked 25 boundaries before Jason Gillespie finally broke the partnership and trapped him lbw.Broad, playing only his fifth first-class match, passed fifty for the first time but fell agonisingly short of a maiden century when Gillespie had him caught behind for 95. Greg Moller, the Queensland debutant, fell victim to Tait’s pace for 0 and at the close Clinton Perren (26 not out) and Chris Hartley (6 not out) were in charge of overhauling the Redbacks’ total.The Bulls wanted to wrap up South Australia’s innings early but Tait and Deitz added 54 to their overnight score. Their stand was the Redbacks’ finest tenth-wicket partnership – the previous was a measly 32 by Tim May and Chris Owen in 1991-92 – and ended when Ashley Noffke removed Deitz for 98. Noffke was the star in a mixed Queensland bowling effort, finishing with 6 for 87.

Decision of the dayWhen Daniel Vettori won the toss and chose to bowl first, opinion was divided as to the wisdom of his decision. Michael Vaughan claimed he would have done likewise, but by the time he and Alastair Cook had taken England to 79 for 0 at lunch, it’s fair to say he was revising his opinion. And then, out of the blue, but in that manner so familiar to England this series, their momentum shuddered to a halt. A hint of a cloud rolled across the Basin, and New Zealand’s seamers made the ball talk to the tune of five wickets in the session. And Vettori, quietly content by this stage, was happy to leave himself out of the attack until the 65th over.Innings of the dayWithout Ambrose’s initiative, England would have been deep – and possibly terminally – in the mire. They were in tatters at 136 for 5 when he came to the crease, and any more of that negative Hamilton mentality would have been an invitation for further disaster. Instead he fronted up with the fearlessness that had eluded his senior colleagues, never better exemplified than by the sizzling pull for six off Kyle Mills that carried him into the nineties.Over of the dayThere had been just ten balls of the day remaining when he played that shot, and most players in sight of a maiden hundred would have shut up shop for the night. Not a bit of it. A pull for three carried Ambrose to within a single blow, and he was desperate to go for it as well. Jacob Oram, more of whom later, was having none of it, however. Five jagging deliveries in a row kept the batsmen, fielders and spectators on tenterhooks right up to the bitter end, but Ambrose survived to carry his fight to another dayDouble act of the day 1Ambrose’s effort was magnificent, but it couldn’t have been achieved without the steadfast Paul Collingwood playing a vital anchor role. His doughtiness had been to England’s detriment at Hamilton, but this time he enabled his junior partner to carry the attack straight back to New Zealand. The pair performed a similar role in the first innings at Hamilton, where they added 90 for the sixth wicket, but without anything approaching the same intent. This time they brought up their 150 partnership from just 229 balls, at almost exactly twice the scoring rate.Miser of the dayEngland’s funereal run-rate at Hamilton was the root cause of all their problems, and no-one contributed more stingily to New Zealand’s cause than Oram, whose 25 overs cost a meagre 29 runs. Today, it was Oram who once again instigated the slide, in an incredible 14-over onslaught either side of lunch. By the time he took a blow with England reeling at 109 for 3, his cumulative series stats were an incredible 39-18-37-4.Shots of the dayOram positively leaked runs in his second spell, however – 13 of them in six overs, including the first boundary he’d conceded all day (and only his second of the entire series). And it was a superb strike too, a full stride to the pitch of the ball from Tim Ambrose, and a sweet drive through the line. One over later, and Ambrose was on the attack again, using his diminutive stature to carve a short ball from Oram up and over the slip cordon and away to the third-man rope. It was a perfectly safe shot, perfectly executed, and it took him to an invaluable half-century from a counterattacking 68 balls.Diminishing return of the dayOn the eve of the series, Daniel Vettori made a great song and dance about the fact that all of England’s top six averaged in excess of 40. That, however, is no longer the case. After falling for 8 during England’s post-lunch collapse, Andrew Strauss’s average has now dipped to 39.95, the lowest mark of his 45-Test career. And all the while, he’s extended that search for an 11th Test century to 28 innings and counting …Double act of the day 2What must Matthew Hoggard and Jeetan Patel have been thinking as they lugged the drinks out to their respective players at each and every interval? Only last week, both men were integral members of their teams, Hoggard the senior seamer and Patel the invaluable second spinner. Now they’ve both been cast out of the reckoning, although they bore the indignity with great resilience as they laughed and joked their way to the middle and back. Being dumped for no good reason is a great ice-breaker between rival 12th men.

Based on the results between the two sides at the last three World Twenty20 Qualifiers, Ireland were likely salivating at the prospect of taking on USA at Stormont.In 2010, Niall O’Brien produced his career-best T20 score of 84 off 50 balls as Ireland passed 200 for the first time in their T20 history before reducing USA to 25 for 6 in a 78-run romp. In 2012, his brother Kevin got out of a lengthy scoring rut after his 2011 World Cup heroics against England by smacking 47 off 36 balls ahead of Boyd Rankin’s career-best T20 figures of 4 for 9 in a 64-run win. Last year, William Porterfield’s T20 career-best 127 not out in a total of 216 for 3 set up a 75-run win.It should be no surprise that Andy Balbirnie kept up the tradition of career-bests against USA on Sunday. The young batsman’s 44 is the highest score in his brief 12-match T20 career. However, he was dropped twice in his innings, on 13 and 23. It allowed Balbirnie to stay at the crease where along with Stuart Thompson and later John Mooney, he carried Ireland from a precarious position of 92 for 5 one ball into the 16th over to a much more comfortable end score of 146 for 6.USA captain Muhammad Ghous lauded his bowling unit for their performance over the first 15 overs of the match. It was by far USA’s best effort in their four encounters with Ireland at the qualifier, but Ghous and his team-mates were left to rue what might have been had they not let Ireland get away in the final five overs.”Overall the bowlers bowled really excellent but the last five overs, that’s where we gave up the game,” Ghous told ESPNcricinfo after the match. “Our bowlers bowled four or five no balls and it can cost you and take pressure off batsmen. The guys tried their best. These guys just played really good shots, shots you can’t set fields to, paddle sweeps. They just played better cricket in the last five overs.”Ghous tried to encourage his team-mates as they walked off the field, shouting to them, “146 is nothing guys. Come on we can do this.” However, after John Mooney had struck four of the seven deliveries he faced to the boundary in an unbeaten 20 off seven balls, most USA players had their heads down, the last two overs at the forefront of their minds instead of the excellent work they did over the first 15USA’s penchant for alarming collapses wouldn’t have been too far back in their minds either and they knew that 130 was the maximum they could afford to give Ireland. Their batting form held true again as a panicky display in the middle of the innings saw them lose two wickets to run-outs in the space of five deliveries, and four wickets in eight balls to go from a hopeful 74 for 4 in the 12th over to a hopeless 81 for 8 after 13. After repeated denials by his team-mates earlier on the tour, Ghous finally admitted the team lacked adequate preparation to take on teams like Ireland.”Everybody lives in different parts of the USA, so it’s very tough for all of us to get together,” Ghous said. “We do lack some experience and preparation but we are here and we have to give our 100% best. Whatever we have, we have to put out there.”Experience does matter. These guys are all young. We don’t play as much cricket on the higher level. We have one or two tournaments in a year. The more you play better cricket, that’s where you gain experience. It will come by playing more tournaments.”As for his own role in the team, Ghous defended his decision to underbowl himself against Ireland. He took the new ball for one over, but only bowled one more for the rest of the game to finish with figures of 0 for 15, and he has yet to take a wicket in the tournament.”These wickets suit medium-pacers,” Ghous said. “Even Ireland, Dockrell came and only bowled one over [sic two]. That’s their main frontline spinner. It’s not necessary I have to bowl four overs. I will come and squeeze runs where I can if I see an opportunity. I have enough bowlers that I can mix around. Me bowling all four overs is not necessary as long as the team is doing great and other people can come and chip in.”USA’s next game is against Namibia at Stormont on Monday morning and Ghous remains hopeful that the team will be able to rally back from a pair of hard losses.”We should have restricted [Ireland] to 130 but things happen and that’s cricket. Things can’t always go your way. The positive I’ll take is that the guys are bowling great so hopefully they’ll keep it that way. We’ll come tomorrow hard and restrict Namibia to even lower than that. We’re gonna play hard and positive. This is a long tournament. Anything is possible.”

Ricky Ponting is the most marketable sporting figure in Australia and five of the top ten sponsorship favourites come from cricket, according to a research report. Ponting has become used to life at the top during his career and beat a field including the swimmers Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett and the footballer Harry Kewell.The Sweeney Sports report, which measured how suitable 70 sportspeople were to endorse brands and organisations, had Ponting first, Adam Gilchrist seoncd and Brett Lee fifth – he was tied with Hackett. The retired duo of Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh were equal seventh while Shane Warne was 16th. Andrew Symonds improved to 23rd alongside the boxer Kostya Tszyu and footballer Tim Cahill.”The biggest increase in popularity during the past year has been recorded by Andrew Symonds, who sprung from equal 58th position last year,” the Sweeney Sports general manager Todd Deacon said. “Warne’s ranking during his career has see-sawed depending on off-field scandals.”A largely scandal-free year has meant a high ranking, but negative events have tended to send his ranking plummeting.” His final position was up almost a year after retiring.

Cricket matches in Chennai usually mean a lot of rain. Water scarcity is a big problem in the city but schedule a game and you can be pretty assured about the heavens opening up. The steady pitter-patter this morning brought with it a sense of déjà vu.Over the last four years, two Tests, two ODIs and a premier domestic one-day final – all of which were played between October and December – have been disrupted by rain. But this time, at least, the board seems to have got the timing right – since 1995, games held in March have gone the course.A bit of rain, though, brings with it humidity and it was no surprise to see Jacques Kallis and Paul Harris spent after the session. It was also fitting that they sat alongside each other – one will lead the batsmen’s challenge against turn while the other will spearhead the spin department against quality opposition.Kallis was pretty clear about the conditions his side could expect for the first Test. “I don’t think there’s going to be too much swing happening here,” he said with a wry smile. “The way the wicket has been prepared, it’s going to be a spinner’s paradise. We’ve had trips to the subcontinent recently and the guys are playing spin as well as they’ve ever played. I think the myth that South Africans do not play spin well is pretty much out of the window now.”While South Africa go into the series without any practice match, Kallis felt the tour to Bangladesh was a good preparation. “The guys have played low and slow wickets in Bangladesh, so technically they’re well prepared. Mentally – to bat time, face the heat and humidity – needs an adjustment. So at the moment it’s probably a more mental adjustment we need to make.”Sitting next to him was Harris, somebody who’s waited for this tour all his life. South Africa’s only previous series win in India – back in 1999-00 – was set up by a fine spell by another left-arm spinner – Nicky Boje. While India’s power-packed batting order has dealt successfully with legspinners and offbreak bowlers, it’s the left-arm variety – Raymond Price, Ashley Giles and Boje – who have turned into irritants. Joining Harris in the spin department will be Robin Peterson, another left-arm spinner, who is expected to land on Monday.”I’m looking forward to bowling to all of the Indian top order,” Harris said. “I’ve been waiting my whole career to play a series in India – probably the best place for a spinner to come and test his skills. I’m looking forward to bowling to some of the best players in the world. It’s a pity I missed the Test matches in Bangladesh. I was injured for that. But I have a great coach at home – Richard Pybus, he’s coached Pakistan – and he’s helped me.”Harris showed his match-winning ability on the trip to Pakistan late last year, with 12 wickets in two games. It included a telling 5 for 73 in the Karachi Test, setting up a famous win. However, while recognising that performance, he thought he gained more from the two home series against India and Pakistan [in 2006-07].”In Pakistan they prepared wickets for their spinners – especially inKarachi. It turned a lot and there was actually quite a bit of bounce there [in Pakistan]. So I felt it was less strenuous than in the home tours against India and Pakistan before that. It was nice to go there and do well but those wickets really did suit me.”With conditions likely to drain the energies of the faster bowlers,Harris is expecting to shoulder a large part of the burden. However,Kallis was clear that only a collective effort – from both the quicksand the spinners – would win them the series. “I think we have anattack that can take 20 wickets, which is what you need to win a Test.For the first time in a long time, our strength lies with our bowlers.And I think they’re going to come through. If they can have a goodseries here, we’re in with a big shot.”

A fine all round performance by national cap, Romesh Kaluwitharana, ensured Colts CC a 58 run victory over Panadura Sports Clubin a key Premier League Limited Overs encounter at Colts cricket grounds today. The victory means that Colts become the group leaders and now look certain to qualify for the semi-finals.Kaluwitharana, coming into bat at number two, scored a well compiled 122 runs, which included nine boundaries and two sixes to erase the bitter memories of the day before, when he was run out without facing a ball. This was his second century in consecutive weeks.Then, when he took the field, he couldn’t stay out of the action. He decided not to keep wicket but held onto a brilliant diving catch at first slip in the seventh over to dismiss opener Anjula Perera.Chaminda Vaas, who captained Colts today, then decided to try his hand at bowling in the 47th over of the innings. Kaluwithrana, clearly delighted to have an opportunity to turn his arm over, took a wicket with his fifth delivery and another in his second over.Panadura SC who were chasing a target of 295 runs to win, batted doggedly but found it difficult to accelerate the scoring. Chamara Silva was the pick of the batsmen. He scored 55 and when he was at the crease Panadura had a theoretical chance. However, Dinuka Hettiarachchi (3/44) bowled him to leave Panadura 187 for three in the 43rd over.Panadura skipper, Sham Liyanage, was not too disappointed by the batting performance and remained upbeat about the remaining two matches two matches against NCC and CCC.”This was our highest total in the tournament so far, out batsmen did well, only thing we gave away too many in the last few overs that was also due to drizzling conditions,” explained Liyanage.Asked to bat first, Colts piled up a massive 294 runs despite the pitch being difficult to bat on the outfield having been slowed by the drizzle.Openers Chaminda Mendis(14) and Kaluwitharana put on 54 runs for the first wicket before Mendis was out in the 14th over. Then Jeevantha Kulatunge(49) joined Kaluwitharana to put up 105 runs for the second wicket and Kulantuge was the next to go in the 37th over.Kaluwitharana was joined by Sajith Fernando(77)and the pair put up 85 runs before Kalu was out in the 47th over. Sajith Fernando hammered the bowlers all around the ground in the final overs. He scored his 77 runs from just 41 balls and hit four sixes. 83 runs were scored from the last five overs.

Good news at last for Canada – they have announced their search for a chief executive to lead their push towards professional cricket. The full-time role will be funded by ICC and the Canada Cricket Association (CCA).Whoever is appointed will report to the CCA president Ben Sennik, with responsibilities for financial reporting, marketing and helping to implement a high-performance program alongside the new coach.The ad states that the ideal candidate will be “preferably fluent in English and French”. But while the CCA is required to have a bilingual policy, in line with Federal Government policy, finding someone who speaks both languages who also has in-depth knowledge of the game both globally and within Canada, and has an excellent business brain may be a task of needle and haystack – though not impossible.Nevertheless, the news couldn’t come at a better time for Canada: putting it mildly, it’s been a bad week. Their preparations for the Intercontinental Cup final were shoddy at best – though not entirely of their own making – and the outcome laid bare what’s wrong within the game. They didn’t look like a unit; their body language was poor, and they hadn’t had enough practice.It’s hardly their fault – they had played little cricket, and some play on artificial wickets when they do – but John Davison’s tag of “village and embarrassing” for one of their World Cup displays was equally relevant on the first day. In retrospect, however, it was a very big ask. Not one member of the CCA, nor any of the selectors, was there to witness the display – a funding issue – but all of which was sorrily contrasted by a smiling, enthusiastic Ireland side and board.And now Canada are without a coach, following Andy Pick’s return to England Under-19 duties. So what better time than to announce that now they are looking for someone who can redress this situation, and inject some much-needed professionalism? Furthermore, the chief executive will be required to offer a clear marketing program which is vital, as funding continues to be a massive issue.The CCA themselves recognise that for the players to become professional is a long process, but this role is exciting news for the country, the new coach and the new chief exec. Now they just have to find them.

West Indies batsman Wavell Hinds has signed a one-year deal with Derbyshire as a Kolpak player. He has played 45 Tests and 114 one-day internationals, but hasn’t featured at international level since the Champions Trophy last October.If Hinds was to play for West Indies during this contract he would have to rescind his non-overseas status, so the move means his international future is looking doubtful. However, his aggressive batting and useful medium-pace will be valuable additions to the Derbyshire team.”It is terrific news for Derbyshire that we have been able to add a player of Wavell’s quality and experience to our squad for 2008,” said head of cricket John Morris. “Wavell has plenty of experience in both the Test and one-day international arena and he has proven ability in scoring runs at the highest level. That is exactly what I was looking for in a Kolpak player.”Hinds is the latest big-name signing made by Morris since he took charge at Derbyshire following Rikki Clarke’s arrival as captain last week.

A spate of explosions in Jaipur, killing at least 60 people, has cast a shadow over Saturday’s IPL match in the city between the Rajasthan Royals and the Bangalore Royal Challengers. The match looks likely to be shifted out of Jaipur, with Bangalore offering to host the game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.”We have conveyed our decision to the IPL council,” Martin Crowe, Bangalore’s chief cricket officer, told Cricinfo from Chandigarh, where the team is currently staying. “The franchises are discussing the issue. A final decision will be made tomorrow. We are going to Delhi tomorrow and will probably head over to Bangalore after a night’s stay in Delhi.”However, Fraser Castellino, the CEO of the Jaipur franchise, said he had not heard of this development and didn’t want to comment on the possibility. Bangalore have already hosted Rajasthan in the tournament – on April 26 – in a game that the visitors won by a comfortable margin.Meanwhile, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has promised extra security and ruled out a change of schedule “as of now”. “We are concerned but the matches are going to continue and we have full confidence in the state government,” he told Indian news channel NDTV. “We have no plans as of now to change the schedule. We will provide them additional cover and make sure everyone is protected.”At least five major blasts rocked Jaipur, the base of the Rajasthan Royals, with the death and injury toll on the rise. The Rajasthan team hasn’t been affected: most of the players are currently holidaying in Goa and the others have gone back to their respective homes.

Sunil Gavaskar has found it difficult to decide between which of his two roles, that as a media columnist and also as chairman of the ICC’s cricket committee, he should remain in.”I love writing and I love being on television,” Gavaskar told the . “But I also appreciate the opportunity to be on the ICC committee, to sit along with players who have distinguished themselves, and also the umpires who are in the technical committee.”Being in the ICC committee, I get a perspective from just about every stake holder and that is also something very enjoyable and fulfilling.”The executive board of the ICC had asked him to relinquish one of his roles to avoid a potential conflict of interests. He has until after the next ICC cricket committee on May 5-6 to make his decision. The ICC board will review the issue at its next meeting, during the ICC Annual Conference week, between June 29 and July 4.Regarding this, Gavaskar said, “I just want to say one thing: The BCCI has been in touch with me and they have informed me that there has been no such decision taken at the ICC meeting last week. “As far as I am concerned, that is that.”Concerns were first raised regarding his dual duties after he criticised match referee Mike Procter in his newspaper column for banning Harbhajan Singh for alleged racial abuse against Andrew Symonds during the Sydney Test in January.