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“You can’t take any team lightly these days. You don’t know which bush will throw up what snake.” These words, by Vijay Bharadwaj, the Karnataka coach, indicates how cautiously they are approaching the Ranji Trophy game against Himachal Pradesh. Karnataka will start as clear favourites, though: the team has Anil Kumble, who has just become the national captain, and Rahul Dravid, fresh from a double-hundred. Plus, they are playing at home.Both teams are carrying just one point from their previous games, as the batting let them down in the first innings. Karnataka collapsed against the spin of Ramesh Powar on a tricky first-day wicket against Mumbai while HP struggled against the Saurashtra spinners – Kamlesh Makvana and Rakesh Dhurv – and collapsed sensationally from 131 for 1 to 181.”It was one bad session of batting that cost us dearly,” Sandeep Sharma, HP’s captain, said. “But we are confident of a better show against Karnataka. Our bowling is in very good shape and I am sure the batsmen will come to the party.”Sharma has reason to believe that his team won’t be embarrassed. In Vikramjeet Singh Malik and Ashok Thakur, the left-arm seamer who took 11 wickets in the last game, they have a decent pace attack. And spin is their main strike weapon as they have the in-form left-arm spinner Vishal Bhatia and Sarandeep Singh, the former India offspinner who moved from Punjab to HP last season. Bhatia, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Plate league with 38 victims, and Sarandeep, who took 28 wickets last season, ensured that HP didn’t lose a single game en route to becoming the Plate champions.Their batting will be led by the captain himself and he will look to the young players like Paras Dogra, wicketkeeper Maninder Bisla, and Manish Gupta to get the runs on the board. Dogra was the top scorer last season with 528 runs at 48, while Sharma, too, enjoyed a good season.They have a fairly unchanged nucleus for the last three years. “We all know each other pretty well, there are quite a few talented youngsters, and it’s a very healthy attitude that prevails in our camp,” Sharma said. How these youngsters adapt to the challenge of playing against the experienced Karnataka players on an untested wicket will be the key.

The pitch is of some concern as it was recently re-laid, and just a couple of games have been played on the new surface. The top layer has been changed, with soil brought in from Kakinada, a district in Andhra Pradesh. It’s anybody’s guess how the track will play; some players from both teams think it will assist spinners fairly early in the game as they reckoned the top surface is quite powdery. The curator, however, is confident it will hold up for the game.”We have left a sprinkling of grass on the track and it should hold up. It should be a sporting wicket,” Narayan Raju, the chief curator, told Cricinfo. “Of course it will take spin, perhaps from the end of the second day or by the third day.”Both teams have said that they will bat first if the coin falls in their favour. “Since it’s a newly laid track, we would look to bat first,” Bharadwaj said.Dravid practised for nearly a couple of hours in the morning on the practice wickets and he would be itching to have another big knock under his belt before the Tests against Pakistan. Kumble, who was in Mumbai for the selection meeting, is expected to fly back tonight and will pair up with Sunil Joshi as Karnataka’s spin weapons. The fast bowlers, Kumble will hope his fast bowlers – Vinay Kumar and NC Aiyappa, who was restricted to just one game due to an injury in the last season and bowled well only in patches in the last game – can put up a good show. Karnataka is likely to go with the same team that drew against Mumbai, while HP will finalise their playing XI tomorrow.

If you’re in Bangladesh for just one day, make sure it’s a Friday. That’s the day when the masses throng the roads, the kids drag their parents out in search of the parks, and the parents spend a day away from what must be a fairly onerous working week. Chittagong, though, is a bit different from Dhaka, in that there are a mere 7000 cycle-rickshaws per half-kilometre, a mere pound and a half of suspended particles per cubic metre of air.An English journalist once described Chittagong as a breath of fresh air, and in a limited sense that’s accurate. Sections of the city have gently sloping hills, and the poverty and despair that seem to assault the visitor in Dhaka are not as apparent, perhaps gently alleviated by the sea breeze that cools things down as the sun begins its downward journey.On Friday, just one day after another holiday – Victory Day – you would have been forgiven for thinking that the census board was lying when it recorded that Chittagong had about a quarter of the population of Dhaka. The stands were well-packed, though the support waned as Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid silenced the yelling and chanting with booming drives. There’s nothing like the crack of opposition willow on leather to shut the crowds up.But for most of the day, the real action was outside the ground. The Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka is skirted by electronics stores, so the chatter is naturally businesslike and rather dull. The edges of the MA Aziz Stadium, on the other hand, are teeming with life. East of the ground is what would have been a large open space, before it was taken over by a mammoth circus tent. All manner of garish amusements trot in and out of the tent with regularity, and almost to provide relief to the eyes, the immediate surroundings of the tent is a dhobi ghat. Large swathes of clothes dry on lines and, to the untrained eye, the whole exercise seems a waste of time, as the thick exhaust fumes of vehicles and the heavy dust particles drift towards the freshly washed clothes.If you wander towards the media box, which is at the Circuit House End, overlooking an amusement park, you have to go past the curiously named Royal Hut kebab house. The aroma of an assortment of meats being grilled over hot coals tempts you towards the shop, but you know that the cricket beckons, and refrain. The location of the kebab house could not be more apt, as it is owned by Nurul Abedin, the brother of Minhazul Abedin, and Shahidur Rahman, both former Bangladesh cricketers.But on Saturday, the second day of the Test, with India beginning well and truly on top, the surrounds of the stadium were largely deserted. It was back to work for everyone as the inevitable records tumbled. The fans trickled into the stands but, as the first ball was about to be bowled, it was only the two press buildings – the commentary boxes at the Chittagong Club End, and the three-storey tower that houses the written media – that were full. If the average fan was worried that his day would be wasted watching his favourite cricketers ground into the dust by Sachin Tendulkar, he needn’t have bothered. Mashrafe Mortaza, the hero at Dhaka, hit the perfect line and length first up, and Tendulkar was so palpably in front of the stumps that even Aleem Dar had to take that left hand out of the pocket and point to the sky.As word of Tendulkar’s dismissal and – soon after – VVS Laxman’s spread, hope returned and the stands began to fill up. But just outside the stadium, rickshaw-wallahs argued with customers, kebab houses solicited customers, and life went on. After all, it wasn’t a Friday, there was work to do, and there was no time to stop and stare.

Zaheer Khan has finally sorted out his action at the MRF Pace Academy, guided by a world-renowned bio-mechanics expert who assisted him with tips about injury prevention. Press Trust of India reported that according to Dr David John, the expert, the minor changes Zaheer made to his action helped him bowl faster and without pain during match situations simulated at the academy.Zaheer’s injuries and niggles had become a source of worry for the Indian team, who have required him to spearhead the bowling attack. But during the sessions with Dr John, his bowling action was scrutinised and his run-up dissected. John said, “He was not making any good use of his front arm by jumping high in the air, which translates more power on his front leg.” He added that Zaheer’s previous action resulted in his muscles coming under a lot more stress.The news, if true, will come as welcome relief for India, who need all the fit bowlers they can get before the start of the new season. Last season, the main bowlers were constantly hampered by injuries, and India were fortunate that Irfan Pathan and Lakshmipathy Balaji filled in admirably.

Scorecard

Federal Areas had an impressive first day against top-placed Sind in Islamabad, bundling them out for 222 and then scoring 119 for the loss of three wickets.With his 5 for 58, Sohail Tanvir ensured Federal Areas made good first use of the pitch. Sind lost wickets at regular intervals, Tanvir removed two of the top four, while Yasir Arafat and Shehzad Azam took one apiece. A 71-ball 53 from Naumanullah held up one end for a while, but the knock of the innings came from Shahid Afridi, the Sind captain.Coming in at No. 6, Afridi blasted 70 off 49 balls, with eight fours and three sixes. At 194 for 5, Sind were in with a chance to reach 300, but Saeed Ajmal and Tanvir triggered a collapse. Ajmal got rid of the dangerous Afridi, out caught-and-bowled, while Tanvir scalped Sarfraz Ahmed, Danish Kaneria and Sohail Khan. Ajmal, an offbreak bowler, took another wicket as well, but figures of 2 for 64 off six overs indicate he suffered the most during Afridi’s onslaught.Federal Areas made a strong reply with an 82-run opening stand, before Afridi removed Umair Khan for 19. Umair’s partner Raheel Majeed did the bulk of the scoring, with 72 off 93 balls. Sohail Khan, who scythed the Baluchistan top order in the previous game, picked up two wickets before stumps to reduce Federal Areas from 114 for 1 to 119 for 3.ScorecardAfter being shot out for 42 against Sind last week, Baluchistan’s batsmen did better against Punjab, managing 298 for 7 on the first day at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot.However, Baluchistan frittered away the advantage, they were at 208 for 2 at one stage, but lost five wickets for 90 runs as Punjab fought back. A 121-run second-wicket stand between Yasir Arafat and Rameez Alam laid the platform for Baluchistan. Arafat made 62, while Alam scored 84 before he was bowled by Mohammad Hafeez.Saeed Bin Nasir chipped in with 46, and wicketkeeper Gulraiz Sadaf ended the day unbeaten on 36. For Punjab, opening bowler Wahab Riaz was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 53.

Gerald Majola, the chief executive of the United Cricket Board, faces a commission of inquiry as the fall-out from the Diteko Modise fraud scandal gathers pace. Modise, the former financial manager, was alleged to have stolen at least R7.2 million from the UCB, and it has been suggested in the South African media that Majola might have been expected to pick up on his behaviour.The UCB held their AGM at Johannesburg International Airport on Saturday and the general council, made up of the presidents of the provincial unions, decided to institute the inquiry. Their treasurer, John Blair, who has stepped down after four years in the post, was exonerated by the general council at an extraordinary meeting. "John Blair, as an honorary, non-executive office bearer," read a UCB statement, "was not and could not have been aware of the alleged theft committed by Mr Modise.”Advocate Norman Arendse SC, a UCB General Council member, will lead the commission of inquiry, and its terms of reference will be “to inquire into and report on the alleged misconduct of the CEO and members of his staff” and “to make findings and recommendations including, but not limited to, the taking of disciplinary action if necessary.”In other business at the AGM, Blair, who was replaced as treasurer by Haroon Lorgat, warned the UCB that it and its affiliates must “conform to strict financial disciplines” after a “very poor financial year”, due in the main to income from the sale of TV rights dropping from R50 million to just R14.6 million.Vuyisile Mgadle, the newly appointed Border president and Arendse, the head of Western Province cricket, took their places for the first time in the general council, with Eastern Province’s Xolani Boqwana, North-West’s Oupa Nkagiseng and Free State’s Tim Khumalo voted in as the three black African representatives.The general council will return tomorrow to discuss the new officebearers of Cricket SA (Pty) Ltd, with the heads of the six newprofessional franchises expected to be given the posts.

The England camp was breathing a sigh of relief this morning, after it was revealed that Andrew Flintoff had not fractured his right thumb while fielding, during the opening match of the NatWest Challenge at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.Flintoff, who clubbed England to victory with 34 not out from 23 balls, had been forced to leave the field during India’s innings, and later went off to hospital for an X-ray, which the England management later confirmed had merely been precautionary.England are loath to take any chances with their greatest asset, especially with the Champions Trophy fast approaching. After the discovery of a bony spur on his left ankle, he was rested for the first half of the NatWest Series against New Zealand and West Indies, although he was later recalled purely as a batsman.Flintoff is now all set to take his place in England’s one-day side for the second of three matches against India, at The Oval tomorrow, where England will be aiming to wrap up the NatWest Challenge with a match to spare.

Inzamam-ul-Haq has suggested that the emerging nations should get more international exposure in order to reduce the gap with the top teams, and also expressed disappointment with the new format of the 2006 Champions Trophy to be held in India.”I think the emerging nations deserve more exposure so that they can narrow the gap between the top teams,” Inzamam told Press Trust of India. “But I fear that with the format of the 2006 Champions Trophy, that gap will be widened.”The ICC had announced earlier that next years’s Champions Trophy would comprise the top eight teams. While the top six teams as on April 1, 2006, will get direct entry, the remaining four Test playing nations will participate in a pre-tournament qualifier and the top two sides will complete the fray.”The 2007 World Cup will include 16 teams. I think we should provide maximum opportunity [before the event in the West Indies] to the younger teams so that they can have a feel of international and top-grade cricket,” Inzamam explained. “I think by restricting the Champions Trophy to eight teams, we are probably denying among others Bangladesh and Zimbabwe the right to prepare themselves for the World Cup.”

ScorecardDay 5Bulletin – New Zealand win despite defiant RudolphDay 4Bulletin – Martin spell pushes South Africa to the brink
News – Tuffey to miss third TestDay 3Bulletin – Cairns sparkles in a run-fest
Day 2Bulletin – Styris and Martin make it New Zealand’s day
News – Pollock becomes South Africa’s leading wicket-takerDay 1Bulletin – Smith and Gibbs make it South Africa’s day

On the verge of an embarassing three-day defeat, Western Province Boland’s lower order came to the rescue and put up enough runs to take a minor lead, though a heavy loss still looked likely on the fourth day.The Titans enforced the follow-on after dismissing WPBOL for 233, where Con de Lange top-scored with 87 and Alfonso Thomas mopped up the tail. Following on, WPBOL started terribly. They were soon 106 for 6 before Thami Tsolekile (77 not out) and Rory Kleinveldt (92) put on 148. Kleinveldt had bettered his high score by a long way; his previous best was 27. Quentin Friend, coming in at number nine, also passed his previous best to end the day on 42 not out. The tail had put on 219 between them and allowed WPBOL a lead of 34 going into the final day.A tough match lead to what could be a riveting final day in Blomfontein. The Lions, set a target of 291, eased themselves to 142 for 1 with Adam Bacher on 63 and Justin Ontong on 58.The Eagles had extended their overnight lead to 185 when Boeta Dippenaar was the first to go on 71. Nicky Boje was then dismissed for 51, and Free State ended on 330. The Lions then lost Steven Cook (17) early before Bacher and Ontong took control, putting their team on the road to victory. The pitch had had lost its venom and allowed Free State back into the game.The Dolphins could only add 22 runs to their overnight total of 201 for 7 as Mornantau Hayward cleaned up the tail. With a deficit of 126, the Dolphins fought back strongly, as the pace attack of Johann Louw (3 wickets), Lance Klusener (3 wickets) and Andrew Tweedie (4 wickets) demolished the Warriors. A 54 from Mark Boucher and 46 from Robin Peterson hauled the Warriors out of serious trouble. They were eventually bowled out for 165, setting the Dolphins a target of 292 runs. At close the Dolphins had moved to 28 for 1.

Andrew Miller on the second day of the Trent Bridge Test
Download MP3 (right click and select “save target as”)
Streaming Audio: Real :: WMALasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan bowled particularly well on a day when Sri Lanka brought themselves back into the series, getting England out for 229 and getting a two-run lead in the process. Andrew Miller, Cricinfo’s UK editor, chats with Ranjit Shinde, and tells him about how this Test is perfectly balanced. Listen in.Download MP3 (right click and select “save target as”)
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