Report
Kandy test declared a draw
The torrential rain that engulfed Kandy and its surroundings during the week destroyed an otherwise exciting 3rd and final test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Col (Retd) Rafi Nasim
02-Jul-2000
The torrential rain that engulfed Kandy and its surroundings during the week destroyed an otherwise exciting 3rd and final test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The dawn of the 5th day (Sunday) saw the Agiriya International Stadium Ground fully submerged in water. The outfield was so soggy that the two commentators Tony Graig and Pat Symcot showed the heels and toes of their shoes dipped in wet soil. No amount of work could turn the ground fit for play.
Earlier, the rain washed out half the 1st days' play. Full day's game was, however, possible on the 2nd day that ended with Sri Lankan's fantastic innings of 449 for 5. On the 3rd day, only 15 minutes of play was possible during which Atapttu completed his prolific double ton (207). The 4th day was completely washed out and so the 5th day now. The test has been abandoned as a draw.
The prominent feature of the 5th day was the holding of a prize distribution ceremony to mark the end of HNB Test Series. The test having been drawn the prize money was shared by the two teams. While Pakistan won HNB Test Series Trophy, Wasim Akram was declared "Man of the Series".
Full postHistoric loss for Windies at Lord's
Lord's-For once, and for all their customorary endeavour, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh couldn't quite complete another rescue mission for the West Indies again foisted on them by their weak batsmen
Tony Cozier
02-Jul-2000
Lord's-For once, and for all their customorary endeavour, Curtly
Ambrose and Courtney Walsh couldn't quite complete another rescue
mission for the West Indies again foisted on them by their weak
batsmen.
Once more, the champion fast bowlers defied their combined age of 73
to send down 45 overs and five balls between them as England scraped
together the 188 they needed to win the second Test by two wickets
yesterday before an engrossed Saturday crowd that filled Lord's for a
spellbinding contest befitting of the famous ground's 100th Test.
Just as they ' and the many West Indian greats assembled for the
anniversary of the historic 1950 victory ' had been let down by the
batting on the previous evening in the West Indies stunning, all-out
second innings 54, Ambrose and Walsh got little assistance from their
younger, support bowlers. There none at all from lady luck as England
levelled the series with the eighth wicket pair, Man of the Match
Dominic Cork and Darren Gough, together in a partnership of 31.
To Walsh went the individual spoils, six for 74 from his 23.5 overs.
It was the 21st time he had claimed at least half the opposition
wickets, the fourth in successive Tests, further proof that he is as
good now, in many ways better, than he has every been.
Full postTrescothick triumph with bat and ball
Somerset slammed 295-7, the highest score in the National League this summer to date, at Maidstone as they took out their frustration on Kent for having pulled away from defeat after following in the corresponding championship match which ended
Staff and agencies
02-Jul-2000
Somerset stun Kent
Somerset slammed 295-7, the highest score in the National League this summer
to date, at Maidstone as they took out their frustration on Kent for having pulled away from defeat after following in the corresponding championship match which ended yesterday. Their win by 54 runs took them to six points behind Division One leaders Worcestershire.
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Marcus Trescothick Photo © Paul McGregor |
Sharks skipper's hundred bites Steelbacks
Chris Adams struck a captain's innings of 100 runs off 95 balls to power Sussex Sharks to a 43 runs win at Wantage for only their second National League success this summer
Staff and agencies
02-Jul-2000
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Chris Adams Photo © Paul McGregor |
Chris Adams struck a captain's innings of 100 runs off 95 balls to power
Sussex Sharks to a 43 runs win at Wantage for only their second National League success this summer.
Chris Adams hammered a quickfire century as Sussex Sharks overcame
Northamptonshire Steelbacks by 43 runs at Wantage Road -- only their second
National League success of the season.
Full postGlamorgan's Glee as Smith falls to final ball
There was drama at Swansea as Neil Smith's dismissal to the last ball of the match with the totals even brought Warwickshire/Glamorgan a share of the honours in their National League Division Two encounter
Staff and agencies
02-Jul-2000
There was drama at Swansea as Neil Smith's dismissal to the last ball of the
match with the totals even brought Warwickshire/Glamorgan a share of the honours in their National League Division Two encounter.
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Neil Smith Photo © Paul McGregor |
Rain had brought the players in with Glamorgan making only 167-4 off 38
overs: Matthew Eliott (84 n.o.) and Steve James (53) had put on a competent but cramped 101 runs for the second-wicket. According to the Duckworth-Lewis rules Warwickshire then had to make 202 runs over the same distance for victory.
It seemed to be a tall order and the visitors started none too well so that
at the end of 28 overs were only 134-6. Captain Neil Smith amd Michael Powell brought the target more within reach by putting on 67 runs for the seventh wicket. With seven runs needed off the final over from Adam Dale the batsmen levelled the scores with the last ball remaining - with which Smith was bowled. The Glamorgan fieldsmen who thought the game had been lost celebrated gleefully.
Full postLeicestershire languish as rain aids Worcs
Worcestershire, currently leading the National League Division One, faltered after being put in to bat by strand-in captain Steve Rhodes against Leicestershire at the New Road ground, until they were restred by the weather from their predicament
Staff and agencies
02-Jul-2000
Worcestershire, currently leading the National League Division One, faltered
after being put in to bat by strand-in captain Steve Rhodes against Leicestershire at the New Road ground, until they were restred by the weather from their predicament. Their 108-8 total made from 38 overs seemed to be hardly enough.
With the Duckworth-Lewis system in application Leicestershire needed 118 runs
to win. Then a downpour flooded the ground to the extent that umpires Roy Palmer and Tony Clarkson could do noithing other that abandon play shortly after 5.30 p.m. That left each side with 2 points much to the chagrin of Leicestershire who would have fancied their chances of reducing the eight points margin between themselves and their rivals.
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Richard Illingworth - injury could rule him out for Tuesday Photo © Paul McGregor |
Wickets tumble at Lord's
In all the great matches this celebrated old ground has hosted in more than 200 years, no day could have been more sensational, intense and unpredictable as the second of its 100th Test yesterday
Tony Cozier
01-Jul-2000
In all the great matches this celebrated old ground has hosted in more
than 200 years, no day could have been more sensational, intense and
unpredictable as the second of its 100th Test yesterday.
Incredible would not be an exaggerated description of the proceedings.
They yielded 21 wickets for 188 runs from the 65.1 overs and each team
batted twice albeit for one ball at the start by the West Indies and
an over at the end by England the second time round.
The West Indies fell for their lowest total in their 123 Tests against
England and their all-out 54 was only three more than their lowest all
told, the 51 at the Queen's Park Oval in March last year, and one more
than the 53 against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1986.
It began with a wicket off the first ball and continued with a
customary England collapse to Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, 134
all out that produced a seemingly match-winning first innings lead of
133 to the West Indies.
Full postWeather reins in England's aspirations
For the moment England had to take a rain-check - literally - on their push for an historic victory at Lord's
Staff and agencies
01-Jul-2000
For the moment England had to take a rain-check - literally - on their push for an historic victory at Lord's.
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A calypso singer entertains the crowd at wet Lord's Photo © CricInfo |
Green tarpaulins and coloured umbrella set the early morning tone, and
umpires Hampshire and Venkat decided to inspect the wicket at 11.30 a.m.
Calculators as well as tactics came into play. England had to score 188 runs
to level the account: West Indies needed to take 10 wickets to move two games ahead.
Full postEngland level series
England triumphed at Lords by 2 wickets in one of the most memorable Test Matches played on that historic ground - or anywhere
Clayton Goodwin
01-Jul-2000
England triumphed at Lords by 2 wickets in one of the most memorable Test
Matches played on that historic ground - or anywhere. It wasn't just the exciting finish, but the quality of the play throughout gave the character of a true "test" match.
Both sides were tested in the most strenuous circumstances, and England came through. This time England can take credit for overcoming their old failings and restored their self-confidence ... as, indeed, had West Indies ad Birmingham. The series is level, and both sides know full well what is at stake. This is coming to be a tremendous summer for cricket.
Andrew Caddick picked England up when they were apparently down and out. His
confidence carried over today. Michael Atherton and Michael Vaughan fought
every inch, and when it seemed that the advantage had slipped again along came Dominic Cork to keep his head in a crisis.
Full postEnglish Weather Holds Up England
Lord's, lunchtime: West Indies 267 and 54; England 134 and 13 for one
John Ward
01-Jul-2000
Lord's, lunchtime: West Indies 267 and 54; England 134 and 13 for one.
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Atherton gets challenge underway Photo © CricInfo |
England, facing a none too easy target of 188 to win the Lord's Test match
against the West Indies, were severely handicapped by their own weather on
the third morning. Only 11 overs could be bowled, during which period they
scored 13 runs for the loss of Mark Ramprakash's wicket, but more importantly the breaks due to the weather will both prevent their own batsmen from settling in and also allow the key West Indian bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courteney Walsh to retain their freshness.
Full post