Report
Donald humbles England to win first round
Johannesburg - It was not the best weather for a batting picnic: there was even a hint of high drama about the toss which Hansie Cronje won
Trevor Chesterfield
25-Nov-1999
Johannesburg - It was not the best weather for a batting picnic: there was
even a hint of high drama about the toss which Hansie Cronje won.
Above were thick woolly grey clouds, the sullen face of the weather, typically
non-South African and non-summer, more in keeping with England and
temperatures plunging in the England dressing room too at the sight of the massive electronic scoreboard as the it highlighted the chronic state of the game in a bucolic yellow.
England reduced in 17 dramatic deliveries to two runs for four wickets, or if
you prefer the Australian way, four for two: a single to Mark Butcher followed
by five naughts propped up by a solitary leg bye. Not the sight anyone in the
England camp would have enjoyed and Nasser Hussain's pre-match prophecy
starting to dig unpleasantly in at the midriff; the sort of uncomfortable
elbow jolt to bring home the facts of the harsh realities of what a Test match is all about.
We had Allan Donald firing off a barrage of bazooka shells supported by his
senior lieutenant, Shaun Pollock, and his rocket propelled missiles tearing
apart the defences.
Full postWallasey Retain Quinn Foden Cheshire Cup
Wallasey Cricket Club of the Liverpool Competition, winners of the Quinn Foden Cheshire Cup in 1998, again reached the final this season
Roger Eagles
25-Nov-1999
Wallasey Cricket Club of the Liverpool Competition, winners of the Quinn
Foden Cheshire Cup in 1998, again reached the final this season. They
cruised to a comfortable victory in the semi-final against Cheadle Hulme of
the Cheshire County League Premier Division.
Having elected to bat on a wet wicket, Wallasey struggled to a total
of 128 for 8 in their allotted 40 overs, helped by a gutsy 57 from skipper Mike
Beaver. This total should have been achievable despite the conditions, but
Cheadle never liked the look of the pitch and failed to apply themselves
against some excellent bowling, mustering only 56 all out. Pick of the
bowlers was Phil Luxon, an occasional medium pacer, who devastated the
opposition with a spell of 6 wickets for only 10 runs in his 8 over spell,
supported throughout by some fine fielding and catching.
Wallasey's opponents for the final, staged at the compact Wallasey Oval
ground, turned out to be neighbours and arch-rivals New Brighton, 1998
Liverpool Competition champions, who had seen off Bramhall fairly easily in
the other semi-final. The pairing ensured a match which was possibly even
more tense and exciting than the final staged at the same venue last season
against Warrington, when Wallasey won dramatically with a six off the
penultimate ball of the game.
This time, played in front of a raucous and partisan crowd of around
500 spectators, New Brighton batted first on what appeared to be a difficult
pitch. Wallasey's opening bowlers gave nothing away, making scoring almost
impossible. Mark Anderson finished his allotted 8 over spell with 1 for 14,
whilst Ian (Eddie) Hemsworth ended up with 2 for 14. New Brighton were
rescued to a great degree by Steve Nealy (47) and Paul Watson (43) who hit
out well and put on a valuable 94 run partnership. Charlie Lamb chipped in
with a quick 24 not out towards the end, to give New Brighton a respectable
total of 187 for 7 at the close of their 40 overs.
Full postOld Blues beat Young Blues
Nov.25: The "Old Blues" defeated the "Young Blues" by five wickets in a limited-over trial match at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday
Rick Eyre
25-Nov-1999
Nov.25: The "Old Blues" defeated the "Young Blues" by five wickets in a limited-over trial match at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. The "Young Blues" were actually the New South Wales Institute of Colts XI including five players with first-class experience, the "Old Blues" being a NSW XI including most of the leading non-international players.
The Young Blues, batting first, were dismissed for 155 in 43.3 overs. Openers Brad Haddin (35) and Brett van Diensen (19) added 67 for the first wicket, but the innings ended quickly when the last five wickets fell for seven runs. Former Western Australian left-arm spinner Jamie Stewart, making his first appearance in a NSW senior representative side, was the best of the Old Blues bowlers with 3/16 from eight overs. Mark Higgs (1/2) and Gavin Robertson (1/20) were instrumental along with Stewart in the Young Blues' collapse.
The Old Blues found themselves in early trouble, losing their first five wickets for 90 runs, captain Shane Lee being dismissed for a duck. Corey Richards (70*) and wicketkeeper Craig Glassock (29*) stayed together for an unbroken 66-run stand to seal victory with six overs to spare. Jamie Heath took 3/29 from his ten overs to be the most successful of the Young Blues' bowlers, despite giving up six of the 34 wides called during the match.
Full postOrmskirk Win at the Second Attempt
The first attempt to play the final of the Thwaites LCB Cup was at Old Trafford on Sunday 19th September
Neil Girvin
25-Nov-1999
The first attempt to play the final of the Thwaites LCB Cup was at Old
Trafford on Sunday 19th September. Despite heavy rain in Southport,
Blackpool, Liverpool and Bolton, a start was made on time. Sefton Park
batted first and scored 132 for 9 in their 45 overs. Ormskirk's reply was
delayed by the rain that had arrived, and eventually, after one over (1 for
0) the game had to be abandoned.
The second attempt was at Ormskirk C.C. on the following Saturday,
when once again the forecast was for heavy showers - some prolonged. Ormskirk
again won the toss and invited Sefton to bat on a wicket that had damp
patches. Sefton approached their task in a much more positive manner and
attacked everything that was over pitched. Richie Bann and David Heyes had
scored 54 before Bann was lbw and Sefton were nicely placed until disaster
struck at 87, Heyes being run out after a mix-up for 43. Worse was to follow
as Jude Mahadanaarachchi was brilliantly caught by Jon Armstrong off Bailey
from the next ball. Howie Baird (36) and Paul Horton (24) then set out to
score as many as possible in the remaining overs. A final total of 164 for 5
was felt to be competitive in the conditions.
Ormskirk started uncertainly, losing Ken Burns and Armstrong quickly, and when Craig Wiseman departed with the score on 37 for 3 (a third victim for
Howie Parker), much depended on captain David Snellgrove. He and David
Whittaker consolidated the position and then realised quick runs were
essential as the dark clouds came ever nearer. The match became a race to
increase Ormskirk's scoring rate to the required level before the rain came.
After the 22nd over, Ormskirk were still behind, but Sefton's delaying
tactics backfired on them when the Umpire's saw out the full over, and
Ormskirk were in front by the narrowest margin. The rain continued as the
overs ticked away and eventually Ormskirk were winners as no further play
was possible.
The presentation was made in a very crowded clubhouse, by Kevin
Glover, marketing Executive of Daniel Thwaites Ltd., and John Brewer, Chairman of the Lancashire Cricket Board. David Snellgrove was adjudged Man of the Match
for his 9 overs for 24 runs and 42 not out.
Full postRahul Panta shines in drawn match
Una: The four day North Zone Ranji Trophy match between Himachal Pradesh and Services ended in a draw here yesterday as the hosts failed to achieve a victory target of 257 runs set by Services
Rakesh Bakshi
24-Nov-1999
Una: The four day North Zone Ranji Trophy match between Himachal
Pradesh and Services ended in a draw here yesterday as the hosts
failed to achieve a victory target of 257 runs set by Services.
A determined bid by Rahul Panta, who took six wickets for 103 runs and
scored an unbeaten century in the second innings, failed to ensure
victory for Himachal who got three points against five earned by
Services.
Resuming at the overnight score of 90 for three, Services declared the
second innings at 248 for eight. Sachin Kulkarni scored 54 runs for
his side while Harish Bhaskar and Sappan Dutta scored 39 and 30 runs
respectively. Pankaj also scored 30 while Thomson and M.V.Rao got 28
and 27 runs.
In their second innings, Himachal scored 164 runs for loss of five
wickets. Rahul Panta who opened the innings scored an unbeaten 100
with the help of two sixes and eleven fours from 117 balls.
Full postMagnificent fight back wrests victory
Hobart, Nov 22: Cricket is the most perverse of games predicted at peril
A. Jalil
23-Nov-1999
Hobart, Nov 22: Cricket is the most perverse of games predicted at
peril. Australia's triumph in the second Test was as preposterous as
it was unlikely. Pakistan somehow contrived to defy the odds that were
stacked in their favour and let a match slip away that should have
been sewnup hours before their humiliating defeat had been inflicted.
It was utterly inexplicable that a side regarded to possess the most
potent bowling attack should emerge from nearly three and a half
hour's work without having made a strong enough impression on the
opposition. It was a tense and demanding day and Pakistan found
themselves so close and yet so far away from taking the spoils.
All they required was one wicket that stood between them and the clear
opportunity of knocking over the tailenders. In fairness it has to be
said, however, that the two men who denied Pakistan the chance of
forcing a victory, had put up a batting display as meritorious as one
is likely to encounter anywhere.
Pakistan's captain, Wasim Akram kept bringing the changes, switching
ends for his bowlers and using all the usual options available. The
bowling had not at any stage become as wayward as on the second day of
this Test when Australia were comfortably cruising along to 191 for 1
with Michael Slater and Justin Langer in a fine partnership.
Full post1st A Test peters out to tame draw
On perhaps the most perfect day for cricket of the four for this "Test", India "A" batted slowly, but surely and soundly, to ensure that they did not go one down in this two "Test" series
Colin Croft
22-Nov-1999
On perhaps the most perfect day for cricket of the four for this "Test", India
"A" batted slowly, but surely and soundly, to ensure that they
did not go one down in this two "Test" series. At the end, the
teams were somewhat even.
In the meantime, Jacob Martin also took the opportunity to show
some of his stylish batsmanship.
Starting with a deficit of 9 on the last day, India "A moved from
54-1 to 115-2 at lunch, scored in 44 overs, in two hours of
glorious sunshine. The lunch-time not out batsmen were Jacob
Martin on a well made 63 and Jagdish Arun Kumar on 28.
The one wicket to fall before lunch was that of Gagan Khoda,
who, after playing very cautiously for 17 previous deliveries,
drove at the 18th he received, delivered by fast bowler Dwight
Mais, in the fifth over of the day, the 23rd of the innings. The
resulting edge was smartly held by Chris Gayle at second slip.
India "A" in a spot of bother at 59-2, and the deficit still not
completely erased.
Full postDelhi set to avenge one-day defeat against J&K
Delhi: On a day in which 387 runs were scored on the flat Kotla pitch, Delhi took firm control of the North Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Jammu & Kashmir here yesterday
22-Nov-1999
Delhi: On a day in which 387 runs were scored on the flat Kotla pitch,
Delhi took firm control of the North Zone Ranji Trophy league match
against Jammu & Kashmir here yesterday. Mithun Minhas' century powered
Delhi to 436-9 declared off 117.4 overs. For their part J&K scored at
more than five an over to end the day at 116-2 from 23 overs, needing
another 201 to make Delhi bat again.
Resuming at 165-3, Devinder Sharma and Minhas swelled their overnight
stand to 133 before Sharma was snaffled by keeper Bali off Surendra
Singh for 91 with the score on 266. Minhas was involved in another
century stand with captain Vijay Dahiya (57) before he was dismissed
for 139 from 183 balls with 16 fours. And after Dahiya left ten balls
later to make it 373-6, it was the turn of Nikhil Chopra to join the
onslaught with a quickfire 54 off 62 balls including 6 fours and 2
sixes. Vijay Sharma was the most successful bowler for J&K with 3-90.
After losing two early wickets, an unbroken stand of 82 between AP
Singh (67 not out;77 balls;10 fours) and D Mahajan (25 not out;38
balls;2 fours and 1 six) ensured that J&K lived to fight another day.
Full postRajasthan gain first innings lead
Jaipur: Saket Bhatia (72 not out) and Sanjeev Sharma (54) helped Rajasthan to the first innings lead against Madhya Pradesh on Day 3 of this Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the KL Saini ground here yesterday
22-Nov-1999
Jaipur: Saket Bhatia (72 not out) and Sanjeev Sharma (54) helped
Rajasthan to the first innings lead against Madhya Pradesh on Day 3 of
this Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the KL Saini ground
here yesterday. They came together at a crucial stage of the match and
put on 122 for the sixth wicket. At stumps Rajasthan were 372-6 -a
lead of 57- with four wickets in hand. Bhatia and M Singh (5 not out)
were patrolling the crease.
Resuming at their overnight score of 120-0, Rajasthan lost three
wickets before lunch. In the very first over of the day AS Jain was
trapped leg before without adding to his overnight score of 50. After
lunch Rajasthan lost captain P Krishnakumar and opener NS Dora in the
space of six balls to slide to 221-5, still 94 behind. Kumar was the
third leg before victim of the day and Dora ran himself out after
making a patient 87. But a sixth wicket partnership of 122 in 171
minutes off 43.4 overs between Bhatia and Sharma put paid to MP's
hopes of gaining first innings points.
Full postBangar, Sharma star in strong Railways reply.
Delhi: A century by Sanjay Bangar and 99 by Abhay Sharma kept Railways in the hunt on Day 3 of their Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Uttar Pradesh at the Karnail Singh stadium here yesterday
22-Nov-1999
Delhi: A century by Sanjay Bangar and 99 by Abhay Sharma kept Railways
in the hunt on Day 3 of their Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match
against Uttar Pradesh at the Karnail Singh stadium here yesterday. At
stumps Railways were 283-3 in reply to UP's 439, still 157 behind.
Resuming at the overnight 33-1, Bangar and Sharma took the score to
191 (partnership 187) before Sharma was caught behind by keeper Manoj
Mudgal off Rizwan Shamshad one short of a well deserved ton. His 99
came off 190 balls with 12 fours and a six. Bangar fell at 266 to the
persevering Zaidi for an individual score of 130 (318 balls, 19x4,
1x6). But Y.Goud (35) and RS Rawat (5) marshalled Railways safely
through to stumps without any further setback.
Full post