Indian news round-up

Academies for cricketers are a dime a dozen but 'The Umpires of CAB' (the Cricket Association of Bengal), a body formed in 1999, plans to open an academy in September for the men in white coats. This was announced by its secretary, Sekhar Chowdhury, senior umpire who has officiated in One Day Internationals, in Calcutta yesterday.

The academy will run a course for beginners and also a refresher course for state and national level umpires. "The newcomers will be under our fold at least till they become registered CAB umpires", Chowdhury said, quoted by a local newspaper. "There will be on-field training, theoretical lessons via video footage and a daily evaluation of students and teachers", he added. The 93-member strong association also intends to despatch some of its umpires to Britain in the 2001 season to officiate in the local league.

Indian middle order batsman Rahul Dravid with an unbeaten 35 off 82 balls guided Kent to 135 for one at close of play on the third day and the side now requires 69 more runs for victory over Hampshire in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Resuming at 16 for one on the third day, Hampshire folded up at 136 leaving Kent a victory target of 205 runs. Kent in reply were given a solid start with openers David Fulton and Robert Key adding 67 runs before Fulton fell leg before to Shuan Udal. Then Dravid and Key made sure of no further casualities and guided Kent to 144 at stumps.

Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble scored only five as Leicestershire were handed a humiliating defeat by Surrey at Guildford on Saturday. Leicestershire slumped to 87 all out thanks to a devastating 16 wicket haul by Martin Bicknell leaving Surrey with only 119 to defeat Leicestershire. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, had a rather quiet day as Durham took a 80 run lead over Lancashire at Old Trafford on Saturday.