The Headlines for Sep 96

AUG96 news items moved to ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/AUG96

30th September

Lancashire`s quest for a coach ends as Dav Whatmore, the successful coach of the World Cup winning Sri Lankan team agrees to terms.

India-B comfortably beat the A- squad in the Challenger Trophy, with a century by S Somasundar ensuring an 8 wicket win.

29th September

South Africa beat Pakistan comfortably in the second match of the Centeneray Tournament in Kenya. Cullinan (124) and Rhodes (121) break the one-day-international record for a 4th wicket partnership (232) as South Africa make an impressive 321. In replay, Pakistan can only muster 259, despite a 61-ball 88 from Ijaz Ahmed. Allan Donald is the best bowler, taking 3-29.

28th September

The Kenya Centenary Tournament gets under way as hosts Kenya play Sri Lanka in the opening game. Sri lanka win easily as Kaluwitherana makes an unbeaten century. Sri Lanka look in trouble at 7-2, but recover well to overtake Kenya`s 188-9 with 7 wickets in hand. Kenya had been 93-8, but Modi (78*) and Karim (24) put on 89 for the 9th wicket.

The Indian seniors beat India-A in the Challenger Trophy.

26th September

The Pakistan and South African squads assemble in Kenya for the Centenary Tournament, both weakened by injury. Pakistan are without Mushtaq Ahmed, Innizam-Ul-Haq and Aamir Sohail. Cronje will captain South Africa despite a hand injury, but Pollock, Kallis and Adams are missing.

25th September

The counties give unanimous approval for the cre- ation of the England and Wales Cricket Board which will replace the TCCB, and will oversee all levels of cricket.

Kartanaka comfortably win the Irani Trophy, defeating the Rest of India by 5 wickets. Star of the match is fast medium bowler Ganesh, who takes 11 of the 18 Rest of India wickets (2 men absent in the second innings)

24th September

Graham Gooch heads the Whyte and Mackay rankings for the season as a batsman, with Darren Gough claiming the bowling spot (rankings restricted to England qualified players).

Courtney Walsh signs a new 2 year contract with Gloucestershire.

Mathew Hayden, the 25 year old Australian batsman, signs a 1 year contract to play with Hampshire in 1997.

September 23rd The Sahara Cup winds up, with Pakistan taking the series 3-2, winning a low scoring final game by 50 odd runs. Mushtaq Ahmed takes the man of the match award after taking 5-38, but Anil Kumble is selected as man of the series, after taking 13 wickets in the 5 games.

Leicestershire are County Champions for the first time since 1971 after winning their final game. Surrey lose their final game and finish 3rd, and Derby win to claim the runner`s up spot.

Batsman prospser in the final round as tow double centuries are made. Neil Fairbrother makes 204 for Lancashire, and Loye makes 205 as part of a 372 1st wicket partnership for Northants.

September 22nd

The final game of the Sahar Cup is postponed to Monday, following rain

The New Zealand squad for Sharjah recalls outcasts Greatbatch and Pringle

September 21st

Pakistan tie up the Sahara Cup series, winning the 4th game.

The Irani trophy game gets underway in Banglalore, with the Rest of India striggling against the bowling of Ganesh.

Zimbabwe avoid an innnigs defeat, but Sri Lanka win by 10 wickets to take the two match series 2-0.

20th September

Zimbabwe are 162-6, still needing 47 runs to avoid an innings defeat after Sri Lanka declare at 350-8 in the 2nd test.

Preparations for the Hong Kong 6-a-side tournament are near complete, as CricInfo conducts live player interviews from the team hotel.

19th September The final round of the County Championship gets underway today, with Leicestershire hoping to beat Middlesex to win the title. Contenders Surrey are playing Worcestershire. Surrey`s title hopes are dampened as the 1st day`s play at the Oval is washed out completely. Meanwhile, Leicestershire take command, dismissing Middlesex for 190 (Mullally 4-53). Contenders Kent failed to pick up any batting points, making only 154 against Gloucestershire.

Kent release Igglesden and Benson - neither has played firstclass cricket this season because of injury.

September 18th

India win the 3rd Sahara Cup game to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Playing on the same pitch for the third day in succession, batting is difficult, and bowlers prosper. Man of the match Dravid top scores with 46 in India`s total of 191 (Wasim Akram 4-35). Pakistan`s batting collapses before the bowling of Kumble (4-12) and Prasad (3-22), and are dismissed for 136 with 8 overs remaining.

Zimabwe`s batting fails again in the 2nd Test againstSri Lanka. Spinners Muralitharan (4-40) and Silva (4-16) reduce Zimbabwe from 119-2 to 141 all out. Grant Flower top-scores with 52. In reply Sri Lanka are 86-3 at the close of a rain-affected day.

September 17th

The Sahara Cup is tied 1-1 as Pakistan win a thrilling encounter in the last over. Salim Malik is the hero with an invaluable half century. India looked set to win when they posted an impressive total of 264 for 6, with substantial innings from Azharuddin and Dravid. Pakistan were in trouble when their 8th wicket fell with still over 40 required, but Malik with the assistance of Saqlain enabled them to scramble home in a nail-biting finish.

September 16th

The Sahara Cup finally gets under way, in a game shortened to 33 overs per side. India win comfortably by 8 wickets after being set a modest total.

In the County Championship, Kent complete a remarkable win, as they take the last 8 Hampshire wickets for 7 runs in 44 balls. McCague (6-51) takes a hat trick (to compliment that of Headley in the first innings.

Surrey only manage a draw against Glamorgan, and Essex lose, leaving Leicestershire as clear leaders with one match to play, with Surrey 14 pts behind, Kent 15, and Essex 23.

Middlesex all rounder Weekes scores a century in each innings in their drawn game against Somerset.

September 15th

Surrey win the Sunday League after defeating Glamorgan in their last game. Nottinghamshire also win to draw level on points, but Surrey win on faster run rate.

The Sahara Cup is hit by rain again, and today`s game is rescheduled to Tuesday. A sunny afternoon in Toronto helps in drying the field. September 14th

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by an innings as Zimbabwe`s batting fails again, with Muralitharan taking 5-33 and Silva 4-25.

The first Sahara Cup came is postponed due to heavy rain in Toronto, and the first two games are rescheduled to Sunday, 16th September, and Monday, 17th September

September 13th

Zimbabwe fail by 5 runs to save the follow on on a badly rainaffected 3rd day of the 1st test against Sri Lanka. Only Wishart (51) shows much resistance. Zimbabwe close the day (during which only 105 minutes of play were possible) on 20 for no wicket.

Leicestershire`s Championship aspirations are boosted by a 2 day victory over bottom placed Durham. Phil Simmons follows his career best 6-14 with 171, and Durham collapse a second time (Mullally 5-27) to give Leicestershire an innings win.

Contenders Yorkshire also win in two days, with Gough taking 6-26 in Nottinghamshire`s second innings.

The Australian tour party for India is announced, and includes Taylor and Warne, both recovering from recent surgery.

Anil Kumble will lead the India-A side, and WV Raman will lead an India B side into the Challenger Trophy, an annual event to be played between the national side and select teams drawn from past players and promising newcomers.

September 12th

Zimbabwe need 45 to save to follow-on at the end of a rainaffected 2nd day of the 1st test in Colombo. Paul Strang takes the last 3 wickets, ending with 5-106. Zimbabwe struggle against the bowling of Vaas, who takes 3 wickets, and end the day on 105-6.

The penultimate round of the County Championship gets under way, with 5 teams still with an excellent chance of the title. The leaders, Leicestershire, are in a strong position after the first day as Durham collapse against the bowling of West Indian Phil Simmons. Durham were at 88-2 when Simmons came on, and fall to 126 all out as Simmons takes a career-best 6-14. At the close Leics are 127 runs ahead, with 5 wickets still standing. The other contenders fare less well, with Essex unable to contain Sussex`s batting, and Surrey, who trailed the leaders by a point yesterday morning, were made to work hard for their four bowling points on a slow Sophia Gardens wicket. Kent and Yorkshire, however, are both in strong positions in their matches.

Tim Munton will captain Warwickshire following Dermot Reeve`s retirement

Chris Silverwood, named in England`s touring party on the 10th, and also selected as the young cricketer of the year by the cricket writer`s association is capped by Yorkshire.

September 11th

Sri Lanka recover well in the 1st Test against Zimbabwe, after being 155-5 at tea. They finish the 1st day on 290-7 with Kaluwitharana making 72. Streak is Zimbabwe`s most effective bowler taking 3-41.

Dennis Lillee will coach Lancashire in 1997.

Yorkshire win the Tetley Trophy at the Scarborough Festival, beating Worcestershire in the final, led by a century from captain David Byas.

September 10th

The England tour party for Zimbabwe and New Zealand is announced, with the main suprises being a spot for young Yorkshire fast bowler CEW Silverwood, and a recall for Phil Tuffnell. Other contenders Headley and Chappel are selected for the A tour, under the captaincy of young all-rounder Adam Hollioake. The allrounders spot goes to Ronnie Irani, relegating Ealham and White to the A squad that will tour Australia.

Ray Illingworth retires as England manager after selection of the tour party.

Coke announce sponsorship of a youth cup tournament for Indian schools

Pilcom (World Cup organizing Committee) secretary/convenor Jagmohan Dalmiya has assured the Sri Lanka Cricket Board that they will be duly compensated for the losses in the Wills World Cup due to the Australian and West Indian forfeiture of games.

September 9th

Saurav Ganguly confirms that he married in secret in July

Devon win the Minor Counties championship for the third successive season.

September 8th

Surrey win their Sunday league match off the last ball in near darkness to maintain their challenge for the title.

The Netherlands beat Yorkshire in a one day match as part of the Scarborough Festival.

September 7th

Lancashire win their second one day trophy as Essex collapse before the bowling of Glen Chappel (6-18) in the NatWest final at Lords. Essex, looking to be in a strong position after limiting Lancashire to only 128 make only 57, the lowest score recorded in a 60 over final. Batting is hard for both sides on a difficult pitch, strongly favouring seam bowling. John Crawley takes 34 overs to make 66, but no other batsman passes 21.

September 6th

Australia beat India by 3 wickets in the last over to move on to the Singer Cup final. India recovered well from 89-6 as Joshi and Ganguly share a century partnership. India are bowled out for 201, and Australia look comfortable at 182-3 before wickets fall in the final overs. Law top-scores with 67, and Steve Waugh combines an innings of 53 with 1-20 off 6 overs to win the man-ofthe-match award.

In the County Championship, contenders Surrey, Essex and Leicestershire all win comfortably. Millns takes 5-31 as Leicestershire beat Nottinghamshire by 6 wickets.

Leicestershire end the round on top by one point as Derbyshire fail to dismiss Somerset twice falling two wickets short. Surrey lie second, closely followed by Derby Essex and Kent.

Mark Waugh is disciplined after questioning umpire Cooray about wides in the Singer semi-final. He recieves a reprimand and a fine of 30 per cent of his match fee from NZ match referee John Reid, but this is suspended for three months dependent on future behaviour.

September 5th

Rain finally hits the Singer Cup, as the crucial match between Australia and India is abandoned, to be replayed on the 6th. It becomes very unlikely that Stuart Law could rejoin Essex for the NatWest final on Saturday (as was planned if Australia had lost today).

Graham Gooch passes WG Grace`s mark of 126 hundreds, making his 127th for Essex against Warwickshire. Phil Tufnell takes 13 wickets in the match as Middlesex narrowly beat Lancashire in just over 2 days on a suspect Old Trafford pitch.

Mike Atherton is re-appointed England captain for the winter tours of Zimbabwe and New Zealand.

Dilip Vengsakar turns down the opportunity to join India`s selectors

September 4th

Surrey`s Australian all-rounder Brendon Julien follows his 117 with 6-37, helping his team`s championship aspirations. Surrey are in a strong position at the close, 220 runs ahead with 9 wickets standing.

Lancashire, concerned about finishing their championship match in time to make the trip to Lords for the NatWest Final, help their cause by dismissing Middlesex twice within 2 days. However Tufnell dismisses Gallian and Crawley to leave Lanashire at 2-3, needing 128 to win. After 33 wickets fall in two days, the Old Trafford pitch faces an inspection, and possible reporting.

Derbyshire, in the hunt for the championship, make their highest ever score against Somerset, 524, with Krikken contributing 89. Lathwell makes a century in reply as Somerset reach 238-4.

Essex, also in the championship race, have Warwickshire at 14-4, but the reigning champions recover to 253, with a century from Wasim Khan.

Dmitri Mascarenha, an English born Australian of Sri Lankan parentage takes 6-88 on his debut for Hampshire.

Saurav Ganguly signs a major sponsorship deal with MRF, the tyre manufacturer that also sponsors Tendulkar.

The question of legal action arises regarding statements made in Ian Healey`s recently published book concerning the Sri Lankan tour of Australia in 1995-96.

September 3rd

Singer Cup Sri Lanka make light work of defeating Zimbabwe. Despit a fine 96* from Evans, Sri Lanka pass the Zimbabwe total with 6 wickets in hand, led by an undefeated 127* by de Silva. Sri Lanka thus win all three games, and Zimbabwe lose all theirs. The other finalist will be decided in the India - Australia game on the 5th.

Ray Illingworth is cleared of disrepute charges following his appeal against a 2000 pound fine levied after the publication of his book earlier in the year.

Durham announce the signing of David Boon, the Australian batsman to a two-year contract. Boon will captain the team in 1997.

Lancashire tell 29 year old batsman Nick Speak that he has no 1st team future at OldTrafford. Speak has made more than 7000 runs at an average of 39 in 9 seasons.

In the race for the County Championship, Surrey are in a strong position at the end of the first day`s play against Northants, with centuries from Hollioake and Julian taking them to 378-9 at the close. Leicstershire struggle against Notts, who are at 320-9 after the first day, and Derby, also contending, are 389-7, with a century from Adams and 77 from Cork. The leaders, Kent, do not play in the current round of games.

Former England spinners Tuffnell and Watkinson star as Lancashire play Middlesex. Mike Watkinson takes 5-15 as Middlesex are dismissed for 160, but Tuffnell takes for of the 7 wickets to fall in Lancashire`s innings.

September 2nd

Kent move to the top of the County Championship by one point after beating Notts. Carl Hooper lead the way with a sparkling 86. Kent now wait 10 days, as the other contenders make up their game in hand.

September 1st

Singer Cup India comfortably beat Zimbabwe in their second Singer Cup game, bowling them out for 225, and passing their total with 7 wickets and over 6 overs to spare.

Nick Knight scores a second consecutive century in the 3rd ODI between England and Pakistan, but England lose a close game by 2 wickets. Adam Hollioake strengthens his case for a winter tour by again taking 4 wickets, but Pakistan, led by Ijaz Ahmed and Rashid Latif steal the win off the fourth ball of the final over.

The Sunday League proves hard for batsmen, with low scores ubiquitous. Nottinghamshire continue to mount a challenge after beating Kent (bowled out for 99), and stand with Surrey and Northamptonshire 2 points behind the leader Yorkshire.

Durham, led by Simon Brown following the resignation of Mike Roseberry lose to Glamorgan, and seem set to finish last in the Sunday League.

Kim Barnett passes 7000 runs in the Sunday League in the course of an easy Derby win.

Assam, over-looked in the World Cup, is awarded the Australia - south Africa one-day international in November. The match will be played at Guwahati on nov 3, and follows legal action by the ASA against BCCI.