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England’s failure to reclaim the Ashes in a home series for the first time in almost two decades can in part be put down to unhelpful pitches, according to the team’s senior fast bowler James Anderson. While a calf injury limited Anderson’s involvement to bowling just four overs in the first Test at Edgbaston, he suggested that the playing surfaces have better suited Australia’s attack and said local groundsmen might consider being “a little bit more biased” towards England in future.Defeat on Anderson’s home ground of Old Trafford last week left England 2-1 down in the Specsavers Test series and unable to prise back the urn from Australia. While Anderson gave a nod towards Steven Smith for his “phenomenal” batting – in three Test appearances Smith has scored 671 runs, almost twice as many as anyone else – he said England had been disappointed by the pitches served up and that more could be done to exploit home advantage.”I think they’ve probably suited Australia more than us,” he said. “I would have liked to have seen a bit more grass but that’s the nature of the game here. When you’re selling out – like Lancashire selling out five days of Test cricket – it’s hard not to produce a flat deck but, you know, that’s one of the frustrations from a player’s point of view. We go to Australia and get pitches that suit them. They come over here and get pitches that suit them. It doesn’t seem quite right.”I thought they were good pitches here against India [last year]. I thought they weren’t green seamers but I thought they suited us more than India. We as a country don’t use home advantage enough. When you go to Australia, go to India, Sri Lanka, they prepare pitches that suit them. I feel like we could just be a little bit more biased towards our own team.”Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, in particular, have led the way for Australia, taking 24 wickets at 17.41 and 18 at 16.88 respectively – separated only by Stuart Broad (19 at 26.63) for England. It has been a bowlers series in general, with only two Australians (Smith and Marnus Labuschagne) and three Englishmen (Ben Stokes, Rory Burns and Joe Root) averaging above 30 with the bat.James Anderson at The Oval•Getty Images

In contrast to Anderson’s lugubrious take, Australia coach Justin Langer was perhaps unsurprisingly full of praise for the “bowler-friendly wickets” on which his team had prevailed in their mission to retain the Ashes.”It’s most important for the health of Test cricket moving forward that you’re playing on competitive wickets,” he said ahead of the final Test at The Oval. “Great players make runs, games always moving forward, you’re on the edge of your seat. I think the wickets this series have been fantastic for that.”Anderson’s frustrations have been compounded by being forced to watch from the sidelines after suffering from a persistent calf problem that saw him hobble through the first Test at Edgbaston, having being declared fit, then suffer a recurrence while going about his rehabilitation with Lancashire.There is little doubt that not being able to call upon the most-prolific Test fast bowler in history has hurt England’s chances – despite the resurgence of Broad and a potent display from Jofra Archer in his debut series. However, Anderson has quietened any expectations he may be contemplating retirement, writing in his newspaper column that he intends to try and play on until he is 40.He proclaimed himself “open-minded” to making changes to his diet and lifestyle in order to prolong his career; perhaps a chat about the benefits of veganism with old Ashes foe Peter Siddle is in order following the conclusion of the series?”When I start this rehab, I’m going to try and investigate every possible avenue of what do I need to do at my age to keep myself in good shape,” Anderson said. “I feel in really good condition. I feel as fit as I ever have. It’s just the calf keeps twanging.”I’m going to look at every possible thing I can to make sure I can play for as long as possible. I’ll look at how other sportspeople have done it throughout their careers to keep going into their late 30s. Whether there’s anything specific I can do, diet, gym programme, supplements, whatever it might be. Because I’ve still got a real hunger and desire to play cricket. I still love the game and still feel like I can offer something to this team and still have the skills and can bowl quick enough to have a positive effect.”It’ll be an ongoing process through the rest of my career. I still feel like I can be the best bowler in the world. So as long as I’ve got that mentality I’m going to keep pushing myself. Keep trying to improve my skills with the ball, work hard at my batting, and try to find every possible thing to help me stay fit.”Anderson’s first goal is to be available for the two Tests in New Zealand towards the back-end of November, after which comes a tour of South Africa. His desire to keep playing means he is set to feature under a fifth different England coach – depending on when the successor to Trevor Bayliss is appointed – and he suggested the new management needed to map out with Joe Root a pathway to rebalancing priorities between Test and limited-overs cricket.”Going forward, it’s important whoever takes over has got the same sort of vision as Joe as captain, on how the team moves forward. Obviously the last four years has been a real focus on one-day cricket, trying to win the World Cup. We’ve now done that.”I think we need to find a good balance. We’ve kind of been one or the other. In my career, it’s been Test priority in the first bit and then this last four-year cycle has been a push for the white-ball stuff. We need to find a balance, it’s as simple as that. We’ve got to try to give equal attention to both.”Whether or not he develops a craving for bananas, Anderson’s appetite for cricket remains strong – though he grimaces wearily at the idea of resuming battle with Smith once again in 2021-22. There is an acceptance that he won’t go on forever, an understanding that one day, perhaps not too far in the future, he will be able to inspect a flat pitch with a shake of the head before heading towards the media facilities rather than the dressing rooms.”I’m realistic. If I’m not good enough and feel I’m detracting from the team and I’m too slow, or whatever it might be, then I’m not going to embarrass myself or drag the team down. I’ll only keep playing if I think I can be one of the best bowlers in the world and if I think I can help this team win games of Test cricket. I’m not just blinkered thinking I’m going to just drag out as many possible games as I can.”James Anderson was speaking on behalf of ‘The Test Experts’ Specsavers, Official Test Partner of the England cricket team ahead of the final Test of the Specsavers Ashes Series at The Oval

Western Australia’s last batsman Brad Williams struck a six with two balls to spare to give the Warriors a stunning win over South Australia in their limited overs day-night cricket match at Adelaide Oval tonight.Chasing SA’s 7-235 from 50 overs, the Warriors passed the target, reaching 237 from 49.4 overs with just one wicket in hand.Williams came in with four runs required to win off the final four balls – with left-arm spinner Brad Young bowling – and failed to score off the first ball he faced.But he struck a massive six which easily cleared the mid-wicket boundary off the next ball to give WA the victory, which had looked highly unlikely at several stages throughout their innings.Openers Chris Rogers (39 from 53 balls) and Ryan Campbell (20 from 22 balls) got the Warriors off to a flying start to be 0-39 eight overs into the innings.They were particularly severe on SA debutant Matthew King, whose opening four over spell cost 32 runs, including 15 from his fourth over.But Mark Harrity replaced him and picked up the wicket of Campbell in his second over and then dismissed Rogers in his fourth over, on his way to 2-40 from 10 overs, while young paceman Paul Rofe conceded just 23 from his 10 overs at the other end.The required run-rate was up to almost six per over 28 overs into the innings and, when SA captain Darren Lehmann had WA counterpart Simon Katich stumped inthe 35th over, the Warriors were in deep trouble.The required rate was up to eight per over with 11 overs remaining with SA looking headed for victory.But Stuart Karppinen smashed 22 from 22 balls to keep WA in the match, with 12 coming from the 40th over the innings bowled by Mike Smith.Wickets fell steadily as the run-chase continued, but it did not slow the Warriors, with Smith conceding 16 runs in the 45th over.With three overs to go WA needed just 17 runs with three wickets in hand.Young trapped Marcus North (17 off 16 balls) lbw in the 48th over while conceding just four runs to make it 13 needed from two overs with two wickets remaining.Smith conceded seven runs in the 49th over to Brad Hogg and Matthew Nicholson, meaning just six runs were needed in Young’s last over.A wide on the first ball meant WA needed five off six balls, but Hogg was run out off the next ball, leaving Nicholson and Williams to score five runs from five balls.Nicholson scored a single, and Williams blocked the next ball straight back to Young, building the tension, before striking the killer blow with the next ball.Young finished with 4-55.Greg Blewett was named man of the match for his top score of 73 from 101 balls in SA’s innings.

Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah has been provisionally suspended under the ICC’s anti-doping code for testing positive for a banned substance. A sample taken from Yasir on November 13, when Pakistan played an ODI against England in Abu Dhabi, was found to contain chlortalidone, which is on WADA’s prohibited list of diuretics and masking agents.While he is provisionally suspended, Yasir cannot play – or be involved in any capacity in – international matches, and games organised by any national cricket board or its affiliated members. He can request for his B sample to be tested, and if that test does not confirm a positive result then the entire test will be considered negative and the suspension will be lifted with immediate effect.Yasir can also request for a hearing before an anti-doping tribunal through a written application that must be received by the anti-doping manager within 14 days. Should he want a hearing, Yasir must state in his application how he responds to the charge and his explanation for the same.Yasir, 29, has become a key member of the Pakistan team since debuting in Test cricket in October 2014. Currently ranked No. 4 in the Test bowlers rankings, he has 76 wickets from 12 Tests at 24.17. Forty-nine of those wickets have come in 2015, making him the fourth-highest Test wicket-taker overall this year till date.Pakistan’s next international assignment is a limited-overs tour of New Zealand in January.

Group A

Test-discard Mohammad Sami took a career-best 8 for 39 as Sialkot were dismissed for 142 in their second-innings thus handing Karachi Whites a 209-run victory at the UBL Sports Complex. Sialkot, who were set 351 to win after a Khalid Latif century, were left limping overnight at 9 for 3 and failed to fare any better on the final morning as wickets fell regularly, bar a 54-run seventh-wicket partnership that took the visitors past the 100-mark. Sami’s pace and accuracy was evident from the fact that three of his victims were bowled, one was dismissed leg-before while three were caught behind.An Ammar Mahmood century and two healthy partnerships ensured hosts Faisalabad drew their match against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at the Iqbal Stadium. Resuming on 75 for 2, the home side showed no urgency as healthy batting from both sides on the first three days had slid the match towards a draw. Mahmood scored his 106 off 226 deliveries Usman Arshad provided useful assistance with a 123-ball 50 as none of the WAPDA bowlers were able to make an impact on proceedings.Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) rounded off an impressive nine-wicket win over Hyderabad at theNiaz Stadium as the required target of 156 was easily surpassed thanks mainly to an 104-ball 87 by opener Asif Zakir. A fine 134 by Shahid Qambrani and late-order hitting propelled Hyderabad to 344 in their second-innings after a disastrous start saw them lose their first two wickets for no score. Sohail Khan picked his five second-innings wickets to finish with nine wickets in the match as SSGC needed just under 33 overs to claim nine points.Riding on a mammoth 514 for 9 in their first innings, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) stormed to an innings and 53 runs victory over Multan at the Gymkhana Ground. Requiring another 155 to make NBP bat again after resuming on their overnight 113 for 2, Multan were in trouble regularly as none of their batsmen were able to prolong their stay in the middle. Irfanuddin finished with three wickets while legspinner Mansoor Amjad claimed two to add to his brace in the previous innings.

Group B

Lahore Shalimar survived a few nervous moments towards the end of play as they narrowly held on for a draw against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Gaddafi Stadium. Facing a massive deficit of 264 after the first-innings, Lahore were left struggling on 73 for 3 overnight and it was left to an unbeaten 129 from Suleman Khan that ensured safety for the home side. Facing 294 deliveries, Suleman shared useful partnerships with Mohammad Hussain and then the tail to ensure it was only bonus points that KRL won in the end.A much-improved performance by the Abbottabad batsmen while following on ensured a draw against hosts Quetta at the Bugti Stadium. Fawad Khan, Rahimbaz Khan and Adnan Raees all made amends for their earlier failures by stroking watchful 70s to ensure the 179-deficit was not only overhauled, but a stiff target could be set during closing stages if a collapse was to occur. However, yet more watchful batting towards the end ensured a panic-free close to the match as Quetta managed three bonus points.A late Rawalpindi collapse saw them lose their last six wickets for eight runs to hand Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) a 94-run victory at the KRL Ground. Placed well for a win at 212 for 4 while chasing 306 for victory, Rawalpindi succumbed to the pace of Imran Ali who finished with 6 for 41 in the innings and nine wickets for the match as Usman Saeed’s 50 and Adnan Mufti’s 45 failed to inspire the Rawalpindi late-order

On a day in which the weather played a major role, both rival captains credited the momentum handed to Sri Lanka’s run chase by their openers as key to a first win in the CB Series.Mahela Jayawardene felt the biggest positive was the way his batsmen played and showed character in contrast to their insipid display last week in Sydney against Australia, something the side was still trying to forget. “We couldn’t get the start in Sydney,” he said after Sri Lanka’s eight-wicket win in Canberra. “It’s good we got a good start and we are getting back into the rhythm.”The reason behind Jayawardene’s confidence lay in his team’s well-planned approach. “We calculated as well, kept wickets and Sanath [Jayasuriya] gave us a good beginning”, he said. In a brief but brutal attack Jayasuriya took Sreesanth to the cleaners, clouting 34 runs in the fast bowler’s first two overs. India may have had reason to feel robbed by Messrs Duckworth & Lewis, whose ruling set Sri Lanka a revised target of 154 from 21 overs.Jayawardene had plenty of praise for Tillakaratne Dilshan who, in some doubt going into this game as he was coming off a bout of infection, scored an unbeaten 62 from 59 balls to seal victory. Dilshan had never opened the innings at this level but Jayawardene said the decision had a lot to do with his experience as an opener in Sri Lankan domestic cricket. “When we realised it was a shortened game and the track was good we wanted an extra bowler and Dilshan has batted in domestic cricket and they way he carried his innings made it a good choice.”As for the role the weather played, Jayawardene didn’t look much into it. “You can’t control what happened. If we would’ve got a full game things would have been different”, he said, pointing out that Sri Lanka might even have got the original target of 195 set in 29 overs.Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s captain, gave full credit to Sri Lanka’s batsmen for taking the game away from India but did blame the changed circumstances for his team’s misfortunes. “The approach changes a lot when all of a sudden it became an almost 20-over game. So a total of 154 became nothing special then,” Dhoni said.Dhoni agreed that the first part of Sri Lanka’s innings was the turning point and for which his side could hardly find any answers. “The kind of start they got it was really amazing. We couldn’t’ do anything.” Dhoni said, refraining from blaming his fast bowlers. “Sreesanth was bowling in the right areas. Sanath and Dilshan batted really well. Yes, he [Sreesanth] was bit down the way Sanath had hit him.”Adding to India’s woes was the abysmal extras count, which read 19 including 10 wides and three no-balls. Without putting his finger on where his bowlers failed Dhoni admitted it could be a concern if not checked in time. “Every extra run hurts. It’s always better not to give any extras,” he said. “That’s a concern but it doesn’t usually happen. It might have been an off day for them, perhaps.”After an abandoned game and a loss, Sri Lanka’s victory puts them back in the fray with seven points, one behind Australia and two behind India. But both captains agreed that the with amount of matches each team plays in the CB Series everyone has a chance to recover from a setback.

The Nashua Dolphins allrounder, Jon Kent, has been found guilty of dissent and suspended for one match following a disciplinary hearing in Johannesburg.Kent pleaded guilty to Cricket South Africa’s disciplinary commissioner, Adv. Michael Kuper SC, after being reported by the umpires, Shaun George, Dennis Smith and Karl Hurter, and the match referee, Cyril Mitchley, following an incident during the Dolphins’ fixture against Zimbabwe Chevrons at Kingsmead last Wednesday.Kent admitted to have breached clause 1.2 of Cricket South Africa’s Rules and Code of Conduct which states that “Players and team officials must at all times accept an umpire’s decision and must not show dissent at an umpire’s decision.”Kent is suspended from the Dolphins’ next Pro20 match, against Nashua Titans at Kingsmead on April 9. In handing down the sentence, the disciplinary commissioner took into account a previous conviction for a similar offence.

The ICC has defended itself from criticism it has received regarding the cancellation of the ICC Americas Women’s Championship by stating that money that would have been spent to hold the event would be better used to fund grassroots initiatives.The ICC Americas Women’s Division One Championship was last held in 2012 with the winner, Canada, advancing to the 2013 Women’s World T20 Qualifier in Ireland, where they defeated Japan to finish third out of four teams in their group. In the 2011 Women’s World Cup Qualifier, USA participated as the Americas representative and suffered five heavy defeats in their six games but managed to record a landmark one-run win over Full Member nation Zimbabwe. The results were not enough to prevent the regional event being scrapped for the foreseeable future.The championship’s format (T20 or one-dayers) is defined by the closest global women’s tournament, so that it can serve as a qualifying tournament for teams from the Americas. So, it’s scrapping means there is no chance for a team from the Americas to compete for a spot in the 2016 Women’s World T20 and potentially the 2017 Women’s World Cup and 2018 Women’s World T20 as well, as there is no regional qualifier.”No region has had a women’s championship cancelled,” stated an ICC spokesperson in response to an email from ESPNcricinfo. “However, the Americas region is the first region in which a women’s championship has not been scheduled.”In recent times, the majority of ICC investment in the women’s game at Associate and Affiliate member level has gone into running international competitions. In some regions, these competitions are run for small groups of domestic players.”In some cases, this opportunity has led to a significant increase in the number of women’s players in the region while in others this investment focus has stagnated already small local player numbers. The latter has happened in the Americas region.”Nadia Gruny, who played for the USA at the 2011 Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Bangladesh and was their leading scorer at the 2012 ICC Americas Women’s Championship, wrote a piece which was published by the last week in which she criticised the ICC’s decision. Gruny believes it makes women’s players in the USA and the Americas “victims of gender inequity” and that it is a violation of the “ICC’s own principles and its goal to build a bigger, better, global game”.”Without the tournament, there is no incentive for US organisations to invest in women’s cricket,” Gruny wrote. “An entire region is denied an opportunity to play in a World Cup Qualifier event and the future generation of players has nothing to aspire to achieve. While other development regions improve as they conduct their qualifiers, the US and the rest of the Americas are left behind.”Durriya Shabbir, a Canada women’s player, also spoke out against the move on the Associate and Affiliate Cricket Podcast. “Women’s cricket has always been an afterthought,” she said. “We’ve never been given the support from our board that we need to grow this game. Our boards are not doing enough to promote the game. If the ICC walks away from it as well, then what do the women have to look forward to?”An online petition has been started to get the decision overturned and reinstate the ICC Americas Women’s Championship. As of Tuesday, the petition had 248 signatures. Below ICC level though, the USA Cricket Association has not organised a regional or national championship tournament since July 2011 while there is also scant evidence of regional or national events for women’s cricket elsewhere in the Americas. Meanwhile, the ICC wants to see evidence of domestic interest and growth across the region before they’ll consider restarting the tournament.Since the ICC Americas Women’s Championship was first held in 2007, the ICC claims there have only been 90 new female players at amateur level that have been registered by a combination of the countries in the ICC Americas Women’s Division One – USA, Canada, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Argentina and Brazil. These 90 new players were from levels that were low to begin. The USA, a country with more than 300 million people, is estimated to have only 100 registered female players, a number which is made up mainly of expatriates from South Asia and the Caribbean.The ICC says the member countries in the region were informed during 2013 that the investment money that had previously been spent on running the tournament would be made available to them to fund grassroots projects. “The aim is to increase participation rates, provide more regular domestic playing opportunities for women and girls and ultimately strengthen domestic capacity. It is hoped that an increase in domestic participation will lead to the recommencement of this event in the future.”

Bashley (Rydal) have reached the final of the Southern Electric Contracting Cup and will play either South Wilts or Rowledge at the Hampshire Rose Bowl on Friday August 2, 5.45pm.Bashley beat BAT Sports by six wickets in the semi-final at Southern Gardens – the reigning Premier League champions crashing from 36-0 to 46-7 in an amazing mid-innings spell.Neil Taylor (5-10) clean bowled four batsmen after Michael Watson (24) and Richard Kenway (15) had provided a sound start.Terry Rawlins (22 not out), Richard Dibden (16) and Simon Preston (16 not out) rallied, but a score of 104-8 off 23 overs was never likely to be enough.Bashley batted consistently, with Luke Ronchi’s 36 not out leading the New Forest club to the final.Premier Division 2 club Rowledge beat Burridge by 50 runs in the weather delayed quarter-final.David Lloyd (52), Chris Yates junior (34) and Jeff Annings (27) led Rowledge to 152-6 before the Yates uncle and nephew combination sank Burridge for 102 (Roger Cawte 34).Chris senior grabbed 4-19 and his 21-year old nephew 3-28.

The recently concluded Morocco Cup exposed Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) policy which has been to project the establishment at the cost of the players. The image of a sports body is reflected by the performance of the players and not the other way round.PCB has a novel method of dealing with the players. Sometimes it supports the players beyond all limits and then it drops them like a hot cake on the slightest pretext. The people at the helm of affairs want to run cricket issues on personal whims which has shaken the confidence of the players and because of this the performance graph of our team has not been consistent.The team’s inconsistent performance is the result of board’s ad hoc policies manipulated by one of its advisers, a former Pakistan captain, who himself was a mediocre cricketer in his heydays.When the adviser was captain of the Pakistan team he tried to promote off-spinner Arshad Khan and tried every time to run down Saqlain Mushtaq, a world class off-spinner highly acknowledged by all the greats of the game. Somehow, the adviser who has a sort of complex against players like Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq never gives them the credit they deserve.Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq were dropped in the final against Sir Lanka in the Asian Cricket Championship at Lahore and Pakistan lost.History repeated itself at Tangiers in the crucial match against South Africa where Saqlain and Saeed Anwar were dropped against South Africa in the do or die tie.Instead of playing them, the tour management committee, preferred Shoaib Malik as for some time the PCB high ups have been projecting him as an all-rounder. He replaced Saeed Anwar as an opener and Saqlain Mushtaq as an off-spinner. The board thought that it will be killing two birds with one stone but its move backfired for the second time.Inclusion of Shoaib Malik in fact exposed the cricket management’s wrong policies when he conceded 15 runs in just one over that he bowled. The team captain perhaps on the advice of the dressing room just to save humiliation did not expose him further.When he came to bat, with the departure of Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi who was sent in the earlier matches at No. 9 was all of a sudden promoted to No. 3, Shahid, in his own style collared the South African bowling and when he seemed to be tearing it apart, he hardly got any support from the other end where Shoaib played couple of maiden overs. This dampened the spirit of the team and sent wrong signals into the dressing room. When he was out the new batsmen came under undue pressure.The theory of rotation of players now being preached by the PCB high-ups just backfired. No doubt the players should be saved from burnout but who should decide when someone has to be rested. The first choice should be of the players themselves and then others come in for their views. The team management on its own cannot and should not take the decision.Secondly, the policy cannot be applied every time. The team situation too has to be taken into consideration. If Saeed Anwar and Saqlain were rested on the policy of rotation, those who took the decision should be taken to task. They have no business to be paid heavily for such nonsense. It was a do or die situation and none of the players would have liked to be rested in such a situation.PCB hired an army of specialists to accompany the team on every tour. There is a analyst, a psychiatrist, a team doctor, a physiotherapist, a manager and a coach. One would just like to know what has been the achievement of the psychiatrist. What wonders has he performed with the players. When the team won the series against Australia, every official was rewarded for his contribution to the team’s effort. They were all presented before the President who acknowledged their services and duly rewarded them.It seems that perhaps, victory against Australia was the end of cricket world. The PCB officials jumped to the conclusion that they have found a world beating combination and the World Cup next year is just a formality.It started, in fact blackmailing the players. When wicket-keeper Rashid Latif asked for permission to go to Houston (United States) to play in the double wicket championship last month, the PCB delayed the permission. But later Rashid Latif was allowed to proceed to Houston after some other players were given permission for the same trip.These are dirty tricks and cheap management. Such tricks do more harm to the game and the team spirit than doing any good. The job of dealing with 16 players with different background, and different bloodline requires extraordinary intelligence, patience, farsightedness and perseverance.Shoaib Akhtar is being praised by all the high-ups of the board beyond imagination. No doubt he is rated as the fastest bowler today. But he has to conduct himself in order to remain on top. He should be treated at par with other players of the team. Any preferential treatment will cause heartburn among the players. Wasim Akram though down the hill, is the greatest bowler that Pakistan has produced. He has 400 victims in both the editions of the game. A milestone which, Shoaib, perhaps will never be able to achieve.How come Shoaib was allowed to proceed to United Kingdom when the team was in camp training for the Morocco Cup, Kenya and Sri Lanka tours. He wanted a break. Well if he wanted a break how come he was playing in England? What sort of break is this? Can the PCB chief please explain?Now it has been gathered that Dr Meesaq Rizvi is being sent to England to check on the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar for his inclusionfor the Kenya tour. It seems that Dr Rizvi is more qualified than doctors in England. If the board wanted to oblige Dr Rizvi, it could have appointed him as the team doctor. His assignment to test Shoaib is mind-boggling and a sheer waste of money.If Shoaib wanted his inclusion in the team, he should have been asked to come home and report to the PCB which could have arranged a cost free test and put him at one of the academies to gain full fitness if he was really out of action during his absence.The PCB should treat all the players alike. It should not give stepmotherly treatment to some and go out of its way to pamper others. Unless this policy is adopted for all the team members, no one should expect any better performance. Nobody is prepared to believe that a team which has ten centurions in its line up cannot chase a target of 196 runs. It was because of poor policy of the PCB that we have not been able to build a world beating combination.

Leicestershire still have a lot of work to do if they are to overhaul Warwickshire’s first innings 462 at Edgbaston. Jamie Troughton continued his recent purple patch for the hosts, moving from his overnight 65 to 130 before he was bowled by Grant Flower. Trevor Ward ensured a brisk reply, with an 89 as Leicestershire closed on 205 for four, still 257 behind.A big century from Ally Brown has put Surrey firmly in control of their game against Kent. Brown made 188 to steer Surrey to 361 all out at The Oval, and Kent then lost Robert Key, bowled by James Ormond for four. At stumps Kent were 62 for one, still 146 behind.Somerset are struggling at Bath, after Matt Bulbeck gave them hopes of a revival in the first session, taking three wickets as Hampshire dwindled from 149 for three to 252 all out. Alan Mullally then took three wickets as Somerset ended the day on 79 for five.Yorkshire are struggling again against Sussex at Headingley. Steve Kirby finally dismissed Timothy Ambrose for 149 at Headingley this morning, as the visitors finished on 435 all out. In reply Yorkshire have limped to 195 for six, with James Kirtley and Kevin Innes taking two wickets each.In Division Two, Michael Di Venuto gave Derbyshire an excellent start in pursuit of Nottinghamshire’s 393 at Trent Bridge. He made 79 off just 84 balls before being caught behind off Nadeem Malik. Derbyshire had reached 298 for five, with Andrew Gait making 52, when rain forced an early close.A double century from Ronnie Irani enabled Essex to thrive at Ilford. The captain made an unbeaten 207 before declaring on 498 for nine against Northants. Mark Ilott has taken two wickets as the visitors struggled to 138 for five in reply.Durham are well placed after dismissing Worcestershire for 250 at Chester-le-Street. Although Allan Donald took two wickets to reduce the hosts to 94 for four, wicket-keeper Andrew Pratt (63*) has engineered a revival. At stumps Durham had reached 190 for four, a deficit of just 60.Middlesex put Glamorgan in to bat at Lord’s this afternoon, where the game finally got under way almost a day and a half late. They may be wondering if the decision was a wise one after Glamorgan closed on 228 for three. Mike Powell (89*) and Matthew Maynard (86*) have so far added 167 for the fourth wicket.