All posts by csb10.top

Somerset all rounder Ian Blackwell who has spent the first part of the winter with the Academy in Adelaide has now joined up with the full England One Day squad ahead of the triangular series that gets underway in Sydney on December 13th.Regarding his time with the Academy he told me: “I very much enjoyed parts of it and hopefully I’ll be a better player for Somerset because of it, but I have to admit my body has taken a hammering along the way!!! Picking up niggles here and there, which are harder to shake off as there isn’t much time to rest.”When I asked him to comment on the current Test series he told me: ” I’m not going to diagnose the Ashes as I can’t see any positives at all, and I fear its only going to get worse!”He continued: “I caught up with both Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick during the Adelaide Test where I was almost called up at the last minute for Michael Vaughan who went over on his knee.Commenting on the mood of the England Test players he told me: “To be honest all the boys are absolutely battered, they have had no respite from anything. Injuries haven’t helped and with Alex Tudor and Chris Silverwood added things couldn’t get much worse.”Blackie went on: ” The one day guys arrived last Tuesday and for me its been greatmoving from the Academy to the Stamford Plaza in the city because it’s given my brain a jog to what being part of England is all about.”He concluded: ” The one day squad is quite different to the Test side so lets hope there is enough of us to pick spirits up in the one day matches and create a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. We have chatted amongst ourselves and we think that will be a key thing for us to do.”

St Cross Symondians, edged into third place last season, are favourites to top Southern Electric Premier League Division 3 this summer.With the prolific Steve Shaw joining from Hook & Newnham Basics and left-arm spinner Will Marriner moving in from nearby Sparsholt, Symondians – on paper at any rate – look to have assembled a title winning squad at their Royal Green Jackets headquarters.Kiwi Mark Parker, who chalked up 465 runs last summer, has returned from his native New Zealand. But left top 2001 wicket-taker Bryan Lipscombe bag-packing in the Far East for most of the summer.”If we play to our potential, then we should be around somewhere near the top,” said St Cross captain Matt Perry-Lewis.Today’s opponents, Gosport Borough are among the other clubs expected to do well, probably alongside Paultons, Purbrook and Havant, who look the strongest of the three 2nd XI sides in Division 3.Paultons, in particular, could take some stopping, especially if 20-year old West Indian quick Randy Davis, from Guyana, starts to get amongst the wickets.Davis, who joined Paultons after putting his CV on the Premier League’s website, plays alongside West Indies star Ramnaresh Sarwan for the famous Georgetown club.”He played a friendly match for us on a slow track last week and was decidedly quick,” warned Paultons fit-again skipper Duncan Park, who expects to have Bashley footballer Andy Darnton available all season.Here’s a club-by-club review of prospects for the coming season –Alton (Captain: Julian Ballinger)
Got away to a flying start last season, but tailed off badly to finish a disappointing midway ninth. Matt Ireson’s return from a sabbatical will strengthen Alton, but Magnus van Rooyen’s departure back to Stellenbosch University has left a hole in the side. Veteran Paddy Heffernan, with 359 runs, and 24-wicket skipper Julian Ballinger did well last season and will expect to be among the shining lights again.
Prospects: Top halfBashley (Rydal) II (Captain: Steve Lattimore)
Maintaining SPL3 status and blooding potential first teamers is Steve Lattimore’s primary objective, both of which should be fulfilled. Players like Jo Hall and Rob Paul should continue to do well, but Lattimore will need a clean bill of health from an injury-stricken 1st XI bowling squad if the side is to hold its own, without alarms.
Prospects: Bottom half.Flamingo (Captain: Stuart Shapland)
The departure of leading 2001 run getters Gary Fenigan and Shane Merkel to Australia has left a massive void, but skipper Stuart Shapland, who wears his heart on his sleeve, has made a good start with the bat. A shock Village Championship win at Easton boosted spirits no end, but Flamingo’s will be happy if they stay up.
Prospects: Survival is top priority.Gosport Borough (Captain: Tony Stares, Overseas : Nathan Collins (Queensland)
Gosport faded badly to finish a disappointing tenth last term. The arrival of Paul Jenkins, from Burridge, to link up with 41-wicket Aussie Nathan Collins, will give Borough’s bowling a distinct edge. But with John Adams set to miss a chunk of the season and 409-run Lee Wateridge gone to Andover, Gosport will have to rely on Tony Stares, Gary Juryeff and the richly talented Stewart Magee for their runs.
Prospects: Should be in the top six.Hambledon (Captain: Simon James, Overseas : Lee Burns (Australia)
Players tend to leave clubs who are relegated and that’s just what has happened at Hambledon, where the retired Gary Shotton will be badly missed. Simon Barnard has joined Harting in the l’Anson Competition and Adrian Magrath has called it a day. Simon James takes over the captaincy and will rely heavily on Mark le Clerq, Ian Turner, Rob Norris and Australian Lee Burns to achieve consolidation.
Prospects: Mid-table.Hartley Wintney (Captain: Tristan Gregory, Overseas : Jimmy Castrisis (Australia)
Runners-up to Ventnor in the Hampshire League last season, Hartley Wintney made their SPL debut against Paultons today. They maintained consistency throughout last season, with Dave Almond and Tristan Gregory in good nick. Neil Willis, the former Army off-spinner, will relish playing on a higher plain.
Prospects: Consolidation essential.Havant II (Captain: Matt Gover)
Of the three 2nd XIs, Havant have the best chance of success, though first team calls will obviously dictate Matt Gover’s strength. Newcomers Mike Morris and Martin Schmidt will boost a pretty strong batting line-up but Gover is the only recognised spinner.
Prospects: Will be disappointed to finish out of top five.Hook & Newnham Basics (Captain : Keith Lovelock. Overseas : Lloyd Moore (South Africa)
Keith Lovelock, last season’s leading SPL3 batsman, takes charge of a side weakened by the loss of prolific left-hander Steve Shaw to St Cross Symondians and big hitting Janusz Kaminski, who is at Camberley. Lloyd Moore, from the Western Province Academy, is the teenage overseas recruit. Basics had hoped to recruit Burridge-bound left-hander Ben Thane. It’s burdened Lovelock with not only skippering the side, but also being the prime run scorer.
Prospects: Another consolidation season.Hursley Park (Captain : Rob Lowe)
The club with the best ground in the SEPL really didn’t ought to be playing in Premier 3, but if they can get to mid-June relatively unscathed, the Park could offer a promotion challenge. The mid-summer return of several promising students will make Hursley a useful outfit. Until then John Harris, who enjoyed a golden 2001 season, will again have to shoulder the run scoring responsibilities. The regular availability of Paul Edwards will boost the batting department, but the pace bowling department isn’t strong.But who wants to bowl on a batting shirt-front at The Quarters ?
Prospects: Pretty good.Leckford (Captain : Simon Reeves)
Mark Costin, from Stevenage, has arrived at Bakers Farm to bolster Leckford, who will be looking for more consistency after blowing hot and cold last term. Mike Howard’s irregular availability is a big worry for new skipper Simon Reeves, as is Martyn Isherwood’s nagging back problem. The club is hoping to persuade Aussie Glenn Richmond back for another summer but, as yet, there is no sign of any assistance from overseas.
Prospects: Bottom half.New Milton (Captain: Steve Watts, Overseas : Peter Anderson (South Perth)
Losing David Wheeler to the Hampshire Academy team and then seeing Lee Beck (broken foot) and Steve Taylor (fractured wrist) pitch up at Ashley in plaster wasn’t the best pre-season news for New Milton. Ryan Beck has returned from a South Perth winter a much bigger and better player, and brought with him Aussie all-rounder Peter Anderson (26), from the same Richardson Park club.
Prospects: Happy to finish in mid-table.Paultons (Captain: Duncan Park, Overseas : Randy Davis (Guyana)
Should improve on last season’s eighth spot and be in the frame. Randy Davis, a 20-year old all-rounder from the famous Georgetown club in Guyana, plans to make life hot for opposing batsmen. Colin James (502 runs) cracked three centuries last season and will play a key role alongside the potentially explosive Tony Richman and Andrew Darnton, who plans to be available regularly. Duncan Park is fit again, while Peter Lamb will be looking to build on last summer’s 24-wicket haul.
Prospects: Pretty goodPortsmouth II (Captain: Andy Pitts)
Will seek to emulate last season’s satisfactory final 12th placement. Andy Pitts has plenty of all-round options, but the retirement of opener Barry Stares leaves a significant gap to be filled. University players often provide more than useful inclusions.
Prospects: Comfortable.Purbrook (Captain: Andy Mengham, Overseas: Tokkie Prozesky (South Africa)
Will look to improve on finishing fifth for the past two seasons and, under new skipper Andy Mengham, push hard for promotion. Colin Pay’s departure to Harting is a blow, but is cushioned by the arrival of US batsman Craig Williams.If South African Tokkie Prozesky (20) does well, Purbrook, with Graham McCoy a potential match winner, could be a major promotion threat.
Prospects: Likely contenders.Redlynch & Hale (Captain : Iain Souter)
The world has turned upside down for newly promoted Redlynch & Hale. On July 1 2000, they were fastened to the Hampshire League basement. On May 5 last year, Ventnor hit their attack for 314, yet they ended up third … and promoted into SPL3. Ian Bryan and Mark Elkins will need to reproduce last season’s run-scoring and Steve Moody build on his 20 wicket haul if Redlynch are to come to terms with life on a higher plain.
Prospects: Survival is the aim.St Cross Symondians (Captain: Matt Perry-Lewis, Overseas : Mark Parker (New Zealand)
Bryan Lipscombe, last season’s top wicket-taker, is spending most of the summer abroad, but St Cross start as a strong tip for the title. Left-hander Steve Shaw, whose 507 runs for Hook & Newnham last season includedtwo centuries, will strengthen the top order. Will Marriner joins from Sparsholt and Mark Parker has returned for a second season from his native Onslow club in New Zealand. When Jimmy Adams returns from Loughborough, St Cross ought to be too strong for the remainder of the field. But consistency is paramount; St Cross were vulnerable to the odd hiccup in 2001.
Prospects: They start as favourites.Ventnor (Captain: Mark Whyte, Overseas: (South Africa)
It must be heartbreaking for the Islanders that, after seven years hard labour climbing through the Hampshire League pyramid, they lose the bulk of their team by the time they reach the promised Premier land. Mark Garaway (Somerset), Ian Hilsum, Mark Mitchell (Academy) Steve Snell (Havant), and Andy Whyte (injured) will all be permanent absentees this summer, with Alex Baker due back from University in mid-June. Although Neil Westhorpe has joined from Northwood, it’s left Mark Fletcher and skipper Mark Whyte with significant voids to fill. Expect a return for the fiery Jeff Hose.
Prospects: Will comfortably hold their own.Waterlooville (Captain/overseas: Chris Baumann (Queensland)
Came precariously close to relegation last year and, with few new faces, are likely to struggle again. Australian all-rounder Chris Baumann, with 423 runs and 21 wickets last term, now takes on the captaincy as well. Stan Rudder, edging ever closer to 70 years of age, will have a key new-ball role to play, and Martin Shephard with his batting and off-spin bowling.
Prospects: A struggle.

Ventnor are edging nearer first season safety in Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 after having to virtually rebuild the side that monopolized Hampshire League cricket in recent seasons.They would certainly have fancied their chances of continuing to sweep aside all comers had the likes of Mark Garaway, Steve Snell, Ian Hilsum and the late Walter Masimula remained at Steephill.But when the Islanders stepped up for their Division 3 debut against New Milton back in mid-May, only skipper Mark Whyte, Mark Fletcher, Andy White and Neil Dodds of last season’s undefeated County Division 1 title winning side remained.Predictably, it’s been hard work for Ventnor’s patched-up side ever since. They beat Havant II, Redlynch & Hale and Waterlooville convincingly enough.In between, they suffered seven defeats which kept them in the danger zone. But a fourth win, by a six-wicket margin over last year’s HL runners-up Hartley Wintney, has put Ventnor to within touching distance of safety.Hartley Wintney, in serious danger of immediate relegation themselves after losing all but two of their nine games, totalled 235-9 (Andy White 4-40) on the Steephill shirtfront, with Australian Jimmy Castrisos (78) supported by Mark Digweed (32) and Dave Almond (31).Ventnor got home with five overs to spare – Mark Fletcher hitting 104 and sharing a century opening partnership with Neil Westhorpe (36) before Island legend Jeff Hose belted 63 off 46 balls as only he knows how !The win lifted Ventnor into fourth from bottom position but didn’t stop skipper Mark Whyte from dropping his teammates a few reminders about the hard work still to be done."We’ve got five games left after today’s visit by Alton and those matches include St Cross Symondians and Purbrook, two teams battling to go up – so there’s a fair way to go yet," he pointed out.Poor old Redlynch & Hale all but gave up hope of survival when they hit 272-5 – only to lose by six wickets to Ventnor a month ago.And when Ian Bryan decided to get wed last Saturday, it left club stalwart Iain Souter with virtually a reverse strength side to take to Gosport Borough.The outcome was inevitable – Gosport piling up 322-5 through Nathan Collins (85), Stuart Magee (54), John Adams (51) and young Craig Stares (43).But Redlynch made a creditable 205 reply, with Lee Wordley celebrating his senior debut to the hilt, carrying his bat for 107 after taking 3-56.Hook & Newnham Basics remain in deep trouble too after a rain-adjusted 26-run defeat by Paultons, who 258 all out owed much to tail end pair Peter Lamb and Lee Rayner.Tony Richman (74) had dominated Paultons’ 196-9, but Lamb (40) and Rayner (17 not out) frustrated Hook with a last-wicket stand of 62.Hook were 106-1 – chasing an abridged Paultons total of 131 – when the game was abandoned, some 25.3 overs into the evening session.Hambledon fancied their chances of improving their lowly status when Hampshire’s Derek Kenway struck a glorious 135 not out against promotion outsiders New Milton at Ridge Meadow.Kenway’s innings, which formed an 80-5 rescue act with John Burdekin (48), was "a joy to watch" according to New Milton skipper Steve Watts.But, once Ryan Beck got into his stride, Hambldon’s 243-8 was always in danger."He went out to the middle and took complete control," said Watts (33), who saw both Richard Wilson (26) and latterly Dean Miller (48) fire Milton to a five-wicket win and into fifth spot.Waterlooville’s anxieties were eased by a Chris Baumann inspired 168-run victory over Portsmouth II at Rowlands Avenue.The Queenslander, who captains the Ville, hammered a blistering 147 in his side’s massive 280 all out.Once ever-youthful Stan Rudder (3-27) had ripped out Portsmouth’s top order, only the margin of victory remained. Ali Love’s 4-21 saw Portsmouth bowled out for 112.St Cross Symondians began a crunch three-match spell today, which could decide on of the two promotion positions.The outcome of today’s visit to Purbrook and the forthcoming games with New Milton and Hursley Park will have a significant bearing on the destination of the title.Mark Parker’s domineering century against Leckford, who tumbled to 115 all out in the face of a mountainous 281-7, gave St Cross a useful five-point lead over Purbrook, who were without key players Mike Hennessy, Ian Hinter and Craig Williams this afternoon.Purbrook posted a tidy 257-8 after Will Prozesky (47) had fired a ten-runs-an-over start against Flamingo at The Holt.Hennessy, with an overdue 76, and Hunter (32) helped Purbrook on their way before Flamingo’s, going nicely under Tom Cledwyn (28), sagged to 113-8.Last pair Dave Breach (28) and Dave Wright (21) added an unbroken 51 for the last wicket to take the reply to 181-9 (Mark Stanley 3-28).Alton, who appeared on course for a top two slot after beating Purbrook three weeks ago, desperately needed to win at Ventnor today if they were to avert a repetition of last year’s promotion slip up.The four-wicket defeat by Hursley Park was Alton’s second in a fortnight and sent Julian Ballinger’s troops down to third spot.Alton were going along well when Michael Heffernan (46) departed at 100-2, but never recovered sufficiently to defend an eventual 195-8.When Hursley lost three wickets for eight runs to slump to 71-4 (Jason Marr 39), it was anyone’s game.Matt Harvey’s unbeaten half-century, aided by Rob Lowe (24) and Ben Smyth (24 not out), saw the Park home.Bashley’s Jo Hall won’t want to remember his visit to Havant in a hurry, having damaged an eye socket and had eight stitches inserted in a facial wound after a rising ball from David Wade had gone through the grill of his visor.Hall, who spent five hours undergoing treatment in Queen Alexandra Hospital, was still suffering from blurred vision four days after being hit and had no chance of playing against Gosport Borough today."The staff at the hospital were absolutely superb," said Hall, who was not the only casualty.Veteran spinner Bob Paul, a recent recipient of the June bowling prize, pulled a hamstring, leaving Bashley with only nine fit men.It was no surprise that Havant won, Jon Owen’s 71 top scoring in a total of 177 before depleted Bashley were dismissed for 110, Matt Gover taking 4-10, his best figures for years.

A disciplined bowling performance from Mumbai saw Delhi dismissed for 251 in their second innings, leaving the hosts to get only 73 runs for a victory. Resuming on 52 for no loss, Delhi were looking in a strong position as first Akash Chopra (63, 166b, 7×4) and then Mithun Manhas (83, 124b, 9×4) looked to dominate. But the middle-order caved nevertheless, and Mumbai’s openers made merry. The hosts cantered to a nine-wicket win and gained two points from the encounter. Vinayak Mane ended on an unbeaten 45 off 53 balls (eight fours) while Wasim Jaffer, the only casualty, made 28 off 40.At Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh resumed on 274 for five and ultimately reached 352. Skipper MSK Prasad duly completed his century, going on to 130 off 202 balls (19 fours) before he fell to JS Yadav. Yadav picked five wickets for 87 runs and was the chief destroyer for Hyderabad on the third day. Hyderabad in their second innings reached 240 for three off 61 overs by the close of play, with Ambati Rayudu picking up where he left off in the first innings, making an unbeaten 70 off just 96 balls (nine fours, one six). He was accompanied by D Vinay Kumar (52, 110b, 11×4) at stumps.In their encounter against Himachal Pradesh at Kolkata, Bengal continued their first-innings slide, dismissed for 171, with skipper Rohan Gavaskar ending on an obdurately unbeaten 58 (137b, 6×4). Offie Aashish Kapoor ended with five for 25. Himachal’s second innings reached 208 for five by the close of play, with Vikram Rathour making 91 (194b, 11×4, 1×6) of those runs before being caught and bowled by Gavaskar.At Jaipur, Rajasthan were still in the midst of their first innings by the close of the third day, ending on 282 for six. Rohit Jhalani was the only batsman to make a fifty (52 not out, 109b, 7×4), but a string of forties from the top-order batsmen kept the hosts in the hunt. Harvinder Singh and Kulamani Parida took two wickets each for Railways.At Chennai, Tamil Nadu reached a daunting 427 all out, courtesy some sturdy batting displays from southpaws S Sharath and S Sriram. At one-drop, Sriram made 128 off 207 balls (15 fours), while Sharath became most prolific Ranji centurion for Tamil Nadu – overtaking Robin Singh – by making 101 off 204 balls (12 fours). A quickfire 50 (68b, 8×4) from J Gokulakrishnan enabled Tamil Nadu to breach the 400-run barrier by the close of the third day’s play.Punjab, at Cuttack, recovered from a precarious 141 for four to take the first-innings lead against Orissa, reaching 381 before being bowled out. Pankaj Dharmani made 81 (250b, 11×4, 1×6) Harminder Singh hit 87 (135b, 14×4, 1×6), and some welcome cameos from the lower order took Punjab to their total. Debashish Mohanty, for Orissa, ended with four wickets for 37 runs off just 26.5 overs. Orissa played out 3.5 overs to reach four for no loss by stumps.Khurasiya makes sparkling double-centuryAt Indore, Madhya Pradesh were bowled out for 379 – a lead of 45 over Maharashtra – with skipper Amay Khurasiya making 237 (299b, 31×4). His was the final wicket to fall, and the next highest score in the innings was that of D Bundela, who hit a painstaking 75 off 226 balls. Maharashtra had almost erased the deficit by the close of play, but at a price; three wickets had fallen for 42 runs when stumps were called.Haryana cantered to a seven-wicket win at Jammu over the hosts, experiencing no further hiccups in their chase of 82. Ajay Ratra and Shafiq Khan made 33 not out and 22 not out respectively as Haryana took only 9.2 overs on the third day to register their two points from the match.

Dave Richardson, the ICC’s acting chief executive, is satisfied with the security situation in Pakistan “at this time” and has said the ICC is “comfortable” with Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy in September.”The security situation anywhere in the world is very fluid, it can change from time to time,” Richardson said ahead of the Champions Trophy’s launch ceremony in Lahore. “At this time we are comfortable with the decision that Pakistan has the ability to host the event and the fact is that we are proceeding with the arrangements.”Richardson, ICC president Ray Mali and other ICC officials are currently in Pakistan and besides inspecting the three Champions Trophy venues – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi – they will be meeting officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government.The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) had recently expressed reservations on the ICC’s decision to host the event in Pakistan. “There may be some players, organisations and member countries who might express some (security) concerns from time to time,” Richardson said. “But what must be remembered is that safety and security of players, teams, officials and spectators is always the concern of the ICC.”We will be monitoring the (security) situation on a daily basis from now on until the conclusion of the event and those parties who have concerns about the situation would be apprised,” he said.The ICC’s executive board will be meeting in Dubai later this month and Richardson said the Full Member countries will discuss the security situation in Pakistan. “The board will make a decision as to the staging of the event because the Champions Trophy is one of the most important events in cricket calendar and it pits the best against the best.”In March this year, Australia postponed their tour of Pakistan due to security fears which forced the PCB to invite Bangladesh for a five-match one-day series. Sri Lanka is the alternative venue in case the event has to be shifted from Pakistan.Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB’s chief operating officer, was also present at the launch and said the competition would be the first major ICC tournament in Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. “The Champions Trophy is very important for cricket in Pakistan, not only we are expecting high quality cricket, it will be the first major event after a long, long time.”Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the PCB, said the tournament provides the chance for Pakistan to show its passion for cricket. “This tournament will also play a vital role in contributing to Pakistan’s development programme which is already finding its feet.”The Champions Trophy is slated to begin on September 11and features the top eight teams in the ICC one-day rankings.

Scottish Cricket is happy to announce that it has finalised a deal with The Grange Club, Edinburgh which will give Scottish Cricket a national `Home’ for its first year in the National Cricket League (formerly NUL). The deal is initially for one year with a further option on both sides for a further two years.The Grange Club was chosen as Scotland’s first official `home’ after almost a year of consultancy in association with sportscotland, and final pitch evaluations by the ECB.The initial 8 clubs who noted interest in becoming Scotland’s `Home of Cricket’ where whittled down to 4 using 2 main criteria: Quality of Pitch and Quality/Potential of Facilities. The final four grounds (Ayr, Heriot’s, Uddingston and The Grange) were then further assessed on the original criteria with the addition of a third factor; Event/ Marketing potential.Scottish Cricket Director of Operations, Euan McIntyre, concluded:“This has been an incredibly intense and time consuming process, but if Scotland are to compete at a `first-class’ level it was essential that we were meticulous in our assessment of the possible venues. The Grange have been chosen primarily because of their superb playing facilities, but their city centre location and excellent transport links will also be vitally important in the Marketing and Branding of Scotland’s premier summer sporting event”All 9 home games of the 2003 Norwich Union League plus the C&G Trophy 3rd round match will be played at Raeburn place, home of the historic Edinburgh club, founded in 1832, meaning the likes of Somerset, Middlesex, Lancashire and Derbyshire will all be sampling the capital’s hospitality.On being chosen as the home of Scottish Cricket Gordon Tolland, Honorary Secretary of The Grange Club, said:“We are very proud to be chosen as Scotland’s home venue for the National League. This is the most exciting and important development in Scottish Cricket for many years and The Grange Club looks forward to playing an integral part in its success.”He added:“The Grange has hosted major cricketing events at Raeburn Place for over 100 years and, as acknowledged at the 1999 World Cup, our ground offers a wicket and backdrop second to none.”The Grange Club have also hosted the majority of International test sides: Australia 15 times, South Africa 5 times and in recent years the West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand have all visited the clubs famous ground. It was also the venue of Scotland’s most famous victory against Worcestershire in the Nat West Trophy in June 1998.For More information please contact either Sara Maclean 0131 313 7422 or Euan McIntyre 0131 313 7424

Critical comments about the county cricket system in England by the Editor of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack have provoked an incandescent response from the Chief Executive of one of the leading counties.Writing in the newly-published 2002 edition of the “Cricketers’ Bible”, Graeme Wright warned that county cricket is at risk of disintegration unless radical changes are made.”The county system survives on a confederacy of mediocrity,” he wrote. “Take out the centrally-contracted bowlers and the standard of county bowling is deplorably low.Wright suggests the possible replacement of county cricket with a city-based system, which he believes would revive flagging attendance. “County cricket drifts along in a backwater,” he wrote. “Cities are marketable commodities in a way that counties, states and provinces are not.”The Chief Executive of Somerset, who won last year’s Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy and were runners-up in the CricInfo Championship, is incensed.After hearing Wright’s comments in an interview with BBC Breakfast News, Peter Anderson has written him an open letter, which is published on the Somerset website.Anderson said: “Wisden seems totally unaware of the changes first-class counties are making to the way in which they prepare their players, play their matches, identify and coach emerging young talent and publicise and popularise the game with the young in their areas.”It seems fashionable in this country to ignore rural communities as politically and economically unimportant. However, reducing the number of first-class counties and basing those left on city-based clubs would leave huge swathes of the country and its population without a cricket team to watch within reasonable travel distance.”Mr Anderson then calls on Somerset supporters who visit the club’s website to support him in his response.For only the second time in the Almanack’s history, there are no England players in the traditional list of “Five Cricketers of the Year”. Three Australians, Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie and Damien Martyn, are included along with Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower and VVS Laxman of India.

Following their convincing win over Hampshire yesterday, Somerset look forward to another big match tomorrow when they entertain Sri Lanka at the County Ground in the Patron’s Salver Challenge match.The 50 over match, that gets underway at 10.45 am, is being sponsored by the club’s patron Christopher Ondaatje, who was born in Sri Lanka.Mr Ondaatje is presenting a silver salver, and three Queens Golden Jubilee goblets to the winners, and the losers will also be presented with a replica set to mark this special occasion.Somerset boss Peter Anderson said: "This is a prestigious 1 day match against a top international side and we are hoping that a large number of supporters will come along to watch the match. With this in mind members have free entry, paying spectators will be charged £10, but youngsters up to the age of 16 will be admitted free."Mr Anderson continued: "As well as funding the magnificent salver,our patron is picking up the bill for staging the match which is very generous gesture on his part. Mr Ondaatje is very interested in the affairs of the club and is continually analysing what we have to do to remain on our present site."Mr Ondaajte told me: "I think that this is a fantastic privilege for me to host this match against Sri Lanka, the country of my birth. I am more than pleased to do it, especially in the Queens Golden Jubilee year."Mr Anderson concluded: " Mr Ondaajte is our patron and is a very keen supporter of England and of Somerset County Cricket Club and the County Ground, but when we entertain Sri Lanka on Friday, I’m looking forward to seeing where his loyalties are!

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club announced today that they will not beoffering Jeremy Snape a contract for the 2003 season. Their statementreads:”This has been a difficult decision about a player who has performed verywell for GCCC and achieved a lot of success in the 4 years he has been withus. However, his relationship with the cricket management over the past 18months has been very poor and has reached the stage where we believe it isunlikely to improve. Further, competition for places in the middle orderand lower middle order will be fierce next year and we do want to give everychance to a number of young all rounders with considerable potential. Wetherefore feel that opportunities for Jeremy Snape, particularly in the 4day game, could well be limited and, accordingly , cannot justify paying thesort of salary he would be entitled to”.He had developed and improved his game a great deal during his time withGCCC and we wish him every success in the future.”

The Punjab capital needs a sufficient number of grounds to stagefirst-class cricket. This situation, interestingly, has beenprevailing in a city which happens to be the seat of the PakistanCricket Board (PCB).Lahore, having the a population of about 6.5 millions, is mainlyrelying on the only ground of Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA)where first-class matches are being held, though it also requiresimproved facilities.The other grounds available for first class cricket belong to LahoreGymkhana, Bagh-i-Jinnah and the Railways Stadium. But the charges forhiring the Lahore Gymkhana are so high that no team can afford it.The Lahore Gymkhana authorities charge Rs 7,000 per day excludingSundays. The Railways Stadium has basic facilities for first classmatches, but the PCB is not using it for reasons best known to them.The Grade-II matches of the domestic cricket are being played at theModel Town Greens and the Punjab University Old Campus grounds whereimprovised tented baths and pavilions are made available for theplayers.Compared with other cities which are smaller in size as that of thePunjab capital, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Faisalabad, havedeveloped good infrastructure, but Lahore is facing a dearth in thisvital area of the game.Strangely, the numbers of the domestic cricket matches at Lahore aredecreasing every season due to poor non-availability of grounds.During the 2000-2001 cricket season around 400 matches were played inthe national junior grade-I and II, Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I andII, Patron’s Trophy Grade-I and II, national one-day tournaments whichwere held separately for departments and associations. But Lahore, dueto lack of grounds got only 29 matches included 22 first class andseven Grade-II.The financially sound departments affiliated with the Pakistan CricketBoard like National Bank, Allied Bank and Habib Bank have so farfailed to have their own grounds in Lahore. Interestingly, the ABL’sRamiz Hasan Raja is holding a key post in the PCB as member of theadvisory council but the bank has no ground yet.To eliminate the dearth of grounds in the city, short and long termplanning is necessary. As a short term planning, those grounds shouldbe renovated where first class matches have been played in the past.In long term planning, new grounds should be laid especially in thenewly developed areas.The grounds where the first-class matches have been held are the D.SWorkshop ground and the Railways Stadium. The PCB should also urge theLahore Gymkhana authorities to make their venue available for firstclass matches at cheaper rates as a national cause.