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In a well-contested game, more of sentimental significance than anything else, the Indians scored 254 for 6 and beat the Prime Minister’s XI by one run in a thrilling encounter in Canberra. Hemang Badani scored a century while no other Indian topped 33, and Cade Brown, captain of the Australian Capital Territory, liked what he saw of the Indian bowlers and struck 80 runs.Steve Waugh led the PM XI on to the field, and Shaun Tait and Damien Wright opened the bowling against Sanjay Bangar and Parthiv Patel. After providing his team a solid start, Patel (19) fell to Cleary (36 for 1). A 60-run partnership ensued, and Bangar chose to knuckle down, while Badani rotated the strike, unafraid to attempt the big hits. After scoring a slow-poke 33, Bangar was dismissed, and in came Rohan Gavaskar. A while later, he was on his way back for 26, the first of McDonald’s three wickets. But with figures of 3 for 70 in nine overs at the end of the innings, it’s not clear who the victim was.Both Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid got off to starts, but fell before reaching 20, and Ajit Agarkar’s limp with the bat extended to exhibition matches as well, as he fell for 5 (230 for 8). Meanwhile, Badani kept his end up, and got partnerships going with the top order; 54 with Gavaskar, and 42 with Dravid.Badani upped the rate towards the end as he rushed towards his century. His innings ended on the very last ball of the innings, giving McDonald his third wicket.The PM XI began briskly, as the openers scored at over five an over. Amit Bhandari, bowling for the first time on tour, dismissed Matthew Bradley for 12 (38 for 1). Ashish Nehra then had David Hussey caught behind, and the score read 59 for 2. But that brought Brown to the wicket, and with Marcus North, he put on 84 in quick time. After scoring 74 with seven boundaries, North was taken out by Bangar, who was given an extended run by Dravid.Then, like so many times during his last series, all eyes turned yet again to the man striding out. Steve Waugh hit one boundary and got out for seven. Christopher Hartley, with a century in his only first-class innings, came out to bat, and nearly took the game away from India. Scampering for runs, he partnered Brown and hit four boundaries, and the two put on 38. But just as victory was around the corner, Nehra struck again, ridding Brown for 80 (213 for 5).With 42 runs needed off 33 balls and a new man at the crease, the task seemed more daunting than ever. But Hartley kept going at the ever-shrinking target, until the last over came about, and eight runs were required. Bhandari conceded only six, and claimed McDonald’s wicket, leaving Hartley stranded on 45 off 43, as the Indians held on to victory by the slender thread of a single run.

Wapda, Allied Bank Limited and Pak PWD were the only teams to secure maximum points as fickle weather disrupted the opening round matches of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship which finished on Tuesday.As many as nine matches were badly disrupted in various parts of Punjab and Peshawar on the fourth and final day.The Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to play the premier first-class competition at this time of the year, when the northern areas of the country are in the grip of rain, poor visibility caused by fog, is nothing short of poor planning.In recent seasons first-class tournaments usually started in early October and the bulk of matches were completed before the impending uncertain weather intervened.It is a forgone conclusion that there will be hardly outright results in the matches outside Karachi, the remaining rounds.The second round four-day ties begin Friday under the following schedule:Group-I: Faisalabad v National Bank at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad; Wapda v Lahore Blues at Gymkhana Ground, Okara; Sargodha v Servis Industries at Sports Stadium, Sargodha.Group-II: Karachi Whites v Pak PWD at National Stadium, Karachi; Bahawalpur v Allied Bank at Bahawalpur Stadium, Bahawalpur; Multan v Dadu at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan.Group-III: Sheikhupura v Habib Bank at Sheikhupura Stadium, Sheikhupura; Sialkot v Pakistan Customs at Saga Ground, Sialkot; Lahore Whites v Gujranwala at LCCA Ground, Lahore.Group-IV: KRL v ZTBL at KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi; Rawalpindi v Karachi Blues at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi; Peshawar v PIA at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar.

WORCESTER, England – The legend of Sir Donald Bradman hovers aboveAustralia’s opening match of the Ashes tour against Worcestershire atpicturesque New Road.Under the steady gaze and ringing bells of Worcester Cathedral, theAustralian one-day team takes the field tonight (AEST) at the traditionalfirst port of call for Ashes sides in England.If the forecast rain stays away, Australia’s batsmen will attempt to emulateBradman’s habit of re-introducing himself to English crowds each summer witha double-hundred against the Midlands club.The quaint white clubhouse perched just above New Road’s lush outfield ishome to a wonderful black and white photograph of Bradman playing a coverdrive on April 30, 1938.There’s a capacity crowd of 14,000, the imperial old cathedral dominates thebackground, and Bradman is on his way to 258 – his third score of more than200 against Worcester.Five of Australia’s Test batsmen – Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh, captain SteveWaugh, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist – are in the limited overs squad andlike in Bradman’s day, the match is sold out.It’s the perfect setting for them to start the tour on a run-filled note.”This is a great place for us to come and play cricket, it’s still the No.1tour to be on for an Australian player,” said Steve Waugh.”Coming back to England we feel comfortable here, a lot of us have played alot of cricket here and we just love playing in England.”The crowds are the best to play in front of, the tradition of places likeLord’s and some of the other grounds have just got a good feeling aboutthem.”Even being here for only a few days, it just feels like this is the rightplace to play cricket.”Waugh will not reveal the Australian starting XI until just before playbegins.Meanwhile, Worcestershire’s Queensland import Andy Bichel has withdrawn fromthe match, preferring to rest himself for the club’s bid to move out of thesecond division of the county championship.”The decision was up to him really and he just basically felt – and I agreewith him – that he’s better resting up and saving himself for a game thatmeans points for the county,” said Worcestershire coach and formerAustralian player Tom Moody.Bichel is a strong chance of being rushed into Australia’s Test squad duringthe Ashes if one of the chosen fast bowlers is injured.That is every chance of happening given the recent problems of JasonGillespie (foot) and Brett Lee (elbow).

Tottenham Hotspur are now among the clubs most keen on signing a “spectacular” Champions League forward, but it could take a huge bid to tempt his club into a sale.

Spurs eyeing new forward with Semenyo set to join Man City

Tottenham are looking to sign a new forward in the upcoming transfer window, with AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo being identified as a target, but it now appears as though the Ghanaian could be heading to a rival Premier League club.

Indeed, Manchester City have seemingly won the race for Semenyo, as a move to the Etihad Stadium would provide him with the platform to compete for major trophies.

Consequently, Spurs will presumably have to move on to alternative targets, and it was recently revealed that Man City ace Savinho has now emerged as a serious option.

However, the Lilywhites are also considering options from further afield, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing they are now among the clubs most keen on signing Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, alongside Chelsea, while Arsenal have also expressed an interest.

Yildiz is Tottenham’s ‘dream’ attacking target, having emerged as one of football’s ‘most exciting breakout talents’, but it could take a huge bid to tempt the Italian club into sanctioning a sale, with a £88m price tag recently being touted.

The report also provides an update on the Turk’s future at Juventus, with it stating the Serie A side’s new sporting director, Marco Ottolini, is expected to open talks over a new contract, and there is an awareness the 20-year-old would prefer to remain in Turin.

"Spectacular" Yildiz could be solid Semenyo alternative

It is disappointing that Tottenham have seemingly missed out on Semenyo, as the Ghana international has already proven himself in England, scoring eight goals in 16 Premier League outings this term, while also providing three assists.

However, the Juventus star has proven that he could be a solid alternative, having put in some top performances this season, weighing in with five goals and four assists in 15 Serie A matches.

Related Tottenham officials sent to club as Spurs eye Hazard-like 'magician' after Semenyo snub

Spurs are craving a new left-winger.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

Scout Jacek Kulig has also waxed lyrical about the Germany-born starlet, lauding him for his ability to make “spectacular solo runs”, which have been on display since making his breakthrough at Juventus.

Yildiz would be Tottenham’s record signing at £88m, but there is every indication he could be an exciting long-term addition to Thomas Frank’s squad.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
RP Singh rattled Delhi with four wickets after Parthiv Patel’s hundred•PTI

The shock discovery of the day was that Parthiv Patel had gone 158 List A matches without a hundred, but in his 159th, the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, he produced that first in style to give Gujarat their maiden title. A collapse after Parthiv’s wicket had left the issue open in giving Delhi a manageable target of 274, but veteran RP Singh, playing his first match in the knockout stages, settled the matter with an opening burst of 4 for 23, which included a first-ball wicket of Rishabh Pant and later those of Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir.Delhi continued to trust their bowlers, and perhaps were wary of the dew in the first day-night match of the tournament, when they asked Gujarat to bat. What they got was some indifferent bowling and fielding in the face of good batting for a majority of Gujarat’s innings. When they came out to bat, the ball did a bit under the lights, which RP took full advantage of.At the top of the order, Parthiv, with a game more rounded than just square hitting when he played international cricket, has been the threat throughout with his big hitting. But in the final, he looked intent on playing the longer innings. In the earlier exchanges Gujarat targeted the lesser-experienced Navdeep Saini* and Suboth Bhati while giving Ishant Sharma due respect.They lost Priyank Panchal and Bhargav Merai early, but even from 44 for 2 in the 10th over they kept attacking. Rujul Bhatt, who after Axar Patel has been Gujarat’s best player of the tournament, danced down and slogged Bhati over midwicket for a six while Parthiv repeatedly kept tucking away runs off his hips, which he used to struggle to do in international cricket.Parthiv and Bhatt added 149 for the third wicket, the highest for the third wicket in this tournament. Parthiv hit 10 fours, mainly through cuts and flicks off the hips. Bhatt hit four fours and a six in his 60 off 74 runs, which took his tournament tally to 338, which is the highest for Gujarat and the ninth-highest overall. They were helped along by two sets of four overthrows, various fumbles and a few clumsy dives.To add to this, Delhi will look back at two crucial moments. Bhati came on to bowl in the 11th over, bowled beautifully in the channel outside off first ball, drew the edge from Parthiv, who was on 21, but agonisingly saw it go waist high where the first slip should have been. Immediately he looked back complainingly at Ishant at mid-on, and immediately the slip came in, but the pocked-sized horse had now bolted. Bhatt just rubbed it in by hitting a six and two fours in Bhati’s first thiree overs. Manan Sharma later dropped a hard-hit return offering. Parthiv was on 67 then.Delhi’s two main slow bowlers have been Manan and Pawan negi, both left-arm spinners. Gambhir chose to hold them back as the two left-hand batsmen batted. Two offspinners introduced before these two – Nitish Rana and Milind Kumar – went for 71 in their 14 overs. In his second over Negi bowled Parthiv through the gate. This came close on the heels of Bhatt’s wicket, which gave Delhi some momentum. From 193 for 2 in the 37th over, it was Chirag Gandhi’s 44 off 39 and left-arm seamer Rush Kalaria’s lusty blows that took a fumbling innings to 273.Delhi came back into the chase with some hope, but RP squashed it immediately. With a generous sprinkling of grey in his beard, RP might look older than his 30, but the ball is still coming out all right from his hand. The first ball he bowled came out with the seam upright, moved in a little, and hit the top of off and middle of left-hand wicketkeeper batsman Pant. Kalaria maintained the pressure at the other end, and Dhawan eventually charged at RP to give a soft catch to cover.The only blip on Gujarat’s night arrived when Bhatt dropped Unmukt Chand off the bowling of Kalaria, but he made up for it soon enough when he accepted a low offering from Gambhir at first slip. The catch wasn’t 100% clean, but a soft signal of out from the on-field umpires sealed the decision in RP’s favour. Before signing off his first spell of 7-2-23-4, RP trapped Milind Kumar lbw with slight swing back in, and could have had a fifth next ball but for an inside edge from Rana.As wickets continued to fall, the only man capable of a miraculous comeback was Chand. He played attractive shots in his 33 off 48, but once he played Jasprit Bumrah on the contest was officially over. All Negi’s half-century managed to was push the score past 100. Bumrah went on to celebrate the win with an aggressive spell of 9.3-1-28-5, which included Ishant bowled by a perfect yorker after he had been peppered by bouncers and then made to wait for five minutes for the helmet to come in for the short leg.*05.00GMT, December 29: The report had erroneously mentioned Nitin Saini. This has been corrected.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain, is the latest international star to have been approached by the Indian Cricket League (ICL).Inzamam, who announced his retirement from one-day cricket after Pakistan’sfailed World Cup campaign, confirmed that ICL officials had contacted him. “They have been in touch with me and I am considering their offer,” Inzamam told Cricinfo. “If the terms are right, I will play.”The parallel league has stirred the cricket world, evoking visions of aKerry Packer-style circuit. The players it has targeted so far, however, are those who have retired from international cricket in one form or another. Brian Lara has already signed on, while Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Stephen Fleming have also expressed an interest.The PCB announced recently that centrallycontracted players would be unable to join the league but kept the door open for ex-internationals or players not contracted.Nasim Ashraf, PCB chairman, told that any player joining the leaguewould be ruled out of future internationals. “Our position on the breakaway Indian league is clear and firm. Since it [league] is not approved by the ICC any player joining it will not be considered for future selection. No current player will be allowed to sign the league and all cricket boards of the world have this same stance.”Inzamam said he believed the league would ultimately benefit Indiancricket itself. “What harm is there if it means that more people willwatch cricket, come to the grounds and watch stars in action? It furthersthe profile of cricket.”Inzamam did acknowledge that ultimately the choice will come down to financialbenefits to the player. “Players who are out of favour, or not international cricketers, or who are nearing the end of their careers will rightly see this as an opportunity to benefit financially and I don’t see anything wrong with that.”For younger players too, there are rewards. Playing alongside playerssuch as Lara or McGrath can only be a good thing for your development as ayoung player.”Inzamam’s own international future is currently uncertain. Though he hasleft one-day cricket, he wants to carry on playing Test cricket “for as longas I feel I am performing.” Noises coming from the board in recentmonths suggest Inzamam may not be a part of Pakistan’s next Test squadagainst South Africa but the selectors have publicly said he will becalled to the probables camp for the series in September and October.Inzamam is currently Pakistan’s second-highest run-scorer in Tests, just 19 runs behind Javed Miandad and he plans to fight for his place. “I want to pass 10,000 Test runs and I believe I am capable of doing that, given the opportunity.”He has limited opportunities to prove his form and fitness to selectors,however. Pakistan’s domestic season is not due to start till December.Reports linked him to some county sides earlier in the season but thoseplans have fallen through. Until the season starts, Inzamam will play clubcricket for Lahore Gymkhana.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

“India ain’t ever gonna win with the rain comin’ down like that,” could easily be the refrain from the more boisterous sections of the stands at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia, for the rain bucketed down for the best part of the fourth day. There was no chance of play, and with West Indies on 43 for 1, still 330 runs behind India, the locals were happy for the weather to help them out. India were hoping that they can get a good chunk of play in tomorrow, although that seems ambitious given the weather conditions, to try and force a result.The first three days of the Test were dogged by gloominess and some light showers as well, but a strong breeze resulted in the clouds clearing up. Today, though, was characterised by unrelieved gloom, what with the leaden skies and no hint of a breeze. The sun was not able to even get a peek – light would have definitely been a concern – and India will be concerned about a similar forecast for tomorrow.”If the [rain] god was a West Indian today, I hope it is an Indian tomorrow,” said Greg Chappell at the end of a muggy day. “We have no control over the weather but we got them out in 80 overs in the first innings and hopefully a full day tomorrow would enable us to take nine remaining wickets.”

Shane Bond, the New Zealand bowler, has said that he feels that he is nearing his best form as he took one for 28 off 8 overs for New Zealand Academy against they beat Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) by 60 runs at Brisbane.Recovering from a major back surgery, Bond said that he was happy with his progress since the New Zealand Academy’s tour of Australia started. “It’s getting better day by day. This was my best day today and hopefully I can step it up a notch tomorrow. I’m 100 percent,” said Bond according to a report on stuff.co.nz. He said that he felt no discomfort while bowling, “I’m starting to get a little bit more consistent. It’s nice to be outside getting consistent cricket.”Bond has one more match to play against India’s Karnataka State Cricket Association’s team before returning to New Zealand to prepare for their forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

Points tables for Canterbury Cricket 2003-04Senior Men’s Cricket1st Grade (2-Day Competition):St.Albans 58.75,LPW 42.26,East Shirley 27.93HSOB 15.99Old Collegians 15.75BWU 15.53Sydenham 12.45Marist 10.82Riccarton 9.681st Grade – (1-Day Competition)Riccarton 24,St Albans 24,East Shirley 18,HSOB 18,BWU 12,Canterbury Country 6,LPW 6,Marist 6,Old Collegians 6,Sydenham 0.2nd Grade – (2-day Competition)Old Collegians 59.57,Riccarton 32.45,BWU 30.17,East Shirley A 20.66,Sydenham 18.65,East Shirley Budgies 18.07,Marist 17.23,HSOB 16.47,LPW 15.59,St.Albans 14.37.2nd Grade – (1-day Competition)East Shirley A 24,Old Collegians 24,HSOB 18,East Shirley Budgies 12,LPW 12,Sydenham 12,BWU 6,Marist 6,St Albans 6,Riccarton 0.3rd Grade GoldBWU Maroon 61.67,LPW 57.72,Sydenham 44.22,St.Albans 39.58,Old Collegians 33.73,HSOB Cavaliers 32.76,BWU Gold 28.13,Riccarton 16.6,East Shirley Gold 16.11,East Shirley Blue 11.67.3rd Grade Red – 2 Day CompetitionTeam Points PositionChrist College 60.96 1Christchurch Boys HS 34.05 2St Andrew’s College 32.74 3Shirley Boys HS 31.31 4Timaru Boys HS 18.64 5St Thomas 11.46 6St Bedes 10.76 7Burnside HS 9.12 83rd Grade BlackChristchurch Boys HS Blue* 61.48,St Andrew’s College 46.87,Christ’s College 34.48,Shirley Boys HS 31.86,Burnside HS* 21.1,Christchurch Boys HS Black 16.48,Christchurch Boys HS Red 11.59,Riccarton HS 6.09,St Bedes 4.11.4th GradeSt Albans B 30,LPW Yabbage 27,St Albans A 22,East Shirley Hooters 20,Old Collegians Cavs 20,Burnside West 10,Sydenham Muppets 10,Marist 5.5th GradeRiccarton Gold 30,LPW Yaks 27,St Albans 27,Riccarton Hogs 20,Burnside West SNCC 17,Old Collegians Tan 12,Burnside West Gold 10,Burnside West Maroon 10,Burnside West Blue 5,Old Colls Gold 0.6th GradeSt Albans 27,Sydenham Blue 20,Burnside West 17,Marist Gold 15,Sydenham Red 15,Marist Fozzie Bears 12,Old Collegians SGC 10,Parklands 10,Lancaster Park Woolston 7.President’s GradeEast Shirley Gold 32,Riccarton+ 32,Sumner Misfits 27,Sydenham 25,Hospital 17,LPW Gladiators 20,Burnside West 15,High School Old Boys 15,LPW Red 15,St Albans Gold 20,East Shirley Blue 7,St Albans Blue 7,Marist 5,Old Collegians 5.(+denotes holder of the G.Frampton Challenge Cup)Youth CricketU-18Papanui HS 22,Middleton Grange 15,CBHS 12,Parklands 12,Sydenham 10,St Andrew’s College 7,St Bede’s Black 5,St Bede’s Red – Withdrawn 0.ColtsSydenham 36,St Andrew’s College 32,Christ’s College 28,Shirley Boys HS 26,St Thomas – Red 26,CBHS 17,Papanui HS 4,St Thomas – Yellow 1,Burnside HS 0,St Bede’s Red 0.U-16ASt Andrew’s College 20,Shirley Boys HS 17,Christ’s College 15,CBHS 7,St Bede’s 7,Sydenham 7.U-16BHornby CC 20,Upper Riccarton 17,New Brighton 15,CBHS 12,Old Colls 5,Riccarton HS 5,Lancaster Park Woolston 0.U-15AChrist’s College 22,Burnside HS 20,St Andrew’s College – White 20,Sydenham 17,Shirley Boys HS 5,St Andrew’s College – Blue 5,CBHS 2,St Thomas – Moved 2.U-15BSt Bede’s 27,Christ’s College 20,Parklands 20,St Thomas 15,Papanui HS 12,Burnside HS 10,Upper Riccarton 10,CBHS – Black 5,CBHS – Blue 5,St Andrew’s College 0.U-14ACBHS – Black 32,St Andrew’s College 28,CBHS – Blue 25,Christ’s College 24,Lincoln/Ellesmere 24,Burnside HS 4,Shirley Boys HS 2,St Bede’s 2,Sydenham 0,St Thomas – Moved 0.U-14BShirley Boys HS 30,New Brighton 22,Christ’s College 20,St Andrew’s College 17,Papanui HS 15,Rangiora HS 15,CBHS – Black 12,Riccarton HS 10,CBHS – Blue 7,St Bede’s 7,Sydenham 2.Burnside HS – Withdrawn 0.U14CShirley Boys HS 15,St Thomas 14,Burnside West 10,CBHS – Black 7,Christ’s College 0,Women’s Cricket1st Grade – (1-Day Competition)Lancaster Park Woolston 25,St Alban’s 25,Old Colls/Country 10,East Shirley 0.1st Grade – (2-Day Competition)St Alban’s 4,East Shirley 2,Lancaster Park Woolston 2,Old Colls/Country 1.1st ReserveSydenham 50,St Alban’s 38,Riccarton 36,Burnside West 11,Old Colls/Country 10,East Shirley 8.2nd GradeSt Alban’s 32,Lancaster Park Woolston 30,Sydenham 22,Harewood 15,Old Colls/Country 5.3rd GradeSt Albans 32,Hornby 20,Riccarton 17,Sydenham 12,Burnside West 10,Lancaster Park Woolston 7.4th Grade Sen Trad GirlsSt Albans Gold 27,Lancaster Park Woolston 20,Hornby 15,St Albans Grammar 15,Old Colls/Country 10,East Shirley 2.

RICKY PONTING has been named captain of the Australian one-day cricket team for the tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe.ADAM GILCHRIST has been named vice-captain by the Australian Cricket Board.The appointments follow STEVE WAUGH’s shock axing as skipper earlier this week.