1. All matches are 20 overs per side, with the teams divided into three groups – North (Derbyshire, Durham, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire), Midlands/West/Wales (Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Worcestershire), and South (Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex).2. Matches start at 5.30pm (although there might be some changes to fit in with television schedules), with a 15-minute interval before the start of the second innings at 7.00pm.3. Each innings should last no longer than 75 minutes.4. Teams will incur a six-run penalty if they fail to bowl the full 20 overs within the 75 minutes.5. New batsmen must be in position within 90 seconds of a wicket falling.6. Only two fielders are allowed outside an inner circle during the first six overs of a team’s innings.7. Bowlers are permitted a maximum of a fifth of the total overs in a completed innings (ie four overs if there is no delay or interruption caused by rain).8. Umpires can impose a five-run penalty for time-wasting by batsmen. They are expected to be ready as soon as the bowler is ready.9. No-balls will be penalised by a free-hit next ball with standard rules on no-ball dismissals applying.10. Each side must face a minimum of five overs for a match to be valid. The Duckworth-Lewis method will be used to calculate run targets in rain-affected games.11. The three group winners and best second-placed team will progress to the semi-finals/final day on July 19.12. The overall winners will receive £42,000, the runners-up £21,000 and the losing semi-finalists £10,000 each.

Yesterday’s Championship reviewFrizzell County Championship Division One
Points tableMiddlesex 370 and 218 for 2 drew with Surrey 568 at Lord’s
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Andy Strauss and Sven Koenig batted Middlesex to safety in a rain-affected last day against Surrey at Lord’s. Even though only 39 overs were bowled after the morning session was washed out, which meant Middlesex were guaranteed a draw, both Strauss and Koenig fell agonisingly short of well-deserved centuries. Strauss was caught at leg slip off Ian Salisbury for 95, and Koenig at first slip off Adam Hollioake for 89. However, there was some late drama when a frustrated Hollioake was ordered to stop bowling by Graham Burgess for persistently hurling down bouncers.Essex 514 drew with Kent 381 and 416 for 8 dec at Chelmsford
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A mixture of bad light and heavy rain meant Essex’s match against Kent meandered to a draw. Just over 46 overs were bowled during the day, in which time Mark Ealham reached his first Championship century for two years, and Geraint Jones his second of the season. Jones batted through the day to end on 108 not out, by which time the fearful bowling duo of Andy Flower and Aftab Habib – who each picked up a wicket – were wheeling away.Leicestershire 243 for 5 for 1 drew with Nottinghamshire 326 and 318 for 6dec at Leicester
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Nottinghamshire’s hopes of a win were dashed by the rain at Grace Road. There was no play at all, which means the match, of which Notts were firmly in charge, was abandoned as a draw.Frizzell County Championship Division Two
Points table Yorkshire 512 and 71 for 0 beat Somerset 275 and 213 for 6 by 10 wickets at Taunton
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Steve Kirby polished off the last four Somerset wickets for figures of 8 for 80 – the best in the Championship so far this season – as Yorkshire steamrolled Somerset by ten wickets. Not only was it Yorkshire’s first win since the opening weekend of the season, but Kirby’s match figures of 13 for 154 were the best by a Yorkshire bowler in the Championship since Ray Illingworth’s 14 for 64 against Gloucestershire in 1967. Somerset were bowled out for 306, and Matthew Wood and Stephen Fleming only needed 13 overs to race to their 71-run target. The only bad news for Yorkshire was that they were docked a quarter of a point for a slow over-rate.Glamorgan 270 and 366 for 9 dec drew with Worcestershire 328 and 175 for 6 at Cardiff
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Worcestershire held on for a grafting draw against Glamorgan at Cardiff and kept hold of their lead at the top of the division. Kadeer Ali (53 from 130), Ben Smith (44 from 111) and Stephen Moore (28* from 76) all denied Glamorgan with fighting, backs-to-the-wall knocks. It was a different story earlier, however, when Michael Kasprowicz (35) and Alex Wharf (32*) plundered quick runs before the declaration. Kasprowicz then took 3 for 35, but Worcestershire showed their mettle and refused to give in.Hampshire 330 and 161 for 7 drew with Gloucestershire 185 and 427 atSouthampton
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Gloucestershire ran out of time to beat Hampshire at The Rose Bowl. Jonty Rhodes scored an unbeaten 151 as Hampshire were set 283 off 55 overs. But they were soon forced to close shop when Ian Harvey (4 for 43) removed both openers in quick succession. Simon Katich pulled things together with a stubborn 52, but when he was out and Martyn Ball (3 for 24) then got in the groove, Hampshire were in trouble at 149 for 7. But the old pro Shaun Udal ground out 16 runs from 44 balls to move Hampshire off the bottom of the table.

Rahul Dravid came to England intent upon doing justice to his role as one of Scotland’s overseas professionals, which was evident in his visible disappointment when he was out for 25 in his first game in the National Cricket League, against Hampshire. He made a first-ball duck in a tour game against Pakistan, but then unleashed a majestic 120 not out against Somerset. Scotland still lost that match, a scenario which was repeated a few days later against Nottinghamshire, when Dravid’s 129 not out wasn’t enough to earn them an upset victory. Dravid remained in sublime form, but the quality of his team-mates meant that his back was against the wall throughout the season.
Scotland averagesAugust 28 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Sussex by 1 wicketDravid’s superb season with Scotland ended in disappointment, as Scotland batted first and Dravid made just 1. His fellow overseas pro, Jon Kent, also failed to reach double figures, and Scotland ended up with 191 in their 31 overs. Sussex won by the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain stopped play, though they were precariously placed at that stage, with just one wicket in hand and 19 runs to get.
Scorecard ReportAugust 26 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Northamptonshire by 8 wicketsDravid made 24 off 45 as Scotland batted first and were skittled out for 119. Northamptonshire got there easily, for the loss of just two wickets.
ScorecardAugust 6 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Northamptonshire by 75 runsDravid scored a magnificent 114 – his third century of the season – but, like his two previous hundreds, this one was in a losing cause as well, as Northamptonshire triumphed by 75 runs. Dravid knock was laced with eight fours and a six, and came off just 102 balls, but with little support from the rest of the batsmen, the target of 320 was way beyond Scotland’s reach.
Scorecard ReportAugust 4 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Hampshire by 7 wicketsJust the previous day Dravid and Jon Kent had won Scotland a game, and here again they added 103 runs to lift Scotland to 225 for 5 in their 45 overs. Dravid made 81 off 99 balls, with eight fours. John Crawley’s 83 not out won Hampshire the match, but Scotland’s overseas pros had, once again, gained them some respect..
Scorecard ReportAugust 3 National Cricket League
Scotland beat Sussex by 6 wicketsA magnificent victory for Scotland, fashioned by its overseas pros, Dravid and Jon Kent. Chasing 270, Scotland added 57 for the first wicket, before three wickets fell without the addition of a run. Dravid and Kent then added 167 runs before Dravid was out for an efficient 69, off 79 balls, with seven fours. Kent stayed unbeaten with 115 as Scotland won by six wickets.
Scorecard ReportJuly 9 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Lancashire by 10 wicketsScotland sank to yet another defeat, with Dravid making a bright 26 off 30 balls before being caught behind off fast bowler John Wood, who took 4 for 22 as Scotland laboured to 168 in their allotted 39 overs. Lancashire got there with ten overs, and as many wickets, to spare.
Scorecard ReportJuly 7 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Durham by 114 runsShoiab Akhtar blew Scotland apart with four early wickets after Durham made 267. Dravid evaded Shoaib’s menace, but made only 5, the fifth man out with Scotland’s score on just six. Scotland’s lower order salvaged some pride by taking the score to 153, but all in all, it was an awful outing for both Dravid and Scotland.
ScorecardJuly 6 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Nottinghamshire by four wicketsDravid played a sublime innings of 129 not out, but like his previous century for Scotland, this too went in vain. Coming to the crease at 7 for 2, Dravid paced his innings masterfully as wickets fell around him. At 40 for 4, Scotland were in dire straits, but Dravid, hitting 14 fours and four sixes, counter-attacked magnificently on a wicket that offered generous assistance to the fast bowlers. Scotland finished on 222 for 7 in their 45 overs, and were in the hunt for a while, until Chris Cairns took the game away for Nottinghamshire with an unbeaten 65.
Scorecard ReportJune 17 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Middlesex by 112 runsMiddlesex made 255 and Scotland was never in the game, slipping to 36 for 5. Dravid was lbw to Ashley Noffke for 6. None of Scotland’s top five made it to double figures.
Scorecard ReportJune 15 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Somerset by 1 wicketDravid made a magnificent 120 not out off 97 balls to take Scotland to a commanding 296 for 4 in their allotted 45 overs. The quality of their bowling was appalling though, and Somerset overhauled the target with five balls and one wicket to spare. Dravid’s innings was magnificently paced: his first fifty came off 57 balls, his next fifty off 34, and he reached his hundred with a six. In all, Dravid hit 10 fours and three sixes.Scorecard ReportJune 7 Tour match
Scotland lost to Pakistan by 1 wicketDravid made a first-ball duck – caught behind of Shabbir Ahmed, as Scotland, asked to bat after Pakistan won the toss, made 169. Pakistan made a meal of the chase, eventually squeaking through by just one wicket.
Scorecard ReportJune 1 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Hampshire by 7 wicketsDravid seemed upset with himself when he was out for 25, off 41 balls, and with good reason. With his dismissal, Scotland could make no more than 201 in their 45 overs, which was not enough to hold off Hampshire. Robin Smith made 82 not out as Hampshire won with two overs to spare.
Scorecard Report

The Hampshire Academy pulled off arguably their best win since they joined the Premier set when they beat Havant, the defending champions, by 70 runs on a strip that favoured the spin bowlers the longer the match went on.Indeed, the slow bowlers captured 14 of the 18 wickets that fell during the day’s play – Charlie van der Gucht (4-41) and Mitchell Stokes (3-36) producing telling performances after leggie Ian Hilsum had removed two of Havant’s top guns.The result was a massive setback to Havant’s already slim chances of retaining the title, but a real feather in the cap of the Young Hawks who thoroughly deserved their win.Havant were, though, without broken-fingers victim Richard Hindley, the wounded hero of Hampshire’s County Championship victory over Glamorgan.Hindley spent a bizarre day signing autographs and doing radio interviews – though he would have much preferred to be in the thick of the action !Put into bat on a softish surface, the Academy began positively with a 52-run partnership between Peter Hammond (31) and Alex Richardson who, along with Hawks skipper Alex Morris, both departed inside three overs.Hampshire team manager Paul Terry watched boundary-side as Tom Burrows (45) and Kevin Latouf (27) batted sensibly to see the Academy through to lunch at 108-3.But, as early as the 37th over interval, Havant were beginning to concern themselves at the help their own slow men were getting.Latouf was well taken down the leg-side by Steve Snell, while Burrows became the first of three victims for Phil Loat within five runs of a deserved half-century.Stokes (18) struck several meaty blows but, when the Academy dipped to 183-8, Havant fancied their chances of wrapping up the tail.Talented Shanklin teenager David Griffiths had other ideas, striking a series of terrific shots, including two huge sixes over mid-wicket, in an undefeated 35 that wrested the initiative away from Havant and put the youngsters in the driving seat.But Griffiths did not bowl as well, suffering at the hands of fellow Islander Snell as Havant, despite losing two early wickets, quickly posted 53-2.Academy coaches Tony Middleton and Giles White looked on with anguish as Havant feasted on several overs of indifferent and mediocre bowling.But, having reached 87-2, Havant lost their way – and their wickets – with the off-spin of Stokes proving hugely effective.Van der Gucht appeared to be struggling to land the ball in the right area – but the left-arm spinner, who has fought back so courageously from the serious injuries he sustained in a road traffic accident almost two years ago, was later to strike a series of crucial blows.Struggling against the turning ball, Havant plunged from 87-2 to 114-6 before losing their last four wickets – three of them to Van der Gucht – for just eight runs. They were 154 all out.

All Today’s Yesterdays – September 11 down the yearsSeptember 10 | September 121911
One of the great figures in world cricket was born. Lala Amarnath’s century on debut, against England in 1933-34, was India’s first in Test cricket. A dashing batsman and versatile bowler, he twice took five wickets in an innings in the 1946 series in England – ten years after being sent home from a shambolic tour of the same country. He captained India to victory in their first official series against Pakistan (1952-53) – and his Test career lasted 19 years to the day. His sons Mohinder and Surinder also played for India.1985
One of Sri Lanka’s greatest days. The match at Colombo’s Sara Stadium was their 14th in Test cricket – and their first win. Thanks to Rumesh Ratnayake’s 5 for 49 and Amal Silva’s five dismissals, India were all out for 198 and lost by 149 runs. A draw in the next Test gave Sri Lanka a series for the first time.1999
Another big one for Sri Lanka, this time at Kandy. Led by new captain Sanath Jayasuriya, they beat Australia in a Test match for the first time, at the 11th attempt. Once the visitors had been dismissed for only 140 on an uneven pitch, Sri Lanka won comfortably by six wickets.1912
West Indies’ youngest Test cricketer was born. When he made his debut, against England at Bridgetown, Derek Sealy was only 17 years 122 days old, the youngest Test cricketer from outside the subcontinent. A strong attacking batsman, he made 58 in his debut innings and went on to score 92 and 91 in different Tests against the same country in 1934-35. He didn’t do so well away from home, averaging only 10.00 in Australia in 1930-31 and 23.75 in England in 1939.1999
A new member joins a relatively exclusive club. Tasmanian batsman Jamie Cox scored a double-century and a century in the same first-class match, making 216 and 129 not out for Somerset v Hampshire at Southampton. On what the Wisden Almanack described as “a perfect batting wicket”, he was dropped twice in the first innings but “his second was chanceless”.1995
Much better known as an opening batsman who scored 205 at Old Trafford in 1992, Aamir Sohail was an occasional slow left-arm bowler who did the trick on this occasion. His 4 for 54 helped dismiss Sri Lanka for 233 at Peshawar and win the first Test by 40 runs.1849
A long-lived great-grandfather was born today. When William Henry Cooper died in 1939, he was 89 years old. He liked to take his time with other things too: when he played first-class cricket for the first time, he was already 27. In the first of his two Tests, against England at Melbourne in 1881-82, he bowled 98.2 overs in the match, finishing with 9 for 200. His main claim to fame is ancestral: the only player whose great-grandson was also a Test cricketer. Paul Sheahan played his first Test for Australia in 1967-68.Other birthdays
1874 Charles Prince (South Africa)
1907 Oscar da Costa (West Indies)
1976 Murali Kartik (India)

Russel Arnold will be playing for his international future when he leads SriLanka A during their tough tour of South Africa and Kenya starting onMonday.

Dropped from the national squad after a disappointing World Cup, he returnedfor the start of the Bank Alfalah Cup, but was jettisoned again after asingle match.With his confidence at rock bottom it was unwise to recall him so soon forthat tri-series. Now though, after a long break and with domestic runs underhis belt, he claims to have a "new spring in his step" and is lookingforward to the chance of reclaiming his space in the side."The South African tour will be a stepping stone for me to make a comebackto the national team," Arnold, now 29 years old, told reporters before theSri Lanka A team’s departure to South Africa."I think if I can focus all my energies on this tour, England should takecare of itself. I will be disappointed if I don’t make it to the teamagainst England."Signs that he was coming out of the bad patch were evident during theQuadrangular series two weeks ago where he made two big hundreds (160 and147) for Old Peterites and then followed it up with a brilliant unbeaten 93in the J.R. Jayawardene trophy one-day fixture against traditional rivalsSSC."The way things have gone for me in the last couple of weekends I amconfident. When I go out to bat there is that little bit of extra spring inmy step. I feel fresh and I know where I stand," said Arnold.

"I did spend a lot of time in the nets and worked a lot on my fitness. Butmy main focus was to clear my mind. The feeling of failure sometimes tellsvery heavily on you. Sometimes you burden yourself with unwanted things inyour mind. I should be stronger and more focused on what I have to do now,"Arnold continued."I have experienced drops in form during my career but this is the firsttime a thing like this has happened. It also came at a very important timefor Sri Lanka cricket. If I was in slightly better nick I think things mighthave been a little bit different for the team."In the World Cup semi-final against Australia we were 60-6 when I walkedin. If I was my normal self and on top of my game, there was a slight chancewe could have turned things around," he said.Sri Lanka A will play seven games in South Africa followed by five one-dayinternationals in Kenya. With England due in Sri Lanka in November Arnold -and his teammates – have a perfect opportunity to press their claims.The selectors will focus most on the batting, which has been inconsistentthroughout the past year. Apart from Arnold, Michael Vandort, Naveed Nawaz,Jehan Mubarak, Ian Daniel and Avishka Gunawardena will all be vying forplaces in the national squad.The fast bowlers will also be looked at closely too though, especially withPrabath Nissanka certain to miss the England tour because of his troublesomeknees. Currently recovering from surgery, Nissanka is targeting theAustralia tour in February for a comeback.

"From Sri Lanka’s point of view this `A’ tour is a great opportunity for theplayers. It comes at a time when there is a not much cricket being playedand a lot of people will be following it closely. It is also coming at atime when our cricket is not at the top and just before an England tour,"said Arnold."The team is talented and they are very keen to do well. They believe in meand I am enjoying the captaincy with them at the moment. It’s helped thatthe selectors named the squad so early as we have got to know each otherwell," he said.Captaincy is nothing new to Arnold, who has led his school St. Peter’sCollege and then his club NCC (where he is the present captain), his firmHatton National Bank and also Board XI and A teams against touring sides."Captaincy is keeping me a bit sharper and given me more responsibilities tocontribute with the bat," added Arnold.

Lakshmipathy Balaji has replaced Aavishkar Salvi for the four-Test tour of Australia. Salvi sustained an acute shoulder sprain during the final of the TVS Cup in Kolkata and the selectors and team management present at the venue decided that Balaji was the best replacement.Salvi, who bowled three overs for 23 runs, is unlikely to play competitive cricket for at least four weeks, in the opinion of team physio Andrew Leipus.Balaji, who took ten wickets in Tamil Nadu’s most recent Ranji trophy match, against Rajasthan, was overjoyed on hearing the news. “Playing in Australia is a great opportunity,” said Balaji on the telephone from his Chennai residence. “I’m really looking forward to doing well in Australia.”

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.

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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.

Andrew Penn has announced his retirement from first-class cricket after a season of injury and frustration. A calf strain at Christmas ruled him out of the Wellington side, and he was unable to regain his place, watching from the boundary as they secured the State Championship last weekend.”I can’t complain when they go and win the Championship but it was still hard not to be a part of it when I thought I was probably good enough," he told reporters. “The season’s been a bit of a nightmare. I was taking wickets well in the first three Championship games only to break down against Auckland.”Penn was an aggressive fast-medium outswing bowler who thrived at domestic level as his career figures show. But although he was a model of consistency, he made only five one-day appearances for New Zealand and was unable to break into the Test side. He won state titles with Wellington and Central Disctricts.Penn, who is a lawyer, made his decision when he joined a new practice and gave them an undertaking that he would not play representative cricket again.