The final chapter on Hampshire CCC’s long association with the Northlands Road ground draws to a close this week as the county plays its last first class match at Southampton before the bulldozers move in and a new phase in the Club’s history beckons.It was 115 years ago that Hampshire played its first game at the ground, but opponents Marylebone Cricket Club, fielding such distinguished names as William Gunn and Russell Bencraft, who became the main influence in Hampshire cricket in the first half of the 20th century, won the game by an innings and 113 runs,In that first match in 1885 [Match], a Hampshire bowler by the name of James Fellows ended with the best figures of 3-38 in the opening innings as MCC made 269. Batting last, he was also top scorer with 18 in a miserable first innings total of 74 and remained unbeaten on seven when the second innings was wrapped up for 82.Coincidentally, the name Fellows reappears on the scorecard in this final match and Gary Fellows of Yorkshire CCC would have been harbouring dreams of ending Hampshire’s record at the ground in the same momentous way that it began.After that inauspicious start, Hampshire went into their first championship match against Derbyshire [Match] with their confidence in tatters. Losing the toss, they struggled to stem the flow of runs coming from the Derbyshire blades, in particular from the blade of one Frank Sugg who made 187. Fellows snapped up three more wickets but Hampshire once again replied feebly, crashing to an innings and 243 run defeat.It was not a happy introduction to championship cricket at Northlands Road but despite that, Hampshire asked for the final fixture to be against Derbyshire as a fitting end to a long tradition but after a controversial final match between the two sides in 1999, a sentimental end was denied them.The disappointment of early 1885 has been matched during 2000 and Hampshire will bring the curtain down on Northlands Road knowing they will be heralding the new era at the new Rose Bowl ground just outside Southampton playing second division cricket, following one of their poorest summers in years.If there is a symmetrical feel to the start and finish of the Northlands Road chronicles, the intervening years have delivered an extraordinary range of contrasts, from the championship successes of 1961 and 1973 plus the one day triumphs of recent times to the sizeable collection of nightmare seasons, to which 2000 can now be added.The highest score on the ground was completed two years after the Club moved to Northlands from its previous base at Itchen. In 1887 Francis Lacey made 323 not out against Norfolk that no batsman, not even Barry Richards, Philip Mead, Roy Marshall or Gordon Greenidge were able to match. Mead came closest with an unbeaten 280 Nottinghamshire in 1921 but Mr Lacey’s record remains in tact to this day.The bad times of 1889 when the groundsman’s donkey went missing leading to a ten shilling reward were tempered by some good times in the early part of the 20th century, starting in 1912 with a victory over touring side Australia, Hampshire’s first and only win against the auld enemy.Australia got their own back in 1921 by scoring a whopping 708 for seven declared, the highest first class innings on the ground and again in 1930 when crowds flocked to watch Don Bradman complete his 1,000 runs before the end of May.But Mead was the local hero and by 1932, the great man had completed centuries against every county, finishing with a hundred against Derbyshire. In a career that spanned from 1905 to 1936, he made 138 centuries in 700 matches and heads the list of Hampshire’s great runmakers.Another prolific batsman Roy Marshall made his debut in 1953 against Australia and he too finished on Southampton’s batting leaderboard making 30,303 runs in 19 seasons with the county. Five years into his career, the county appointed a new captain and Colin Ingleby-McKenzie kicked off with a duck, century and victory against Kent then took Hampshire to second place for the first time in their history.He bettered that achievement in 1961 with the championship title, a famous and historic moment for the county and one that is still fondly recalled by many of today’s members.Between then and now, those members have been able to enjoy some of the world’s best exponents in the arts of batting and bowling, including ten years of the legendary South African Barry Richards, 17 years of West Indian great Gordon Greenidge and 14 seasons of Malcolm Marshall who went on to become the county coach in 1996 and remained so until his death from cancer last year.They have also been treated to some fine recent performances from county stalwarts such as Cardigan Connor who took 9-38 in 1996 and Kevan James who took four wickets in four balls in the match against India the same year.Mark Nicholas, the popular captain of the 1980’s and 90’s, had a star studded array of talent in his side, David Gower, Marshall, Chris and Robin Smith to name but four, but despite some one-day trophies – the Sunday League in 1986, the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1988 and 1992 and the NatWest Trophy in 1991 – he was never able to generate enough consistency in his side to add the championship title to his trophy cabinet.Hampshire have now gone eight seasons without a title but the move to the new £20 million Rose Bowl ground, made possible by Lottery funding, will do much to renew optimism.In the meantime, the final days at Northlands Road are played out amid a haze of nostalgia and affection and for those who want to keep their special memories of the ground alive long after it has been replaced by a new housing estate, an auction is to be staged on October 21st where patrons can bid for their favourite piece of memorabilia, be it the elegant Edwardian pavilion in its entirety or a tired old slither of the sacred turf.

A sparkling 107 by Sri Lankan wicket keeper batsman, Romesh Kaluwitharana, enabled Colts Cricket Club to register a 17 run victory over CCC at Maitland Crescent today. It was their third successive win in the Premier League Limited Overs Tournament this year.After being put in to bat, Colts CC Openers, Chaminda Mendis (72) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (107), put on a188 run partnership to compile up an imposing total of 265/9 in 50 overs.Kaluwitharan returned to form after a disappointing performance in Sharjah with the bat. He batted in his normal aggressive manner and scored his runs from just 120 balls, hitting one six and nine fours over the thick outfield.After the dismissal of Kaluwitharana, with the score on 188 runs in the 35th over, Colts lost their momentum losing three quick wickets: Sajith Fernando, Dulip Samaraweera and Eric Upashantha.Jeewantha Kulatunga (38) and Duleep Samaraweera (20) then chipped in to give Colts a final score of 265 runs in 50 overs. Indika Gallage and Hemantha Boteju accounted for two wickets each.In reply, CCC were required to chase the runs in just 48 overs because of a slow over rate. They lost Bradman Ediriweera early in their innings wth just two runs in the board. Wicket-keeper batsman Indika de Silva top scored with 61 from 55 balls. Michael Vandott (43), Hemantha Boteju (42*), Damitha Hunukumbura (34) and Roshan Mahanama (32) were all among the runs but failed to covert their good starts into the needed match winning innings. They were eventually dismissed for 248 runs in 47.3 overs. Sajith Fernando, Kaushalya Weeraratne and Dinuk Hettiarachchi captured two wickets apiece.

Mumbai were bowled out for 255 in 78.2 overs shortly after the tea interval in the second innings of the West Zone Ranji trophy match at MIG, Bandra, Mumbai against Baroda on Monday.Mumbai set Baroda a target of 464 runs to win the match. Baroda were 75 for one off 22 overs when stumps were drawn on the third day. Earlier in the day, Mumbai resumed the innings at 32 for one lost regular wickets and were in a spot of bother at 117 for five off 44 overs at the lunch interval. With Sachin Tendulkar back in the pavilion for five runs, Baroda medium pacers Rakesh Patel and Zaheer Khan had their tails up. They were kept at bay by a gritty innings from Amol Muzumdar (81) and stumper Sameer Dighe (52). The duo added 91 runs for the sixth wicket off 30.2 overs.Allrounder Ramesh Powar gave the crowd their money’s worth with a swash buckling innings. He scored 36 off 24 balls, hitting seven of them to the fence and one over it. Rakesh Patel was the wrecker-in-chief for Baroda as he bagged a five wicket haul that included the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. Patel had figures of five for 84. Zaheer Khan bagged the solitary wicket of Robin Morris. He bowled 24 overs giving away 57 runs.Baroda needed an improbable 464 for victory. Ajit Agarkar picked up the only wicket to fall on the day and returned figures of 17 for one. Connor Williams was unbeaten on 26 off 65 balls with five hits to the fence he had with him Himanshu Jadhav batting on 11 off 31 balls with two boundaries to his credit. Baroda still need 389 to win in 90 overs on the last day.

The five-wicket victory on Sunday by Australia proved why they are currently rated the best team in the world. They are now well on course for the Final on 23rd of June with maximum points so far.Tuesday’s one-day international between England and Pakistan has now become a must-win game for England if they have any chance of making the Final. However Pakistan showed last Thursday they have all-round strength and experience in the one-day arena, and it will be difficult for the hosts to break their sevengame losing streak.My advice is back England at 6/5 to keep their hopes alive.Click on the link below to place your bet:Ladbrokes offers up to £20 FREE BET to all its NEW Customers. Register and place your first bet on England v. Pakistan and when it has been settled, we’ll credit your betting account with a free bet equal to your original stake, up to a maximum of £20 or equivalent currencies.Please note: odds quoted are subject to change. Please check on the Ladbrokes website for current minute prices.

Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Ratnapala Buddharakkitha Thera, has criticised the commissioner of Buddhist affairs for creating a storm over the lease of the land which is home to the Dambulla International cricket stadium.At a media briefing yesterday in Kandy, the Chief Priest said the right protocols were followed in the lease of the land to build the stadium.It was upon the recommendations of the commissioner of Buddhist affairs, who declared the leasing could not be approved, that the interim committee of the board of control for cricket in Sri Lanka decided to shift the matches in the triangular series involving New Zealand and India away from Dambulla.The Ven. Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thero, with whom the ousted executivecommittee negotiated the leasing of the stadium also blamed theauthorities. Sumangala Thero, speaking at the briefing, said that all the higher authorities in the country, including the president, Her Excellency Chandrika Kuamarathunaga, then minister of Sports S.B. Dissanayake, and Buddhist affairs minister Lakshman Jayakody were made aware of the matters pertaining to the lease of the land and the construction of the stadium.The confusion has arisen because the Buddhist commissioner, who has createdthe controversy by saying the leasing couldn’t be approved, had written tothe then president of the BCCSL asking to finalise the matters pertaining tothe leasing of the land with the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter.At the moment Sri Lanka is hosting a four-day game against Pakistan A atDambulla which was built at an estimated cost of close to 400 million rupeesin 175 days. But the three matches of the one-day triangular tournament have been taken away from the ground because of legal matters pertaining to the lease of the stadium.What the Buddhist monks argue is that everything was carried out with the blessing of the higher officials. They say the agreement was signed in front of a large number of people and published in the media the very next day. They say there was nothing secret about it and that it is ridiculous to question matters pertaining to the leasing after everything is over.The move to shift the games from Dambulla could have its consequences;the matches are being played during a season when it usually rains in mostpart of the country and Dambulla being a dry zone can host the games withoutmuch trouble. Removing the games from Dambulla could lead to more games being washed out.Close to 70% of Sri Lankans are Buddhists and the Asgiriya chapter earns the utmost respect of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. When the Mahanayake has declared right measures were followed in leasing the land, if the authorities are going to stick to the recent decisions they have taken after being quiet for so long, that is not going to stand in their favour.

* Scindia hopes summit will restore Indo-Pak cricketing tiesCongress parliamentary party deputy leader Madhavrao Scindia on Sundayhoped that suspended cricketing ties between India and Pakistan wouldbe restored after the summit between Prime Minister Atal BihariVajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.Talking to reporters at Indore airport, Scindia, a former president ofthe Board of Control for Cricket in India, criticised the BJP-led NDAgovernment for snapping cricket ties with Pakistan. “Since the NDAhas a history of taking u-turns from its earlier positions, there arechances of normalisation of relations in this field,” he said.”Mutual exchanges in the arena of sports, culture and education,among other fields, has the potential of cementing ties between thetwo countries,” the Congress leader said. “Even the Prime Ministerhad two months ago stated that there will not be any talks with thePakistan government until it stopped abetting cross border terrorism.But suddenly he has extended an invitation to Musharraf and thereforeon the issue of cricket also the government will take a u-turn,”Scindia added.* Indian quartet back, richer by the Adelaide experienceFour talented trainees from the National Cricket Academy, DeepakChoughule, Vinayak Mane, Parthiv Patel and Arindham Das have returnedricher by their coaching experience at the Commonwealth BankAustralian Cricket Academy at Adelaide.Three of the players – Deepak, Vinayak and Parthiv – were selectedunder the aegis of the Gavasar-Border Foundation scholarship whileArindham’s trip was sponsored by the Cricket Association of Bengal.The traines were at the Australian Academy from June 4 to July 14.The four unanimously agreed that the trip was a great exposure and theblend of strenuous physical fitness sessions and technical skillswould stand them in good stead. In addition they had the benefit oflistening to former Australian captain Ian Chappell who spoke to themon captaincy, umpiring and various other aspects of the game. “Welearnt a lot,” the quartet echoed.Last year Sridharan Sriram, Md Kaif and Shiv Sundar Das had been sentunder the Gavaskar-Border scholarship to Adelaide for a similar stint.* ACA’s month long coaching camp concludesThe month long coaching camp at the Assam Cricket Academy which beganat Guwahati on June 17, concluded on July 15. At a simple function,distinguished guests like Pankaj Bora, MLA, Rana Goswami, MLA and theformer secretary of the ACA Badan Saikia, the former ACA vicepresident and former Ranji player from Dibrugarh Jatin Bora and manyformer Ranji Trophy players from the city attended the closingceremony of the Academy.After the guests and ex-players, as well as one of the twoInternational umpires from Assam, Suren Ram Phukan, were felicitatedwith the traditional `Gamocha’, the inaugural speech was delivered byNandan Bezbaruah, ACA secretary and he made a special mention of thecoaches who rendered selfless service for the past month. “It isbecause of them that the camp was conducted so successfully,” hesaid. The function was presided over by Brojen Gohain, ACA Vice-President while Dilip Choudhury, assistant secretary, ACA proposed avote of thanks.Fifty two players were selected initially of which 32 were kept to theend of the camp. They were all given certificates and a T-shirt.

* CBI report on match-fixing tabled in Lok SabhaThe CBI report on betting and match-fixing in cricket, which detailedthe worst-ever scandal in the game’s history, was tabled in the LokSabha on Monday. The 164-page report, which was submitted to the thenSports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on September 30 last year, hadnamed five Indian cricketers including former captain MohammadAzharuddin for their alleged involvement in match-fixing practices.The report, which was completed in six months after the CBI registereda preliminary inquiry on May 4 at the request of the Sports Ministry,also named nine foreign players of having either allegedly taken moneyfrom the bookies or shown interest in match-fixing practices.Acting on the report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India hadbanned Azharuddin and former Test cricketer Ajay Sharma for life andimposed five-year bans on Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar. All fourdenied the charges and Azharuddin and Jadeja have challenged thedecision in separate petitions in court. The report also highlightedthe security risk involved due to match-fixing and claimed thatseveral underworld people were involved in the practice.The report won laurels for the CBI at various international cricketingfora and several countries initiated inquiries based on theinformation contained in the report.* Tendulkar’s availability to be known after another bone scanBatting maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s availability for the three-matchTest series in Sri Lanka from August 14 would be known only after thesecond bone scan on his injured right toe, scheduled for August 10,according to Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary MayankKhandwala.Khandwala told PTI in Mumbai today that he spoke to the star batsman,who informed him that he was feeling much better but said the toe wasstill paining a bit. “He (Tendulkar) told me that the padding on theright toe was still on and he would get a clear picture only after thesecond bone scan in the second week of August,” Khandwala added.Though the selectors would be meeting here on August 2 to pick theIndian team for the Test series, a slot would be kept vacant toaccommodate the master batsman at the last minute after he goesthrough the bone scan, according to BCCI sources.* Tendulkar signs up with FiatCelebrated cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has become the ‘Brand Champion’of Fiat, a popular car manufacturer. The master blaster’s associationwith the brand will kick-off Fiat’s new initiative into the Indianmarket, It will commence with the soonto-be launched new ‘Palio’,according to a company release in Chennai.”The company feels Tendulkar is the perfect Brand Ambassador as hiselevated level of performance and dynamic, creative strokeplay willget perfect with the approach that Fiat will soon adopt in the Indianmarket,” the release said. It quoted Tendulkar as being equallypleased. “I have always been a big fan of Italian cars, especiallyFerrari and I am happy to represent Fiat and Italian Motoring.””Tendulkar is young, strong, dependable and above all, number one.That is exactly what Fiat is aiming to be,’ said MP Bianchi, Fiat’sManaging Director.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) secretary Niranjan Shahhas urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India to increasethe remuneration of Ranji players. In a letter to the BCCI president,AC Muthiah, Shah urged him to take up the issue at the forthcoming workingcommittee meeting, scheduled on August 25."Cricketers of first class tournament are not givenimportance and are not paid the amount they deservein comparison to Test and one-day international cricketers," Shahsaid adding, "Ranji cricketers should be treated on par with Testand one day players as far as remuneration is concerned."Appreciating the efforts of the BCCI to get the sponsorshipamount from logos and encourage Test and one-day internationalcricketers, Shah said the distribution of 60 per cent fromlogo money only among the Test and one-day internationalplayers was unjustified and unfair.

England will tour India in November without a security manager, contrary to advice from the sport’s ruling body on how to counter corruption.Sir Paul Condon, head of the International Cricket Council’sAnti-Corruption Unit, recommended in April that all Test-playingcountries appoint someone to advise on the security of players,officials and venues. That person’s job would include preventingand detecting improper approaches to players on tour, and liaisingwith the ACU.”At the moment we are not planning to appoint a securitymanager before the India tour,” ECB spokesman Andrew Walpolesaid. “Our management staff for the tour has been named and isunlikely to change.”India has been a hotbed of cricket corruption in recentyears. The Board of Control for Cricket in India handed out twolife bans for match-fixing and two five-year bans in November,while former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje’s life ban stemmedfrom links with Indian bookmakers.India will appoint a security manager after its AnnualGeneral Meeting at the end of this month, in time for the tour ofSouth Africa in October.”We think it is very important,” said A.C. Muttiah,president of the BCCI.The ICC meets next month in Lahore, Pakistan, where it willset time-scales to implement its recommendations such as the oneon security managers.”Urgency is needed,” ICC spokesman Mark Harrison said.

* England coming sans Stewart, Gough and AthertonEngland have announced their squad for the tour of India. Alec Stewart andDarren Gough have both opted out. Also missing is Michael Atherton whoannounced his retirement from Test cricket on Tuesday.Graham Thorpe though will be coming. Nasser Hussain will captain the Testsquad, which includes two uncapped players, the Essex wicket keeper, JamesFoster, and the Yorkshire off-spinner, Richard Dawson. Also recalled to thesenior squad is Lancashire wicket-keeper Warren Hegg.”Ashley Giles has been included in the Test squad subject to him satisfyingthe selectors of his fitness ahead of the tour departure and he will be oneof three spinners together with Robert Croft and Richard Dawson,” Englishchairman of selectors David Graveney said.Squad:Nasser Hussain (Captain), Usman Afzaal, Mark Butcher, Andrew Caddick,Robert Croft, Richard Dawson, James Foster, Ashley Giles, Warren Hegg,Matthew Hoggard, James Ormond, Mark Ramprakash, Graham Thorpe, MarcusTrescothick, Michael Vaughan, Craig White. Duncan Fletcher (coach)* Tendulkar hopes to be fit for South Africa tourSachin Tendulkar is still having problems with his injured toe but he hopesto be fit in time for India’s upcoming tour of South Africa.”I am not in too much pain, although when I run, my foot gives trouble. SoI decided to get expert advice,” Tendulkar, who is in Durban to consult DrMark Fergussen for his injury, said.Fergussen meanwhile said that he would prescribe a course of treatmentafter running a few more tests. “We are presently looking at some of thesports shoes he will have to wear,” he added.The South African doctor was the man who treated both Javagal Srinath andAnil Kumble. Tendulkar injured his right toe during the triangular One-Dayseries in Zimbabwe and had to miss the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka.* BCCI in a fix about Laloo participationNo one seems to be ready to touch the former Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav even with a barge pole these days. Even The Board of Control for Cricket in India.The BCCI has sought legal opinion on whether the President of Cricket Association of Bihar Laloo Prasad Yadav, should be allowed to participate in the Board’s Annual General Meeting. The Board’s decision follows a letter from one Sanjay Singh who claimed he was the genuine representative of the Bihar Cricket Association and not Yadav, according to BCCI sources.Let us see which way the ball rolls…