West Indies 294 for 3 (Lara 119, Sarwan 106*) lead Bangladesh 284 (Rajin Saleh 47, Banks 4-80) by 10 runs
Scorecard

Hundreds by Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan put West Indies in control of the second Test against Bangladesh at Sabina Park yesterday. At the close they had reached 289 for 3, a lead of 10 runs.Although Lara fell five overs before the close for an excellent 119, the day belonged to West Indies. Pedro Collins wrapped up the Bangladesh innings in the morning, and despite the early loss of Chris Gayle, caught behind off a lazy drive for 14, it was one-way traffic thereafter.Bangladesh will be hoping to take the attack to the West Indies early on this morning, starting with the wicket of nightwatchman Tino Best. With three days to go in this match, there is a lot of cricket still to be played, but with the West Indies poised to build a big lead, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Smith, Ridley Jacobs and Omari Banks still to bat, the home team remains in a good position to ease to a series-winning victory.The weather forecast for Kingston today is warm, with a high of 31 degrees, but it will be mostly cloudy with a chance of scattered thunderstorms.

West Indies today named their preliminary 30-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy this September in England.Brian Lara will lead the squad, and there were recalls for the likes of Merv Dillon, Corey Collymore, Daren Ganga, Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels, who has been out of action since November 2003 with a knee injury.Joey Carew, the acting chairman of selectors, said the squad contained, in the main, players who have been involved in one-day cricket over the last couple of years, and that it was indicative of the continuity which the selectors felt was important for the stability of the squad.Carew said: “Although in a sense, the selection is purely academic since the final squad of 14 has to be selected by 10 August, it gives an indication of who we have in mind to represent us in this important one-day tournament as we keep our focus on the World Cup.”He added that those players in the squad who were not currently in England must continue practising and playing where possible to ensure that they were fit and ready if selected in the final 14.West Indies preliminary squad
Omari Banks, Carlton Baugh (wk), Jason Bennett, Tino Best, Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Merv Dillon, Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, Ryan Hinds, Wavell Hinds, Ryan Hurley, Ridley Jacobs (wk), Sylvester Joseph, Brian Lara (capt), Jermaine Lawson, Ricardo Powell, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Adam Sandford, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith, Dwight Washington, Kurt Wilkinson.

At the start of yet another new era in Pakistan cricket, there was a distinct lack of occasion and atmosphere. The details of the match might be forgotten, but the day will be remembered as the beginning of what promises to be, if nothing else, one of the more intriguing relationships in cricket – that between Bob Woolmer and the Pakistan team.Pakistan’s ultimately facile victory over a strangely dispirited Bangladesh side was expected, as were the architects of the victory. It produced but the briefest glimmer of the benefits Woolmer might ultimately bring to Pakistan, but given that it was only his first game in charge, it also revealed some of the conundrums that he must address in the Pakistan team.There was a sniff of experimentation – you feel it wouldn’t quite be Woolmer if there wasn’t – in Shoaib Malik’s promotion to No. 3. Shoaib Akhtar cut down his run-up, bowled within himself, and looked threatening. But there were also reminders of the impetuosity of Yasir Hameed, and of the worrying ineffectiveness of Abdul Razzaq’s bowling.Hameed’s century was, statistically at least, an impressive feat, and his first fifty was accumulated in a pleasant, stylish and confident manner. His second, however, brought to light his limitations. Time and again, he went hard at the ball, bludgeoning and not caressing, as is his strength. Against a more testing attack, he might not have lasted much past fifty. But if his is a problem in his vast, unfulfilled potential, then Razzaq’s predicament is to the sting he once possessed as a fifth bowler.Whatever the reasons behind it – over-exertion, injuries, loss of pace or a combination of all three – the nature of it was crystallised by the first deliveries of his first two overs today. The first, a lazy no-ball, was slapped through the covers for four by Javed Omar, and the second was dismissed by Mohammad Ashraful for another boundary. He remained ineffective on a pitch that should have helped his bowling, and instead of searching for a sixth bowler, Pakistan must now find a fifth one who can safely go through ten overs.Shoaib Malik’s usefulness in the field and as a bowler further clouds the issue, and although the one-down option is interesting in its relative novelty, it was tried and discarded after a couple of matches against Australia before the last World Cup. Whether it is viewed as a long-term strategy or as a spur-of-the-moment improvisation, it seemed unnecessary today and disrupted what can be, in Razzaq and Malik, a lethal lower order. After a solid start, Pakistan’s loss in momentum as the last ten overs began was the result of this experiment.But Woolmer will have taken heart from the performances of the pace spearheads. Fast enough to trouble the batsmen, if not always the speed gun, both looked dangerous, although the quality of opposing batsmen will undergo a dramatic rise after the weekend. Shoaib heeded Woolmer’s advice and found some rhythm and reverse swing in his second spell, and looked controlled, while Sami allied movement and pace admirably early on. Inzamam-ul-Haq too played a part, with an effortless and pretty cameo, and although his value to the team as a captain is still uncertain, his value as a batsman is growing – and it has done so sharply since his leadership began.Drawing conclusions about the team – or the influence of a new coach – after a 76-run victory against Bangladesh is not only unfair, it is futile. The spirit, fight and organisation Bangladesh have shown of late were strangely absent, especially in their batting. While the bowling, with their own Razzaq, did well to pull back Pakistan, the complete inability of their recently strengthened lower order to deal with pace must have been frustrating for the other foreign coach with a little to prove – Dav Whatmore, the former miracle-worker for Sri Lanka who is now trying to do the same with Bangladesh.Tomorrow should bring another comfortable win for Pakistan, maybe with a dash less rustiness, against Hong Kong. Six points in a tournament from the first game is always a handy start for a new regime, but the entire camp will know that higher peaks will have to be scaled next week. Only then will we witness a further glimpse into what promises to be an eventful relationship.

The Western Australian batsman, Chris Rogers, has been ruled out of action for up to ten weeks, after undergoing surgery to correct a chronic problem in his right hamstring.Rogers scored nearly 500 runs in six matches as an overseas player for Derbyshire this season, but after being bothered by the injury for the past 18 months, he underwent his operation at Mount Hospital yesterday."After a number of scans it was the only way to go," said Rogers. "I would have struggled to make it through the season without the surgery, as it was only going to get worse. I feel surprisingly good at the moment and I can walk around."Rogers has been Western Australia’s most consistent batsman for the past three seasons. In 2003-04, he made 864 runs at an average of 57.60, with four centuries and three fifties in eight games. These efforts earned him selection for Australia A in their three-day game against India at Hobart, where he starred with a half-century.Rogers hopes to return in time for the Pura Cup match against New South Wales at Sydney, starting on November 2.

Ricky Ponting’s tenure as captain of Tasmania has been renewed for one more season, giving him the dual responsibility of leading his state, as well as his country. Daniel Marsh was named vice-captain, and would lead the side in Ponting’s absence.Michael DiVenuto was named as Marsh’s deputy, and with Ponting and Damien Wright, the four formed the core of Tasmania’s ‘team leadership’. David Johnston, the state’s chief executive, said he was hopeful about the future. "We are delighted with all these appointments,” said Johnston, “and all concerned are looking forward to success in the coming season. The Tasmania board is excited at Tasmanian cricket’s prospects for the coming season and we believe we have the leadership team in place to give us the best chance of success."Brian McFadyen, the coach, lauded Marsh’s insights and commended his captaincy. "Daniel is a well-respected person and player, he possesses an articulate knowledge of the game and led the team well last season. He continues to deserve the opportunity to captain in Ricky’s absence."Tasmania’s showing last season was a mixed bag. While they placed third in the Pura Cup, they finished at the bottom of the table in the ING Cup.

South Africa 510 for 9 dec (Hall 163, de Bruyn 83, Kumble 6-131) and 169 for 4 drew with India 466 (Sehwag 164, Gambhir 96)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

South Africa took the psychological points after the run-fest in the Kanpur Test, which predictably ended in a draw. After keeping the Indians at bay over the first four days, South Africa had the better of the exchanges on the final day as well. First they took six Indian wickets for only 65 runs this morning to bowl them out for 466 and take a first-innings lead of 44. Then the batsmen survived a mini-wobble, ending on 167 for 4, with Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Boeta Dippenaar all getting some useful batting practice before the second Test at Kolkata, which starts on Sunday (Nov 28).The result of the match was a foregone conclusion, but the last day’s play wasn’t the boring stalemate that had been anticipated – ten wickets fell in the first two sessions today, after only 13 had fallen on the first four days. Unlike in South Africa’s first innings, when the Indian spinners were completely toothless, they asked plenty of questions of South Africa’s top order today. There was more bounce and turn on offer, and Murali Kartik, especially, settled into an excellent rhythm. His over-the-wicket line in the first innings denied him the opportunity to attack, but here, he bowled from round the wicket, got drift and spin, and ended with excellent figures of 2 for 17 from 14 overs. For India, though, it only meant that their task of deciding on their bowling combination for the Kolkata Test became slightly more difficult.Smith and Andrew Hall, the hero of South Africa’s first innings, put together 67 without many worries, though Smith was extremely lucky to survive a couple of lbw shouts from Anil Kumble. Then the spinners struck. Hall nicked one off Harbhajan Singh, and Dinesh Karthik, who had a poor day behind the stumps, latched on to this one. Kartik then struck in his first over, trapping Martin van Jaarsveld (13) in front with a sharply turning delivery, and then inducing Smith to push a bat-pad catch to short leg (110 for 3). When Jacques Rudolph failed again, following his first-ball duck with just 3 before edging to the keeper, South Africa had slumped to 115 for 4.That was as good as it got for India, though, as Kallis and Dippenaar denied them further success, batting out the entire final session, in the process collecting more valuable practice against the Indian spinners.Earlier, it was the South Africans who enjoyed their time in the field. As on the fourth day, their bowlers bowled a consistent line, but they were helped significantly by the indiscretion of the Indian batsmen. The slide started in the third over of the day. Rahul Dravid added just two to his overnight 52 before reaching out to a widish delivery from Makhaya Ntini and nicking it to the keeper (407 for 5).Karthik, playing only his second Test, had an opportunity to make a mark as a batsman, but he lasted only four balls, shouldering arms to one from Shaun Pollock that nipped back and trapped him right in front. Ntini’s off-stump line proved too good for Kumble, and when VVS Laxman dragged one onto his stumps, India had lost four wickets for 13 in the space of 29 balls, and Ntini suddenly had three in the bag after toiling away without success for two days.Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan stemmed the rot somewhat, adding 36 for the ninth wicket before both fell in quick succession, ending India’s innings just 90 minutes into the morning session.South Africa took the first-innings lead, and by close of play, they had ensured that they would leave Kanpur in a much better frame of mind than when they arrived. Most of the batsmen spent a reasonable amount of time in the middle, and their experiment with Hall as opener met with resounding success – he was later declared Man of the Match. The bowling was a bit of a worry, though, and Robin Peterson may well miss out at Kolkata. But for the moment, Ray Jennings will have every reason to be delighted with the outcome at Kanpur.

Graham Thorpe put his hand up and came to the party just when England needed him most, by scoring a brilliant unbeaten 118 at Kingsmead to set up the chance of their most improbable win of the season. And afterwards, he admitted he was a proud man to have played his part in turning the Test around, after England had been bowled out for 139 on the first day.”We were very down, but not quite out on the first day,” admitted Thorpe, “and it was always going to take something special to turn the game around. We were definitely in trouble this morning, as the middle order hasn’t quite got the runs we’d have liked on this tour, so it was up to someone to put their hand up today. It was great to see the character of the side coming through.”Thorpe’s form has been under some scrutiny on this trip, with his only innings of any note coming in the run-chase at Port Elizabeth. “It’s the way the tour has panned out,” he admitted. “I’ve been struggling of late, with no runs under my belt, and trying to find your form in a Test match is never straightforward. But it was hugely satisfying to get runs for the team, and we’ve given ourselves a chance to put South Africa under pressure.”After day two, they would be thinking they were in the driving seat,” he admitted. “But this game can play tricks on you, and it’s not often that a side has chased 350 on the final day. We’ll have to bowl very well tomorrow to get a victory, because the Kookaburra ball gets softer as the day goes on. But we’ve pushed the pendulum back over South Africa, and they are going to have to play very well to see the day out.”It was not all easy going for England, however, and they had to negotiate a hostile spell from Makhaya Ntini in particular. “They bowled well,” admitted Thorpe. “Yesterday evening the lads [Trescothick and Strauss] cleared the deficit, but we were still only 88 ahead at the close. It was evenly balanced, and if they had blown away the middle order, they’d have had to chase 170 or 180, and it could have been very different.”But it showed there was something in the wicket,” he said, adding that Ashley Giles would have a big part to play, after missing the first innings with a back spasm. “The cracks are there, and there’s some rough as well so Giles will play a big part. There’s bounce for the seamers too, so it’s not going to be easy for them, nor for us, but we’re proud to have turned the Test around.”Thorpe has now scored five hundreds since his return to Test cricket in 2003, and each of them has been a classic, all scored from similarly dicey positions. “I’m just glad I’ve been able to do it in these situations,” he shrugged. “Maybe as I get older, it helps that the games are mapped out for me, so I know what I have to do. But I’m proud to put my hand up for the team just when they needed it. We’re in a far better position that we could ever have imagined.”

Individual statistics for Tests played in 2004

Individual statistics for ODIs played in 2004

Graeme Smith, the South African captain, has backed Ray Jennings to be the permanent coach of the team. The United Cricket Board of South Africa, which is currently advertising the post, will consider Jennings, if he reapplies. However, Jennings said that he would reapply only if his team wanted him to.”Jet (Ray Jennings) is very important, but we will have to wait and see what the United Cricket Board of South Africa decides. It is a difficult situation at present,” said Smith. “I think Ray is also enjoying his position more now. It is always easier when you win.” After a humiliating loss 1-2 in the Test series against England, South Africa salvaged some pride by winning the one-day series 4-1.Jennings was appointed the temporary coach of the team before the tour to India last year, and had come under pressure after the series loss to India and England. He re-iterated that the support of his players would play a big part in his interest in pursuing the position further. “It does not help if I waste my time and energy and the people around me do not support me,” Jennings said. “I will talk to the players in the next two or three weeks and ask them, because I am still in the dark at present.”

Scorecard

An unbeaten 70 from Marcus North kept Western Australia in the hunt for the outright win they need to make it to the Pura Cup final. At close of play on the second day at Brisbane, the Warriors were 6 for 298, still 56 away from Queensland’s first-innings total of 354.Several of Western Australia’s batsmen got starts, but none could go on to a century. Chris Rogers made 82, and put together 117 for the second wicket with Murray Goodwin (59), but Queensland made regular inroads thereafter to keep the Warriors in check. North, though, kept the fight going with a patient innings which had so far consumed 158 balls and included seven fours.North was also helped by some poor catching by Queensland. He was dropped twice in one over from Shane Watson – first Wade Seccombe, the wicketkeeper, spilled a sharp legside chance, and four balls later Craig Philipson dropped a straightforward catch at square leg. It was a big blow for Watson too, who was returning to the bowling crease after a month due to a side strain.”My sides feel really good and I’m just working on a few technical things so I’m pretty happy with how I went,” Watson said after the close of play. “I’m not going to charge in every over and try to bowl a rocket the first ball because I want to make sure it’s nice and warm but I haven’t felt it at all and the more I bowl the more confident I’m going to be.” Watson did take one wicket, though, that of Ryan Campbell, and finished the day with 1 for 47 from 17 overs.Earlier Seccombe powered to 69 to help his side add 52 runs for the last two wickets in the morning. Each side can seal a home final with outright victory.