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Surrey have been rebuffed in their approach to appoint Paul Farbrace, England’s assistant coach, as successor to Graham Ford*. Ford has agreed a second spell in charge of Sri Lanka but ESPNcricinfo understands that Farbrace has turned down the chance to join Surrey.After the departure of Ford – a move that was flagged last summer – Surrey’s loss could have become England’s loss. Farbrace emerged as the top target to take over at Surrey and was contacted with a view to discussing the role. Instead, he has signed a new contract with the ECB.Farbrace has been a key figure in the England revival. It was during his interim period in charge that the England limited-overs squad reinvented themselves after a wretched World Cup performance and, with his relaxed yet high-energy approach, he has played a huge role in improving the environment around the squad. Liked, trusted and respected by the players, Farbrace is the dominant figure in training sessions and has been credited with creating a dressing room environment that is relaxed but focused. His departure would have been a considerable loss.But, like many of the England backroom staff, Farbrace has wearied of the relentless schedule that sees them spend more than 300 days each year in hotels. The offer may have come a little early – the England camp are quietly excited about the possibilities this side has of rising up the Test rankings and competing in global events such as the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup – but the prospect of working at a large club with a group of highly talented young players and having the opportunity to spend far more of the year in one place would have been tempting. Surrey are also one of very few clubs who could exceed the salary offered by England.Farbrace joined the England set-up in 2014, as assistant to Peter Moores, after briefly coaching Sri Lanka. His stock has continued to grow alongside Trevor Bayliss, England’s current head coach, and it is understood he was on Sri Lanka’s short list before the re-appointment of Ford.With Farbrace declining Surrey’s interest, Graham Thorpe is among those likely to be targeted. Thorpe, a former Surrey player and currently the ECB’s lead batting coach, is another who has tired of touring. Though his current role allows him to remain in England for much of the year, a chance to return to The Oval might prove hard to refuse.Meanwhile, Ottis Gibson, England’s bowling coach, was informally approached by Glamorgan with a view to applying for the coaching role vacated by Toby Radford, but is understood to have declined.2pm GMT – This story was updated after Farbrace declined Surrey’s approach

Sri Lanka Cricket has suspended Anusha Samaranayake, a fast bowling coach with their National Coaching Department, for two months and barred “main suspect” Gayan Wishwajith totally from participating in any capacity in Sri Lankan cricket in the future.Wishvanath is being investigated by the SLC for allegedly approaching several national players for match-fixing and is understood to be linked with Samaranayake, who was suspended after a preliminary inquiry conducted by the board.SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala has ordered a report on the incident and Samaranayake’s role in it. “Sri Lanka Cricket has received several complaints regarding close acquaintance of Mr. Anusha Samaranayake with the main suspect Gayan Wishvanath who had approached several national players for the alleged illegal activities of match fixing,” an SLC release said.Samaranayake is a long time fast bowling coach and played a role in the emergence of several Sri Lankan bowlers, including Lasith Malinga.Earlier this month, Sri Lanka’s sports ministry had reported an alleged fixing approach made to Kusal Perera and another national player, to the country’s Financial Crimes Investigation Department. The two players had been approached by a net bowler during West Indies’ tour of Sri Lanka last October.

Fourteen objections were raised against the candidates for the Sri Lanka Cricket elections and those against K Mathivanan and Asanga Seneviratne running for vice-president were upheld on the grounds that they had not served on the executive committee for a minimum period of two years. Easman Narangoda’s nomination for treasurer was rejected for the same reason.According to the SLC constitution, only those who had represented Sri Lanka in Test and ODI cricket are waived of this requirement. So Arjuna Ranatunga’s candidacy for vice-president is safe. The former World-Cup winner is bidding for one of two posts along with his brother Nishantha Ranatunga and Shammi Silva, who is also now the sole contestant for the treasurer’s post. The elections take place on January 3.The two frontrunners for the post of Sri Lanka Cricket president – Nishantha and Thilanga Sumathipala – were given the green light to contest after objections were filed against them by rival candidates.Director-General of Sports Ruwanpathirana said that the objections raised against Sumathipala, Nishantha and a third candidate Jayantha Dharmadasa were overruled by a committee headed by him after a careful study.Sri Lanka Cricket is holding elections after a period of seven months during which time their affairs were looked after by a nine-man interim committee headed by former Sri Lanka Test cricketer Sidath Wettimuny.

Mark Vermeulen has offered to help rebuild the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy – the same building he burned down in an arson attack in 2007.Vermeulen, who was cleared of the offence on psychiatric grounds last October, has offered to pay some of the construction costs if he is allowed to return to playing the game.”I’m jobless at the moment, the only job I can do is playing cricket. I’ve kindly asked ZC to give me my job back, then I will give a percentage of my earning towards rebuilding of the Academy,” he told Zimbabwe’s Independent newspaper.He admitted that his attempts to resume a first-class career have been stalled. “I went down to Bulawayo to try to play for Westerns,” he said. “I was told I had to get permission from someone at the offices in Harare.” His chances of that are probably not helped by the fact that he also tried to burn down the board offices the day before the Academy attack.On playing ability alone, Zimbabwe cricket desperately needs players of Vermeulen’s experience and ability to provide some backbone to the first-class game. But his previous history hardly makes the board likely to welcome him back with open arms, despite his assurance that he is now mentally and physically stable to play again following psychiatric rehabilitation.The news also raises questions about the state of the Academy which the board claimed would be finished by the end of April but which seems to be behind schedule.

Mark Cosgrove is disappointed after it emerged he was dropped for being out of shape as well as his poor form, saying South Australia should base selection on runs only. This is the second time in three seasons that Cosgrove, who debuted for Australia 18 months ago, has been dumped owing to fitness concerns.Cosgrove, 23, denied that his weight affected his game. “I don’t think it makes any difference at all,” he told the Adelaide Advertiser. “All you have to do is watch the ball, hit the ball. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to play cricket.”He averages 26.15 in first-class matches this year but he is the fifth highest run scorer for the struggling team. After retirements and the poor batting form of some team-mates, he still also averages in the top five of the recognised and available batsmen.”I don’t think I have let myself down in any shape or form. I can bat, bowl and I’m catching pretty well, so I am pretty disappointed. I didn’t think I was going that bad. I didn’t see it coming. I am the first to say I am not hitting them that great. This year was pretty disappointing but it was still a shock.”Graham Manou, South Australia’s captain, offered his support. “Mark’s got to go away and decide what he wants to do and what’s best,” he told . “That’s him playing good cricket and obviously presenting himself in the best possible fashion like the 28 other blokes in the squad.”As a mate it disappoints me to be honest with you, he’s got more talent in his little finger than a lot of other people going around playing parkland cricket and I’m sure they’re frustrated for him. We need him playing for us, he’s by far our best batsman when he’s going well and this week was one of the saddest I’ve had as a mate for him.”Mark Sorell, South Australia’s coach, said that Cosgrove was dropped for form and fitness reasons. “He knows he needs to be in the best possible shape to be a three-tiered player for us – batting, bowling and fielding,” Sorell told the Adelaide-based Messenger earlier this month. “We’ve talked about the need for him to be the best he possibly can and he’s got to keep working at that.”The batsman has played three ODIs, making 74 on his debut against Bangladesh in 2006 but a return to international cricket seems further away than ever. He can’t even buy a run at club level, in two knocks for Northern Districts this season he has made 3 and 12.

Pura Cup XI
Michael Di Venuto
One of the most in-form retirees in recent memory. Scored 947 runs, only 14 fewer than his best Pura Cup season ever, which was last summer. Averaged 52.61 and left a big gap in Tasmania’s top order when he announced he was departing.Chris Rogers
Less remarkable than his prolific 2006-07, but still one of the best openers in the country with 744 at 43.76. Narrowly beats his newly-retired Western Australia team-mate Justin Langer for this position, and was recognised with his first Test call-up this season.Simon Katich (capt)
Simply outstanding. Scored 1328 at 94.85 and is a chance in the final, which starts on Saturday, of breaking the all-time Pura Cup record for most runs in a season. Struck five centuries including a career-best 306 against Queensland, an innings that unbelievably included 184 in a 150-minute session.David Hussey
Continued to be a domestic run-machine with 955 at 59.68. Was disappointed not to strike a higher score than 104 – his best came on the first day of Victoria’s campaign – but it also highlighted how consistent he was to maintain such an average.Daniel Marsh (vc)
After a couple of modest summers with the bat, last season’s Pura Cup-winning captain fought back with 758 at 54.14. Made three centuries and played his part in trying to help Tasmania defend their title, but had too little support.Luke Pomersbach
Had an eventful year: was given a month-long state ban for ignoring a team curfew, earned a car-park call-up for his Twenty20 international debut, won the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award, and was axed from the Warriors’ one-day team due to lack of form. Importantly, just kept making runs in the Pura Cup, with 743 at 61.91.Brad Haddin (wk)
National ODI duties meant he was only available for six games, but was still the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batsman in the competition. Scored 422 runs at 60.28 and secured 30 dismissals to confirm himself as Australia’s best option in the post-Gilchrist era.Ashley Noffke
Incredibly, finished ninth on the run tally with 686 at 45.73 and second on the wicket list with 43 at 21.25. Made his second first-class century, earned his initial international call-ups, and on occasions made the dismal Queensland at least vaguely competitive.Ryan Harris
Was one of very few bright spots for South Australia. Grabbed 37 wickets at 29.86 and averaged 24.20 with the bat, rescuing the Redbacks from embarrassment several times after top-order failures.Bryce McGain
Went from IT specialist to full-time cricketer at the age of 35 and was the biggest surprise packet of the summer. Spun his way to 35 wickets at 32.77 and was suddenly being talked about as a potential Test bowler.Doug Bollinger
Missed the last two-and-a-half games of the season with a broken foot and still finished on top of the wicket tally. Needed only seven matches to grab 45 victims at 15.44, enjoyed two ten-wicket games and was to 2007-08 what Ben Hilfenhaus was to 2006-07.Mathew Inness (12th man)
Enjoyed an amazing turnaround after playing no games last season, finishing behind only Bollinger and Noffke with 40 wickets at 20.12. Given his form and age – he is only 30 – surprised with his decision to retire at the end of the campaign.

FR Cup XI
Matthew Elliott
Player of the Series for the second FR Cup in a row but won’t make it a hat-trick after retiring this season. Scored 521 runs at 74.42 and blasted two centuries, including 133 in a memorable stand with Darren Lehmann in the latter’s farewell match.Michael Dighton
The tournament’s leading run scorer with 549 at 54.90. He was an integral part of Tasmania’s FR Cup triumph and his 146 at North Sydney Oval even overshadowed Ricky Ponting’s hundred that day.Brad Hodge (vc)
Came home with a bang thanks to two consecutive centuries that helped Victoria into the final, and finished with 352 at 50.28.David Hussey
Belted the second-fastest century in Australia’s domestic one-day history with a 60-ball effort against New South Wales. Completed the season with 484 at 44.Daniel Marsh (capt)
Guided his team to the one-day title and was a solid contributor with 330 runs at 41.25.Rob Quiney
Regular compiler anywhere in Victoria’s order and finished with 380 at 47.50. Did not manage a century but four scores of 50-plus are testament to his consistent summer.Brad Haddin (wk)
His 314 at 62.80 showed why he was given games as a specialist batsman for Australia. The Blues’ disappointing campaign might have been saved had he been available for more than six matches.Xavier Doherty
Finished equal top of the wicket tally with 15 victims at 25.53. Was a key man in Tasmania’s final triumph, claiming 4 for 18 as Victoria collapsed.Brett Geeves
The standout fast bowler in Tasmania’s successful line-up, he too collected 15 wickets at 25.20. Grabbed 3 for 28 in the decider and helped his team over the line with the bat to be named Man of the Match.Steve Magoffin
Continued to anchor the Western Australia attack with 14 victims at 27.21, a strong effort from nine appearances.Shaun Tait
His decision to quit cricket indefinitely left him with only five games but he still managed a remarkable 12 wickets at 18.91 that would surely have earned him more ODIs had he been available.Bryce McGain (12th man)
Surprised even himself with his one-day prowess. Equal leading wicket-taker with 15 at 24.40, and nearly won the final for Victoria with a brilliant spell in the dying overs.

Wellington completed its metamorphosis from mediocre to outstanding to give themselves a semi-final chance when beating Northern Districts by six wickets at the Basin Reserve today.It was arguable which underwent the largest transformation: the weather which overcame its morning petulance to allow the Shell Cup match to be played to a conclusion in Wellington’s favour or Wellington’s form.Wellington beat the Cup leaders Northern by seven wickets in a match reduced by splenetic morning wind and rain from 50 to 38 overs, surpassing Northern’s total of 173/9 with 2.4 overs remaining. In so doing, they completed a run of three emphatic home wins in six days and placed themselves in all likelihood a single win away from a place in the competition semi-finals.If Wellington beat Canterbury in Christchurch on Thursday they have a very real chance of entering the Cup playoffs – an achievement which seemed entirely lost to them less then a week ago as they suffered at the bottom of the Shell Cup table.The New Year has seemed to furnish Wellington with a new and firmer resolution. They ended the old year with an almost farcical New Year’s Eve loss to Central Districts at Waikanae – beaten when they let the Stags score more than 70 runs for their last two wickets.But this millennial year – grimly omened by science fiction, has brought them a series of one-day successes which have fully redeemed their earlier deficit of performance. Their recent wins have been by five wickets over Auckland, 102 runs over Otago and by seven wickets today over Northern’s powerful squad and they now have the heady momentum of the late backrunner.They might have been at least concerned and more likely depressed when they arrived at the Basin Reserve today to find the ground battered by a relentless, angry and malicious wind and swept by flurries of rain. There seemed little chance, as the light faded and the ground became by mid-morning as gloomy as an English mid-winter, that any play would occur today at all.The wind was a larger factor than the rain. In swept across the ground in muscular and boisterous gusts, picking up sheets of dust from the barren wicket block and casting them ahead of it like a routed army.But the day improved in slow degrees and though it was still cool and blustery when the players took the field in a game shortened by 12 overs per side at 2.30pm, the improvement was then taking place by slow degrees.Northern won the toss and batted and, after losing openers Daniel Vettori and Simon Doull for 27 runs inside the first six overs, were at once at a loss in the senses of both momentum and purpose. Their innings was a hodgepodge of fighting innings and rank capitulations.Mark Bailey made 54, toiling for 100 minutes and facing 75 balls, and Hamish Marshall made 37, joining Bailey in the innings’ most substantial partnership of 69 for the fourth wicket. But there was little else to bring a glow to Northern’s cheeks, other than the chill wind and a sense of embarrassment.Alex Tait and Daryl Tuffey added 29 at the close, Tuffey taking 18 runs from 10 balls but the innings ended at 173/9, in a total which seemed unlikely to tax a Wellington team in demonstrated batting form.Wellington began the chase for that total with Chris Nevin and Matthew Bell respectively the bugler and standard bearer. The day had become mild a summery, the wind a vestige of its former self, when they came to the crease under the lengthening shadows of the early evening.In a contemptuous assault on the Northern bowlers, particularly the international opening pair of Tuffey and Doull, they gave Wellington a start and a momentum which made their progress to the winning total matter of fact.Bell and Nevin smashed 64 runs from the first 8.4 overs, before Nevin was out for 29. The opening stand was the largest of the season for the rampant Firebirds.Bell went on to 44 before he was out in the 16th over when Wellington were 86/2. He had batted only 60 minutes and hit eight wonderful boundaries.The Wellington openers had succeeded in that unheralded early assault in hitting both Tuffey and Doull out of the attack. Doull’s first three overs cost 29 runs and he didn’t return to the attack; Tuffey’s first two overs cost 22, though he did return to bowl three overs for 10 runs later in the innings.Roger Twose and Stephen Fleming then took the responsibility for the innings and in a stand faintly reminiscent of their record partnership of only two days ago, they carried Wellington to a position of unassailability.They put on 69 for the third wicket in only 53 minutes, leaving Wellington 155/3 when Twose was out for 40, 19 runs from the end.Fleming went on to reach his 50 two balls before the winnings runs were scored – ironically from a wide and a leg bye. He had batted 95 minutes and his scoring shots included seven fours and two sixes, one from his Black Caps teammate Daniel Vettori. Twose had batted 53 minutes for his runs and hit five fours and two sixes.There was some kudos for the Northern bowlers. Grant Bradburn and Vettori were introduced to the attack when Wellington were in full flight and succeeded in slowing their rate of scoring. Bradburn bowled three overs for five runs at the height of the assault and allowed only 19 runs from his first six overs. Vettori’s first five overs cost only 16 runs.But the greatest bowling credit today went to James Franklin – the young man the New Zealand team won’t trust to bowl at the death, who took wickets at both ends of Northern’s innings, taking his first spell into the raging Northerly, and finished with his Shell Cup best: 4-30.

South Africa have unveiled their list of centrally contracted players for the 2005-06 season, and as anticipated, it has been trimmed from a squad of 20 to just 13 elite players.Despite his performance in the Centurion Test, Monde Zondeki is one of the unlucky players to miss out, alongside the rising star of South African cricket, AB de Villiers, who recorded his maiden Test century against England, also at Centurion, earlier in the season. At this early stage of their careers, however, a place on the tour of the Caribbean should be ample consolation.Unlike de Villiers, Zondeki had been on South Africa’s books for this season, and the other players who have been removed from the list are: Paul Adams, Lance Klusener, Garnett Kruger, Neil McKenzie, Albie Morkel, Robin Peterson and Martin van Jaarsveld. Of those, only Morkel, who made an unbeaten double-century for Titans in the latest round of SuperSport matches, is likely to have a role in South Africa’s near future.Commenting on the reduction in contracted players, Haroon Lorgat, South Africa’s convenor of selectors, said: “We feel that 20 was too many. There were times last year when we had many non-contracted players in the team. We would like to play, as often as possible, with a core group of contracted players.”National contracts must be deserved and a just reward for consistent performance at the highest level over a period of time,” added Lorgat, who went on to reassure de Villiers and Zondeki that a strong showing in the Caribbean might enable them to join the elite group. “This number is not capped,” he said, “and the selectors may, from time to time, recommend additional players to be contracted.”The contracts, which run from May 2005 to April 2006, are broken down into four bands as follows:A+
Graeme Smith
Herschelle Gibbs
Shaun Pollock
Makhaya Ntini
Jacques Kallis
A
Mark Boucher
B
Nicky Boje
C
Andre Nel
Boeta Dippenaar
Andrew Hall
Jacques Rudolph
Ashwell Prince
Charl Langeveldt

Australia are scheduled to arrive in India for a four-Test series on September 29, one day after the Champions Trophy final in Lahore. If they fail to make it past the group stage of the Champions Trophy, Australia will get a ten-day break before their only tour match in India between October 2 and 5.Bangalore will host the first Test, as it did when Australia visited India in 2004-05. After a three-day gap the teams travel to Mohali, which will stage its first Test since England toured in 2006, for the second match between October 13 and 17.A week later the sides will meet in Delhi for the third Test followed by the final one in Nagpur, where Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy last time round, from November 5 to 9. Australia are the current holders of the trophy after they won their home series 2-1 in December and January.James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, said the games in India would be particularly interesting after the tight series in Australia, which also featured several controversial moments. “The rivalry between Australia and India has developed into one of the most captivating contests in world cricket,” Sutherland said.”The 2007-08 series was highlighted by dramatic, brilliant cricket which added another chapter to the passionate competition between the world’s two best Test playing nations. I’m sure all cricket lovers in Australia and India are awaiting the 2008 series with great anticipation.”Fixtures
October 2-5 – Tour match
October 9-13 – 1st Test, Bangalore
October 17-21 – 2nd Test, Mohali
October 28-Novermber 1 – 3rd Test, Delhi
November 5-9 – 4th Test, Nagpur

ScorecardFile photo: Stephan Myburgh blasted six fours and four sixes for his 67•IDI/Getty

Netherlands opener Stephan Myburgh’s first fifty of the tournament ensured his team cruised to a six-wicket victory against Canada in Edinburgh. Set a challenging 173 for the win, Myburgh and his opening partner Wesley Barresi began rapidly, blazing 65 inside five overs. Both players wasted no time in getting going, with Myburgh starting the innings with a six, and Barresi finishing the over with three consecutive fours, off Jeremy Gordon.Barresi was eventually dismissed for a 15-ball 33 after slamming seven fours, but Myburgh carried on to make 67 off 30 balls with six fours and four sixes, including 21 runs off an over from Rizwan Cheema. Nitish Kumar ended the carnage by trapping Myburgh lbw in the ninth over, but by then, most of the damage had been done as Netherlands needed just 64 runs from 70 deliveries. Cecil Pervez offered Canada a glimmer by picking up two wickets in consecutive overs, but Michael Swart’s unbeaten 34 took Netherlands home with 15 balls to spare.Earlier, Canada, having been inserted, rode on a half-century from Ruvindu Gunasekera (51) and late blitzes from Cheema and Hamza Tariq to post 172 for 8. Gunasekera and Hiral Patel began brightly with a 56-run opening stand, but Netherlands fought back with key top-order wickets in quick succession. Canada were precariously placed at 98 for 4 in the 14th over, but Cheema’s 12-ball 28, and Tariq’s 20-ball 40 powered the team past the 170-run mark. Swart was Netherlands’ best bowler, collecting 2 for 24 from four overs.