Bihar scored a crushing innings and 88 run win over Assam on thesecond day of their East Zone Under-14 Tournament match at the KeenanGround in Jamshedpur on Wednesday. Bihar with this outright win earnedeight points.Having taken a handsome 148 run lead in the first innings, Biharbundled out Sikkim for just 60 runs in 27.2 overs. Only two ofSikkim’s batsmen, Bimal Singh (11) and S Rai (12) managed to reachdouble figures. While Santosh Kumar (2 for 10) rattled the Sikkim toporder, S Nadeem (3 for 13) and Madan Kumar (3 for 13) ripped throughthe middle and lower order.Earlier, on the opening day, opting to bat Sikkim were all out for apaltry 79 with only three batsmen, opener HD Bhutia (19), Bimal Singh(16) and D Chettri (12) getting into double figures. Opening bowlerSantosh Kumar (4 for 22) and Madan Kumar (4 for 11) ran through theSikkim batting order. In reply, Bihar put up 227 on the board withuseful contributions from Sukhbinder Singh (48), Arvind Jha (29) andJeetender Kumar (21).

MELBOURNE – Tasmanian openers Jamie Cox and Dene Hills today completed arguably the worst match of their long-standing partnership by both scoring pairs to leave the Tigers struggling for survival in their Pura Cup cricket match against Victoria at the MCG.Set 353 to win off 120 overs, Tasmania limped to 3-54 at stumps after both Cox and Hills failed to trouble the scorers for a second time in the match.The Tigers face having to survive another ninety-six overs tomorrow and would need to score at 3.1 per over to pull off an unlikely victory.And they may be without middle-order batsman Scott Mason, who suffered a suspected broken finger while fielding today.But it is the form of the opening combination that has served the state with distinction for almost ten years that will cause most concern in the Tasmanian camp tonight.While skipper Cox still has 563 runs at 51.2 this season, despite his double failure in this match, Hills’ career is at the crossroads.The left hander has now scored only 100 runs at 10 for the season.He lasted only three balls in Tasmania’s second innings today before recklessly slashing a wide delivery from Reiffel to Matthew Mott in the gully.Five overs later Cox was out LBW, padding up to Matthew Inness, before the Vics struck again to claim the prized wicket of first innings’ top scorer Michael DiVenuto.Di Venuto, who took 344 minutes to score 66 in the first innings, smashed 27 off only 45 balls today before he slashed Mick Lewis to John Davison at backwardpoint.In stark contrast Victoria’s top order continues to shine.After the Bushrangers quickly wrapped up the Tasmanian first innings for 162, Reiffel chose not to enforce the follow-on.The decision not only allowed Victoria’s bowlers a valuable rest, their freshness in the final session justifying Reiffel’s decision, but gave in-form batsmen Brad Hodge and Jason Arnberger the chance to further add to their already impressive seasons.While star opener Matthew Elliott went cheaply for 14, Arnberger’s 67 not out was the foundation of Victoria’s second innings of 5/192 declared.The former New South Welshman now has 464 first class runs for the season at 51.55.However Hodge’s swashbuckling 81 off only 111 balls, including 13 fours, was the innings of the match.Hodge, who played for Australia “A” against the West Indies last week, has now scored 738 first-class runs for the season at 82.

Reigning champs Hatton National Bank and challengers to their title Seylan Bank recorded contrasting victories as the Mercantile ‘A’ division league entered its penultimate day of matches before it draws to a conclusion on Wednesday.While Seylan made light work of Access to win by 94 runs, HNB were taken almost to the limit by Sampath Bank before recording a hard fought four-wicket win with six balls to spare.The wins kept the two teams on an even keel with 21 points from six matches and everything to play for when they play each other on Wednesday at the NCC grounds to decide the league title.By virtue of their defeat Sampath failed to finish in the top four of the league to qualify for the knockout stage. Janashakthi another team in the running for the knockout also lost out when unsuitable ground conditions at Bloomfield prevented a ball being bowled in their match against E-wis.John Keells capitalised on these setbacks to defeat Singer by nine wickets and finish fourth behind HNB, Seylan and Access to qualify for the knockout.Sri Lanka players once again figured prominently in shaping the destinies of their respective companies.Crisis man Russel Arnold played a cool and calm knock of 61 not out off 99 balls (2 sixes, 1 four) to steer HNB to victory over Sampath at the Moors grounds. Chasing a Sampath total of 227 for 9 in 50 overs, HNB were in a bit of a spot until Arnold and Chamara Silva (40) added 77 for the fifth wicket. This stand was followed by another useful partnership of 46 for the sixth between Arnold and Kumar Dharmasena (28 with 3 sixes) which saw HNB through. Sampath’s total revolved around a steady knock of 73 off 121 balls (2 sixes, 6 fours) from former Sri Lanka opener Chandika Hathurusingha.Two other national cricketers figured in Seylan’s victory over Access at the NCC grounds for whom experienced Sri Lanka batsman Aravinda de Silva was unavailable. Access did well to restrict the Seylan batting to 191 for 9 in 50 overs, but did not have the batting power to overhaul that total and were shot out for 97 inside half the number overs they were entitled to.Skipper Mahela Jayawardene stroked his way to a fluent 68 off 93 balls (6 fours) an then Vaas broke through early with three wickets for nine runs to put the issue beyond doubt. Vaas received good support from two other young Sri Lanka quick bowlers Dilhara Fernando and Kaushalya Weeraratne, who took two wickets apiece, and from Sri Lanka ‘A’ captain Tilan Samaraweera, who also picked up a couple with his off-breaks.Tall opener Michael van Dort was in great form striking an unbeaten 66 off 49 balls with three sixes and seven fours, as John Keells crushed Singer by nine wickets at the Colts grounds. Singer were dismissed for 116 in the first ball of the 38th over and John Keells rattled off the runs at a hectic pace using up just 13.4 overs.

David Graveney, Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), in full support of Alec Stewart’s comments regarding the pitch invasion at the One Day International v Pakistan at Edgbaston last night, reiterates that the security measures were totally inadequate.Whilst attempting to leave the pitch, Nick Knight was struck which is of massive concern to both the PCA and the International players Association, FICA (Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations). PCA will be urgently seeking information from the England and Wales Cricket Board following their meeting on Friday morning with Warwickshire CCC and the police over how security can be vastly improved for the remaining matches within this triangular tournament.Player and Umpire safety must be paramount.For further information please contact:The PCA office Phone: 01939 200202 or email [email protected]

On June 19, 2001, during the seventh one-day match (no. 1725) of the NatWest series between Pakistan and Australia at Trent Bridge, Pakistan captain Waqar Younis took six wickets for 59 runs, This is the best performance by any Pakistani bowler against the Aussies after Wasim Akram’s 5/21 at Melbourne on February 24, 1984. It was his fifth six-wicket haul in ODI’s and the 23rd instance overall, in ODI history. Waqar’s figures are the best by any captain against Australia. Just for record, Waqar has now taken 13 wickets in his last two games, the most by any bowler in successive ODI’s.Here is a detailed statistical look on all such great bowling performances.

All 23 instances of bowlers taking six or more wickets in an ODIFigures Bowler Fixture Venue ODI #10-1-30-7 (B2) M Muralitharan (SL) SL v Ind Sharjah* 165010-0-36-7 (B1) Waqar Younis (Pak) Eng v Pak Leeds 172410-1-37-7 (B2) Aaqib Javed (Pak) Pak v Ind Sharjah 68510.3-0-51-7 (B2) WW Davis (WI) WI v Aus Leeds 2036.2-2-12-6 (B2) A Kumble (Ind) Ind v WI Calcutta* 85810-2-14-6 (B1) Imran Khan (Pak) Ind v Pak Sharjah 32112-6-14-6 (B1) GJ Gilmour (Aus) Eng v Aus Leeds 319-4-15-6 (B2) CEH Croft (WI) WI v Eng Kingstown 11510-2-18-6 (B2) Azhar Mahmood (Pak) Pak v WI Sharjah* 15178.2-3-19-6 (B2) HK Olonga (Zim) Zim v Eng Cape Town* 155110-2-20-6 (B2) BC Strang (Zim) Zim v BD Nairobi (Aga) 12429-0-23-6 (B2) AA Donald (SA) SA v Ken Nairobi (Gym) 112410-1-26-6 (B2) Waqar Younis (Pak) Pak v SL Sharjah 6279.4-0-29-6 (B2) BP Patterson (WI) WI v Ind Nagpur 4819.5-0-29-6 (B1) ST Jayasuriya (SL) Eng v SL Moratuwa 8189.4-1-30-6 (B2) Waqar Younis (Pak) Pak v NZ † Auckland 89410-2-35-6 (B1) SM Pollock (SA) WI v SA East London 139311.5-3-39-6 (B2) KH Macleay (Aus) Aus v Ind Trent Bridge 2079.4-0-41-6 (B2) IVA Richards (WI) WI v Ind Delhi (FSK) 58210-1-44-6 (B1) Waqar Younis (Pak) NZ v Pak Sharjah 114410-0-49-6 (B2) L Klusener (SA) SA v SL Lahore (GS)* 12529-0-50-6 (B2) AH Gray (Aus) Aus v WI Port of Spain 67210-0-59-6 (B2) Waqar Younis (Pak) Aus v Pak Trent Bridge* 1725

Key:Team in Bold indicates winner
† match tied
* – day/night match (6)
B1 – bowling first (17 instances)
B2 – for bowling second (6 instances)

Notes:

• Gary Gilmour was the pioneer of the six-wicket club
• In the 23 instances registered by 19 bowlers, only Jayasuriya and Gilmour are left-armers
• Waqar is the only one who has done it more than once, five times in fact
• Muralitharan’s (7/30) and Kumble’s (6/12) are the all-time best for an off-spinner and leg-spinner respectively
• Waqar’s (7/36) and Aaqib Javed’s (7/37) are the finest for any genuine fast bowler and fast-medium bowler respectively
• The best for any left-arm pace bowler and left-arm spinner respectively are Gary Gilmour’s (6/14) and Sanath Jayasuriya’s (6/29)
• Only twice has a team still lost after one of its bowlers took six wickets (Imran Khan 6/14 v India & Shaun Pollock 6/35 v West Indies)
• Kumble took 6/12 in just 6.2 overs (38 balls)
• There have been eight (the most) instances by Pakistan and six instances by any team against India (the most)

– All data updated to 21.06.2001

Sri Lankan vice-captain, Marvan Atapattu, has been appointed as the captainof his club, Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), for the forthcoming domesticseason. The decision to appoint Atapattu was arrived at the SSC’s recentAnnual General Meeting.Atapattu, who started to play for SSC still as a schoolboy in 1988 has doneexceptionally well for his club. He has scored close to 10,000 runs in firstclass cricket with an average of 51.91 and has scored more than 30 hundreds.This is the first time the Sri Lankan opener has been appointed as thecaptain of the star studded SSC side, who were led by middle order batsman,Hemantha Wickramarathne, last season.The secretary of the Sinhalese Sports Club, Ranjith Erigama, speaking toCricInfo said that the appointment was acknowledgement of Atapattu’sseniority in the side.In reality, however, Atapattu will rarely lead the side because ofinternational commitments and someone else will be entrusted with thecaptaincy during most of the domestic season, which starts at the end of theyear.

The Rev. Wesley (Wes) Hall, 67, and Valentine (Val) Banks, 51, were today confirmed as the new president and vice president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Hall and Banks who were the only nominees for the two top jobs in West Indies cricket, received their confirmation during a meeting of the WICB directors at the Savannah Hotel in Barbados.During a press conference which followed their confirmation, Hall said that he “understands the concerns about the diminishing fortunes of the West Indies team,” and promised that under his watch the WICB would be “more responsive to its 6 million constituents in the West Indies.”In outlining his vision for the future of West Indies cricket, Hall said that he did not intend to implement wholesale changes to the Rousseau regime’s strategic plan for the WICB. Instead, he said that he would like to improve on them in the best interest of West Indies cricket. The new president also said that he would be “reaching out to (Pat) Rousseau and (Clarvis) Joseph” in an effort to start the healing process.The new president also spoke about creating a “cricket friendly climate” in the West Indies cricket, and believes that the WICB should be able to stand up to the “glare and scrutiny of the West Indies people.” He further stated that the WICB would be “more transparent as unpalatable as it may be at times”. Hall said that he would like to see the game “returned to the people.”Speaking on the WICB’s plans for the 2007 World Cup, Hall said that he hoped that Chris Dehring, CEO of WWC 2007 – a wholly owned company of the WICB – could be released as soon as possible, which will allow him to concentrate fully on those preparations. Hall said that the WICB is aware of the enormity of the task.

On the question of putting a retainer system in place for West Indies players, Hall said that in as much as this is desirable, the lack of funds has been the main reason for this system not being implemented by the WICB. He however expressed his hope that it (retainer system) could become a reality in the future.Hall confirmed that the WICB was in a transition period, with several key persons at the board’s secretariat either resigning or whose positions have been made redundant. He said that he expected that the WICB would be out of this transition period within a month’s time.Hall and Banks filled the two top positions in West Indies, which became vacant after former president and vice presidnet – Pat Rousseau and Clarvis Joseph – resigned in acrimonious circumstances on 2nd June, following a decision to reinstate the then fired West Indies team manager, Ricky Skerritt.Hall was a former West Indies fast bowler, chairman of selectors and team manager of the West Indies team. While Banks, who is the current president of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA), is expected to relinquish that position ahead of LICA’s annual general meeting in November.

A gang of four first-class cricketers sold their skills as a going lot in Wellington club cricket recently and will spend the summer of 2001/02 doing battle for the Eastern Suburbs club.Stephen Hotter, Tim Boyer, Scott Golder and Paul Hitchcock have been part of the Wellington club scene over several years but decided over an off-season drink to play together for any club that was interested in picking them up as one unit.Hotter was initially a slow starter as he wasn’t sure at the time whether he would play this season at all.But he decided last week to throw in his lot with the trio.Hotter said his reason for making the change to Eastern Suburbs was his desire to play Pearce Cup cricket in the capital.Hotter captained the Wellington Collegians club which failed to win promotion from the Hazlett Trophy section of the inter-city competition last year.The decision had nothing to do with Wellington Collegians, it was purely a desire to play in the higher grade. Ironically, for Hotter, it was his first club, North City that won promotion 16 points ahead of Collegians last summer.”We came so close last year. But we lost our first one-dayer to North City and then they won an outright decision on a day when we should have had an outright ourselves but because the covers leaked we couldn’t play. But there is no doubt North City was the better team and deserved to go up,” Hotter said.The decision to make the change had been the subject of some conversation in the Capital.Boyer, who played for Wellington as recently as two summers ago, before deciding to play his club cricket in the Horowhenua-Kapiti competition, felt he didn’t want to travel every weekend to play.Golder was a member of the University side which was relegated last year and he wanted to keep his chances to play for Wellington open by playing for a Pearce Cup side while Hitchcock was looking for a change from his Petone Riverside club.Hotter said Easts were interested because fast bowler Carl Bulfin was staying in Blenheim this summer and Wellington and Otago batsman Stephen Mather was now living in Australia.”And I play a lot of basketball with the Easts guys during the winter. I’m coming to the end of my career and am quite excited about playing alongside Jason Wells, if he plays, Lance Dry and Jeetan Patel,” Hotter said.The fall-out for the University club has been serious with its New Zealand opener and Wellington captain Matthew Bell opting to move to Stokes Valley for the new season.

Eager England fans have snapped up more than £70,000 worth of tickets for Trent Bridge’s international cricket programme next year.Ticket office staff arriving for work yesterday morning were greeted by a queue of customers as seats went on general sale for the first time.After the success of last year¹s international fixtures, where every ticket available was sold in advance, Notts are hoping for a repeat performance.Said Sales & Marketing Manager Lisa Pursehouse: “Both Sri Lanka and India will prove exciting and challenging opposition for England and it’s understandable that supporters want to reserve their favourite seats for the matches.”England take on the Sri Lankans in a floodlit NatWest Series One-day International on Thursday June 27 with the Second npower Test against India starting at Trent Bridge on August 8.Seats can be booked on the website at www.nottsccc.co.uk, by calling the ticket hotline 0870 168 8888 or at the Squash Club Reception.

With the Champions Trophy in Sharjah just around the corner Avishka Gunawardene looks to have hit form at just the right time after a blistering century in a practice match between the Sri Lanka national side and A team at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Grounds in Colombo today.Batting first, the A team scored 193 runs thanks to a well compiled 60 by skipper Thilan Samaraweera off 86 balls, which included a six and five fours. They had been in grave trouble at one stage having lost seven wickets for 92 runs before a late rally from lower order batsmen Gayan Ramyakumara, Prasanna Jayawardene and Muttumudalige Pushpakumara.Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya picked up four wickets for 45 runs. Senior squad newcomers Prabath Nissanka and Charitha Buddika impressed with two wickets apiece.In the reply, the Sri Lankan team cruised to their target in just 39.4 overs for the loss of just two wickets. Opening partners, skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Avishka Gunawardene, led the assault. Jayasuriya reached his 50 off only 37 deliveries while Gunawardene got there in 34 balls. Gunawardene went onto make 109. His century came off just 70 balls and he hit eight sixes and 10 fours in all.Though the Sri Lankan national side reached the target in 39.4 overs with just two wickets down, they continued to bat on, to allow all the batsmen some batting practice. They finished up with 291.Summarised scores:Sri Lanka A 193 all out (49.2 overs)T. Samaraweera 60, M. Vandort 25, G. Ramyakumara 18, M. Pushpakumara 18.S. Jayasuriya 4-45, P. Nissanka 2-10.Sri Lanka 291 all out (43.3 overs)Gunawardene 109, S. Jayasuriya 51, M. Atapattu 38, Russel Arnold 32.Dinusha Fernando 2-46, R. Herath 2-52.