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Ravneet Ricky and Shikhar Dhawan cracked hundreds and steered North Zone to an imposing position on the second day of their Duleep Trophy clash against Zimbabwe President’s XI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Having shot them out for 94 on the first day, North rode on a mammoth 220-run opening stand between Ricky and Dhawan. Their promising partnership in the previous game, against East Zone, had been cut short by some doubtful umpiring decisions but the duo enjoyed a flurry of boundaries and left the Zimbabweans with hardly any chance. Graeme Cremer, the legspinner, ended with a career-best 7 for 114 but North were well on their way to a resounding victory by then. The Zimbabeans lost the wicket of Neil Ferreira before the end of the day, and will need a minor miracle to get something out of this game.
ScorecardHalf-centuries from Piyush Chawla and Harvinder Singh helped Central Zone reach an imposing 478 on the second day against South at Surat. Resuming on 299 for 3, Central consolidated their position through their lower middle order with Chawla, the legspinning allrounder from Uttar Pradesh, anchoring the ship. Harvinder, the Railways fast bowler, was a surprise package and his 92-run stand with Chawla left South with a lot of catching up to do. Dinesh Karthik’s plucky unbeaten 50 helped South reach 127 for 3 by stumps, but a lot of work remains to be done if South, who lost their opening game to West, harbour hopes of staying alive in the competition.

Glamorgan’s David Hemp has set his sights on playing for Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup.Hemp, 34, was born in Hamilton, Bermuda, but his family returned to Swansea soon after his birth. He has flown to the island to complete a 100 days residency period that will allow him to play for Bermuda.”It’s a wonderful chance at this stage of my career,” Hemp told the . “I also want to be in for the 2009 ICC Trophy and the 2011 World Cup.” Hemp, who has scored over 12,000 first-class runs, won Glamorgan’s Player of the Season award in 2005. He will be an asset to a Bermuda side that showed they are lacking real talent during the recent Intercontinental Cup, when they were pushed aside by Kenya in the semi-finals.

Sharad Pawar, a political heavyweight and the agriculture minister in the Indian government, is the Indian cricket board’s new president. In what can be counted as the first electoral defeat for Jagmohan Dalmiya, Pawar defeated Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the incumbent president, and Dalmiya’s nominee, at the 76th Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in of India in Kolkata by a margin so whopping that it left the Dalmiya camp in total disarray.Cricinfo however had predicted at least 20 votes for Pawar, which turned out to be spot on. Mahendra ended with a sorry tally of 11 and it was clear that many of Dalmiya’s traditional supporters had deserted him.To make the victory absolute, the Pawar camp swept all the important positions up for grabs by equally comfortable margins. Niranjan Shah made a comeback to the post of secretary, N Srinivasan, is the new treasurer, and MP Pandove the joint secretary. And three national selectors – Yashpal Sharma, Gopal Sharma and Pranab Roy – who were known to be close to the Dalmiya camp were shown the door too.The election, conducted under the supervision of T S Krishnamurthy,a former chief election commissioner of India at the instance of the Supreme Court, not only signalled sweet revenge for Pawar, who was pipped to the post by a single vote by Mahendra last year in controversial election in which Dalmiya voted four times, but also marked the end, at least for the time being, the Dalmiya era which lasted 21 years.After being elected, Pawar thanked Krishamurthy for a smooth and fair election. ” As I said yesterday, we were quite confident of victory and the entire election procedure,” Pawar told reporters outside the conference hall of a five-star hotel where the election was held. “I’m grateful to all those who supported me and my entire team. We will concentrate on building basic infrastructure for cricket throughout India. I’m sure our collective efforts will be able to give justice to young, budding players and the cricket loving people of the country.”Niranjan Shah said the new regime would continue to utilise Dalmiya’s services. “A man like Dalmiya with such a vast experience of running cricket affairs will always have utility for the BCCI.”Dalmiya, a former chairman of the ICC, was twice president of the BCCI and was widely acknowledged as the real power behind the throne during the tenure of Mahendra whose election he had masterminded last year. Along with I S Bindra, who is now a bitter adversary, he was instrumental in winning the bid for 1996 World Cup for the subcontinent, and making the BCCI the richest sports body in India and one of the most affluent and powerful of cricketing boards in the world.Never to take a defeat lightly, Dalmiya questioned the role of Krishnamurthy in conducting the election. “It was not a debacle for us,” he said. “One of our genuine voters was asked to sit out while a complete stranger who had nothing to do with cricket was allowed to vote.”But even he didn’t go as far as to deny Pawar his win. At best, Dalmiya said, the verdict could have been 16-15 in favour of Pawar.

The Warner Group of Companies, chaired by Jack Warner, has funded the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) for the 2006 season to the sum of $1 million.Warner made the announcement yesterday after he came to an agreement with Deryck Murray, the TTCB president, following recent discussions.The financial assistance, according to Warner, is being provided with the aim of ensuring that the game is properly run throughout the five zones, including Tobago, and the TTCB is fully functional.Warner, for the second year, will also sponsor Central-based Joe Public Munroe Road Cricket Club for the 2006 National Division League One season in excess of $250,000, inclusive of administrative duties, team management and preparations, match fees and other incentivesWarner said his contribution was an attempt to develop the sport of cricket and to ensure that T&T is a well-secured cricket-playing nation for the future, especially by the time the 2007 Cricket World Cup comes around.”Today we have with us the greatest batsman to ever live and he is a Trinidadian. I don’t need to tell you his name but I can tell you that we are today searching very deep for another individual as our next great one and this doesn’t come overnight,” said Warner yesterday. “The game of cricket must be alive in all corners of the country and it must be developed and well managed. While you may have the hands capable of doing it in the offices and on the playing fields, you also need the right resources to achieve it and this is merely my contribution towards reaching there.”

As New Zealand and Sri Lanka square off in a four-match one-day series beginning at Queenstown tomorrow, the captains of both teams know that victory will provide a huge boost do their chances of direct entry into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in India in October 2006.As of April 1, only the top six teams in the ICC’s ODI points table will gain automatic entry into the knock-out tournament, with the rest relegated to a further preliminary round of matches. New Zealand, currently placed at No.4, and Sri Lanka, at the sixth position, are tightly squeezed into the middle section of the table, with India at five. Both teams, however, have 109 points, and a series sweep will move the winner to 115 points. England, just outside the crucial top six, will undoubtedly carry an eager interest in the four-match series, as a sweep by either team will move them up a notch.John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, was looking to get off to a winning start in the first couple matches in order to seize the initiative. “Our guys have already mentioned it,” Bracewell said to AFP. “It would be nice to be in the top six, and nice to be in the top three.” New Zealand play West Indies in a one-day series in February, and this would provide them with a second shot at progressing up the rankings.In the recent Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, New Zealand were beaten 2-1 by Australia, and despite clinching a record run-chase in the final match at Christchurch, New Zealand are still struggling for form and consistency. Stephen Fleming, the captain, has taken paternity leave, while Andre Adams, the fast bowler, is out with an injured hand. With Jacob Oram struggling to regain his bowling form, and Craig McMillan dropped due to indifferent performances with the bat, New Zealand will be forced to rely on Scott Styris, Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori, key players with plenty of experience. Vettori, who captained his side during the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, is ranked fifth in the ODI bowlers table. Shane Bond, back in form after a long injury lay-off, will lead the attack.Sri Lanka, for their part, were hammered 6-1 in India and have to contend with a hectic schedule as well. They have a more accomplished batting line-up than New Zealand – Kumar Sangakkara, Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya are ranked in the top 20 – and in Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga they have two bowlers who have troubled the home side in the past.New Zealand were victors in the Champions Trophy in 2000, comprehensively beating a strong Indian side, but have yet to achieve a series win of that magnitude since.* * *
New Zealand Cricket has announced the team for The National Bank series match against Sri Lanka at the Queenstown Events Centre tomorrow.New Zealand Daniel Vettori (capt), Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Peter Fulton, Jamie How , Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum (wk), Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent.

Group A
Bangladesh beat New Zealand by three wickets
Scorecard
Bangladesh began their World Cup campaign in confident fashion, sweeping past New Zealand by three wickets in their opening encounter at Colombo. New Zealand were bowled out for 175, with Suhrawadi Shuvo (3 for 36) and Mehrab Hossain (4 for 29) doing the damage with their left-arm spin. In conditions suiting the bowlers, Bangladesh also suffered a wobble in their reply, stumbling to 5 for 2 and 123 for 6 before Mehrab Hossain’s unbeaten 38 saw them home by three wickets.Group B
Australia beat South Africa by 175 runs
BulletinGroup C
Sri Lanka beat Scotland by four wickets
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Group D
Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 118 runs
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Zimbabwe humbled Ireland in Group D’s opening match to win the crushing margin of 118 runs. Ireland inserted Zimbabwe who responded with a confident opening stand of 55 between Donald `Kuda’ Samudera (61) and Friday Kasteni (21), while others made brief but useful contributions at the other end. Zimbabwe’s eventual 215 for 7 proved far too many for Ireland, especially when their openers – Gareth McKee and Fintan McAllister fell for single figures. Keagan Meth was the pick of Zimbabwe’s seamers, grabbing three economical wickets to help dismiss Ireland for 97.

Scorecard
Points table
Tasmania were made to fight as they closed in on first-innings points after hurting New South Wales’ hopes of defending their Pura Cup total by knocking them over for 141 on the first day at Bellerive Oval. The Blues are in a three-way tie for third with South Australia and Western Australia, but their plans for advancement were derailed when they were dismissed in 53.4 overs after being sent in.The opener Greg Mail top scored with 33, but he was part of a collapse of 4 for 13 and the only bright spot of the rest of the innings for New South Wales was Brad Haddin’s 24-ball 29, which included two fours and a couple of sixes. Adam Griffith and Ben Hilfenhaus were the main problems with three wickets while Brendan Drew and Brett Geeves each collected two victims.Tasmania’s innings followed a similar pattern to their opponents’, with Tim Paine and Michael Bevan pushing them to 105 in a 93-run second-wicket stand. However, Paine (36) fell to Grant Lambert, who also dismissed the nightwatchman Griffith in the third-last over, and Michael Bevan slipped up on 51 as they finished at 4 for 110.Trevor Bayliss, the NSW coach, said the match was still very much alive. “It’s been an interesting day’s cricket,” he told . “There was a little bit in the wicket this morning and their guys bowled very well and we made a good start but didn’t bat as well as we probably could’ve done or should’ve done.”

Shahid Afridi has announced a temporary ‘retirement’ from Test cricket. In an announcement that caught many in Pakistan by complete surprise, Afridi said that he was planning to concentrate only on ODI cricket to ready himself for the World Cup in 2007. But, in a typically Pakistani twist, Afridi said that he would reconsider his ‘retirement’ from Tests after the World Cup.Speaking to Cricinfo, Afridi played down the news: “It’s not such a big decision. I want to concentrate on one form of cricket till the World Cup and that is ODIs. I will reconsider the decision to play Tests after the World Cup. As it is there aren’t too many Tests till the World Cup so it isn’t such a big deal.” Pakistan are due to play at least nine Tests between now and next March.Afridi cited a variety of reasons for his decision, though foremost among them, he blamed the increasing workload on the modern international player. “There’s just too much cricket happening at the moment. The international schedules are completely packed and there is hardly any time off. It’s all good that we earn good money but there is just too much cricket.” Afridi added he wanted to spend more time with his two daughters and his family, something “I haven’t been able to do for some time.”Pakistan has just finished a full, cramped home season with two full series against England and India, followed almost immediately by the tour to Sri Lanka. In between, many of the national team’s players were contracted to appear in the domestic Twenty20 tournament and though there is a break in the schedule till June, when they fly out to England, they are due to play two ODI matches later this month in Abu Dhabi against India. Afridi missed part of the ODI series against India with a side strain.He had been thinking about the decision for a few months and is thought to have decided finally, only after consultations with some close friends earlier this evening. “I have been thinking about it seriously since the series against England. I was thinking of doing it then, but with India coming over so soon after, I decided to hold back until that series was over.Typically, given the situation, there has been speculation that he had taken the decision after having been dropped from the last Test against Sri Lanka in Kandy, a Test Pakistan ultimately won. One senior journalist told Cricinfo that Afridi had been angry with the team management over his axing and decided, in the heat of the moment, to `retire.’ Television commentators had also expressed considerable surprise over the decision and given how valuable a Test player he had been since his recall, the reaction wasn’t a surprise. Afridi though was quick to deny this: “No, absolutely not. There was no pressure, no spat. It is just too much cricket and that is it. It is not a permanent thing anyway.” Afridi earlier told a local television channel that he hadn’t yet informed the PCB of his decision although he had discussed it with Inzamam-ul-Haq, who told him he would respect any decision taken. Inzamam told “I would not like to create any pressure on him to do something he does not want to do at this stage.”The format he has chosen to take retirement from is particularly surprising given that in the last year, Afridi has become one of Pakistan’s most valuable Test players. In fact, since his recall to the Test squad in January last year against Australia, in ten Tests, he has averaged 47.44 with four hundreds and three fifties. Some of his innings, such as the 58 against India in Bangalore last March, have changed the course of the Test and with 23 wickets, he finally appeared settled in the Test side. In contrast, in 43 ODIs since Bob Woolmer’s arrival as coach – when Afridi was recalled to the ODI side – he averages just under 23 with the bat, with only three fifties. His solitary century of course was the 45-ball special against India. But with the ball he has been a revelation and his bag of leggies, offies, wrong `uns and quicker ones has resulted in 51 wickets.Afridi was adamant, however, that he had no regrets over his decision to leave the Test side just when he seemed settled. “I have no regrets, I mean it’s only a temporary decision, but I just want to concentrate on one form of cricket for the moment.” Given the sudden timing of his announcement, however, and the fierce speculation now surrounding the circumstances of his axing from the last Test, it is unlikely that we have heard the last of this.

Andrew Flintoff has brushed aside, nonchalantly, concerns that the captaincy at home against Sri Lanka next week will be an added burden to his burgeoning list of roles within the England team.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Michael Vaughan will definitely miss next week’s first Test and David Graveney, chairman of selectors, hinted yesterday that Flintoff is likely to take over as captain, continuing from where he left off in India. But Graveney also acknowledged that Flintoff’s workload is a concern.Flintoff though was excited about the prospect of captaining at home. “I got an opportunity in India which I enjoyed but to do it at the home of cricket would be fantastic. I enjoy being involved in the game and it’s been quite an easy side to captain – captaining your country can’t be a burden.”It’s been great fun to be honest. The lads all know their jobs and get on with their business and help me out whenever possible. When fielding at slip when I haven’t been captain, I’ve still been thinking about the game. So there’s no great change there and I enjoy the responsibility and being involved in the game.”It’s something I enjoyed rather than feared. Being England captain can’t be a burden, it’s a fantastic job and something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid. To get the opportunity to do it in India was great fun. Burden is very much the wrong word.”Steve Harmison’s absence has also been confirmed by the ECB for the first Test as selectors meet on Sunday to announce England’s squad. Graveney said only players who featured in at least one four-day Championship game would be considered. Neither Vaughan nor Harmison has played since returning from India. Vaughan has started running and batting in the nets was not named in the Yorkshire side playing Sussex at Headingley, while Durham, Harmison’s county, have no Championship game this week.Vaughan’s India tour ended early with a knee injury and Harmison left before the third Test with a shin problem. The squad to face Sri Lanka at Lord’s will be named on Sunday, four days before the match begins.England do have options in their batting at least. Paul Collingwood stood in for Vaughan in Pakistan and India, scoring a maiden Test century in the first Test in Nagpur and a couple of half-centuries in Lahore the Test before. Alastair Cook hit a debut century in the same Nagpur Test and is also pushing for a place in the final XI.Sajid Mahmood meanwhile, who is widely tipped to make his Test debut as a replacement for one of England’s injured pacemen, has said he is ready to play at Test level now. Mahmood was quoted by saying, “I’d like to think I’m ready for it. I bowled well in the West Indies on the England A tour. It would be a dream come true, especially to play it in England, at Lord’s as well. I’ve wanted that since I was about eight years old.”Mahmood was picked to play in the England A game against Sri Lanka but was withdrawn in a move interpreted as England not wanting the tourists to see him in action. He played for Lancashire instead, against Kent at Old Trafford, bowling 21 overs for 55 runs and a solitary wicket.Mahmood said he was aware of the extra attention. “It was in the back of my mind that I’ve got to perform well. The first over or so I was thinking, I’ve got to do this or got to do that, but then I thought, if I’m going to think about that I’m going to put pressure on myself. So I just sort of put it to the back of my mind and tried to relax and do what you normally do – just to try and do my best and see what happens.”

Division One

Sajid Mahmood and Glen Chapple bowled Lancashire to their first win of season despite a spirited effort from Durham to bat out the final day. Jimmy Maher had been the stumbling block earlier in the day before he was snared at silly point off Gary Keedy. Mahmood claimed the key wicket of Dale Benkenstein, who had batted over three hours for 88, then helped remove the tail with Chapple. Dominic Cork bowled his first overs of the match after recovering sufficiently from his ankle injury but didn’t add his name to the wicket-takers.Kent put the memories of their opening-round defeat against Durham behind them with an outstanding run chase against Middlesex. Starting the day needing 311 more runs, they made light work of the pursuit thanks to Martin van Jaarsveld’s fine century. He struck 14 boundaries and was well supported by David Fulton. Matthew Walker took over the job when van Jaarsveld departed, sealing the result with an unbeaten 84 to follow his century in the first innings.South Australia failed to save Yorkshire as Heath Streak snapped up the final wicket for Warwickshire with three balls to spare at Edgbaston. Darren Lehmann struck a superb 150 to raise Yorkshire’s hopes of a draw with Michael Lumb offer valuable support. But when the ninth wicket fell defeat seem near only for Jason Gillespie and John Blain to survive for over an hour. However, Streak brought himself back and, with moments to spare, had the final say when Blain was trapped lbw.

Division Two

Essex wrapped up an impressive innings victory over Glamorgan midway through the final day. Two early wickets for Darren Gough put them on course, before the Glamorgan lower order offered some belated resistance. Mark Wallace hung around and Robert Croft played his shots, but it was all academic. Ryan ten doeschate completed a fine match with two wickets as he and Tim Phillips wound up proceedings.Darren Maddy’s 97 wasn’t enough to prevent Leicestershire sliding to a 99-run defeat against Surrey. When he fell to Jimmy Ormond it was only a matter of time before the tail subsided, despite some defiant blows from Mohammad Asif. Rikki Clarke improved on some of his recent bowling efforts with three important wickets, while Ian Salisbury finished off the innings.