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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Wasim Jaffer’s bat sparkled brightest on a day of total dominance for India’s batsmen, as they ground Pakistan into the Kolkata dust on the opening day of the second Test at Eden Gardens. Jaffer was undefeated on 192 when bad light ended play six overs early, but his fifth hundred was his most joyous yet. With support from Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, he took India to 352 for 3.For an ailing Pakistan, without their injured captain Shoaib Malik and hampered by a seriously unwell Shoaib Akhtar, it was, by some distance, one of their most dispiriting days in recent memory. Kamran Akmal led the way in the field with an untidy, fumble-ridden performance that included another dropped catch as their chances of winning this series ebbed away under a barrage of boundaries.But their woes should not take away from a day that was lit up by the beauty of Jaffer. He is compact even on his worse days, and has real grace in his shots, but rarely has he put it all together at such pace. His back-foot punches through covers, the pulls and clips are well-appreciated, but rarely have they come in such quick succession, in such sustained bursts of boundary-hitting. If ever a batsman was in the zone, it was Jaffer at Eden Gardens on Friday.He was gold from the very start, the early loss of his opening partner as much an inconvenience as a fly is to an elephant. No particular area of the ground was favoured over others and no particular shot over another: pulls, drives, punches, cut and clips were all played with that seductive upright elegance, elbows high, bat straight.But if he favoured one bowler over another, it was probably Sohail Tanvir, to whom he showed no mercy. Having driven him arrow-straight early in the piece, he struck him for four fours in an over a little before lunch. Later in the afternoon, as India raced to their 200, he hit him for a hat-trick of fours. As the day neared its end, Jaffer continued doing so, mostly through the leg side as Tanvir’s inexperience came out of the closet.He was no less imposing, or elegant, against the legspin of Danish Kaneria, never more so than in the day’s 49th over. In it, he reached his hundred with a push through the covers, before celebrating by clipping him twice in a row through midwicket for four.So commanding did the shy-looking Jaffer become that his support – Dravid and Tendulkar – were mostly overshadowed in stands of 134 and 175 respectively. Dravid was more than willing to go unnoticed, putting together a studied fifty. He was brisk enough to begin, particularly against Kaneria, as he got caught in Jaffer’s slipstream. But just as he was bedding himself in post-lunch, Billy Doctrove sent him back for a phantom edge: replays couldn’t tell whether Akmal’s take was worse or Doctrove’s decision.

Tendulkar was more energetic and before he was bowled – by his own shot rather than Kaneria’s googly – a hundred seemed a done deal. Alongside Jaffer, he took the wheels right off Pakistan in the afternoon. The pair scored at nearly five an over, Tendulkar by turn cheeky and impulsive, but never in less than total control. The one blot came in the first over after tea, an edge off Mohammad Sami, though Akmal was obliging enough to drop.Pakistan had a day you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, and compounded it with a comically poor performance in the field. They were effectively a three-man attack for much of it, the decision to play an ill and weak Shoaib always loaded with risk. He could only manage nine overs, and though the early ones had pace, by the end, he should have been running in with an IV drip.Kaneria was inconsistent, mixing some ordinary overs with brighter ones and Mohammad Sami, also unwell, remained committed but without luck. Perhaps their plight was best captured by the sight of Tanvir, the new hot young thing on Pakistan’s pace block, switching to left-arm spin halfway through the afternoon. It was an admission that poor fortune – in their catastrophic run-in to this Test – and a sublime Jaffer had emphatically won the day.

Reacting to a story about the possibility of Muttiah Muralitharan missing cricket for eight to ten weeks, the Australian surgeon who treated Muralitharan’s shoulder downplayed the injury, saying it wasn’t as bad as the MRI suggested.David Young put Muralitharan through an arthroscopy following a scan that revealed a tendon tear, and was pleased with what he found. AAP quoted Young as saying, “I’m rapt. I’m very, very reassured by the scope compared to what the MRI had suggested. It was a quick scope, little more than diagnostic. It’s a partial tear, he doesn’t need it repaired and he will head home on Friday.More reassuringly for fans who missed Muralitharan for much of last year, he added that Muralitharan had a chance of participating in the tour of New Zealand.

Day 3 ReportFrizzell County Championship Division OneEssex 271 for 6 v Leicestershire 600 for 7 dec at Southend
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Only 16 overs at Southend, but it was enough for Leicestershire to tighten their grip on the game. Charlie Dagnall bowled Antonio Palladino for 5 in the first over of the brief evening session. Andy Flower, however, hung on to remain 125 not out and James Middlebrook hit a sprightly 28 not out before the close. Essex need another 179 to avoid the follow on.There was no play elsewhere in either division due to rain.Surrey 411 v Middlesex 346 for 8 at Guildford
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Jimmy Ormond had a day to remember with four wickets in six balls, including a maiden first-class hat-trick, to give Surrey the edge against Middlesex at Woodbridge Road. To add to his heroics with the ball, Ormond nearly scored what would have been the second fifty of his career earlier in the day as he and Saqlain Mushtaq added a further 36 runs to Surrey’s first innings of 411. Andy Strauss (87) and Sven Koenig (42) then replied in emphatic fashion, putting on 101 for the first wicket. But when Strauss became Ormond’s first victim, Middlesex lost five wickets for only two runs. Ormond’s hat-trick accounted for Ben Hutton, Ed Joyce – who suffered his third golden duck against Surrey this season – and Paul Weekes. And when Owais Shah fell to Martin Bicknell for 22, Middlesex had collapsed to 165 for 6. However, Abdul Razzaq (78) and David Nash (69*) saved them with a stand of 155 as Middlesex closed 65 behind Surrey, and with two wickets in hand.Lancashire 575 for 6 dec v Warwickshire 192 for 8 at Old Trafford
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Glen Chapple continued his sparkling form with the bat – not the mention the ball – as Lancashire took total control over Warwickshire in Manchester. Chapple scored 132 and shared a partnership of 228 with Stuart Law, who ended unbeaten on 236. It was a mammoth effort from Law: the fourth double-hundred of his career and his highest score for Lancashire. He batted for over eight hours in all, and smashed 32 fours and two sixes. Three of the Warwickshire bowlers went for over 100, and Neil Smith had the embarrassment of being despatched for 22 off four consecutive balls. Warren Hegg declared on 575 for 6 and he then took five catches behind the stumps as wonder boy Chapple took 4 for 43 to leave Warwickshire staring at the follow on at 192 for 8.Frizzell County Championship Division TwoNorthamptonshire 325 beat Somerset 96 and 168 by an innings and 61 runs at Northampton
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Somerset lost an astonishing 18 wickets in one day as they crashed to an inning defeat against Northants at Wantage Road inside two days. Resuming on 26 for 2, and 203 behind, Andre Nel and Adam Shantry took three wickets each as Somerset crumbled to 96 all out. And things didn’t go much better second time round. This time it was Jason Brown who starred as he spun out six wickets in Somerset’s second innings of 168. Michael Burns (55) and Ian Blackwell (40) put up some resistance with 83 for the fifth wicket, but once they were both out, Brown made light work of the tail with the last four wickets tumbling for 11 runs. While questions were thrown up about the state of the pitch, ECB inspector Peter Walker afterwards confirmed that although it was, in his opinion, “below average”, he would not be docking Northants any points. He said: “It was a lot of wickets to fall in a day……but you had one side on the top of their form and another at the bottom of theirs.”Gloucestershire 271 v Worcestershire 392 for 7 at Cheltenham
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Ben Smith and Andrew Hall drove Worcestershire into a strong position against Gloucestershire at the College Ground. Resuming the day on 48 for 1, Worcestershire made steady progress to a valuable first-innings lead, despite a mid-innings wobble. Graeme Hick made only nine on his return to the side, caught off Shoaib Malik, and when Anurag Singh also fell to Malik, the score was 103 for 4. However, Vikram Solanki got the show back on the road with a solid 35, before Smith (92) and Hall (73) put on 108 for the sixth wicket as Worcestershire increased their lead to 121 runs.Yorkshire 384 and 23 for 0 v Hampshire 289 at Scarborough
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Simon Katich single-handily rescued Hampshire against Yorkshire at the North Marine Road Ground. Katich likes to reserve his best against his former counties and he saved Hampshire from the depths of 96 for 5 with a gutsy 143 not out, including 20 fours and a six. It was his 19th first-class century and his second of the season, and both have come against his former clubs, Durham and Yorkshire. After polishing off the Yorkshire tail for 384, Hampshire were in immediate trouble as Chris Silverwood (4 for 86) and Steve Kirby (2 for 79) removed four of the top six for ducks. But Katich came to the rescue and with some sturdy support from Shaun Udal (26) and debutant Iain Brunnschweiler (34), Hampshire avoided the follow on. However, they still have some work to do as Yorkshire closed with a lead of 118, and all 10 wickets in tact.Day 2Derbyshire v Durham 434 for 7 at Derby
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Dominic Cork’s decision to put Durham in at the County Ground turned out to look as foolish as his new mullet hair cut as Vince Wells and Nicky Peng cashed in on some wayward bowling. Jonathan Lewis (77) and Michael Gough (36) put on 110 for the first wicket and built the platform for Wells to smash 106 from 112 balls, and for Peng, who in the end fell for 99. It was a long day, and one to forget, for Derbyshire’s bowlers. Kevin Dean went for 0 for 117, and Lian Wharton 2 for 103 as Durham ended on 434 for 7.

In the 70s it was not unusual to find four Indians playing county cricket, but since then, to find even one one has been an event. Rahul Dravid (Scotland), Virender Sehwag (Leicestershire), Yuvraj Singh (Yorkshire) and Mohammad Kaif (Derbyshire) have played in this English season, with mixed degrees of success. Dravid and Sehwag had memorable seaons, but Yuvraj and Kaif, despite flashes of form, were largely unimpressive. This is how the season has progressed so far.Rahul Dravid for Scotland Scotland averages
Virender Sehwag for Leicestershire Leicestershire averages
Yuvraj Singh for Yorkshire Yorkshire averages
Mohammad Kaif for Derbyshire Derbyshire averagesAugust 28 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Sussex by 1 wicketDravid‘s superb season with Scotland ended in disappointment, as Scotland batted first and Dravid made just 1. His fellow overseas pro, Jon Kent, also failed to reach double figures, and Scotland ended up with 191 in their 31 overs. Sussex won by the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain stopped play, though they were precariously placed at that stage, with just one wicket in hand and 19 runs to get.
Scorecard ReportAugust 25-28 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire drew with GlamorganNo frolic on the Colwyn Bay sands for Yuvraj, who made 2 and 6 in a match that Yorkshire almost lost. They were 124 for 6 chasing 381 on the last day when Anthony McGrath, who had made 92 in the first innings, weighed in with 127 not out. For Yuvraj, a miserable season got even more depressing.
Scorecard ReportAugust 26 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Northamptonshire by 8 wicketsDravid made 24 off 45 as Scotland batted first and were skittled out for 119. Northamptonshire got there easily, for the loss of just two wickets.
ScorecardAugust 24 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Glamorgan by 1 runYorkshire fell short in a thrilling chase, as Glamorgan sneaked to a one-run win. Yuvraj came in at No. 5 and scored 23 off 30 balls, but despite Michael Lumb’s 92 from 94 balls, Yorkshire couldn’t quite get past Glamorgan’s score of 237.
Scorecard ReportAugust 24 National Cricket League
Derbyshire beat Northamptonshire by 3 wicketsDerbyshire avenged their crushing defeat by Northamptonshire in the Frizzell County Championship, eking out a three-wicket in the National League. Kaif’s contribution was just 10, but Michael Di Venuto slammed 130 to take Derbyshire to the victory target of 252.
Scorecard ReportAugust 20-22 Frizzell County Championship
Derbyshire lost to Northamptonshire by an innings and 231 runsOnce again Kaif got starts in both innings, scoring 31 and 14, but failed to carry on, as Derbyshire slumped to a humiliating defeat by an innings and 231 runs. Derbyshire were bowled out for a measly 138 in their first innings, while Northamptonshire bludgeoned 647 for 5 declared. Derbyshire made a better effort the second time around, but despite Michael Di Venuto’s 116, could manage just 278.
ScorecardReportAugust 17 National Cricket League
Derbyshire lost to Hampshire by 6 wicketsIn Derbyshire’s first innings of 158 in 45 overs, Kaif made the third highest score, stroking 21 off 33 balls before falling to Tremlett. His captain, Dominic Cork, made 49 lower down the order, but their final total of 158 for 9 was still not enough to test Hampshire, who cruised home with six wickets to spare.
Scorecard ReportAugust 17 National Cricket League
Yorkshire beat Worcestershire by 3 wicketsYuvraj‘s dismal county season in England continued with Yorkshire’s National League game against Worcestershire. He made 12 – quickly too, off five balls with three fours – before being dismissed off his sixth ball. His contribution to Yorkshire’s successful chase of 171 was thus almost negligible.
Scorecard ReportAugust 13-14 Frizzell County Championship
Derbyshire beat Hampshire by an innings and 43 runsKaif failed to convert his start, being trapped lbw by Chaminda Vaas for 36, but Derbyshire coasted to a thumping win inside two days. Their hero was Dominic Cork, who had match figures of 10 for 67 as Hampshire were bundled out for 143 and 155.
Scorecard ReportAugust 10 National Cricket League
Derbyshire beat Sussex by 6 wicketsKaif and Dominic Hewson combined to guide Derbyshire to a six-wicket victory, with seven balls remaining. Kaif anchored the run-chase, making 55 from 62 balls, while Hewson chipped in with a 29-ball 39. Sussex’s total owed much to a 55-ball 60 from Matthew Prior, but it wasn’t enough in a match restricted to 32 overs-a-side by rain.
Scorecard ReportAugust 7 C&G Trophy semi-final
Derbyshire lost to Gloucestershire by 1 wicketKaif rose to the occasion of a semi-final encounter, scoring a fluent 72 off 83 balls, but Derbyshire were edged out by one wicket in a thriller. Kaif’s knock lifted Derbyshire to 219 in an innings where no other batsman topped 40. Ultimately, though, he was upstaged by Shoaib Malik’s 74, which won the day for Gloucestershire.
Scorecard ReportAugust 6 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Northamptonshire by 75 runsDravid scored a magnificent 114 – his third century of the season – but, like his two previous hundreds, this one was in a losing cause as well, as Northamptonshire triumphed by 75 runs. Dravid knock was laced with eight fours and a six, and came off just 102 balls, but with little support from the rest of the batsmen, the target of 320 was way beyond Scotland’s reach.
Scorecard ReportAugust 4 National Cricket League
Derbyshire lost to Lancashire by 8 wicketsThe first half-century for Kaif in the National League, but his 70, scored off 89 balls with nine fours, wasn’t enough to secure a win for Derbyshire. Kaif got little support from the rest of the batsmen, as Derbyshire folded up for 197. Lancashire romped past the target with almost 10 overs to spare.
Scorecard ReportAugust 4 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Hampshire by 7 wicketsJust the previous day Dravid and Jon Kent had won Scotland a game, and here again they added 103 runs to lift Scotland to 225 for 5 in their 45 overs. Dravid made 81 off 99 balls, with eight fours. John Crawley’s 83 not out won Hampshire the match, but Scotland’s overseas pros had, once again, gained them some respect.
Scorecard ReportAugust 3 National Cricket League
Scotland beat Sussex by 6 wicketsA magnificent victory for Scotland, fashioned by its overseas pros, Dravid and Jon Kent. Chasing 270, Scotland added 57 for the first wicket, before three wickets fell without the addition of a run. Dravid and Kent then added 167 runs before Dravid was out for an efficient 69, off 79 balls, with seven fours. Kent stayed unbeaten with 115 as Scotland won by six wickets.
Scorecard ReportAugust 3 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Gloucestershire by 8 wicketsReturning to the team after being dropped for a four-day match, Yuvraj’s form showed no sign of improvement, as he scored just 5 from 12 balls. There was some cheer for him when he dismissed Alexander Gidman to pick up his first wicket in the National League championship. Gloucestershire romped past the Yorkshire total of 183 to win by eight wickets.
Scorecard ReportAugust 3 National Cricket League
Derbyshire lost to Middlesex by 4 wicketsKaif managed just 1, taking his National League tally to a miserable 69 from four innings, but Derbyshire rode on a 111-ball 106 by Michael Di Venuto to post a challenging 259. It wasn’t enough, though, as Middlesex went past the total with an over to spare.
Scorecard ReportJuly 24-27 Frizzell County Championship
Derbyshire drew with DurhamKaif had another disappointing match, scoring 31 and 7 as Derbyshire drew against Durham. Three declarations in the first three innings of the match left Derbyshire chasing 251 for victory, but by close of play they managed only 204 for 7.
Scorecard ReportJuly 27 National Cricket League
Yorkshire beat Kent by 18 runsYuvraj contributed just 11 runs in Yorkshire’s total of 197 in 45 overs, but it was enough to seal an 18-run win as Kent were bowled out for 179.
Scorecard ReportJuly 23-26 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire drew with HampshireYuvraj’s run of poor form continued against Hampshire. He managed a mere 26 as Yorkshire put together 384, thanks mainly to 155 from Matthew Wood. In response, Hampshire scored 289, and even that would not have been possible if not for Simon Katich’s unbeaten 143. Rain prevented play on the third day, and in their second dig, Yorkshire rattled up a quick 211 with Yuvraj having to remain content with an unbeaten zero off just as many balls. Hampshire clung on to earn a draw after being set 307 to win in 80 overs.
Scorecard ReportJuly 19 Twenty20 Cup Semi-final
Leicestershire lost to Warwickshire by 7 wicketsSehwag’s last Twenty20 innings of the season lasted just three balls as Waqar Younis dismissed him for 5 in the semi-final. Leicestershire managed to put up a competitive score of 162, but Warwickshire overhauled it quite comfortably, with four balls and seven wickets to spare.
Scorecard ReportJuly 15-18 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire v Durham More failures for Yuvraj – he was dismissed for just 7 and 0, taking his Frizzell Championship aggregate to 111 in seven completed innings. This merely capped a wretched outing for Yorkshire, who slid to a three-wicket loss against Durham.
Scorecard ReportJuly 15-18 Frizzell County Championship
Derbyshire v Worcestershire (Ongoing)Kaif will be disappointed with contributions of 31 and 30, but in both innings of the game against Worcestershire, he end up topscoring, as Derbyshire recorded paltry totals of 129 and 96. Worcestershire’s 301 proved to be more than enough to seal a game dominated by their bowlers. Michael Mason’s first-innnings 5 for 43 was overshadowed by Kabir Ali, who scythed through the Derby batting with 8 for 58 in 15.4 overs.
Scorecard ReportJuly 13 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Worcestershire by 76 runsA comfortable victory for Leicestershire. Trevor Ward, with 68, and Sehwag – who slammed three sixes in a blistering 59-ball 76 – gave Leicestershire the perfect start, while Darren Maddy provided the late innings-momentum with 58. Stephen Peters anchored the reply with 82, but Worcestershire were never on the ball as Jeremy Snape and David Brignull both finished with three wickets.
Scorecard ReportJuly 13 National Cricket League
Derbyshire beat Sussex by 6 wicketsA game of two centuries, with Christopher Bassano’s being the decisive contribution, as Derbyshire made it past the target with 20 balls remaining. Kaif cobbled together 44, and Dominic Hewson – who had earlier snared 4 for 40 – made 34 in support of Bassano’s brilliant 126. Murray Goodwin was Sussex’s batting hero with a classy 129.
Scorecard ReportJuly 9-12 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire lost to Middlesex by eight wicketsMiddlesex piled up 620 in their first innings, and Leicestershire began their reply in style. Sehwag smashed 130 off 111 balls, hitting 20 fours and four sixes in the process. All to no avail, as Leicestershire, despite making 447, still had to follow on. Sehwag made just 13 in the second innings, but a draw still seemed possible as Leicestershire set Middlesex a target of 163 from 27 overs. But Andrew Strauss smashed a 67-ball 73 to give Middlesex an eight-wicket win.
Scorecard ReportJuly 9-11 Frizzell County Championship
Derbyshire lost to Gloucestershire by 5 wicketsAn encounter both Derbyshire and Kaif would like to forget. Derbyshire batted first on winning the toss and were skittled out for 89 in just 36 overs (Kaif 12 from 28 balls). Gloucestershire then made 277, and Derbyshire batted a bit better in the second innings, hitting up 356 – Kaif’s contribution was just 6 off 17 balls. Gloucestershire reached the target of 169 without breaking much of a sweat.
Scorecard ReportJuly 9 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Lancashire by 10 wicketsScotland sank to yet another defeat, with Dravid making a bright 26 off 30 balls before being caught behind off fast bowler John Wood, who took 4 for 22 as Scotland laboured to 168 in their allotted 39 overs. Lancashire got there with ten overs, and as many wickets, to spare.
Scorecard ReportJuly 7 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Durham by 114 runsShoiab Akhtar blew Scotland apart with four early wickets after Durham made 267. Dravid evaded Shoaib’s menace, but made only 5, the fifth man out with Scotland’s score on just six. Scotland’s lower order salvaged some pride by taking the score to 153, but all in all, it was an awful outing for both Dravid and Scotland.
ScorecardJuly 6 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Nottinghamshire by four wicketsDravid played a sublime innings of 129 not out, but like his previous century for Scotland, this too went in vain. Coming to the crease at 7 for 2, Dravid paced his innings masterfully as wickets fell around him. At 40 for 4, Scotland were in dire straits, but Dravid, hitting 14 fours and four sixes, counter-attacked magnificently on a wicket that offered generous assistance to the fast bowlers. Scotland finished on 222 for 7 in their 45 overs, and were in the hunt for a while, until Chris Cairns took the game away for Nottinghamshire with an unbeaten 65.
Scorecard ReportJuly 6 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Surrey by seven wicketsYuvraj made 25 off 27, with five fours, but, yet again, failed to convert his start into something more substantial. Yorkshire were all out for 199, and Surrey won easily, thanks largely to a century from Mark Butcher.
Scorecard ReportJuly 2-5 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire beat Derbyshire by 10 wicketsYorkshire thrashed Derbyshire with time to spare, as Kaif saved his side the embarrassment of an innings defeat. Derbyshire followed on after being dismissed for 128 (Kaif 0) chasing Yorkshire’s 444 (Yuvraj 6), and Kaif then grinded four-and-a-half hours for his 87, ensuring that Yorkshire would have to bat again. The result, though, was hardly in question.
Scorecard ReportJuly 2-5 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire drew with WarwickshireSehwag, much as he does for India sometimes in Test cricket, played the longer version of the game as if it was a one-day biff-about. He smashed 30 off 21 in the first innings and a run-a-ball 40 in the second, but did not play the big innings that could have won the game for his side. A combative second-innings century from Sehwag’s fellow overseas professional, Brad Hodge, gave Leicestershire a sniff at victory, but eventually the game drifted to a draw.
Scorecard ReportJune 27-30 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire drew against NottinghamshireSehwag’s first century of the season was a blistering 137, off just 151 balls and included an incredible 25 fours, but Leicestershire were finally saved by rain, which washed out the entire last day’s play. Sehwag scored 56% of his team’s total of 243, but Leicestershire conceded a first-innings lead of 83, and needed 402 to win in the fourth innings, when rain intervened.
Scorecard ReportJune 27-30 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire beat Somerset by 10 wicketsAnother failure for Yuvraj – he managed just 5 to take his aggregate to 98 in five Frizzell County Championship innings – but Yorkshire eked out a comfortable 10-wicket win.
Scorecard ReportJune 27-29 Frizzell County Championship
Derbyshire lost to Northamtonshire by 180 runsKaif made a duck in the second innings, as Derbyshire – needing 287 for a win – were bowled out for a paltry 106. Kaif’s 28 was the second-highest score in Derbyshire’s first innings, and he also chipped in with a wicket, trapping Philip Jacques in front. It was only his 18th first-class scalp.
Scorecard ReportJune 24 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Derbyshire by 1 runA battle of two Indian stars, as Sehwag and Kaif faced off for their respective counties. Kaif came up with the better individual performance, but Sehwag’s team, Leicestershire, won the day. They batted first and made 171 in their 20 overs, Sehwag’s contribution being 15 off 12 at the top of the order. Kaif, with 53 off 40 balls, was at the center of his team’s chase, which ultimately proved futile.
Scorecard ReportJune 24 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire beat Nottinghamshire by 18 runsAn uneventful game for Yuvraj: he made 4 when Yorkshire batted first and scored 196, and took a wicket in the only over he bowled. Yorkshire won by 18 runs, their margin of defeat in their National League game just two days ago.
Scorecard ReportJune 23 Twenty20 Cup
Derbyshire beat Durham by 6 runsKaif failed again, making just 4, but Derbyshire won regardless, posting 157 and restricting Durham to 151 for 5.
Scorecard ReportJune 22 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Yorkshire by 18 runsA good outing for Sehwag, who hit 65 off 80 balls, adding 126 for the second wicket with fellow overseas pro, Australia’s Brad Hodge, who made 104. Leicestershire ended with 251, and despite Yuvraj’s aggressive 50 off 46 balls, Yorkshire ended up on the losing side.
Scorecard ReportJune 21 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Nottinghamshire by 1 wicketFirst, Sehwag took 2 for 19 in four overs as Nottinghamshire were restricted to a gettable 158; then, for the second match in a row, he made 26 off 17 to get Leicestershire off the blocks quickly. It was a sterling performance, and the fourth win in four Twenty20 matches for Leicestershire.
Scorecard ReportJune 21 Twenty20 Cup
Derbyshire beat Lancashire by 7 wicketsKaif failed, though Derbyshire won easily. Dominic Hewson took four wickets as Lancashire was skittled out for 91, but Derbyshire almost made a meal of it. They were 10 for 2 when Kaif walked in, and though he made only 7 off 12, he added 35 crucial runs with Michael Di Venuto, who continued a fine run of form and wrapped up the game with 52 not out.
Scorecard ReportJune 20 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire beat Durham by 55 runsYuvraj opened the batting as Yorkshire batted first and began belligerently, smashing 22 off 9 balls with 3 fours and a six. Yorkshire kept the tempo up after his dismissal and ended with 198. Durham never had a chance, and Yuvraj played a key role with the ball as well, picking up 3 for 20 in his 3 overs.
Scorecard ReportJune 20 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Lancashire by 22 runsSehwag got Leicestershire off to a quick start with 26 off 17, as they piled up 178 in their 20 overs. Sehwag wasn’t required to bowl, as Lancashire were never really in the chase.
Scorecard ReportJune 19 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire lost to Lancashire by 7 wicketsYuvraj, opening the batting, made 13 off 11, as Yourshire could tot up only 102 in their 20 overs. Lancashire overhauled their target with 41 balls to spare.
Scorecard ReportJune 19 Twenty20 Cup
Derbyshire beat Nottinghamshire by 9 wicketsNot much for Kaif to do in this game. Nottinghamshire was knocked over for 94, and Kaif walked in to bat with Derbyshire on 56 for 1. He eased himself to 11 off 12 balls as Derbyshire won with 8.3 overs to spare – a handsome margin for a 20-overs-a-side game.
Scorecard ReportJune 18 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Durham by 46 runsSehwag finally turned in a matchwinning performance for Leicestershire – with ball, not with bat. He made 14 off 11 as Leicestershire made 168 for 9 in their 20 overs, but then bowled magnificently to take 3 for 14 in three overs at the end. Brad Hodge with 64 off 44 and 1 for 19 pipped him to the man-of-the-match award.
Scorecard ReportJune 17 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Middlesex by 112 runsMiddlesex made 255 and Scotland was never in the game, slipping to 36 for 5. Dravid was lbw to Ashley Noffke for 6. None of Scotland’s top five made it to double figures.
Scorecard ReportJune 16 Twenty20 Cup
Yorkshire lost to Leicestershire by 16 runsYuvraj hammered 71 from 37 balls, but it wasn’t enough to help Yorkshire overhaul Leicestershire’s total of 174. For the second Twenty20 game in a row, Yuvraj’s Indian counterpart in the opposing side made a first-ball duck; two days ago it had been Kaif for Derbyshire; now it was Sehwag.
Scorecard ReportJune 15 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Somerset by 1 wicketDravid made a magnificent 120 not out off 97 balls to take Scotland to a commanding 296 for 4 in their allotted 45 overs. The quality of their bowling was appalling though, and Somerset overhauled the target with five balls and one wicket to spare. Dravid’s innings was magnificently paced: his first fifty came off 57 balls, his next fifty off 34, and he reached his hundred with a six. In all, Dravid hit 10 fours and three sixes.
Scorecard ReportJune 15 National Cricket League
Derbyshire lost to Lancashire by five runsKaif failed again, as Derbyshare fell short of Lancashire’s total of 251 by just five runs. He walked in to bat at 24 for 2, but just as a recovery seemed to be underway, Kaif was bowled by Brad Hogg for 12.
Scorecard ReportJune 15 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Worcestershire by 2 wicketsSehwag made a fourth-ball duck, but Leicestershire were chasing only 194, and they won comfortably.
Scorecard ReportJune 14, Twenty20 Cup
Derbshire lost to Yorkshire by 45 runsKaif ended on the losing end of a battle of rising Indian stars; Yuvraj made a sterling 44 off 41 as Yorkshire made 186 for 5 in their 20 overs. Kaif, coming in to bat 36 for 2, made a second-ball duck, being trapped lbw by Ryan Sidebottom. Derbyshire duly crumbled to a 45-run defeat.
Scorecard ReportJune 14 Tour match
Leicestershire lost to Pakistan by 5 wicketsSehwag made 19 off 28, as Leicestershire reached 231 for 7 in their 50 overs. He then bowled five overs and took 0 for 35 as Pakistan won with 19 balls to spare.
Scorecard ReportJune 11 C&G Trophy
Derbyshire beat Surrey by 137 runsKaif played a matchwinning innings of 81, off 85 balls, in his first one-day game for Derbyshire. Kaif came in to bat with the score on 75 for 2, and played an innings of character, nurdling the bowling with ease and dominating a fourth-wicket partnership of 88 with Dominic Hewson. His placement was excellent and his cover-driving, sublime. Derbyshire thus walked into the semi final of the C&G Trophy with an astonishingly easy win, against the one-day powerhouse of the previous year.
Scorecard ReportJune 10 C&G Trophy
Leicestershire lost to Worcestershire by 75 runsA horrid match for Sehwag. Chasing 217, Leicestershire could only make 141 – Sehwag’s contribution in that was 2 off 17 balls. Worcestershire progressed to the semi-final of the C&G Trophy.
Scorecard ReportJune 8 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Kent by 22 runsAn unhappy outing for Yuvraj. Kent made 208 in 45 overs batting first (Yuvraj 0 for 22 in four overs) but Yorkshire stumbled early and could not recover. Yuvraj, batting at No. 5, made just 9.
Scorecard ReportJune 7 Tour match
Scotland lost to Pakistan by 1 wicketDravid made a first-ball duck – caught behind of Shabbir Ahmed, as Scotland, asked to bat after Pakistan won the toss, made 169. Pakistan made a meal of the chase, eventually squeaking through by just one wicket.
Scorecard ReportJune 4-7 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire lost to Lancashire by 10 wicketsLancashire sailed to a comfortable victory here, in a match that was a nondescript outing for Sehwag. After Lancashire had amassed 503, Leicestershire made 314, of which Sehwag’s contribution was 30 off 44. Leicestershire followed on, and Sehwag made just 5 in the second innings, after slipping down the order to No. 4.
Scorecard ReportJune 4-7 Frizzell County Championship
Derbyshire lost to Glamorgan by an innings and 70 runsKaif’sdebut for Derbyshire ended in debacle, as Kaif made 13 (off 26) and 6 (off 12; note the strike-rate in both innings) and Derbyshire lost by their biggest margin of the season. Not an auspicious start.
Scorecard ReportJune 1 National Cricket League
Scotland lost to Hampshire by 7 wicketsDravid seemed upset with himself when he was out for 25, off 41 balls, and with good reason. With his dismissal, Scotland could make no more than 201 in their 45 overs, which was not enough to hold off Hampshire. Robin Smith made 82 not out as Hampshire won with two overs to spare.
Scorecard ReportJune 1 National Cricket League
Leicestershire lost to Gloucestershire by 3 wicketsLeicestershire batted first, Sehwag made 14, and the team ended up on 234 off their 45 overs. Gloucestershire overhauled the total with 8 balls to spare.
Scorecard ReportMay 30-June 1 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire lost to Durham by 167 runsYuvraj made a solid 56, off 83 balls, in Yorkshire’s first innings, as they posted 220 in reply to Durham’s 280. Durham then made 200 and skittled Yorkshire out for 93. Yuvraj was one of nine batsmen to be dismissed on single figures – batting at No. 3, he made 1.
Scorecard ReportMay 28 C&G Trophy
Leicestershire beat Nottinghamshire by 99 runsSehwag gave Leicestershire, who were put in to bat, a crackling start with a lusty 56 off 51 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Leicestershire made 258, and won easily by 99 runs, as Phil DeFreitas took a superb 3 for 20 in his 10 overs, snatching the man-of-the-match award from Sehwag.
Scorecard ReportMay 28 C&G Trophy
Yorkshire lost to Worcestershire by 67 runsYuvraj, batting at No. 5, made 27 off 32 in an unsuccessful run chase, as Yorkshire fell short of Worcestershire’s 244 by 67 runs. Earlier, he had turned his arm over to some effect, conceding only 27 runs in his 6 overs.
Scorecard ReportMay 25 National Cricket League
Yorkshire lost to Glamorgan by 4 wicketsYuvraj played well for his 34, off 53 balls, but it wasn’t enough – Yorkshire scored 153 in their 32 overs, and lost easily in a rain-curtailed game which was decided, eventually, by Duckworth-Lewis.
Scorecard ReportMay 21-24 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire drew with MiddlesexAn uneventful outing for Sehwag, who made just 10 in the only innings in which he batted. Rain spoilt all chances of a result, or even Sehwag batting twice.
Scorecard ReportMay 21-24 Frizzell County Championship
Yorkshire drew with GlamorganYuvraj made an uneventful debut for Yorkshire, scoring 11 in the first innings and being unbeaten on 25, off 51 balls, in the second innings. The weather was factor in this game, which drifted to a tepid draw.
Scorecard ReportMay 18 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Yorkshire by 66 runsSehwag was in fine touch, smashing 54 off 70 balls to give Leicestershire just the start they needed. They racked up 247 in their 45 overs, and won comfortably by 66 runs.
Scorecard ReportMay 14-17 Frizell County Championship
Leicestershire drew with SurreySehwag failed in the first innings of this game, making just 2 as Leicestershire collapsed to 200. In reply, Surrey made 560. Up against the wall, Sehwag then smashed a fiesty 81 off 84 balls, and though the wickets continued tumbling after he was out, rain allowed his side to escape with a draw.
Scorecard ReportMay 7 C&G Trophy
Leicestershire beat Northumberland by 90 runsSehwag missed a golden opportunity to pile up some easy runs against minnows Northumberland. Leicestershire batted first and Sehwag, opening the batting, was out for a quick 16. The rest of the game was surprisingly low-scoring, as Leicestershire made 182 and still managed to win by 90 runs.
Scorecard ReportMay 5 National Cricket League
Leicestershire lost to Gloucestershire by 57 runsOne day after his debut for Leicestershire, Sehwag played his second game and, once again, failed. Gloucestershire batted first and amassed 311, and a good start from Sehwag was essential if Leicestershire were to be in the chase. Alas, he made just 1.
Scorecard ReportMay 4 National Cricket League
Leicestershire lost to Glamorgan by 44 runsSehwag arrived in England at seven a.m. on the day of this game and was promptly picked to make his debut for Leicestershire. Glamorgan batted first, put up 249 in their 45 overs, and then Sehwag went out to open the innings. He made a typically carefree 23, with four thunderous boundaries, before getting out trying to force the pace further.
Scorecard Report

Close New Zealand 384 (Fleming 117) and 190 for 5 (McMillan 28*, Franklin 2*) lead England 319 (Trescothick 63, Cairns 5-79) by 255 runs
Scorecard

New Zealand started the third day at Trent Bridge with a timely morale boost from Down Under. In their Rugby Union international against England, the All Blacks romped to a crushing 36-3 victory. It was the sort of news that couldn’t help but inspire their black-capped cousins to greater deeds.Sure enough, James Franklin and Chris Cairns shared nine wickets between them to secure a highly improbable 65-run lead, before Mark Richardson and Stephen Fleming more than doubled the advantage with a coolly-compiled 94-run opening stand. By the close, New Zealand led by 255 runs with five wickets remaining. All it will take is defeat by France tomorrow evening, and England’s sporting bubble will have been well and truly pricked.New Zealand’s position would have been even better, had it not been for a couple of howlers from umpire Simon Taufel, who sent Stephen Fleming on his way, lbw for 45, before adjudging Scott Styris to have been caught behind for 39, as he swiped at a wide delivery from Steve Harmison with three overs of the day remaining.There was clear daylight between Styris’s bat and the ball (and, at that stage, between New Zealand’s prospects and those of England) but the error allowed England to regroup before the close. New Zealand still remain in charge, but with two bowlers missing from their attack, they need to set England something nearer 350 if they are to have any realistic hopes of avoiding the whitewash.Mind you, the absence of Chris Martin and Kyle Mills had made no difference in morning session, when Cairns’s wily assortment of slower balls, and Franklin’s zippy left-arm swingers were too much for England’s remaining five batsmen, who were rattled out on the stroke of lunch, for the addition of 94 runs.In reply, England’s seamers made a lethargic start. For the most part they were accurate but unthreatening, and Richardson and Fleming settled in for the long haul. Fleming struggled to get the ball off the square at first, but Richardson was in an uncharacteristic hurry to capitalise on his scoring opportunities. Every time England bowled too straight, he would clip them through midwicket; too much width and they disappeared through the covers.

It was left to Ashley Giles to make the breakthrough. On 41, Giles had got his palm to an uppercut off Harmison, but he made amends in the second over of his spell, as Richardson played across the line and was pinned plumb lbw by a sharply turning delivery. He was gone for 49, one short of his fourth half-century of the series, and he was rightly applauded from the field by the Trent Bridge crowd. New Zealand may have lost the series, but in batting nearly 22 hours for his 369 runs, Richardson has remained unbowed throughout.After tea, New Zealand’s middle-order stumbled in that now-characteristic manner. Brendon McCullum was utterly deceived by a fine piece of bowling from Giles, beaten in the flight as he came down the track and well held by Flintoff at slip as the ball skewed off a leading edge (106 for 2).Flintoff then took the big wicket of Fleming, who had been troubled by his tight off-stump line from around the wicket, and was sent on his way by Taufel as he padded up to one that would have been slipping over the top of off stump (126 for 3). When Nathan Astle followed for a fourth-ball duck, Flintoff was on a roll and England were in the ascendancy. But Styris and Craig McMillan brought down the shutters, at least until Taufel’s late aberration.It was not one of Taufel’s best days as an umpire. Earlier, he had scuppered England’s prospects of a first-innings lead when he gave Graham Thorpe out for 45 to a leg-side delivery that flicked his thigh pad. At that stage England had been reduced to 255 for 7, with the nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard the other early wicket, caught fending to slip off Franklin.Giles and Geraint Jones showed what might have been on another day. Jones got off the mark in style, cutting Franklin to the point boundary off the fourth ball he faced, then square-driving the last ball of the over for four more. But just as he appeared to be settling in for another of his calculated assaults, he aimed a woolly swish over midwicket, and Scott Styris had the wicket, lbw for 22. At 295 for 8, England were in the doldrums.Giles demonstrated his worth with an important 45, full of sound judgment and impressive improvisation, but Cairns at the other end was too clever for England’s tailenders. Martin Saggers had no answer to another beautifully conceived slower ball, which rolled inexorably back onto his stumps, and Harmison was comprehensively beaten by a second-ball yorker. His dismissal completed Cairns’s 13th five-wicket haul, and given New Zealand’s injury crisis, it was one of his most timely interventions as well.

Nick Knight, currently in his 10th season with Warwickshire, has agreed to a three-year extension to his contract. In his benefit year Knight has lead Warwickshire to the top of Division One in the County Championship, and has been in excellent form personally, scoring 981 runs, including the first triple-century of his career, at an average of 75.46 this season. He is also Warwickshire’s leading run scorer in one-day cricket this year, with 681 runs at just over 60.”Although I was flattered to be approached by a number of other counties, it was never in my mind to leave Warwickshire,” he told the Stellar Group. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Birmingham and during my time here the county has been at the forefront of the game, both on and off the pitch. Once again we are well-placed to win some silverware and with the strength and depth of the younger players coming through, I can only see good times ahead.”Personally, I am enjoying an excellent season with the bat and feel like I am capable of scoring well every time I go into bat,” he added. “The side are all playing well and at the moment and it makes my job a very simple one.”

The Australian television network due to broadcast the four-Test series against India is confident of screening it no matter which Indian company wins the coverage rights.A spokesman for Fox Sports, the satellite channel owned by Rupert Murdoch, said there had been discussions with other possible providers in thesubcontinent to ensure that if the matches were played, they would be shown in Australia.A battle for the rights is being staged in the Supreme Court in Delhi, which was today due to hear a petition filed by Zee Telefilms over the BCCI’s decision to cancel its A$430 million four-year contract to telecastIndian cricket.Murdoch also controls the ESPN-Star network, which challenged the deal on the grounds that Zee did not have the required experience as a cricket broadcaster.Both the ICC and Cricket Australia are against playing the series without live television coverage and the BCCI is currently finalising arrangements for another broadcaster to pick up the series.”Discussions have been held with other parties and no matter who gets it we are in a position to provide coverage here,” said Dugald Saunders, a Fox Sports spokesman. “From our point of view it doesn’t actually matter who gets the rights over there.”The first Test is due to start in Bangalore on October 6.

India 211 for 3 (Sehwag 90, Tendulkar 44) beat Zimbabwe 208 for 6 (Streak 59*) by 7 wickets with 12.2 overs to spare
Scorecard

The third match of the VB Series, at Hobart, resulted in a comprehensive win for India, after yet another worrying top-order collapse prevented Zimbabwe from reaching a competitive total. Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar put on their second century stand of the series as India achieved the 209-run target with 12.2 overs to spare to take home a bonus point as well. Heath Streak top-scored for Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 59 and troubled the Indian openers early on, but was let down by most of his team-mates.India’s opening pair initially approached batting with caution. Having done that, Tendulkar got into his groove and split the field with languid ease, bringing out a range of strokes that had gathered cobwebs during the Test series. The cut over point, the expansive drives, and a loft over mid-off were all on display. At the other end, Sehwag, who had lost his touch temporarily, found his variety of strokes again, much to the bowlers’ chagrin.After surviving when Tatenda Taibu put down a difficult chance, Sehwag rubbed in the mistake that very over, picking a delivery from Sean Ervine and putting it into the stands at midwicket. Sehwag brought his wrists into play often, pulling balls from outside off stump to midwicket, and standing high and punching through cover. And when Raymond Price bowled to him, spectators at midwicket were under constant threat.But Price wasn’t exactly powerless. He nearly had Tendulkar caught at cover, but for a straightforward chance being put down by Streak. Tendulkar’s masterclass ended the next over, when he played down the wrong line and was bowled by Ervine for 44 (129 for 1). After missing out on Tendulkar’s wicket, Price had his sights set on Sehwag (90), who played one shot too many, and spooned a catch to cover (158 for 2). Hemang Badani (15) made a minimal contribution, before playing an expansive drive and nicking a ball to Taibu (172 for 3). Sourav Ganguly then came out to score 32 of the 37 runs India needed, and took the team home by seven wickets.Earlier, though Streak held firm at one end, he needed support. It came in the form of Ervine, who smashed an unbeaten 48 off just 33 balls. Both batsmen took their chances, and raised a rambunctious 93-run partnership off only 72 balls. They ran hard, hit harder, and India’s bowlers, who had given a good account of themselves so far, didn’t know what to do. Anil Kumble bowled eight overs for 19, but then ran into Ervine, who hit a six over cover, and helped himself to 19 more off Kumble’s last two overs. Ajit Agarkar’s last over was taken apart for 20, after the first seven had gone for 19. A spectacular six over long-on preceded an even grander hit out of the ground over midwicket. Later that over, Streak flayed one to deep extra cover to reach his fifty. It was the kind of batting display that made you forget the bad start, until India put the target in perspective.India’s bowlers choked the runs and took wickets at regular intervals to keep Zimbabwe on the mat. The openers played watchfully for three overs, before Vusi Sibanda ran for a single that might have been on if Inzamam had been the fielder. Instead, Yuvraj Singh, at point, dived, stopped, and flung the ball to the bowler’s end, and Sibanda (12) was found short of his crease (14 for 1).Stuart Matsikenyeri played tentatively throughout his stay and scored 9 before attempting a full-blooded whack off Irfan Pathan to the leg side, only to loop it up gently for Badani to take a simple catch at cover (36 for 2).Shortly after, Kumble slipped a googly through Mark Vermeulen (2), bringing an end to a scratchy 24-ball innings (48 for 3). The next three batsmen got themselves out: Stuart Carlisle (37) played across the line to a straight one from Sehwag, Grant Flower (15) patted a ball back to the bowler, and Taibu somehow converted a full-length delivery from Badani into a yorker (114 for 6). It was at this stage that Ervine walked out to join Streak, and show the top order how things should be done. But it wasn’t enough, as India bludgeoned their way to victory, turning the three-team series more and more into a two-horse race.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Honours ended even after a truncated but intriguing opening day to the fourth Test at Trent Bridge. Marcus Trescothick led the early charge for England before Shaun Tait struck back for Australia following a lengthy rain break. Michael Vaughan was again in impressive form but fell to his opposite number, Ricky Ponting, shortly before rain drove the players off for the final time as 30 overs were lopped off the day.After a nine-day break between the end of the extraordinary events at Old Trafford and the resumption of hostilities here, the question was who would bring more momentum into this match. The initial signs – as Trescothick and Andrew Strauss laid into a patched-up Australia attack – were that England were again on top, but Australia produced enough evidence to suggest that the final two Tests in this epic series will be as tough as the previous three.Australia, for the second time in three Tests, received a blow just before the teams were named when Glenn McGrath was ruled out an elbow injury. With Tait already pencilled in for his first Test, Michael Kasprowicz was recalled in similar circumstances to his hurried inclusion at Edgbaston following McGrath’s ankle injury.As McGrath and the dropped Jason Gillespie – with a combined total of 764 Test wickets – watched from the pavilion, Brett Lee led the Australian attack after Vaughan had won the toss. Trescothick and Strauss played the opening half a dozen overs very watchfully but it quickly became apparent that the pitch was flat, there was no swing and the Australia attack was fairly unthreatening.Without a full-strength attack it was vital that Australia made the most of their chances but there were again a clutch of missed opportunities. Trescothick was bowled off a no-ball by Lee, Kevin Pietersen was dropped by Kasprowicz from a caught-and-bowled chance on 14, and Matthew Hayden spilled Vaughan in the gully when he had 30. Hayden also missed a chance to run out Pietersen with a shy at the stumps and Australia continued to lack that edge which everyone has become accustomed to.

However, Tait did bring a new dimension to the bowling attack, even if his opening spell was rather erratic. He nudged the speedgun into the mid-nineties but Ponting quickly turned to Shane Warne – who was welcomed by a straight six from Trescothick – with England rattling past 100 at their familiar scoring rate of over four an over.Trescothick moved to fifty from 77 balls and it was difficult to see where a wicket was coming from. But you rarely have to look further than Warne in that sort of situation and he conjured one up when Strauss bottom-edged a sweep onto his foot and the ball ballooned up to Matthew Hayden at slip. Strauss stood his ground as Steve Bucknor referred the decision to the third umpire and the replays clearly showed the ball had hit his boot and not the ground.Trescothick then received his stroke of fortune when he dragged Lee into his stumps only for the umpire to call no-ball. The Australians were well into their celebrations when they heard the call – and Trescothick was off towards the dressing room – but the bowlers had been asking for trouble. A profligate 18 no-balls were sent down before lunch and although they imporved to keep the tally down to 22 overall it was only a matter of time before they claimed wicket from one of them.But any momentum England took into lunch was washed away by the frustrating stream of showers that passed over the ground during the afternoon. Just 3.1 overs were possible between lunch and tea and it was Australia – having had time to regroup – who benefited from the stop-start nature of play.While the openers had blazed away during a sunny morning session the clouds hovering around Trent Bridge now gave the bowlers extra encouragement. Tait made a dramatic first mark when he castled Trescothick with the fourth ball of the evening session and then produced a perfect outswinger to Ian Bell, which was edged through to Adam Gilchrist. It was an impressive burst from Tait who showed all the attributes which had been talked of before the Test.

Within the space of 15 minutes England’s innings had a new complexion and some careful consolidation was required by Vaughan and Pietersen. They were both selective in their strokeplay, content to leave plenty of deliveries, but not afraid to dispatch loose offerings to the boundary. Both received let-offs and Vaughan, especially, set about making the most of his second life as he passed his half-century from 77 balls. He unleashed a range of well-timed strokes but none better than a stunning cover drive off Lee.Pietersen was his usual hyperactive self, walking across his stumps to make the most of the gaps in the leg side. But after almost getting himself run out he held back some of his attacking instincts. This was due, in no small part, to Ponting who sensed the need for another breakthrough and decided on the bold move of introducing himself.The gamble paid rich dividends when Vaughan, just as he appeared set for a major innings, feathered a catch through to Gilchrist. Ponting’s strike broke a stand of 67 between Vaughan and Pietersen but whether the move was a captaincy masterstroke or act of desperation is still open to debate. One thing that wasn’t expect this summer was that Ponting and Warne would bowl the same number of overs on the opening day of a Test.However, given the current state of their bowling attack Ponting won’t care where the wickets come from. There has never been a dull session in this series and with England’s powerful – if inconsistent – middle order at the crease and Australia knowing a couple of quick strikes will give them control, this match is on a knife edge.

EnglandAndrew Strauss c Hayden b Warne 35 (105 for 1)
Marcus Trescothick b Tait 65 (137 for 2)
Ian Bell c Gilchrist b Tait 3 (146 for 3)
Michael Vaughan c Gilchrist b Ponting 58 (213 for 4)

Jacques Kallis could miss the first Test against India at Kanpur due to a side strain he suffered during the tour game against the Indian Board President’s XI. He was advised to not take further part in the match, and a media spokesperson for the team said that Kallis’s fitness would be assessed before he would be picked.”He has been advised not to take any more part in the ongoing match,” the BBC website quoted Gerald de Kock, the media spokesperson. “His fitness will be assessed on Wednesday before a decision is taken regarding his participation in the Kanpur Test.”Kallis scored 10 runs off 39 balls before bowling only three overs in the game. His role as a No.3 batsman as well as a quick bowler was seen as pivotal for a largely inexperienced South African side that had struggled to compete recently. Since the start of 2004 South Africa have lost 12 of 18 one-dayers, and have won only two of seven Tests. Kallis’s part was a significant one during the year, for he scored 1585 runs and picked up 22 wickets. Admittedly, the wickets came at the unusually high cost of 43.18.A few days earlier, Kallis had admitted to feeling good about his game. “I have always seen myself as a batsman and bowler. The ball is coming out sweetly, and I am confident of doing well,” he had said to PTI. But his absence would mean that South Africa will have lost a player well-versed with Indian conditions – a futher blow to a side reeling from the late withdrawals of Nicky Boje and Herschelle Gibbs. It was something that Kallis recognised and mentioned only days before the injury. “We have lost experienced players since the World Cup and you can’t buy experience in some supermarket. It takes a while to replace the vacant slots.”