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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

Watching the Indian team struggle these days without an all-rounder,my mind goes back to the early 60s. Frank Worrell’s all-conqueringWest Indian side had routed India 5-0 at home and then defeatedEngland 3-1. The side was being regarded as one of the best of alltime, primarily because it was said, it had the ideal combination forTest matches ­ five batsmen, two all-rounders, a wicket-keeper andthree bowlers.

Almost 40 years later, that would be still be the right combinationfor a successful Test team. Think of any of the great Test sides, andyou will see that they had one or two high-quality all-rounders. Ifone goes back even 80 years to the first side that is reckoned to beone of the great Test combinations of all time ­ Warwick Armstrong’sformidable Australian squad of the early 20s ­ it will be observedthat it had two fine all-rounders in Jack Gregory and the skipperhimself.Consider another combination that is considered one of the greatestsquads of all time ­ Don Bradman’s Invincibles, the Australian side ofthe late 40s – and you will see the name of Keith Miller figuringprominently in the many triumphs. Why, even take some of the mostsuccessful Indian teams and it can be seen that the all-rounder hasplayed an important role in victories. The Indian team of 1971, whichcompleted a double triumph in West Indies and England, had Abid Ali,while Eknath Solkar, because of circumstances, was also forced into autility role, performing creditably.The 1976 team at Port of Spain, which notched up one of the mostremarkable victories in Test cricket, had Madan Lal and MohinderAmarnath, while the teams that registered the great triumphs atMelbourne in 1981 and in England in 1986 had the omnipotent presenceof Kapil Dev. At Melbourne, Kapil had Karsan Ghavri by his side, whilein the twin triumphs in England five years later, there was anembarrassment of riches for, as skipper, Kapil could count on theservices of Roger Binny, Madan Lal and Ravi Shastri.The current Indian team, soldiering along without an all-rounder forsome time now, can take heart from the fact that some remarkablysuccessful sides have not possessed such a utility man. The formidableAustralian team of the mid-70s under the Chappell brothers regularlyfielded teams that were a combination of six batsmen, a battingwicket-keeper and four bowlers. Clive Lloyd’s fearsome West Indiansquad of the 80s also took the field with much the same combination inrunning up their record run of 11 successive wins, 26 matches withoutdefeat, and two consecutive `blackwashes’ over England.But of course, in such circumstances, both the batting and bowlingwere of the awesome kind. An Australian attack of Dennis Lillee, JeffThomson, Max Walker and Ashley Mallett was the perfect back-up to abatting line-up that included Rick Cosker, Ian Redpath, the Chappells,Ross Edwards, Doug Walters and Rodney Marsh. Similarly, in the 80s,Clive Lloyd did not really need the services of an all-rounder whenthe batting consisted of Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, RichieRichardson, Larry Gomes, Vivian Richards, Jeff Dujon and himself,backed by a fearsome bowling quartet of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding,Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall.The present Indian squad has a niggling problem of a missing allrounder. But what prevents them from duplicating the feats of theAustralian and West Indian sides just mentioned is that the bowling isnot up to the mark, even on paper. The problem gets compounded whenthe batting, which on paper looks pretty solid and even exciting, doesnot perform up to potential. Certainly, on both form and reputation, aline-up of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVSLaxman, together with the promise of Shiv Sundar Das and VirenderSehwag, does not compare unfavourably with the batting of both theoutstanding teams already cited ­ even if the bowling admittedly isseveral notches below the attacks mentioned. The onus is thus on thebatsmen to come good and to play up to potential if the side is to dowell. It is true that batsmen rarely win matches all on their own, butthey can at least save them, can’t they?

Sri Lanka’s sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera has said that elections for Sri Lanka Cricket will be held in January 2016. SLC has been administered by a nine-member interim committee, headed by former cricketer Sidath Wettimuny, since April 1.Speaking at an event at the Pallekele stadium, Jayasekera said: “Elections will be held in January next year, and those eligible could contest and get elected. Those elected to power to this prestigious body will have the challenge of generating their own finances to fund the ongoing projects for the future undertaken by the present interim administration.”This is not the first time January elections have been mentioned. Three months ago, the Sri Lanka board itself had stated its commitment to holding elections before the end of January.The interim committee was established because the posts held by the then existing office-bearers, led by president Jayantha Dharmadasa, had become null and void – the laws governing all sports bodies in the country require annual elections to be held on or before March 31 but SLC’s elections were postponed until the end of April due to the 2015 World Cup, which ended on March 29. The interim committee’s time in power was not specified, but it was expected to last not more than six months.In April, the ICC announced that the appointment of an interim committee at SLC was a breach of the ICC’s constitution. As such, it had placed certain sanctions on SLC, including holding payments due to the board in escrow, and suspending SLC’s voting rights at ICC meetings. The ICC had also urged SLC to hold elections by October, but this is understood to have been a soft deadline.

Jhye Richardson is in the frame to be included in Australia’s squad for the Boxing Day Test following a successful recovery from shoulder surgery.Pat Cummins is expected to sit out Melbourne, and potentially the rest of the series, with the Ashes secured after victory in Adelaide, meaning there is a vacancy in the pace attack. Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser, who took a five-wicket haul in Brisbane, played earlier in the series and would also be in contention to return to the XI but ESPNcricinfo understands Richardson is very close to being in consideration.Richardson trained with the Test group ahead of Adelaide but was not officially part of the squad.Related

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Australia also need to replace Nathan Lyon who is out of the series with a hamstring injury. Todd Murphy is likely the frontrunner, although Western Australia’s Corey Rocchiccioli could earn a first call-up, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann had a successful tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year and toured the West Indies.Should Richardson’s official return to a Test squad be locked in, it would come exactly a year since he was last included, against India for the Boxing Day Test. Shortly after that, he opted to undergo shoulder surgery to fix long-standing issues and was ruled out of action for nearly 12 months. The selectors had long held hope that he would be in contention for the latter stages of the Ashes.He has made a gradual return to action in recent months, starting in grade cricket before playing for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions. He then featured for Australia A against the Lions where he increased his workload, claiming five wickets across 26 overs.