An unbeaten century by Suzie Bates led New Zealand Women to a comfortable eight wicket win against Australia Women in the first match of the Rose Bowl

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Dec-2012
Scorecard
Suzie Bates’s unbeaten 122 helped New Zealand complete the chase in the the 45th over•Getty Images

An unbeaten century by Suzie Bates led New Zealand to a comfortable eight-wicket win against Australia in the first match of the Rose Bowl at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Chasing 249, New Zealand lost opener Lucy Doolan in the seventh over, but Bates found solid support from Amy Satterthwaite as the two put on 168 runs for the second wicket at almost a run a ball. Satterthwaite fell for 98, but Bates carried on, got to her century with a boundary, and completed the chase in the 45th over in the company of Sara McGlashan.Australia had earlier chosen to bat and had slipped to 4 for 97 in the 20th over with Rachel Candy picking up two big wickets of Jess Cameron and Lisa Sthalekar. Opening batsman Meg Lanning, who was unbeaten at this stage, stabilised the innings with a half-century, but three more wickets fell for nine runs reducing Australia to 7 for 157. An 80-run recovery stand between Jodie Fields, who scored 51, and Erin Osborne took the team to relative safety and helped them set a competitive target. Candy was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 35.The second ODI of the four match series will be played on December 14 in Sydney.

Justin Ontong has been named captain of the South African Invitation XI for the tour match against Pakistan at Buffalo Park

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2013Justin Ontong has been named captain of the South African Invitation XI for the tour match against Pakistan at Buffalo Park, East London from January 25 to 28. The selectors did not pick any players from the Titans and Lions franchises because those teams will be playing a first-class match at that time.”It is nevertheless a very strong team drawn from the other four franchises and includes five players who have represented the Proteas across the various formats,” the team’s coach Vinnie Barnes said. “We have achieved a balance between established franchise players who have been doing well in the Sunfoil Series as well as giving an opportunity to younger players who have shown promise.”The squad includes Ayabulela Gqamane, the Warriors bowler who has taken 96 wickets in 25 first-class matches. Wayne Parnell, who has a wrist injury, was expected to be fit in time for the game.SA Invitation XI: Justin Ontong (capt), Kyle Abbott, Cody Chetty, Ayabulela Gqamane, Simon Harmer, Beuran Hendricks, Davy Jacobs, Wayne Parnell, Andrew Puttick, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas.

Derek Bowden, a former chief executive at Ipswich Town FC, has been named as the new chief executive at Essex. He will join the club early in the season.

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Feb-2013Derek Bowden, a former chief executive at Ipswich Town FC, has been named as the new chief executive at Essex. He will join the club early in the season.Bowden joins Essex at a vital time in the county’s history. Agreement has been reached for an £80m redevelopment of the County Ground which will include the building of several apartment blocks around the ground to finance a new pavilion, media box, cricket school, car park, public square and bridge over the River Cam.Before joining Ipswich, Bowden spent more than 18 years in senior management roles at Saatchi & Saatchi, the global advertising agency.Nigel Hilliard, chairman of Essex Cricket, said, “Derek has a wealth of experience in the commercial and sporting world, which will be of great benefit to the club at a time when we are embarking on a major redevelopment of the ground.”The first phase in the redevelopment is to build a block of 62 apartments on top of the current cricket club car park. Only a few remain unsold. Upon completion, Essex’s capacity will rise by 2,000 to 8,000.Bowden replaces David East who will soon take up the post of chief executive of Abu Dhabi cricket club and Emirates Cricket Board.

Preview of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle

The Preview by Andrew Fernando and Mohammad Isam07-Mar-2013

Match facts

March 8-12, Galle
Start time 1000 (0430 GMT)
Angelo Mathews (left) faces his first challenge as full-time Sri Lanka captain•AFP

Big Picture

A Test match in Galle against Bangladesh might usually comprise a straightforward challenge for Sri Lanka, but with the contracts crisis less than a week behind them and a fresh-faced top order set to take guard, the potential for an upset has shot up. Sri Lanka’s selectors have approached the tour as an opportunity to blood young players, tilting the squad balance heavily towards raw talent, and if an improving Bangladesh side score a shock victory, Angelo Mathews’ Test captaincy will have had as poor a start as he could have imagined.On paper, Sri Lanka are by some distance the favourites in Galle – a venue from which they have customarily taken a 1-0 lead into the remainder of the series, having lost only three times in 21 matches there. The pitch, which usually takes turn from day one, shapes as a paradise for all spinners, but even men as gifted as Saeed Ajmal and Graeme Swann have not managed to imitate the success Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers achieve there as a matter of routine.It will help too for Sri Lanka that several batsmen in the likely top seven have scored heavily in first-class engagements since the tour of Australia. Angelo Mathews and Tillakaratne Dilshan both made big hundreds in their last match, while Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne have also strung together solid scores in the past few weeks. Either Jeevan Mendis or Kithuruwan Vithanage are likely to debut, and both men are also coming off big scores – in Vithanage’s case, against the very attack the visitors will probably field in the first Test.Bangladesh are also with several key players, but the ones on tour are a different breed than the cricketers who have visited Sri Lanka in the last four full tours. Bangladesh now gives their youngsters time on the domestic circuit before drafting them into the senior side. Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque are the latest talents to roll out of age-group and domestic cricket, with Jahurul Islam and Marshall Ayub being picked on their recent form.Captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal will have to do most of the running, but the likes of Mahmudullah and Nasir Hossain have soaked up pressure in the recent past. Bangladesh’s bowling attack however is thin, and the gap left by the injured Shakib Al Hasan will take some filling. Someone has to fill his role as the wicket-taker and then run-controller, but none of these bowlers have done so on the big stage for an extended period.Sri Lanka’s off field problems may have closed the gap between the teams somewhat, at least psychologically, but those who have seen Bangladesh capitulate in a matter of overs in Test cricket would still be wary of a one-sided contest. But this is a young team with several cricketers who seek the limelight; their desire would have to be translated on to the field for this to be a good Test match.

Form guide

Sri Lanka: LLLLW (Completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LLLLL

Players to watch

Angelo Mathews was by no means an automatic choice for Test captain, despite having been groomed for the role for the better part of two years, and he has plenty to prove in this Test and the series. He has a passable average of 39.71 for a No.6, but he’s made only one hundred in 50 innings, and his bowling figures in the longest format are far worse than Dilshan’s, who himself would not be termed an allrounder. Mathews has also rarely been seen offering tactical counsel for past captains, and in addition to his ability to re-energise the side after the weekend’s disruptive events, his strategic nous will also be on trial.Sohag Gazi is going to be Mushfiqur Rahim’s go-to bowler in spinning conditions, particularly in Shakib’s absence. The offspinner has greatly improved, going from playing first-class cricket for Barisal Division to becoming the leading spinner in his first away Test. A self-made cricketer, Gazi’s breed of offspin isn’t different from the orthodox lot but since making the senior team earlier this season, he has added a few more variations to his armoury.

Team news

With Mahela Jayawardene out through injury and Thilan Samaraweera not picked – and subsequently retired – Sri Lanka will have to pick at least four batsmen with fewer than ten Tests’ experience, as it is unlikely they will play five bowlers. Kithuruwan Vithanage, who scored an unbeaten 168 in the tour match could be in line for a debut, but Jeevan Mendis has an equally good chance, as he can provide an extra bowling option.The second spinner’s spot is also up for grabs, and uncapped 19-year-old Tharindu Kaushal may also be looking at a debut, though he will have to fight off Ajantha Mendis, who is the more likely candidate. With so much inexperience elsewhere, Sri Lanka may choose the more seasoned hand of Nuwan Kulasekara over Shaminda Eranga.Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Lahiru Thirimanne, 5 Kithuruwan Vithanage, 6 Angelo Mathews (capt), 7 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 8 Nuwan Kulasekara/Shaminda Eranga 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Ajantha Mendis/Tharindu Kaushal, 11 Chanaka WelegedaraTo fill the four vacant slots in the batting line-up, Bangladesh are likely to give Mominul a Test debut at No. 6. Mohammad Ashraful will come in too, but there is still uncertainty about Jahurul Islam and Anamul Haque to open with Tamim Iqbal, who could play through pain in his right hand. Rubel Hossain has pain in his back so he too could be replaced by Shahadat Hossain. Or as a safety-first option, they could go with Elias Sunny, making it a completely spin-based attack.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Jahurul Islam/Anamul Haque, 3 Mohammad Ashraful, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Mominul Haque, 7 Nasir Hossain, 8 Sohag Gazi, 9 Elias Sunny, 10 Abul Hasan, 11 Rubel Hossain/Shahadat Hossain

Stats and trivia

• Bangladesh have lost all eight Tests they played in Sri Lanka, and have never taken a match into the fifth day
• Kumar Sangakkara scored back-to-back double hundreds on Bangladesh’s last tour to Sri Lanka, and averaged 428 in the series
• In three Tests in Galle last year, Rangana Herath took 28 wickets at 14.28
• This is the first Test Mahela Jayawardene will miss since July 2002
• Mohammad Ashraful is by far Bangladesh’s most successful Test batsman in Sri Lanka, scoring two hundreds including the one on debut that set the world record for the youngest batsman to score a century on debut

Quotes

“I think there is no added pressure as such. We have played without Shakib for parts of the series against West Indies, so nothing much has changed. I think a bit of pressure can be a good thing, and I am confident we, as a team, can handle it.”
“Mahela and Thilan are two of our most experience players, so we will miss them. Bangladesh is a very good team, and they’ve played well in the recent past, so this is an opportunity for all of us to [prove ourselves and] come through with a win. I’m sure we can be successful.”

Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of all cricket for up to eight weeks by the knee injury which has been troubling him during the New Zealand tour

Andrew McGlashan in Auckland20-Mar-2013Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of all cricket for up to eight weeks by the knee injury which has been troubling him during the New Zealand tour. He will miss the deciding Test in Auckland, which starts on Friday, as well as the IPL with a view to him being fit for the Champions Trophy and the Ashes.The estimated recovery time makes Pietersen doubtful for the return series against New Zealand, beginning on May 16 at Lord’s. He first felt the problem, which could be caused by cartilage damage, during the warm-up match in Queenstown, although it only really came to light when he was absent for a session of the Dunedin Test. England were fielding at the time and it was played down as nothing serious. He made 0 and 12 in the first Test, and although he responded with 73 in Dunedin, he was never fluent but remained on the field.”Pietersen experienced knee pain while fielding in preparation for the four-day game in Queenstown earlier this month, ahead of the Test series,” the ECB said in a statement. “This has failed to resolve satisfactorily.”Recent scans confirm an injury to the right knee with bone bruising and possible cartilage damage to the kneecap. The 32-year-old will return to the UK for further investigations and specialist review.”The injury is likely to require ongoing assessments and a likely six-eight week period of rest and rehabilitation. Pietersen has therefore been withdrawn from all cricket including the Indian Premier League.”The fact Pietersen has not been kept on in New Zealand with the series at stake shows that time is already of the essence to get him ready for the main events of the English season. In 2009 he was forced out mid-way through the Ashes series with a career-threatening Achilles injury.Pietersen’s withdrawal will mean a likely recall to the middle order for Jonny Bairstow, the Yorkshire batsman who has not played since the Twenty20 series earlier in the tour. His previous Test was against India, in Mumbai, when he stood in for Ian Bell who went home for the birth of his child.It won’t be the first time Bairstow has replaced Pietersen in a Test line-up. He came in for the deciding match against South Africa, at Lord’s, last year following Pietersen’s dropping after the text-message controversy. Baristow responded with scores of 95 and 54. In five Tests he has scored 196 runs at 32.66.England will now be sweating on the fitness of two key players over the next two months. Graeme Swann is currently in the early stages of his recovery from elbow surgery after he was ruled out of the New Zealand tour on the morning of the first Test.

It has taken Chris Wright a while to find his feet in professional cricket. But he’s clicked at Edgbaston. He took his best figures for the county as they steamrollered Durham on the final day

Alex Winter at Edgbaston20-Apr-2013
ScorecardChris Wright’s best figures for for Warwickshire will encourage the belief that a Test cap is not beyond him•Getty Images

It has taken Chris Wright a while to find his feet in professional cricket. He was overlooked by three counties and even went to Sri Lanka to get a game. But he has clicked at Edgbaston. He took his best figures for the county as they steamrollered Durham on the final day.Warwickshire got their title defence up and running by demolishing Durham with 46 overs to spare on the final day. Wright, having taken the one wicket to fall before the close on Friday, followed up with a morning spell of 3 for 10 and finished with 6 for 31 – his best performance for the county.Hampshire, Middlesex and Essex all got a good look at Wright and will wonder why the skills that increasingly encourage talk that he is an England bowler-in-waiting never previously surfaced.He nearly did not get his chance at Warwickshire either. Graeme Welch had to lobby Ashley Giles extensively to get him to take Wright on loan during 2011 but Giles was grateful for Welch’s insight.Wright’s bowling inspired Warwickshire to glory almost immediately. His first three appearances included two five-wicket hauls and 22 wickets at 24.31 nearly won the Championship in 2011. 62 scalps at 24.06 last year saw Warwickshire romp away with the pennant. Only poor weather prevented their coronation earlier than the penultimate match of last season.It is hard to make a case against them winning consecutive titles. The bowling attack is unmatched and the batting has enough runs in it, particularly the lower order, to allow the unrelenting foursome of Wright, Keith Barker, Rikki Clarke and Chris Woakes, plus the spin of Jeetan Patel, to win matches.Warwickshire underlined that, given a full match, they will outlast most teams. Durham competed very well for two-and-a-half days but eventually fell away like a tired jet skier, falling to their heaviest runs defeat against Warwickshire. Phil Mustard’s 28 in 140 minutes was as stubborn as they got until he was last out, carving Chris Woakes to point. Paul Collingwood clung on for an hour for 5.The result in no way reflects the situation on the third morning where Durham got on top. That moment and their defeat of Somerset in the opening round will be give confidence that they will survive comfortably. But their batting is not good enough to finish any higher than mid-table. In 16 innings this season the first four Durham batsmen have scored 99 runs and mustered only three double-figure scores between them.Their top three is especially vulnerable. Mark Stoneman and Will Smith are both experienced players with average-to-poor returns. Smith is on an especially poor run. His last 13 innings in the Championship have yielded 74 runs. He was picked this season only on the strength of a century against Durham MCCU in the first match of the year.Twenty-year-old Keaton Jennings is also in that top three. All of them fell to Barker in the first innings and all were claimed by Wright in the second innings. They were not the first and won’t be the last to succumb to highly accurate seam bowling that swung a little.It swung more as the match went on and the wind calmed. Wright said both teams struggled in the strong gusts of the first two days. But the Durham attack – most notably Ben Stokes – found some reverse-swing on the third afternoon and that was a precursor to Warwickshire finding some deadly movement on day four.”The fact that we were moving it both ways made it a lot harder for them,” Wright said in sympathy for the Durham batsman who were rolled for their lowest total against Warwickshire. “Moving the ball around in the air is something this team has been particularly good at.”Wright enjoyed a winter in India working with England bowling coach Kevin Shine. He developed a delivery that shapes away from the left-hander – a skill that has been extremely beneficial for James Anderson – that was evident in the first dismissal of the day. Stoneman followed a back of a length ball that left him slightly and edged behind.But new deliveries or not, Wright felt the full force of flat Australian wickets after Christmas with just four wickets at 49.00 as England went winless on the seven-match List A tour. It was a chastening experience but Wright is used to some low points in his career.”More than anything it was good to be exposed to the conditions, the flatter wickets, and to be involved in the England set up,” Wright said. “But you did need to keep your chin up.”

Chris Rogers and Sam Robson set a new record for the highest ever first-wicket stand for Middlesex against Surrey

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Lord's04-May-2013
ScorecardSam Robson’s impressive start to the season continued•Getty Images

Chris Rogers and Sam Robson set a new record for the highest ever first-wicket stand for Middlesex against Surrey on a day that saw the home side wrestle back the initiative from their south of the river rivals. It was in the 69th over that the record set by Pelham Warner and James Douglas in 1907 at The Oval was passed, and owed as much to the openers’ pro-active start as it did to a pitch that became much easier to bat on.In an elongated afternoon session, Rogers and Robson compiled 161 runs in 48 overs, in a determined yet comfortable manner. They continued on their merry way in the evening with such nonchalance that the passing of Surrey’s total was met with nothing more than a cursory glance at the scorecard from the spectators. While their hundreds were reached at the same pace – both took 185 balls – the nature of their innings bore the imprint of their respective personalities.Robson displayed his aptitude for driving before bringing out his dabs behind square on both sides of the wicket. If you’ll allow the typecasting, he is the evolving opener; growing into his innings through a well-rounded attacking game rather than bitty accumulation. Obviously that comes with its own pitfalls – his conversion rate of fifties to hundreds may never get above the one-third it stands at now – but he is an exciting prospect who should be encouraged to play his game. His decision to try and hook Zander de Bruyn cost him his wicket, but he had played a fine hand.”Been there – done that – did it again” would be the pithy 1990s subtext to Rogers’ first century for Middlesex against Surrey. The majority of his runs against the seamers came through third-man with a deliberateness that Jade Dernbach couldn’t quite believe; anything on his legs was greatly received. Even when he was driving crisply yet straight to the fielders at the end of the day, he would wryly walk away from his crease, before returning to push the next ball around the corner for a couple. It was his career in a nutshell; trial and error – hold the error.The day started with Surrey taking the one remaining wicket before Tim Murtagh and Corey Collymore could add the 28 runs needed to avoid the follow-on. Unsurprisingly, with his bowlers well rested and rain predicted for Sunday, Graeme Smith put Middlesex back in. There was rain in the air; a light drizzle greeted spectators upon their arrival before the start of play and a bigger, longer downpour came with Middlesex 29 without loss.A 40-minute delay and an early lunch later, in muggier conditions, Dernbach drew the first false shot with Rogers edging a difficult chance to Wilson at second slip, which had the Irishman diving to his right and slightly forward, but failing to hold on.At the other end, Chris Tremlett looked strong and quick, bringing his length forward and hitting the bat hard. Watching him the previous day from square of the wicket, the 6ft 7 inch bowler had a notable stop after delivery; an unusual hop, seemingly dissipating any kind of forward momentum. Today he bustled through the crease with greater fluency – the hop making way for a couple of ferocious strides. However, Rogers used this extra pace to slap a couple of fours behind point as he and Robson took Middlesex past fifty with minimal fuss.The springiness of the surface on the opening was a faint memory as the pitch played with more conventional bounce which Robson in particular thrived on. He didn’t have to force the issue, instead timing the ball well on the front foot and, as he moved into the 30s, working the ball through cover-point and in front of square leg off Tim Linley and Dernbach.He moved past fifty for the fourth time this season with his ninth boundary and Rogers soon joined him in the fifties, though not before a little scare when he edged again to second slip, this time well short, off the bowling of Linley. Save that moment, Linley was ineffectual and at times looked like he was returning a favour to Robson.As both players motored on in the evening session, Smith got creative in the field. When Robson was startled by a short-ball from Dernbach, Smith encouraged his bowler to persist and supported him with five men on the leg-side; a wide mid-on, midwicket, deep square leg and two behind square – one of whom was a leg-slip.Considering the circumstances and the protagonists – an Australian batsman in the process of qualifying for England and a South African-born English bowler obeying the orders of his pugnacious yet affable skipper – it was very much Bodyline-lite, and when Dernbach was slightly wide with his short-ball, Robson gleefully moved to 96, and past 3,000 first-class runs.Rogers was not keen to play the short ball, choosing to duck and dive, which only infuriated Dernbach further; he thought he might have had Robson caught off an inside edge but it wasn’t given. The 200 partnership came up with both batsmen on 98 and the only question was who would get there first. In the end it was Rogers with a punch through cover, before Robson followed with a scampered single to midwicket.With an overnight lead of 111, Middlesex’s middle order have the chance to make amends for their earlier misdemeanours and give their bowlers enough runs and – importantly – time to push for a win. The corresponding fixture, albeit on a less accommodating pitch, produced a thrilling finish in Middlesex’s favour, and history suggests it may not just dribble to a draw.If the Sunday of a long weekend has you at a loose end, look no further than Lord’s – where adult tickets £5 and it’s free for over-65s and under-16s – for the finale of what has been a compelling encounter.

County cricket could be played overseas as the ECB seek to ease fixture congestion during the English season.

George Dobell03-Jun-2013County cricket could be played overseas as the ECB seek a radical solution to ease fixture congestion during the English season.ESPNcricinfo understands that, among a raft of proposals under consideration, the ECB has floated the idea of playing the first two rounds of the County Championship overseas, possibly as early as March, in a move that is designed to ease fixture congestion and avoid some of the early-season issues with the weather. This season started on painfully slow pitches and in uncomfortably cold conditions that did little for players or spectators.The Caribbean is one potential venue. Six teams travelled to Barbados this March for pre-season training and warm-up games and it is understood that several Caribbean nations would be delighted to host the counties and their travelling supporters. The UAE, where the MCC Champion County match has taken place for the last four seasons, and South Africa are other potential destinations.While the initial signs are that several counties are supportive of the idea, others are concerned about open rebellion from their members. It is probable that the value of a county membership would be reduced if counties offered fewer matches as part of the package. While subsidised travel to the overseas games may placate a few, for many it may prove too expensive. Whether the idea of better scheduling in more comfortable weather for the rest of the domestic season is adequate mitigation remains to be seen.

Reaction

• “Is it April 1? I would be very concerned about who was going to pay for it all.”

• “The club have invested heavily in the facilities at Headingley and we’re well supported in Yorkshire, so to take matches elsewhere would deny the Yorkshire public.”

• “I did the Champion County match in Abu Dhabi and they were great conditions that allowed for good cricket.”

• “There could be fan mutiny. The British weather sees to it that cricket is already limited.”

Cost is an issue for the counties, too. But it is understood that the trips could be subsidised by sponsorship and possibly even host tourist boards.Apart from allowing more time for rest, recovery and practice, the longer county season might also bring other benefits. It might, for example, also allow counties to participate in the Champions League – no counties are appearing in the 2013 competition as it clashes with the end of the county season – and it might create room for a second T20 competition, played in a small window in mid-season.The ECB are keen to encourage radical debate on the future of the county game as they seek to improve the standard of cricketers emerging through the system and help the counties gain more financial independence. While many of the proposals are not likely to progress beyond conversation stage, this one – while in an embryonic phase at present – appears viable.

Australia international Cameron White struck an unbeaten half-century on an even first day of the top-of-the-table Division Two clash between Northamptonshire and Lancashire

08-Jul-2013
ScorecardCameron White’s unbeaten half-century buoyed Northamptonshire in the battle of the top two•PA Photos

Australia international Cameron White struck an unbeaten half-century on an even first day of the top-of-the-table Division Two clash between Northamptonshire and Lancashire at Wantage Road.Lancashire failed to take a wicket in the morning after winning the toss and putting the hosts in to bat but captain Glen Chapple’s 3 for 60 led a strong fightback after lunch. Northants eventually closed on 275 for 7 with White making 61 not out off 149 deliveries on his County Championship debut and James Middlebrook added 57 off 112 balls.Lancashire won the toss and elected to field but it was a decision that threatened to backfire on Chapple as Northants openers Kyle Coetzer and Middlebrook piled on 90 between them. The duo batted out the entire morning session but Coetzer was to perish on 38 when his middle stump was sent tumbling by Kyle Hogg with the third ball after lunch.Middlebrook, however, was to go past 50 off 106 balls with a four struck through the covers off Hogg’s next over. He then threw his wicket away on 57 when he attempted to run a quick single off Hogg, only to be sent back by Northants stand-in captain David Sales and was run out by Luis Reece at point.Lancashire continued to claw their way back when Chapple dismissed his opposite number Sales for 18 when he slashed to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross.Cross almost claimed another victim when he was just unable to gather a difficult low catch when diving to his right when White, who was on 5 at the time, edged Chapple. But another wicket soon fell when 18-year-old Ben Duckett walked on 29 as a terrific swinging delivery by Chapple took out his off stump.Three balls later, Chapple struck again when Andrew Hall tamely chipped him to former Australia batsman Simon Katich at square-leg to reduce Northants to 159 for 5. Simon Kerrigan then got in on the act in the eighth over after tea when Matthew Spriegel (20) was sharply taken at short leg by Andrea Agathangelou.David Willey soon followed when Karl Brown took a good low catch at first slip to give Wayne White his first wicket. Northants wicketkeeper David Murphy was then dropped at first slip by Brown off Chapple on 19 before Cameron White completed a patient half-century off 125 balls. He and Murphy were able to bat out the rest of the day with the latter closing on 28.

South Africa pacer Marchant de Lange has been withdrawn from the South Africa A team after scans revealed that he has suffered a rib injury

Firdose Moonda02-Aug-2013Pacer Marchant de Lange has been withdrawn from the South Africa A team after scans revealed that he had suffered a rib injury during the second unofficial Test against Australia A last week*. South Africa A are currently participating a tri-series against India A and Australia A.The injury surfaced during South Africa A’s second innings in the unofficial Test, forcing de Lange to leave the field after he had bowled just one over. In a press release issued by Cricket South Africa, Dr Shuaib Manjra, chairman of the CSA’s medical committee, said: “We hope to have Marchant playing again within a few weeks.” The board also clarified that the withdrawal was a precautionary measure taken in light of the stress fracture of the back that de Lange suffered a few months ago.De Lange, who touches 150 kph, had impressed on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011 with figures of 7 for 81 in one innings, but has since been plagued by injury problems.He had only just returned to the fold after being sidelined for 14 months, when he pulled out of South Africa’s tour of England last June. His rehabilitation, originally planned for December, was pushed back to February as he had to change his bowling action to prevent a recurrence of injury.This latest setback is likely to hamper De Lange’s chances of staging a comeback to the national side, as South Africa have already beefed up their bowling stocks with the likes of Kyle Abbott and Chris Morris in their preparation for the 2015 World Cup.*11.10GMT, August 6, 2013: This news story has been updated after details of Marchant de Lange’s injury were made available