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ScorecardChris Gaffaney has long promised big scores for Otago, and when it came it was well worth the wait, as Auckland found to their dismay after putting Otago in at the Outer Oval today. Gaffaney, playing his 80th domestic one-day game, put together 145 for the first wicket with Craig Cumming, a record opening partnership for Otago.The pitch for this match was the same one used for the one-day international against Sri Lanka on Boxing Day. It had been taken from the main ground and dropped into the Outer Oval, and it provided a superb batting surface.Gaffaney and Cumming scored consistently at five runs an over through their stand and gave their side a fine foundation. Cumming scored 73, before falling victim to Tama Canning, who threatened an Auckland revival by then removing Gareth Hopkins first ball. Hopkins was out to the last ball of the over, which meant that Canning had to wait to attempt a hat-trick, but in the meantime, Otago lost Aaron Redmond to a run-out in the next over. Canning failed to gethis hat-trick, but he did add Mohammad Wasim to his list of scalps.But just when Auckland thought they were back in the game, Jeff Wilson struck 50 off 33 balls. With Gaffaney still going strong to finish on 101, Otago ended with their highest one-day score of 295 for 7. Gaffaney made his highest score as well, going past his previous best of 79 not out.James McMillan then rocked Auckland’s batsmen from theoutset, before Wilson joined in with the ball. Both took three wickets each to have Auckland struggling at 67 for 7. They finally limped to 143 all out.
ScorecardBoth Canterbury and Wellington were bolstered by the return of their international stars, but Stephen Fleming couldn’t do much for Wellington’s cause as they were thrashed by 92 runs at Timaru’s Aorangi Park. Nathan Astle’s presence helped Michael Papps play his way out of a form slump, as he registered his second one-day century for Canterbury, finishing on an unbeaten 129 not out.Stephen Fleming asked Canterbury to bat first, but he must have had immediate doubts about his decision when Astle and Papps launched into an assault. They had put on 168 before Astle was prised out, when a top-edged pull shot flew to midwicket. Their stand was a Canterbury record for the first wicket, beating the 151 Papps shared with Shanan Stewart last year.Craig McMillan then blasted 30 off 24 balls, and Brendon McCullum, coming in after Chris Cairns was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Ash Turner, hit 43 off 24 balls. Canterbury finished on 307 for 3.Wellington struggled in reply, losing Fleming to a stunning catch by McMillan for 5. Chris Nevin attempted to provide the anchor Wellington so sorely needed, but he was out for 45, by which time none of the batsmen with him had been able to dig in. James Franklin made 46, but with no one to support him, Wellington went down tamely in the end.
ScorecardThis rain-affected match provided far more drama than would have been expected after Northern Districts were dismissed for only 100 at Taupo. Andrew Schwass, playing his 36th one-day match for Central Districts, took 5 for 22 in 5.4overs, his career-best figures. Jacob Oram took 2 for 10from the five overs he bowled while Ewen Thompson, who wasforced to leave the field due a hamstring strain, took 2 for 7 from 5.1 overs.Daryl Tuffey then produced another of his first-over tricks by having Jamie How out third ball and with Craig Spearman and Jarrod Englefield following quickly, CD were 6 for 3. Jacob Oram and Glen Sulzberger battled through raininterruptions and a recalculation of the target under theDuckworth/Lewis system, to give some solidity to the effort.Sulzberger scored a patient 29 off 63 balls and was thepenultimate wicket to fall, with one run needed.The combined impetus by Thomson, who hit 15 off 19 balls, and Michael Mason, who scored 18 off 32, allowed CD to squeak through in the second thriller that these two sides have played out in the last fortnight.

Glenn McGrath has become Test cricket’s most prolific No. 11 batsman, after he scored 5 not out to save the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford. McGrath’s knock took his aggregate to 555 runs, the highest by any last man, overhauling Courtney Walsh’s 553.McGrath, who needs just seven more wickets to break Walsh’s record of 519, and become the most successful fast bowler in Test history, said he had mixed feelings about his newly acquired batting record. “I think I’ve been pushing my whole career to get out of the No. 11 spot and to finally have the most runs at 11 in the history of the game,” he was quoted as saying by AAP. “I guess it’s good in one respect and bad probably [that I’m] still batting at No.11.”McGrath said that he was now looking for a batting promotion “I have been into Ricky [Ponting] again today to say I need to be moved up the order,” he said. “He is still resisting the temptation so obviously I will be back to 11 again in the next Test.”McGrath has worked hard on his batting over the past two years, and now has a Test half-century to show for it. He is also yet to be dismissed in the Ashes. “When I came off, I actually asked the boys what it’s like to get out in this series,” McGrath said. “I’ve worked pretty hard and feel reasonably confident out in the middle, which is something quite new to me.”The last pair of McGrath and Brett Lee endured one of the most nerve-wracking final stages of any Test as they played out the last four overs to deny England victory.

Pakistan’s selectors have left out Moin Khan and Rashid Latif from the 25-man preliminary squad for the forthcoming tour of Australia. The news seems to signal the end of both men’s international careers.Neither player, both of whom have previously captained the side, was included in the group that will meet in Lahore for fitness trials before the final squad is announced. Only one specialist keeper, Kamran Akmal, was included in the list, although a board spokesman said that others could be drafted in if the need arose. Akmal replaced Moin for the second Test against Sri Lanka last month.”Akmal will be the only wicketkeeper on the Australian tour because Inzamam-ul-Haq is satisfied with his performance,” Wasim Bari, the chief selector, told reporters. “Since we are looking to the future we must try him on this tough tour.”Three uncapped players – batsman Aamir Bashir, opener Ashar Zaidi and left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Khalil – were included.And Bari added that six promising fast bowlers – Wasim Khan, Mohammad Irshad, Iftikhar Anjum, Mohammad Asif, Yasir Ali and Abdul Rauf – would join the squad to give them more experience.Pakistan squad: Salman Butt, Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Danish Kaneria, Shabbir Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naved, Shahid Afridi, Asim Kamal, Aamer Bashir, Riaz Afridi, Bazid Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Ashar Zaidi, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Faisal Athar, Mohammad Khalil.

Until the end of the Indian tour of Pakistan, we will be running a daily Paper Round of what newspapers in India and Pakistan, and from around the world, are saying about this series. This is what the media had to say today:

Imran Khan believes that this tour will help heal the long and bitter divide between the two countries. The Nation reported: “When the two countries are trying to become friendly, trying to ease tensions, then cricket plays a healing role, cricket becomes a cement in bonding the countries together. It transcends sport, it is much more than cricket, it is passion.”Imran added that the series assumed greater significance because it came against a backdrop of decades of mutual hostility which nearly boiled over into a nuclear war two years ago. “Therefore people are really skeptical, is it really heading towards peace? I feel that the two governments have realised that war is not an option. This is a realisation which came after their forces were eyeball to eyeball for so many months in 2002.”Imran, while assuring a friendly atmosphere throughout the tour, said, “There will be a lot of rivalry and competitiveness on the cricket field but there will be intermingling of civil society. Lots of Indians are coming here to watch cricket. This will help ease the tensions. Even an incident does occur, then the two governments will quickly smother over it.”* * *There has been frenetic activity among the punting community as they prepare to leave Mumbai towards the outskirts. The Mumbai Age quotes a leading bookie from the city as he said, “Though we take in bets for all the matches played around the world throughout the year, this is a money-making tour for us and we don’t want to take any chance that could spoil our party. The police will not spare any effort to track us down, so we have decided to stay away from the city and operate in peace.”Apart from betting on which team wins the game, the bookie spoke about `session betting’ being more popular. “In session betting, there will be bets taken on how many runs will a side score in 15 overs, 30 overs and then in the last 20 overs.” Most of their operations will be from Gujarat and the reason offered is fascinating. “Gujju’s have a lot of money, they are very calculative and are inclined towards such things. Even if there is a 10 paise profit, they will latch on to it, as they have plenty of black money to pump in. So the entire Gujarat belt is going to be our prime location for business.”* * *Javed Miandad, the Pakistan coach, has urged the citizens of Karachi to show exemplary behaviour during the opening match of the one-day series at the National Stadium on Saturday. Dawn reported him making a passionate appeal to the people of Karachi to show that they are truly hospitable and good hosts. “This series is being played at a time when both governments are trying to bring about peace in the region. We should set examples by playing excellent hosts to the Indian cricketers, their people and the media. Since Karachi is hosting only one match, the onus is on people to make it an unforgettable and memorable occasion.”Miandad felt that there will a huge amount of emotional tensions that the players will be subjected to. “We must be ready to play under pressure. The political pressure, the pressure of the matches itself and above all, the pressure of the public in both countries. But we must not let our emotion get the better of us.”* * *Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the former Indian swing bowler, has some sound advice for the Indian team. Rediff.com reports him urging the players to completely neglect whatever Miandad had to say, especially once they got on top of Pakistan. “If they [Pakistan] lose, he will get very tough on the team. He is a bad loser and will start mouthing a lot of stuff. Ignore him. The madder he gets, the better for us.”He also provided Sourav and his team with some shrewd tactical advice. “The Indian team should go and wish the man sitting next to Miandad, but not wish him. He was a great cricketer, but if we wish to win we must ignore him on and off the field.”Bishan Singh Bedi had a word of caution about the crowds as well. The Asian Age quotes him as saying, “What they’ve got to be careful about is the crowd. Let us not forget that the crowd cheering would be for the home team. So stuff cotton in your ears and play the game, that is it.”* * *Shahbaz Ahmed, one of the legends in Pakistan hockey, says he cannot wait for the tour to kick off. AFP quoted him as saying, “I am as excited as anyone else. India have not played a Test in Pakistan in 15 years so this is obviously a very special moment for our two countries.”He predicted the intensity in these encounters to be of a high voltage and said, “Look, India and Pakistan just don’t want to lose to each other, be it cricket or hockey or any other sport. Our mindsets are like that. The public reacts horribly when we lose so the players are always on their toes. It becomes more than just sport. It should not, but it does. I don’t believe a word when people say an India-Pakistan match is just another game.”Interestingly he didn’t think the series was going to be closely contested and predicted one of the teams to win comprehensively. “But my gut feeling is that it will not be a close contest as everyone predicts. My experience of playing hockey against India shows that once a team starts to win, it is very difficult for the other to catch up. The initial edge lasts for the entire tour. I can’t tell you why it happens, maybe it is psychological, but it happens.”

In an unprecedented move in English cricket, Duncan Fletcher yesterday confirmed that James Anderson and Liam Plunkett – both of whom have been injured this season – could play in the final round of Championship matches for counties other than their own to assess their fitness ahead of England’s tour of Australia.Lancashire, still gunning for the title, could not be expected to field a match-unfit Anderson; nor Durham to select Plunkett in their relegation match against Yorkshire. Instead, other counties who have nothing at stake, will be asked to field the two players which is essentially an extension of the loan system; Oliver Newby, Lancashire’s fast bowler, played for Nottinghamshire on loan last year while Alamgir Sheriyar, contracted to Kent, was lent to Worcestershire.The move clearly hints that Fletcher wants both players in his squad of 16 to tour Australia and the coach, speaking to , confirmed there would be a number of reserves stationed at Perth, with two coaching staff. Fletcher and the England selectors will announce their Ashes squad on Tuesday, before which the likely England players will all undergo a medical at Loughbourgh on Monday.As ever, Fletcher remains tight-lipped and noncommittal regarding the England captaincy, although he did express his long-standing doubt over the immense pressure captaincy would put on Andrew Flintoff. “It’s always been my concern that it’s a lot to ask.”Possible England squad
Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Read, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Monty Panesar, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, Sajid Mahmood, Liam Plunkett and James Anderson.

Hampshire have signed Michael Clarke, the up-and-coming Australian batsman, as one of their overseas players for 2004. Clarke will be joining up with his fellow Australian Shane Warne, who is Hampshire’s captain next year.Clarke, a former captain of the Australian Under-19 side, has played 10 one-day internationals for Australia, and already averages 65.40. He toured West Indies earlier this year, and also made a mark in the recent three-way one-day series in India. At home he plays for New South Wales, and has already hit seven centuries in 33 first-class matches to date.Hampshire’s chairman Rod Bransgrove said: “We are naturally delighted that Michael has agreed to be our overseas player next season. He is undoubtedly one of the brightest new stars of international cricket, and we are certain that his considerable playing style will prove highly popular at the Rose Bowl.”And Paul Terry, Hampshire’s manager, added: “Michael Clarke is a great signing for Hampshire cricket. He is an exiting strokeplayer, excellent fielder and also bowls left-arm spin. Michael has begun to make a significant mark already at the top level with Australia, and I’m sure the Hampshire supporters will warm to the brilliance of his play.”

All Today’s Yesterdays – July 16 down the yearsJuly 15| July 171973
When he was captain, nobody in world cricket had as much on his plate as Shaun Pollock, who was born today. Captain, premier strike bowler, lower middle-order counter-attacker, and possessor of one of cricket’s more ginger tops, Pollock was the real deal from the moment he came in against England in 1995-96, and cracked 66 and took 4 for 34 on his one-day international debut, at Cape Town. He is the pivot of South Africa’s side, the definitive allrounder in a team of them. He averages over 30 with the bat, and thrashed a Bothamesque, 95-ball first Test hundred from No. 9 against Sri Lanka at Centurion in 2000-01, a match in which his bowlingaverage dipped below 20. A masterful wicket-to-wicket bowler, his average, when he passed the milestone, was the lowest of the 41 men to have taken 200 Test wickets. His father Peter and uncle Graeme were pretty good as well. All he has to donow is find a way to beat those pesky Australians.1910
A fearless Aussie is born. Stan McCabe loved mixing it with the fast bowlers,and in the first match of the 1932-33 Bodyline series he walloped 187 not out in the first innings. No other Aussie managed even a half-century. McCabe was a batsman of the highest class, a brilliant hooker in particular. At Trent Bridge in 1938 he saved the match with ablistering 232 so good that it had even Don Bradman drooling. When McCabe returned to thedressing-room, The Don said simply: “If I could play an innings like that, I’d be a proud man, Stan.”According to the Wisden 100, it is the greatest Test innings played at Trent Bridge. McCabe died in Syndey in 1968.1895
At Taunton, Archie MacLaren completed a mighty 424 for Lancashire against Somerset, the highest score in first-class history at the time. It remained the highest in first-class cricket in England for 99 years … until Brian Lara shattered that, and a few other recordsbesides, in 1994.1981
The first day of an immortal Test. There was nothing miraculous for Englandat the start, just 90 overs of solid frustration as Australia ground themdown on a typically bowler-friendly Headingley track. At the close the Aussies were 203 for 3, with John Dyson having made a fine 104. Wisden CricketMonthly said he batted “like a Woodfull”. England were under the coshalready.1927
An MCC president is born. John Warr would rather be remembered forthat than his Test bowling average – it was 281. And his strike rate was awicket every 584 balls – or 97 overs. Both were the worst in Test historyuntil West Indian legspinner Rawl Lewis kindly plumbed new depths. InWarr’s defence, he was still a Cambridge undergraduate when he was pickedfor those Tests, in Australia in 1950-51. Most students struggle toget up before midday to brush their teeth, let alone to bowl to Hassett,Harvey and Miller on an Adelaide shirtfront. Warr later captainedMiddlesex – cue the famous Brian Johnston joke that “Warr’s declared”,whereupon an old woman in the crowd wakes up and enquires, “Who against?”1983
Against New Zealand at The Oval, Graeme Fowler and Chris Tavare became the first England openers toscore a century in the same Test innings for 23 years. And – shock, horror -Tavare’s was the quicker: his 109 came off 255 balls, Fowler’s 105 off 303.Mind you, it was Fowler’s maiden Test hundred, so you can understand hiswatchfulness. Allan Lamb cracked 102 not out as well, as Englandeased home by 189 runs.Other birthdays
1920 Anwar Hussain (Pakistan)
1936 Venkataraman Subramanya (India)

Division OneYorkshire: 166-6 Nottinghamshire: 167-9 Notts won by 1 wicketKent: 215-3 Surrey: 170 Kent won by 40 runsBerkshire: 63 Sussex: 69-4 Sussex win by 6 wickets

Sussex have won three matches from three, beating Berkshire convincingly by 6 wickets at Fitzwilliam College today. England and Sussex Captain, Clare Connor, took 3 wickets for just one run, including fellow England international, Claire Taylor for 3. Caroline Atkins, who has been put on stand-by for the forthcoming international matches, took 4-19 to blight the Berkshire middle order.Atkins finished not out on 12, with England U19 player Alexia Walker hitting a six for the winning runs, also unbeaten on 22.Berkshire, who came second in last year’s competition, are now involved in a relegation battle with Surrey, whom they face at C.U Press tomorrow, whilst Nottinghamshire face Sussex in a title decider at Pembroke College.In a thrilling match, Nottinghamshire beat Yorkshire by one run, from the last ball, to retain their unbeaten record. Yorkshire had recovered from 15-3 to finish on 166-8 against the title chasers at C U Press. Having lost their Captain, Melissa Reynard, for 9 and Kathryn Leng for 3, it took the experienced pair of Sue Metcalfe and England’s most capped player, Clare Taylor, to restore some backbone to the Yorkshire batting. Miserly bowling from Nicky Myers (Notts) restricted the current Frizzell County Champions, returning exceptional figures of 2-2 from eight overs and frustrating the Leng in particular.Metcalfe played a hard-hitting innings reaching 65 from 80 balls before being caught by Jenny Gunn from the bowling of young MCC player, Nicky Shaw.Taylor hit an impressive 30 from 38 balls to ensure Nottinghamshire did not have an easy chase.But, with the last ball of the match, Nottinghamshire did reach the target with Nicky Shaw finishing unbeaten on 46 despite Clare Taylor’s three wickets.Another positive for England was Jane Smit’s smart keeping for Nottinghamshire, having been recalled to the England squad after a year’s absence.The stylish batters of Kent and England, Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway, put on 46 for the second wicket against Surrey. Edwards finished on 83, including nine fours and Greenway on 48*. The pair put Kent in a strong position, and whilst Australian Melanie Jones was at the crease for Surrey, there was always a chance until she was stumped on 60. Laura Joyce, the England U19 wicket-keeper made 30, but Surrey finished forty runs short.

Division TwoHertfordshire: 57 Somerset: 58-1 Somerset won by 9 wicketsHampshire: 155-9 Staffordshire: 156-1 Staffs won by 9 wicketsLancashire: 138-9 Middlesex: 123 Lancashire won by 15 runs

Lancashire sustained their promotion challenge, beating Middlesex today by 15 runs at Emmanuel. They are now the only unbeaten team in Division Two. Laura Newton top-scored with 44, assisted by Arran Thompson who made 23. Lancashire could not consolidate their good start, tumbling from 81-4 to 121 all out, but the chase was too big for Middlesex. Lancashire’s Captain, Arran Thompson took 3-18 and Susanne White 4-18 to ensure the victory.Somerset Captain and England player, Hannah Lloyd, had few problems chasing Hertfordshire’s score of just 57 at Queen’s College, reaching the target in the seventeenth over. Lloyd remained unbeaten on 37, and also took 2-5 in a three over bowling spell. For Somerset, Jackie Hawker took 3-7 and Kathryn Wilkins 3-10 to demolish Hertfordshire.Helen Pugh took a Championship best 4-21 for Staffordshire against Hampshire, restricting Hampshire to 135-9. Kirsty White provided some solidity to the Hampshire batting and remained unbeaten on 36, but wickets fell regularly as Pugh and fellow Cricket Development Officer, Kelly Evenson, took seven wickets.In reply, Tracy Crump scored 81, including fifteen fours, in a first wicket stand of 134 with Sue Redfearn (38*) to secure the comprehensive victory with fifteen overs to spare.

Division ThreeCheshire: 180 Essex: 180 Match is a tieNorthamptonshire: 93 Derbyshire: 94-3 Derbys won by 7 wicketsDurham: 150-2 Warks: 148-5 Durham won by 8 wickets

Lynn Spooner took 3-14 as Derbyshire beat Northamptonshire by seven wickets at Churchill Ground. A fourth wicket unbeaten partnership between Sue Whittam (19*) and Nina Marshall (29*) secured the Derbyshire victory in the thirty-fourth over.Warwickshire scored 148-5 at St John’s with T Keir scoring 83, but Durham chased successfully finishing on 150-2 thanks to a first wicket stand of 112 between Hazell (43) and Anderson (54).Peformances of the day:

Caroline Atkins (Sussex) 4-19 Division OneClare Connor (Sussex) 3-1 Division OneHelen Pugh (Staffordshire) 4-21 Division TwoJackie Hawker (Somerset) 3-7 Division TwoLynn Spooner (Derbyshire) 3-14 Division ThreeCharlotte Edwards (Kent) 83 Division OneSue Metcalfe (Yorks) 65 Division OneTracy Crump (Staffs) 81 Division TwoT Keir (Warks) 83 Division Three

Teams compete in three divisions of six playing five 50 over matches between Saturday 26th and Wednesday 31st July, on a round robin basis.

John Wright considers his words as carefully as he did his strokes in his playing days. “Personally,” he told us, sitting in the lobby of the Cricket Club of India, a few days before the Test series against New Zealand began, “I never take it more than three months at a time.” We were talking about India’s World Cup campaign, and while Wright was full of praise for the way India played, he was worried about the effect of all the hype on the Indian team. Good days shouldn’t make you forget the bad ones, he said. “When I hear people saying that the coach is doing a good job, I think about the days people found it hard to say one good thing about you.”We caught up with Wright once again, at Mohali, hours after the Test series ended. And as is his custom, he offered no excuses for India’s failure to win.How do you look back on the New Zealand series?
I think we played below ourselves. I don’t think we played well as a unit, though obviously there were some good individual performances. If you compare our energy levels, particularly in the field, with that of New Zealand, that gives off some signs. I think we need to up our energy.I’ve been worried about the comfort zone after the World Cup and I feel that this is a sharp reminder. If we are to go on and play competitively in Australia we’ve got to lift our performance several levels and as a unit. It’s no good having one or two good individual performances.You know the pitches have been slow, but we have to get that mentality of tosses and pitches completely out of our heads and accept the conditions we are given and get the job done.How are we to raise the intensity?
It’s not a game-time thing alone. Intensity is in everything you do. To me intensity is created by the way we practise, by the importance we attach to playing for our country, the importance we place on doing everything that needs to be done to get the best out of ourselves. Now we can’t just have that from five or six players. We’ve got to have that from everyone.Would it be fair to say they bowled better than us through the series?
I feel they were more consistent with their lines. It’s a little more difficult to talk about spinners here because in both Tests they have had no help, which is unusual for Indian conditions. But having said that, that may well be the case in Australia. They bowled to their fields better than we did. Our plan, in the last Test particularly, was to take away the leg-side option from them and we didn’t achieve that. I feel our discipline and line and length have to improve.Rahul Dravid said after the second Test that had India been in New Zealand’s position, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh would have probably forced a result. Do you agree?
I’m not into conjecture. The reality is that we have to bowl better – we have to not allow them to score 630 in any conditions. The reality is that we’re going to lose tosses, we’re going to find wickets that perhaps aren’t suitable, and we have to be able to adapt to the conditions, whatever they may be, so that we achieve the result or the type of performance that we want.But I agree with Rahul in that when it turns I would back our spinners to bowl any side out. There was more assistance on the last two days at Mohali than at Motera. So he has a point.What went wrong with someone like Zaheer Khan? He started the series so well and then went from bad to worse.
We need Zaheer to bowl well. I have seen what he is capable of when he is at the top of his game. You know, bowlers, like batters, can have an off game. He will be back and we will back him as he is important to the team. I thought Balaji, in terms of effort and attitude, made a promising start.Did Tendulkar’s form concern you?
Sachin will sort it out. I have every confidence in him. We’re talking about two games; and in one of those games he got a fifty. Sachin will work it out. There are no hassles. One of the things that champions have is that they can sort these things out. If he needs help, he’ll ask me, or he’ll go and sort it out. People were worried about his form before the World Cup. Australia will be a big stage; I’m sure he will play well.VVS Laxman must have pleased you.
He’s a gem, really. Outstanding, outstanding player. The thing I’m liking about Laxman is the consistency he has shown over the last two years. I have a lot of admiration for VVS Laxman. I’m sure he’s going to carry his good form to Australia.

Do you think we are closer to finding a solution for the opening slot?
Opening in India has not been a problem. The problem is when we go overseas, because the adjustment is significant. However, you’d have to be very pleased with Akash [Chopra]. He looks like an opener, he thinks like an opener, and he’s made a good start. But it’s still an area that we have to nail down when we go overseas. If we can get it sorted, it’ll be a big, big help for us. The other issue that arose is the tail. We need contributions.We’ve got to have a damn good look at things and see what’s got to be fixed or changed because we’ve got to perform at a higher level than we have done in the last two Tests.Does it ever strike you as odd that while India have been producing some great middle-order batsmen down the years, there has not been a world-class opener since Sunil Gavaskar?
It’s a lot to do with the conditions. Opening here is like batting at No. 5 or 6 in other countries. That’s the bottomline. You can get away with being a front-footed player. Technically, you are much less tested. We need to decide who we are going to back, and stay with him for a little while. Also, we need to appreciate that it’s a specialised position. If someone can get the job done, which to me means taking the shine off the new ball, that will be a huge bonus.Is opening all about technique? Or is it a lot to do with the mind?
It is a unique challenge. The bowlers are fresh, the wicket is fresh, the ball is new and you have different problems to solve. I always liked opening because I hated hanging around. I would rather be out there than waiting to bat. If you don’t enjoy it then your chances of success are pretty low. You should want to out there first, when things are buzzing around. You ought to enjoy the thrill of facing the new ball.If you were to put the team in a room and tell them something, what would it be?
That we have a great opportunity ahead. Forget about the World Cup. It’s gone, it’s finished, and we didn’t win it. We need to look forward, get hungry and improve. Let’s work out how we can become better, not only in the one-day game but also in Test cricket, and let’s get our attitude and desire together and do everything with total commitment.Was the big break a factor? Were some players a little rusty?
Some people used the time wisely, some didn’t. The break was needed. There are boys who you know will have a break for six or seven weeks and then get back with their training and practice. But there are some who concern you. The season just doesn’t start when you turn up for the first fitness camp. International cricket is a year-round pursuit, whether you’re playing or not. Players need to be self-motivated to train and practise wherever they are.Are you happy with the work ethic of this team?
Overall, yes. We have some tremendous professionals in this side. The aspect I worry about is that when we play well, everybody gets very carried away. Then the commercial angle comes in and that’s a trap. Here, more than anywhere else, success, both individually and team-wise, creates challenges. If players are not careful they forget the reason they are getting those rewards in the first place. I am concerned about how some of them use their spare time, because they have many other responsibilities, commercial or whatever. Sometimes, unknowingly, they might start neglecting their game, all the hard work and all the training that got them there, and get into a comfort zone where their form suffers. That’s something that is very much part of the environment here, where cricketers are big stars and earn a lot of money. It can apply to individuals and it can apply to a team. You’ve got to stay up there all the time. And not only stay up there, but try to get yourself to a better level. When that does not happen it concerns you.But who are the guys whose work ethic really makes you happy? Who can you use as role models for the younger players?
There are a number of role models For instance, [Anil] Kumble. He never seems to get carried away with all the hype. He missed quite a few matches in the World Cup, which was very disappointing for him. He had a small break with his family. But when I was at the Academy (NCA), I’d see him every day, working out, trying to stay in shape. That’s the sort of commitment and attitude you want to see.In a way, those two World Cup matches showed how tough Australia are going to be.
Yes it did. But we should not be going to Australia thinking how tough they are. We are going to go there thinking how good we can be. Every team is beatable. We have beaten them before and I would like to believe we can do it again.You have been to Australia as a player yourself. Do you think there is something about their cricket that makes you feel under siege all the time?
Yes, you can develop a siege mentality. And they are very clever about it. But that’s part of the challenge. You have to go there and be mentally strong, it’s a great test. There is no reason why you have to look up to them and feel awe. You know it’s a game of cricket; you’ve got to back yourself.Would you say that the only way to beat Australia is to beat them at their own game? India certainly played aggressively in 2001.
You have to be aggressive against everyone. But you have to play to a plan. Sometimes the plan might be to actually slow down the game, not allow them to dictate terms. Your planning has to be aggressive, which doesn’t always mean that you try to hit every ball out of the park.Why is it that New Zealand always manage to do well against Australia?
That’s because they are not intimidated. And they know how to play for their team in each situation in the game. All right, they (the Australians) are great players. But so what? Who cares? They play their brand of cricket, we play ours, and let’s see where it goes. You ought be able to put pressure on them and pressure can do strange things to even the toughest of teams.India have won Tests abroad in the last couple of years, but we’ve gone into the last match of the last four away-series with the chance to seal it but failed every time.
We have got a lot of belief as a one-day team now. We back ourselves to win. Somehow, we’ve got to win one series abroad. And then things will change. We have come close. We missed an opportunity in Zimbabwe, and another in West Indies. We shouldn’t have lost that Test; we should have hung around a little longer. That was disappointing, and that’s something we’ve got to change. There was a wonderful opportunity in New Zealand. Those games could have been won as easily as they were lost.We know what we need to do. We need to be more incisive with the new ball and we have to be more solid at the top. Look at any top team in the world from any era, they all had very good top threes. And then we’ve got to keep on developing good seam bowlers, and create depth and competition in that. From what I have seen, things are coming along. I saw some good boys at the camp and there is some good work happening at the MRF academy too. The scene certainly looks more promising now than when I arrived here.There are a lot of bowlers in the 18- to 20-years range who have potential. We need to take care of them. Once we find them we have to make sure that we don’t pick them in every team, bowl them in every match so that some them end up as shattered 21-year-olds. I worry about the workload some of these young guys are bearing. There has to be an understanding in the selection process about the development of a player, particularly where it concerns fast bowlers.Team selection was one of your major concerns when we spoke last time. Has anything happened since then to make you feel better?
I haven’t changed my views. Team selection is one of most critical issues facing Indian cricket. There are still a lot of ad hoc processes there. It’s not just the national side but cricket right through the system. It’s an area where you have to be spot-on. But there is just too much of pressure on the selectors from their own zones; that’s the fault of the system. I mean, it’s wrong for zones to have expectations from their selectors. Selection is a tough enough job anyway. It’s not about zones, it’s about the country.Would you like to have a greater say in the selection process?
It is a difficult area. When players are not selected they can be hugely disappointed, and if they think the coach has had a hand in the decision, it can affect the relationship between the coach and the player. It happens. Different countries have different rules. In Australia they have taken the coach out of the equation now and there are countries where coaches are heavily involved.The frustrating thing is that you do have gut feelings about players. When you’re thinking about building a team, you look at players who can do a certain job, and above all have the right attitude; those are the ones you want to really back. It can be frustrating for the captain and coach when players are not picked with the broad picture in mind. In the end it’s your job to convince the selectors with your reasons. If you can’t do that then it’s as much your problem as theirs.Wisden Asia CricketWisden Asia Cricket..

Shane Warne’s prizemoney allocation for Australia’s World Cup win has been defended amid claims the banned leg spinner did not deserve it.Warne is set to receive up to $15,000 from Australia’s victory despite not bowling a ball in the tournament and being banned from cricket for one year for failing a drug test.Warne was in South Africa for 11 days and will collect the cash through a pro-rata system adopted by the players for the 55-day tournament.His allocation – believed to be between $10,000 and $15,000 – has come under fire from Australian cricketing great Neil Harvey and is likely to anger large sections of the public.But Warne’s manager and brother Jason said the banned star deserved his share of Australia’s $3.36 million windfall.”From my own point of view it’s a tough one, but how far back do you go? He’s already being punished enough as it is, but do you go back and make it retrospective?” Jason Warne said.Jason Warne said his brother’s input into Australia’s victory could not be quantified.But he said it was a “bit harsh” to strip Warne of his stake given his involvement in team planning and training and World Cup promotions.”He is already missing out on income for the next 12 months and you’ve got to draw the line somewhere,” Jason Warne said.”The (anti-doping) committee drew the line in the sand when the suspension was started from February 10.”You can only go by what’s done and what the players decide.”How can you say he didn’t have any input into the games?”He was there to help Brad Hogg bowl in the nets and he was there for the structuring of the team plans which is an important part of it, so I suppose he has earned his stake in the money.””You can’t shift back his suspension and ping him both ways. That’s a bit harsh.”Australian Cricket Board public affairs general manager Peter Young said the Australian team wanted the payment system and adopted it specially for the World Cup.Young said each of the Australian players were paid the same “day rate” for every day they took part in the successful cup campaign.Warne is not the only member of the squad to benefit despite playing no games.His replacement Nathan Hauritz will also profit immensely, as will fast bowler Nathan Bracken, who replaced the injured Jason Gillespie.Gillespie played four matches.Young could not say how much each player would receive.But The Daily Telegraph newspaper said Hauritz would earn about $270,000, Bracken about $130,000 and Gillespie $180,000.