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Boeta Dippenaar underwent a successful two-and-a-half hour operation on his right wrist in Cape Town last night. “It lasted a little longer than we expected due to a complex nature of the ganglion,” said the South African’s physiotherapist, Shane Jabaar.Dippenaar was diagnosed with a dorsal ganglion ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand at Cape Town.”He stayed overnight for observation and he is in high spirits,” Jabaar said. “He will return to Cape Town after ten days for a follow-up consultation with the surgeon, thereafter, a decision will be made on the type of rehabilitation he will undergo. This rehabilitation process will determine for how long it will take him before he can return to competitive cricket.”

The Indian board (BCCI) has decided to “infuse new, young blood” in its team of umpires to improve the standard of umpiring in the country – which has come under the scanner in the current IPL tournament – and has asked state associations to nominate four candidates each, including at least two former first class players, to appear for an examination that will be held in July.”We have decided to revive the examination that, I believe, has not been held for a while. The idea is to infuse new, young blood and improve the standard of umpiring here,” Niranjan Shah, BCCI, secretary, told Cricinfo.”The umpires who have done poorly or have been found below average may not be posted in important matches,” MP Pandove, the BCCI joint secretary, said in a press release. The decision to conduct the examination in Mumbai was among the few taken during a meeting of the BCCI’s umpires committee on Monday.S Venkataraghavan, the former India captain and BCCI’s director of umpires, will redraw the list of 30 “best umpires” to be on the board’s Elite panel, based on their performance last season that was assessed through video analysis during matches. The BCCI will also monitor the performance of its Elite panel over the next season to identity and promote potential candidates for the ICC’s panel, Pandove said.Apart from Venkatraghavan, Shah and Pandove, the BCCI’s umpires committee comprises representatives of the five zones and Stanley Saldhana, the game development manager.India have not been represented on the ICC’s Elite panel of umpires since Venkatraghavan retired in 2004. The standard of Indian umpiring has been tested during the current season of the IPL, with the cricket of a much higher profile than in a regular domestic tournament. The shortcomings were shown up by the incident involving Sourav Ganguly and umpire G A Prathapkumar, in which the umpire referred a catch to the third umpire after Ganguly, given out, had complained.

Kanbis took another step towards retaining their NPCA crown for the fourth year in succession with a six-wicket win over Parkland Rhinos. Second-placed Stray Lions slipped up with a three-wicket loss at home to Aga Khan. Kanbis now top the table with 167 points while Stray Lions are 15 points adrift.The match between Swamibapa and Sir Ali Muslim Club did not take place as Swamibapa boycotted the match as part of their ongoing dispute with the NPCA.Ruaraka A lead the first division on 192 points for 12 matches with Kanbis B second on 153 points with a game in hand. Swamibapa B are third on 145 from 11 with Kongonis fourth on 144 from 12.The second division is headed by Telca with 188 points from 12 games, with Nairobi Nookers second on 161 and Nairobi Institute third on 155.Nairobi Jaffery have already secured the third-division title with wins in all ten matches. They are on 186 points with Simba Union B and Ruaraka B tied in second back on 125 points.NPCA Super Division

Scorecard

Nick Jewell and Brad Hodge made the most of their time at the crease as Victoria and Tasmania played out a predictable draw at the MCG. The Tigers reached 518, passing Victoria’s 429 in the morning session, and then it was glorified batting practice for the Bushrangers as the captains ignored the chance to manufacture a result on the sunniest day of a rain-affected game.After bowling well for no return on Thursday, Shane Warne gave Victoria the sniff of a first-innings lead by snaring Brett Geeves caught and bowled for 18. When Brendan Drew played down the wrong line and was bowled by Gerard Denton for 3, Tasmania were 8 for 427 and still needed three runs to pass Victoria.Daniel Marsh made sure the Tigers took the two points, then he and Adam Griffith (47) frustrated the Bushrangers, adding 86 for the tenth wicket. Victoria were willing to let Marsh take singles – they had eight fieldsmen on the boundary – and attack Griffith and finally Warne had the No. 11 caught at mid-on, leaving Marsh stranded on 95.With no pressure to push for a result, Jewell took the opportunity to post his second first-class century, making 100 not out, while Hodge followed on from his first-innings 153 with an unbeaten 66. Ricky Ponting tested some bodyline-style tactics, encouraging his fast men to bowl short deliveries from around the wicket with two legslips in place, but no catch was forthcoming. Late in the day the match degenerated as the fast bowler Geeves tried his offspin.Jewell was pleased with his century, especially considering the legside attack Ponting had used. “It’s pretty hard to score if you don’t really play the hook shot,” Jewell said. “It’s not one of my preferred shots. I prefer to just ride them around the corner or get underneath them.” He said the Bushrangers were surprised by the way the match petered out. “We were actually expecting them to declare behind and for us to set them a chase,” Jewell said.By taking first-innings points Tasmania put themselves two points clear of New South Wales on the Pura Cup table, although the Blues have played one fewer game.

The phony war in St Kitts is ever so nearly at an end. One lastmismatch presents itself tomorrow, when the high-flying South Africanstake on the undaunting Scots, and then it will be time to focus on thereal business end of this group – next Saturday’s seismic clashbetween South Africa and Australia.For Graeme Smith, however, tomorrow’s fixture contains an unexpectedblast from the past. The leader of the world’s No.1-ranked side isabout to go head-to-head with his former club captain. Ryan Watson,Scotland’s stand-in skipper, was a contemporary of Smith’s during hisschool-days at King Edward’s in Johannesburg, and Smith admitted itwould be a surreal feeling when the pair walk out together for thetoss.”When we were at school together Ryan was a few years ahead of me,”said Smith. “It will be weird to walk out on the pitch and spin a coinwith a South African. We’ve been teasing him quite a bit since MontegoBay, because there are quite a few guys who do know him. He’s a reallygood man, so I guess part of you wants him to do well – but then thereis a big part that doesn’t.””Believe it or not, [Smith] used to fetch drinks for me and carry mybags,” said Watson. “I don’t know if he’ll do that tomorrow, but I’ll ask him. At school, hewas limited in terms of his strokeplay, he’s progressed a long waywith that. Mentally he was far better than anyone I saw as a youngkid.”He used to enjoy making big hundreds as a schoolboy, which is unusualwhen other guys are making 50 or 60. He got hundreds as a 15-year-oldagainst Premier League attacks, so everyone knew he was going to be aspecial player and he’s proved that.”Watson was under no illusions about the task his side facestomorrow – a task made all the more onerous by the shock victories ofthe past week. “They’re a quality side and they’re not going to becomplacent against the minor sides,” he said. “We were poor at thedeath against Australia, by our own standards, and that’s somethingwe’ve worked on. That’s a crucial part of the game and they’ve gotsome really clean strikers, so we’ll have to make sure we get it rightat the end.””The upsets earlier in the week in the other groups have kept everyoneon their toes,” added Smith. “It just shows that if you’re not up forit and don’t perform to your levels you can put yourself underpressure. We certainly will be on our toes – and the way we performedagainst Holland is the way we want to perform tomorrow.”Inevitably though, Smith had more than half an eye on next week’sbattle. “On everyone’s minds is the Australia game,” he admitted.”That is the big one everyone is looking forward to. I think bothteams have their fair share of strong hitters, but I think our lengthand power in our batting line-up is one of our strengths. We have agood variety in our bowling attack, which has been brilliant over thelast few years.”South Africa are expected to welcome Makhaya Ntini back into the foldfor tomorrow’s game, after he missed the opening fixture to attend thebirth of his first daughter. “He is huge variation for us,” saidSmith, “and Andrew Hall over the last two years has been the best’death’ bowler in world cricket. We have options; we’re very strong inthe bowling department. I’m pretty comfortable with our attack.”Scotland, for their part, are expected to introduce the SouthAfrican-born seamer Dewald Nel to replace their captain, Craig Wright,who has flown home to attend the funeral of his aunt. There may alsobe a recall for the middle-order batsman, Neil McCallum, who hasbecome something of a cult figure among the vocal Scottish fans inBasseterre.South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 AB deVilliers, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 Herschelle Gibbs, 5 Mark Boucher (wk), 6Ashwell Prince, 7 Justin Kemp, 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Andrew Hall, 10Makhaya Ntini, 11 Andre NelScotland (probable) 1 Fraser Watts, 2 Majid Haq, 3 Ryan Watson(capt), 4 Neil McCallum, 5 Gavin Hamilton, 6 Dougie Brown, 7 ColinSmith (wk), 8 Glenn Rogers, 9 Dewald Nel, 10 Paul Hoffman, 11 JohnBlain

Kevin Pietersen will not bat at No.4 in the first Test despite the absence of Marcus Trescothick at the top of the order. Andrew Flintoff said Pietersen would fill the No.5 position even though he has a better record further up the batting list.”Kevin has proven that he can bat at Test cricket,” Flintoff told . “He’s got a fantastic record. We think for the strength of this side we’re better suited with Kevin batting at five. It’s just the dynamics of the team. We’re happy with Kevin at five.”Pietersen averages 46.85 from 15 innings batting at No.5 compared to 53.88 from 17 innings at No.4. Flintoff’s words indicate Paul Collingwood could get the job at No.4, a move that would be a backward step for England, according to Darren Lehmann, who captained South Australia in a tour match against the visitors on the weekend.”He’s the key,” Lehmann said. “He’ll take Australia on. And he should bat at No.4 because of Trescothick going home. The big thing for him will be that the grounds are a lot bigger. In England the grounds are so small that Pietersen and some of the other batsmen hit Warne and Lee for a lot of sixes. The Australians will bounce him a lot.” reported Pietersen acknowledged he would be the target for short-pitched bowling. “There’s been a lot made of it and it’s going to happen whether you bat at one or 11,” Pietersen said. “Nowadays it doesn’t matter. You’re going to get it.” After his century in last week’s tour match against New South Wales, Pietersen admitted a skied hook shot off Brett Lee early in his innings had almost brought him undone. “I know it was a bit of a naughty shot,” he said. “It’s the way I have been training, the way I have been playing.”

Deep Dasgupta, the former India wicketkeeper, feels that Bengal’s cricketers do not get their recognition and that was a main reason why seven from the state, himself included, signed on with the Indian Cricket League (ICL).”Our Bengal team has talent but are the players getting justice? Take the India A team that is currently in Kenya; it has no players from Bengal, despite the fact that Bengal have been in the Ranji Trophy final two years running,” Dasgupta wrote in his column for , a Kolkata-based daily. “Nor does the squad for the Twenty20 World Championship. So what do the likes of Abhishek Jhunjhunwala and Subhojit Paul hold on to, how do they remain hopeful? I came to Mumbai and saw Under-19 players had also signed up with the ICL. Money can’t be the only factor for them; the opportunity to play and compete in different environments also plays a part.”Dasgupta, Jhunjhunwala, Paul, Subhomoy Das, and Shibsagar Singh were among the players who signed up with the ICL, leaving the Bengal side depleted. It is widely believed that the Indian board (BCCI) will slap bans on players who have joined.”The Bengal team may find replacements for us; cricket doesn’t stop for individuals,” said Dasgupta. “But some questions need to be asked. Do we give cricketers their due respect? Once he retires he’s thrown on the rubbish-heap, so what’s the harm if he settles his dues before that?”Dasgupta, who said he joined the recently-floated league because he has “always liked a challenge” and also for financial reasons, did not feel the ICL was in conflict with domestic cricket. “Even after coming to Mumbai and signing up with the ICL, I still consider myself a Bengal player. Whatever I’ve got in cricket I’ve got because I played for Bengal.”But once we took this huge decision, it seems a huge gap has opened up. A gap that could have been had both sides wanted it. A problem can be solved only if there is dialogue. There should be charges, counter-charges, the feelings should come out in the open. Where there is no discussion how can there be any chance of a solution?”

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

Both teams face a nervous wait for the conclusion of a pulsating final Test as Damien Martyn’s unbeaten 93 crept Australia to within 44 of their target with only four wickets remaining. Australia, who may not be able to use Justin Langer, seemed set for a comfortable chase during a brilliant 165-run partnership between Martyn and Michael Hussey, but when Hussey departed for 89 the side lost 4 for 39 to refresh a previously ailing South Africa over the last 90 minutes.Makhaya Ntini charged through Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne after Nicky Boje finally removed Hussey, and Jacques Kallis, a debutant captain under unfamiliar pressure, ended a dangerous drive from Andrew Symonds. The last three batsmen fell for nine runs in a dramatic turnaround as South Africa’s mood changed from one of impending defeat to hope of a first positive result in six Tests against Australia this summer.Through the chaos Martyn remained calm, like he had throughout an innings that was crucial to his career prospects, and Australia finished at 248 for 6. The reshuffled order meant Hussey was promoted to his preferred spot of opener and while his place was assured after his brilliant entry this summer, Martyn was at an important stage in a three-match comeback that was not convincing until today. Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, picked Martyn’s experience for this type of uncompromising situation and by stumps he had repaid them. On Tuesday he will aim for a 13th century and an Australian victory.Playing with casual determination, Martyn deflected the fast men and spent a lot of time taking runs from Boje, often through cut shots. This was the version of the player who wooed audiences worldwide before the Ashes blip that he worried had ended his career. Given an unlikely chance, Martyn waited until the third Test to reconfirm his capabilities as a match turner.He hit 12 boundaries and looked unflustered in his 184-ball stay that was crucial throughout the final two sessions, and Australia were relived that he was unbeaten at the end with Brett Lee on 9. The second new ball is due in nine deliveries and Ntini, who picked up 3 for 60, and Pollock will be dangerous on a surface that offers the most when the ball is hard and shiny.

The purpose of Hussey was on display as the zinc on his nose wore off when sweat dripped down his face. Despite gaining a trio of early reprieves, he uncovered some cracking pull shots and sweet cover drives mixed with determined defence during his 197-ball innings that included 12 boundaries. Hussey’s second half-century of the match came from 140 deliveries and he drove the chase again in the final session with his hard running and careful placement.His early performance was not a smooth one and he could have been dismissed to lbw appeals from Andre Nel on 0 and Pollock on 5. Both were rejected by Steve Bucknor, and Hussey was also lucky to escape an edge to Mark Boucher off Makhaya Ntini on 19. The mistakes were costly and South Africa finally got their man when Boje trapped him playing back with the score on 198 and the target less than 100.Symonds came in and thrashed a brutal 29 off 26 balls that reduced the aim further and just as a fast finish seemed likely he edged Kallis to Boucher. Hitting a six over cover, driving fours and pulling two more boundaries, Symonds eased the pressure on his team-mates before leaving as quickly as he arrived at 224. Gilchrist then fell first ball, Warne went with a similar edge to Ntini and the South Africans were back.After reaching 258 in their second innings, the home side’s push for victory started well when AB de Villiers took a sharp diving slips catch to a Matthew Hayden nick from Ntini before Ricky Ponting (20) collected a fine inside edge to an unconvincing drive off Kallis. With the score at 33 for 2, Kallis deserved to be pleased, but he was hindered by an illness to Nel, who was visibly struggling and able to deliver only two overs before leaving the ground for treatment.Australia also had their problems with Langer after he was hit in the head by Ntini with the opening ball of the first innings on Saturday. Reports ranged from him batting No. 4, which didn’t happen, to playing if the team really needed him or not at all. He turned up at the ground late in the day dressed in street clothes and as the wickets fell did not pull on his whites.There was no doubt about the performance of Lee as he finished off South Africa’s innings in only 15 balls this morning, knocking over Boucher for 63 and Ntini for 0. The smooth end gave Australia some useful momentum, but despite an impressive push by Martyn and Hussey the game had ebbed again by stumps.

Australia
Matthew Hayden c de Villiers b Ntini 0 (0 for 1)
Ricky Ponting c Boucher b Kallis 20 (33 for 2)
Michael Hussey lbw Boje 89 (198 for 3)
Andrew Symonds c Boucher b Kallis 29 (228 for 4)
Adam Gilchrist c Boucher b Ntini 0 (229 for 5)
Shane Warne c Boucher b Ntini 3 (237 for 6)
South Africa
AB de Villiers b Clark 4 (9 for 1)
Boeta Dippenaar c Hayden b Clark 20 (55 for 2)
Herschelle Gibbs c Martyn b Warne 53 (100 for 3)
Ashwell Prince c Symonds b Warne 9 (120 for 4)
Jacques Rudolph c Gilchrist b Clark 0 (140 for 6)
Shaun Pollock c Gilchrist b Lee 44 (186 for 7)
Nicky Boje c Symonds b Warne 4 (194 for 8)
Mark Boucher c Gilchrist b Lee 63 (258 for 9)
Makhaya Ntini b Lee 0 (258)

The Rubies, captained by Gill Richards, claimed the Super 4s title after completing an unprecedented clean-sweep throughout the competition, their second title since the inaugural victory in 2002.In the final round of matches, which were held at Loughborough University on July 7 and 8, the Rubies finished unbeaten, claiming their sixth victory in a row as they brushed aside the Emeralds and Sapphires.”It’s an awesome achievement to win the Super 4s trophy. We worked hard as a team throughout and it has paid off,” said Richards. “Players like Lydia Greenway and Holly Colvin have played particularly well. Lydia finished as top run scorer and Holly took three marvellous five-wicket hauls. But it is a team game and all of us showed great team spirit all the way through””To remain unbeaten for the whole competition is a tremendous achievement. The players can be really proud of themselves and I am sure many of them will be back next year for another season at Super 4s. I am so happy for all the team.”On Saturday they took on the Emeralds, their then closest rivals for the title. Colvin took another five wicket haul as they bowled out the Emerald’s for a paltry 69. In reply, the Rubies knocked the runs off with the loss of three wickets. The victory ensured the title for the Rubies who then completed a clean sweep by beating the Sapphires by 15 runs.In the other matches, England captain Charlotte Edwards returned to action with an unbeaten 69 as the Diamonds beat the Sapphires by eight wickets, then followed this with 94 not out as they beat the Emeralds by nine wickets.

Stuart MacGill is tired of hearing that his style does not complement Shane Warne’s. At the SCG the pair operates as well as clock hands and MacGill has pleaded for a chance to continue a successful partnership that has appeared in only ten Tests.”Somebody needs to look at the numbers and realise this is not the first time Shane and I have worked well together and that after a certain number of wickets we have made a strong case to be a regular feature,” he said. “It’s disappointing that other bowlers can bowl in partnership and Shane and I can’t.”The combination bowled Australia to victory with 13 wickets against Pakistan in January and today seven wickets were harvested, MacGill capturing 4 for 39 and Warne 3 for 23 as they sparked a stunning collapse. In an era of abundance for Australian legspinners, the two first-rate performers have been used together sparingly, but the case for retention is growing, especially as the team is experimenting with back-up bowling options.In Tests where both bowlers have played MacGill has 48 wickets at 23.57 and Warne has 41 at 30.15. MacGill said he still wished he was given a chance during the winter in England. “Shane took 40 wickets on the Ashes tour and as far as an advertisement for a second spinner that’s as good as you are going to get,” he said. “It’s a question that will remain unanswered. I may not have fired a shot over there but we’ll never know.”While Warne and MacGill blew the World XI over, Glenn McGrath made the early indents with a testing pre-lunch spell of 2 for 11 from seven overs that pushed him passed Courtney Walsh’s fast-bowling world record of 519 wickets. McGrath said overtaking the mark was a “big honour” and he was already looking for the next milestone.”Courtney was a cricketer that I looked up to and admired, a freak of a player who competed for 21 years straight, hardly taking a break,” he said. “I can’t see myself catching the next two [Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan] but without doubt my next goal is to reach 600 Test wickets.”