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The first semi-final of the Red Stripe Bowl competition, between Guyana and Jamaica, produced a thrilling tie. Batting first, Jamaica made 191 for 9 in their 50 overs. Guyana replied with 191 for 9 but go through to the final by virtue of having more wins in the qualifying stages of the tournament.Guyana won the toss and, not surprisingly on a moist pitch, bowled first. Jamaica lost two early wickets to Reon King. Captain Robert Samuels steadied the collapse with a half-century and he found a valuable partner in Gareth Breese to pull the innings round from 75 for 5.Breese had to retire hurt when on 15, struck a painful blow in the box when facing fast bowler Colin Stuart, returned to blast King for 14 in the final over of the innings before being run out for 42. That assault damaged King’s figures and he ended with 3 for 51 from 9 overs.In reply, Guyana lost opener Andrew Gonsalves for 3 in the second over and slipped to 58 for 3 when Shivnarine Chanderpaul was stumped for 12 after consultation with the third umpire.Guyana’s captain Carl Hooper with 31 and Ramnaresh Sarwan (35) pulled the innings round so that at 114 for 3 Guyana appeared to be coasting to victory. They looked to be coasting to defeat when both batsmen were out by the 35th over, but Neil McGarrell, batting at number 8, revived things with 24 not out from just 15 balls.The final over, bowled by Marlon Samuels, was a classic of the genre. 11 runs were needed for victory and, with the aid of some indifferent fielding and a missed stumping opportunity, the batsmen managed to level the scores with one ball remaining. Stuart was on 14 and went for the run that would have given his side the win but, for once, the fielders were up to their task and Stuart was run out leaving the match as a tie.The place in the final had to be decided by a count-back to wins in the preliminary stages of the competition – a calculation that came out in Guyana’s favour by 3 matches to 2. They will play the winners of today’s clash between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Middlesex batsman Fran Wilson has been called up to the England women’s squad of 14 for the standalone Ashes Test next week in Canterbury. Wilson’s inclusion, in place of wicketkeeper-batsman Amy Jones, is the only change from the ODI squad that lost to Australia 2-1.Wilson was rewarded for her back-to-back fifties, 55 and 64, for England Academy Women in the warm-up matches against Australia. “Fran has been in excellent form with the bat for club and county this summer, and in particular has put in a couple of notable performances for the England Women’s Academy against the Australians during the 50-over and 2-day warm up matches,” ECB’s head of England Women’s Performance, Paul Shaw, said.Jones was dropped after producing scores of 0 and 15 in the two ODIs she played and her score of 18 in the two-day match against Australia in Loughborough last weekend. Wilson, uncapped in the Test format, has played two ODIs and five T20Is so far since her debut against Sri Lanka in 2010, but hasn’t scored any runs in the one-day format yet.Australia currently lead the Ashes four points to two. The Test, which carries four points for a win and two each for a draw, will be followed by three T20Is at the end of the month.England Women Squad: Charlotte Edwards (captain), Heather Knight (vice-captain), Katherine Brunt, Kathryn Cross, Georgia Elwiss, Lydia Greenway, Rebecca Grundy, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield.

Griqualand West opening batsman Pieter Koortzen walked away with theman-of-the-match prize after scoring an undefeated 107 in his team’s 66-runwin over the Highveld Strikers.It was Koortzen’s second century in as many innings in this competition,following on his 123 against North West seven days previously, and it cameoff 113 balls and included 12 fours.Koortzen and Loots Bosman set the tone with an opening stand of 169 thattormented the Strikers until the 24th over, when Bosman was bowled by CliveEksteen, the only visiting bowler to leave in one piece with figures of twofor 33 off his nine overs.Bosman crashed his imperious 89 off 78 balls with 10 fours and two sixes -one driven straight off Ottis Gibson, the other cut square off DavidTerbrugge.Both strokes were nothing short of breathtaking in their sheer audacity, andit will not help the restoration of the Gautengers’ sense of humour thatBosman hit them after he had been dropped on four by Andrew Hall in theslips off Gibson.If much of this sounds familiar, it could be because a similar whirlwindtore through Kimberley when North West came, saw and were conquered. BesidesKoortzen’s effort, Bosman scored 86 and Griquas totalled 318 for six.So no records were set against the Strikers, except that the 306 for fourwas Griquas’ highest total against the not so mellow yellows.The home side couldn’t get much wrong after the start given them by Koortzenand Bosman, but they suffered a significant wobble when, with Eksteenbowling immaculately, Bosman, Grant Elliott and Brett Tucker were sentpacking in the space of 18 balls.Only for Martin Gidley to join Koortzen at the crease and graft 69 runs off59 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes along the way, in a fourth-wicketstand of 111 that ended in the 43rd over when Gidley was bowled byTerbrugge.The Strikers’ reply had a tired look about it from the start, and their onlybatting of consequence was delivered by Nic Pothas and Zander de Bruyn, whoscored 71 and 72 respectively and shared a partnership of 88 for the fifthwicket.By then, however, the writing was on the wall in two-metre-high neonletters.

ScorecardGloucestershire pulled themselves away from the Pro40 relegation zone with a 71-run win against Essex, who are now facing the drop. Steve Kirby took four wickets after Alex Gidman’s aggressive 80 put Gloucestershire on course for a strong total.Essex’s run-chase floundered from the start with openers Varun Chopra and Mark Pettini gone with five runs on the board. Grant Flower soon became Kirby’s second victim as Essex fell to 20 for 3. James Foster (49) and Ryan ten Doeschate (42) pulled Essex back into the contest with a stand of 68, but when Foster was run-out by Ian Fisher the last six wickets fell for 31.Gidman had earlier blazed the ball to all parts during his 67-ball 80, 56 of which came in boundaries. Craig Spearman was equally destructive in his 63 which took 55 deliveries.Danish Kaneria, who bowled intelligently for his three wickets, finally trapped Gidman on the back foot, while ten Doeschate also bagged three to haul in the run-rate. Ultimately, though, Gloucestershire had plenty.

Blame for what happened at The Oval and its aftermath can – and has been – liberally flung in several directions. Darrell Hair’s eventual and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s initial obstinacy, the ICC match referee Mike Procter’s haphazard communication skills and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s less than firm handling of the crisis.As more information from Sunday dribbles through, the last named in particular are being asked increasingly difficult questions in Pakistan and for them, something is about to hit the fan. Inzamam can still count on public support, given the inclusive nature of his protest (he was defending the country’s honour), but it is looking difficult for his board to expect the same.Ex-officials and players are rarely happy with successors but there appears genuine cause for grief. As a fiasco unfolded on Sunday, Shaharyar Khan, chairman PCB, told Sky TV that his team’s protest was to last “a few minutes”. Immediately a contradiction was set in place; “a few minutes” was considerably more and doubts appeared about the team’s intent.Khan giving a statement was questionable enough (not more though than him appearing in a Pepsi commercial last year), given that the team’s manager Zaheer Abbas was hired for just this sort of situation (Journalist Khalid H. Khan, in asked why Zaheer Abbas was seen doing little more than chatting on his mobile phone, walking in and out of the dressing-room). The next day, the PCB only shook up more dust. They were wrong in claiming that the ball was roughed up because Kevin Pietersen was spanking sixes – those came after the ball was changed.They were ambiguous in their stance on Hair; “he was a good umpire” but their team had problems with his attitude. They were contradictory in their explanation of what happened in those crucial minutes after tea and before the game was forfeited. The fate of the ODIs wasn’t decided though their captain and coach were already publicly threatening cancellation. As Inzamam’s hearing is now postponed, they still can’t find one voice through which to speak – do they want hearings postponed or do they not?

Arif Abbasi, chairman of the PCB through the ball tampering and match-fixing crises of the ’90s and no mincer of words was appalled by the management’s lack of knowledge through the events. “It was a shambles. No one appears to have known the laws regarding forfeiture as the crisis was occurring. The manager Zaheer Abbas went missing, the chairman was making comments about things he didn’t know and there was no communication at all between Pakistan and the umpires. As a study in crisis-management, it was as poor as it gets. Since then, it appears as if they haven’t done their homework on anything.”Others have been similarly scathing. Aaqib Javed was in the 1992 side in England, during which a ball was also changed, with considerably less hoopla. “It’s not the first time it has happened. In 1992 while we were playing, our manager Intikhab Alam told us not to worry, he would handle everything while we should just play on. Afterwards, he sent a letter protesting. Where was the manager now and did anyone know the rules? Let’s not forget though that Hair was correct in all the actions he took and he should be lauded for those decisions.”Javed also raised concerns that Shaharyar hadn’t been firm enough, in his capacity as chairman, with the players or match officials. “One player in the dressing-room told me that all decisions were being taken by Inzamam about the protest. Shaharyar’s very nature is of compromise, once a diplomat, always a diplomat. Not being clear and firm on issues is natural. When they convinced Inzamam to come out, it actually made Pakistan and Inzi look more foolish.”That observation wasn’t a stray one; in an article for , columnist Shahed Sadullah questioned the PCB’s decision, together with Mike Procter, to convince the team to return. The gesture was humiliating as well as pointless, “totally compromising Pakistan’s stand. You either protest or you do not; you cannot hedge your bet both ways. That takes away the moral high ground completely and that is what the PCB’s actions have done.”

One well-placed source close to the board painted a none too flattering picture: “They were like a whole group of Inspector Clouseaus, all bumbling through without knowing quite what they were doing, without knowing the law, making one statement after another, each one contradicting the last.” The list could go on; both Imran Khan and Javed Miandad have also registered their concerns over the board’s handling. But as the source acknowledged, “it’s been such a big cock-up that questions will most definitely be asked when they get back.”For one, the Senate is likely to pounce. Since the 2004 loss at home to India, the standing committee for sports has hounded the board – through wins, losses, draws – over their finances, the lack of a constitution (the board has operated ad-hoc since 1999) and any other topical controversy. This is heaven-sent. The tour is drawing to a close but the PCB’s headaches aren’t. In fact, on return, they are likely to turn into a migraine.

The national selection committee, headed by Kiran More, is likely to meet on October 13 at Mohali, near Chandigarh, on the final day of the NKP Salve Challenger series, to choose the Indian captain for the upcoming one-day international home series against Sri Lanka.”The committee is tentatively scheduled to meet on the 13th evening to choose the Indian skipper. The selectors would meet the next day (Oct 14) to select the rest of the team members. But this is only a tentative schedule at present,” board sources said on Thursday.India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a seven-match ODI series commencing at Nagpur on October 25. More and his co-selectors remain on the senior national selection committee pending the completion of the BCCI’s AGM which was adjourned sine die on September 23 at Kolkata.The senior selection panel is scheduled to meet on October 1 at Delhi to choose the captains and team members of the India Seniors and the India A and B squads for the October 10 to 13 Challenger limited-overs series that will be played under lights.More is expected to talk to Sachin Tendulkar, still recuperating from his elbow surgery, about his availability for the tournament. According to board sources, More was in constant touch with Indian team physio John Gloster on the star player’s progress on the fitness front.Tendulkar has been advised to take part in a domestic competitive match before playing on the international stage by BCCI-appointed sports medicine expert Dr Anant Joshi.Meanwhile Sandip Patil and Robin Singh have been appointed coaches of the India A and B teams for the Challenger Series. Greg Chappell will coach the senior side and would be assisted by John Gloster, the physio. Vaibhav Daga and S Mutthu Kumar would be the physiotherapists for the India A and B teams. The board also decided to avail the services of Ian Frazer, the sports scientist for the Indian team, till the conclusion of the South African tour to India.

India 271 (Sehwag 81, Ganguly 79, Yuvraj 50) beat Sri Lanka 267 for 9 (Jayasuriya 130, Sehwag 3-37) by 4 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

There are days when a team imposes its will over another one simply because it is more desperate to win. Today was one of those days, when India held their nerve and overcame a rampant Sanath Jayasuriya in a heart-stopping match that ended with them squeaking through by four runs under the bright lights of the Premadasa Stadium. The Pakistan team, no doubt cheering every Sri Lankan run across Colombo at their hotel, now have no chance of making the final of the Asia Cup.But, the Pakistanis were left to chew their nails till the very last over. With 42 balls left, and 37 runs needed, Sourav Ganguly stared defeat in the face and did not blink. He threw the ball to Virender Sehwag, and took his time to set the field. Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had come in under tremendous pressure, and Jayasuriya had put on 101 runs and seemed prepared and able to finish the job. Then, with a looping offbreak that would have done Erapalli Prasanna proud, Sehwag bowled Dilshan (39) through the gate. Upul Chandana, heart no doubt warmed by Jayasuriya’s presence at the other end, dug in. Three overs later, 18 runs were needed from 18 balls, with four wickets in hand.Jayasuriya was still menacingly at hand, and Ganguly persisted with Sehwag. Not for long, though, as Jayasuriya (130 from 132 balls, with 14 fours and a six) played a tired heave only to see Sehwag call early and settle under a swirler (254 for 7). Now, with two inexperienced tailenders to come, India were well and truly back in it.And then, the pressure proved too much for Sri Lanka’s inexperienced tail. Irfan Pathan rose to the occasion with a four-run 49th over, and 11 were needed from the final six balls. Ganguly, faced with a tough decision for the final time in the day, surrounded by his team-mates, threw the ball to Zaheer Khan. Six calm and cool balls later, Sri Lanka were still four runs short.On a dry pitch that slowed down with every passing over in the second half, the target of 272 loomed large, and if it were not for one man, would probably have been enough to ensure a thumping win for India. After surviving a loud shout for lbw in the second over of the innings, when he was trapped fairly adjacent by Zaheer, Jayasuriya harked back to his golden period in the midand late-’90s, mercilessly bullying bowlers with brutal strokeplay. He set the tone early on, twirling that blade of his as though it were weightless, bringing into play one of the quickest bat-speeds in the world. Zaheer suffered early on, being looted to the tune of five consecutive boundaries in one over. A brace of flicks that sailed over the square-leg region were followed by a lap around the corner and a couple of quick jabs to third man.But, while Jayasuriya plundered along to his 18th one-day century, his colleagues were getting caught out with a regularity that would have had the coach tearing his hair out. Avishka Gunawardene sliced Zaheer down third man’s throat (20 for 1), and Saman Jayantha feathered an edge to the keeper (36 for 2). Marvan Atapattu played a delicious cover-drive early on, but he too panicked, jumped down the pitch and dragged the ball to square leg (76 for 3). Kumar Sangakkara then did his bit, throwing the bat around as though the required rate was 15.44 rather than 5.44, and holed out to mid-on (103 for 4).When India had the top four back in the hutch with just over 100 on the board they would have known that only Jayasuriya stood between them and victory. Mahela Jayawardene helped steady the Sri Lankan ship, blocking, nudging and nurdling a 31-run partnership before a ripper from Sachin Tendulkar somehow squeezed into the stumps via bat and pad (134 for 5). That, as we now know, almost knocked the wind out of the Sri Lankan team.

There are many vital decisions a captain has to make, and when playing day-night matches in Sri Lanka calling correctly at the toss is one of the most important. Ganguly managed that, even if he made a hash of pencilling in names in the Indian teamsheet, and decided to bat. He then backed that up with an innings of 79, and with a little help from his friends Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, took India to a highly competitive 271 for 6.If India had thrown the kitchen sink at Pakistan in pursuit of 301 in the last match, they took out the surgeon’s knife today. Sehwag bucked a run of low scores with a measured, sometimes scratchy innings. His difficulty at having to curb his natural attacking style was plain to see, but somehow he stuck to the task at hand. Sehwag built a 134-run partnership with Ganguly for the second wicket, and laid the foundation for a large total. Even when he was dismissed on 81, caught behind attempting a big heave off Jayasuriya, India were well placed at 168 for 2.On the day, Ganguly made sure he cut out the ambitious swings through the off side. He ran hard for most of his runs and only backed himself to play the big shots when the run rate needed a boost. Yuvraj (50) was an ideal foil to Ganguly at this stage, standing tall and hitting the ball with power. Anything that was too full or too loose disappeared, and plenty in between was pushed away for ones and twos. Ganguly took his chances against the spinners, using his feet well and lofting over the infield. Eventually, Lasith Malinga had the better of Ganguly (79) when he chipped one down mid-on’s throat. The tail scrambled a few, India reached 271, a little short of what they wanted – but in the end, it was just enough to stay in the tournament.

Players guilty of possible transgressions against the Code of Conduct will now have to wait longer than two hours after a day’s play to know if they have been cited.Under new laws to eliminate code breaches from the game, the hours in which a citing can be made have been extended to 18 hours after play.While the International Cricket Council’s chief executive will have the right to lay a charge for five days after the event instead of the 24 hours allowed previously.ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed explained the changes yesterday.It was a power that would be used sparingly and was what he described as “a failsafe” system.”It is to ensure that where an offence has escaped detection it does not avoid prosecution because of a technicality,” he said.Often one of the main causes for transgressions in behaviour was poor umpiring performances and Speed acknowledged that while the introduction of the elite system had led to some improvements, they were not coming as quickly as he would like.However, the new system was still in its early days and a lot of work was going into working with the umpires to improve standards. Improved methods of assessing umpires were being employed, Speed said.But he did make the point that if umpires didn’t improve they would not remain on the panel.

Saturday was a big day for Somerset County Cricket Club Membership Secretary Joanne Betsworth.Not only did Jo see her beloved Somerset win their first trophy since 1983, her boyfriend John Arnold proposed to her and she said “yes”.Talking at The County Ground where she has been the face and voice of the club to callers for 8 years she told me that her boyfriend proposing just about made her day complete. “We plan to get married later on next summer,” she said, but added, “we wont be finalising the date until next years fixture list is published!”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled a hectic international home season that includes hosting South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia.South Africa arrive first and are scheduled to play two Tests and five ODIs between September 26 and October 29. Pakistan then tour India from November 2 to December 13 for three Tests and five ODIs.Zimbabwe are scheduled to arrive for a series of five one-day internationals in January and February next year while world champions Australia tour from March 10 to April 27, 2008. Soon after, Pakistan will also host the Asia Cup.The U-19 and A teams are likely to be as busy. Pakistan U-19 travel to England this July, while their Australian and Bangladeshi counterparts are expected to tour Pakistan in October and November. Pakistan then return to Bangladesh before taking part in the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia in February. The Australia A team also tours Pakistan in September.Meanwhile, the PCB is confident that South Africa will have no problems playing a Test in Karachi in October. “We have sent a tentative itinerary to the South Africans which includes Karachi as a venue for one of the two Tests,” Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer, told . The city is in line to hold an ODI as well.Naghmi added that thus far, South African officials had not raised any objections though the final itinerary will only be announced after full approval from board officials. He also added that it is unlikely South Africa will send officials to inspect security arrangements before the tour. “We have assured them that the South African cricketers will get foolproof security cover.”Karachi has missed out on international matches in the recent past due to security concerns. After the events of September 11, 2001 and in particular, May 14, 2002, when a bomb blast outside the visiting New Zealand team’s hotel killed 14 people, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, India and England have all refused to play Tests in the port city.The trend was broken last year when England played an ODI there and India stayed for a Test.