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Following their most successful season ever Somerset County Cricket Club today announced that the following new contracts have been offered:-
Keith Dutch, Ian Blackwell and Steffan Jones all 3 years,
Keith Parsons and Matt Wood both 2 years,
Jason Kerr and Joe Tucker both 1 year.
Fast bowler Jamie Grove, who joined the Cidermen from Essex two years ago has had his contract mutually ended, whilst another fast bowler Ian Jones has also been released.Twenty three year old fast bowler Simon Francis, who has been released this season by Hampshire has joined Somerset. The former England under 19 player made his first team debut for the south coast side in 1997 and played in nine first class matches in 2000 taking 15 wickets at an average of just over 40 runs a piece.Somerset have also announced that the former Hampshire reserve wicket-keeper Mark Garaway has been appointed Regional Academy Director working from the Somerset Centre of Excellence at The County Ground.Part of his duties will include being responsible for the Somerset Second XI, but his overall responsibility is for the identification and development of young players throughout the South West Region.Twenty nine year old Garaway lived for a time in West Somerset, commences his duties on October 29th 2001.Speaking earlier this evening Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me, “On the back of a very successful season what we are trying to achieve is to retain a balance between proven players we currently have on contract, but allowing us room to manoeuvre should we wish to make changes to the playing staff.”With regard to the release of Jamie Grove the Chief Executive said, “Jamie wanted to play regular first team cricket and we couldn’t offer it. He is young enough to go and look elsewhere so we agreed to let him go.”The Chief also confirmed that Jamie Cox has signed to return to Taunton next season and will continue in his role of captain.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSteven Croft lifts the NatWest Blast trophy as Lancashire broke their duck•Getty Images

There have been many disappointments and much heartbreak along the way, but Lancashire have clinched their first limited-over silverware since 1999 with a 13-run victory over Northamptonshire in the final of the NatWest T20 Blast.Since that 1999 success in the Sunday League, Lancashire have been defeated 15 times in the latter stages (quarter-finals, semi-finals or final) of limited-overs competitions. Five times previously they had reached T20 finals day and twice they had been thwarted in the final. It is no wonder they have earned a reputation as domestic cricket’s version of South Africa.So perhaps Ashley Giles will become known as the man who performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on Lancashire. In his first year in the role of director of cricket at Lancashire, Giles has overseen promotion (it would take a miracle to deny them at this stage) and this success.This was a triumphant homecoming for the former Warwickshire coach. A few months ago, after Peter Moores was sacked as England coach, Giles was told not to bother applying for the role. His record was tainted, he was told. The world had moved on.But this was a reminder that his record, at county level at least, is exceptional. His last season at Warwickshire, in 2012, saw the club win the County Championship, while two years before that, they won the CB40 trophy. He has surely wondered many times how different the course of his career might have been had England not choked so dramatically here in the final of the Champions Trophy in 2013.It is, therefore, not surprising that some at Edgbaston want him back to fill the vacancy of chief executive. Giles insists that he is thinking of nothing other than his role at Lancashire – and to see the anxiety etched on his face in the closing stages of this match, it would be hard to disagree – but he was burned by his period as England coach. Rarely given the chance to select the team he wanted, he has admitted that he would like his long-term future to involve more management and a bit less coaching. One day, he may well make a fine successor to Andrew Strauss as England’s director of cricket.Lancashire owed this success, in large part, to the stand of 77 their openers posted in the first nine overs of the match. There are those at the club who feel that Alex Davies could go on to enjoy an even better career than Jos Buttler and here – with 47 from 26 balls – the 21-year-old produced the most fluent batting of the day. He fully deserved the Man of the Match award.Certainly he demonstrated a fine cricket brain and wide range of stroke. Showing that he had learned from the batsmen’s struggles in the semi-finals, he tried to engineer more pace on to the bat from this slightly begrudging pitch by standing outside his crease and, while others slogged and heaved, he rarely tried to hit the ball too hard. Three times in the opening three overs he square drove for boundaries and, when Azharullah came on, he danced down the pitch and drove him over mid-off for another.It was always likely that spin would play a dominant role in the final but Davies refused to let Graeme White settle, twice driving him over mid-off in his first over – once for four and once for six – and helping Lancashire post 67 from the first seven overs.At one stage it looked as if they would score in excess of 180. But Shahid Afridi, appearing at Finals Day due to the benevolence of a local sponsor and his own goodwill, and David Willey bowled beautifully, and Lancashire lost four wickets in eight balls at one stage.Liam Livingstone was bowled through the gate by a googly that turned prodigiously, James Faulkner drove to extra cover – not the first time his driving has got him into trouble this summer – and Karl Brown was caught down the leg side.But Arron Lilley, an offspinner in whom the England selectors are taking interest, ensured some late impetus, helping Lancashire take 24 from the final two overs and give Lancashire a total that, in comparison with the other first-innings scores on the day (131 and 115) looked highly competitive.If Northants were to go close, they probably required one of their openers to make a substantial contribution. But Richard Levi mistimed to mid-off and David Willey top-edged to midwicket – both men given a quite unnecessary send-off by the graceless Faulkner – and while Afridi and Josh Cobb swung merrily for a while, Lancashire always appeared to have a dozen too many.Faulkner bowled with tremendous skill and heart – despite sustaining what appeared to be a dislocated finger when Afridi thumped the ball back at him – and the spinners were predictably frugal conceding just 67 runs in their combined 10 overs.But perhaps it was the performance of George Edwards, playing just his sixth T20 match of the summer, and Gavin Griffiths, who made his T20 debut earlier in the afternoon, that will provide most satisfaction for Lancashire supporters. Both bowled with skill, control and calm in circumstances in which others might have struggled. Both have long careers in front of them for the club.Whether Giles does remains to be seen. But such issues can wait. After many years of near misses, Lancashire have their limited-overs trophy and, after the pain of losing the England job, Giles has eloquently and classily proved his point.

Shashikala Siriwardene will lead Sri Lanka Women in the Women’s World Twenty20 and the preceding T20I series against India, which starts from February 24. Siriwardene has recovered from a thumb injury she suffered during the side’s tour of New Zealand in November last year, which ruled her out of two ODIs and the following T20I series.The squad for India includes uncapped allrounders Hansima Karunaratne and Harshitha Madavi, although the latter will only join the squad for the Women’s World T20, which starts on March 15. The experienced trio of allrounder Eshani Lokusuriyage, batsman Yasoda Mendis and left-arm medium-pacer Udeshika Prabodhani have made their way back to the side after missing the New Zealand series.Achini Kulasuriya, Chamari Polgampola, Hasini Perera, Maduri Samuddika, Anushka Sanjeewani, who had a disappointing tour of New Zealand, were left out, although Samuddika and Sanjeewani have been added to the list of standbys for the tournaments.Sri Lanka’s tour of India comprises three ODIs and as many T20Is, which will be played in Ranchi between February 15 and February 26. Sri Lanka have been slotted in Group A of the 10-team Women’s World T20, alongside Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland. Their World T20 campaign kicks off against New Zealand on March 15. The top two teams from the group will progress to the semi-final stage.Sri Lanka T20I squad: Shashikala Siriwardene (capt), Chamari Atapattu, Yasoda Mendis, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Dilani Manodara, Prasadani Weerakkody, Ama Kanchana, Eshani Lokusuriyage, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Nilakshi de Silva, Hansima Karunaratne, Nipuni Hansika, Harshitha Madavi*

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced that it would not be entering into performance-based contracts with India’s cricketers for the time being. After a meeting with senior players in Delhi it was decided that the existing contract system would continue for another year.At the moment players receive a retainer and a flat fee per Test and ODI. The BCCI had earlier proposed a system in which players received smaller retainers but were rewarded heavily for winning matches and series. The players were not in favour of this system, and the BCCI, for the moment, has decided to stick with the old contracts system.This means that players can receive contracts in either A, B or C category. The A-category contract comes with an annual retainer of Rs 50 lakh (US$124,000), the B-category contract is worth Rs 35 lakh (US$87,000) and the C-grade works out to Rs 20 lakh (US$50,000).”Existing player contract system will continue. Four senior players met the Contract Committee today and they have agreed to continue with the prevailing system,” Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI said. The contracts committee, comprising Shah, N Srinivasan, the treasurer, Shashank Manohar, a vice-president of the board, and Inderjit Singh Bindra, the president of the Punjab Cricket Association, met Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble in Delhi.”The gradation committee will sit towards the end of this month or by October first week to finalise things,” said Shah. “It will also decide how many players will come under its purview but the players are happy with the existing system.” In the past the gradation committee has included the coach, the chairman of selectors and senior board officials. Given that India do not have one overall coach at the moment, it’s unclear who all will be on this committee.

The second edition of the Afro-Asia Cup is scheduled to be held at Chennaiin June 2007. Both men and women will contest in matches between Asia XIand Africa XI.The tournament was first held last year in South Africa. The serieswas drawn 1-1 with one game being abandoned owing to rain. The playerswill be selected after the World Cup in 2007. The panel of selectors willcomprise past cricketers from the two continents.The total prize money for the event is set to be US$100,000. The winner ineach game will receive US$25,000, the Man of the Match US$5000 and the Manof the Tournament US$10000. Participating players will be paid US$5000 foreach match.Schedule
Two 20/20 games on June 5, 2007
1st ODI – June 6
2nd ODI – June 8
3rd ODI – June 10

It cannot be denied that Sri Lanka weren’t fully tested in their recent three-match one-day series against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka outplayed the tourists, convincingly beating them in each game, prompting Tom Moody, Sri Lanka’s coach, to comment that his side couldn’t make full use of the new, experimental one-day rules. Moody was, however, delighted with the efforts of several younger players who were given the chance to shine.Speaking of the experimental one-day rules, he said: “When you are allowed to have a super sub, it allows you to have a lot more depth depending on which way you go. There are a lot of options for the captain whether it be batting or bowling,” said Moody. “We found that it wasn’t effectively used in this series because we weren’t in any sort of pressure situation where it could be tested.””We won the three matches rather [more easily] than we expected. It is very hard for those new one-day rules to be really gauged properly. We used them to our advantage through the series, but not from a point of view in a pressure match situation,” said Moody. “It was more so from the balance of the team giving players more opportunities. In a tighter match situation we will be in a better situation to judge the new rules and regulations.”It was the first time that Sri Lanka had the opportunity to use the new experimental rules. Sri Lanka won 3-0 and it was so totally one-sided that the series lacked a competitive edge.”We never wanted the series to be this easy,” said the Sri Lankan captain, Marvan Atapattu. “It came to us in an easier way than we [expected].””Bangladesh are a much improved side from the last time we met them, but we are playing well. It is another series win after all. It doesn’t mean that we have achieved all our goals. We still have areas where we can improve. We have won more series at home. It is time for us to concentrate on winning [more matches overseas] and make our mark there,” said Atapattu.Through no fault of theirs, in the past couple of years Sri Lanka has been confronted with very weak opposition. Last year, they toured Zimbabwe and thrashed an under-strength side in two Tests and three one-day internationals. Prior to Bangladesh’s arrival here, they came up against a weakened West Indies team and the result was the same.”The positive side of it is that we have managed to keep our intensive levels high to beat teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. We have done our homework well. We respect teams and we do what we can do best, without thinking too much about the opponents. It is shown by our results,” said Atapattu.”The difference between a good side and an average side in world cricket as I see it, is team work. Take Australia for that matter. Why they have been a good side is that there is somebody who will carry the burden on any given day,” he said.Moody, though, was more sympathetic towards Bangladesh and said his team had a lot of respect for them.”Sri Lanka was in a similar position quite a few years ago. There is a metre of respect there. You’ve got to understand they are an emerging side. It is not going to happen overnight,” he said. “But we’ve seen the success that Sri Lanka has had with some hard work and perseverance. From our personal point of view we know there are areas we can improve on, and we will improve. We can’t expect Bangladesh to come over here and look to beat us 3-0 in this stage of their development.”He added that when playing against weaker sides like Bangladesh, it can be difficult at times to keep his team motivated.”The ability of moving the side around, changing batting orders, resting three of the most senior players today was one way of motivating the side because you are giving opportunities to other players. Hopefully, they will grab those opportunities with both hands and create a competitive environment within the squad,” said Moody.The weakened opposition meant Sri Lanka could give opportunities to younger players, like Upul Tharanga, Dilhara Lokuhettige and Farveez Maharoof, who might otherwise have been overlooked, had the resistance been stronger.Moody said: “We are very conscious of looking to build for the future. We were lucky enough to see the success of Upul Tharanga. He had a slow start in the Indian Oil series but proved his class in this series.””Lokuhettige is another one who is a player who could play an important role in Sri Lankan cricket in the future. It is important [younger players] get exposure. A series like this has given us the opportunity to look at a few players and for them to gain confidence.”Moody said the plus points to come out of the series was the comeback of fast bowler Dilhara Fernando and the bowling of Maharoof.”Fernando’s had a bit of a tough time with injury. He’s come back well and bowled with good pace and fire. His confidence is up and that’s a good positive for Sri Lanka,” said Moody. “Maharoof bowled superbly well in the Indian Oil series and has shown here that he going to be a more valuable bowler going into the future.”Atapattu expressed confidence that Sri Lanka’s new generation of cricketers signalled Sri Lankan cricket was in good hands.

Sri Lanka A 190 for 6 (Perera 43*) beat Kent 188 for 8 (Smith 70) by four wickets
ScorecardSri Lanka A made it seven wins out of seven with another emphatic victory, this time over Kent at Canterbury. They were made to sweat briefly, as Amjad Khan whipped out three wickets in a useful nine-over spell, but Kent’s total of 188 for 9 proved insufficient, and the Sri Lankans swept home by four wickets with more than five overs to spare.Rain reduced the match to a 43-over affair, but after winning the toss and batting, Kent made the perfect start, as Michael Carberry and Ed Smith rattled along to a 109-run opening partnership. But as soon as Carberry fell for an excellent 48, the wheels came off the innings. Alex Loudon was caught-and-bowled by Suraj Mohamed for 1, and Suraj followed up with the big wicket of Smith, for a finely-crafted 70.The innings unravelled with alarming speed after that. Only Niall O’Brien’s defiant unbeaten 27 from 25 balls prevented a complete meltdown, but Kent’s total of 188 for 8 was unlikely to be competitive.Sure enough, Sri Lanka came racing out of the blocks, with Gayan Wijekoon setting the pace and Ian Daniel chipping in with a cameo 21. Khan then caused a mid-innings stutter, but Bathiya Perera steered them to victory with an unbeaten 43.

India may have been beaten badly on their tour to New Zealand last season, but John Wright sounded a stern warning to Stephen Fleming and his team ahead of the two-Test series in India in October 2003. “We’ve got a few scores to settle with them.”The Indian team – especially their much-vaunted batsmen – had a miserable time in the seaming conditions in New Zealand, losing both Tests inside three days, and winning only two out of seven one-day internationals. However, in the spin-friendly conditions at home, New Zealand might find the Indian team an entirely different proposition. Wright, whose contract as coach was extended by a year after the Indian team’s spectacular display in the World Cup, was confident that his team would be ready to tackle New Zealand.”The boys have some time off after the World Cup and they should be hungry for runs and wickets.” Scoffing at suggestions that his loyalties might be divided, Wright said: “My job is to make sure the Indian team and its fans get good results. That’s the only way I think about it.”Since Wright took over as coach, India’s record at home is a formidable one: they have beaten Zimbabwe, Australia, England and West Indies in Tests, and haven’t lost a single series. India’s one-day performance has been even more impressive, with wins in the NatWest Trophy in England and the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, before losing to Australia in the World Cup final.India will have an opportunity to avenge that defeat as well, when Australia join India and New Zealand for a triangular one-day tournament in November.

A fine century from Stephen Stubbings failed to prevent Gloucestershireboosting their promotion hopes with victory by an innings and 20 runs atBristol.The tall left-handed opener hit 120 off 202 balls, with 15 fours, passing1,000 runs for the season for the first time when he had made 94.But, despite Stubbings’ efforts, Derbyshire were bowled out for 278 in theirsecond innings, with Ian Harvey returning 5-89.Off-spinner Martyn Ball took 3-67 for match figures of 9-90 asGloucestershire moved into the third promotion spot in the Second Division.For all that, it was an impressive performance from 23-year-old Stubbings tofollow his first innings half-century and ensured some creditable Derbyshireresistance.He eventually fell to a good catch on the run by Tim Hancock coming in fromcover, having mistimed a drive off Ball, after batting for four and aquarter hours.Mathew Dowman contributed 35 before a belligerent Nathan Dumelow smashed 48off just 56 balls, including four pulled sixes off Harvey.The Australian eventually got his revenge as Dumelow was caught at slip byBall attempting a similar blow.That left Derbyshire 258-8 and, despite some lusty blows from Kevin Deanafter tea, they could not force Gloucestershire to bat again.In many ways it was Harvey’s match. He hit the fastest century of the seasonin Gloucestershire’s total of 508, took three catches and ended with matchfigures of 6-136.The home side took 20 points and Derbyshire four.

Glamorgan have been given a two-point deduction and ordered to forfeit their Royal London One-Day Cup match against Hampshire following an ECB disciplinary panel hearing at Lord’s.Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris has termed the abandonment “embarrassing” and promised a full enquiry, painfully aware that they had already inherited a two-point deduction at the start of the season for preparing a poor pitch in 2014.”Our internal investigation is ongoing and we are committed to taking whatever action is necessary to ensure that we produce the best possible pitches for the rest of this season and beyond,” said Morris.”We will provide a further update when we are in a position to draw firm conclusions.”The deduction undermines Glamorgan’s chances of reaching the last eight, but Hampshire will be delighted that they have been awarded the points from the match.Furthermore, they have also been given a further suspended two-point deduction for all competitions in 2016 which will be applied if they transgress again, along with any further punishment that might be deemed applicable.The hearing was convened following the umpires’ decision to abandon the match in Cardiff on August 2 due to an unfit pitch early in the second innings after two Hampshire batsmen were struck by balls that misbehaved.Glamorgan were also fined £9,000 of which £5,000 will be suspended until the end of the 2016 season. The remainder will be given to Hampshire to compensate the small number of supporters who made the trip to Cardiff.The panel, which was chaired by Chris Tickle, considered reports from the umpires, ECB liaison officers and pitch consultants and both counties.The ECB statement concluded: “In reaching their decision the panel noted that the club is undertaking immediate investigative and remedial work on their square at considerable expense.”