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Australia have opened up a 278-run lead after a day of hard-fought Test cricket in the best traditions of the Ashes. England were dismissed for 325, with Glenn McGrath finishing with four for 87 and Jason Gillespie overcoming injury fears to ensure that Australia enjoyed a useful lead on first innings. Despite Andrew Caddick claiming two early wickets when Australia batted again, Matthew Hayden and Damien Martyn consolidated to take Australia into day four in a commanding position.When England resumed on 158 for one, it was the usually economical and precise McGrath who took the valuable wickets of Mark Butcher for 54 and Marcus Trescothick for 72 to prevent the tourists from making progress from their promising overnight position.Trescothick looked dangerous and showed his class when he drove two consecutive deliveries past McGrath to the boundary. Yet McGrath, slightly out of rhythm and looking laboured, made the breakthrough when Butcher shaped to drive but edged to Hayden in the slips.McGrath struck the next blow five balls later when Trescothick drove without conviction at a ball outside off stump and Ricky Ponting was waiting in the slips for the edge. After being tied down for a while by the pace duo, Trescothick played at a ball on the line which he had been happy to leave earlier in the morning.McGrath’s 100th and 101st Ashes wickets came at precisely the right time for his team. He could have done with another, however, as Nasser Hussain and John Crawley settled in to revive English hopes with a partnership that added 97 for the fourth wicket and appeared to be taking their side towards comfort.After lunch, however, Steve Waugh took the new ball with immediate success. Gillespie, this time was the destroyer. During this period the 27-year-old was electric. Passing a fitness test on his calf before play, he continually stretched the muscle during and after his spells.The injury did not seem to hinder Gillespie in any way as he continued to pose more of a threat than McGrath. After Hussain hoisted Gillespie for six to bring up his fifty, the bowler seemed to crank up the pace and accounted for Hussain with a beauty. He squared up Hussain with a ball at which he had to play and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist did the rest.With the cracks in the pitch beginning to open up, Gillespie struck again in his next over as Alec Stewart played an indecisive inside edge onto the stumps to be bowled without scoring and England had slumped to 270 for five.Now it was the turn of McGrath. Craig White had made 12 misjudged the bounce to lose his off bail without offering a shot to a ball that he thought would go over the stumps.The only recognised batsman left, John Crawley played patiently and responsibly as he pushed for ones and twos, then waited and punished the bad balls. His fifth fifty against Australia and the fourth in the England innings took all of three hours and 120 balls, but he was doing a fine job for his side.Crawley, however, could only watch as Andy Bichel stepped up to account for Ashley Giles for 13 – caught behind playing some way from his body – and Caddick in quick succession. With the injured Simon Jones unable to bat, Crawley was left on 69 not out.Australia started their innings in blazing fashion, as they tend to do. Justin Langer had hit four boundaries in his 22 from 25 balls when he edged Caddick to Stewart, while the same bowler produced an absolute snorter to account for Ponting. It flew from a length to take the shoulder of the bat on its way to Trescothick at first slip. Ponting took a long look at the pitch as he departed.Hayden was joined by Martyn to see the home side through to stumps, playing with controlled aggression to both finish with 40 not out.In the last 12 matches played at the Gabba, only three have ended in a draw. Rain has been the deciding factor in those three but, in the middle of a local drought, that consideration is not likely to come into play on this occasion. The Australians will be happier with that knowledge than England at this stage of the match.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced today that it is confident the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is complying with the upgraded ground security and crowd behaviour standards established by the International Cricket Council (ICC).The ICC has recently advised that venues not able to comply with tough new standards could risk losing their rights to stage international cricket.ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said there had been instances of poor behaviour by a minority of spectators in recent years.”The recurrence of crowd trouble at some one-day international cricket matches in recent times has resulted in the risk of international cricket being taken away from the MCG,” Mr Sutherland said.However, Mr Sutherland said he is expecting the crowd at the MCG this year to exhibit the same controlled excitement seen at other grounds this summer.”We are expecting strong crowds for international cricket at the MCG this summer and we are confident the MCG patrons will enjoy the spectacle in a safe and secure environment,” he said.”Changes made to crowd management processes after the first one-day international match at the MCG last summer resulted in a marked improvement for the rest of that season and standards are even more stringent for this season.”New measures for season 2002-03 include an increased police and security presence, an increase in surveillance cameras and new responsible alcohol service standards limiting sales to two plastic cups of low-alcohol beer per purchase in certain areas and no wine or spirits in certain areas.External, pre-game security surveillance has also been scheduled and all bags will be searched upon patrons’ entrance into the ground.Mr Sutherland said the ACB had worked closely on security issues with the Melbourne Cricket Club, as venue managers, Cricket Victoria, as event managers, and Victoria Police in the lead up to Melbourne’s first one-day international, an Australia versus England day/night game on Sunday (15 December).”The public, the players and officials have a right to feel comfortable about being at the MCG, just as they do at other grounds around Australia,” he said.”We are confident the measures to be implemented this Sunday at the MCG will improve crowd behaviour and increase the safety of players and spectators.”For more information please contact:Peter Young, ACB General Manager, Public Affairs, on 0425 764 693;Patrick O’Beirne, ACB Corporate Communications Manager, on 0408 99 88 56.

PERTH, Oct 21 AAP – England’s form batsman Michael Vaughan will sit out his team’s tour opener, but insists his knee injury will not stop him playing in the upcoming Ashes series starting next month.The Yorkshireman enjoyed a remarkable northern summer in which he registered four Test centuries including scores of 195 and 197 against India.But his right knee, which he had a minor operation on last month, has pulled up sore forcing him out of the match against an ACB Chairman’s XI at Lilac Hill tomorrow.His knee will be of an enormous concern for the England team as it already has some major injury worries in the 16-strong squad.But the 27-year-old said he hoped to be fit in time for the two-day match against Western Australia starting at the WACA ground on Thursday.Allrounder Andrew Flintoff and Darren Gough will also miss the Lilac Hill fixture as they try to recover from respective hernia and knee operations.But Vaughan will arguably be the tourists’ biggest concern as his partnership with Marcus Trescothick at the top of the order is seen as pivotal to England’s hopes of winning an Ashes series for the first time in 16 years.Vaughan has scored 1710 runs in 23 Tests and his average of 47.50 is easily the best in the England team.The only other batsman with an average of more than 40 is Trescothick.”A bit of dehydration from the flight and obviously a little bit of swelling (of the knee) but it has gone really well the past 48 hours,” Vaughan said today.The right-hander is one of the great unknowns for Australia as he missed the 2001 Ashes series also because of a knee injury.Vaughan has only played one match against Australia in a one-day encounter at Old Trafford last year but was bowled first ball by quick Jason Gillespie.”I have played one game so far and only lasted one ball, so things can only get better,” he said.And despite averaging an impressive 90 in six Tests over the northern summer he also conceded he was also dismissed first ball by Australian paceman Glenn McGrath in their only encounter in a county match.However the amiable Vaughan didn’t appear very concerned about his previous efforts against Australia’s pace attack.He said he and Trescothick would try to play in a positive fashion against McGrath who reached the 400 Test wicket mark in Sharjah today.Vaughan said the openers probably wouldn’t follow New Zealand’s tactic against Australia last summer of leaving anything slightly outside of off stump.”If it is there to leave you have got to leave it, but I think the positive approach is the best approach,” he said.”Marcus and I are the type of guys who go out looking to be positive.”But Glenn McGrath is going to have periods of play where he’s bowling very well and leaving the ball might be the best option.”But we’ll have to judge the wicket and the best way to play on the day.”The first Ashes Test starts on November 7 in Brisbane.Meanwhile the ACB Chairman’s XI made one change with West Australian batsman Chris Rogers replacing teammate Scott Meuleman who has a thigh injury.The England team is: Nasser Hussain (c), Mark Butcher, Andrew Caddick, John Crawley, Richard Dawson, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Stephen Harmison, Simon Jones, Robert Key, Alec Stewart, Marcus Trescothick, James Foster.The ACB Chairman’s XI is: Michael Hussey (c), Ryan Campbell(v-c), Michael Clark, Kade Harvey, Brad Hogg, Chris Rogers, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Callum Thorp, Paul Wilson, Kim Hughes, David Hookes, Wayne Clark.

Sri Lanka’s squad for the Natwest triangular series has been modified afterlast-minute discussions between the team management, the selectors and theSports Ministry.In addition to the inclusion of batsmen Chamara Silva, Naveed Nawaz and Avishka Gunawardene, wicket-keeper batsmen Romesh Kaluwitharana and experienced fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe, 30, have been selected.Prassana Jayawardene, the reserve wicket-keeper, will now fly home after theTest series with Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillakaratne, Ruchira Perera, Thilan Samaraweera and Eric Upashantha.Full Squad: Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Muttiah Muralitharan, Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Nuwan Zoysa, Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando, Buddika Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Chamara Silva, AvishkaGunawardene, Naveed Nawaz, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Pramodya Wickramasinghe.

Guyana ensured their entry into the semi-finals of the 2002 Busta Cupwith a comprehensive innings and 42-run win over Leeward Islands athome. But their opponents, though picking up no points from theencounter, made it to the semi-finals themselves on the strength oftheir previous performances.Put in to bat, Guyana, bolstered by the return of ShivnarineChanderpaul and Carl Hooper, notched up a mammoth 442 in their firstinnings. Lennox Cush and Chanderpaul put on 253 runs for the thirdwicket, with Cush making 154 and Chanderpaul 140. The partnershipformed the foundation of a strong batting performance that included 54from Neil McGarrell.Mahendra Nagamootoo, relinquishing his captaincy role to Hooper,continued his fine performance with the ball, taking 6-71 in Leewards’reply. Only Fabian Adams at the top of the order and Runako Mortoncould even cross 50, and Leewards were bowled out for 237 in 80.2overs.Guyana afforded their opponents little respite after enforcing thefollow-on. Although Adams made yet another fifty, Leewards were bowledout for 163 in 62.5 overs. Nagamootoo took four more in this innings,but his 10-wicket match-haul was not enough to prevent the Man of theMatch award from going to Cush. McGarrell also took four wicketsLeewards’ second innings.At Trinidad, the hosts drew their match with Windward Islands, pickingup six points to Windwards’ three. Batting first, Trinidad & Tobagomade 380, a total comprised largely of Dwayne Bravo’s 122 and skipperRichard Smith’s 72. Windward Islands, however, replied positively,with Junior Murray hitting 105. The visitors conceded a lead of only40 runs, being bowled out for 340; Dinanath Ramnarine took fivewickets for Trinidad & Tobago.The second innings saw Darren Ganga at the top of the order hit 151not out, and his opening partner Imran Jan making 94 before beingdismissed. Trinidad & Tobago hit up 298/2 in 102 overs beforedeclaring and setting Windwards a target of 339. The visitors werenever going to make it, however, and the match wound down to theinevitable draw with Windwards reaching 96 for no loss in 24 overs.The match, however, gave Trinidad & Tobago the coveted semi-finalberth in the Busta Cup, where they will face off against Jamaica.Jamaica won their own match against Bangladesh ‘A’ by an innings and60 runs. Batting first, the hosts put up 368, with Wavell Hindsscoring 78, Ricardo Powell 86, and Gareth Breese 72.For Bangladesh ‘A,’ Hannan Sarkar at the top of the order hit 55 andAkram Khan a well-made 46, but none of the other batsmen could makeany significant score, and the visitors were bowled out for 166 in 70overs. Following on, they did little better, managing only 142 in 52.2overs. Darren Powell took 5-27 for Jamaica, earning the Man of theMatch award.Defending champions Barbados do not find themselves in the semi-finalsof this edition of the Busta Cup, even though they won their matchagainst West Indies ‘B’ by an innings and 263 runs. Batting first,Barbados notched up 557 in quick time, three of their batsmen makingcenturies. Skipper Sherwin Campbell hit 107, Kurt Wilkinson 135, andRyan Hinds 166. Floyd Reifer’s 54 and Courtney Browne’s 52 were almostnot needed.Suleiman Benn then took 5-87 in bowling West Indies ‘B’ out for 193.Following on, they did even worse, bowled out for 101 in 45 overs. TBest took 5-37 in the West Indies ‘B’ second innings, but the Man ofthe Match award went to Ryan Hinds for top-scoring in the firstinnings.

You want action, forget the one-dayers, stick to Test cricket. The third day of the fourth Test saw Ajay Ratra become the first Indian stumper to score a ton overseas, India declare on 513/9 and West Indies respond with 187/3. Not before Anil Kumble, with a broken jaw and a return-ticket booked, took the field anddismissed Brian Lara. What a day!It all began with Ratra, increasingly under pressure for not making runs, watching in dismay as Laxman became the seventh Indian wicket to fall. After making 130 (244 balls, 14 fours) Laxman played back to a short ball from Merv Dillon and trod on his wicket. An unusual dismissal but one that West Indies would take on a flat wicket.Zaheer Khan (4) then hung around long enough to see Ratra reach three figures. It did not come easily, but when it did, the joy was unbridled. The whole Indian team stood on the balcony clapping and cheering as Ratra became the first Indian ‘keeper to score a Test century overseas. This is of course overlooking Vijay Manjrekar’s similar achievement, as he was not really aspecialist ‘keeper.The effort took India to a substantial total. And when the declaration came, after Javagal Srinath made 15 and was dismissed, Ratra was unbeaten on 115 (282 balls, 12 fours).In response to India’s healthy 513/9 declared, West Indies got off to a solid start. There was almost no movement off the wicket or in the air. Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra shared the new ball but could not trouble the batsmen.Zaheer Khan, with his extra pace and awkward angle, got a couple of deliveries to jump. This was not yet cause for concern, however, as Hinds and Gayle drove fluently through both the off and on-sides.The first real chance for the visitors came in the 24th over of the day. Gayle, moving across his stumps and flicking a full delivery that found Shiv Sunder Das at square-leg. The fielder reacted a touch late, however, and floored the catch.Fortunately for the Indians, Gayle did not make them pay for their mistake. Without adding another run to his tally of 32, he nicked Zaheer Khan through to the ‘keeper soon after.Sarwan replaced Gayle as the ball was beginning to lose its shine. India were prompted to bring Sourav Ganguly and Tendulkar into the attack and this helped the overs roll along. Tendulkar, in particular, infused some interest into the proceedings with leg-breaks and googlies that turned prodigiously. The wrong ‘uns in particular troubled the left-handed Hinds more than once.When Wavell Hinds brought up his half century with a spanking cover drive, the fans at Antigua were on their feet. After watching India bat for two days and a bit, there was finally some West Indian batting on display. And it was gorgeous clean hitting at that.That was until Tendulkar enticed a false shot from Hinds. A looping wrong’un seemed badly pitched, a shade outside the leg stump. Leaning forward and preparing to clout the ball to the fence, Hinds found the ball dipping on him, played down the wrong line and heard the death rattle. The ball spun back enough to clip the leg stump. Hinds’ well-made 65 (117 balls, 9 fours) had come to an end.Sarwan watched quietly from the non-striker’s end as the biggest roar of the day welcomed Lara out to the middle. Lara on a flat wicket… a run fest on the cards?Not much later, just after news came in that Kumble was flying back to India the next day for surgery, out walked the man himself. Heavily strapped up, with bands going around his jaw, over his head and across the back of it, a semi-mummified Kumble walked out to the middle.The ball was tossed to Kumble and a slider slipped past Lara’s outside edge off the very first ball. There was much speculation about the wisdom of such a move. Perhaps it was foolhardy to ask a man with a fractured jaw to bowl?All talk was put to an end, as is so often the case with Kumble, by one delivery. Tossed up, fizzing through, pitching on off and spinning in just a touch, Lara’s across the line swat was not good enough. The pad was struck, Kumble appealed as well as his plaster would allow and umpire David Shepherd confirmed that Lara (4) was plumb lbw.Hooper and Sarwan then went on to steady the ship. On a flat wicket, the last thing the West Indies needed was a flurry of wickets. And that almost happened.In the 64th over of the day, Kumble had Hooper caught at forward short-leg, only to see umpire Shepherd call a no-ball. Off the next ball, one thatbounced and turned, Hooper flashed hard to slip. Dravid got hishands to it but could not latch onto the chance.The rest of the day, thankfully, passed off uneventfully. Hooper chipped and drove his way to 26, Sarwan, the very picture of solidity and cool composure racked up 50.

Whilst the lack of consistency was a disappointment, and would have cost usdear if it were the World Cup, Sri Lanka’s performance in the final of theSharjah ARY Gold Cup was very satisfying indeed and once again underlinedthe fact that when we play to our potential, Sri Lanka is a world classone-day side, which is very difficult to beat.It is especially heartening that we are presently winning the big games inone-day cricket. There were a few nerves on the morning of the final. Thestadium was packed full of supporters, most them cheering Pakistan with apassion, and we had lost three out of our first four games. It was a bigmatch and we went into it in poor form.Credit then to the players, who responded well to the pressure. It helped towin the toss of course. Chasing had proved difficult throughout thetournament and we had no hesitation batting first.Evening dew was not the problem that it was last October and our spinnerscould operate effectively under the lights. Moreover, we felt the ball spunmore during the evening and the fast bowlers enjoyed some extra nip in thefirst ten overs.So, why did we opt to field first against New Zealand? We were criticisedfor that decision, but the rational was simple. We wanted extra practice atchasing, an aspect of the game that had let us down on two occasions againstPakistan.Although we were glad to bat first in the final, the top order still had tocontend with the impressive Waqar Younis and Abdul Razzaq, who bowledtightly in the opening overs, restricting us to 33 runs in the first tenovers.Despite the early loss of Romesh Kaluwithrana and the relatively low scoringrate, however, Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu held their nerve,unlike Pakistan, who started to spill chances. We gradually raised thetempo, scoring 46 runs in the second ten overs, 53 in the third, 65 in thefourth, and 100 in the final ten. It was as good a batting performance asyou are likely to witness.Pakistan though were always in with a chance, even if they haven’ttraditionally enjoyed chasing. Ten overs of a rampaging Alfridi and it couldbe all over with the experienced Saeed Anwar and Inzaman ul-Haq waiting inthe wings.In the previous two Pakistan games we had failed to take wickets and theyhad scored freely throughout their innings. Somehow we had to reduce theirscoring rate. Deep-set fields had failed to achieve this. The likes of Anwarand Inzaman were too adept at massaging the ball into the gaps, so we had toforce them to play differently by bringing more fielders into the ring,requiring them to take more risks.As it turned out they may have started quickly once again, but they lostpriceless wickets, as Arnold, Muralitharan, and Fernando all took brilliantcatches. Saeed Anwar, who had batted brilliantly throughout the tournament,was not given the support he needed. It was a composed, professional, allround performance.This year we have won three out of the four international tournaments thatwe have participated, but we cannot rest on our laurels. There is still muchwork to be done if we are going to prosper in the next World Cup.The greatest worry at the moment is that the performance of the middleorder, which is not contributing with the necessary consistency. We have toaddress this. Personally I feel, as I have maintained throughout the past18-months, that there is no shortage of skill. The problem is mental and wehave to toughen up in this area. If we can cultivate the right frame of mindthen the consistency will follow.For the moment though it is time to rest and recuperate after five longmonths on the road. The players are tired and deserve a break. Not for toolong mind. In two weeks time the players will be getting back together tobegin preparations for the Indian tour.

If there’s one thing that the England cricket system is capable of producing it is fast-medium swing bowlers who know how to make the most of conditions that suit them – and Yorkshireman Matthew Hoggard added himself to the list today.New Zealand-England contests are full of bowlers who have left their marks in such fashion like: Brian Statham, Geoff Arnold, Mike Hendrick, Chris Old, John Lever and more recently Darren Gough to name a few.Hoggard’s haul of seven for 63 to help skittle New Zealand for 147 in the first National Bank Test at Jade Stadium in Christchurch was the fifth best effort by England against New Zealand.Ahead of him were: Derek Underwood (7-32 in 1969), Tony Lock (7-35 in 1958), Phil Tufnell (7-47 in 1991/92) and Lock (7-51 in 1958).His was an impressive demonstration of stamina as he bowled unchanged for 20 overs, broken by stumps last night and lunch after an abbreviated first session in the morning. In that time he had five for 59.Having had Mark Richardson last evening, he added Matt Horne, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent and Nathan Astle before he was rested.Then after Andy Caddick took three wickets in five balls, Nasser Hussain hurried Hoggard back into the attack and he responded by taking Craig McMillan and Ian Butler to wrap up the innings and complete 21.1 overs.Hoggard said it was nice to bowl in helpful conditions, especially after toiling so hard in India.”It swings a little more and seems to seam a little more here,” he said.His first hour today was largely fruitless until he picked up Vettori’s wicket.”Daniel Vettori played really well, but we knew when we got the breakthrough we always had a chance of getting the next batsman quickly,” he said.And despite the long spell he had, he said, “It is surprising how tired you don’t get when you are taking wickets.”Like the New Zealand bowlers on the first day he did feel the slowness, and heaviness, of the outfield and he got some cramp towards the end of his spell.Captain Hussain had to take the ball off him to get him to have a break because as Hoggard said, he wasn’t going to give it up.”I have bowled as well before but not taken as many wickets. It is just one performance, I have a few more to put together on this tour.”I just want to step up and keep performing,” he said.

A monster second-wicket partnership between Mark Richardson (97) and Craig Cumming, who ended unbeaten on 125, a tea declaration and three wickets in the last session left Otago in firm control of their Shell Trophy match against Northern Districts with one day to play.Otago declared at 238 for two, 83 runs ahead of Northern on the first innings. By the end of the day, the home side were 61 for three, still 22 in arrears and looking in danger of coming off worst in the points battle at the top of the table.The 220-run partnership for the second wicket was a beast of startling contrast. Cumming and Richardson spent the morning being most circumspect, 86 runs coming from the first 140 minutes’ play. The Northern bowlers were tight and the Otago pair were content to make use of whatever loose balls came their way. There were not many.What was served at lunch? It might have been two different batsmen on duty after the break, reflected in the 151 runs bludgeoned in the 130 minutes until the declaration at tea. Cumming showed particular preference for anything on his legs; Richardson’s innings was best expressed with the left-handers’ classic straight drive.The day certainly did not start like one that would produce two short of 300 runs. Another night of Hamilton dampness, this time heavy dew, ensured a delayed start. Otago resumed half an hour late under high overcast skies at one without loss in response to Northern’s 155. After the early departure of their captain, Matt Horne (1), Richardson and Cumming settled in for what appeared to be the long haul.With an industrious approach that made little room for adventure, they took the score through to 87 for one in the face of Northern bowling that was generally accurate, induced the occasional false shot but offered just enough for the Otago pair to suggest they were doing more than occupying the crease.They certainly did more than that after lunch – although inititally runs tended to come in bursts, eight off an over here, ten off another there, then a pause, then another burst, 12 here, 15 there. However, once past the Northern first innings score, they took to the bowlers. None was immune, the straight drive and the pull in particular doing the damage.New Northern medium pacer Simon Andrews gained particular experience of the split personality of the innings, his first five overs in first-class cricket going for just 11, the four in his second spell contributing 43 to the Otago cause. The rest of his colleagues were similarly dealt to, Simon Doull and Grant Bradburn picking up the only two wickets to fall.Northern’s progress during the final session was slow, just five boundaries, only one in the last hour. Michael Parlane went early, driving outside off and giving Duncan Drew his fourth catch in his first match behind the stumps. That seemed a signal that all Northern batsmen were vulnerable outside off. Certainly, that was where the Otago bowlers, Bradley Scott and Paul Wiseman excepted, bowled again and again and that was where the Northern batsmen ignored them – again and again.David Sewell was rewarded for one straight over, Drew getting his fifth catch of the innings to remove James Marshall (29), but the left-armer’s figures of one for five off 11 were very flattering. On the other hand, Scott’s catching Mark Bailey (23) in front was just recompense for bowling straight.Bailey’s wicket ended a 52-run partnership with Marshall, Northern’s highest of the match. They will need to improve that dismal record if they are to have any chance of coming out of this match with some profit. With Wiseman looking in demanding form, that prospect looks increasingly slim.

Rory Hamilton-Brown’s departure from Surrey has been confirmed after the county announced he has been released from the remainder of his contract although which team he now joins remains undecided.Somerset are the favourites to get his signature as Hamilton-Brown looks to revive his career after a traumatic season following the death of his close friend Tom Maynard after which he was granted indefinite compassionate leave from the club. He briefly returned to the side and his final appearance for Surrey was the Maynard tribute match against Glamorgan on August 21.Earlier this month Surrey confirmed they had given Hamilton-Brown permission to talk to other counties so he could assess his future and his three-years with the club have now come to an end.Chris Adams, the team director, said: “Rory is a talented young cricketer. Achieving promotion and winning the CB40 trophy were both significant achievements and his weight of runs made a big contribution. Whilst at the club, he has also moved a lot a closer to fulfilling his ambitions of playing on the International stage.”The club has agreed to his request to leave so he can look to make a fresh start elsewhere. On a personal level I would like to wish Rory the best for the future and hope he is able to realise his potential at the highest level.”