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DISCOVERY BAY – Even amidst the euphoria of winning the Red Stripe Bowl, the top brass of the Barbados team was dishing out suggestions towards ensuring that the island builds on its first regional limited-overs title in 14 years.Among them was a call by captain Courtney Browne and coach Hendy Springer for coloured clothing, white balls and black sightscreens to be introduced at domestic level.Another was for better preparation of the team and the desire to see the younger players coming under the wings of seasoned players."We need to maintain these standards," Springer told NATIONSPORT after Barbados defeated Jamaica by 33 runs in an absorbing final at the Kaiser Sports Club on Sunday."I hope that the guys go back to Barbados and fit into their respective teams and give them some good stories and some things to think about as far as general development of cricketers and cricket is concerned."Winning a title is not all. If you get one or two younger players coming through, I think you have done your job. This will serve in good stead. We’ve won and we’ve got to maintain and build."It was Barbados’ first capture of the crystal Bowl and their first success in a Caribbean limited-overs championship since Malcolm Marshall’s team beat Jamaica at Sabina Park in 1988 when Springer was a player.Apart from calling for better preparation of the team in light of this season’s last-minute build-up, skipper Browne wants to see more encouragement for younger players to rub shoulders with seasoned campaigners."I know there has been a lot of talk about playing the youngsters, but at the end of the day young players will only learn quicker if they are playing with the old boys," Browne said.The suggestion for the facelift in Barbados’ club limited-overs matches was first mooted by Springer and supported by Browne."We’ve been playing one-day cricket in Barbados long enough and we don’t play anything that is remotely related to what happens at the international level. Yet we are expecting our guys to go to the international level and play and perform," Springer said."We should get out black sightscreens, white balls, coloured clothing, coloured pads, if we can afford it, or come as close to it as possible."We need to familiarise those guys at that lower level with what is happening at this level."The white ball does a lot more and it deteriorates a lot quicker than the red ball does," Springer added."If you play with it a couple of seasons, you get accustomed to it and when you get to this level and beyond, you know what to expect."Browne saw no reason why the recent changes to Barbados’ club season couldn’t be taken a step further."It might be a little difficult in the first year, but all the players will get accustomed to it," he said.

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.

The Somerset players left Taunton earlier this afternoon to drive to Scarborough where they play Yorkshire in the county championship tomorrow.After their drawn game against Surrey over the weekend there was a mood of confidence in the camp before they set off.Coach Kevin Shine told me: "The county championship table is wide open, apart from Surrey who seem to be running away with it at the top.At present there are only ten points between ourselves and Hampshire who are in third place, and they have a game in hand, so we will be looking to consolidate our position when we play Yorkshire."The coach continued: "We picked up decent points against Surrey over the weekend on a good wicket at Taunton. To win you have to play exciting cricket, and with our resources we have to plan carefully. Scarborough can be a funny wicket, and it will be very interesting to see what they do with it."He went on: "Last time they left a lot of grass on the wicket, so we will wait and see what they do this time. We have got a well balanced attack with Graham Rose, Steffan Jones and Matt Bulbeck, and Ian Blackwell and Keith Dutch."The coach concluded: "We are going up there with confidence and will perform as professionals."Jamie Cox , who will miss the championship match, but is expected to play in the NUL game on Sunday told me: "In short we need points to move ourselves up and away from the congestion in the table and into a better position."Matt Wood, who scored a hundred in each of his innings against Surrey at Taunton told me: "We need a good result up there, and I hope that my run of good form continues."Somerset bring veteran all rounder Graham Rose into replace the injured Simon Francis, and take the highly rated eighteen year old batsman Arul Suppiah as twelfth man.The full squad is: Matt Wood, Piran Holloway, Mike Burns, Peter Bowler, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Graham Rose, Matt Bulbeck, Steffan Jones and twelfth man Arul Suppiah.

Peter Roebuck has been arrested on three charges of indecent assault.According to the BBC, the former Somerset cricket captain has been accused of inviting three teenage boys back to his Taunton home for private coaching before indecently assaulting them.Avon and Somerset police began their investigation after complaints by three 19-year-olds that they were assaulted, on separate occasions, between 1998 and 1999.Roebuck is the man widely credited with rebuilding the Somerset side after the debacle of the departures of Botham, Richards and Garner. He also captained an England XI in the Netherlands and is one of the most respected writers on the game.Roebuck was released on bail and will appear before Taunton Deane Magistrates on Thursday.

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.

Central Zone took firm control over the proceedings of the game as they reduced North Zone to 198 for 6 on the second day of their CK Nayudu Trophy semifinal encounter at the BOS Engineering Ground in Cuttack on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Central Zone in their first innings folded up at a score of 343.Resuming at the score of 284 for 5, Central Zone lost the overnight batsman S Raza Ali (87) with the addition of only two runs. Afroj Khan (69) then took the total past 300 with the help of the tailenders while realising his fifty. He was the eighth batsman to be dismissed with the score at 333. During the 199 minute stay at the crease, Afroj faced 154 balls and found the signboards on eight occasions and cleared it twice.In response, North Zone were given a good start with openers M Bisla (44) and G Geri (15) adding 32 runs in 6.2 overs. Geri was the first to be dismissed, bowled by CS Atram. Then Dhruv Mohan (52) joined Bisla and took the score to 78 when Bisla was caught by A Deshpande off Raza Ali. This brought TT Dilip (25) to the crease and with Mohan he took the score along to 120. Dilip was the next to be dismissed caught by Raza Ali off N Chowdhury.Sumit Sharma and Mohan then forged a 72 run fourth wicket stand. As North seemed to coast along, they lost three quick wickets. Mohan who held the innings together departed after a 205 minute stay at the centre, bowled by Atram. Mohan faced 138 balls for a well compiled half century, in which he hit eight fours. Sumit Sharma joined him in the pavilion soon after, caught by Deshpande off M Srivastava. New batsman Paras Dogra was then bowled by Atram to leave the visitors in a spot of bother at stumps. V Singh (6) and S Singh (0) were unbeaten at close of play. CS Atram so far has figures of 3 for 46.

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.

Akila Dananjaya has been named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the World Twenty20, following four impressive performances for Wayamba United in the ongoing Sri Lanka Premier League. Another uncapped player, opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera, has been picked and Ajantha Mendis has earned a recall. Mendis has not played for Sri Lanka since January after suffering a back injury.Dananjaya, 18, had never played professional cricket prior to the SLPL, nor was he picked for the U-19 side currently competing in the World Cup in Australia. He had been selected in the preliminary 30-man squad solely on the recommendation of captain Mahela Jayawardene, who had faced him at Sri Lanka’s net session. Dananjaya has taken seven wickets at the SLPL, at an average of 11 and an economy rate of 4.81.Munaweera was picked despite not being named in the preliminary list. Renowned as a clean hitter on the domestic circuit, he showed glimpses of that power in the SLPL, but has a highest score of 36 in his four innings in the tournament so farMendis, though, has been impressive in the SLPL. He has nine wickets at an average of 14.11 in four matches.A fractured finger during the ODI series against India last month had ruled out Kumar Sangakkara for four to six weeks and his selection in the 15 remains subject to his recovery in time for the competition. Likewise with seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who suffered a groin injury in July.There is no room in the side for batsman Upul Tharanga, who played in the Twenty20 against India earlier this month, despite scores of 65 not out and 48 for his franchise. Chamara Kapugedara, who hit a match-winning 69 from 39 balls for Uthura Rudras on Tuesday also missed out.Sri Lanka play their first warm-up ahead of the World T20 against West Indies on September 13. Their first game of the tournament is against Zimbabwe on September 18.Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Dilshan Munaweera, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Shaminda Eranga, Akila Dhanajaya.

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.”

Fawad Ahmed is expected to make his long-awaited debut for Australia during the limited-overs series that follows the Ashes after being named in an 18-man squad at the expense of Xavier Doherty. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has also been included and should play his first ODI in three years, while Doherty and the allrounder Mitchell Marsh were the only players dropped from the squad that contested the Champions Trophy in June.The most fascinating inclusion is that of Ahmed, a legspinner who arrived in Australia in 2010 as an asylum seeker from Pakistan, where he had played ten first-class games over four years. Ahmed impressed for Victoria during the 2012-13 season and his Australian citizenship was fast-tracked this year in an effort to make him available for the Ashes, although he was ultimately not chosen in the Test squad.But Australia’s selectors remain keen on Ahmed as an international option and have been impressed by his bowling during the ongoing Australia A tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Although Ahmed has collected only two wickets in the five one-day games on the tour, the selectors believe he has bowled better than his figures indicate, and he will be the lead spinner alongside allrounder Glenn Maxwell in the limited-overs games in England.

Changes to Australia’s ODI squad from the Champions Trophy

• In: Fawad Ahmed, Josh Hazlewood, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith

• Out: Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Marsh

“Fawad Ahmed gets his opportunity as the squad’s lead spinner,” the national selector John Inverarity said. “Fawad has been a consistent wicket-taker on the Australia A tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. He is a mature and very good leg-spin bowler, and the national selection panel is keen to see how he fares in international competition … He has been bowling very well in South Africa and turning the ball and troubling the batsmen so we’re keen to have a look at him.”He takes Xavier Doherty’s place. Xavier has been a fine performer for Australia over the years. We haven’t selected the side for India, for the seven ODIs there in October, but it’s likely that both players will be on that tour. He [Doherty] is very much a known quantity and he’s a wonderful young man and a very good cricketer. He can be hopeful that further opportunities will come his way.”The 18-man squad will gather for the two Twenty20s against England that follow the Ashes and the group will then be trimmed to 15 for the one-off ODI against Scotland and five against England in September. While Mitchell Marsh was replaced by Steven Smith after having limited impact in the Champions Trophy, his brother Shaun was included and is likely to play in the T20s, but whether he remains part of the squad for the ODIs is unclear.The same can be said of Aaron Finch, who has been captain of Australia A during the African tour, while the rest of the batting line-up was largely as expected. However, there was no place for Nic Maddinson, the young New South Wales batsman who has played a number of eye-catching innings for Australia A in the British Isles and Africa over the past couple of months, including a remarkable 181 from 143 balls against Gloucestershire in Bristol.”While he hasn’t been selected in this squad, the national selection panel also notes the strong performances of Nic Maddinson in recent months for Australia A,” Inverarity said. “We look forward to him continuing to build on that good form and pressing his claims for higher honours in the future.”The pace attack will be led by the experienced Mitchell Johnson and Clint McKay, but also features younger talent including Nathan Coulter-Nile, who made his T20 international debut in February, and Hazlewood, who also reappeared in the national side via February’s T20 against West Indies. Hazlewood, 22, made his ODI debut in England in 2010 but has always been regarded by the selectors as a player to watch.”We’re looking forward to him showing his wares in international cricket again,” Inverarity said. “He made his debut for Australia in 2010 at the age of 19. Three years later he’s a stronger young man and a better bowler. He has been very impressive with his form in Zimbabwe and South Africa.”I’ve been talking with Andy Bichel, who’s the selector on duty in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and Josh has been very impressive, has bowled with good pace and good accuracy and has been moving the ball. I think it’s the right time for him to come through and join the international squad.”Squad Michael Clarke (ODI capt), George Bailey (T20 capt), Fawad Ahmed, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Phillip Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Shane Watson.