Tim May, the former offspinner who set up the Australian Cricketers’ Association, has resigned as the union’s chief executive and will move his family to the United States. After eights years in the role, May will depart in June, unless the current Memorandum of Understanding with Cricket Australia is not completed, and will continue as the chief executive of FICA, the international players’ association.May, 43, has been behind obtaining greater pay for national, state and rookie players, negotiating the first Collective Agreement with the Australian Cricket Board in 1998 and implementing events such as the Allan Border Medal. “I have been in the fortunate position of representing a collection of men whose performances both as cricketers and role models have continued to grow and set benchmarks for others to emulate,” May, who took 75 wickets in 25 Tests, said.Ian Healy, the ACA president, said players since 1996 owed much to May for his creativity, commitment and dedication. “As a former top-class player and with a financial background Tim’s skill set was perfect for the role,” he said.Ricky Ponting said May had always placed the welfare of Australia’s players at the top of his priority list. “Tim’s contribution has been first class,” he said.

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

Ramnaresh Sarwan reached the close of the fourth day in Trinidad on 93 not out, seven runs short of the seventh and, potentially, most valuable Test century of his 51-match career, as he and Dwayne Bravo added 78 for the sixth wicket in a crucial unbeaten partnership. Together, they batted out the final 32 overs of an extended final session, to ensure that West Indies would begin the final day with a fighting chance of saving the second Test.That prospect had seemed an eternity away at the mid-stage of the innings, when Nicky Boje and Makhaya Ntini instigated a dreadful collapse of four wickets for 13 runs in seven overs either side of tea. Facing a first-innings deficit of 51, West Indies had reached a state of relative prosperity at 79 for 1, when Boje spun one into Wavell Hinds’s pads to trap him lbw for 22 and open the floodgates.Three overs later, both Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul had fallen for single figures, and the teams were still digesting their tea when Donovan Pagon was the fifth man out, bowled by Ntini for 2 to complete a miserable match. Yet Sarwan remained phlegmatic throughout, and after his first-innings failure (in which he had top-edged a bouncer to fine leg) he was watchful and tenacious against pace and spin alike – save for one notable let-off.Poor Jacques Rudolph endured a day to forget in the field. First, he took his eyes off the ball while fielding at short leg, and failed to notice that Sarwan had lobbed an attempted pull over his right shoulder. Then, while fielding at square leg in the first over of Monde Zondeki’s new spell, he completely muffed a firm clip off the legs from Bravo, who had made just 12 at the time.Nevertheless, from the moment they grabbed massive scalp of Lara, six balls before the interval, the day belonged indubitably to South Africa. After falling for 196 in the first innings, Lara had glanced Andre Nel to the fine-leg boundary to bring up his 200th run of the match, but before he could progress further, Boje tempted him to shape for the cut and bowled him neck and crop as the ball spat hard and low out of the rough. It was a ill-judged shot, but given the success his attacking approach had enjoyed in the first innings, it was hard to criticise.

Lara’s demise was music to South Africa’s ears, but Graeme Smith was not satisfied and with one over remaining before tea, he recalled Makhaya Ntini to the attack to instant effect. Ntini, who had already accounted for Chris Gayle in a hostile new-ball spell, rapped Chanderpaul on the pads with his very first delivery, and umpire David Shepherd instantly upheld the appeal. Replays showed that the ball had pitched outside leg stump, but it was too late for recriminations.The collapse made ample amends for South Africa, after their best-laid plans had gone badly awry in the morning session. As if a precursor of what was to come, it was the unassuming offspin of Gayle that did the damage, as South Africa lost all four remaining wickets in the first 40 minutes of play. Had they managed another session of steady accumulation, their lead of 23 with four wickets in hand could have been translated into a matchwinning position. As it is, they were bundled out for 398 – a slender advantage of 51 – and West Indies had been allowed right back into the match.Gayle, who had wheeled away without success or scare for 33 overs on the previous two days, struck with his very first ball of the morning to remove Mark Boucher for 28, and when South Africa’s other overnight batsman, Ashwell Prince, fell in the very same over, Gayle mopped up the tail so efficiently that Chanderpaul did not even contemplate turning to the new ball. Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel were both suckered by a lack of spin and bowled, as Gayle wrapped up the innings with 4 for 9 from 4.5 overs.The spin of Boje was South Africa’s greatest threat as well, looping the ball onto a full length from around the wicket to stifle West Indies’ run-rate and tempt them into indiscretions. But neither Sarwan nor Bravo – another man who had missed the first Test because of the sponsorship row – lost their nerve.However, the vagaries in the Trinidad pitch had been shown up during a hostile new-ball spell from Ntini and Nel, and the pair will be in harness on the fifth morning as well, when the second new ball becomes available after two overs. It will be the critical phase of this match. If West Indies can see it off, they may yet go to Barbados with the series all-square.How they were outSouth AfricaMark Boucher c & b Gayle 28 (374 for 7)
Leading edge, easy return catchAshwell Prince c Chanderpaul b Gayle 45 (375 for 8)
Checked drive, good tumbling catch at short coverMakhaya Ntini b Gayle 4 (384 for 9)
Straight low long-hop, pegged back off stumpAndre Nel b Gayle 6 (398 for 10)
Round the wicket, deceived by angle, missed a straight oneWest IndiesChris Gayle c de Villiers b Ntini 1 (14 for 1)
On back foot, fenced lifter to gullyWavell Hinds lbw b Boje 22 (79 for 2)
Played back to big turner, might have done too much?Brian Lara b Boje 4 (85 for 3)
Ripped out of rough and kept lowShivnarine Chanderpaul lbw b Ntini 1 (86 for 4)
Looked plumb, but pitched outside legDonovan Pagon b Ntini 2 (92 for 5)
Trapped on crease, under-edged yorker onto stumps

The battle for control of the US cricket administration was always likely to turn really ugly following the cancellation of Project USA, and it seems that the gloves are now well and truly off.In one corner, Gladstone Dainty and his existing USA Cricket Association elite; in the other, the swelling ranks of the clubs and regional bodies who have had enough.What triggered an escalation in the hostilities was the announcement earlier this week by Polam Reddy, president of the Southern California Cricket Association, of a meeting caled by the Council of League Presidents (which is made up of the 25-odd cricket leagues that constitute the bulk of USACA membership) next month in Dallas to discuss the future of cricket in the USA.That struck a nerve with Dainty.Cricinfo has been given details of a remarkable telephone conversation yesterday between Dainty and Reddy in which there was little attempt to disguise the level of animosity between the pair. Dainty was livid that the meeting had been called, claimed that Reddy had no authority and also tried to maintain that Reddy’s recent election had been blocked by the USACA. In an email circulated to the USACA, Reddy said the conversation ended with Dainty threatening to "destroy me for not respecting his position."The president of the North Texas Cricket Association and the USACA regional director of the Central East Region have informed Dainty that they are the co-sponsors of the Dallas meeting on April 16. Furthermore, they have stated that any action on Dainty’s part to interfere with the proceedings would be viewed with the greatest concern and would immediately lead to criminal proceedings against him. They are also telling him that the authorities in Dallas had been informed about Dainty’s threat, and would be prepared to take any needed action to allow the proceedings to go on undisturbed."If Dainty is there we will ask him one question," Reddy said in an email. "Only one. We will ask him to tell us, in one sentence, what positive thing he has ever done for US cricket. After the long period of silence which will follow our question, we then, as courteously as possible, ask him for his resignation then and there."The Dallas meeting has been given the blessing of Bobby Refaie, who himself is at the centre of the storm after being suspended as USACA secretary by Dainty.In a letter to CLP members, Refaie said that it was time for everyone to unite to take cricket in the US forward. “It is your clubs that are the real members of this organization, not the USACA executives or board of directors,” he said. “You and your member clubs are the ones that stand to gain or lose by what is done in your name.”The continuing lack of any action from the USACA to what was an entirely avoidable situation appears to be hastening the enforced departure of Dainty and his associates. It is bewildering that they appear to want to remain after all the highly personal criticism that has been hurled in their direction and their apparent unwillingness to face the crisis.Although Project USA is dead, there are still large ICC development grants up for grabs but they will not even be considered while the present regime remains in place. Nothing can change until there is change within the USA. And surely, now that’s just a matter of time?

Scorecard
Muttiah Muralitharan spun Lancashire to a 76-run victory against Worcestershire at New Road after Andrew Flintoff had led their superb fightback on the third day. It is Lancashire’s first victory since the fourth Championship match of last season at Old Trafford, which was also against Worcestershire. At the start of the final day, the match hung in the balance, Worcestershire needing a further 210 runs with eight wickets in hand. Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki took them in sight of the total, each striking half-centuries but ultimately it was not enough. Both of their innings were boundary-crammed; Hick’s 57 comprising 11 fours and one six, while Vikram Solanki smote nine fours in his 52. Dominic Cork turned the match by removing Hick, Ben Smith and then Cahminda Vaas in quick succession. Muralitharan then mopped up the tail as Lancashire recorded their first victory of the season.**David Wigley did not bat for Worcestershire in their second innings: he was absent hurt with a broken hand; the result of an accidental beamer from James Anderson.Match drawn
Scorecard
Derbyshire and Northamptonshire shared the points at the County Ground after rain forced the match to be abandoned on the final day – although the match was heading for a draw after the home side had put up a much-improved batting performance on the third day. Northamptonshire had made them follow on, but their openers Steve Stubbings (58 not out) and Michael di Venuto (55 not out) remained unbeaten at the close. Derbyshire had showed once more their tendency to collapse: they were 175 for 7, before a defiant rearguard stand of 61 between Chris Bassano and Ant Botha. Johann Louw finished with career-best figures of 6-71, a worthy reward for more than 30 overs of hard work. Northants will have fancied their chances of making inroads into the home side again, but Stubbings and di Venuto put up sterner resistance and Derbyshire clung on for the points when the rains came.
Scorecard
A last-wicket stand of 70 between Robert Turner and Nixon McLean was not enough to save Somerset they slumped to a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of Essex. The visitors had not been expecting to bat again – and when they did, they knocked off the target comfortably, losing just one wicket in pursuit of 76 – after Somerset, in their second innings, were 65 for 4 at one stage and then 170 for 8, which was still 67 runs behind. But Somerset’s last two partnerships produced a combined total of 143, forcing Essex to take to the crease again. Will Jefferson, Ravinder Bopara and Alistair Cook knocked off the runs.

Ragheb Aga and Jimmy Kamande, the two medium-pacers, have been recalled to bolster the Kenyan team that will face Namibia in a rescheduled Africa zone ICC Intercontinental Cup qualifier in Windhoek next month.Kamande has not played for Kenya for nearly a year but Tom Tikolo, the chief selector, said that he had shown improvement in his form and had big potential as a genuine spinner and batsman. “Kamande would prove useful with his spin and in getting the runs in Windhoek,” Tikolo said, adding that Kenya needed to win to qualify for the semi-finals.The two countries, which meet on June 3-5, share top spot after both beat Uganda intheir opening matches of the three-nation series. Aga was left out of the match in Kampala after leading Kenya as stand-in captain for the inaugural cup semi-finals and finals in the United Arab Emirates last November.The selectors also left out Tanmy Mishra, the 17-year-old batsman, who made hisdebut against Uganda, and the opener David Obuya, the youngest of the three brothers in the national team. Another surprise omission is Brijal Patel who is performing well domestically at the moment.Squad Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Obuya, Maurice Ouma, Hitesh Modi, Collins Obuya, Martin Suji, Peter Ong’ondo, Lameck Onyango, Kalpesh Patel,Jimmy Kamande and Ragheb Aga.

The Beige Brigade will be in raptures with the news that New Zealand will again wear the one-day strip from the 1980s when they take on Australia in a Twenty20 international at Eden Park in February.”The idea came from the Black Caps and they are enthusiastically behind it,” explained Martin Snedden, New Zealand cricket’s chief executive. “They grew up watching cricket during the ’80s and have a lot of respect for players from that era.”Twenty20 cricket may one day find a regular place at international level as a third-generation form of the game, complementing test cricket and one-day internationals.”A statement issued by the Beige Brigade welcomed the news. “We have been preaching the mantra ‘It’s About Passion Not Fashion’ for several years now, and have travelled the world and the country in support of the Black Caps. It is wonderful to see that the impact of the Kiwi cricket fan wearing beige has inspired a complete change in the clothing that the national team will don come February.”

Brian Lara refused to get carried away by the tidal wave of emotion that followed the West Indies’ remarkable triumph in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval, but hoped that the success would act as a spur for a new generation of Caribbean cricketers. Though considered one of the finest batsmen of his era, Lara has had to wait until the twilight of his career for his first major international honour.”In 1975 when we won the World Cup, it began our great days in both Tests and one-day cricket,” said Lara, speaking soon after Ian Bradshaw and Courtney Browne had scripted a dramatic come-from-behind triumph. “I hope it’s the foundation of another beginning.” West Indies won the first two World Cups, in 1975 and ’79, but have consistently failed to reach the highest echelons of one-day cricket since a shock defeat to India in the 1983 final.Lara refused to pin the occasion down as the finest of his career, but admitted his satisfaction at having seen off an England side that trounced West Indies in Tests home and away this summer. “There have been many personal highs in my career – the one-run win in Adelaide, the win over South Africa in 1992,” he said. “But in terms of the battering we have received from everyone in the past few months and then doing it against England, who smashed us in seven of the eight Tests, is pretty special.”Bradshaw, who struck the winning runs to cap off a performance remarkable for its composure, was singled out for special praise, along with Browne. “It’s been great for them since I don’t think I have seen Ian bat even in the nets,” said Lara. “The thing to remember is that both of them are from Barbados and have played together for many seasons. Both of them are very experienced. This is the thing about this side – experience. We brought in quite a few senior players for this tournament and it has made a difference.”Bradshaw, who took two wickets in the England innings then stroked that priceless unbeaten 35, called it the biggest moment of his life. “I just wanted to support Courtney,” said Bradshaw, who has captained Barbados and also captained the West Indies Under-19 team. “When the light was offered to us, I didn’t want to go out since we had the momentum. I spoke to Courtney and he said the same.”After a couple of seasons in which it appeared that the lights had gone out on West Indies cricket, it was glorious full wattage at The Oval last night. And few would begrudge Lara and his men that.

On McMillan’s batting: His technique has improved, he’s got the mistakes out of his system. He’s watching the ball, and playing it much later. He’s acknowledged that the enforced break had been to his advantage. I have contacted all the four century makers, either on the phone or on text.On the ability of New Zealand batsmen to handle spin: I would have settled for 400, but 630 is brilliant. The fact that we have been able to score so highly in Asian conditions, on this tour, and earlier in Sri Lanka shows that our batsmen have improved technically. It is particularly pleasing because the Indian spinners have had a complete hold over New Zealand batsmen. So many players scoring centuries is a proof of growing maturity.

Mashrafe bin Mortaza of Bangladesh has been elevated to the Asian squad due to the unavailability of Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. Mortaza, initially a reserve player, will represent Asia against Africa in the Afro-Asia Cup to be played in South Africa from August 17 to 21.Sultan Rana, the Asia team manager, gushed about Mortaza. “Mashrafe Mortaza is a very promising prospect,” he said, “a terrific asset to the Bangladesh team and I am sure he will be a committed performer for Asia against Africa.” Mortaza has represented Bangladesh in 18 Tests, taking 47 wickets at 35. He enhanced his reputation in the recent tour of England, where he stood head and shoulders above his teammates.Asia squad Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Kumar Sangakarra, Sanath Jayasuriya, Yousuf Youhana, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Ashraful, Anil Kumble, Shoaib Akhtar.

Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo has admitted that he wished that he and his team had taken a stand against the old Kenyan Cricket Association earlier than they did.Tikolo and a number of senior players finally went on strike last October after more than a year of disputes over payments they claimed were owed to them by the Sharad Ghai led board. That regime was finally removed by fresh elections in May, and Ghai is awaiting trial on charges that he misappropriated around $3.5 million of KCA funds.”The association was mismanaging the sport and we did not utter a word as things deteriorated,” Tikolo told the Nation. “Last year we said enough was enough and refused to play. Our action prompted the government to act. Now the rot in cricket has been cleaned out. Had we protested earlier then we would be at a higher level in the game.”Tikolo also revealed that he regretted his role in chosing Andy Moles as the national coach. He was one of three people given the task of finding a replacement for Sandeep Patil, but revealed that it was a decision he immediately rued.”We could not work with Moles,” he told the paper. “Our relationship in the dressing room deteriorated by the day … it even threatened our performance.”This made me realise my work is to play – hiring and firing coaches is the job of the association. When things went wrong we could not complain as we were part of the selection panel.”