The ICC has expressed great delight with the work being done ahead of next year’s World Cup in the West Indies and Ehsan Mani, the president, said he believes it will be “the best World Cup ever”.Speaking late on Thursday after a series of meetings with other senior officials working on the tournament, Mani said they have been very impressed and the legacy that would be left behind will demonstrate that the West Indies has become a major player in the international game.”We are delighted with the pace of progress and the level of professionalism being displayed by those charged with the responsibility of getting the tournament in place,” Mani said. “There is a whole team doing nothing but living, breathing and sleeping World Cup and that is the way it has to be if you are going to be successful.”This is the first time the Cricket World Cup is coming to the West Indies and it is long overdue. It was time for the West Indies to say it was ready to stage the game’s biggest event. From what we have seen being put in place, I believe this will be one of the greatest ever, actually, the best World Cup ever.”Next year’s tournament will be the first time in the history of sport that a major international tournament is played in nine different independent territories.”Given the legacy and history of West Indies cricket, it’s only right that the West Indies should be hosting a World Cup,” added Mani, who steps down from his post at the end of July. Percy Sonn of South Africa will replace him.”The West Indies is unique. Every territory has its own unique flavour and the following of the game here is second to none. The whole culture of the Caribbean is going to make this a fantastic World Cup.”Organisers have predicted that the event will attract more than 100,000 visitors to the bustling archipelago and Mani said the region can handle the traffic adequately.He added, “The West Indies is used to a lot of tourists, the islands of the Caribbean are hosts to a huge number of people every year. What we have done is to ensure there is a bit of fine-tuning to make sure they are looked after well and are comfortable as possible. All has been progressing well. We are confident.”.
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.
Australians 484 for 6 (Lehmann 134, Katich 116, Ponting 116) v Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI Scorecard
Shane Warne drives – his was a rare failure on a day of runs for Australia
Simon Katich and Darren Lehmann gave the Australian selectors the proverbial headache on the opening day of their tour match against the Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI. Both men cracked stylish centuries, and Ricky Ponting added one of his own as well, to lift the Australians to a monstrous 484 for 6 at the close.Katich and Lehmann are competing with the allrounder Andrew Symonds for a solitary middle-order slot, and on this evidence, the selectors will have to decide on the toss of a coin. Katich made 116 off 118 balls with 17 fours and two sixes, while Lehmann, who is still recovering from the death of his friend and mentor David Hookes, slugged an entertaining 134 off 143 balls with 19 fours.The pair have been going head-to-head for the last few months – Katich was given his Test opportunity when Lehmann tore a calf muscle against Zimbabwe early in the Australian season, and grasped it with two match-saving innings of 125 and 77 in the final Test against India at Sydney. In six Tests he’s averaging 60, while Lehmann is averaging 49.75 from his 15 Tests.Katich was all class, threading the ball through slender gaps and, apart from one chance, when he was dropped at second slip on 67, he was impeccable. He wasn’t afraid to go over the top either, with his first six bringing an early tea adjournment when the ball got lost in a property bordering the ground.Lehmann, by contrast, seemed to be batting for fun, and towards the end of his innings he showed a reckless disregard for the coaching manual, taking guard more than a metre outside leg stump. At one stage he was so far away from the stumps he was almost off the pitch. He employed the reverse sweep liberally, danced well down the pitch to all the bowlers, even the pacemen, and brought a cavalier feel to the innings with some inventive shot-making. Symonds, meanwhile, furthered his own claims for a Test spot, smacking a quick 45 not out.”It’s been a good workout for Katich and Lehmann,” said Ponting., whose own century was virtually overlooked. “It looks like the wicket will take a fair bit of turn late in the game which will be good for our bowlers. It will also be a useful exercise should we bat a second time, because it’s those conditions that we will need to be ready for come the Test matches.”Ponting’s 116 took his tour tally to 417 runs in six matches. He was eventually stumped by de Silva off the bowling off Rangana Herath, who also claimed the wicket of Justin Langer (35), who shouldered arms to a straight delivery.
The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has named a thirteen-man squad for the ING Cup clash against the Tasmanian Tigers to be played in Hobart on January 26.The team sees Darren Lehmann return to the captaincy and the inclusion of fast-bowler Jason Gillespie, who returns from injury.Gillespie’s selection is subject to a final fitness test.The game also sees the return of batting all-rounder Mark Higgs, in his first game since injuring his hip at Redbacks training last week.The Redbacks squad to play the Tigers is:
Darren Lehmann (c) Greg Blewett (vc) Nathan Adcock Mark Cleary Mark Cosgrove David Fitzgerald Jason Gillespie Mark Harrity Mark Higgs Ben Johnson Graham Manou Paul Rofe Shaun Tait
Selection in the provisional squad gives Shaun Tait the opportunity to make his one-day debut for South Australia.Providing Gillespie travels with the side, a thirteenth man will be named on the morning of the game.
Pakistan A earned a thrilling draw after 27-year-old right-handerMisbah-ul-Haq of Sargodha rescued his team with a defiant knock of 91 onthe fourth and final day of the First ‘Test’ against Sri Lanka A at theRangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Saturday.Pakistan A, chasing 214 for victory off a minimum of 69 overs, looked indanger of defeat at 98 for seven, 12 minutes before the tea break. ButMisbah, with excellent support from the tail, thwarted all attempts by SriLanka A skipper Tilan Samaraweera to capture the remaining three wickets.Pakistan eventually finished on 185 for nine wickets after facing 70 overs.The injured Shabbir Ahmed, batting with a runner, helped Misbah, who hasmade only a solitary Test appearance against New Zealand early this year,add 36 for the eighth wicket. Then Irfan Fazil, the No 10, frustratedSri Lanka A further by adding 48 runs for the ninth wicket in 91 minutes.Misbah’s defiant innings was ended at 182 in the 68th over, when he edged adelivery from left-arm spinner Sajeeva Weerakoon to Samaraweera at slip. Hebatted for 203 minutes and faced 188 balls, hitting one six and 13 fours.Irfan and last man Danish Kaneria played out the last few overs amid hightension to earn their side an honourable draw.Irfan’s contribution was only six not out, but he occupied the crease for98 minutes and faced 82 balls to defy the Sri Lankan bowlers.Misbah’s fine innings upstaged a good bowling performance from Samaraweerawho finished the match with a bag of ten wickets for 102. He took sixwickets for 55 runs in the second innings to equal his previous career-bestfigures for SSC v Singha SC at Maitland Place early this year.Pakistan coach-cum-manager Mudassar Nazar said a defensive move by the SriLanka captain probably cost them the match.”He pushed all the fielders back for Misbah and I think in the end it iswhat probably cost him the game. He should have attacked Misbah a bit morebecause the the ball was turning. Then he stood a better chance of winningthe match.”Misbah had to be the principal scorer and when he couldn’t scoreboundaries we decided to shut up shop at that stage,” said Mudassar.”It was a wonderful knock by Misbah. He has scored a lot of runs indomestic cricket, but some of the senior players have said that histechnique was flawed. He has given ample example in this innings,” saidMudassar.”It was very exciting game and it was a low-scoring affair where Sri Lankacame up trumps with their spin bowlers, their captain in particular,” hesaid.On a turning pitch Pakistan A batsmen found it difficult to cope with thespin of Samarawera who bowled craftily with intelligent field placings asone by one the batsmen were lured into his trap.Samaraweera, bringing himself on in the fourth over of the innings, achievedthe initial breakthrough with his third ball when he had Toufiq Umermis-hitting a drive to mid-on. He also picked up the wickets of Imran Farhatand Qaiser Abbas before taking himself off after an initial spell of sixovers for eight runs.Then, switching ends, he ended a threatening fifth-wicket partnership of 43in 49 minutes by taking the prize wicket of his opposite number Hasan Raza for 21.The obdurate Raza, a century-maker in the first innings with 107, was takenat slip by Upekha Fernando as the ball spun off the face of his bat. Raza’sdismisssal made Pakistan’s plight still worse. In the first innings he hadrescued his side from being 35 for four to 223 all out.Misbah, who partnered Raza in a fifth-wicket stand of 43, once againprovided resistance as Samaraweera went on to consume Humayun Farhat andYasir Arafat within nine runs of each other as Pakistan A slid to 104 for7 at tea.Misbah batted positively and reached his half-century off 92 balls in 95minutes with eight fours. He found an able partner in the injured ShabbirAhmed. The pair raised the total by a further 36 runs before Shabbir,batting with the aid of a runner due to a groin strain, edged a deliveryfrom leg-spinner Chandana Samarasinghe to Samaraweera at slip. He made 21with three fours.Misbah, mixing aggression with caution, continued to thwart the Sri Lankanbowling to make a top score of 91.Sri Lanka were left to rue a dropped catch at seven offered by Misbah whenhe edged Sajika Weerakoon behind the wicket to Sangakkara who failed tohold it despite making a valiant attempt.Sri Lanka A added a further 40 runs in 81 minutes to their overnighttotal of 176 forsix6 before being dismissed for 216, leaving Samaraweeraundefeated on 20 made in 122 minutes.Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria took two of the four wickets to fall today, toend with figures of four for 64 and match figures of seven for 133. Fastbowler Yasir Arafat took three wickets to finish the match with six wickets.The second four-day unofficial Test commences at the NCC grounds on Tuesday.
Manchester United’s hometown hoodoo against Bournemouth continued after an incredible flurry of attacking activity in the second half that ended in a 4-4 draw.
For the neutral, this was a show-stopping spectacle, but United fans trudged back through the turnstiles in gloomy frustration, having now dropped seven points in their past three Premier League matches at Old Trafford.
How to sum up such a frenzied game? It was a slugfest, akin to a heavyweight battle in the Championship rounds. But this was not the performance of a team challenging for a title, with Ruben Amorim’s side promoting new attacking play at the expense of defensive solidity, with the hosts ripped apart numerous times by the Cherries’ incisive surges.
United need to toughen up and stop being so porous. While Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven flattered to deceive in Amorim’s three-man backline, Luke Shaw has shown he cannot continue to serve in this stand-in role on the left side.
Luke Shaw's performance vs Bournemouth
Shaw has been at the Theatre of Dreams for over a decade, and he has made 303 outings across all competitions. Against Bournemouth, his fragilities were laid bare, with four goals conceded.
Bullied off the ball by Justin Kluivert, the England international gave possession away cheaply ahead of Antoine Semenyo’s first-half equaliser.
His strength is not of a level that enables fluent central defensive success in the long run, but each of his 16 performances have come in the role this term.
Indeed, he continues to leave questions in his central defensive berth. A role that is not his own, the stalwart plays it dutifully. Still, it’s clear that Lisandro Martinez’s return to full match fitness, having returned off the bench in recent fixtures, cannot come quickly enough.
However, Man United’s defenders cannot be unduly scapegoated, with multiple stars struggling to play with the kind of togetherness and composure that should have seen the game out. United led three times, after all.
And one of the culprits was actually playing his football on the other side of the field.
Amorim signing just played his worst game
Man United and INEOS were generally considered to have completed a positive transfer window last summer, and Bryan Mbeumo could have been considered the standout, having scored 20 Premier League goals with Brentford last season, producing brilliant all-round performances.
The Manchester Evening News remarked that the Cameroonian was ‘not at his best’ against Andoni Iraola’s side, handing him a 6/10 match rating after a performance of little consequence.
Likewise, content creator Mark Goldbridge acknowledged that the £71m summer signing from Brentford “ain’t having the best night”, overshadowed, for example, by the stylish Matheus Cunha, and Amad Diallo behind him.
Bryan Mbeumo vs Bournemouth
Match Stats
#
Minutes played
89′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
43
Possession lost
9x
Shots (on target)
4 (2)
Accurate passes
21/27 (78%)
Chances created
2
Dribbles
0/2
Recoveries
1
Tackles
0/1
Duels won
5/13
Data via Sofascore
Lacking his typical bite and threat in the final third, Mbeumo wasted a number of opportunities, not just in the danger area but during the build-up and against the Bournemouth attacks.
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It perhaps says something that United scored four goals under the Old Trafford lights and Mbeumo was minimally involved throughout those sequences, now with only one goal from his past five Premier League fixtures.
The 26-year-old has been largely excellent since joining, ranking among the top 11% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for goals scored per 90, six goals and an assist from 16 matches.
Brighter days will come, but there’s no denying this was one of Mbeumo’s lowest moments since first donning the shirt back in the summer.
It wasn’t the £150k-per-week wide forward’s best display, but we all know what he’s capable of, and fans will sadly be made keenly aware of that fact over the next month, with Mbeumo set to take his leave to fly to Morocco and compete at the African Cup of Nations.
Dalot upgrade: Man Utd looking to sign "the best right wing back in the PL"
INEOS are ready to add some quality to Man United’s ranks this January.
A refreshingly positive West Indian response to a record target of 437 from 113 overs has set up an intriguing conclusion at the Providence Stadium. The day belonged to Sri Lanka who, thanks to half-centuries from Malinda Warnapura and Thilan Samaraweera, declared at 240 for 7, but Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan’s 74-run stand in 18.3 overs gave West Indies a flicker of hope. Saving this Test remains a long, long way away for the hosts against a side that has a lethal bowler on a last-day track, however benign it may be.Having dismissed West Indies for 280 early on – Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell averted the follow-on – Sri Lanka ventured into their second innings with quick runs in mind. Warnapura backed his first-innings century with an aggressive 62 and Samaraweera hit his first half-century in just shy of two years amid a series of cameos.A negative Chris Gayle spread his field soon into the innings to try and block the boundaries, rather than stack the slip cordon and attempt to get wickets. Michael Vandort began with a series of pleasing square-drives and his favourite shot, the steer past gully, to lead a 43-run stand. Hardly giving Gayle a look as the captain brought himself on in the tenth over, Vandort tickled one to Denesh Ramdin down the leg side for 24 from 40 balls.Warnapura played as he had on day one, scoring a lot of runs through gully and cover point. With no threat on a docile track, he continued to purvey the gaps in the off side with flowing drives and cuts. He went past fifty for the second time in the match with a slash through where slip should have been, just after Kumar Sangakkara (21 from 28) fell trying to work Bravo’s slower ball over the infield in the 23rd over.With a sizeable lead the Sri Lankans didn’t refrain from playing extravagantly. A few bold shots later Warnapura went chasing a very wide delivery from Bravo. Mahela Jayawardene succeeded in timing some beauties in his brisk 33 before he became Sulieman Benn’s first Test wicket, mistiming a pull to midwicket.Taylor defeated Tillakaratne Dilshan for pace, shaving a full delivery in to trap him plumb in front, to leave Sri Lanka 171 for 5 in the 41st over. Chaminda Vaas was promoted with Prasanna Jayawardene given time to nurse a hamstring pull and put on 21 with Samaraweera before edging Benn.Samaraweera shook off a first-innings duck with a purposeful 56 from 89 balls that comprised mainly tucks and flicks off some flat spin bowling into the yawning spaces. After Thilan Thushara lofted Benn down long-off’s throat at 224 for 7 Samaraweera opened his shoulders to biff a flurry of boundaries over the infield and Jayawardene called his troops in.Gayle didn’t come out to open – perhaps because of his dismal record against Vaas – and in his place Bravo, who struggled against Muttiah Muralitharan in the first innings, faced up to the hard ball. The experiment worked better than West Indies’ previous opening partnership, but only just. Instead of hanging his head after Bravo took him for two commanding boundaries Thushara pulled off a spectacular catch, tumbling at long leg, to account for Devon Smith’s atrocious attempt at hooking Vaas.Thushara struggled to locate his line with a fairly unprotected leg-side field and that allowed Sarwan early boundaries, including two perfect on-drives. There was hardly any swing so Sarwan and Bravo could shuffle and tuck the ball away; Bravo’s pick-up flicks came with a flair not seen in this Test and his cover-driving was a thing of beauty. Bravo even took the liberty of a straight six off Rangana Herath, who remained wicketless in the match. With runs under his belt and time at the crease Bravo looked a whole new batsman. He finished unbeaten on 46 from 70 balls and Sarwan was brimming with confidence on a 55-ball 34.A day that began with the hosts’ last-wicket pair combining purposefully to avoid the follow-on ended with another combination adopting an aggressive approach. It was only the second fifty-run partnership for West Indies – Sarwan also featured in the one in the first dig – and West Indies’ positive display was refreshing, especially Bravo’s in a new role.
Inspired by a genius who raised his game when the occasion demanded, Sri Lanka overpowered India in their final league match at Port-of-Spain and stormed into the Super Eights. India suffered one of their most disappointing days in recent memory, muffing up a run-chase on a pitch posing no worries, and were all but ousted from the World Cup, in what is likely to be their worst campaign since 1979.It wasn’t as one-sided a contest as the scorecard suggests. The first half of the match was a cat-and-mouse battle that everyone expected, with neither team establishing their dominance. Sri Lanka scrapped out a competitive 254 and defended it with verve and skill. Muttiah Muralitharan towered over India’s batsmen, bounding in from around the wicket and taunting them with offbreaks and that were near unplayable. He was unstoppable on the field too and pulled off a full-length lunge to dismiss the in-form Sourav Ganguly, and killed Indian hopes once and for all with a good catch at long-off to get rid of Rahul Dravid.Coming close on the heels of Bob Woolmer’s tragic demise, India’s exit will no doubt be a setback for the World Cup. Carrying the tags of ‘commercial favourites’, they will be the first to admit that they didn’t deserve to go through, having been trumped by both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It was no doubt a spineless batting effort today but there is little one can do when confronted by a magician like Murali.Half-centuries from Upul Tharanga and Chamara Silva had set Sri Lanka up but it was the Murali factor that proved too much for India. His first-ball topspinner that hoodwinked Mahendra Singh Dhoni summed up his influence. He fizzed one through and landed it on middle stump, Dhoni thought about the cut but could only watch in a daze as the ball crashed into his back pad. It was so plumb, and he seemed so embarrassed, that he walked instinctively. To see Dhoni walk before the bowler had completely gone up for the lbw appeal was to see the last whiff of hope evaporate.Murali earlier removed the dangerous Virender Sehwag at a crucial juncture. Sehwag’s solidity, and reading of the percentages, was reminiscent of the batsman in his prime. There was hardly any wild swinging outside off – barring one moment on 39, when Kumar Sangakkara couldn’t latch on to a full-length dive off a fierce slash off Dilhara Fernando – but a game built on assessing the situation and the bowlers. Yet, in the 23rd over, Murali’s third, he was tied up in knots. He first missed a doosra down the leg side, one that was called wide despite nearly knocking off leg stump, but was completely baffled by another that pitched on off and turned away, watching Mahela Jayawardene gobble up a catch at first slip.If Sehwag’s dismissal was the turning point, Yuvraj Singh’s fatal run-out was probably the clincher. Taking off for a single where there was none, after Dravid had nudged behind square, was all it needed for Sri Lanka to pounce. Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar had fallen cheaply earlier – one to a poor stroke, another to an incisive delivery – and the run-chase was well and truly derailed. Dravid ploughed along amid the ruins, suffering a hamstring along the way and briefly lashing Lasith Malinga for four consecutive fours in an over, but that was nothing but a rage against the dying light. The contest was long over.
Sri Lanka’s batting efforts were built around Tharanga and Silva. Sri Lanka didn’t ride on their senior pros, who were bogged down and snaffled out, but relied on a 22-year-old to guide them past the early tension. Tharanga wasn’t at his flowing best, understandably so considering the needle in this contest, but his half-century was the one that anchored the innings. He didn’t endeavour anything out of the ordinary and had his lucky moments, against Ajit Agarkar’s slower balls and Zaheer Khan’s in-cutters. But he interspersed them with gorgeous drives.His dismissal brought in a couple of hardworking batsmen – Silva was beaver-like in his approach, grinding out singles and improvising fours while Dilshan, always on the look-out for runs, provided support. Silva’s third consecutive World Cup fifty formed the heart of the middle overs and his cheeky glides behind the wicket irritated the bowlers. Dilshan was the more forceful, backing away and forcing the ball through the off side. Both fell in quick succession but Russel Arnold and Chaminda Vaas, adding 38 in 23 deliveries, boosted the total beyond the 250 mark.India’s bowlers turned in an impressive performance, 27 extras notwithstanding. Agarkar and Munaf Patel were the best bowlers on view and would have ended with richer hauls with a dose of good fortune. Tendulkar surprised with his banana inswing and Ganguly chipped in with an important wicket. The tension that had built up over the last few days simmered right through the first 70 overs of the match, only for Murali to cut through it in his inimitable style. A banner that read “Murali-ed” probably got it just right.
Floyd Reifer, a proven performer under pressure, overcame persistent pain to pilot Barbados to a place in the Carib Beer Challenge final.Given the responsibility of batting at No. 3 for the first time in a few seasons, Barbados’ longest-serving player used his vast experience and showed steely resolve in compiling a precious century that lifted Ryan Hinds’ team to a hard-fought semi-final draw against Guyana. The left-handed Reifer, bothered by discomfort in his right wrist for the latter half of his innings, was the mastermind of Barbados’ effort in which they had the challenging task of either surviving the entire final day or attain a target of 282 on a Carlton Club pitch that remained good for batting throughout.At 249 for 5, with 45 minutes remaining, Barbados appeared to be heading for victory, but after the dismissals of Reifer and Ian Bradshaw, the run-chase was aborted with Patrick Browne and Ryan Austin batting through the final half-hour.There were other assistants along the way, but pride of place went to Reifer, whose 101, was by far his highest score of the season, his ninth first-class hundred and his fourth against Guyana and another important knock for Barbados either in a final or a semi-final.”I like big games. I like to play under pressure,” Reifer said. “Something happened today with my wrist, I can’t explain. My wrist got snapped in playing a particular shot. It was fairly painful, but I never let it stop me.”It was an innings with some luck for someone who has been at the wrong end of a few contentious decisions against him during the tournament. When he was 6, Guyana captain Reon King spilled the easiest chance of the match, a straightfoward offering at midwicket that many primary schoolboys would have fancied gobbling up.A few minutes later, the Guyanese, and even some Bajans beyond the boundary, were certain Reifer had edged a catch to slip off left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell, but umpire Goaland Greaves appeared to indicate he was unsighted by the bowler on his follow-through.Once those were history, Reifer grew in confidence to bat with the type of authority we know he can, but which he has seldom displayed in an otherwise disappointing season in which his previous highest score was 42. Eventually, he was caught low at slip to end an innings that lasted four hours and included 11 fours off 213 balls.There were telling contributions from the majority of those who batted. Browne, short of runs in recent matches, initially batted aggressively and then responsibly, occupying the crease for two hours for an unbeaten 39 after linking up with Reifer following a mini slump just before tea when three wickets fell for 14 runs.Openers Dale Richards and Wayne Blackman laid the foundation, adding 67 that offered encouragement to hometown fans. Richards reeled off eight sweet fours in 44 off 73 balls before gifting his wicket with a catch to mid-off off legspinner Mahendra Nagamootoo.Blackman, many still questioning his place in the team, doggedly resisted for three hours to make 36 off 139 balls before flicking a catch to backward square-leg. Captain Ryan Hinds made 23 in an hour, but then under-edged an attempted drive off Neil McGarrell into his stumps. Just before he went, Barbados were 172 for 2, but the next few overs the match took a twist and Guyana were back into the contest.Dwayne Smith, relegated to No. 5 in an exchange of positions with Reifer, was once again the victim of an irresponsible stroke, an attempted slog-sweep in which he skied the ball to midwicket. And on the stroke of tea, Alcindo Holder dragged a ball into his stumps to create a few worries for Bajans.By then Reifer was 67 and battling the pain, but he remained firm in the company of Browne to allow Barbados to set up a showdown against Cup champions Trinidad and Tobago in the five-day final, starting on Saturday at Guaracara Park.
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.