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The Somerset captain Justin Langer is in talks with the county to sign a new one-year contract to extend his stay until 2008. Langer had a six-week stint at Taunton last year and agreed to captain Somerset following his international retirement after the 2006-07 Ashes in Australia.”Justin has already publicly stated that he wants to come back and play for Somerset in 2008,” Brian Rose, Somerset’s director of cricket, told the county’s official website.”He is thoroughly enjoying his cricket with Somerset and has been making positive noises, in addition to which his family is enjoying their time over here in England as well.”Richard Gould, the chief executive at Somerset, said: “Discussions with Justin regarding his likely return to Somerset for next season are at an advanced stage and an official announcement will be made later this week.” In 12 first-class matches for the county this season Langer has scored 953 runs at 59.56 and he has added another 555 in the one-day competitions.

South Africa’s decision to withdraw from the tri-nation series had all theinevitability of the monsoon showers that have lashed the city over thepast week. Once the bomb went off near Liberty Plaza, and once thesecurity team that they trust implicitly reckoned that the risk had become”unacceptable”, it was only ever a matter of when the players would leavethe country. In the end, it took two days of interminable waiting beforewhat most people already knew was confirmed. The players will now leaveearly on Thursday morning, most likely in four batches.Back in 2003, there had been much anxiety before their tour of Pakistan,with only last-minute parleys and detailed inspections of the safetymeasures convincing the players that it was safe to go. But ever sinceNichols and Steyn came on board to assess security situations, the playershave been content to follow their advice on such matters. Once FaisalNagel, the security officer accompanying the team on this tour, sent areport to the board in the wake of the Monday bombing, saying that thesituation was too dicey to stay on, the players’ minds were made up.That much was clear even on Tuesday evening, after it was announced thatthe Dubai-based Olive group would carry out an independent securityassessment. Far from being flustered, the mood in the South African campwas upbeat and relaxed, with players convinced that they would be headinghome, no matter what. It helped that Gerald Majola, the Cricket SouthAfrica chief executive, had initially come out in their favour, thoughpressure from government quarters had subsequently prompted a rethink.So while the media speculated about what might happen, several of theplayers spent Tuesday night in the Cheers Pub at the team hotel, havingdinner and light-hearted games of pool while joking about which flightsthey would take back home. The team management had apparently asked for 27business-class seats for the team, but with such a bulk booking notpossible, there were plans to send the team in three groups, via Doha,Singapore and even London.By Wednesday morning though, with no decision taken, there was anincreased element of jitteriness and belligerence. A team meeting in themorning reportedly had the team deciding to head home, with or without theblessing of the board. By early afternoon, with the Olive report beingsent to Cricket South Africa, it was certain that they would leave, andall that remained was for administrative hurdles to be surmounted. Majola,who had been on vacation before this crisis broke, hurriedly convened apress conference at 3:30pm (7pm Sri Lankan local time) in Johannesburg,but by then Sri Lanka Cricket had already been informed of the decision towithdraw.An email sent by Majola to Duleep Mendis spoke of the warm relationshipthat the two countries shared, but reiterated that the situation was toodangerous in South African eyes for the tour to go on. And by the timeArthur read out Majola’s statement to the media – no questions wereentertained – Sri Lanka Cricket and the BCCI had already announced theirplans for a three-match series to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club,where drainage facilities are markedly superior to that at the Premadasa.The very fact that the Indians weren’t keen on a five-match series – theywill leave Colombo more than a week ahead of schedule – suggests that theytoo have a few concerns about the situation. Under the circumstances, itmakes little sense to point fingers at the South Africans for bailing out.With the rain constant and the security cordon tight, boredom and a siegementality were nearly inevitable. A half-hearted performance with mindsback home and nerves on edge would have done no one any favours, least ofall the crowd.

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.

Maurice Odumbe’s future as an international cricketer is likely to be decided within a few days, as the judicial hearing into his alleged involvement with match-fixing begins in Nairobi today (July 27).Jon Long, the ICC project officer in charge of corporate affairs, said that Ahmed Ebrahim, the Zimbabwean judge presiding over the hearing, would conduct full-day sessions over the duration of the trial. “The hearing will hopefully last for five days, after which Justice Ebrahim will fly to Zimbabwe to prepare his report, which he will submit to the ICC Code of Conduct Commission,” he told AFP. “The news of a verdict will take days and not weeks.”Once approved by the ICC’s executive board, the report would then be sent to the Kenyan authorities, who would then take appropiate action against Odumbe.Odumbe came under the scanner after allegations of his involvement with a bookmaker in 2002, charges that he has vehemently denied. Odumbe’s defence has been that while he had dealings with an Indian, he was unaware that the person concerned was a bookmaker.Despite the controversy, the Kenyan selectors have gone ahead and named Odumbe in a provisional 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy. If found guilty, the penalty on Odumbe could range from a two-year suspension to a life ban.

West Indies have named the following 14-member squad for the opening Cable & Wireless Test Match of four against Australia at Bourda Oval in Georgetown, Guyana, starting on Thursday.Brian Lara (captain
Carlton Baugh
David Bernard
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Pedro Collins
Vasbert Drakes
Mervyn Dillon
Daren Ganga
Wavell Hinds
Carl Hooper
Ridley Jacobs
Jermaine Lawson
Marlon Samuels
Devon Smith
NOTE:Ramnaresh Sarwan, who was appointed Vice-Captain for the Series, has not recovered from his cracked finger injury. A Vice-Captain to replace Sarwan will be named later.

Mark Butcher’s magnificent innings of 173* attracted tributes from all quarters as the England and Australian teams reflected on the gripping Fourth npower Test at Headingley.Adam Gilchrist summed it up neatly. “That has to be one of the greatest Ashes Test innings of all time,” he said.The Australian captain had inadvertently allowed England back into the game with his declaration on the fourth evening, but insisted that he had no regrets.” It was a great day for cricket. I have no regrets and will not be going into my shell over the declaration,” he said.Indeed, Gilchrist defended his decision, and suggested that rather than blaming the declaration, Butcher’s wonderful innings should be credited with the remarkable result.”I felt like we controlled the game up until the moment when Butcher came to the wicket,” Gilchrist explained. “We knew there was a risk of defeat. That is the risk you take, and it is a good feeling to sit back now and know it was such a great day for so many people.”We did not know the wicket was going to play so well, and we did not know someone was going to play the innings of their life. I have never seen so many of our guys going up to congratulate someone at once.”But Australia’s stand-in captain admitted that the pain of defeat was pretty hard to take, saying: “It means a great deal to me to be captain and it hurts a great deal to lose.”England captain, Nasser Hussain, whose return to the Test team has once again provided the catalyst for an incredible resurgence in the fortunes of his team, also praised Butcher’s great innings.”I have seen him play as well as that but get only 20s and 30s,” he said. “He has always looked an accomplished player and Duncan (Fletcher) and I have been left scratching our heads as to why he has got out. But today he took his game on to another level in a phenomenal innings.”He also praised Australia’s enterprising declaration and the positive manner in which they approach the game.”Australia are playing cricket the right way,” he said. “It is great to see, and I commend their team and captain for that. We would like to thank him for setting up that game with the declaration.”Mark Butcher’s father, former England player Alan Butcher, was understandably proud to state: “That’s the best innings he has ever played.””He played magnificently today, superbly well. It is difficult to see how he might have bettered that," Butcher senior, the man who Mark credits with rebuilding his game in the winter of 2000-2001, said.”I thought he has played well throughout the series without making a big score and I thought he was due a big score.”That is the best innings he has ever played. Given the circumstances of playing Test cricket against the best team in the world there is no comparison. This has been the icing on the cake and the cherry on top. The fact that he saw it through to the end was especially pleasing.”Former England great Graham Gooch was also quick to praise England’s man of the match.”I rate it as a great Test innings against a formidable attack on a Headingley pitch,” Gooch reasoned.”After the early couple of wickets and new ball had gone soft Butcher played magnificently and did not put a foot wrong.”But Gooch also noted the vital role played by Hussain in England’s triumph.”Nasser Hussain’s batting was also of great benefit to Butcher in a partnership which set up the win.”England veterans, Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart declared that they couldn’t recall ever having witnessed a better innings.”I cannot remember a better innings, certainly a match-winning innings,” Stewart said, while Atherton agreed: “I watched virtually every ball and thought ‘what a fantastic innings.’ It was a pleasure to watch him. You won’t see a better innings than Mark’s today.”

In the end, Ryan Harris’ right knee was in such a bad way that he broke his leg trying to bowl on it. An emotional Harris revealed that scans showed a cracked tibia, the result of his right leg crunching down on to the turf on a knee that had long since lost the sort of cartilage and other tissue meant to cushion the impact.The serious nature of the injury and its implications finally compelled Harris to draw the curtain on his career, after a day of conversations with the Australia’s long-time physio Alex Kountouris – also on his last tour – and the doctor Peter Brukner. Together with Harris’ surgeon David Young, they gently ushered Harris towards a decision to give up the game that was every bit as painful as trying to bowl with a broken leg.”There’s a crack in the tibia, I’ve got a little part in the top of the shin that’s worn a hole at the top of the tibia that’s caused the crack, from the bone on bone wearing away,” Harris said. “I’ve had pain in this area before, and when I stood in front of the press in Kent last week I was playing five Tests. It was the next day that it jagged, I felt something one of the balls and there was a clicking.”It’s obviously knocked something and it’s come to this and the pain I’ve had in it, partly in that game and before I tried to bowl out here was terrible. I knew something wasn’t right but that’s the reason why. I need surgery to fix it, I need a bone graft to get some bone in there and fix that and I’ve been told – I’ve never had that done before – it’s a slow process that pointed me to this decision.”My surgeon David Young, he didn’t say in as many words that I should retire but he said it was going to be very hard. It wasn’t great after that phone call. But sitting and talking to Dr Brukner and Alex, they gave me some pretty good advice and the word retire was used. It was a word I didn’t want to hear but deep down I think I knew it was coming.”For all that pain, for all that discomfort and for all the lonely gym sessions a rehabilitation would have asked him to endure, Harris still thought seriously about trying again, even though he would have been 36 by the time the process was complete, with no guarantee it would allow him to bowl at his best. There were also concerns about whether Harris could do himself permanent damage that would haunt him in retirement.”I nearly blew my head up yesterday thinking there’s got to be a way I can get past this again, I’ve done it before,” he said. “But the other side of my head was saying last time was a struggle … potentially it was four to five months minimum before I could probably run again and I’d be 36 by then. It was just going to be too hard for me and by then getting back into this side was, I think, going to be impossible as well, with the guys we’ve got here.”Mentally I just don’t think I could … after speaking to my wife, she saw what I went through, what I’ve just finished and she said you can’t get through that again. The way it was with the bone and everything it made me think, and that was in my thoughts last night, about wanting to run around with my son Carter and hopefully a couple more we may want to have. Walking around the golf course is very important as well, I want to do that, otherwise I’m going to turn into a very large person.”Harris’ desire to keep playing was driven largely by his sheer love of spending time around the Australia dressing room, a yearning that is often referred to by players in their latter days but never with more feeling than the 35-year-old fast bowler used here. It was why he found it almost unbearably hard to break the news to the team, despite plenty of time to run his words through his head.”I thought I had it covered, to be honest, when I got there,” he said. “We had a 50-minute bus trip on the way here and I played out in my mind what I was going to say and none of it went to plan, I barely could talk. That would be one of the hardest things I’ve had to do when it comes to my career, that sort of stuff. Obviously the playing part is to me very important but what most people would say when you get to this stage, the part you miss most are the guys you played with.”And I tried to say to the guys this morning obviously that’s part of the reason why you play the game. You know when you go out on the field you have blokes behind you and you know when you come in the rooms the guys that aren’t playing they’re behind you, the coaching staff are behind you and I think that’s the part I’m going to miss the most.”The hard thing for me was getting through the last four months but I knew that at the end was this carrot to play in the Ashes and that’s what kept me going. We all bowl in pain, I’ve just had a problem with my knee – it was sore. Anyone who has sat in this position has probably said it many times but you want to do it for the rest of your life. It’s just not possible. As I’ve said a number of times it’s the best job in the world.”The captain Michael Clarke had little trouble quantifying what Australia will miss with Harris. One statistic that stands out about Harris is the one that Australia will now have to surmount without him in England. Australia won 16 of the 27 Test matches Harris played between 2010 and 2015, the ratio of a great team. Of the 29 matches he missed, they won only 11.”He is my No. 1 picked bowler, in any team I’ve played with,” Clarke said. “Any time I’ve asked him to do a job he’s done it. If I asked him to run through a brick wall for this team, I think he’d have a crack at it. He’s always worn his heart on his sleeve and he’s always given his best not just to Australian cricket but Queensland and South Australia, every team he’s played with.”He loves winning as much as I do and that’s a great trait to have. There is no doubt we will miss him but as I said to ‘Rhino’ this morning, I think it’s really important for us to celebrate what has been an amazing career. He says 27 Tests, to me it’s felt like 100. I don’t remember playing a Test match without him. That’s how fond my memories are of how great a bowler he’s been. His statistics speak for themselves. He’s as good as anyone to play for Australia.”As good, and as brave.

Dhawal Kulkarni’s 4 for 19, and three wickets from Abhishek Nayar and Sagar Trivedi, helped Mumbai bundle Assam out for 102 runs for a 96-run win. A middle-order slump that saw Mumbai fall from 60 for 1 to 118 for 7 restricted the side to 198 but their bowlers routed the opponents within 35 overs to hand Assam their third straight loss.
The first half of Mumbai’s innings, after they opted to bat, was held together by Shreyas Iyer’s 65-ball 49. Once Iyer had departed – one of the six wickets Mumbai lost for 58 runs – Suryakant Yadav’s 46-run partnership with Dhawal Kulkarni (21*) lifted the side past 150. Yadav was eventually dismissed for 42 off 58 deliveries, and Mumbai then benefited from Trivedi’s quick 24 off 19, which included three fours and a six. Kulkarni dismissed Assam’s openers – Pallavkumar Das and Sibsankar Roy – within 11 overs after which Nayar and Trivedi carved up the middle-order. Amit Verma’s 33 and J Syed Mohammad’s 25 were the only scores above 20 as Assam crumbled to 83 for 8 by the 29th over.Fifties from Jiwanjot Singh and Mayank Sidhana helped Punjab cruise to a six-wicket win after a batting collapse limited Tamil Nadu to 226 in Hyderabad. Put in to bat, Tamil Nadu made a strong start as openers Abhinav Mukund and Dinesh Karthik shared a 54-run partnership. Once Abhinav fell, Karthik and B Aparajith added 87 runs for the second wicket to consolidate Tamil Nadu’s position. Much of that work came undone in the last 10 overs of the innings. M Vijay was stumped off Harbhajan Singh for 35 and after his wicket, Tamil Nadu lost their last six wickets for only nine runs. Four of those wickets fell to Siddarth Kaul, who struck in successive overs, while left-arm pacer Brainder Sran took two of his three wickets in that period. Punjab were shaky at 24 for 2 in the seventh over but Jiwanjot and Gurkeerat Singh Mann forged a recovery through a 92-run partnership. After Gurkeerat fell for 41, Jiwanjot and Sidhana added another 86 runs to take Punjab closer to victory. Jiwanjot was eventually dismissed for 85, but Sidhana finished unbeaten on a run-a-ball 67.Fifties from Mumtaz Qadir and Rajat Paliwal helped Services overcome a target of 225 with five wickets to spare against Hyderabad in the penultimate over in Hyderabad. The pair shared in a 116-run partnership for the third wicket to set the platform for Services’ chase. While Qadir scored 68 off 111 deliveries, Paliwal struck a 71-ball 64. That Services had been set a target of 224 was largely down to Pagadala Naidu (45*) and Chama Milind (42*) at Nos 8 and 9. The pair combined for an unbeaten 85-run, eighth-wicket partnership that lifted Hyderabad’s score past 200, after the side had been reduced to 139 for 7 by the 37th over. Apart from Hanuma Vihari (35) and Bavanaka Sandeep (41), the rest of the top seven failed to notch up an individual score of more than 15.

Australia have completed preparations ahead of Thursday’s Twenty20 match against New Zealand at the Gardens Oval, Darwin, a prelude to the five-match Rose Bowl ODI series at the same venue. This will be Australia’s first game in Darwin.Since their arrival on Sunday, the team has spent time acclimatising to the Darwin winter. The day’s main practice session provides the last chance for new coach Lisa Keightley to make final adjustments before the Twenty20 clash.”Tomorrow will be our third Twenty20 international so we are still finding our way in this format of the game. The match will enable us to set a platform leading into the 50-over games,” Keightley said in a Cricket Australia press release.”We’ll approach the match with the intention of having some time in the middle, enjoying the game and seeing what skills we can produce at this time of the year. Overall, I’m really keen to walk away from this series knowing where all the girls are at.”We’ve lost Cathryn Fitzpatrick, so we’re looking for a new opening bowler who will spearhead our innings. With the bat, we’ll be trying to get some new combinations and establish some players in different positions.”New Zealand will be without the services of Louise Milliken, the fast bowler, who was ruled out of the series after injuring her knee yesterday in a practice match against the Northern Territory junior team. She will leave for New Zealand tonight and have an MRI scan to assess the extent of damage.Sarah Burke has been named as Milliken’s replacement and will join the team tomorrow afternoon.Australia enters the series as clear favourites after winning the previous five-match series against New Zealand 5-0. But last year’s corresponding Twenty20 international resulted in a close ‘bowl-off’ victory for Australia.Australia will be bolstered by the return from injury of Karen Rolton; the reigning ICC Women’s Player of the Year will lead Australia in Darwin.Australia’s team for the Twenty20 match will be announced tomorrow morning.

Mark Ramprakash is no stranger to being on the receiving end of taunts from spectators. Last week at Lord’s he was jeered by Middlesex supporters still bitter about his acrimonious departure from the county, and at The Rose Bowl on Thursday he was again targeted by Hampshire fans.Ramprakash was reportedly confronted by two spectators in the pavilion after Surrey’s win over Hampshire in the Twenty20 Cup, leading to him requesting extra security. It followed Ramprakash’s celebrations when he ran out Hampshire’s last man to wrap-up the victory – he ripped off his shirt and ran to a section of the crowd who had been jeering him, signaling at them to be quiet.”I came down here about two years ago and the crowd were abusive and today they started on me when they thought a ball I stopped had gone for four,” he told The Times. “Normally it’s quite good-natured stuff but this wasn’t particularly pleasant. It was nice to have the last laugh.”