Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz will battle for the final bowling place in Australia’s team for the first Test after they were both named to play Leicestershire at Grace Road on Friday. Gillespie showed signs of returning to form at The Oval on Tuesday, where he took 3 for 44 despite being far from his best, and Kasprowicz also improved during the NatWest Challenge after an ordinary NatWest Series.Glenn McGrath has been rested from Australia’s only warm-up match before next Thursday and Brett Lee, who is tipped to take the new ball at Lord’s, was given a chance to translate his one-day form into first-class cricket. Lee has not played a Test since January 2004 against India at Sydney.While giving Gillespie and Kasprowicz time to find form is important, there is also a need for Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer to spend some time at the crease. Langer arrived in England this week and hasn’t played competitive cricket since Australia’s tour to New Zealand in March. Hayden did not make the most of his opportunities in the ODIs, scoring only one half-century against Bangladesh at Old Trafford, and was troubled by Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison.Stuart MacGill was included in the XI with Shane Warne, who has already played half the season with Hampshire, rested. However, MacGill is unlikely to participate in the Test series until at least the third match at Old Trafford, where the spin-friendly wicket will encourage the Australians to consider playing both slow men.MacGill will spot a familiar face in the opposition after Jason Krejza, the New South Wales offspinner, was drafted in by Leicestershire. Krejza, 22, has been playing for the Scottish club Greenock and was given the opportunity to test himself against the full-strength batting line-up.Australian XI 1 Justin Langer, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Simon Katich, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Adam Gilchrist, 8 Jason Gillespie, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Michael Kasprowicz, 11 Stuart MacGill.

Scorecard

Mashonaland captain Tatenda Taibu’s third hundred of his career left Matabeleland facing an unlikely target of 465 to win their Logan Cup match after a rain-affected third day at Bulawayo Athletic Club.Taibu declared the Mashonaland’s innings on 352 for 4 straight after completing his 249-ball century in 274 minutes. He received good support from Chamunorwa Chibhabha (55)and Tafadzwa Mufambisi (65 not out). By the premature close, Matabeleland had staggered to 34 for 2, still 431 short of victory.Mashonaland resumed on 142 for 3, and Taibu and Chibhabha shared in a 97-run fourth-wicket stand before Chibhabha perished driving offspinner Gavin Ewing to midwicket where Mark Vermeulen took a brilliant catch (230 for 4).Mufambisi joined Taibu as Mashonaland continued to stretch their lead. Taibu reached his half century from 132 balls in 146 minutes, going on to complete his hundred with a delicate cut off Ewing.Matabeleland were in trouble with just nine runs on board when Terrence Duffin, who scored a half century in the first innings, fell to Waddington Mwayenga for 1, beautifully held in the slips by Mufambisi. Wisdom Siziba and Sean Williams shared in a stand of 20 before Siziba was dismissed leg-before to Elton Chigumbura for 11.Bad light and drizzle brought an early finish, and heavier rain fell during the evening to offer Matabeleland their only realistic chance of escape.

Bobby Simpson has been appointed the new coach of the Netherlands. Simpson, a former Australian captain and coach, will replace Emmerson Trotman, who had eight years in the role and helped the team to their first win in a World Cup.The former Queensland opener and Netherlands batting coach, Peter Cantrell, has been overseeing the team in the interim after Trotman left the post.Simpson, 68, coached Australia in the mid-1980s, and his tenure lasted a decade, during which time the team won the World Cup and regained both the Ashes and the Frank Worrell Trophy. He has also coached Leicestershire and Lancashire.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is expected to make public the report submitted by the Sponsorship Negotiation Review Committee (SNRC) within ten days. Following detailed and extensive discussions, the Executive Committee of the WICB said in a news release that they had decided to make the report available to the public, along with the board’s comments.The Executive Committee met on Sunday in Antigua and among items on the agenda was consideration of the report from the SNRC, that comprised Justice Anthony Lucky (chairman), as well as accounting professionals Gregory Georges and Avondale Thomas.Excerpts from the report have appeared in the media over the last few weeks. A newspaper reported yesterday that the board intended to challenge the findings of the SNRC Report, since they believe there are a number of contradictions in the document.The committee was set up under Teddy Griffith, the previous WICB president, to review and examine all correspondence, transactions, communications, minutes, contracts, records, arrangements and any other relevant information concerning the WICB’s switch of major sponsors from Cable & Wireless to its main telecommunications rival Digicel, . The report was presented to Ken Gordon, the new president, on August 15.The committee was asked to determine whether the WICB treated Cable & Wireless fairly in the negotiations; whether an improper relationship exists between the board and Digicel; whether the new sponsorship arrangement was in the best interests of the board and continued cricket development in the West Indies; and whether payments were improperly accepted by members of the WICB as an inducement.

The morning after the night before and Kevin Pietersen could still not quite comprehend the scale of his achievement in steering England to Ashes glory. The South African-born batsman, who produced a heroic 158 to secure the draw that clinched a series win over Australia, revelled in the adulation of thousands of fans who lined the streets of London to salute their heroes.”It is pretty difficult to say personally how I feel. I think I will feel it today or tomorrow,” he said. “This is the first time I have seen the public since the game. It will probably sink in in a couple of days’ time.”After his amazing innings on Monday, Pietersen provoked huge cheers every time supporters spotted his streaked hair, fully vindicating his decision to opt to play for the country where his mother was born.”Just to have a look and see what is happening is pretty special,” he said before boarding the open-topped bus that carried the England players and their partners to Trafalgar Square.”It is amazing, fantastic – for the profile of the game – and there is an absolute buzz. As English cricketers it is amazing.”Pietersen opted to play for England after deciding that his chances of playing for South Africa would be compromised by his native country’s policy of giving priority to young black players as part of its efforts to overcome the legacy of apartheid for the sport.Three centuries in one-day internationals against South Africa during the last northern hemisphere winter established Pietersen as an England regular, and he has quickly forged a strong bond with the rest of the squad.”We are friends who enjoy each each others’ success,” he said. “It is remarkable to be part of this England team, everybody loves being in each other’s company. The whole summer has been fantastic.”Pietersen would not be drawn on the abuse he received while playing for England in South Africa. “I’m not even interested in South Africa or the crowd [during England’s tour], I’m just interested in here,” he said.

West Indies will be at full-strength for next month’s tour to Australia after their board and the players settled a long-standing contracts dispute.The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) have agreed that players selected for the upcoming tour to Australia will sign the match/tour contract subject to the negotiations of Clause 5 which, when agreed, will be placed immediately into the contract.This statement was part of a joint media release issued yesterday, more than 11 months since the impasse between the two parties began. Last November, another West Indies tour of Australia – for the VB Series – was nearly derailed after players selected for a pre-tour camp, on the advice of WIPA, refused to sign their match/tour contracts. In July, however, the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka was severely disrupted by the ongoing dispute, when a second-string team played in the Tests and tri-nation one-day series.However, yesterday’s joint statement gave the undertaking that the two parties had also agreed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) will be asked to negotiate Clause 5 of the match/tour contract with a view to making a joint recommendation within ten days of commencing the negotiations. This joint recommendation will be binding on the parties. If there is no agreement after ten days, it is agreed that ICC and FICA will recommend an independent arbitrator. Should that exercise not be completed prior to the tour, it would continue and any financial benefits which may be agreed upon after the mediators’ recommendation would be paid with effect from the date of the signing of the contract.The statement ended by saying that the two parties also agreed that matters which remain to be settled with respect to all other outstanding issues, including the proposed retainer contracts, would be referred to representatives of their organisations for finalisation within an agreed time-frame. This agreement followed discussions between Ken Gordon, president of the WICB, and Dinanath Ramnarine, the president and chief executive officer of WIPA, last weekend.

Ricky Ponting expects to assume greater responsibility when Australia’sregenerating team begin their three-Test assignment against West Indies atBrisbane on Thursday. The post-Ashes clear-out has given the home side ashiny look over the past month and another fresh coat was confirmed withNathan Bracken picked ahead of Stuart MacGill.Australia’s line-up suddenly has a strangely unfamiliar feel following theadditions of Hussey, Bracken and Watson, and the withdrawal of Justin Langerwith a rib fracture on Tuesday. “They may be less experienced at Test level,but they’ve all got a lot of experience under their belts and been aroundthe Australian structure for a while,” Ponting said. “There’s a slightlydifferent feel with players like Martyn, Gillespie and Kasprowicz not in theside and Langer out.”Shane Watson was confirmed as the side’s allrounder and Ponting hoped thesquad would remain settled over the summer. “There’s more responsibility onthe batters to put their hand up with some of the inexperience in the middleorder,” he said. “Shane is going to be given a run and Bracken is in goodform and has a great record up here.” The pitch shows tinges of green andMacGill will be released to play for New South Wales in Perth on Friday.West Indies delayed finalising their side but will have a full bowlingcontingent to pick from after the fast men recovered from niggles sufferedin the lead-up and during the Queensland game. However, the players werealready concerned by reports here and in the Caribbean that they will bewhipping boys for Australia and Shivnarine Chanderpaul hoped they would useit as motivation.”Australia are a strong team but we have a good team also,” he said. “We’vebeaten them in the Caribbean chasing a huge total and I know we can win outhere.”Catching was an area of concern after last week’s warm-up and on Tuesday theplayers received 100 each at training, where there were no net bowlersprovided. “The guys are gelling and helping each other, it’s a wonderfulsight,” Chanderpaul said. “Obviously we want to win and go out there andplay some tough cricket.”Ponting was wary of the West Indies threat and after viewing footage oftheir inexperienced attack said they would be treated with respect. “We knowthey are a very dangerous side and we’ve spoken about that,” he said. “Thebatting is very good with quality down the list and their bowling can bedangerous.”

New Zealand have been invited to take part in a one-day series involving Australia and England in 2006-07, but Martin Snedden, New Zealand’s cricket chief, has declined to discuss the matter until Australia finalises its Ashes schedule.Australia host England for the Ashes in November-December of 2006, and have offered New Zealand a spot for the VB Series in January, reports the . New Zealand’s inclusion will be important to its World Cup campaign, considering the quality of cricket Australia and England will offer them.At it stands, New Zealand are scheduled to play 15 one-day internationals between the end of this summer and the World Cup in March of 2007; however, their participation in the tri-series guarantees them eight additional matches, barring the best-of-three finals.For New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia, the problem remains penciling in the annual Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. One possibility could be doubling the two – the first three games between the trans-Tasman rivals in the VB Series counting as the Chappell-Hadlee series – but this carries the risk of weakening the appeal of the annual match-up. Other options include hosting the event after the VB Series or squeezing it between the ICC Champions Trophy in India in November 2006 and the Ashes Brisbane Test beginning November 23.A nine-day period remains during the second and third Ashes Tests, but Ricky Ponting, Australia’s captain, has voiced his displeasure at the idea of fitting the Chappell-Hadlee series in there.Australia won this year’s edition in New Zealand 2-1, which threw up two of the most thrilling contests seen between the two teams.

Zimbabwe’s side for the Under-19 World Cup has been named, but some question marks remain whether all those chosen will actually take part in the light of last week’s government takeover of the board.Sean Williams, the captain, is known to have come under pressure not to participate and while Cricinfo has learned that he joined the squad on Tuesday, he is thought to have serious reservations. His father was against his participation. He said: “My opinion is that he should not go because of the latest developments where Peter Chingoka was appointed interim executive chairman. It is up to Sean to decide but i have made my position clear to him”.There are five other players with first-class experience – Kudakwashe Samunderu, Friday Kasteni, Chamunorwa Chibhabha and Ian Nicolson, while legspinner Graeme Cremer has until recently been in the Test side.Samunderu and Chibhabha both formed the core of the Mashonaland top-order batting as the province successfully defended the Logan Cup for sixth time in a row.Chibhabha played for Zimbabwe A against Bangladesh A in March 2005 and excelled with bat and ball in the four-day matches and was the best batsman for Zimbabwe second-string side in the limited-overs matches. He was part of the Zimbabwe A side which took on Pakistan in May in two four-day matches and three one-dayers, and went on to make his ODI debut against New Zealand in August, but failed to make an immediate impact as he was dismissed for a three-ball duck.Nicolson led the Midlands bowling attack with Anthony Ireland while Kasteni, who also turned out for Midlands, marked his arrival in first-class cricket with a well-crafted unbeaten century against Matabeleland at Kwekwe Sports Club.Walter Chawaguta, who guided Zimbabwe to the last eight of at last juniors World Cup played in Bangladesh in 2004, remains in charge, together with manager Dilip Chouhan.Only four of the players have been offered contracts by Zimbabwe Cricket and the rest are schoolboys, so there should be no issue of another mass player-boycott. The players are not paid to take part in the World Cup, only receiving allowances for phone calls and laundry.Zimbabwe squad Sean Williams (capt), Roland Benade, Gary Balance, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Ryan Higgins, Friday Kasteni, Tarisai Mahlunge, Keagan Meth, Taurai Muzarabani, Ian Nicolson, Kudakwashe Samunderu, Glen Querl, Prince Masvaure.

Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s outspoken former captain, has followed his resignation as cricket committee chairman with a stinging public attack on the Jayantha Dharmadasa-led interim committee running cricket in the island.Ranatunga – joined by Sidath Wettimuny, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected former players and administrators – resigned in protest from the cricket committee, claiming that his six months in charge had been a “waste of time” because Dharmadasa’s committee routinely ignored the recommendations of the cricket committee.”We had a long term plan with the aim of developing cricket but the way things were going I decided that the atmosphere was not conducive and decided to quit,” Ranatunga told the . “It is absurd hanging on to the committee if nothing is going to happen. They only wanted to keep the big names in the committee and we had nothing to do. It has been six months of wasted time.”Ranatunga is most upset by the controversial decision to expand Sri Lanka’s already weak first-class cricket championship from 16 to 20 teams as part of a post-Tsunami compromise due to the cancellation of the promotion and relegation stages last year.”We being in the committee were not informed that the teams in the Premier League cricket tournament were going to be increased from 16 to 20. I am fully against this as at the most we need eight or 10 first-class teams.”Ranatunga also criticised the selectors, lambasting them for the appointment of Chaminda Vaas as vice-captain and several other recent selections. “I totally disagree with this set of selectors. I don’t want to interfere with selections but the system is completely wrong. There are some players who should have been in the team and the selectors must think about the 2007 World Cup. I endorsed his [Vaas’s] selection but not when a tour is on and by disheartening another player.”Ranatunga now worries for the future. “We can see from our own eyes the problems — losing to the Bangladesh Under-19 team on three occasions is not a joke. All our top coaches are in charge of teams abroad and they come and beat out national teams. It is pathetic to see this happen. “I am very sorry and dejected and hereafter I will never get involved with cricket in Sri Lanka unless I am in some position where cricket can really be promoted.”