Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore believes it will be hard for West Indies tocomeback in the second Test starting Wednesday having lost by ten wicketsdespite scoring 448 in their first innings.”I think it is going to be harder for a team like West Indies in Kandyalthough South Africa, England and India have reversed their form inrespective series against us,” hoped Whatmore after Sri Lanka had won thefirst Test rather comprehensively by ten wickets at Galle on Saturday.He admitted that Sri Lanka’s record in Kandy was poor, but believes the teamwill overcome their poor run if they concentrate on the cricket.”We have to acknowledge that our record in Kandy hasn’t been good,” he said.”But a cricket match is not won or lost by any hoodoo, voodoo or horoscopesor whatever. But it is won or lost by what you do out in the middle.”There have been a number of reasons for losing in Kandy, but the bottom lineis that during occasional sessions we haven’t done very well at all. Whilstyou can’t win a game in that hour or two, you can sure go a long way towardslosing it. That’s what we have been unfortunately been guilty of.”Whatmore was delighted by the character shown by the Sri Lankans who carriedon fighting throughout the Test despite facing a large first innings score.”In other games, we won pretty convincingly like today, but in a differentway,” he said. “We batted first and put the pressure on the opposition. Thewickets turned more and became unpredictable. This one here, I thought, wasa full effort everyday on a better pitch. It’s tremendous for the team toknow what they can overcome.”All the batsmen contributed quite nicely and there were one or two whoreally performed for us. Without those contributions you can’t come close to448. I was very pleased with the boys because chasing a target of 448 is noteasy, no matter what conditions, but they stuck to their task for over 200overs,” he said.”Mahela’s was a class innings although he was bitterly disappointed, likethe rest of us, that he missed out on a hundred. He really showed his class.Kumar Sangakkara is falling nicely into a pattern of getting a fifty or ahundred in every third innings. We haven’t seen the best of Kumar. He’s gota long way to go. Early indications are that he’s got every chance of beingone of the really good players for Sri Lankan cricket.”Tillakaratne is a veteran, but since getting a hundred against India thisyear, his confidence has risen as well. He is a pretty solid middle-orderplayer,” Whatmore said.Whatmore said that although Sri Lanka had won four out of their last fiveTests they had still a long way to go.”I think if you are realistic, you have to keep performing like this for anumber of years before we can really say that we have turned the corner.Another fact that is that Sri Lanka can be competitive at home, but notaway.”We are mindful of that, and that’s one of the reasons why we areexperimenting and playing with some new pace bowlers. The big one is againstEngland next year. In our group of touring players there will be five or sixtough medium-pace bowlers who can get out there and compete,” he said.

Bowled out for 318, Punjab took a first-innings lead of 114 runs intheir Ranji Trophy league match against Haryana at Gurgaon on Monday.Ankur Kakkar, batting overnight on 81, fell just three runs short of awell-deserved century, becoming the eighth wicket to fall. Hisdeparture hastened the end of the Punjab innings, which only lastedfive overs more.Haryana, beginning their second innings badly with the fall of oneopener early, then consolidated to some extent. The middle-orderbatsmen, although able to get a start, could not take it further, andthe side found themselves on 173/6 at the close of play on Day Three,with skipper Parender Sharma (21*) and S Vidyut (23*) at the crease.

Delhi won their Ranji Trophy league match against Jammu & Kashmir by amargin of 200 runs, picking up eight points at the Feroze Shah Kotlagrounds in Delhi on Tuesday.Set a target of 469, Jammu & Kashmir never looked to go after it andcould only hope for a draw. When their in-form batsman, KavaljitSingh, fell after making 90 with the score on 193, having spent 310minutes at the crease, Delhi sniffed a chance to bowl their rivalsout.They did not mess it up. Sarandeep Singh (4-60) and Amit Bhandari(3-76) combined to destroy Jammu & Kashmir’s lower order, bowling themout for 268. Some resisting efforts from the lower middle-ordernotwithstanding, Delhi finally won in a canter.

A captain’s knock of 166 from Rohan Gavaskar and thirteen wickets from left-arm spinner Utpal Chatterjee powered Bengal to an innings and 248 runs win over Tripura in the Ranji tie between the two sides at Agartala.Nikhil Haldipur with 88, Subhomoy Gupinath Das with 57 and all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla with a swashbuckling 54, were the other batsmen to shine as the visiting Bengal team declared after putting up a massive 457 for eight on the board.Tripura’s reply was unimpressive to say the least; they were dismissed for 89 after Chatterjee claimed six for 23 with his slow let-arm spin. Forced to follow-on, the home side found at least one batting hero in Timir Kajal Chanda who made 54 off 82 balls. But Chatterjee, opening the bowling this time, ran through the rest of the batting in a huff after castling Chanda. The 37-year-old’s figures in the second innings read 20.5-10-32-7. His match-figures were, not surprisingly, exceptional: 46.3-23-55-13. Bengal, who won the match inside three days, were rewarded with eight points for their labours.

All-rounder John Stephenson, who was released by Hampshire at the end of last season, declared the sum of £192,092 from his 2001 Benefit.

Stephenson joined the club in 1995 from Essex, captaining them for two seasons, and in all played some 212 First-class and Limited-Overs matches for Hampshire.His First-Team appearances were limited during his benefit year, but he played a pivotol roll in captaining the Second XI to the 2nd XI Championship.John who has returned to Essex in a coaching capacity, is retaining his residence in the county, was delighted with the support. “I have really enjoyed my years with Hampshire” said John, “and would like to thank all those who supported my benefit.”

The batting of Darren and Damien featured in the lead-up to a declaration. Its effect was then negated by the discipline of Dighton and Di Venuto as Victoria and Tasmania fought out an even second day of the Pura Cup clash between the teams here in Melbourne today.But D-day in the match might still be as many as 48 hours away with the teams locked in a battle within a battle for six outright points that could potentially define each of their seasons.After experiencing frustration at the hands of Darren Berry (62*) and Damien Fleming (39*) as Victoria made its way to 8/371 before a lunchtime closure, the Tasmanians had looked in further trouble when they surrendered two early wickets in the reply.But an unbroken 141-run union for the third wicket between Michael Dighton (78*) and Michael Di Venuto (68*) re-imposed their side’s mark on the game. In carrying the visitors to comfort at a scoreline of 2/191 by stumps, it also eased them into an excellent position from which they might be able to shape the destiny of the match.In light of a forecast that indicates rain will hit Melbourne during the match’s final day, the Tasmanians are likely to be interested in claiming first innings honours tomorrow before challenging the points-desperate Victorians to throw the match open a second time.While Tasmania’s Cup juggernaut keeps rolling inexorably forward, though, it might well have crashed and burned if the home team had not granted Dighton three slices of fortune in the midst of his plucky innings. Errant cuts should have brought him undone at 53 and 58 but resulted in dropped catches at slip by Brad Hodge and at point by Michael Klinger respectively. A sharp caught and bowled chance at 33 had earlier eluded leg spinner Cameron White (1/41) to add to mounting Victorian frustration.The Victorian attack had shown signs of early intent by regularly defeating the bats of both openers with the new ball. Jamie Cox (24) and Scott Mason (11) each flirted with danger, playing and missing serially outside the line of off stump at both Fleming (0/32) and newcomer Will Carr (0/29).Paradoxically, bowling changes eventually yielded both wickets, with Mason summarily driving loosely at an outswinger and presenting a catch to third slip as Mick Lewis (1/28) was introduced. Cox’s stay then ended when umpire Geoff Morrow upheld an appeal for a short leg catch as an attempt to sweep at White ended with the ball lobbing just beyond Klinger’s crouching pose at short leg.Cox had looked out at 3 when trapped on his crease by Fleming but wasn’t; then didn’t look out at 24 when he was. He greeted Morrow’s latter decision with restrained disgust.But that was the cue for the entry of Di Venuto and an exhibition of impressive resolve.Toward the end of a first-class season that has been savaged by an ankle injury, a bout of food poisoning and a selection panel that elected to axe him after generally indifferent form, he played a masterful innings.His bat was even touted as a cannon at times as he drilled several matter-of-fact boundaries and peppered the bowling with a series of murderous on drives. The stylish left hander also embedded an air of responsibility in his game that must have represented an immensely heartening development for his state’s hierarchy.Dighton capitalised on his reprieves all the while by adorning sagacious defence with a mix of elegant drives that helped keep the Tigers’ score moving at a respectable clip.Earlier, Berry and Fleming had offered contributions of inestimable value of their own for Victoria as the locals swelled their overnight score of 6/257 to its eventual resting place.Following up a score of 148 in his last first-class appearance, Berry looked at ease against both spin and pace in an innings that formed the backbone of important stands of 65 with Ian Harvey (87) for the seventh wicket and 69 with a belligerent Fleming for the ninth.The only two wickets to fall in the morning session each went the way of young left arm spinner Xavier Doherty (2/78), though paceman David Saker (4/71) continued to test the batsmen in a spell that netted six successive maidens at one point.

Yorkshire left-arm pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom is being drafted in to join the ECB National Academy squad in Australia after injuries to his county colleague Steve Kirby and Glamorgan’s Simon Jones.The injuries to Kirby and Jones mean they will miss the forthcoming four-day match against South Australia 2nd XI. Sidebottom, who made his full Test debut for England against Pakistan at Lord’s last season, will remain to bolster the Academy’s fast bowling resources for the rest of the current programme in Australia.In the meantime, Durham’s Steve Harmison will return to England after the match in Adelaide which begins next Monday. The director of the National Academy, Rod Marsh, explained that this decision was purely in the light of the workload Harmison has undertaken.”Harmison has led the bowling attack in every game since the squad returned to Australia after Christmas,” said Marsh. “As a result of him not having had a rest, he will not be required to play in the one-day matches in Sydney and the four-day match in Perth.”These are the final matches of this winter’s Academy programme and the management has therefore agreed that he should return home after next week’s match to prepare for the coming summer at home.”Harmison has been one of numerous successes during the Academy’s stay in Australia. In fact, it was widely suggested that he might have been included in the Test party to play the three-match series in New Zealand, but James Ormond, now of Surrey, was retained subject to fitness considerations.In the latest match on tour, the National Academy lost a one-day rain-restricted match to the ACT at the Manuka Oval in Canberra by 36 runs.Batting first, ACT managed 253 for 8 in their 50 overs. Rain reduced the Academy target to 202 runs in 31 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system but, despite 49 from Ian Bell and 45 from Mark Wallace, the Academy were all out for 165 in 29 overs.

When the office at Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton closed it’s doors for the Christmas break on Friday afternoon, young opening batsman Neil Edwards headed west down the A30 to his Cornish home where he will be spending the festive period with his family.By the time the seasonal holiday is over Neil will be far away, along with the rest of the England Under 19 party who depart for their six week trip to Australia on New Year’s Eve.Neil, who hails from Penzance completed two years at the Academy in Taunton, before making quite an impression on his first team debut in July against a strong West Indies `A’ team.On the strength of his two first team innings and a number of appearances for the Somerset second string, Neil was called up to play for a representative Under 19 XI later in the summer, and was then selected to make the trip `down under’ with the full England age group squad.The tall left-hander suffered a bit of a setback earlier in the autumn when he was diagnosed with glandular fever, but thankfully he has made a full recovery and is now fully fit.Before he cleared his desk in the office at the ground where he has been working for the last few weeks he told me: "I spent last week at Lilleshall with the rest of the tour party, where we worked on all aspects of our game. We had input from a number of top class players like Graham Gooch. There is a lot of interest on our tour now after what has happened in the Ashes series, so we will be under the spotlight."Looking forward to the trip I asked how he was feeling. He told me: "To be honest I’m feeling just a little bit nervous because it’s just starting to dawn on me what I am actually going to be doing after Christmas."He continued: "I’m feeling really good and I am pleased to say that I have made a full recovery. This is a big opportunity for me to make a name for myself. I know I can score runs but I want to do it against the best in the world which the Aussies are."

Even after the two victories against Auckland in the state competition we weren’t allowed to sit back and rest; there were still things to be worked on in training.Before the rest of the squad arrived I battled the wind to complete an interval session. After some throw downs on the outfield, the squad worked on fielding drills, concentrating on movement around the in field and cut throwing from the boundary.The weekend ahead would see four state fixtures, with two against Central Districts in Palmerston North and two against Wellington in Wellington. So Friday was spent packing. Mandie Godliman and I also managed an active recovery session in the pool, looking completely out of place as we jogged up and down the lanes whilst those around us swam more gracefully.The Canterbury girls met up at the airport in our number ones; smart black trousers and pink shirts with our Canterbury Magicians logo embroidered on. There was a comment about a convention of barbie dolls from one amused onlooker, which to be honest we were quite flattered about!After a night of very little sleep I travelled down to the ground with the girls. I’d played at Fitzherbert Park with the England team in early 2000 so was familiar with the layout and outfield. Captain Tiffen won her first toss of the competition and elected to field. Central Districts were bowled out for 176 with Rebecca Steele the most economical of our bowlers with 1-13 from 10 overs. Wendy Ides (one of the extras girls) was one of the biggest contributors to the Central Districts cause, something that was to plague us all weekend.After an early loss of wicket, I went in and hit an agressive 52 from 56 deliveries before misreading a leg side ball and being stumped off their left-handed slow bowler, Erin MacDonald. Loss of wickets throughout our reply left us with too much to do and we finished on 161 all out. Our first loss and how expensive those extras turned out to be!Sunday came and with it a chance to rectify the mistakes of the day before. Central again batted first and, although our wides tally was fewer, managed to get to 217 from their 50 overs with some good batting from Pulford, Mason and McGlashan. Nic Payne proved to be the backbone of our winning innings with 97 runs before being caught at mid-wicket with only 15 runs to get. A very exciting game which we won with only one ball to spare.That evening we travelled down to Wellington in good spirits. We were now two points behind them in the league after they had recorded two victories over Otago. We arrived at Kelburn Park at 9am to start a rain-affected two days. Cricket started on time but after a strong start from Canterbury we had to leave the pitch with Wellington on 57 for three from 28 overs.Over two hours later and with the game reduced to 46 overs for each side, we were back on. They finished on 157 for seven and had the better of us almost immediately, with a wicket on the second ball of our innings. Rowan Milburn and I steadied the ship with a good partnership before I was run out going for a third. Rowan and Haidee batted well together before Sarah Burke went in and finished the game for us.The second game at Kelburn was washed out completely, with play finally being called off at 2pm after a particularly vicious hail shower. This was doubly disappointing for me, my previous match for the team had been a no-go and I’d missed an opportunity for more time in the middle before the England tour.The Canterbury girls were travelling back home that evening and I left them at the airport as I caught a flight to Auckland to pick up my visa for Australia. I flew back down to Christchurch the following afternoon before heading into town for a goodbye meal with the Magicians.I’d had a great time playing state cricket with the girls and now it was time to meet up with the England team.More packing, then on Thursday a trip to the gym, a net at Hagley and a massage before heading to the airport for their afternoon flight in from Sydney. First impressions – they’re all very tired and almost transparent, they’re so pale!We take them out into the afternoon sunshine and on to the bus for the trip into Christchurch. We’re staying at the Heritage, a very nice hotel on Cathedral Square in the heart of Christchurch.The next day after sharing stories of travelling and comparing sleep patterns, we’re off in minibuses to Oamaru for a training camp and two warm-up matches against Otago. A light training session on Friday afternoon was followed up by a full day on Saturday.There’s plenty to discuss as well, with players sharing notes on key players from Australia and New Zealand and their form in the various state competitions. I’m very happy with the preparation that I’ve had for this tour, and feel that we’ll be able to accomplish something special here.

MELBOURNE, Feb 22 AAP – Shane Warne’s reputation was in tatters and his sporting career in the balance today after he was found guilty of doping and banned from playing cricket for 12 months.But Warne said he would appeal the verdict and vigorously protested his innocence.”I feel I am a victim of anti-doping hysteria,” said Warne, who added he was “absolutely devastated” by today’s finding.The three-person Australian Cricket Board (ACB) anti-doping committee found him guilty of using a prohibited method after he tested positive to the diuretics hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride on January 22.The ban takes effect from February 10 and prohibits Warne from playing for Australia, Victoria, English county side Hampshire or his Melbourne district team St Kilda.He stands to lose most of the $1.5 million a year he earns from cricket and sponsorship deals, including his estimated $500,000 ACB contract which is also suspended for a year.Warne insisted the tablet he took which led to the positive test was only to improve his appearance and not to mask performance-enhancing drugs.He said he did not blame mother Brigitte, who Warne claimed had given him the pill.”I feel that a 12-month suspension is a very harsh penalty for not checking what I took with anyone,” he said.”I have never blamed my mum, I thought it was important to clarify where the tablet came from.”It had nothing to do with cricket or trying to mask anything. It had to do with appearance.”Playing for Australia and Victoria is my love and I would never knowingly put that in jeopardy. I love playing cricket too much.”To the Australian team, you don’t need me to win the World Cup – you have the talent, the passion and the desire to bring the Cup back to all of us here in Australia.”The offence Warne was charged with carries a two year ban and it was not immediately clear how the committee arrived at a 12 month suspension.An “exceptional circumstances” defence is available under ACB rules but ACB chief executive James Sutherland said the committee had found this did not apply.Sutherland said the board was “comfortable” with the finding.He said it was a complex case and the full reasons for the finding would be released “at a later date”.”Generally, no-one’s happy about the circumstances around this case, it’s unfortunate,” he said.”The anti-doping committee found there were no exceptional circumstances which would justify the charge being dismissed.”The committee confirmed the mere presence of diuretics in the sample constituted use of a prohibited method.”Sutherland added the board regarded this as “an isolated incident”.Diuretics can be used to mask other drugs, such as steroids, and this was the reason for the more serious “prohibited method” charge.The committee handed down the finding at 1pm (AEDT) today after yesterday’s all-day hearing at ACB headquarters.Seven as-yet unnamed witnesses were called yesterday – four on behalf of the ACB and three called by Warne’s legal team.National chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said a replacement for Australia’s greatest wicket taker in the World Cup squad had already been decided upon.The identity of that player, probably either Queensland off-spinner Nathan Hauritz or New South Wales leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, could be revealed later today.