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Abdul Razzaq, who will be the only Pakistan player to participate in this year’s Champions League Twenty20 in India, has said he hopes cricketing relations between India and Pakistan improve, with matches between the two countries resuming and Pakistan players being included in the IPL. Razzaq will play for Leicestershire in the Champions League, and will be only the second Pakistan player to play in the tournament – Yasir Araft played for Sussex in the first tournament in 2009.”When we played in the ICL [Indian Cricket League] the whole charm of that league was Pakistan players playing in India, so I hope that after I go and play the Champions League, India also open the doors of the IPL to Pakistan players,” Razzaq said. “I have faced no problems playing in India and even in the worst of times people of India welcome Pakistan players with open hearts and I hope I am soon part of a Pakistan team playing against India.”Pakistan teams have not taken part in the Champions League, while Pakistan players have not played in the IPL since the tournament’s debut in 2008. Cricket relations between India and Pakistan were suspended after the Mumbai terror attacks of December 2008, with no bilateral series between the two countries since. Razzaq said he hoped that would change soon.”I hope the respective governments will negotiate to resume Indo-Pak cricket because without India and Pakistan playing each other, cricket is deprived of a high-profile, most-watched cricket series. Doors should always be open for sportsmen or else you change the name of cricket, because cricket is the binding force between these two countries, which we have seen in the past.”The ICC’s Future Tours Programme has scheduled a Test and ODI series between Pakistan and India for 2012, but while PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has said talks are progressing, there has been no official word from the BCCI on whether and where the series will go ahead.

Shot of the day
Amit Mishra walked in with a bat signed by Virender Sehwag during India’s first innings. Now, Sehwag himself had made only eight runs, faced eight deliveries and bagged a king pair in his first three innings of the series. Either way it wouldn’t have mattered to the England bowlers considering the way they have dominated the Indian batting through the series. But Mishra not only batted with gay abandon, usually a Sehwag trait, but also combined confidence with fluency to surprise the opposition. In his primary role as a legspinner he’d had a shocking time – 38-3-170-0 – but he left the Englishmen gaping when he charged Graeme Swann on the last ball before lunch, to hit the only six of the Indian innings high over long on.Catch of the day
At the MCG in December 1998, Mark Ramprakash at square leg flung himself full-stretch to his right to intercept a pull from Justin Langer, and set England on their way to a highly improbable victory. The circumstances were somewhat different this time around, but Ian Bell’s reactions were every bit as honed, as a valiant 43 from Mishra was brought to a spectacular ending. A short ball from Tim Bresnan got big on the pull, but Bell at short square leg had to watch the shot all the way off the bat, judge the miscued pace, and time his dive to perfection as the ball slapped his left palm, and nestled into his fingers as he fell to earth. A determined 87-run stand had been broken, and England’s victory bid had taken a major leap forward.Ball of the day
The shadows were lengthening and a small sense of satisfaction was spreading through the Indian camp. Despite another tough examination, they were inching towards the close with eight wickets still in hand and two of their big three in harness at the crease. But then, as so often this series, up popped James Anderson. At Trent Bridge he had produced a screamer to uproot VVS Laxman’s off stump, and though this replica delivery wasn’t quite in the same category, it proved far too good once again as it zipped off the deck and crashed into the top of off as a dazed Laxman stared forlornly down the track.Onslaught of the day
Rahul Dravid is not by nature the most demonstrative of batsmen, but whenever Swann has been in his sights in this series, he has come out with a touch of the KPs. Dravid’s handling of England’s spinner has been nothing short of masterful, and today, with 14 runs needed for his hundred, he knew what he wanted to do. From the second ball of Swann’s 20th over, he cleared his front leg and took on a brace of midwickets with a contemptuous slog-sweep. Two balls later, he rocked back on his heels and dabbed a delicious late cut through third man. Swann’s fifth ball was flicked through the gap at midwicket for another four, and he completed his surge with a dab-and-dive single to move to 99. Tim Bresnan made him wait a further four balls for the moment, but when it came, he was celebrating almost before his followthrough was complete.Milestone of the day
At half past three on Sunday, sections of the crowd rose for a standing ovation. Rahul Dravid had not reached the 150 mark. No England bowler had taken a wicket. Not even Sachin Tendulkar had made an appearance. Instead, when Dravid powerfully cut Tim Bresnan for a single, it was the first time India had managed to reach 300 runs in seven attempts this series. However, that was as good as their performance would get. The final two Indian wickets – RP Singh and Sreesanth – fell in the same over in quick succession in a span of three balls.Tempo-setter of the day
First ball of the innings, following on. Sehwag facing James Anderson. You know something is going to happen – something untoward, something exciting. And lo and behold, Sehwag goes for a powerful backfoot punch, only for a thin bottom edge to slither past the off stump and away to the rope for four. A boundary first-up is usually a sign of good times to come for Sehwag, but rarely do such strokes draws monstrous gasps from the crowd.Placard of the day
“England v Dravid, The Wall”. Self-explanatory, isn’t it?

Upul Tharanga, the Sri Lanka opener, has said his three-month drug ban that ended on Tuesday was “one of the most difficult situations” in his life.Tharanga had said that he had failed the drug test during the World Cup because of a herbal remedy to ease discomfort caused by a long-standing shoulder injury. The ICC, while imposing the ban, had accepted that the offence wasn’t deliberate.”The ban affected me psychologically and that was one of the toughest periods in my life,” Tharanga told the , a Sri Lankan newspaper. “Fortunately that’s over now and I am looking forward to the future.”Tharanga was an important performer in the World Cup, with 395 runs at 56.42, forming a powerful opening combination with the tournament’s highest run-getter, Tillakaratne Dilshan. He tested positive after the semi-final against New Zealand in Colombo.”I was shocked when I got to know that I had failed a drug test. I just couldn’t understand what had happened,” he said a day ahead of his return to international cricket, the first ODI against Australia. He had missed the tour of England as a result of the suspension.”It’s a unique challenge to play and succeed in England due to the conditions and I had a good tour last time in 2006. It was disappointing to miss out on this occasion,” he said. “Everything is over now [though], and the captain and the selectors have recalled me as soon as the ban is over. I am looking forward to do well in this series.”

Bangladesh chief selector Akram Khan has proposed a change in the BCB’s policy that currently allows the board’s technical committee to discuss the selectors’ choices, following a delay in the announcement of the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. There is speculation that the delay is due to meddling by an influential director who is part of the committee, which has reportedly not gone down well with BCB chief Mustafa Kamal.As is normal practice, Akram conferred with the five directors on the technical committee before submitting his team to Kamal (via the cricket operations committee) on Wednesday evening, but the final squad has not yet been announced – an unusual wait given the quick approval normally given by the board chief.Akram denied there was interference from any particular director, but asked for a system that would hold the selection panel accountable for the team’s performance, in place of the existing procedure. “We knew about this policy of talking with the technical committee when we signed the contract, so we have to abide by it,” he said. “It would have been better if they could evaluate our performance after we had selected the team.”It is now not clear when the team will be named; with the committee’s directors off to Sylhet for a meeting, it is assumed that a press conference is out of the question on Friday or Saturday. A press release is expected but only after the BCB’s approval.The remit of the technical committee, chaired by Enayet Hossain Siraj, is to discuss the squad with the selectors before it goes for board approval. The body was created during Rafiqul Alam’s reign and has since been regularly condemned by local media for interfering with selection matters. There is widespread speculation that the committee impeded the previous selection panel on occasions, and even tried to force a change in the World Cup squad.

Match Facts

June 16-20, Rose Bowl
Start time 11.00am (1000GMT)Stuart Broad has the backing of his captain but needs to start taking more wickets•PA Photos

The Big Picture

It’s been a strange Test series in many ways. Frequent interruptions by the weather and two matches that have drifted for large periods (except, of course, the stunning final session in Cardiff which gave England their 1-0 lead) means the contest hasn’t really bubbled up. Now, at the final Test, Sri Lanka cling to the prospect of pulling off a drawn series while England have their sights set on establishing a clear margin between the teams.The odds suggest the latter aim is more likely. Sri Lanka have been hit with the major loss of captain Tillakaratne Dilshan due to a broken thumb which will means Lahiru Thirimanne has to be drafted in for his debut and Kumar Sangakkara, reluctantly to say the least, resumes the leadership. Dilshan is so pivotal to Sri Lanka – as he showed with his 193 at Lord’s – that it will take a mighty effort for the tourists to overcome his absence.While the batting line-up has twice competed impressively in the first innings – which makes their capitulation for 82 even more surprising – they have not looked like bowling England out twice. The one chance they had to embarrass the hosts came on the opening day at Lord’s with England 22 for 3 but the attack couldn’t maintain the pressure. Although Dilshan’s near double put pressure back on the home side a victory push always looked a little distant.England, though, were some way off their best at Lord’s and will want to put that right over the next five days. Such high standards have been set that the collective disappointment of the bowling last week caught many by surprise. James Anderson’s return will bring a senior figure back to the attack, but this is an important week for Stuart Broad.As it is for Andrew Strauss. Not that he should be feeling any undue pressure right now, but he was twice lbw to Chanaka Welegedara at Lord’s and, given he only plays one format these days, won’t want to endure too many lean series. Also, a scoreline anything less than 2-0 will be a missed opportunity for England.A word, too, on the venue. Not much more than a decade ago the area now home to the Rose Bowl was home to grazing animals. It’s been an impressive transformation into a fine venue. Unsurprisingly there were teething problems in the early years, but Rod Bransgrove is right to be proud of what has been achieved. Hampshire deserve a Test match fitting of the occasion.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
England DWWWL
Sri Lanka DLDDD

Watch out for…

James Anderson was sorely missed at Lord’s as England’s tall pace bowlers struggled to match his consistency. Ideally Anderson would have had at least a short run out before returning from a side strain, but is confident that he is fully recovered. With the likelihood of some cloud cover around Anderson could enjoy conditions on the south coast and reaffirm why he is worthy of consideration as the second-best pace bowler in the world after Dale Steyn.Kumar Sangakkara has plenty on his plate. He hasn’t exactly jumped feet first back into the captaincy after his departure from the role little more than two months ago. There is often more to these sorts of situations than straight cricket decisions, with outside influences common in Sri Lankan cricket. The other issue for Sangakkara is his form. He hasn’t been able to improve on a poor record in England during this series, although 153 against Essex will have been a timely boost. In the absence of Dilshan he must lead from the front with the bat.

Team news

Barring any last-minute problems Anderson will slot back into England’s side at the expense of Steven Finn who took wickets at Lord’s but was expensive. After Kevin Pietersen’s 72 in the second innings last week Strauss is the one batsman without a significant contribution in the series.England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 James AndersonLahriu Thirimanne is the favourite to replace Dilshan at the top of the order after his hundred against Essex, but Sri Lanka’s other problem is how to take 20 wickets. Farveez Maharoof has been ineffective at No. 7 and with victory a must Sri Lanka could be better served by either Thisara Perera’s extra pace or Suraj Randiv’s offspinSri Lanka (possible) 1 Tharanga Paranavitana, 2 Lahiru Thirimanne, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt) , 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Rangana Herath, 9 Suranga Lakmal, 10 Dilhara Fernando, 11 Chanaka Welegedara

Pitch and conditions

For a long time the Rose Bowl had a reputation as being a nightmare for batsmen, but the pitches have since bedded down and often provide plenty of runs. Sadly, it doesn’t look like this Test will escape interference from the weather with Friday currently having the worst forecast.

Stats and trivia

• The Rose Bowl becomes the 10th British Test ground with nine still currently active.
• Eoin Morgan has scored the most international runs on the ground with 253
• Sri Lanka have played two previous internationals at the ground – a one-day international during the 2004 Champions Trophy and a Twenty20 in 2006.

Quotes

“We are determined to make it 2-0 and finish the series off. There’s been some good cricket played by both sides amongst the showers we’ve had but we want to build on what we’ve done so far.”
“Whether you lose 1-0 or 2-0 you’ve still lost a series, but if we scrap and perform the way we can, we have opportunity to tie series. We have to show no fear and be as positive as we can but at the same time execute all we’ve spoken about properly on the field.”

ScorecardAndrew Gale set up Yorkshire’s healthy total with a fine hundred•PA Photos

Andrew Gale hit a century as Yorkshire got off the mark in Clydesdale Bank 40 Group A with a resounding 93-run victory over Kent in Canterbury. Gale’s superb 112 from 114 balls proved the mainstay of his side’s excellent total of 254 for 7.After a flying start Gale went on to lay great foundations for a big total with an innings that included 11 fours and two sixes that left the Spitfires with a mountain to climb. I In reply, the hosts could only muster 161 as Adil Rashid picked up 3 for 30.Having won the toss and elected to bat, Yorkshire had 73 on the board after 10 overs. Jonny Bairstow set the visitors on their way with a quickfire 26, which included a pulled six off a free-hit from Azhar Mahmood.Adam Ball struck twice in as many deliveries either side of a maiden from Mahmood. The fifth over ended with Darren Stevens pulling off a spectacular catch to see the back of Bairstow then Adam Lyth was caught behind first ball to make it 40 for 2.Gale and Joe Root’s third-wicket partnership of 124 in 21 overs set a platform that allowed Yorkshire’s middle order to throw the bat. Gale deposited a Matt Coles free-hit over mid-wicket for six then the Yorkshire captain clubbed James Tredwell’s second delivery of the day back over the bowler’s head for another maximum. He brought his fifty up, off 61 balls, with a four straight down the ground off Stevens in the 19th over.Gale went on to score his second hundred in one-day cricket, which came off 105 balls, when he pulled Coles to the straight mid-wicket boundary although though not before an ill-judged reverse sweep ended Root’s responsible innings of 43.Had they not lost four wickets in the closing overs and Rich Pyrah, who retired hurt after being struck on the right knee by Coles, Yorkshire could have put the game totally beyond Kent’s reach. After Gerard Brophy fell leg before for 28 and Tim Bresnan was bowled trying to lift Coles over mid-on, Gale eventually perished attempting a third run to Ball at deep square leg.Needing 255, Kent were soon in trouble, losing Sam Northeast and Martin van Jaarsveld to successive deliveries in the third over. Northeast went caught behind and van Jaarsveld handed Ryan Sidebottom a second scalp when he cut the former England fast bowler high to third man.Seven overs later, Rob Key looped a catch to mid-wicket. Alex Blake was the next to go, caught behind reaching for a ball from Rashid. Shortly after sweeping David Wainwright for six, Stevens charged Rashid and was bowled for 39 to leave the Spitfires on 101 for 5.Two balls after Kent took the batting powerplay, Bresnan sent Geraint Jones’ off stump cartwheeling. In the very next over, the hosts’ fading hopes of victory expired with the departure of Mahmood, who holed out to deep midwicket.