Tag Futebol

Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers launched a fierce assault that led South Africa to an eight-wicket victory against tournament favourites Australia in a warm-up match at Centurion. Chasing 180, Smith remained unbeaten on 89 while de Villiers smashed 65 off 35 balls as South Africa overhauled the target with five balls to spare.Smith and Herschelle Gibbs raced off in pursuit of the target, adding 54 for the first wicket in 5.3 overs. Gibbs was bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus but South Africa only gained momentum once de Villiers joined Smith. They added 116 for the second wicket in 12.1 overs. Smith’s 89 took 61 balls and included 11 fours and two sixes while de Villiers smacked four fours and as many sixes. Australia used seven bowlers and Brett Lee – 0 for 14 off two overs – was the most economical of them all.Australia had got off to a poor start against New Zealand yesterday when Shane Bond dismissed Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden in the first over and they struggled once again. Shaun Pollock bowled Gilchrist and Brad Haddin off successive deliveries in the third over to reduce them to 16 for 2. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals and it was left to Andrew Symonds – 45 off 26 balls – and the lower-order batsmen to take Australia to 179. Pollock finished with superb figures of 2 for 16 off three overs and was supported well by Makhaya Ntini who conceded just 17 off his three.An incredible spell from Daren Powell spearheaded West Indies’ 35-run victory against New Zealand in Benoni. Powell took 3 for 4 off four overs as New Zealand were bowled out for 115 in the 19th over while chasing 151 for victory.West Indies’ defence began superbly when Fidel Edwards had Brendon McCullum caught behind off the first ball of the innings. Edwards and Ravi Rampaul didn’t allow New Zealand to get off to a flier but it was Powell who had the decisive impact with his economy and wickets. He had Lou Vincent caught in the fifth over and then dismissed Ross Taylor and Scott Styris in successive overs. New Zealand were 44 for 4 and never recovered. Peter Fulton top scored with 51, and Daniel Vettori, who made 24, was the only other batsman to reach double figures.The West Indian batsmen also struggled earlier. Devon Smith was dismissed by Chris Martin in the second over and Chris Gayle had to retire hurt with the score on 7 after being hit on the side of his right knee by a delivery from Martin. Gayle had suffered a blow in the same area during practice on September 6. However, his going off was only a precautionary measure, and he is expected to be fit for the match against South Africa on Tuesday. Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo also fell cheaply, effectively reducing West Indies to 22 for 4, although only three wickets had fallen. Dwayne Smith propped up the innings with 47 off 46 balls and received support from Narsingh Deonarine and Denesh Ramdin to take West Indies to 150.

A solid opening stand of 94 between Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez helped Pakistan ease to a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka at Centurion. Butt scored 51 and Hafeez 45 as Pakistan chased down the target of 163 with more than an over to spare.After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka were off to a good start with Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga adding 45 in five overs. Mohammad Asif, who missed the warm-up against Zimbabwe due to a thigh injury, removed Tharanga for 30. Hafeez tied the batsmen down with his offbreaks, conceding 18 off his four overs and picking up two wickets. Sri Lanka lost their way a bit at 80 for 4, before Jehan Mubarak revived the innings, sharing stands of 36 and 41 with Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan respectively.Pakistan responded smoothly thanks to Hafeez and Butt as the seamers came in for a bit of stick. The Sri Lankans managed to pick up a few wickets but by then Pakistan were well on course to victory. Shoaib Malik steered his side home with an unbeaten 34.Kenya upset Bangladesh by six wickets with one ball to spare in the second round of warm-up matches in Benoni. A fantastic effort from Kenya’s bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for only 116 and their top order chipped in to achieve the target in the final over.Steve Tikolo’s decision to field paid off when Thomas Odoyo dismissed two of Bangladesh’s big hitters – Nazimuddin and Aftab Ahmed – cheaply. Tamim Iqbal offered resistance during his 56 off 41 balls that included one six, but he got no support from the other end. Aftab’s 17 was the second highest score in an innings where only three batsmen got to double figures. Odoyo’s spell of 2 for 21 swung the advantage Kenya’s way and he was well backed up by Nehemiah Odhiambo, who took 3 for 37, and Lameck Onyango’s 2 for 19.Kenya approached their small target sensibly with the Obuya brothers – David and Collins – adding 41 in eight overs for the first wicket. They kept abreast with the required run-rate and it was Steve Tikolo who provided the acceleration, during his 36 off 28 balls that helped Kenya over the finish line.Zimbabwe scored a five-wicket victory in their warm-up match against Scotland in Potchefstroom. Scotland scored 155 for 6 in their 20 overs and Zimbabwe chased it down with seven balls to spare.Scotland captain Ryan Watson top scored for his team, scoring 64 off 50 balls with five fours and two sixes. He received support from Navdeep Poonia, who scored 36 off 27 balls, and the pair added 83 for the second wicket. Zimbabwe used eight bowlers and Gary Brent returned the best figures with 1 for 20 off three overs.Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha scored 42 and 43 respectively and laid a solid platform for Zimbabwe’s chase. They added 79 for the second wicket after Brendan Taylor had fallen cheaply. Stuart Matsikenyeri took Zimbabwe through to victory and remained unbeaten on 25 off 18 balls.

The New Zealand selectors and team management were reportedly unhappy with the fitness of two players – Jesse Ryder and Craig McMillan – during their tour of Australia last month. While McMillan was subsequently axed from New Zealand’s provisional 30-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in India owing to weight problems, Ryder got the nod.John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, confirmed that he wasn’t pleased with Ryder’s fitness during the tour, but reasoned that his consistent scores made him an investment for the future.”That’s moderately fair but it’s a completely separate issue from Craig,” Bracewell told . “Jesse’s 20 [he’s 22] and has only just become involved in our A programme. He scored consistently through this series, whereas Craig had one score. I wouldn’t compare the two. They’re treated separately. Craig’s been on contract for near-on eight years and turned up for a tournament unfit. He should know better.”Ryder, a left-hand opening batsman, was one of the stand-out performers in the Emerging Players tournament in Brisbane, scoring 346 runs in seven matches. He then represented New Zealand A for two matches in the Top End series, scoring a century, and was included in the provisional squad on the strength of the Australian tour and a good domestic season with Wellington. Bracewell said that Ryder is currently undergoing an extensive fitness programme to be in better physical condition before the squad is trimmed down to 14.”We’re working with Jesse to try to get him fit and into some sort of competition condition. At 22 he doesn’t know better yet. Craig does.”On the other key players recovering from injuries, Bracewell stated that Shane Bond, the fast bowler, began his bowling programme two days back. “He (Bond) came through it very well. Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills have started their bowling programmes. Those guys look like they’ll be ready for tournament selection. We’re still not progressing as quickly as we’d like with Michael Mason but as far as those guys go, we’re mostly on target.”

Digicel, the current sponsors of the West Indies team, have expressed “concern and disappointment” over the leaked report recently prepared by Justice Anthony Lucky, the chairman of the sponsorship negotiations review committee. The report – which observed that the Digicel deal could be declared null and void – was handed over to Ken Gordon, the chairman of the board, and was not expected to be made public.Ben Atherton, Digicel’s group marketing director, said in a press release, “We feel that the release of such unofficial reviews and leaked information does not serve the best interest of West Indies cricket or the objectives of the West Indies Cricket Board [WICB] Sponsorship Negotiations Review Committee in helping to move West Indies cricket forward in a positive manner.”We have co-operated to the fullest extent with the Sponsorship Review Committee’s initiative established by the WICB and respectfully await the official review of the committee report by the president of the WICB Mr Ken Gordon and the full board of the WICB.”He added that Digicel had entered the agreement in “good faith”, reaffirming their commitment to support the development of the regional game.”Digicel entered its sponsorship contract with the WICB in good faith with a view to encourage the return of West Indies cricket to its true potential. We are committed to helping West Indies cricket move forward in a positive manner, a development which will be welcomed by all parties and we are offering our support to both the WICB and WIPA [West Indies Players Association].”The release also said that Digicel’s main focus was “providing the necessary resources and support for players and fans to enjoy all of the benefits of the game now and in the future.”

Blessing Mahwire has been left out of Zimbabwe’s side for the second Test against Sri Lanka. Mahwire was reported to the ICC for having a suspect bowling action in the first Test, which Zimbabwe lost by an innings and 240 runs.His place has been taken by Vusi Sibanda, who has played two Tests. That was the only change in the team for the second match, which starts at Bulayawo on May 14. Tatenda Taibu will again lead the side, depleted by the 15 rebel players, and another landslide Sri Lankan victory is expected.Zimbabwe 1 Tatenda Taibu (capt), 2 Dion Ebrahim, 3 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 4 Brendan Taylor 5 Alester Maregwede, 6 Prosper Utseya, 7 Mluleki Nkala, 8 Douglas Hondo, 9 Tinashe Panyangara, 10 Elton Chigumbura, 11 Vusumuzi Sibanda.

The proverbial saying “lost it after we had won it” would not be out of place, as Hampshire managed to give away 29 runs in nine balls to conceded defeat to Sussex in nightmare fashion.John Crawley won the toss again, and as with the other one-day matches over the bank holiday, decided to bat first. In form Nic Pothas was given the task of opening with his captain, with Derek Kenway being left out after a poor run of form.Pothas provided the early runs as Crawley paced himself, but the skipper after a painstaking 26 balls, played on to James Kirtley. Robin Smith played a couple of cracking shots, but he edged a ball from Billy Taylor, and Pothas in effect ran himself out for 40. He attempted a second run, without really telling his partner Simon Katich he was coming.Wasim Akram pushed up the order to try and increase the run rate, did just that as he and his Aussie partner started to flay the Sussex bowlers, until the second run out saw him dismissed for 38 in just 40 balls, including two sixes.This set back slowed down the progress, as James Hamblin and Dimitri Mascarenhas both fell cheaply, Mascarenhas being the third Hampshire batsman to be run out. A quick fire 21 from Will Kendall assisted Katich to achieve his highest score for Hampshire so far since joining them, but the 213 runs scored off 50 overs did not seem enough.Sussex started well despite losing Richard Montgomerie early on, Ambrose, Goodwin and Chris Adams all made contributions, but against some very tight bowling the continually fell behind the asking rate. Wickets fell with only the Sussex captain holding the home side’s progress up and with 5 overs remaining; the visitors were looking at 12 an over, and with 48 overs gone required 29 for victory.Wasim Akram who had bowled with venom then conceded 20 runs in his last over as Adams and Mark Davis went on the attack, and the pair sewed up an unlikely victory with three balls to spare. Adams with 80 not out, that included three sixes was named man of the match.

Jacques Kallis has confirmed that he will not be rejoiningGlamorgan as their overseas player for the 2002 season.The South African all-rounder who appeared in six County Championship gamesin 1999 has told the Welsh county that he needs a break before the start of the 2003 World Cup, although he has expressed an interest in returning to Wales for the county campaign once the World Cup is finished.There has been speculation in the Press about whether Glamorgan should opt for a batsman by resigning Jimmy Maher or Matthew Elliott for 2002, or alternatively look for a bowler.But as Glamorgan Chief Executive Mike Fatkin said “We haven’t decided whether we want a batsman or a bowler at this stage. “”We knew when the International Cricket Council published its long-term programme that there was going to be a problem. We have been speaking with Jacques for quite a few months and knew that the only break he could have before the World Cup was during our season in 2002.””I think he realises that his body has got to have a rest at some time, but I’m sure he will agree to come back for the 2003 season. We have got a very good relationship and he is very keen to come back to Glamorgan in the future.”

Daniel Vettori has got his wish of more responsibility after being named captain of the New Zealand squad for the Twenty20 World Championship. Vettori also wants the one-day job after Stephen Fleming stepped down following the World Cup, and the former leader was not included in the 15-man outfit for the tournament in South Africa in September.John Bracewell, the coach, said Fleming had been omitted to allow Vettori the freedom to run the side. “This is the first opportunity for Daniel to captain the team abroad and we wanted to ensure that Daniel and the team were not looking to Stephen for leadership,” he said. “We also thought it would be a good opportunity for Stephen to remain with Nottinghamshire to build towards the longer forms of the game.”The leadership switch was not the only change as the wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum and Bradley Scott were included after strong tours of Australia with New Zealand A. “Gareth gets under the ball and hits it a long way,” Bracewell said. “With their complementary skills, we are not going to lose anything if both Brendon McCullum and Gareth play in the same match.”Nathan McCullum is another aggressive lower-order batsman who performed well as a bowler on the A tour and Bracewell has been impressed with his all-round skills. Scott comes into the side instead of James Franklin, who the team management wants to focus on the one-day and Test scenes.”Chris Martin has been included in the squad as our second strike bowler in support of Shane Bond,” Bracewell said. “Batting at the end of the order, it is unlikely that his batting will be exposed in Twenty20 cricket.” Scott Styris has been picked subject to fitness after having back, knee and calf problems during his off-season stint with Durham.On left-arm seamer James Franklin’s omission, Bracewell said that he needed to rectify his action, given his tendency to fall away to the leg side on his delivery stride.”I think we’ve all noticed that there are things in Franky’s action that are not right, so we have decided this is the time to do it,” he told the . “It is tough on him because no one wants to miss out on cricket.”New Zealand squad Daniel Vettori (capt), Shane Bond, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Gareth Hopkins (wk), Chris Martin, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Bradley Scott, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Lou Vincent.

Ashwell Prince, South Africa’s stand-in captain, has singled out Muttiah Muralitharan as the biggest threat to his team as they prepare for their two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Of his 635 Test wickets, Muralitharan has taken 82 against South Africa from 13 Tests at an average of 23.34. More than half of them (47) have been taken in Sri Lanka from seven Tests.”The way Sri Lanka has been playing recently shows that they are in pretty good form. Their captain [Mahela Jayawardene], Kumar Sangakkara, Murali, and Sanath Jayasuriya coming back into the side make them a strong unit. But our main worry will be Murali,” Prince told reporters. “These days everyone can analyse the players and we’ve got a lot of footage of the key players. We will be studying them before the series. We are missing some key players in our team and playing away from home makes us the underdogs in the series.”A lot of them [critics] say that experience counts a lot but one of the guys who will be replacing one of them is Jacques Rudolph, the only batsmen to score a Test hundred the last time we toured here,” Prince continued. “One of the other guys coming back is Herschelle Gibbs. Both are experienced Test players.”Despite the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka with the peace process between the government and the rebel Tamil Tigers virtually broken, Prince said that South Africa were quite happy with the security situation: “By all accounts there was someone who came out to check out on the security situation and we’ve been assured that everything is fine.”Mahela Jayawardene, his opposite number, felt that playing at home only heightened the expectations of his team. “With the amount of cricket that is being played today any country experiences a couple of major players who are forced to miss out because of injuries,” he said. “But once you put on your jersey to play for your country it doesn’t matter against whom you are playing against. We came across England in that manner. There are things that we can control and some we can’t control. We just want to be focused on what we can control on the team South Africa is going to put out on July 27.”Tom Moody, Sri Lanka’s coach, added that South Africa were always a tough opponent home or away. “We are determined to continue to keep our form and maintain the consistency as a team and the high standards we had in England in preparation for the matches,” he said. “The pleasing thing is we have a got a nice balance in the side with a blend of youth and experience.”South Africa open their tour with a three-day warm up match against a Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI starting Saturday before going into the Test series on July 27.

The first 20 over-a-side international club tournament is set to go ahead at Grace Road, the home ground of Leicestershire, after the ECB gave clearance for the event. Despite being knocked out in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 on Saturday, Leicestershire are expected to be one of the sides taking part. has reported that one other English county will take part along with a South African side, a World XI as well as Indian and Pakistani teams. The Professional Cricketer’s Association would also produce a Master’s XI.An ECB spokesman told BBC Sport: “It’s not an official ECB competition but we have no objection at all to it going ahead.” The ECB hold the rights to the “Twenty20” branding so a small change of title will be required for this new tournament.The venture is being organised by Investors in Cricket (IIC), the consortium which is now in charge of running Leicestershire. They are keen to tap into the huge Asian market in the area and also aim to take this club version of the game to other countries in the near future.

Essex 400 for 9 (Middlebrook 115, Caddick 6-80) and 52 for 2 lead Somerset 339 (Cox 86) by 113 runs
ScorecardThe view from the old pavilion at Taunton – proudly misspelled as “The Old Pavillion” (with two Ls) on a new banner – is one of the county circuit’s lovelier vistas. When the air is clear, as it was this glorious afternoon, the Quantock Hills seem to lie in Arlottesque splendour just yards behind the (new) pavilion.Somerset have recently announced a £20million plan to redevelop the ground, but when the cricket on offer is as compelling as this, with the initiative batted back and forth, you wouldn’t complain if you sat on a broken bench with a backdrop of slagheaps and motorway flyovers.For the second day on the trot it was the unfashionable that shone. And that was just as well for Essex, since the celebrities are thin on the ground in the bowling department just now. Darren Gough, after just 88 overs for Essex (two Championship games and two one-day games) is being rested and Danish Kaneria, on the celebrity B-list after picking up bucketloads of Test wickets for Pakistan against Bangladesh, has a sore finger. Essex’s other overseas player, Scott Brant, was off-colour, so it was down to Andy Clarke, who a couple of seasons ago was playing most of his cricket for Hutton CC in Essex’s Shepherd Neame League.In a mature post-lunch spell he showed great control to return figures of 2 for 29 from 12 overs, bowled off the reel. He consistently beat the bat of Jamie Cox, the one Somerset batsman who really dug in. Cox’s gritty 86, made largely under the morning’s louring grey clouds, kept Somerset in a match they seemed to be crashing out of at 147 for 5. Things got worse as the lower-middle order chucked away promising starts. And when Cox at last fell, Somerset had sagged to a sorry 198 for 8 – still 53 from escaping the follow-on.But yesterday, Essex had recovered from an unhealthy 210 for 6, and now there was another Lazarus-like recuperation. The sun was smiling, and the home bowlers decided to have fun with the bat. Over the next 16 overs, the three Somerset Test players – batting nine, ten and jack – produced the most joyous cricket of the match so far.This is what Championship fare should be like: Richard Johnson seemed to middle everything, even conjuring two glorious Caribbean swivel-pulls. His carefree fifty came off only 34 balls, and when he went, two balls later, he had larruped 58, with four huge sixes and six fours. Twenty-two came from one Adrian McCoubrey over – though Clarke might have held on to a skyer as the boundaries rained from Johnson’s bat.Andrew Caddick put aside his inhibitions too, and with full-blooded assistance from Nixon McLean – sixes clattered into the sightscreens at either end – those last 16 overs of the Somerset innings tossed in a cracking 141. Far from following on, they cut Essex’s lead to 61: useful, but not dominant.McLean then produced a couple of beauties to sweep away the Essex openers on an evening suffused with golden light, and with the lead extended to 113, this match remains intriguingly poised. It could go all the way. Let’s hope it does.Hugh Chevallier is deputy editor of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.