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As South Africa crawled at a run rate of 1.88 in the 52 overs they faced on day two, Mahela Jayawardene issued a warning to the opposition: negativity would only play into Sri Lanka’s hands

Andrew Fidel Fernando at the SSC25-Jul-2014Sri Lanka learned of the perils of defensive cricket earlier in the year in Sharjah, when they batted cautiously through the Test, as they aimed to preserve their 1-0 series lead. On that occasion, Pakistan blew them away on the final day, wiping out four days of Sri Lanka’s slow work.As South Africa crawled at a run rate of 1.88 in the 52 overs they faced on day two, Mahela Jayawardene issued a warning to the opposition: negativity would only play into Sri Lanka’s hands.”The way the South Africans batted today – in 50 overs they scored only 90 runs – that is encouraging for us,” he said. “That means our 400-plus looks like 550. I’m not sure how the wicket will play tomorrow evening and the fourth day, but we need to assess that and bat them out of the contest. But they’ve been pretty slow today, so as long as we can keep it nice and tight and create opportunities, we might not need that many runs.”Sri Lanka have fielded three spin bowlers in the match, with Kithuruwan Vithanage’s part-time legspin also available, but Jayawardene suggested breakthroughs may not come all that easy, despite the wearing pitch.”It’s going to be hard work, but we’ve got to be patient and make sure we hold on to our catches when they come our way. Our attitude and focus has to be on those sessions. It will be tough to score runs as well. It’s not coming on to the bat. The whole point of us playing three spinners was to try and see if we can get something out of it. Hopefully tomorrow morning we can put them under pressure. We’ve still got three days of cricket.”Jayawardene also defended the two young middle-order batsmen who had been dropped for this match, in favour of even fresher talents. Dinesh Chandimal had had three poor innings in Tests, in addition to a woeful run in limited-overs cricket, and now finds himself relegated to the Sri Lanka A team. Lahiru Thirimanne, meanwhile, has not seemed himself since becoming vice-captain ahead of the England tour, and was also left out at SSC.”You do feel a lot for them. With the amount of cricket that we’re playing these days, it’s just that it’s tough to try and be that consistent. We’ve all been through those bad periods. I think what the selectors are trying to do is give them a bit of a break. But they’re still playing cricket. Chandi’s in England now. There are a lot of opportunities coming up.”I think they just need to take a bit of time, refocus and come back. They’re still young. They’ve had good starts to their international careers. Everyone is trying to help them get through the tough times. Different players find their form in different ways and give them the right opportunities.”

Pradeep Sangwan, the Delhi and Kolkata Knight Riders seamer, has failed a random dope test conducted during the 2013 season of the IPL, PTI has reported

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2013Pradeep Sangwan, the Delhi and Kolkata Knight Riders seamer, has failed a random dope test conducted during the 2013 season of the IPL, PTI has reported. Sangwan’s ‘A’ sample has reportedly shown traces of banned substances, the nature of which can only be confirmed after the ‘B’ tests are done.The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has been informed about the tests by the BCCI, but any decision about the offence can only be taken once the results of the ‘B’ tests are available. Sangwan, is reportedly in the UK, undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury.Random tests are conducted during the IPL, like in ICC tournaments. The BCCI, which doesn’t come under the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) or the NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency), follow their own anti-doping procedures.*AN Sharma, Sangwan’s first coach, said the problem could have arisen due to treatment Sangwan was receiving for a shoulder problem. “I immediately called him up and Pradeep explained to me what had happened. He had acute pain in his shoulder just before the IPL,” Sharma told . “Since he had no time to consult or visit the BCCI doctor, he saw a local doctor, who gave him an injection. There was instant relief from the pain thereafter and he also managed to play the IPL.”Sharma also said players needed to be more aware of the substances they take while injured. “We have to start stressing this point to the players to be very vigilant about what they are consuming and where they are getting treated,” Sharma said. “It is very important that they understand what substances are being injected into their body during a treatment.”Sangwan, 22, played only two matches for Knight Riders this season and failed to pick up a wicket. He made his first-class debut in 2007 and has played 38 matches for Delhi.* July 19, 6.30am GMT This story has been updated with AN Sharma’s quotes

Wasim Jaffer’s record-breaking century confirmed the first-innings lead for Mumbai against Saurashtra on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final

The Report by Siddarth Ravindran in Mumbai27-Jan-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
File photo: Wasim Jaffer scored his 32nd hundred in Ranji Trophy•FotocorpWasim Jaffer’s record-breaking century confirmed the first-innings lead for Mumbai but the widely expected barrage of runs didn’t arrive from the home side, allowing a spirited Saurashtra a sliver of a chance to come back in the Ranji final. Mumbai are still in charge though not as emphatically as they would have liked.Saurashtra showed the sort of fighting attitude that has lifted the low-profile team to the finals. This was highlighted in the 34th over when despite several close calls for the batsmen in the morning session, Saurashtra were still looking for the first breakthrough. Jaffer had just struck three successive fours in the previous over to take Mumbai to 75 for 0. There was no wilting under the strain, though, and when Rahul Dave made a diving stop at cover, as many as six fielders ran up to him to give a congratulatory pat. Two balls later, Siddharth Trivedi had the opener Kaustubh Pawar caught and bowled.Aditya Tare, another heavy scorer this season, followed soon after, rousing the Sunday crowd from the stupor of a session of slow-going cricket. The man most of the fans were in to see, Sachin Tendulkar, walked out to the familiar chants of “Sachin, Sachin.” Tendulkar’s record in Ranji finals is as fearsome as Mumbai’s, and once he survived a few anxious minutes early on, Saurashtra looked set for a long haul as Jaffer was also looking fluent and settled.Tendulkar got going with an effortless off drive between the non-striker and mid-off and a disdainful flick through midwicket next ball. When he paddle-swept Kamlesh Makvana’s first ball in the next over, the crowd was at its most vocal.They were silenced not long after, though. You’d think over the course of a 25-season career, there would be few ‘firsts’ left for Tendulkar. Till today, though, he had never been run-out in a Ranji match. He was sent back by Jaffer after he had pushed the ball towards point but couldn’t beat the throw from Makvana.That was the one low point in a day to savour for Jaffer. He claimed two prestigious Ranji Trophy records – most runs and hundreds in the tournament – and also went past 16,000 first-class runs. With most of the other specialist batsmen not contributing anything substantial, Jaffer’s hundred was the cornerstone of Mumbai’s innings. It will help Jaffer put aside the disappointment of making just one run in Mumbai’s two knock-out matches last season when their campaign ground to a halt in the semi-finals. Even more praiseworthy is that Jaffer’s recent run of three centuries in four matches have come despite the fact that his father is in hospital following a heart attack.It wasn’t Jaffer at his best of his innings, though. He survived a close lbw call on his first delivery and was reprieved after a loud caught-behind appeal early on the second morning. There was another life for him when the wicketkeeper Sagar Jogiyani broke the stumps before the ball had arrived, with Jaffer out of his ground.However, there were some glorious strokes as well. He took on the gentle left-arm spin of Dharmendrasinh Jadeja in the morning after being patient for close to two hours, getting to fifty with a nonchalant six over long-on. There was also a classic drive past extra cover off Saurya Sanandiya to bring up Mumbai’s hundred. He looked more and more difficult to dislodge as his innings progressed and when he was finally dismissed for 132, it was through a poor lbw decision when the ball looked to be sliding down.Abhishek Nayar had provided Jaffer company for a while, using the sweep repeatedly to race to 26 off 35 before he swung a harmless Makvana delivery to midwicket. Ajit Agarkar was also dismissed cheaply and with Mumbai at 237 for 6, Saurashtra were dreaming of a comeback.Mumbai, as usual, found a player to ease their nerves. Hiken Shah stuck around for more than an hour to make an unbeaten 41, and put on an unbroken 50-run stand with the first day’s hero Dhawal Kulkarni. Saurashtra didn’t help their cause by delaying taking the new ball till the 88th over instead of going for the kill earlier itself. That allowed the lead to swell to 139, and left the Mumbai dressing room a more relaxed place.

Jack Taylor lit up an otherwise cheerless day with his maiden first-class century to give Gloucestershire the upper hand over Derbyshire.

ECB/PA01-Jun-2015
ScorecardJack Taylor made his maiden first-class century to give Gloucestershire a third batting point•PA PhotosJack Taylor lit up an otherwise cheerless day with his maiden first-class century to give Gloucestershire the upper hand over Derbyshire. Taylor made 120 from 139 balls to take Gloucestershire to 329 before Derbyshire closed day two 252 behind, with rain prevented any play after tea.Mark Footitt took three of the four Gloucestershire wickets to fall to finish with 4 for 60 while Tom Taylor ended his namesake’s excellent innings to record figures of 4 for 89.Michael Klinger had started the day seven short of a century but he fell to the sixth ball of the morning when he edged Footitt into the gloves of Harvey Hosein. Craig Miles went in his next over, also caught behind as he tried to take his bat away from another rapid delivery to leave Gloucestershire on 255 for 8 but Taylor again counter-attacked well, driving Tony Palladino over the top to pass his previous highest score of 63 and then pulling the seamer for six.After a brief interruption for bad light, Taylor and David Payne continued to frustrate Derbyshire with Taylor launching Tillakaratne Dilshan for six before the new ball was taken. Taylor reached his hundred off 122 balls before another short stoppage for rain and the ninth wicket pair took their stand to 74 before Taylor sliced a drive to third man.”It was important we got more than 300 and after Klinger was out it needed a mature innings,” Gloucestershire captain Geraint Jones said. “Jack batted in a mature way with controlled aggression. Credit to David Payne too for sticking with him and also credit to the bowlers for bowling tightly throughout.”Footitt had Liam Norwell caught behind in the next over following Taylor’s departure without scoring and batting became increasingly difficult when Derbyshire replied in gloomy conditions. Even with the floodlights on, the umpires took the players off for a third time before Ben Slater was taken low down at second slip off Norwell for 17.Chesney Hughes was missed by Jones at first slip on 5 but added only four before he edged a defensive push at Benny Howell and although Dilshan started by pulling Norwell for six; Godleman went 48 minutes without scoring a run. Both were grateful to get to tea but the rain set in during the interval and it was no surprise when play was abandoned shortly before 5pm leaving Godleman to reflect on a mixed day for Derbyshire.”We started very well and Footy bowled an excellent spell but I think in that situation you have to give credit to Jack Taylor, he chanced his arm very well and played some good cricket shots. But I would have liked us to execute our plans a little bit better.”

Opening batsman John Anderson’s maiden first-class century gave Ireland an ideal opening on the first day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Netherlands in Deventer

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jul-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsJohn Anderson’s maiden first-class century helped Ireland post a formidable 332 against Netherlands•ICC/Sander TholenOpening batsman John Anderson’s maiden first-class century gave Ireland an ideal opening on the first day of their ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Netherlands in Deventer, but a five-wicket haul on debut by 15-year-old spinner Daniel Doram helped the home team wrap up Ireland’s innings on 332.Ireland, after electing to bat, made slow progress in the first session in which 40 overs were bowled, going past 100 for the loss of two wickets. They lost their third wicket, Andrew White, at the start of the second session, but Anderson and Kevin O’Brien scored 89 runs for the fourth wicket to take Ireland into a position of strength. O’Brien, however, missed out on his half-century, after he was caught by Peter Borren off Doram.Although Ireland lost Stuart Poynter soon after, Anderson found an able ally in John Mooney, and the two added 67 runs for the sixth wicket. Anderson got past the three-figure mark during the course of the partnership, his 100 coming off 246 deliveries. But Anderson’s dismissal in the 100th over of the day exposed the tail and Doram dismissed three of the remaining four batsmen to pick up his first five-wicket haul. Mooney was the last batsman to be dismissed after he scored a valuable 63

The double act produced by Adam Lyth and Aaron Finch in the Roses match at Old Trafford was re-enacted for local consumption at Headingley as Yorkshire kept their quarter-final fires burning with a 14-run win against Leicestershire

David Hopps01-Jul-2014
ScorecardAdil Rashid claimed two wickets as an impressive Yorkshire fielding display secured victory•Getty ImagesIf you thought the most wondrous catch in the NatWest Blast this season was too good to be repeated, think again. The double act produced by Adam Lyth and Aaron Finch in the Roses match at Old Trafford was re-enacted for local consumption at Headingley as Yorkshire kept their quarter-final fires burning with a 14-run win against Leicestershire.To watch such a slick combination once was a privilege. To see it twice in a matter of weeks defied belief. It had become an everyday miracle like birdsong or Black Sheep bitter. Twice, Lyth and Finch have achieved standards that if produced in IPL would be talked about for years.Nothing could be a better advertisement for the NatWest Blast as it battles to gain a place in public affections. There might even be a grudging nod of approval when no one is looking from those Yorkshire members who stoutly refuse to give house room to anything other than Championship cricket.At Old Trafford, it was Tom Smith who perished as Yorkshire clung on for a narrow victory. This time Josh Cobb was silenced just as a domineering stand between Cobb and Greg Smith suggested that Leicestershire could successfully pursue the 169 needed for victory. On both occasions, the Blast achieved standards that would delight any T20 league in the world.The routine is so slick it is tempting to assume it has been practiced more than it has. On both occasions, Lyth acrobatically knocked back the ball in mid-air from over the long-on boundary for Finch to complete the catch inside the boundary rope. Only this time the marks for artistic impression were higher: there was more of a twist in Lyth’s leap and Finch, instead of just accepting a perfect hand-off, had to plunge forward to hold a low, right-handed catch. “That was ordinary – we’ll have to work on that in the morning,” Finch joked.”I don’t know what to say to be honest,” Lyth said. “I needed a bit of luck. I had to run a little bit further for this one. And it’s Finchy who gets the catch.” They were quite rightly judged by Sky TV as joint winners of the Man of the Match award.”It changed the game,” Andrew Gale, Yorkshire’s captain, said. “Leicestershire have a lot of power up top. We practise a lot of our fielding but I’m not sure how much we practise that. It just shows the power and athleticism of the boys.”Fielding settled this match – one that Yorkshire were desperate to win to make the most of two home matches in successive days. Matt Boyce and Ben Raine were both run out, the latter via a direct hit from Azeem Rafiq. For Raine, who had bowled Finch on his way to 3 for 25, a first-ball dismissal killed his thoughts of a match-winning turn. It was all far removed from Leicestershire’s shoddy fielding display.There was a stumping, too, from Jonny Bairstow to rid Yorkshire of Ned Eckersley as the spinners, Adil Rashid and Rafiq, strangled Leicestershire in mid-innings on a gripping pitch. But as Bairstow seeks to rebuild his reputation he should reflect, too, on a careless missed run-out of Eckersley when he took the throw one handed and broke the stumps after the ball had slipped from his grasp.Yorkshire struck 33 from the last two overs of their innings – Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah rescuing an innings which had never caught fire. Greg Smith, out four overs from the end after making 56 from 49 balls, ensured Leicestershire needed only 27, but from the first ball Tom Wells struck Ryan Sidebottom flat to long-off where Finch this time took the catch without the need for a combo. At eight wickets down, Leicestershire never threatened again.Gale had provided the half-century that gave Yorkshire early ballast. “They gave me a few lives, but you need a bit of luck in T20,” he said. “I’ve had a stinker in the first five games so I’ve gone back to being an orthodox slogger, if you like.”The captain could be satisfied with his change of fortune but, as they returned to the top four, of far more importance was an essential victory less than 24 hours before Durham arrive at Headingley. Who knows, those Championship-only members might even turn out to cheer them on.

England’s batsmen will face retired international fast bowler Brett Lee one more time after he was named to captain the Prime Minister’s XI in January

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-2013England’s batsmen will face retired international fast bowler Brett Lee one more time after he was named to captain the Prime Minister’s XI in January. England will take on the Prime Minister’s XI in a one-day match in Canberra on January 14, between the first and second one-day internationals, and while the rest of the side is yet to be named, Lee has been confirmed to lead it.Lee, 37, last played for Australia in July last year on the ODI tour of England, but he announced his retirement when he flew home from that tour with a calf injury. However, he has remained active in Twenty20 tournaments since then and has again signed for the Sydney Sixers in this summer’s BBL, meaning he will have played several games before taking on England.”It’s a great honour for me to be selected as captain of the Prime Minister’s XI to take on England,” Lee said. “I know first-hand how this important fixture on the Australian cricketing calendar can help propel the careers of young aspiring cricketers.”I first played in the Prime Minister’s XI against India in 1999. I was fortunate enough to take four wickets in that match, and less than three weeks later found myself on the biggest stage of all – playing at the MCG on Boxing Day in my first Test match for Australia. More than 14 years on, I’m proud to lead what I’m sure will be an emerging team of stars here next month at the magnificent Manuka Oval.”

BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel has said Cricket South Africa breached the protocol of finalising a series for India’s tour of South Africa when they issued an itinerary without BCCI approval

Amol Karhadkar03-Oct-2013Cricket South Africa created the current impasse with the BCCI by going against protocol in announcing unilaterally the schedule for India’s tour, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel has said. The BCCI is “waiting”, Patel said, without specifying what it was waiting for.The schedule was announced by CSA in early July, prompting a swift and sharp response by the BCCI that left relations between the two in a state of limbo. A CSA spoksesman said the board was not going to respond to Patel’s comments.”Things are going [on] since long. Certain things have to be put in right perspective. Let me inform you that BCCI in normal circumstances would have done anything [for the tour to proceed]. But the protocol of finalising any series is joint declaration. But that declaration was originally done without the BCCI’s approval. So we are waiting,” Patel said in Mumbai.Patel did not elaborate on what the BCCI was waiting for, since a meeting between him and CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat on the sidelines of the ICC board meeting in Dubai failed to break the deadlock. ESPNcricinfo understands Patel had promised CSA that they would hear from the BCCI after the AGM on September 29. However, despite N Srinivasan’s election as BCCI president, the board’s top brass has decided to wait on finalising the tour itinerary until the Supreme Court allows Srinivasan to discharge duties as the BCCI chief. The court is going to hear the matter next on October 7.With the uncertainty over the South Africa tour increasing, Patel said the BCCI was confident of having an alternate plan in case it was cancelled. “[A] number of countries are ready to play with India. There is no problem at all,” he said. He said there was no plan to host a tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka “at the moment” but the board had already demonstrated its ability to organise series at short notice – as was evident from the West Indies series.”There were a couple of reasons [for organising the West Indies series] because BCCI is also committed to its local fans. Somehow, for the season 2013-14, the home series are only 24 days, if I am not wrong,” Patel said. “So obviously we were worried about how to do the home series and we are quite happy that the West Indies series has been finalised.”Patel also set aside Mumbai Cricket Association’s objection to the decision to resume international cricket at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. CCI has a special voting right as per the BCCI constitution and the AGM decided to treat it as a separate unit, unlike in the past when the MCA used to decide whether to allot matches to the Brabourne Stadium or not.”Considering the historical background of CCI as well as all the help [they have provided] as and when required… When the venue questions have arisen, CCI is always there to support and giving some match [to them] won’t be out of turn or something like that,” Patel said. “We considered that some matches will be allocated. MCA’s rotation and everything remains the same. It has got nothing to do with it. This will be an additional allotment, if at all.”During the last Test hosted at Braboune in December 2009, MCA and CCI were involved in a dispute over payment of rent. However, international cricket returned to the historic venue during the Women’s World Cup earlier this year.

Steven Fletcher is enjoying his football again at 36, with the evergreen striker loving life alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham.

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Veteran frontman joined as a free agentEndured testing 2022-23 campaign in ScotlandBack among the goals & targeting promotionWHAT HAPPENED?

There was a chance that the former Scotland international would call it quits and head into retirement following his release by Dundee United in June 2023 at the end of a campaign that delivered relegation out of the Scottish Premiership.

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Fletcher was, however, presented with an intriguing offer from Hollywood superstars in North Wales and has said of rediscovering a spark in the twilight of his career: “I am really enjoying it here, especially at my age. I had a disappointing season last season so to come here and be enjoying my football again is great. Being near the end of your career, it is nice to be in this sort of atmosphere challenging for promotion.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fletcher, who will turn 37 in March, has registered seven goals for Wrexham this season – including a hat-trick against Barrow and a match-winning effort versus Notts County last time out – and added on his return through 20 appearances: “Seven goals, I can't complain with that. I just need to keep that going and stay in the team.”

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR FLETCHER & WREXHAM?

Phil Parkinson has suggested that Fletcher and Paul Mullin form his favoured strike partnership, and they may get another opportunity to lead the line on Tuesday when the Red Dragons take in a trip to MK Dons. They head into that game sat third in the League Two table, but boasting games in hand on all of those around them.

Kent lifted themselves off the bottom of the County Championship by completing their second victory of the season by beating Leicestershire by eight wickets at Grace Road.

ECB/PA07-Jul-2015
ScorecardMatt Coles completed a career-best 10 for 94 on the third morning•Getty ImagesKent lifted themselves off the bottom of the County Championship by completing their second victory of the season by beating Leicestershire by eight wickets at Grace Road.Despite heavy overnight rain, play resumed on time with Leicestershire on 110 for 9, only 59 ahead, and Ben Raine and Charlie Shreck took the score on to 123 before Shreck was bowled by Matt Coles, the seamer’s fourth wicket of the innings to go with the six he took in Leicestershire’s first innings. Coles’ match figures of 10 for 94 were his best in first class cricket. Allrounder Raine finished on 41 not out.Needing just 73 to win on what was still a difficult pitch on which to bat, the Kent batsmen adopted an aggressive approach, and while it paid off for Joe Denly, it did cause the demise of Daniel Bell-Drummond, caught by Angus Robson at first slip off the bowling of Raine for 5, and Rob Key, who lofted Raine straight to Ned Eckersley at mid-on for 4.But Denly prospered hitting 37 off 48 balls, and in company with skipper Sam Northeast, who hit 28 off 25 balls, saw the visitors home shortly after lunch.Captain Sam Northeast praised his three seam bowlers after Kent completed their second victory of the season and lifted themselves off the bottom of the county championship. “Matt Coles, Calum Haggett and Darren Stevens really stuck to their task well after we lost Ivan Thomas [to a side strain] almost at the start of the game, and to bowl Leicestershire out twice and set up the game in the way we did was pleasing,” Northeast said.But he was not impressed with the Grace Road pitch, which was very green and offered the bowlers assistance throughout. “We have to take it as it comes, but we seem to be going from place to place and playing on this type of ‘result’ wicket and I don’t think it’s great for cricket in general, and producing England players and good cricket.”We’ve taken away the points, so people will probably say ‘just be happy’ but I think someone higher up than myself probably needs to look at what is happening at the moment with Division Two wickets.”