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Corey Collymore, the West Indies fast bowler, has signed for Sussex as a Kolpak on a one-year contract.Collymore replaces Ryan Harris, the Australia allrounder, who was embroiled in a contractual farce last month. He originally joined the club as a Kolpak but, during Sussex’s first match of the season against Hampshire, Harris signed a three-year deal with Queensland. Although he holds a British passport, ECB regulations stipulate that players cannot perform in another country as a local, and Harris was forced to abandon his county contract.”Obviously with the departure of Ryan Harris, we have been keen to bring in a new bowler,” Mark Robinson, Sussex’s cricket manager, said. “With his international experience and excellent work ethic, Corey fits the bill perfectly.””The call from Sussex the other day was a very welcome one,” Collymore said. “I’ve been itching to come over and play county cricket and to be picked by the champions has filled me with confidence. I’m ready to give it my all and can’t wait to get started.”

A fresh prototype of the pink ball will be trialled during the next day-night Sheffield Shield round later this summer, as negotiations intensify around more flood-lit Test cricket in 2016-17.The salient criticism of the Adelaide Test between Australia and New Zealand centred on the seam, which most players found fiendishly difficult to see under lights. In another departure from years of traditional ball design, the new pink ball will have an all-black seam in the hope that this will be simpler to pick up.Cricket Australia’s operations manager Sean Cary said that the ball was currently being manufactured in sufficient qualities to service round seven of the Shield, to be played in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth from February 14-17. The Gabba is under consideration for a day-night Test of its own next season.”The major criticism has been around trying to see the seam of the ball, especially under lights, so we’ve got a prototype now with an all-black seam,” Cary told ESPNcricinfo. “That includes the closing seam, which has traditionally always been white no matter what colour ball it is.”Kookaburra have worked to ensure the strength in that closing seam is as strong as just a natural linen thread they use. The plan is to have that ball manufactured over the next couple of weeks and put in place for round seven of the Shield, which is going to be another day-night round, to try out the Gabba under their new lights and give Adelaide another crack.”Mitchell Starc, an ardent critic of the pink ball before the Adelaide match, said much progress had been made but more was needed, both in terms of the colour of the seam and the durability of the ball. “The guys are still saying they can’t see the seam,” he said. “I still think when you’re preparing a wicket to protect the ball, there’s your issue.”I think the ball has come a long way and Kookaburra are doing a great job there but there still might be a few things to tinker with. I think they are tinkering with the colour of the seam this season. That might even help some more. So, I think the ball has come a long way in the last way in the last couple of years but I’d like to see the wickets keep their own characteristics and not have to change for the cricket ball.”CA have been in discussions with the boards of Pakistan and South Africa about next summer, while also having talks with the players about venues. It is possible that two day-night Tests will be played, the last of the South Africa series and the first of the Pakistan series, but this would necessitate moving the Gabba from its traditional slot as the first Test of the summer. The last time a Test season opened away from Brisbane was as far back as 1993-94, when Perth kicked off the season.”The conversations continue with Pakistan, as they do with most of the countries we’re playing with in the not too distant future,” Cary said. “We’d really like to stage another day-night Test match next summer, and whether that’s against South Africa or Pakistan is still to be decided.”James Sutherland, the CA chief executive, has also spoken hopefully of scheduling a day-night Test during the next Ashes summer in 2017-18. “The Adelaide Test against New Zealand last year was clearly a success,” he said. “It was proof of concept and I think it sent a message around the world that the future of Test cricket lies partly in day-night Test cricket.”Not wholly, but in the right place at the right time and in the right conditions there are opportunities for us to play more day-night cricket not just here in Australia but in other parts of the world. On the assumption we play a day-night Test match next summer, or two, that we will progress that further and it will be more of a fixture on our calendar, needless to say the summer after that is an Ashes summer and that just established tradition will continue.”I know that the chairman and chief executive of the ECB are good men, very progressive in their thinking about the game and I know Tom Harrison the CEO with his background in media he will certainly understand that growing the popularity of the game is first and foremost in our minds as cricket administrators.”

It is, in many ways, appropriate that the Adelaide Oval is the venue for the inaugural pink ball Test.The pitch is less abrasive and kinder to the experimental ball than other Australian wickets. In fact, an extra few millimetres of grass will top the drop-in pitch in an effort to ensure the pink ball holds up for the required number of overs. On top of that, there are only three pitches on the wicket block, leaving an unusually lush square.The cricket-loving Adelaide crowd also guarantees a positive backdrop for television. While empty seats served as a sobering wallpaper to Mitchell Johnson’s final international overs at the WACA and to Australia’s bowlers holding sway at the Gabba, 40000 fans are expected for the first day of the Adelaide Test and ticket sales – described as “Ashes-like” – are tracking strongly for the following days. Again, there has been extra assistance, with cheap “twilight” tickets available for $20 after 4 PM local time, effectively giving spectators two sessions for a bargain price.But, while Cricket Australia is nurturing the conditions to create the best possible chance for the concept to succeed, it’s in Adelaide that they have possibly the most willing ally possible.SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw, the former Tasmania cricketer, has long been a staunch supporter of day-night first-class cricket. During almost five years (2006-2011) as secretary and chief executive of MCC, he has helped pioneer the pink-ball concept when he pushed for the traditional curtain raiser to the English season, MCC v County Champions, to be moved from Lord’s to Abu Dhabi.”I feel really proud, but also really privileged, to have been involved with the development of the pink ball for such a long period of time,” Bradshaw said. “I think it’s an innovation that is here to stay and I think we’re only going to see more and more day-night Test cricket.”We were really concerned. Test cricket is the pinnacle and we really want Test cricket to survive into the future. During my time at MCC nine or ten years ago we recognised the falling numbers, particularly in the subcontinent, and we needed to innovate and bring in day-night Test cricket, hence the development of the pink ball.”But we also needed to preserve the integrity: the balance between bat and ball, the contest that takes place. That was very important. Now, we’re at a point where the pink ball is going to deliver us that contest. I think this is the start of a really important journey, and we really have an exciting future ahead of us.”While the players’ enthusiasm for the pink ball is hardly universal – many have expressed doubts about the concept and the quality of the ball – their reservations are unlikely to carry much weight with the game’s administrators if the inaugural Test proves to be a hit with television audiences and, to a lesser extent, spectators within the ground.While many officials around the world will be watching keenly from afar, members of the committee Bradshaw once chaired will have a first-hand view of preparations. The MCC World Cricket Committee will gather at the Adelaide Oval during the two days leading into the Test and Bradshaw will use the opportunity to push for further breaks with tradition when he delivers the welcome address to the conference.Bradshaw has thrown support behind former Australia captain and current Cricket Australia board member, Mark Taylor, in calling for the introduction of four-day Tests and a Test world championship. ECB chairman Colin Graves has also publicly voiced his support for shorter Tests.”I think it has a range of benefits that it could offer us as a game,” Bradshaw said. “You would look at four-day Test cricket with a number of other initiatives, such as [counting for] points for a Test world championship.”With day-night Test cricket, with four-day Test cricket, with a Test championship, I think it’s a case of let’s fish where the fish are. I think that’s what people would like. It would also enable us to start Test matches on a Thursday, finish on a Sunday, the players have a three-day break and back into the next Test match. I think it’s definitely worth looking at.”If we had four-day Test matches there would be incentives to get results in four days, and I think we would see pitches prepared that would produce results within the four days. I can see many, many benefits of four-day Test cricket, and not a lot of downside.”While the concept has its supporters, many traditionalists – not to mention spinners – strongly disagree. It remains to be seen which side of the fence the World Cricket Committee plants its flag.

Pakistan are considering inviting India for a quickfire series of ODIs if, asis becoming increasingly likely, Australia pull out of their scheduled tour inMarch-April.Doubts about whether Australia will come for their first tour in nearly a decadehave increased day-by-day over the last week, the latest coming from Ricky Ponting,the Australian captain.The Pakistan board has all along insisted its priority is to get Australia to cometo visit, but has privately admitted they are working on alternative options, whichinclude inviting another country over.And a well-placed source revealed to Cricinfo that informal talks had been held withthe BCCI about a series of ODIs in Pakistan in case Australia don’t come.”There have been informal discussions with the BCCI but nothing has been firmed up.Things will become clearer in a day or so,” the source said. “The first priority is still to getAustralia to come over but if they don’t come, options have to be and are beingexamined.”Two PCB officials, including the chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi arecurrently touring India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for bilateral board talksregarding scheduling ahead of an ICC meeting to devise the Future Tours Programme(FTP) till 2013. The ostensible purpose of the mission is to fill the gaps inPakistan’s schedule in the current FTP.The current Pakistan administration is said to be unhappy over their predecessor’swork on the last FTP, which has left Pakistan with a number of gaps in theircricketing calendar. “Pakistan played half the number of Tests that Australia didaccording to that FTP and that is something that needs to be rectified,” the source said. But as a result of Australia’s hesitancy, the trip has become an opportunityfor Pakistan to try and arrange an alternative contest with countries who are freein March-April.Both boards, however, are officially denying the development. India, as ever, ishemmed in by a hectic schedule. Between their return from Australia and the firstTest against South Africa, an ODI series, even just across the border, seemsunlikely. “It’s not possible,” a senior BCCI official told Cricinfo. “The Indian teamreturns from Australia on March 8 and the first Test against South Africa starts inChennai on March 26. Where is the time?”Ahsan Malik, the PCB spokesman, explained the board’s focus was on gettingAustralia over. “This is an official trip with regards to the FTP till 2013. Theywanted to meet boards and have a pre-scheduling round of meetings with them. Ourfull concentration is on playing Australia.”

Northamptonshire Steelbacks kept themselves in touch with the National League Division One frontrunners as Matthew Hayden and David Sales guided them to an eight-wicket victory over Leicestershire Foxes in a rain-affected contest at Wantage Road.The third-wicket pair came to the rescue with Northants in trouble at 21-2 replying to the Foxes’ total of 220-7, and had carried the score to 103-2 from 25 overs when the weather intervened.Play was delayed for 65 minutes, and when the players made their way back on to the field the Steelbacks were left to make a further 19 in three overs to notch their third successive win.Hayden and Sales – who finished unbeaten on 69 and 43 respectively – made short work of the task, skipper Hayden settling the issue when he swept Amer Khan to the boundary with five balls remaining.Leicestershire’s batting honours belonged to opener Trevor Ward who stroked 61 from 79 deliveries including a six and six fours. He put on 82 in 15 overs with Aftab Habib (28) to make up for the early loss of Vince Wells.Ben Smith (34) and Darren Stevens (30 not out) also contributed usefully, and the Foxes were on top when Northants lost Jeff Cook and Mal Loye in the first seven overs of their reply.But the in-form Hayden, who faced 67 balls and struck 11 boundaries in his decisive knock, saw his side through to a win which leaves them just four points behind top-of-the-table Worcestershire Royals.

This is the first time a high-profile match involving international players will be played outside the venerated cauldrons of the Wankhede and Brabourne stadiums in Mumbai. If external appearance is any indicator, the DY Patil Sports Stadium is all decked up and ready for the big event tomorrow, when Mumbai Indians play Deccan Chargers.Located 35 kilometeres east of Mumbai, adjacent to the Mumbai-Pune highway, the stadium is a visual delight. It has a capacity of 55,000, which is 15,000 more than the Wankhede, and has all the amenities required to satisfy the needs of the spectator.Interestingly, the ground was not one of the venues for the IPL till two months ago. Preparations gathered momentum after the management of the Cricket Club of India, who are the owners of the Brabourne Stadium which was originally scheduled to host the matches, opted out after the IPL refused to give free tickets to its members. Since the Wankhede was not equipped to host ten games on the trot, the DY Patil Stadium came in to fill the breach.The ground, located inside the DY Patil Sports Complex, hasn’t yet been inaugurated and is still nearing completion. But the pitch and outfield look in excellent condition.Peter Muzzell, the chief curator who has worked on the four pitches in the centre, believes the track has all the qualities to make tomorrow’s game, and the rest of the games played here, exciting contests. “The main wicket was relaid recently and there was a corporate Twenty20 event held here recently on it and the scores were competitive,” Muzzell said.That event was the fourth edition of the DY Patil All-India Invitation Twenty20 championship where Virender Sehwag, representing ONGC, smashed a 35-ball hundred. Muzzell, who was the pitch consultant at the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, expects similar fare tomorrow even though the pitch for the game is a new one. “It is a new wicket and all new wickets take time to settle. So we’ll have to wait for tomorrow, but I expect the scores to be on par with the rest of IPL venues,” Muzzell saidMore than the ground itself or the pitch, though, the problem for the venue is its location. The Wankhede is situated at the southern tip of Mumbai and is accessible through various modes of commute. The DY Patil ground, on the other hand, is situated outside the city. With the ground hosting night games, it remains to be seen if fans will be willing to travel long distances late at night for the cricket.Abey Kuruvilla, in charge of the sports complex, is confident that the event will attract a huge crowd. “There are 1.7 million people in New Bombay. Then the ground is located at a comfortable distance for people staying in neighbouring Pune and also some parts of Gujarat like Surat. Also, there are the people from the nearby districts like Raigad who have never seen such big cricket,” Kuruvilla said.On their part, the organisers are doing their bit to ensure the spectators have a good experience. They have worked out an arrangement to make the commute from the ground after the game a hassle-free experience. Buses of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport will ply from the venue to the nearby central railway stations every five minutes after the completion of each game. Reliance, the owners of Mumbai Indians, have also worked out a schedule with the railway authorities to provide additional train services for the fans late in the night.The fans have already given their initial verdict: the tickets for the first IPL game at the ground have been sold out.

Islamabad, who are languishing in the relegation zone, were facing an uphill battle to avoid an innings defeat against leaders Karachi Whites on the third day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I Cricket Championship match at the KRL Stadium here on Wednesday.Islamabad were tottering at 139 for eight in their second innings after conceding a lead of 201. Left-arm mediumpacer Ali Raza was the main wrecker-in-chief with four for 38 and Test all-rounder Shahid Afridi claimed two for 31.Earlier, Karachi Whites, who resumed their first innings at 299 for three, added 109 before applying closure at 408 for eight. Hasan Raza, who was 73 overnight, went for 75 but Saeed bin Nasir went on to score 54 off 96 deliveries with five boundaries.

The ICC needs to adapt to the demands of the present, its next chief executive has said. In an exclusive interview with Cricinfo, and later at a press conference in Cape Town, Haroon Lorgat, the South African set to take over from incumbent Malcolm Speed later this year, emphasised the challenges in different directions.Lorgat also stressed the image of cricket, which has taken a beating in recent years, needed to be looked after. “There have been certain incidents over the past few years that have impacted on the image of cricket,” he said. “Being such a global sport it is a challenge that is always going to be there, to protect the image and manage the potential conflicts that one might see coming.”There’s some work to done to ensure we better manage those sort of situations.”A few recent episodes, such as the Oval Test fiasco in 2006 and the subsequent handling of umpire Darrell Hair, as well as the shoddy organisation of the World Cup, had led to intense criticism of the ICC and Speed. Lorgat, though, said he would adopt a less confrontational when dealing with the member nations.”Whatever I say is not to be construed as a criticism of my predecessor but by nature I’m someone who has come through a team ethos,” Lorgat said. “I would prefer to make sure that as member countries we work together and that we come out with a common solution.”Lorgat was also unfazed by talk of India dominating affairs behind the scenes at the ICC, given their financial influence on the game. “I too have read various articles in the media about India’s influence on the ICC. But I have also read the views of various members, and they have not experienced anything of this sort,” he said. “So this could be a perception more than a reality. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of all members to present a united front and assist the ICC in moving towards a common vision.”My understanding is that all member boards get along very well with each other. So once again, this could be a matter of perception more than reality,” he said. “I know the Board of Control for Cricket in India is very mindful of protecting and supporting the International Cricket Council in delivering the game across the globe. Working with India we can grow the game of cricket.”

While the Indian Cricket League and ECB continue to spar, there is encouraging news for Mushtaq Ahmed, who has received a second No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).It comes as a surprise: earlier this month the PCB had said that they would withdraw Mushtaq’s first NOC, which would have prevented him from playing for Sussex due to his ICL involvement. But with this second certificate, it seems increasingly likely that Mushtaq’s county career should continue. For the time being, at least.”We’ve provided the ECB with a second certificate, which we received onMonday, and we are just waiting for everything to be formalised,” said Gus MacKay, the Sussex chief executive. “We don’t foresee a problem.”In Mushtaq’s favour – certainly in the eyes of the PCB – was his delay in playing for his ICL side, the Lahore Badshahs, which seems to have helped in his bid for a second NOC. Yorkshire, though, are still waiting on Rana Naved-ul-Hasan who has already played for Lahore.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAfter having been blown away by Umar Akmal’s blitz on Monday night, Quetta Gladiators rebounded with a punishing win against Islamabad United, their fourth of the tournament, in Sharjah. Victory meant that Quetta took the top spot from Peshawar Zalmi, who had edged a thriller in the first match of the day. The Quetta bowlers vindicated Sarfraz Ahmed’s decision to bowl by knocking over Islamabad for 117 in 19.1 overs. Sarfraz himself then led the chase with a typically busy fifty.New Zealand allrounder Grant Elliott, who had cracked a fifty against Australia three days ago in Brendan McCullum’s final ODI at Seddon Park, struck twice in two balls to set the match up for Quetta. Brad Haddin was first stumped by a canny back-of-the-hand slow roller, and then Sam Billings was trapped leg-before. Elliott’s double-blow lifted Quetta, after a quick start from Shane Watson, who stood in as captain again; Misbah-ul-Haq was still injured.The slide seeped into the lower order as well, with Imran Khalid’s 18 being the second-best score, following Watson’s 28-ball 40. The pitch had slowed down considerably, but Islamabad’s shot selection was iffy. Each of Quetta’s six bowlers punched his name into the wickets column, Elliott being the best with figures of 3 for 25.Andre Russell, who had managed only 10 off 13 balls with the bat, engineered a double-strike of his own in the chase, and accounted for Quetta’s top three. Sarfraz, however, built on opener Ahmed Shehzad’s 41, and sealed the win with seven wickets and 23 balls to spare.Sarfraz largely profited from sweeps and pulls during his unbeaten 51 off 39 balls, including six fours. Mohammad Nawaz, meanwhile, scratched his way to 14 not out off 21 balls, despite repeatedly getting beaten outside off by Saeed Ajmal.