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Dave Gilbert has jumped from his position as Cricket New South Wales chief executive

Daniel Brettig14-Jan-2013Dave Gilbert has jumped from the position of Cricket New South Wales chief executive, denying recent instability at the association and calls for his sacking by Brett Lee had hastened his decision.Following a special board meeting at the association’s headquarters at the SCG, Gilbert handed in his resignation, stating he had been considering his position for some months.”After 11 successful years, I am now at the point where I am ready to take on a new challenge,” Gilbert said. “This is not a sudden decision – it is something I have been contemplating over the past 12 months. As far as recent commentary is concerned, it comes with the job – and I’ve never shied away from it.”The simple truth is that I’ve been in the role for much longer than most sports administrators could ever dream of. Now that the busiest period of the season has passed, I feel it is right to give the Board ample time and opportunity to search for my replacement.”I have enjoyed many memorable times in the role and it will be sad to leave behind a fantastic team of people who work for a great organisation. I wish them and the game of cricket in NSW the very best for the future.”Having held the role of CEO at Australian cricket’s largest state association since 2001 after being similarly employed with Surrey in England, Gilbert’s position was unsteadied by a series of missteps dating back to the decision to take on a new captain and coach simultaneously at the start of the 2011-12 season.Anthony Stuart was hired as NSW coach ahead of the more experienced Trevor Bayliss, who was keen on resuming the role he had filled before coaching Sri Lanka, while the Australian captain Michael Clarke replaced Simon Katich as state captain, with Steve O’Keefe as his deputy.The Blues struggled through a nightmarish summer, and Bayliss enjoyed great success as coach of the Sydney Sixers in the BBL. Results improved somewhat at the start of this season, but Stuart’s removal as coach in December had the unintended effect of casting harsher light on Gilbert.At this point Lee weighed in with heavy public criticism of Gilbert and the association, his words backed up privately by plenty of other former players. Lee was reported for detrimental public comment, but emerged from his hearing with a place on a NSW board subcommittee formed to allow ex-players to suggest how the state’s performance might be improved.This represented a major setback for Gilbert’s authority, particularly after Lee refused to indicate any support for the CEO following their compromise. A tenure that had been quietly successful for much of its 11-year journey was thus drawn to an end in some acrimony.The association chairman Harry Harinath spoke warmly of Gilbert’s contribution to the state. “David has overseen a period of tremendous growth and development for cricket throughout NSW,” he said. “During his time in charge, participation in the game has increased by 130% and revenue has trebled. The percentage of NSW- originated players in Australia’s male and female Test teams are higher than at any time in the past 30 years.”He is responsible for a number of important achievements that have benefited both those who play the game and those who watch. These include bringing international cricket to ANZ Stadium and extending our footprint throughout the key growth area of Western Sydney with the development of Blacktown International Sportspark.”

David Hussey has described his Melbourne Stars team-mate and soon-to-be ODI opponent Lasith Malinga as “in the form of his life” and believes the ability of Australia’s batsmen to handle Malinga’s three variations will be critical when the one-day series

Brydon Coverdale09-Jan-2013David Hussey has described his Melbourne Stars team-mate and soon-to-be ODI opponent Lasith Malinga as “in the form of his life” and believes the ability of Australia’s batsmen to handle Malinga’s three variations will be critical when the one-day series begins on Friday. Malinga is the equal leading wicket taker in the Big Bash League this summer and his presence in Sri Lanka’s team makes them a much more daunting outfit than they were during the Tests.The spinners Ajantha Mendis and Akila Dananjaya, who boast hard-to-read variations, will also play important roles but it is Malinga who has the potential to really flummox the Australians. Hussey said Australia’s batsmen would need to watch closely for the slower balls, bouncers and yorkers from Malinga, who collected 4 for 49 last time Sri Lanka played a one-day international at the MCG.”They’ve got some of the best bowlers in the world,” Hussey said. “Lasith Malinga, I was lucky enough to play with him at the Melbourne Stars and he’s in the form of his life. All our batters have to really get down to business and do their homework and really try to take him out of the equation.”Never scared [of facing him] – it’s always exciting. You always want to play the best bowlers in the world. It’s a great opportunity to face him. If you do well against him, it gives not only your team a lot of confidence but yourself and your game a lot of confidence as well.””You’ve just got to get your plans and your focus purely on his three different balls. He’s got a very fast bumper, a very good yorker which he executes every time, and his slower ball. Just get your individual plans ready to go and try to nullify his game plan. If we take him out of the game, it definitely goes a long way to winning the game.”Hussey will have a key role to play in that, as the second-most experienced member of Australia’s batting group for Friday’s match, behind the recalled Brad Haddin. The absence of Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, and the controversial decision not to include Michael Hussey after his announcement that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the season, has left a major experience vacuum in Australia’s side.But despite having played 64 ODIs, Hussey knows that his future in the national side may be assessed on a series-by-series basis, and at the age of 35 he is well aware that time is running out to bring his domestic form to the international arena. He is likely to fill the finishing role occupied so successfully by his brother in the past and he wants to make up for his struggles during the one-day series against Pakistan in the UAE last year.”A few times I’ve played for Australia in the past, I’ve had a few regrets and didn’t really play the way I wanted to play,” Hussey said. “This time I’m just going to have a lot of fun, enjoy myself and play with no regrets and a lot of freedom. I haven’t done quite as well as I wanted to do. I haven’t really finished games off the way I wanted to finish games off and win games of cricket for Australia. This time, fresh mind, new opportunity and play with no regrets.”The UAE series probably didn’t go to plan. I didn’t play very well at all, and then the World T20 I didn’t get much of an opportunity. You come back to Australia you really want to right the wrongs and prove a few people wrong. I really have struggled the first part of the Shield season but one-day cricket I’ve done quite well. This is a great opportunity for me to free the mind, play with no regrets and show a few people that I can play at the level.”

After completing their third convincing win in four matches, New Zealand captain Suzie Bates said that she expected a ‘really tough game’ against Sri Lanka

Vishal Dikshit in Mumbai08-Feb-2013After completing their third convincing win in four matches, New Zealand captain Suzie Bates said that she expected a ‘really tough game’ against Sri Lanka, who have beaten defending champions England and India in the tournament. On Friday, though, they were dismissed for 103 after being unable to cope with the New Zealand attack in helpful conditions”We came out and we expected a really tough game against an improved Sri Lankan side,” Bates said. “After we won the toss today, it was difficult [for them] in the morning in varying conditions first up. We got early wickets which put them on the back foot. It was easier than we had perhaps planned for, so we are really happy with the win.”Her bowlers made the most of the toss and Lea Tahuhu, who recorded her career-best figures of 4 for 27, was happy to bowl first and exploit the conditions which never allowed Sri Lanka to get a grip on the game.”It was a really nice pitch to bowl on to be honest, especially after winning the toss. There was a bit of swing and it was really nice to get those figures,” Tahuhu said with a smile sitting with the Player of the Match award.There were contrasting emotions for Sri Lanka captain Shashikala Siriwardene who admitted the team’s eight-wicket loss stemmed from being able to combat the early conditions. After being asked to bat in their first Super Six encounter, Sri Lanka were tottering on 23 for 4 at the end of the ten overs.In their previous game, against India on Tuesday, Sri Lanka’s top five had put together 258, nut against New Zealand that figure dropped to 55.”We have done well whenever our top order has done something special,” Siriwardene said. “Our top order has to do well, that is the main thing for the team. At last three out of four have to be in good form to get past the score of 200.”The conditions at the Bandra Kurla Complex were ideal for fast bowling in the morning. The sun had not shown itself completely, the pitch was moist and the ball was swinging around. Chamari Atapattu failed to open her account for nearly half an hour and Yasoda Mendis was clean bowled first ball by Tahuhu.”We would have liked to bowl first,” Siriwardene said. “It was a good pitch to bowl, especially for fast bowlers and we played with three fast bowlers. Once again, our top order failed so I think that’s main reason for the loss.”It’s our first game here and they were really swinging the ball and we struggled. Gradually, Dilani [Manodara] and Sandamali [Dolawatte] built a good partnership but couldn’t continue till the end.”Labelled as the underdogs before the World Cup started, Sri Lanka upset two big teams within their first three matches. However, despite New Zealand handing them their second big loss but that did not make Siriwardene question the team’s ability.”We knew that we always had that ability and potential but unfortunately we couldn’t perform in the middle. That is the main problem we are having since 2005. We really wanted to fight well, play good cricket and show what we can do. Now, we have to continue with the things which are going well for us and come up with good performances again.”

There was dew in the evening in the first ODI between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but even such decisive factors hardly explained why the Bangladesh pace bowlers served up a buffet of half-volleys and over-pitched deliveries

Mohammad Isam in Hambantota24-Mar-2013Tillekaratne Dilshan and Tamim Iqbal corroborated at the end of the first ODI that the Hambantota wicket had become flatter in the second innings. There was dew too in the evening, but even such decisive factors hardly explained why the Bangladesh pace bowlers served up a buffet of half-volleys and over-pitched deliveries.Rubel Hossain and Abul Hasan gave away 96 runs in their combined 10 overs, giving a measure of where pace bowling stands in the side after a spate of injuries. But Rubel is considered one of the frontliners even when the likes of Mashrafe Mortaza, Shafiul Islam and Nazmul Hossain were fit. Now that none of these three is in Sri Lanka, it had to be Rubel and Abul taking up the baton but they seem to have dropped it even before taking off, so to say.The seven boundaries in the first three overs jolted the Bangladesh side to the degree that the five-plus required run-rate in the remaining 38 overs hardly mattered as their body language slumped. Such a start, more often than not, leads to desperation and although captain Mushfiqur Rahim tried to rotate the bowlers, the conditions, the wicket and the lack of confidence among the pace bowlers could not restrict the hosts.The conditions remain an advantage to the pace bowlers, and there are other encouraging factors for them in the next two games too. Ziaur Rahman’s steady eight overs showed how control is possible, although he did not bowl during the powerplay. Rubel and Abul have the potential and they have the best chance to show their ability in this series when they are under pressure to bounce back.Coach Shane Jurgensen remained steadfast about the pace bowlers who have been under his guidance for the last year and a half. He wants them to bounce back quickly if Bangladesh are to have any chance in staying alive in the three-match series.”We were playing one-dayers after quite some time but we should have acclimatised quickly,” Jurgensen said. “We have to bowl better tomorrow, try to hit a good length and make sure our team remains in the hunt.”But there was frustration in his tone. As someone who even walks around the boundary rope to speak to the pace bowlers, it is quite clear that the first half hour on Saturday wasn’t comfortable for Jurgensen either.Tamim too backed the pace bowlers and hoped they would improvise soon. “The wicket changed in the second half,” he said. “It wasn’t easy at first, but dew helped the ball come nicely on to the bat.”I wouldn’t point the finger at anyone because we back each other when one of the departments doesn’t do well.”It was also noteworthy how the poor lengths bowled by the two pace bowlers affected the spinners. Mushfiqur has often brought on a left-arm spinner within the first powerplay, but on this occasion even the trusted Abdur Razzak got sucked into either too full or too wide a length. Sohag Gazi too had a hard time controlling the slippery ball.Mushfiqur and Jurgensen will be focused on getting their pace bowlers’ lengths right for the second game. They could enforce a change by bringing in the replacement Shahadat Hossain straight off the plane, dropping either Rubel or Abul.But the decision of bringing back the erratic pace bowler into the one-day team is a move that has to be questioned. Whether the team’s needs are understood properly is a question that can be posed to Mushfiqur, Jurgensen and the selectors.

After his five-wicket haul on the first day in Roseau, offspinner Shane Shillingford has said the support shown by his team-mates and the management was indicative of his good work

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Mar-2013Much of West Indies’ control over Zimbabwe in the Test series so far has come through Shane Shillingford. With a five-wicket haul on the first day in Roseau, the offspinner has already taken his tally to 14 for the series. The support shown by his team-mates and the management, he said, was indicative of his good work.”(I’m) looking forward to even getting 12 in this match. Once I get the support from the captain, and the players as well, the coach and everybody, I know I’m doing a good job,” he said.Shillingford said that he changed his approach to bowling a little wide outside off stump to counter the sweep which was being employed by the right-handed batsmen.”For the right-handers, when they tried to sweep I tried not to bowl too straight but to bowl a little wider of the off-stump. I noticed they then changed their game plan. I felt our change of tactics worked quite well and we held them very tight. They had to look for other ways to score their runs.”His spell of 5 for 59 helped his side bowl Zimbabwe out for 175, 20 minutes after tea. In the only other Test he played here, against Australia last year, he took ten wickets.”Absolutely feels good, especially coming back home and performing. Coming straight from the first-class season, getting the first match and now the second match. It’s always a pleasure playing with home support and everything.”To be honest, every time West Indies come here, the guys are happy. Because they know the type of crowd they’re going to get. What I really appreciate is that Dominican people support good cricket.”But unlike Shillingford’s last Test here, the crowd is likely to see a West Indies victory this time round.

Gloucestershire are not in Championship action next week. They need a week off too after ending this match with four substitute fielders and their coach, John Bracewell, out of the country

Alex Winter in Bristol11-May-2013
ScorecardWill Gidman tried to battle through injury but broke down again•Getty ImagesGloucestershire are not in Championship action next week. They need a week off too after ending this match with four substitute fielders and their coach, John Bracewell, out of the country. But they will regroup satisfied with their first four matches of 2013.Money is being ploughed into the facilities at Nevil Road and Gloucestershire need a team more suiting to an international venue. Hiring Michael Klinger as captain was step one and so far he has led performances that suggest Gloucestershire can compete more regularly this season.”Northants completely outplayed us but the other games we’ve been on top,” Klinger said following the draw with Hampshire. “I’ve asked the boys to maintain that intensity and discipline from this week and we’ll have opportunities later in the season to push for the full points.”Piecing back together the bowling attack is Gloucestershire’s main target ahead of the trip to New Road on May 22 – a match they will be targeting to win if they are to move up the table this season. Will Gidman’s ankle is the biggest concern. Having been told he was not going to bowl in the remainder of the match he tried to open the bowling in Hampshire’s second innings. He lasted two balls. It will not look good for the Gloucestershire backroom staff if Gidman now faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines.But despite the problems – Jack Taylor picked up a shoulder problem, Hamish Marshall was ill and wicketkeeper Cameron Herring caught conjunctivitis – Gloucestershire got the better of Hampshire, who finished third last year and are widely tipped for promotion this season. The four days were a fillip for Klinger’s developing side. They will be hoping their season follows a healthier pattern to last year – after winning at the Ageas Bowl in the second match of 2012, Gloucestershire went on to claim the wooden spoon.The three results outside the defeat to Northamptonshire suggest that progress has been made. The wickets at Bristol are now friendlier for batting and Gloucestershire’s batsman have more chance of setting up more matches for their bowlers. It’s also so far so good regarding Klinger’s form.”I thought we did a fantastic job in two and bit days of cricket,” Klinger said. “Full credit to our bowlers on day one I thought they were excellent. They started things for us and allowed us to control the game.”Hampshire have a bit of head scratching to do after a third failure in as many innings from the batsman. Jimmy Adams carried his bat in the first innings here – a knock that saved his side from being rolled for under 150. His coach was understandably delighted.”Jimmy continues to lead from front,” Giles White said. “He’s the form horse in the County Championship. He’s impressed again, played an innings that saved us and he does that time and again. He’s mentally strong and is held in such high regard by the lads. He’s grown into the captaincy from last year and done a really good job.”We’re disappointed here but we’ve got a make sure it’s a blip rather than a dip. It’s a long season and we’ll have phases when we’re not at optimum.”Hampshire would have raised an eyebrow to Michael Carberry being selected for England Lions – the player himself surprised at a call-up at 32-years-old – but it allowed Michael Roberts, a 24-year-old right-hander who signed a one-year deal last October, to make his Championship debut and prove his ability with an attractive 44 in 82 balls that led his side out of trouble, beginning the third innings 126 behind.His dismissal, though, was disappointing, pulling a short ball from Craig Miles down the throat of deep square leg. The wicket briefly reignited Gloucestershire’s faint victory hopes. They did all they could. No time was wasted in bringing up maximum batting points, the additional 116 was made in 24 overs, and a declaration 15 minutes after lunch gave them 61 overs to try and put Hampshire under pressure.

A record-breaking day from Martin Guptill earned New Zealand another one-day trophy on English soil with an 86-run victory at the Ageas Bowl

The Report by Andrew McGlashan at the Ageas Bowl02-Jun-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMartin Guptill smashed Lou Vincent’s record to make the highest ODI score by a NZ batsman•Getty ImagesA record-breaking day from Martin Guptill earned New Zealand another one-day trophy on English soil with an 86-run victory at the Ageas Bowl. Less than 48 hours after leading his side home at Lord’s, Guptill plundered New Zealand’s highest individual one-day innings with a monumental, unbeaten 189 which left England shell-shocked and reflecting on their first home ODI series loss since 2009.Guptill, who went past the previous individual mark of 172 by Lou Vincent against Zimbabwe during the penultimate over of the innings, provided more than half of New Zealand’s overwhelming total of 359 for 3 – the second-highest conceded by England after the 387 for 5 in Rajkot in 2006. Agonisingly for England, like at Lord’s, they offered him a life on 13, when Jonathan Trott – who later scored a 98-ball hundred – spilled a relatively straightforward catch at midwicket, although it proved more costly than anyone could have imagined.The final 10 overs of New Zealand’s innings were carnage, costing 132 runs, as Guptill and Brendon McCullum brought up their hundred stand – the third of the innings – in just 45 deliveries as England’s bowling was scattered to all corners. Guptill’s hundred had come off 111 deliveries; the final 44 balls of his stay brought 89 runs and six of the last seven deliveries he faced went for four.He equalled Viv Richards’ 189 at Old Trafford in 1984 as the highest innings against England in an ODI and Guptill’s two hundreds in three days was also a repeat of the feat achieved by Mark Greatbatch, the only other New Zealand batsman to score a one-day ton in England, when he notched back-to-back landmarks in 1990.Two partnerships formed the bedrock of the New Zealand innings which allowed the later onslaught: Guptill and Kane Williamson added 120 for the second wicket, then Ross Taylor joined in a third-wicket alliance worth 109 in 17 overs as the innings accelerated. Not that Taylor’s departure slowed things down as Guptill and McCullum ensured mayhem in the closing overs.Apart from James Anderson first spell, England’s bowling was disappointing throughout, occasionally verging on woeful, albeit on the best batting surface of the international season so far, coupled with a lightning fast outfield. Jade Dernbach’s 10-over spell for 87 was the fourth-most expensive return by an England bowler in an ODI.Anderson, whose two scalps put him level with Darren Gough as England’s leading ODI wicket-taker, made a deceptive early breakthrough for England by knocking back Luke Ronchi’s middle stump to continue his lean start with the bat. Tim Bresnan, who is waiting on news of his heavily pregnant wife, was also economical with the new ball as England kept control during the first Powerplay; New Zealand were 36 for 1. It added further heady context to what happened during the rest of the innings.Woakes, after suffering the dropped catch off his bowling for the second time in three days, sent down another expensive opening spell which cost 29 as New Zealand’s second-wicket pair increased the tempo. Both Guptill and Williamson timed the ball beautifully square of the wicket particularly off the back foot.Joe Root was the first spin option used by England and when Graeme Swann was introduced his first ball was crunched through cover by Guptill. They continued to milk him for a run-a-ball.Williamson, who fell for a duck two days ago, completed an unfussy half-century off 59 balls, his tally of three fours highlighting the efficient running which kept the pressure firmly on England – a point hammered home when Guptill dismissively pulled Woakes for six off the front foot – before Williamson bottom-edged a pull off Swann into his stumps.Taylor took time to play himself in; he used 28 balls to reach 21, then clubbed 39 off his next 26 deliveries which included two sixes, one from a full toss by Bresnan, then a second with a trademark bottom-hand flick against Anderson. He fell next ball attempting a repeat but the damage had only just started for England’s bowlers.With the quality of the pitch, speed of the outfield and new fielding restrictions it was not beyond the realms of possibility that England could have made a decent stab at creating history themselves. But, with the exception of Trott who made his fourth one-day hundred 13 balls quicker than it took Guptill, the top order continued in the wasteful vain they had shown at Lord’s with four of the top five falling between 21 and 34.Alastair Cook had collected five crisp boundaries before losing his middle stump to Kyle Mills; Ian Bell’s frustrating season continued when he spliced a drive to mid-off; Root picked out long-on and Eoin Morgan, a player capable of matching the pyrotechnics of Guptill and McCullum, swiped across the line in Grant Elliott’s first over to feather an edge to Ronchi.Although the match was always under New Zealand’s control during the chase, McCullum’s proactive captaincy was again to be admired. Elliott taking a wicket in his first over owed plenty to good fortune, but it also needed the captain to delve into the options he had available and pace off the ball is rarely a bad ploy to England’s middle order. Neither did he let the game drift, immediately recalling the sharp Mitchell McClenaghan when Morgan and Jos Buttler came to the crease; at Lord’s the reward was Morgan’s wicket, here Buttler drove McClenaghan’s first ball back to short cover.Trott, who received a huge cheer when he straight-drove James Franklin for his third six in ODIs, played the anchor role that he is made for but it was a forlorn effort as the strokemakers departed around him. Although this is their first home series defeat under Cook, with the Champions Trophy just days away there is much to ponder for England who are struggling to cover for the absence of Stuart Broad and Steven Finn and whose strengths appear somewhat nullified on flat pitches when the sun comes out. New Zealand, on the other hand, have looked a world away from the No. 8-ranked ODI side.

Kyle Coetzer hit an unbeaten 150 to put Northamptonshire into a strong position at the end of the first day of their game against Leicestershire

11-Jun-2013
ScorecardKyle Coetzer struck 26 fours and a six in his unbeaten innings•ICC/Helge SchutzKyle Coetzer hit an unbeaten 150 to put Northamptonshire into a strong position at the end of the first day of their Championship Division Two game against Leicestershire at Grace Road. The knock was a Championship-best for the 29-year-old opening batsman, who had scored only 133 runs in his previous nine innings.Andrew Hall also made an unbeaten half-century as top-of-the-table Northants reached the close on a healthy 320 for 4 after being put into bat.The century was the seventh of Coetzer’s career and his second for Northants, who he joined two years ago. The first also came against Leicestershire, last season. But the bottom-of-the-table hosts had only themselves to blame for allowing Northants to take such an early grip on the game. The bowlers failed to make the most of a green-tinged pitch and were not helped by dropped catches.A total of five went down in the day, the most costly proving to be Coetzer, who was dropped on 25 when Nathan Buck failed to hold on to a sharp return catch off his own bowling.Another major problem for Leicestershire was the number of boundaries they conceded. Coetzer took 120 balls to reach 50 – but hit 11 fours. And when he brought up his century he had struck 19 boundaries in a 191-ball innings. In all Leicestershire conceded a total of 202 runs in boundaries in the shape of 49 fours and a six.After the early departure of Matthew Spriegel, trapped lbw by Alex Wyatt for 7, Coetzer and David Sales shared a stand of 65 in 24 overs. Sales was dropped on 21, but had his off stump knocked back with Wyatt’s first ball after lunch and was out for 32. The impressive Coetzer then dominated a third-wicket partnership with Alex Wakely, who was dropped at slip off Ollie Freckingham early in his innings. But he hung around to share a stand of 74 before edging to slip off Buck for 18.Robert Keogh was caught at mid-on for the same score off Michael Thornely with the total 200. But Hall then joined forces with Coetzer to punish the Leicestershire attack in the final session. The fifth-wicket pair hammered 120 runs in 34 overs with Coetzer reaching his 150 off 277 balls with a six and 26 fours and Hall unbeaten on 65 off 112 balls with 10 boundaries.

Bangladesh’s three-member selection committee’s tenure ends today, after two years in the role

Mohammad Isam30-Jun-2013Bangladesh’s three-member selection committee’s tenure ends today. The committee comprised three former captains, Akram Khan – the chief selector – Minhajul Abedin and Habibul Bashar, whose contracts ran for two years. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) however hasn’t discussed the future of the panel, which could mean it will have to function until new selectors are named.Wholesale changes don’t seem likely at this stage, given the success of the incumbents. However, the cricket operations committee, under which the selection committee works, is keen on increasing the number of selectors from three to five. “The [number of] matches have gone up, and they have to select a lot of teams,” Enayet Hossain Siraj, the operations committee chairman, said. “So, the cricket operations committee will pitch the idea of increasing the number of selectors [at the BCB’s board meeting].”We cannot mention the possible ex-players who will be part of the selection committee, because the even BCB hasn’t heard of it from us yet. I don’t see any reason to change the current members of the selection panel, although if they don’t want to stay, it’s a different matter.”Traditionally, the BCB has named one of the already-serving selectors as chief. Akram, for example, served under Rafiqul Alam before becoming the chief. Now Akram has his eyes on a high-ranking position within the board, though, which could mean the search for a new selector and a chief. Akram could stand in the BCB elections, vying for one of the directors’ posts representing Chittagong, his home division.”I have plans to get on the board, but it is still a very early stage. I will have to discuss it with the board president first,” Akram told ESPNcricinfo. “We still don’t know when the elections will be. As for the selection committee, that too can only be discussed in the board meeting.”

Misbah-ul-Haq smashed an unbeaten 33-ball 49 to help St Lucia Zouks beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by five wickets on Sunday

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMisbah-ul-Haq paired with Darren Sammy to guide St Lucia to a close win•Getty ImagesMisbah-ul-Haq smashed an unbeaten 33-ball 49 to help St Lucia Zouks beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by five wickets on Sunday.Chasing 127, St Lucia, who chose to bowl, had a few early stutters, losing Tamim Iqbal and Herschelle Gibbs in consecutive overs. Andre Fletcher struck a couple of sixes early on, but struggled for the better part of his 34-ball 23. Misbah and Devon Smith lifted the scoring rate with a 46-run stand for the fourth wicket, but Smith’s run-out, followed by Albie Morkel’s dismissal, left St Lucia with 39 to get off 23 balls. Darren Sammy hit a couple of fours to get the partnership going and the pair kept up with the scoring rate. With 10 runs needed off the last over, Misbah finished the match with two consecutive sixes, giving St Lucia their first win in the CPL.Earlier, Guyana squandered a pacy start from openers Lendl Simmons and Martin Guptill to finish at 129 for 5. They added 34 in 4.3 overs, before Guptill fell to Garey Mathurin. A flurry of wickets in the middle and later overs, however, deprived Guyana of a bigger score. Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Ramnaresh Sarwan and James Franklin fell in the space of four overs to leave Guyana at a struggling 84 for 6. Christopher Barnwell and Denesh Ramdin then smashed 41 runs off the last three overs to take Guyana to a more challenging total. Barnwell scored 29 off 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while Ramdin scored 13 off 8 balls. Shane Shillingford was the best bowler for St Lucia, picking up three wickets for 23 runs