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The already claustrophobic space at the top of Group A of the Ranji Trophy Super league is set to get even tighter when Mumbai face Saurashtra at the Wankhede Stadium in their last league match. While it’s almost a quarter-final for Mumbai, Saurashtra can afford a draw to enter the semi-finals. Saurashtra are leading the table with 20 points while Mumbai are tied in the second place with Delhi at 18 points.The rules are simple. If there is a three-way tie between the teams – that can happen if Mumbai and Delhi get the first-innings lead – it will come down to the most number of wins. Saurashtra have three while its rivals have two each. Between Mumbai and Delhi, the team with the better run quotient will go forward and Delhi leads the equation with 1.479 compared to Mumbai’s 1.145. However, if Saurashtra lose and Delhi get at least three points for gaining the first-innings lead against Tamil Nadu, both Delhi and Mumbai will go through to the next stage.Amol Muzumdar, Mumbai’s captain, doesn’t want to get into number crunching. “We want to win here and enter the semi-finals.” He has an additional reason to do well. Tomorrow will be Muzumdar’s 100th Ranji Trophy match and he is only the twelfth player to reach the milestone.While Mumbai have a great track record of getting out of jail, they have been handicapped here with injuries to bowlers. The seam attack is led by inexperienced Murtuza Hussain and they will look up to their spin duo of Ramesh Powar and Nilesh Kulkarni – drafted into this side for this match – to do the job.The nature of the track has thrown up the regular cliché that it’s a sporting track and will help both batsmen and bowlers. Pravin Amre, Mumbai’s coach, reckons it will take spin later. “It looks a true Wankhede wicket. We have not interfered in its preparation and are just looking to get on with the game. The batsman are coming into form, Nilesh is back, Murtuza is bowling well and I am confident that we can do it.”Both Amre and Muzumdar have said the pressure is on the inexperienced Saurashtra team to continue with their dream run. “What pressure? I have told the boys to just go and enjoy out there,” Debhu Mitra, the coach, said. “Not many expected us to reach here and I just want the boys to continue with the basics.”Pressure will be the critical factor during the match as some teams choke at the sight of the victory. Can Saurashtra keep their nerve in this last lap?

Virender Sehwag, the Man of the Match in the deciding game of the series, admitted that the Indian team were very upset with their shock loss in the second game, and wanted to make certain there was no repeat of the fiasco. “Of course we were very upset because we lost against Bangladesh,” said Sehwag. “We don’t deserve to lose against Bangladesh. We came here with a very positive mindset and were ready to give them a good total if we batted first. We decided we won’t give them any chance to come back in this game.”Sehwag himself has had a poor run in the three-week tour of Bangladesh, but made amends with a brisk 70. “I was a little bit upset with my performance because I didn’t get runs in the last three innings against Bangladesh,” he said. “I was pretty confident. I wanted to bat the first five overs easily and then may be I would get a good, big score.”Mohammad Kaif, who won the Man-of-the-Series award for his consistent performances, explained that he has been in good nick in the last few months. “I think I have been hitting the ball well, not only in Bangladesh but it started from England I guess. I got promoted and batted at No.3 and 4. I’ve been very lucky, I’ve kept my rhythm going in the nets.”Meanwhile there was plenty to be happy about in the other camp as well. “I’m happy with the progression both with individuals and with the team, since the New Zealand series,” said Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach. “Mashrafe Mortaza has made a strong comeback and Khaled Mahmud has found some form as well.”Buoyed by Bangladesh’s strong showing against India, Whatmore and his team were eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming home series against Zimbabwe. “The series can’t come quick enough,” he said. “We want to play tomorrow.”When asked whether yesterday’s surprise win against India had proved some of the points Whatmore had been making over the past few months, he said: “It did. I know it was not a full strength Indian team but still it was a strong opposition. This match was a great effort, it was a sort of strong effort that will win you matches even against other teams. The way we fought when we bowled and fielded made me very proud.”

Adrian Le Roux, who has taken up the position of physical trainer with the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) after vacating the similar post he held with the Indian cricket team, has termed his decision as a personal one. Speaking to Wisden CricInfo from South Africa, Le Roux said: “I sat down with my family and we decided that the opportunity to work for one’s own country will be something that I might not get again. It has nothing to do with the BCCI or the Indian cricket team … it’s just a personal one.”The Indian board had offered him a one-year extension after the World Cup, but Le Roux clarified that there had only been a “verbal conference with the BCCI”. Refuting statements by the Indian board officials that they were kept in the dark, Le Roux said that he informed the BCCI as soon as he made up his mind to take up the South African offer. “Once I had my talks with the UCBSA, I sent an e-mail and a fax to the BCCI office informing them of my decision.”Le Roux also clarified that the issue of late payment of salary had no role to play in his decision. He stressed that his relationship with the board and the players had been excellent. “In my opinion, I’ve done a good job for them, and we’re good friends. I have a very good working relationship with the board and the players.”Le Roux was unhappy with reports in the Indian media which suggested that he had “dumped” the Indian team. “I don’t think that’s the correct phrase to use. It’s an opportunity that I have [to work with the South African team], and it’s a long-term career decision.”Le Roux was offered a one-year contract with the Indian board after working with the team on their tour to South Africa in 2001-02. Along with Andrew Leipus, the physiotherapist, he improved the fitness levels of the Indian team significantly. Now, the Indian board have the onerous task of finding a replacement.

Hampshire Hawks inaugural match in the Twenty20 Cup gets underway at 5.30pm on Friday against Sussex Sharks at The Rose Bowl, in an evening that promises a large crowd, fun and games before the game and a pop concert after.The inovative event arranged jointly by Rose Bowl plc and the ECB, launches the new competition to the country in front the Sky TV viewers.Hampshire Cricket manager Paul Terry choses from 13 players, the same eleven that defeated Durham in the National League last Sunday, plus James Hamblin and Lawrence Prittipaul.Speaking to the manager yesterday, Paul intimated that James Hamblin could be brought into the side, his is an excellent player in the faster style that this competition needs.”There is a real buzz, about the Rose Bowl” said Terry, “we know we have a responsibility to put on a good show in front of an expected sell out crowd and the TV viewers.””We have played some good cricket in the past month, and I could not fault the players in failing to gain an extra wicket in the Championship match against Durham, it was tremendous to get 17 wickets in the day”.Hampshire Hawks 13: Derek Kenway, John Crawley (captain), Robin Smith, Simon Katich, Will Kendall, Nic Pothas (wicket-keeper), Dimitri Mascarenhas, Wasim Akram, Shaun Udal, Alan Mullally, Ed Giddins, James Hamblin, Lawrence Prittipaul.

Kent today announced a pre-tax profit of £51,725 for the year ending October 31, 2003. This compares with a profit of £20,927 in 2002, and a loss of £22,083 in 2001.Carl Openshaw, the chairman, said, "It is encouraging to be able to report an increased profit for the year and a continuation of the improving trend in recent years."Openshaw added that the major factors which contributed to the increased turnover were the weather, which helped a record number of match receipts, the success of the Twenty20 Cup, and the launch of the new ground at Beckenham."Although we enjoyed a successful year both on and off the field, we are aware that finances in cricket remain precarious, and we continue to be grateful for the excellent support we receive from our sponsors, members and commercial partners."

The South African board (UCBSA) has asked for assurances that Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje will not be questioned by police investigation match-fixing if the scheduled tour to India takes place later this year.Gerald Majola, the UCBSA’s chief executive, said that he had spoken to Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Indian board (BCCI), earlier today and asked for his assistance. “I realise that the BCCI cannot give any guarantees on behalf of the police authorities, however I have requested that he assist us in finding the right person or persons with whom we can communicate about this matter,” Majola told reporters. “He has given me an undertaking to respond to our request as soon as possible.”We do not, under any circumstances, want to see any of our players putin a position where they have to go through police interrogation when theyare on a cricket tour, we want to sort this issue out quickly.”Majola said that Rev. Makhenkesi Stofile, South Africa’s minister for sport, would be contacted by the UCBSA for any assistance he could provide at an inter-governmental level. He refused to be drawn on whether the players might be left out if no guarantee was forthcoming. “At this stage there is no thought of any of our players being withdrawn from the tour. We will assess thesituation once we have all the relevant information.”However, Ray Mali, the UCBSA president, said at a local meeting in East London that the board would not send Gibbs and Boje to India if there was the slightest chance that the two could be picked up by police. He asserted, “It is very important that there are guarantees in place that the two players will not be arrested.”Meanwhile, in Delhi, the commissioner of police, KK Paul, said that the cases against Gibbs and Boje had not been closed. “The case is obviously open,” he explained. But it’s all too early to give any guarantees that no police action will be taken, especially because no one has bothered to get in touch with us.”

ScorecardSri Lanka ended a rain-shortened opening day to the second Test in a strong position thanks to the efforts of Shalika Karunanayake, a seamer from Kurunegala, who took 4 for 31, leaving England tottering 144 for 7. Only 39.3 overs were possible at Scarborough but, following their first Test defeat at Shenley, Sri Lanka will be delighted with their position.Karunanayake’s spell reduced England from a promising 112 for 3 to 126 for 7, and included three wickets in an over as he ran through the middle order. Kevin Latouf and Ben Harmison had staged a partial recovery following a top-order wobble after they had been put into bat. Latouf’s 61 came from 67 balls and included nine boundaries, while Harmison is unbeaten at the close, with much resting on his shoulders.England’s tail, which made some crucial runs at Shenley, will need to be at their best on the second day. Tom Smith is a capable batsmen but Adam Harrison and Mark Footitt also have an important part to play in offering support to Harmison.

He was heckled by a spectator, and took a while to start finding the middle of his bat, but Western Australia captain Justin Langer had the last laugh with a determined return to form in the Pura Cup match against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.Brimming with renewed confidence late on day three, Langer hit a succession of boundaries to finish unbeaten on 81 in WA’s second innings of 1-154.NSW claimed first innings points by making 436, a lead of 60, but a draw was the most likely result going into the final day unless the Blues bowlers, headed by spinners Simon Katich and Liam Zammit, are able to take a bundle of quick wickets early tomorrow morning on a turning track.The best players over the first three days have all been from WA – but two of them are playing for NSW.Simon Katich (182 not out) and Matthew Nicholson (42), both formerly of the Warriors, ensured the Blues motored past WA’s first innings of 376 with a brisk 84-run partnership.Katich was superb in his 425-minute, 326-ball stay, punching 23 fours and a six into the Brewongle Stand, while Nicholson offered invaluable support and clubbed medium-pacer Peter Worthington for three fours in an over to earn the Blues the two points.Langer and his opening partner Mike Hussey arrived at the crease just before 3pm and took their time to get going, dead-batting the majority of deliveries against the new ball.Nicholson’s opening salvo of the innings jumped sharply off a good length and caught Langer on the gloves, but the ball fell away from the ring of fieldsmen.A member of the crowd yelled disparaging remarks at the WA skipper straight after tea, but the heckler was silenced when Langer started swinging freely thereafter, with NSW employing no less than eight bowlers.Hussey showed glimpses of his prolific English county form with a carefully crafted 53.He was caught by Phil Jaques attempting to hook NSW captain Steve Waugh just seven overs before stumps, but nightwatchman Beau Casson hung around to make an unbeaten 17.Langer’s previous highest score in six innings this season for Australia and WA had been 26 in the first Test against Zimbabwe. He charged Zammit and hit the 22-year-old back over his head for four and six from successive deliveries to confirm his departure from the mini-slump.

Australians planning to watch next year’s Ashes series at home may have to fork out for pay television after the Seven and Nine networks said they were unlikely to cover the tour, The Age has reported.David Hurley, a Nine spokesman said a final decision had not been made, but according to the newspaper it was unlikely to bid for the series, which clashes with winter football competitions and Wimbledon. Nine last broadcast the Ashes in 1997, when Australia won 3-2 and the coverage didn’t begin until the second session.Seven received heavy criticism for the way it screened the 2001 series and The Age reported a spokesman saying “the time zone and scheduling difficulties across Australia are significant”. Ten, the third major network, presumably cannot program seven consecutive hours without an episode of The Simpsons.With England finally in regular good form, the five-Test series shapes as a gripping contest that will only be available on Fox Sports. James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said it would be disappointing if it was not available on free-to-air television, but there was little they could do. “We don’t have ownership of the rights and ultimately it is the England and Wales Cricket Board who are trying to sell these rights for the best price,” he told ABC Online.

Pakistan have confirmed that they will host an inaugural women’s Asia Cup of cricket starting in December, amid growing female interest in South Asia’s most popular sport.Pakistan’s arch-rivals India, along with Sri Lanka and possibly Bangladesh, will take part in the tournament in Karachi from December 26 to January 4. “It’s a big honour for Pakistan to be the first host of the Asia Cup and the event will definitely raise the standard of cricket in Asia,” said Shamsa Hashmi, the secretary of the Pakistan Cricket Board women’s section.Pakistan, who will also host the ninth men’s Asia Cup next year, was chosen as the hosts after a two-day meeting in Lahore which was also attended by representatives from India and Sri Lanka.”Bangladesh has yet to confirm its participation,” added Hashmi, “but we are in touch with them and if they do not come, the tournament will be contested by three teams on a double-league basis.”India is the top Asian nation in women’s cricket, having finished runners-up to Australia in the women’s World Cup held in South Africa early this year. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all failed to qualify for the World Cup.Cricket has been drawing a growing female fan base in India while, across the border, the women’s sport got a shot in the arm earlier this year when it was placed under the supervision of the Pakistan Cricket Board.The board hosted Pakistan’s debut national cricket championship for women in March and then invited the Indian Under-21 team for a first-ever women’s cricket series between the rivals, which India wrapped up last week.