England 146 for 3 (Collingwood 36*, Flintoff 55*) beat Bangladesh 143 (Hannan Sarkar 30, Flintoff 4-14, Giles 3-29) by 7 wickets
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A fine allround performance from Andrew Flintoff, the Man of the Match, swept England to a comfortable seven-wicket victory at Chittagong in the first of three one-day internationals against Bangladesh.First Flintoff grabbed 4 for 14 as Bangladesh crumbled after a useful start, then he ambled in after three quick wickets had gone down and biffed a rapid half-century, from only 45 balls, to speed England home. Flintoff was aided with the bat by Paul Collingwood, in his first ODI since injuring his shoulder at the start of the last English season. They put on 91 for the fourth wicket, and Collingwood rounded things off by clouting Alok Kapali for three successive fours to complete the formalities with 24.3 overs to spare.England had wobbled slightly after a busy start in which they had reached 39 by the end of the seventh over. Suddenly, though, Mushfiqur Rahman took two wickets in successive balls to stem the tide. First Vikram Solanki (10) waltzed down the wicket, but only skyed his heave straight to Jamaluddin Ahmed at mid-on. The batsmen crossed, and next ball Marcus Trescothick (28) played his trademark dab towards third man, only to guide the ball straight to Hannan Sarkar in the gully (39 for 2).Collingwood avoided the hat-trick, but shortly afterwards Michael Vaughan was gone for 9. He dragged his back foot forward trying to sweep, and Khaled Mashud whipped off the bails. The TV replays showed that Vaughan had not quite slid his foot back in time, and the red light signalled a wicket for the left-arm spin of Manjural Islam Rana, from only his third ball in international cricket.

That made it 55 for 3, but it was the end of Bangladesh’s brief hopes. While Collingwood consolidated, Flintoff hit out. He flailed a six over midwicket off Jamaluddin, another debutant, without remotely timing it – then clouted another over long-on, off Manjural, just to show how it should be done. There were also eight fours, one of which nearly decapitated the umpire at the bowler’s end, as he sprinted to 55 not out.Earlier Bangladesh had fallen to pieces after a decent start. They reached 50 for the loss of only one wicket, but lost four more with the score on 65 and another one run later. Some lower-order resistance pushed the total to a more respectable 143, but it was never going to be enough. Apart from Flintoff’s four wickets, there were signs of a return to form for Ashley Giles, who took 3 for 29 – although he was slightly flattered by those figures.Giles conceded eight runs from his first over and Flintoff 12, but after that the procession started as Bangladesh’s batsmen capitulated. Habibul Bashar began with a neat boundary, but Flintoff removed him with a poor ball, a leg-side bouncer which Habibul tried to pull but only succeeded in gloving to Chris Read (50 for 2). Then, at 65, Rajin Saleh top-edged an attempted sweep off Giles into the covers and the wheels really came off.Hannan Sarkar, the only batsmen to settle, survived a good shout for a catch behind – but that only angered Flintoff, who banged the next ball in and Sarkar did glove it through to Read. Sarkar’s 30 was more than Nos 2 to 7 managed between them.Two balls later Khaled Mahmud – who was given the bird by a noisy and enthusiastic crowd – edged an attempted drive to give Read his third catch, and Giles claimed his second wicket when Kapali played back to a ball crying out for positive footwork, and was as lbw as it is possible to be. That basic error was typical of an innings undermined by inappropriate shots and poor technique.Bangladesh limped to three figures thanks to an eighth-wicket stand of 34 between Mashud and Manjural, but by then the game was effectively over as a meaningful contest. The last-wicket pair of Jamaluddin and Tapash Baisya chipped in with 36 as well.It all left England looking near-certainties to complete a clean sweep in this short series – and left battle-scarred Bangladesh still looking for their first ODI win against another Test-playing country since they upset Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.Steven Lynch is editor of Wisden Cricinfo.

Lee Carseldine, the Queensland allrounder, is set to make his return from injury for the Queensland Academy of Sport side to take on India at the Allan Border Field this weekend.Carseldine has missed the past two weeks with a back injury, but will play as a batsman only against the Indians, who play their final match before the first Test next week. Carseldine has had an impressive run against international touring teams, scoring a double century against New Zealand two years ago, and 92 against Bangladesh earlier this year.He will be joined in the Academy team by his Queensland team-mates, Daniel Payne, Chris Simpson, Steve Farrell, Shane Jurgensen, Scott Brant and Joe Dawes. Aaron Nye, the Wests batsman who led the second XI to victory over Western Australia last week at Albion, will captain the side. The three-day game, which starts on Saturday, will not be a first-class match. Admission is free for the game, with play starting at 10.00am. Queensland Academy of Sport XI 1 Daniel Payne, 2 Chris Simpson, 3 Lee Carseldine, 4 Aaron Nye (capt), 5 Craig Philipson, 6 Steven Farrell, 7 Chris Hartley, 8 Ryan Leloux, 9 Shane Jurgensen, 10 Scott Brant, 11 Joe Dawes, Steven Magoffin (12th man).

Australia 558 and 97 for 1 (Hayden 53*) beat India 366 and 286 by 9 wickets
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Australia coasted to an easy victory on the fifth morning at the MCG, and it wasonly fitting that the two men who really set up this match for them, Matthew Haydenand Ricky Ponting, knocked off the 95 required to draw level in the series.Steve Waugh’s final series is now set up tantalisingly, and the teams will go intothe final Test at Sydney in three days’ time with Australia having much of themomentum, and India, memories of Adelaide.Hayden and Ponting had put on 234 in the first innings, and this morning they puton 88 for the second wicket after Justin Langer was out early. Hayden was himselfdistinctly fortunate to survive an lbw appeal off Ashish Nehra early in hisinnings, but after this he took to the bowling with a succession of meaty drivesand swings to leg, and just before the winning runs were struck he nonchalantlylaunched Anil Kumble over the infield to bring up his half-century. Ponting was asassured as ever, working the ball sweetly on both sides of the wicket to finishwith 31 not out. This match was his Test just as the Adelaide Test was Rahul Dravid’s.India’s one success on the morning was almost predictable: Ajit Agarkar tookLanger’s wicket for the fifth time in the series, rapping him on the pads with alate inswinger (9 for 1). Langer has been out to Agarkar in this fashion once everyTest match, and there was still a flicker of hope for India at this stage, but thisbrought Australia’s two most prolific batsmen together, and after a steady startthey accelerated and got home at a canter.

After a cracked rib ended Michael Bevan’s tournament, Trevor Hohns, head of the Australian selectors, gave Michael Hussey a ring at about seven o’ clock last night to tell him he was in the international team. Hussey wasn’t expecting it.”I was pretty shocked really. It was a surreal feeling. He [Hohns] said I was in to replace Bevan for this game. It is a strange feeling really. It is something you obviously dream about as a kid. For all your life you are hoping you get the call. And then when it does finally come, it is a bit of a bizarre feeling. I was hoping and praying that I wouldn’t wake up to find out it was all a dream.”He realised it wasn’t, and spoke about his intended approach to the game on Sunday. “I think I will feel a bit nervous. It is great that it is at the WACA in front of my home crowd and my family and friends will all be able to be there. So I have plenty of support in that respect. I am just going to go and try and enjoy the whole experience.Hussey has been a prolific middle-order batsman for Western Australia, scoring over 12,000 runs in nine seasons. And with more than 5000 in 146 one-day games, with eight hundreds and 39 fifties, he has been one of the most consistent batsmen in Australia. Though he comes in for Bevan in the middle-order, and serves the same purpose, he hasn’t modelled himself on the man he’s replacing.”I haven’t really molded myself on him. But we do play a similar role. I guess that they wanted a like for like player. The main thing is to score runs. Quite often you come in with four or five overs to go, and you pretty much have to slog from ball one. That is the great thing about batting in the middle order, you get so many different challenges, and you have just got to try and cope with them as best as you can.”Though the tour of Sri Lanka was imminent, Hussey preferred to concentrate on the job at hand. “I am really just trying to get my head around this game on Sunday. After Sunday I can sit down and see where they are going and if they want to have a chat to me I don’t know. I will go to Sri Lanka if they need me.”I am going to try and concentrate on scoring as many runs as I can, and whatever will happen will happen. I hope that it is not the one and only experience, I am sure the selectors will keep me in the forefront of their minds over the next few years. Hopefully there will be more opportunities as well.”

England seem likely to cancel their winter tour of Zimbabwe when the 15 members of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s management meet next week. A 17-page report submitted by Des Wilson, the former vice-chairman of the Sports Council, which will greatly influence the management committee, is expected to state that now moral and political reasons should be considered as well as those of player safety.Wilson’s document suggests that moral issues alone should prompt England to give the tour a miss. “The safety and security of a touring party can in today’s circumstances no longer be the only factor in deciding whether or not to proceed with a controversial tour,” he told The Times. “Can we tour this country knowing what we do about its stance on human rights and the suffering of its people?”The main thrust of the ECB’s argument for not touring Zimbabwe during the World Cup was player-safety, but if it accepts Wilson’s suggestions – and the indications are that it will – then the tour is almost certainly dead in the water.Last year, David Morgan, the ECB chairman, gave assurances to his Zimbabwean counterparts that England would honour the tour. His comments, made to prevent Zimbabwe cancelling their trip to England last May, are likely to be disregarded in light of the report.Since then, Robert Mugabe has pulled Zimbabwe out of the Commonwealth, following widespread protests over his regime’s poor record on human rights, and critics insist that the human-rights situation inside the country continues to deteriorate.And unlike the World Cup boycott, which resulted in England being heavily fined by the ICC, there would be no penalties for refusing to go, as the ICC has no juristiction over bilateral tours. The only real potential pitfall is that Zimbabwe might in turn refuse to participate in the ICC Trophy which is taking place in England in September. But since that is an ICC-administered event and not a bilateral tour they might face penalties from the governing body for withdrawing.Zimbabwe recently hosted a full series against West Indies, and Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are all scheduled to tour there later this year. If England refuse to tour, the ECB might suggest moving the series to a neutral venue.

Day 2 of 3
ScorecardThe South Africans suffered a mediocre day on the field, picking up only four wickets, experienced the indignity of Central Districts declaring at 239 for 6, and then struggled to 95 for 3 in their second innings at McLean Park in Napier.Central Districts lost two quick wickets to Andre Nel on the second morning, but a 151-run stand between Mathew Sinclair and Jarrod Englefield steadied the innings. The stand ended when Sinclair was dismissed for 99, a patient knock laced with 15 fours and two sixes. It was the only success Nicky Boje had on an expensive day. Englefield marched on a while longer, but was finally dismissed on 77 by David Terbrugge. Glen Sulzberger, the captain, chose this moment to close the innings 47 runs behind the South Africans’s total.Herschelle Gibbs (26) and Jacques Rudolph (31) began strongly yet again, but lost their way after putting on a 45-run stand, and when Martin van Jaarsveld failed for the second time, the team was in an uncomfortable position once more. They ended with 95 runs on the board, a lead of 142 runs, and one more day to go.

RETRAVISION Warrior fast-bowler Paul Wilson has retired from first-class cricket.The former Test paceman was told by Warriors Coach Wayne Clark that he wasunlikely to be offered a playing contract next season.Wilson, 32, had been toying with the idea of retirement for a few months andthis clenched his decision.”It looked like I wasn’t going to be playing next year in any sort of role,”he said.”After discussions with Wayne Clark he said it was unlikely that I would beoffered a playing contract next season. He told me that it was doubtful thatI would be among the first 17 contracts offered.”Wilson said it was senior Warriors who caused him to think about playing onemore season. “I was considering retirement a few months ago but some of thesenior players convinced me to reconsider,” he said.”Justin Langer was desperate for me to stay.”Wilson made his first-class debut in 1995-96 for South Australia. He stayedwith the Redbacks for seven seasons before moving West before the 2002-03season in search of more opportunity.”I thoroughly enjoyed my time here in WA. Justin Langer said I should havecome across five or six years ago,” he said.Wilson finished his career with 151 first-class wickets from 51 games at anaverage of 30.77. He played one Test against India in Calcutta in 1998 and11 one-day internationals in 1997-98.Wilson said that he did the best with the talents that he was given.”I always gave a one hundred and fifty per cent. I’ve been really amazed atwhat I’ve been able to do. I really can’t ask anymore of myself and I amproud of myself,” he said.Wilson said that he had a desire to stay involved in cricket. He revealed awish to be a first-class coach.”I want to coach at a first class level. I have worked with many differentcoaches and most importantly I know what not to do to be a good coach,” hesaid.”I want to stay involved in cricket, whether it be in a player welfare roleas a mentor to younger players or even umpiring.”Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker have made the move from player to umpire. Ithink England leads the way with encouraging first-class players to becomeumpires.”Wilson said WA’s miracle win over Queensland in the 2003-04 ING Cup Finalwas his most memorable team moment and he said his first wicket atinternational level was his best personal scalp.”I remember bowling Chris Cairns to take my first one-day internationalwicket. I remember that my first wicket in Sheffield Shield cricket wasMatthew Hayden and Stuart Law was my second. That’s not a bad way to start.”

Adam Gilchrist has questioned the entire process of passing judgment on a bowler’s action based on tests done in laboratory conditions. Commenting on Muttiah Muralitharan’s visit to the University of Western Australia to check the legality of his doosra, Gilchrist told Australia’s Channel Seven: “I have got to question why they bother doing a test like that, whether it is Murali or anyone else in world cricket. Because there is nothing similar between that in a laboratory and what you are facing in the Test matches.”Gilchrist also disagreed with the decision only to focus attention on Murali’s doosra. “What I find interesting is they say you don’t need to look at his general offbreak any more because we have cleared that. A bowler can change what they want, every single delivery in a Test match, whatever they want to do with their wrist or the arm. I don’t see that you can say they are cleared, we don’t need to look for it any more.”Gilchrist had earlier been reprimanded by the Australian board for making comments on Muralitharan’s action, but this time the board has decided not to take any action against him.Meanwhile, Jacquie Alderson, one of the experts at the university involved with the tests, defended the system, saying that it would be very difficult for a bowler to change his action without the UWA team noticing it. She said that the amount of time it took for Muralitharan to rotate his arm in match conditions was the same as it was during the tests.”I think it would be highly unlikely that someone will be able to change their action inside that environment but I would not say it would be impossible,” she said. “But to be honest I don’t know any other way it could be tested. You would have to say it would be very difficult for someone to actively change their motion in less than a hundredth of a second.”

Two dozen Indians are set to participate in the USA’s Pro Cricket league which begins in a week’s time. The 20-overs-a-side games will feature former Test and one-day players, as well as domestic stars, who will be divided among the eight teams.The season, which lasts three months, will feature the likes of Vinod Kambli and Ajay Jadeja, and though the money isn’t substantial, the players will be given the option of committing for as many games as they like. The BBC sports website reported that Anshuman Gaekwad, who was the go-between for the organisers and the players, said that it would enable them to return home when they wished.”It allows the cricketers a flexible option of playing as few as three games over a weekend, then returning home to their normal businesses and coming back when they feel like it,” said Gaekwad, adding that the players could participate and later decide whether they wanted to play some more. “I’ve asked the players to view it as a cricket-playing holiday and then decide if they might want to play more matches.”The hosts are going to spread the red carpet and provide hospitality, but there isn’t going to be big money involved – the players know that,” he said. “No formal contracts are involved here, the invitation and acceptance is all by word of mouth. The cricketers are trying to mix weekend cricket with an off-season holiday. Keeping that in view, they’ll surely have a good time.”Kambli, who is known for his big hitting, was excited by the opportunity, and said that it would beat not playing cricket at all. “It’s an exciting proposition, far better to be knocking the ball around in a 20-over match during the off-season rather than have no cricket. I’m looking forward to playing in the US. It sounds like an exciting format. I’ll play some games, come back to attend to my work in Bombay, and return to play some more matches.”While Sanjay Bangar, Deep Dasgupta and Nikhil Chopra had agreed to play, Gaekwad said that the organisers were not seeking international players, as finding time in the busy international schedule would surely be a constraint.

The Pakistan board has come in for severe criticism from the Senate Committee on Sports and Culture for the team’s poor performance in the home series against India. In a meeting held with PCB officials – including Shaharyar Khan, the chairman, and Rameez Raja, the chief executive – the committee was especially critical about the ad hoc nature of decision-making by the board.According to a report in The News, a Pakistan daily, Enver Baig, one of the senators in the committee, lashed out against the PCB: “I spoke of ad hocism in the board for the last five years today and asked Shaharyar Khan how long this was going to continue and he had no answer to give.”But he has promised that in three months time constitutional amendments would be made but the committee also told him categorically that he will not bulldoze any amendments in the constitution and he will place all the intended amendments before a general body meeting and only implement and incorporate them if they are approved by the general body.”Baig was also unhappy with the fact that Rameez continued to do commentary on television and occupy a senior position in a bank despite holding a full-time job with the board. The report stated that Rameez had the permission of the ICC and Pervez Musharraf, the chief patron of the PCB, to hold all these positions, but Baig wasn’t convinced. “Rameez informed us he would be going to South Africa shortly on a commentary assignment, we asked Shaharyar who will run board affairs in his absence on a day to day basis.”The manner in which cricket is organised in the country has come in for adverse reactions following Pakistan’s defeat in the Tests and the one-dayers against India, a series in which the entire country invested plenty of time, money and emotion. “Even the heavy expenditure can be justified if the team had produced good results against India,” Baig explained. “But they disappointed a lot.”The committee is supposed to file a report on Pakistan cricket, and Baig warned that the board could expect more uncomfortable questions in future. “The senate committee’s look into Pakistan Cricket Board affairs is not over as yet. We are not finished as yet and will be holding two more meetings in Lahore and Karachi before finalizing a report.”