Hats off to the dynamic Aussies and their great captain Steve Waugh for winning the 7th successive Ashes series. The honour came when Australia crushed England by 7 wickets to win the 3rd Ashes Test at Trent Bridge with more than two days to spare and take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five match series. It was also Australia’s 19th victory in the last 21 tests played between the archrivals.Winning seven successive Ashes series is a record equalled only by the England side of 1884-90 when Ashes campaigns were often of less than five tests. While England face a quandary to try break the Aussies winning streak albeit for face saving, the victorious Aussies have set their sights firmly on matching the achievement of Warwick Armstrong’s 1920-21 Australians, the only team in Ashes history to win a series 5-0.Disappointed with his team’s dismal performance, England coach Duncan Fletcher now appears to be most worried about a ‘complete white wash’ that stares England in the face. In his opinion it would inflict huge damage for the future and being without Nasser Hussain, a shrewd captain whose tactical acumen and man management had helped England win a few series before the Ashes, was a major disappointment.This may not be entirely true because Mike Atherton who led England, was an accomplished batsman as well as a much more experienced captain than Nasser. What makes the actual difference is the Australians are a more experienced side with a professional approach and pride as their symbol. They simply played a higher class of cricket.After losing the battle without really putting up a stiff fight, England is facing the wrath of criticism. Failure in piling up competitive totals is considered to be the major cause of defeat. Unarguably possessing an effective bowling arsenal, England did not bat well enough to make Australia take a second new ball and without enough runs on the board they could not possibly register a win over such a competent opponent. Now, while some of the former England players and critics were out to rip them, the vanquished were searching for a place to hide.Former opening batsman Geoff Boycott remarked, that what the team needed most was a batsman capable of grafting all day, in short, a player like himself. “Our batting is getting worse no better, so many people talk about batsmen being able to play shots. Our problem is that we cannot stay in. The first thing I look for in a good batsman is his ability to defend. Has he got a good defensive technique?”Discussing individual players, Boycott opined that all rounder Craig White and Ian Ward should be dropped with Ramprakash given a final warning. He, however, did not suggest the replacement of veteran wicket-keeper batsman Alec Stewart at this stage. His former colleague Ian Botham, however, disagreed and recommended Essex keeper-batsman James Foster be brought in for the 4th Test at Headingley next week.Offering comments on the team’s performance, former England captain David Gower slammed Ramprakash on the way he threw his wicket away in 2nd innings of the 3rd Test. Considering that the new recruits, if commissioned for the Headingley Test, would be in for a torrid time, Gower did not recommend any wholesale changes in the team at this juncture.Former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson who terrorised England batsmen in the mid 1970s accused the England players of having glaring imperfections in their technique. With England’s repeated failures, he did not visualize anything but a ‘whitewash’ for Australia.In his rough and tough language Thomson remarked, ‘there must be some young blokes out there with hidden potential that you can just take a punt on rather than picking guys who have been tried and tested for years but are a waste of time.’News trickling down from England’s cricket circles reveal that Australia’s historical triumph in the series has left a familiar question hanging in the air, ‘where does English cricket go from here’? England’s stand-in Captain Mike Atherton, who has been involved in all the last seven Ashes series defeats, picked up the courage to say, ‘the loss is disappointing. It has been a long time (since England last won the Ashes in 1986-87). Over the period I have played, it is obvious Australia have had the upper hand over us. They have had a succession of very good teams over the last 10 years and beaten us comprehensively’.Atherton further added that ‘ there was no great mystery behind Australia’s three huge victories this summer. It is a mixture of reasons. You can look at a lot of things but the bottom line is that Australia have played much better cricket than we have’.Skipper Steve Waugh having injured his calf muscle while batting in the last test, Vice Captain Adam Gilchrist shall be leading Australia in the 4th Test at Headingley. Waugh was the only member of the present Australian squad to have experienced Ashes defeat, way back in 1986-87 and is said to have used that to motivate the team.A day before the 3rd test Waugh addressed the team saying, ‘fortunately no one here other than me knows what it is like to lose an Ashes series and that is the way I want to keep it’. Steve Waugh is a man of philosophical thoughts on cricket. In an article contributed to CricInfo a few days back he highlighted the following points:

• Any sustained success has to be based on the combined effort of the team rather than relying time and again on the same individuals.
• If some one fails it is up to the other to step up and fill the void.
• Players must be flexible enough to recognize different situations and adapt to them to take control of key moments.

Whether England succeeds in saving the next two tests or not, Australia has clinched the ashes series with excellent performance and overwhelming grace. The urn that contains the historical and invaluable Ashes is theirs, whether it remains in the Lord’s Museum or elsewhere. Well done Australia, keep it up. The standards of cricket that you have set will go a long way in helping other nations to improve.

It was a day of slow progress by Yorkshire batsmen as they reached 179 for five from 85 overs at stumps at the AMP Oval. On a slow pitch they were tied down by some accurate Surrey bowling, the most economical of which came from Saqlain Mushtaq.He conceded 13 runs, including three boundaries, in his first two overs and then found his line and length to bowl the next 31 for only 33 runs with just one hit for four. The Pakistan spinner was unlucky to finish without a wicket despite beating the bat time and again, finding considerable turn off the pitch.David Byas, in particular, found him difficult to get away, managing only 24 runs in two hours at the crease. When he did attempt to go for his shots – during Surrey’s double spin attack, with Ian Salisbury being brought on – he was soon dismissed, bowled by the leg-spinner while attempting a sweep.That was the fifth wicket to fall, half an hour before bad light ended the day’s proceedings with, perhaps, time left for just one more over. Anthony McGrath remained unbeaten with 69 from 194 balls. It was his first fifty of the season having missed about six weeks of it through injury.Twenty overs were lost from the day’s play earlier after rain had fallen steadily during the lunch break and when play resumed at 2.45pm Surrey were quick to claim two wickets. Martin Bicknell took them both in successive balls with the total on 99.Matthew Wood, who had batted so well for his 110-ball fifty, with five boundaries, was snapped up at first slip and Vic Craven was trapped lbw.During the rain-shortened second session Yorkshire added 31 to their lunch score to reach 123 for four.While this match may not be much more than of academic interest to Yorkshire who have already won the Cricinfo Championship title, it is vitally important for Surrey in their attempt to avoid relegation.Having been asked to bowl first on a cloudy morning, the London side began reasonably well, claiming two wickets for 64. Bicknell, in the 13th over, had Chris Taylor lbw for seven with the total 34 and ten overs later, Ed Giddens, having changed ends, had Michael Vaughan edge to second slip for 11.Wood, meanwhile, scored steadily. He drove Saqlain for four to extra-cover in the first over from the off-spinner and in his next over he took another boundary, this time with a drive to mid-wicket.He reached 44 with a straight hit for four off Ben Hollioake who conceded another boundary in that over, his first, when Anthony McGrath square cut him. At lunch Wood was on 46 and McGrath, who was 17, later progressed to 29 by tea. In the final session he added a further 40 to his score.

The final of MRF Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament got underway at the MAChidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai on Tuesday. At close of play on the first day, New Zealand ‘A’ were on 231 for the loss of three wickets. The highlight of the opening day was a dashing century by the New Zealand ‘A’ opening batsman Mark Richardson.Earlier in the day Rohan Gavaskar won the toss for Cricket Association of Bengal XI and did not hesitate to put New Zealand ‘A’ to bat first. Richardson and skipper Matthew Bell gave New Zealand ‘A’ a sound start adding 80 runs for the first wicket off 26.3 overs. For once the tall, well-built Shib Sankar Paul failed to give the early breakthrough for CAB XI. The left-handed batsman Richardson was particularly aggressive of the two opening batsmen, smacking boundaries on either sides of the wicket.Matthew Bell’s vigil at the crease came to an end when Saurasish Lahiri trapped him in front of the wicket. Bell compiled a patient 22 off 75 balls with the help of three boundaries. After the departure of the skipper, the run rate slowed down considerably against the spin attack of Lahiri and Utpal Chatterjee.Richardson and Matt Horne added 38 runs off 21 overs to take New Zealand ‘A’ score to 118 in the 48th over. Horne was caught by Chatterjee off the bowling of Laxmi Ratan Shukla after making 15 runs off 55 balls.Lou Vincent joined Richardson in the middle and the run rate got a little fillip that it badly needed. Vincent was in a positive frame of mind, going for his shots to accumulate runs. The two batsmen added 81 runs off 30 overs for the third wicket to take the New Zealand ‘A’ score to a respectable 199 runs in the 78th over.The thirty-year-old batsman, who plays for Otago in New Zealand, got to his well-deserved hundred in the mean while. Before being caught by Jaiswal off the bowling of Shukla, he made 112 runs off 252 balls, striking the ball cleanly for 17 boundaries. It was a good hand from Richardson ensuring that New Zealand ‘A’ got off to a solid start.By close of play Lou Vincent got to his half century and remained unbeaten on 54 off 113 balls, a knock punctuated with nine boundaries and a six. Hamish Marshall is unbeaten on 11 off 32 balls and has added 42 runs for the fourth wicket partnership so far. Shukla was the best of the bowlers picking up 2/50. New Zealand ‘A’ will be looking forward to post a huge total tomorrow, on a pitch that is full of runs. Lou Vincent will have to carry on with the good form that he has shown so far.

Women’s cricket in New Zealand got the thumbs up from both the convener of the national selection panel Lesley Murdoch and the national coach Mike Shrimpton.The pair were speaking at the announcement of the CLEAR White Ferns team to tour India in Christchurch today.Shrimpton, who has just been on a tour around several centres in New Zealand, said he was heartened by what he saw occurring in the advance of women’s cricket.”The young players who have been selected will ably fill the gap left by the players who have retired,” he said.Shrimpton said there would be ample opportunity on the tour of India for the younger players to step up.Murdoch backgrounded each player selected for the tour and paid special tribute to the captain of the side, and the captain at last year’s CricInfo Women’s World Cup, Emily Drumm.She said New Zealand was the luckiest country in the world to have Drumm as the leader of the side.Drumm said the tour was a really exciting time for women’s cricket, it was a new era and a chance to blood new players.”They deserve the chance. India is a hard place to tour but it is important to give our players the chance to perform,” she said.What New Zealand needed from the tour was to develop a strong game plan and to perform well in India.Drumm also hinted that she might look to bowl more often herself, something she has not often done in recent years.India would be a good test for the team and while they haven’t played a lot of international cricket lately they “can really bite you if you don’t take them seriously,” she said.Murdoch also said that she was expecting Rachel Pullar to make a big move this year towards the status of a world-class all-rounder, something she believed she was well capable of achieving.And Haidee Tiffen was shaping as a player capable of stepping into the substantial shoes left by the world’s outstanding batsman Debbie Hockley.

The Queensland selectors have called up opener Jerry Cassell andallrounder James Hopes for the XXXX Queensland Bulls Pura Cup matchagainst the Western Warriors in Perth this week.Cassell and Hopes replace Test duo Matthew Hayden and Andy Bichel whowill be involved in the first Test against New Zealand starting at theGabba on Thursday.The selectors did not consider pace duo Joe Dawes (knee) or Adam Dale(shoulder).Dawes made a return to the bowling crease yesterday in the Brisbane XXXXFirst Grade competition for Valley but following consultation with theQueensland Cricket medical staff, he was ruled out of the Perth trip.Dale will have exploratory shoulder surgery on Tuesday to ascertainwhether he will be able to return for the remainder of the season.If Hopes makes his debut against the Warriors, it will make three firstclass debuts in as many matches for the Bulls, following in the wake ofNathan Hauritz and Mitchell Johnson.The Bulls will depart tomorrow afternoon for Perth for their match whichstarts on Thursday at the WACA.XXXX Queensland Bulls v Western Warriors, Pura Cup: Stuart Law (c),Jimmy Maher, Jerry Cassell, Martin Love, Clinton Perren, Andrew Symonds,Wade Seccombe, Ashley Noffke, Michael Kasprowicz, Nathan Hauritz,Mitchell Johnson, James Hopes (12th man to be named).

A six-wicket haul from Lalit Patel saw Gujarat notch up a tight ninerun win over Ranji champions Baroda in their Ranji Trophy league matchat Vadodara on Sunday.Set a total of 237 for victory, Baroda looked to be coasting towardsit during an 80-run stand between Tushar Arothe (47) and Ajit Bhoite(42). The former, in particular, played aggressively, making his runsoff 69 deliveries.Arothe’s fall at 209, as the sixth wicket, triggered off acollapse.The last four wickets fell for only 18 runs, as none of thetailenders could even slog their way to victory. Gujarat, by virtue oftheir outright win, pick up eight points from this match.

South Australian captain Darren Lehmann says his side is keen to make amends for a disappointing performance in its four-day match against Western Australia when the teams return to Adelaide Oval for a day-night match tomorrow.WA completed an outright victory by 76 runs in their first-class match at the ground yesterday with SA batting poorly to make just 154 in its second innings.But Lehmann said the Redbacks had shown strong one-day form so far this season and were determined to end the Warriors’ week in Adelaide on a losing note.”We’ve played some good one-day cricket this year,” Lehmann said.”It’s a pretty tight competition and it would be nice to bite back and really play hard tomorrow and send them back home with no points in that game.”WA won the last one-day match between the two sides by 56 runs at the WACA earlier this year, with Adam Gilchrist dominating to score one of the fastest 50s of the season.Since then, SA has won its two past limited overs games, both against Victoria, with Lehmann starring in both games.And WA has gone on to lose to Queensland at the Gabba and split its results against Tasmania, to have a 2-2 record for the season, which captain Simon Katich says makes tomorrow a crucial game.”We’re sitting mid-table in the ING Cup so this is a big game for both sides,” he said.Gilchrist and Justin Langer will be missing from WA’s last one-day side, as they are both on Test duty, while spinner Brad Oldroyd will also miss the match afterbeing concussed on the final day of the four-day match earlier this week.Paceman Matt Nicholson, who was man of the match in the four-day game, Marcus North and Chris Rogers come into the side.For South Australia, medium pace bowler Matthew King will play his first match for the state.He replaces Brett Swain, who has sprained his ankle, while batsman Jeff Vaughan will also come into the side after missing the Pura Cup match with concussion.Teams: SA: Darren Lehmann (captain), Greg Blewett (vice captain), Ben Higgins, Ben Johnson, Chris Davies, Graham Manou, David Fitzgerald, Paul Rofe, Matthew King, Mike Smith, Mark Harrity, Brad Young.WA: Simon Katich (captain), Mike Hussey (vice captain), Ryan Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Stuart Karppinen, Brad Hogg, Matt Nicholson, Marcus North, Jo Angel, Chris Rogers, Brad Williams.

The Kwekwe first team entertained Bulawayo Athletic Club at home. Bulawayo Athletic Club won the toss and decided to field first.Kwekwe batted first and scored 267 runs for seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs, the top scorers being Raymond Price with 68 runs which included 6 fours and Terrence Duffin with 53 runs which included 5 fours. Best bowlers for B.A.C were R. Rixon-Fuller with 2/42 and T. Mparira with 2/49.Kwekwe batted with confidence and all who watched were treated to some excellent attacking batting. It looks as though Kwekwe are back on the winning track as a result of being strengthened with the return of our National A side players as well as our experienced captain Dave Houghton.B.A.C. then batted after lunch and were dismissed for a total of 134 all out runs in 30.2 overs. The top scorer for B.A.C.. was Jason Hitz who included a six and 10 fours in a very fine spell of attacking batting.The best bowlers for the home team were Raymond Price who took 4/17 in 7 overs, Ed Rainsford who took 3/23 in 5 overs and Dirk Viljoen who took 2/13 in 7.2 overs which included 2 maiden overs. It was a very impressive spell of bowling by all concerned. Ed Rainsford’s three wickets came in just four balls in the very same over. He was on a hat-trick when the pressure got to him and he bowled a wild delivery down leg side which was `wided’ and then with the very next ball he produced a snorter of a delivery that cut the batsman in half and clipped the top of leg stump..The second team travelled to Mutare to play their second team. Unfortunately at the time of going to press there are no results available with regards to this game, but I am sure those who are interested will be able to follow the Manicaland Report.Kwekwe Queens hosted Uprising here in Kwekwe and once again there are no results for this game.This Coming weekend sees the Zimbabwe A side take on the Gauteng A side in a Bowl game and full details of this game will follow in the next report.I am pleased to report yet again that the development sides here in the Midlands are doing well and continue to have their friendly games on Saturday Mornings and there are plans underway for this little tournament to include the Gweru Sports Club side. This weekend one of the younger development players from these two teams was picked as the 12th man for the first team.

Last weekend both Manicaland sides had byes, allowing for a resumption of the long-delayed 30-over local-league cricket. It was played at a surprisingly unkempt Mutare Sports Club – balls were frequently being lost a few metres off the playing surface. One boundary-board advertiser player was heard muttering darkly that his custom would go if the authorities were unable to maintain the boards.On Saturday Hillcrest College destroyed Easterns by ten wickets and on Sunday Mutare Sports Club beat Casuals by 52 runs.Bolstered by the late inclusion of five Odzi farmers found the previous night at Odzi Country Club pub, Mutare Sports Club enjoyed a rare day of superiority over their old rivals. Hitting 177 all out (Seth 75), MSC indulged themselves on standard Casuals hospitality – seven dropped catches and one missed stumping. Only La Rochele Hotel manager Simon Herring with three for 16 came away with integrity intact. With a touch of farmers-league chivalry one Odzi umpire reversed an lbw decision after noticing the appalled reaction of the batsman – leaving bemused Casuals fielders to contemplate an increasingly humid day. Casuals were easily dismissed for 125 with only Brian-William James (on a short visit from his hotel job in London) making 30. Nyanga builder Coby Summerfield took two for 16 and veteran Odzi sledger Bokkie Moolman two for 27.Like all sectors of Zimbabwe’s beleaguered society, the cricket community continues to lose numbers to emigration – including two Casuals players over the last few months. Steve Rigby (who also played for Manicaland for many years) has taken his family to St Albans, Hertfordshire, where he has found work in the security business. Ivan Truscott has moved to Dubbo in New South Wales where he has found farming work. With Premier Estates (the family farm at Old Umtali) reduced to a patchwork of plots and the homestead trashed by `settlers’, the Truscotts lost hope and departed.It’s heartening therefore to see the developments at Odzi Country Club where a new cricket field is under construction. Inspired by their participation in the newly formed winter social league, the farmers are converting the old Autocross course at the club into a home venue for the upcoming season. Great care was taken by chief designer Loggie Slabbert to excavate a hole wide enough for two pitches and layer it with rocks, river sand and finally anthill to ensure good drainage. Suitable grass was brought in for the outfield, whilst Cape Royal turf was procured from Harare South golf course for the pitch.Local farmer Philip Valentine has a tractor on permanent secondment to the ground. Outrageously they also intend encircling the ground with powerful lights, making it Zimbabwe’s first day-night facility. They have no intention however of joining neighbours Makoni in the serious Lilthurbridge Cup `where people sulk if you drop a catch’. Instead they hope to attract touring sides and plan a tour of their own to Western Province in April to announce their arrival on the cricketing stage.A story carried in last week’s report needs correction. Jason Lewis was left out of the final Under-19 touring party to New Zealand. It is understood that he had merely been put on standby – not officially selected.This Sunday Manicaland are due to play Mac Club from Bulawayo at Alex (Harare) whilst the second team play Alex II at Mutare Sports Club.

North Baddesley are firmly back in the title race following their comprehensive thrashing of fellow contenders Lymington. Written off just a week ago following their defeat against Bashley, Baddesley are just one of four teams still in with a chance of winning the New Forest Indoor Cricket League as the season reaches an exciting climax.Lymington recalled self-confessed slogger Peter Tapper to the team, but his inclusion made little difference as North Baddesley gave Lymo a harsh lesson in the art of indoor batting. With Jon Bance in unstoppable form Baddesley rattled up 141 for 4. His unbeaten 64 contained just two boundaries, emphasising the quality of his running between the wickets.Andrew Williams also chipped in with 28 not out, while Tapper took two wickets amidst all the carnage. Tapper’s early retirement gave Lymington hope, but they were always behind the clock and despite Matt Molloy’s spirited 35, they were bowled out in the eleventh over for 102.The win leaves Baddesley on the same number of points as second placed Lymington, but they remain one place below them courtesy of conceding more runs.Current champions Bashley remain top of the table – for the time being – despite completing their fixtures with a defeat at the hands of Cadnam. Neil Taylor was dropped four times on his way to 60 not out, but Cadnam still managed to restrict Bash to 106 for 5.Cadnam took less than ten overs to record a four wicket victory with Paul Kerley and Mike Caffyn both unbeaten on 25.The win leaves Cadnam rueing the two points that they recently had deducted for failing to supply a duty person – an oversight that may have cost them a chance of the title. Bashley, meanwhile, must rely on the three teams below them all losing their final matches in order to retain their title.New Milton could be the dark horses for the trophy as they hammered Burley by 66 runs. Highly rated Hampshire prospect David Wheeler amassed a classy 41 not out and Steve Taylor slogged an unbeaten 39 as Milton compiled up a huge 171 for 4 (Mark Randall-Turner 2-44).Burley’s Paul Yates may want to forget his final over which was flayed for 30 runs by the rampant Milton batsmen. Andy Snellgrove then continued his good season with 2 for 17 as Burley replied with 105 for 5.Cadnam Seconds clinched the Division Two title with a five wicket victory over their nearest rivals Godshill. Alan Northway (33) made the only score of note as Godshill were dismissed for 98. Paul Jewar (27no), Robert Jurd (25no) and Neil Garvey (26no) batted sensibly to ease Cadnam home with nine balls to spare.Lymington Seconds remain bottom of Division Two following their high scoring defeat against Pylewell Park. Tony Thorp struck a venomous 56 not out and Alan Spencer compiled a rather more sedate unbeaten 38 as Lymington totalled a creditable 136 for 4.Pylewell recovered from the early shock of losing Chris Todd and Trevor Mapes to rebuild through Steve Gates (38) and Pete Sturmey (35no). And with just one wicket remaining it was the wily old Sturmey who guided his team to an impressive victory by smashing a six off the fourth ball of the final over.Pylewell Seconds also recorded a good victory to keep them on course for promotion from Division Three. The Royan family once again shone with Uncle John scoring 26 not out, and nephew Wayne notching up an unbeaten 25 as Pylewell reached 127 for 2.Pennington had no answer to some tight Pylewell bowling and only Roger Porter (25no) looked in form as they were held to 79 for 3 in reply.