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Stuart MacGill guessed he would retire before Shane Warne, but now his long-term rival plans to leave the Test scene he is confident of being an international performer for another three years. MacGill, who might have played 100 Tests if he wasn’t an understudy for the past decade, said Warne’s decision had not changed his outlook.”I’m going to be playing every game with the intention of preparing myself so if the opportunity arises to play for Australia, I’m the guy,” he said in . In the MacGill said initially he did not believe the news about Warne departing at the SCG.”I was always under the impression that I would be out before Shane,” MacGill told the paper. “He’s still very able to compete at whatever level he chooses, but professional sport is about achieving goals and setting goals. I guess the first thing I thought this morning when I woke up was that how lucky I am that I still think that I’ve got things I want to do.”It would be a real shame to have heard the news and then think: ‘I’ve had enough too.’ I still really think I’ve got some significant contributions to make to Australian cricket and if I play well for NSW and continue to prepare well, then I will be in good shape if Australia needs me.”MacGill, who has appeared only for New South Wales this season and retired from the one-day game, said there was “definitely” a role for him at state and international level for the next two to three years. “It’s really important to have experienced bowlers to form part of your attack because we’ve encountered difficult situations before and had to deal with them,” he said in .In 40 Tests MacGill has 198 wickets at 27.20 and he wants to finish when the “time’s appropriate”. “That’s definitely not now,” he said. “Shane retiring hasn’t changed my outlook at all.”However, MacGill was not sure whether he would get a chance to partner Warne for the final time in the SCG Test. “I’m not really sure if I will play in Sydney, to be honest,” he said in the . “It’s not supposed to be easy to play Test cricket, and in a really kind of strange way, I’m kind of happy … I’m comfortable with the way things are going and know that I still have things that I want to get done in a blue cap and that might lead to a little more.”

Injury worries plagued both North Zone and Sri Lanka A ahead of their clash in the Duleep Trophy final at Kolkata tomorrow. VRV Singh, the Punjab fast bowler, has been ruled out with a viral fever while Malinda Warnapura, Sri Lanka A’s star batsman, and Upul Chandana, their legspinner, are unlikely starters.Warnapura, the only Sri Lankan batsman to score a hundred in the tournament, injured his shoulder during a fielding drill, while Chandana pulled a hamstring. Neither Warnapura or Chandana have been ruled out of the match and a decision will be taken tomorrow, according to the medical staff. The back-up options for both players are Jeewan Mendis, a left-handed batsman, and Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner with international experience. Ishara Amerasinghe and Kosela Kulasekara, both right-arm medium pace bowlers, are the other bowling options.The two captains, Mithun Manhas and Thilan Samaraweera, reckoned it was a good pitch to bat on after inspecting it during practice. “Its firm and should not break in five days,” said Manhas. “Gautam [Gambhir] and [Ashish] Nehra didn’t practice because they were yet to arrive, but we have no worries.”Sri Lanka A, in their Duleep Trophy debut, brushed aside West Zone by 195 runs before staging an improbable comeback, thanks to a battling lower order, against South Zone at this same venue. Samaraweera felt his side had the advantage. “We’ve been here [in Kolkata] longer than North Zone have, and we’ve played here before,” he said. “We’ve got contributions from everybody yet not many big scores from the top order. On such a pitch like the one here, it’s a case of getting runs on the board.”Sri Lanka A are the first foreign team to compete with the Indian zonal sides – after England A, Bangladesh Academy XI and Zimbabwe A had been completely outclassed. But they will need something special if they’re to upstage North Zone, a team with a record 16 Duleep Trophy titles.

ScorecardGrenada have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Stanford 20/20 tournament after their comprehensive six-wicket win against Dominica. Andre Fletcher, the Grenada opener, scored an unbeaten 47 as his side reached the target of 84 with ease. Earlier, Dominica failed to bat out their allotted 20 overs and were bowled out for a paltry 83, largely due to an impressive performance in the field by Grenada. Dominica got off to a disastrous start, losing three wickets before the fifth over, and their reckless running between the wickets didn’t help matters, with three run-outs in the innings. Fletcher got his team off to a good start, and held the innings together after his side lost four wickets relatively quickly.
ScorecardNevis recorded a thumping win over St. Kitts by seven wickets with nine overs to spare in their Stanford 20/20 match under lights. Chasing 101, opener Sherwin Woodley led the charge with an unbeaten 56, and his second-wicket stand of 67 with Kieran Powell (26) sealed the deal. Earlier, St. Kitts never recovered after paceman John Maynard ran through the top order with four wickets for only nine runs off his four overs. Opening bowlers Tonito Willet and Maynard left the opposition in tatters at 29 for 6, and the only resistance came from Jacques Taylor (41) and Colin Cannonier (16) taking the score to 90.The more established teams will play in the upcoming round of matches in order to secure the remaining quarter final spots. Barbados face Anguilla on July 18 while in a much anticipated double header on July 21, Guyana will take on Montserrat while Jamaica will play Bermuda. A depleted Trinidad and Tobago squad will play a confident Cayman Islands unit on July 25.

ScorecardIreland’s slow bowlers squeezed the life out of Windward Islands’ chase to secure a 64-run victory in a low-scoring contest at Queen’s Park Oval. George Dockrell, Andy McBrine and Paul Stirling bowled 22 overs of spin, out of the 35 Ireland needed to dismiss their opponents, and took 4 for 50.Only one Windward batsman – opener Tyrone Theophile – made it past 20 in the chase of 179 and they collapsed from 86 for 4 to 115 all out. Dockrell finished with 3 for 14 in seven overs.Ireland had also found it hard after choosing to bat. They lost wickets at regular intervals and, though their batsmen from Nos. 2 to 8 made it into double figures, Niall O’Brien (44) and Stuart Thompson (32) were the only ones to get past 20. They were able to convert a score of 98 for 5 to 179 in 48.3 overs. Delorn Johnson claimed 3 for 25 for Windward Islands.

To pull or not to pull? It is one of the more intriguing questions batsmen face. By choosing to take on the short ball, the intent is admirably purposeful. Never the shy, retiring type, Viv Richards said of the hook, a first cousin of the pull, “The fast bowler is testing your courage and your speed of reaction and you are trying to hit him either to, or over the boundary. You are telling the bully with the ball that you are not scared of anything he can send down at you.”It’s a fair point, for batsmen would much rather be accused of being compulsive hookers or pullers than being known for shuffling away to square leg when confronted by a short ball. Richards also likened hooking to riding a “roller coaster of risk,” and it is that risk which was rammed home to Pakistan today.Pakistan weren’t blown away by a short-ball barrage, as many had feared they might be. But they were hustled out by a judicious use of it. Three batsmen fell playing poor pulls, two of whom had been at the crease long enough to know better.Yasir Hameed and Younis Khan are not the two Y’s who normally put on big third-wicket partnerships for Pakistan but they had batted serenely enough to disentangle their side from a tricky position. As always, Younis let everyone know he was there; he clapped his own partner, nodded at bowlers who beat him, cheerily acknowledged fielders who athletically cut off his strokes and acknowledged his own shots, too.Hameed it was who appeared changed. It’s been 18 months since he last played a Test for Pakistan and longer since he was a regular. Not all of it was his own fault, for he was once dropped the match after scoring two fifties as opener in a Sydney Test. He had faults sure, chasing outside off with a relentlessness not seen since Smokey followed the Bandit. Gone was the urgency, the of his early years, replaced instead by an unsmiling grimness. If his shots weren’t so pretty, you’d be tempted to call him a grinder. But the timing remains, evidenced in a drive or two and a ridiculously good flicked six over square leg.Both knocks ended badly, as did Faisal Iqbal’s short stay immediately after, the three taking Richards advice gleefully, though not perhaps balancing it with that element of risk the great man pointed out as an afterthought.Mind you, the wickets weren’t pure freebies; they were just reward for the hosts. South Africa lacked a little fizz, perhaps understandably hungover from the monumental effort required to beat India. Nobody could blame them for that Test ended less than a week ago and by the time this one ends, it will be their fourth in a month.Bob Woolmer rightly complained about ‘nonsensical’ schedules which allow sides little time to acclimatize but South Africa might also back up the grievance in a different context: there just isn’t enough time for fast bowlers to rest. Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini bowled over a hundred overs each in the series against India and Andre Nel would have done comfortably had he played the last Test. Allan Donald advocating resting one or two key bowlers at some stage is increasingly sounding like sound, sagely advice.Yet, as you would expect of bowlers as wholehearted as this trio, they collectively muscled through the day, bowling 56 overs between them. Ntini hustled, Nel bristled and Pollock plotted, to lesser degrees than you might expect admittedly, but they eventually turned what could have been a long, flat day into a surprisingly profitable one. Run-rates never got out of hand, even during the afternoon session when no wickets fell, the fielding rarely lagged and the day ended just about in even balance.Pakistan, though, might rue not finding a balance between the bravado Viv Richards trumpeted and what another decent bat once suggested. Swaying out of the way, David Gower once wrote, avoiding the short ball can often “be more disconcerting to the bowler than attacking him…you commit the bowler to a growing sense of frustration, a loss of temper or control, or a change of tactics, which must work to your advantage.”

Challenging light conditions and a system crash contributed to the unavailability of ball-tracking for an lbw appeal against Jason Holder late on the final day of the Boxing Day Test, the technology operators EagleEye have revealed.An ageing ball and stark shadows across the MCG were making it difficult for ball-tracking cameras to pick up the ball to a level that satisfied the technology’s handlers, causing them to state to the broadcast producer that they could not provide a ball-tracking model of the Holder lbw appeal immediately.When EagleEye operators then attempted to track the Peter Siddle delivery via Nine’s video footage – the secondary option – a system crash meant they were unable to do so in time for the DRS referral, though it was shown later to demonstrate the ball was missing leg stump.Such eventualities are accounted for in DRS protocols, with the third umpire Ian Gould duly compelled to return to the on-field umpire Marais Erasmus’ original decision of not out. Australia did not lose a review as a result of the course of events. Ian Taylor, head of the New Zealand company Animation Research that provides EagleEye for the broadcaster Channel Nine, said the firm took responsibility for the outcome.”The guys weren’t happy with the first data they got because of a lighting issue so they did a re-track from the video. Unfortunately when they did that the system crashed and they lost the video,” Taylor told ESPNcricinfo. “Doing the re-track without the video takes much longer.”They had to let the producer know they weren’t happy with what they had and advised him there was no useable track available at the time. That is part of the protocol and in that case ‘umpire’s call’ stands. They did retrieve the track in the end but it was too late to use, but they did put it to air.”I want to be clear this is our responsibility. We weren’t able to track this ball to a satisfactory standard and said so.”Taylor said this was only the third such occasion that EagleEye operators had needed to indicate they were unhappy with the data they were getting, in an association with cricket in Australia that dates back to the 2010-11 Ashes summer. By contrast, Taylor said that the Marlon Samuels lbw in the first innings of the match – considered by many to be out though tracking had the ball clearing the stumps – was not a source of consternation for the company.”They were happy with it,” Taylor said of the operators at the MCG. “Side-on showed he was on his tip toes and he was hit on the top of the pad. They felt happy with that tracking, based on what the side-on cameras showed.”There are ongoing discussions between technology operators and the ICC about how to further improve the system, including the advent of a specialist third umpires rather than the current rotation between on-field and off-field duty. It is believed that this concept is also supported by the umpires themselves, as they find it difficult to make the adjustment from the instincts required in the middle to the data analysis of the television review job.Taylor is also an advocate for a system of universal DRS training to be undertaken by umpires and technology operators alike, so all are accredited with the same knowledge base and thus have a greater degree of trust in each other. The Holder lbw was discussed between the match referee Chris Broad and officials from both teams following the conclusion of the Test. Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann said his team remained staunch supporters of the system.”You just want them to get it right, that’s all, make sure the technology is up to speed,” Lehmann said. “Everyone loves it, we’re pro it, it’s just making sure they get it right. It was missing leg stump, they handled it well from a match referee/ICC point of view, where we didn’t lose a review, got that back. Making sure it’s working 100% of the time is the key.”

Spectators at the Gabba will not be evicted for shouting no-ball when Muttiah Muralitharan bowls in the first Test but they will be removed immediately if they start monkey chants. Andrew Symonds was subjected to the animal taunts during the one-day tour of India last month and while Cricket Australia does not expect any reprisals it has adopted strong anti-racism measures for the series against Sri Lanka and India.Comments from Ricky Ponting about poor crowd behaviour will be shown on big screens at the Gabba and 70 closed-circuit television cameras will be used to monitor the spectators. A “dob in a yob” programme is also available for fans to report any offensive actions, but that won’t include screaming no-ball at Murali, who was called for throwing at the MCG in 1995.Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, said he was not aware of any racist behaviour directed at the Sri Lankans on his previous tours. “Crowds have been tough on certain players, but we’ve never had an incident,” he said. “Racism is something I firmly believe is not part of cricket. People should have the freedom to express themselves in the middle no matter their background or religion.”Peter Young, Cricket Australia’s anti-racism officer, said players “expect to cop an earful” from the crowds in Australia. “It’s what happens in any major sport here,” he said. “But we’re not expecting a problem with racism.”Cricket Australia has met with Sri Lankan officials and adopted the stance following discussions with the ICC. “There is no place for racism in cricket,” Young said, “and we are implementing a global policy.”

Canada’s wicketkeeper-batsman Ashish Bagai has won the inaugural World Cricket League player of the tournament award after dominating with the bat for his country in Kenya.Bagai, 25, has been hugely impressive during the tournament, scoring two centuries and one fifty at an average of 86.25, including a top score of 137 not out in his side’s thrilling seven-run defeat to finalists Scotland.Bagai compiled eight player of the tournament points in five matches, as decided by the two on-field umpires in each game, putting him two clear points ahead of his next rival, Ireland’s opening batsman William Porterfield.At the end of each game, the on-field umpires elected their top three players in order. Three points went to the player of the match, two to the second best player and one to the third. The player of the tournament was decided by adding together all the points.Bagai picked up his award at the closing ceremony in Nairobi on Monday night. It was presented to him by tournament referee Roshan Mahanama.”It is a great thrill for me to win this award,” said Bagai. “I am really psyched and it is great for my confidence ahead of the World Cup. I had no idea I had won the man of the tournament. David [Obuya of Kenya] and Porterfield did very well. I knew I was close but those guys had great tournaments too.”With attentions now turning towards the World Cup, Bagai said he could not be happier with his preparations. “It has been perfect. I was at the winter training camp in Pretoria [late last year]. That was perfect for me – I really felt I improved. And then we had a hard-fought ODI series in Mombasa and then the World Cricket League. It has been ideal preparation.”

Scorecard

Malaysia came back from the brink of defeat to tie with Nepal and give themselves a slim chance of making the semis of the ACC women’s tournament. Chasing 74 for victory Nepal were all out for 73 with ten balls remaining.Alessandra Shunmugam ensured Malaysia won’t go away from the tournament with after dismissing Nepal’s final batsman to ensure a tie.After choosing to bat, Malaysia’s meagre 73 seemed far from enough, but Nepal’s own collapse following a comparatively steady start resulted in a rare tie. Extras were, predictably, the top score for both sides – Malaysia giving away 27. More streamlined bowling could have helped them to their first win. It was not to be.Arina Rahim was the only Malaysia player to reach double figures – she made 16, which proved the highest score in the match. Nepal’s openers Ritu Kanoujiya and Manisha Rawal each made 13 as they put on a promising 29 for the first wicket. As wickets tumbled but the score was edging closer to the total, Shanmugan held her nerve as Keshari Chaudhari was caught by Zoe Anne Landry for a second-ball duck.Shanmugan, the first-change bowler, grabbed 2 for 13, while the best bowler was Nur Aishah, who returned 3 for 15.Malaysia steadily accumulated runs against an attack which rarely bowled anything loose. Malaysia’s batters never quite trusted themselves to go for big shots on a sluggish pitch of low bounce.The left-arm seamer Nary Mager shone again for the visitors and Neera Rathopadya showed that against decent spin, batsmen new to the game can be really made to struggle. Going in to lunch Malaysia would have been happy with 73, Nepal certainly fancied their chances of getting the runs.Playing straight more times than not, Nepal’s opening pair put on 29 in 10 overs before Manisha Rawal was bowled by one from Aisha Ali which kept low. Rain then fell, with play held up for two hours. Malaysia came out the sharper and within minutes of the resumption thanks to two run-outs in two balls (Nepal’s best bat Madhu Thapa dismissed without facing a ball) and another run-out four balls later, Nepal were 42 for 4 in the 14 th over. That became 45 for 5 and then 52 for 8 by the end of the 20th. Malaysia’s young bowlers were on fire, the fielders could do no wrong and Nepal were staring defeat in the face.Nepal’s men and youth teams have shown over the years that they’re fighters and Nepal’s women did the same in this match, too. The ninth-wicket pair of Neera Rajaopadhya and Sita Mager simply blocked and played percentage cricket and the game started getting more and more interesting.The pressure unfortunately got to Malayia’s off-spinner Rewina Mohammed. She got the yips and bowled six wides in her second over, the 24 th of the innings. Malaysia’s ace bowlers Winiefred Duraisingham and Landry had bowled themselves out by now.With Malaysia only having five bowlers and one of them, Rosmawati Zamahuri, not fancying a bowl, Malaysia’s captain Rahim had no choice but to bowl herself in the 28th over and did a pretty good job by only conceding 2 runs. By now however, Nepal were on 72, Rajaopadhya and Mager still at the crease.Two overs left, two runs wanted for victory. “I trusted my team. I always believed we could win,” said Malaysia’s captain Rahim. Shunmugam, the schoolgirl left-arm spinner, came on to bowl. The field came in. A wide tied the scores.The second legitimate ball of the over saw Rajaopadhya come down the wicket and miss, and a smart-piece of work by Eliani had the bails off. Nepal’s last bat Chaudhari walked in, looking ever so tense. Another dot ball. Next ball, going for a huge pull over the top, left-hander Chaudhari sliced to point and Landry took a super catch low to her left.Malaysia were ecstatic, Nepal miserable. For both sides it was their just their second full international match, many of those playing were girls more than women. All are young in playing years.”There were tears on the bus back to the hotel,” said Malaysia’s coach Kalidas. “Tears of joy, tears of sadness tears of amazement at the realisation of how incredible this game of cricket can be.”The result means that a semi-final place is still open to both teams, with Malaysia’s match against Thailand on Monday likely to be the determining one.