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Cameron White, the Australian allrounder, has been named as the Somerset captain in place of the injured Ian Blackwell, who has been ruled out for at least three months with a shoulder injury.White, 22, has led Victoria and Australia Under-19s during his short career and was handed the role ahead of Matthew Wood, the opening batsman. White told the club’s website: “I am very honoured to be asked to take on this job with Somerset. Obviously I’m sorry for Ian, who is a great guy, and I hope he gets himself fixed and back out on the park.”Blackwell picked up his injury during the Championship match against Leicestershire and needs surgery. He had only just returned to action after a back problem limited his early season action. The time frame for Blackwell’s injury means he’ll miss out on the Natwest Series against Sri Lanka and probably also the Pakistan series towards the end of the summer.With Ashley Giles still some way off making a return to international cricket, Blackwell was beginning to cement a spot as England’s leading one-day slow bowler with his nagging left-arm spin.

The confusion over the telecast rights for the India-Australia Test series shows no signs of ending. Just a day after the Indian board announced that Sony would telecast the series live, Zee Telefilms moved the Supreme Court and asked it to stop this from happening, reported NDTV. To complicate matters further, Prasar Bharati, the national broadcaster, stated that it would go to court as well to challenge the decision.”Prasar Bharati had bid higher than Sony in the initial bids invited by the BCCI for telecast rights,” KS Sarma, the chief executive of Prasar Bharati, told Press Trust of India. “However, the BCCI favoured Sony. We will challenge the issue in [the] Supreme Court.” Prasar Bharati’s bid amount was Rs704crore (approx US$153million), compared to Sony’s Rs600crore (US$130million).Another reason why Prasar Bharati, the parent company of Doordarshan, decided to take the board to court, Sarma said, was because the BCCI had earlier suggested that Doordarshan would telecast the feed, which would be produced by the board itself. “And now what we hear is a totally different thing.”If Zee does manage to get a stay from the Supreme Court, it will seriously jeopardise the chances of a live telecast of the first Test, which starts on Wednesday, October 6.

Brian Lara was quick to point out the ills of day-night matches after West Indies convincingly beat South Africa in a day game at Centurion to register their first win of the five-match one-day series. Lara, who scored an unbeaten 59 from just 37 balls to guide West Indies home, felt that the toss played too much of a factor in day-night matches, with the team bowling under lights almost assured of a win.”Finally, we got a game where the toss didn’t matter,” Lara said. “It’s a bit disappointing that we will play four of the five games under lights. It’s unfair to both teams. Conditions are so much in favour of the side bowling second, it’s ridiculous. Today cricket was the winner, and the spectators loved it.” West Indies batted under lights in the first two ODIs and managed just 54 and 162.With the last match, at Johannesburg, scheduled to be another day-night encounter, Lara predicted that the toss would be a huge factor again. “We’re going to the Wanderers on Wednesday, and you wonder what’s going to happen come 6.30 or 7pm.”Speaking about the match itself, Lara was all praise for his batsmen and scoffed at Graeme Smith’s suggestion that South Africa lost because the team was exhausted. “Graeme Smith loses one game against us and his team is tired? West Indies are fighting on, we’ve had so many injuries and haven’t complained.” Keeping the win in perspective, Lara added: “We’re not going to go overboard with this win. We need to win the next game, and we’ll go home a lot happier.” A win at Johannesburg will level the series 2-2, with rain having washed out the third match at Durban.For Smith, it wasn’t the ideal present on his 23rd birthday, and he identified indisciplined bowling as the primary reason for the defeat. “We weren’t good today. On a very good batting pitch you need to be precise, and we weren’t. It’s back to the drawing board now, learn from this and come back stronger at the Wanderers.”

The three Somerset players, Ian Blackwell, Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick who are part of the England camp `down under’ have sent a Christmas message back to all of their loyal fans back at home.Ian Blackwell told me: "Please you can wish all of our supporters back in the west country a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from the Somerset trio."Whilst the two senior England players were preparing for the Melbourne Test that starts on Boxing Day, `Blackie’ has a few days away from the spotlight before the next international against the old enemy in Hobart on January 13th.Reflecting on the situation in the VB One Day series he told me: " Well, four games gone for us `Poms’ and a place in the finals beckons. I have been very pleased with my performance and contributions considering I have been carrying a couple of painful niggles, a dodgy knee, a slightly pulled achilles and sore heel which have both come from over bowling in the nets."With regard to his own selection for the World Cup he said: " Lets hope the press are right and that I have done enough to secure a spot for South Africa.I would be very disappointed not to be going. Lets hope these next few weeks before the next one dayer will enable my body to heal and also relax whilst watching someone else put in the hard yards!"Closer to home Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson and new chairman Giles Clarke also had seasonal messages for all Cidermen fans across the region.Peter Anderson told me: "This is the time of year when we should all have huge smiles on our faces, because this is a time to celebrate all the good things about being decent human beings."The Somerset boss continued: "Whilst our members and supporters were disappointed last season we are grateful for the generous attitude that they displayed to both the club and the players. We all need to look ahead and smile at the expectation of better things to come."He concluded: "I would like to wish all Somerset supporters and their families a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas."Newly appointed chairman Giles Clarke told me: "I must be the luckiest person in the world to have received the best Christmas present ever. To be appointed as chairman of a great club like Somerset is clearly a tremendous honour."The new chairman concluded: "I hope to serve you all with distinction and in thanking you for your confidence I would like to wish you and your families a meaningful Christmas and a very successful New Year."

Six months ago, in Shaun Pollock’s first Test match as captain, a ragged South African side lost by an innings and 15 runs to Sri Lanka in Galle. At Newlands on Thursday the wheel turned full circle as South Africa crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 229 runs inside three days in the second Castle Lager/MTN Test match.It was South Africa’s largest margin of victory and Pollock, named man of the match after scything through the Sri Lankan first innings with figures of six for 30, had every reason to be proud of the achievement.

“We’ve come a long since then as a team,” he said afterwards. “We’ve got a really well-balanced unit and the guys are confident and playing good cricket.”In the unenviable position of losing captain, Sanath Jayasuriya also spoke afterwards, mentioning a little bit of bad luck here and there, but he put his finger on it when he said, in so many words, that after being bowled out for 95, Sri Lanka didn’t have a prayer.He conceded that Sri Lanka’s problems started at the top of the order where he and Marvan Atapattu simply haven’t been able to get going and acknowledged that “the boys are a bit down”.Which seems fair understatement. Sri Lanka were simply blown away in this Test match with the last day no different from the first and second. South Africa batted on in the morning, reaching 504 for six as Lance Klusener crunched Russel Arnold for a straight six and promptly managed to get himself out next ball for 97.Pollock said he had been looking for a 400 lead – “It’s almost a psychological thing that’s impossible to get over” – and had left the batsmen out there for an over or two more to allow Klusener to get his hundred.With Klusener’s dismissal Pollock called the batsmen off and gave his bowlers five overs at the Sri Lankans before lunch. Mfuneko Ngam had Jayasuriya caught in the gully off the eighth ball of the innings and it was downhill for Sri Lanka from there on.Ngam nipped Kumar Sangakkara out shortly after lunch, Pollock had Atapattu trapped leg before and although there was some resistance from Mahela Jayawardene, who made a gutsy 45, and Arnold, the introduction of Nicky Boje spun out the middle order before and after tea.Chaminda Vaas biffed and banged his way to 38 off 26 balls, but the tide had already come in for Sri Lanka and Ngam, perhaps fittingly, finished it all off when Dilhara Fernando gloved a catch to Mark Boucher.It was as complete a performance as the South Africans could have hoped for, achieved on a fast, bouncy pitch of which the home team were able to fully express themselves.As well as South Africa played, though, Sri Lanka were feeble opponents in this match. After being 13 for four on the first day, they seemed to lose all self-belief and although there were occasional individual contributions here and there, collectively they were a shambles.Jayasuriya said that the four one-day internationals now coming up might allow Sri Lanka to regroup, but on the evidence of the last three days at Newlands, the stuffing has been knocked out of the tourists. Unless they are able to prove otherwise, their tour might already be over to all intents and purposes.

ScorecardNasir Hossain’s five-for included the wickets of Suresh Raina and Unmukt Chand•PTI

A sparkling all-round performance from Nasir Hossain led Bangladesh A to a 65-run win against India A in the second one-dayer, helping them level the series 1-1. Coming in at 82 for 5 in the 19th over, Nasir pulled Bangladesh A out of troubled waters with an unbeaten hundred, his third in List A matches, to lead them to a competitive 252 for 8 and then took five wickets, including those of Unmukt Chand and Suresh Raina, to make the win comfortable in the end.The India A chase looked on course when they were 119 for 1 in the 28th over, with Chand on 56, and even when Raina smacked Rubel Hossain for a six three overs later with the hosts needing 116 runs from 19 overs. But Nasir had Chand caught behind down the leg side, and had Raina and Karun Nair stumped within four balls to leave India A struggling at 146 for 5.Bangladesh A captain Mominul Haque brought Rubel back into the attack immediately from the other end, and the bowler did the needful by removing Sanju Samson for a golden duck and Karn Sharma for 2. Nasir then knocked over Rishi Dhawan’s off stump, also for a duck, thwarting India’s chance of a win.

India A captain Unmukt Chand on…

Squandering the start after Bangladesh A were 82 for 5
“We could not capitalise on the early wickets between the 20th and the 40th overs, we probably could have had more intensity on the ground.”
If complacency crept in while batting
“If there was any scope of complacency, it was in this match and we were a bit complacent, to be honest. We’ll probably come back stronger in the next match.”
Reasons for losing the match
“On wickets like these, it is important to hang in in there. It’s just a matter of staying there and letting the partnership flourish. I got out, then Manish got out, then all of us got out in quick succession. We didn’t have partnerships and that was the reason we lost this match.”
If 253 was chaseable
“Of course it was achievable on this wicket and with this outfield. In the last match also we saw runs are possible here and we were 120 for 1. But there were soft dismissals and this shows you what cricket is all about.”

Mayank Agarwal had given the chase an attacking start with three fours within the first four overs but fell to Rubel’s pace while going for a drive, for 24. Chand then took charge, alongside a circumspect Manish Pandey, and hit three fours in the ninth over off Shafiul Islam to push the run rate towards five. He was dropped on 21 by Liton Das off Rubel, and cashed in to cross 50 and take his team past 100. With things not going Bangladesh A’s way, Mominul used seven bowlers by the 27th over in a bid to break a partnership that grew to 88.It worked when Chand edged one off Nasir and Pandey made room against Rubel three overs later only to find his middle stump scattered. Rubel and Nasir combined to take six wickets for 20 runs and Gurkeerat Singh was the only batsman to hang on, scoring a 30-ball 34, before he ran out of partners.Earlier, put in to bat, Bangladesh A were thrown off track by double blows from Dhawan and legspinner Karn after they lost Rony Talukdar early. Soumya Sarkar and Anamul Haque had just started to push the throttle after a watchful and edgy fifty-run stand for the second wicket when Dhawan struck. Sarkar, who had been dropped twice, dragged one onto his stumps for 24 and Dhawan got Mominul’s edge in his next over. Three overs later Karn took a return catch off Anamul for 34 and struck Sabbir Rahman’s middle stump, after the batsman stepped out and missed, to leave the side at 82 for 5.The innings was resurrected by two crucial stands – the sixth-wicket partnership between Liton and Nasir for 70 runs, and seventh-wicket one between Nasir and Arafat Sunny for 50. Liton led the first partnership, collecting four fours between the 18th and 21st overs, and the two batsmen had just settled down when Dhawan came back for his second spell and Liton pulled him straight to the deep square leg fielder for 45.It was a Nasir Hossain show from there. The pitch seemed better for batting and he farmed the strike in the company of Sunny, Shafiul and Rubel. Soon after he brought up his fifty with a sweep in the 37th over, he smashed Karn over long-off like a confident top-order batsman for six. After Sunny and Shafiul fell within 16 balls, Nasir provided a strong finish by smacking Raina for three fours in an over – a slog sweep and two cover drives – to race from 76 to 88. With three overs still to go, he reached the three-figure mark off 94 balls and took his team single-handedly past 250, collecting 41 runs in the last five overs with the tail-enders

The Rajasthan Royals have drafted in Darren Lehmann, the former Australian batsman, to fill in for Graeme Smith, who has been called up by the Cape Cobras for the business end of the Standard Bank Pro20 Series, South Africa’s domestic Twenty20 tournament.Smith, the South Africa captain, is out of the Royals’ first two matches – against the Delhi Daredevils on April 19 and Kings XI Punjab on the 21st – and will miss the third on April 24th if the Cobras qualify for the final. That will also put him in doubt for the match against the Bangalore Royal Challengers on the 26th.Lehmann, 38, has been confirmed for the first two games, but it’s likely he will stay on if Smith’s return is delayed. Lehmann, who was not involved in any of the IPL’s player auctions, made his farewell appearance for South Australia during the 2007-08 season, marking the end of a prolific first-class career in which he scored more than 25,000 runs at an average of 57.83.He will be coached and captained by Shane Warne, his former Australia team-mate, who offered the invitation. “It’s all happened so quickly,” Lehmann told the Advertiser. “They needed someone as cover for Graeme Smith so I didn’t hesitate to put my hand up. It will be good playing in the same side as Warney.”

Captain Stephen Fleming Coach Mick Newell Overseas Fleming (New Zealand) and David Hussey (Australia)
They will still be scratching their heads around Trent Bridge as to how they find themselves in Division Two. But two years after winning the Championship they now have to battle back into the top flight. The revolving door has been busy over the winter, Mick Newell actually started recruiting before they were relegated by acquiring the talented Will Jefferson from Essex. He is one of three significant signings with the bat – alongside Mark Wagh and the returning Bilal Shafayat – which should more than cover for the loss of Darren Bicknell, Will Smith and Russell Warren. If the seam attack can stay fit, led by the exciting Charlie Shreck, promotion will be well within their grasp come September, so long as they aren’t still haunted by the events which sent them down. Andrew McGlashan
Bright young thing Mark Footitt – Has struggled with injury and form since being touted as an England prospect two years and played just one match in 2006. Time is still on his side but needs to rebuild confidence.
Wise old head Mark Ealham – Still just about going strong, and even though his medium-pace becomes more military by the year still picks up wickets. With the bat he continues to hit as far and hard as anyone.

Captain Ed Smith Coach Richard Pybus Overseas Murali Kartik (India) and Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
On the plus side, it is almost impossible for 2007 to be as bad as 2006, which was the county’s worst season by some way. They were relegated – finishing bottom – in both the Championship and Pro40, and so bad had things become that even the usually placid membership started to grumble. The batting wasn’t too bad – four players topped 1000 runs – but the bowling was dire. The winter has seen changes, perhaps the most significant being the appointment of Richard Pybus as coach, an acknowledgement that John Emburey’s all-compassing director of cricket role did not work. On the field Ed Smith replaces Ben Hutton as captain, so expect no room for slackers, but despite the signing of Murali Kartik and Chaminda Vaas, the bowling still appears to lack bite. The arrival of Kartik signals the end of a long line of home-grown spinners, while the re-signing of Richard Johnson is mystifying – in the last two seasons at Taunton he managed 42 wickets at 42. The squad, while much younger than of late, is as big as many in the Premiership, but that will not guarantee success. Martin Williamson
Bright young thing Nick Compton – Started last summer on the fringes but finished with 1315 runs at 46.96. Confident and good to watch, he is one for the future and will thrive in the lower divisions.
Wise old head Chris Silverwood – The county’s best bowler in 2006 by a country mile, and in Division Two of the Championship he will be even more effective.

Captain Ronnie Irani Coach Graham Gooch Overseas players Andy Bichel (Australia), Danish Kaneria (Pakistan), Andre Nel (South Africa)
For the last three seasons now, Essex have been bridesmaids in the battle for Championship promotion. Last year was their closest effort yet, but Worcestershire caught the bouquet ahead of them, taking the second promotion spot on the final day of the season. Hopes again rest on the potency of the seam attack but Darren Gough’s departure, World Cup commitments and injury problems leave a threadbare appearance early on. One-day prospects look much brighter – they are the reigning Pro40 champions – with a powerful batting line-up augmented by a quintet of spinners all capable of putting the squeeze on during the middle of an innings. The spin quins are Danish Kaneria, James Middlebrook, Tim Phillips and Grant Flower. Jenny Thompson
Bright young thing Maurice Chambers – Has made encouraging strides over the close season, with some impressive figures during England’s under-19 tour to Malaysia in January and February. He kept the seasoned professionals on their toes during pre-season nets at Chelmsford and will be pushing strongly for selection for the opening Championship match at home against Derbyshire.
Wise old head Alex Tudor – Was the only available experiencedquickie at the time of writing. He proved his fitness in 2006 by appearing in the last 10 Championship matches in a row and has impressed during pre-season. Still harbours pretensions to be a genuine allrounder, even in his 30th year.

Captain Jeremy Snape Coach Tim Boon Overseas players RP Singh (India), Mansoor Amjad (Pakistan)
Leicestershire’s promotion chances may be let down by their batting department, with no new players and Darren Maddy having left to go to Warwickshire. HD Ackerman will be leaned on. And they could be shorn of Stuart Broad and Paul Nixon for most of the season if the duo are required for England duty. Mansoor Amjad and RP Singh, at least, add balance to a bowling attack. Their mastery of the short game remains, though, as reigning Twenty20 champions. Jenny Thompson
Bright young thing Stuart Broad – At 6 ft 8 and still growing and with a sparky temperament to boot, I’d hesitate to call Broad a ‘thing’. He’s certainly bright and young. He started life as a batsman, but it’s his pace that has carried him to England’s one-day set-up.
Wise old head Jeremy Snape – The captain is wise indeed, with a masters in sports psychology he put to good use trying to get into England’s heads in the Caribbean. He knows his team pretty thoroughly, too.

Captain Simon Katich Coach David Houghton Overseas players Katich, Travis Birt (Australia)
There isn’t yet an end-of-season prize to award the county which has improved most but, if there had been, Derbyshire would have taken it last year. Can they continue their revitalisation? With their crop of new winter signings, their squad has a solid and dependable feel to it. Ian Harvey (now a British resident) adds sparkle; Simon Katich brings experience and class to their batting, and Phil Weston’s defection from Gloucestershire further bolsters the top order. The bowling is less sure of itself, though the addition of Boyd Rankin, Ireland’s 6ft 8in fast bowler might be a master stroke. It remains to be seen how his frame will withstand the rigours of county cricket’s treadmill but, pleasingly, Derbyshire are for the first time in years a side worth keeping an eye on. Will Luke
Bright young thing Wayne White – Chalky, as he is predictably nicknamed, is highly thought of at Derbyshire. An aspiring allrounder, he was sidelined for much of 2006 with a stress fracture – but returned at the season end to take four wickets against Surrey.
Wise old head Graeme Welch – Consistently reliable seamer and bolsters the lower-order. Experienced and vital to Derbyshire’s one-day cause.

Captain David Sales Coach David Capel Overseas Chris Rogers (Australia) and Johann van der Wath (South Africa)
Considering they lost their coach, Kepler Wessels, midway through last season the club did remarkably well to hold it together. David Capel now has control of the side for a full season, and a few new faces to work with. Four batsmen passed 1000 runs in 2006 and the prolific Chris Rogers – tipped to replace Justin Langer in the Australian Test team – returns and Johann van der Wath, the South African allrounder unlucky to miss out on the World Cup, is the second overseas. van der Wath alongside Lance Klusener means one-day cricket should be the strongest suit, while Richard Dawson’s arrival from Yorkshire should, in part, cover for the loss of Monty Panesar. It’ll be the bowling that is likely to once again prevent promotion with not much fire power in the seam department. One interesting selection poser will be the choice between Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien and Riki Wessels. Andrew McGlashan
Bright young thing Graeme White – a raw left-arm spinner with England U-19 experience who could earn chances when the pitches start to turn.
Wise old head David Sales – A reliable presence in the middle order and a maturing captain who works well with Capel.

Captain Jon Lewis Overseas players Hamish Marshall (New Zealand),Marcus North, Ashley Noffke (Australia)
The midwinter clear out leaves Gloucestershire a little short in experience, and still significantly bereft of star names. Expect Lewis to bowl as per the conditions: lethal during May; tidy and consistent thereafter, so long as he’s not carrying the drinks for England. Phil Weston and Martin Ball will both be missed heavily though, but the harshest blow is the unavailability of Umar Gul, who has been refused permission to play by the PCB. Alex Gidman’s terrific season last year (named the club’s Player of the Year with 1244 Championship runs) will hopefully not be a one-off. Will Luke
Bright young thing Vikram Banerjee – Bradford born; Cambridge educated and now Bristol bounce. A tidy young left-armer who was part of the ECB’s “emerging players” squad, he showed great promise for the combined universities side last year. Could be thrown into the deep end.
Wise old head Jon Lewis – As long as England don’t poach him, which is anyone’s guess, Lewis is the most dependable swinger on the circuit if not the most scything of strike bowlers.

Captain David Hemp Coach Adrian Shaw Overseas player Jimmy Maher, Matthew Elliott (Australia)
David Hemp must have thought the start of his captaincy couldn’t get trickier when Glamorgan’s redevelopment of Sofia Gardens threatened to come at a heavy cost – no overseas player. Happily, a benefactor put their money where their heart is to pay for the Australian opener Jimmy Maher. More good news: Simon Jones’ recovery is coming along well, although he may be off on England duty. There’s a new coach, too, Adrian Shaw replaces John Derrick as the club search to put an end to a few disappointing years. Jenny Thompson
Bright young thing Ben Wright – Has the right stuff in him to make it. He blasted 72 for Glamorgan on debut and tucked two fine half-centuries under his belt in pre-season. Simon Jones revealed: “Ben’s a confident kid. He has certainly tried to smash me all over the place.”
Wise old head David Hemp – Goes into his 17th year on the county circuit fit and enthusiastic as ever. He brings back some World Cup experience from the Caribbean, having represented Bermuda and top-scored with 76 not out against India.

Captain Justin Langer Coach Andy Hurry Overseas Justin Langer and Cameron White (Australia)
The only way is up after a depressing 2006 where they propped up the second division and as with every new season comes refreshed hope. Whether that his blind hope remains to be seen, but there is the core of a strong side at Taunton. Ian Blackwell’s form and fitness, the latter restricting him to two matches last summer, is key as he brings balance to the team with his destructive batting and tight left-arm spin. Opposition bowlers won’t enjoy trips to the South West, faced with an opening partnership of Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick; one a left-hander ready to enjoy the twilight of his career, the other trying to rebuild his. Add Cameron White and runs won’t be in short supply, but a major question mark surrounds the bowling which will rely heavily on Andrew Caddick, who probably still thinks he is worth an England place. Andrew McGlashan
Bright young thing Mike Munday – 22-year-old legspinner who is rated highly by Terry Jenner and has spent a season in Australia. Now needs to be tested during the rigous of a county season.
Wise old head Andrew Caddick – Keeps charging in year in, year out on Taunton featherbeds which would have broken many a bowler.

Lakshmipathy Balaji, the Indian fast bowler, says he is ready to take a fitness test this week to be in contention for the tour to West Indies. Balaji has not played international cricket since August 2005 due to a stress fracture of the back, but hopes to be in the Test side that will be announced after the third one-day international at St. Kitt’s on May 23.”It is a challenge. You have to face up to it. I am to be tested for match fitness by Indian team trainer John Gloster in Mumbai next week. If everything goes well, I will be in contention for a place [for the West Indies tour],” Balaji said while at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai. “Everything is going as per plan. Doctors in Melbourne told me that I should be bowling again in May second week. I am now to prove my match fitness to Gloster.”Balaji’s injury woes began in India’s tour to England in 2004, following which he was out of action for almost a year. Nine wickets in three Tests against Pakistan at home in early 2005, a comeback series in which he displayed appreciable control and swing, were followed by an indifferent ODI series in Sri Lanka after which he was dropped and faced a recurrence of the injury.Choosing not to comment on his axing from the side, Balaji said the injury had played a bigger role in his being sidelined. “It was stress fracture of the lower back, which surfaced last November. It could not be properly diagnosed here,” Balaji said. “But Dr John Graham of Melbourne, where I spent 20 days, advised me against surgery.”Having rehabilitated himself over the months since his last appearance for India, Balaji believed he had come a full circle and was confident of a spot in the West Indies, where India will play four Tests.

In the aftermath of their humiliation in the first Test at Lord’s, Bangladesh’s coach, Dav Whatmore, has predicted that more misery lies ahead in the second Test at the Riverside, which begins this Friday.Whatmore, who cut a disconsolate figure as he raked over a succession of batting and fielding disasters at Lord’s, predicted a greener, more alien surface at Chester-le-Street, and feared that the worst could yet be to come, against an England attack that was pumped up by the ease of their opening victory.”You might think things couldn’t get any worse, but we fully expect the Durham Test to be harder,” Whatmore told the BBC Sport website. “England’s confidence is even further elevated while we have to pick up the pieces. If they prepare a wicket that’s a bit sporty it’s going to be extremely difficult.”Although he was disappointed with his team’s performance, Whatmore emphasised that there was a time and a place for in-house criticism. “We’re not getting too emotional,” he said. “I have been known to really give it to the players, but my stomach tells me when the time is right to do that and this is not the time. Right now I have to encourage them rather than yell at them.”Whatmore singled out one or two of his players for limited praise, including Mashrafe Mortaze, who bowled with heart for his two wickets, and Khaled Mashud, whose second-innings 44 was their highest score of the match. “We’re trying very hard to focus purely in the areas that we messed up in,” he said, “mainly in the batting.”And Whatmore concluded: “I’m very impressed with the home attack. They’ve got a group of guys that will just go at it all the time with a lot of spirit. But I have my own players to think about first and foremost.”