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Marlon Samuels’ two-year ban for providing information to a bookmaker has been upheld after an ICC committee determined the West Indies Cricket Board had handled the case appropriately.In May, Samuels was suspended for two years by the WICB’s disciplinary committee for breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct for “receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute”.Samuels was allegedly caught on tape in February 2007 passing on match-related information to an Indian bookmaker during West Indies’ ODI series in India.An ICC committee headed by Michael Beloff QC reviewed the WICB’s finding to ascertain whether the process and punishment were in keeping with the ICC regulations. The enquiry found the punishment and the process to be appropriate and the findings were accepted by the ICC board.

For the West Indies, the first one-day international at Chittagong was a curious dichotomy of both shabby and scintillating cricket, the division occurring not so much because of the failures of a few as because two players staggeringly outperformed the rest.That certainly wasn’t expected when the tourists were put in to bat; with the top order in a fine vein of form, it looked like a bad decision from Khaled Mashud, even if he did look to the hard pitch and the gloomy conditions as defence. When Wavell Hinds began systematically taking the attack apart four overs into the innings, old-timers may have recalled WG Grace’s remark about batting first: “If you win the toss, choose to bat. If you’re doubtful, think about putting the other side in and then choose to bat.”But Mashud’s gamble paid off – at least initially. Hinds was caught at long-off trying to smash a Manjural Islam slower ball over the border into India. Twenty-six runs later, a frustrated Marlon Samuels lashed out at a flighted Mohammad Rafique delivery only to find sweeper cover. By now, spin was operating at both ends, and the West Indians started to struggle.Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle, both immensely successful in India, sweated to work the leg-spin of Mohammad Ashraful, the left-arm spin of Rafique and the off-spin of Naimur Rahman off the square. The singles dried up, the pressure built palpably, and when Gayle (38, 70b, 5×4) was finally run-out looking for a non-existent single, it was hardly a surprise.Flown in as a replacement for the injured Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Daren Ganga was, unlike his teammates, clearly new to the subcontinental conditions. Stroke after stroke found only the fielders, and considering that he found Ashraful in particular difficult to pick, it was perhaps an aberration that Sarwan (39, 66b, 1×4) fell to the leggie instead, uppishly driving to extra cover.The arrival of Ricardo Powell to the crease signalled the turn. Rotating the strike with deceptive ease, Powell upped the run-rate almost immediately, even inspiring enough confidence in Ganga to smite two big sixes. An intended third found long-on, but Ganga (44, 56b, 2×6) had done his share of reconstruction.Powell then came alive. Boundaries flowed regularly as the big-hitting batsman muscled the ball as many as six times over the ropes, and seven more times just short of it. Two sixes came off one Rafique over, and when he fell off the penultimate ball of the innings – trying, perhaps, to do a Youhana and get to three figures off the last ball – he had powered his way to 88 off just 50 balls. More importantly, he saw the West Indies to a total that – at 145 off 37 overs – looked near-impossible.The deep quality chasm continued into the West Indian bowling. At one end, Vasbert Drakes did everything but make the ball talk, using the pitch and the new ball to get bounce and sharp movement either way. At the other end, however, short balls, over-pitched deliveries and other run-scoring opportunities were generously sent down by Jermaine Lawson and Corey Collymore.Of the openers, Hannan Sarkar was the first to fall, caught behind as the extra bounce took the edge. Al Sahariar followed 19 runs later, a peach of a delivery nipping off the pitch between bat and pad to clip middle stump.Meanwhile, Mohammad Ashraful, Test cricket’s youngest centurion, was occupying himself at the other end by throwing the bat at virtually everything. Starting with a mighty pull to midwicket off his very first ball, he added a top-edged six to fine leg and three more pulled fours later on.He lost Habibul Bashar in the ninth over – when the batsman tried to cut too hard and presented Jacobs his second catch of the innings – but was was soon back in the pavilion himself. Drakes pitched the ball just outside off and moved it away a shade, drawing the batsman forward. The ball took the shoulder of the bat and flew rapidly to the right of Gayle at slip, who took a fine, gangly-looking, diving catch. That gave Drakes all four of the Bangladeshi wickets to fall.As Drakes was taken off – and bowlers such as Mahendra Nagamootoo and Gayle started to operate – the innings steadied. Sanwar Hossain and Alok Kapali made identical scores of 18 off 21 balls and added 38 runs for the fifth wicket when rain interrupted proceedings with Bangladesh on 90 for four. It never let up, and after the umpires waited in vain for it to clear up, they were forced to abandon the game, leaving it to the remaining two day-nighters in Dhaka to decide the series.

Just under an hour’s play was lost at the start of the second morning of the third npower Test at Headingley, but the Indian batsmen more than made up for lost time with a spectacular display of batting skills while the England bowlers laboured in conditions that should have helped them. Rahul Dravid went on as surely as ever and, when he was eventually out, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly raised individual hundreds in a fourth wicket partnership worth 249.When play did get under way beneath slate-grey skies, there were the expected examples of the bat being passed but without taking the edge, and increasingly Dravid and Tendulkar imposed themselves. As ever in these conditions, there was encouragement for the bowlers, but there were numerous instances of frustration that were seized upon rather than the consistent inspiration that was required.Matthew Hoggard even induced Tendulkar to drive uppishly through the covers for four, and when the next ball was whipped off his legs for another boundary, Nasser Hussain switched Andrew Caddick to bowl down hill, without any more success. That was just one of a number of changes made to the bowling, but all with the same result. Just before lunch, Hussain even resorted to trying the occasional medium pace of Mark Butcher who was undoubtedly short of bowling since his knee operation. He also gave one over to Michael Vaughan.The batsmen, meanwhile, were quickly giving momentum to the innings. The first ten overs of the morning produced 41 runs, with seven fours. Dravid went to his highest score against England while Tendulkar passed fifty with an exciting pull off Tudor.The batsmen continued to make healthy progress after lunch with Tendulkar in particular showing a range of shots that should have been closed to mere mortals in these conditions. The bowlers did get a boost, however, when the third wicket partnership had put on 150.Ashley Giles drew Dravid down the pitch, beat him in the air and Alec Stewart did the rest. Dravid’s innings had lasted just over seven hours, he had faced 307 balls and hit 23 boundaries. He had been bruised and battered about the hands but had never flinched and the value of his innings in the circumstances cannot be overstated.Ganguly settled quickly to his task after what is now the traditional greeting from Andrew Flintoff in particular who delivered a considerable number of balls in his own half. Meanwhile Tendulkar was in imperious form. He went to his century with an exquisite on-drive off the bowling of Giles for his thirteenth boundary after facing 171 balls. It was his sixth hundred off the England attack in 15 matches and his 30th Test century in all. Only his great hero, Sunil Gavaskar, has scored more.It became evident during the extended afternoon session that England stood little chance of bowling India out and it became a question of when Ganguly was likely to make the declaration. He was in no hurry to do so while there were rich pickings to be had and England could be batted out of the match.While Tendulkar went on remorselessly, Ganguly brought up his fifty with a six off Giles. A spectator tried to do what England’s fielders had been unable to do, namely catch Ganguly. Unfortunately for the man in the stands, his moment of glory became somewhat tarnished when the ball crashed into his head and he was led away for treatment from the medics. Robert Key did not receive the same attention when he dropped Ganguly off a straightforward chance at slip when the Indian captain had 62. Certainly the bowler, Caddick, did not appear to be inquiring after Key’s health.Perhaps the fielder was inconvenienced by the light, or lack of it, for it was shortly afterwards that the umpires offered it to the batsmen who declined to go off. Memories went back to Trent Bridge when, with fewer than the four lights showing on the board here, England’s batsmen had scurried to the pavilion in similar circumstances.Tendulkar and Ganguly took no notice of the gloom (there were now five lights shining brightly) as they clattered the bowling to all parts. They added 47 from three overs before Tendulkar reached 150 and Ganguly went to his hundred from 156 balls with 12 fours and a six. He then smashed Giles for a six over mid-wicket, changed his bat, and proved the new one was just as good by hitting another six next ball and then a one-bounce four in an over that cost 23.The 11 overs with the second new ball cost 96 runs, including five sixes and nine fours, when Ganguly swung and missed at a straight ball from Alex Tudor and was bowled for 128. It was a thrilling innings that could be allowed to be run its course because a declaration would have inevitably brought a close because of the light.VVS Laxman made his way to the middle and then returned to the pavilion as the gloom was overwhelming. Grinning broadly, he followed Tendulkar in with 185 not out to his name. It seems a very short time ago that questions were being asked about his continuing mastery. This was the perfect answer.

The Pakistan team is on the way for their campaign in Africa, the final opportunity to get their act together before the World Cup. The timing of these tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa could not have been more opportune and is an ideal chance to get acclimatized to the conditions. One can hope this will give them a head start over other teams in the competition. The downside is the fact Pakistani cricket is currently in total disarray with the selectors and management struggling to find the ideal balance between youth and experience.The two teams named for the Test series and One-Day Internationals look to be brilliant on paper, but unfortunately the game of cricket can only be won on the field. That is the problem that has been plaguing the side, while having no shortage of talent, they just can’t seem to deliver the goods consistently. Inzamam and Youhana will definitely add some stability to the very fragile batting order, but Saeed Anwar’s exclusion is mind-boggling. He is still the best opener Pakistan has, and deserves to be given the opportunity to play in the World Cup, most likely his last as age catches up with this great player. Saleem Elahi has made yet one more appearance right out of the cold, and one really wonders what thought process went in behind that decision? Kamran Akmal in preference over Moin Khan as a reserve wicket keeper is also very strange, as these tours are too crucial to be testing new players.To preserve Wasim Akram for the One-Dayers exclusively was a very sensible one, as the last thing we need is to have him unfit during the World Cup. It will most certainly be his last World Cup campaign, and one hopes that this great servant of Pakistan cricket will bow out in style. The inclusion of speedster Mohammed Zahid is most heartening and must actually be ‘allowed’ to play rather than again sit on the bench as one of the reserves. There is little doubt the bowling attack looks in great shape and has been the only solace for Pakistani fans for quite some time.That leaves us with only one problem and that is, very obviously, the batting line up. The batting order has not been established with any degree of certainty; with many players unsure of what role to perform. Shahid Afridi, if played in the ODI’s must be assigned a specific role which must be to play his natural game and take the opposition apart early. He is likely to fail on more occasions than one, but asking him to curb his aggressive instinct and play cautiously is a waste of his abilities. In Test matches, Taufeeq Umar and Saleem Elahi are a better proposition at the top of the order. The one-down slot has been experimented with too long with Abdul Razzaq too often being asked to be the sacrificial lamb. Razzaq is a far better player against the old ball, and this position ought to be reserved for Yousuf Youhana. Inzamam, Younis Khan and Faisal Iqbal must be the other sureties in the middle order. Hasan Raza too showed quite a lot of character in his last two knocks and deserves to be given a fair chance to prove his mettle against Zimbabwe.The team management needs to give all the young batsman a full go in Zimbabwe, and then pick the most proficient ones for the highly important tour of South Africa.With little time at hand and a lot of hard work to be done, one can only hope the Pakistanis can turn around their form in the twin series to enter the World Cup on a high note. It will be an uphill task after the extremely poor showing against the Aussies. The Board and team management must go all out to help this young team show guts and grit if they are to get things back on track.

Stuart MacGill has announced his retirement from international cricket and the current Test against West Indies in Antigua will be his last. MacGill, 37, has struggled to have an impact in the Caribbean, where he is playing his first Tests since having surgery on his right wrist in December to deal with carpal-tunnel syndrome. At the time of making his decision, he had 207 wickets at 28.43 in 44 Tests.MacGill was the man Australia turned to after Shane Warne’s retirement and although he celebrated his comeback to the international set-up with his 200th Test wicket, achieved against Sri Lanka in November, he battled with hand and knee problems during that series and was forced to re-evaluate his future. Despite a reasonably successful Pura Cup return in early 2008, he was unable to translate that to Tests and is yet to decide whether to continue playing for New South Wales.”Over the past six months I have experienced enough highs and lows to fill a lifetime,” MacGill said. “My 200th Test wicket couldn’t have been scripted any better. I will never forget the happiness I felt when my family welcomed me at the hotel that night, yet the very next week I was filled with the pain and disappointment of injury.”Although I considered retirement at the time, I decided to prove to myself that I could rise again and trained privately harder than I have done in years. When I bowled Brad Hodge in the Pura Cup final I knew that despite the often suffocating public scrutiny, I loved my job. I also knew that I was ready to play Test cricket again.”Unfortunately now my time is up. One of the treats for a bowler playing Test cricket is that you have a champion bowling up the other end. Bowling with some of cricket’s all-time greats such as Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee has made my job a lot easier. I want to be sure that exciting young bowlers like Mitchell Johnson enjoy the same privilege.”As I said many times last summer, there is no way I will ever walk on to a cricket field unless I can guarantee that I can dismiss top-order batsmen consistently. The prospect of letting myself and the team down is simply not an option. I have worked way too hard for too long to sabotage my achievements by playing Test cricket for the wrong reasons.”His return to the Test scene in Kingston was marred by long hops and full tosses, and he struggled to threaten a West Indies line-up that had been rattled by Lee and Stuart Clark. Australia will not send a replacement player to the Caribbean for the third Test, as they already have a back-up slow bowler, Beau Casson, in the squad. MacGill’s unexpected departure may provide Casson with a Test debut in Barbados.”Some people may worry about the future of spin bowling in this country, but I am not one of them,” MacGill said. “My game improved exponentially with each step up I made, and I am sure that any of the young spinners playing state cricket will thrive given the same opportunities. I am very excited for Beau, another Western Australian boy who made a very good move east.”While Casson is in the box seat for an immediate call-up, Australia’s selectors will be forced to make some tough decisions on the future of their spin stocks before the Test tour of India later this year. They had hoped MacGill could remain the No. 1 slow bowler for at least a couple of years while the younger men developed, but the likes of Casson, Dan Cullen and Victoria’s 36-year-old legspinner Bryce McGain will suddenly be vying for an important role.MacGill, one of Australia’s most successful slow bowlers of the modern era, suffered from being a legspinner at a time when Warne was mesmerising the world. His appearances were usually limited to when Warne was unavailable, although the pair did bowl together on occasions with some success. His Test debut came in early 1998 in Adelaide, when he outperformed Warne against South Africa.An old-fashioned one-dimensional cricketer – he was one of the few men who sometimes batted below McGrath and was less than athletic in the field – MacGill’s huge legbreak and excellent wrong’un made him a handful for batsmen the world over. His best efforts included a 12-wicket Test against England in Sydney in 1999, and he had an outstanding 2003-04, when Warne was out with a drugs ban.MacGill reached 200 Test wickets in his 41st Test – only Clarrie Grimmett, Dennis Lillee and Waqar Younis took fewer games to get there. While the end was not as he had hoped, MacGill will be remembered as an example of Australia’s incredible depth during the Waugh and Ponting eras, and as one the best contemporary spinners.

International cricket player power has resulted in an impasse being reached over player contracts for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, to which the recently-formed New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association is affiliated, has recommended to its members that they refuse to sign the International Cricket Council’s World Cup contracts.NZCPA chairman Heath Mills told CricInfo today that the international group was concerned with matters regarding the commercial rights of players.The issue is being dealt with by the FICA administrators where former Australian off-spinner Tim May is one of the co-chairmen of the association, and the ICC.FICA is arguing that the ICC has sold players’ rights to the Global Cricket Corporation that it was not entitled to.This could result in contracts that individual players have with different sponsors being compromised for the duration of the World Cup.The Cricketers’ Associations and the ICC are hoping to resolve the issue within the next two weeks.Players’ issues are something relatively new in New Zealand and first raised their head with the naming of the side to tour the West Indies.The announcement of the side was delayed while discussions with the Players’ Association regarding the tour contracts were resolved.At the same time, the backing for the World Cup has undergone a significant change. The Global Cricket Corporation, which won the right to market the World Cups of 2003 and 2007, and all other ICC events, including the recently-staged ICC Under-19 World Cup, and the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy, is to be fully acquired by News Corporation, the Rupert Murdoch-owned organisation.News Corp had a 5.8% share of World Sports Group, and 50% share of Global Cricket Corporation which owns the marketing and media rights.As a result News Corp will have full financial control for the World Cup.The change in ownership is reflective of the decline in value of television rights especially for major sporting events which has resulted in the collapse of several rights companies overseas.New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden had no comment to make on the issues.

India’s Test record against Zimbabwe is very much in keeping with their overall record of doing well at home but performing badly abroad. Out of the two Tests played between the two countries in Zimbabwe, India have lost one and drawn the other. On the other hand, in this country, out of the three Tests played, India have won two and drawn the other.Just five months after their historic inaugural Test in Harare, Zimbabwe came to India for a short tour comprising of three ODIs and a Test match with no illusions whatsoever. Aware of the fact that India at home were formidable opponents, Zimbabwe’s best hopes were to avoid defeat in the Test and prevent India from making a clean sweep of the one dayers. They failed in both their objectives but this was no surprise. For, India having made a clean sweep of the three Test series against England just prior to the contest against Zimbabwe were confidence personified.And yet Zimbabwe were not disgraced. They lost the ODIs by 67 runs, seven wickets and eight wickets but the second victory was registered with just three balls to spare. And the Indian margin of victory in the Test – an innings and 13 runs – was quite flattering. For Zimbabwe had the scent of a draw in their nostrils till half an hour after lunch on the fourth day before there was a dramatic turnabout in their fortunes.Batting first, India rattled up 536 for seven before declaring on the third day. The late declaration did not come about because of tardy batting – the runs indeed came at the rate of four an over – but because most of the third day was washed out thanks to primitive covers at the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds which a minor shower had penetrated to reach the pitch and render the run ups soggy. The star of the Indian innings was Vinod Kambli. The dashing left hander from Bombay, playing in only his fourth Test, emulated Don Bradman andWalter Hammond in making double centuries in successive Test innings.Only three weeks before, he had scored 224 against England at Bombay.At the Kotla, he improved on this by three more runs but still failedto break Sunil Gavaskar’s unbeaten 236, the highest individual scoreby an Indian in Test matches. He shared in three successive centurystands with Navjot Sidhu, Sachin Tendulkar and Md Azharuddin for thesecond, third and fourth wickets before being fifth out at 434. JohnTraicos, two months short of his 46th birthday, sent down 50 overs totake three for 186.Zimbabwe lost three wickets for 83 but the Flower brothers Andy and Grant not only steadied the boat but also gave the side the opportunity of drawing the match with a fourth wicket stand of 192 runs. At 275 for three, a little after lunch on the penultimate day, a draw was written all over the one off Test. At this juncture, Andy Flower, more aggressive than his brother, had a sudden rush of blood and charged Maninder Singh only to be stumped by Vijay Yadav. A runlater, Maninder had Grant Flower leg before and the complexion of the game had changed. Anil Kumble joined Maninder in the wicket taking act and by tea, Zimbabwe’s first innings had terminated at 322, just 15 runs short of averting the follow on. While Andy scored 115 in 289 minutes from 236 balls, Grant compiled 96 in 425 minutes and off 359 balls. Spinners Rajesh Chauhan (2), Maninder Singh (3) and Kumble (3) shared the wickets.With the pitch now turning, Zimbabwe faced an uphill task to save thematch and sure enough, they were all out for 201 on the finalafternoon. But the visitors did put up a fight, symbolised by AlistairCampbell’s 61 and Andy Flower’s unbeaten 62. This time Maninder (4)and Kumble (5) were the wreckers-in-chief. Kumble’s eight wicket haulin the match pushing his overall figures to 53 from ten Tests – thequickest any Indian bowler had reached 50 wickets.It was not until the 2000-2001 season that Zimbabwe again visited India, this time to play two Tests, two three day games and five ODIs. Zimbabwe had made big strides since the last tour and this time a keen duel for supremacy was predicted in both the Tests and the ODIs. However India again proved that at home they were formidable opposition. They won the ODI series by four matches to one, the lone Zimbabwe win coming by one wicket with one ball to spare. India also took the Test series by winning the first Test at New Delhi by sevenwickets while the second at Nagpur was drawn.The Test series was marked by tall scoring on both sides. Zimbabwe set the tone by hitting 422 in the first innings at New Delhi, Andy Flower again doing well on what must be his favourite ground. Following his scores of 115 and 62 not out in 1993, he came up with 183 not out. The Indians showed their batting prowess by replying with 458 for four declared. Rahul Dravid got an unbeaten 200 and added 213 runs for the third wicket with Sachin Tendulkar (122). Despite another fine knock by Andy Flower (70) Zimbabwe could not proceed beyond 225 in their second knock. Javagal Srinath took five for 60 to finish with a match haul of nine for 141. India, thanks to belligerent batting by Dravid (70 not out), Tendulkar (39) and skipper Sourav Ganguly (65 not out)hit off the requisite runs for the loss of three wickets.At Nagpur, India batted first and made the most of a docile wicket and some amiable bowling to run up 609 for six declared by the second evening. Opener Shiv Sundar Das led off with 110 and he was followed by Rahul Dravid (162) and Sachin Tendulkar who went on to get 201 not out. Das and Dravid put on 155 runs for the second wicket and Dravid and Tendulkar added a further 249 runs for the third. Far from being overawed by the imposing Indian total, Zimbabwe were equal to the task. Thanks in the main to Grant Flower’s unbeaten 106, they made 382 in their first innings. Following on 227 runs behind, Zimbabwe on a pitch that was still full of runs, were never in danger of defeat and when the match ended, they were 503 for six. Alistair Campbell got 102 but the star was again the irrepressible Andy Flower. Following his 55 in the first innings, he scored 232 not out the second time around giving him an aggregate of 540 runs and an average of 270 for the series. Verily, he was the man of the series.

Looking ahead to this summer’s seven Test matches in England, captain Nasser Hussain has voiced his concern about the effect of the hectic international schedule on the players.England play three Tests against Sri Lanka and four against India this summer,with a one-day tournament involving the trio in between.The one-day team will then compete in the ICC Champions trophy in Colombo, go on to Australia for a five-match Ashes series and more one-day games, before rounding off a whirlwind 10 months at the World Cup in South Africa.”There is a feeling around the game that we do want a little bit less cricket to make it more important,” said Hussain.”There is so much cricket, a one-dayer here, a one-dayer there on the otherside of the world, Test matches, triangular series, we don’t know who is playingwho now. You could be playing the ninth game of a 12-match series.””For young bowlers like Hoggard and Flintoff, particularly with captains like me, the extra cricket could have an effect. I bowled them into the ground last winter because you want to win every game.”When you are out there you are not thinking about four years’ time, you justwant to win the game. With captains like me around it will wear them down and careers will shorten.”I don’t know if it is good or bad for the game, better people than me willhave to work that out.”Although 11 players have already been contracted to England for the summer, Hussain insists others will be considered for selection for the opening Test, at Lord’s on May 16.”People just look at the contracts and see that as being the team, thinkingthat others cannot get in,” said Hussain.”But the contracts and the team that we will select next week are different. We will look at the conditions at Lord’s, who has played well there before and how we have won games there before and will pick a side to beat Sri Lanka. The boys with the contracts, of course, will be high on our lists.”Hussain again stood by the Essex wicket-keeper James Foster, following speculation the Alec Stewart could be in the frame for a recall after an impressive start to the season.Speaking at the ECB’s new initiative to entice youngsters to play the game, the launch of the Lion’s Den at The AMP Oval, Hussain said: “We have got to give him a go. He’s the future. Obviously Alec’s name will come up from time to time, he’s a world-class cricketer.”But there’s no point in us going round in circles. Mistakes are made by every young player that comes into international cricket, Graham Thorpe and Marcus Trescothick are the only two that have come in and been major successesstraightaway.”In my time I hope to give every young cricketer that comes in, whoever theymay be, a chance. It’s easy for the selectors to pick our best side to try and win this Test series. But Duncan has a saying about looking after the next week or looking after the future. Which is most important?”It’s selfish to look after the next week — we have a responsibility beyondthat. English cricket demands success, however, so we have to try and balance itand beat Sri Lanka and India.”

Graeme Hick is setting his sights on yet another comeback into the England Test side.The Worcestershire captain was not awarded a central contract by the ECB after a disappointing winter with England.But at the age of 34 he is not ready to throw in the towel yet and, having been recalled ten times by England already, a return would hardly be unprecedented.Hick, currently leading Worcestershire against Middlesex at Lord’s, told PA Sport: “I’ve not had a good winter.”England played well as a side and it was fantastic to win both Test seriesbut it was certainly not my best winter personally.”If you don’t get many runs and you don’t perform, then I don’t expect toomuch.”But I’m still ambitious to play for England. I’m only 34, I’m still prettyfit and I see a lot of cricket ahead of me. It’s up to me to make sure my nameis in the hat (with England).”I still want to be playing Test cricket. First of all I’ve got a job to dohere now with Worcestershire but I’ve still got other goals beyond that I wantto achieve.”There are still things I would like to do which hopefully will keep memotivated. If I get a truckload of runs at the start of the season, we will haveto see what happens.”

ScorecardA stunning half-century by Brandan Nash helped Kent to a thrilling five-wicket win over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road to keep their semi-final hopes in the Clydesdale Bank 40 alive.Northants posted 232 for 9 from their 40 overs as captain Alex Wakely made 74 from 76 balls and youngster Christian Davis blasted 54 off 50 with Matt Coles taking three for 45. Despite Con de Lange’s 3 for 35 Kent reached their target with eight balls to spare as former West Indies international Nash hammered an unbeaten 70 off just 52 deliveries.Northants won the toss and chose to bat and Kyle Coetzer was unfortunate to be run out for 11 in the sixth over when bowler Simon Cook tipped Rob Newton’s straight drive on to the stumps. Newton himself clobbered 45 off 41 balls before he was sharply taken at short midwicket by Coles off the bowling of James Tredwell.David Sales (15) was then trapped lbw by Darren Stevens and two balls later, wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien edged the same bowler to Tredwell at slip. Wakely, however, hung around to complete his half-century off 52 balls and Davis later raced past 50 off 47 deliveries as part of a fifth-wicket stand of 89.Wakely departed by smashing Coles to Sam Billings at long on and Davis soon followed when he launched Cook to Coles at long off. Rob Keogh (1) was comfortably caught at square leg by Stevens off Coles before de Lange (18) swept Cook to Alex Blake at fine leg. Jack Brooks (5) then departed when he was well-taken at mid-on by Tredwell off the bowling of Coles in the final over.Chasing 233, Kent got off to a bad start when they lost Billings for 12 in the fourth over when Olly Stone’s delivery clipped his off stump. Kent captain Rob Key then went cheaply on 27 by smashing de Lange straight to Coetzer at long off before Stevens (8) dragged David Burton onto his stumps.Sam Northeast then fell on 44 by playing de Lange’s delivery on to his leg stump before he claimed his third wicket by bowling Blake for 8. But Nash helped them towards their target by smashing 50 off 41 balls and former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones completed a half-century of his own two balls quicker.Jones finished on 52 not out and Nash unbeaten on 70 as the pair put on 107, scoring the winning run in the penultimate over of the match.