<Simon Katich recorded his highest Hampshire score so far when he batted quite brilliantly for 143 not out whilst carnage was abound around him. Losing their first three wickets for 7 runs (all extras) his team was in danger of being skittled at Scarborough.Resuming at 326 for 5, Yorkshire struggled against some tight bowling to reach the 400 mark and the maximum batting points. Simon Guy was superbly taken by Iain Brunnschweiler off Chris Tremlett in the first over of the day, then Shaun Udal had Yuvraj Singh caught at deep mid wicket, trapped Gray lbw and had Steve Kirby well caught by Jimmy Adams. In the meantime James Bruce dismissed Ryan Sidebottom forcing him early on the drive. Four wicket tumbled for just 4 runs.In the first over Derek Kenway was bowled when the ball trickled off his pads onto his stumps (2-1), James Adams followed when he edged Chris Silverwood to slip (4-2), the John Crawley not enjoying the best form of late then edged the swift Steve Kirby to the wicket-keeper (7-3).John Francis joined Simon Katich in a an 89 run stand dominated by the Aussie and the help of an abundance of no balls from the Yorkshire bowlers, Francis went for a patient nine, and James Hamblin first ball fell to Chris Silverwood, Dimitri Mascarenhas edged Sidebotton to slip and suddenly at 107-6 the visitors were looking at another follow on.What was needed at one end was support for Simon Katich, and the lower order batsmen responded magnificently. First Shaun Udal scoring 26 put on 52 for the seventh wicket, Iain Brunnschweiler playing in his first Championship match put on 73 taking Hamppshire to with three runs of saving the follow on. Chris Tremlett then joined his team mate in another half-century stand, and Yorkshire's first innings lead of 95 was far less than the seaside spectators had been envisaging earlier in the day. A return of 52 extras conceded by Yorkshire also helped Hampshire's cause, 43 of them in no-balls.Simon Katich played some magnificent shots around the ground, his 142 not out took him 194 balls in which he struck 20 fours and a hugh straight six, his second first-class century of the season and his seventeenth overall.There was time for just 10 overs as Yorkshire started their second innings.Incessant rain throughout the 3rd day curtailed any possibility of play.

Hampshire keep faith with the same eleven that pulled off the exciting victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws last Monday evening under the Trent Bridge floodlights with the only alteration being the inclusion of fit-again spinner Shaun Udal.Both Robin Smith and Nic Pothas are still troubled by their hamstring injuries and will miss this floodlit Rose Bowl match against league leaders Northamptonshire Steelbacks, which starts at 4.10pm on Wednesday evening.Derek Kenway will continue to deputise behind the stumps for this crucial match, which is likely to be a sell-out.Squad: James Hamblin, Simon Katich, Derek Kenway (w-k), John Crawley (capt), John Francis, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Will Kendall, Lawrence Prittipaul, Shaun Udal, James Bruce, Chris Tremlett, Alan Mullally.

If the timing of Lord MacLaurin’s remarks regarding the future of English cricket last week was designed to kick-start a debate on the subject, then it has done exactly as intended.On Thursday, MacLaurin told the BBC that to survive English cricket had to consider reducing the number of first-class counties from 18 to 12 and, as a result, decrease the number of professionals in the game by about 100. He warned that with the next television deal likely to produce far less income than the current one, the alternative was for cricket to become a minor summer sport "like croquet". Several of the county chairmen spluttered on cue, although the biggest reaction came from the world of croquet who were livid at the perceived slight.But the idea was in the public domain, and in the four days since it has been the subject of considerable discussion. At the forefront is the Reform Group, a loose collection consisting of two former England captains – Michael Atherton and Bob Willis – Michael Parkinson, David Willis (Bob’s brother), and Nigel Wray, the multi-millionaire owner of the Saracens Rugby Football Club.Over the weekend the Reform Group published an open letter outlining a four-point plan to safeguard the future of the game. They said they were responding to “England’s performances against South Africa” and supporting MacLaurin’s comments. Their proposals were:1. An end to the First-Class Forum (made up of the first-class counties plus MCC) which wields considerable power within the game, and its replacement by a streamlined management board responsible for all aspects of the game without the vested interest that the existing forum has.2: A reduction in the number of first-class teams to improve the quality of domestic cricket being played.3. A de-professionalisation of parts of the county game, allied to the establishment of a properly organised and financed county-based Premier League system.4. The creation of a true pyramid structure which allows non-professionals the chance to progress into the higher levels of the game. This would also create closer links between the professional and amateur competition.Mike Soper, chairman of the First-Class Forum, gave the proposal a mixed response. "I don’t agree with half of what the group has said. Some of it makes sense. You don’t just look at a piece of paper and agree with everything written on it, similarly you don’t dismiss it either.”But Soper did support the view that change was needed. “The ECB was formed six years ago, I think it is now time that we started looking at the whole constitution again. I don’t think the First-Class Forum will ever relinquish its power, until they are happy that the governing body and the executive can deliver."I don’t agree that there should be a reduction in the number of professional counties, but I do think Second XIs should be scrapped … and you could reduce costs by getting rid of half a dozen players from each the 18 counties.”At the moment the Reform Group is little more than a collection of like-minded souls who probably met up at The Oval and fostered a plan over a few post-match drinks. But if it builds up some momentum, it could become the focus for a genuine movement to begun to try and change a system which has proved doggedly resistant to all previous attempts to make it face up to the harsh economic realities of the modern world.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has signed a two-year three-million rupee contract with Trendy Connections (Pvt) Ltd to be the official clothing sponsor for the national team. Trendy takes over from AJ Sports.Trendy have developed a new range of ultra-lite, sweat-free clothing for the team, which will be used for the first time during the England tour of Sri Lanka.Apart from the traditional one-day clothing, Trendy have developed a full range of official practice and casual wear for the team.The new range of replica kit will be available for purchase by Sri Lanka fans shortly and will be exclusively marketed online through Wisden CricInfo and the new SLC official website.Trendy will supply clothing free of charge to the junior and senior national teams. The contract also includes a sum of Rs. 500,000 or 30 percent of the sales (whichever is higher) to SLC each year on replica sales.

John Buchanan, more motivator and team psychologist than traditional coach, once perceptively suggested that to be at his best, Steve Waugh needed a siege. If it wasn’t there, he would create it. It would be outrageous to suggest that he plotted the mix-up which led to Damien Martyn’s run-out and a national debate on the propriety of it, but, India beware, it has invested Waugh’s farewell series with even greater purpose. He has been stung by what he considers an attack on his integrity by the media, and he is determined to reply in the only way he knows: by scoring runs.He came out to speak to the media at the Adelaide Oval today, even though he wasn’t scheduled to. Here’s an excerpt from the press conference:There was a feeling that your bowlers didn’t bounce Sourav Ganguly at the Gabba as much as expected – there weren’t enough balls aimed at his body …
We never said it was part of our strategy. On that particular day, we didn’t feel that was the right way to bowl. Your strategy revolves around the bowlers you’ve got. We had no Brett Lee, no Brad Williams – the bowlers who could generate a bit of pace. We had swing bowlers, the bowlers who bowl good line and length, bowl in the corridor, and the conditions were good for swing bowling. Another day, in other conditions, we might see us bowling differently.So did you miss Brad Williams’s aggression?
It’s a possibility. It’s hard to say, really. We picked the right bowlers for the conditions at Brisbane. But it will be a different pitch here, and different conditions. So that’s something for the selectors to consider. I will have my input, of course.Were you surprised by the way the Indians adapted to the conditions?
No. I have always said that India are a very good side. They have got world-class batsmen, as good as any batting side in the world. And they have got three bowlers who can swing the ball, and they have got two quality spinners. We expected them to do well. But we had the toughest conditions in the first couple of days. When India batted, the conditions had settled down.Are you surprised to be under so much scrutiny in this series?
The scrutiny was always going to be there. I knew from the beginning that it was my last series. I knew I had made the right decision. I am going to be positive about the rest of the series. This series is about Australia and India, it’s not about me.But are you feeling more pressure than usual?
I’d say preparations for the Brisbane game weren’t ideal. Not only for me, but for the whole team. There were too many commitments in the last couple of days before that match – that always happens before the first Test of a series, but maybe it was a bit more this time. I didn’t really get time to settle down and think about the match.There have been suggestions that it might not have been such a good idea to announce your retirement at the beginning of a long series …
I think it was the right thing to do. The situation is pretty clear now. We know where we are going. Even if I hadn’t announced it, it would have been quite clear that it was going to be my last series in Australia. I am 100% happy and confident that I made the right decision for the right reasons, so I am going to be positive and enjoy every match. There was always going to be some conjecture, not that I had to agree with it. I am convinced the decision was made at the right time. There has been a lot of conjecture about when I was going to retire, whether my form was good enough. From that point of view it was right that I made the decision and announced it.Will your preparation for the next Test be any different?
I will be a bit more relaxed. I am focussed and I am going to go out and do what I always do. There were a couple of times when we lost our intensity at Brisbane. From the team point of view, that’s important. We’ve got to pick ourselves up and do better.When you are batting now, is there any awareness that this is your last Test match at this ground?
In the first innings things were obviously a bit tense. But the hardest part is actually waiting and then walking out to bat. Once you take strike, it’s the same. It’s another Test innings and every Test innings is tough. I like to be aggressive and positive, and that’s how I will play in the rest of the series. I know I have three matches to go and I am going to enjoy the experience. It’s always hard when you fail in the first innings. The pressure then builds up. I got some runs in the second innings, and that makes you feel good. I could have been out when I was on 8, and that would have built up the pressure. That’s Test-match cricket. I am sure Sachin Tendulkar will feel the pressure in the second Test, as will Adam Gilchrist. No matter how many matches you have played, no matter who you are or how good you are, you always feel the pressure if you haven’t made runs in your last Test.Now that there will be no cricket for you, how will you channel your competitiveness?
I have three kids at home. They are a lot of challenges out there. After the series is over, I will just sit back for a couple of weeks and relax. And then I might get bored and look for something to do. I enjoy writing, so I will do a bit of that. Commentating is an option. Coaching, I don’t know. I would like to stay in touch with cricket. There are teams like Kenya, who need help … who knows?A few months ago you said that you would like one last shot at winning a series in India. Was that a consideration while making up your mind?
I didn’t actually say that. I had said that winning a series in India remains a challenge. And the team going out there in September has a good chance of achieving a victory, and possibly I would be part of that team. But it didn’t work out that way. It was a good time for me to go now. I have always thought that it’s great to play your first Test abroad and the last at home. I will be going out at my home ground. It couldn’t have been better.

Scorecard

Daniel Marsh led a blistering offensive to guide Tasmania within one run of an extraordinary Pura Cup victory over Western Australia at the WACA. Andrew Downton needed two runs off the last ball but managed just a single as Tasmania fell an agonising one run short of their victory target of 387 in 75 overs.Marsh had guided them towards an unlikely win with an unbeaten 111 off 95 balls, but his efforts counted for nothing as WA had already claimed the first-innings points. The match, in which the scores were tied, was declared a draw for the purpose of points.Marsh’s efforts were countered by an extraordinary debut performance from Ben Edmondson, a Queenslander who arrived in Perth only five days ago. He was handed the responsibility of bowling the last over of the day with Tasmania requiring seven runs to win. Edmondson, who finished with 3 for 47, was a shock selection today, brought in to replace Brad Williams who left midway through the afternoon to report for Test duty in Adelaide.Bowling the final over to the red-hot Marsh, Edmondson managed a dot ball, and then a short one which Marsh top-edged into his face. Edmondson kept his cool, and Marsh had another swing and miss before bottom-edging a four past his leg stump off the fourth delivery. Just when things looked bleak for WA Marsh nudged a single to short man to put Downton on strike. Downton moved across his stumps in extravagant fashion but only tickled it to leg, and there was no chance of the winning run.The match had appeared to be drifting towards a draw by tea, with Tasmania 3 for 138, still needing 249 runs from 37 overs. But a fifth-wicket stand of 128 runs off 110 balls between Marsh and Michael Dighton (88) kick-started the innings and set up the gripping finale.Western Australia had batted on for most of the morning, with Williams grabbing the early wickets of Jamie Cox (11) and Scott Mason (13) before hot-footing it for the airport. Some balls kept low and others deviated wildly on a deteriorating wicket, but Williams was unable to add any more wickets before his departure. He was replaced, in accordance with Pura Cup rules, by Edmondson.Murray Goodwin completed his hundred shortly before Western Australia declared, and the epic run-chase started.

The final league phase of the Ranji Trophy kicks off on Christmas day, but that will not sway the teams into granting any favours. Semi-final berths are up for grabs, but there is also a small matter of teams taking desperate measures to avoid relegation.Elite Group
Points Table Group AMumbai (20 points) are the only team certain to make the knockout stage. Either Punjab or Railways are most likely to join them, unless Uttar Pradesh get a large dollop of fortune served their way. Punjab (11 points) take on Mumbai at Mohali, and will need an outright win to ensure complete safety. Anything short of that, and Railways (10 points) could pip them at the post. Railways travel to Baroda, and will hope for Mumbai to do them a good turn by denying Punjab a win.Vinod Sharma, the Railways coach, spoke to Wisden Cricinfo on the eve of their match. He said, “We are very happy with the preparation and we will try to do our best.” When asked about his team going off the boil in the last two games he said, “Middle-order batting failure has resulted in us slipping up. We are thinking of one or two changes for tomorrow’s game.”Railways go into the game without Sanjay Bangar, who has been selected for the India A squad playing in the Kenstar tri-series in Kolkata. Sharma said, “We are thinking of opening with Amit Pagnis and Shreyas Khanolkar, who hit a hundred against the touring West Indies side in 2002.”Baroda are in a perilous position, and run a huge risk of relegation to the Plate division. Semi-finalists last year, runners-up in 2002 and champions in 2001, Baroda (4 points) will hope to stay in elite company. Sharma added, “It sets up an exciting game as both teams will look for a result from the game.”Kerala (2 points) languish at the bottom and their only chance of survival in the big league rests on Baroda slipping up. Kerala host UP in their final match and only a win can give them a chance of not falling into the Plate cabinet. UP (9 points) will not only aim for an outright win, but also try and sneak in a bonus point. Just in case Punjab and Railways mess up in their respective matches, UP, for the first time since the 1997-98 season, might enter the last four.The other match of the group involves Delhi and Andhra. With both teams having collected only 6 points, the result is only of academic interest.Group BTamil Nadu (15 points), having finished all their games in the league stage, are almost certain of topping this group. They would be hoping that some complex mathematics does not work against them, an eventuality that would occur only if Karnataka and Hyderabad record handsome wins in their final matches.But the real tussle is between Karnataka (11 points) and Hyderabad (10 points). Both teams enjoy home advantage – Karnataka take on Assam while Hyderabad entertain Rajasthan. Just a win may not be enough, and both sides would try to eke out a bonus point to tilt the scales.If both Karnataka and Hyderabad falter, three teams (Gujarat, Bengal and Assam) will be lurking in the shades and smelling a semi-final opportunity. Rajasthan (4 points) teeter on the brink of relegation and know that even a victory, against Hyderabad, may not be good enough.Plate Group
Points Table Group AHaryana (8 points) host Vidarbha (7 points) in what is virtually a quarter-final clash. With Madhya Pradesh (10 points) cosily ensconced in the last four, and the three other teams having only 4 points, this knockout game could decide the other semi-finalist.Maharashtra and Orissa have already booked their place in the last four, and will hope for some useful practice in their final games. Orissa travel to Delhi to play Services, while Maharashtra entertain Himachal Pradesh at Pune. With the Maharashtra batting order in such destructive form – Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Kaushak Aphale et al – the HP bowlers may not find this Christmas too merry.

Scorecard