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Kevin Pietersen is set for a return to competitive cricket at Fenner’s next week, and is well on course to feature in the first Test against Sri Lanka on May 26, after stepping up his rehabilitation following hernia surgery with extensive nets sessions at

Andrew Miller at The Oval04-May-2011Kevin Pietersen is set for a return to competitive cricket at Fenner’s next week, and is well on course to feature in the first Test against Sri Lanka on May 26, after stepping up his rehabilitation following hernia surgery with extensive nets sessions at The Oval.According to Surrey’s cricket manager, Chris Adams, Pietersen is approaching full fitness after nearly two months on the sidelines, and should be available for selection for Surrey’s three-day game against Cambridge MCCU, followed by their County Championship clash with Essex at Whitgift School, starting May 18.Assuming he comes through those matches unscathed, with the possibility of a CB40 fixture against Scotland in Edinburgh in between whiles, he is expected to slot straight back into the squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Cardiff in three weeks’ time, despite leaving the England squad under something of a cloud during the recent World Cup.Pietersen withdrew from the squad on March 6, immediately after England’s thrilling six-run victory over South Africa in Chennai, complaining that the pain of a hernia that he had sustained during the one-day series in Australia had become unbearable.While the nature of the injury was not in doubt, the timing of his departure raised many eyebrows, not least those of England’s head coach Andy Flower, who suggested that Pietersen could have “bitten the bullet” and managed the injury through to the end of the tournament. It reawakened doubts about Pietersen’s hunger for international cricket, however, Adams insisted that he was eager for a return to the fray.”He’s back to playing and within himself, he’s ready to play,” said Adams. “He’s had a good break and he’s keen to get going, because it’s time to focus on the next couple of weeks in the run-up to first Test. He’ll be with us all this week, doing two nets a day, and all the twisting and turning and bits of fielding before a game, and if he comes through that alright he’ll play next week at Cambridge.”The final say on Pietersen’s availability will be determined by the ECB – “we feel he’s England’s player, not ours,” said Adams – but with the club physio, Dean Conway, working closely with the England management team, Pietersen came through a fitness test at Lord’s last week, and was given a good going-over by a trio of Surrey youngsters in the Oval nets on Wednesday morning. “He looked very good, very simple, and reported no problems whatsoever,” said Adams.With Surrey struggling at the foot of the Division Two table, Adams insisted that the prospect of Pietersen’s availability was nothing but a boost for the squad. “Do we think of it as a disruption, or can we find the space for him in the side? Absolutely yes, he’s a world-class player. Any one of our players, if they were in Kev’s position, they’d like to think they could come back and get a game if they needed it.”He’s taken advice from the England management in terms of staying away from cricket since the World Cup, but he’s popped in on a few occasions,” said Adams. “When he’s been around he’s been good as gold. When he came here last year he had a good motive to be good around the squad, and he was very helpful and led by example. I’ve not seen anything different yet this year, and he’s seems very at home.”

Half-centuries from both Guyana openers ensured a draw against the Pakistanis

ESPNcricinfo staff10-May-2011
ScorecardHalf-centuries from Trevon Griffith and Shemroy Barrington, and solid contributions from Narsingh Deonarine and Shivnarine Chanderpaul ensured Guyana’s two-day game against the Pakistanis in Georgetown petered out into a draw. Openers Griffith and Barrington made sure the Pakistani bowlers would have to earn their stripes as they added 77 together. Barrington, who eventually fell leg-before to Saeed Ajmal, was the top scorer with 58, while Griffith made 55.Chanderpaul, who was named in the squad for the first Test, and Deonarine backed up the openers with 44 and 40 respectively. Five bowlers picked up wickets, with only Umar Gul missing out. Ajmal was the most successful, with figures of 2 for 41 from 15 overs.

Just as Kate Middleton would have been conspicuous by her absence had she not been at the Royal Wedding, Adrian Shankar was conspicuous by his absence at New Road

George Dobell at New Road29-May-2011
ScorecardJust as Kate Middleton would have been conspicuous by her absence had she not been at the Royal Wedding, Adrian Shankar was conspicuous by his absence at New Road.It’s not that he was expected – he certainly was not – but the repercussions of Shankar-gate continue to be felt here. And throughout English cricket.In the latest development, the England and Wales Cricket Board will launch an internal investigation into the background and implications of the case. While it seems that Worcestershire will escape censure – no-one is claiming they have been anything other than naive – there is concern over how easy it was for a man to doctor a photocopy of his passport and talk his way into a two-year county contract. Worcestershire, at least, feel that the ECB failed to carry out all the usual checks with due diligence.Whether the club are completely beyond reproach is debatable. Shankar actually represented the county’s second XI in 2003 and, at the time, gave his date of birth as May 1982. When he reappeared this season, however, it had changed to May 1985. It seems no-one at New Road bothered to cross-check the information.Worcestershire might also reflect upon how they came to sign a player with such a modest record in second XI cricket. Yes, they were duped by records purporting to show Shankar’s success in Sri Lanka – similar fictitious records exist suggesting a prolific season in the Central Lancashire League – but he must have also impressed in the nets.That’s a bit of a surprise. As Mike Green, the President of Bedfordshire County Cricket Club, put it: “Frankly we were amazed when we found out he was signing for Worcestershire because he would have struggled to get into our side. He hasn’t been good enough to get into our first XI for a good six or seven years.”Either way, Worcestershire have confirmed that they have released Shankar without paying him a penny and that they would not have signed him had they known he was over 26. Quite what the ECB intend to do about the young player incentive payment due to the club for fielding Shankar in the Championship match against Durham remains unclear.Lancashire’s role is also unclear. Shankar first lied about his age during his time at Old Trafford, but exactly when the club became aware of that – and why they decided to remain silent – is something of a mystery.In an unlikely twist, Shankar has now claimed that he fears for his safety. Declining to speak on the phone after claiming his line might have been bugged – quite who by is hard to say – he sent a series of texts stating: “I have a family with young nephews and nieces and our safety is at risk here… I have already notified the police… I need to secure the safety of my family.”With the talented Mr Shankar, however, it’s sometimes hard to tell where the lies end and the truth starts.Meanwhile, 12 wickets fell on the first day of Worcestershire’s Championship match against Nottinghamshire. On a pitch offering substantial assistance and some variable bounce, ball dominated bat throughout and Nottinghamshire’s first innings score of 223 may not prove to be too far below par.Only two men rose above the surface to make batting look a pleasurable business. For Nottinghamshire, Rikki Wessels, the 25-year-old former Northants player who is making his Championship debut for the champions, made a pleasing 67 containing 10 crisply-hit fours and a short-arm pull for six off Alan Richardson.Generally, however, Worcestershire experienced seamers – Richardson, Damien Wright and, to a lesser extent, Gareth Andrew, exploited the conditions expertly. Maintaining a probing line on off stump, they lured Akhil Patel into a loose drive before Mark Wagh, Samit Patel and Adam Voges were also lured into edges off fine balls that left them sharply.Wessels and Paul Franks played across straight balls and when Chris Read’s spirited defiance was ended by another fine catch by the excellent Ben Scott – his fifth of the innings – Nottinghamshire’s tail fell away quickly.Vikram Solanki led Worcestershire reply with a sparkling half-century. Timing the ball superbly off front and back foot, Solanki produced some delightful drives as well as one powerful pull for six. In partnership with the stubborn Matt Pardoe (93 minutes for his 13 runs so far), Solanki added 65 for Worcestershire’s second wicket and was only undone by a horrid delivery that kept impossibly low. That it was easily the highest stand of the day speaks volumes: this pitch is decidedly lively and batting is likely to remain tricky.

Cricinfo previews the first ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of England

The Preview by Andrew Miller30-Jun-2011Match factsFriday, July 1, Headingley
Start time 10.45am (0945 GMT)Big PictureJumping over hoops: James Anderson was England’s hero with the ball at The Oval•Getty ImagesAlastair Cook’s return to the England captaincy earlier this week could hardly have gone more swimmingly – literally, at one stage, after a thunderstorm had turned the Oval outfield into a boating lake and shaved 18 overs off the innings allocation. On a personal note, he didn’t have the best of days, as Lasith Malinga strangled him down the leg-side for a three-ball 5, but with four wins out of four in his ODI captaincy career, he’s doing his utmost to dispel the doubts about his suitability for the role.The ODI roadshow heads for Headingley on Friday, a venue where, in 2006, Sri Lanka handed out one of the most astonishing beatings ever seen in a 50-over international. England were already 4-0 down in the five-match series, but believed they’d done enough to salvage some pride by posting 321 for 7 in their 50 overs. Instead, a devastating opening stand of 286 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga allowed Sri Lanka to romp home by eight wickets with an incredible 12.3 overs left unused.Jayasuriya, of course, bowed out of international cricket during Tuesday’s match at The Oval, where the final act of his 445-match ODI career was to pound a cut into the hands of Eoin Morgan at point. Though his influence as a batsman has waned in recent years, his boots remain vast ones to fill, and with Tharanga also out of action due to suspension, Sri Lanka will be hoping that their fit-again captain, Tillakaratne Dilshan, can put a month of inactivity behind him and rediscover the form that carried him to three centuries and a fifty in his first four matches of the tour.After a crushing win in the Twenty20 in Bristol and a crushing defeat four days later at The Oval, the one-day leg of Sri Lanka’s tour has been topsy-turvy to say the least. A 32-over contest is no real indication of 50-over form, however, and though James Anderson was outstanding in reducing Sri Lanka to 15 for 4 in his first three overs, Mahela Jayawardene reckoned the reduction in overs was a key factor in their demise, as they took too many early risks in chasing a stiff target of 232. If the rain holds off, and a full contest can play out, we may get a better indication of where the current balance of one-day power really lies.Form guide (most recent first)England WLWLW
Sri Lanka LLWWWThe spotlightStuart Broad is under pressure for his place like never before. His stock within the England dressing-room remains as high as ever, but compared to the angry mongrel who hassled and hurried all batsmen in 2010, this season he has been disturbingly toothless. Despite possessing (in the opinion of England’s bowling coach, David Saker) the “best bouncer in world cricket”, his short balls have lacked venom of late, as if he no longer trusts a body that broke down on him twice in the winter – once at Adelaide during the Ashes, and again in Chennai during the World Cup. A haul of wickets would help settle his mind, but they remain elusive for now.Tillakaratne Dilshan’s comeback from a broken thumb was so brief it was hard to ascertain whether his form has elapsed in the interim. His innings was only two balls old when he wafted an Anderson short ball to fine leg and trudged off for a single, and he didn’t bring himself on to bowl either. Sri Lanka need him to return to his explosive best, although at least, having been through two stand-in captains in Kumar Sangakkara and Thilina Kandamby, the team is finally back with the appointed leader at the helm.Team newsThere’s no real reason for England to tinker with a winning combination. Craig Kieswetter produced a diligent 61 from 56 balls to answer his critics at the top of the order, and with the exception of Broad, all of England’s front-line bowlers chipped in with wickets in the Oval victory. With Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan looking in ominous form, the engine-room of the batting is in fine fettle as well.England (probable) 1 Craig Kieswetter (wk), 2 Alastair Cook (capt), 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Tim Bresnan, 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Jade Dernbach.Jayasuriya’s retirement creates a vacancy at the top of the Sri Lankan order, which is likely to be filled by Mahela Jayawardene, after his return to form in that position in the Bristol Twenty20. Dinesh Chandimal could be restored to the middle order, while the bowling attack will once again be spearheaded by Lasith Malinga.Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt) 2 Mahela Jayawardene, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 5 Thilina Kandamby, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Nuwan Kulasekera, 9 Suranga Lakmal, 10 Suraj Randiv, 11 Lasith Malinga,Pitch and conditionsEngland’s mini-heatwave may have subsided, but the weather is still set fair for Friday, with temperatures in the low-20s and a 10% chance of rain.Stats and trivia Mahela Jayawardene needs 41 runs to take his ODI tally against England to 1,000 James Anderson’s haul of 4 for 18 at The Oval was his tenth haul of four wickets or more in 143 ODIs, and his second-best performance in that format. Sri Lanka’s 110-run loss at The Oval was their first away defeat by England in an ODI since the Champions Trophy group stage in September 2004It is five years to the day since Sri Lanka inflicted that Headingley hammering on England.Quotes”Oh, you’re talking about 2006 – thanks for reminding me about that.”
Tim Bresnan prefers not to dwell on his debut experience against Sri Lanka five years ago.

Ajantha Mendis has said that he is in the process of developing a new delivery that he hopes to unveil in the near future

Sa'adi Thawfeeq09-Aug-2011Ajantha Mendis, the Sri Lanka spinner who became the first bowler in Twenty20 International history to take six wickets, has said that he is in the process of developing a new delivery that he hopes to unveil in the near future.Mendis bamboozled the Australia batting line-up in Monday’s Twenty20, taking 6 for 16 off four overs as Sri Lanka successfully defended their total of 157 for 9 to win by eight runs and pocket the two-match series 2-0.”I am developing a new ball but I haven’t still tried it,” Mendis said soon after being named Man of the Match. “Hopefully it will come out soon. I am very pleased to know that my effort is a world record. I didn’t realize it was one. I really enjoyed what I did today and I am sure that it will give me confidence. I just wanted to bowl a good line and length and that worked off. The wicket also helped me a lot.”Mendis said that losing out on a place for the England one-day series was one reason why he was determined to succeed. “I worked extremely hard and put in lot of effort and when you work hard this is what happens. I worked extremely hard to get back into the team.”The game was slipping out of Sri Lanka’s grasp when Mendis came on to bowl thanks to Shane Watson, who had bludgeoned 57 from 24 deliveries, and Mendis said his main intention was to curb the run-rate rather than take wickets. “I didn’t want to give too many runs. We were trying to limit the runs more than pick up wickets. We had a plan and we bowled according to that plan. I mixed up my deliveries and I thought the catch Angelo Mathews helped take changed the complexion of the game.”Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Sri Lanka captain said he had every confidence in Mendis when he handed him the ball. “I knew the ball was going to turn and it was going to help him,” Dilshan said. “He would be very handy for us throughout the ODI series.”Dilshan also said Mathews’ effort on the boundary to dismiss David Warner was the turning point of the game. Mathews, fielding on the midwicket boundary, showed a remarkable piece of athleticism to catch a David Warner shot above his head, while running, and throw the ball back into play before he went over the boundary line for Mahela Jayawardene to complete the catch. Before Warner’s dismissal Australia’s chase was on track; they had reached 73 for 1 in seven overs.”Once the catch was taken the momentum was back with us and our morale was very high,” Dilshan said. “After getting off to a superb start, that catch put some pressure on the Australians.” Dilshan, though, said there was still room for improvement for Sri Lanka in the field. “We spoke a lot about our fielding after the first Twenty20 win. I still believe that we can improve in certain areas. All our players are trying to improve and we are seeing the results. Australia are a very good fielding unit and if we can match their excellence on the field, the one-dayers will be a very good series.”Cameron White, Australia’s Twenty20 captain, praised Mendis’ performance in the second Twenty20 but thought things would get easier for the visitors in the ODI series because the team would be bolstered by more experienced players.”Mendis showed tonight, he’s a very good bowler,” White said. “Clearly six wickets in a Twenty20 game for under six runs is an unbelievable effort. A couple of senior players coming back into the side, like Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, have seen a lot of Mendis so straight from the start they’ll have a bit more experience. I think the more you get to face guys like that whom you haven’t seen as much, it becomes easier.”Dilshan, however, said his side still had the upper hand going in to the ODIs. “The experience we gained in the two T20 matches has put us in a good mind frame. True, three senior players will be back in their side, with Ponting, Clarke and Michael Hussey joining the squad. But if we do the things that we do right, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t win the ODI series,”On his part, Mendis said that he doesn’t intend to make many changes for the upcoming five one-dayers. “I just want to bowl line and length and do the variations right. If I bowl well I know I can take wickets.”

Jade Dernbach and Craig Kieswetter have earned incremental ECB contracts having played the required number of internationals

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2011Jade Dernbach and Craig Kieswetter have earned incremental ECB contracts having played the required number of internationals. Points are awarded for each appearance with both Dernbach and Kieswetter playing enough Twenty20 internationals and ODIs to reach the required mark.Kieswetter returned to the England side for the limited-overs matches against Sri Lanka having lost his place last season. He missed out on the World Cup but Matt Prior’s poor tournament offered him the chance to return at the top of the order in both short formats.Although still suspect against the moving ball he has played some aggressive innings including his 25-ball 46 in the second ODI against India, at the Rose Bowl, which helped set up England’s seven-wicket victory.Dernbach, meanwhile, has made a very positive impression at the start of his international career having been a surprise late call up to the World Cup squad earlier in the year. His skills at the end of an innings helped England secure the series against Sri Lanka with a tight win at Old Trafford and also took 3 for 30 against Ireland in Dublin.His form continued in the Twenty20 international against India, at Old Trafford, when he took 4 for 22 to help set up England’s win. “This award reflects the contributions Craig and Jade have made to our T20 and one-day international teams this season and we congratulate both players on their achievement,” Geoff Miller, the national selector, said.Under the ECB’s contracts system, five points are awarded for a Test appearance and two for a T20 or ODI appearance, with an increment contract being awarded automatically once the player reaches 20 points during the 12-month contract period.

ESPNcricinfo previews the second one-day international between Zimbabwe and Pakistan in Harare

The Preview by Firdose Moonda10-Sep-2011Match facts
September 11, Harare
Start time 0930 (0730 GMT)With the Harare pitch better suited to fast bowling, Brian Vitori is likely to return to Zimbabwe’s XI•Associated PressThe Big Picture
Pakistan could wrap up the ODI series in Harare, with a match to spare for experimentation. They held their nerve in a tense victory on Thursday, but will want to consolidate their position by turning in a more dominant performance this time.For that, they will need a better start from the opening batsmen and bigger contributions from the middle order. If that happens, and is complimented with the same feistiness Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq showed in the first match, the batting line-up will provide a formidable challenge to Zimbabwe. Pakistan’s fast bowlers can look forward to a more helpful surface and Zimbabwe will have to steel themselves to contend with the likes of Aizaz Cheema in more accommodating conditions. The visiting spinners did a good containing job in the first match and much of the same will be expected of them in Harare.Zimbabwe will want to prove their performance against Bangladesh was not a one-off. They have left the curse of Bulawayo behind and return to the happy hunting ground of Harare. The venue itself should lift the home team, who prefer the bounce and carry of the Harare pitch to the slower surface in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack will be more comfortable with the slight assistance they will receive, although coach Alan Butcher acknowledged that they will have to work harder against Pakistan than they did against Bangladesh.On the whole, Zimbabwe have shown signs of progress, remaining competitive until the final over of the first ODI and scoring over 240 runs in the chase. They also impressed with the ball, reining Pakistan in to a manageable total after Younis got off to a flier. All that effort amounted to nothing in the results column though, so Zimbabwe will have to remind themselves not to get too demoralised by defeat and to continue to learn as the summer progresses.Form guide (most recent first) Zimbabwe LLLWW
Pakistan WWWLLIn the spotlight Hamiltom Masakadza has embodied the poor form of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, having scored only 43 runs in the three ODIs there this summer. He also failed in the Test match and has been persisting through a mini-lean patch that he will want to end soon. While his technique has improved and his maturity is now evident, Masakadza has to get on top of bowling attacks more, especially since he bats at the crucial No. 3 spot. He has been out in single figures in nine of his last 15 ODI innings and will want to show that he can be more consistent. Masakadza’s medium-pacers have also become key partnership breakers for Zimbabwe and he will enjoy the chance to bowl again, if it is given to him.His return to international cricket went almost unnoticed, but Shoaib Malik will want to prove that he still has what it takes to perform at the top level. He was out to an outlandish catch from Tatenda Taibu in Bulawayo, after facing only five balls, so spending some time at the crease is bound to at the top of Malik’s agenda after being out of the game for over a year. The last time he played a big innings was during the Champions Trophy in 2009, when Pakistan beat India. Team news Zimbabwe are likely go back to their three-pronged seam attack, bringing back Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori. If they also include a spinner in Ray Price, it will mean shortening their batting line-up, something they have expressed concern over. Their other option is to use allrounder Greg Lamb as the solitary spinner and bolster the batting line-up. Malcolm Waller’s position may in doubt in the middle order as Zimbabwe look to settle the number six and seven positions, and Craig Ervine could return.Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Chamu Chibhabha, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Tatenda Taibu, 6 Malcolm Waller/Craig Ervine, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Ray Price/Greg Lamb, 9 Brian Vitori, 10 Kyle Jarvis, 11 Chris Mpofu.Pakistan will also want to emphasise on pace, taking into account the Harare pitch, and would most likely retain a three-man seam attack. Junaid Khan was expensive and may be replaced with Sohail Khan, but Aizaz Cheema impressed and Sohail Tanvir should keep his place as well. Pakistan indicated that all 17 members of their squad will get a game and, so far, legspinner Yasir Shah, opening batsmen Rameez Raja and No. 3 Asad Shafiq are yet to play. Shah would have been more effective in Bulawayo and may have to sit out for now, but Rameez could replace Imran Farhat if Pakistan want to experiment.Pakistan: (probable) 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imran Farhat/Rameez Raja, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Adnan Akmal, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Saeed Ajmal, 10 Junaid Khan/Sohail Khan, 11 Aizaz Cheema. Pitch and conditionsBrendan Taylor would say that the tour has finally moved out of the subcontinent when the match in Harare gets underway. Although the pitch will not offer as much bounce and movement as Taylor may want, there will definitely be more in it for the bowlers than there was in Bulawayo, negating the role of the spinners slightly. An all-round cricket surface, the pitch will also be easier to bat on and should produce a high-scoring contest. Harare is slightly cooler than Bulawayo, although with summer approaching, a warm day is expected.Stats and trivia Of Taylor’s four ODI hundreds, three have been in losing causes for Zimbabwe. The century that he scored in a victory was against Sri Lanka last year, and is Taylor’s only ton in Harare. Younis’ average against Zimbabwe is 50.85 – better than his average against any other team that he has played more than three matches against. He has never scored a hundred against them.Quotes “Different conditions in Harare may make us think of a different attack. Vitori’s omission was tactical, but I’m sure he will play a role in Harare.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the first of two late-season Twenty20 matches between England and West Indies

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan22-Sep-2011Match FactsSeptember 23, The Oval
Start time: 6.15pm (1715GMT)Graeme Swann discusses some of his ideas with Andy Flower and Steven Finn•Getty ImagesThe Big PictureAnd so the English season continues, at least for another three days. These two matches against West Indies weren’t on the schedule until August when it became clear that TV agreements had to be met, following the collapse of the Stanford deal. So the visitors are making a quick stop in the UK on their way to Dubai and finally Bangladesh.If you look hard enough there is actually some value to the games other than monetary. The World Twenty20 takes place in Sri Lanka a year from now and international fixtures in the shortest format are few and far between. It’s not just spin (well, not all of it anyway) when the players say extra games aren’t a bad thing. Meanwhile, ticket sales for the matches have been good, especially considering the time of the year, which suggests the public want to watch a successful England team, regardless of context.Neither side, however, is at full strength and in West Indies’ case they are barely a second-string side. A combination of contractual disputes and the Champions League means a host of new faces in the squad, although Darren Sammy is there as captain while Fidel Edwards, Marlon Samuels and Devendra Bishoo make the trip.England’s plans for the short series have been hampered by injury with both the captain, Stuart Broad, and vice-captain, Eoin Morgan, ruled out which means Graeme Swann becomes the fifth leader of the season and sixth of the year. It does, though, offer a chance to have a look at a few more new players following the success of Jonny Bairstow in the final ODI against India. Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Alex Hales all have an opportunity to impress in these autumn outings. They might just need to wear a few layers of clothing.Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)
England WLLWW
West Indies LWLLLSpotlightJonny Bairstow is the man of the moment following his 21-ball 41 on debut at Cardiff which was followed by glowing assessments from Alastair Cook and Andy Flower. Earlier this week he was named the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Player of the Year and is assured of a place on the trip to India next month. It was his calmness, right from the first ball of his innings, that stood out when he strode to the crease against India and he also speaks with maturity. He is adding to the battle for the middle-order slots in the limited-overs teams but his presence will also put pressure on Craig Kieswetter with England well stocked for keeper-batsmen.Among the host of relatively unknown players in West Indies’ squad, Dwayne Smith is a familiar face on these shores following his stints in county cricket. When Smith burst onto the scene with a century on his Test debut against South Africa, at Newlands, an exciting career looked in store but, as with so many West Indian cricketers, he hasn’t been able to make the most of his natural talent. There is no doubting, though, that his explosive batting and whippy bowling are perfectly suited to Twenty20. This could be his final chance.Team newsThere are a variety of options for England to consider and the squad was clearly picked with an eye on Sri Lanka as it contains four spin options. It’s hard to see more than two playing in either match and with Graeme Swann the captain that would mean just one from Samit Patel, Scott Borthwick and Danny Briggs. The openers, Craig Kieswetter and Alex Hales, are likely to get both matches to impress as they try to forge England’s latest top-order combination.England (possible) 1 Craig Kieswetter (wk), 2 Alex Hales, 3 Ravi Bopara, 4 Jonny Bairstow, 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler, 7 Samit Patel, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Graeme Swann (capt), 10 James Anderson, 11 Jade DernbachThere is a suggestion that Dwayne Smith will open the batting, which will rely heavily on the experience of Marlon Samuels. Garey Mathurin, a late call-up to the squad, could debut on his birthday.West Indies (possible): 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Miles Bascombe, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Danza Hyatt, 5 Nkruma Bonner, 6 Derwin Christian (wk), 7 Darren Sammy (capt), 8 Andre Russell, 9 Garey Mathurin, 10 Devendra Bishoo, 11 Fidel EdwardsPitch and conditionsDespite being late season, the pitch won’t be a concern at The Oval and the forecast is dry. However, the dew factor will be important and fielding under the lights could be tricky.Stats and trivia England and West Indies have met five times in Twenty20 internationals with West Indies leading the head-to-head 4-1. Three of those games have been at The Oval, with England’s only win coming in 2007. Jonathan Trott made his international debut during the 2007 series although the two games were his only outings until his first Test against Australia in 2009.Quotes”I feel like a grandad to some of these boys. I’ve been around the block a few more times than these lads, but it’s nice to have that bit of experience under your belt.”
“With all due respect to what Stanford did in the Caribbean, I don’t think it could be replaced. The interest that was generated during the Stanford Twenty20 was very good for us. I know he’s under investigation and stuff, but what transpired as a result of his tournaments, I think it’s exposed some players for us.”
West Indies’ captain, Darren Sammy, misses Sir Allen Stanford’s influence in the Caribbean

Had it not been for Brendan Taylor’s century, New Zealand would have beaten the hosts much earlier and more comfortably than they eventually did in Harare

The Report by George Binoy22-Oct-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsBoth of Brendan Taylor’s back-to-back centuries rescued Zimbabwe from trouble but eventually ended in defeat•Associated PressHad it not been for Brendan Taylor’s century, which rescued a Zimbabwe innings that had floundered after a slow start, New Zealand would have beaten the hosts much earlier and more comfortably than they eventually did in Harare. Taylor became the first Zimbabwe batsman to score back-to-back ODI hundreds, and while he rescued his team from 83 for 4 in the 25th over, he watched helplessly as his bowlers once again struggled to take wickets, primarily because his fielders dropped as many as four catches.New Zealand, for the most part, were clinical on either side of Taylor’s century and secured the series 2-0 with one to play. Their disciplined seam attack forced a cautious start from Zimbabwe after which the increasing pressure to score yielded several wickets and allowed them only 259 despite Taylor’s strong finish. New Zealand’s batsmen were not as untroubled during the chase as in previous matches but Martin Guptill launched and then anchored the innings with his second ODI century. He had Brendon McCullum, who benefitted from all four dropped catches to score 87, for company during a 157-run partnership. Though New Zealand lost three wickets for 16 runs and stuttered late in the innings, the top order had already done enough to prevent a shock Zimbabwe win.Zimbabwe’s bowlers faced a familiar struggle. They had taken a total of three wickets in two Twenty20s and the first ODI, and they were able to take only one in the first 37 overs of New Zealand’s chase. They should have had more.Guptill had got New Zealand off to a brisk start with powerful cuts to the boundary and drives on both side of the wicket. In the sixth over, however, he survived a close lbw appeal from Keegan Meth, who was troubling the openers with his ability to swing the ball both ways. Guptill and Rob Nicol, who had also survived a strong lbw appeal from Meth, added 49 for the first wicket before Nicol was splendidly caught down leg side by the wicketkeeper in the eighth over.Meth could have got McCullum four balls after Nicol fell but Hamilton Masakadza could not hang on to a firm flick at midwicket. New Zealand went into a bit of a lull as only 12 runs came between overs eight and 13 but Guptill and McCullum soon stirred out of it. McCullum charged Price to loft over long-on for six and Guptill cut Chris Mpofu to bring up a run-a-ball fifty. On 23, however, McCullum popped a catch back to Elton Chigumbura, who failed to latch on during his follow through. Soon after, on 31, he gave Chigumbura another opportunity, slashing towards sweeper where Malcolm Waller spilled a sitter.With both batsmen well set, and 114 needed off 120 balls, New Zealand took the batting Powerplay in the 31st over. McCullum began to tee off, and flicked Meth over the square leg boundary. When he tried the shot a second time, on 59, he picked out Waller at deep square leg, but the catch was dropped once again. McCullum promptly clobbered the next ball far over square leg as Meth watched in anguish. McCullum ended the Powerplay with a straight six off Price – 46 runs had come off five overs and the contest was all but over.Zimbabwe’s marginally improved bowling but abject fielding effort had come after Taylor played a blinder for the second time in two matches. At 53 for 3 after 17 overs, Zimbabwe’s hopes of competing depended on their captain.Zimbabwe’s fightback was launched in the 28th over, when Taylor swung James Franklin over the long-on boundary for the innings’ first six. He had the plucky Waller for a sidekick. The surge came against Nicol, who bowled innocuous offbreaks and conceded 17 in the 30th over. Waller drove through the offside and slog-swept for fours. So did Taylor.Taylor reached his half-century off 55 balls with a classy straight drive off Doug Bracewell and Waller brought up the fifty partnership, off only 6.5 overs, by cutting a short and wide ball for four. Waller was dismissed in the second over of the batting Powerplay, bowled by McKay who ended on a career-best 4 for 53.Taylor, however, maintained the momentum Zimbabwe had acquired through that 86-run partnership with Waller. McKay delivered a series of full and very wide balls outside off, but Taylor chased and drove a couple to the boundary, forcing the abortion of that strategy.Zimbabwe needed a strong finish and Taylor provided it. He paddled the third ball of the final over to the fine-leg boundary and lofted the next over mid-off for four, before watching Ray Price clout the last delivery to deep midwicket to round off a 14-run over. He ended on 107 off 105 balls, but it would be another valiant century in vain.

Australia’s hopes at the Wanderers – and potentially for their home summer – took a major blow in the first session of the match when Shane Watson left the field with an injury to his right hamstring

Brydon Coverdale in Johannesburg17-Nov-2011Australia’s hopes at the Wanderers – and potentially for their home summer – took a major blow in the first session of the match when Shane Watson left the field with an injury to his right hamstring. The loss of Watson followed Australia’s decision to send the fast bowler Ryan Harris home due to a hip problem, which will place him in doubt for the first Test against New Zealand.Arguably Australia’s most important player, Watson left the field after bowling the fifth ball of his fourth over, having already made a breakthrough when he had Jacques Rudolph caught behind. It was not immediately clear how serious the injury was, but Watson’s history with hamstring complaints meant it was unlikely the Australians would risk him doing any further damage by bowling again in the match.Watson returned to the field later in the day and stood at first slip – he didn’t bowl again – and at the end of the day he was padded up ready to open the innings. However, the ICC’s new law forbidding runners means that Watson’s impact could be limited by how quickly he can make it to the other end of the pitch.While Watson is key to Australia’s setup due to his all-round abilities, the team is also without Harris, the best bowler in the side. Harris was ruled out of the Test, allowing the 18-year-old Pat Cummins to make his debut, and he was set to return to Australia immediately.”Ryan Harris had some right hip pain after the first Test in Cape Town,” Australia’s physio, Alex Kountouris, said. “He was still experiencing pain bowling during the team training session on Wednesday and has therefore been ruled out of the second Test.”He has had a number of investigations since arriving in Johannesburg that have at this stage excluded serious injury, however he will need to return to Australia for further assessment and to commence his recovery. His return to cricket will be guided by the improvement we see over the next week.”That timeframe does not bode well for his availability for the New Zealand series, which begins at the Gabba in a fortnight. Harris, 32, has been Australia’s best bowler since he made his Test debut in New Zealand early last year, easily topping the frontline bowling averages during that period with 35 victims at 21.37.However, Australia’s concern is that Harris has played only half the Tests during that time. He was sent home from the Pakistan series in England last year with a knee injury that required surgery, he suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle during the Boxing Day Ashes Test last year and again needed an operation, and he missed the final Test in Sri Lanka in September due to a hamstring strain.Three Tests is the most he has strung together in a row. The injuries to Harris and Watson leave Australia with some serious concerns ahead of the New Zealand series and the four-Test series against India that follows.Harris was to be accompanied on the plane home from South Africa by the left-arm spinner Michael Beer, who the selectors felt would benefit from match-time back home. Trent Copeland and David Warner have remained with the squad but with an Australia A match against New Zealand set to begin next Thursday, it is not out of the question that one of them could be sent to take part in that match.