Frizzell County Championship Division One
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Lancashire 225 for 2 v Sussex at Old Trafford
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Leaders Sussex, requiring 10 points from their remaining two games to secure their first title, were frustrated by the rain and then Lancashire in a shortened day’s play at a gloomy Manchester. After the morning had been washed out, Lancashire soon lost openers Mark Chilton, superbly caught behind, and Iain Sutcliffe (52 for 2). But then Mal Loye (110 not out) and Stuart Law (65 not out) revived the innings with an unbroken stand of 157 for the third wicket. Mushtaq Ahmed toiled in vain for his 100th wicket of the season, but despite remaining wicketless he was the pick of the Sussex bowlers.Leicestershire 151 for 6 v Kent at Leicester
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Only 47 overs were possible at Grace Road today due to rain, in which time John Maunders scored 76 not out for Leicestershire, but Muttiah Muralitharan struck back with 3 for 17 to give Kent the edge. Maunders and Brad Hodge (31) made a good start to reach 71 for 1, but then Murali turned it on. He took three wickets in nine overs as Leicestershire faltered to 151 for 6.Nottinghamshire 316 for 5 v Middlesex at Lord’s
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They may be down, but Notts finished their first day against Middlesex on a high, reaching a healthy 316 for 5. In the 77 overs possible, Russell Warren led the way with an unbeaten 100 from 161 balls, including 13 fours. Jason Gallian gave Notts a good platform with 73 at the top of the order, and Kevin Pietersen (70) then added 128 with Warren to give Notts a rare good day’s work in the Championship.Frizzell County Championship Division Two
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Somerset 409 v Derbyshire 32 for 0 at Taunton
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Ian Blackwell marked his return to the England one-day international team with a blistering 247 not out from 156 balls, including an astonishing 27 fours and 11 sixes. Blackwell came in with Somerset struggling at 31 for 4 after Dominic Cork, who took 6 for 92, ripped out three early wickets. Blackwell then put on partnerships of 64 with Richard Johnson (25), and 70 with Simon Francis (18), but they were then eclipsed when Nixon McLean, dropped at slip by Andrew Gait before he had scored, settled in to score 39 and add 163 with Blackwell, a last-wicket partnership record for Somerset. Blackwell clubbed his maiden double-century off only 136 balls, with the second hundred coming off 41 deliveries. The amazing onslaught took the shine off Cork’s excellent bowling in the morning session and loosened Derbyshire’s grip on the game.Northants 319 v Glamorgan 20 for 0 at Cardiff
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Mike Hussey followed such esteemed names as Sir Donald Bradman and Brian Lara by scoring his fifth consecutive century, for Northants against Glamorgan. He hammered an imperious 147, including 25 fours, as Northants amassed 319. Hussey was finally the last man out, receiving support from only Tim Roberts (41) and Phil Jaques (28). Meanwhile Robert Croft showed the England selectors what they will be missing in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka this winter with 5 for 93 to peg back Northants’s progress. Jimmy Maher and Mark Wallace guided Glamorgan to 20 for 0 at the close.Gloucestershire 374 v Durham 2 for 0 at Bristol
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As Jonty Rhodes nears his retirement, he bid farewell in style with a stylish 103 to put Gloucestershire in command against Durham. Rhodes hit 10 fours and three sixes, and added 131 with Tim Hancock, who scored 97. Craig Spearman also hit 59, while Shoaib Akhtar and Graeme Bridge took three wickets each as Durham closed the first day on 2 for 0.

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Matthew Hayden, reportedly battling a back problem that almost prevented him from playing, unleashed a century of outstanding quality which contained all the elements of batsmanship that have made him one of the most dominant destroyers on the world stage over the last few years. By the close, Australia had marched to 372 for 3, with Hayden unbeaten on 183. The unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 173 with Steve Waugh utterly demoralised Zimbabwe, who had fought hard for a semblance of parity in the first two sessions.Hayden attacked early on, to gain the ascendancy, then anchored the innings through potential danger before finishing off the day with an assault that bordered on the sublime. He took 308 minutes and 210 balls to reach his 15th Test century, but needed just 32 more deliveries to speed past 150. It was a brutal decimation of an impotent attack, with the prospect of more punishment tomorrow.The day had started on an emotional note with 88 seconds of silence in memory of the 88 victims of the Bali bombings, which happened a year ago on Sunday. There was also a presentation of medallions to both teams in honour of the first match in Australia between these sides, and a special greeting for the umpires and the referee as part of the Australian Sports Commission’s Year of the Official.The way Australia started, it seemed as if they were on a time bonus to complete the match within three days. Hayden and Justin Langer scored at six an over with some audacious strokeplay, more in keeping with the final session of a day than the start. High risk brings greater demand for execution, and when Langer had made 26 he failed to cover a ball that he played defensively onto his stumps off an inside edge. Sean Ervine’s medium-pace had done what Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut’s superior speed had not been able to achieve.Further success came just after lunch when Ervine trapped Ricky Ponting in front for 37. Throughout it all, Hayden was immovable. He reined in the aggression when Langer departed, and it wasn’t until after he had scored his century that he opened out.Damien Martyn came in and rattled off a quickfire 53 from 76 balls before he edged one to slip off Trevor Gripper’s gentle offspin. But with Steve Waugh settling in, there was no more respite for Zimbabwe. After a period of consolidation just after tea, Hayden and Waugh lifted the scoring tempo with imperceptible ease. Hayden reached his century, and then moved into another realm.Zimbabwe’s attack was ill-equipped to contain the power and intent of the Australians. If Streak thought the second new ball might rescue his day, and the decision to bowl first, reality was less than one over away. Hayden took 14 runs from the first over – a four to cover, another to midwicket and six over long-on. In between, he copped a severe blow to his left knee when he pulled the ball down onto it, leaving him hobbling in pain.For Ervine, there was some comfort with two wickets for 56 but, in all likelihood, Australia have already done enough to wrap up this match quickly. However, as long as Hayden maintains his desire, the prospects for individual records are limitless. And then there’s the small matter of Perth being the only current Test ground in Australia on which Waugh hasn’t scored a century … yet. The omens aren’t that great for Zimbabwe ahead of the second day.

Pace bowlers Stephen John and Junaid Zia brought Pakistan Customs back on track against DHA for a berth in the first-class Patron’s Trophy. Twenty wickets fell on the opening day of the latest round in the Inter-Department Qualifying Tournament.Earlier in the day Customs were bowled out for 161 with Rizwan Saeed taking 6 for 58 and Nasir Khan 4 for 46, but then John and Junaid, bowling on a seamer-friendly pitch, shared ten wickets as DHA were shot out for 80. John took 5 for 20 while Junaid, who was recently adjudged the best player in the Emerging Trophy, took 5 for 46. He now has 31 wickets in the competition. Customs were 22 for 0 at the close stumps, a lead of 101 runs.Before the the match, Customs had 21 points from five matches against DHA’s 27 from four. If Customs secure maximum points in this game, DHA will be awkwardly placed as their last match is against leaders PIA who have already qualified to play in Patron’s Trophy with 36 points from five matches.Debutants Karachi Port Trust needed a winning draw against National Bank to qualify along with ZTBL from Pool C. They went off to a decent start, finishing the day on 221 for 3 off 65.3 overs, with former Pakistan junior captain Maisam Hasnain unbeaten on 86. Former Test opener Shadab Kabir scored 55.In Pool B, the battle for the second qualification spot behind Wapda is on in earnest. KRL and ARL are both locked at 21 points apiece, while PTCL were only three points behind before the start of this round. At stumps on the first day, KRL were in trouble against PTV on 184 for 6 from 47 overs, while PTCL were 135 for 1 in 31 overs against ARL.

Canterbury Cricket’s Super 8 has once again provided a great deal of fun for many Secondary School students. The competition this term has been supported by Anderson and Hill and the Cancer Society. The competition continues to grow and it is anticipated that there will be about 50 entries in the first term of the 2004 school year.This term Kaiapoi won the Boys’ Under-18 section after being the runners-up on two previous occasions. Christchurch Girls’ High School was the winner of the Girls’ section. The boys’ Under-15 final will be contested between Burnside and Darfield and will be played at the Darfield Club Domain on Wednesday, November 12. The match starts at 3pm and members of the public and media are welcome to attend. This promises to be an exciting game of cricket.The next Super 8 Competition will start in early February 2004 and registrations will be taken once students return from their Christmas holidays.

Wasim Akram has denied claims that he coached the Indian side, or had plans to do so, and insisted that an action against him accusing him of doing so was born out of malice and was little more than an attempt to gain cheap publicity by the petitioner.Akram was appearing in front of a civil court in Lahore in a bid to have the petition, which seeks to prevent him coaching any Indian players, dismissed. “I have no such intention to coach the Indian cricket team," he told the judge. "Nor I have been approached by the Indian cricket board." Akram explained that the petition had caused him "mental torture" as well as damaging his reputation."If anyone seeks my advice I am duty-bound to help him." Akram continued. "Indian bowlers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan used to call me and take advice, there is nothing wrong with that because when I was young I took advice from Kapil Dev and the late West Indian Malcolm Marshall."I am amazed at the narrow-mindedness of the people, they make mountains out of a molehill," he added. "I am going to sue them instead. "Akram also faces another appearance in court, again because of a petition filed by a member of the public, following his appearance in a liquor advertisement in India two years ago.The judge adjourned the current case until December 8.

South Africa’s fast bowler Andre Nel is torn between the crease and the altar, after carelessly arranging to get married in the middle of next week’s fourth and final Test against West Indies.Nel had not expected to feature in the series when he set the date, but he picked up five wickets in an innings for the first time in his career at Cape Town last week, and is now an automatic selection for the Centurion Test – if available, of course.Given that he is contracted to the United Cricket Board, it is unlikely that he will be permitted to miss the match. The UCB have allowed players such as Shaun Pollock and Gary Kirsten to take time off to be present at the birth of their children, but Nel is due to marry his girlfriend Deanne Weitz in Johannesburg on the second afternoon of the match, and the venue is only an hour’s drive from the ground.”I’ve discussed it with him," said South Africa’s coach Eric Simons, "and hopefully he can put [the ceremony] back by a few hours.” South Africa are reluctant to enter the match without Nel, who has taken 17 wickets at a cost of just 20 runs each in the series.”In a certain way I had probably given up on playing Test cricket again,” said Nel, who reinvented himself at Northamptonshire last season, where he gained an extra yard of pace and helped the county to a double promotion. “But now that I’ve been given this lifeline I want to grab it and hang on.”

The Tasmanian Selectors have today announced the Cascade Tasmanian Tigers team to play New South Wales in the Cricket Australia Cup match at the TCA Ground in Hobart, from Monday 9th to Thursday 12th February 2004.

Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said yesterday that the doors of international cricket were opening for Karachi and Peshawar. He also urged followers of the game to consider the Indian series on a national level rather than making it a regional or provincial issue.Shaharyar, in a statement, admitted that he felt sad for the people of Karachi and Peshawar from the bottom of his heart. “I am sad, there is no doubt about that. But I am happy that the Indian cricket team is coming to Pakistan after nearly 15 years, and has also agreed to play one-day internationals in Karachi and Peshawar which were previously branded as no-go areas by the top teams.”Referring to the itinerary for the Indian tour, he stated that he had two primary objectives in mind with regard to the forthcoming series. “The first was that the tour should proceed on schedule, and second that Karachi and Peshawar should not be bypassed again and matches definitely scheduled in these cities. Both these objectives had been achieved.”Initially, Test matches had been scheduled in both Karachi and Peshawar. However, with the announcement of the Indian elections, there was a clear indication that India would seek a postponement or cancellation of the tour in order to avoid the high-sensitivity cricket visit overlapping with the Indian elections.”Mr Vajpayee’s confirmation of the tour removed all doubts, but we needed to be sensitive to India’s security concerns. An Indian team paid a weeklong visit to all the centres where matches were scheduled, and indicated that while they were fully satisfied with ground and hotel arrangements, the 8-9 days’ stay of the Indian team in Karachi and Peshawar for Test matches would be a cause of concern for the Indian Board and government. On their return, the Indian position was confirmed. However, they agreed to play one-day matches at Karachi and Peshawar, confirming their earlier indication that these two cities would not be bypassed.”He added: “I am myself a resident of Karachi and wanted to schedule a Test in Pakistan’s largest city for my first series as chairman.”Karachi and Peshawar have not hosted any important series for three years – West Indies and Australia declined to visit Pakistan at all, and New Zealand aborted their tour because of a bomb blast just outside their hotel. South Africa also refused to play in Karachi and Peshawar last year.Shaharyar concluded: “India’s decision to play one-day internationals in Karachi and Peshawar is a welcome development since it opens the doors for India – as indeed for all other countries – to resume Tests and one-day internationals at Karachi and Peshawar.”He stressed that the itinerary, which includes Karachi and Peshawar for ODIs, should therefore be seen as the beginning of a welcome phase for cricket in these cities, and needs to be viewed at national rather than provincial level. He expressed the hope that the cricket-loving public of Karachi and Peshawar would show their discipline and sporting attitude in welcoming the Indian team, thereby ensuring that in future all reservations to playing in those historic cities would be dispelled.

ScorecardVictoria virtually ensured their hold on the Pura Cup, as Queensland ended the fourth day of the final on 2 for 56, needing a further 520 on the last day. Earlier, Victoria declared their second innings at 1 for 140, after bowling out Queensland for 275 in their first innings.Full report follows …

ScorecardThe bad weather continued to blight New Zealand’s preparations for the first Test at Worcestershire today, where only 27 overs were possible due to rain.In that time, however, New Zealand were also frustrated by Worcestershire’s No. 10, Nadeem Malik, who belted 39 not out off only 36 balls for the best first-class score of his career as his side declared on 270 for 9.Malik, 21, gave his side a valuable contribution, as his cameo innings followed a collapse, with Worcestershire tumbling from their overnight score of 163 for 3 to 226 for 9.Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey were in the wickets for New Zealand, with Tuffey taking the big scalp of Ben Smith, caught by Stephen Fleming for 92. Bond removed Kadeer Ali and Andrew Hall in quick succession before Tuffey took centre stage. After he got rid of Smith, he removed David Pipe for a duck.Steve Rhodes was dismissed by Chris Martin, and Matt Mason was trapped lbw to Vettori. But Malik added 44 with Mark Harrity for the last wicket.