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Zimbabwe’s hopes of resuming playing Test cricket have been dealt a hammer blow by the ICC Cricket Committee which met in Dubai this week.The newly-constituted committee, chaired by Sunil Gavaskar, has recommended that the ICC does not allow Zimbabwe to return to the Test arena “until such time as the team demonstrates its ability to perform at a standard that does not risk undermining the integrity of Test cricket”. It continued: “In order to be able to judge when Zimbabwe’s performance merits a return to Test cricket, the committee felt the team first needed to continue in its current practice of playing a number of representative four-day matches. The committee encouraged the scheduling of such matches against ICC Full Member A teams and Associates with, for example, the inclusion of Zimbabwe in the next ICC Intercontinental Cup.”Although the recommendations still have to be discussed by the ICC executive when it meets in London at the end of June, they will make it much harder for Peter Chingoka, the ZC chairman, to persuade other members that Zimbabwe are ready to resume playing Tests.It has always been stressed that Zimbabwe’s suspension was at their own behest, but there have been increasing concerns that the standard of their side is now so poor as to threaten the ethos of Tests.Zimbabwe first voluntarily suspended themselves in 2004. They returned to Tests in January 2005 but of eight matches between then and their second withdrawal in January 2006 they lost all but one by massive margins, with the one drawn match being severely disrupted by rain. They have also won only one of their last 19 ODIs.If the committee’s recommendations are accepted then Zimbabwe could be added to the eights countries in the 2007-08 Intercontinental Cup which gets underway next month and runs until late 2008. That would enable them to play four-day matches against the leading Associates as well as other series against A teams.There is unrest, especially among the Associates, that Zimbabwe continue to be heavily funded by the ICC – they are about to receive US$11.5 million from the World Cup – and yet they do little more – less in some instances – than Associates such as Ireland, Scotland and Kenya who receive a fraction of that money.

From day one, Pakistan have been on the receiving end in this second Asian Test Championship final. At close on the third day, at 193 for five, with Shahid Afridi and Yousuf Youhana throwing their wickets away like crazy spendthrifts, Pakistan had more or less handed the trophy to Sri Lanka. With 101 out of the overall lead of 294 on the first innings to go, the deficit was still quite sizable.In murky and overcast conditions, with floodlights blazing down since early afternoon, Muttiah Muralitharan had added another three wickets for only 39 to his first innings tally of four for 55. And with Inzamam-ul-Haq (unbeaten on 38 with just one four) the only recognised batsman left, this incomparable Sri Lankan match-winner was going for the kill.Pakistan really gave it away on a platter. They had seemed to be taking the challenge to Sri Lanka, as Afridi and Inzamam put on 84 for the third wicket. It was as self-assured a partnership as any, and had the potential to assume threatening proportions. Afridi, given a life when he was dropped by Jayasuriya at first slip off Chaminda Vaas, was by now on 70 and playing his shots fluently and effortlessly. He had smitten Muralitharan for a six to mid-wicket, and clubbed three exquisite fours as Vaas was brought on.At that point Pakistan had clawed their way back, but then Afridi lunged down the wicket to Muralitharan, only to be beaten comprehensively by a straight delivery, and Kumar Sangakkara had no problem in stumping him.Yousuf Youhana, usually so sedate and dependable, inexplicably seemed in a hurry to dictate terms. He lofted Muralitharan for four over extra cover, but perished doing the same on the onside. His miscued drive was pouched by Marvan Atapattu with a palpable sigh of relief. Abdul Razzaq got a reprieve from umpire Athar Zaidi when he was plumb in front, but Muralitharan got him, this time umpire Harper adjudging in the bowler’s favour when the ball was clearly turning enough to miss leg stump.With darkness descending on the Gaddafi Statium, Pakistan’s hopes of making a fist of it were fading.Mohammad Sami had brought Sri Lanka’s innings to an earlier than planned close with a hat-trick to end Pakistan’s leather chase spread over nearly five long sessions. Pakistan’s batsmen then failed to make amends for their woeful first innings display, with Taufeeq Umar going cheaply, bowled by Vaas through the gate. Younis Khan had looked steady when he flicked one to square leg and Thilan Samaraweera, who snapped up a smart catch diving to his right.Earlier, inspired by the first Test hat-trick of young Sami, who had only recently achieved a similar feat against the West Indies in one-day cricket, Pakistan were able to bowl out Sri Lanka for 528. It could have been far worse, for the Sri Lankans were aiming to hand Pakistan a big defeat – something on the lines of an innings and 175 runs to avenge the defeat at Dhaka in the first version of the ATC final.That remains to be seen, but they had already put Pakistan under considerable pressure, a situation from which the hosts can only hope to salvage a draw.Five for 447 overnight, Sri Lanka started the day in the same fashion as the second, quietly and sedately, settling down first and then carving the bowling to erase the possibility of batting a second time. Chaminda Vaas played some lovely shots, strokes which belied his night watchman’s status, in his innings of 43 to take Sri Lanka past 500 in the 129th over.Vaas then pulled Razzaq straight down the throat of Taufeeq Umar at deep square leg. Thilan Samaraweera, the new kid on the block with an out of this world Test average of 100-plus, came out, but he got out early, flicking one from Shoaib Akhtar only to see Rashid Latif take a breathtaking catch well outside his range. It was Latif’s uncanny anticipation and a super dive that resulted in the catch of the match.Sri Lanka had reached 528 for seven when Sami caught Buddhika Fernando plumb in front; the umpires brought the extended session to a close in mid over. But Sami had found his unerring line and length and the break was not to make him falter. He trapped Nuwan Zoysa first ball after lunch, and the hat-trick ball, a fast in-swinging yorker, found Muralitharan’s inside edge uprooting the middle stump.This was the third consecutive hat-trick in the ATC matches involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Before Sami it was Wasim Akram who had two hat-tricks in as many matches in the last ATC in 1999 against Sri Lanka. Looking for wickets in a bunch, Pakistan finally grabbed the last four for just 28 runs, but by then the damage had been done.

Andrew Flintoff has spoken for the first time since undergoing his latest ankle operation in Holland last week. He remains confident that he can return to the top of his powers, but is prepared for a long rehabilitation and isn’t expected to make his comeback until the 2008 English season.”I’m absolutely confident I can get back playing for Lancashire and England again to the level I have in the past,” he told . “I’m very positive about things. The surgeon went into the joint and found things wrong.”He has removed some bone fragments that were deeply embedded and done some work on the tendon too. Professor Van Dijk is more than happy with what he has done and confident he has got to the bottom of the problem.”The operation was Flintoff’s fourth on the ankle and after experiencing pain during the World Twenty20 in South Africa every avenue was explored in an attempt to solve the problem.” Nick Peirce, the England doctor, and my fitness trainer Dave Roberts explored every avenue including America,” said Flintoff.”We also consulted the surgeons who performed the previous operations. There was general agreement Professor Van Dijk was the best man. He is regarded as the leading man in his field in the world. I’m confident I can come back. It will be hard work again but I’ve been through lots of rehab programmes so I know what is involved.”There has been a feeling in the past that Flintoff has rushed his returns, both through his own desire to play and England’s eagerness to have his all-round skills back in the side. However, this time he is prepared for an extended recovery and refuses to listen to people who are saying he will never return to the peak of his powers.”I’m not setting any targets about when I might play again – all I’m thinking is when I can come off the crutches, which should be in a few days,” he said. “We have a lot of time so the ankle can heal naturally. Time is one thing we have in our favour so there is absolutely no need to rush things.”Some people say I came back too quickly in the past and now some people reckon I’m finished. A lot of people have been saying a lot of things but I’m not bothered. All I care about is getting 100 per cent fit again so I can play for Lancashire and England to the level I have in the past.”But my motivation is not to prove anybody wrong. My motivation is to play cricket.”

Cricket South Africa’s general council reaffirmed it’s backing of the transformation policy, which has been the point of contention in the public spat between the board president Norman Arendse and the national team coach Mickey Arthur.A resolution at the meeting held on Saturday emphasised that the team to tour Bangladesh must be chosen by the selectors on the basis of the transformation policy and presented to the president as soon as possible. The squad, which was to be announced last week, was apparently delayed since the touring team chosen had only four coloured players, and not the longstanding policy of seven in a squad comprising of 15 or more players.Meanwhile, Gerald Majola, the CSA chief executive, has been asked to immediately look into the complaint against Arthur filed by Arendse before the South African team leaves for Bangladesh. The row erupted over the team selection, and Arendse laid formal charges against Arthur, telling the that he was being “disrespectful” and “abusive” while adding he was “cocking a snook at his employers’ policy of transformation.”Arthur followed suit and filed a counter-charge. “Yes, there is animosity between us,” he told Supersport. “I told him he was power-crazy and egotistical but I never swore at him.”I’ve taken him on about this team. The transformation policy that Arendse wants to be applied does not exist. He is out of bounds. I told him he was not a selector and should keep his nose out of team selections.”The resolution also says that Majola “is required to investigate utterances by any CSA employee in the print and electronic media since Tuesday, February 5, 2008,and consider whether there is any basis to charge such employee with bringing Cricket South Africa into disrepute in accordance with [the official] disciplinary code and procedure.”

Sri Lankan umpire Ranmor Martinesz has been banned from officiating at any matches sanctioned by Sri Lanka Cricket, after he joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League.Martinesz had requested for leave from officiating at matches conducted by SLC, sources in the board said. However the SLC refused to grant him a break.Martinesz, 40, was a fast bowling allrounder who represented St Peter’s College. He was to go on to play for Sri Lanka Under-19 and U-23 before turning out for SSC, Negombo CC and Sebastianites.A recurring back injury forced him into umpiring in 1996. He was promoted to the Premier division in 2000 and for the past three years had played the role of third umpire at Test matches and ODIs at home.This news comes in the wake of the England board tightened up regulation to prevent county players from signing up the ICL.

ScorecardNew South Wales began their KFC Twenty20 campaign with an emphatic eight-wicket victory as Brad Haddin’s electric half-century led the successful run chase against South Australia. The Blues cruised home with three overs to spare after Haddin helped himself to 54 off 44 balls to follow a disciplined performance from the bowlers.After deciding to bat, South Australia struggled from the start when Matthew Elliott fell in the first over. The Redbacks couldn’t form any partnerships of note and by the half-way mark they were already six wickets down and unable to increase the tempo.Allrounder Moises Henriques continued to apply pressure with two wickets, while Nathan Hauritz produced a tight spell with his offspin, dismissing Nathan Adcock and Graham Manou. Ryan Harris’ 31 off 38 balls prevented an embarrassing scoreline but South Australia failed to break the shackles and the Blues were left needing a little over a run a ball.This proved an easy task for Haddin and Simon Katich and they added 67 in less than ten overs, with Haddin clearing the boundary twice against Dan Cullen. Dominic Thornely added the finishing touches with a brisk 37 off 22 deliveries, completing the win with a six over long-on off Adcock.

Peter Siddle has admitted he feared his Test career was over after he was ignored for Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, but now hopes a roaring return to his familiar role in the Australia XI will cause the selectors to reconsider their opinion of him.There was considerable dismay at Siddle’s omission from Trent Bridge in particular, and he spoke frankly of all the factors that he felt should have forced his inclusion in the team for Nottingham. “You always think that a little bit,” he said of never playing again. “A couple of wickets that we’d played on where I thought I might’ve got my opportunity and had missed out. You just never know.”Trent Bridge, I’ve had good success there, played county cricket there as well, so I know the ground. It was disappointing, but kept doing everything I can and make sure that if my opportunity came that I had to be ready to go. I felt pretty good coming into this game. It was just nice to get a few wickets, to get the team on a good roll and get us into this position. It’s nice. The boys have played well.”The selectors Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann had spoken often with Siddle about the numerous and varying reasons why he had been ignored for the Tests thus far. It was mainly to do with their conviction that the attack of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood was superior in all conditions. Events at The Oval have begged to differ, as Siddle has played a pivotal role in keeping runs down while adding vital wickets.”I think it’s just the boys that had been playing had performed well,” Siddle said. “The lads finished off the summer well, went to the West Indies and performed well and they got their opportunity. That’s how it works I guess. I just had to make sure I was ready when my opportunity came. I was disappointed it did take so long, but I was ready at any stage. It’s no different now. There’s never any Test match that you never want to have a crack in.”To get back together with the bowling line-up we had – it was pretty similar, a few different faces -and have those five key bowlers and be able to work in tandem. My role is to try and be patient, build pressure and restrict the runs. I enjoy doing that. I enjoy playing for the country. It’s just lovely to be back out on the field and playing, and the team doing well.”A looming tour of Bangladesh would appear not to be as ideally suited to Siddle’s skills, but later assignments against New Zealand at home and away may be more amenable. Siddle is certainly more hopeful of an opportunity now than he had been two weeks ago.”It’s obviously tough being on the sidelines and carrying drinks . . . especially at my age. It’s only 30 but you still want to be out there,” he said. “It has been tough, but to get this opportunity and come out here and bowl well … I’ve felt comfortable, the team has performed well. Blokes batted well and the bowling group has been outstanding. It’s just great to be in this position.”

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