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David Balcombe took eight wickets but it was Gloucestershire who ended the second day in control

Ivo Tennant at the Rose Bowl13-Apr-2012
ScorecardDavid Balcombe, by dint of good, honest seam-up, and Michael Bates, who has quite a future in the game if he can make some runs to supplement his undoubted talent as a wicketkeeper, represent Hampshire’s future. No matter, for the time being, that they are performing in Division Two. One took career best figures of 8 for 71 and the other six catches without a scintilla of fuss.Gloucestershire, who eked out 314 runs, were greatly reliant on Chris Dent, their 21 year-old opener who made the second century and highest score of his brief career to date. Rather like Bates and Balcombe, his cricket is a throwback to the past: he does not look a man for Twenty20. Rather, he worked the ball around the square in the manner of many a dogged left hander before him, his innings of 114 including 16 fours. All his runs could be said to have been collected.Dent had resumed in partnership with Ian Cockbain, who reached 64 before he was taken by Bates off Balcombe. Other than Ed Young contributing 39, Dent had to hold the innings together, which he managed until he was eighth out, held at the wicket off Chris Wood.The ground itself had dried out markedly well after the downpour on Thursday evening, but there was still moisture in the pitch for Balcombe, who maintained a disciplined line and the correct length to ensure the batsmen stayed on the front foot. He did well for Kent on loan last year and there was speculation that he might have stayed at Canterbury.In support was a slip cordon featuring Sean Ervine taking a neat catch to account for Will Gidman and a wicketkeeper who has progressed, with Danny Briggs, through Hampshire’s junior sides since he was ten years old and has had the benefit of specialist coaching from Bobby Parks. Bates, like most of his ilk, will go for catches in front of first slip, as once he did spectacularly now.This had, no doubt, been a good toss for Hampshire to have won. Conditions had eased somewhat by the time they batted – or maybe it was simply that they did not have to bat against Balcombe – and although Jimmy Adams soon went, taken low at second slip by Dent off Will Gidman, and Michael Carberry ran himself out in a mid-pitch mix-up with Liam Dawson, there was still little reason why somebody should not make a score of note.That individual, once Dawson had gone to a catch at second slip off Ian Saxelby, was Simon Katich. Perhaps it was no surprise that he, too, was a left hander of similar concentration and shot selection to Dent. Missed at second slip on 68 off Gidman, he twice ventured to drive over mid-off but otherwise mainly was faithful to the fundamentals of his game. The nudge, the nurdle, the no-nonsense putting away of the bad ball.When he was eventually caught at third man, Katich had contributed 74 with ten fours and a six. Gloucestershire finished the day with a lead of 132, an achievement in itself given that Balcombe’s figures were the best by any bowler on this ground, surpassing Alan Mullally’s 8 for 90 for Hampshire against Warwickshire in 2001. And in those early days on what was hitherto scrubland, there really was lateral movement of note.

Martin Guptill and Wes Durston both scored centuries and Chesney Hughes claimed five wickets as Derbyshire crushed the Unicorns

06-May-2012
ScorecardFormer Unicorns right-hander Wes Durston struck an unbeaten century to help Derbyshire to a comfortable 129-run win over his old side. New Zealand opener Martin Guptill joined Durston in reaching three figures as the pair combined in a decisive double-century stand that formed the basis of Derbyshire’s 287 for 3.The Unicorns never came close in pursuit as they managed 158 for 9, with part-time spinner Chesney Hughes bagging a career-best five for 29 on his return to the side.Durston secured a return to county ranks with Derbyshire following an impressive inaugural season with the Unicorns three years ago, but he was short on thanks for them at the picturesque Sir Paul Getty’s Ground in Wormsley. The 31-year-old blasted an unbeaten 120 from 111 balls, which included 11 fours and a six.Guptill was even more punishing as he reached 125 from 102 balls before Glen Querl had him caught by debutant Michael Roberts. That ended the 222-run second-wicket stand that took 31 overs after Hughes was trapped lbw by Warren Lee.The duo dominated the Unicorns attack, most notably former Lancashire paceman Steve Cheetham who, after delivering an early maiden, went for 53 from his next five overs.The Unicorns’ chase got off to a bad start with Tim Groenewald removing openers Michael Thornley and Roberts early. Former Leicestershire wicketkeeper-batsman Tom New and former Warwickshire batsman James Ord then set about repairing the damage in a 46-run stand, but the Unicorns middle-order fell apart as they lost four wickets for 10 runs.It was Hughes’ part-time spin that did the damage as he removed both New and Ord before also snaring skipper Keith Parsons. Hughes went on to complete his five-wicket haul when he claimed Querl and Lee in the same over to cap a resounding win to start Derbyshire’s Group C campaign.

Martin Stovold, who played as a batsman for Gloucestershire between 1978 and 1982, has died after a lengthy illness

Martin Williamson26-Jun-2012Martin Stovold, who played as a batsman for Gloucestershire between 1978 and 1982, has died after a lengthy illness. He was 56.Stovold followed his better-known older brother Andy from Loughborough College to the county but failed to make the same impression. A left-hand batsman and very occasional offspinner, he made his county debut in 1978 and over the next five season played for the county without ever holding down a regular first-team place in the three-day game, although in 1980 and 1981 he was more in the one-day side than out of it.In 25 first-class matches he managed 518 runs at 16.70 and in 34 List A games he scored 325 runs at 13.00. He made only two fifties with his best 75 against Oxford University.He was released by the county in 1982, continuing to coach in South Africa, but returned to England in 1986 where he took up the role of cricket professional at Cheltenham College, becoming master-in-charge in 1993. He also taught geography and was a housemaster.”Martin was one of the most dedicated teachers in the College’s long history and inspiration to generations of young people as a housemaster, geography teacher and master in charge of cricket,” Dr Alex Peterken, Headmaster of Cheltenham College, told the PCA. “Just last week he emailed staff from his hospital bed to lament the effect the wet weather was having on the College’s cricket schedule. ‘The tide will turn and the sun will shine’ he said. These proved to be his last public words and the sun now shines on his memory.”

Dwayne Smith, the West Indies allrounder, has said he is adapting well to this role at the top of the order

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2012Dwayne Smith, the West Indies allrounder, has said he is adapting well to this role at the top of the order, having decided to “give himself a chance” after moving up several rungs in the batting line-up. Smith has had a good run of late while batting in the top three, with three half-centuries in five internationals starting with the tour of England. The latest was in the first ODI against New Zealand in Jamaica, where he made an unbeaten 65 to help seal a comfortable victory.”I made a decision to move to the top order to give myself a chance,” Smith said on the eve of the second ODI on Saturday. “The selectors have put their faith in me and I have received a lot of support from everyone around. I am relaxed and in a good frame of mind.”Smith, who averages 17.72 in ODIs, was relied on to get quick runs batting in the middle order. As a No. 3, he said, he was now also expected to build an innings and bat longer. “I believe I am much more than just a six-hitter,” Smith said. I know once I look to get myself in and build an innings, I can make-up at the back-end of the innings.”I’m more experienced now and have a good understanding of what is required. I know my role in the team and that is primarily to dig in and get good runs on the board. I can clear the boundary, but I also want to show I can play quality innings and can get runs consistently.”Smith began his international career in 2004 and scored a century on debut against South Africa in the Cape Town Test. He has since played 10 Tests and 80 ODIs, and hasn’t quite managed to cement his place. He has, however, had more success as a Twenty20 cricketer, representing Sussex, Khulna Royal Bengals and Mumbai Indians among others.

An eight-wicket margin makes it look like plain-sailing by the sea for Sussex but the hosts had to grit their teeth at times, and take their share of painful blows

David Lloyd at Hove12-Aug-2012
ScorecardAn eight-wicket margin makes it look like plain-sailing by the sea for Sussex. But while a fourth victory in six Championship matches – this one achieved with a day and almost a session to spare – could not have been much more emphatic, the hosts had to grit their teeth at times, and take their share of painful blows, on a re-laid pitch that made batting extremely tough at times.The bottom line is that Sussex, having looked relegation material a couple of months ago, are now up to second in the Division One table, 11 points behind leaders Warwickshire having played one game more than the title favourites.With two matches against Somerset and another in Durham to come, the champions of 2003, ’06 and ’07 are not only handily placed but also full of confidence thanks to this mid to late season purple patch. It is to be hoped, though, that the pitch prepared for Sussex’s last home Championship fixture, staring on September 4, will produce consistent, rather than occasionally erratic, bounce while retaining the pace that makes cricket so exciting.Here, the odd ball reared disconcertingly from the first morning and it would be a surprise if umpires Trevor Jesty and Steve Gale did not make mention of that fact in their end of match report to Lord’s. It must be pointed out, though, that Sussex, with the faster and taller bowlers, made better use of a surface that was undeniably pacey.”They outplayed us so there are no real sour grapes from us,” said Middlesex captain Chris Rogers. “It didn’t help losing the toss because I thought the wicket was quite fresh on day one but they bowled particularly well on it.”There were balls that had your name on them. At times there was just nothing you could do with some of the deliveries and then it becomes a little bit of a lottery. But you still give credit to them – they outplayed us.”Mark Robinson, Sussex’s coach, agreed that the pitch was just right for his side’s impressive pace attack of Jimmy Anyon, Amjad Khan and Steve Magoffin. “It probably wasn’t as good a wicket, consistency-wise, as the last one here [when Worcestershire were beaten by an innings] but they are re-laid so should get better from that point of view. But pace is what you want because it makes for exciting cricket. The wicket has probably got two batsmen out in the entire game.”Sussex were pushing hard for victory from the moment they dismissed Middlesex for 170 on the first day. Even taking into account that batting was never a relaxed occupation, Middlesex were up against it from then on and resumed their second innings this morning still 25 runs in arrears with eight wickets remaining.They lost one of those, nightwatchman Toby Ronald-Jones, before moving ahead. And when four more fell, inside 18 overs, it looked as though the Hove faithful would be celebrating victory before tea, rather than just after it.Much of the damage was done by Khan. The fast bowler, who played his only Test for England more than three years ago and is now in his second season with Sussex after moving from Kent, had taken only 14 wickets in his five previous matches this summer. On Sunday, though, he added three scalps to five first innings victims to finish with match figures of 8 for 64.Anyon, who seems to be bowling quicker and quicker this year, was the biggest handful when charging down the hill. But Khan had batsmen hopping as well, hitting John Simpson on the helmet with a rapid bouncer just before dismissing Middlesex’s keeper.Neil Dexter battled hard for 90 minutes to frustrate the hosts but then Anyon popped up to scythe through the tail with three wickets for eight runs in 12 balls to make the outcome a formality.Dexter was the second of those victims, taken down the leg-side to give keeper Ben Brown his sixth catch of the innings – equalling a Sussex record held by, among others, Rupert Webb, who was guest of honour at Hove while celebrating his 90th birthday.Formality? Well, Sussex lost eight wickets in scoring the 94 runs they required to beat Durham at Arundel three weeks ago so home fans were taking nothing for granted.They saw Chris Nash edge low to slip and watched open-mouthed when Ed Joyce, having taken a couple of blows to the body while facing Roland-Jones, was spectacularly caught and bowled, off a full blooded straight drive, by the diving Ollie Rayner.That was the best Middlesex could manage, though, as Luke Wells and Murray Goodwin combined to seal the deal.So Sussex for the title? “If I’m really honest we don’t see ourselves as title contenders,” said Robinson. “It’s probably Warwickshire’s to give away to a degree but we’ll try to come up on the blind side and then you never know.”

Alviro Petersen will not field in the Headingley Test but will bat again if required, after sustaining a grade one strain to his right hamstring

Firdose Moonda at Headingley03-Aug-2012Alviro Petersen will not field in the Headingley Test, but will bat again if required, after sustaining a grade one strain to his right hamstring. He will require seven to ten days to recover but should be fit fot selection for the thrid Test at Lord’s, which starts on August 16.The results of Petersen’s scans were received by the South African team management on Saturday morning and they confirmed assistant coach Russell Domingo’s statements late yesterday afternoon that the injury was “not too serious.” Jacques Rudolph will be likely to open with Smith in the second innings.Petersen scored 182 runs and spent eight hours and 53 minutes at the crease over the first two days of the Test. It is understood that the damage was done while Petersen was playing a cut shot in the eighth over of the morning.Petersen reached for a short and wide ball from James Anderson to usher it over the slips and in so doing, hurt his hamstring. He did not receive treatment immediately and only called for the physiotherapist after passing his previous highest Test score of 156.A series of stretches and some pills allowed Petersen to continue to lunch. He lasted five overs after lunch before nicking off on 182. In total, Petersen batted for 24.4 overs after the injury was sustained.Although he did not limp noticeably at any stage during his innings, he did appear uncomfortable in parts. Faf du Plessis, who was drafted into the squad on Tuesday after Albie Morkel was ruled out, took his place in the field during the start of England’s innings.Petersen also suffered an injury at the beginning of the tour, when he hurt the joints in his left foot while out on a jog. He missed the first tour match against Somerset in Taunton as a precaution but returned to bat against Kent three days later.He is the fourth South Africa player to be injured in England. Mark Boucher’s lacerated eyeball in Taunton ended the veteran wicketkeeper’s career, Marchant de Lange’s lower back spasms ruled him out for six weeks and his replacement Albie Morkel is currently carrying an ankle injury, which made him unavailable for consideration in this match. 1.30pm, August 4: This story was updated with information on the state of Petersen’s injury

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke is making doubly sure the Champions League that follows it will impinge as little as possible on Australia’s preparations for a Test series with top-ranked South Africa

Daniel Brettig13-Sep-2012As many of his international teammates settle into Sri Lanka ahead of the World Twenty20, Australia’s Test captain Michael Clarke is making doubly sure the Champions League that follows it will impinge as little as possible on preparations for a series with top-ranked South Africa.Not required for either the World T20 or the Champions League, Clarke will instead lead New South Wales for the early start of the domestic season, which has itself been pushed forward by the presence of the T20 club competition in October.The timing of the event, and its demands on players, has long been a sore point among Test match representatives. This was never more evident than after Michael Hussey and Doug Bollinger had their preparations for a series in India hopelessly compromised by needing to remain in South Africa for the Champions League until only three days before the Tests began.Then Ricky Ponting’s vice-captain, Clarke said lessons had been learned. He is now working with the national team’s coaching staff and the team performance manager Pat Howard to ensure the likes of Brad Haddin, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Warner and Hussey can come back from the event ready and able to push South Africa for five days rather than 40 overs.”I think we can certainly learn from that, that’s for sure, and I think we are,” Clarke said of 2010. “Pat Howard’s been exceptional in regards to our planning, he’s made no bones about prioritising Test cricket, he wants us to have success in Test cricket, he wants us to be the No. 1 Test team in the world. We’ve got to prepare well and the preparation starts as soon as the boys get back from the T20 World Cup.”The advantage is that all countries are affected the same way, it’s not just the Australian players, we play against South Africa in November and there’s a lot of their players involved as well. It’s fair for everybody. It’s important that everybody who’s there for Champions League plays well there, has some success, but in the back of their mind thinking about the Test series against South Africa.”The young bowlers over there will be monitored, we’ll have Ali de Winter over there working on their bowling workloads, and bowling through that period with a red ball. I wish the boys all the best over there, hopefully they come back full of confidence and ready to go for that first Test.”De Winter’s presence as Australia’s bowling coach will be a significant help to the preparations of the fast bowlers, and a major improvement on the problems of 2010. Back then, Bollinger was given a program to work on while still playing for Chennai, but the presence of de Winter in the country will go a long way towards ensuring such plans are rigorously followed this time.The former coach Tim Nielsen has previously recalled the episode as an instance when Cricket Australia’s board and management did not support the performance objectives of the team, a scenario that hastened Howard’s appointment following the Argus review to ensure such objectives were not compromised.”I understand CA’s decision, but Doug Bollinger was playing four-over cricket right as the tour started, then broke down in the first Test,” Nielsen said last year. “I’ve no doubt if [he was] fit and right and bowling full-time we’d have won that Test match in Mohali.”I can’t imagine an AFL team would let their bloke go and do something like that [before a big game]. They look after their players as best they can for what’s important; they don’t compromise. That was one thing in my career as a coach I was a little bit upset about – that we didn’t get 100% support from CA, and our team was compromised by that.”Clarke is also grateful for the chance to spend time playing for NSW, in addition to leading them for the first time. His retirement from T20Is has afforded the odd window for rest and first-class cricket, granting Clarke a better chance of prospering when the South Africa Tests come around.”It’s an advantage for me to get back into some red ball cricket, that was a reason for me retiring from international T20 cricket a couple of years ago,” Clarke said, “to allow me to work hard on my one-day game and my Test game, and there’s no better preparation than to get back and play for NSW.”I think it’s great for first-class teams to have their international players back playing. I think the game needs it, I think the international players need to get back to play with their state or play for their grade club, I think it’s really important for the game.”I remember fondly having the chance to play with Steve Waugh when he captained Australia and what the feeling was like when he was around training. It gives you that little extra boost, I wanted to spend time in the middle with him, I wanted to score some runs with him, I wanted to show him I could play.”

Luke Butterworth ensured that South Australia’s miserable Sheffield Shield form continued at Adelaide Oval, where they collapsed to be 7 for 93 at stumps on the second day

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2012
Scorecard
Luke Butterworth collected 5 for 29•Getty Images

Luke Butterworth ensured that South Australia’s miserable Sheffield Shield form continued at Adelaide Oval, where they collapsed to be 7 for 93 at stumps on the second day. It was an especially disappointing result for the Redbacks after Tasmania piled up 3 for 403 in their first innings, before declaring with Ricky Ponting within sight of a century, on 85, as rain affected the early part of the day.Gary Putland removed Alex Doolan for 149 and Tasmania added 49 to their overnight total before the declaration came. But the Redbacks immediately found the going tough when it was their turn to bat as Butterworth struck twice in the third over of the innings, getting rid of Phillip Hughes and Tom Cooper, before Sam Miller (23) and Callum Ferguson (48) rebuilt with a 65-run stand.However, they were the only two South Australians to reach double-figures by the close of play, as Butterworth and James Faulkner ran through the middle order. Butterworth finished with 5 for 29 and Faulkner had 2 for 10, and by stumps South Australia were staring at yet another potential defeat.