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How they were out

A magnificent century from Ramnaresh Sarwan secured a convincing West Indies win © AFP

It was a Made-in-Guyana triumph, but given West Indian cricket’s recenttravails, it might as well have been made in heaven. A magnificentunbeaten 115 from Ramnaresh Sarwan, incidentally playing his 100th ODI, provided the momentum for the pursuit of 246, and a classy half-century from ahamstrung Shivnarine Chanderpaul proved as decisive as West Indies took a2-1 lead in the five-match series with an impressive four-wicket victoryat Basseterre.As in the two games at Sabina Park, the inaugural international at StKitts too went down to the final over, bowled by S Sreesanth with six runsstill needed. Dwayne Bravo’s run out gave India a glimmer of hope, butcrucially, Rahul Dravid misfielded the fourth ball, allowing Sarwan acouple where there might not even have been one. The next ball wassummarily dismissed to the cover fence, setting the seal on anothermatchwinning innings from Sarwan, whose 106-run partnership withChanderpaul made all the difference.India, though, have no one to blame but themselves, after a battingimplosion that saw a paltry 77 runs scored in the final 22 overs. WhenBrian Lara asked for the final Powerplay, they were cruising at 168 for 2,with Virender Sehwag in sight of three figures, and Mohammad Kaifproviding solid support. A total of 300 was plausible, but once Bravothudded a reverse-swinging yorker into Sehwag’s boot, the game started todrift out of India’s reach.Mahendra Singh Dhoni biffed and missed his way to 15 before hesitancebetween the wickets, and a smart bit of fielding from Gayle, sent himpacking. Thereafter, with the ebullience and skill of Yuvraj Singh – ruledout with back spasms – badly missed and with Kaif unable to break out ofaccumulation mode, it was an eminently forgettable procession. MarlonSamuels and Gayle put the ball on a spot, batsmen were unable to work itinto the gaps, and as the field closed in, they compounded their woes withsome suicidal dashes between the stumps.

Virender Sehwag led the way with a quickfire 96, but India lost their way badly after he left © Getty Images

It could all have been so different. Having lost Dravid in Ian Bradshaw’sopening over, India made all the early running thanks to Sehwagrediscovering his effervescence and Suresh Raina’s accomplished cameo.With the bowlers either offering too much width or pitching too full,Sehwag crashed strokes through the offside with impunity, while Raina’soff-drives were struck with a panache that recalled a certain SouravGanguly in his prime.Sehwag slashed one six over point of Bradshaw, and followed that with animmense shot over mid-on off Bravo, even as Kaif chipped and ran to turnover the strike. It seemed pretty effortless till the slow bowlers cameon, when the gentle tourniquet soon became a choke.Needing just under five an over, Sarwan walked in with the innings in somedisarray after two marginal lbw decisions had taken the sheen off a steadystart from Gayle and Samuels, opening for the first time. Samuels wasgiven out to Sreesanth’s bowling, and when Agarkar sent back RunakoMorton without scoring, 246 looked a long way away.But Sarwan started with a crashing off-drive off Agarkar and a crisp cutoff Sreesanth, and after good fortune directed an inner edge wide of thestumps and down to the fence, he laced a gorgeous cover-drive off astrangely off-colour Irfan Pathan. Desperate to stem the tide, Dravidturned to spin, but while Harbhajan Singh was accurate and economical,Ramesh Powar was targetted from the start. Sarwan twice thumped him overlong-on for six, and Gayle then revealed how powerful he could be with animmense stroke that struck the roof.With options dwindling, Dravid turned back to Agarkar, easily the pick ofIndia’s bowlers. When he got Gayle to edge one, and Harbhajan outfoxedLara, it was certainly game on, but Chanderpaul made light of a musclestrain to caress some lovely shots, including a sensational straight six offAgarkar, en route to a 58-ball 50.At the other end, Sarwan was just imperious. Having romped to 50 in just41 balls, he was much more circumspect as the game neared its denouement.Dravid’s decision to try Sehwag tilted the match, and also gave Sarwan hiscentury – his third in the one-day game and his first against India – with a precise late cut and two runs scampered to midwicket sparking considerable celebration in the stands. And though Chanderpaul departed soon after, the other Guyanese hero remained to the end. If lastSaturday was all about Bravo holding his nerve, this was very much theSarwan show. Whisper it softly, but the Calypso Kings might just be on theroad to recovery. As for India – red-hot favourites to take the series -they find themselves with no margin for error heading into the final twogames.

India
Rahul Dravid lbw b Bradshaw 0 (1 for 1)
Suresh Raina b Bradshaw 26 (62 for 2)
Virender Sehwag lbw Bravo 96 (174 for 3)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni run out (Gayle) 15 (211 for 4)
Mohammad Kaif run out (Chanderpaul) 63 (216 for 5)
Irfan Pathan c and b Samuels 1 (219 for 6)
Ramesh Powar b Sarwan 1 (224 for 7)
Venugopal Rao run out (Edwards) 12 (233 for 8)
Ajit Agarkar c Lara b Bravo 8 (243 for 9)
West Indies
Marlon Samuels lbw Sreesanth 11 (30 for 1)
Runako Morton lbw Agarkar 0 (31 for 2)
Chris Gayle c Dhoni b Agarkar 40 (116 for 3)
Brian Lara c Dravid b Harbhajan 5 (131 for 4)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul lbw Pathan 58 (237 for 5)
Dwayne Bravo run out (Pathan) 1 (241 for 6)

Matt Prior: rewarded for solid performances in county cricket © Getty Images

Matt Prior has been named in England’s 15-man squad for the NatWest Challenge against Australia, which starts at Headingley on Thursday. He replaces Kabir Ali from the NatWest Series squad and will provide Duncan Fletcher with more flexibility when it comes to choosing a substitute as per the new regulations in one-day internationals. Chris Tremlett, who was called up as cover for Simon Jones, retains his place.Prior made his one-day international debut against Zimbabwe last winter and was a surprising omission from the 25-man development squad named by England at the start of the season. However, consistent form for Sussex – including some explosive innings in Twenty20 – has kept him in the frame.Prior said that he was delighted to get a recall and his relishing the prospect of facing Australia: “I felt it went well during the winter – I had a little taste of international cricket and I feel I know what to expect, although obviously it’s going to be very different against a team like Australia.”I have been in really good form this year, particularly in the National League and the Twenty20. I think having gone away over the winter both with England and with England A, has definitely helped me. I think I now have the confidence in my method, and the self belief that you need to do well.”It’s going to be different in The NatWest Challenge with the new regulations. But I know how to adapt my game to the situation and I enjoy the challenge of playing under pressure. If I do get an opportunity, I certainly won’t be changing my approach or playing any differently.”David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said: “We were delighted with the team’s strong performances during The NatWest Series and have made only one change to the squad for The NatWest Challenge.”With new playing regulations set to come into effect for The NatWest Challenge, we were conscious of the need to give the captain and coach greater flexibility within the squad. Matt Prior has been chosen as an impact player who is in good form and his inclusion will give Duncan [Fletcher] and Michael [Vaughan] more options for their choice as substitute.”Matt has been chosen purely as a specialist batsman, although he will obviously provide cover for Geraint Jones in the event of injury. Geraint has been in excellent form with both the bat and the gloves and the innings he produced under great pressure on Saturday was an outstanding effort.”Graveney had words of comfort for Ali, who did not feature in any of the NatWest Series matches, despite his promising performances during the one-day internationals in South Africa. “His opportunities have been limited because the role of first change bowler which he took on in the winter in South Africa is now being filled by Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff. I have explained this to Kabir and reassured him that he remains in our thoughts for the future.”Squad Michael Vaughan (capt), Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Darren Gough, Steve Harmison, Geraint Jones (wk), Simon Jones, Jon Lewis, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Vikram Solanki, Andrew Strauss, Chris Tremlett, Marcus Trescothick

Kapil Dev will coach India’s bowlers at the preparation camp &copyGetty Images

Kapil Dev has been named bowling coach for the Indian team’s preparation camp before the Pakistan tour.According to a report by the Press Trust of India, Jagmohan Dalmiya, the head of the Indian cricket board, announced that Kapil would coach the bowlers during the three-day camp in Kolkata from March 7 to 9, but would not accompany the team to Pakistan.A spate of injuries during the recent tour of Australia left India’s bowling attack bereft of experience, and Kapil’s experience of Pakistan’s conditions could assist the bowlers. Kapil has played 29 Tests against Pakistan and claimed 99 wickets at an average of 30.12, besides scoring 1054 runs at 27.02.

Chris Cairns will not bowl at all in the remaining two National Bank Series matches between New Zealand and India.Everything is now aimed at having Cairns in perfect condition to perform the role captain Stephen Fleming will want from him when the New Zealanders play their opening World Cup game against Sri Lanka at Bloemfontein on February 10.Cairns said he couldn’t commit to bowling his full complement of 10 overs from the outset but he wanted to be able to give Fleming the option of using him as a bowler.His primary role would be to play as a No 5 batsman and then backing up and taking wickets for the side.Cairns, who came back into the TelstraClear Black Caps a game earlier than intended due to the injury suffered by Jacob Oram, said he was delighted to be back in action in Wellington yesterday.”It was great to be there and seeing the advancement of the guys since I last played,” he said.Cairns said he was having to think a little differently about his play and there was definitely a difference in the mentality applied to his role at No 5. He found he needed to be more circumspect.His return to the side for a rollicking 25 had tended to crystallise the way he found himself getting to Wellington at all.He found out about his recall at 4pm on Tuesday after playing for his Canterbury side and then found himself at the crease with New Zealand three wickets for three runs at Wellington.Witnessing first hand the development of bowlers like Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey and seeing Oram’s advance on television coverage of the series, said what had impressed him in conditions that were the same for both teams was the way the New Zealand bowlers had been so consistent.”They’ve put the ball in the right areas. They have come through in the last few years and we are reaping the rewards of bringing them in a little early a couple of years ago,” he said.What Cairns did find during his innings at Westpac Stadium was that if the pitch was reflective of those around the country this year then it was really hard work for the batsmen but it had been great to be back out there and he felt in hindsight he had probably been a little too aggressive.He said he totally agreed with the experimental approach taken by Fleming now that the series was safe for New Zealand and the exercise of batting first had been good for the side.Cairns said that while it had been disappointing to be restricted to watching from the sidelines during the series, it had been therapeutic as well because he was able to spend some unexpected time with his infant son.He said the workload he had been required to take as the leading New Zealand was quite possibly a factor in his knee problems, but overall, the problems were just a case of “that’s the way it goes.”

Jeremy Ord took 6-33 and left-arm spinner Nick Wood 4-18 as Old Tauntonians & Romsey rushed Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 rivals, Sparsholt out for 81 to chalk up a 48-run victory.OTs made full use of their 35 overs, rattling up 172-7, with Max Smith scoring a run-a-ball 49 not out after Richard Rapley (25), Keith Trodd (22) and Ian Tulk (21) had got the innings off to a positive start.Malcolm Ball (3-39) and Will Mariner (3-48) took the bowling credits for Sparsholt, whose reply caved in around Tim Richings (35).With Jerry Frith and Rob Savage among a host of unavailable players, Sparsholt crumbled from 62-2 to 81 all out – the last eight wickets falling in 12 overs.No play was possible in the other four Premier Division 2 games. Premier 3 was a total washout.

ScorecardTom Fell fell 17 runs short of a century•Getty Images

Tom Fell was cruelly run out for 83 as Worcestershire took the attritional approach in reaching 223 for 4 from 83 overs on the first day of their LV= County Championship match against Durham at Chester-le-Street.Fell had helped add 93 for the fourth wicket when his partner, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, played the ball to long leg, where Graham Onions fielded it in a sufficiently fumbling manner to create fatal indecision.Fell called for a third run, to which his partner initially responded before changing his mind when they were almost together in mid-pitch. Fell’s dive back into his crease was to no avail, ending a high-class innings, while Kohler-Cadmore was unbeaten on 46 when bad light ended play.”It was a very disappointing way to get out because I felt I was on for a hundred,” said Fell. “It was the sort of freak incident you have to laugh about, otherwise you would cry. The way Graham Onions reacted we thought it had gone for four, but suddenly the ball was flying in as we were stopping and starting. It was a big misjudgement and I hope it will never happen again.”It’s the first time I’ve batted here and the pitch wasn’t as tough to bat on as I’d been led to believe. It’s a bit slow and tacky and we would have fielded if we’d won the toss. So after losing it we feel we are in a good position.”Needing to win the last two games to have any hope of survival in Division One, Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell set out to blunt Onions and Chris Rushworth after being put in when play began 30 minutes late.But after mounting a painstaking vigil all morning to reach 17 off 92 balls, Mitchell fell to the third ball after lunch. He played back to a ball from off-spinner Ryan Pringle which turned just enough to gain an lbw decision.Compared with his captain, Brett D’Oliveira had been positively fluent in making 36 out of an opening stand of 50 before falling lbw to Barry McCarthy.But with Fell playing himself in cautiously the score had advanced to only 67 off 33 overs at lunch.Joe Clarke helped Fell put on 42 before he edged Onions low to third slip’s right, where Gordon Muchall held a brilliant catch.An early tea was taken after rain arrived with Fell on 32 and Kohler-Cadmore on 6, leaving what would have been a 40-over final session had bad light not intervened.A rare false stroke from Fell saw him edge Jamie Harrison for four, but the drive through extra cover off the same bowler, which took him to 50 off 119 balls, was a shot of pure elegance.A hook in front of square off McCarthy was another text-book stroke and his third championship hundred of the season looked a certainty until his unfortunate dismissal.Ross Whiteley had moved comfortably to 16 at the close.

Aston Villa have now leapfrogged a Premier League rival in the race to sign a replacement for Harvey Elliott, according to a report this afternoon.

Aston Villa prepare for active January window

As recently confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, the title-chasing Villans are looking to back Unai Emery next month and are working on potential January additions behind-the-scenes.

Villa suddenly find themselves slap bang in the middle of a race for the Premier League crown after making a statement by beating frontrunners Arsenal earlier this month.

Emiliano Buendia’s 95th-minute winner sent Villa Park into raptures, with Emery’s side passing every single test thrown their way since then, including a 2-1 win over Man United over the weekend.

Their torrid start to 2025/2026, when Villa took five games to even score their first goal of the season, feels like a distant memory, and they have every reason to be overwhelmingly positive heading into Christmas.

Related Aston Villa now looking at signing Tottenham star after pre-agreed January deal

The Villans could be more active next month.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

The club’s incredible 10-game winning run across all competitions makes them the most in-form team in England right now, not to mention one of Europe’s sides to beat at the moment.

Villa’s summer transfer window was marred by PSR roadblocks, with NSWE spending the least cash out of any Premier League side.

Now, reports suggest they could invest more next month instead, having already reached a pre-agreement to sign Brazilian sensation Alysson from Gremio.

After successfully negotiating that deal, it is believed Villa have their eyes on Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson.

Aston Villa eye Crystal Palace hijack by opening talks with Brennan Johnson

According to TEAMtalk today, Aston Villa have made contact with Johnson’s representatives over a potential January transfer, threatening to hijack Crystal Palace’s move for the Tottenham forward.

The 24-year-old has fallen out of favour under Thomas Frank this season, starting just six Premier League matches despite scoring 18 goals across all competitions last term, including the Europa League final winner against Man United.

Palace appeared frontrunners for Johnson’s signature with manager Oliver Glasner confident of agreeing personal terms as the Eagles looked to bolster their attack.

Staying in London was viewed as attractive for the forward too, who seeks regular minutes ahead of Wales’ World Cup qualification play-offs.

Sources suggested a fee between £30m-£40m could be enough, with Tottenham open to either a permanent sale or loan deal.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Villa transfer insight Want deeper context on Villa’s transfer plans? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert analysis on targets, tactical fit and financial context – clear, focused coverage to help fans understand what each signing means. Subscribe Subscribe to the newsletter for Villa transfer insight Want deeper context on Villa’s transfer plans? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert analysis on targets, tactical fit and financial context – clear, focused coverage to help fans understand what each signing means.

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However, Villa’s recent intervention has complicated Palace’s plans, and they could now ‘hijack’ the move.

Emery has identified Johnson as the ideal addition to provide pace and versatility to his frontline, with the winger potentially replacing Elliot, whose loan from Liverpool is likely to be terminated in January after failing to earn the manager’s trust.

Tottenham remain willing to consider offers for Johnson, who cost £47.5m from Nottingham Forest in 2023, though Frank would prefer retaining him for squad depth.

West Ham have also expressed interest in the Welshman, but Villa’s title ambitions and financial resources could prove decisive in securing his services ahead of their London rivals.

Related Aston Villa now plotting swoop for £30k-a-week defender, they're frontrunners

He’d jump at the chance to move to Villa Park…

Posts ByDominic Lund

Scorecard
New Zealand jumped right back into Rose Bowl contention with a crunching 82-run win against Australia to leave the series level at 1-1. The home side made plenty of 240-plus scores at the Lincoln ground against England without always winning but found 238 was more than enough in the second match to conquer Australia, the current holders.Katey Martin’s good form continued with 45, while Nicola Browne and Amy Satterthwaite both posted 48. Sarah Andrews was Australia’s best bowler with two wickets, while Ellyse Perry, Shelley Nitschke and Lisa Sthalekar both took one.New Zealand’s new-ball pairing of Helen Watson and Sophie Devine then worked well together, taking two wickets each to set Australia on the back foot at 4 for 43. They could not recover, as Lucy Doolan chipped in with 3 for 42.Australia will take some comfort from a half-century from Jodie Purves, who was included as a specialist batsman while Leonie Coleman kept wicket. Her fifth-wicket stand of 82 with Perry made the score more respectable but by the time it was broken Australia needed ten an over from the last ten overs, which proved too much.

If it is one thing West Indians have given generously, it is their thoughts on how the cricket they love should be run © Andrew Miller

Perhaps the major reason there has not yet been a substantive coup in the management of West Indies cricket lies within the realm of recognition by the international governing body, the International Cricket Council [ICC].It is certainly not because no alternatives have been proposed. If it is one thing West Indians have given generously, it is their thoughts on how the cricket they love should be run. Taken one by one, the ideas offer partial solutions, as they often deal with one aspect at a time. However, a careful study of the collection (such as the one generated by the 2000 Caricom/UWI cricket conference) yields a comprehensive range of proposals for the development of the game.What we need is the commitment and will to refine the existing body of thought into a practical plan. But as long as people feel that the ownership of West Indies cricket cannot be wrested away from the current proprietors, they will see such action tantamount to a spinning top in mud.There is a hopeless sense that international recognition will not be granted to any new structure because the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) already has it. Maybe we should think about the nature of that recognition and its basis.The ICC recognises the body that represents the national cricketers of its members. The West Indies has a different circumstance in terms of the definition of nation, given its multinational nature.It might be mentally liberating to examine the status quo and explore some possibilities.Legally, as far as we know, the WICB administers the regional game. As far as we know, the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) formally represents a substantial number of regional cricketers at various levels, and the WICB formally recognises WIPA as their representative.

What we need is the commitment and will to refine the existing body of thought into a practical plan

It is a little less clear when it comes to contractual relationships. As far as we know, a few players on the senior team have retainer contracts with the WICB. The majority are contracted on a series by series basis. At least, technically that is how it stands, right? We can’t really be sure because memory relates a different reality of players touring without contracts.For now, let’s just imagine a scenario. Let’s say that the CEO of the WICB announces that players on retainer have no choice but to go on the England tour, and that if the others don’t sign the proffered contract, the WICB will just keep running down the list until it gets a squad of 15.So what happens if nobody signs? A squad of what, eight, ten retained players goes? Unlikely, but imagine what would happen if the players, like everyone else in the region, decide that it is time to act. What if they are made aware of plans for an alternative system and find it attractive? What if they all decide not to sign any new contracts; what if nobody renews? What if WIPA endorses another structure and advises players that they would benefit from affiliating themselves with a new order that is committed to rebuilding West Indies cricket and treating its players as the centre of that resurrection? What if it takes less than a year for existing contracts to end? What if in that period there is massive investment in developing a modern, intelligent, entity to manage West Indies cricket?Who would the WICB then be representing? Would it be able to legitimately keep its seat on the ICC? Would the ICC then recognise another West Indian body?It might mean a period of upheaval that could even see the West Indies having to temporarily withdraw from ICC-sanctioned cricket as things get sorted out.But what if at the end we get it right and West Indies cricket begins its genuine rebuilding, would it be worth it?Sometimes a door needs the push of imagination to swing it open.

Mohammad Asif: All set for a swinging summer? © Getty Images

Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, has said that his stint with Leicestershire will be ideal preparation for the side’s tour to England this July.Asif is expected to be a serious threat to England during in the four Test series, coming off a successful tour against Sri Lanka in which he took 17 wickets, with a career best of 6 for 44 at Kandy.Asif, 23, came to prominence after taking 10 wickets for Pakistan A against England last winter. “It was almost the same England team that had won the Ashes and when I started I was under pressure bowling to some big names,” Asif told BBC Radio. “But the ball started swinging both ways and after that I was OK.”Though he didn’t play in the Tests against England, he came for the last one-day match of the tournament and picked up two wickets for 14. He was then picked for the second and third Tests against India at home, and had a memorable game at Karachi, taking seven wickets in Pakistan’s 341-run victory.Asif insisted that England will prove to be difficult to beat this summer, despite the fact that Pakistan have not lost a series in England since 1982. “You only have to look at the last Ashes, and they were playing well even before that in England.”