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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Wasim Jaffer lead India’s superb start on the first day at Newlands © Getty Images

Starts rarely come as emphatic as this, especially with India overseas and even more so in a series decider. Rahul Dravid presented his batsmen a New Year’s gift by calling tails at the toss, provided South Africa with a surprise opening pair and sat back to enjoy India’s best start in this country.Wasim Jaffer led the merriment on a bone-dry Newlands pitch, steering India to an imposing 254 for 3 at stumps in a largely one-sided contest. It was an indicator of Indian dominance that his partnership with Dinesh Karthik has been the only century opening stand by any country against South Africa in two years. Andre Nel’s absence, owing to a bruised ankle, hurt South Africa and they didn’t have much to cheer in a venue that is traditionally proved to be a fortress.It was a surface tailor-made for Jaffer, similar to the pancake-flat surfaces that he thrives on in domestic games back home. His third Test hundred, and first in the first innings, was a superbly-controlled affair, driving and pulling with authority. He gauged the nature of the pitch soon and reeled off regal strokes when presented with width.His back-foot expertise came to the fore, especially as the bowlers were unable to extract much lateral movement, and he rolled his wrists over the ball while attempting the pull. Confident defense was interspersed with smooth wristwork and, barring a couple of jaffas that beat the outside edge, he was totally in command. His only indiscretion came when he was on 116, hanging his bat limply and edging head-high to give Jacques Kallis, at second slip, his 100th victim.His partner was the surprise package. India decided to move Virender Sehwag down the order but instead of bringing in Gautam Gambhir, the specialist, went for Karthik, who last turned out for India in September 2005. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ill disposed with a chest infection and bruised fingers, and Karthik was asked to open for the first time in Tests.He enjoyed a large slice of fortune when on 32 – Graeme Smith fluffed a regulation edge at first slip – and occasionally resorted to the airy-fairy but he more than impressed with his compact technique. He got behind the line nicely and struck a gorgeous straight drive to welcome back Kallis to the bowling crease. He endured a nervy last over before tea, when Kallis targetted him with a bouncer barrage, but completed his second half-century in 14 innings. He was unlucky to be given out soon after tea, handing left-arm spinner Paul Harris with his maiden wicket, but he’d done a fine job by then.

Dinesh Karthik was the surprise package, going on to make a resolute half-century in his first time as a Test opener © Getty Images

Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, South Africa’s new-ball pair, couldn’t summon much life from the flat pitch and it was left to the accurate Shaun Pollock to provide some respite. He produced more movement than the rest and even managed to get the edge, only to be frustrated by Smith’s butterfingers at first slip. Pollock’s spell to Dravid, who was looking ominous in his brief stay, was a masterclass in prising out a wicket. He frustrated him with a nagging line, managed some reverse with the old ball before nailing him with a near-perfect delivery that pitched outside off and kissed the edge.Steyn came back to remove Jaffer with the new ball but Sachin Tendulkar, unfurling some gorgeous strokes towards the end, and VVS Laxman, cautiously shouldering arms, took India safely to stumps. Exactly three years ago, in a series decider at Sydney, Sourav Ganguly won the toss on a belter of a pitch and had the satisfaction of seeing his batsmen ending the opening day on 284 for 3. Is history about to repeat itself?Short cuts

Highlight of the day: After pull shot at Kingsmead, WasimJaffer had a lot to prove, most of all to himself. And on a pitch thatcould have been prepared in Mumbai or Nagpur, he did just that with afluent century, building on a circumspect start with some gorgeous driveson both sides of the wicket.Lowlight of the day: For two sessions, this was a triumphant return toTest cricket for Dinesh Karthik. But when the first ball after teaappeared to fly off the pad to silly point, his luck took a turn for theworse. Hashim Amla, who grabbed the ball, didn’t even bother to appeal,lobbing the ball back to Mark Boucher in an attempt to catch Karthik shortof the crease. But with Boucher backing up Paul Harris’s fervent appeal,Asad Rauf lifted the finger. Not the best of decisions, and certainly noway to end such a brave innings.Shot of the day: The first session had been all about patience andconsolidation, but soon after lunch, Karthik drove an over-pitcheddelivery from Makhaya Ntini past the mid-off fielder with a fluent swingof the bat. It was a glorious, breath-stopping stroke, from a man whoclearly believed that he belonged at this level.Ball of the day: When Rahul Dravid came in and set about Dale Steyn, thegame appeared to be running away from South Africa. It needed anotherrelentlessly accurate spell from Shaun Pollock to rein it back, and hecrowned it with the big wicket – Dravid nibbling at one that pitched justoutside off stump and held its line.Catch of the day: Late in the day, with the evening sun beating down,Jaffer poked at one from Steyn. It flew off the edge, and JacquesKallis stuck his hands in front of his face while moving to his right atsecond slip. Stunning reflexes from such a big man, and a fine way tobring up 100 catches in Tests.Message of the day: With the stump microphone audio available in anothersoundproof press box, all the chirping could be heard. Mark Boucher ledthe way with his exhortations, but it was Graeme Smith’s voice that wasmost distinctive. “He’s tired, boys, he’s done his bit for the team,” heshouted out, even as Paul Harris pitched into the rough outside off stump.Wasim Jaffer said not a word, but after one delivery had escaped for fourbyes, he paddle-swept another for four more. Cue momentary silence.Off the park: Even after bowling 18 wicket-less overs in the day, Ntini’sspirit was unbroken. Soon after close of play, he came down from thedressing room and signed dozens of autographs for the waiting fans – allwith that trademark goofy grin on his face. A touch of class, in a sportthat’s getting more and more distanced from its fans and roots.

Did Graeme Smith’s words fan the flames? © Getty Images

Australia and South Africa’s boards have both leapt to the defence of their players after the ICC singled out the teams in a warning they issued about inflammatory remarks. On Sunday the ICC called for players to cut down on their verbal sparring or risk disciplinary action, with its head Malcolm Speed specifically referring to the upcoming series between Australia and South Africa.”Unfortunately, since the Ashes there has been a spate of code of conduct offences committed by players which have resulted in a series of penalties being applied, including suspension,” Speed said. “There have also been a series of comments by players and former players ahead of the Australia v South Africa series that I believe make it necessary to remind the players of the importance of playing within the spirit of the game ahead of this series.”It is presumed that what prompted the ICC to target the upcoming series is Graeme Smith’s comments about targeting Australia’s middle order. “Australia’s top three batsmen are their strength, so being able to knock them over is important. That exposes their middle order, which has experienced pressure in domestic cricket but maybe not in Tests [as much]. If we get things right, we will be putting Adam Gilchrist under pressure at No.7 too.” Shane Warne later sledged that South Africa “might need [a psychologist] by the time we’ve finished with them.”But whatever it was that prompted the ICC to single out the series, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) have fired a broadside, saying that the comments are unwarranted and demeaning to the players.”This South African team plays hard and fair and is full of experienced cricketers who have for years conducted themselves in line with the spirit of cricket” said Tony Irish, the SACA’s chief executive, in a statement. “Australian players have done likewise.”I am amazed that the ICC sees fit to warn players, and even past players, in the media. If there are genuine concerns that players may offend the spirit of the game then this should be taken up with them directly and not in the form of a public lecture. Everyone is looking forward to the heat of the rivalry which accompanies a series between South Africa and Australia. The verbal exchanges are a part of this and they simply add to the build up.”Cricket Australia told The Age newspaper that in fact it had nothing but praise for its players’ conduct since the introduction of the spirit of cricket code which they committed to two years ago.”The banter that goes with the game, that’s fine, that will always be part of the game,” said the board’s spokesman, Peter Young. “Clearly, there is no love lost between Australia and South Africa but there is no love lost between most sides and that’s fine as long as they get the balance right.”During the Ashes, a lot of words were exchanged but the series was played in a competitive and sportsmanlike spirit. The exhortation to our players it to play the game hard but fair, and by and large, we think they’re getting that right. There will always be the odd bad day and the odd mishap because of the nature of the game … and because they are red-blooded human beings.”James Sutherland, the board’s chief executive, said that there was no harm in banter between the players. “Cricket needs personalities in the game, there is no doubt about that. Characters add an air of excitement and individuality, which attracts and engages the public’s interest.”Irish went on to say that the ICC should be concentrating its efforts on Zimbabwe instead. “It is also difficult to understand why the ICC has chosen to publicly focus on the conduct of players at a time when there appear to be serious problems with the conduct of certain administrators from Boards affiliated to the ICC. In Zimbabwe cricket is in tatters. Surely we should instead be hearing the ICC’s voice in relation to the standards and behaviour of those administering the game in that country?”His comments echo those made by Tim May earlier this week. May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, backed Malcolm Speed’s call for everyone to support the ideals of the Spirit of Cricket – but also criticised the ICC’s inaction over the crisis in Zimbabwe. He said: “Players, particularly those in Zimbabwe, or those forced to play there, will find it difficult to fully accept Speed’s call when the ICC has not seen the need to intervene, or been unable to investigate, serious allegations about the games administration.”The ICC’s latest comments have also prompted criticism from former Australia team-mates Jeff Thomson and Terry Alderman. “You have got to have a bit of gamesmanship, that is what it is all about,” Thomson argued earlier this week. “It’s highlighting things that aren’t worth highlighting. They are the biggest bullshitters in the world. What a waste of space.”Alderman added: “They are putting the cart before the horse, they are almost saying there is going to be problems because of what has been written and said by players. Well, that is ridiculous. Let the game be for goodness’ sake.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Sending Andrew Hall out to open was a masterstroke© AFP

A batsman opening the innings for the first time in Tests and another making his debut gave fantastic exhibitions of technique, concentration, and temperament, as South Africa wrested control of the Kanpur Test. Andrew Hall converted his maiden Test century into his highest first-class score, making a monumental 163, while Zander de Bruyn made a composed 83. Together, they ran the Indian attack ragged, adding 144 for the sixth wicket as South Africa closed the second day on 459 for 7.The move to open with Hall was a masterstroke, but even the South African think-tank wouldn’t have expected the benefits to be so substantial. His technique and his reading of the pitch were excellent, but the outstanding aspect of his innings was his unflagging concentration and his relentless hunger to keep accumulating the runs. There were a few expansive strokes along the way, especially when the bowlers offered him width outside off, but for the most part he played within himself, knocking the ball around for singles, and was totally unruffled by long scoreless periods. His previous-highest Test score – 99 not out against England at Headingley in 2003 – had come off just 87 balls, but here he played a totally uncharacteristic innings, but one that perfectly suited the needs of his team.If Hall’s defensive ability was a revelation, then so was the skill and composure of de Bruyn. With nine seasons of domestic cricket behind him, de Bruyn, 29, batted as if he was just turning up for another game for the Easterns. He was completely unfazed by the famed Indian spin attack and by a pitch which showed signs of breaking up, soon demonstrating why he has a first-class average of 42 and a highest of 266 not out. His first two scoring shots were fours – a straight-drive off Sourav Ganguly and a sweep off Harbhajan Singh – and, once set, he brought out some more adventurous strokes too, tonking Harbhajan for three sixes. In between those few moments of aggression were long periods of solid defence.

Sourav Ganguly and Dinesh Karthik enjoyed the only moment of celebration in the first session© AFP

India had spent long fruitless hours in the field yesterday as well, but were saved by a couple of double-strikes by Anil Kumble. Today, there was little respite. Their best passage of play was in the first hour, when Sourav Ganguly and Zaheer Khan bowled superbly with the second new ball. Only 15 came from the first 12 overs, and there was a success to celebrate too, when Ganguly had Boeta Dippenaar caught behind for 48 (241 for 5). But as the early morning freshness evaporated from the Green Park pitch, so did the enthusiasm of the Indians in the field.The pitch was expected to provide plenty of assistance to the spinners, but though there were bits of the surface coming off on occasions, the ball seldom did anything unexpected. There was little pace in the wicket, and once Hall and de Bruyn saw off the early overs, they were rarely troubled. Ganguly tried most tricks in his bag – the three specialist spinners bowled lengthy spells, Sachin Tendulkar bowled nine overs of legspin, sometimes generating plenty of turn, while Zaheer threatened occasionally with his ability to reverse-swing the old ball. Nothing, though, could unsettle Hall and de Bruyn.Hall carried on from where he had left off on the first day. He was unusually quick to get through the nineties, though, stroking a couple of cover-drives off Ganguly and then sweeping Kumble for a four to reach his century, which came off 325 balls. His reaction to the landmark told the story – he raised his bat towards the dressing-room, shook hands with de Bruyn, and then promptly continued with his job.As the partnership continued to grow, the frustration told on the Indians in the field. There were a couple of shocking misfields – one of them, by Zaheer at mid-off, brought up Hall’s 150 – and some ridiculous appealing – a couple of times, Kumble, bowling from round the wicket, asked for an lbw verdict when the ball had pitched at least a couple of feet outside leg. He did finally get the breakthrough – and his fifth wicket of the innings – bowling Hall round his legs just before tea (385 for 6).After tea, a demoralised Indian team settled for a defensive line, with Kartik bowling a over-the-wicket, outside-leg line. The South Africans didn’t attempt to force either, and only 61 came from 33 over after tea. de Bruyn fell 17 short of a deserving century when he edged a drive to slip, and Harbhajan’s exaggerated celebration was an indication of India’s frustration in the field. Thami Tsolekile, the other debutant in the side, got his first international runs too, and with Shaun Pollock still around and Robin Peterson to follow, South Africa weren’t quite done yet.

Henry Olonga has revealed how he came close to backing out of his black-armband protest during the World Cup. If he had not been approached by Andy Flower, he would not have had the strength to stage the protest on his own.Olonga, 26, was forced into retirement after the tournament. He added that others had been willing to take part in the protest, to mourn the “death of democracy” in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe’s oppressive regime, but they were dissuaded from doing so to add potency to the statement.”I didn’t know if I had the strength [to go it alone]," Olonga told AFP. "I was wavering at the time. However when Flower suggested it after he had been approached by a third party I decided I would do it. We just thought it was the right thing to do. Not enough people have stood up.”Last week, Flower’s brother Grant revealed he had wanted to join the protest, but thought it would look as if they had bullied Olonga into it. More would have muddied the waters,” said Olonga. “I believe it added more credibility to the stand with one white man and one black man protesting.”Flower became involved in the protest after reading a newspaper in Zimbabwe. “He read some trite story on the front page," explained Olonga, "and on the inside page there was a story about some man having been tortured which was only a paragraph long and he felt that just wasn’t right.””We weren’t particularly friendly before but my conviction came from my [Christian] faith and I don’t know where his came from. All I know is we were prepared to make the sacrifices ourselves.”Olonga also praised England’s players, but not their governing body, for going out on a limb and boycotting their World Cup fixture in Harare. “I think more people could have taken stances, and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could have been stronger,” he said. According to a Channel 4 documentary, the Australians were asked to wear black armbands, and refused.Olonga said he realised there would be consequences and was warned that his behaviour was gone down badly back home when Zimbabwe travelled to South Africa to play in the Super Six stage of the World Cup. “I knew I would make a lot of enemies and there would be a backlash. That your phones would be bugged and you’d be followed and that always happens to people who dare to voice their dissent. However, during the World Cup it would have been very difficult for them to do something and my profile protected me, but when it declines there could be a backlash.”Olonga said he received an e-mail from Harare which alerted him to the huge problems which awaited him back in Zimbabwe. “My dad got a warning and he told me don’t come back. However the e-mail came from a different source who was a cleaner in a minister’s office as she had overheard him say ‘That guy Olonga thinks he is clever but we’ll get him when he comes back’.”Olonga went into hiding after the World Cup and then seized the chance to come to England to commentate on Zimbabwe’s two-Test series in England. He rejected suggestions that by agreeing to commentate on the tour meant he was endorsing it.”I have never endorsed this tour. I agreed to do it because the BBC and Channel Four were the first to help me get over here, and in any case more good can come out of this tour going ahead than bad.While Olonga yearns to return home he doesn’t see it happening soon.”Well the mix of the commentating, club cricket for Lashings and the music contract I am signing should see me here for at least a year. However I don’t see the current situation in Zimbabwe sustaining itself, maybe even just six months could see the end of the regime. Zimbabwe is full of nation builders with everyone working together it can be a great nation again, but at the moment it is in the mud.”

New Zealand A’s successes continued yesterday in the Coromandel King Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup cricket tournament in Hyderabad.New Zealand A qualified for the tournament quarter-finals by beating Associated Banks by 105 runs at the Lal Bahadur Stadium.Making first use of what was described as a perfect batting strip, New Zealand scored 275/9 in their 50 overs. Dominating the innings to show the national selectors, who announce their Test team for Pakistan tomorrow, that he was not out of the frame was opener Matthew Horne.He scored 78 runs off 98 balls. Playing quality cricket shots he also improvised and used his feet well to the Associated Banks’ slower bowlers.Providing him with good support was Hamish Marshall whose 47 was scored from 51 balls. Opening the innings with Horne, Chris Nevin scored 21. Matthew Bell continued the good pace of scoring when hitting 36 from 40 balls.Kyle Mills made early roads into the ABs batting and ended with three for 22. He and Shane Bond used their pace to good effect on what was regarded as a good batting track.Spin bowlers Paul Wiseman and Brooke Walker created indecision among the Indian batsmen to finish with 1-32 and 2-22 respectively and leaving the way clear for Jacob Oram to complete the 40.5 over dismissal for 170 runs. Oram, another contender for the Test side, took three for 13.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Montreal Impact attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic. 

What’s the talk?

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the Magpies are one of a number of clubs eyeing up a deal for the playmaker, with Everton, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Leeds also said to be keen on him.

The report claims that the MLS outfit will not allow him to leave for anything less than €8m (£6.6m), with his current contract expiring in December 2023.

New Cabaye

Eddie Howe can find Newcastle’s new Yohan Cabaye in a deal for the American midfielder as he could provide the same creative spark from the middle of the park.

Cabaye was constantly creating chances for his teammates during his time at St. James’ Park. He averaged 1.6, 2.0 and 1.7 key passes per game across his three campaigns on Tyneside, which shows how effective he was at linking the play and providing goalscoring opportunities for the side.

In the current Newcastle squad, Joelinton’s 0.9 key passes per game are the highest tally of any central midfielder in the Premier League. This suggests that Howe is in need of the new Cabaye to inject some creativity into his side heading into next season.

Mihailovic would be the new version of the Frenchman as he has proven in the MLS that he has an incredible eye for a pass, much like the ex-PSG man had from the same number eight role.

Last month, journalist Chris Smith dubbed him a “gorgeous passer” and his statistics back that up, as he managed an outstanding 2.3 key passes per game in 2021 for Montreal – creating an unbelievable 18 ‘big chances’ and registering 14 assists.

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Journalist Manuel Veth claimed that he is “overlooked” and Newcastle can change that by bringing him to the Premier League stage next season. They can offer him a platform to display his talents at the top level and his statistics in the MLS suggest that he has the ability to come in and be a creative force for the Magpies moving forward.

Of course, it is impossible to gauge the difference in quality between the two divisions but creating 18 huge chances in one-season shows that – at the very least – he is a forward-thinking midfielder who wants to open up defences and create opportunities for his teammates. In that sense, he would be Newcastle’s new Cabaye as he would be the chief creator from the number eight position.

AND in other news, NUFC can unearth their new Callum Wilson in £20.8m predator who has “the scoring nose”…

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Shane Bond: the first to fall on a day of wickets © Getty Images

What a difference a day makes. At the close yesterday New Zealand were in the better position, but after a day of poor batting from them and obduracy from Jacques Kallis and Hasim Amla, it was South Africa who appeared to have already done enough to win this match. They went to stumps on 179 for 2, leading by 287.The heart was ripped out of New Zealand in a morning session when they lost five wickets for 56, and their capitulation was complete when their last three wickets fell inside 21 balls of the resumption. Then, needing quick wickets, they made early breakthroughs before hitting a brick wall in the shape of Kallis and Amla.Had Brendon McCullum held a thick edge when Amla had made 2 then it might have been different, but in fairness New Zealand’s batting looks so fragile and uncertain that a first-innings deficit of 108 had probably almost finished them off anyway.New Zealand started on 41 for 2, and although they lost Shane Bond, the nightwatchman, early on, they should still have been at home on a pitch that, while quickening up overnight and becoming bouncier, was still fundamentally a good surface to bat on. But they were unsure against anything short of a length and their footwork was poor, and they paid.More importantly, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Andre Nel and, latterly, Kallis, all bowled superbly. They all found a rhythm and added to the pressure by strangling the runs. It was absorbing, the only shame being that there was only another pathetically small crowd despite the glorious sunshine.Stephen Fleming was the key for New Zealand. He continued where he left off last night, stroking two fours, slashing at a few, and being forced to duck and weave as Steyn and Nel tested him out. It was Ntini who produced a peach to remove him, moving one across the left-hander which he had to play, AB de Villiers at third slip clutching a catch inches from the ground. Fleming then headed off for X-rays after being hit on the forearm and sat out the rest of the day, although he should be able to bat again.

Dale Steyn appeals for another wicket. He finished with Test-best figures of 5 for 34 © Getty Images

Much as Bond and Chris Martin had done yesterday, the quick bowlers piled on the pressure with accurate and testing bowling. In his second over Kallis removed Scott Styris, his feet planted as he fenced at and nicked a good delivery short of a length outside his off stump. It was poor technique from a frontline batsman, and in the next over Kallis took a good second-slip catch when Jacob Oram was surprised by one from Steyn that angled into his midriff. Kallis was again centre stage in his next over when Ross Taylor, on his debut, slashed a wide one straight to Herschelle Gibbs at gully.If the morning had been poor, after lunch was worse but mercifully brief as New Zealand’s last three wickets went down with a whimper. Daniel Vettori fell four balls after the resumption, getting a leading edge as he tried to work Ntini through midwicket. Iain O’Brien then left Ntini seething with an eyes-shut six and two fours through the off, but it was no more than a corpse twitching.With the first delivery of his 15th over Dale Steyn trapped McCullum back in his crease, and despite the batsman’s clear unhappiness with the decision, it appeared a straightforward call. Chris Martin was greeted with a bouncer, followed by one pitched up which he tried to flick into the leg side and, like his captain, he only got a leading edge to complete Steyn’s five-for.New Zealand needed quick wickets, and they started promisingly. Gibbs, yesterday’s rock, unleashed one four before he too paid for a lack of footwork and Graeme Smith, as we have seen so many times, was left overbalancing by a ball fired in at his feet by Martin from round the wicket. For the second time in as many days, South Africa were 20 for 2.But it was what happened in between those dismissals that really mattered. Bond found Amla’s edge – again largely because of an absence of footwork – and McCullum did everything right, even getting both gloves to the ball, but he spilt the catch. Amala wasted no time in making New Zealand pay, cracking a series of fours through the off side, and as the day went on he grew in confidence, bearing no resemblance to the uncertain batsmen he was yesterday.Kallis was typically Kallis, obdurate, solid, but unleashing some sublime shots in between watchful periods. He was rattled a few times and was shaken by a Martin bouncer which clattered into his helmet. But he picked himself up, dusted himself down, and resumed grinding down the bowlers.New Zealand’s heads dropped as the shadows lengthened, Amla and Kallis bringing up their 150 stand in the penultimate over, and Vettori looked unable to lift his new charges. In the last hour O’Brien twice had raucous appeals for catches behind dismissively turned down by Daryll Harper – rightly according to replays – but by then you suspected that Vettori and his side knew that their chance had long since gone.

Usman Arshad smashed a classy hundred to give Pakistan Customs a healthy start on the first day of their four-day, fourth-round, Patron’s Trophy match against defending champions National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), here at the NBP Sports Complex Stadium.Usman showed great potential and promise and hit 16 fours in his 101 off 203 balls as Customs mustered 237 for 7 after being asked to bat. Showing belligerence, Usman was particularly severe on Mohammad Sami, whom he struck for seven fours. Paceman Wasim Khan was the pick of the NBP bowlers taking 5 for 82 runs in 27 overs. He took his wickets quickly as six Pakistan Customs wickets fell with only 83 runs added to a total of 137 for 1.Sami, who was included in the Pakistan team for the third Test match against the West Indies, finished with unflattering figures of 1 for 79 in 26 overs with 13 no-balls.Usman, who is the son of a prolific batsman of the past Arshad Pervez, had also made a ton against the Attock Group last week. He shared a 101-run second-wicket stand with opener Rashid Ali, who contributed 49 off 117 balls with four boundaries.Rafatullah Mohmand hit an exquisite hundred and lifted Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) to 269 for 4, on day against Attock Group at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground.Rafatullah batted stylishly for his 125. He managed eight boundaries in his 252-ball innings before being trapped lbw by left-arm paceman Saad Altaf. He shared a 121-run stand for the second wicket with Taufeeq Umar after Habib Bank lost captain Shahid Afridi for 5 having been put into bat. Taufeeq hit seven boundaries in his 57.Later, Rafatullah added 115 runs in 110 minutes with Hasan Raza, who remained unbeaten with 58 at the close, laced with three fours and a brace of sixes. Aftab Khan was unbeaten on 1 at stumps. Saad bowled superbly for his 3 for 69 runs in 22 overs with three maidens.

Though a beautiful ground, a Test appointment at Bellerive Oval still means an unfortunate drop in the opposition’s status © Getty Images

West Indies play a Test at Bellerive Oval for the first time on Thursday and it is a sign of how far they have fallen in the eyes of Australian administrators. This series is only the third three-Test affair in the 75 years of West Indian visits – the first two were in the late 70s and early 80s when self preservation and trips from England and Pakistan were excuses for abbreviation – and Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s squad have been shuffled down the side-streets and away from the regular big-name stages of the SCG and MCG.Bellerive Oval, with river frontage and a capacity of 15,000, is a beautiful ground that deserves regular Test fixtures instead of a couple of Australia A matches each summer and an ODI involving both touring teams. But in the stadium’s six-game history as the country’s sixth-choice venue a Test appointment means an unfortunate drop in the opposition’s status. Only Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan have played in Hobart, with Australia winning four times and drawing twice when rain cut short both New Zealand matches.Nothing this West Indian side displayed in Brisbane, where they lost by 379 runs in four days, gave any indication that cutting the series to three matches following the 5-0 drubbing in 2000-01 was the wrong decision. The reduction has reportedly upset the visitors and perhaps the low-key surrounds of Hobart will provide another spur on a tour that started with a convincing performance against Queensland before drooping against Australia and Victoria.Bowling remains the crucial problem of a Test team the ICC rates higher than only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, as the batsmen are capable of bursting into growth at any time despite laying dormant at the Gabba. Discipline remains a big issue and the support staff must mirror the lead of Corey Collymore, who nagged constantly at Australia’s batsmen during the first Test. In the lead-up to the series the phrase “get the ball in the right areas” was mentioned religiously but failed to translate from mouth to hand as short balls were replaced by full, wide or even shorter ones.The highlights from the tour game at Junction Oval in Melbourne, where Brad Hodge confirmed he would make his Test debut with an-almost-run-a-ball 177and Victoria registered 571, showed nothing had changed. This pacy attack is not like its 20th century predecessors who could intimidate and dismantle opposition orders. Fidel Edwards, Daren Powell and probably Dwayne Bravo will need to improve dramatically alongside Collymore on a pitch often compared to a road and usually suiting the batsmen.One opening for West Indies is Australia’s plans have again been hindered and four players in the squad have played fewer than five Tests. Shane Watson’s shoulder injury brings Andrew Symonds a chance and Justin Langer’s problem rib gives Michael Hussey the bonus of a second match as fill-in after falling to two miscued horizontal bat shots on his debut.Nathan Bracken, who wiped out West Indies’ second innings with Brett Lee at the Gabba, is likely to miss out as Australia push for the Shane Warne-Stuart MacGill combination for the first time away from Sydney in a home summer away since 1998. Warne has 24 wickets at 19.20 in five matches at Bellerive while MacGill should play his first on a surface expected to help the slow men as the match continues.Australia will be judging their new line-up but can be confident with their novice changes as the experienced core of Hayden, Ponting, McGrath and Warne all performed strongly in the series-opener. Their opponents face a different group of challenges that could determine the length of future tours as well as gauging the success of the current one.Australia (probable) 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Michael Hussey, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Brad Hodge, 6 Adam Gilchrist, 7 Andrew Symonds, 8 Shane Warne, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Glenn McGrath, 11 Stuart MacGill.West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Devon Smith, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Brian Lara, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Marlon Samuels, 7 Denesh Ramdin, 8 Dwayne Bravo, 9 Daren Powell, 10 Corey Collymore, 11 Fidel Edwards.

Ed Smith: century in vain© Getty Images

Northamptonshire clung on to their top-division status with a last-gasp win at Canterbury which sentenced Kent – and the four-day county champions Warwickshire – to second-division cricket in next year’s totesport League.It all looked rosy for Kent as the unsettled Ed Smith stroked his way to a neat 106, in pursuit of Northants’ modest 219 for 7. But Smith fell in the penultimate over to Paul Rofe, Northants’ South Australian fast bowler, and Niall O’Brien and Rob Ferley could make little of the last over, bowled by the South African Johann Louw under the St Lawrence lights.In the end it was a big-hitting knock from Kent old boy Ben Phillips – who also took the catch that ended Smith’s innings – which did for Kent. He smashed 44 not out from just 27 balls at the end of the Northants innings, including 20 from the last over, bowled by the hapless Antiguan Robert Joseph. It proved the difference between the two sides in the end.Northants zoomed up to fourth place with 32 points, ahead of Gloucestershire and Essex (also 32) as they had more wins, and leapfrogging Warwickshire (30) who are now relegated. Behind them Kent were stuck on 24, while Surrey, last year’s champions, finished bottom this time with only 22 points.

National League Division One

Northamptonshire 219 for 7 (Afzaal 47, Brophy 42, Phillips 44*) beat Kent 215 for 7 (Smith 106, Louw 3-37) by 4 runs at Canterbury
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