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Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, has applauded the man-management skills of the current Indian coaching staff and was pleased that the tour has proceeded without any “hiccups”.Ganguly, who had some major differences with former India coach Greg Chappell, was happy with the current atmosphere in the dressing room, adding that the team did not need a “professor” to coach them at this level.”The youngsters have enjoyed themselves,” Ganguly told Cricinfo when asked about the dynamics in the team. “It’s been a lovely dressing room, a free dressing room. No hiccups, not many controversies off the field, not too much rubbish going around, which has been good. It’s been fantastic.”Did he think the lack of a head coach had affected the team in any way? “We have coaches – Robin [Singh] and Venky [Prasad] have been superb,” he said. “They’ve been nice, their man-management skills have been worth watching. Chandu Borde has been nice. Lot of people said he’s 73 when he got appointed. He may not be the most active because of his age but thebatting ideas he gives – stands behind in the nets, watches every ball – that’s all you need.”You don’t need a professor at this level. You don’t need to treat international players like students. What are you going to teach Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid or Anil Kumble? What are you going to tell them? [There are] minor things which you notice in the nets you come and tellthem, ‘This is what I feel, this is how you can do it better’. And Mr Borde does it perfectly.”After India’s Test series triumph at The Oval, their captain, Dravid, had also acknowledged the efforts of Prasad, Robin and Borde. However, when asked about the lack of a coach before the first game of the one-day series, he was guarded with his stance. “We’ve had some goodsuccess on this tour, but it will be too simplistic to say it’s because we haven’t had [a coach],” he said. “There are other factors that have gone into us playing well. You can’t just focus on the coach.”Sometimes you’re in the team and looking at it from one perspective. People from outside can look at a team and see the direction it’s going in. They must provide some intelligence and input as well.”

Shane Watson, the Queensland allrounder, has been confirmed as Hampshire’s overseas player for the Twenty20 Cup. It will be Watson’s second spell with the club and during his previous stint he helped them win the 2005 Friends Provident Trophy.Watson is one of the players up for the second Indian Premier League auction on Tuesday, but that won’t impact on his Hampshire stay which will commence after the tournament in India has finished in early June.”[Shane] was an instant hit with members and fans of Hampshire when he was here in 2004 and I, for one, am very excited at the prospect of seeing him here again this summer,” Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman, said. “It is fair to say that we have under-performed in the Twenty20 Cup so far, and we have been saying for a while that 2008 will see us focusing more and more on this exciting competition.”Our signing of such a fantastic talent as Watson shows our clear intent to compete hard to be in the finals day that we are so proudly hosting in July.”Watson has been through another injury-hit domestic season in Australia as he continued to struggle with hamstring problems and he hasn’t played international cricket since the ICC World Twenty20. In seven Pura Cup matches he finished with 439 runs at 33.76 and a top score of 190, although he managed just nine wickets.He is currently one of three overseas players on Hampshire’s books although Shane Warne, their captain, won’t be available until the latter part of the season due to his IPL and poker commitments.Shane Bond was signed for the first two months of the season but his participation is now in major doubt after he joined the Indian Cricket League. He is unlikely to gain the required No Obligation Certificate which will allow him to play.

Rain foreshortened the fourth day of the five-day game between South Africa and India at Centurion on Monday, raising the possibility that this contentious match – and the 2001 tour by India – could reach a soggy finale on Tuesday. In the circumstances, it is difficult to think of a more appropriate conclusion to one of international cricket’s most unhappy episodes.When the drizzle of the early afternoon hardened into rain around tea time, India were 118 for two in their second innings. South Africa had declared before the start of play at the overnight 566 for eight, leaving the touring side to score 334 to avoid an innings defeat. Depending on the weather – and widespread rain over southern African is forecast for Tuesday – India may well save this match. How much honour is salvaged from this affair, however, is entirely another question.In all India batted for 46 overs on the fourth day. On a pitch that has flattened out nicely for batting and with the South Africans struggling to find a consistent line, Shiv Das and Connor Williams were able to build a first-wicket stand that eventually yielded 92.They were unable, however, to take it through to lunch after an extended morning session with Williams eventually falling to Lance Klusener as Jacques Kallis held a waist-high catch at second slip. Williams made 42, the chief significance of which is that he finally reached double figures on South African soil after arriving in the country ahead of the first Test a month ago.Williams was down to play in the matches against the President’s XI and a South African A team, both of which were abandoned without a ball bowled, and made 5 in the Indian first innings. That he had a bat at all in what is currently not a Test match will, no doubt, intrigue collectors of cricket trivia in the year to come.India took lunch at 104 for one and returned for 25 minutes before the first break for drizzle. The players returned after 50 minutes, played out another 11 overs – during which time Das was bowled by Shaun Pollock for 48 as the South African captain came in off five paces – and that was it for the day.For India, there was one more bit of bad news. Fast bowler Javagal Srinath, struck on the left hand while batting in the first innings, has a broken finger and will be out of action until December 6. He will miss the first Test against England in Mohali as a result.

Although still beset by general inconsistency and the technical deficiency of their batsmen, West Indies emerged from their third series in South Africa stronger than when it began.They won an overseas Test over established opposition for the first time in seven years, an entirely unexpected result, and an antidote to the defeatism that had enveloped West Indies cricket as a whole, in spite of their subsequent reversals. In Chris Gayle, holding on while Ramnaresh Sarwan regained fitness, they found a captain by chance, an unlikely leader with the indefinable quality of getting the best out those under him.Clive Lloyd, himself such a skipper in the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s, felt that Gayle has “got the sort of charisma that’s been lacking in the past”. “I believe he can become the hub of a team that is only a player or two short of becoming very good,” he said.The difference between the on-field performance when Gayle was in charge and when he was missing was marked. He must surely now retain the position with Sarwan, when he returns for the demanding home contests against Sri Lanka and Australia, as his deputy.South Africa’s captain Graeme Smith noted that this team showed “a lot more discipline, a lot more character” than he had experienced in his two previous series against the West Indies, home and away. Their coach, Mikey Arthur, was even more fulsome in his comments. Their defeats in the second and third Tests were by the irrefutable margins of seven wickets and an innings and 100 runs. They were the kind of results that had been widely anticipated prior to the series yet Smith said his team had “to work very hard” to draw level.John Dyson, the new head coach, acknowledged that South Africa had improved after their loss in the first Test and that they were the better team. Even so, West Indies were considerably handicapped by injury and illness. In the second Test, Fidel Edwards limped off after 4.5 overs with a strained hamstring, only to return to bat with a runner. It instantly removed the bowler whose pace had been a major factor in completing the first Test triumph a few days earlier.Gayle bravely came in last in the second innings with his own hamstring problem and a fractured thumb, effectively forcing him to bat on one leg and with one hand. Yet he still smashed three sixes and four fours in 38.His absence from the decisive Test was an incalculable setback but not the only one. Dwayne Bravo, an apprentice in such a role, had to fill the breach as captain without the services of one of the game’s most feared opening batsmen to take on the opposition’s loaded fast attack but, carrying a side strain, also without his own bowling. One was as serious as the other since there was no more likely wicket-taker in all conditions than Bravo with his controlled and varied medium-pace swing and cut.Nor was the misfortune at an end. There was no way back from a first innings deficit of 417 but, in ideal batting conditions, no one was more certain to make the South Africans sweat than Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Instead, he was the one doing the sweating, under several blankets as a debilitating flu prevented him from batting. Marlon Samuels filled his role, closing a series in which he finally affirmed himself as a Test batsman with a hundred, only his second in 27 Tests and seven years.This was a born-again cricketer, not the strokemaker who had infuriated all who recognised his ability with flashy cameos. He batted as long, all told, as the adhesive Chanderpaul, just over 17 hours, and actually received more deliveries, 674 to 662. Yet it didn’t curb his flair. His 46 fours were more than by anyone on either side.There were other advances. Jerome Taylor, pacy and probing, seldom had a poor spell and his batting prompted Dyson to encourage him to pay more attention to it. “He really should aim to become a genuine all-rounder,” Dyson said. “His batting is certainly good enough for it.” Denesh Ramdin, whose wicket-keeping was immaculate throughout, was another Dyson felt was worth more with the bat. “We’ve worked on Denesh’s technique just to tighten his defence,” the coach noted. “He’s got a good range of shots and a good head. He certainly has it in him to give us more runs at No.7.”Shortcomings remain. An opening partner for Gayle, bowlers not only with pace but with control and, according to Lloyd, a left-handed all-rounder who bowls decent spin are required to make the team competitive against the best. For his experience, Daren Ganga’s continued selection was understandable but no longer. Devon Smith couldn’t get a run, far less a game and Brenton Parchment didn’t look the part on debut.Opportunity knocks for someone not yet tried. Sarwan’s return to No.3 will be an obvious boost. Runako Morton, a 100 per cent trier, was given the awesome, almost unfair, task of filling the position once occupied by the likes of George Headley, Everton Weekes, Rohan Kanhai and Viv Richards but was never going to be up to it. As Edwards, Taylor, Bravo and Daren Powell dispatched the South African top-order cheaply in both innings in the first Test, a dangerous fast bowling axis seemed to have formed.Edwards and Powell are the quickest but their inconsistency was evident in the later Tests when they repeatedly pounded the ball in short and were just as repeatedly hammered. It was futile bowling that accentuated their already unflattering statistics and obliges selectors to look to other contenders. They, and all those who deal in speed, should have taken note of the formula for success of the Man of the Series, Dale Steyn – very fast, straight, with a little movement and the odd bouncer. The West Indies once produced Steyn equivalents by the score. They could do with one now.

Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, feels Stephen Fleming may not be easily swayed out of thoughts of an early retirement. Fleming, a former captain, was tipped to quit Tests after the forthcoming tour of England but recent reports have suggested he could retire sooner, after the third Test against England in Napier next month.”If you know Stephen, he doesn’t get his arm twisted on too many things,” Vettori told the . “Stephen has always been strong in his thoughts and decisions. I don’t think it will be my place to try and twist his arm. It’s his decision. We’d love to have him as long as we can.”People at 34 or 35 start reflecting on their careers and other things they may want to do. We’ll just sit tight and wait for Stephen’s decision.”It was reported that Fleming’s decision was prompted by family reasons, with his wife expecting their second baby in June. He quit one-dayers after the World Cup last year and was relieved of the Test captaincy in September. He is also one of the contracted players of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) set to commence in April.Though yet to confirm the retirement plans, Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive, confirmed he was in discussions with Fleming on his future.”We all know he’s coming to the end of it,” Vaughan told the paper. “We are discussing exactly where he draws the line. Obviously he has made a fantastic contribution.”Fleming’s exit would be the latest in an exodus of senior players over the last year, with the likes Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan quitting all forms of the game. Scott Styris recently quit Tests to focus on his limited-overs career and question marks still remain over fast bowler Shane Bond’s future after signing up with the Indian Cricket League, a league not sanctioned by the ICC or cricket boards across the world. As a result, Bond lost his contract with the New Zealand board.Vettori, however, put a positive spin on things and said New Zealand only had everything to gain, with opportunities aplenty for the youngsters, echoing coach John Bracewell’s comments recently that it was time to look to the future.”And the guys who’ve come in so far, like the Jesse Ryders and Tim Southees, do give me a lot of excitement for the future,” Vettori said. “And it’s not just going to be us rebuilding all the time, we’ve actually got players who can compete at international level.”

Television stations have been providing summer filler entertainment for years and this season the Australian cricket team has got in on the act as well. With five weeks between Sri Lanka’s visit and the Boxing Day Test against India, Australian fans starved of action will get their first December fix with a Twenty20 match between Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday.Both sides will use the game to plan for the future, but while New Zealand are looking several days ahead, Australia’s strategy can be measured in years. New Zealand’s focus is shedding their miserable form as they prepare to defend the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy; Australia’s aim is to blood untried players and a potential future captain.At 26, Michael Clarke will become the youngest man to lead Australia in an international since Kim Hughes, who was 25 when he was first handed the reins in a Test. It might be a sneak-peek at Australia’s next full-time skipper, although such talk is premature with Ricky Ponting nowhere near retirement.Nathan Bracken believes Clarke will be an excellent captain, albeit only for a three-hour contest. “He is going to add something fresh to the side,” Bracken told . “If he keeps bringing everything he has brought through the last two or three years of international cricket that I have played with him, he will give us something else.”Clarke’s promotion gives a clear indication of how Australia view their home Twenty20 matches – it’s a testing ground. A game against India in January will give them another chance to assess future talent but they have no plans to add extra Twenty20 fixtures to their summer schedules.Last year Australia trialled Ben Hilfenhaus and Shane Harwood in the Twenty20 match against England. This year the less familiar faces in the squad are Adam Voges, the Western Australia batsman, and Ashley Noffke, Queensland’s in-form fast-bowling allrounder.By resting Ponting and Matthew Hayden, Australia have continued their relaxed attitude towards the new format and limited-overs contests with New Zealand. Ponting and Adam Gilchrist skipped February’s Chappell-Hadlee games but John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, swears he is not offended by a team he calls “world leaders in planning”. He said if New Zealand had enough depth they would use a similar policy.Their form, however, proves they cannot afford to field an under-strength side. New Zealand were humiliated in their Test tour of South Africa and they managed one win in the limited-overs series that followed.Their best source of comfort will be their Twenty20 record, which is remarkably similar to that of Australia. They contested the first international in 2004-05; they have each played 12 games, Australia have six wins and New Zealand have five; they were both knocked out in the semi-finals at the World Twenty20; and they were each defeated in their only match since then.The teams have not met in a Twenty20 since Australia’s win in Auckland and while New Zealand want to make it 1-1, a victory would be important for other reasons. Jeetan Patel said the squad needed to gain some momentum ahead of Friday’s opening Chappell-Hadlee match.”The guys are really raring to go,” Patel said. “If we get over the line [on Tuesday] then it boosts morale again, and we can hopefully push home that advantage in that first [ODI] in Adelaide.”However, Ponting and Hayden will return for the 50-over games as Australia seek to add the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy to a near-complete set of prizes in their bulging cabinet. The Twenty20 contest might be New Zealand’s best chance of a triumph in Australia.Australia squad Adam Gilchrist (wk), Brad Hodge, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Voges, Brett Lee, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait.New Zealand squad Brendon McCullum (wk), Lou Vincent, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Jamie How, Mathew Sinclair, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Kyle Mills, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.

Inzamam-ul-Haq has indicated that he might sign up for the Indian Cricket League (ICL), saying the ultimatum issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board does not apply to him as he isn’t under contract with the board.Inzamam, who was not among those given a central contract by the PCB last month, said he had been offered US$50,000 a month by the ICL. He was writing in his diary on bigstarcricket.com.”If they [PCB] are not selecting me I have a right to play cricket anywhere, whether in county cricket, Bangladesh, or India,” Inzamam said on the website. “But I’m not interested in only money, I’m interested in playing cricket.”The ICL is offering me good money and cricket. I have not played any cricket since the World Cup. Although I am still desperate to play for Pakistan it is not good for me if I get picked for Test cricket with no match practice behind me. There is no cricket in Pakistan before the South Africa series so I need to play.”Inzamam said he would want to play for Pakistan even if he signs for the ICL. “I would like to play in India and then as soon as my country needs me I would come back for national duty.”

Ireland have announced a squad of 13 for their opening fixture in the Friends Provident Trophy against Nottinghamshire at Clontarf this Sunday (April 27).As expected, William Porterfield has been confirmed as captain for the game, taking over from Trent Johnston. Nineteen-year-old James Hall makes his first appearance in the squad, while 17-year-old opener Paul Stirling retains his place, giving the line up a youthful look.Ireland haven’t named an overseas player for the match, and coach Phil Simmons explained: “It’s been difficult to get the right player because of the IPL. I hope however to be in a position to confirm a signing on Tuesday, and he will be available for the seven other games in the competition.”It’s hard when you lose players of the calibre of Trent Johnston and Dave Langford-Smith, but it does give some of the other players a chance to make a name for themselves, and cement a place in the team. It’s a new era, and captain, William Porterfield will be able to assert his style on the team.”Ireland squad William Porterfield (capt), Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Phil Eaglestone, Thinus Fourie, James Hall, Gary Kidd, Kyle McCallan, Kevin O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Reinhardt Strydom, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.

Scorecard
A spirited performance from England Lions’ gave them the edge going into the final day of their match against Central Zone. Chasing a stiff 296 for victory, they reached a confident 146 for 1 by stumps in Vadodara.Joe Denly was the only Lions’ wicket to fall, trapped in front by left-arm spinner Praveen Gupta for 15. Michael Carberry and captain Michael Yardy then forged an unbroken 116-run stand for the second wicket to lead the Lions’ pursuit. Needing to score the highest total of the match to win, Carberry and Yardy both played patient knocks to ensure there was no repeat of the second day’s batting collapse. Carberry, who made 35 in the first innings, didn’t throw away his start this time, finishing on an unbeaten 71, including 12 fours and a six. The experienced Yardy had reached 57 by stumps.Central had started the day in control after gaining a 115-run first-innings lead but were kept down to a moderate 180 in their second. With a top-order collapse seeing them at a parlous 39 for 4, Mohammad Kaif, the captain, tried to salvage the situation, top scoring with 42. The tail also resisted with a 60-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Jalaj Saxena (27) and Sanjib Sanyal (37).All the Lions’ bowlers chipped in, with Graham Onions being the most successful, taking three wickets. Monty Panesar was expensive but got the big wicket of the in-form Kaif while legspinner Adil Rashid made short work of the last two wickets.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGrant Elliot collected 4 for 15 to rip through Karachi Kings’ top order•PSL

Grant Elliott picked up his second consecutive Man-of-the-Match award, helping Quetta Gladiators become the first team to seal a spot in PSL playoffs following their five-wicket win against Karachi Kings in Sharjah.Elliott followed up his 3 for 25 against Islamabad United on Thursday with a career-best 4 for 15, carving through Karachi’s top order and restricting the team to a below-par 126 for 9. Karachi’s captain Shoaib Malik top-scored with 45, but nobody else made more than 23, as Elliott struck at regular intervals to thwart any momentum Karachi hoped of building. Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Aizaz Cheema and Mohammad Nabi snared a scalp apiece, as Quetta were left needing just over six an over in their chase.Ahmed Shehzad ensured Quetta aced the small chase without any major worry, as his 27-ball 41 guided the team home inside 19 overs. Karachi kept striking blows at various points, but did not have enough left to defend with, as handy knocks from Kevin Pietersen (26) and Sarfraz Ahmed (29) lifted Quetta to their fifth win of the season.