A career-best 178 not out from John Kent earned KwaZulu-Natal the draw to keep alive their play-offs hopes against the Eastern Province Jumbos in the SuperSport Series match which ended at Kingsmead on Monday.The 21-year-old’s near eight-hour rearguard action – during which he added 209 runs with the last five wickets – left the Jumbos facing an impossible run chase having earlier enforced the follow-on.When Kent finally ran out of partners, the Jumbos were left with the daunting equation of having to make 207 from 36 overs.They began as if they were seriously attempting the challenge – making 35 off the first five overs – but as soon as soon as wickets began to tumble with three going down in the space of three overs, they were happy to accept the offer of bad light.The draw means the rock bottom Dolphins can still qualify for the Super Eights against Border at Kingsmead in the final round of matches this weekend. A victory for the Jumbos would have ended their interest.And for that they have to thank Kent. He faced 359 balls and hit 26 fours inhis watchful stay after coming to the wicket on Sunday afternoon at 33 for two and having seen all the main batsmen back in the pavilion at 173 for five.He resumed on Monday morning on 65 not out and took his sixth wicket partnership with Errol Stewart to 57 before the latter became Wayne Murray’seighth wicket-keeping victim in the match.If the Jumbos expected that to be the key to unlock the door for them theywere sadly mistaken as the Bastow went on to share three more time consumingpartnerships.He put on 36 for the seventh wicket with Gulam Bodi before the latter wasfarcically run out when he failed to make his ground at the non-striker’send after the batsmen had collided in mid-pitch.But Kent continued serenely putting on 72 in an hour and a half with EldineBaptiste and a further 43 in an hour for the last wicket with John Bastow.Only Gary Gilder – who lasted just three balls before being castled byNantie Hayward – adhered to the Jumbos’ script.Justin Kemp finished with five for 69 in the innings but with the Dolphinsproving unexpectedly resilient the Jumbos had to settle for the draw.

Continued emphasis on the replenishment of its batting stocks looks like remaining a key theme of the South Australian state team’s development. Or at least that seems to be the case from viewing the Redbacks’ initial list of contracted players for the 2001-02 domestic season.The South Australians possess an excellent bowling attack and two of the most outstanding batsmen in Australian domestic cricket in Darren Lehmann and Greg Blewett. However, their middle order has struggled at different times in recent seasons and the quest for more consistent performances from the entirety of their batting line-up remains high on the agenda.In this squad – which contains nineteen fully contracted players and three on new rookie deals – there are as many as eleven specialist batsmen. Together with Lehmann and Blewett who, with speedster Jason Gillespie, hold Australian Cricket Board (ACB) contracts and are therefore not on this list, that now gives the Redbacks’ squad significant batting depth.Although each of them featured in a number of matches for the state in 2000-01, newcomers to the contracted list from last season are batsmen Ben Higgins and Nathan Adcock and all-rounder Mick Miller. Experienced left arm orthodox spinner Brad Young can also be considered as something of a new recruit this year after he missed the entirety of the domestic season because of a serious knee injury.The three players who have secured rookie contracts – the newly-introduced deals which allow each of the states to offer $A10,000 retainers to a small group of previously unsigned cricketers under the age of 23 – are batsmen Cameron Borgas and Matthew Cosgrove and paceman Matthew Weekes. All three are among the current intake of scholarship holders at the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy, and have been a key part of South Australian underage squads for a number of seasons.Under existing ACB rules, each of the six state associations completed their initial lists of at least fourteen signings (and allocated the bulk of their player payment pool) for 2001-02 by last Friday. Behind Queensland’s announcement last week, South Australia is the second state to have formally unveiled its new squad. The other four states’ lists are each expected to be announced inside the next twenty-four hours.

Mike Gatting was a proud man 14 years ago when he took England to Australia and returned with the Ashes.Since then a number of captains have tried to emulate Gatting’s achievement and not one has succeeded.And now Gatting himself wants to shed the mantle of having been the last England captain to win the Ashes. He is hoping Nasser Hussain can replace him in English cricket folklore and reclaim the Ashes after six successive series defeats.”I’d rather lose that mantle as quickly as possible,” said Gatting. “Itwas a long time ago, it’s far too long really and I only hope that Nasser andthe boys can rectify that.”It would be really nice to lose it as quickly as possible even though it’sthe most treasured moment of my time as a player. We won all three series and itwas a great winter but it’s time we moved on from the past.”I don’t think England are that far behind Australia now, but I don’t thinkthey were really in the last few series.”The big difference is that they were playing as individuals before and theone thing that Duncan Fletcher has done and had to do is get them playing as ateam and turn them into a more disciplined unit – he’s got them thinking aboutthe team and it shows.”The likes of Alec Stewart and Michael Atherton have only ever known defeat at the hands of the old enemy, but if England are to triumph this summer, says Gatting, they must forget about recent Ashes series.”I hope England don’t dwell on past results and instead focus on the factthat they are unbeaten in the last five Test series and they should beconfident,” said Gatting."They’ve played in some difficult parts of the world and won, they are athome and they are capable of competing with anybody.”A successful team is always going to be a lot more confident and one thathas gone unbeaten in that time is going to be brimming with confidence and thatcan only help.”There seems to be a feeling in the side now that if they have a bad session,they come out and have a good one and that is usually a sign of a very goodside.”When they are struggling and have lost the odd match, instead of getting toodown about it, they try and pick themselves up and take the positives out ofit.”

Our two-month break is fast coming to an end and we’re looking forward togetting back into the international fray. This Coca Cola Cup should be areally tough tournament and, with the promise of faster wickets, the fanscan look forward to some exciting cricket.The last time we played India we crushed them in Sharjah, winning the CocaCola Champions final by 245 runs. It’s not a day they will want to remember,but to be honest that was a one-off and I think that’s history now.India have been playing better cricket recently. They did exceptionally wellagainst Australia and were doing well in Zimbabwe until the final, so wehave to be on guard. Even without Tendulkar they have a very strong battinglining-up and there look to be plenty of youngsters coming through.When you go out to field against the likes of Ganguly, Laxman and Dravid youneed to play at the top of your game. You are forced to concentrateextremely hard because you know that any of their batsmen could take thegame away from you if you start to relax. For me, their batting is theirstrength.I think we have the edge over them in the bowling department though. Theyhave some talented youngsters, but they don’t have enough match experienceunder their belt. This was obvious when they played against the West Indies.When the West Indians started to attack the bowlers were unable to maintaina tight line or length and I think that was primarily a mental problem.In the end it cost India another final. They have now lost four finals onthe trot, which must be deeply disappointing. Perhaps they are puttingthemselves under too much pressure, which would be understandableconsidering the weight of expectation upon their shoulders. No other cricketteam in the world has to play under the same pressure.There has been talk in the India media about Sachin Tendulkar replacingSourav Ganguly as captain, but this is premature. In general terms Indiahave performed really well under him. He is tactically sound and appears tobe a natural leader. The team may have lost a few finals, but the captaincan’t be held solely responsible for that – it’s a team game after all andresponsibility must be shared.In fact, we have noticed greater vitality in the side under Ganguly. He hascreated a relaxed atmosphere, which has taken some pressure off the youngerplayers. They are encouraged to be aggressive and to play their naturalgame. It’s similar to the atmosphere in the Sri Lankan squad and I think it’s conducive to success.Ganguly has though struggled for runs in recent times and we will be gunningfor his wicket. As captain and a classy opening bat he is an extremelyimportant player for India and a major threat to us. A couple of cheapscores in the opening games, however, and he may start to feel the pressure,especially with the hole left by Tendulkar’s withdrawal.Another Indian player dominating the headlines has been Harbhajan Singh. Thelast time I faced him was in the Asian Test Championship two years ago, soonafter I had broken into the national side. Having seen him on television itis clear that he has improved with greater experience. Nowadays he possessesgreater variation and he is clearly a thinking bowler. It’s going to be afascinating duel between Murali and him.Personally, I am feeling confident and looking to carry on where I left offlast year. I have been playing more consistently in recent times andpreparations have focused on prolonging that. Things have been kept simpleand I have worked on the mental side of my game. I’m fully fit, hitting theball well and raring to go. Let the action begin.

Iain Brunnschweiler and James Schofield: who are they? That was the question being asked around the ground, as these two young men were there at the end of one of Hampshire’s most memorable games of cricket ever. I make no apologies for the use of the word ever.’Braunchy’ as he is affectionately known, despite his elongated surname was born in Southampton. The club’s reserve wicket-keeper, he has been performing admirably in the Second XI this year. James Schofield was born in my home town of Blackpool, and I’m sure his eyes must have been as bright as the famous illuminations from the seaside town. Earlier in the match he took a wicket with his first ball for the first team, having already excelled in the seconds this season.

In years to come, those 3,000 or so spectators will be able to tell their grandchildren: ‘I was there’. Can you remember where you where when Kennedy was assassinated or when England’s football team won the World Cup? I can and I will remember the day Hampshire beat the mighty Australian World Champions. I’m sure that the 3,000 will probably become 10,000 in the fullness of time.You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife as the target became closer, and Hampshire’s old pal ‘Warnie’ was trying so hard to put his old mates’ day down. He bowled magnificently on a pitch that after three days had become a square turner.This article is not really about the cricket – there are many articles around about the play. Thank goodness Saints Reserves were not playing Accrington Stanley Reserves otherwise the papers would not have had the room to talk about such a great day in the history of the club.It is rumoured that the county made something in the region of £100,000 over the three days; good on them they deserve it…The first day when the Aussies were tumbled for 97, with ‘Big Al’ and young Schofield taking advantage of early moisture, there may have been a worry as to whether this would go into a third day. Robin Smith, the ‘Judge’ (what a time to get his 47th hundred for his boys), will have a couple of pints with his good mate ‘Warnie’ over that I’m sure. Neil Johnson has fitted into the club with pride and he won a much-deserved Man of the Match award for his efforts – £500 from Vodafone. And there was £11,000 to Hampshire for their excellent team performance. Another old-boy also did well: ‘Matty’ Hayden, with a magnificent century – it was great to see him back.Credit must go to Steve Waugh, who surprised many by declaring when the ninth wicket fell to set up a memorable evening for all there, but none more so than a great old friend of Hampshire, Norman Olden. Norman who lives in Shepherds Bush has, for some 80+ years, spent his summers between Hampshire and Lord’s. At 92 he has found it more difficult to get around, but a few of his friends put their heads together and collected him from his home. He spent the day as a guest of the Hampshire Committee, and remarked that it was a most fantastic day. It was a real pleasure Norman, we all had a fantastic day too.The e-mails have been rolling in, last night and the morning after, and I hope to post some of these on the web site, with some photos from the ‘Big Match’, but would you believe it, I had one this morning, not even mentioning the cricket, just whinging about the PA, mobile phones, playing on the outfield etc. Needless to say I shall not bother to post that one! If you have something positive to say about you visit to the Rose Bowl and the victory, please send an e-mail to me: [email protected] and I will try and post as many as I can over the coming days…So, where do Hampshire and their magnificent stadium go from here? How do you top that? Only one way, of course, promotion in the CricInfo Championship and Norwich Union League would top off the season very nicely thank you very much.

Australian captain Steve Waugh today completed an astonishing recovery from injury to take his place in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Oval.Waugh tore his left calf muscle 19 days ago attempting to run a single at Trent Bridge and initially he thought his series was finished.Torn calves normally take between four and six weeks to mend.However, he threw away his crutches after two days and underwent intensive treatment for up to 12 hours a day in the hope he would be available for one last Test in England.His inclusion in the XI was not announced until 30 minutes before play while he walked to the pitch in blazer and baggy green cap for the toss.”I’m good enough, good enough,” Waugh said.He admitted yesterday he would not be 100 per cent fit but said it was rare for any Test cricketer to play without a few niggling injuries.All eyes were on Waugh during Australia’s pre-match drills and even though he looked comfortable, team management delayed officially naming him.Doubts ended when he left the squad early and headed for the pavilion to get changed for the toss while deputy Adam Gilchrist stayed on the field in his tracksuit.Waugh elected to bat.It was the 14th straight lost toss for England captain Nasser Hussain.”Lost tosses, not games,” he said.England named offspinner Phil Tufnell and medium pacer James Ormond in two changes to the side which won the fourth Test at Headingley.

Somerset Seconds lost their penultimate game of the season against Glamorgan by 4 wickets.After the first two days were lost to the weather the game was transferred to Usk and on Thursday Somerset scored 274 all out, of which James Knott made 74, Tom Webley 37, Joe Tucker 35 and sixteen year old Luke Stokes, who was making his debut, a creditable 22.By the close of play on the first day Glamorgan had made 47 for 1 and declared overnight.The following morning Somerset declared on 36 for 3 leaving Glamorgan needing 263 to win off 78 overs. In the event the Welshmen passed their target for the loss of 6 wickets with 4 overs to spare.Somerset Seconds play their final match of the season when they take on Leicestershire at Hinkley on Wednesday.

In their final Championship match of the season at Hinkley, Somerset Seconds closed the day 328 behind Leicestershire with nine wickets in hand.The home side batted first and scored 378 for 6 declared with Furnival top scoring with 103. For Somerset Ian Jones took 3 for 88, and Joe Tucker 2 for 55.By close of play on the first day Somerset had moved on to 50 for 1, with Mark Lathwell unbeaten on 27, and David Roberst, a trialist from Northants on 20 not out. The game continues tomorrow.

– The so-called shareholders of a Barbados team which has not won aregional limited-overs title for 13 years have been given a simple butstrict message for the 2001 Red Stripe Bowl starting here today. "Thekey word should be responsibility and it doesn’t matter who theopposition is," team coach Hendy Springer said yesterday ahead ofBarbados’ opening match against first-time competitors Antigua."We have some guys who have represented Barbados for a while and weneed to put that extra pressure on the senior batsmen and seniorbowlers to perform and to bring the rest of the team through."As a result, the tour selection panel – chairman Richard Edwards,Springer, captain Sherwin Campbell and vice-captain Courtney Browne -last night opted for the most experienced combination after reducingthe squad to 12.It meant, therefore, there were no places for the uncapped KurtWilkinson and Ryan Nurse, while the struggling Adrian Griffith seemsto be battling with the in-form Dale Richards for the final battingspot.There would have been debate over whatever team Barbados went for, butthe crux of the matter is that Campbell’s men cannot afford to slip upat the first hurdle in a brief preliminary phase in which they playonly three matches.Defeat today at the Uitvlugt ground on the west coast of Demerarasurely puts them under pressure to finish among the top two in a groupthat also includes hosts Guyana and the Southern Windwards, the mainbunch of last year’s champions. Every game, then, is a must-winsituation."I look at it so, not only for points, but for general credibility andconfidence," Springer said. "We’re looking to win all the games, we’relooking to play hard. We want to start with a good win, because thatis always a good note to start on. It will give the guys confidencegoing into the other games."Antigua may be first-timers in name only, but the make-up of the teamfeatures a few players who are seasoned campaigners.Among them are captain and hard-hitting batsman Dave Joseph; vicecaptain and West Indies wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs; 1999 MVP, theenterprising Sylvester Joseph; along with two consistent regionallimited-overs performers, allrounder Wilden Cornwall and off-spinnerAnthony Lake.The fast bowling attack, too, appears to have a good look. It will bespearheaded by Kerry Jeremy and also includes Ricky Christopher andGoldwyn Prince."They’ve got a pretty good combination of players, but I still fancythe chances of the Barbados team with the more experienced line-up,"Springer said.It has not been a secret Barbados’ preparations have not been ideal.The team was picked less than two weeks ago following three back-toback trial matches and the planned practice matches last week werethwarted by the weather."The preparations have been adequate, but not sufficient," the coachsaid.On arriving in this South American country on Sunday following a 5:30a.m flight, the team engaged in a three-hour evening practice sessionat the LBI ground and came back yesterday morning for similar work outat the Malteenoes ground."We need to get familiar with the conditions," Springer said."We found yesterday (Sunday) that the pitch was very, very low. Itemphasises the fact that the batsmen have got to do a lot of frontfoot work. Guyana’s weather has often been a problem for major cricketmatches, but it was mainly hot and sunny yesterday and reportsindicate that the weather was fine over the last few days.