Pakistan will include Afghanistan in its inter-district tournament this season for the third time, to help promote the development of the sport there, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said today. “The Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF) requested us to allow their team to appear in one of our tournaments," said the board in a statement, "and we have included them in our non-first class inter-district tournament later this year."Zakir Khan, the former Test fast bowler who is now the PCB/s general manager, told AFP: "Afghanistan’s federation is trying hard to come up and as a friendly promotion we have allowed them entry for a third time."Afghanistan took part in Pakistan’s non-first-class tournament for the first time in 2000-01, when they won only one of their six matches. Last season, their second appearance, they lost all their four matches.Cricket in war-ravaged Afghanistan is promoted by refugees who learnt the finer points of the game while in exile in Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Federation is trying to muster support from the International and Asian Cricket Councils to develop the game.Earlier this month the ACC sent Iqbal Sikander, its development officer, from Pakistan to Afghanistan to see how the sport could be developed there. Sikander said he was impressed with the interest of the youth in the game, and would recommend that the ICC and the ACC help to improve the cricket infrastructure. And Zakir Syed, the ACC’s development manager, said the council would train Afghan coaches and give the sport grants to buy gear.

South Africa arrived in Pakistan to a reception heavy on security. A bomb blast in Karachi jeopardised the tour, and as expected, heightened security will be a part of their entourage wherever they go in Pakistan.A dozen Pakistani commandos cordoned off the arrival terminal at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. The South Africans were then escorted to their hotel by a convoy of 20 police vehicles.At the hotel itself, sniffer dogs were employed to check the second floor of the hotel, even as many policemen patrolled outside the building. “Around 150 commandos have been deployed to keep tight security around the team in the hotel and on the ground as they are our valued guests,” Salim Zia Agha, deputy superintendent of police, told AFP.”I am happy that the South African team has arrived here and hope they haveleft whatever happened in the last week behind,” said M Moolla, the South African High Commissioner who met the team at the airport. “I look forward to seeing some exciting cricket from this young South African team.”

1. On 12 October 2003 the Western Australian Cricket Association (‘WACA’) lodged a complaint pursuant to Cricket Australia’s Code of Behaviour (‘the Code of Behaviour’) in respect of certain comments allegedly made by Mr Murray Goodwin who is a prominent cricketer having previously had a distinguished international career for Zimbabwe and currently a member of the Western Australian Cricket side.
2. The charge laid against Mr Goodwin by the WACA was for a breach of Rule 9 of Section 1 of the Code of Behaviour. Rule 9 is in the following form:-“Without limiting any other Rule, players and officials must not make public or media comment which is detrimental to the interests of the game.”
3. The guidelines which form part of the Code of Behaviour indicate that players and officials will breach this Rule if by making any public or media comment they:-
   “
   • Publicly denigrate another player or publicly denigrate or criticise an …. official …. or team against which they have played or will play, whether in relation to incidents which occurred in the match or otherwise ….
   • Denigrate another player or official by inappropriately commenting on any aspect of his or her performance, abilities or characteristics …. “
4. Subsequent to the laying of the charge, the WACA gave detailed particulars of the charge. It is unnecessary to refer to the detailed particulars of the charge. It is sufficient to summarise the charge against Mr Goodwin in this fashion. During a series of interviews on 7 and 8 October 2003 to various media sources, Mr Goodwin made comments which suggested that players were chosen for the Zimbabweian Test Cricket Team otherwise than on pure ability. He suggested that race played a part in such selection.
5. Following several directions hearings by tele-conference a hearing of the matter was scheduled for Saturday 1 November 2003. On Friday 31st October 2003 I was advised that Mr Goodwin intended to plead guilty to the charge and I was requested, accordingly, only to adjudicate on the question of penalty.
6. This course of action was one which was agreed by both parties to the matter, namely the WACA and Mr Goodwin who was very ably represented by Mr Ron Birmingham QC.
7. The parties have asked me to determine the question of penalty, if I regard this course as appropriate, in the light of a signed statement made by Mr Murray Goodwin dated 30 October 2003 and a written submission made on behalf of the WACA dated 31 October 2003. I attach hereto copies of each of those documents.
8. It is apparent from Mr Goodwin’s Statement that he acknowledges making the comments attributed by the WACA and acknowledges that they constituted a contravention of the Code of Behaviour. That Statement also makes plain, in my mind, Mr Goodwin’s sincere regret for making statements which, on any view of it, were ill-timed, potentially harmful to the interests of cricket and otherwise inappropriate.
9. Mr Goodwin is, in my view, to be commended for acknowledging his mistake in making the comments and expressing such contrition which I believe is totally genuine.
10. It is pleasing also that the WACA, which properly made this complaint, has given due weight to Mr Goodwin’s Statement.
11. In the WACA’s submission, it urges me to take account of Mr Goodwin’s ‘genuine contrition’ and that submission urges me ‘strongly’ to issue no more than a reprimand with respect to Mr Goodwin’s conduct.
12. It is not, of course, my function to simply rubber stamp an agreement between the parties to a complaint as to the appropriate penalty for a breach of the Code of Behaviour. Such a course would be completely contrary to the letter and spirit of the Code of Behaviour. It is a role of the Commissioner for the Code of Behaviour to determine what is the appropriate penalty for a breach of the Code irrespective of the wishes or views of the parties. Nevertheless, in my opinion, the views of the parties are a significant factor to have regard to in considering an appropriate penalty.
13. Mr Goodwin’s plea of guilty to the charge relieves me of the obligation of adjudicating upon whether there was, in fact, a breach of the Code of Behaviour. Having said that, I should indicate that, on the materials which I have seen, Mr Goodwin’s decision to plead guilty to the charge was appropriate. That is not to say that I may not have come to a different conclusion upon having heard all the evidence. In particular, however, I note that there is no material before me to suggest, one way or the other, whether the comments made by Mr Goodwin are in fact accurate or reflect the true state of affairs in respect of Zimbabweian selection policies. Further, I expressly make no comment on whether or not, upon a proper construction of the Code of Behaviour, truth would be a defence to a charge under Rule 9 of the Code of Behaviour. It suffices to say that the Code of Behaviour, in my view, contractually binds players who participate in competitions under the auspices of Cricket Australia. Notions of freedom of speech which may otherwise be in vogue pursuant to the common law can, of course, be limited or restricted by the contractual agreement of parties. The Code of Behaviour, in my view, is such a contractual limitation. Cricketers who wish to enjoy the benefits of playing in competitions conducted under the auspices of Cricket Australia must also be prepared to incur the obligations which are imposed by the contractual arrangements to which they agree.
14. As a result of a number of well publicised incidents in the past 12 months, the Code of Behaviour has been considerably revised to reflect and enhance the Spirit of Cricket. As I understand it, all players playing in elite competitions under the auspices of Cricket Australia have been fully briefed upon the new requirements under the Code of Behaviour. I infer that Mr Goodwin, at the time he made the comments attributed to him, had been the beneficiary of such a briefing.
15. That is a matter of concern for me because, as I apprehend it, the revised Code of Behaviour is intended to not only sanction a player for a breach of it but also to deter future breaches not only by the player concerned but also by others. Ordinarily, in my view, that may mean that a less sympathetic approach to breaches of the Code of Behaviour should be taken now than has hitherto been the case. In saying this, of course, I am not seeking to prejudge any future breaches of the Code of Behaviour, rather I am seeking to state my impression of the purpose and intention of the revisions to the Code.
16. Under Section 5 Rule 2 of the Code I am obliged to apply one or more of the following penalties to a breach of Section 9 of Section 1 of the Code of Behaviour:-
    1. Ban the person from participating in any match;
    2. …..
    3. Fine the person an amount that accords with Rule 11 of this Section;
    4. ….
    5. Require the person to undergo counselling for a specified time;
    6. Require the person to perform voluntary service to cricket or the community; and/or
    7. Reprimand the person.
17. Under Section 5 Rule 3 of the Code I am entitled, in considering the appropriate penalty, to take into account any relevant circumstance including the following:-
    1. The seriousness of the breach;
    2. The harm caused by the breach in the interests of cricket;
    3. The person’s seniority and standing in the game;
    4. Remorse shown by the person and the prospects of further breaches;
    5. The prior record of the person in abiding by this Code, the ICC Code of Conduct and any similar Code of Behaviour;
    6. The impact of the penalty on the person.
18. In considering the appropriate penalty, pursuant to these considerations, I have formed the following views:-The seriousness of the breachI consider the breach to be a moderately serious one. Leaving aside the truth or otherwise of Mr Goodwin’s allegations, the comments were very inappropriately timed (immediately before the commencement of Test Series between Australia and Zimbabwe) and were likely to cause embarrassment to, and place pressure upon, Zimbabweian players and officials at an important time in the development of cricket in that country .

    The harm caused by the breach to the interests of cricket
    Given Mr Goodwin’s contrition and apologetic remarks I consider the harm which could otherwise have been done by his comments has been very substantially alleviated. Nevertheless, I think those comments were harmful to the interests of cricket.The player’s seniority and standing in the game
    Mr Goodwin is a senior player of high standing in the game. He has played at the highest levels of the game and with distinction not only for Zimbabwe but also in first class cricket in Australia and England. This is a neutral factor in my mind because Mr Goodwin’s standing in the game gave added legitimacy to his allegations but, on the other hand, that consideration is cancelled out by the contribution he has made to the game.The remorse shown by Mr Goodwin and the prospect of further breaches
    Mr Goodwin has shown considerable and commendable remorse and I do not consider there is the likelihood of any further breaches of the Code by him.Mr Goodwin’s prior record
    Mr Goodwin has had a long and distinguished international and first class career without any other blemish of the Code of Behaviour or any similar Code of Conduct. This is to his great credit and must be taken into account on the question of penalty.The impact of the penalty on Mr Goodwin
    I regard this as an irrelevant factor. I consider that any fine I may impose will be within Mr Goodwin’s reasonable means.

19. Having considered all of the matters listed above and having taken into account the contents and nature of the breach of the Code by Mr Goodwin, in this case I consider that a reprimand is the appropriate penalty.
20. In this regard, my finding is consistent with the finding I made in a recent matter in respect of Mr Adam Gilchrist and reflects the fact that I consider that Mr Goodwin intended no malice in the comments he made. Further, I do not believe that Mr Goodwin realised the impact and significance of his comments. In respect of each of these matters, I consider that I should give Mr Goodwin the benefit of any doubts I have about them.
21. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 5 Rule 2 of the Code of Behaviour I reprimand Mr Goodwin in respect of the conduct the subject of the charge. I impose no further sanction.
22. In conclusion, as will be apparent from these Reasons, I wish to stress that the sanction which I have imposed in this matter should not beregarded by players or officials subject to the control of Cricket Australia as a precedent for future similar conduct. Of considerable significance to me in imposing the present penalty has been the fact that the revised Code of Behaviour has only recently been promulgated and I think that, in this particular case, justifies a more lenient approach than might otherwise be the case at a subsequent time when players are more familiar with the revised Code. Further, the leniency of the sanction in this regard has also been considerably influenced by the compassionate attitude taken by the complainant.ALAN SULLIVAN QC
    Deputy Senior Commissioner
    Friday 31 October 2003

Andy Bichel thanked the selectors for their faith, and said that sticking to a plan had helped him achieve breakthroughs against India, as they set off in pursuit of a mammoth Australian total of 556. He said it would have been harsh had he been dropped after one bad game – on his home ground in Brisbane, he finished with figures of 1 for 142."I wasn’t too clear on the plans at Brisbane," he said. "There were things off the field concerning me, which I’d rather not discuss … was a bit anxious at the start and they got the momentum on me. Here I was clearer about the plans and how I had to go about executing them. Brisbane was also my first outing against India in five-day cricket, and obviously the plans you make for that are very different from that for the one-day game."India got off to a blistering start today, and it was Bichel’s spell that pulled it back, reducing them from 66 for 0 to 85 for 4. "They put us on the back foot early, coming at us hard. It was rewarding to make the breakthrough, and then to get two more."Of the ball that got Sachin Tendulkar, he said, "I was a little bit lucky to get a nibble, but teams have had success bowling there to him in the past."Ricky Ponting, 176 overnight, progressed to a personal best score of 242, and he elaborated later on the blown kiss to his wife midway through the morning. "It was a bit of celebration," he said. "She had been thinking of going back home yesterday, and I just told her to hang around. There was the possibility that something special might happen."Ponting said that he didn’t want to think about what transpired in Kolkata two and a half years ago when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were putting together another sizeable partnership in the final session. "They played really well," he said, "but we hung in there. It’s important to restrict these guys tomorrow because they’re free-flowing players when they get going."He conceded that there was very little chance of Australia enforcing the follow-on even in the event of India failing to make 356. "There’s plenty of time left to win this match." he said. "It’s never easy batting last here, no matter how small the target. If the sun shines, you’ll get variable bounce, and that’ll make batting very hard."The last word, though, should go to Bichel, whose ability to hit the deck ball after ball could conceivably be the difference between the two sides. "I tried my hardest in Brisbane, but it just didn’t work for me," he said. "I tried my hardest here, and I picked up three. That’s how it goes. That’s how I’ve always played my cricket. And that’s how I’ll play right up until my last game."

At the conclusion of the 2003 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola U/19 Week a group of twenty-four players was named by the U/19 Selection panel to represent South African Schools and South African School Colts.The following twelve players will represent South African Schools in a match against a KwaZulu-Natal Invitation XI at Chatsworth Oval.

Colin Ingram (cp) Woodridge HS Eastern ProvinceKeegan Africa Hilton College KwaZulu-NatalCraig Alexander Bellville Tech Western ProvinceAndrew Birch St Andrews Eastern ProvinceClint Bowyer Maritzburg College KwaZulu-NatalDarren Govender Durban HS KwaZulu-NatalVernon Philander Ravenshead SS Western ProvinceWaylin September New Orleans SS BolandMpumelelo Slwana (wk) Grey High Eastern ProvinceBlake Snijman King Edward VII GautengVaughn van Jaarsveld King Edward VII GautengDivan van Wyk Grey College Free State

KwaZulu-Natal Invitation XI will feature South Africa and Western Province left-arm wrist spinner Paul Adams who is recovering from a hand injury.The following twelve players will represent South African Colts in a match against Premier League Delta Club at Tills. The Colts team is made up of players who may still be eligible to return to the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in 2004.

Andrew Russell (cp) St Stithians GautengDean Elgar St Dominics Free StateRemano Esau Newton Tech Eastern ProvinceQuintin Kruger Volkskool Potch North WestSithembile Makongolo Dale College BorderLwando Manase Forbes Grant BorderKobus Pienaar Waterkloof HS NorthernsChristo Ritter Paarl Gimnasium BolandAshley Schultz Br Block Free StateMafinky Serame Milner HS North WestGodfrey Stevens New Orleans SS BolandWilhelmus v d Schyff Grey College Free State

Irfan Pathan has been reprimanded by the ICC for a breach of the Code of Conduct. Pathan, who took 2 for 75 in India’s crushing loss in the second final of the VB Series, made an exuberant gesture, clapping and beaming Damien Martyn off when he dismissed him. Watching television replays, it was difficult to say if words were exchanged.Clive Lloyd, the match referee, found Pathan guilty of a Level 1 offense, unfair play. Pathan was reported to the match referee by Rudi Koertzen and Daryl Harper, the on-field umpires, and also by Simon Taufel, the third umpire. The reprimand was made in a hearing shortly after play, an ICC media release informs. Lloyd said, “It’s important that players and team officials at all times conduct themselves within the spirit of the game.”

Until the end of the Indian tour of Pakistan, we will be running a daily Paper Round of what newspapers in India and Pakistan, and from around the world, are saying about this series. This is what the media had to say today:Does Pakistan have an unknown ace up their sleeve? The Press Trust of India reports that there is a furious buzz centred around a young fast bowler named Iftikhar Rao, whose bowling action resembles Glenn McGrath’s, and who “impressed one and all in the training camp for probables in Lahore”. PTI quotes Wasim Bari, Pakistan’s chief selector, as saying: “He [Rao] has performed outstandingly and we will definitely give him a chance very shortly. He has a good outswinger and a smooth run-up to the wicket.”Pakistan’s squad for the first two one-day internationals is due to be announced later today. The Daily Nation reports that Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan are certain to return to the team, while Danish Kaneria, Imran Nazir and Saqlain Mushtaq will probably be omitted.* * *Dawn reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has surprised the cricket fraternity by naming an unknown umpire, Syed Zamir Haider, to officiate as the TV umpire in two of the one-day internationals and in the third Test. Zamir, a 41-year-old, is in his fourth season as a first-class umpire, and has officiated in 23 matches so far. Dawn is outraged at his appointment, pointing out that Haider did not supervise any of the matches in the recent Patron’s Cup, and has been allotted just two matches in the ongoing Qaid-I-Azam Trophy. It writes: “Given the importance and the interest surrounding the first full series between the two South Asian neighbours on Pakistan soil since more than 14 years, the PCB has abruptly overlooked the credentials of senior and respected officials Mian Aslam, Salim Badar and Riazuddin who had also represented Pakistan on the ICC panel of umpires.”* * *Zaheer Khan joins the list of Indian players who have been asserting in the last few days that they are not worried about the tour to Pakistan. Speaking to The Times of India, Zaheer said, “I will … be aggressive and fast. It comes naturally to almost every pace bowler. The important thing is not to make the same mistakes.”Zaheer wasn’t worried about the Pakistan team, who also know a thing or two about aggression. “There’s no point in worrying too much about the other team’s strengths and weaknesses. I believe in looking at our strengths, [and] paying attention to our positives.”* * *India Abroad News Service had reported yesterday that Parthiv Patel and Irfan Pathan were, because of the tour to Pakistan, missing their 12th standard board examinations, Patel for the third time and Irfan for the second. One thought that came naturally to mind was why they couldn’t be allowed to take the exams separately, after the tour. Well, The Gujarat government has just ruled out that option.PTI quotes a source in the state education department as saying: “There is no such provision in the regulation act or the examination manual [that] enables retest for a student not able to take the exams. In case any special provision is made for these young cricketers, lot[s] of other students may queue up citing various reasons other than sports.” Gujarat’s education minister, Anandiben Patel, added, “Why is the media so worried about the retest when they [Patel and Irfan] are not? Why don’t you go and ask them whether they want to take exams or not?”Meanwhile, Patel’s family added, “Parthiv had completed all formalities for taking the board exams, but it is not possible now after his selection.”* * *Budhi Kunderan, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman who was one of Sunil Gavaskar’s childhood heroes, senses a Shakespearean dimension to India’s tour of Pakistan. Speaking to Westside Plus, a suburban supplement of the Mumbai edition of The Times of India, Kunderan said, “I watched the Pak boys [sic] against New Zealand and they are very talented. They have very good fast bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, who can have the same tragic effect on the opposite team as the duo of Wasim Akram [and] Waqar Younis [did].” Hamlet? Who’s Hamlet? Shoaib Akhtar is tragic.* * *AFP reports that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is going to double the number of its flights between India and Pakistan from March 25. The number of weekly flights will go up to 12, though this will come as scant consolation for the many fans, and journalists, who have been scrambling for tickets in order to reach Pakistan in time for the one-day series. PIA’s welcome move comes into effect one day after the one-dayers are over.* * *There might be debate about politics and cricket mixing, but there is no reason why politicans and cricketers should not spend some time together. AFP reports that the Indian team will be calling on Atal Behari Vajpayee, India’s prime minister, before embarking on their tour next week. A press release from the BCCI said: “Considering the importance of the goodwill tour, the prime minister will personally meet the team members and extend his good wishes to them.” Before meeting the prime minister, the team will also have meetings with security agencies and the foreign office.* * *Omar Kureishi, the veteran Pakistani journalist, has launched out against Javed Miandad and Imran Khan in Dawn. Miandad had recently stated that his team did not need any support staff, not even a trainer, and Imran had agreed with him. Kureishi is aghast at this, and he points out that every other Test side in the world, including the “mighty Australians”, have a trainer to help them. Kureishi asks: “Fast bowlers need to do weightlifting or ‘pump iron’ as they say in the jargon. What about batsmen? Do they need to ‘pump iron’? Are the players expected to know this of their own? There has to be some guidance.”* * *Some of the early Test series between India and Pakistan were drawn purely because both sides were afraid of the backlash they’d get from their fans if they lost. Well, Mushtaq Mohammad, a former Pakistan captain who, as a 17-year-old, took part in the series against India in 1960-61, is worried that these two teams will make just the same mistake. That series had been drawn, with all five Tests boring grind-fests, as both teams adopted safe, defensive strategies. Mushtaq, speaking to the Press Trust of India about that series, said, “I was amazed at the defensive approach of both the captains. It looked [like] both [the captains] did not want to win.”Mushtaq was worried that Sourav Ganguly and Inzamam-ul-Haq may adopt a similar mindset this time. “There remains pressure on both the teams that if they lose they receive a backlash, and if this pressure dominates, I fear that the coming series will be spoiled,” said Mushtaq. “I hope that both Ganguly and Inzamam adopt [a] positive approach because people now want to see results in Test matches.”

ScorecardAustralia, who surprisingly missed out on a Super League spot, took out their frustrations on a shell-shocked Scotland side, bundling them out for a measly 22 and winning well before lunch at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong. Six of the Scots made ducks in the procession, and the highest contribution was Mr Extras, with 10. Of the batsmen, the highest scores were 5 by the opener Ian Young – who hit the only boundary of the innings – and Sean Weeeraratna, who at least resisted for 44 balls. It was the Aussie new-ball attack that did the damage: Gary Putland grabbed 4 for 9 in nine overs, and Man of the Match Cameron Huckett 4 for 7 in eight. Stephen O’Keefe mopped up the last two wickets to finish with 2 for 1. The Australian openers needed only 3.5 overs to knock off the runs and win a match which lasted only 26.2 overs in all.Willie Morton, Scotland’s coach, was dismayed with his side’s performance. "Australia are a strong team but we can’t accept results as poor as that,” he said. “I am very disappointed with the way we played today.”Australia’s coach Bennett King, meanwhile, said that his team would be going all out to win the Plate Championship. "We came here expecting to be playing in the Super League, but we didn’t beat Zimbabwe," he said. "Now we are in the Plate Championship and it must now be our target to win that instead, and we will field the same players in our next match."
ScorecardNepal defeated Papua New Guinea in today’s other Plate Competition match, at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium. PNG laboured to 168 for 9 in their 50 overs: seven of their batsmen reached double figures, but the highest score was only 35, by Vivian Kila. Chris Amini, PNG’s captain, made 34, while slow left-armer Lakpa Lama took 4 for 51 from his ten overs. Nepal’s opener Kanishka Chaugai started well, and although Basanta Regmi made only 8 and skipper Babu Gauchan a duck, Nepal already had 60 on the board by then. Chaugai added 85 with Sharad Vesawkar (36), and finished with 90 not out as Nepal completed victory with 10.4 overs to spare.Chaugai was named Man of the Match, and earned praise from his team manager TB Shah. "Chaugai batted very well today on a good pitch," said Shah. "After a hiccup at the start where we dropped a couple of catches the game went well for us. We do not have any long-term targets for the tournament, we are taking each game as it comes."

West Indies 208 for 2 (Lara 86*, Gayle 69) v England
Scorecard

After three Tests where, by and large, everything came fairly easily to England’s bowlers, they found the going far harder on a pitch devoid of pace and bounce. By the close of a rain-interrupted first day in Antigua, West Indies were cruising on 208 for 2, and Brian Lara was looking broodingly dangerous, unbeaten on 86. He has plenty of scores to settle.The loss of the entire afternoon session after a downpour during and shortly after the lunch break robbed proceedings of any real momentum, and overall the day had something of an end-of-term feel to it. The crowd was slow in arriving – there were still plenty of empty seats midway even by lunch – and the atmosphere inside the Rec was decidedly flat. This most compact of grounds only came alive during the rain delay, with the sound systems in the Double Decker stand loud even by their standards and the dancing frenetic. Only the resumption of the match stifled the fun.England’s pace quartet realised early on that this wicket had been custom-made for batting. Lara briefly flirted with putting England in – heavy rain had left the surface damp – but his decision to bat was vindicated as England’s hitherto lethal attack huffed and puffed with little reward. Geraint Jones spent most of his first day in Test cricket taking balls dying on him.The morning belonged to Chris Gayle. He took half an hour to dust off the cobwebs, but when he did he unleashed some trademark drives and cuts through the covers, although there were still enough wild slashes to keep the bowlers interested. He lost Daren Ganga – who had once again failed to look as if should be opening the innings – on the hour when Andrew Flintoff produced the classic fast bowler’s one-two. First he dug in a bouncer, and then the next ball was pitched up, Ganga was caught back in the crease, and was comprehensively leg-before for 10 (33 for 1).

Enter Lara, under pressure, out of sorts, but on a ground which holds happy memories for him. Before he had scored, he survived a hugely confident shout for caught behind from Stephen Harmison. There was a noise – but no visible deflection – and the celebrating Harmison was well past the batsman before he looked round to see Darrell Hair shaking his head. Harmison – with 22 wickets coming into this game – was due an off day, and this was it. He was warned in his second over for running down the pitch, and rarely rekindled the menace he has shown so far.With Gayle’s confidence increasing, Lara was initially content to play second fiddle. As Gayle’s run-rate rose, England quite deliberately slowed the pace, with blatant time-wasting to try and rattle him. But what did unsettle him was the introduction of Gareth Batty – a late replacement for the unwell Ashley Giles – in the final over of the morning. Conscious that he had to be sensible with the break looming, Gayle, on 69, was caught in several minds, and he tamely chipped Batty’s fifth ball back to him. It was a limp ending to an entertaining innings (98 for 2).After a four-hour delay, play resumed and it was almost uninterrupted one-way traffic as West Indies chugged along at over four an over. Lara grew more assured, although Ramnaresh Sarwan was suffering in a crisis of confidence of his own at the other end. Lara’s timing, indifferent at first, returned and he brought up his fifty with a sweet pull off Simon Jones, and then smacked him through the covers for good measure. It might have come two or three Tests too late, but he was three-quarters of the way to being back to his best.Meanwhile, Sarwan’s problems were compounded when he was struck amidships by Batty; he collapsed as if shot by a sniper, and took about as long to recover as if he had. He then edged Jones, who was struggling with his run-up, to second slip, but that fielder had been removed to stem the flow of runs, and the ball bobbled for four. In the final overs his inside-edge off Harmison somehow missed his off stump and earned him another boundary. He ended the day on 41, and for once the luck was with West Indies.The pitch at St John’s usually lasts the duration, and it will take some good bowling or bad batting for either side to force a result, especially given that the forecast for the next four days is for more heavy showers. It would be very much a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show, were it not for Lara.Martin Williamson is managing editor of Wisden Cricinfo.

Scorecard

Last week, England won a series in the West Indies for the first time since 1968. But that success has not quelled debate about whether to reform the County Championship, which began today. The Brit Oval hosted the tie of the round, the champions Sussex versus the biggest club Surrey. Sussex ended the day on top, 75 for no wicket after bowling Surrey out for 304. But was it, as some reformers claim, just pie-chuckers bowling to South Africans on dodgy passports, watched by what Ally Brown once called “a few dogs and some coffin-dodgers”?No. A mixed crowd of nearly 2000 saw good, hard-fought cricket. In the morning, the Sussex seamers zipped the ball around, which has been happening in English Aprils for a long time. In the afternoon Surrey’s tailenders batted doggedly and well, which has been happening for not very long at all.It was a big match in the county calendar. Surrey ended last year with two one-day trophies, a £400,000 profit, and yet a feeling of disappointment. A squad full of internationals was difficult to keep happy. Plus there were England call-ups. Part of Sussex’s success was in producing players good enough to win a first-ever Championship, but not quite good enough to play for England. So it was the established top dogs, Surrey, against the young pretenders.Sussex’s seamers grabbed hold of the morning session. By lunch Surrey had fenced their way to 84 for 5. James Benning and Mark Ramprakash both spooned forcing shots and were caught. The rest were undone by aggressive and disciplined seam and swing bowling.Last year it was spin, particularly Mushtaq Ahmed’s 103 wickets, which transformed Sussex from contenders to champions. That netted him £10,000 in bonuses. (Winning the Championship proved pricey for Sussex, who recorded a loss after paying out promised win bonuses.) But today the accountants could rest easy: Mushy took only one wicket and went for more than five an over.The pitch eased after lunch, and Surrey were saved by their late order. They punished Mushtaq and added 220 for the last five wickets. Azhar Mahmood of Pakistan hit 16 rifle-crack boundaries in his 84, and put on a brisk 106 with tailender Martin Bicknell. He survived both a big lbw shout and an attempted run-out by the keeper from the same ball in the 57th over. The ninth-wicket pair kept up the jaunty tempo, adding 59. Surrey finally reached 304, with Sussex replying with 75 without loss in the evening sunshine.During the Surrey fightback, Ian Salisbury launched a straight six which disappeared into the foundations of the space-age £22million stand being built at the Vauxhall end. The debate about the County Championship still rages. The ECB is considering proposals and it might look very different by 2006. But one long-established part of English cricket is definitely on its way out. The new Vauxhall Stand will house the Test Match Special box. And from that angle Blowers definitely won’t be able to spot the double-deckers on the Harleyford Road.Paul Coupar is assistant editor of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.