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If selected, Chris Cairns, the New Zealand allrounder, will pose a potent threat against Australia in the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee one-day series, believes Garry MacDonald, the former Canterbury coach.In a sort of rejoinder to John Bracewell’s comments on dropping Cairns from the side that lost 0-4 in the one-day series against South Africa, MacDonald has stated that Cairns is “really starting to get his game together” with both bat and ball. MacDonald is currently coach of Cairns’ Lancaster Park-Woolston club, and has seen Cairns’ productivity first-hand over the past few months.Cairns, told to go back to club and first class domestic cricket and improve his fitness following an indifferent season, took his club to a six-wicket victory against Burnside-West-University on November 12, hitting an unbeaten 79 from 71 balls, and followed that up the following day by dismissing the Marist top order. “He’s gone up another groove today with his bowling,” MacDonald said to stuff.co.nz, after Cairns captured three wickets for 15 runs against Marist. “That’s the quickest he has bowled this season. I was talking to the Marist boys and they said it was whistling through.”Playing against Australia will be an obvious challenge over club opposition, but MacDonald believes that what he saw of Cairns this past weekend was enough to justify his return to a beleaguered New Zealand side. “I don’t think he is putting any more effort into it. It’s just that his rhythm is coming back and his fitness is up. Like a powerful car, he has gone up a couple of gears.”In a similar emphasis on Cairns’ form, Dave Nosworthy, the current Canterbury coach, maintains that there could be no question over his contribution at the batting crease following a 101-ball 118 against Central Districts in a warm-up match last week. “Chris has been excellent,” said Nosworthy, who has been monitoring Cairns as he plots his international rehabilitation. “He’s played a full part in everything we’ve done and has shown the way, really,”

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was taken to hospital during the final session of the second day against Essex after injuring the index finger on his left hand while backing-up in the field. He required two stitches for a soft tissue injury and is almost certainly out of the final warm-up match against the England Lions next week, although should be fit for the first Test at Lord’s on May 15.He immediately ran off to the dressing room after backing up a wild throw from Brendon McCullum and was soon being driven to A&E for treatment. “There was a bit of blood, but we thought maybe he might have done some other damage – so we wanted to get it x-rayed to see maybe whether there was a problem with the tendon or bone,” said Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand manager.”Daniel looked at it straight away and ran off the field straight away and feared the worst for a little while. But the worst would have been some injury to the bone, and that is not the case. It’s just a soft-tissue split – and he’s had two stitches,” Crocker added. “He should have the stitches out in about a week and should be fine, which will leave him short of a gallop before the Test. He wanted to play both these two games to get quite a few overs in. He’s not going to get that opportunity now but should be right to play in the first Test.”Vettori only arrived in the country two days ago after his stint in the IPL. He made 22 on the opening day then produced a tidy spell of bowling which included the wicket of Ryan ten Doeschate, caught at short leg. However, that 11-over spell is now likely to be his only first-class bowling before the Test series starts. Being his major spinning finger, Vettori won’t be allowed to wear any protection that touches the ball when he bowls.”They [the doctors] did a very thorough job on him. We explained very carefully the importance of Daniel to us – and particularly that left forefinger,” Crocker said. “They took that on board. The doctor went to great lengths, cleaned it out really well and did a microscopic job.”New Zealand do have spin-bowling cover on the tour with Jeetan Patel, the offspinner, part of the squad. He played two Tests during the recent series against England and impressed with his control and character.Vettori’s injury comes the day after Alastair Cook suffered a dislocated little finger, but he was able to open the batting as normal for Essex.

Bermuda batsman Lionel Cann has been sent home from the tour of Africa and the Middle East after the Bermuda Cricket Board chose to increase his suspension for showing dissent when he was given out lbw against Kenya on Saturday.Cann took his time leaving the crease after being given out for a golden duck then hit a trash can with his bat as he left the field. The ICC has already dealt with the offence – handing him a two-match suspension from one-day-internationals after finding him guilty of showing “serious dissent at an umpire’s decision”. That ruling had meant Cann would have been eligible for the two four-day Intercontinental Cup games against Kenya and the UAE.But the BCB announced that they had upped his suspension. In a short statement the executive voard announced its decision that Cann should play no further part in the tour and revealed it was making arrangements for him to fly home as soon as possible.BCB president, Reginald Pearman said: “I am particularly disappointed with Lionel’s reaction to his being given out as he is an experienced and senior player. Lionel has a vast amount of international experience, including the recent World Cup, and he understands exactly what is expected of a player at this level. This tour has already had some very positive performances from a number of our younger players as we continue our preparation for the World Cup Qualifier in Dubai in 2009. We expect that our senior players will lead by example, particularly in professionalism and behavioral matters.”The board considered reports from ICC relating to the two-match suspension imposed by match referee Mike Procter. It also reviewed reports obtained from tour management during their deliberations.Cann, who had been in good form so far on the tour and had targeted a century in one of the four-day games, said in his Bermuda Sun column this week – before the BCB ban was handed down – “I admit I was wrong, I went up for it, I got banned and now I have to put it behind me. Basically I got a bad decision and I exploded. As I was walking off the field I hit the trash can with my bat. It was just out of frustration. I hit my kit-bag, too, when I got back in the dressing room, but it was the trash can that got me in trouble because everybody could see.”My big fear was that I would be banned for the rest of the tour, but my ban is for ODIs so I am eligible to play in the four-day games. I have to put it behind me and try and do a good job against Kenya this weekend.”Now, it seems, he will not get the opportunity to do that. And with Stephen Outerbridge also winging his way back to England after suffering a knee injury Bermuda are down to the bare bones in the batting department.This article first appeared in the Bermuda Sun

Simon Taufel, who is regarded as the world’s best umpire, believes Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove had to “follow the letter of the law” and abandon the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval. Taufel stood in the opening two games of the series and told the the problem was not just “a Darrell Hair issue”.”The umpires made the decision together,” he said in the paper. “The Darrell Hair I know calls the game the way he sees it without fear or favour. He knows the laws better than anyone.”Taufel said if the fielding side refused to go back on to the ground there was not much the umpires could do. “They can inform them that they should go on to the field, then if they still refuse, they can inform them that the match will be awarded to the opposing team,” he said. “Umpires have to follow the laws … as they are written, so it’s hard to fault the umpires in this case. The disappointing thing is that the spirit of cricket has taken a hit over this.”

Andy Moles has been rewarded for helping Northern Districts win the State Championship in his first season as coach, earning a one-year extension that will mean he leads the side until the end of 2008-09. Moles, the former Warwickshire batsman who has also coached Kenya and Scotland, guided Northern Districts to their first title since 1999-2000.”I’m very pleased with how this year has gone and more importantly with the way the players have interacted with me,” Moles told the . “I guess this is the reward for what they see as someone who can mould the team into a consistent outfit.”Despite the team’s success – before 2006-07 it had only won the title four times in the competition’s history – Moles knows the first-class improvement needs to flow through to the limited-overs game. In the State Shield, Northern Districts finished fourth with only four wins from ten matches.”Our one-day form was very poor,” Moles said. “The way we played the game was a bit naive. We’ll be looking to implement a different game plan next year where we’re a lot more proactive and positive.”David Cooper, the side’s chief executive, said Moles had been outstanding in the first season of his initial two-year contract. “It was a decision that was a pretty easy one for us to sign him for another year,” Cooper said. “The signs are good for the team and where they’re heading and what he has done with the group. We’re looking forward to the seasons ahead.”

Zaheer Khan, the Indian fast bowler, has quit Baroda and is all set to represent Mumbai this domestic season. He reportedly made this decision after Dilip Vengsarkar, the new Indian chairman of selectors, asked him to apply for a transfer.Zaheer has requested a No Objection Certificate from the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) and would have submit it to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) before the September 30 deadline for all players applying for transfers. A formal announcement is likely when the MCA managing committee meets on Friday.Rakesh Parikh, the secretary of the BCA, confirmed Zaheer’s request but stated that his departure would leave a void in the Baroda side, which won the Ranji Trophy in 2001. In the final against Railways, Zaheer picked up five wickets for just 16 runs on the final day to bowl Railways out and secure the title by a narrow margin.”He had played an important role in making the team Ranji Trophy champions five years ago when Baroda had defeated Railways,” Parikh told PTI. “In subsequent years, Baroda continued to do well in Ranji with Zaheer playing his role sincerely in all the matches.”Zaheer honed his cricketing skills in Mumbai in 1996-97 but later shifted to Baroda, after failing to find a place in the Mumbai line-up. He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 1999-2000 representing Baroda and was called to the national side in 2000. However, he has been out of the Indian team since the tour of Pakistan earlier this year and failed to make the cut when the Champions Trophy squad was announced, despite a memorable season with English county Worcestershire, during which he picked up 69 wickets in the County Championship.

Pakistan are looking forward to the ICC World Twenty20, with the fast-paced nature of the game being ideally suited to their young and dynamic side.Shahid Afridi, who has already hit 229 sixes in ODIs, would be keen to showcase his abilities in the tournament. “It’s like watching the highlights, you definitely have a more energetic feeling in Twenty20,” Afridi said. “But you can play sensibly as well during the first six or seven overs because 20 overs is still a lot; you still need to keep wickets in hand for the end.”Younis Khan was also taken in by the Twenty20 game.”It’s fast and furious and good for the skills. It’s under that sort of pressure that you find out about yourself,” he said. “The boys are used to it and we should have the edge over the other Asian teams, but it is a funny type of cricket so you never know … “Meanwhile, Salman Butt, the Pakistan vice-captain, believed that the pool game against India in Durban on September 14 was guaranteed to ensure the team was at their most motivated. “We always have good games against India and we respect them as a good side. They bring out the best in us,” Butt said.

James Franklin sent a message to the New Zealand selectors about his allround ability with an unbeaten 173 against Auckland. His innings contained 22 fours and three sixes and helped Wellington to an imposing 436 for 5 at stumps in reply to Auckland’s 235. Franklin was dropped for the final two one-day internationals against the West Indies after some uninspired bowling and will be keen to press his credentials as an allrounder ahead of the Test series. Franklin was not the only centurion, with Neal Parlane (110) also passing three figures. Matthew Bell (58) and Chris Nevin (48 not out) cashed in as well. Lance Shaw took 3 for 90.Canterbury will take a handy advantage over Northern Districts into the third day of the match after a number of useful contributions enabled them to post a first innings lead of 41 with three wickets remaining. At the top of the order Gary Stead made 51 and Michael Papps a laboured 45. There were cameos from Craig McMillan (23) and Chris Harris (22), before Andrew Ellis (57) and Todd Astle (41) put on 82 for the sixth wicket. Canterbury ended the day on 310 for 7. Joseph Yovich was costly, but his 18 overs also saw him capture 3 for 91.Central Districts were in the box seat at New Plymouth after posting a first-innings total 416 and watching Otago go to stumps at 191 for 5. Central resumed day two on 275 for 6 and made it past 400 thanks to half-centuries from Bevan Griggs, the wicketkeeper, and Brendon Diamanti. David Sewell was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 87. Otago began the long chase for first innings comfortably enough, but trouble struck late in the day when the impressive Jordan Sheed was out 11 shy of his maiden first-class century. Otago’s hopes rested with Neil Broom, who battled to 34 not out. Min Patel, the former England spinner, bowled Otago to a virtual standstill with his 1 for 20 off 18 overs.

Sri Lanka will go for a 3-0 whitewash of the Test series against Bangladesh in the third and final Test starting on July 11 at Kandy’s Asgiriya International Stadium.”That’s the only way to look at it. We’ve played some really good cricket the last two weeks or so and we are 2-0 up in the series. We don’t want to have any hiccups at this stage,” said Mahela Jayawardene.”We want to make sure that we concentrate and play the same brand of cricket and have the result going our way so that it will be good for us going into the one-day series as well as for the season which is coming up for us.”If Sri Lanka win at Kandy, it will be their 50th victory in 170 Test matches. With Chaminda Vaas having returned to England to see out his contract with Middlesex, Jayawardene stated that young all-rounder Farveez Maharoof would fill his vacancy in the team.”Maharoof is our next best in the line up. He deserves his place. He’s one guy who’sperformed really well,” said Jayawardene. “We are also floating with the idea of giving Sujeewa de Silva an opportunity as well since we have wrapped up the series. He deserves an opportunity having performed well. If we take a decision to play him then either Lasith [Malinga] or Dilhara [Fernando] will be rested depending on the amount of cricket they have played and which of them we feel needs a break.”Also set to return for his first Test of the series is opener Upul Tharanga, who has recovered from a fractured left heel. “Upul has been our No.1 choice going into the Test series,” said Jayawardene. “Injury kept him away. Everybody who has been given the opportunity has done well. What we have to realise is we cannot think right now but look to the future. The next six months there is a lot of cricket coming up and Upul’s definitely going to be part of that. He needs to come in as quickly as possible and start playing good cricket and get into the stride. He will definitely play in this Test. We have to make a toughdecision on Michael [Vandort] and Malinda [Warnapura].”Jayawardene said he expected the pitch to be slower than that at the SSC and theSara Stadium but added: “There would probably be a bit of movement as well as carry.I am not sure whether it has the same pace as the Sara Stadium but it will definitely have a little bit more movement given the fact that the conditions here are usually moist.”Mohammad Ashraful, the Bangladesh captain, said he hoped his bad luck with the toss would change in Kandy. “Luck has not gone my way and I am expecting it to change here.”On both occasions he lost the toss, Bangladesh failed to top 100 in their first innings and this had led to the team being defeated by an innings in three days. Bangladesh have made two changes to their side with middle-order batsman Tushar Imran replacing Mehrab Hossain and fast bowler Syed Rasel replacing Mohammad Sharif.Ashraful said that Mehrab was dropped after just one Test because he was not a middle-order batsman but a specialist opener. “Tushar has been scoring runs for the A team as well as in domestic cricket that’s why we got him down early for the final Test.”Bangladesh will hope to avoid their second 3-0 whitewash in history. In their only previous three-Test series they lost to Pakistan.Teams:Sri Lanka from: Upul Tharanga, Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, KumarSangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan,Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, MuttiahMuralitharan, Sujeewa de Silva.Bangladesh from: Javed Omar, Nafees Ahmed, Rajin Saleh, Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Tushar Imran, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Syed Rasel, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Rafique, Shahadat Hossain.

Mark Taylor has joined a growing number of Australian players to back Ricky Ponting as captain despite the “over-reaction” to the Ashes loss. Taylor, who was in charge when Australia became world champions in 1995, said the defeat “may be the making” of Ponting after Dennis Lillee called for his sacking.”We’ve seen Ricky Ponting and the Australian side winning everything,” Taylor told , “but sometimes you need a loss to sit down and say ‘what can I do, what can we do as a leadership group do to make things better?’ If you can turn it around you can bounce back and become a better leader.”As most of the squad returned to Australia yesterday, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Michael Kasprowicz believed Ponting should continue as leader. A report in said Ponting also had the support of Bob Merriman, the Cricket Australia chairman, and at least five members of the board.The paper said a review of the tour had already begun with Taylor, Allan Border and Daryl Foster, the bowling coach, investigating all aspects of the trip as well as looking into Australian cricket at all levels. Taylor said there was always going to be an over-reaction to the series loss and was not surprised by the mood.However, Taylor said both Ponting and Michael Vaughan did not show enough imagination with their tactical decisions during the series. “To be critical, I thought both captains at times were either full-on or full-off,” Taylor said in . “It was either four slips, two gullies and a bat-pad or no slips, deep point, deep third man, deep backward square, deep fine leg.””One of the things you don’t want to do is panic in a situation like this,” Kasprowicz said in . While the future of Ponting is safe Kasprowicz, who played in two Tests and took four wickets, is waiting for news from Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors.”[Hohns] said straight: `I can’t tell you where things sit. We just don’t know yet’,” Kasprowicz said. Decisions will be made quickly as the Super Series starts in three weeks.