Scorecard

Netherlands sneaked past Canada by one wicket in the rain-affected fifth one-dayer at Benoni to take the ICC Tri-Series on Thursday.Set a revised 205 from 42 overs, Netherlands made good progress thanks to a counterattacking partnership between Ryan ten Doeschate (38) and Luuk van Troost (34). And when Daan van Bunge passed fifty from 52 balls, Netherlands appeared to be cruising home before they stumbled from from 142 for 6 to 178 for 9, with Billy Stelling the last of the recognised batsmen. However, he held his nerve – crashing two fours and lofting two sixes – in his 34-ball 39 as Netherlands crept home with just two balls to spare.Earlier Canada’s innings was a stuttering affair with Ashish Bagai (23) and Abdool Samad (44) sharing a promising second-wicket stand of 52. But the innings foundered somewhat, with Tim de Leede picking up two cheap wickets, before a huge thunderstorm during the lunch interval delayed the start of Netherlands’ innings, causing the intervention of Duckworth and Lewis.The final game of the series between Canada and Bermuda will be played on Saturday.

Vijay Dahiya, the veteran Delhi wicketkeeper who played two Tests and 19 ODIs for India, has retired from all forms of cricket after a 15-year career. In a sudden decision, Dahiya informed the Delhi District Cricket Association of his retirement just four days after he sat out Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Baroda at the Feroz Shah Kotla.Speaking to , Dahiya, 33, said that a hand injury forced the decision midway through the domestic season. “I know what I am doing but my hand just gave away. I know my body well and I am happy that I came back and proved a point to my critics. And I am leaving when the team is on a high,” he said. “I can rest and then come back but then I will not be fair on this young boy [Puneet Bisht, the rookie ‘keeper] too because then even I am not letting him settle also.””I don’t like to sit out and I just wanted to be part of action before I called it quits. So I thought, let me just field and walk back to the dressing room one final time along with my team-mates,” he added. “I always wanted to leave on my terms. Why should I let anybody take away that liberty from me?”Dahiya made his first-class debut against Punjab in 1993-94, and was an integral part of the North Zone team which lifted the Duleep and Deodhar Trophies in 1999-2000, and also captained Delhi for some time. He was called up to the Indian ODI side in late 2000, and was one of five wicketkeepers used by the selectors in a 16-month period. In an ODI against Australia at home in March of 2001, Dahiya slammed a a 39-ball 51 to help set up a match-winning total. It was his only ODI half-century, while in the two Tests he played against Zimbabwe in 2000, he only got the opportunity to bat once.Dahiya took a break from the game last year – he informed the DDCA that he “need not be considered” for selection so as to make room for a younger player – but returned this year. He began his Ranji season with a fine 152, his highest first-class score, against Tamil Nadu that bailed Delhi out of trouble, and effected a stumping against Uttar Pradesh’s Praveen Kumar that helped his side gain a vital first-innings lead. He informed Arun Jaitley, the DDCA president, about his decision on Sunday, but there was no press conference or benefit match.

The start of the World Cricket League in Nairobi has been brought forward by 24 hours after the authorities at the Jaffrey Sports Club said that the match could not be staged on January 30, the scheduled date, as it fell on the Islamic holiday commemorating the Day of Ashura.As a result, the Kenya v Bermuda game will be played on January 29, the day before the other two opening matches.The ICC and Cricket Kenya were only advised of this on Monday, and the tournament’s technical committee considered the issue and decided that in order to cause as little disruption as possible to the event, it would rearrange the game.The Jaffrey Sports Club is an Islamic-based ground, unlike the other two venues at Nairobi Gymkhana and Ruaraka.

Ashwell Prince was elected president of the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) during its annual general meeting in Johannesburg.”Ashwell has been elected to this position by his fellow players,” Tony Irish, CEO of SACA, said. “Its an indication not only of the level of respect that the guys have for him as a player but also as a man who understands the full ambit of his career as a professional cricketer”.On accepting the two-year post, Prince said: “I’m honoured that the other players have placed this level of confidence in me. Our players association now plays an important role in professional cricket and I will do my very best in the position”. Prince, 29, averaged 60.67 in his last six Tests and completed 2006 as South Africa’s highest run-getter, with 905. He was included in the 15-man squad for the World Cup.”Our executive committee is made up of a mix of very experienced players and recent ex-players. We are well placed to continue to represent the best interests of South Africa’s professional cricketers” Irish added. “A big thanks must go to Errol Stewart who has made an invaluable contribution to SACA and to players over the last five years. We wish him all the best in his new job at the ICC”.Previous SACA presidents include Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher and Nicky Boje. Other members of SACA’s executive committee also elected were Shafiek Abrahams (vice-president), Nicky Boje (secretary) and Gerald Dros (treasurer). Irish will continued as CEO.

The ICC Board has suspended the membership of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA).USACA failed to meet the agreed and subsequently extended deadlines for the adoption of its constitution and the holding of elections, the ICC confirmed in a letter to USACA president Gladstone Dainty.This is the second suspension for the USACA, after it was previously prevented from attending the 2005 annual conference after elections were shrouded in controversy. That suspension was lifted in March 2006 subject to new elections under a new constitution and the appointment of all USACA Executive positions by December 31. The USACA was then granted an extension for this until March 1, 2007.The suspension, under immediate effect, means that the USACA will not receive the annual ICC grant that was expected on April 15 and will be withdrawn from the World Cricket League Division 3 Series to be held in Darwin, Australia in May and relegated from that division. Additionally, the national team preparation grant for that event and direct funding support from the ICC Americas Region Development Program will also be withheld.The suspension will be lifted when the West Indies Cricket Board, requested by the ICC to monitor the progress of the game in the USA, recommends a suitable time in agreement with the Executive Board.Malcolm Speed, the ICC CEO, said the decision, though unpleasant, was necessary given then lack of initiative from the USACA. “It is especially disappointing that the USA players have had to be penalized in this way for matters that are largely beyond their control. The ICC recognizes that the USA has vast potential as a cricketing nation but without a functioning administration that potential is likely to remain largely untapped.”The ICC hopes this measure will serve to focus minds within cricketing circles in the USA, that sense will prevail and that all those with the good of the game at heart will come together and take control of this unfortunate situation.”

Jimmy Maher, the Queensland captain, will be in England during Australia’s winter after Glamorgan supporters provided the money for his return. The county did not plan to have an overseas player due to the cost of its ground redevelopment at Sophia Gardens, but the fans stepped in to help sign Maher, who played in Wales in 2001 and 2003.”We made no secret of our intention to run without them this summer,” Mike Fatkin, Glamorgan’s chief executive, said. “Thanks to offers of financial support from several of our strongest supporters, including a significant contribution from Dr James Hull, we’ve been able to review that policy and recruit Jimmy.”Maher said he was grateful for the opportunity and intended to make a big contribution on the field. He will link up the county in the middle of May.

Australia have signalled their intention to focus on the 2009 World Cup, with five new faces included in the women’s squad for 2007-08. In all, six changes were made from last season’s line-up and four of the new players are yet to make their international debut.The uncapped Sarah Aley, Charlotte Anneveld, Emma Inglis and Renee Chappell have made the list for the first time, as has Emma Sampson, who made her ODI debut in India in February. Kris Britt, the South Australia allrounder, has been rewarded for her strong state form, returning to the squad after missing out the last two seasons.Cathryn Fitzpatrick’s retirement opened up one spot but five players have also been omitted. Veterans Julie Hayes and Michelle Goszko were not included after losing their places in the ODI team following the Rose Bowl series in October. Jenny Wallace, Lauren Ebsary and Kelly Applebee were also dropped.Inglis, 18, will be Australia’s back-up wicketkeeper after only two seasons in the Women’s National Cricket League. Her 12 dismissals for Victoria were the most for any player in 2006-07. Britt had an excellent domestic season, scoring 279 runs at 55.80 and taking seven wickets at 27.57. She will be keen to add to her nine ODIs, the last of which she played in 2004.Chappell becomes the only Western Australia player in the squad, while Sampson is one of four South Australians. Sampson’s ten WNCL wickets at 24.10 earned her a trip to India, where she proved a handy new-ball bowler.

Aley and Anneveld, both from New South Wales, provide all-round options. Anneveld’s 15 wickets in 2006-07 was the third-most of any player in the domestic competition, behind only Fitzpatrick and Clea Smith.The changes leave Karen Rolton and Shelley Nitschke as the only players over 30, while 13 of the 18 chosen are 25 or under. Margaret Jennings, the chair of selectors, said it was important to bring fresh faces into the side.”Maintaining a blend of experience and young talent in the squad is important for the next 12 months of competition and with the 2009 World Cup on the horizon,” she said. “We have promoted some young players and with the retirement of Cathryn and loss of other experienced players there is a gap to be filled.”The 18 squad members will train at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane in June and September. Australia’s next challenge on the field will be against New Zealand in the Rose Bowl at Darwin in July.Squad Sarah Aley, Sarah Andrews, Charlotte Anneveld, Alex Blackwell, Kate Blackwell, Kris Britt, Melissa Bulow, Renee Chappell, Sarah Edwards, Emma Inglis, Shelley Nitschke, Kirsten Pike, Leah Poulton, Jodie Purves, Karen Rolton, Emma Sampson, Clea Smith, Lisa Sthalekar.

David Moore, the newly-appointed coach of the West Indies team, has said that preparation would be the key to success. “We have the will to do well but we have to have the will to prepare to do well, we need to prepare ourselves to compete consistently well at the highest level,” he said as he took over the reins from Bennett King, who resigned as head coach of the West Indian team after the World Cup.”We are in a situation where we are coming off the back of playing a lot of one day cricket and moving into Test matches which is a real test of one’s skill,” said Moore. “In our last Test series (against Pakistan) we played some respectable cricket without gaining any wins and it now requires that we spend some quality time in preparing for Test cricket against a tough opposition at home.””We do not have a lot of time, but we do have one warm up game and we have to utilize the time effectively and get into the rhythm of Test cricket again,” said Moore, as the team assembled in Barbados ahead of their departure to England where they will play four Tests, three ODIS and two Twenty20 matches. “Traditionally the wickets in England are a bit more fresh and have more moisture earlier in the season and it means the pitches would do a little bit more but having followed the English first class season so far the wickets appear to be a little flatter with a lot of runs being scored.”Moore, who played one first-class match for New South Wales, hoped that the England tour would afford his team the chance to make a fresh start, under a new captain. “We’ve got a brand new captain, the head coach has resigned so from our point of view as team management it’s a fresh start, it’s a good opportunity to move the team forward and we will be looking to all the players to perform at their best levels and looking for each player to move forward on and off the field, in training and in representing the West Indian people in public.”Moore conceded that losing Brian Lara would have its impact, but hoped that his team could look at the positive side of things. “We’ve lost Brian (Lara) which is a major loss and it leaves a big hole but it is a wonderful opportunity for all the batsmen to stake a claim in replacing him in the side.””We’ve got Daren Ganga, who has scored some quality runs, opening the batting, once we get through the new ball and establish a base for us to score runs we then need the middle order to capitalize on that and for players to go ahead to score Test hundreds and there is a chance for those batters to establish themselves.”Moore also looked for consistent contributions from other players, insisting that both the top- and lower-order had roles to play. “Also I’m looking for players like (Dwayne) Bravo and (Denesh) Ramdin to also score runs in the lower middle order, it’s an important area for us in the past and these guys need to perform,” Moore continued. “(Chris) Gayle, (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul and (Ramnaresh) Sarwan are all quality batsmen but they are probably not happy with the amount of runs they have been scoring recently in Test cricket and we are looking to them to contribute in the batting order.””On the bowling side of things I feel Corey Collymore is a key in our attack, he has been frugal with runs scored against him and can get the ball to swing,” Moore said as he discussed the bowling attack. “Overall we have a very good young team who are still learning about all facets of their cricket and I’m really looking forward to working with them during this tour and if they can get their processes right we can certainly compete with the opposition.”

A report in the Royal Gazette claimed that Saleem Mukuddem had been found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute after criticising the Bermuda board (BCB) over the way he was dropped during the World Cup.But it seems that the BCB, who has reportedly dished out a year’s probabtion as punishment, decided to send notification to the player by ordinary mail rather than the more usual email, delaying the official announcement of the decision.”I haven’t had anything official from the board as yet … all I’ve seen is what was reported,” Mukuddem told the newspaper. “I don’t know whether it’s true or not but what I would say is that if it is true, then I’m disappointed it has leaked out before I have been officially informed. That’s not the way it is supposed to work.”Regardless of the decision I will not be making any more public comments on the matter. I had a chance to give my side of the story and the public are now aware of it. That’s all I set out to do. I have done nothing wrong. Anything else I have to say on the matter will be dealt with privately between the board and myself.”In a separate disciplinary hearing, assistant national coach Herbie Bascome was found not guilty on the same charge after he sent a letter criticising the BCB following its decision to cancel his son Oronde’s cricketing scholarship. The board was publicly slammed over the decision, not because it withdrew its financial backing but because it was openly critical of his attitude to the game.

Ronnie Irani has retired as Essex captain with immediate effect. Earlier this month, Irani said he would be retiring at the end of the season, but his knee injury – which had already pretty much ruled him out of the first-class game – has now been deemed serious enough to rule him out of any cricket whatsoever. He will undergo surgery later in July.”I’m naturally disappointed that things are ending this way,” he told the Essex website. “I was hoping to swallow this bitter pill at the end of the season but unfortunately the end of my playing career has come earlier than anticipated.” He had rejected a two-year contract earlier this year.Irani, 35, has been an Essex stalwart since 1994 when he moved to Chelmsford following four unfulfilled seasons with Lancashire. Early in his career he was a fine allrounder, batting in the middle order and bowling a large number of overs, occasionally with the new ball. By 1996 he’d done enough to attract the interest of the England selectors and was picked in David Lloyd’s first squad for the one-day series against India.He made his Test debut against India that same season, at Edgbaston, taking a wicket with his fifth ball, but managed just two further Tests. His ODI career lasted slightly longer and he squeezed into the 2003 World Cup squad for his final international honours.As Graham Gooch, Essex’s coach, told Cricinfo a few weeks ago: “It’s a massive loss for us because we’ve lost our leader, our most experienced player. He’s been an inspirational captain for Essex, a leader from the front, a role model in the way he goes about his cricket. He’s been a great servant for Essex and a great entertainer for the fans here.”