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Ticket sales for the NatWest challenge match between Wales and England atSophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Monday 24th June, have been selling steadily in the last ten days and the Club is now urging any Glamorgan members who haven’t yet purchased their tickets for the game to do so before close of play this coming Friday, June 21st, in order to take advantage of the discounted price of £18.Adult tickets priced £25 will be available for cash and cheque purchases onthe day, as will junior tickets at £8, but the special Glamorgan Members’discounted tickets, priced £18, are only available up until close of business on Friday.Chief Executive Mike Fatkin said:
“We’ve been quite pleased with the way ticket sales have gone recently butwe want to make sure that as many Glamorgan members as possible takeadvantage of the discounted price, hence the reason for publicizing it now.Whilst there will be some tickets available on the day of the match itself,it was always the intention to be encouraging advance purchases as sales onthe day will be restricted to the full adult price of £25, and juniors at£8. We’ve publicized the £18 members’ subsidized price for some months nowand hopefully any Glamorgan members who haven’t yet bought their tickets forthis historic match will do so before the end of the week.”

St Cross Symondians are back in the Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 driving seat after both Alton and Flamingo saw their recent unbeaten runs ended.Alton collapsed to 100 all out and a thumping nine-wicket defeat at New Milton, while Leckford wriggled from the agony of 35-6 to edge out Flamingo by two wickets in a Bakers Farm thriller.The results were music to the ears of St Cross, whose eagerly awaited visit to Rowlands Avenue began in the worst possible fashion, with openers Mark Parker and Marc Rees each removed for one.But Steve Shaw (56), Graham Barrett (30) and Stuart Charman, with an accomplished 29 not out, batted St Cross to a winning 187-9.Offie Mark Padwick caught the Ville on a real turner, his spell of 6-27 wrecking the hosts for 97.When Alton moved to the relative comfort of 48-1, there appeared no real cause for concern in the visitors dressing room at the Ashley Sports Ground.But the overnight leaders, who had suffered only one defeat in eight previous matches, totally fell apart against New Milton’s disciplined attack.Peter Anderson (3-22) and Lee Beck (3-11) brought Alton to their knees before a mature 58 not out by Steve Watts saw New Milton home.Second placed Flamingo, fresh from five straight wins, struggled to 114 all out – all ten batsmen were caught – in the saturated conditions at Bakers Farm.But, after Tim Richman (3-21) and Nick McMurray (3-30) had reduced Leckford to 35-6, the game was totally turned on its head.Classy Martyn Isherwood (58) at long last found a reliable partner in young Zimbabwean Ryan Stacey, who helped lift the reply to 80 before the pair were dismissed."Ryan has an excellent technique and batted with great maturity for someone so young and inexperienced," praised match-winner Isherwood."It just goes to show the value of running junior cricket. There’s a few like him at the club."But if Flamingo’s thought they were on a winner when both men departed at 80, they were sadly wrong.Stuart Hicks and Steve Bolshaw put bat to ball – mainly over the mid-wicket boundary – as Leckford snatched a dramatic win.The result enabled Purbrook, today’s visitors to The Holt, to move up to third spot, courtesy of a four-wicket win over Hambledon at The Heath, where the club had formally opened its magnificent new pavilion and clubhouse the previous evening.Wayne Musselwhite (5-24) had Hambledon in total disarray at 50-8, but John Burdekin’s 47, aided by Dan Wheeler (23), lifted the total to 128.Willem Prozesky (27) and Mike Hennessy (22) eased Purbrook to 55-1 before an alarming middle-order creak left Musselwhite to show his skills with the bat – and produce a decisive 22 not out.Hursley Park came badly unstuck at Hartley Wintney, where scores of 250-plus have been frequently passed this season.Hursley only managed 199-9 – a total Matt Digweed (77), Jimmy Castrisos (47) and Dave Almond (30) polished off.Havant II (196) enjoyed an easy win after dismissing Redlynch & Hale for 100, while Gosport Borough piled up 245-9 (Mark Robson 84) before skittling Portsmouth for 111, with Paul Jenkins (4-45) and Nathan Collins (3-32) doing the damage.Australian-raised Dean Oliffe did his level best for Portsmouth, taking 6-45 and making top score of 32.John Robinson celebrated the Big 40 by hitting a key 62 in Paultons’ five-wicket win over Ventnor, whose 245-9 included a sedate knock by Mark Fletcher (75) and a slightly pacier knock from Andy White (33).Paultons slipped to 30-3 against the frugal Andy Day and Neil Dodds, but the tide turned with Robinson sharing a century stand with Colin James (54).Tony Richman knows a bit about quick scoring and, with Terry Azor (21) tutoring from the opposite end, promptly smashed 63 not out off 43 balls to end the contest.

The England captain Nasser Hussain today admitted that England may have to go through the entire Ashes series without Darren Gough, who has been sent to the Adelaide academy for intensive treatment on his knee injury.Although Hussain did not rule Gough out of the series, he told the BBC: “It’s been going on for a year or so and Darren is very disappointed.”We need to get him right. I’m not worried about the Ashes as far as Darren goes now. I’m just worried about getting Darren back.”I’d have to be honest in that we’ve learnt to live without Darren. For me I’d like to see him back on the cricket field, whether it’s the Ashes or not, because it’s his career.”With Gough already out of the first Test which starts in Brisbane on Thursday,England have also to decide whether Andrew Flintoff is fit to play after taking part in just one match since his double hernia operation.Although Flintoff bowled 26 overs and took two wickets in this week’s drawn warm-up match with Queensland, he was noticeably stiff on the second day. England have the option of playing Craig White, who was added to the squad as cover for Flintoff.”That will be the main debate in the selection over the next few days,” Hussain said. “Both the all-rounders have played in a game and we will have to weigh things up.”Andrew has nothing to prove in our team. He’s been there for a year or two and has performed and the only thing he has to prove is whether he can do it two or three days’ running because of his body now and whether we take that gamble.”The first day of this week’s game he was fine, but on the second day he was stiff and I don’t know if he can do that over five days of intense Test match cricket if he’s not 100% fit.”Hussain also rebuffed suggestions in the Australian media that Flintoff’s Test record – he averages 19.48 with the bat and 47.15 with the ball – raises questions over whether he should have been selected for the tour in the first place.”Statistics aren’t everything,” Hussain insisted. “As captain there are certain players you like having in your side and there are certain players with the potential of doing things that other players can’t.”There are certain players that when the ball is 70 overs old and other people are hiding will hold their hands up and do the tough yards for you, will always want to stand at slip to take the catches and who are strong enough to go out there with those statistics with the belief he can do it and Andrew Flintoff is one of those people.”He’s got to improve those statistics definitely, but anyone who has watched us and watched Freddie progress over the last year or so will have seen him do certain things that other people in England can’t do.”A decision on who plays is likely tomorrow, when England will train at the Gabba for the first time tomorrow after a day off today.”Australia haven’t seen the best of the England cricket team for a long while and it’s up to whoever is selected to put that right this time,” added Hussain.”How we’ve done in the practice games does not have any great bearing on the Test, it’s how we are on Thursday and Friday that counts.”If Australia see the same old England then they will be very pleased, but if they see a new, strong, vibrant England with good body language who are doing the basics right then they will realise they are in a real fight this series.”You play differently when you’re under pressure, whatever side you are and too often now Australia have dictated terms by putting pressure on the opposition. When you have no fear of losing a game and you can show all your skills and the crowd can get behind you, it’s a very easy life and a very easy game.”I’ve played against Australia and I don’t believe our failings are down to a mental thing. It’s down to basic cricket skills. I believe they practise their skills at such a level that it pays off in those pressure situations. That’s what we have to learn.”

Hampshire Cricket are holding an Open Day at The Hampshire Rose Bowl on Sunday 14th April at 11:00am – 4:00pm.More information will appear here shortly.

If you have ever fancied trying your hand at being a super sleuth in the mould of Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple then you need wait no longer.Somerset wicket-keeper Rob Turner will be holding a murder and mystery evening entitled `Incident at the Golden Stumps’at the Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster on Friday May 31st.Over a four course dinner an evening of intrigue, suspense and excitement lays in store for those who are brave enough to attend!During pre-dinner drinks the cast of actors from the `Murder by Design Company’ will mingle amongst guests and set the scene for what lies ahead.Over dinner the assembled company will be baffled and horrified by proceedings as well as being at liberty to question and interrogate the characters or suspects involved.The evening will conclude with prizes for the most vigilant sleuths, so why not work as a team and book a table of ten to work on the `Incident at the Golden Stumps’ case.Tickets priced £25 per head are available from Stuart Sheppard at The Shrubbery Hotel at Ilminster, 01460 52108 , The Benefit Office at the County Ground, 01823 272946,or from Doreen Barnes , 01455 230489.

Following a wash out at Oxford, Hampshire begin their Norwich Union Division II League away to Lancashire on Sunday.13 players have been chosen to travel, and the final eleven will be selected on arrival, depending on the conditions and weather.The squad: Giles White, Derek Kenway, Will Kendall, Robin Smith (captain), Neil Johnson, John Stephenson, Jason Laney, Adrian Aymes (w/k), Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, Alex Morris, Zac Morris, Alan Mullally.

A truncated fourth day’s play saw a Stuart Williams double century go in vain as Guyana marched into the final of the Busta Cup, where they will face Jamaica.Williams, unbeaten on 176 at the start of the fourth day, must have known the likely fate of his team even as he took guard in the morning. Guyana had beaten Leeward Islands during regular season play, and unless Leewards could bring off a shock victory within the day, the hosts were firm favourites to occupy the finals berth.As luck would have it, the local weather gods decided to turn out in support of their team as well, although it is debatable whether Guyana needed their intervention. Williams went to complete his double ton, helping Leewards add 112 runs in the 35.1 overs of play that was possible on the day.Keithroy Tittle, unbeaten overnight on six, was bowled by Mahendra Nagamootoo for 10. Ridley Jacobs then made an unbeaten 27, lending good support to Williams. The Leeward Islands skipper made 252, the culmination of a fine run of form in the tournament.He was still unbeaten when rain prevented any play from mid-afternoon onwards, leaving Leeward Islands stranded on 442 for five in their 133.1-over innings. Williams received the Man of the Match award for his gritty knock, but that will be little consolation as he watches Guyana compete Jamaica from April 4-7 at Sabina Park.

Jacques Kallis was the only member of the South African squad who did not train on Tuesday ahead of the second Test in Adelaide. The tourists held a segmented session with AB de Villiers leaving early and Imran Tahir arriving late as they looked to spend minimal time in the 37-degree heat.”It is optional practice because we’ve had two really good sessions already and it’s very hot,” Mohammed Moosajee, the team manager, told ESPNcricinfo.The afternoon practice was the first conducted under coach Gary Kirsten in preparation for the second Test after he returned from a whistle-stop trip back to South Africa. While the squad dispersed on Wednesday to various destinations around Australia, Kirsten went home to spend some time with his wife and three children and was not present at the compulsory practices on Sunday or Monday.South Africa held four-hour and three-and-a-half-hour sessions respectively, both of which were full practices incorporating everything from their football warm-ups to extensive nets. Contrastingly, Australia’s only optional session will be the day before the Test, Wednesday, while they have been putting in at least three and half hours every other day.The difference in the amount of training is likely to lead to accusations of South Africa being undercooked, especially having had the worse of the Brisbane Test. But Alviro Petersen dismissed that suggestion bullishly. “We had a break in England as well, so it’s nothing new,” Petersen said. “We could start the Test tomorrow. We’re happy to have a few days to freshen our minds.”Although the team had significant gaps between the three Test matches in England and took occasional breaks, such as a day in Leeds to go to the Olympics, they did not ever split up for more than one day. They also played tour matches between each of the Tests and two before the test at The Oval. No practice match was scheduled for the eight-day break between Tests in Australia, though.The Kirsten way focuses on smart work instead of hard work and places the responsibility on players to decide how intensely they need to prepare for the next match. It is a method that the previous team he coached, India, said helped them thrive. The South Africans have also warmed to that approach, which newcomer Dean Elgar said allows them to “be treated as adults”.Elgar replaced JP Duminy in the squad after his tour was cut short with a ruptured Achilles tendon, but Elgar seems unlikely to play. Instead, Faf du Plessis, who was batting in the nets, appears destined to make his Test debut.The other likely change will be the straight swap of Tahir in for Rory Kleinveldt as South Africa look to include spin in their line-up. Thami Tsolekile, the specialist wicketkeeper, was also padded up and batted in the nets, although his inclusion to relieve de Villiers off the gloves will depend on whether South Africa continue to employ the seven batsmen strategy.Robin Peterson is one of the other options and he bowled a significant amount in Tuesday’s session. Dale Steyn, who was recovering from gastro, played a small part in practice, although he is certain to be in good health come the Test. Kallis choosing to rest instead of train is part of the continued process to manage the allrounder as South Africa look to get the best of his batting and bowling on match days.

Despite a fine bowling performance by Maharashtra’s Kashinath Kadkikar(7 for 64), Mumbai crushed the home team by nine wickets in the WestZone under-22 league match at the Bhosala Military School Ground inNashik on Friday.Opting to bat on the opening day, Mumbai put up a challenging total of353 even as Kadhikar took wickets at regular intervals. The inningswas propped up by two fine contributions from the Mumbai skipper HSShinde (78) and K More (70). In response Maharashtra were bundled outfor 197 in 69.3 overs. Maharashtra skipper and opener DS Jadhav with57 was the top scorer. RV Pawar (3 for 55) and More (4 for 66) rippedthrough the hosts line up.Having conceded a lead of 156, Maharashtra followed on and fumbledagain with their batting. Pawar (5 for 62) once again ran through theopposition to leave them with just nine runs ahead at 165. Mumabi hitthe required ten runs in 1.5 overs, losing opener N Shivalkar (0) offthe third ball of the innings. Pawar returned figures of eight for 117in the match.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMeg Lanning top scored for Australia Women but once again England were up to the chase•ICC/Getty

England Women completed a sweep of the group stage with a seven-wicket win over Australia. They were given their sternest challenge of the competition, asked to chase 145, but again showed their excellence in all departments by winning with 11 balls to spare.Sarah Taylor made the highest individual score of the tournament, 65 not out, to guide her side’s chase. She shared a stand of 63 at more than 11 runs per over with Danni Wyatt to reach the target comfortably. Wyatt arrived at the crease with 62 required from 44 balls but played a breezy innings with six boundaries that took the game away from Australia. She finished with 33 in 17 balls, winning the match with a boundary.Australia had played well after choosing to bat first. Opener Meg Lanning led the way with 39 from 31 balls and Lisa Sthalekar’s 28-ball 38 boosted the total. Both batsman fell to Anya Shrubsole but she and the usually dependable Laura Marsh and Holly Colvin went at eight-an-over. Dannielle Hazell was the most economical in holding Australia to a total they could eclipse.Australia captain Jodie Fields said her team’s batting performance was a positive but was disappointed at not finishing the game well.”It felt like we were right in the match right up until the last couple of overs. Our batting innings went the way we wanted it to do, we aimed for 140 and we got that target.”Her team would take on West Indies in the second semi-final of the tournament on October 5. “West Indies are a strong team and we were lucky enough to play them in a warm-up match which gave us an idea about how we can play against them,” Fields said. England go on to play New Zealand in their semi-final.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe other match of the day was a low-scoring thriller that brightened up the dead rubber, with Pakistan Women heading home with a victory by the smallest margin against India. With four required off the final delivery, Nagarajan Niranjana was run out attempting the tying third run.Pakistan chose to bat but only three players made double figures. Sana Mir with 26 and Nain Abidi’s 25 had laid a platform at the top of the order but their failure to go on exposed the rest of the order, of whom Asmavia Iqbal with 10 was the top score. Rasanara Parwin returned the best figures, going for just 15 in her fours overs and picking up the wickets of Mir and Bismah Maroof for 3.India also struggled for a significant contribution with the bat but Jhulan Goswami looked to be guiding them home. But when she fell for a 24-ball 21, 16 were needed from 10 balls which became 14 from the last over. Niranjana struck the first ball for four and worked a target of four off the final ball but it proved just beyond them.