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Dwayne Bravo lamented the sorry state of West Indies cricket, saying “too much politics” was killing the game in the Caribbean, and that the administrators needed to take a hard look at themselves.Bravo, who was asked about the team’s innings-and-212-run loss to Australia in the first Test in Hobart, said it was painful to see West Indies slip to one big loss after another despite having the personnel to compete. He pointed the gradual decline to a host of factors, including external interference and lack of infrastructure.”We’ve got the players to be up there with the best in the world, but there are a lot of things going on,” said Bravo, who is in Australia to play for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League. “We don’t have proper grounds, proper nets or a proper academy. All these things are a part of our downfall.”The relationship between players, board members and management staff needs to get stronger and tighter. They need to have a lot more honesty. There are a lot of dishonest people in charge at the moment.”Bravo did not mince words when he said it was time administrators stopped talking up a glorious past and started looking ahead. His remarks follow those of Michael Holding who said the WICB was “dysfunctional, untrustworthy and not liked by the employees,” while Brian Lara squarely laid the blame on the administrators for “bad governance.””It’s painful to see this is the stage our cricket has reached, [given] at one point in time we were the best team in the world,” Bravo said. “If those in charge keep harping on about the past and not trying to do anything for the present then we’ll always have these type of interviews, we’ll have back and forth with ex-players saying this and current players saying that. The rest of the world will go on and we’ll always be backwards.”Bravo, who was West Indies captain until the tour of India in October 2014, was sacked after the team abandoned the tour midway over a payment dispute with the WICB and the West Indies players’ association. He was also subsequently left out of the World Cup squad and has not played an ODI since October 2014. He announced his Test retirement in January and said that he took the decision after not getting a chance to play the longer format after 2010.”Until earlier this year, I was still interested to play Test cricket, but I have yet to hear anything from any selector, what their plans are for me, what my position is,” said Bravo. “I just decided it’s time to move on with my life and try to channel my energy in different places. I would have loved the opportunity to play Test cricket again but since being dropped back in 2010, I never got the chance and I just decided to call it a day.”Despite being in the mix only for the T20s, Bravo said he had not given up hope on playing ODIs again. “I’m not shutting down my opportunities to represent West Indies, I still 100% want to play for West Indies in one-day internationals and T20s.”

Rob Key and Andrew Hall laid the foundations for Kent’s victory in what was the first match of the Pro40, following last night’s washout.The pair put on an opening stand of 62 which proved the turning point at Grace Road after they had dismissed Leicestershire for 175.Hall made 31, while Key reached 63. It was then left to Darren Stevens to knock off the runs; he made an unbeaten 42 as Kent cruised home with 37 balls to spare.

Following The Oval row, the Indian board has decided to support moves to dilute the powers of the umpires. Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, affirmed that the power of international umpires should be curtailed following the forfeited Test.”For the sake of spectators, television viewers and the game’s sponsors, no match should be called off and certainly not by the umpires,” Shah told reporters. “Any decision to forfeit a Test should be made by the match referee or the International Cricket Council (ICC).”Shah was of the opinion that any umpire or team refusing to play without “sufficient reason” should be penalised heavily. “An umpire who abandons play without sufficient reason should be sacked,” he said. “Similarly, teams walking off and forfeiting matches should be penalised and made to pay heavy damages. Unless there are unforeseen circumstances like bad weather or riots, it is the right of spectators and sponsors to see the match go on.”The Indian board will await a ruling on Darrell Hair, the Australian umpire at the centre of the controversy, by Ranjan Madugalle, the Sri Lankan match referee, before taking a stand over Hair’s future. The Pakistan and Sri Lankan board have called for Hair’s removal from the ICC’s Elite Panel.Hair, meanwhile, received support from Dennis Lillee, the Australian legend, who felt players must respect the umpire’s decision. “Whether you like it or not, you have to abide by the umpire’s ruling,” he said.”I was always taught to accept the umpire’s verdict. The authorities should back the umpires.”

As England prepare for the deciding game of the Ashes next week, Ian Bell, England’s No. 4, has said his side will not be concerned if Glenn McGrath returns from injury. McGrath, 35, has missed two of the four Ashes Tests this summer, including the last match at Trent Bridge. Such is England’s buoyant confidence after brilliant performances in the Tests since Lord’s that they are hoping to prove a point or two to their decade-long nemesis.”I believe that’s the feeling in the changing room,” Bell told . “It doesn’t matter what XI is on the park, and in a way it would be nice to see Glenn McGrath playing at The Oval.”Errol Alcott, the Australia physio, told the he was unable to predict whether McGrath’s injured elbow would last the Test even if he was passed fit. “It’s very hard to imitate those stresses,” he told the paper. “Unless you can put them into first-class cricket to play a game and subject them to similar forces out in the middle, it’s very hard to know with any certainty.”Alcott said McGrath’s condition was improving and he wasn’t feeling much pain in everyday activities. “Now we just need to step up to the next level of stress and that’s out in the middle,” he said.England sides of the 1990s might have wilted under pressure at the prospect of McGrath returning for such a crucial match, but Bell says this team will be inspired by his presence. “If we can regain the Ashes and their best team is on the park that’s the best thing for us. That would be fantastic. Whichever XI is out on the field we’ll go and out play good cricket like we have done all series.”The bullish talk is indicative of an England side who now expect to perform well against Australia. Bell, 23, said he has revelled in his first taste of Ashes cricket. “Playing in this Ashes has made me realise what I need to do to become a better player. I’ve enjoyed every minute of this and I’m looking forward to having a good game at The Oval to finish it off. You are testing [yourself] under pressure, more mentally really rather than technically.”Indeed, it was McGrath who reminded Bell of his brilliance at Lord’s, bowling him for just 6 in a remarkable spell which reduced England to 21 for 5. He struggled in England’s win at Edgbaston too, but two patient fifties in the third Test at Old Trafford boosted his confidence.”That’s what I’ve learnt in this series: every ball is going at 100mph and you’ve got to be switched on all the time. In future I hope – because of this experience – to play situations in a slightly better way.”Bell has been released by England to play in Warwickshire’s C&G final on Saturday against Hampshire at Lord’s as he and England gear themselves up for one final fling at Australia. “I wouldn’t argue if it rained all week but I’m pretty sure, the way these last three Test matches have gone, there’s something else in store,” said Bell. “I’m pretty sure it will be a nail-biter again.”

ScorecardCanada took a step closer to the Americas Championship with a hard-fought win over Bermuda at the National Sports Centre. In reality, the margin of victory (3 wickets with 5 balls to spare) should have been more comfortable, but a combination of a late Bermuda rally, and some indisciplined batting from the Canadian middle order took the game to the wire.Needing 195 for victory after Bermuda had posted a total of 194 for 9 in their 50 overs, Canada were at one stage poised for an emphatic victory at 167 for 1 in the 43rd over. But then they slumped spectacularly to 181 for 7 in the 48th over. Finally, Maxwell and Codrington steered clear of any further disasters to see Canada home with 5 balls remaining.Earlier Bermuda had struggled against some accurate Canadian bowling, and were heavily reliant on a fifth wicket partnership of 94 runs between skipper Clay Smith (62) and Saheed Mukuddem (62 not out) that eventually took Bermuda to 194 for 9 in 50 overs. They came together in the 19th over, with the score on 60 for 4, and were eventually separated in the 42nd over. Only one other Bermudan batsman got into double figures, Glenn Blakeney, with 19.The Canadian spin attack spearheaded by John Davison (2 for 28 in 10 overs) and Sunil Dhaniram (0 for 23 in 10 overs) gave nothing away, while seamers Ashish Patel (3-36) and Austin Codrington (4-47) picked up wickets at both ends of the innings.Canada’s reply was built around a solid half-century from Ian Billcliff (54), with valuable support coming from Surkari (46) and Chumney (39). For Bermuda, Dennis Archer bowled well to return figures of 4 for 24 in 7 overs, but until the last minute drama, the bowlers had struggled to make inroads into the top-order Canadian batting.Canada now meet the Cayman Islands tomorrow, and a win will ensure their second Americas Championship title, after their win in 2000, with an unbeaten record in this tournament.
ScorecardAt St. David’s cricket ground, the United States scored a convincing 107-run victory over Argentina, and kept their slim Americas Championship title hopes alive. To successfully defend the title they won in Argentina two years ago, USA have to beat Bermuda tomorrow, and hope the Cayman Islands pull off a huge upset and defeat Canada.Sent in to bat, the United States piled on the runs in the early part of their innings and made 275 all out in 47.4 overs. Aijaz Ali top-scored with a sparkling 89, and good contributions came from Richard Staple (46), Clayton Lambert (42) and Steve Massiah (32). The pick of the Argentina bowlers was Diego Lord (3-62).In reply, Argentina got off to a sound start thanks to the openers Gaston Arizaga (35) and Matias Paterlini (23), who put on 59 for the first wicket. After their partnership was broken though, wickets fell at regular intervals, and it was only thanks to a entertaining and hard-hitting half-century from Malcolm Van Steeden (52) that took Argentina to 168 all out in 44.1 overs.For USA, Zamin Amin, the left-arm spinner who later won the Man of the Match award, took the first five Argentine wickets to fall and finished with 5 for 31 off his 10 overs. Nasir Islam was the next bowler to shine with 2 for 18 in 9 overs.
ScorecardThe Cayman Islands clinched one of the four available World Cup Qualifying Series spots with a comfortable 7-wicket win over an improved Bahamas outfit. The Caymans still retain a mathematical chance of slipping into one of the three direct qualification places, should they beat Canada on Sunday, and do so well enough to so their run rate is boosted sufficiently to pass Bermuda.The Bahamas batted with purpose and posted a respectable 184 all out in 49.4 overs at the Southampton Oval. In deep trouble at one stage at 62 for 6, skipper Gary Armstrong (31) and Khamenauth Seeram (41 not out) shared in a fine seventh-wicket partnership of 64 to take the Bahamas out of trouble.Pearson Best (4-44) and Saheed Mohamed (3-26) were the best of the Caymans bowlers.A magnificent opening stand of 112 between Christopher Wight (53) and Steve Gordon (61), later named man of the match, set the stage for the Caymans victory. Pearson Best then completed a memorable all-round performance, weighing in with 44 not out.

Sussex are in talks with Mushtaq Ahmed to extend his contract with the county beyond the end of this season. Mushtaq has already taken 52 Championship wickets, and Chris Adams, Sussex’s captain, said at the weekend that he was confident that a deal could be struck.”If they really want me I would like to stay,” Mushtaq said. “I don’t like changing clubs, I prefer to stay with old friends and Sussex have made me and my family very welcome. Peter Moores and Chris Adams are great people. Even when you are not doing well they still treat you the same and try and encourage you.”

Sourav Ganguly in power glasses came down through the West Gateentrance of the Wanderers on a lovely Tuesday afternoon. It was a kindof day where sun, shade and breeze were in such perfect harmony thatyou felt even a person in coma would be stirred.The last few days had been spent in gleaning inside information aboutthe South Africans. Ganguly, of course, has his own opinion aboutShaun Pollock and his men and, as is to be expected from him, he is attimes dismissive of them.Ganguly can’t see the Proteas scorching the turf consistently without’White Lightning’ Allan Donald. Mfunenko Ngam, of course, has been inthe news a great deal and Ganguly is certain that the South Africawill let the ‘Eastern Express’ loose on them in at least one Test,possibly the last one at Centurion. But as far as the Prince ofKolkata is concerned, it is Donald and Donald alone who is the mainthreat.

“I remember him in Nairobi (the ICC mini World Cup) last year and hewas the same Donald I have known all these years – lovely variationsand pacey as ever,” says Ganguly in a voice full of admiration. Themention of Roger Telemachus’ name also catches his attention. But notthose of Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis!”I also feel they are a bit light in the batting,” says Ganguly asplucks a few tufts of grass here and there while collecting histhoughts. “I have seen Neil McKenzie and he is not the kind of batsmanyou would back against spinners.”Far away in the middle of Wanderers, an imposing coliseum made up oftiers and more tiers, the rest of the Indians are practicing theirthrows, after having been broken down into two divisions facing eachother.Ganguly is with another Sourav, a certain Sourav Chakravorty, whoonce played with him on the of Kolkata and is now basedin Johannesburg. “He was my captain at club and he is now the captainof the Indian team,” gushes Sourav the pretender, as captain Gangulysmiles benignly.Ganguly thinks the present South African team is not a patch on theAustralians. “They (the Australians) have four fast bowlers and all ofthem are match-winners,” says Ganguly, while comparing the SouthAfricans with the likes of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Leeand Shane Warne. Perhaps it is running the names those big names overin his mind that throws up the next statement. “Australia is in aclass of its own in world cricket at the moment,” he states with afinality that is hard to dispute.He is surprised to know the South Africans are playing six back-toback Tests against Australia, three away and three at home, afterseeing off the Indians and wonders how the Proteas would cope with thestrain of it all. “They (the Aussies) play with a rare intensity,”states Ganguly. “There is no letting up, they just squeeze out of allyour resources.”Ganguly, interestingly, has the highest average among internationalbatsmen who have played against South Africa in one-dayers. He is alsoamong a handful of batsmen who have two one-day hundreds against theProteas. “And I missed two, including an unbeaten 97 in the World Cupopener at Hove,” Ganguly reminds gently.Incidentally, Ganguly’s 141 at Nagpur during the now infamous home2000 one-day series is the highest by an Indian batsman against SouthAfrica. The score is put in the right perspective when one remembersthat no international batsman has crossed 150 against South Africa ina one-day international.The Indian skipper feels that himself and the rest of the batsmen canhandle everything the South Africans throw at them. But, Ganguly adds,it would have been helpful if Hemang Badani could also have comealong. The skipper feels sorry for the classy Badani, who sadly raninto a terrible patch in Sri Lanka. One could see he is still willingto back him. After all, a certain Sourav Chandidas Ganguly wentthrough a similar ordeal by fire when he started his internationalcareer in 1991.

Zimbabwe will play ODIs and T20s against Bangladesh in November, according to BCB president Nazmul Hassan, instead of the two Tests announced last week.”It has been decided [on the sidelines of the ICC meeting] that Zimbabwe will fill up the slot that opened up due to Australia’s postponement,” Hassan said. “We have to finish the series by November 18 or 19. They have to come by the first week of November. Zimbabwe have confirmed they are coming. It will be ODIs and T20s. There will be four to five matches, though that hasn’t been decided.”The Bangladesh-Zimbabwe series was originally scheduled for January 2016, when the sides were supposed to play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20s. But after Australia postponed their tour earlier this month, the BCB contacted ZC to bring forward the tour to early November. And with the Bangladesh Premier League set to start on November 22, the window for the series is about three weeks. ODIs and T20s would better fit that window, some in the BCB believed, hence the change in plans.Hassan also said that Cricket Australia have committed to playing in Bangladesh in the near future, even if it is during a tour to India or Sri Lanka. The two Tests could likely be shifted to late 2016 or sometime in 2017.”Australia regretted the postponement repeatedly, at one point in front of everyone. They postponed because the Italian national was killed. When everyone started saying IS was involved, they became worried.”But they said they will make it up to us. The problem is, they have a very busy schedule. They can’t come to play a Test before the end of 2016 or in 2017. They confirmed this in front of everyone. In addition, they said when they will tour India or Sri Lanka, they will play a couple of matches in Bangladesh to show that they want to come.”Hassan added that Cricket South Africa have asked the BCB to send over fresh schedule for the women’s tour that was also postponed earlier this month. “Cricket South Africa told us that they will send the women’s team. They have asked for a new schedule, which we sent yesterday. They will let us know soon.”

Tim Phillips, the Essex left-arm spinner, will be out of action until June after undergoing knee surgery. He picked up the injury during a second team match against Surrey last week.”Tim underwent surgery yesterday [Wednesday] to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee,” said Essex physio Mark Thomas. “The surgery went well and he is expected to return to play in six weeks.”Phillips featured in Essex’s opening Friends Provident Trophy match of the season against Kent but is now unlikely to return until around the start of the Twenty20 Cup in mid-June.Elsewhere in the Essex camp there is better news ahead of the four-day match against New Zealand starting on Friday. James Foster has recovered from his thumb injury while Mark Pettini, the captain, is back to full health after missing part of the Championship match against Derbyshire with an eye infection.

Shane Warne has become an informal informant to England’s selectors who quiz him on the country’s spin stocks. David Graveney, the chairman of the panel, told England’s Sunday Telegraph he had been asking Warne for information about who should be the back-up slow bowler for the tour to Sri Lanka.”He sees a lot of players and has always been very good whenever Geoff Miller or I have asked questions, especially about England spinners,” Graveney told the paper. “He understands our predicament.”Warne, who has 35 County Championship wickets for Hampshire, told Graveney he had been impressed with his early encounters with Adil Rashid, the 19-year-old Yorkshire legspinner. “Like everyone else, we have spoken to him about Adil, and Shane thinks he has what it takes to play at the highest level,” Graveney said. “We have swapped telephone numbers and will stay in touch.”Graveney also spoke to Warne about Chris Tremlett, who made his Test debut against India at Lord’s this month. “It might have been Stuart Clark [the Australian bowler also at Hampshire] who suggested Chris shorten his run-up, but Shane seems to have had some input into making him think about his career,” Graveney said. “He made him question what he wanted to get out of the game and how far he wanted to go.”While Warne has been happy offering tips to England, his management team told the Australian he has not been chasing a job with the ECB. He also has not signed with the Indian Cricket League that has been chasing players for its Twenty20 competition.