Bowling conundrum for England selectors

RICHARD SYDENHAM

England face a tricky selection dilemma ahead of Thursday's third and final test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl.

Paceman James Anderson has recovered from a side strain and will come back to lead the attack after missing the second-test draw at Lord's, meaning Steven Finn, Stuart Broad or Chris Tremlett must stand down.

"I've felt fine for a couple of weeks now. I felt fine before the Lord's test," Anderson said.

"It would have been a risk to play in that game and I've had plenty of time to recover, get stronger, do a lot of bowling, so I'm feeling pretty comfortable."

The likelihood is the 22-year-old Finn will make way as he was the fast bowler who originally came in for Anderson.

Broad has taken just 13 wickets in six tests but his all-rounder status should help his cause.

Surrey quickie Tremlett is hoping to return to the venue where he used to play with Hampshire.

England, who are 1-0 up against Sri Lanka, are looking to claim a fifth-straight series win.

Captain Andrew Strauss's team last failed to win a test series when they drew 1-1 in South Africa in 2009-10.

England have since beaten Bangladesh twice, Pakistan and Australia. Their last test series defeat was a 1-0 reverse in West Indies in early 2009.

- Reuters

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Experience and youth for cricket training camp

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named a 15-strong New Zealand A-squad for a winter training camp ahead of August's emerging players tournament in Brisbane.

"We have taken the opportunity to reward the performance of some more experienced players while providing an opportunity for some young talent who will be important to New Zealand's future," national selection manager Mark Greatbatch said.

"A training camp prior to the EPT will give the players an opportunity to settle into their roles and develop skills at their pace.

"The emerging players tournament is a great way to end the winter programme and provides the players with competitive cricket before they start work with their domestic teams."

The other three teams in the tournament are the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and emerging cricket teams of South Africa and India.

The tournament will now see the teams completing a round of three-day matches to determine the winner.

Previous tournaments have featured Twenty20 and 50-over matches but the participating nations felt the longer version was more beneficial for overall development.

Allrounder Ben Wheeler, 20, is the only fresh face in the squad. Wheeler, who plays for Central Districts, graduated from under-19 ranks to make his first-class debut against Auckland in March last year.

The New Zealand team will assemble for their training camp in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast on July 18 before heading to Brisbane on July 26 for the emerging players tournament.

New Zealand A squad for winter training and the emerging players tournament: Graeme Aldridge, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Neil Broom, Dean Brownlie, Derek de Boorder, Daniel Flynn, Anaru Kitchen, Bruce Martin, Andy McKay, BJ Watling, Ben Wheeler, Brad Wilson and Luke Woodcock.

- NZPA

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Vaughan Johnson to 'give it a crack' with Volts

JONATHAN MILLMOW

Former Wellington cricket coach Vaughn Johnson is playing down the emotion of returning to the Basin Reserve next summer.

Johnson was appointed coach of Otago yesterday, a surprise only in the fact that he had not applied for the position.

Johnson was headhunted by Otago and now has to find someone to run his Dunedin coaching academy and give away his hobby as an unpaid harness racing stablehand.

"I didn't apply for the job, they came and talked to me and that got me thinking that maybe I can add something," Johnson said.

"But I wouldn't have taken it on unless I wanted to do it. I've had one gig in Otago before and one in Wellington so I know what I'm getting into."

Johnson had six seasons in Wellington, winning two championships, a one-day title and four Cricket Max titles.

However, he never got to leave on his terms and some resentment is still evident, no doubt fuelled by the lack of results Wellington achieved under his replacement, Anthony Stuart.

"I guess we'll come to Wellington a few times but I'll get on with it and stay away from the people I don't like," Johnson said.

"By the time I finished in Wellington, Wellington cricket was a small part of my life and you move on."

Johnson is 50 and seems prepared for the stress and long grind that come with being a provincial coach for a season that stretches close to five months.

"The Otago people are pretty passionate so I started to get a bit excited.

"I spent two to three days late last week making phonecalls to people I respect and then after another meeting with Otago I decided to give it a crack."

Johnson regards Otago as a "strong unit with depth in their quick and slow bowlers, and batsmen".

Otago's leading players are the McCullum brothers – Brendon and Nathan – and South African born left-armer Neil Wagner, who becomes available for New Zealand in April.

- The Dominion Post

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Crunch time looming for Jacob Oram

DANIEL RICHARDSON

Jacob Oram may know on Friday whether he features in New Zealand Cricket's plans for the future.

The 1.98m all-rounder has been back in Palmerston North for three weeks following his stint in the fourth instalment of the IPL in India.

There he was an injury replacement for England's Paul Collingwood with the Rajasthan Royals.

With the New Zealand contract list of their top 20 players set to be announced on July 1, Oram has his meeting with the top brass in Christchurch on Friday, including new director of cricket John Buchanan, coach John Wright and interim selector Mark Greatbatch.

Following some handy performances at the World Cup in the sub-continent earlier this year, Oram said he was keen to play for at least another season if he was wanted.

"My body isn't too bad and I still feel like I've got something to offer," Oram told the Manawatu Standard.

"Maybe more in terms of a mentoring-type role ... For this season at least. I'm not looking past this season."

Oram said if he was given the bad news that he was not required in the top 20 list, he would still pull on the Central Districts uniform this summer.

"I'd probably like to play one last game, or series or season with them."

Oram has been enjoying some down time at home following the IPL and said he had not done anything too strenuous during the past couple of weeks.

The next Black Caps assignment is not until October, with a scheduled tour of Zimbabwe and Oram said he will not get in to cricket-specific training until August, although fitness work is on the horizon for next month.

A former junior representative football goalkeeper, the 32-year-old said he had fielded a few requests to don the boots and gloves, but he wasn't about to play his first competitive game since 1996.

"I've had a couple of offers already from various teams and guys."

The IPL was certainly something that flew under the radar in New Zealand, courtesy of no TV coverage, but Oram said it was still played with a lot of fanfare in India.

Rajasthan's home stadium in Jaipur was sold out for every game, with just under 20,000 punters turning up.

Following the retirement of leg-spinning legend Shane Warne, Oram said it was great to get the chance to take the field with him during Warne's last hurrah where he was player-coach for the Royals.

"It was awesome and that was one of the reasons I chose Rajasthan."

Oram only featured in two games for the Royals and it remained unclear if he would play for them next year as he was signed on an injury-replacement deal.

It's understood Rajasthan, who finished sixth of the 10 teams, have the first rights to him.

- Manawatu Standard

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We were outplayed, says White Ferns coach

SAM WORTHINGTON

RARE JOY: New Zealand celebrate the wicket of Australia's Jessica Cameron during yesterday's Rose Bowl match in Brisbane. However, there was little joy at the end, with Australia winning by six wickets.

Can't bat, can't bowl, can't field.

That was the brutal assessment of disappointed White Ferns coach Gary Stead after watching his charges slump to a six-wicket loss against Australia in Brisbane yesterday.

With the first one-dayer washed out, Australia's win in the second match means the best New Zealand can do is draw the series with a win in the third Rose Bowl match tomorrow.

Batting first, the White Ferns were rocked early by the loss of the free-scoring Lucy Doolan and Suzie Bates for ducks and never recovered, limping to 181 all out in 48.5 overs.

Australia were ruthless in their reply, Leah Poulton (54) and Shelley Nitschke (48) ensuring the hosts could make dinner reservations, reaching the target with 18.3 overs to spare.

"We just didn't put in a performance in any of the three facets of the game," Stead said. "We were certainly outplayed in all areas so lots to work on for the next game."

Australian medium pacer Clea Smith took 4-32 but Stead was more concerned with the "timid" approach to playing spin.

"It's pretty frustrating when you see the batsmen looking so good and then just doing some really silly things at times. We weren't positive enough with the bat to take the game to the bowlers a little bit more."

Stead, a former Black Caps batsman, did manage to find two glimmers of light among the gloom, in the form of Canterbury debutantes Frances Mackay and Lea Tahuhu.

Mackay top scored with 36 before being run out, although the opener did take 77 balls, while Tahuhu impressed with her aggression in claiming 1-38 from seven overs.

"Frankie looked as though she's got the goods to score heavily at this level," Stead said.

"And Lea bowled with some real heat, picked up an early wicket and had another one dropped in the slips. She was very, very promising."

- The Dominion Post

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Afridi could regain NOC

Last Updated: June 14, 2011 5:36pm

Afridi: Reportedly cleared to play outside Pakistan

Shahid Afridi could be cleared to play overseas again after his No Objection Certificate was reportedly reinstated on Tuesday.

The former Pakistan skipper had the NOC revoked when he criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board as he announced his retirement from international competition.

He had been set to play for Hampshire in the Friends Life t20, but the PCB's sanctions have resulted in him being unavailable for the start of the defending champions' campaign.

Afridi filed a petition against the decision, with a court hearing into the matter adjourned until June 16.

But after a meeting between Afridi and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, Geo Television say Afridi will withdraw the petition in return for having his NOC put back in place.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar confirmed that the meeting took place but did not confirm any further details on the outcome.

Marcus Trescothick has moved ahead of the injured Ben Stokes in the FTI MVP rankings.

Somerset continue to dominate the Sky Sports Sixes League with Peter Trego in top spot.

Paul Allott and his panel are back to bring you the stories behind this week's cricket headlines.

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Ajmal set for Pears debut

Last Updated: June 14, 2011 5:56pm

Ajmal: delayed arrival at New Road

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal is set to make his belated Worcestershire debut in in Friday's Twenty20 clash with local rivals Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Ajmal had originally been scheduled to link up with the Royals on June 5 after Pakistan's tour of the West Indies.

But delays in processing his visa mean he has only just obtained clearance to fly to England.

"The visa is sorted and we are hoping Saeed will be here for Friday's game (with Warwickshire)," said Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale.

"We are excited about what he can do for us after a successful tour of the West Indies.

"He will give us control in the County Championship and something different in Twenty20 cricket."

Ajmal returned 5-82 against England at Edgbaston last summer and had two five-wicket hauls in the Windies.

He will stay with the Royals until at least the end of August although he could miss the climax of the season as Pakistan have to tour Zimbabwe.

Ajmal will link up with Bangladesh skipper and fellow spinner Shakib Al Hasan at New Road.

He replaces Australian all-rounder Damien Wright, who was Worcestershire's overseas player for the first two months of the campaign.

Marcus Trescothick has moved ahead of the injured Ben Stokes in the FTI MVP rankings.

Somerset continue to dominate the Sky Sports Sixes League with Peter Trego in top spot.

Paul Allott and his panel are back to bring you the stories behind this week's cricket headlines.

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