Gordon Drummond has stepped down as Scotland captain after deciding he was not able to commit enough of his time to the job and because he needs to justify his place in the side

ESPNcricinfo staff02-May-2013Gordon Drummond has stepped down as Scotland captain after deciding he was not able to commit enough of his time to the job. He said he wants to continue his playing career but needed to justify his place in the side.Drummond, who has played 28 one-day internationals and 15 Twenty20s, took over the captaincy from Gavin Hamilton in 2010. He was the only non-full-time professional cricketer in the squad for the recent tour to the UAE to play Afghanistan.Drummond said: “It’s been an unbelievable experience having had the opportunity to captain Scotland and the Saltires. I have given it my all and feel I have done my best to keep the squad moving forward.”However my professional life and playing situation mean that I feel it’s time to pass the leadership on to someone else. I want to continue to play as long as I can and will be working hard to maintain my place in the team and achieve the goals set out by this current squad.”Scotland’s head coach, Peter Steindl, added: “Gordon has led his country with distinction on every occasion he has captained Scotland. He has been a fantastic role model and excellent leader, working tirelessly to create an effective environment during a time of change.”Much of this work has been done selflessly and behind the scenes in a manner that has always matched his philosophy that the team always comes first. I am pleased that Gordon has decided to play on as he will continue to have a positive influence in the dressing room.”Scotland will play their final season of YB40 cricket this year and also have a run of internationals against Pakistan, Kenya and Australia. The matches against Kenya are particularly important as they are part of World Cricket League tournament that will provide two teams for the 2015 World Cup. Scotland are currently third behind Ireland and Netherlands.

Steven Crook starred with bat and ball as Northamptonshire claimed their first home win in one-day cricket for two years with victory over the Warwickshire in the Yorkshire Bank 40.

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2013
ScorecardSteven Crook followed up his 40 with his best List A bowling figures•Getty Images

Steven Crook starred with bat and ball as Northamptonshire claimed their first home win in one-day cricket for two years with victory over the Warwickshire in the Yorkshire Bank 40.It was a result that may well have ended any hopes that Warwickshire, the trophy winners in 2011 and finalists in 2012, had of progressing in the competition but one that sustains Northants’ aspirations. The club are also currently top of the Division Two Championship table.Northants posted 229 for 9 from their 40 overs, Crook top-scoring with 40 off 29 balls with Chris Wright taking 3 for 47 for the visitors. The Bears then collapsed to 193 all out with Rikki Clarke’s 65 from 76 balls providing the most resistance as Crook took a career-best 5 for 36.This was Northants’ second consecutive win in the competition and their first with the white ball at Wantage Road since they beat Scotland in May 2011.Northants won the toss and chose to bat only for Rob Newton to blast Wright to Jeetan Patel at cover in the second over. David Sales perished on 26 when he played Boyd Rankin’s delivery on to his stumps before Kyle Coetzer edged Ateeq Javid to Warwickshire wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose on 35.Northants lost captain Alex Wakely after he too plundered 35 when Patel’s delivery clipped his off stump and Matthew Spriegel then went for the same score when he was run out by William Porterfield at long-off. Wright then bowled Andrew Hall before James Middlebrook was taken at point by Porterfield off the same bowler.Steffan Piolet claimed two wickets from the penultimate over when Crook was taken at cover by Bears captain Jim Troughton before he castled Trent Copeland.Chasing 230, Warwickshire lost two wickets in five balls in the second over when Crook trapped Varun Chopra lbw for 2 before Troughton, on 4, slashed the same man to substitute Rob Keogh at point. Ambrose was then run out by Wakely from mid-off after trying to run a quick single off Crook from the second ball he faced.Clarke was to reach 50 off 54 balls but Porterfield perished for a patient 47 when he was taken at point by Newton off Copeland to break a fourth-wicket stand of 101.Darren Maddy nudged Spriegel to Northants wicketkeeper David Murphy before the the hosts got the wicket they really wanted when Murphy stumped Clarke to give Hall his first wicket.Crook was brought back into the attack in the 32nd over and soon bowled Piolet for a four-ball duck before pinning Patel lbw for 1. He then completed his first-ever five-wicket haul in one-day cricket by taking out Wright’s off stump before Hall rounded off proceedings by bowling Javid for a bright 31.

New Zealand’s contract list has undergone a significant shake-up for 2013-14, with eight changes from last year’s group. Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, Bruce Martin, Mitchell McClenaghan, Colin Munro and Hamish Rutherford have all been contracted for the fir

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jul-2013New Zealand’s contract list has undergone a significant shake-up for 2013-14, with eight changes from last year’s group. Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, Bruce Martin, Mitchell McClenaghan, Colin Munro and Hamish Rutherford have all been contracted for the first time, while Peter Fulton and Grant Elliott have returned to the list after missing out for the past couple of seasons.James Franklin, Daniel Flynn, Andrew Ellis, Tarun Nathula, Rob Nicol and Kruger van Wyk have all missed out from last year’s group of contracted players, along with Jacob Oram, who was replaced during the year by Neil Wagner. Also gone from the list are the newly-retired Chris Martin and the veteran Daniel Vettori, who turned down a contract due to uncertainty over his recovery from surgery on his Achilles tendon.There was no room for Andrew Ellis, Luke Ronchi, Adam Milne, Ian Butler or Jeetan Patel. Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, said the 20 players who received deals were those most likely to feature for the team over the next 12 months, which includes tours of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies, along with home series against India and West Indies.”There’s still a strong core of experienced players who have been a part of the team’s progression over recent months,” Hesson said. “Some of the younger players such as Corey Anderson and Hamish Rutherford have also demanded a spot, after making strong starts to their international careers.”As always, some difficult decisions had to be made and a number of last year’s contracted players will be disappointed to have missed out. However, there’s nothing to say that they can’t force their way back into the team in the future through strong domestic performances.”Contracted players Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Grant Elliott, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Mitchell McClenaghan, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Jackson Bird could play his first Test of this Ashes tour after being named in Australia’s 12 for the fourth Investec Test at Chester-le-Street, starting on Friday

Brydon Coverdale at Chester-le-Street07-Aug-2013Jackson Bird could play his first Test of this Ashes tour after being named in Australia’s 12 for the fourth Investec Test at Chester-le-Street, starting on Friday. Given the three-day turnaround between Tests, the main issue facing the selectors surrounds their management of the injury-prone fast bowler Ryan Harris, who was rested in the West Indies last year when the team faced a similar back-to-back Test scenario.If he plays on Friday, it will be only the second time in his career that Harris has played three consecutive Tests and the first time he broke down in the third of those games, the Boxing Day Ashes Test of 2010-11. On that occasion Harris suffered a serious ankle injury but he has had a number of other problems during his short Test career, including shoulder surgery last year and a chronic knee injury.Harris was left out in the Caribbean last year after he took five wickets in 37.4 overs and scored an important half-century in the Barbados Test. A three-day gap between matches, combined with his workload, general fatigue and the fact that he had battled a stomach bug in Barbados led the selectors to take a conservative approach and sit Harris out for the next Test in Trinidad, despite his strong form.The circumstances on this occasion are strikingly similar. Again there is a three-day turnaround after the Old Trafford Test, where Harris bowled 38 overs and was off the field at times due to a stomach complaint. Harris appeared exhausted when leaving the field at the end of the third day in Manchester and although the rain on the final day gave him some extra recovery time, the Australians will want to see how Harris performs at training on Thursday before making a decision.”In my mind I’m confident Ryano will be fine,” captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday. “Us not bowling on that last day because of the rain is definitely going to help our bowlers. It gives them another day to recover, and I don’t think any of the quicks who bowled in the Test have been bowling many overs in the nets over the last couple of days. There will be plenty of treatment, recovery, rehab. I’m confident he will be fine.”After Australia’s strong showing in Manchester, the selectors would be keen to choose the same side, all things being equal. Bird is the only inclusion in the 12 for Chester-le-Street from outside the 11 who played at Old Trafford, meaning there will be no recall for Ashton Agar, while other squad members including James Faulkner, Phillip Hughes, Ed Cowan and Matthew Wade have also missed out as expected. Clarke said Bird would offer plenty if selected.”He was picked because he was one of out best bowlers no matter the conditions,” Clarke said. “We know if there is a bit in the wicket he is a very good seam bowler and he has shown that in first-class cricket for Tassie. Have a look at his record and he has performed just as well away from home on flat wickets. He offers this squad a lot and if he is given an opportunity he will grab it with both hands.”Australia squad Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin, Jackson Bird, Ryan Harris, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the interim BCCI chief, has been re-elected Cricket Association of Bengal president for another term

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-2013Jagmohan Dalmiya, the interim BCCI chief, has been re-elected Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president for another term.Dalmiya was re-elected unopposed at the 82nd annual general meeting of the CAB in Kolkata and also retained the panel of the two joint secretaries, Subir Ganguly and Sujan Mukherjee, and treasurer Biswarup Dey. Dalmiya, 73, has been heading the board since 1993, except a 19-month period starting December 2006 when he was unseated from the position for alleged embezzlement of funds from the 1996 World Cup. He was elected the board president again in July 2008.The only change in the board was the election of former BCCI joint secretary Gautam Dasgupta as trustee and board chairman. The four other members, who are also new, to the trustee board are – Russi Jeejeebhoy, Samar Kar, Shibaji Roy and Shivkumar Kalyani.

Allrounder Eddie Richardson has been included in the Ireland squad ahead of the team’s game against England in the first RSA Challenge ODI

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Aug-2013Allrounder Eddie Richardson has been included in the Ireland squad ahead of their ODI against England in Malahide on September 3.Richardson, 23, the only new face in the 13-man squad, has worked his way through Ireland’s age-group levels, and was delighted at earning his first senior call-up.”I’ve worked really hard on my game, especially the last two years and it’s fantastic that the selectors have rewarded this with senior recognition,” Richardson said. “The difference this season is that I’ve been scoring runs as well as taking wickets. I’ve been bowling decently this past few years but to get into the Ireland team you have to be doing both, as it’s got so many talented all-rounders.”Richardson, a cousin of Ireland international John Mooney, has been in prolific form both domestically with North County as well as at Inter-Provincial level with Leinster Lightning. Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, believed that the allrounder was fully deserving of his inclusion in the side.”He’s been very consistent at all levels and the selectors were especially impressed by his form in the RSA Inter-Provincial Series,” Simmons said. “His volume of runs and wickets has warranted selection. Eddie is a great advertisement for all Irish youngsters as he’s shown that if you put in the hard yards there will be rewards.”The squad will be led by William Porterfield and contains plenty of experienced players, including Trent Johnston and the O’Brien brothers.Squad: William Porterfield (capt), George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Ed Joyce , John Mooney, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien(wk), Eddie Richardson, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.

Yuvraj Singh unleashed trademark pick-up sixes and lofted drives to hit an unbeaten 77 off 35 and haul in the target of 202 with two deliveries to spare

The Report by Abhishek Purohit10-Oct-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsYuvraj Singh hunted down the target of 202 with the calm of old•BCCI

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Aakash Chopra: ‘Yuvraj, the perennial comeback man’

In his second comeback after recovering from cancer, a leaner and fitter Yuvraj Singh was called upon to do a job he has done numerous times for India in ODIs – revive a floundering chase, with MS Dhoni for company, and only the lower order to follow. Only, this was a T20 and Yuvraj did not have the luxury of building his innings before accelerating. He duly cut out the building part, and unleashed trademark pick-up sixes and lofted drives to haul in the target of 202 with two deliveries remaining. India were facing an asking-rate of nearly 12 at 100 for 4 in the 12th over, but Yuvraj’s response was so forceful, that all Dhoni needed to do was give him the strike. By the end, the partnership was 102 at exactly two runs a ball, Yuvraj’s 77 off 35 showing his dominance.Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli had all failed to kick on from starts and India’s innings was in danger of going Australia’s way, who had lost too many wickets in maintaining a frenetic pace of scoring, and had run out of steam at the death. Aaron Finch seemed set to carry Australia way over 200 but his exit in the 17th over for 89 off 52 helped India keep the visitors to 201, as only 29 came off the final four. India themselves needed 49 off the final four, but Yuvraj was in such flow that the big shot was always at hand.Yuvraj first took 18 off Clint McKay in the 14th over, and then, when the pressure escalated again, carted James Faulkner for successive sixes in the 17th. The timing on the boundaries was vintage Yuvraj, as was the effortlessness and grace. George Bailey’s preferred field of three men in the ring around point worked to Yuvraj’s advantage, as did the fact that Australia bowled too full to him.Dhoni did his bit, constantly scampering twos and ones as he does in ODI chases, and coming up with the crucial boundary, a typical stretch-and-club to cover, when it came down to six needed off four.Yuvraj’s cool assault meant Finch’s innings, and Australia’s electric start, were in vain. After being put in, Finch and debutant Nic Maddinson had kickstarted the innings with a 56-run partnership inside five overs. It was the manner in which the openers attacked the offspin of R Ashwin that stood out. The highly-rated Maddinson, 21, calmly stepped out to Ashwin’s first delivery and lofted it cleanly over extra cover for four. Finch set about cutting and lofting with intent, and Ashwin’s first over cost India 17.Maddinson made 34 before missing a slog to be bowled. Vinay Kumar got both Shane Watson and George Bailey in the eighth over. Finch, meanwhile, kept battering boundaries, generating immense power and finding gaps consistently. He was swift and brutal on the cut, played the lofted drive repeatedly and when he went to cow corner, it was more timing and placement than slogging.Glenn Maxwell showed Australia were in no mood to relent even momentarily, swinging Ashwin for three sixes in the tenth over as the score zoomed to 114 for 3 at the halfway stage of the innings. Ashwin’s figures read 2-0-41-0, and Dhoni was forced to turn to Virat Kohli’s mediums for a couple of costly overs.Australia stalled after Finch clubbed a high full toss straight to Vinay. The blow split the webbing on the bowler’s left hand, but did not deter him from sending down a couple of tight overs. A last-ball six from Faulkner took the score past 200, but Yuvraj hunted it down with the calm of old.

Tymal Mills could be forced to retire from first-class cricket after being diagnosed with a congenital back condition

George Dobell21-May-2015Tymal Mills could be forced to retire from first-class cricket after being diagnosed with a congenital back condition.Mills, who is thought to be the fastest bowler in English cricket, moved to Sussex from Essex over the winter and has been thought of as an England bowler of the near future. But, after breaking down in the early weeks of the season, he has been diagnosed as having a narrow spinal cord, which he has been warned could, in a worst case scenario, eventually cause substantial mobility problems if he continues to bowl.For a man with so much natural talent, who had started to find the accuracy to complement his pace, it is crushing news.”I have accepted that I might not have a future in first-class cricket,” Mills told ESPNcricinfo. “It is absolutely gutting and I had a very difficult 48 hours when I first heard the news.”I haven’t completely given up on the dream of playing Test cricket but, realistically, it looks as if my future may be in the shorter formats. I still want to play 50-over and T20 cricket.”Sussex have already announced that Mills will play no first-class cricket for a couple of months, but specialists have advised that he will probably have to limit his bowling load significantly if he is to enjoy a prolonged career.Mills bowled in Sussex’s NatWest T20 Blast victory over Gloucestershire on Sunday and took three wickets – all bowled – and could feature in the side to play Somerset on Friday. He is travelling with the squad and hopes to shake off a minor ankle injury.With that in mind, a career as a T20 specialist seems the most likely solution for a 22-year-old who, only weeks ago, was thought of as one of the most exciting prospects in England.”I just hope nobody portrays me as a mercenary,” Mills said. “This isn’t a case of me not wanting to bowl; it’s a case of me having a medical condition would could affect my future. It’s all been pretty hard to take.”

Former Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas was confirmed as ICC president on the third day of the ICC annual conference in Barbados

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2015Former Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas was confirmed as ICC president on the third day of the ICC annual conference in Barbados. Abbas, who had been chosen for the post by the PCB, thanked the ICC for accepting his nomination.”I am thankful to all of you for the support and confidence placed in me by confirming my nomination,” Abbas said. “I am also grateful to the PCB for proposing my candidacy as the ICC president. I assure you all that I will stand shoulder to shoulder with all the ICC Members as we continue to strive to inspire more and more people to fall in love with the game we cherish.”N Srinivasan, the ICC chairman, described Abbas as a “worthy ambassador” of the game.”Zaheer’s outstanding career as a stylish right-handed batsman is reflected in his remarkable record with 108 first-class hundreds and more than 7,500 international runs,” Srinivasan said. “Zaheer is clearly an iconic cricketer who always played the game with skill, flair and in the true spirit. He is a worthy ambassador of our great game.”The ICC council also approved the admission of the Serbia Cricket Federation as the 58th Affiliate Member. The Affiliate Memberships of Morocco and Turkey were suspended, while Brunei was removed as an Affiliate.

Hampshire moved to the top of the NatWest T20 Blast’s South Group last night by overpowering Middlesex by 21 runs in front of a crowd of around 18,000 at Lord’s

ECB/PA18-Jun-2015
ScorecardMichael Carberry, seen here in Big Bash action, played a vintage knock•Getty Images

Hampshire moved to the top of the NatWest T20 Blast’s South Group last night by overpowering Middlesex by 21 runs in front of a crowd of around 18,000 at Lord’s. Michael Carberry’s 72 not out from 44 balls, and an equally fine innings of 64 from 45 balls by Owais Shah, underpinned Hampshire’s impressive 199 for 5, and Middlesex could only reply with 178 for 9.Paul Stirling smashed a six and nine fours in an explosive 27-ball 54, but when he was caught and bowled by Yasir Arafat in the 11th over, to leave Middlesex 107 for 4, they never looked like chasing down their victory target. It is Hampshire’s fifth win in seven South Group games, while Middlesex have won only two of their seven matches and remain at the bottom of the group.Stirling was joined in an explosive third wicket stand of 88 in 7.5 overs by John Simpson, who also impressed with 35 from 24 balls, featuring a six and three fours, before he perished to a catch at long-on to give Will Smith a second scalp with his innocuous-looking off breaks. Smith had also struck in the first over of Middlesex’s reply, having Nick Compton caught and bowled for a third ball duck, and the home side were 9 for 2 when Nick Gubbins was leg-before to Jackson Bird.But Stirling revived the innings by taking 24 off the fifth over, bowled by the unfortunate Chris Wood. The left-arm seamer was swung high over midwicket for six and, with a wide thrown in, was also taken for four offside fours by the Irishman – the first two punched through the covers and the last two angled away to third man.

Insights

Although Kent, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire and even at times Middlesex have played scintillating cricket this season, no team in the South Group has matched the consistency or winning nous of Hampshire. While they have registered regularly strong scores their innings have been far from faultless and on more than a couple of occasions they’ve had to work hard for their wins. Having selected just 15 players in their eight squads so far this season Hampshire are one of the most settled teams in the country and such stability is engendering success. Concerns still linger over the fast bowling however, which remains sporadic and profligate.
Freddie Wilde

Simpson hit Danny Briggs for a successive six and four, and it was only when he and Stirling departed in the 10th and 11th overs that Middlesex’s challenge faded away.James Franklin did his best with some defiant blows, but Andrew Balbirnie and Neil Dexter were both dismissed cheaply by Danny Briggs’s left-arm spin and when Ollie Rayner was run out and Franklin adjudged lbw for a 24-ball 35 in the 17th over, all that remained was for Middlesex’s lower order to bat out the remaining overs.Hampshire’s total was built upon a superb third wicket partnership of 118 in 12.1 overs between Carberry and Shah. The two veteran batsmen – Shah is 36 and Carberry 34 – constructed their stand along classical lines, at first predominantly pushing singles and rotating the strike but later hitting boundaries with great power as they set about the Middlesex attack.Shah was visibly annoyed when he got himself out by stepping back into his own stumps when swinging a ball from Kyle Abbott high over deep square leg for what would have been his third six. As it was, as umpire Graham Lloyd raised his arms high to signal the six to the scorers, Shah was stomping off swishing his bat in anger at his clumsiness.They came together at 27 for 2, after James Vince and Jimmy Adams fell trying to take full advantage of the initial six-over Powerplay. Vince was bowled by Abbott for 14 aiming something violent soon after he had marked his call-up to England’s Twenty20 international squad by taking three fours from the second over of the game, bowled by Harry Podmore, and Adams was leg-before to offspinner Rayner as he attempted to reverse sweep.Carberry and Shah had only just started to accelerate when Hampshire reached the halfway point of the innings at 71 for 2, but 60 runs came from the next five overs as Shah hit Rayner for four, six, four from successive balls in a 14th over costing 17. The 12th over had brought 13 runs, too, with Carberry mainly responsible for that, and Shah took a cheeky two for a free hit at James Harris which he launched high into the hands of long off for a “catch” that didn’t count.Towards the end of his innings, there was one flashing cover drive from Shah, off Podmore, which beat a boundary fielder in front of the Grand Stand even though the ball hit the ropes just ten yards from where he had been positioned.Sean Ervine, replacing Shah, took fours from the first three balls he faced – including a brilliant ramp shot from his first delivery from Abbott – and then smashed Harris straight for six soon after Carberry had swung the same bowler over midwicket for a maximum. Ervine’s 20, which was ended by a magnificent diving catch by Balbirnie, who sprinted in from long-on before throwing himself forward, took only seven balls and, in all, Hampshire plundered 68 from the last five overs.Carberry carved Abbott for two final fours in a 20th over in which the South African fast bowler was punished for 20 runs and contained two no balls.