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The concern surrounding the pitches in this season’s BPL is getting louder as the tournament heads towards the more important stages. There has been regular help for the bowlers, who have benefited from the two-paced nature of surfaces, and increasingly the toss has gained importance.In the first 24 games, 13 teams won after winning the toss and out of those, nine had decided to bowl first. Comilla Victorians have been the biggest beneficiary, winning four games after opting to chase. Among those who batted first overall, teams have been shot out for sub-100 totals four times including scores of 58, 59, 82 and 89. The first two scores came in the last two days.At the start of the tournament, the problem was for teams playing in the evening game on the same pitch that the afternoon match was played. Rangpur Riders captain Shakib Al Hasan said that the pitches were getting weary too quickly and the teams batting second were having to deal with lower bounce and more turn.The pitches in Chittagong were much better, offering everyone a chance. When Evin Lewis made the tournament’s only century, he was playing through the line consistently and connecting too. There was a feeling that perhaps the pitches there were also two-paced but it ultimately evened out in the day’s second match.The return to Dhaka has again been tough, particularly in foggy weather, and the lack of sun has meant moisture has not evaporated as quickly as it usually does in the afternoon. It has made the pitches softer, making it harder for those batting first.The improved run-making in Chittagong saw teams scoring 140 on average batting first, at 7.02 per over, after the first 12 games in Dhaka yielded an average score of 136 batting first, at 6.91 per over. However, in the four games since the tournament moved back to Dhaka on December 6, the first-innings average score has dipped to 89 at a rate of just 5.29 per over.Comilla Victorians beat Barisal Bulls by seven wickets by restricting them to 105 for 6 after deciding to bowl and their captain Mashrafe Mortaza admitted that teams would be more inclined to field first on these “unpredictable” pitches despite short boundaries.”It is hard to score runs when you try to force it,” Mashrafe said. “These wickets are very unpredictable. Every team is looking to field first. Maybe they pulled in the boundary ropes because we were playing on the wicket on the other corner but it might also be to increase the run-making. But it is still very hard for the batsmen.”Barisal paceman Rayad Emrit said that the pitch was not ideal. “It is not the best of wickets for T20. It is very difficult to start for a batter and to bat first, especially,” he said. “We batted first in both games and you see the results.”They are probably trying to compensate for the wicket. It is not a wicket where you can go out and play shots. Maybe they are trying to get the fans involved, T20 is about runs. It is always a batter’s game and obviously the bowlers have to adjust quickly. If we had got 120-130, it would have been a different game.”Barisal have been guilty of playing poorly in the last two games despite the arrival of Chris Gayle to pair up with Lewis, who hasn’t made a significant contribution since his unbeaten 101 against Dhaka Dynamites. “We’ve lost two games back to back,” Emrit said. “It is a bit of a concern now. We have a strong top-order but we are very inconsistent in our batting. Our bowlers have done a terrific job. We know how dangerous the guys at the top are, as long as they get off.”While Barisal can take solace from knowing that Gayle coming good could solve their batting troubles, Sylhet Superstars exited the tournament by getting bowled out in the least number of overs in the BPL’s short history. On the previous day they had won the toss and bowled out Barisal for 58. On Monday they were bowled out for 59, after Rangpur decided to bowl first. The BPL isn’t for batsmen, at least from what we have seen on the 12 matchdays so far.

Nanavati shocked by footage of slapping row
BCCI-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati, investigating the slap controversy between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth, says he was left stunned after seeing the video footage of the incident. “What I saw was shocking but it has made my job easier. It will also help me in my further investigation,” he told reporters. Nanavati saw the footage at the BCCI headquarters here with Lalit Modi, IPL chairman and commissioner, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah and joint-secretary M P Pandove. He will submit his inquiry report on the matter to Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, on May 12. Nanavati already summoned Harbhajan and Sreesanth to Ahmedabad this weekend, though Sreesanth is yet to confirm a date.We’ve been expecting you, Mr Akhtar
John Buchanan, coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, had a simple message for Shoaib Akhtar: Welcome to the Knight Riders, but there are no special rules for anybody. Shoaib was allowed to participate in the IPL and Buchanan said he was approaching the controversial fast bowler’s arrival with “an open mind”.Chanderpauls wants more of the Windies
Shivnarine Chanderpaul is a bit bummed to be sitting on the bench during Bangalore’s troublesome IPL campaign, but wants more West Indians involved in the tournament. According to Chanderpaul the interest towards the IPL back in the Caribbean is lukewarm and in order to boost viewership more West Indians must be called over. And he also feels the IPL will go further than the Standford 2020.Jaffer out for three weeks
Bangalore’s problems increased when Wasim Jaffer was ruled out for three weeks after suffering a fracture on his hand during a game against Chennai Super Kings on April 28. The injury gradually worsened to an extent that he could not hold the bat yesterday. X-rays then revealed the fracture.

Match facts

January 14-18, 2015
Start time 10.30am local (0830 GMT)

Big Picture

After the hectic festive period, everyone has had a chance to take stock over the past week following two Test matches that have provided much intrigue and many talking points. England hold the advantage at 1-0, but South Africa finished the Newlands Test in much better shape than could have been imagined after their mauling by Ben Stokes and rarely has the resignation of a captain mid-series been viewed in such a positive light.Now AB de Villiers prepares to lead South Africa for the first time in Tests – a job he has long coveted – but for how long he is in charge, or even playing the five-day format, is one of the burning questions of the moment. The immediate challenge for him, though, is to ensure that his team still have the chance to claim the series at Centurion.Their prospects have taken a hit with Dale Steyn being ruled out – regardless of the much-improved final-day bowling at Cape Town, Steyn remains the leading pace bowler in the world and his absence is a considerable void to fill for the fifth time in the last seven Tests. Not only is de Villiers’ long-term future a source of much debate, so too is Steyn’s. South Africa are entering a tipping point in their cricket history.England are not immune to such issues, either, although currently they are in a stronger position from which to handle them. Jos Buttler’s march towards the IPL confirms the sea change in English cricket’s attitude to that format, but whereas de Villiers appears to be wavering over his future James Anderson has committed to bowling his final ball for England.The prize on offer for England this week is one of the most sought-after in the game. Their 2004-05 series win in South Africa is among their finest overseas victories and for a youthful, developing side a repeat here would be equally notable regardless of the problems South Africa are facing.Their week off has not been seamless with some members of the squad hit by a stomach illness and now Alex Hales has a throat infection. After the spate of missed chances at Newlands, they will have to make sure they are better at catching balls than bugs.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)
South Africa DLLLD
England DWLLD

In the spotlight

Steven Finn has been outstanding during the first two Tests, a particularly worthy achievement given he was doubtful even to make the series due to the foot injury which ruled him out against Pakistan. He was the most hostile of England’s quicks when the Newlands surface was at its most comfortable, and that followed his crucial second-innings incisions in Durban. He is a clear beneficiary of England’s five-man attack, which allows a spreading of the workload, but he has still clocked up 69 overs in the two Tests – the most among England’s quicks – and the Wanderers will be an indication of his powers of recovery. It should be a surface to encourage his splice-jarring type of bowling, so long as he isn’t drawn into bowling too short.Morne Morkel will again lead South Africa’s attack in the absence of Dale Steyn. His workload is being carefully watched by the team management and the coach Russell Domingo has said Morkel is in the “red zone” which is a warning sign when injuries are more likely to occur. He will be, however, one of a four-prong pace attack, which ought to help ease the strain on him, although South Africa will also need him to start the Test well rather than improve as the match goes on. He has not taken a five-wicket haul in five Tests at the Wanderers – this would be the ideal time to improve on that record.

Team news

South Africa opted on the eve of the match to release their frontline spinner, Dane Piedt, which means four quicks will line up at the Wanderers. The uncapped Hardus Viljoen has an impressive first-class record at the Wanderers and both Domingo and de Villiers have dropped strong hints that he is firmly in the frame for a Test debut. Chris Morris, who debuted at Cape Town last week, seems set to retain his place ahead of Kyle Abbott, not least thanks to his determined batting and outstanding work in the slip cordon. There could be another change with JP Duminy returning to the middle order after his career-best 260 in the recent four-day match which would mean Quinton de Kock opening in place of Stiaan van Zyl and would also provide another part-time spin option. Such a move would retain four players of colour in the absence of Piedt.South Africa (possible) 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Hashim Amla, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 Faf du Plessis, 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 JP Duminy, 8 Chris Morris, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Hardus Viljoen, 11 Morne MorkelAlex Hales was suffering from a throat infection on the eve of the Test and a decision on his participation would be taken on the morning of the game. If he is forced to sit out, it is likely that Nick Compton would open with Gary Ballance returning to side although the No. 3 berth could go to James Taylor.England 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Alex Hales, 3 Nick Compton, 4 Joe Root, 5 James Taylor, 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8 Moeen Ali, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn

Pitch and conditions

The first Test pitch produced by Bethuel Buthelezi is dry and cracked after the recent hot spell in the Highveld but is expected to play with the usual trueness of a Wanderers surface. As Newlands showed, having cracks on the surface early on does not mean they will always open up as the match progresses. Temperatures have dipped a little from the record figures recorded at the height of the heatwave while the common afternoon thunderstorms are expected to feature.

Stats and trivia

• In their last 10 Tests – since the start of the Ashes – England have had just three hundreds from their top five (two for Joe Root and one for Alastair Cook)
• The Wanderers produces results: there has been one draw in the last 13 Tests – and that was with South Africa 450 for 7 chasing 458 – and since readmission there have been just six draws in 24 Tests with two of those involving significant rain.
• Five more wickets will take James Anderson ahead of Richard Hadlee (431) into seventh place in the all-time list

Quotes

Everything feels very normal. We’ve got a very stable team culture. Not much has changed. I still feel the same. I know this come with a lot of responsibility. I am a very competitive person and I truly hate losing. There’s a big focus on winning.
“It would be a great achievement for this side to come here and beat South Africa and we’ve earned a chance to do that over the next 14 days if we play good cricket.”

Worcestershire are lining up Cameron White, the Victoria allrounder, as their overseas player for the Twenty20 Cup. According to the he is one of “three or four” options being considered along with South African pair Shaun Pollock and Herschelle Gibbs.White has a strong Twenty20 pedigree with 878 runs in 26 matches and a top score of 141 not out made for Somerset. In his one international Twenty20 he plundered England for a 20-ball 40 in Sydney but missed out on a place in the World Twenty20 last September.Pollock, who retired from international cricket in January, has said he would like another spell of county cricket and has gained the interest of a number of counties. Pollock, Gibbs and White are all part of the forthcoming Indian Premier League.Worcestershire already have two overseas fast bowlers on their books, Steve Magoffin from Western Australia and West Indies quick Fidel Edwards. Magoffin could be retained for the Twenty20 but the county are keen for someone were more experience in that format. Edwards then arrives for his stint in July.

Australia will treat Friday’s dead-rubber against Sri Lanka as their first final ahead of the best-of-three CB Series deciders with India starting on Sunday. Sri Lanka have only pride to play for but Australia know they cannot afford to lose momentum after winning their past four games of the tournament.”We’ve certainly taken the approach that our finals campaign starts now,” Gilchrist said in the lead-up to the Sri Lanka match at the MCG. “You could say it would be better not playing the game and have a clear run into the finals and preparation. But we’ve got this game to use how we want to use it, and it’s not as a practice game. If we get lethargic we lose momentum.”I’m sure every individual is looking to have their own specific things. I’m sure Ricky [Ponting] will want to back up now, the runs that he’s scored, and Symmo. I’ve had a few teens, twenties scores since my hundred in Perth, so it would be nice to get a bit of momentum back up.”Australia lost last year’s tri-series finals to England and Gilchrist said with he and Brad Hogg farewelling international cricket during the deciders – and with the CB Series itself on the way out – it was important the hosts were in form to face India on Sunday. “We don’t have that trophy in the cabinet and it’s the last tri-series that there will probably ever be,” he said.”It’s been an integral part in the success of Australian cricket and the Australian cricket calendar, and indeed the world cricket calendar. Although it’s become tired and everyone’s ready to move ont o a different format this triangular series, when it used to be called the World Series Cup, countries used to covet this trophy and loved to be here.”Mahela Jayawardene’s men cannot make the finals following their disappointing run since their win over India in Canberra more than two weeks ago. They have suffered four defeats from that moment on and Jayawardene said their pride was definitely on the line in Melbourne.”No team wants to lose four-five games in a tournament and not have a successful run,” Jayawardene said. “Every game we play, we play to win and give everything. Things haven’t gone our way, we have one more chance to rectify those things.”They are unlikely to risk Farveez Maharoof, who has a side strain, while Australia will regain Mitchell Johnson after he was rested for their match in Sydney earlier this week. It will be the last match Gilchrist plays at the MCG and he said as the CB Series had continued the reality of retirement had really hit home. However, he remains at ease with his call.”There’s not a decision I’ve made in my life – and this is all due respect to my wife about marriage because I’m pretty certain that was the right decision – but I’ve never been surer every single day that I wake up, that this is the right thing to do,” Gilchrist said. “I’m getting more and more reflective and it’s natural to do that. The way people are expressing their emotions and thoughts and opinions of me, and to me, that’s making it even more of an emotional time.”Australia (likely) 1 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 James Hopes, 8 Brett Lee, 9 Brad Hogg, 10 Mitchell Johnson, 11 Nathan Bracken.Sri Lanka (likely) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Dilruwan Perera, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Chamara Silva, 6 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 7 Chamara Kapugedera, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Lasith Malinga, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Ishara Amerasinghe.

The Madras High Court dismissed a petition from Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd challenging the Lodha Committee order to suspend IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings for two years.The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice PS Sivagnanam, who had reserved their order on the plea on December 14, dismissed it as not maintainable. The bench also dismissed a PIL filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy challenging the suspension of Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals on the same grounds.Both teams were barred from playing the next two editions of the IPL after a three-member panel appointed by the Supreme Court and headed by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha found top officials from both teams having engaged in illegal betting. Super Kings’ Gurunath Meiyappan and Royals co-owner Raj Kundra were banned for life from any match conducted by the board.Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd had sought a stay on the committee’s order issued in September last year, contending the order was against fundamental principles of natural justice and a fair hearing.Opposing the petition, the BCCI had argued that Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd was not a legal entity and hence could not file the case. Senior counsel AL Somayaji submitted that CSK Cricket Limited was only a brand name of the franchise owned by India Cements Limited. He submitted that the franchise agreement was between BCCI and India Cements and that the latter had no right to assign or delegate ownership and even if it did should be done so with prior permission from the BCCI.He had argued that CSK Cricket Limited was not the aggrieved party and hence the liberty given by the Supreme Court that the aggrieved could approach the appropriate forum for remedy would not entitle it to file the present petition.

Essex have agreed to release Andre Nel one match early so that he can take up a deal with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Nel was due to end his stint after Sunday’s match against Middlesex, but the defeat against Kent on Friday was now his final game for the club.He is the second overseas player to leave county cricket at short notice to join the IPL following Brad Hodge’s sudden departure from Lancashire after receiving an offer from the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, unlike the Hodge move, which hasn’t gone down well at Old Trafford, Essex are fully behind Nel.”The club has given its full backing to Andre with his request to leave after the Kent game on Friday,” the chief executive David East said. “It is an honour for Essex to have players in their ranks who are attracting the attention of those teams competing in the Indian Premier League.”We thank Andre for all his efforts during this latest stint with the county. Once again he has proved a very popular member of our dressing room and has played his part in the team’s excellent start to the campaign.”Nel said on the Essex website: “I would like to thank Essex in granting my request to end my time with them early, in order to take up a contract with the Mumbai Indians. As always, I have enjoyed my stay with Essex enormously and the excellent way I continue to be treated by the club bodes well for our future relationship should I get another chance to return.”This was Nel’s third spell with Essex, having also featured for the county in 2005 and 2007. He appeared in three County Championship and three Friends Provident Trophy matches in 2008, picking up 10 wickets at 34.10 in four-day cricket and three wickets at 37.33 in the FP Trophy to help Essex to second and top spot in the respective tables.Nel will join the Mumbai Indians, under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday. He could be back in England later in the season if selected for the South Africa tour, although he was controversially dropped for the recent trip to India.The Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria will take up his duties as overseas player from next Wednesday when Essex begin their Championship match against Leicestershire.

Former England fast bowler Simon Jones isn’t ruling out a return to international cricket, spurred on by the thought of playing an Ashes Test in front of a Welsh crowd. Continual injury setbacks have hampered him for two years and he has not played international cricket since 2005, but he is clinging to the hope of participating in Cardiff’s first Ashes next year.”I would do anything to be involved in that game,” Jones told the Mirror. “Playing against Australia in front of a Welsh crowd would be something special.”Reprising the 2005 Ashes-winning bowling quartet of himself, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard is a further dream, however distant. “I would hate to think the four of us will never bowl together again,” said Jones. “That would be a real shame, and we’re all young enough to make our comebacks for England, so you never know.”Flintoff hasn’t played a Test since the last Ashes in Sydney early last year, while Hoggard and Harmison were dropped after the first Test in new Zealand because of poor form in the opening Test.Jones has county cricket and staying injury-free to focus upon long before he can think of playing for England again.

Lance Gibbs, the former world record holder, is concerned West Indies’ newest spin talent does not have enough variety to be a long-term force at international level. While Gibbs is pleased Sulieman Benn was picked for his debut against Sri Lanka last month, he said the left-armer had work to do to become a success.Benn, who is from Barbados, picked up three second-innings wickets during West Indies’ opening-Test loss in Guyana and is in the squad for the final match of the series starting in Port of Spain on Thursday. However Gibbs, the former offspinner who took 309 Test wickets, said Benn would have to improve.”He has got to bowl six different balls because on that type of track [in the first Test] batsman could get accustomed to you,” Gibbs said. “I would say he has got the ability but he’s got work to do.”He could become a success story but it is all in his hands, he’s got to learn the strengths and weaknesses as far as batsmen are concerned and use that effectively. In Guyana, Benn fought the wicket too much. As a spinner you’ve got to vary your pace, he was particularly flat and this is why he didn’t get any wickets in the first innings.”Amit Jaggernauth, the Trinidad and Tobago offspinner, is also part of West Indies’ squad and Gibbs said both should be in the side to face Sri Lanka. “I told Amit in Guyana not to be too disappointed,” Gibbs said. “It is best to start your Test career on wickets that you know and I’m sure he will be given a chance here.”

R Sridhar has been appointed Sri Lanka men’s fielding coach until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, which runs from February 7 to March 8. Sridhar had been the senior India men’s team’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021.A Level 3 certified BCCI coach, Sridhar had also conducted a 10-day fielding programme for Sri Lanka’s top teams, in Colombo, in May last year.”Sri Lankan players have always stood for instinctive brilliance, resilience, and collective spirit,” Sridhar said, having been appointed to the new job on Wednesday. “My role is not to impose a system, but to nurture an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in the field can grow naturally.”Sri Lanka’s traditional strengths–quick hands, sharp reflexes, and fearless intent, can be further enhanced by creating realistic, game-like learning environments.”Sridhar’s appointment is the latest in a minor coaching shake-up for the men’s team, with the likes of Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands having joined as batting coach and spin bowling coach respectively, in October. It also comes after a disappointing Asia Cup and tour of Pakistan, in which Sri Lanka’s fielding errors were among the problems in focus.SLC’s release said Sridhar would work with the men’s team ahead of the series against Pakistan and England leading into the World Cup, and that this appointment is already in effect.