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Nottinghamshire will announce to members at the AGM on Monday that they have made a profit for the seventh successive year. The club made a pre-tax profit of £137,831 and are also on course to complete the £8.2 million Bridgford Road Stand and other improvements on budget in late April.Despite the results, finance chairman Richard Tennant still sounded a cautious note. “We cannot afford to stand still in what is a very dynamic competitive environment,” he said. “Since last year’s AGM, not only have Cardiff completed their re-development but the Rose Bowl, The Oval, Headingley and Old Trafford have all announced their own very ambitious plans.”We are fortunate to have a staging agreement with the ECB which guarantees international cricket at Trent Bridge until the end of the 2011 season,” he added. “But 2012 will be on us before we know it and we must ensure that our business is in the best possible financial shape as we are forced to bid with other venues for major matches – without any staging agreement certainty.”Barry Pailing, the club chairman, will announce at the meeting at that he will not be continuing in his role after four years, but he will remain on the general committee for a further year.

Badureliya created the biggest upset of the season by trouncing the formidable Nondescripts team by a 271-run margin at the Nondescripts Stadium. Led by captain Hemantha Wickramaratne, who scored 114, Badureliya managed 339 in their first innings after being put in by Nondescripts. Wickramaratne, though, narrowly missed out scoring a century in both innings when he was dismissed for 91 in the second innings as Badureliya topped 300 twice in the match. Nondescripts’ batting was dismantled by Badureliya’s all-round bowling strength, collapsing for totals of 191 and 187.The win placed Badureliya second on the points table.Sinhalese recovered from 52-3 to total 514 and beat Tamil Union by an innings and 104 runs at the P.Saravanamuttu Stadium. The foundation for their victory was laid by their fourth wicket pair of Thilan Samaraweera (125) and Thilina Kandamby (who scored a career-best 163), who figured in a stand of 261. Sachitra Serasinghe’s offspin then unsettled the Tamil Union batting as they were forced to follow-on. He ended the match with eight wickets.In a low scoring game played at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colts recovered from conceding a first-innings lead of 21 runs to beat Ragama by four wickets to retain third spot.Colombo recovered from their shock defeat at the hands of Moors last weekend to beat Bloomfield by 257 runs at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground. Discarded Sri Lanka batsman, Jehan Mubarak, was in great form for Colombo, scoring 121 and 49.Following their giant-killing performance last weekend, Moors were brought down to earth by Chilaw Marians, who beat them by 226 runs at the Moors Sports Club Ground. The architect of Marians’ victory was the former Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Dinuka Hettiarachchi, who took a match bag of ten wickets including six in the second innings.Player of the Week: Dinuka Hettiarachchi
Hettiarachchi got his first big break at the age of 24 when he was picked to represent his country against Nasser Hussain’s England at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in 2001, but after that he never came under the microscope of the national selectors despite consistent performances in domestic cricket for Colombo Colts, SSC and now Chilaw Marians with whom he has been for the past three seasons.Part of Marians’ success in the past few years has been due to Hettiarachchi’s presence but as team manager Godfrey Dabare noted: “Dinuka is a very talented cricketer who for some reason has been overlooked for selection even to the Sri Lanka A team. He was given one opportunity with the A side that toured New Zealand and he performed well. After that he has been performing consistently taking nearly 50 wickets a season without much luck.”It is frustrating for bowlers like Dinuka to bowl their hearts out and not get a look-in even for the A team. Unless they give opportunities to bowlers like Dinuka there’ll come a time when Sri Lanka will be stuck for a quality spinner the day Murali [Muttiah Muralitharan] decides to retire.”

Points Table

The Indian cricket board plans to streamline its panel of umpires before the domestic season begins in September 2004. According to a spokesperson for the board, the downsizing is to raise the quality and the consistency of domestic umpires, and to have better Indian umpires at the international level.At present, there is a pool of 122 domestic umpires who officiate in first-class as well as junior-level matches. The elite panel consists of 40 of the best, a figure that the BCCI is attempting to cut down to 15.Ratnakar Shetty, the joint secretary of the BCCI, said that the board hoped to improve umpiring standards with the downsizing, as the present number of 40 umpires in the elite panel was ‘unmanageable’. Recently, the board conducted medical tests for umpires all over India, where their hearing, sight and general health were assessed. These tests were the first part of a two-stage examination. What follows is the ‘viva voce’ exam, which will determine umpires’ knowledge of the game, in theory and in practice, and will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from May 29-31.Arani Jayaprakash, one of three Indian umpires on the ICC’s international panel, was in favour of the streamlining, and said that it would raise consistency levels. “See, the consistency level isn’t very high because we have too many umpires. Because if you have 150 umpires, definitely everybody can’t be the same.”It’s a situation that can be resolved. Jayaprakash believes that the panel could keep umpires on top of their game, and would raise consistency levels as umpires strived to remain in the elite list. But he maintained that while more training programs and exposure would help umpires, the improvement would also have an effect on the way players perceived officials.”We have to have a training program for umpires, some classes, some seminars. All this has to come. Only then will it help,” Jayaprakash said. “But as far as all the umpires are concerned, they should be consistent on certain things. The players also see the consistency level of the umpires, so they look forward to a good umpire.”Incidentally, there are no clear penalties for under-performing domestic umpires, though an umpiring committee exists. The committee takes the captains’ and match referee’s comments into account before hauling up the umpire and, in rare instances, even reduces the number of matches the umpire officiates in.

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.

A Pakistani masseur who accompanied the Indian team during the Asia Cup has been ordered to stay away by the BCCI, who had not authorised his appointment. SK Nair, the secretary of the Indian board, was furious with Sohail Abbas Khan for wearing the team T-shirt and travelling on the same bus with the side. Nair rebuked Sohail for his behaviour, and also cautioned MN Dorairajan, the team manager for the Asia Cup, for not dealing with the situation earlier.Nair, speaking to Wisden Cricinfo immediately after his return to Trivandrum after the Asia Cup, said: “He [the masseur] got acquainted with some of our players during the Pakistan tour and was doing some personal attendance for some of our players. He was there in Sri Lanka also. Somehow he managed to get one Indian practice T-shirt. Probably one of our players might have given it to him earlier.”When asked why he was only removed just before the final, Nair said, “His presence in Sri Lanka came to our notice very late and the manager was told to take care of this problem and see that he was not allowed in the dressing-room. When I reached there the day before the tournament and saw him I personally cautioned him that he was not supposed to be in the dressing-room. I told him that he was not to go with the team during the time of the match or practice sessions.”We have a physio and trainer and all that and this man is not a part of the support staff. I told the manager he should exercise control over the matter and if anything further happens it is his responsibility. I also asked him not to wear the Indian uniform which is meant only for the Indian team and their support staff.”Nair clarified that the board had not appointed Sohail in any capacity. “He is not a part of the Indian team or the staff, but he is acquainted with the players. I understand he is acquainted with players of many teams, not just India, and when they visit Pakistan he goes to the hotel room and does massage. He has friends in many teams. He came to Sri Lanka on his own and I understand he was staying with some former player. Officially he cannot wear the uniform or travel in the team bus. These are against the board’s policy and since I saw this personally I stepped in.”When asked how Sohail gained access to the dressing-room without proper accreditation, Nair proffered, “Probably the security people could not apprehend him because he was wearing the official uniform.”

New Zealand A 337 for 5 (Vincent 93, Hopkins 56) beat Pretoria High School Old Boys 236 for 7 (van Woerkom 101, Sherlock 5-59) by 101 runs
Scorecard
New Zealand A beat Pretoria High School Old Boys (PHSOB), the MTN National Club champions, by 101 runs in a one-day warm-up game at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. Losing the toss, New Zealand managed 337 for 5 with Lou Vincent top-scoring with a 76-ball 93. PHSOB were then restricted to 236 for 7, despite a century from Nick van Woerkom. Richard Sherlock, though slightly on the expensive side, was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, taking 5 for 59.PHOSB had started steadily, with Cobus Pienaar grabbing the wickets of both openers before they had really settled, but Ross Taylor and Vincent then took control of the match with a 96-run stand, which ended when Taylor was run out for 65. Gareth Hopkins and Vincent then put on 104 to keep the momentum going in the final overs, and New Zealand set a very imposing total.The Old Boys’ reply got off to a terrible start, with the top four batsmen all dismissed cheaply, before a fighting 74-run partnership between van Woerkom and Roelf van der Merwe, who was a member of South Africa’s Under-19 squad at this year’s World Cup, saved their blushes. But the asking rate was always above them, and the match was easily won despite van Woerkom’s heroics.New Zealand A face South Africa A in the first of three one-day matches starting at the Wanderers on Wednesday.

Victoria 8 for 252 (Elliott 72, Moss 54, Hodge 52; Worthington 3-45) beat Western Australia 8 for 251 (Goodwin 64, North 54; Knowles 2-42) by two wickets, with 10 overs to spare
Scorecard

Victoria beat Western Australia by two wickets, and gained the bonus point that gave them an outside chance of making the ING Cup final against the same opponents later this month. They needed two runs off the last ball of the 40th over to clinch a bonus point, and Darren Berry, the captain, duly managed that thanks to a misfield in the deep from Paul Wilson.Western Australia started disastrously, slumping to 4 for 47, but Michael Hussey (28), Murray Goodwin (64) and Marcus North (54) came back strongly to take them to a competitive total of 8 for 251. Victoria, though, were always ahead of the asking rate, with Matthew Elliott (72) and Jonathan Moss (54) adding 141 for the first wicket at close to seven an over.Brad Hodge, who made 52, ensured that the momentum wouldn’t be lost, and though Victoria lost four wickets for seven in a shaky spell at the end, Berry saw the past the target. Victoria’s bowlers had set up the victory earlier, with Brad Knowles, a pace bowler making his debut, especially impressive (2-42). Shane Warne finished with 1-43.Western Australia were already assured of a place in the final, with 29 points. The bonus point they gained put Victoria on par with Queensland (28), and they must now hope for a convincing South Australia victory against Queensland at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

It was certainly not a Good Friday for two of Glamorgan`s bowlers on the opening day of the Championship season against Derbyshire. Darren Thomas twisted his knee and had to be carried from the field, whilst Andrew Davies, after bowling just four overs, had to return to the team hotel suffering from a stomach virus.Thomas` knee injury came in his 20th over of the day, and shortly after the lion-hearted seamer had claimed his fourth wicket of the day. After bowling the fourth ball of the over, Thomas collapsed in his follow through clutching his left knee, and the stricken bowler had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. The early indications are that Darren may have twisted and pulled a muscle in his knee, and he will have a scan in a Derby hospital tomorrow morning.The day had begun quite promisingly for the Glamorgan bowlers, as Alex Wharf claimed two wickets in his second over as Derbyshire, after electing to bat first, slumped to 9-2. However, the home team recovered thanks to a century from Michael Di Venuto and an unbeaten 77 from wicket-keeper Luke Sutton, and finished the day on 356-8.

Eric Simons
On South Africa’s performance with the ball
Getting their remaining wickets for 167 runs was not bad. At the end they wanted to bat as much time as they could and put as many runs on the board as they could. I would probably take 470 with them having been 303 for 3. You cannot afford to drop catches on a pitch like this and Sangakkara’s contribution was massive. We were punished for it.On Jayasuriya’s double strike
It is always difficult to bat at the end of the day with spinners on, and pressure of the big score on the board. Losing two wickets in one over was a setback. We will have to be positive. It was a bit of a blow for us but that’s the way the game goes. We have to put partnerships together.On the pitch
Funnily enough, the wicket seems to be getting quicker. It’s dried out a bit and it seems to have more pace, although the ball seems to get soft very quickly. The wicket yesterday was very slow.On Jacques Rudolph’s injury
He wouldn’t have batted tonight. He’s a bit stiff but he will be fine in the morning after some ice.John Dyson
On Sangakkara
He batted beautifully. The form he has been in for some time now has suggested that he is going to string together a number of good scores. He had made a few cameo performances, a few 50s and 70s, and he was really due a big one.On whether he should be in the World XI
I consider him to be the best wicketkeeper in Sri Lanka and I would say that in front of Romesh [Kaluwitharana] and Prasanna Jayawardene. He just also happens to be our best No. 3, so it’s a difficult situation. In terms of the World XI against Australia how anyone could not pick him as the wicketkeeper/batsman I don’t know.On Sri Lanka’s day
I was a little bit disappointed with our batting today. We didn’t do as well as we should have. And at 100 for 1 I was thinking “Gosh, it would be nice to grab a couple,” but Sunny [Sanath Jayasuriya] came on and as he often does nibbled a couple out. He has also shown in those three overs that if you bowl the right length and pace on that pitch there is a bit of turn there and hopefully there will be more and more of that.On the pitch
I think this wicket is so dry that it will really turn on days four and five, although it is hard to predict on pitches here in Sri Lanka. It is then just about how quickly it will turn and whether it will also bounce. The pitch in Galle was too slow, and I hope this one keeps its greater pace and bounce and turns more as the game progresses.On Murali’s absence
The important thing with Murali is that he is managed so that he can play for the next few years because there is still a lot of cricket left in him. With the way his shoulder is, there is no point in risking a permanent injury. It is, though, a great opportunity for the likes of Upul [Chandana] and Rangana [Herath] to show what they can do.On whether Sri Lanka would enforce the follow-on
That is a very difficult one. If it is a clear day and very hot then we would have to seriously consider just how difficult it would be to enforce the follow-on.

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.”