New Zealand will be spending eight days in Brisbane as build-up to their tour of India. The side, which is expected to be named later this week, will have from September 10-18 in Brisbane before returning home for a few days. They will fly out for India on September 21.Team manager Lindsay Crocker returned today from a trip to England, where he and acting coach Ashley Ross met with new team coach John Bracewell and captain Stephen Fleming, and India where Crocker met with Jagmohan Dalmiya and the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s operations manager Kunal Ghosh.He said there were several options open to the side for their practice but the closeness of Brisbane, and contacts he had with Queensland Cricket from his time as chief executive for Auckland Cricket, made it a good connection.”We need to get outside and stretch the bowlers’ legs while also building up their workloads. It will also give the batsmen a chance to bat in outside conditions,” Crocker said. “We will also work with the Queensland Bulls squad while at Allan Border Field.”It wouldn’t necessarily be all the touring party who went, he said, as someone like Fleming or Chris Cairns, who have been playing county cricket in England might prefer the break.”We did look to going to India earlier but it is still wet in some places there and it was too risky. We will still have 15 days there to acclimatise before the first Test. But in Brisbane the bowlers will be able to come in off their full run-ups and any variations they need to make to the length of their bowling can be worked on during their time in India,” Crocker said.New Zealand were happy with the itinerary for the tour, especially now that Ahmedabad Test had been confirmed. Crocker said his visit was not to inspect venues but to meet with Indian officials and deal with some of the logistics of the tour. It was already apparent to him that there is a great deal of interest in India in the tour.Australian officials have been looking into the venues for their visit there as part of the tri-series to be played in India and would be assisting New Zealand with information for their games.

Derbyshire are almost certain to agree to Dominic Cork’s request to be released from the remaining two years of his contract later today. Although Cork signed a new contract in June, he is reportedly “deeply offended” by a perceived snub from Derbyshire’s new director of cricket, Dave Houghton.Houghton has made no decision about the captaincy for the 2004 season, something that has deeply angered Cork. “Of course I see a role for [Cork]; he’s a fantastic cricketer who is highly regarded and respected,” said Houghton. “Whether that’s in a leadership role as captain or not we’ll have to see after our discussion.”But relations between the county and Cork, 32, appear to be irreconcilable, and a parting is now inevitable. Cork will have to buy himself out of the contract, as John Crawley did when he left Lancashire at the end of the 2001 season.

It’s taken two decades to achieve but Victoria has broken through for its first four-day win at the Gabba since 1983 with a five-wicket Pura Cup victory over Queensland today.Despite some last-day heroics from Bulls all-rounder James Hopes, the Bushrangers overcame some anxious moments to make 5-160 to post an outright victory and erase 20 years of disappointment at the Gabba.Stand-in skipper Cameron White, who was only four months old when Victoria last won at the ground, said the hoodoo was now broken.”Hopefully next year we come up here with more confidence and look forward to having another win,” said White, who was also named man of the match.”It’s a good start (to the season) and I guess it’s not a hoodoo anymore.”But there were concerns the young Victorians would crash to another ignominious defeat when Hopes captured 4-2 in 16 balls to have the Bushrangers teetering at 4-54 just after lunch.They recovered somewhat on an uneven pitch before Joe Dawes dismissed Jonathan Moss for 22 to leave Victoria at 5-93 an hour before tea.It took an unbeaten 67-run partnership between White (38) and Andrew McDonald (45no) to secure the landmark win.The victory was Victoria’s first at the ground in a four-day game since December, 1983, when Ray Bright led the team.Before that match, the previous Victorian win at the home of Queensland cricket was in 1965.The victory had looked a formality just before lunch with the Bushrangers reaching 0-50.But Hopes, whose bowling in the match had previously failed to live up to his promise, hit a purple patch.The 25-year-old had opener Matthew Elliott lbw for 23 just before lunch and after the break caught Jason Arnberger in front without offering a shot for 27.In his next over, he had Brad Hodge caught at gully for two with a searing bouncer and then caught and bowled first innings century-maker David Hussey for a duck.Regular captain Darren Berry, who missed the game because of injury, flew to Brisbane to enjoy the celebrations.But after hearing of the collapse he said he almost got back on the plane.”When I got on the plane it was 0-50 and I thought you beauty,” Berry said.”When I arrived Hookesy (Victorian coach David Hookes) told me we had lost 4-4 and I thought I should just get back on the plane and go home.”Hopes finished with 4-63 and Dawes 1-54.Bulls paceman Mitchell Johnson was unable to bowl because of a side strain and is in doubt for the match against Victoria at Junction oval next week.Queensland started the day on 7-233 aiming to soak up as much time at the crease as possible.But with the aid of the new ball, the Queensland made 256 after Moss captured 3-12 off four overs.Moss ended up with 3-61 while Mathew Inness had 3-42.

Sussex have signed Jason Voros, a left-arm seamer from Australia, on a one-year contract for next season. Born in Canberra, Voros’s parents are Hungarian, meaning he qualifies as a domestic player through the European Union regulations.Voros, 26, played for Sussex’s 2nd XI last season and impressed by taking 14 wickets in four games. He also played for Hull in the Yorkshire League, and captured 47 wickets and scored six half-centuries.Peter Moores, Sussex’s coach, said: "This is good news for Sussex as a strengthening of the bowling department was necessary after the departure of Paul Hutchison and Billy Taylor.""It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and the start of a new career," Voros said. "I’m grateful for this chance, and to be joining the county Champions is awesome. If you’re going to play county cricket then you might as well join the best and I’m looking forward to the challenge. My signing with Sussex shows that all club cricketers can aim at the top."

Ricky Ponting: got value for his strokes © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting pronounced himself “pretty happy” with the way in which he played on the opening day at the Adelaide Oval, though he admitted that Sehwag’s dropped catch at gully – when he had made just 17 – was “a big let-off”. “It was a good wicket, and a good outfield,” he said, “and you got real value for your strokes.”He admitted that the Australians were in command, but cautioned against making too many plans ahead of tomorrow. “We want to get as many as we can, but we also know that it’s going to be hard work for the bowlers,” he said, when asked about the possibility of enforcing the follow-on.Ponting’s century was his 19th, and the fifth this calendar year, taking his 2003 tally to a remarkable 1149 at 95.75. But he wasn’t too harsh on the Indian bowlers when asked what he thought of their display. “They missed Zaheer,” he said bluntly. “He’s been their best bowler the past couple of years, and he bowled well up in Brisbane. They didn’t bowl as well as they’d have liked today, but you can’t judge them based on that.”Of Irfan Pathan, he said, “I thought he might have swung it a bit more, having seen him play in India. But he ran in well and will certainly improve, no doubt about that.”Ponting said that he enjoyed batting with Steve Waugh – “the crowd enjoyed it, the reception he got was sensational” – and said that lapses in concentration from Justin Langer, Damien Martyn and Waugh had cost only the individuals, and not the team. There was also praise for Simon Katich – “the way he played after he passed 20 was excellent.”When asked where he rated alongside the modern-day batting greats, Ponting said he wasn’t particularly bothered. “Sachin’s been the standout player for a number of years, but I really don’t care too much about ratings and opinions.”He said a more aggressive and positive approach had helped him to be more successful against the turning ball. “In India a couple of years ago, I didn’t back my technique enough, and that cost me,” he said. Today, he certainly backed himself, and India paid the price.

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has reunited members of the 1963-64 Sheffield Shield winning South Australian team, 40 years after their victorious season.Captained by former Australian Test player Les Favell, who passed away in 1987, the South Australian team beat Victoria in their last game of the season to clinch the Shield, just 6 points ahead of Victoria. At that time there was no final contested to win the Sheffield Shield.Starring for South Australia in that match, which was played at Adelaide Oval from February 21-24, was Sir Garfield Sobers, who scored 124 runs and took 6 wickets. That season, Gary Sobers scored 973 runs at an average of 74.84 and took 47 wickets at an average of 27.59.SACA vice president Rex Sellers also starred with the ball that season taking 46 wickets at an average of 26.63.The reunion, to take place at the Adelaide Oval tomorrow night (January 31), will see players from that season re-live their winning performances, in their first get together since the 1960s.The evening also will see members of the 1963-64 team present the 2003-04 Redbacks squad with their SACA baggy red caps.The 1963-64 team was:

Les Favell (c)	Sir Garfield Sobers
Ian Chappell	John Lill
Hon Ian McLachlan	Neil Dansie
Neil Hawke	Barry Jarman
Brian Hurn	Rex Sellers
Gordon Brooks	Ken Cunningham
Robert Lloyd	David Sincock

Of that team Les Favell, Ian Chappell, Barry Jarman, Neil Hawke, David Sincock and Rex Sellers all played Test cricket for Australia, with Sir Garfield Sobers playing 93 Tests for the West Indies.Players attending the dinner include Barry Jarman, Neil Dansie, David Sincock, Ken Cunningham, Rex Sellers and Ian McLachlan.Former Australian Test captain, Ian Chappell, the youngest member of that team, can not attend the reunion dinner, although will visit Adelaide for a cocktail function with his former team mates before flying interstate for work commitments.SACA president Ian McLachlan said these reunions are very important because it perpetuates the cohesiveness of the Association."These events are particularly important to continue the tradition and sense of family at the SACA and to ensure our wins of the past are celebrated.""We had tremendous fun in those days and looking back we can see that cricket is a fabulous game for friendships. Many of us have made life-long friendships through our days playing cricket.""We will have a real blend of the young and old there tomorrow night – and of course the old blokes think the younger blokes can’t play and the young blokes `know’ the older blokes can’t play, and exaggeration will win the night!"

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

Matthew Elliott: Victorian run-machine does it again

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.

New Zealand 201 for 3 (Styris 118*) trail South Africa 296 (Smith 88, Gibbs 80, Martin 6-76) by 95 runs
Scorecard

Chris Martin: wrecked the South African line-up with some superb seam bowling© AFP

Chris Martin’s medium-pace caused a South African collapse in the morning, then Scott Styris hammered a breezy hundred as New Zealand fought back strongly on the second day at Auckland. Having restricted South Africa to 296, New Zealand were in a dicey position at 12 for 2, but Styris defied the bowlers with an aggressive 118, and by the end of the day his side were only 95 behind.Styris didn’t hold back, even when Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini moved the ball around. He attacked David Terbrugge with shots all around the wicket, and blasted Nicky Boje out of the attack. As his innings progressed, the bowling lost its sheen. Even Pollock, after a fine first spell, sprayed it around in his second stint as the score rolled along. Styris and Craig McMillan stepped on the pedal as the day wore on: they put on 64 in just 11.3 overs.In an attempt to make the most of the overcast conditions, the South African bowlers pitched the ball up to the bat, and Styris capitalised, creaming the half-volleys neatly. He also used the angles of the oddly shaped Eden Park ground shrewdly. Flicks and glides raced away, and some of his cover-drives were gorgeous. He bludgeoned Boje for a huge six, and brought up his third Test century with a majestic cover-drive. He had some good support, too. Mark Richardson made a patient 45, and McMillan (31 not out) joined in with bubbly enthusiasm. Richardson, though, threw it away as he slashed at a wide one from Kallis, and Herschelle Gibbs pouched the straightforward chance (137 for 3).Styris put New Zealand in control but it was Martin who had begun the rescue job. He deceived Jacques Kallis with a crafty legcutter – Kallis departed for 40, his quest for that record-equalling sixth century in as many Tests postponed to the second innings – lured Jacques Rudolph into a booming drive, baited Mark Boucher and Neil McKenzie into uppish drives, and polished Ntini off for a second-ball duck. Add Grame Smith’s wicket, which he snared yesterday, and his fine exhibition of swing and seam bowling was rewarded with 6 for 76. All that came after spraying it around on the first morning and being collared by Gibbs and Smith.Rudolph fell in the third over of the day, trying to wallop a full-pitched one. The edge flew to Michael Papps at third slip (235 for 3). Kirsten, playing in his 100th Test, made just 1 before Jacob Oram sneaked one through the gate – the ball cut in a shade after pitching and clipped the top of off stump (236 for 4).But the big one came in the next over. Martin bowled a few good incutters to Kallis, before delivering one that held its line. Kallis played inside the line of the ball and the edge was acrobatically collected by Brendon McCullum (240 for 5).

Shaun Pollock leaps for joy at passing Allan Donald’s career total of 331 wickets for South Africa© AFP

Boucher swished at a wide one while Pollock missed a straight ball that kept a shade low (273 for 7). But Martin wasn’t finished yet, and he completed the turnaround by nailing McKenzie and Ntini, before South Africa were finally all out for 296. Only 65 had been added to the overnight total, and South Africa had lost 10 wickets for 119 runs. This was partly due to the overcast conditions, but was mainly down to the complete change in the New Zealand bowlers’ discipline.South Africa’s opening bowlers continued in similar vein. Pollock snapped up his 331st Test wicket, passing Allan Donald to become the highest wicket-taker for his country, with a near-perfect legcutter. Papps had to play at it, and the edge was easily taken at second slip. Stephen Fleming poked at one tentatively and Kallis latched on as the ball was screaming past him (12 for 2).At that point, ten wickets had fallen in the day. But only one more fell afterwards, and Scott Styris’s attacking methods were chiefly responsible for that.

New Zealand A 597 for 9 dec (Bell 173, Sinclair 133) beat Sri Lanka A 212 and 148 (Hewage 33, Mason 5-21) by an innings and 237 runs
ScorecardMichael Mason took 5 for 21 as New Zealand A bundled Sri Lanka A out for 148 in their second innings, to win comfortably by an innings and 237 runs. The Sri Lankans had begun the day on 56 for 2, 329 behind, and they lasted just 35 overs.The key breakthrough came from Chris Martin, who dismissed Pradeep Hewage for 33, with Sri Lanka A’s score on 80 for 3. Hewage ended up the top-scorer, with 33, as three more Sri Lankan wickets fell within the next 8 runs. Prasanna Jayawardene, who remained not out on 24, tried to construct a rear-guard resistance, but he ran out of partners as the innings slid to a close.

Sourav Ganguly: will he open the batting at Rawalpindi?© AFP

There is so much happening so fast at the Pindi Cricket Stadium that it is increasingly difficult to sort out fact from fiction. Sourav Ganguly, back at the helm of the Indian team, said that he might open the batting with Virender Sehwag. The pitch has had so little mowing that from a distance it’s difficult to make out the batting strip from the rest of the field. The Pakistan camp is riddled with injuries to their key bowlers while the sole unaffected bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, is beginning to find the rhythm that has made him a huge force in international cricket. The final Test is going to be a showdown, a streetfight, a battle to the end.To fight this battle the Indian think-tank has, in its infinite wisdom, chosen an unusual XI. As expected, they have split the successful opening partnership of Aakash Chopra and Sehwag. Yuvraj Singh, who was picked in the squad as a reserve opener, may take his place. Worse still, Ganguly said, “It is a hard decision. When we chose Yuvraj in the squad ahead of Sadagoppan Ramesh, he [Yuvraj] had agreed to open the innings. But he has played really well in the middle order so either he or I will open the innings. In the long run Yuvraj has to look at himself as an opening batsman.” Ganguly conceded, “I am not a Test opener, but if I do open it will be a one-off thing in the interest of the team.”India continue to believe in a bat-first policy and it is an adventurous step to replace the steady Chopra with the impetuous Yuvraj at the top of the order. If it succeeds, the Yuvraj-Sehwag partnership will be a delight for a public lusting after fours and sixes, but that is an irrelevant point. The team has to think first about the business of winning Test matches, not entertaining crowds. “Chopra is unlucky to miss out, but you can’t drop batsmen who have made Test hundreds,” said Ganguly. Yuvraj made a conscious decision to open the batting for Punjab in the last Ranji season and the results were encouraging. He made 138 against Delhi, 80 against Railways, and 38 in a low-scoring game against Andhra Pradesh. But he did not have to face Shoaib steaming in and letting the ball rip at close to 100mph in domestic cricket.

Shoaib Akhtar and John Wright discuss strategy on the eve of the decider© AFP

In a departure from tradition the Indian captain announced the final XI in his pre-match press conference. Chopra, Ajit Agarkar, Ramesh Powar, Murali Kartik and Mohammad Kaif are the five who miss out. Ashish Nehra, who many reckon should have played in the second Test itself, comes into the team in place of Agarkar, who bowed ineffectively in that match. Anil Kumble holds his spot as the sole spinner in the team and that is only understandable given the nature of the pitch.Though there is plenty of live grass on the track, both Ganguly and John Wright feel that it will turn brown before the first day is out. It has been ferociously hot during the day, with temperatures inching towards 40 degrees Celsius. This will take a toll on the pitch, making it progressively batsman-friendly. Local experts reckon that the bounce will be even for the best part of the game, unlike at Lahore where the ball began to keep low from the second day itself.There’s more pressure on Shoaib in the final Test, with Umar Gul out of the game with a bad back. However, there’s no shortage of firepower in the squad. Pakistan will have to choose from Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Fazl-e-Akbar and Rao Iftikhar Anjum. Naved is likely to get the nod. The confirmation that Mohammad Sami is fit to play is a confidence-booster to the Pakistan team. India, on the other hand, have had a tricky decision to make, and know at the back of their minds that they might have got it wrong.Pakistan (likely) 1 Imran Farhat, 2 Taufeeq Umar, 3 Yasir Hameed, 4 Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Yousuf Youhana, 6 Asim Kamal, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, 9 Mohammad Sami, 10 Shoaib Akhtar, 11 Danish Kaneria.India 1 Yuvraj Singh, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 VVS Laxman, 6 Sourav Ganguly (capt), 7 Parthiv Patel (wk), 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Lakshmipathy Balaji, 10 Anil Kumble, 11 Ashish Nehra.