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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.

MELBOURNE, Dec 29 AAP – England ensured Australia had to bat again by reaching 5-326 at tea on day four of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Trailing by 281 runs on the first innings, England’s far better second innings helped it save face but it was still staring at a fourth straight defeat this series.England opener Michael Vaughan led the fightback with a superb 145 that made him the leading run-scorer in Test cricket this calendar year, with an aggregate of 1,481 runs.Vaughan was caught at first slip by Martin Love from the bowling of Stuart MacGill before Robert Key (52) and John Crawley (29 not out) pushed the total past that required to make Australia bat again.Key survived until the second new ball, which Australia took at 4-268. One run later, Key was caught by Ricky Ponting at second slip from the bowling of Jason Gillespie.Gillespie (2-43), McGrath (1-44) and MacGill (2-143) were the wicket takers.Australia made 6(dec)-551 in its first innings.

The Australians began their first practice session in England today in readiness for the NatWest and Ashes series – and believe that they hold the psychological edge over England.Skipper Steve Waugh acknowledges that England are on a roll at the moment, having won four Test series in a row, but thinks that his side will be able to take advantage of their recent good record against England.Speaking at New Road, Worcester, this morning, Waugh said: “We are looking forward to playing England; they have done very well in recent times.”They are a good side, seem together and are pretty tough and won some goodmatches.”They are obviously a good team, but they are going to come up against apretty good Australian side.”We know what to expect. We got beaten pretty comprehensively in the FirstTest of the last series here but we have a pretty good record against Englandand their personnel have not changed that much.”If we can get on top early we believe we can bring those old scars up.”His comments were echoed by fast bowler Glenn McGrath. “If we really concentrate on our game, I can’t see us getting beaten,” the New South Wales player told the Sydney Morning Herald.”England have won four series in a row and are playing pretty well. Theirspirits will be up.”But he added: “At the end of the day, I don’t feel they really believe they can beat us. That’s where we’ll beat them.”Last week Waugh said that because of England’s recent form and Australia’s defeat in India, England went into the series as favourites. But he later claimed the comments were intended to be taken light-heartedly and repeated today that he felt the tourists were the likely favourites.”England have just beaten Pakistan in the first Test of the summer and welost our last two Test matches,” said Waugh. “So form-wise England have gotthe form on the board – but I would suggest we will still probably go in asfavourites.”In some ways it would be good to see whether we can come back from losing aseries. We will see how good we really are.”A number of the tourists have played county cricket and Waugh suggested thatan Ashes tour was like a home-from-home for his travelling party.”It’s a great place to come and play cricket and it’s the number one tour ifyou are an Australian player.”We feel comfortable and a lot of us have played a lot of cricket here and welove playing in England.”I think the crowds are probably the best to play in front of – cricket herehas just got a good feeling about it. It feels as if this is the place toplay.”Australia’s first game of the tour will be a three-day game at New Road against Worcestershire starting on June 1.

West Brom have had a mixed season in the Championship so far, having started with Valerien Ismael in charge, the Baggies now have former Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce at the helm to see out the remainder of the campaign as strongly as possible.

With 37 league games played, the Midlands club have won 14, drawn 11 and lost 12, highlighting just how unpredictable they’ve been over the past months.

One player that has been a prominent figure for the Baggies this season is defender Kyle Bartley, who has appeared in 33 league games and earned himself an overall performance rating of 7.1, making him the second-highest rated player in Bruce’s squad according to WhoScored.

Despite being such a regular player for his side, the 30-year-old is the oldest defender at the Hawthorns, meaning that he may not have too many years left at the club in terms of being a first-choice pick for the team.

With that in mind, Bruce may already have his ideal long-term replacement for Bartley in his ranks at the moment with 19-year-old defender Caleb Taylor.

As a product of West Brom’s youth academy, the teenager has made 59 appearances combined for their U18 and U23 sides as well as two first-team appearances, both of which coming in cup competitions.

In the disheartening 6-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup back in August, the youngster managed to show what he can do at the back, despite conceding so many goals.

With 82 minutes under his belt against the Gunners, Taylor made two tackles, two interceptions and three clearances as well as winning four of the five duels he was involved in.

Labelled as a player that is “vocal, focused and leads by example with the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch” by the club’s U18 coach Peter Gilbert, these sorts of attributes could make the youngster a suitable long-term heir for Bartley, who has also been praised in the past for being a “good talker and a good leader” by former Baggies boss Sam Allardyce.

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Even though the youngster hasn’t been included in any matchday squads since January, Bruce should definitely start getting Taylor more involved in the senior side to see if he has what it takes to eventually become a regular first-team player for his club.

In other news: Dowling disaster: WBA will be having nightmares over “ruthless” 164 G/A “fighter” – opinion

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	Trinidad’s players celebrate the dismissal of Shivnarine Chattergoon © Trinidad and Tobago Express

Opener Dale Richards blasted 80 off 93 balls with 11 fours to lead Barbados to a thumping nine-wicket win over Windward Islands in Kingston. Richards, who capitalised on some wayward bowling to bring up his half-century off 55 balls, added 111 runs for the first wicket with Jason Haynes, before Haynes and Dwayne Smith finished off the job. Earlier, Windward, who resumed on 58 for 3, with a lead of only two runs, lost overnight batsmen Andre Fletcher and Liam Sebastian for 14 and 18 respectively as they slumped to 87 for 5. Donwell Hector looked assured before he was run out for 14, the second time that he was dismissed in such a manner in his debut match. Lindon James, the wicketkeeper-batsman, took Windward from 104 for 6 to 190 with an unbeaten 56. Smith then took the last two wickets to finish with 3 for 41. Ryan Hinds was named Man of the Match for scoring 95 in Barbados’ first innings as well as claiming three wickets with his left-arm spin.
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Guyana slumped 128 for 4 against Trinidad to gain an effective lead of only 61 runs at the end of the third day’s play in Port of Spain. Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, with an unbeaten 35, was at the crease when stumps were drawn after Guyana began their second innings 67 runs in arrears. Richard Kelly gave Trinidad the early breakthrough by getting rid of Shivnarine Chattergoon, the first innings century-maker, for four. Seamer Rayad Emrit, playing his first match as Trinidad captain, then dismissed opener Travis Dowlin and Leon Johnson for 10 to leave Guyana at 48 for 3. Narsingh Deonarine, who scored 46 of 51 balls with seven fours and a six, set about doing the repair job with Sarwan, adding 74 runs for the fourth wicket, before he was dismissed by offspinner Amit Jaggernauth. Earlier, Trinidad, who resumed on 273 for 3, lost Lara in the morning session when he gave left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul a return catch after only adding eight runs to his overnight score of 115. Trinidad lost wickets at regular intervals, but Kieron Pollord, who had resumed on 41, kept up the attack by scoring 85 off 103 balls before edging to the wicketkeeper. There was an hour-long stoppage after lunch due to rain, subsequent to which, Richard Kelly, with an unbeaten 30, took Trinidad to 401. Offspinner Zaheer Mohammed claimed the bowling honours with figures of 4 for 78.
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Jamaica, after overcoming a nervy start, were led by an aggressive half-century from Wavell Hinds, who scored 62 off 82 balls, to take them to a five-wicket win over Leeward Islands at Sabina Park. Leeward’s seamer Gavin Tonge took three wickets to have Jamaica stuttering at 20 for 4, but they could not capitalise on that opening, with Hinds and David Bernard adding 82 runs for the fifth wicket. Earlier, Leewards could only add 96 runs to their overnight 87 for 2, with legspinner Odeon Brown taking 5 for 31 to finish with a match haul of 10 for 103, his maiden ten-wicket haul at the first-class level. Brown, who was named Man of the Match, was aided by left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, who claimed figures of 4 for 43 to end with overall figures of 7 for 85. Montcin Hodge provided resistance from Leeward, taking his score from 38 to 64, consuming 267 deliveries in a knock that stretched five hours.

‘Coaching is my life: it’s what I do best’ © Getty Images

Allan Donald, the former South Africa fast bowler, has said he “can’t think of a more experienced coach” than Bob Woolmer to take over from Duncan Fletcher as England coach, should the position become available.Yesterday Woolmer, the Pakistan coach who played 19 Tests for England, told that he “will be open to offers after the World Cup,” and that he “would be foolish not to be”.”I have always been proud of playing for England and just missed out on coaching them [in the past] because the timing was not right. Coaching is my life,” he said. “It is what I do best and I am keeping fit through hitting catches and walking for 45 minutes every day, and swimming 1,200 metres every other day.”And Donald, who played under Woolmer during his tenure as Warwickshire coach in the 1990s, is certain England have a worthy replacement for Fletcher. “He is such a dedicated bloke,” he said, “very professional, he understands the England system very well and will set new challenges for an England squad.”Tom Moody, the Sri Lanka coach and John Wright, the previous India coach, are two other possible names England might consider. While both have played county cricket, neither is as experienced a coach as Woolmer.

ScorecardSara McGlashan hit an unbeaten half-century as Central Districts beat Canterbury by five wickets at Christchurch to claim their first State League title. Having dismissed Canterbury for just 150, CD coasted home with 17 balls to spare. It was just the second time that the unfancied CD side had beaten Canterbury in their history.After rain delayed the start, Canterbury opted to bat but struggled to get a partnership going and lost wickets at regular intervals to finish on 150 for 9 after 50 overs. Both Haidee Tiffen and Beth McNeill top-scored with 25. Zara McWilliams picked up 3 for 37 for Central Districts.In the second innings, Amy Satterthwaite picked up three quick top-order wickets to reduce Central Districts to 65 for 3 but McGlashan held the innings together with a well-made 55 and saw them through to the title.”Obviously, playing for New Zealand ranks very high but I think this is probably the best moment of my career,” said McGlashan. “I don’t think there’s a better feeling than this. It’s always been a team effort with us and everyone’s done really well throughout the season. We put them under pressure and they crumbled.”

Jamaica 316 and 274 for 6 decl. (Hyatt 64, Pagon 57) beat Trinidad & Tobago 303 and 145 (Kelly 83, Miller 4-27) by 142 runs
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With three of their batsmen unable to bat, Trinidad and Tobago slumped to a 142-run defeat against Jamaica at the Alpart Sports Club. Shazan Babwah had returned home after the death of his father, while Imran Jan was resting a back injury, and once Sherwin Ganga retired hurt after being struck a painful blow on the chin by Daren Powell, Trinidad and Tobago were left with only seven fit batsmen. Chasing 288 in two session, they collapsed to 145 all out, despite a blistering 72-ball 83 from Richard Kelly who smashed seven sixes and three fours. For Jamaica, who registered a fifth successive win, Nikita Miller did the damage, picking up 4 for 27, including the wicket of Kelly, leg before wicket, as Trinidad and Tobago lost seven wickets in the final session. Earlier, Jamaica had declared on 274 for 6, with Powell making 45 and Carlton Baugh a quickfire 43.Barbados 224 and 4 for 0 trail Guyana 249 (Ramdass 57, Bennett 4-70) by 21 runs
ScorecardThe Nagamootoo brothers, Mahendra and Vishal, inspired a rearguard action that gave Guyana a 24-run first-innings lead against Barbados at the Kensington Oval. Ryan Ramdass had compiled a painstaking 57 as Guyana reached 119 for 1 in response to Barbados’s 224, but but they then slumped to 175 for 7 before Mahendra Nagamootoo chipped in with 32 to complement his brother’s unbeaten 33. For Barbados, Jason Bennett took 4 for 70 to take his series tally to an impressive 21. When bad light stopped play 11 overs early, Barbados were still 21 runs in arrears.Winward Islands 279 for 3 (Smith 135*, Murray 61*) lead Leeward Islands 262 (Jeffers 69, Sammy 6-50) by 17 runs
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Devon Smith compiled a patient and classy century as Windward Islands took charge of their match against the Leewards in St. Thomas. With Junior Murray chipping in with a defiant 61, Windwards dominated the final session after they had lost wickets either side of tea. Smith smashed 16 fours and a huge six off Omari Banks that landed on the roof of the commentary box. Earlier, Leewards were able to add just 10 to their overnight total, as Darren Sammy finished with career-best figures of 6 for 50.

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."

Nepal’s effort in reaching the final of the Plate Championship of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Lincoln University has been one of the highlights of the tournament.Nepal were only a fraction away from qualifying from the Super League stage of the World Cup, and they had victories over Test nations Pakistan and Bangladesh.But in terms of their own development they were probably best suited to learning in a less harsh environment in the Plate.The real test for Nepal lies in maximising the benefits to its players from the tournament.Whether coach Roy Dias is part of that may be decided by the Asian Cricket Council. Dias was appointed to the side by them, but he has been approached by United Arab Emirates and it could be the ACC that decides what he does.”My personal preference is Nepal – I know these guys so well,” he said.Dias believes Nepal could play at the top level in 10 years.”This has been a good tournament for them. They have had facilities to work in they have not had before.”But we find it difficult to get the kids interested back in Nepal. Soccer is their main game. And there is no schools set-up for cricket. Rumesh Ratnayake has been going around Nepal encouraging kids and trying to get them playing.”They have the talent but it is a long road ahead. There is some club cricket but it is all one-day cricket and mainly only 40 overs, so they haven’t been used to playing 50 overs.”But watching these guys the last three months I thought they could cause some surprises here, especially the spin bowlers. I knew the strength of my players,” Dias said.