John Buchanan believes Adam Gilchrist’s use of a squash ball in his batting glove during the World Cup final is “a non-issue” and wants suggestions the move was unethical to be dealt with harshly. The MCC, who are the guardians of the Laws, said the squash ball was legal, a sentiment echoed by Buchanan.”If you want to go down this road, where do you draw the line?” Buchanan told . “Should it be illegal for players to receive strapping to injuries, or for batsmen to use extra grips on their bats?”There is an argument that there is some benefit there. I hope that over time, people will ignore something like this and remember the innings for how good it was.”Gilchrist revealed his secret weapon after belting 149 in the final against Sri Lanka, which led Sri Lanka Cricket’s secretary, Kangadaran Mathivanan, to call the move “unethical” and consider taking the matter up at the ICC annual general meeting in June. Buchanan said such comments undermined one of the most memorable innings in World Cup history.”Everybody will be disappointed about this,” Buchanan said. “The final should be a celebration of cricket and Adam’s innings was outstanding. Comments like these should be ignored by the public, and be dealt with harshly as quickly as possible.”Ian Healy, Gilchrist’s wicketkeeping predecessor, said he “had a giggle” about the furore. “Let them all put squash balls in their glove and see how they go,” Healy said in . “Maybe a tennis ball is better, they could try that. All protective equipment and strappings which sportsmen wear are performance-enhancing. I’m not too sure a squash ball would enhance the performance of too many people.”
“What happen? Is only white people does field slips for Zimbabwe?”That loud query from a fan in the Learie Constantine Stand yesterday as the visitors warmed up for the final one-dayer against West Indies is just one of the reasons why the Queen’s Park Oval will always be one of my favourite places.For all of the innovations and renovations over the years, this home of cricket in Trinidad and Tobago, and still one of the most beautiful grounds in the world, retains a timeless appeal, even for those not too enamoured with the increasingly artificial and orchestrated nature of spectator support.Nowhere is the sacred art of picong – the biting, sarcastic wit that has often had many a West Indian legend wondering if this was really a “home” ground – better expressed than at the Oval. Indeed, in the golden, idyllic days before we were all being deafened by the booming amplifiers and the Trini-Jamaican-Yankee deejays, a day of cricket there was an education both on and off the field.As if the privilege of seeing some of the finest players of all time in their pomp was not enough, there was (and I’m sure still is in the areas of the ground furthest from the noise) the opportunity to be educated on the more aesthetic points of the game by an assortment of well-studied experts, a history lesson recounting in vivid detail the great deeds by great champions over the years, and, if the cricketing professors were sufficiently mobile, an impromptu practical coaching clinic on just how it should be done with front elbow cocked, bat and pad close together and much more.I may never be a fan of the Trini Posse, but it will take more than an assortment of unbearably noisy party animals who know next to nothing about cricket to keep me away from this venue.If this all sounds like shameless self-indulgence, it is. But then again, for someone weaned on the game and brought up believing it to be a great teacher in matters considerably more weighty than just bat and ball, there should be no need to apologise for a game and an environment that has been enjoyable, enlightening and quintessentially Trinidadian.
Cricket at the Oval, or at anyone else’s favourite ground, is never just about the action in the middle. It is about a comfortable environment that, even as it changes physically, fights to remain the same spiritually
Issues of crime and violence, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, fade into the background when the sun comes up on a day of international cricket at the Oval. Indeed, there will be much heated debate in the stands on those matters, as there has always been when friends and foes gather, especially for a Test match. However, that is just the pepper sauce to flavour the meal, the true enjoyment of which can only be appreciated over time and explains why, as dull and dreary as it may get, there will always be that core of fans for whom the longer version of the game is the only real cricket.Having been so extremely fortunate over the years to be able to cover cricket at home, around the region and around the world, it is easy for the traveling media to become very cynical about the whole thing. For us it is just another ODI or Test, watching the same players play the same shots, bowl the same deliveries and make the same mistakes, even if the results are occasionally different. But there are still brief moments, small windows of memories and nostalgia that offer a timely reminder as to why cricket at the Oval is such a special experience going beyond wickets, fours and sixes.”Call it off man! Let we go from here!” many of us in the media area were already saying when the rain started to come down really heavily on Saturday afternoon. It took a while, but the showers hung around long enough to force the abandonment. With a few minutes to spare before being picked up by my wife (no parking this time in the Oval with all the construction going on), I decided to take a walk up to the Queen’s Park Savannah and then, sitting on a bench, enjoyed a refreshing coconut (medium jelly if you please) with my considerably better half.
The reawakening of the senses as to the timeless beauty of the Savannah and its surroundings made the journey around the world’s biggest roundabout even more pleasurable heading back to the ground on Sunday morning.From the poui trees in full bloom to the cricket nuts with their coolers, to the wide-eyed children being dragged along, it brought back memories of a time when life seemed so much simpler and considerably more enjoyable.West Indies versus Zimbabwe, eighth against tenth, is hardly the sort of contest to get the pulses racing. But cricket at the Oval, or at anyone else’s favourite ground, is never just about the action in the middle. It is about a comfortable environment that, even as it changes physically, fights to remain the same spiritually.The sense of great deeds done over the years under the stately gaze of the samaan trees and against the backdrop of the hills of Maraval, St Ann’s and Cascade makes it a special arena. So even as the stands climb higher and look more impressive, even as greenery has to give way to steel and concrete, the Queen’s Park Oval will remain a storehouse of rich memories, an oasis of what is, or was, good about life in this country.
Marcus North, the Western Australian batsman, has been rewarded for his consistent form by being appointed as deputy vice-captain. North, who will be entering his seventh season with the Warriors, will be the third member of the leadership group along with Justin Langer and Mike Hussey. With both Langer and Hussey expected to be involved in Australia’s international assignments, North is likely to lead the side in a few games next season.”It’s a great honour to be given the responsibility of helping to lead your team-mates,” North said. “We’ve built an exciting group of players and I’m looking forward to assisting Justin and Michael in taking them to a Pura Cup title.”North was one of the key members of the middle order last season and finished as the eighth-highest scorer in the Pura Cup and fourth highest in the ING Cup. “Marcus has been a critical member of our middle order for a number of seasons now and continues to show exceptional leadership qualities,” Wayne Clark, the coach, said. “His innings in Hobart earlier this year when we chased down 396 in less than a day was a perfect example of not only his batting ability but also his leadership skills. With Langer and Hussey both expected to be involved in Australia’s international schedule over the summer Marcus was the natural choice to be the next leadership option.”The WACA board also endorsed the other recommendations of the State Cricket Committee regarding the make up of the State Selection Panel. After three years as Chairman Wayne Hill, the former WA wicketkeeper, has stepped aside, handing the reigns to Tom Hogan, the former Test spinner. Joining Hogan, Hill and Peter Capes on the panel will be former Andrew Farmer, the Joondalup coach, who has replaced Lee Bott.”With my other WACA board commitments I decided that it was best for me to hand the position of chairman to someone else,” Hill said. “That said I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement with team selection simply as member of the selection panel.”
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.
Sri Lanka need to win at least one and possibly both of their remaining Super Six matches against India and Kenya to have any chance of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.Australia are already there after beating them by 96 runs at Centurion, and Sri Lanka’s captain Sanath Jayasuriya was injured while batting.”I was hit twice, the first one on the thumb and then I got hit on the arm later in the same over,” explained Jayasuriya. “It’s painful but we will have to wait and see about the next game.”When you’re chasing such a big total it’s important that one or two of yourbatsmen get big scores and we weren’t helped by me having to retire hurt andthen losing some early wickets but Aravinda played well.”Sri Lanka’s coach Dav Whatmore was less than impressed by the team’s performance, stressing the need to bounce straight back if they are to overcome India in their next match.”We weren’t very clever today,” Whatmore said. “It’s another test for our boys because India are not a bad side and we need to get points sooner rather than later – it’s a big test of our character.”Australian captain Ricky Ponting was made man of the match for his 114, and insisted that Jayasuriya’s injury would have no effect on their bowling strategy in the rest of the tournament.”You never want to see anyone get seriously hurt and hopefully he hasn’t beenseriously injured, but it’s a World Cup and we’re trying to bowl where theirbatsmen are least likely to score,” Ponting said.”If that happens to be at the body then it will be at the body. We’re not going to go out there and bowl him full wide ones because he’s going to smack us over cover or point every time – that’s a weakness in his game and we’ve picked up on that of late and we’ve been able to execute that pretty well.”It was a pretty good day for us. I thought they got a few more runs than I would have liked at the end, but that happens in those sort of games – they had nothing to lose at the end of the game and Aravinda got stuck into us a little bit.”The batting was very good and the bowling with the new ball was excellent,we had them under pressure right from the word go and we executed our plansparticularly well.”
David Byas was at his resilient best to earn Division One leaders Yorkshire a valuable 56-run advantage over Northamptonshire on another hot and humid day at Wantage Road.The visitors’ skipper hit an unbeaten 110 in five hours, and received excellent support from Ryan Sidebottom (20) as Yorkshire rallied strongly from 225-8 to 309 all out. Northants closed on 26-1 in their second innings, still 30 runs adrift.On a pitch offering some help to the spinners, Yorkshire ran into trouble against Jason Brown and Graeme Swann with only opener Matthew Wood (55) and Darren Lehmann (29) prospering for long.The ever-dangerous Lehmann fell to a superb throw from Brown on the third man boundary as he looked for a risky second run, and although Byas was batting with skill and patience Northants – bottom of the table – were bowling themselves into a promising position.But Sidebottom dug in with Byas, and the pair added 78 in 25 overs to wrest the initiative and secure a third bonus point. Byas completed a well-deserved century – his second of the season and 26th for the county – off 241 balls with 14 fours, displaying a wider range of attacking strokes as his innings progressed.Paul Taylor eventually mopped up the tail, but Sidebottom still enjoyed the last laugh as he had Adrian Rollins taken by Scott Richardson in the slips with his first ball to leave Northants firmly on the back foot at the close.
Manchester United’s heavy spending in the transfer market has been there for all to see in recent history, with huge funds being dropped on players who have failed to make the grade.
Ruben Amorim has already spent upwards of £200m since his appointment last November, adding to the £600m splashed by Erik ten Hag in just over two years.
The £800m spent has been wasted on countless players not at the level required for success in the Premier League, which has often resulted in numerous huge losses on various players.
As a result, it’s unclear how much the manager will have available to spend in the winter window, but it hasn’t stopped numerous top talents from appearing on their radar.
The January window could be make or break for the manager, with the 40-year-old needing to make full use of whatever funds he’s handed by the Red Devils hierarchy.
United make contact to sign PL superstar
Over the last couple of days, United have been in constant talks with Bournemouth over a deal to land Antoine Semenyo in January, with Amorim’s men looking to jump the queue for his signature.
The Ghanaian winger currently has a £65m release clause within his contract at the Vitality, but certain sides will have to act quickly, with such a clause ending on January 10th.
If the Red Devils are to complete any transfer for the 25-year-old this winter, they will likely have to fend off interest from rivals Manchester City, who are also keen on a move for his signature.
Semenyo isn’t the only Premier League star currently in their sights for January, with Nottingham Forest sensation Elliot Anderson another player being considered by the board.
According to David Ornstein, the Red Devils have already reached out to Sean Dyche’s side over a potential move for the 23-year-old who’s started every league game this campaign.
He also states the England international is the club’s top target at present, with the youngster seen as the perfect immediate and long-term solution to their midfield issues.
Ornstein stated: “We’re talking the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, plenty of others will be in the frame as well. I think some of them already calling Nottingham Forest, Manchester United have made their interest known. I think he’s top of their list, or there, or there abouts for a number six come this summer.”
Why Anderson would finally get Sesko firing at United
As part of Amorim’s recent shopping spree at United, he oversaw the completion of Benjamin Sesko’s arrival from German side RB Leipzig for a reported £74m.
Given the fee, the Red Devils fans were no doubt excited at the prospect of finding their leading talisman, but it’s safe to say the move has failed to take off as yet.
The Slovenian international has only netted two league goals out of his first 13 appearances, subsequently struggling to adapt to the demands of England’s top-flight.
He will certainly need time to get used to Amorim’s system, but any struggles could be eased if they complete a transfer to sign Anderson in the January window.
The English star may well be a box-to-box midfielder, but it’s his all-round game which could aid the 22-year-old with his efforts in front of goal in the final third.
His underlying stats showcase his talents at both ends, which could hand the manager the long-term fix to such an issue, which has often plagued him in 2025/26.
Anderson, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by one journalist, has completed 1.2 dribbles to date, whilst also winning 7.3 duels per 90 – showcasing his box-to-box talents – but also placing him in the top 5% of midfielders in the league.
Elliot Anderson – PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
17
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
83%
Dribbles completed
1.2
Duels won
7.3
Ball recoveries
8.4
Progressive passes
8.4
Passes into final third
8.1
Stats via FBref
He has also made 8.4 recoveries of the ball per 90 in 2025/26, with his overall total of 142 in the first 17 outings, by far and away, the best of any player in England’s top-flight.
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However, it’s his efforts in possession that could hugely benefit Sesko at Old Trafford, with Anderson averaging a total of 8.4 progressive passes and 8.1 passes into the final third per 90.
Such numbers showcase the midfielder’s incredible ability at playing the ball into forward areas, which could see the Slovenian be the beneficiary of countless chances in front of goal.
To put Anderson’s numbers into context, he’s currently playing more forward passes than 95% of other midfielders in the league – a phenomenal feat for a deep-lying option.
Whilst he would reportedly cost around the £100m mark, a deal for the Forest star would certainly provide an immediate solution to the problems at the heart of the United midfield.
His creativity is certainly an added bonus, with such numbers only going to improve Sesko’s chances of success during his own time at the Theatre of Dreams.
Better than Anderson & Wharton: Man Utd join race to sign £52m midfielder
Manchester United have identified another top target for the midfield department ahead of January.
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.”
ScorecardRohit G Sharma and Pankaj Singh steered Rajasthan to the finals of the Ranji Trophy one-day tournament with a seven-wicket win over Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Chasing 262, Sharma laid the foundation with 62 while Singh polished off the target with a breezy 36 off 22 balls.Punjab won the toss and elected to bat first and the innings was anchored by opener Karan Goel, who scored 72. Ravneet Ricky chipped in with 48 and added 112 with Goel. Pankaj Dharmani and Reetinder Sodhi added the finishing touches to push the score to 261. Rajasthan began their reply in a steady manner with Sharma and Anshu Jain adding 89 for the second wicket. However a steady fall of wickets followed and Punjab clawed back, reducing the home side to 203 for 7. Rajesh Bishnoi and Singh ensured no further fall of wickets and took their side home with an over to spare.Rajasthan will meet Mumbai in the finals at the same venue on Wednesday.
South Africa 155 for 2 (Amla 50*, Kallis 25*) trail New Zealand 593 for 8 dec (Fleming 262, Franklin 122*, Ntini 4-162) by 438 runs Scorecard and ball-by-ball details How they were out
On a day of firsts at Cape Town, New Zealand maintained their supremacy but were left looking towards the heavens as the weather threatened to ruin their chances of squaring the series. After James Franklin had reached his maiden Test century, Jeetan Patel opened his Test-wicket tally with two scalps. However, Hashim Amla marked his return to the Test arena with a hardworking first fifty as he guided South Africa’s pursuit of the follow-on target of 394.Faced with a huge total – and a follow-on target of 394 – Graeme Smith and Boeta Dippenaar had made steady progress against the new ball after New Zealand extended their innings for 13 overs. Patel and Daniel Vettori were in action by the 13th over of South Africa’s reply, and both found appreciable assistance, with Vettori ripping deliveries past the edges of all the right-handers.Patel, though, was something of a surprise package. He has produced some promising performances in one-day internationals but a career average of over 41 in first-class cricket would not send shudders through a batting line-up. However, he made an immediate mark when Stephen Fleming threw him the ball flighting a full delivery to Smith, who tried to work it to the onside, but could only spoon it back to the bowler. Smith stood his ground, believing it to be a bump ball, but the TV evidence was clear and he was on his way.Patel wasn’t afraid to flight the ball and bowled an attacking line outside off stump, drifting the ball away from the bat. His second wicket, when Dippenaar dragged on an attempted cut, was reward for a impressive spell of patience and pressure building. This certainly isn’t a surface where New Zealand are going to rush through the South African line-up and Fleming realised this. He wasn’t afraid to rotate his attack and try some innovative field settings, such as removing the slips for Scott Styris and blocking up the run-scoring areas.
Amla stood firm on his return to the Test team and his extensive work with Gary Kirsten is paying dividends. On his last outing he was worked out by the England pace attack during the 2004-05 series and was returned to domestic cricket to hone his technique. A season’s average of over 50 has been rewarded, and although his flat-footed wafts at Franklin show there is still work to do, he has clearly made progress. In the brief period of play after tea, before the light closed in, he took two fours off Patel to reach his half-century, a battling effort off 132 balls.South Africa have long since conceded this Test is now purely an exercise in survival and Amla’s stand with Jacques Kallis showed this. Both were happy to concentrate primarily on defence although Kallis did produce some uncharacteristic wafts against the spinners.With the dodgy weather knocking around, Fleming may yet regret batting so long in the morning. Franklin struggled to pierce the field as he tried to tick off the seven more runs needed to reach three figures. However, he finally connected with a searing straight drive to bring up the milestone, the third of his first-class career.Once the weight of the approaching hundred had been removed, Franklin opened his shoulders and launched a mini-blitz on the weary South African attack. He crunched a couple of scorching drives through the offside and then picked Makhaya Ntini up over midwicket for a handsome six.Patel chipped in with some meaty thumps through the infield, but his main role was to perform with the ball. He did that with distinction and he is going to have plenty of work over the next two days – weather permitting. This match has turned into a race against time for New Zealand, while South Africa just need to bat. Amla has begun the process and Kallis, entrenched at the crease, is the perfect man to carry it forward.
How they were outSouth AfricaGraeme Smith c and b Patel 25 (36 for 1) Boeta Dippenaar b Patel 47 (108 for 2)