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Northants Steelbacks have breezed to a seven-wicket victory over Derbyshire Scorpions in a floodlit Norwich Union League second division tussle at Wantage Road.The Steelbacks were stronger in all departments as they made light of the Scorpions lowly 143 all out, crossing the winning line with more than 17 overs to spare thanks to Mike Hussey’s fine unbeaten 72.The win takes the Steelbacks second, and in a good position to push for promotion. The Scorpions are left in the bottom three, contemplating another season in the second division.Earlier in the day the Scorpions, shorn of Dominic Cork (England duty), Michael Di Venuto and Graeme Welch (both injured) simply could not get going against a disciplined attack, despite choosing to bat on a pitch that remained good for batting throughout.A tight opening spell from Cousins and Greenidge (who finished with career best one-day figures of 3-22) set the tone, with Stephen Stubbings falling to a good, low catch by Sales at slip off Greenidge as he played an extravagant drive.Gait, slashing at Greenidge without any foot movement, followed for 23 and after 15 overs the Scorpions had compiled just 42-2.Selwood, who came out to bat to Kenny Rogers’ ‘Coward of the County,’ lived dangerously. Dropped by Sales at slip off Penberthy, he eventually fell to the same bowler. In attempting to turn the ball on the leg side he succeeded only in dollying a leading edge to Hussey at point.Bassano’s innings was tortuous. His 11 occupied 49 balls, and included a reprieve from Sales at slip, slashing at Penberthy. But the bowler got his man, when the batsman missed an expansive heave and was struck on the back leg. Penberthy, the Steelbacks beneficiary, finished with 2-16 from nine miserly overs.The Scorpions could ill afford another slip up, but when Sutton drove to a diving Brophy at cover and was sent back by his Dowman it left the innings in disarray at 63-5.A couple of good drives from Jason Kerr, in partnership with stand-in skipper, Matthew Dowman, gave the visitors some hope in a stand of 39, though the pair enjoyed plenty of fortune. Kerr was lucky not to be caught when turning Brown away on the leg-side, but instead benefited with five runs as the throw-in struck Dowman and the ball ran away to the boundary.Together the pair brought up the 100, before Jeff Cook responded to being driven through the covers for four with a quicker ball that Dowman, attempting to dab away on the off side, nicked to Bailey, standing up behind the stumps.Kerr greeted Swann into the attack with the shot of the innings, dancing to the pitch of the ball and drilling it for four. His 65* against the same opponents earlier in the season took his team to victory, and for a while he made batting look easy. Certainly his foot movement and straight hitting were an example to his less orthodox team-mates as he compiled an attractive 45.But when he was sent back by Lungley, looking for an optimistic single, the Scorpions were 135-7 and their last hope of setting a really competitive target was over.A super direct hit to the bowler’s end from Hussey at point did for Mohammad Ali, Dean skied Greenidge to Swann at long-on and Lungley became the fourth man run out when attempting a pretty desperate single off Swann as the Scorpions failed to bat out their overs. The target was never likely to be enough.In reply Hussey, the Steelbacks skipper, and Loye started as if they had a train to catch, taking 20 off the first two overs.Loye was in particularly aggressive mood, following an on-driven boundary with a swept six over mid-wicket off Kevin Dean to bring up the 50. But later in the same over Loye fell, caught at cover-point, driving uppishly.The Steelbacks wobbled somewhat as Sales fell to another Kerr long-hop, helping it straight down the throat of Selwood at long leg and Brophy, a South African who qualifies through EU regulations, was beaten for pace by Mohammad Ali, edging an attempted pull to the keeper.But Hussey continued untroubled, first pulling, then driving Dean for boundaries before swatting Kerr’s first ball, a pretty friendly long-hop, to the square leg fence. His 50 came up in just 47 balls, with seven boundaries.Cook provided the stability Hussey needed. He on-drove Kerr for four before square cutting Ali for four more in an attractive cameo of 37 not out as the pair added an unbroken 58 for the fourth wicket to see their side to the most comfortable of victories in just the 28th over.

Changes to the nature of the contracts that New Zealand’s players have with New Zealand Cricket were behind the 24-hour delay in the naming of the sides to tour the West Indies.The sides were finally announced today after discussions on an interim contract went longer than anticipated.As a result of the discussions, 20 players have now been placed on interim contracts until after the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka in September.The contracts were finalised this morning when matters of player payment were resolved.Negotiations between New Zealand Cricket, the major associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association over a longer term contract will continue during the duration of the interim contract.”We had discussions to review the player contract system’s structure and of details within that structure,” NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said.”This is the first time this has been undertaken and it was not possible to complete this before the West Indies tour,” he said.”There were a lot of issues that had to be thrashed out for the first time.Snedden added that he had not wanted NZC to suffer from something like the “Brad Thorn” situation suffered by rugby last year when a player was named in the All Blacks but then withdrew because he didn’t know if he had the commitment to play at that level.The interim contract would offer some security to players for their short-term future.Those players contracted are: Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Stephen Fleming, Chris Harris, Matthew Hart, Robbie Hart, Paul Hitchcock, Matt Horne, Craig McMillan, Chris Martin, Chris Nevin, Jacob Oram, Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori and Lou Vincent.Snedden said another reason for the delay had been the original decision to have discussions when the players returned from their tour of Pakistan, but once that tour was abandoned after the Karachi bomb blast he had wanted to allow players time to recover from that experience and that had resulted in a tight time frame this week for the discussions.Snedden said he had been contacted by several players in the last few days who were expressing real excitement about the West Indies and who took the opportunity to reassure him that they wanted to go.”They are really excited about the trip. They watched parts of the West Indies series with India on television while they were in Pakistan and they are anticipating a real challenge when they go and they are really looking forward to getting into it,” he said.

England’s ability to adapt, especially the younger players, to New Zealand conditions at Jade Stadium will determine the course of the first Test match of the National Bank series according to captain Nasser Hussain.England went into the game, and the series, slightly under-cooked but with Graham Thorpe and Marcus Trescothick returning to the side after the Canterbury game, and backed by himself and Andy Caddick, England would be prepared.”It is how the young lads step up on Wednesday and adapt to the conditions,” he said.Hussain said pitches were never of concern to him and, in fact, he got quite excited about wickets that did a bit.”It is a cliche but it is exactly the same for both teams,” he said.Wickets that did a bit meant there was never dull cricket.”It’s exciting, it might do anything. I prefer to play on a variety of wickets,” he said.But at the same time he said the drop-in pitch being used for the game was a very new experience for him and he would need to have a good look at it over the next two days.In England, most grounds had wickets that had a historical perspective which would give a fair idea of how they were going to play.This portable pitch had no real history and no-one could honestly say how it would play, he said.”You have to back your gut feeling. You can’t presume the best or worst about it,” he said.”The first session will be crucial, that will determine the course of the series,” he said.However, even if the strip was the greenest of green he didn’t think that would necessarily mean the non-selection of left-arm spinner Ashley Giles. Although Hussain said he was suffering a strain in his back that was not Test-threatening.Conditions with breezes often blowing across grounds in New Zealand meant there was still a role for slow bowlers and the contest between two very similar bowlers in Giles and Daniel Vettori would be an interesting one.It wasn’t only because Hussain was Vettori’s first first-class victim, back on the 1996/97 tour of New Zealand, that he regarded him as a “very fine bowler.”As with Giles, he had natural flight and guile and was a left-arm bowler of the old variety and the two were probably the best in the world of their kind. And Vettori had progressed nicely, as borne out by the fact he was the youngest spinner to get to 100 wickets.England were keen to reverse the 2-1 series loss they suffered in England in 1999.”I think we should have won that series,” Hussain said. He blamed himself for not having led the side better in the last Test at The Oval.But the side had also moved on since then and Duncan Fletcher had come in as coach. The performances of the side and the selection policy were more consistent as well, and young players brought into the side had come in and held their hands up which had been a good thing for English cricket.Some of those young players were still a little short of experience but the three Tests would advance that process.The young players, like Michael Vaughan, Trescothick and Matthew Hoggard now knew that they had every chance of having a good, long run in the side and that was important for their development.Hussain repeated his assertion that the Kookaburra ball in use for the game would demand accurate bowling in the first 25 overs before the seam softened.The side will have a final practice session tomorrow to complete their match preparation and a Test 12 will be named tomorrow evening, if Giles is fit for consideration.

Leicestershire batsman Darren Stevens has been named in the England Academy squad who will spend the winter in Australia under the guidance of Rodney Marsh.It crowns a successful season for 26-year-old Stevens who has scored more than 1500 runs in all cricket and is approaching 800 runs in the Championship.Delighted Leicestershire coach Phil Whitticase said: “It’s fantastic news and Darren fully deserves this wonderful opportunity.”He has scored heavily in all competitions, and although he lost his way a little bit in the Championship he was back to his best in the last match against Yorkshire with a brilliant 80 in our second innings. I am delighted for him.”Stevens has hit one Championship century against Warwickshire and five other half-centuries.He has also piled on the runs in the Norwich Union League with a top score of 125 against Durham, 91 against Notts and three more half-centuries.Left-arm fast bowler Matthew Whiley who was in the provisional squad announced earlier in the season, has been omitted from the final party to go to Adelaide.

MELBOURNE, Nov 22 AAP – Paceman Mick Lewis became the silent assassin today as he took a career-best 6-64 to give Victoria the upper hand over South Australia on day one of the crucial Pura Cup cricket clash at the MCG.Lewis ripped through the Redbacks’ top order to help the Bushrangers dismiss South Australia for 202 and also notched his first five-wicket haul since the 2000-01 final against Queensland.In reply, Victoria was 1-75 at stumps with Matthew Elliott (38 not out) and Graeme Rummans (12 not out) steadying after the loss of Jason Arnberger, caught behind off Ryan Harris for 25.Lewis’ pace wrecked South Australia’s batting after Shane Harwood (1-34) gave Victoria a dream start.Harwood had Ben Johnson caught in slips with the score on three after Redbacks captain Greg Blewett won the toss.Lewis then took the next five wickets in bursts to blunt any chance of a decent Redback recovery.The Victorian hardman credited his figures to curbing his sometimes fiery on-field manner although he was tempted to give former teammates John Davison and Damien Fleming a spray when they batted today.”I’ve tried not to say much this year,” Lewis said.”I’ve just tried a different approach, I found last year I used to get aggro and direct my anger at the batsman verbally and I’d just get more frustrated then.”So now I’ve just sort of gone away from that – still be physical at them and get in their face, but try not to mouth off as much.”Lewis said he had bowled well without reward this season and felt today’s haul was a fair reward since “busting to get a five-for”.”I used to get really uptight and try really hard and now if I just relax it’ll all just come along,” he said.Lewis showed good pace to dismiss Blewett (11) with a ball that quickened on him as he tried to pull and next over yorked Chris Davies for a duck.After lunch, Lewis knocked over David Fitzgerald (31) and Shane Deitz (2) in successive overs to have the Redbacks reeling at 5-68 before allrounder Mick Miller steadied the innings with a gritty 63, his maiden first-class half century.Victoria and South Australia are locked on 14 points atop the Pura Cup table

Devon Smith raced to a career best score as West Indies A made an explosive start to their tour match with Lancashire at Liverpool. The visitors were well placed on 355 for eight before rain bought an early halt to proceedings.Chris Gayle chipped in with a dynamic fifty, while part-time seamer Ryan Driver claimed his first five wicket haul for Lancashire. West Indies A scored at over five runs-an-over for much of the day, and seemed thoroughly to enjoy their cricket.Smith, a Grenadian, had struggled in England. The 20-year-old had scored only 94 runs all tour (he has played in every match) prior to this innings. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with English conditions – he had an excellent trip with West Indies’ Under 19s last year – and this knock should serve him well for the remainder of the tour.Smith seems more settled at three than opening, and batted with encouraging flair. His unbeaten 167 came from 251 balls with 25 boundaries.Daren Ganga won the toss and chose to bat, with the West Indians immediatelytaking advantage of a below-par Lancashire attack. John Anderson’s first spell was lashed at eight runs an over. Ganga (11) was a virtual spectator as Gayle plundered 50 from 43 balls. He hit ten fours, the knock a mixture of bludgeoning shots and elegant flourishes.Keeper Jamie Haynes’ neat catch gave Anderson something to smile about, and sent Ganga back to the pavilion. Gayle was bowled by Driver, who also picked up Runako Morton and Ryan Hinds before lunch.Dwayne Bravo and Keith Hibbert failed to settle, though Hibbert batted overthree-quarters of an hour before missing a straight one from left-armer GaryKeedy.West Indies’ own left-arm spinner was in more destructive form. Sulieman Benn clubbed a quick-fire 31 with six fours as Smith opened up after he reached his century with a flurry of boundaries. The left-hander continued with an array of crisp timing; young talent Kyle Hogg was dispatched at over seven runs an over.Anderson, who exerted more control in the afternoon than he looked capable of in the morning, found Darren Powell’s edge to pick up a second wicket. Tino Best joined Smith, and the pair batted sensibly before the heavens opened.This performance, as well as Sunday’s demolition of Yorkshire, will perhapshelp the West Indians turn a corner in this tour. Quick-scoring stroke-making is more aesthetically pleasing than dour defence and timid collapses. It’s also more Caribbean. Long may it last.

New Zealand’s campaign in the triangular Academy tournament in Townsville ended with a five-wicket defeat by South Africa yesterday.The New Zealanders batted first at their own choice, hoping to maintain the record of teams batting first having won all the previous games in the tournament.However, they struggled against the South African attack. Friedel de Wet’s first six overs yielded only 11 runs, and to the normally quickfire New Zealand batsmen it was a struggle.At one stage New Zealand were struggling at 167/5. Jamie How had scored 45 off 65 balls and the consistent Rob Nicol 42 off 56 balls. Some impetus to the latter stages of the innings was given by Iain Robertson who scored 29 off 30 balls.New Zealand were dismissed in the 49th over for 197.De Wet took three for 23 off 9.5 overs and Alan Kruger took two for 41.South Africa looked to be in trouble at 17/3, courtesy of an outstanding start to his bowling by James McMillan. His first five overs resulted in two wickets for only five runs. His final figures in the game were two for 17 off eight overs.However, Davey Jacobs proved the key man in the game with an innings of 100 not out off 106 balls. He hit 11 fours and three sixes in an outstanding innings which combined caution as required and aggression when available. Gerhard Strydom gave him notable support with 32 off 36 balls.South Africa reached 198 with five wickets down off the first ball of the 44th over.Apart from McMillan, Joseph Yovich had one for 35 from 10 overs, Mark Gillespie one for 25 from seven and Jeetan Patel one for 44 off 10.

The Wales squad for the first international challenge match against Englandin Cardiff on 24th June was announced today and contains one or two surprises. Tony Cottey of Sussex and Steffan Jones of Somerset are included in the 17-strong party, along with Jacques Kallis, who played for Glamorgan in 1999 and who has agreed to come over and guest for Wales in the match. A decision on whether Glamorgan’s current overseas player, Michael Kasprowicz, is to be involved has yet to be taken.The game, which is being staged as part of the England team’s preparations for the NatWest Series Tournament being played between England, India and Sri Lanka from 27th June to 13th July, will be the first time Wales have met England at this level and the England team will be selected from the squad picked for the NatWest Series competition.Tony Cottey and Steffan Jones are appearing courtesy of Sussex and Somerset and provided that those counties are not involved in any cricket on that day. Both were on the Glamorgan staff at the start of their careers. Kallis has agreed to play and has obtained permission from the United Cricket Board of South Africa. Qubik Applications of Cardiff have helped make that possible by part financing the costs of bringing him over.Steve James will skipper the side and the Glamorgan Coaching team of John Derrick, Adrian Shaw and Steve Watkin will look after the Wales team’s coaching prior to the game and on the day itself. A special kit is being designed for the Wales team for the occasion.Glamorgan’s Chief Executive Mike Fatkin said:Steve James said:England’s Head Coach Duncan Fletcher said:Tickets are still available for the game, priced £25 for adults, £18 for Glamorgan members and £8 for juniors under sixteen years of age. Applications can be made to the Glamorgan office either by post, by telephone (029 2040 9380), by calling in to the offices in Sophia Gardens, or via the Glamorgan website (www.glamorgancricket.comA very limited number of corporate hospitality packages are still available. For details of these, and how else to get involved in supporting the event,contact the commercial department at Glamorgan.Subject to everyone being available and fit, the 17-man Wales squad for thegame is:

Steve James (Captain) Jacques KallisDean Cosker Matthew MaynardTony Cottey Keith NewellRobert Croft Owen ParkinAdrian Dale Michael PowellAndrew Davies Darren ThomasDavid Hemp Mark WallaceSteffan Jones Alex WharfSimon Jones

In the event of there being any availability or injury problems other players will be added from within the current Glamorgan squad, namely Dan Cherry, Alun Evans David Harrison, Jonathan Hughes, Adrian Shaw and Ian Thomas. A decision on the involvement of Michael Kasprowicz will be taken nearer the time.The umpires for the match will be Mervyn Kitchen and former Glamorgan seam bowler Allan Jones. Trevor Jesty will be the third umpire.S4C are providing live coverage of this historic event. The channel’s Commissioner of Sport and Events, Gareth Davies, said the channel were looking forward eagerly to broadcasting the event.He said: “We are delighted that we have won the rights to televise this historic first international between Wales and England. We will be giving the match the most comprehensive coverage possible and are looking forward to playing a central role in this major sporting event. S4C already broadcasts a wide variety of international cricket and this match complements that coverage. It proves that S4C is batting for cricket and batting for Wales.”Steve James, John Derrick and some of the players involved in the Wales teamfor the match are available for interviews this morning – Thursday 2nd May -at Sophia Gardens.

A young Somerset Second team travelled to Street to play against Millfield School in a fifty over match, but proved to be far too strong for the opposition cruising to a comfortable 201 run victory.Batting first at the attractive Millfield School ground, Somerset got off to a good start as Neil Edwards and Chris Budd shared an opening stand of 72.But the highlight of the innings was a 158 fifth wicket partnership between triallist Dominic Joyce and Millfield old boy Wes Durston. Joyce looked impressive as he scored at ease before being out of 101. Durston stayed almost until the end of the innings before he was run out for 76.By the end of their allotted overs Somerset had reached 328 for 8.The Millfield batsmen were soon in trouble and had slipped to 13 for 3, before they were rescued by a gutsy innings from their skipper. In the end however their batsmen were no match for the Somerset attack and were all out for 107.Somerset return to Millfield School to play a second fifty over match tomorrow.

Opener Derek Kenway hit a chanceless century as Hampshire moved themselves into a powerful position on the second day of their CricInfo Championship match against Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl before rain brought an early end to the day’s play.Kenway and captain Robin Smith shared an unbroken stand of 136 in 47 overs for the third wicket to take Hampshire to 244 for two before rain washed out the final session.The pair had resumed the day on 122-2 and were quick to seize on any loose deliveries as they moved smoothly along with few alarms.Kenway resumed the day on 55 not out and brought up the third century of his career soon after lunch off 206 balls which included 17 crisply struck boundaries.The opener had batted for nearly five hours and hit 20 fours in an unbeaten knock of 124 off 234 deliveries when the weather brought an early close.Smith, six not out overnight, was content to play second fiddle in the stand to finish the day unbeaten on 55 but his knock included some fierce trademarks square cuts.Gloucestershire captain Mark Alleyne turned to six bowlers to no avail as he desperately searched for a breakthrough before the rain brought a welcome end to proceedings for the visiting team with more than two hours of play still left.