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England have staged a remarkable revival on the second day of the first Test at the Gabba, dismissing Australia for 492 and ending the day in the relatively strong position of 158 for the loss of just one wicket. After Ashley Giles took four wickets for the tourists, Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher both completed unbeaten half centuries.Resuming at 2/364, Australia crumbled and their middle order failed. Only Shane Warne (57) provided any stability down the order. Matthew Hayden (197) was out early, caught behind off the glove as he looked to cash in on an Andrew Caddick (3/108) short ball. The left-hander looked tired after his marathon innings yesterday – it was probably his determination rather than his strokeplay that got him as close as he did to the double century.After the departure of Hayden, Damien Martyn (26), Steve Waugh (7) and Darren Lehmann (30) did nothing to cement their places in the team. Martyn needed runs to justify his promotion to number four. Waugh, under ever-increasing pressure to justify his place, was caught at leg gully off Caddick. Lehmann is returning to Test cricket after an absence of nearly four years. All three missed a chance to boost their confidence for the remainder of the series.With Adam Gilchrist out without scoring, Warne was the only contributor from the lower order. His rapid 50 included eight boundaries, but his team-mates were pinned down by the England bowlers’ improved line and length. They all bowled better than yesterday, particularly Giles (4/101) and Craig White (2/105), who changed the tempo of the match for their captain.After Warne eventually fell to Caddick, the stitching completely unravelled. Lehmann and Andy Bichel were dismissed by consecutive balls from Giles, and although Jason Gillespie denied the left-arm spinner a hat-trick. Glenn McGrath did not trouble the scorers and added the third duck to the Australian scorecard.The England openers Trescothick (63*) and Vaughan (33) got off to a flyer. Vaughan was particularly aggressive, smashing McGrath (1/57) out of the attack, taking 23 off his first four overs. Vaughan hit the lanky pace bowler to all parts of the ground, showing no respect for the number one ranked bowler in the world.Although McGrath got his own back when Vaughan nicked a ball that nipped back off the seam through to Gilchrist, that was the only joy for Australia, as England dealt confidently with Warne (0/46) and Bichel (0/40). Gillespie, apparently injured, bowled just three overs.Trescothick was dropped twice, by Martyn at slip and Hayden at point. It may cost Australia dearly, as both he and Butcher have gone on to post half centuries. The dropping of Mark Waugh has resulted in players shifting from their regular positions. Martyn has moved to second slip, with Ponting moving into third and Steve Waugh moving into the cover region.England’s recovery has set up what could be an enthralling third day, with Australia needing to regroup and focus on playing positive cricket, much as the tourists did today.

On a miserable, wet day at Isham only five overs were possible.When play finally got under way, the game had been reduced to 33 overs aside. Northants won the toss and fielded in far from ideal conditions with fielders and batsmen finding the conditions treacherous under foot.Two wickets were lost in the 5 overs of play possible, with batsmen trying to force the pace, before further heavy rain brought proceedings to a halt.

Somerset went some way towards silencing those who have criticised their championship form when they reached 403 for 9 against Warwickshire by close of play at the County Ground in Taunton.One of the loudest cheers of the day was saved for Matt Bulbeck who edged the fourth ball of the penultimate over of the day bowled by Graham Wagg past the wicket-keeper to the boundary to bring up the 400 and gain what could be a vital fifth batting point for the Cidermen.Earlier Mike Burns had been unfortunate to miss out on what would have been a thoroughly-deserved century against his old county when he fell to a dazzling catch for 95, and there was a typical gutsy 110 from Ian Blackwell.Blackwell’s knock met with the approval of the large crowd who enjoyed the entertainment as he smote his way to his century off 86 balls, which included two enormous sixes and sixteen fours.On the way to his century `Blackie’ shared in a sixth wicket partnership of 115 with Rob Turner who continued his run of good form with a well struck 35.At the end of the day Somerset captain Jamie Cox, who earlier had scored 29 told me: “We played some good cricket today. Perhaps we were a bit disappointed when we lost those wickets after Blackie was out, but to post 400 runs in a day, and to score quickly now gives us the chance to win the game.”Mike Burns told me: “To get 400 is not a bad effort, and if we field and bowl well then we are in with a chance of getting on top. We have been on the back foot for a while so it’s nice to get on top for a change.”Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: “This was a much better day for us. There were some excellent contributions from some of the lads, especially Ian Blackwell.”We got five batting points which we haven’t done for a while which gives us something to bowl at. If we can push our score up to 450 tomorrow that will be a bonus.”

Namibia is finding the going very hard in the Standard Bank Cup domestic one-day competition. Having been beaten by Western Province on Wednesday evening, they followed it up on Sunday, with another loss against Free State in Bloemfontein.Winning the toss Namibia asked Free State to bat first and did well to restrict and bowl out a strong team for 216 after Free State squandered the chance of setting a big target.After a solid start and reaching 145/2 in 29 overs, thanks to 48 from Morne van Wyk, 50 from Johnathan Beukes and 30 from Boeta Dippenaar the hosts collapsed to 216 all out in the 45th over.Bjorn Kotze in taking 3/41 in his nine overs was instrumental in causing the collapse, getting rid of Van Wyk, Beukus and Jimmy Adams. Nineteen wides however put a damper on the Nambian bowling, and not having the best batting team it is runs given away that they can ill afford.After scoring 44 in Cape Town, Daniel Keulder, with an undefeated 51, was again the mainstay of the Namibian batting scoring the majority of the 116 run total.Free State will be happy with the form of Nicky Boje, returning from a finger injury, who ripped the heart out of the Namibian batting taking 4/29 in his nine overs. Gaining the bonus point Free State now move to the top of the Pool B log.In Potchefstroom North West continued on their winning ways, this time beating neighbours Northerns by 25 runs and going to the top of Pool A.Winning the toss and batting North West never got on top of the bowling. Arno and Davey Jacobs did put on a 56 run third wicket partnership, but it was left to a quick 24* from Alfonso Thomas to get the boys from Potchefstroom to 215/5 at the end of the 45 overs.Northerns could only reply with 190/5 with Jacques Rudolph undefeated on 98. The second loss in two games leaves them at the bottom of the table, sharing the spot with KwaZulu-Natal.

Somerset continued their build-up to the new season with an impressive batting display to score 365 from their 50 overs against a strong Hampshire side at the County Ground today before the rain set in mid afternoon to prevent the visitors commencing their innings, and the game was abandoned.Somerset got off to a solid start with an opening partnership of 91 in 19 overs between Peter Bowler (43), who was playing his first innings on grass this season, and Matt Wood, who made an impressive 76.Rob Turner, who was also playing his first match of the season, came in first wicket down and contributed a well struck 44, but the real fireworks of the innings came from Mike Burns and Ian Blackwell.Burns made 104 from 58 balls, including seven sixes and nine fours, and Blackwell made 62, which included four sixes and eight fours, and raced to his half century off just 17 balls.After the end of play Somerset assistant coach Mark Garaway told me: “It was a very pleasing day for us, and good that we had the chance to bat before it rained. I was very pleased with the way everyone batted, but especially Peter Bowler and Rob Turner who were having their first bat out in the middle today.”It was also pleasing that we scored the runs the way that we did against Hampshire, who have a first class bowling attack, Mike Burns and Ian Blackwell were so powerful when they batted. All the signs are looking good for our first match next week.”

The Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) is pleased to formally announce that Rob Langer has been appointed to the new position of High Performance Manager.Langer, a former West Australian cricketer and uncle of Australian Test batsman Justin Langer, will commence duties at the WACA in the next few weeks.As the WACA’s High Performance Manager, Langer will be responsible for:

• Overseeing Western Warriors activities including; Player Contracts; Player Code of Behaviour; and Selection Policy implementation;
• Implementation of a career management and player welfare program.
• Liaising with the Australian Cricket Board on WACA Ground fixturing.
• Effective management of game related activities at the WACA Ground, including requirements for the Western Warriors and visiting national and international teams.

Langer will also be required to work closely with State Coach Michael Veletta to oversee and manage required aspects of representative teams, including responsibility for resources and staff within the high performance unit of the WACA’s cricket department.During his career, Langer played 44 games for WA, scoring 2 756 runs at an average of 43.06, with five centuries and 18 half-centuries. Langer also played World Series Cricket (WSC) for Australia from 1977-78 to 1978-79 and like nephew Justin batted left-handed and filled the number three position.Langer’s most recent employment has been as a Senior Consultant and from 1999-2001 was Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Speedway Commission.The WACA is also pleased to formerly announce that Kim Hagdorn has been appointed the new Manager of Communications.Hagdorn was selected from a high quality field of national and international applicants to assume the responsibility of managing communications for the Western Warriors and the WACA.Speaking on the appointments, WACA CEO Kath White said,”We’re pleased to have both Rob and Kim on board our team at the WACA. They are quality people with the right experience and ability, and we re looking forward to their contribution.”

The kid cricketers of this country are flourishing as the day’s progress. School level cricket tournaments are now prevalent nation wide and lots of prodigies are coming out who have all potentiality to be future stars and certainly they will one day. To run a tournament countrywide in a economically dilapidated country like us is a cumbersome tusk that deals with a huge sum of money.Only sponsors can pave the way and that is what Standard Chartered doing right now grown to be the patron of school cricket and Bangladesh Cricket Board is indebted to them. The number of participants is increasing every year and the eagerness to take part in this tournament is extraordinarily encouraging. So, Standard Chartered is playing it’s pivotal role to boost up the game and it’s partakers vividly.The 19th Standard Chartered Cricket Tournament had started with 903 participants all over Bangladesh. Most of the teams are from Rajshahi (226) and Dhaka (197), Khulna is following with 142, Barisal got 91 and Sylhet 57. Besides, Dhaka Metropolis was comprised of 107 schools; those played among themselves in the first round of the tournament.In the second round that started from 20th April had come up with 57 teams that crossed the impediments of the first round. These matches were played in different venues and the number of teams those pan out the success is 16. They are the final round contestants.The venue for the final round is Sylhet where the home team is a single one to take part in. Four teams are from Dhaka Metropolis who is regarded as the favorites- BKSP had already snatched the first round success defeating Scholastica in BNS ground.These sixteen schools are taking on in four groups. All the group champions are heading for a semifinal clash which will end in Sylhet stadium where the final match is going to be held on 16th May.The renowned Bank is very happy to become a part of the reason behind the progress of the country’s cricket. The amount of money they are now affording is 1.8 million which is more than double the amount they provided in 98-99 session.

VUSI SIBANDA — BIOGRAPHYFULL NAME: Vusimuzi Sibanda
BORN: At Highfields, Harare, 10 October 1983
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (2001/02). Present club side: Takashinga
KNOWN AS: Vusi Sibanda. Nickname: Sibs
BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Medium Pace
OCCUPATION: CFX Academy studentFIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 15-17 February 2002, CFX Academy v Manicaland, at MutareSports Club
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaitedBIOGRAPHY (March 2002)Vusi Sibanda comes from a sporting family but, like most other young black players in Zimbabwe, he has no family background in cricket. "I am the only one who plays cricket," he says, although he has an older brother who is a good football player in Bulawayo.Vusi’s interest began in Grade Three at Chipemberi Primary School in Highfields, a black township in Harare. ZCU coach Stephen Mangongo, the man who has inspired so many black players in Harare, introduced cricket to the pupils at the school and Vusi attended. He did have a year, in Grade Five and Six when he lost interest, but then returned with his enthusiasm renewed.Chipemberi had a very successful year when Vusi was in Grade Seven, his final year, and won all their matches. His best performance was against Hellenic School, after his team was all out for 36. He opened the bowling and took eight wickets for four runs, winning the match for his team. He was later selected for a Zimbabwe Development team tour to South Africa.He progressed to Churchill High School on the ZCU scholarship scheme, after successfully taking part in trials at Harare Sports Club; he was one out of only four out of 50 applicants to succeed, the other three being Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu and Stuart Matsikenyeri. He forced his way into the school first team in Form Three. He remembers a great match at Under-16 level against Eaglesvale School, after the opposition scored 240; he batted at number three and scored 95, sharing in a good partnership with Masakadza to win the match,In the meantime he had represented Mashonaland at Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 levels, but without great success, thus failing to gain selection for the national side at those levels. He joined Takashinga to play club cricket, his best performance being 68 not out as opener to guide his side to victory.Vusi left school in 1999, to supplement his O-levels for a year. At that time he played for and captained a Harare development side. He `took a chance’, as he says, in applying for the CFX Academy for 2002, encouraged by Stephen Mangongo, and was selected.Vusi’s highest score in any class of cricket was 123 for Churchill at Under-14 level, but he doesn’t consider it to be his best performance. He is strong on the pull and drive, and likes to bat at number three or four, but is willing to open if it benefits the team.The eight wickets he took for Chipemberi against Hellenic at junior school remains his best bowling performance. Nowadays he moves the ball away from the bat, in the air and off the pitch, but the Academy have not yet used his bowling. He likes to field in the slips or gully area.He names, as expected, Stephen Mangongo as the coach who has helped him the most, and Stephen remains his personal coach.Cricket heroes: Andy Flower – "I like the way he bats."Toughest opponents: "Although I haven’t played outside Zimbabwe, I can say Henry Olonga."Proudest achievement so far: "To make it into the Academy side."Best friends in cricket: Arnold Rushambwa, Hamilton Masakadza.Other qualifications: None.Other sports: Rugby and athletics (javelin, high jump, long jump) at school.Outside interests: Running.

KwaZulu-Natal drew first blood as the second match of the competition noteam wanted to be in, the Supersport Shield, got under way, scoring 303 allout after winning the toss.A huge six by number 10 Gary Gilder off left-armer Nicholas Mataboge in the97th over ensured the Dolphins would reach 300 before the mandatorydeclaration after 100 overs, a factor which was rendered academic when lastman in Jon Bastow was caught by Zander de Bruyn in the gully off the nextball, the first of Ottis Gibson’s 22nd over, giving the West Indian hissixth wicket.Gibson finished with six for 53, his best figures of a disappointing seasonfor the re-named Highveld Strikers, who have failed to live up to thebilling of their new team song, which refers to them as the “Extreme team”of South African cricket. The fact that they’re playing in the SupersportShield, the virtually meaningless competition for the only three provincialsides not to make the Super Eight phase of the Supersport Series, shows justhow wide of the mark that has been.By the close, having faced just two overs before bad light brought play to ahalt, the Strikers had progressed to one without loss, that run going toSven Koenig.The day was largely a tale of two men from the Caribbean, with 40-year-oldAntiguan Eldine Baptiste top-scoring for the visitors with 57 off 96 balls,including six fours, before becoming the fifth victim for Barbadian Gibson.Aside from Baptiste, who shared an 84-run eighth-wicket partnership withErrol Stewart, after the Dolphins had lost four wickets for 15 runs to be202 for seven, opener Mark Bruyns made 53, including 11 fours, and AhmedAmla made exactly 50, striking six boundaries.

The championship match at Derby was washed out shortly after tea on the final day, but the game was a significant one for Dominic Cork.The Derbyshire captain bowled for the first time since a back injury forced him to return from Pakistan in November, and he was pleased with the results.Cork sent down nine overs in two spells on the third day and said: “Everything is fine at the moment.”I am very pleased with the way it’s going. I feel I am 100 per cent fit and now it’s a case of getting match fit.”It’s a gentle progression at this stage. I have to keep building up my stamina and the number of overs I bowl.”The important thing is to make sure I am doing the right things like hitting the crease and getting my shape right.”There was no chance for Cork to get a few more overs under his belt despite the best efforts of the Derby groundstaff.Although a stiff breeze helped dry the outfield enough for the umpires to schedule a 4.30 start, more heavy rain left them with no alternative but to abandon a match in which play was only possible on the second and third days.