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Simon Katich, the 27 year-old Australian left-handed batsman and left-arm wrist spinner, will be Hampshire’s second overseas player next season after signing a one-year contract. Shane Warne will captain the county providing he recovers from his shoulder dislocation sustained in the one-day international against England on Sunday, but Katich should prove to be a very useful addition to his resources.It was during the 1998/99 Australian season that Katich really emerged with statistics to confirm his rich promise when he scored 1,039 runs in the Sheffield Shield, including 115 in the final, to help Western Australia take the title. This earned him selection to tour Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe with the national side, but he went down with chicken pox while away and took some time to rid himself of the virus.He made an immediate impact when he played for Durham in the summer of 2000, scoring a thousand runs at an average in excess of 40 and, following another very successful season in Australia, was selected for the Ashes tour in England in 2001. He made his Test debut at Headingley when captain Steve Waugh was injured, and the following winter made his one-day international debut for Australia.A product of the Australian academy, he moved from his native Western Australia to New South Wales for the current Australian season and took three wickets to rip out England’s middle order in the one-day match at Sydney prior to the start of the VB Series. He played in one first-class match for Yorkshire last season and three limited-overs games when Darren Lehmann was called away on national duty.Hampshire’s director of cricket, Tim Tremlett, said: “We’re delighted to have signed a player of Simon’s calibre. He is familiar with English conditions and is very highly regarded.”Obviously the county is hoping he doesn’t do a John Crawley and get into the national side after signing for us,” he added.His first-class career to date sees his batting average standing at an impressive 48.31, with 16 hundreds, while in one-day cricket he averages 36.81.

Welcoming the support from the International Cricket Council (ICC),CBI on Sunday said it would soon send a team to London to gatherinformation from the world body on the cricket telecast rights caseand other matters arising out of the match-fixing scandal.”We would be soon sending a team to London and the support from ICC isimportant for us as some of their officials have also been named intwo of the cases,” CBI spokesman S M Khan told reporters in NewDelhi.He said the agency was always in touch with the anti-corruptionbranch of ICC and looked forward to any support from them which wasvery crucial to the investigation into the telecast rights case.CBI on November 8 registered five cases against some Doordarshanofficials for allegedly cheating the Prasar Bharti of crores of rupeesin award of telecast rights for cricket matches. The five cases relateto alleged bunglings in telecast rights for 1997 Independence Cup, ICCKnockOut tournament in 1998 played in Dhaka and the World Cup in 1999.CBI alleged that some officials of Doordarshan had entered into acriminal conspiracy with the Bangalorebased WorldTel and Delhi-basedStracon India and dishonestly enhanced the bid for the telecast of thetournament.Referring to the alleged nexus between betting syndicates andunderworld, the spokesman said “we are still looking into whetherthere is any link between match-fixing syndicate and organised crimesyndicate in the country and abroad.”Former Director of CBI R K Raghavan had sought help from other statepolice departments and central intelligence agencies in this matter.The ICC report on match-fixing, unveiled in London on May 23, hadvoiced grave concern over corrupt practices in international cricketand pledged its support to CBI in probing the links between organisedcrime and match-fixers.The CBI on May 4 last year registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) oninstruction from the Union Sports Ministry. The agency later submitteda 164-page report to the then Sports Minister S S Dhindsa on October31. The CBI hopes that the ICC’s efforts would lead to further probeinto the role of nine foreign players, who were not investigated bythe agency.

South Africa Cricketers’ Association chief executive Tony Irish has responded to claims that some members of the national team could be sanctioned and perhaps even sacked on their return from Bangladesh by saying they are “groundless”.Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport chairman, Butana Komphela, said on Tuesday that alleged talk of a strike amongst the national players in protest at president Norman Arendse’s interference in the selection of the squad amounted to “a mutiny against the president”.”You should sack them, fire them – meet them at the airport and tear their contracts up,” Komphela told Arendse and Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola. “It is a mutiny and it is not acceptable.”Irish responded yesterday on behalf of the national players saying: “There is no basis for any disciplinary action against any of the players. SACA made an internal complaint against the president for the public statements he about the team before they left and we will wait for that to be processed in due course.”Arendse was quoted in Sondag newspaper as saying that the players “they love money too much. Moreover, the majority of blacks are waiting for them to strike, because if they did it would be difficult to come back in politically.”Irish said that, although the references to money had upset the national players, that was not their greatest concern. “Far more upsetting to the players was the divisive references to race and politics. They are a team playing with a common purpose and to be referred to as anything else was matter they wanted addressed.”

Scorecard

Travis Birt picked a timely day to produce his first Pura Cup century of the season and he lifted Tasmania to an enviable position at Adelaide Oval. South Australia, who were bowled out for 139 on Thursday, fought back with three wickets in the first session to have the Tigers at 5 for 216, but Birt was helped by Sean Clingeleffer to end the challenge.Birt, an Australia A representative last winter, had struggled for sizeable scores during the summer and overcame his problems with a controlled 102 that kept Tasmania on track for a spot in the final. The Tigers grabbed the competition lead with their first-innings points and Birt strengthened the advantage during his 202-ball contribution that included nine fours.His partnership with Clingeleffer, who picked up a useful 46, was essential in preventing South Australia from facing a small deficit. Birt fell to an edge off Paul Rofe, who had earlier picked up Michael Dighton for 52, and Dan Cullen added Clingeleffer to accept his second victim. Mark Cosgrove’s occasional offerings concluded the innings at 337 and he returned a surprising 3 for 3 off nine overs.South Australia’s reply started badly when Jason Borgas was caught at point for 1 and Darren Lehmann departed on the final ball of the day when he was taken sweeping Xavier Doherty. The Redbacks were 2 for 53 and still 145 in arrears.

Australia may be hit by injuries and down 1-0 in the five-match one-day series, but Michael Clarke does not think there is much to worry about. Clarke, who scored a half-century in Sunday’s six-wicket loss, believes the side is playing well despite losing the opening two games of the tour.”[The first ODI] was a little bit disappointing but we’re not far away,” he told . “I don’t think we have too much to worry about. We’re playing pretty good cricket.”Australia’s back-up bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Mick Lewis suffered in the first one-dayer alongside Brett Lee, but injuries are becoming a greater problem as Ricky Ponting (stomach), Andrew Symonds (hip) and Stuart Clark (rib) are all in doubt for Friday’s second match at Cape Town. Phil Jaques will arrive in South Africa as cover on Wednesday and will be considered for a spot at No. 3 or in the middle order.Ponting is hopeful of playing and Clarke backed his captain to be fit. “Fingers crossed, I hope Ricky is fine for Friday, so Phil probably won’t get the chance to play,” Clarke said. “Jaquesy is a fantastic player. As he has shown before, he’ll step up and do well. We’ll get Jaquesy if Ricky and Andrew [Symonds] aren’t fit.”Clarke said the appearance of both injured players would give the side a big lift as they attempt to level the series. “Ricky and Andrew, if they don’t score a run between them, just their presence in the field is missed unbelievably,” Clarke said. “Punter is the No. 1 batsman in the world at the moment and ‘Symmo’ is certainly up there. You can’t replace those sorts of guys and they were certainly missed.”The Test squad is announced next week and Clarke has been fine-tuning his new-ball method in the nets in a bid to return to the squad for the three-match series starting on March 16. “I just need to continue working hard on my game, continue scoring runs and hopefully another opportunity will come up,” he said.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Australia’s growing charge was again stalled by rain just as Ricky Ponting enforced the follow-on with a massive lead of 326. Michael Kasprowicz reignited Australia’s hunt for victory as New Zealand were dismissed for 244 at tea, but the players did not return on a day when it wasn’t only the pitch that wanted to stay under the covers.Two sessions were wiped off by rain and mist hugging the Basin Reserve, and more is forecast for tomorrow. Any lost time on day five will probably ensure an Australia victory is sucked down the drain. If clear skies reappear – it’s a big if – New Zealand must show greater application than they did in the first innings against an in-form attack that dealt the wickets around.Australia’s bowlers are fresh after delivering 81.1 overs – only 42.1 were possible today – and finishing off their opponents in a session that lasted almost three hours. Through Lou Vincent and James Franklin New Zealand made a reasonable attempt at crease occupation in their unlikely bid to pass the follow-on target of 421.Once Vincent, who posted his seventh Test half-century, and James Franklin added 58 Kasprowicz struck twice with two edges, Shane Warne followed it up with Brendon McCullum and Craig McMillan, and New Zealand were all out after some clever Daniel Vettori aggression. Australian hands that were warming in pockets were suddenly preparing for a second bowl. Dwarfed by Australia’s mammoth 570 for 8 declared, New Zealand started 448 runs behind and reduced the damage by 122 when the covers went back on for good.Kasprowicz, running in under ghostly fog suiting his `Kasper’ nickname, homed in on both Vincent and Franklin with carefully constructed plans over a couple of overs that produced nicked attempted drives and easy catches for Adam Gilchrist. The naggingly accurate and slippery bowling again showed why he has kept Brett Lee cleaning shoes and wondering when he’ll get his next first-class game.Intent on a long stay, Vincent was happy to front-foot pull the fast bowlers and sweep Warne, and he offered a small acknowledgement for his 115-ball fifty. His partnership with Franklin, the nightwatchman, became irritating for the experimenting Australians. Gilchrist crouched outside leg stump for a couple of deliveries to Warne, who sometimes employed five close-in catchers to Franklin. All were avoided and he played a couple of smart drives on his way to a Test-best 26.The pair’s resistance started talk of time running out for Australia, but then Kasprowicz popped up, giving himself three victims for the innings and 99 in his career. When McCullum arrived in a hurry and pushed his third ball to Michael Clarke at midwicket three wickets had fallen for 18 runs. The boost revived Warne and life was breathed into a dreary session.McMillan has lost some embarrassing battles to Australia over the summer and was fighting to retain his place. He began under control and then snapped, slogging Warne for a large six over mid-on. He can’t help it. From there he was confused and soon left head-down to a horrible swipe on bended knee off Warne.Jason Gillespie upset Iain O’Brien before Vettori and Chris Martin provided two stumbling blocks. Farming the strike, Vettori crashed eight boundaries in making 45 and Martin successfully tried not to get out. The tactic worked until Vettori picked out Damien Martyn, and more thoughtful batting will be necessary to see off Australia on the final day. Unless it rains.How They Were Out
Franklin c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz 26 (166 for 5)
Feet stayed planted as he eyed a drive but edged instead.Vincent c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz 63 (180 for 6)
Ball angled in to Vincent, who tried to push through cover but his weight wasn’t all the way forward.McCullum c Clarke b Warne 3 (184 for 7)
Playing outside leg stump, he pushed a catch to a diving Clarke at midwicket.McMillan b Warne 20 (201 for 8)
Lost his head again, slogging across the line to a ball that hit off stump.O’Brien b Gillespie 5 (212 for 9)
Yorker brushed pad on the way to leg stump.Vettori c Martyn b Warne 45 (244)
Caught in the deep hitting to midwicket.

Scores at the end of the final round of the Commonwealth Bank Under-19 Championship Series:South Australia v Victoria
South Australia 7/356 dec (Littlewood 155, Crook 54*)
defeated
Victoria 245 all out (Evans 85, Crosthwate 38, Bailey 4/51, Smith 3/25)New South Wales v Queensland
Queensland 167 all out (Ross 47, Beadle 4/17)
lost to
New South Wales 6/170 dec (Clarence 35*, Coyte 35*, Fitzpatrick 3/67)Tasmania v Western Australia
Tasmania 214 all out
lost to
Western Australia WA 3/309 (Doropolus 75, May 159*, Pomersbach 49*)Australian Capital Territory v Northern Territory
Northern Territory 280 all out (MacDonald 103, Skewes 82, Poidevin 6/50)
defeated
Australian Capital Territory 194 all out (McCard 3/40, MacDonald 4/13)New South Wales have clinched the title.

Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson attended a meeting at Lord’s earlier this week where the future pattern of the first class game was under discussion.When I asked him what progress had been made at the meeting Mr Anderson told me,” Discussions between the counties are intensifying over the proposals to drop one of the one day competitions in favour of a twenty over 4.15pm – 8.15pm affair and all counties have agreed that they must have both a marketing and a business plan in place before any decision is made.”He continued, “As far as Somerset is concerned it’s fan base, be that members and non members indicates that they like the early season knock out cup competition. At that time of the year the financial advantages of the cup are in the hands of the weather. Some counties, not Somerset, have indicated that over the years that they have had poor returns.”Mr Anderson went on, “Advocates of the proposals point to the commercial benefits of floodlit cricket, and the assumption is that for two or three home matches with an after work proposed start and end time similar audiences would be attracted.”The chief continued, “Somerset acknowledge that grounds situated in a centre of high population stand a chance of attracting an audience for a short game. Our view is that in a rural area where many of the supporters have to travel substantial distances for home matches that it is unlikely that they will do so for a four hour match at the end of the working day.”He concluded “Somerset would not be against the proposals if it was in addition to rather than instead of the early season one day competition, but notice must be taken of coaches and players, who think that an additional competition would be too hard and therefore the best players, particularly bowlers would probably not play which will lessen the attraction.”

Steve Waugh today called for the Australian cricket team to visit the Gallipoli battlefields prior to every Ashes tour.The Australian captain, clearly moved by the team’s tour of the battlefields today, suggested that the Ashes squad do the sameevery four years as a stop-over to London.”I’d like to think this could be a traditional start to every tour by an Australian side to the UK,” he said from the Gallipolipeninsula.”It’s so peaceful and beautiful now the hardest part is to realise what it was like in 1915.”In that year more than 8,000 ANZACS were killed and a further 18,000 wounded during the ill-fated eight month campaign.Today the Australian cricketers visited memorial sites such as Lone Pine, The Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and Chunuk Bair, thehighest ground at Gallipoli which was briefly held by New Zealand forces.Waugh, who described the visit as a once in a lifetime experience, praised the courage and determination of the ANZACS.”It puts things into perspective for us because people call us heroes but we just play sport and we’re good at it,” the36-year-old said.”But realistically those who fought are far more deserving of the accolade of heroes than any of us.”As for the other players, everyone is taking it in and is very interested but it’s hard to comprehend the scale of what happenedhere with half a million casualties.”Waugh said he and his teammates were thinking about the young soldiers who went off looking for adventure only to findthemselves facing a determined Turkish enemy and punishing conditions.”For all those who ended up dying, it’s hard to comprehend the numbers dying and fighting and all the commotion andconfusion. It must have been terrifying,” he said.Waugh explained the idea of seeing the battlefields was formulated about 12 months ago when he had dinner with Australian ofthe Year Lieutenant-General Peter Cosgrove.They discussed the common features of the armed forces and cricket – namely that both required careful planning andcamaraderie – before putting the idea to the Australian Cricket Board.ACB executive chairman Malcolm Speed agreed and the Gallipoli visit was made part of the tour itinerary.During the five-hour bus trip from Istanbul to Gelibolu, the team watched the Four Corners documentary “The Fatal Shore” andthe 1981 Peter Weir film “Gallipoli”, starring a young Mel Gibson.The movie records an attack on the narrow ridge called The Nek on August 7, 1915, when more than 300 Australians weregunned down in a futile but courageous attack on an area no bigger than the size of two tennis courts.Four lines of men were sent to almost certain death before the attack was halted.Today, the Australians planned a game of cricket on the beach at Anzac Cove, re-enacting a match played by diggers on afamous section of the battlefield called Shell Green during the final days of the campaign.On December 8, 1915, Britain’s General Kitchener ordered the evacuation of the ANZAC forces.The Turks must have been literally stumped when they watched a group of soldiers from the NSW 4th Battalion stage a cricketmatch at Shell Green on December 17, 1915.By this stage of the campaign the Turks and the ANZACS had developed a mutual respect and often exchanged presents.The Turks held their fire to watch the cricket but after two hours they’d had enough and started shelling the Australians.According to the diary of one ANZAC, Granville Ryrie, the match continued anyway until the Turks doubled their firepowerand the Aussies reluctantly called it a draw.

ScorecardRob Key added another hundred to his large collection at the St Lawrence Ground•Getty Images

Rob Key’s first Championship century inside 16 months helped Kent prosper on the opening day of their LV= County Championship clash with Division Two leaders Lancashire in Canterbury.On an overcast day when 26 overs were lost to rain and bad light, Kent’s top-order flourished against a weakened and lethargic Lancashire attack to post 235 for 3 from only 70 overs’ play.Key hit a season’s best 113 and featured in stands worth 72 with Daniel Bell-Drummond and then 149 inside 35 overs with Joe Denly on a day when Lancashire – who began the round needing five points to clinch promotion – clearly expected ball to dominate bat.Without three key members of their pace attack – including the division’s leading wicket-taker in Kyle Jarvis as well as their overseas pro James Faulkner, both with fractured hands – Lancashire elected to field first when play started on time at 10.30am.However, only 28 balls were bowled during a staccato opening session before the players, with Kent on seven without loss, fled for cover from a heavy shower for an early lunch just after noon.Key might have gone for 3, when Alviro Petersen downed a slip catch off Glen Chapple with the home total on 23 without loss, yet Kent’s only casualty of the opening two sessions came after 28.3 overs.With his score on 37 after 103 minutes at the crease Bell-Drummond, walking across his stumps and aiming to leg, was trapped lbw by a Tom Bailey off-cutter to make it 72 for 1.Key scored only four boundaries in his patient 116-ball 50, two of which came with straight drives in successive overs from left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, as Key and Denly set out their stall to bat time.Denly reached his 79-ball 50 with a sweetly-timed leg-side clip off Chapple for his eighth boundary, while Key reached three figures with an all-run four after straight driving the same bowler. The hundred came off 179 balls and included 11 fours, 10 of them boundaries.It was Key’s first Championship century since May 5 last year when he scored 126 in the win over Surrey. It was also his 24th first-class hundred on the ground for Kent, where he is comfortably the county’s leading run-scorer with almost 8,000 runs to his name.Bad light took the players off for a fourth time shortly before 5pm and Key and Denly both perished soon after the resumptions half an hour later. Denly, playing late to the skiddy pace of Jordan Clark, departed lbw for 65 then Key, after 201 balls, fenced at a Clark lifter and spooned a comfortable catch to gully off the shoulder of the bat in the same over.Lancashire might have finished the day on an even bigger high had Karl Brown held onto a sharp slip chance offered by home skipper Sam Northeast when on 4, but the opportunity, off the bowling of Clark, went to ground allowing Northeast and night watchman James Tredwell to bat out the three remaining overs through to stumps.