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Robin Smith will miss this Sunday’s National League match against Nottinghamshire Outlaws after pulling a hamstring in last weeks victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks.”It is hoped that Robin will be fit for the Frizzell Championship match against Glamorgan at The Rose Bowl next week”, said a club spokesman, “if not he should be ready for the floodlit match at Trent bridge on 21st July”.Smith pulled his joint attempting a quick single, and continued batting with the help of a runner (Derek Kenway) until he was run out. Enjoying some of his finest form, Robin is also in the middle of a successful Testimonial campaign.

Another hectic week in the World Cup, and some more shocks. Most notable was Kenya’s great victory over Sri Lanka.It is hard to not believe that Sri Lanka’s defeat was caused as much by their own over-confidence as by Kenya’s great performance. Incredibly, it seems that for the first time an associate member might reach the Super Sixes, thanks to their extra four points donated by a paranoid New Zealand.CONTENTS:

• Zimbabwe v Australia: scorecard and report
• Dion Ebrahim: first-class record
• Letters

This will no doubt speed along Kenya’s progress to Test status, but Test cricket is a different ball game altogether. Test cricket, before they were ready for it, seems if anything to have hampered Bangladesh’s development in the short term, as they lost their way even against Canada. They have been battered so often that they do not even know how to beat associate members now, it would appear. It would be tragic if this were also to happen to Kenya.I would be only too delighted to see Kenya playing Test cricket – as long as they were properly prepared for it. It would do neither them nor Test cricket any good to be humiliated match after match like the Bangladeshis. And it all could have been avoided had the ICC helped them arrange several years of unofficial international matches against the A teams from Test-playing countries, as happened with Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe actually played better Test cricket ten years ago, when new on the scene, than they are doing today, in the view of others besides myself. Certainly the bowling was stronger then.On the eve of the match against Holland, is there a chance that Zimbabwe could be humiliated by an associate member? Probably not yet. At the moment Zimbabwe still seem to have something of an inferiority complex when facing senior Test-playing countries, but are hugely confident against the minor countries and the players want to cash in. They are not yet secure enough to become over-confident. But one day it will happen!

Bert Sutcliffe’s achievement in scoring 385 runs for Otago against Canterbury in 1952/53 and setting a standard which is still the highest score by a New Zealander, will be honoured in a novel, or should that be a non-fiction, way by Otago Cricket.As a 125th jubilee project, Otago Cricket are publishing a limited edition book on the unique feat of their association fielding the players who scored the first six triple centuries by New Zealanders.The book, “The 300 Club” has been written by the senior editor of CricInfo New Zealand, Lynn McConnell, and will go on sale on April 16 at the annual Otago Cricket dinner in Dunedin.”We will be producing 385 numbered copies. I expect the finished product to look very good and for the book to be a sought after collectors item – published by the Otago Cricket Association,” the Association’s chief executive Graeme Elliott said.”The book features a topical account of each of the innings and a profile of the batsmen concerned, along with scoreboards of the matches.”The books will have leather covers that will be dark blue and have gold lettering for the title and at the bottom of the cover.”The book also opens with a detailed encounter of the first International match played in New Zealand in Dunedin in 1864 as part of the Carnival of Cricket that also included the first first-class match to be played in New Zealand,” Elliott said.Pre-April 16 orders can be made through Otago Cricket by e-mail to [email protected] or by phone (03) 455 4056, fax (03) 455 4250 or mail to PO Box 1419, Dunedin.

A responsible hundred from Baroda skipper Connor Williams brought Ranji champions Baroda within shouting distance of Maharashtra’s first innings score of 321 on the second day of the Ranji Trophy tie between the two sides at the Nehru Stadium, Pune on Sunday.Baroda, who finished the day on 294 for five, were given a strong foundation by Williams and his opening partner Satyajit Parab (74). The two put on 184 runs for the first wicket before Parab departed after having faced 142 balls and hit nine fours.Former India `keeper Nayan Mongia, who followed, kept his skipper company for a good while as the two put on 51 runs for the second wicket. But Mongia’s departure for a patient 22 saw Maharashtra stage a minor fightback; the visitors lost three more top-order wickets, including that of Williams for 137 off 199 balls with 21 fours, for the addition of just 30 runs. But veteran middle-order bat Tushar Arothe and Himanshu Jadhav ensured that Baroda ended the day without any further mishaps by putting on 28 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket.

The Warwickshire all-rounder, Graham Wagg, has been ruled out of theremainder of this winter’s ECB National Academy programme through injury.Wagg, 19, was named in the original ECB Academy squad back in September, butwas unable to take up his place due to a back injury.He has recently undergone a scan which has revealed signs of a stressresponse in his back but no fracture. Following discussions with the ECBChief Medical Officer, Dr Peter Gregory, it has been decided that Wagg willcontinue his rehabilitation in the UK and not fly to Australia with the restof the Academy Squad tonight (Friday).Wagg’s Warwickshire colleagues, Jim Troughton (shin splints) and Ian Bell(back injury) have both been passed fit and will join up with the NationalAcademy in Adelaide ahead of their forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Nodecision has yet been taken on a replacement for Wagg in the Academy Squad.

England XI had a good outing today at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.On the second and final day of the two-day match against MumbaiCricket Association President’s XI, played on Monday, England XIamassed 370/3 in 90 overs, in reply to MCA XI’s 373/5. The match endedin a predictable draw.England got off to a solid start in the morning. Marcus Trescothickwas as always in an attacking mood, pulling the medium-pacer AavishkarSalvi for a six. Trescothick played some cracking shots to the fenceas the bowlers erred in line and length. In contrast, Mark Butcherfound the attack not to his liking. He made batting look a difficulttask and inched forward as if treading through a minefield.Trescothick was the star of the morning’s play, using his feet totackle the spinners and showing positive approach. He walked down thetrack and smacked two huge sixes over long-on off the bowling ofNilesh Kulkarni to move from 48 to 60. The Somerset opener lost hiswicket to aggression, going for a sweep of Ramesh Powar and top-edgingthe ball to Kambli at square leg. Trescothick made 60 off 68 ballswith the help of three sixes and six boundaries.Michael Vaughan didn’t do any better than Butcher; he was verytentative in his brief stay in the middle. Vaughan (2) pushed forwardat a delivery from Kulkarni and the faint edge was well taken bywicketkeeper Abhijit Shetye.Nasser Hussain walked in to join Butcher at the score of 91/2 andimmediately made his intentions clear by lofting Kulkarni for four.Soon after the luncheon break Butcher (33 off 104 balls) put an end tohis misery by running himself out. Thorpe joined Hussain and the twomost experienced batsmen in the side went on about their task withoutany fuss. There was nothing in the bowling to suggest that they werethreatening to take a wicket.Hussain and Thorpe punished the bowling all around the park. Hussainwas the aggressive of the two, smashing his way to 70 retired hurt off125 balls, which included seven boundaries and three huge sixes.Thorpe was keen on gathering the runs, waiting for the ball till thelast moment to play it on both sides of the wicket. The amount of timethat is this stylish left-hander from Surrey has to play the strokesis amazing to see.Thorpe made 45 off 83 balls, striking four boundaries and took EnglandXI to 232/3 at the tea break. Thorpe too retired hurt to pave way forCraig White and Mark Ramprakash to have a go after the tea break.England XI scored 138 runs off the 28 overs, which was also the fourthwicket partnership between the two batsmen. Ramprakash remainedunbeaten on 58 off 96 balls, striking five boundaries. The highlightof the session’s play was the explosive batting by Craig White.The Yorkshire all-rounder struck five huge sixes and seven boundariesin his whirlwind unbeaten knock of 79 runs off 73 balls. White wassimply superb against the spinners, using his feet to smack the ballhigh and over the fielders. Ramprakash too played a fine hand, showinggood technique against the spin trio.England can take heart from the performance of their batsmen, whichwill be crucial in the Test series. Trescothick, Hussain, Thorpe,Ramprakash and White are all in good form. Unlike many visiting teamswho struggle in the tour opener, England showed lot of resolve andcharacter on a hot Monday afternoon, giving away nothing to the homeside.

Peter John Parnell Burge was born 17th May 1932 in Queensland Australia and died at the age of 69 in Brisbane. His cricketing career spanned 11 years and included 42 test matches. The highlight of his successful career was scoring of four centuries against England in successive Test series: 181 at the Oval in 1961, 103 at Sydney in 1962-63, 160 at Headingley in 1964 and 120 in his last series at Melbourne in 1965-66.A class attacking batsman
Burge was an attacking batsman of the highest calibre and displayed a tremendous ability for nonchalant ease in cutting and hooking, a rarity against such top-class fast bowlers like Statham and Trueman in those days. He had earlier started his career for Queensland in 1952-53 and had captained the state side until he retired in 1968. In fact he was a strong candidate for Australian captaincy, when Bobby Simpson was absent for two tests against England in 1965-66 series, which was ultimately awarded to Brian Booth. His highest score of 283 versus New South Wales at Brisbane in 1963-64 is still the highest individual score for Queensland.Centuries in four successive series helped Australia retain Ashes in the 1960’s:
Peter Burge scored a masterly 181 in the fifth and final test at the Oval in 1961 series to ensure Australia retained the Ashes. In the next series against England in Australia 1962-63, once again he contributed with significant scores of 103 & 52 not out in the fifth and final drawn test at Sydney to again deny England snatching the Ashes. Still more memorable was his knock of 160 at Headingley, Leeds in 1964 that earned Australia victory in the only decisive test of this hard fought series. This performance earned him inclusion in Wisden’s five cricketers of the year in 1965.Visits to India and Pakistan:
Burge had visited Pakistan and India thrice (1956-57, 1959-60, and 1964). His notable scores during these visits were 83 at Bombay and 58 at Calcutta in 1956-57, 60 at Calcutta in 1959-60, and again 60 at Madras and 54 at Karachi in 1964.Contribution in the final Test against West Indies, 1960-61:
He was also instrumental in bringing victory to Australia over the West Indies in the fifth and final test at Melbourne in the famous 1960-61 series by scoring 68 and 53 in the two innings. Two seasons later, he scored 91 at Adelaide and 56 at Sydney in one of the most competitive test series of that era between Australia and South Africa in 1963-64.Victim of unusual dismissal:
Peter Burge was the third casualty in Australian First Class cricket history of being out handling the ball while playing in a match for Queensland versus New South Wales at Sydney in 1958-59. It was the first such event since the last in 1894-95.There is no doubt amongst cricket lovers he was a tremendous player and a respected match referee, the world of cricket will certainly miss him.Career Record: 1954 – 1966

Duleep Mendis will be the coach for Sri Lanka’s forthcoming tour to the West Indies after the Lankan board (BCCSL) failed to find a suitable long-termreplacement for Dav Whatmore.Mendis, a former Sri Lankan captain, was appointed as an interim coach forthe recent New Zealand Test series and the Bank Alfalah Cup after Whatmorerequested early leave from his contract which expires at the end of May.The board had hoped to find a permanent replacement in time for the WestIndies tour but the leading candidates – Bob Woolmer, John Bracewell, SteveRixon and Graham Ford – all made themselves unavailable.”Duleep (Mendis) will continue for the West Indies tour,” confirmed AnuraTennekoon, the BCCSL chief executive. "When the new cricket board comes inwe will have to decide whether to advertise or to headhunt for a new coach.”Other contenders for the post include Greg Chappell, the former Australian captain and coach of South Australia, who has indicated that he would not beinterested in a full-time job, and John Dyson, the former Australian batsman.

Mark Garaway Somerset’s new assistant coach and Director of the ECB Reginal Academy recently started his new job at The County Ground.Mark, who is twenty eight years old is no stranger to Somerset since he sent several years of his childhood living in West Somerset.His family then moved to Ventnor in the Isle of Wight where Mark played for the age group teams.Whilst playing for the Under 16’s he was spotted by Hampshire County cricket Club, and made several appearences for the county Under 19’s and Second Eleven in the same season.Mark, who was a wicket-keeper batsman, made his first team debut for Hampshire in 1996, but because of the presence of Adie Aymes his first team appearences were limited so he started to develop his interest in “coaching and managing players” he told me.He played his last game for the county in 1999, and in January 2000 took up the post of Cricket Development Officer with Hampshire. Somerset Coach Kevin Shine rates his new assistant very highly.”Mark is a skilled developer of young players, a good communicator and a talented coach in his own right. He will fit in very well with the environment that we have created here at Somerset” the coach told me.

Owais Shah, favourite to take the Young Cricketer of the Year Award, which is reserved for England-qualified players, has an Australian to thank for his huge breakthrough this year.Karachi-born Shah told CricInfo, “I’ve been working away in Perth with a guy called Wayne Andrews looking at my technique during the winter.”Whatever former Western Australia batsman Andrews did, it has worked for Shah this season. The 22-year-old has scored 996 first-class runs at 52, with three centuries, as well as 479 in one-dayers, with another hundred. A career-high of 203 came against Derbyshire at Southgate, and, most importantly for the former England Under-19 captain, a One-Day International debut brought good reviews and an extended run withEngland.”It’s up to the people in the ECB office to pick me,” the right-hander said. “All I can do is keep doing well for Middlesex and if they pick me – great. Otherwise I’ll try again next year.”Shah was phlegmatic regarding the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Player of the Year Award too.The 53 previous winners have won almost 1750 Test caps between them, and Shah’s Test debut seems just a matter of time. “If it comes that will be very nice. If it doesn’t I’ll try again next year. Awards are a bonus,” Shah reflected.Unfortunately he will be too old next season, but Shah’s maturity is admirable. He replaced Graham Thorpe in his first international, and, long-term, could fill one of England’s middle-order problem positions currently occupied by the aging and injury-prone Thorpe and Nasser Hussain.Since the six-footer’s debut aged 17 in 1996, Middlesex have shown unfailing confidence in the personable Shah, even awarding him his cap during 2000, when he scored a disappointing 489 runs at 24.Added responsibility from batting at first wicket down, along with the absence of senior batsman Stephen Fleming impressed David Graveney enough to “fast-track” Shah into the England set-up.But the promising batsman is predictably, and correctly, concentrating on the domestic scene.”We’ve got to knuckle down and try and win one of those games,” (against promotion rivals Warwickshire and Hampshire), he observed.And in the NUL, Shah optimistically thinks Middlesex could even “sneak third position” following their last over win against Lancashire that took them off the bottom.Shah hit an attractive 49, but as ever, if it all goes wrong, he is sensible enough to know, “we can try again next year.”