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Michael Dighton has been in excellent form for Tasmania © Getty Images

Michael Dighton completed a brilliant week with his second one-day century as Tasmania overcame Western Australia by three wickets in Hobart. Having slammed an unbeaten 146 against New South Wales on Sunday, Dighton backed up with a smooth 106 as he steered the successful chase of Western Australia’s 6 for 227 and extended the Tigers’ FR Cup lead to 10 points.Dighton drove the ball strongly down the ground and was powerful off the back foot during his 119-ball innings that included 13 fours, including a pull off Brad Hogg to bring up three figures. The Tigers needed his mature display as they threatened to slip up on a two-paced pitch.Travis Birt (18) and Ricky Ponting (10) went early in the chase and there were further stumbles when Dan Marsh, George Bailey – he fell to a stunning outfield catch by Ben Edmondson – and Tim Paine departed. Dighton look relaxed throughout and he almost sealed the win, exiting 18 runs short when he was caught trying to loft over mid-off. He became the third of Danny McLauchlan’s four wickets and left Luke Butterworth to secure the result with 32 not out.The pitch looked made for runs, but both teams had to fight on the surface after Western Australia won the toss and batted. They were rescued by their captain Adam Voges and Darren Wates after slumping to 6 for 129 when Hogg miscued a full-toss on 33.Western Australia had Adam Gilchrist and Michael Hussey in their ranks, but both international players went quickly and when Sean Ervine was bowled trying to sweep Xavier Doherty they had lost half their batsmen for 75. Brendan Drew bowled both Hussey and Shaun Marsh while Ben Hilfenhaus and Brett Geeves also made early marks.Voges remained calm and shelved his aggressive shots as he plotted a way out of the damage. It took him 118 balls to reach an unbeaten 88, which included two sixes as he accelerated, while Wates picked up 44 not out. The 98-run stand pushed the visitors to a useful total, but it was not enough.

Umar Gul’s fitness will be closely monitored before the World Cup © AFP

Injured fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul have been asked to appear before a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical commission soon after their arrival from South Africa later this week.A PCB official said that both Shoaib and Gul would be examined by the board’s doctors who would later decide on a rehabilitation plan for both.”Since the World Cup is less than two months away, we would not be wasting time and plan to put the two bowlers on a rehabilitation programme right away,” said Dr Ahsan Malik, PCB’s director of communications. “They are two of our main bowlers and we would try all measures to assure they are fit in time for the World Cup.”Shoaib withdrew midway through the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth with a hamstring injury after taking four vital wickets in the first innings. He is also said to be carrying a knee injury and his availability for the World Cup in the West Indies is not guaranteed.Gul, Pakistan’s most successful fast bowler in 2006, was ruled out of the series after suffering an ankle injury in the lead up to the first Test at Centurion.

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has said it would try hard to ensure that the third Test between India and Sri Lanka is not shifted from Kanpur.RK Chaudhary, the state sports minister, said the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) will be responsible if the match was shifted from Kanpur. “We are ready to sort out the matter. It is sad that none of the UPCA officials have so far approached us. The UPCA will be responsible if the match is shifted from Kanpur.”The third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka was allotted to Kanpur (Dec 18-22) but UPCA officials said they could not host the match as the Green Park stadium had not been released to them by the state municipal corporation. The Indian board will decide on a new venue at a meeting in Mumbai on December 3.When asked about the notice served on UPCA for recovery of dues by the government, Chaudhary said the association should have come to them after receiving the notice, “but it is talking through the media. The onus of holding the match is on the Indian Board, we, on our part are ready to give them the stadium and maintain law and order during the match.”Rajiv Shukla, former vice-president of the Indian Board, who was also present, said time was running out and “if we do not get any firm assurance by tomorrow evening the venue will be shifted elsewhere.” He rubbished the claim of the government that it owed any payment to the UPCA, saying there was no talk of any dues in the last 57 years. He said he had taken up the matter with Chaudhary but he remained non-committal

Michael Vaughan: back to form© Getty Images

Michael Vaughan was pleased and frustrated in equal measure by the close of the second day’s play at the Wanderers. He burst back to form with a superb 82 not out, which rescued England from a mid-innings slump of five wickets for 16 runs, but by the close he was scratching his head in bemusement, after play was suspended 13 overs early due to bad light.”All we ask for is consistency, and I don’t think there have been consistent decisions made today," said Vaughan, whose side was asked to bat under heavy cloud cover, reminiscent of his debut here in 1999-2000, when England were reduced to 2 for 4 in their first innings. “It is always tricky in a situation like we had with cloud cover and a little bit of mizzle, but it was still pretty bright out there and we would have liked to have finished off the overs."The umpires have to make a decision," he added, "but at one o’clock, we were batting in indifferent conditions, and then the fielding captain asks for the light when they are in a bit of trouble, and the umpires accept. They just said it was off, and once they tell you, that’s it.”As a Yorkshireman, Vaughan is well used to batting in such dank conditions, and he admitted that the first hour had reminded him of being back at Headingley, not to mention being back where his international career all began, in 1999-2000. "I had a bit of déjà vu," he said. "There were quite a lot of memories to draw on." But, he added, it was definitely England’s day, as they closed on 411 for 8, having added 133 for the eighth and ninth wickets.It was a triumph of will for Vaughan himself, who had been horribly out of nick during the first part of his innings on the first evening. He crawled to 9 from 45 balls, and admitted that he had been working hard on his game overnight. "When I started out today, I wasn’t in any sort of form," he said. "I watched a few videos overnight, and went back into the nets this morning to try to iron out a little flaw which had crept into my technique. I had just been thinking of survival last night."Vaughan has spent the last week undergoing intensive one-on-one coaching with Duncan Fletcher, just as he had done last summer, when he suffered a similar rough patch of form. On that occasion, it paid handsome dividends, with twin hundreds against West Indies at Lord’s, and by the time he was joined by the tail, the benefits of his extra homework were beginning to pay off."A lot of credit has to go to Ash [Giles]," said Vaughan, "because he got our momentum going, particular after the third stoppage, when the sun came out, the wicket calmed, and the bowlers got tired. And when Harmy came out, I knew I had to play more positively. He’s a funny batter – he always says if he gets past the first three balls he is in!"

Javagal Srinath said he would quit all forms of cricket if his knee injury rules him out of the tour of Australia, which starts in three weeks. “If I don’t go to Australia, I will retire from cricket,” Srinath said on Thursday.The 33-year-old retired from Test cricket after the West Indies tour last year. He did play in the World Cup, where his incisive spells helped India reach the final.Srinath said that he would play in a local game next week to assess his knee. “I am keen to go if my knee is completely healed. But I am not 23 or 24. The healing is slow, but there is improvement,” he was reported as saying on the BBC’s website.India’s tour of Australia, which begins on November 25, will include four Tests and a one-day tri-series also featuring Zimbabwe. The first Test in Brisbane starts on December 4.

The Australian Cricket Board will take no action against captain Steve Waugh after a hostile ending to his post match media conference following his team’s exit from the tri series.ACB chief executive James Sutherland said he had spoken to Waugh about the incident after Australia’s loss to South Africa at the WACA, when the skipper swore under his breath as he left the conference and muttered that some journalists were “on thin ice”.His anger surfaced after repeated questions on the possibility of changes to the Australian one-day side following its failure to make the tri series finals for just the third time in 22 years.Waugh, who acknowledged that his own position could come under scrutiny, said that selections were now made only by selectors but he agreed he had some say inthe matter.However, when asked if he would suggest any changes to the team, he said it was decided by selectors.Sutherland said it was a difficult media conference for the weary captain after a long international season.”A couple of ACB representatives were there, I have spoken to them, it would appear it was a pretty difficult press conference at the end of a difficult match and a long summer,” Sutherland said.”He (Waugh) made an off-the-cuff remark to an ACB person on the way out.”I understand the context of that, I have spoken to Steve Waugh and I won’t be taking the matter any further.”It was the second time Waugh’s personal asides at a media conference have caused him problems.Last month Waugh apologised to South African fast bowler Steve Elworthy over a flippant remark about the paceman’s brain – or lack of it.That comment came as Waugh observed Proteas skipper Shaun Pollock telling a post-match news conference a scan on Elworthy, who was struck by a GlennMcGrath bouncer during the match, had found no damage.Waugh was criticised in the South African media for reportedly saying to ACB media manager Brian Murgatroyd: “Yeah, and I bet they didn’t find a brain either.”Waugh said he was disappointed in the way that incident was reported and that he had been misquoted.”It was a private conversation and wasn’t meant to be heard by anyone else, it wasn’t meant to be offensive, it obviously has been seen that way but the words were not the words that I said,” he said at the time.

First Grade: Bankstown on Track for TitleThe Bankstown Sports Club sponsored Bulldogs kept their premiership aspirations alive with a convincing display in the drawn playoff last weekend. Bankstown will now progress to the semi final and take on Balmain at Bankstown Oval next Saturday and Sunday at 10.30 a.m.This is the seventh season in succession that the first grade side has made the semis and they certainly are a great credit to the district. Hopefully they will have the Belvidere Cup to show to Bulldog supremo Steve Waugh and his majestic brother Mark when they return from their successful tour of New Zealand.The ‘Dogs quest for victory was thwarted by a savage storm last Sunday which washed out play at 5.29 with Bankstown just one wicket short of victory as Northern Districts hung on grimly at 9-287. A glorious 100 from prolific rungetter Vaughan Williams spearheaded the ‘Dogs to a massive total of 330 after Kevin Roberts had won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat in sweltering conditions.Bankstown received an early setback with the dismissal of opener Anthony Smith but an enterprising 179 run partnership between Corey Richards and Williams got the’Dogs barking. Williams cut and drove in his usually aggressive manner and his nimble footwork enabled him to dispatch the spinners into the outfield with great authority. Despite the slow outfield he still amassed 16 boundaries and brought the crowd to its feet with a spectacular six. He occupied the crease for 226 vital minutes, facing 174 balls and it came as a surprise when he darted down the track to push the ball into a gap and was comprehensively stumped. With 891 runs under his belt the pugnacious opener is well and truly on track to chalk up 1000 runs for the season and looks destined to go on to representative honours. Along with fourth grade skipper David Drew, Vaughan was the proud recipient of the Players’ Player Award for his great efforts on and off the field this season.Following the departure of Williams, Corey Richards took over the role of aggressor with some classical cover drives and punishing shots through midwicket. The elegant righthander looked on track for yet another century but miscued a loose delivery and holed out for 86 after compiling 10 delightful boundaries.Lefthand strokemaker Matt Betsey took advantage of the cauldron like conditions to plunder 77 runs from 99 balls in a typically hard hitting knock. He also looked set for triple figures but misjudged a square cut and was well caught at point after 125 minutes entertaining batting. Betsey has performed brilliantly with his adopted club notching 688 runs and taking 33 wickets. The success he has enjoyed enabled him to share the Bankstown Sports Club Player of the Year Award with third grade skipper Geoff Spotswood who also had a magnificent season.Despite the oppressive conditions the Northern Districts bowlers toiled away honestly to capture the last seven Bulldog wickets for a mere 82 runs and give their side some hope of victory. These hopes appeared most forlorn as Nathan Bracken’s hostile bowling saw the visitors slump to 6-101 but a lower order revival kept them in the game.Bracken bowled magnificently in the trying conditions and thoroughly deserved his excellent figures of 4-47 from 21 overs. The tall lefthand paceman has had a most unfortunate, injury plagued, season but his welcome return to top form gives the Bulldogs a great boost in their premiership quest.Wayne Holdsworth was his usual energetic self taking 2-69 from 16.4 overs whilst the ever reliable Matt Betsey chimed in with 2-62 from 15 overs. Kevin Roberts produced a spectacular leap to take a brilliant catch in the gully whilst Nathan Bracken’s timely dismissal of N.S.W. ‘keeper Brad Haddin, who had raced to 36 in just 31 minutes, proved a crucial turning point in the game.It was disappointing that the rain washed out play at such a most interesting stage but there is no doubt the Bulldogs had the upper hand.All Bankstown supporters are urged to come along this weekend and support the locals in their quest for another premiership. Enjoy the magnificent new facilities at the revamped Bankstown Oval as the cricketing Bulldogs take on the Tigers and remember admission is free!!!Fourth GradeThe fourths bowed out of premiership contention after they were dismissed for 288 when chasing Manly’s 354. Paceman Lincoln Tucker bowled superbly in the heatwave conditions to take 4-100 from 32 wholehearted overs maintaining good pace throughout. Michael Bright flighted his legspinners with plenty of guile to take 3-84 from his 33.1 overs whilst David Drew held onto two good catches behind the stumps and Peter Dugmore snared a hot one at first slip to keep the ‘Dogs in the hunt. Jarrad Way compiled a solid 37 with the bat whilst lefthand strokemaker Peter Dugmore added a stylish 31. However the middle order collapsed dramatically and Bankstown slumped to 8-160. Some bold hitting from Andrew Sidie, Lincoln Tucker and Michael Bright kept the ‘Dogs hopes alive. Tucker pounded a quickfire 50 from 51 balls with 5 boundaries and 3 massive sixes whilst Sidie plundered 7 boundaries and a six in his defiant 58. Lefthander Michael Bright was no less effective with a valuable 40 and once again confirmed he is an allrounder with great promise. The last two Bulldog wickets added 128 in a wonderful rearguard action but unfortunately it proved to be to no avail.(Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Stephenson.)

A Rangers claim has been made regarding the club’s decision not to wear their 150th-anniversary shirt at Ibrox over the weekend in Glasgow.

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has revealed that the Gers did register their special edition jersey prior to the start of the campaign and were, therefore, able to don it on Saturday.

This came after it was suggested that they did not get permission from the SFA or SPFL to change their regular kits in favour of the anniversary shirt.

He initially Tweeted: @SkySportsNews understands the SFA and SPFL did not receive any request from Rangers to wear their special edition kit for today’s match. If a club wishes to wear a different kit from those registered at the start of the season, they would have to seek permission.

The reporter then followed that up with two further updates: “Rangers have told @SkySportsNews today that they did register their special edition kit in the summer.”

“A Hampden source has now confirmed the kit was registered with the SPFL at the start of the season.”

Resolved

The Ibrox faithful will surely be feeling relieved by this latest update as the saga around the incident has now been resolved.

Fans were left confused after it had initially been announced by the club that the shirt was going to be worn against Aberdeen at the weekend.

The commentators on Rangers TV were left clueless too as to the reasons behind the absence of the changed strip but this update on the story has finally provided some clarity on the situation after a puzzling weekend for the supporters.

Luckily, it also means that they still have the chance to see the team wear the kit in a Premiership match this season as it has now officially been registered.

This means that the club will have an option to celebrate 150 years by donning the all-white strip for a game, although it remains to be seen if or when they will exercise it.

This is all hypothetical at the moment and there is a long way to go before this is a viable option, but the Gers could wear it for their final home game at Ibrox, which if they secure the title ahead of Celtic prior to that match, will be quite the occasion with the strip potentially going down in Rangers history.

As a result, Gio van Bronckhorst’s side would be able to do justice to the 150th anniversary by wearing it as they lift silverware. That said, there is plenty of work left to be done to catch up on the Hoops.

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The supporters will also be intrigued to learn that Rangers did not wear their usual blue strip against Aberdeen due to any error on their part. They did not ruin their anniversary because of a pre-season administrative failure and, instead, made their decision on their own.

It would have been a worrying sign of how dealings are being handled behind the scenes had it been a case of a mistake before the start of the campaign. Therefore, fans will be pleased to know that they did not mess up in this particular situation.

AND in other news, 7 G/A in 4 starts: Wilson made huge Rangers blunder on “groundbreaking” £6.3m gem…

Journalist Dean Jones has made a claim on Celtic’s chances of signing Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo, GiveMeSport report.

The Lowdown: Strachan’s visit

Celtic senior scout Craig Strachan made a 742-mile round trip from Glasgow to Bristol to watch Semenyo in action earlier this month, as reported by Bristol World.

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The 22-year-old scored in a 2-1 win over Reading at Ashton Gate with Strachan in attendance, with the Hoops the latest to check in on the versatile forward.

Semenyo has contributed to 14 goals in the second tier this season, scoring and providing an assist in Saturday’s win over Middlesbrough.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

As reported last month, Bristol City value Semenyo at around £20m, a fee which would smash Celtic’s all-time transfer record, which currently stands at £9.27m.

Jones was talking to GiveMeSport regarding the Hoops’ chances of signing Semenyo in the summer and was unsure the club would have the financial power to do so.

“I don’t know if they could afford him, to be honest.”

The Verdict: Unlikely?

Semenyo’s current contract expires in 2023, so should his situation remain the same, you’d like to think Bristol City’s £20m valuation would come down slightly.

However, the Hoops may still need to write an eight-figure cheque for the first time in their history, making a move unlikely.

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Celtic may well activate clauses in Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ loan deals to make them permanent Hoops players in the summer for a combined £12.5m outlay, so spending big on Semenyo might not be a priority for ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

In other news: Celtic source – Ange gives green light to out-of-window exit for ‘arrogant’ ace after talks. 

Stuart Clark reached 50 Test wickets from ten games (file photo) © Getty Images

Hooray for helmets
The selection of Farveez Maharoof created a headache for the team before the first Test and the bowler finished the match with one. Brett Lee’s bouncer is mean most of the time, but it is even more dangerous on a murky morning and Maharoof was unable to avoid it. He turned his head as he ducked and the ball thudded into the back of his helmet, ballooning to Adam Gilchrist. It was the second helmet Lee had struck in the game after finding Marvan Atapattu’s in the first innings.Not yet safe hands
Phil Jaques staged a verbal defence of his fielding before returning to the Test team on Thursday and he has spent much of the match at short leg, a position he has been working hard to master. His efforts in close have been fine but he made a mistake at square leg in the second over of the morning. Lunging to intercept Chamara Silva’s flick off Stuart Clark, he was unable to grab the chance that was comfortable by Test standards.Nifty fifty
After Stuart MacGill’s speedy achievement of 200 wickets in 41 Tests comes Stuart Clark’s acceleration to 50. Clark recovered quickly from Jaques’ spill to trap Prasanna Jayawardene lbw in his next over and bring up his half-century in 10 games. Charlie Turner reached the mark in a record six matches while other Australians to beat Clark included Fred Spofforth, Rodney Hogg and Terry Alderman (eight matches) and MacGill, Arthur Mailey and JJ Ferris (nine).The immoveable feast
Tea times have permission to switch due to rain or a team being nine wickets down, but the lunch reservation is always the same. Sri Lanka lost four wickets in the 18.5 overs allowed by the rain and regulations in the first session, with Lee making the penultimate breakthrough two minutes after the food was due. The 40-minute break was taken and the players returned for 15 balls before Muttiah Muralitharan was bowled by Clark.