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Yorkshire have today in which to decide whether to lodge an appeal at the ECB pitches panel’s decision last night to dock them eight points because of ‘poor’ pitch preparation for the current match with county champions and leaders Surrey at Scarborough.Although Yorkshire’s chances of winning the Division One title have now virtually disappeared the loss of eight points could go on to cost them second place in the table which brings with it £50,000 in prizemoney.And there was another shock for Yorkshire fans at North Marine Road today when no play was possible during the morning session because of a wet run-up at the pavilion end. The square had been kept dry after several hours of heavy rain last night but water had seeped under the plastic sheeting covering the run-up, causing muddy conditions.Surrey, who did not enforce the follow-on yesterday, despite enjoying a first innings lead of 198, are due to resume on 53 for two, 251 runs in front.

Ehsan Mani has warned that the ICC could lose credibility as a result of the “disgraceful” handling of the Malcolm Speed affair. Speed was placed on gardening leave until the end of his contract in July after reportedly falling out with some of the executive board.Mani, who was president of the ICC between 2003 and 2006, said that he was disappointed with the way the matter had been dealt with. “He [Speed] has served the ICC with loyalty and a huge amount of distinction and I would have expected that if there were differences they could have been handled privately,” Mani told the .”The way the board has handled this has been disgraceful. If they do not pull their act together they will lose credibility.” Mani’s comments come in the wake of similar remarks by his predecessor, Malcolm Gray, who said that things had got out of control and that differences “should be handled better”.The current executive will also be uneasy with Mani’s comments about the independent forensic audit into Zimbabwe Cricket. It voted to keep the report secret, a decision which was the catalyst for Speed’s departure as he made it clear he did not agree with the move.”The ICC must always be transparent,” Mani said. “Ideally the report should have been made public. Nothing ever stays private. But I am hopeful that with David Morgan taking over [in July] the ICC will come through this.”

Division One

Graeme Hick has become the 16th player to reach 40,000 first-class runs, passing the landmark during his 49 against Warwickshire. Hick adds another accolade to his career – and he is the first man to pass the milestone since Graham Gooch 13 years ago. “For someone who has achieved as much as he has in the game, to still have the drive, work ethic and hunger is great,” said his captain Vikram Solanki. “It takes a particular type of character and personality to be able to do it. As a player, he is the ultimate professional. He is still in fine shape. He has always looked after himself, he is still fit, still works hard, probably harder than anyone else now. He is an amazing guy.” Maybe the moment got to him, but Hick fell as soon as he had reached the landmark when he was caught behind off Dale Steyn. Nevertheless, Worcestershire moved to a 56-run lead when they were all out on the stroke of stumps at Edgbaston- thanks largely to Stephen Moore’s 112 – as the game heads towards a draw.Despite the best efforts of Mark Davies – who took 4 for 48 – Durham are now looking at a victory target of more than 250 on the final day after Hampshire recovered from 124 for 6 to make 309 for 9 by stumps. Durham were only able to add 24 to their overnight score at the Rose Bowl thanks to Shane Warne polishing off the tail to finish the innings with6 for 83, leaving Hampshire 56 behind at the turnaround. And this difference was looking crucial with the early collapse, but Dimitri Mascarenhas and Warne added 45 for the 8th wicket before Chris Tremlett gave further reminder of his allround skills by frustrating Durham’s bid for the top with a vital 62 not out from 81 balls, including three sixes to help Hampshire’s resurgence. But Hampshire suffered the minor indignity of having five runs deducted from their total because of their batsmen running on the pitch.Despite an impressive knock of 77 from Joe Denly, Kent were forced tofollow-on at Old Trafford after Lancashire bowled them out for272. Kent failed to put together any meaningful partnerships aside from an opening stand of 83, and Muttiah Muralitharan grabbed four middle-order wickets as they slumped from 160 for 4 to 210 for 8. England outcast Geraint Jones continued his recent return to form with the bat by making 70, adding 34 with Ryan McLaren, the second highest partnership of the innings. Denly and Key survived the two overs before the close and will have to bat out tomorrow to prevent Lancashire from earning their second win of the season.The clash between Yorkshire and Sussex at Headingley is fast turning into Ajmal Shahzal’s match. After scoring valuable runs yesterday he picked up four wickets today to help dismiss Sussex for 141 in what continues to be a very low, and slow-scoring game. With a deficit of two on first innings, Yorkshire were looking comfortable second time round at 112 for 1 before Jason Lewry made Craig White his second victim of the innings and Anthony McGrath was needlessly run-out for 59 to leave Yorkshire 129 for 3 at the close. With seven wickets in hand, they are likely to try to make the game safe rather than allow Sussex the opportunity to leapfrog them to the top of the table.

Division Two

While one old timer was making records with the bat at Worcestershire, another was making the ball sing down at Bristol. Andrew Caddick took his second five-wicket haul of the match to bowl Somerset to a crushing victory against Gloucestershire – defeating them by an innings and 151 runs. Caddick ended with match figures of 12 for 71. It’s the 17th time in first-class matches he’s taken ten wickets in a match. Charl Willoughby took the other five wickets – and he ended with seven. The win came within three days, but could have been shorter had rain not affected the early days. To add insult, Gloucestershire were deducted one point for a slow over rate.In a desperate attempt to force a result and drag themselves away from thebottom two of Division Two, Leicestershire declared their first innings at 131 for 4, still 120 behind Northants in what was looking like a rain-ruined contest at at Northampton. The home side closed on 99 for 4 with Lance Klusener dangerously poised having hit 22 from 18 deliveries in the evening. Earlier, Northants were indebted to David Sales 92, and late-order runs from David Lucas and the Australian Steven Crook, who boosted them to 251. Another David, Masters this time, claimed the seventh five-wicket haul of his career.Essex made Middlesex follow on at Lord’s, rolling them for 177 in their first innings. Martin Saggers, on loan from Kent, was the destroyer-in-chief with an impressive 5 for 39. He struck again as Middlesex resumed 199 runs adrift, removing Nick Compton lbw before Billy Godleman and Owais Shah helped the home side recover with a stand of 125. Godleman was trapped in front by Danish Kaneria, but Shah and Ed Joyce pulled Middlesex up to 198 for 2 by the close. Shah has been the epitome of patience so far forhis unbeaten 80, and will need to keep that up on Monday if Middlesex are to prevent the top three in the table putting distance between them.After more than two days of waiting to get underway, Nottinghamshire wastedno time putting Derbyshire to the sword at Nottingham, bowling them out for 108. Charlie Shreck made the Derbyshire scorecard look rather pitiful as he returned figures of 7 for 35 to add to his burgeoning reputation, and then Mark Wagh compounded the misery with a run-a-ball 88. Former captain Jason Gallian also made a handy 62 and withHussey, Read and Ealham still to come, expect some rapid scoring tomorrow asNotts look to declare and keep pressure on leaders Somerset.

The process of naming an Indian umpire in the ICC’s Elite Panel has been pushed back by at least a year, after the Indian board requested more time for settling on likely candidates.The board faced criticism in the recent past for the fact that not a single Indian umpire is represented in the Panel, with the ICC urging the BCCI to raise the quality of umpiring in the country. This prompted the board to take assistance from Microsoft to provide software solutions and device effective methods of judging the umpires’ decisions starting from the Indian domestic season this October.A three-member sub-committee, which was formed to nominate the umpires for the Panel, too requested more time saying that the domestic season will be crucial in their decision. Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, was hopeful of nominating at least one umpire by early next year.”Right now we are continuing with what we have”, Shah told . “We scrapped the system of 13 elite domestic umpires, and the overhaul being planned by the BCCI’s umpiring committee means we might need even more time. But hopefully, we will have an umpire in the Elite Panel by early next year.”The ICC’s International Panel currently has three Indians – AV Jayaprakash, I Shivram and K Hariharan, who are unlikely to make it to the Elite Panel as the ICC hasn’t promised any big assignments for them. The board is now considering giving more opportunities to young umpires, provided they prove their worth in the examination for the Ranji Trophy panel on August 20. “The board might even fast-track a young umpire from the Ranji panel to the All India Panel if they feel he is top grade”, said MP Pandove, the BCCI joint secretary.S Venkataraghavan, who retired from umpiring in March 2004, is the only Indian umpire to have made it to the Elite Panel.

The ECB have confirmed this week’s worst-kept secret – David Collier, who is currently in charge at Nottinghamshire, is Tim Lamb’s replacement as its chief executive.Collier, 49, has considerable domestic experience, having worked at four counties – Essex, Gloucestershire and Leicestershire – before moving to Trent Bridge. He also has worked in sports marketing, and the leisure industry for Sema, a Cheshire-based computer-systems company..He’s also a hockey referee, and in 2002 played an important part in organising a rescue package which bailed out the England Hockey Association.”I am delighted to have been offered the wonderful opportunity to lead the ECB into what I hope will be an era that’s always recognised as one of the most successful in the game’s history,” said a visibly nervous Collier in front of a packed press conference at Lord’s today. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to complete a full review and strategic plan for the game before the start of next season and to build upon the positive changes which the ECB has implemented during the past year.”But he recognised that taking over at the ECB would not be without its inherited problems. “I am fully aware there are still a number of issues to address,” he said. Collier was asked his opinion of the abundance of non-English-qualified county players. “I wouldn’t say there were too many. What I would say is that we have to get the balance right. We are concerned about the profileration of certain unqualified players. Clearly, we have to operate within the law, within EC law. So we are hamstrung by one or two guidelines. But, as part of our strategic plan, we will find the best way of engaging the maximum number of English-qualified players.”Collier was also asked if he thought there would be a long-term future for 18 first-class counties. “Yes. There is a very strong marketing arm of the game. The fact that English cricket has one of the most vibrant international audiences is no coincidence.”Turning to England’s tour of Zimbabwe, Collier said he believed that England should go ahead with the planned five one-day games. “The board took the best possible legal advice over the Zimbabwe situation,” he stated. “There were only two forms of acceptable non-compliance – safety and security, and the board will look at these in great depth before we do go.”Collier’s starting date at Lord’s has yet to be worked out, although he indicated it is likely to be at the end of the year. Meanwhile, Hugh Morris will continue in the role of acting chief executive.David Morgan, the ECB chairman, explained the thinking behind the appointment: “We were looking for someone with a strong business background coupled with a knowledge and love of cricket. David has both qualities. Not only has he successfully led Nottinghamshire for the past five years, continuing to develop the ground into one of the most attractive cricket venues in the country, but he also has significant business experience both within and outside of cricket.”The search for the new chief executive was an extensive and competitiveone. The recruitment consultants, Norman Broadbent, received a hugenumber of CVs and they subsequently interviewed close to 40 candidatesbefore drawing up a short-list of eight highly qualified people. I amdelighted that David has accepted the role, and I look forward to workingwith him as we continue to develop ECB and the game as a whole.”

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union has announced that all 15 rebel cricketers who are in dispute with the board have had their contracts terminated.The board met this morning and took the decision that, as the players had not returned to work by the Friday deadline it imposed, they were in breach of their contracts. In a press release, the ZCU said that it had informed the players’ lawyer of the decision.The ZCU went on to add that, while the players’ contracts had been voided, any of them who made themselves available for selection would be considered “subject to their commitment, form and fitness”.The statement concluded that the “ZCU firmly believes it has acted in accordance with best business practice whilst it has also always kept the door open for any willing and committed players to return to the fold.”The players’ legal representative Chris Venturas confirmed that the players were now going to take the ZCU to court. They maintain that as they had made themselves available for selection, they were not in breach. “We are taking them (ZCU) to court over this. We were just finalising our letter to the ZCU agreeing a mediation on the dispute when they dropped this bombshell on us,” Venturas said. “We decided right away we would go the distance and an advocate will be briefed as soon as possible.”We knew about their ultimatum to return to duties by May 7 but this was a shock in view of our impending written acceptance of mediation, which we were going to deliver on Tuesday morning and which they knew was going to happen.”The ZCU’s action means that a lengthy legal process is about to start, and it also effectively ends any lingering hope that this matter might be sorted without any more harm to Zimbabwe cricket. It also means that again Zimbabwe will field a woefully weak side for the second Test at Bulawayo which starts on Friday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) will hold electionsafter a government decision to end a two-year period of control by interimcommittees.The sports ministry confirmed on Wednesday that the BCCSL Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place in approximately one month – probably on June 6.Lakshman Kiriella, the then sports minister, disbanded the last electedadministration in March, 2001 on legal grounds, amid rumours off financialmismanagement.A series of interim committees followed, the first headed by VijayaMalalsekera and the last by Hemaka Amarasuriya, who was appointed by thecurrent sports minister Johnston Fernando.Leading contenders for the presidency include Thilanga Sumithipala, who hadserved two previous terms as president, and Arjuna Ranatunga, the formercaptain.Once the sports ministry has issued formal notification to the BCCSLmembership, contenders have two weeks to forward their nominations.Milton Amarasinghe, the director of sports, will conduct and oversee theelection, trying to avoid a repeat of the controversial 1999 AGM -­ anelection marred by physical intimidation.

A brilliant Neil Fairbrother century helped launch a quickfireLancashire recovery after Glamorgan had reduced them to 9 for 3 on the second day of their CricInfo County Championship Division One clash at Colwyn Bay.By the close Lancashire had reached 259-7 off just 52 overs, still needing 71 to avoid the follow-on with Fairbrother unbeaten on 110 after rain had forced the players off the field 20 minutes early.At the start of their reply to Glamorgan’s 479 all out Lancashire found themselves in desperate trouble within five overs.Mark Chilton mis-pulled Simon Jones to mid-on, John Crawley edged a good ball from Steve Watkin to first slip and Dean Cosker had Ryan Driver caught at silly point as the follow-on target of 330 looked way beyond them.But after lunch Andrew Flintoff and Fairbrother plundered 79 runs in only 15 overs. The partnership flourished either side of a rain break that saw 19 overs lost.Flintoff looked well set to score his first championship half-century before mis-cuing a drive to extra cover where Keith Newell took a smart catch at the second attempt.After Flintoff’s departure Fairbrother completed his 50 off just 44 balls with nine fours as Lancashire reached 129-4 at tea – still 350 adrift of Glamorgan’s 479 all out.With fine support from Joe Scuderi and then Chris Schofield, 37-year-old Fairbrother went on to record his 45th first-class century from just 102 balls.Glamorgan had resumed this morning on 388-7 with skipper Adrian Dale completing his century during a 95-run partnership with Dean Cosker.

Barbados-born Mark Lavine turned on a bit of Caribbean style on Saturday to entertain fans in a one of the backwaters of the cricket world with a all-round performance that continues to have the fancied Highveld Strikers on the back foot against North West.After taking career-best figures of six for 55 in the the Strikers’ first innings, Lavine held the North West reply together with a hard-hitting 85, before taking the one Strikers wicket to fall before stumps on day two.Lavine’s knock came off just 97 balls and included ten fours and three sixes, helping to hold together a North West innigs that at one stage looked as if it was on the point of imploding dramatically.When Lavine strode to the wicket, North West had just lost their fourth wicket with just 109 on the board. Despite a useful start from the openers, wickets fell at irritatingly regular intervals for North West as they looked to establish a healthy first innings lead.That they earned an advantage of 53 runs was as much a result of some fine batting for the tenth wicket as it was the product of Lavine’s brilliance. Roe and Jordaan rode their luck in a partnership of 49, frustrating the Strikers attack with a succession of unorthodox strokes.The sense that Lavine was the beneficiary of some divine assistance was only enhanced when he raced in to take the only Strikers wicket to fall before bad light stopped play – Bacher caught behind by Poole for just nine. If North West can continue to prise such spectacular performances from Lavine and play with the kind of collective commitment they have already shown this season, they may have a surprise in store for some of the other traditional powerhouses on their visits to Potchefstrom.

Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson expressed regret at the five-year ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar by a PCB disciplinary committee, adding that the fast bowler would remain an unfulfilled talent.”Whether he got banned today or not, there was always going to be some problem with Shoaib,” Lawson told the . “He has so much ability but he lacks the responsibility that’s needed to become a great fast bowler.”At times he tried really hard for us, but you just never knew what to expect when you turned up to the ground. Personally, I wouldn’t have banned him; I’d have made him earn his international place back by playing domestic cricket. It’s always sad when you see a guy who doesn’t fulfill his talent.”Lawson, in his recent tour report on the away series against India, had advised against Shoaib’s selection for Tests, indicating that he had lost confidence in his abilities in the longer version of the game. But Lawson thought Shoaib would perform well in the Indian Premier League, to which the ban does not extend. “I reckon he’ll go pretty well. We timed him in the nets last week and he was bowling over 93mph.”Meanwhile, Shoaib’s ban brought out contrasting reactions in Pakistan, with Shafqat Rana, a national selector, saying that Shoaib deserved the ban. “Akhtar has been involved in a number of controversies, and in my view the ban is justified. The decision will set an example for other cricketers as well. And they will concentrate on their game,” he told the . “It is true that a person learns from his mistakes, but unfortunately the fast bowler made it a habit of repeating his mistakes. I think the board’s zero tolerance policy should be commended.”But former captain Imran Khan criticised the PCB for its decision. “The ban on Shoaib and even on the players who have gone to play in the Indian Cricket League are unacceptable and will shake the foundations of our cricket system. We are losing good players to bad policies of the board.”Javed Miandad said that he was sorry for Shoaib while agreeing that he was involved in a lot of disciplinary cases. “I would like to add here that it is the result of the PCB’s leniency towards Shoaib’s blunders he did in the past. But now his [latest] offense is not that grave as several Pakistan Test cricketers in the past have done this type of wrong acts repeatedly and got away with those,” Miandad told .Hanif Abbasi, the newly-elected national assembly member from Rawalpindi, Shoaib’s home-town, told a local TV channel that the ban was “unacceptable” and that it would be overturned when a change of guard came about in the PCB.