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England completed their four days of preparation in Auckland with a far more convincing batting display than against the pink ball

Andrew McGlashan at Seddon Park17-Mar-20182:23

England look sharper with red ball ahead of Test series

England completed their four days of preparation in Hamilton with a far more convincing batting display than against the pink ball. Captain Joe Root led the way with a century as only James Vince missed out on the final day when he was trapped lbw. There remain question marks over the balance of the side for the first Test which are largely centred around the bowling fitness of Ben Stokes and will be clearer next week.Stokes ends six-month waitIt had been a long time since Stokes last faced the red ball – September 8, when he made 60 against West Indies at Lord’s. He strode out at an almost deserted Seddon Park, Root allowing others a chance ahead of him, at No. 5 which could yet be the position he takes up at Eden Park if he is unable to bowl or has a reduced workload capability. Stokes looked in good order, striking five boundaries in his 32-ball stay, until top-edging a pull and being superbly caught by Glenn Phillips who ran in from deep square-leg. He also had a gentle run through his action on the outfield before play and will bowl at higher intensity in the nets on Monday.Everyone gets somethingEngland got better over the four days and just about took what they could from the fixtures. The lowest combined return over the multiple innings for the top order was Vince’s 50 runs and at various time each of the top order showed encouraging signs. Mark Stoneman responded to his twin failures against the pink with a positive 48 before getting a sharp lifter from Scott Kuggeleijn, Alastair Cook was finding the middle of the bat and Dawid Malan was at ease before chipping a full toss to midwicket.Captain comfortableAfter a brief stay in his first knock against the pink ball, Root has looked especially at ease with the bat. He made a half-century after he came back in under the lights and followed that with 115 off 150 deliveries against the red ball. He looked set to bat to the close until another fantastic catch by Phillips, this time at point. Root ended his wait for an ODI century in Dunedin; it has been 12 Test innings since he has reached three figures (which was in the day-night Test at Edgbaston) and in that time he has failed to convert six half-centuries – not including when he was ill at Sydney. His last red-ball century was against South Africa, at Lord’s, last July. If England do go with the extra bowler in Auckland there will another debate over whether Root should move to No. 3.On to AucklandIt has been a low-key week in Hamilton and England will need to make sure they quickly find the higher intensity needed for a Test match. It makes the lead-up days in Auckland important – Monday is set to be an optional training day, although Stokes will bowl, before the session two days out from the Test which will be most full-on. The New Zealand squad have had a two-day camp in Mount Maunganui to step up their preparations. The main decision for them is which of Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle and Matt Henry misses out.

Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh said that time out of the Test side, during the home series against South Africa last year helped him work on a few aspects of his game, which he feels will be beneficial

Melinda Farrell in Bengaluru02-Mar-20171:16

‘Want to continue our winning ways at this ground’ – Marsh

It’s an odd anachronism that 21 is still considered such an important age.In Australia, for example, 21st birthdays are widely celebrated much the same as 18th birthdays, even though minors legally become adults once they turn 18. Cards are adorned with keys, cakes are baked in the shape of them, symbolizing the bestowing of the keys of adulthood to people who have been adults for three years.For whatever reason, turning 21 remains a mystical moment. The coming of age.If Mitchell Marsh plays in Bengaluru, his Test career will turn 21. But it feels as though he’s been coming of age for a very long time.Consider Marsh when he first hit adulthood. After captaining Australia to victory in the U19s World Cup, he was playing for Deccan Chargers in the IPL as an 18-year-old alongside Adam Gilchrist in a team coached by Darren Lehmann, a fact that seems almost ridiculous in its generational incongruity.Seven years and 20 Tests down the track, Marsh has a batting average of 22.79 and 29 wickets at an average of 37.27. That he is blessed with an abundance of talent is undeniable; that talent comes with expectations his critics feel have not been met.Marsh-bashing is a frequent occurrence on social media and the selection of brothers Mitchell or Shaun is guaranteed to spark a new round. The younger brother has the added burden of being an Australian allrounder, a position that attracts more scrutiny and criticism than most.Just ask Shane Watson.In fact, Marsh does just that. Heralded as the natural replacement for Watson at the end of his Test career, Marsh now seeks him out for advice.”I’ve spoken to Watto,” Marsh said. “Since he’s retired he’s been fantastic. He’s always been open to me giving him a call or a text. I could use him a little bit more, he’s always open for a conversation which is great.”Watson could no doubt give just as much advice on how to cope with flak off the field as he could on how to perform on it. When he passed the allrounder’s mantle on to Marsh it came with a target attached, something that unsettled Marsh to the extent he stopped reading comments about himself on social media altogether.”I try not to look too much into it,” said Marsh. “I wouldn’t have too much confidence if I read all the comments on Facebook. That’s part and parcel of playing cricket for Australia at the top level. People are always entitled to their opinion, that’s fine by me. It doesn’t stress me out. I used to read a lot of it then I had 10 innings where I didn’t get over 30, I didn’t have much to read so I stopped reading it.When the selectors cut a swathe through the Australian squad in the wake of the humiliating loss to South Africa in Hobart they didn’t miss Marsh. He had played only the Perth Test and was left out of the Hobart match in favour of Callum Ferguson. With no opportunities available to play first-class cricket, he returned home to join up with the Perth Scorchers.”In a way it was probably a good thing because I just went back to the Big Bash and enjoyed myself, tried to slog a few and managed to get a few out of the middle,” said Marsh. “But away from the game I worked on a few things that I feel will hold me in good stead if I can play in Australia again or play in other conditions. Sometimes it’s nice to get out of the spotlight. I was obviously under a lot of pressure for a while so in a way it was nice to get back to play with the Scorchers and here I am.”Marsh wasn’t required for bowling duties in the first Test but he applied himself for a watchful 31 runs on the crumbling pitch. For a powerful, attacking batsman, it was a commendable show of restraint in such conditions. It was followed by dressing-room celebrations that Marsh described as the best four hours of his life.”It was good, it gave me a lot of confidence,” said Marsh. “Even though I made only 30, being out in the middle for 80 balls certainly gave me a lot of confidence. Hopefully this wicket is a little better and I can turn it into a big score for us.””I think it’s just about adapting. That’s something we always speak about, Steven (Smith) always talks to us about it. In these conditions you’ve got to earn the right to attack and that’s by having a solid defence. That’s what I’ve been working on.”Marsh has also been working on gaining the trust of his brother. Shaun’s nine-month old son, Austin, is on the tour and Uncle Mitch is being allowed to babysit his nephew for the first time.”You earn your trust,” said Marsh, while conceding he wasn’t very confident on nappy-changing.”It’s taken me a while but I’ve got there now.”If he can produce his best in India, that’s a statement he may make for many Tests beyond his 21st.

A round-up of all the Ford Trophy matches played on Januray 3, 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jan-2016Corey Anderson continued his good run of form with a brisk 98 that shaped Northern Districts‘ 101-run win over Auckland at the Eden Park.Put in, James Fuller cut through Northern Districts’ top order, as the visitors slumped to 15 for 3 in 5.1 overs. Anderson then partnered with Anton Devcich to add 141 for the fourth wicket, taking Northern Districts past 150 before Devcich fell for 53. Anderson’s knock, that included nine fours and three sixes, ended in the 37th over, with the visitors at 184. Daryl Mitchell and BJ Watling (39) drove Northern Districts closer to 300 as Mitchell smashed four fours and two sixes in his 39-ball 55. Northern Districts eventually managed 302 for 8 in their 50 overs.The hosts were dented early in the steep chase by Brett Hampton and James Baker, as the pair reduced them to 60 for 4 within 15 overs. Robert O’Donnell (62) was the only Auckland batsman to cross 35 as Northern Districts’ bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets to dismiss them for 201 in 40.3 overs. Hampton was Northern Districts’ best bowler with returns of 4 for 30 in 7.3 overs.Wellington were reduced to 32 for 3 before rain washed out their match against Canterbury in Christchurch. Ed Nuttall struck in consecutive overs to dismiss Wellington’s openers in what was meant to be a rain-curtailed, 41 overs a side fixture.Central Districts and Otago‘s fixture at the Pukekura Park in New Plymouth was rained out without a ball being bowled.

Dwayne Bravo suggested his appointment as West Indies ODI captain would give Darren Sammy a well-earned rest from his previously all-encompassing responsibilities

Alan Gardner29-May-2013When Dwayne Bravo was announced as West Indies’ ODI captain, replacing Darren Sammy, a few weeks ahead of the Champions Trophy there were familiar rumblings about island politics. Sammy, who remains the captain in Test and T20 cricket and is part of the Champions Trophy squad, has proved a popular and unifying leader and guided West Indies to a memorable victory at last year’s World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.But while West Indies have won their last six Test matches, both Sammy’s own form and that of his team had been less impressive in ODI cricket. Bravo, speaking at his introductory press conference in Cardiff, suggested his appointment would give Sammy a well-earned rest from his previously all-encompassing responsibilities. Evolution, not revolution, was the message.”I think they just want to try a rotation policy,” he said of the WICB’s decision to introduce a split-captaincy. “Obviously Darren had been doing the job in all forms of the game for the last two-and-a-half years, and that itself can be a tasking job. This just gives him a break from the team. I’m happy he’s still in the squad so I can actually continue what he left, take over from what Darren was actually doing, and he’s here and we’ve get the best way, the best combination, what we think should be the best for the West Indies teams so that we can win games.”Bravo is a colourful presence on a cricket field, fond of neon sunglasses and exuberant celebrations, but although he admitted captaincy was “a new road for me” he said he would not be changing his approach to the game. West Indies swept to the World Twenty20 title in carnival style in Sri Lanka last September and their “Gangnam Style” victory dance became as familiar as explosive contributions from the likes of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels.”We’re going to continue to entertain and we’re going to continue to play the game how we know how to play, with flair and glamour, and hopefully we can give the English fans something to support,” Bravo said.The side that Sammy built has become used to greater levels of expectation than that experienced by most of his recent predecessors and, although West Indies’ coach, Ottis Gibson, has tipped England as favourites, Bravo was not about to talk down his team’s chances, despite being the lowest-ranked ODI side in their group, which also features India, South Africa and Pakistan.”Last year in Sri Lanka we were cast as favourites and we ended up winning, so it’s good to be favourites again,” he said. “Hopefully we will win this time. But honestly we don’t think we are favourites. We just want to concentrate on what we have to do. We’re in a very tough group, and first of all, we want to take it step by step, try and survive that group. The talk around is it’s the group of death, so hopefully we get out of the group of death and then take it from there.”A tournament like this, it’s short, and you never know what can happen … We just want to be humble and go about our business in our own way and let the man above take care of our destiny.”The weather man may have more of a say in their fate. Earlier in 2012, before the joyous scenes on the subcontinent, West Indies shivered their way through a low-key tour of England, in which they only managed to win one game. Even the arrival of their freshly anointed spin-bowling talisman Sunil Narine from the IPL could not lift the team – his haul of one wicket in all three formats attesting to pitches that refused to bend to his will.Narine will return to England as the No. 1-ranked bowler in ODI cricket, with an extra year of international experience (although this will be his first major 50-over tournament) but Bravo said his “trump player” would not be expected to do it all on his own as West Indies attempt to replicate their 2004 Champions Trophy victory in the country.”Obviously playing in England before he did not have much success and teams tend to say ‘okay, he can’t bowl outside of the Caribbean, outside of the subcontinent’ but he’s a world-class player. He’s very young and he has achieved a lot in international cricket for the short time he has been there.”So now is a good opportunity for him again to actually do well. Yes, he’s our trump player, our marquee player but he’s not under any pressure to perform for us. If he does well, it’s a bonus, but we’re going to let Sunil just relax and enjoy his cricket and enjoy the competition ahead of him.”

Lancashire go into the final day needing 10 wickets to beat Middlesex and secure their first win of the season

Myles Hodgson at Aigburth25-May-2012
ScorecardPaul Horton top-scored during Lancashire’s second innings as the champions set Middlesex a stiff target•Getty Images

Lancashire’s ability to press home victory at Aigburth, their base in exile during last year’s title-winning campaign, looks certain to be tested when they attempt to register a first win of the season against a determined Middlesex line-up.Four victories out of six in Liverpool last summer, where they have been based while Old Trafford continues its redevelopment, played a big role in securing their surprise Championship triumph. Playing in this prosperous suburb was supposed to be their big strength – until they began their title defence.Successive defeats against Sussex and Warwickshire at Aigburth have undermined their self-belief, but they will be hopeful of restoring it after a dramatic third day of their match against Middlesex established them as marginal favourites for victory.With 13 wickets falling during Friday, on a wicket that still rewards careful batting, Lancashire closed 399 runs ahead of Middlesex, who were 29 without loss and facing a minimum of 96 overs on the final day to either secure a draw or claim an unlikely victory.History would suggest a Middlesex win would take an extraordinary display, with the highest successful run chase on this ground being Kent’s 360 for 4 from 105 overs back in 2002. Lancashire have history of their own on this ground, including thrilling final-day victories over Yorkshire and Hampshire last season, to provide encouragement that they can force home their first win of the summer.”We have good memories here and we know it is a result wicket,” said Paul Horton, who top-scored for Lancashire with 89. “We played Yorkshire here on this wicket so we know it can go to the wire, but we have dominated the three days and hopefully we can dominate the fourth.”We’ve played well in patches this season without winning anything. We’ve probably not taken advantage of the positions we’ve been in, so tomorrow is a big day and we have to keep plugging away.”Middlesex have certainly provided Lancashire with hope after a dismal start to the third day, which they began on 155 for 5 and needing 88 runs to avoid the follow-on. In conditions that were anything but bowler-friendly, they lost five wickets for 48 runs in 15.1 overs before lunch to concede a 162 first-innings deficit.Once again, Ajmal Shahzad proved what a shrewd loan signing he may be for the champions and demonstrated his expertise as a strike bowler. He claimed two wickets, including one with his fifth ball of the morning, to finish with impressive figures of 4 for 40. Lancashire chose not to enforce the follow-on, the intense humidity and heat and the opportunity to bowl last on a wearing wicket no doubt influencing their decision.The contrast between Middlesex’s struggles and the ease in which Lancashire’s innings began was all too evident. Once Stephen Moore fell to another stunning slip catch from Ollie Rayner, Paul Horton and Karl Brown forged a 130-run second wicket partnership at a good rate.Fresh from his match-saving century at Edgbaston a week ago, Horton set the tone for Lancashire’s innings with 89 off 114 balls, including 11 fours on a ground where the slow outfield does not always make boundaries easily accessible.Having exhausted all their other options to limit the scoring rate, Middlesex turned to the part-time legspin of Dawid Malan, who profited from Lancashire’s adventure to claim an unexpected career-best of 5 for 61 from nine eventful overs.He was punished every time he dropped short and Brown hit successive sixes from full tosses, but he did succeed in interrupting Lancashire’s progress before they finally declared 428 runs ahead to give themselves 14 overs to bowl at Middlesex before the close.Horton was particularly annoyed with himself to get out to Malan, spooning an attempted pull to mid-on shortly before tea, but he was far from alone in gifting his wicket. Ashwell Prince was stumped charging down the wicket and Steven Croft was caught in the deep after hitting 28 from 19 balls, while Brown fell for an entertaining 76 clipping behind.By the time Glen Chapple, the captain, was run out Lancashire were far enough ahead to feel comfortable enough to declare. They were unable to claim a breakthrough before the close but their experience of nail-biting finishes last season should tell them that Aigburth has a habit of serving up final-day drama.

On a blameless pitch on which Durham had just amassed 602 for 6 Warwickshire capitulated so badly that they are likely to concede a first innings lead in excess of 400

George Dobell at Edgbaston25-May-2011
ScorecardThe stand between Will Smith and Dale Benkenstein was eventually ended for 273•Getty Images

Like the scene in Blackadder where Rowan Atkinson’s character recalls the British army’s massacre of the peace-loving pygmies of the Upper Volta (who were armed with only kiwi fruit and guava halves), this contest at Edgbaston has become horribly uneven. Durham have simply overwhelmed Warwickshire.Much of the second day’s play here was inexplicable. On a blameless pitch on which Durham had just amassed 602 for 6 – the fifth highest score in their 20 years as a first-class county – Warwickshire capitulated so badly that they are likely to concede a first innings lead in excess of 400. They resume on day three on 186 for 9; still 416 runs behind and requiring another 267 just to avoid the follow-on. Suffice it to say, Durham are on top.Perhaps scoreboard pressure is the best explanation. Warwickshire, dispirited by the best part of five sessions in the field, were simply blown away by a spirited Durham attack who have hit the deck harder and bowled a fuller length than the hosts managed. The visiting batsmen have also applied themselves more diligently.The pitch has not deteriorated. Durham, and the impressive Ben Stokes in particular, have managed to coax some reverse swing from the ball, but most of the Warwickshire wickets owed more than a little to batsman error. With rain forecast and the pitch likely to remain docile, Durham should still be made to work hard to complete victory. It’s hard to believe Warwickshire will bat so poorly for a second time.Only Tim Ambrose can consider himself unfortunate. There looked to be a considerable amount of inside edge on the delivery that was adjudged to trap him lbw. Of the others, William Porterfield held his bat out at one angled across him, Ian Westwood was beaten for a lack of pace and prodded to short-leg, Mohammad Yousuf clipped a half-volley to miwicket and Jim Troughton attempted an unlikely single only to be run out by Borthwick’s direct hit. Later, Rikki Clarke attempted to pull a delivery far too full for the shot, before Naqaash Tahir edged his lavish drive to slip. It was reckless batting.Varun Chopra and Darren Maddy were the only men in the top seven to make it into double figures. With Chopra driving beautifully and Maddy’s fondness for the short ball fed by a poor spell from Ruel Braithwaite (six overs for 48 runs), the pair added 86 for the fifth wicket in just 12 overs. All their good work was undone, however, when both men fell to loose drives.Durham’s bowlers deserved their fortune, however. Steve Harmison, generating decent pace and bounce off a short run, was rewarded for his probing line and length, Callum Thorp drew batsmen into the drive while Stokes, demonstrating good pace and control, is clearly a young man with a golden future.”That wasn’t a great day at the office,” Warwickshire captain Troughton admitted afterwards. “We didn’t bowl well enough and scoreboard pressure had played its part. Their bowlers have got the ball reversing and, by bowling a fuller length, have brought the slips into the game. We bowled too short and couldn’t get the ball to reverse.”Earlier Durham had made batting look easy. After Dale Benkenstein completed his third century of the campaign, Phil Mustard and Ian Blackwell added 163 in just 27 overs for the sixth-wicket to take the total over 600 runs.Perhaps, in Blackwell’s case, they should be called ‘bustles’ rather than ‘runs.’ It appears the burly allrounder has surrendered in his fight against a burgeoning waistline and running is no longer a major part of his game. Instead he bustles up and down the pitch like an overweight business man hurrying to catch his train.He’s still a fine player, however. And a selfless one. Despite being within reach of a fourth first-class century of the season – and a third in five Championship innings – he continued to speed his side towards a declaration. He finally fell, pulling to the square-leg boundary, a single short of the 27th century of his first-class career.He gave three tough chances – on 10, 55 and 83 – but still deserved his century. Despite the slow pitch and the defensive fields, he scored at better than a run a ball, thumping four sixes and five fours in his 94-ball innings.It’s also worth noting the oddity that will occur on the third day. With Boyd Rankin (unbeaten on 2 at stumps) departing on international duty for Ireland, his innings will be resumed by his nominated substitute, Andy Miller. Keith Barker will replace Porterfield. Even if the replacements were Sobers and Sachin, however, Warwickshire would still require something of a miracle to save this game.

Afghanistan’s fairytale has gone truly global. After narrowly missing out on qualification for the World Cup they carried all before them to secure a place in the Caribbean

Andrew McGlashan30-Apr-2010

Overview

Afghanistan have taken the cricket world by storm and captured the imagination•Associated Press

Afghanistan’s fairytale has gone truly global. After narrowly missing out on qualification for the World Cup they carried all before them to secure a place in the Caribbean. In the space of a few years they have become one of the most talked-about sporting teams in the world and the tales of the players who have emerged from refugee camps are already the stuff of legend.The traditional leading Associates have admitted to being surprised by the skills of Afghanistan and Kabir Khan, the former Pakistan quick who is now their coach, has moulded a team with some highly skilful and flamboyant players. Mohammad Nabi, an offspinning allrounder, and Hamid Hassan have benefited from time with MCC Young Cricketers while Mohammad Shahzad wrote his name in the record books with an unbeaten double hundred as Afghanistan chased an incredible 494 in a recent Intercontinental Cup match against Canada.So far during their stunning rise from Division Five of the World Cricket League to a place at a global event they continually managed to lift themselves to a new level, but now they need to retain realistic objectives.”People love the game in Afghanistan. We’re not afraid of anyone because we have nothing to lose, and nobody knows Afghanistan,” said Hassan. “This will be the first time we’re playing on the big screen, the first time people will see us, so we hope we can show them how good we are.”

Twenty20 pedigree

They earned a place in this tournament by winning the qualifying event in UAE where they overcame defeat against Netherlands to beat the hosts and book a place in the final alongside Ireland. Both teams knew they were heading to West Indies, but Afghanistan bagged the silverware with an eight-wicket victory.

Strengths and weaknesses

They are a tightly-bonded team who don’t take a backward step regardless of the opposition. At the lower-levels of the WCL it raised a few eyebrows, but that competitiveness has carried them a long way, often when few gave them a chance. However, they find themselves in a tough group alongside India and South Africa and it will be the first time the batsmen will have faced genuine pace in the likes of Zaheer Khan and Dale Steyn. There will also be the pressure of appearing in front of a global TV audience who have heard plenty about Afghanistan’s exploits.

Key men

Hamid Hassan is a vital member of Afghanistan’s attack in all forms of the game, but in Twenty20 he is held back until the closing overs and, at Associate level, has often been able to stop the opposition racing away.Mohammad Nabi was spotted by Mike Gatting with a hundred against an MCC touring side in India and was invited to join the Young Cricketers. He has since become a major force in the Afghanistan side and was the leading wicket-taker during the qualifying tournament with 13 scalps at 10.53

X-factor

The shock factor can’t be underestimated. International teams spend hours doing their homework on opposition, but there won’t be much footage knocking around of Afghanistan which means they can retain an element of surprise.

Vital stats

India A suffered a morning collapse but fought back as offspinner Minnu Mani continued to shine

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Aug-2024The ball dominated on the second day between Australia A and India on the Gold Coast as Minnu Mani took her match haul to ten wickets, after Kate Peterson had taken five for the hosts to earn a narrow first-innings lead, but Maddy Darke ensured what could be a tricky chase.Having taken a 28-run advantage, Australia A lost two wickets before scoring a run in their second innings with Mani striking in consecutive overs to remove Georgia Voll and Charli Knott – caught at slip and deep midwicket respectively – on her way to claiming the first four batters to fall.Related

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Nicole Faltum edged behind and Tess Flintoff was bowled by a big-spinning offbreak that ripped between bat and pad.However, Darke put together an unbeaten half-century to stretch the lead towards 200, adding 54 for the sixth wicket with Maitlan Brown before she became Mani’s tenth wicket, smartly caught off the face of the bat at short leg.Emma de Broughe also made a half-century in challenging conditions against India’s spinners before being given caught behind off legspinner Priya Mishra although she did not seem convinced by the decision.Earlier, India A had resumed on 100 for 2 but were soon in trouble as Peterson ran through the middle order. Her first wicket of the day came with a delivery that moved late to take Tejal Hasabnis’ off stump and then it was further away swing that did for opener Shweta Sehrawat who was caught behind.Peterson found herself on a hat-trick when Sajana Sajeevan got a leading edge to a full toss that looped up into the off side. Uma Chetry survived the next delivery but soon fell to Peterson as she edged to slip via a glance off the keeper.India A’s collapse became 5 for 27 when Raghvi Bist was run out but some handy lower-order contributions ensured they closed in on Australia A’s total.

Winless Yorkshire left frustrated once again as youthful hosts build on promising start

Alan Gardner20-Apr-2023Sussex 275 for 5 (Alsop 95, Carter 60*, Haines 48) vs YorkshireThere is a mood of sporting optimism down on this part of the south coast. Granted, that might be in large part due to Brighton’s impressive season under Roberto de Zerbi – they currently sit seventh in the Premier League and play an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday – but there are already encouraging signs for those hoping that Paul Farbrace can oversee a long-awaited renaissance at Sussex.A hard-fought win in the opening round against Durham was followed by a gritty display with the bat on day one of this encounter with Yorkshire. Tom Alsop’s 95 was the centrepiece, with Oli Carter following up his match-sealing turn in the fourth innings two weeks ago by recording an unbeaten first half-century of the season. Had Alsop not holed out to deep midwicket off the second ball after tea, with a fifth first-class hundred since joining Sussex last year ready to be ticked off, their position might have been even stronger.Alsop is one of the players that Farbrace has identified as key to turning a promising but inexperienced squad into one that can challenge for promotion. At 27, he has been around the game for the best part of a decade but left Hampshire unfulfilled, his average just 25.88. For Sussex, that number swells to 42.56 and this year he will act as vice-captain in the LV= Insurance Championship, ready to step in when Cheteshwar Pujara is away on India duty.Always a stylish-looking left-hander, Alsop appears to be developing the substance to go with it. He had a dose of luck early in his innings, inside-edging consecutive deliveries from Mickey Edwards past his stumps for four, but grew steadily more authoritative during the afternoon as his 94-run stand with Carter edged Sussex away from a potentially tricky position at 124 for 4.His dismissal, hoicking at a half-tracker from George Hill – Yorkshire’s fifth seamer bowling his first over of the day – straight to Dom Bess in front of the pavilion, brought an understandable groan from the crowd. But with the always approachable Farbrace regularly doing his rounds, the mood at the 1st Central County Ground is currently one of positivity – and that was reflected back during another punchy half-century stand between Carter and Fynn Hudson-Prentice before rain and bad light brought about an early close.Yorkshire’s disposition was less sunny as they skulked from the field, hands thrust deep into pockets. They arrived in Hove having suffered a complete washout on their trip to Bristol last week, and in the wake of a first defeat at Headingley by Leicestershire in more than 100 years. The club is attempting another rebuild after relegation in 2022 – not to mention the racism scandal that rumbled on right through pre-season – and here they included two debutants, in Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel and beanpole Aussie quick Edwards, who is eligible as a local due to a British passport.There was also a first outing this term for Matt Fisher, capped by England in Tests 13 months ago but subsequently sidelined by a back stress injury. Fisher spoke while on England Lions duty over the winter of looking to bulk up, in order for his body to better withstand the rigours of a first-class career that has been limited to 27 appearances across eight years; he certainly hit the pitch hard running downhill from the Cromwell Road End but went unrewarded despite troubling both Alsop and Tom Haines.Sussex’s decision to bat looked a sound one, on an oatmeal-coloured deck beneath pale blue skies, and the openers went off at a canter against some wayward early bowling. Fisher and Ben Coad pitched the ball up in search of swing but were left kicking the turf in frustration as Haines and Ali Orr rattled up 41 runs from the first seven overs of the morning.Haines had an unsuccessful whoosh at Fisher first ball and looked a little uncertain to begin with, before settling into a series of crisp, front-foot punches. Orr, meanwhile, addressed the ball as if he meant business, bat raised high in his stance before launching Coad dismissively through long-off. But, having been unluckily run-out at the non-striker’s end in his first innings of the season against Durham, he somehow managed to be caught at slip off his thigh pad pulling at Jordan Thompson, as Yorkshire broke through after an opening stand worth 48.The spin of Bess was introduced as early as the 17th over, and Yorkshire gradually found a measure of control. Bess was lofted for a brusque straight six by Haines in his second over but had his revenge in the next, winning an lbw decision from umpire Neil Pratt to make the score 83 for 2. Haines’ reaction, holding his bat in front of his face while turning away in frustration, suggested the opener was convinced of an inside edge.The soothing presence of Pujara at the crease is another reason for optimism at Sussex, but he fell after adding a round 50 for the third wicket with Alsop – Thompson smuggling one past his inside edge for a dismissal that sent his first-class average for Sussex plummeting to a mere 97.07. Coad then sent Tom Clark’s off stump for a jaunt towards the Sea End, but in the end it was Yorkshire who were the more grateful when the bad weather swept in.

Victorian premier Andrews said there will be no crowd cap at the venue, which can hold up to 100,000 spectators

AAP09-Mar-2022Shane Warne will be publicly farewelled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, home to many of his greatest sports moments, later this month.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed the MCG as the venue for a state memorial service on March 30 to honour the Australian legend, who died suddenly due to heart attack in Thailand last week.Related

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• Shane Warne gave us so much and he had so much more to give

• 'Dad, this doesn't feel real' – Warne's family's pain and loss

“There’s nowhere in the world more appropriate to farewell Warnie than the ‘G,” Andrews tweeted on Wednesday.The MCG was the stage of the legspinner’s famous Ashes hat-trick in 1994 and the 700th Test wicket on Boxing Day in 2006, his final series before he retired from international cricket.Ticket information for the evening event is yet to be released, but the premier said there will be no crowd cap at the venue, which can hold up to 100,000 spectators.”It’ll be a very big event. It will be a celebration of his life as it should be,” Andrews said.Autopsy results showed that Warne died from a suspected heart attack, confirming the death was due to natural causes with no signs of foul play.Deputy director of Samui Hospital Songyot Chayaninporamet said the autopsy showed Warne, 52, died of a “congenital disease”.Following his death on the Thai resort island of Koh Samui, Warne’s body was taken by ferry to the mainland city of Surat Thani on Sunday. It was transported to Bangkok on Monday night and was being prepared to fly home to Melbourne, according to media reports.Warne’s family issued a statement on Monday describing the night of his death on March 4 as the beginning of “a never-ending nightmare”.