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Rory Hamilton-Brown is back in contention for the England Under-19 side after being included in the 12-man squad for the second and final Test against Pakistan at Derby. But he was not considered for the captaincy, after being stripped of the role – and banned for the first Test – following a drinking incident on the eve of the match.Whether Hamilton-Brown, who usually bats at three or four, will make the final XI this time remains to be seen with England crushing Pakistan in the opener, and all of the top four making runs.Ben Wright will resume as captain for the second Test starts at Derby this Friday, August 10. He was one of three century-makers for England as they won by an innings and 58 runs at Scarborough.The victory in the first Test against Pakistan was particularly encouraging as the team included nine players still eligible to play for the U-19 World Cup next year in Malaysia.Squad Ben Wright (capt), Billy Godleman, Alex Wakely, Tom Westley, Adam Lyth, Ben Brown (wk), Rory Hamilton-Brown, James Harris, Liam Dawson, Stuart Meaker, Chris Woakes Steven Finn

Recalled to the Indian one-day side for the first time since April 2005, Dinesh Mongia, the left-hand batsman, says he will not make the same mistakes that cost him his place in the side. With the tri-series in Malaysia, also featuring Australia and West Indies, due to start in early September, Mongia admitted he would curb his aggression and convert good starts into big scores if given the opportunity.”I was getting good starts. I should have made use of those opportunities and should have converted those 30s and 40s into bigger scores,” he told . “Now, I have worked on it. Being a professional cricketer I should always think positively. Once I start thinking negatively, the negativity will creep into my game. Life is not fair always.”Mongia, 29, enjoyed a successful county stint with Leicestershire, making runs and taking wickets. His selection, as the selectors admitted last month, was also based on his ability to bowl a few tidy overs of left-arm spin. By Mongia’s own admission, it is this feature which could mark him out as a key allrounder. “It was in 2002 that I thought of taking up bowling seriously,” he said. “In the Australian team that played the World Cup in 2003 everyone were allrounders. I knew that the future belonged to allrounders.”Mongia was also quick to point out that there were aspects of his game that needed sorting out. “I am not ashamed to accept that I was lacking fitness when I made my debut in 2001,” he said. “I would like to improve my fitness. We did not have the National Cricket Academy those days [when he made his first-class debut in 1995-96]. I built my confidence after three or four first-class seasons. I am a firm believer that the more you play the better you get.”

Darren Stevens, who was not offered a new contract by Leicestershire at the end of last season, has signed a two-year deal with Kent to bolster their middle-order batting.Stevens, 28, made his debut for Leicestershire in 1997, but failed to establish a place in the side until Aftab Habib and Ben Smith had left. He toured with the England Academy side in 2002-03, was in the final squad of 30 for the last World Cup, and has made over 600 runs in each of the last three seasons. But the feeling lingered at Grace Road that he never quite fulfilled the potential that his vibrant strokeplay suggested.”A number of counties have shown an interest in me,” he said, “but the opportunity to play on good wickets and in a side with real ambition persuaded me to come to Kent. I feel I still have much to prove and look forward to doing so in the seasons ahead.”Kent recently lost Ed Smith to Middlesex and Alex Loudon to Warwickshire, and were among the counties that failed to sign Kevin Pietersen, who eventually went to Hampshire.Graham Johnson, the Kent chairman, said: “We look forward to Darren adding to the list of Kent players who have represented their country. We know that he has the desire to fulfil his undoubted potential and felt that Kent would give him the best possible opportunity to do so. This is another important step in the development of our squad for next season.”

After taking a wicket in his first match back in international cricket, after a break of seven months, Harbhajan Singh pronounced himself satisfied. He spoke to Kolkata’s The Telegraph about what he had hoped for, and what actually happened.Anil Kumble was rested, and Harbhajan was told that he would play on the morning of the game. “It’s in the morning that I was informed Anilbhai is going to be rested and I would make the XI,” Harbhajan said. “But theek hai [that’s alright] at this level, one should always be ready for opportunities.”Harbhajan had last bowled a ball in competitive cricket during the first Test against Australia at Brisbane in December, and then, bowling with a finger that was just about to go under the surgeon’s knife, he had match figures of 1 for 169. This time though, things were different, even if they were figures of 1 for 20 in ten overs against Bangladesh.”For the first few moments, it did seem I was starting my career all over again … lekin, main khush hoon [but I’m happy]…Of course, I would have been happier had I managed a couple of wickets, but 20 off 10 isn’t bad in an ODI. I’m satisfied,” Harbhajan said. “I think the ball came out of the hand rather well and, except one delivery, I got things right. Now, it’s a question of getting more confident.”What about the magic ball, the one that he had spoken about before the Asia Cup began? “Sab time pe ho ga [It will happen when the time comes],” he said, “when I’m 100% sure of getting what I want.”

The History of Logan Park, edited by John Heslop. Published by the University Oval Development Committee. Price $29.95.It is interesting that books on two sports grounds in New Zealand should be published around the same time, especially when the subject matter is not entirely top of the pops.The Basin Reserve’s history is much more international in shape.But in the case of John Heslop’s effort of editing “The History of Logan Park”, for the University Oval development committee, anyone who has ever been associated with the ground of significance in Dunedin and the home of Otago University’s sport, will appreciate an enduring record of the Park’s development from the tidal lake to the international standard sporting complex that will be presented when the latest ground renovations are complete.It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Logan Park’s University Oval will be the next Test cricket venue to be listed in New Zealand.An extensive development has taken place at the ground, largely as the result of the continuing encroachment of rugby into traditional cricket time at the main sports ground in the city of Carisbrook.Heslop provides an in-depth record of the characters and times that resulted in the development of the ground, largely pushed through after years of debate as the venue for Dunedin’s Exhibition of 1925-26.The arguments are well documented as is the life story of the man after whom the Park is named, John Logan.An interesting style has been used in the book, to break up the material into more easily identifiable sections. And at the end of each section, an index is provided.The second part of the book records the history of the Otago University Cricket Club which was based at the Park. Compiled originally in 1978 by esteemed Dunedin historian George Griffiths, the story is completed with an addendum by Heslop and it is sad to note a touch of concern about the future viability of the amalgamated clubs of University and Grange.But Griffiths’ work provides an indelible record of the club’s place in Otago cricket history and recalls the strength of the club in the 1960s when it was able to call on a squad of outstanding strength, built around the fast bowling skill of Murray Webb and the abilities of players who had, or would, play first-class cricket in: Ray Hutchison, Murray Parker (who toured Pakistan and India with New Zealand in 1976), Richard Ellis, Graham Henry, Rudi Webster, Russell Stewart, Stewart Edward, John Mitchell and Ata Matatumua.The Albion Cricket Club also featured at the ground for a significant period of its history, shifting to its home at Culling Park in 1958. The background of this club is provided by Iain Gallaway, and he recounts a fascinating tale of a run out at the bowler’s end orchestrated by Albion’s captain of the day, Walter Hadlee. The season was 1945/46 and Hadlee was the New Zealand captain at the time.He attempted to run out former Otago fast bowler Ron Silver. The umpire said he wasn’t out but Hadlee then proceeded to tell the umpire that Silver was out.”The umpire stood his ground and so did Ron and we all waited apprehensively as the argument developed and tensions grew. Finally our skipper stated that if the umpire did not give Ron out the game would not continue so Ron was given out! Some 20 metres from the huts he threw his bat away and it crashed through one of the hut windows. He let everyone on Logan Park know in stentorian tones that he would never play another game of cricket – and he was true to his word!” Gallaway related.A similar record of the most prolific provider of All Blacks for New Zealand’s rugby teams, Otago University is also included in the book with the contribution provided by Hugh Tohill.Each section has its own collection of timeless photographs.The hope has to be that the burgeoning interest in New Zealand’s history will be the inspiration for more local sporting histories of the this type. Logan Park is certainly well prepared for the next stage of its history as a result of Heslop’s methodical work in this publication.

* Bharadwaj amasses 158 as KSCA XI post huge totalA star studded Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) XI posted astrong total of 365/9 off their allotted 90 overs. On winning thetoss, KSCA XI skipper Anil Kumble promptly elected to bat first. Whileyoungsters Mithun Beerala (23) and Barrington Rowland (29) posted anopening partnership of 48 for the first wicket, it was India discardVijay Bharadwaj who stole the limelight with a mammoth 158.Overshadowing every other batsman, Bharadwaj struck 12 boundaries and4 sixes in his patient knock. Spending over four hours at the wicketBharadwaj faced 245 balls in his stay at the crease. On the back ofBharadwaj’s innings, the KSCA XI amassed a huge 365/9 off 90 overs. Itmust be said that the KSCA XI are in an extremely strong position withinternationals like Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble and David Johnson to dothe bowling tomorrow.* Rathour leads India Pistons to 295The Coromandel Cup semi-final clash between India Pistons XI andRoofit XI at Bangalore saw the side from Chennai take the honours onthe opening day. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, theIndia Pistons side notched up 295 in their 84.5 overs. In responseRoofit were 21/0 off four overs when the day’s play ended.Earlier in the day, the opening pair of Vasanth Kumar and VikramRathour got India Pistons off to a rollicking start. The pair put up apartnership of 111 runs at the top of the order before Vasanth Kumar(58 runs, 91 balls, 7 fours) was dismissed. The skipper went on to topscore, making 75 from 132 balls with 8 boundaries and a six. R Sathish(39) and S Mahesh (37) propped up the innings in the middle order andthe India Pistons side made it to 295 before being all out in 84.5overs. Anand Yalvigi with 3/38 was the most successful of the Roofitbowlers. In response, the Roofit openers both remained unbeaten andtook the score to 21/0 in four overs.

Bangladesh Women’s team captain Salma Khatun has said that the team had readily agreed to tour Pakistan after the BCB had asked them for their approval earlier this month. She said the team is focused on playing cricket in Pakistan rather than the security concerns off the field.”We were not put under any pressure to play in Pakistan,” Salma said. “We are going according to our wishes. We will be given the highest level of security. We are going there to play cricket, so we are not concerned about what is happening anywhere else in the country.”

Bangladesh Women’s tour of Pakistan schedule

September 30 – 1st T20
October 2 – 2nd T20
October 4 – 1st ODI
October 6 – 2nd ODI

Salma also stressed that they have been assured the highest level of security during the nine-day visit, and that their lack of international cricket in the last 12 months meant they were keen to play the series.”The board wanted to know our decision, whether we want to or don’t want to go. We wanted to tour any country to play cricket, since we haven’t played any matches since the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. There is no fear among us. We know that there won’t be any trouble in the area where we will be playing.”The team will leave Dhaka for Karachi at 1.35pm on Monday afternoon and will stay at the Southend Cricket Club in Karachi. Bangladesh Women will take on Pakistan Women there in two T20s on September 30 and October 2, before playing two one-day matches on October 4 and 6. The team will return home on October 7.In addition to BCB vice-president Mahbubul Anam and women’s wing chairman MA Awal, former Bangladesh captain Shafiq-ul-Haq will accompany the team in what is seen as a high-profile tour.Haq had been the manager on the men’s tour on a number of occasions, most notably their last tour to Pakistan. He said that if the team members want, they can even venture outside the Southend Club with adequate security measures.

Cricket South Africa (CSA), the South African Cricketers Association (SACA), and the country’s six professional franchises have agreed on a business model expected to make professional players “genuine stakeholders in the game.” The agreement includes standardised contracts and benefits for players and regulations on the number of playing contracts.”The Memorandum of Understanding provides for salary minimums and salary caps and for optimal use of South Africa’s player resources through regulations relating to player transfers, player loan-outs and playing overseas in the off-season,” Norman Arendse, the president of CSA, announced at a press conference in Johannesburg.Arendse said that the primary objectives included dealing with annual revenue fluctuations and stating how fundamental player issues would be dealt with. “The model enables longer term financial forecasting and planning for the provision of funds to amateur cricket for the development of the game,” he said.Tony Irish, the chief executive of the SACA, added that the initiative for the MoU came from the SACA and the players themselves. “We had a good look at what we believed was best practice relating to professional cricketers around the world [and] presented this to CSA and since then we have shared a common vision, which has resulted in the MoU.”According to Irish, the MoU projects and averages South African cricket’s revenues over a four-year period and links what the players will earn to the financial position of the game. “For players this really means stake-holding in the game, like being a shareholder in a company,” said Irish. “What players will receive in the future will depend on how successful the game actually is, and as players we will obviously work with the other stakeholders to make it as healthy as possible into the future.”Ashwell Prince, the South African batsman and president of the SACA, said that cricket’s number one stakeholder was the paying public and that the players were aware that more would be expected of them in the future. “They [the public] are our supporters and are the ones who will ultimately determine the game’s success,” said Prince. “The way we play our cricket and how we contribute to the game both on and off the field in the eyes of the public will be the key.”

An expectedly upbeat Tom Moody, the Sri Lankan coach, hailed his bowlers for cleaning up South Africa for a paltry 169, adding that the pitch was likely to get slower as the match went on. Mickey Arthur, his South African counterpart, admitted to some opening-day nerves but blamed his batsmen for an “ordinary” display.”If we won the toss we would have batted first,” asserted Moody when asked about South Africa’s decision to bat. “Runs in the first innings are crucial. If we had the opportunity to bat first we would have made a good feast of it. This wicket looks a little bit different than the one against Pakistan. That wicket had more grass coverage and more root. There was a lot of seam movement in the first two days of that Test match. This wicket is a lot more placid and slow in pace. It might even turn slowly as the game progresses. Murali likes to bowl first here because it does bounce more. He was not unhappy for us to lose the toss. He bowled superbly today.”Moody reckoned that the middle session had proved to be the most crucial part of the day. “We bowled particularly well in the middle session,” he continued. “We got the early break straight after lunch and that broke the backbone of their top order. That was significant from our point of view particularly since South Africa went in with the option of losing one of their top order batsmen for an all rounder in Hall. Making that double break straight after lunch was significant. The way that Murali was bowling and Dilhara bowled we made inroads throughout their innings.”Dilhara Fernando’s fine burst complemented Murali’s magic and Moody hailed the hard work he’d put into his fast bowling. “He’s made vast improvements. It’s not a new thing. Dilly’s been working very hard in the last 12 months. Since I’ve been here he’s worked hard on a number of aspects on his bowling. He’s had no-ball problems in the past but most fast bowlers in world cricket have that problem. He’s overcome that through hard work, working on a number of different drills that helped. It’s not an instant fix. The decision to leave him out of the England tour for the Test matches was maybe the wake up call. He really may have needed to say ‘now, this is the time to really get it right and work extremely hard’. His confidence is very high. He is going to go from strength to strength. He showed how effective it is to have someone who can bowl 90 mph coming as first change.”Arthur, while mentioning how disappointing a day it was, preferred to dwell on the positives. “There was a fair amount of soft dismissals,” he added. “We never got going and we were slightly tentative. There were a lot of nerves in the dressing room this morning obviously coming into a series like this from guys who haven’t played under conditions like this before. The guys were feeling nervous and tentative and it came out in our batting unfortunately. We never seemed to get the momentum going. We were caught between being positive and being mindful of Muralitharan. It certainly wasn’t the way we planned to play.”A performance like today helps a lot. It actually shows the approach that we don’t want to play. I want us to play with freedom. We had one bad day in office but we got four days to come back. I am not looking for excuses but we lost two senior batters. It was quite difficult for the younger guys coming into a Test match looking to secure places. We discussed playing Murali from the crease but it didn’t work out that way. It’s all part of our learning process.”The only batsmen who countered Murali with any degree of confidence was AB de Villiers. “I enjoyed every second of my innings,” he said at the end of the day. “I was under a bit of pressure when I came in but that’s what I like. Murali is one of the best bowlers in the world, if not the best. I still like to keep my thoughts positive and go at him. All bowlers must be put under pressure and that’s where the bad balls come in. That’s the way I am going to play and hope it will come off. If you let him bowl at you and are not willing to score, you are in trouble.”

Tino Best, the West Indies fast bowler, has been fined 50% of his match fees for bowling beamers during the second Test at Kandy. Best was found to have breached the ICC’s Code of Conduct, with Mike Procter, the match referee, ruling that Best’s conduct was not ‘within the spirit of the game.’Best was suspended from bowling in the second innings of the match after two beamers in quick succession. He was also warned in the first innings for bowling a similar delivery.All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximumpenalty of 50% of a player’s match fee. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Tony Hill, TV umpire Tyrone Wijewardene and fourth umpire Gamini Silva.Procter reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by the umpires, Best and Tony Howard, the West Indies team manager.