Shane Warne may not be too special at winning the toss, he has lostthree out of three so far this season, but it has not stopped his teamfrom excelling for their new leader, taking a handsome advantage intothe second day of their Frizzell Championship Division Two match againstLeicestershire at The Rose Bowl.It was slow going for the visitors on an overcast day after theircaptain had chosen to bat first, and for the majority of the pre-lunchsession, the rate did not go above 1.5 runs per over. The first wicketfell with the score on 22 (after 18 overs), when the nagging Mascarenhasbroke through Robinson’s defence, followed soon after when Tremlett hadthe dangerous Aussie Brad Hodge caught behind for 1. Udal trappedStevens lbw, but despite 11 runs coming off the last over of the morningsession, Hampshire held the upper hand, and this was to be doublyincreased within a space of 21 balls after the break.Warne and Mascarenhas each took a brace of wickets as Leicestershireslumped to 70-7, a loss of 4 wickets for 1 run, including that ofMaunders who had withstood the force from the start. It was nearly anhour before Hampshire took another wicket, when Tremlett picked up hissecond of the day. Leicestershire were soon all out for a paltry 139.Derek Kenway and Michael Brown took the score to 23-0 after 6 overs andtea, and moved on afterwards to 48 before Kenway who had struck fourfours, edged deFreitas to the wicket keeper. Will Kendall joined Brownplaying sensibly to a ball that was still swinging, but they surviveduntil rain forced off the players with 7 overs still to go in the day.Hampshire will be looking to press home their advantage on Thursday,especially with the weather being a little unkind.

Shane Warne has reacted to Muttiah Muralitharan’s decision to skip the tour of Australia by saying that he is too sensitive to criticism. Warne currently trails Murali by 10 wickets at the top of the wicket-taking charts – Courtney Walsh is still second, two wickets ahead of Warne – and he admitted that he had been relishing the prospect of another head-to-head duel.”I’d be disappointed if Murali didn’t come out, full stop,” said Warne, in conversation with . “I like Murali as a bloke, and I know it’s been tough what he’s gone through. I mean, we all go through tough times,” said Warne, who has had more than his fair share of travails off the field.Murali’s decision was said to be prompted by the intense heckling he was subjected to the last time Sri Lanka toured Australia. “I think it’s disappointing that he was saying because he gets heckled from the crowd and a few cheap shots from people,” said Warne. “When I got to Sri Lanka, if I worried about what everyone said, I don’t think I’d tour the country either, any country for that matter, if I took to heart what people said in the crowd and things like that.”According to Warne, jibes from the crowd came with the territory. “If you tour the opposition country, you expect they’re on their side, so I think he’s being a little bit over-sensitive about whoever’s calling him what, or the crowd, or some bloke’s had too many beers and gets into him,” he said. “He’s old enough and been through it enough. I’m pretty strong on it, mate. Everyone cops it, not just me.”Murali’s decision to withdraw came soon after John Howard, Australia’s prime minister, referred to him as a chucker, prompting a furious response from Sri Lanka. And even as Murali basked in the glow of a ticker-tape welcome after getting home from Zimbabwe, Warne insisted that anyone who couldn’t cope with criticism shouldn’t be playing cricket.”That’s pretty strong words and that’s how I do feel – I think he’s being a little bit over-sensitive about the whole thing,” said Warne. “As far as he’s concerned the ICC has cleared him, he’s done his tests, he’s playing the best he can. He knows the rules. You’ve just got to get on with it I would say, just get on with it and play. I like Murali, I spend a lot of time with him and I’m good friends with him. ‘Just get on with it and play’, that’s what I would say to him.”

All but Sussex, Durham and Northants were still in the hunt for a spot in the quarter-finals before today’s matches, the last in the group stage. There were wins for Glamorgan, Surrey, Hampshire, Durham, Lancashire, Somerset, Glamorgan and Warwickshire. The match between Derbyshire and Leicestershire was called off without a ball being bowled, with both teams awarded one point, meaning that Leicestershire are assured of a place in the quarter-finals.Middlesex, who had virtually no chance of progressing anyway, slumped to a 37-run defeat in front of a full house at Lord’s, despite a typically aggressive half-century from Lance Klusener. Earlier, Adam Hollioake smashed five fours and two sixes on his way to 65 not out off 41 balls as Surrey, the defending Twenty20 champions, set an imposing 183 for 5.Shane Watson powered Hampshire to 177 for 3 at the Rose Bowl, smashing an unbeaten 97. Kent were never really in the hunt, and fell 64 runs short in reply. Dimitri Mascarenhas was once again among the wickets for Hampshire, picking up 3 for 20.Durham, who also had no chance of going through, beat Yorkshire by seven wickets at the Riverside, with Gareth Breese (24 not out) and Gary Pratt (35 not out) guiding them home with ten balls to spare. Vic Craven’s 44 not out was the only highlight of Yorkshire’s innings, as they closed on a disappointing 126 for 7.In a match reduced by rain to just eight overs a side at Old Trafford, Andrew Flintoff smashed 31 from only 11 balls as Lancashire successfully chased Nottinghamshire’s 79, reaching the target with seven wickets and more than an over in hand. Earlier, Dominic Cork’s hat-trick kept Notts in check after David Hussey and Chris Read put on 52 for the first wicket.The match at Bristol ended in dramatic fashion after a half-century from Nick Knight had put Warwickshire in a good position in pursuit of Gloucestershire’s 135. He was run out for 63 with 32 still needed, and the remaining batsmen managed to secure the win on the basis of fewer wickets lost.Northants went into this round with no chance of going through to the next round, but no-one remembered to tell David Sales, who batted as if he was in the final to take his side agonisingly close to what would have been only their second win. After Marcus Trescothick’s 56 and Keith Dutch’s 47 lifted Somerset to 211 for 5, Sales fought back with 60 not out off just 33 balls – but Northants fell four runs short.Worcestershire collapsed to 45 for 8 chasing 141 against Glamorgan, before a late charge by Kabir Ali, who hit 49 off 28 balls took them to 120 for 9 with two overs left. Glamorgan held their nerve, though, as Kabir sliced a catch to Dean Cosker at third man. Matthew Maynard (44) lead the way for Glamorgan early on, before Mark Wallace raised the tempo in the final overs with an unbeaten 32 off 16 balls.
Match abandoned without a ball bowled

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It used only to be Australians who suffered from dead-rubber syndrome – that most infuriating of conditions whereby a dominant side could write off a failure to complete a clean sweep by claiming that the match never mattered anyway. Now, however, it is England’s turn to put complacency on the backburner, as they assemble at The Oval to push for a record-equalling seventh consecutive Test victory.With nine wins and one draw in their last ten matches, England are on a roll, the like of which they have never before experienced. Only twice in their history have they won seven matches in succession – against Australia between 1885 and 1888, in the early days of the Ashes, and against West Indies and Australia in 1928-29, when Percy Chapman was captain and a young Harold Larwood was thrusting his way to prominence.History is clearly beckoning, but understandably Duncan Fletcher, England’s no-nonsense coach, is putting all such thoughts out of his charges’ heads. “it is important that the guys now believe in their ability,” Fletcher told Sky Sports, “but they mustn’t be too arrogant about this. There are better sides, and against those better sides, if we played badly as we did [on occasions at Old Trafford], we are going to come unstuck.”There were “windows” in England’s performance, Fletcher felt, that might have been exploited by stronger opposition – most notably their crass use of the new ball on Saturday morning, and their top-order subsidence in the fourth innings. But, he added, that fact that England went on to win so handsomely was a good sign. “We realise that even though we do play poorly, we can still knuckle down and produce a result.”This is a side that wins, is happy and enjoys playing cricket, but the crucial part is to realise that this game might just come back and bite you,” Fletcher warned. “You have to be very careful when you win like this. People might just think things are getting too easy.”England should have little time for complacency, however, and an injection of new blood should underline the importance of the match if, as expected, Ian Bell makes his Test debut in place of the injured Graham Thorpe. “I can’t wait,” said Bell. “I know a few of the guys quite well, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”Bell was first drafted into the England set-up on the tour of New Zealand in 2001-02, but has had to back up his immense promise with a torrent of runs. After a lean couple of seasons, he has burst back to form with 1455 runs in 14 county matches for Warwickshire, including four centuries and a 96 not out in five consecutive innings. He knows full well that a place on the winter tour to South Africa is there for the taking, if he can grasp his chance in the same way that Andrew Strauss and Robert Key have done this season.England’s major concern, as ever, centres around their man of the moment, Andrew Flintoff, whose troublesome ankle is continuing to gnaw away at the selectors’ consciences. Flintoff sent down 32 overs in the Old Trafford Test, and dismissed Brian Lara in both innings, but Michael Vaughan is aware that he cannot afford to overburden his talisman, especially with the Champions Trophy around the corner. “Realistically we won’t want to bowl him too much,” admitted Vaughan, “but he’s such a good bowler and he gets you key wickets at key moments. You have to bowl your best bowlers in these situations.”Compared to the cares that dogged his predecessors, Vaughan’s dilemma is a minor quibble. Since he assumed the captaincy little more than a year ago, England have won 12 out of 18 Tests. Nasser Hussain (17 wins in 45) and Michael Atherton (13 in 54) must be spitting into their microphones in envy.England (probable) 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Robert Key, 4 Michael Vaughan (capt), 5 Ian Bell, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Steve Harmison, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11 James Anderson.

On the plan when he walked out to bat this morning
It was to get as much of a lead as possible. It was a bonus that Gillespie batted so long – three or four hours was fantastic. It would have been nice to set them 250-plus but history shows that it’ll be tough to chase on the last day here, and hopefully that’ll come true tomorrow for us.On whether the target of 229 is enough
I think so. We always want more. I think it’s about 200 that they need now, and it’ll be a great day of Test cricket tomorrow, which is what it’s all about. We’ve had plans when it comes to our bowling and hopefully they’ll come off tomorrow. We’ve got a great spin bowler in our ranks as well, and they’re going to have to bat very well.On whether he rated this innings better than the two centuries in Sri Lanka last March, and on what changes he had made to his technique for the subcontinent
It’s up there with my best hundreds in the sense that you had two world-class spinners bowling on the fourth day. It’s always satisfying as a batsman to test your skills against the best. Not much has changed [technique-wise]. We’ve played a lot of one-day cricket in India and Sri Lanka and all the batsmen over the last four or five years have had a chance to play on these pitches. That’s definitely helped us.On whether the pitch was less conducive to bounce when compared to the opening day
Yeah, but it varied a lot out of the footmarks. The centre of the pitch was playing well, but the natural variation out of the footmarks is getting all the wickets. If we can get a couple of early wickets tomorrow and throw the ball to Shane Warne, hopefully he can do well.On who out of Harbhajan and Kumble was more difficult to face
For the right-hander there were the left-arm bowlers’ footmarks for him [Harbhajan]. He doesn’t give you many scoring opportunities and you had to be patient out there.On whether Warne’s world record had been a source of solace on a rough day yesterday
It’s great that he broke the record but we were a long way behind on the first-innings score. I think it was a great fightback by us. We’d shown in Sri Lanka that we could come from behind, and we’ve done it again.On whether reverse-swing will be a factor tomorrow
It always happens over here when the shine goes off the ball after four or five overs.On the fielding lapses made by Australia earlier in the game
We had chances which were put down, but only a couple that you could say were easy. There were a lot of half-chances and we usually pride ourselves on taking those.On whether his Sydney experience of 1993-94 has had any influence on his batting in crunch situations
I don’t think Sydney has had an influence. I think it’s more about getting to know your game and being around international cricket for a long time. Look at someone like Michael Clarke who’s played one-day cricket for two years now, and been comfortable coming into Test cricket. The amount of cricket we play and the touring we do in different conditions helps you a lot.On whether he and Gillespie both being dismissed in the same over prevented a bigger total being scored
It’s disappointing, for sure. You have no trouble for almost four hours, and then ten minutes before tea, you lose two in four balls. But it’s part of the game.

The International Cricket Council has denied reports that the hearing into alleged racism within Zimbabwe cricket will be delayed, insisting that there were no plans to alter the agreed date. The hearing is scheduled to take place in Harare between September 29 and October 1.It had been rumoured that the rebel players were going to ask for a two-week delay to enable them to prepare their case, but Brendan McClements, a spokesman for the ICC, explained that no such request had been made. “Mr Vahanvati and Judge Majiedt [who are conducting the hearing] are both eminent gentlemen who have already given up their time to carry out this inquiry,” he said. “They have other commitments.”The rebels are unhappy that they do not have sufficient funds to match the money the Zimbabwe board is investing in its defence, although the ICC is thought to have given both sides £10,000 towards their costs. The ICC asked the players for a budget to detail their additional legal expenses, but has yet to receive it.

ScorecardAt the Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein the Dolphins leapt up the ladder with a victory by 10 runs over the Eagles.After winning the toss, the Dolphins totalled a conservative 218 for 7 thanks to a patient 74 from opener Doug Watson. Dale Benkenstein helped with 34 off 37 balls while Lance Klusener was once again unbeaten after a power-packed 32. It was the sixth time in seven innings that he remained unbeaten.The failure of Morne van Wyk and Jonathan Beukus caused a ripple effect. Half-way through the innings, the Eagles were 100 for 6 before a concerted effort from from Cliff Deacon (57) and Ryan Bailey (39) gave them a whiff of victory. However, they could not avert the narrow defeat.
ScorecardGoolam Bodi’s unbeaten 112 – his highest score – helped the Titans scrape through by two runs against the Lions at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.Sent in to bat, the Titans faltered before Bodi and Justin Kemp put on 103 for the third wicket. Bodi batted through the innings while Kemp scored an uncharacteristically sedate 41. At 156 for 3, with less than ten overs to go, the Titans raised the pace and put on 59 to end on 215 for 7.The Lions limped to 82 for 3 before HD Ackerman resurrected the innings with his 71, off 93 balls. Then Justin Ontong, recently discarded by the national selectors, brought the Lions even closer to victory, scoring a rapid 61. WhenVaughn van Jaarsveld fell cheaply, the heat turned up a notch. But panic set in the ranks and two wickets fell, to leave the Lions just short, on 213 for 7.

Last week’s news that talks had started between the remaining rebels and the Zimbabwe board was welcomed by almost everyone, and Cricinfo has learned that another meeting has been planned for this Wednesday (January 26). Eight dissenting players – Heath Streak, Stuart Carlisle, Trevor Gripper, Grant Flower, Andy Blignaut, Raymond Price, Neil Ferreira and Craig Wishart – are involved.In an exclusive interview with Zimbabwe’s Sunday News, Streaksaid that most of the players were keen to return but needed assurances on a number of issues. "Most of the guys now want to come back but we need assurances on selection. We need a competent panel made up of people who have at least played first-class cricket. Macsood Ebrahim should not be on the panel. He did not play first-class cricket and the players do not trust him anymore."Ozias Bvute, the board’s managing director, and Ebrahim, the chief selector, are the two figures the rebels identify as being behind most of the problems which have blighted Zimbabwean cricket in the last year or so. The ICC report on racism last October noted that selection issues and the functioning of ZC directors needed to be "seriously addressed by the senior and mature people within Zimbabwe cricket."It has also being reported that Sean Ervine and Blignaut, who had signed up with Australian state sides, are now considering returning as they have found the going tough. Both have struggled to make their state sides, and Blignaut, who returned to Zimbabwe for Christmas, told the Sunday News, that he was still contracted to Tasmania but he was considering his options"I am just waiting to see how these negotiations go then I can make a decision, " he said. "I have an agreement with Tasmania that if things get sorted out here I can come back and play. I really want to play for my country."Streak said left-arm spinner Raymond Price would not terminate his contract with English county side Worcestershire unless he is guaranteed a future in Zimbabwe cricket. "Guys are not going to terminate their Kolpak contracts which guarantee them a source of living unless they are guaranteed a future in Zimbabwe. Most of them were forced to take up the contracts after being unemployed for a long time and cricket is their livelihood."Streak added that returning players wanted assurances and longer commitment from the board, and that might mean three-year contracts."Zimbabwe Cricket cannot give players one-year contracts. Young players should be given three-year contracts. Youngsters like Sean Ervine should get three-year deals," he said, although he admitted that was unlikely.

Andrew Flintoff is determined to be fit and firing for the Ashes after having an operation to remove a bone spur in his left ankle. Flintoff missed the current one-day series against South Africa to have the surgery, but he expected to be ready for his first Test against Australia.”I’ll get fit for the Ashes,” he told AFP. “It’s something I’m really looking forward to.”Flintoff, who was on crutches watching his horse Flintoff run second at Carlisle in north-west England, required cortisone injections to finish the history-making Test series against South Africa and is faced with a four-month recovery. “I’ve never played a Test match against Australia, although I’ve played in two or three one-day internationals,” he said. “I think my rehab is three or four months, and we don’t start until the end of July – so I’ve got plenty of time.”Flintoff intends to play a couple of games for Lancashire before the first Test, which starts at Lord’s on July 21, so he can “hit the ground running”. An important weapon if England, the No. 2-ranked Test side, are to stop Australia winning the Ashes for the ninth consecutive time, Flintoff said they would have to be at the top of their games for “the biggest challenge in cricket”.”I truly believe we have a great chance of winning the Ashes,” he said. “We are getting closer to them – over the last 18 months since Michael Vaughan has taken over we’ve improved as a side. It’s something the side is excited about.”

David Sheppard, the former England Test captain, has passed away, aged 75, following a long battle with cancer. He would have turned a year older on March 6. Sheppard was also the former Bishop of Liverpool.Sheppard played 22 Tests – and led England in two – in a career that spanned 13 seasons. He averaged 37 and racked up three hundreds and six fifties in that time, and was named one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year. One of his hundreds came against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956, the match in which Jim Laker took 19 wickets.Remembered by cricket fans for his graceful play and immense concentration, he was nonetheless also remembered for his fielding. Six years after he returned to the side in 1956 as the first ordained minister to play for England, he toured Australia and dropped catches, provoking a legendary jibe from Fred Trueman: “It’s a pity t’Reverend don’t put his hands together more often in t’field.”