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Sunday, 20 October 2013
Willey joins Auckland for NZ T20
Willey will miss the first three matches of the competition, which runs between 1 November and 18 January 2014, but will be available thereafter.
Auckland have also signed Australian batsman Brad Hodge, Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright and Gloucestershire fast bowler James Fuller.
"Each gives us something different," said Auckland coach Matt Horne.
Willey enjoyed a superb season in all forms of cricket for Northants in 2013, and was named man of the match when the Steelbacks thrashed Surrey in the final of the FLt20 in August.
OK, Denver Broncos Fans: Let�s See How Your Mighty Team Competes Against Men

I'm a true believer in Peyton Manning, as any right-thinking American should be.
But, as far as the Broncos as a whole: Not so much.
They've made their rep thus far bullying the league's pink teams.
Yes, they looked good against Baltimore. Then they ripped the Giants, currently winless and friendless.
They beat the Raiders, currently, um, 2-4.
They again looked good against the Eagles, but then made Tony Romo look all-world in a 51-48 squeaker over the Cowboys.
Oh yeah, then Chad Henne of the Jaguars threw for over 300 yards against them Sunday.
Yes, that Chad Henne. Yes, those Jaguars.
Now they'll face the Colts' Andrew Luck and I don't believe I need remind anyone that Chad Henne is no Andrew Luck.
Do I?
So you Bronco boosters talk to me after this game. In the meantime, here's more on the Broncos-Colts and the other big matchups this weekend.
And if you're one of those discerning people, like me, who isn't quite ready to just hand the Super Bowl trophy over to the Broncos, let me know. I'm getting hammered here by the Bronco-Nazis.
- Getty Images
India Win Run Fest To Square Series
Virat Kohli's record-breaking innings helped India cruise to victory.Action Images / Paul Childs LivepicIndia 362-1 (R Sharma 141no) beat
Australia 359-5 (Bailey 92no) by 9 wickets
Second One-Day International, Jaipur
Scorecard
India won a ridiculously high-scoring second ODI against Australia to square the seven-match series at one apiece. The Australians piled up 359 for five from their 50 overs as their top five all passed 50, but India made mincemeat of it.
Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan powered 176 off the first 26 overs of the run chase, with Virat Kohli then joining Sharma to up the tempo even further. He smashed the fastest century by an Indian in ODI cricket off just 52 balls to ease India home in the 44th over by nine wickets.
Tonight’s chase is the second highest in the 3420-match history of ODI cricket, behind the 438 at Johannesburg.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma didn’t appear at all daunted by the huge total that Australia’s batsmen had piled up after winning the toss. Dhawan continued his superb form of late by reaching 50 off 55 balls, while Sharma made 50 off 54 as the 100 came up in just the 17th over.
Australia finally got a wicket with the score on 176 as Dhawan was caught by Brad Haddin off James Faulkner five short of a well-deserved century. However, that only made matters worse as Virat Kohli walked in.
He was with Sharma when he reached a welcome century off 102 balls and did the bulk of the run-scoring in their unbroken second-wicket partnership of 186 in just 104 balls. Kohli reached his century shortly before the end, with Sharma then finishing the match in fitting fashion by pummelling Glenn Maxwell for a hat-trick of boundaries.
Australia’s bowlers took a right battering as four conceded more than eight an over and two - Clint McKay and Shane Watson - went for more than nine.
Earlier in the day, their batsman had done a much better job. Aaron Finch and Phil Hughes began the match in what must rank as fairly sedate fashion in the circumstances, adding 74 in 15.2 overs for the first-wicket. Finch scored 50 of those off 53 balls, with Hughes taking a while to get going. He played the anchor role, hitting 83 off 103 balls, and added 108 with Shane Watson (59 off 53) balls for the second-wicket.
George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell then provided the late impetus and gave a taste of what was to come when Virat Kohli batted. Bailey bludgeoned five sixes en route to 92 not out off 50 balls, while Maxwell smacked 53 off only 32. The pair added 96 in little more than eight overs.
Australia ended on 359 for five, but with the form of the Indian batsmen, even another 100 might not have been enough. The two sides meet again in the third match at Mohali on Saturday.
© Cricket World 2013
Wallace Replaces Injured Mommsen
Group A
Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States of America
Group B
Afghanistan, Bermuda, Denmark, Kenya, Netherlands, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Scotland
Friday, 18 October 2013
Virgin Offers Free Sports Luggage Service
Virgin Offers Free Sports Luggage ServiceCricketers heading abroad this winter or going on tour would do well to take advantage of Virgin Atlantic's offer of free check-in of sports luggage on its Little Red service.
Bulky, heavy cricket bags can end up costing you extra money to get to your destination but Virgin will allow an extra 23 kg of baggage allowance for sports equipment.
Virgin Atlantic’s free sports luggage policy is available on its domestic Little Red service as well as on international routes all over the globe.
On each flight, Little Red offers a taste of the customer service Virgin Atlantic is world-renowned for with pre-assigned seats, complimentary snacks and drinks and even hot breakfasts on early morning flights.
Tyrrells have created special Little Red 'Plane crisps' made from miniature potatoes, Bacardi Martini offer a variety of exclusive miniature spirits and Scotland’s favourite drink, Irn Bru is available on the on the Scottish services.
Bringing a splash of red to the skies, Sir Richard Branson’s Little Red service flies from London Heathrow and six times daily to Edinburgh, three times daily to Aberdeen as well as and four daily round-trips between Manchester and Heathrow.
Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic and ultimate kite surfer said: "How can we hold back our nation of sports-lovers by charging them to travel with their equipment?
"Our free sports luggage policy is just another way Virgin Atlantic is shaking things up, bringing our pioneering spirit to the skies and continuing to deliver exceptional customer service, and thoughtful little extras that have never been available on domestic flights before."
However, it is advised to check the policy in detail before travelling as items heavier than 23 kg may incur extra costs and some length and height restrictions also apply.
For more information: www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/travel-information/baggage/sports-equipment
© Cricket World 2013
Pakistan Eventually Finish Off South Africa
Saeed Ajmal (centre) took four wickets and Misbah-ul-Haq (right) hit the winning runs as Pakistan toppled South Africa in Abu DhabiPakistan 442 (Khurram Manzoor 146) & 45-3 beat
South Africa 249 & 232 by seven wickets
First Test, Abu Dhabi
Scorecard | Day One | Day Two | Day Three
Pakistan survived a late wobble when they lost three wickets for seven runs to see off South Africa and take a seven-wicket win in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
Despite AB de Villiers' 90 and Robin Peterson's 47, South Africa were bowled out for 232 in their second innings, leaving Pakistan a target of 40.
South Africa, faced with a first Test defeat since January 2011, made sure Pakistan had to work for every run and had them in trouble at seven for three.
However, Younus Khan (9 not out) and Misbah-ul-Haq (28 not out) saw them home with Misbah showing no desire to hang around, clinching the game with two sixes in a 26-ball cameo.
For South Africa to get anything out of this game they would have needed de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Peterson and perhaps others to dig in and bat all day at least. However, against Pakistan's consistently effective bowling attack, such resistance didn't come close to materialising.
Having helped de Villiers take South Africa past the 100-mark, nightwatchman Dale Steyn hit out needlessly and was bowled by Zulfiqar Babar for seven.
Pakistan sensed victory when Duminy was trapped in front by Junaid Khan for nought and du Plessis, who hung around for 55 balls, was caught and bowled by Saeed Ajmal for nine.
Then came a combination of resistance and counter-attack from de Villiers (90 in 157 balls) and Peterson (47 not out in 67 balls).
The pair batted together for just under 15 overs to get South Africa within three runs of forcing Pakistan to bat again, at which point de Vliiers was caught by Shan Masood off Junaid. The partnership of 57 was the biggest of the innings.
Vernon Philander (10) hung around as Peterson threw the bat to try to set Pakistan some sort of target but Morne Morkel (0) was unable to help, both men falling to Ajmal, who finished with four for 74.
Junaid returned three for 57, Babar two for 51 and Mohammad Irfan one for 42.
After the tea break, Pakistan set about chasing down 40 runs for victory but made a dreadful start. Philander struck with the new ball to have openers Khurram Manzoor (4) and Masood (0) caught behind and when Azhar Ali was caught by Jacques Kallis off Steyn for three, Pakistan had lost three wickets in 21 balls.
What would South Africa have given at that point to have been able to add just another 50 runs to either of their innings?
Nevertheless, with Younus calmness personified at one end and Misbah on a mission to finish things off in a hurry at the other, it might not have made any difference.
The former faced 36 balls and the latter 26, the winning runs coming when captain Misba hit Peterson over long on for a six to confirm Pakistan's third ever win over South Africa and first since 2007.
In their last match, they lost to Zimbabwe but have now managed to comprehensively beat the world-leading team. Quite a month for Pakistan cricket.
The series continues with the second and final Test in Dubai which begins on 23rd October.
© Cricket World 2013
South Africa Struggle After Misbah Century
Misbah-ul-Haq added 100 in 187 balls as Pakistan remained in control in Abu DhabiSouth Africa 249 (Amla 118) & 72-4 v
Pakistan 442 (Khurram Manzoor 146)
First Test, Abu Dhabi, day three
Scorecard | Day One | Day Two
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq added a century on day three of the first Test against South Africa in Abu Dhabi to help put his side in a dominant position.
Misbah scored 100 in 187 balls as Pakistan were bowled out for 442 and they built on their first-innings lead of 193 by reducing South Africa to 72 for four in their second innings.
There were also runs for Asad Shafiq (54) and Adnan Akmal (32) as Pakistan's batsmen backed up their bowlers' sterling work in bowling South Africa out for 249 in their first innings.
Put under pressure, South Africa's top order then struggled again as Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal and Zulfiqur Babar took a wicket apiece.
Pakista resumed on 263 for three and Khurram Manzoor soon set a new record for the highest score by a Pakistani in a Test match against South Africa before he was caught by Jacques Kallis off Vernon Philander for a magnificent 146 in 266 balls that included 15 fours.
He and Misbah had added 112 for the fourth wicket and Misbah, along with Shafiq, continued to forge Pakistan ahead.
Shafiq fell to Duminy and soon after Misbah had completed his fourth Test century, he was trapped in front by Dale Steyn to leave Pakistan 394 for three.
Akmal then took the opportunity to score as many runs as he could as Ajmal (13), Babar (2) and Junaid (3) offered little resistance.
Steyn (3-88) and Philander (3-84) were the pick of the bowlers while Duminy returned two for 68.
South Africa made a bright enough start to their second innings as Graeme Smith (32) and Alviro Petersen (17) added 38 before Petersen was caught by Akmal off Irfan.
Smith was the next to go when he was stumped off Ajmal and Jacques Kallis was given a birthday to forget when he was trapped in front by Junaid for a five-ball duck.
Hashim Amla hit 118 to prop up South Africa's first innings but the Proteas will need to rely on somebody else for the remainder of this game after he was caught behind off Babar in the final over of the day.
AB de Villiers was left unbeaten on 11 in 28 balls and nightwatchman Steyn did his job as nightwatchman by seeing off five balls without scoring.
© Cricket World 2013
Video - Vaughan Recalls Strictly Come Dancing Shows
Former England captain Michael Vaughan recalls hs time as a contestant on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing game show.
Vaughan was involved in the show in 2012 but now is quite happy enjoying watch the new series with a glass of wine in his hand on Saturday nights.
Vino,Chinese Takeaway.. @bbcstrictly @TheXFactor #Saturdaynightsorted
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 12, 2013
Interestingly, he says that he was more at home doing the Strictly Come Dancing live shows than the studio shows as performing live was, after all, what he was used to as a professional cricketer.
We caught up with Vaughan at Lord's where the 2013 OSCAs were held last month.
© Cricket World 2013
Whitaker To Replace Miller As National Selector
Geoff Miller will stand down as National Selector at the end of the year to be replaced by James WhitakerJames Whitaker is to replace Geoff Miller as England's National Selector, the Engalnd and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed.
Miller, who has served as National Selector since 2008, informed the ECB during this summer's Ashes series of his desire to stand down.
He will do so on 1st January 2014, when Whitaker, who became a Selector in 2008, will take over.
During Miller's period as National Selector, England won the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010, topped the rankings in all three formats at different times, won three straight Ashes series and were runners-up at the 2013 Champions Trophy.
"Geoff Miller has been an exceptional National Selector presiding over selection during one of the most successful periods in England’s cricket history," ECB Chief Executive David Collier said.
"He developed an excellent relationship with the Counties and with the England management team and he will be greatly missed by everyone at ECB. England cricket owes a great debt of gratitude to Geoff for the outstanding contribution he has made to the game and to the fortunes of our national team.
"James Whitaker brings experience and continuity having been a Selector since 2008 and we are convinced he will continue the excellent selection process which Geoff has led so efficiently since 2008.
"James was a member of the Ashes winning team in 1986-87 and led Leicestershire to two County Championship successes in 1996 and 1998. He scored more than 17,000 first class runs in his distinguished career and ECB wishes James every success in his new role. ‘
Whitaker added: "I am honoured to have been invited to be National Selector and greatly look forward to working with the newly appointed Managing Director of England Cricket, my fellow selectors – England Team Director Andy Flower and One Day coach Ashley Giles - as we seek to build on the recent success of England teams.
"I wish to thank Geoff Miller for his leadership of the Selectors since 2008. Geoff’s contribution cannot be overstated and I hope that I shall prove to be a worthy successor to a man who has brought stability, diligence and great judgement to our selection process in the last five years."
Geoff Miller concluded: "The last six years have been as enjoyable as any time in my cricketing career and it will be sad to step down after a 14 year period as first an England Selector and then the National Selector.
"The relationships and friendships that I have built up during that time with Hugh Morris, the Managing Director – England Cricket, and all at the ECB are something I will cherish.
"However I feel that this is the perfect time to hand over the reins and I cannot think of anyone more suitable than James Whitaker to assume control of the selection panel. He has been a most loyal colleague who now has the chance to continue the success to which he has contributed so much, so far.
"I wish him, Andy Flower, Ashley Giles and all the England players the very best of in the years ahead and I am sure that they will continue the pathway to success not only this winter but also in the years to come."
© Cricket World 2013
Anderson extends Lancashire deal
The 31-year-old has added an extra year to his current deal to keep him at the club until the end of the 2015 season.
Anderson, who is centrally contracted by England, played a key role in the recent Ashes win and heads to Australia for the return series this winter.
"I am always proud to wear the Lancashire shirt and I am delighted to extend my stay," said Anderson.
Mike Watkinson Lancashire director of cricket "It was great to return to Old Trafford in the summer for the Ashes Test match and use the great facilities after the ground's redevelopment."“Jimmy has been an outstanding player and a great ambassador for the club”
Anderson has played 87 Test matches, 174 one-day and 19 Twenty20 internationals for England, taking 592 international wickets across the three formats, and signed a new two-year deal at Lancashire 13 months ago.
Lancashire director of cricket Mike Watkinson added: "Jimmy has been an outstanding player and a great ambassador for the club.
"It is great to see him play for us when his international duties allow him to, and we are pleased that he has signed a new deal for Lancashire."
Lancashire secured promotion back to Division One at the first attempt after they drew with Leicestershire and third-placed Essex drew at Kent last month.
AUDIO: Jones reflects on 'average' 2013
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AUDIO: Nosworthy to change Somerset style
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Downton named MD in ECB reshuffle
The ECB has also appointed ex-Test batsman James Whitaker as chairman of selectors after announcing Geoff Miller's surprise resignation.
Downton, 56, replaces Hugh Morris, who quit to take up the dual role of chief executive and managing director at County Championship side Glamorgan.Ex-England captains Andrew Strauss and Nasser Hussain were linked to the job.
"I am honoured to have been offered this position and the trust which the ECB has placed in me," said Downton, who starts his new job on 1 February.
"I am excited by the challenge of building on the success which England teams have enjoyed at all levels in recent years."
Downton played 30 Tests for England between 1981 and 1988, plus 28 one-day internationals. He was part of the squads which won the Ashes in 1981 and 1985, and reached the 1987 World Cup final.
The ex-Kent and Middlesex player also played in six County Championship-winning teams. He was forced to retire from the game after a bail struck him in the eye during a Sunday League match.
Born: 4 April 1957, in Kent County career: Kent (1977 - 1980), Middlesex (1980 - 1991) County honours: Six County Championship titles (2 x Kent, 4 x Middlesex) International career: 30 Tests (1981-1988) and 28 ODIs (1977-1988) Retired: 1991 following a freak eye injury. Forged a successful law career in the City with HSBC, Cazenove and JP Morgan. Since retiring in 1991, he has been an active member of Middlesex, ECB Cricket and MCC committees and pursued a law career in the City. ECB chief executive David Collier said Downton's experience in cricket and business made him "the outstanding candidate" to replace Morris, who announced he was leaving the role last month and had said Strauss, 36, would do a "great job" if named as his successor.
Collier added: "Paul's experience of a World Cup final, Ashes success, six County Championship wins and 58 international appearances for England provides a wealth of cricket experience.
"His background in law when coupled with his experience in the City provides the unique set of skills which is required to lead and manage the England Cricket Department's £100m budget over the next four years."
The ECB said Miller, 61, announced his intention to step down from his role during the summer's Ashes win against Australia. He joined the England selection panel in 2000, before replacing David Graveney as chairman of selectors eight years later.
Former England and Leicestershire batsman Whitaker, 51, replaces Miller after being part of the selection panel for the past eight years.
England beat New Zealand in opener
Womens International Triangular Series, Bridgetown:
England 111-5 (19.1 overs) beat New Zealand 109-6 (20 overs) by five wickets
England got off to a fine start in the tri-nation Twenty20 women's series with a five-wicket victory against New Zealand at Bridgetown in Barbados.Captain Charlotte Edwards made 42 before Tamsin Beaumont's unbeaten 29 from 23 balls helped England chase down a target of 110.
Twenty20 tri-series (all games in Barbados):
14 Oct: West Indies beat New Zealand by 23 runs 16 Oct: England beat New Zealand by five wickets 18 Oct: West Indies v England 20 Oct: West Indies v New Zealand 22 Oct: New Zealand v England 24 Oct: West Indies v England 26 Oct: FinalWest Indies v England one-day series (all games in Trinidad):
29 Oct: 1st ODI 1 Nov: 2nd ODI 3 Nov: 3rd ODI Earlier, Natalie Sciver and Holly Colvin took two wickets each as New Zealand were restricted to 109-6.England play West Indies at the same venue on 18 October.
"It felt great to get out there and put in a great performance to get the team over the line," said Beaumont.
"Charlotte got us off to a good start and that meant I could just come in and express myself at the end."
Despite not taking any wickets, opening bowler Natasha Farrant was arguably the pick of the England attack, conceding only 12 runs from four overs.
Captain Suzie Bates top-scored for New Zealand with 48 off 51 balls.
Following their defeat by West Indies in their opening game, this was New Zealand's second loss of the tournament.
After the tri-series - in which the three sides play each opponent twice before the top two meet in the final - England move to Trinidad for a best-of-three one-day series against West Indies.
Machan signs two-year Sussex deal
The 22-year-old Brighton-born left-hander came through the club's academy and scored his maiden first-class century this season.
"After having a breakthrough season this year, there was only one place I could see me playing my cricket over the next couple of years," he said.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me to get to where I am now."
Continue reading the main storyMark Robinson Sussex cricket manager He added: "I will continue to work hard to achieve my current and future goals."“We are all excited about the prospect of Matt building on his successes of last season”
Machan featured four times for Sussex in the County Championship last season and topped the averages for the Hove-based club in both one-day competitions.
He averaged 64.25 in the YB40 and 31.28 in the FLt20.
Machan qualifies for Scotland through his parents and he made both his one-day and Twenty20 international debuts in 2013.
He hit his maiden ODI century in June when he scored 114 in the match against Kenya in Aberdeen.
Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson said: "Matt had an outstanding year in all forms of the game.
"We are all excited about the prospect of him building on his successes of last season."
McDermott rejoins Australia as coach
McDermott, 48, quit his job as Australia's bowling coach last year, but now returns as Test bowling coach.
The first match of the five-Test series between Australia and England starts in Brisbane on 21 November.
McDermott said: "I'll work as hard as possible to prepare our bowlers for the challenge ahead."
Born in Ipswich, Queensland in April 1965 Made his Test debut against West Indies in December 1984 Played his last Test match against Sri Lanka in January 1996 Took 291 wickets in 71 Tests Replaced Troy Cooley as Australia bowling coach in May 2011 Resigned from the role exactly one year later Took job as Ireland bowling coach ahead of the World Twenty20 in September 2012 The Queenslander, who took 291 wickets in 71 Tests for Australia between 1984 and 1996, added: "I'm very happy to be in a position to join the Australian coaching set-up again and I look forward to working closely with Darren Lehmann."There is obviously a huge focus on regaining the Ashes this summer."
McDermott cited a busy schedule as the reason for his departure last May.
Four months later, he coached Ireland's bowlers for the World Twenty20.
Ali de Winter - who was appointed as McDermott's replacement in August 2012 - will look after Australia's bowlers for the one-day and Twenty20 internationals.
Lehmann believes the split approach will give McDermott more time to help Australia wrestle back the Ashes urn from England, who retained them this summer with a 3-0 series win.
"It's great that Craig is now in a position to be involved again," said Lehmann.
"It also means we are able to allow Ali to focus on the limited overs formats ahead of the ICC World T20 and 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup which are coming up quickly."
New deals for Leicestershire quartet
Seamer Ireland, 18, opening batsman Robson, 21 and all-rounder Wells, 20, have agreed one-year deals.
Slow left-arm spinner Sykes, 21, has signed a two-year contract.
Ireland was Leicestershire's leading wicket-taker in the FLt20 competition, while Sykes, Robson and Wells all made their first-class debuts for the county during the 2013 season.
Newton and Keogh stay at Northants
Keogh, 21, has signed a two-year contract, with the 23-year-old Newton agreeing a three-year deal.
Continue reading the main storyNorthants head coach David Ripley Keogh made 458 Championship runs in eight games last season, including a vital double-century against Hampshire.“Rob Keogh marks himself hard, but towards the end of last season he's shown what a good player he is”
Newton started the campaign strongly, scoring 251 runs in six matches before injuring his ankle in a one-day match against Kent in June.
Head coach David Ripley told BBC Sport: "Rob Keogh took some big strides forward at the end of last season.
"The double-hundred against Hampshire after we were 32-4 on a green wicket speaks for itself, but he backed that up against Worcestershire in the Championship, and also in the YB40.
"He marks himself hard, but I think he's shown himself what a good player he is. He's a local lad who has been coming to the club since he was 14, and it's good to see him taking his game to a higher level.
"Rob Newton is a destructive player in all formats of the game. He was in the last year of his contract last season and understandably wanted to see where we were as a club, but he saw enough before he was injured to know he wanted to be part of what we were doing.
"He's one of a group of young players who've come through the academy and want to be competitive."
Twenty-year-old batsman James Kettleborough, who did not play for the first team last season, has also signed a new one-year deal.
Earlier this week the club confirmed that experienced top-order batsman David Sales had also agreed a new one-year contract.