The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has offered licences to seven First Class Counties, thus establishing the foundations of a new national network of ECB County Cricket Academies. Durham, Yorkshire, Sussex, Somerset, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire will be the first Counties to be accredited in the programme.The aim of each County Cricket Academy is to identify cricketers who have the potential to play at the highest level of the game, and to deliver a comprehensive development programme which will provide them with the opportunity of fulfilling their potential. Each Academy will support and fund a squad of up to 12 players, between the ages of 13-18, per year.The County Cricket Academy programme, which forms part of the ECB’s World Class Plan*, will compliment the new ECB National Academy, with the ECB’s overall target that 50% of England senior players will have come through the County Cricket Academy network by 2007.The Counties will fund their own Academies, although the ECB will contribute£50,000 p.a. to the costs of each one. It is hoped that, in time, all 18 First Class Counties will develop their own ECB County Cricket Academy.Hugh Morris, ECB Performance Director, said: “County Cricket Academies will be established to underpin the ECB Development of Excellence programmes, as well as the National Academy. We see the Academy concept as a major initiative in helping to improve playing standards among the most talented young cricketers in England and Wales.”Whilst a number of Counties have already developed their own Academy systems, the ECB’s accreditation scheme is designed to ensure that there is nationwide consistency in the development of talented cricketers, as well as a comprehensive resource structure to back them up.In order to receive ECB accreditation, a number of criteria will have to be met by the County Academies, and these will be reviewed on a regular based in order to maintain standards.The project will be centrally driven by the ECB, but locally delivered by the First Class County Clubs. The ECB establishes the programme, sets the targets, trains the full-time Academy Director, provides a standard template for the development of Academy players and then monitors the results. The Counties, meanwhile, identify and select the players, and run the Academy.Players will be selected annually, ready for the start of the non-residential programme in September. In the following seven months until March the following year, the intensive individual training programme will be split roughly in 50% technical development, 25% mental development, 10% tactical development, 10% physical development and 5% lifestyle management. Each Academy player will have a minimum of two one-to-one technical sessions per week with a senior County player during the close season.During the summer months, a competitive programme for each player will beplanned by the Academy Director through modification of school, club andrepresentative opportunities. Players will be fast-tracked if appropriateto their development.It is hoped that, by September 2003, all County Academies will be open andthe programme will be reviewed.

Hatton National Bank’s three-year dominance of the Mercantile ‘A’ division cricket title was ended at the NCC grounds on Wednesday evening when Seylan Bank defeated them easily by seven wickets to emerge League champions.HNB had won the `A’ division title four times in the past five years since 1996, and consecutively in the past three years. Seylan won it in 1997.The decisive match of the league saw Seylan dismiss HNB for 144 in 45 overs and knock off the runs in style using up 36 overs to pass the total.The architects of Seylan’s victory were national players Chaminda Vaas and skipper Mahela Jayawardene. Vaas ran through the top order picking up the first two wickets to have HNB struggling at 12 for 2 after they had won the toss and decided to bat first. The defending champs never recovered from that early loss off wickets and failed to put together any substantial partnership.Seylan kept HNB tied down by accurate bowling and sharp fielding so much so that the big hitting Avishka Gunawardana required 68 balls to make a top score of 30, and Kumar Dharmasena used up 62 balls for his unbeaten 26.Vaas returned for his late spell to capture two further wickets and finish with the impress figures of four for 19 off 8.5 overs, two of which were maidens. Leg-spinner Suranjith Silva picked up three for 28.Seylan began their chase with an opening stand of 43 between Nuwan Shiroman and Malintha Perera, but faltered when they lost three wickets for eight runs to the spin of Dharmasena and Sajeeva Weerakoon.However, Jayawardene who has shown excellent form in the tournament and Naveed Nawaz put the issue beyond doubt when they figured in an unfinished fourth wicket partnership of 94 to see Seylan through.Jayawardene raced to a splendid half-century and finished undefeated on 60 scored off 56 balls with seven fours and a six. Nawaz was unbeaten on 29.JANASHAKTHI REQUEST A REPLAYJanashakthi has requested the Mercantile CA for a replay of their match against E-wis which was abandoned without a ball bowled due to unsuitable grounds conditions at Bloomfield on Tuesday.The result deprived Janashakthi from qualifying for the knockout round of the competition where only the top four teams are considered.According to the current standings Seylan Bank, Hatton National Bank, Access Group and John Keells have qualified to play in the knockout which commences on June 16 with the final scheduled for June 24.

The Sri Lankan cricket board confirmed today that Dambulla would host three triangular matches with India and NewZealand in July, despite the ongoing controversy over the ownership of the 36-acre plot of land on which the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium was constructed.Last week the Interim Committee announced that they were trying to switch the Dambulla games to Kandy or Galle. The decision to change venues, however, ran into trouble when ground authorities in Kandy revealed that they couldn’t prepare the pitches in time and the normal team hotel in Galle, the Lighthouse, did not have enough rooms to cater for three teams.Ultimately, though, the decision to stay in Dambulla was forced upon the cricket authorities by vehement protests from the Chief Buddhist Priest of the Asgiriya Chapter, and, more importantly, the Chief Minister of North Central Province, who wrote directly to the Sports Minister yesterday and is believed to have taken up the matter personally with Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the Sri Lankan President.The Chief Minister warned the Sports Minister, Kaksmann Kiriella, of potentially severe political repercussions if the match was not played in Dambulla. He claimed to have an obligation to his constituents to bring international cricket to the province.The Interim Committee was contacted yesterday by Dr. Ramunujan, Sports Ministry Secretary, and was informed that the matches had to played in Dambulla. No reason was given for the directive.Nevertheless, the controversy over legal ownership of the venue rumbles on. According to probe committee appointed by the Sports Minister they could find no evidence to confirm that the Sri Lankan cricket had acquired legal ownership of the 36-acre plot of land from the Asgiriya Chapter.

Contrasting centuries from Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer allowed Australiato score 348-3 on the opening day of the Vodafone Challenge match withSomerset at Taunton.Ponting marked his first game in charge of the Australians with a magnificent 128, which contained 20 fours and two sixes and came from 130 deliveries.Langer struggled for fluency early in his innings, but by the end of a dayin which 24 overs were lost to rain he had reached 104 not out.His hundred came from 176 balls, included 13 fours and was a much-neededboost for the former Middlesex captain after his poor start to the tour.Somerset opted to rest five of their regular Championship side and broughtin Pakistan Test stars Aamir Sohail and Shoaib Akhtar as guest players.Aamir Sohail spent most of his day at second slip before bowling a few overs ofspin late in the day, while Shoaib Akhtar proved as expensive as any of theSomerset attack.He was despatched for three fours and a six in one over by Ponting, as the26-year-old Tasmanian made the most of the short, straight boundaries and aquick outfield.Shoaib finally gained some reward for his efforts in the 42nd over whenPonting, looking to cut, was bowled by a full-length delivery.Earlier, Matthew Hayden had fallen for six when he edged Jamie Grove high toKeith Parsons at third slip.Michael Slater departed for 28 when he was pinned lbw by Jason Kerr as helooked to work the ball on the legside.Mark Waugh provided the other major contribution of the day as he finishedwith 55 not out in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 118 with Langer.Ponting was delighted to see Langer reach a hundred and said: “Justin was obviously very keen to score runs today because he has not had many hits on the tour.”But he came through for us, which is good news.”Ponting has now scored 725 runs from just 721 balls on this tour.He admitted: “I think I’m batting as well as I’ve ever done.”But Ponting, acting Australia captain in absence of Steve Waugh, thoughtSomerset could have bowled better.He said: “I don’t think Somerset bowled well early on. They bowled a bit short and if they had pitched it up and hit the right areas it might have been a bit different.”

Lahore-Almost 20 years after its inauguration as a Test venue, in 1981 against the Clive Lloyd led West Indies, Multan is all set to renew its status with the first match of the Asian Test Championship on August 29, when it plays host to Bangladesh.But this major city in the Southern Punjab, which is home to Inzamam-ul-Haq, would not have hosted only its second Test in two decades if the visiting team was not Bangladesh. That despite having a brand-new stadium now. The ICC regulations specifically ask for a five-star hotel facility within 30 minutes of travelling time to the ground. The hotel is there, but it is merely a three-star – and even that is stretching it a bit.These days, when international teams and cricketers have become highly demanding, no front-line team would have agreed to put up in such a facility. The example of the Aussies only recently forsaking a 100-plus years of tradition for the additional comforts of a swimming pool during the Edgbaston Test in the ongoing Ashes series is a case in point. Perhaps Bangladesh consented because they are babes of the game and not yet spoiled by the frills that international cricketers these days take for granted. Or maybe they agreed not to make the modest lodgings an issue because the Boards of the two countries enjoy very cordial relations.Recognized as one of the best-kept tourism secrets in the world because of the pristine natural beauty of its mountain ranges, historical monuments some of which date back to thousands of years and such tremendous variety in landscape and climates, Pakistan is sometimes a tourist’s nightmare because of a lack of quality lodgings in most cities and towns. The places where quality hotels are available are mostly the provincial and federal capitals.Cricket also stands to suffer on this count, as four venues where stadiums exist – and are being revamped and upgraded under the PCB’s ‘Vision 2005’ programme – would no longer be able to host international matches unless the guests show the kind of accommodation that the Bangladeshis are doing. These are: Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium, the Multan’s newly-made cricket ground and Sialkot’s Jinnah Stadium and Gujranwala’s Municipal Stadium. In the circumstances, the point to consider for the PCB is as to how would it recoup the sizable investment that it is making in reconstructing these stadiums. Maybe the Board thinks that quality hotels would eventually be built in these cities or perhaps the use of these grounds for domestic cricket would be enough justification for its investment. And also that it would occasionally find visitors as accommodating as Bangladesh.

Roland holder yesterday conceded that his first-class career maybefinished after his non-inclusion in a squad of 38 for a BarbadosCricket Association (BCA) year-round programme geared at preparingnational squads.”It would be correct to say that. If they haven’t selected me, itwould suggest that,” the 33-year-old middle-order batsman respondedwhen asked by the Saturday Sun if he reckoned his omission suggestedhis lengthy first-class career was over.In announcing the squad, which shows a bias towards youth, the BCAsaid the selectors would have the right to draft new players into theprogramme in light of good performances or recoveryfrom injury.The experienced Holder, who played with some success in 98 first-classmatches since his debut as a teenager in 1986, said he did not thinkthat was applicable to him.”If I am not going to be included in the 38, I don’t think I haveanything to prove to anyone,” said Holder, who scored 5 550 firstclass runs including 17 centuries at an average of 38.27.”If I am not in the 38, there is no need to compete for anything,”added the Barbados captain for the 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1999 firstclass championships.It was, he said, an honour to have played for Barbados.”I’ve always felt it is not your God-given right to play for yourcountry,” he said.”It is something that you have to work at and perform during theseason. It is an honour for someone to have consistently representedyour country for as long as I have and at the level I have performedat.”Holder, however, expressed disappointment that the chairman ofselectors did not personally contact him to inform him of his nonselection.In addition to Holder, other notable omissions are wicket-keeper CoreyGlasgow, batsman Sean Armstrong, all-rounder Antonio Mayers, legspinner Dave Marshall, fast bowlers Hendy Bryan, Dayne Maynard andPatterson Thompson.The emphasis on youth is reflected by the inclusion of 15 teenagersand at least another eight who are under the age of 23.The teenagers include eight Barbados youth team selectees for theforthcoming regional Under-19 championships captain Rohan Nurse,fellow batsmen Alcindo Holder and Kirk Edwards, all-rounders KenroyWilliams and Ryan Wiggins, along with fast bowlers Antonio Thomas,Ryan Nurse and Jason Bennett.Off-spinner Ryan Austin and wicket-keeper Patrick Browne, both inEngland with the West Indies youth team have also been included.The other teenagers are batsmen Jason Parris and Randy Thomas, leftarm spinner Anderson Sealy and pacer Ryan Best.The squad is expected to form the nucleus of players who willrepresent Barbados in the 2001 Red Stripe Bowl limited-overscompetition and the 2002 Busta Cup first-class championship.”The expanded programme is an important component of the BCA’s cricketdevelopment plan and builds on the Texaco-sponsored programme whichhas been in operation for the last two years,” the BCA said yesterday.”It is also a departure from the traditional approach of callingplayers to trials for a particular tournament and reflects the BCA’spresent policy of trying to develop a year-round programme to producerounded and effective world-class cricketers.”A programme has been designed to ensure physical and medical fitness,improve all aspects of cricketing and mental skills and teachappropriate areas of nutrition, injury prevention and management.It is also the intention to expose the squad to a whole range of lifeskills in an effort to prepare and create a modern, successful firstclass cricketer.The squad includes players who may be overseas on various assignmentsbut who are expected to the available for national selection.”It is also to be noted that all players will be assessed on an ongoing basis and must work to keep themselves in the squad,” the BCAsaid.

David Fulton reminded the England selectors of his Ashes credentials with a seventh Championship century of the season as Kent replied strongly to Northamptonshire’s 355 all out at Wantage Road.The 29-year-old opener, tipped for a possible call-up to face Australia at Headingley next week, reached three figures for the third time in as many innings, and finished the day 116 not out with the visitors on 202-1 – a deficit of 153.Fulton had a stroke of luck on 28 when he miscued a drive off Graeme Swann and Adrian Rollins spilled a straightforward catch at extra cover, the fielder looking to throw the ball up before he had it under control.But otherwise he unveiled some superb attacking shots and cracked 17 fours in his 146-ball knock, adding an unbroken 174 in 40 overs for the second wicket with Ed Smith (59 not out).They came together when Michael Strong trapped Robert Key leg-before for 20, and made the most of some less-than-impressive bowling and fielding from a Northants side struggling at the wrong end of the first division table.Play got under way two and a half hours later as a result of heavy overnight rain, and the hosts added 78 more runs for the loss of their last five wickets.Martin Saggers reached 50 first-class victims for the summer when he removed Toby Bailey, while Ben Trott wrapped up the innings by sending back David Ripley and Jason Brown with successive balls.

A much better week for the boys, well, in the Championship that is.We had a crucial midweek game with Warwickshire who, like us, are pushing hard for a promotion to division one.After our recent drop in form we were determined to play well in our last CricInfo Championship game at Lord’s for the 2001 season. I was extremely motivated to perform having only returned meagre pickings in my innings to date at the home of cricket.We batted first knowing that we had to post something substantial on what looked to be a very good batting wicket.The other reason we needed some big numbers was that Phil Tufnell would not be with us having been called up for the last Ashes Test at the Oval.Without him our chances of taking 20 wickets during the match were hugely reduced so we felt if we could bat ‘The Bears” out of the game we might be a able to wear them down by sheer attrition.Well, we managed 502 and felt very confident when we had them 6/2 late in the second day.Little did we know that we would still be fielding a day and a half later with Warwickshire declaring at 630/8.It also didn’t help that we had a mini heatwave with temperatures in the 30’s for all four days. In the end we drew the match and both took away 10 points which will be valuable come two weeks time.I achieved what I was after, scoring my second 100 at Lord’s and my first for my county at our home ground. I also backed up with 65 in the second innings and was perhaps a little guilty of trying to score quickly enough to achieve three figures for the second time in the match.There has been a lot happening over here this week in the world of cricket. Australia, after being stung in the fourth Test, came back in emphatic style to finish off a very impressive Ashes campaign. The Waugh twins, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne all leaving these shores with performances to remember. It has been reported throughout that it will probably the last time that this group of players will tour England.Speaking of players that won’t be touring, Darren Gough and Alec Stewart will not be coming to New Zealand after the ECB ruled them out of this winter’s programme. The pair did not want to be considered for the first tour to India but both wanted to come to New Zealand.It has been seen as picking and choosing what tours a player wishes to go on and that can set a dangerous precedent.One player who definitely won’t be there is Michael Atherton after he announced his retirement this week. Athers is a popular figure who was known for his fighting qualities especially when a game needed to be saved.But I remember him for two innings he played in Christchurch when I was captain for the first time. He scored a 94 not out and 118 in his two innings and set the platform for an England win after being set 305 to win.A big week ahead for the Crusade and I would love to emulate Atherton’s performance and grab some very valuable points.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) financial losses this year likely to soarto almost $35million after New Zealand’s decision not to undertake thetour due to events in United States.After the PCB suffered a massive $15million loss earlier this yearafter India refused to cross borders for a three-Test and as many oneday international series, Pakistan is estimated to have lost$15million from the profits of the Asian Test Championship followingIndia’s withdrawal.The New Zealand series cancellation is likely to cost the PCB around$10million through title sponsorships, television rights and groundhoardings.The director of the PCB, Brig Munawar Rana, admitted that the loss infinancial terms was tremendous. “We have lost more than expectations.But I would hate to give a figure or even hint an estimated loss.”With the PCB’s earnings almost nil this year, the most importantquestion is how long it can sustain itself and continue to spendlavishly on more than half a dozen foreigners on its books and variousprojects.Needless to say that the PCB is already heavily over-staffed with morethan two dozen highly paid officials working at Lahore. Recently, thePCB appointed three selectors on handsome salaries.The PCB are without a sponsor and most of its current income, if any,is because of old contracts the predecessors of the presentadministration signed. It is probably time that the PCB slashes itbudget by at least 50 per cent.

The Konica Queensland Fire will embark on their quest to win theState’s first national women’s championship this weekend when theycommence their Women’s National Cricket League season with two matchesagainst Victoria at Allan Border Field.The Fire reached the Final of the WNCL last season for the first timeonly to lose to five-time champions NSW, but will begin the 2001-2002season full of confidence.The team for the opening round includes Australian players Julia Priceand Sally Cooper, members of the undefeated Southern Stars team thatwon the Ashes in England in July, national squad members Melissa Bulowand Tricia Brown and former Australian allrounder Megan White.White has returned to Brisbane after a season playing with Victoriaand is joined in the team by pace bowler Renee Lee, who missed lastseason to concentrate on indoor cricket.The Fire team also contains three members of the Konica QueenslandUnder-19 team in Gold Coast off-spinner Belinda Matheson, SunshineCoast pace bowler Kirsten Pike and Toowoomba bat Jodie Purves.Victoria will include Australian pace-bowling spearhead CathrynFitzpatrick, the fastest bowler in world women’s cricket, and SouthernStars captain Belinda Clark, who has relocated from Sydney toMelbourne to assist with the integration of Women’s Cricket Australiawith the ACB.The teams will play limited over matches on Saturday and Sunday. Entryis free, with play commencing at 10am.KONICA QUEENSLAND FIRE v Victorian Spirit, Allan Border Field,Saturday and Sunday: Julia Price (Captain), Bronwyn Buckley(vice-captain), Melissa Bulow, Belinda Matheson, Sally Cooper, TriciaBrown, Megan White, Jodie Purves, Leonie Shields, Cindy Kross, ReneeLee, Kirsten Pike.