Just like Steve Waugh never actually said to Herschelle Gibbs, “You just dropped the World Cup, mate” when that infamous catch was put down in the 1999 World Cup, it is entirely possible that Jagmohan Dalmiya never really told an interviewer, “What will I do if I don’t control the board?” But that’s the story anyhow, and who are we to let the facts get in the way of a good story? One fact there’s no getting away from, though, is that Dalmiya will have to answer that question, at least to himself, after the resounding defeat he was handed in his own den by Sharad Pawar.It’s hard to believe that Dalmiya, who is now merely the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, will fade away into the sunset. It’s just not his thing to do. As they say, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog that matters when a scrap is on. And in Indian cricket’s long history, no man has enjoyed a scrap more than Dalmiya. From taking on men he worked with and toppling them, to installing protégés in key positions and knocking them off their perch when his use for them was done, from kicking television channels in the gut to standing eye-to-eye with the International Cricket Council, Dalmiya has done it all.Now he won’t even be India’s representative to the ICC. That job has gone to Pawar, unanimously elected by a group that involved Dalmiya. His position as patron-in-chief, a once defunct titular post that Dalmiya singlehandedly revived once his term as president had come to an end, will be one of the first things the new board will review. You can be sure there will be few favours done on that count.Even if Pawar did want to extend as much as an olive leaf, forget about a branch, to Dalmiya, there are hawks in his camp so vehemently opposed to this that it’s hard to see Dalmiya playing any useful role in the running of Indian cricket. On the morning of the election, when one Kolkata newspaper had described recent decisions of the observer as giving him a lift, one long-time Dalmiya hater drew me aside and asked, “What did the observer do, pop Dalmiya a Viagra?” That’s the sort of derision with which this brigade, comprising career Dalmiya-bashers like Raj Singh Dungarpur, N Srinivasan, IS Bindra, Lalit Modi and others hold Dalmiya.And it is not without good reason. Every time he has had the chance, Dalmiya has struck down his opponents with force. Where the tap-tap of a jeweller’s hammer may have done the job, he brought down the construction wrecking-ball, and now he is going to find it hard to catch anyone in the opposition who will take a soft line when it comes to him. But these opponents would do well to remember that Dalmiya is not the caricature the media has made him out to be. In many ways he is India’s most successful administrator, and even those that hate him must not be blind to this.That he was unidimensional in his success – he equated it to the bottom line to the exclusion of everything else – will always be held against him. After joining the board in 1979, and slowly working his way up the ladder, Dalmiya, along with IS Bindra, fought off Doordarshan and the Telegraph Act and claimed a rights fee of US$ 40000 for the 1993 home series against England. Up until that series Doordarshan had to be paid a telecast fee. He headed the organising committee of the 1996 World Cup and sold the rights for US$ 10 million. Now, the rights for the 2003 and 2007 World Cups have been sold for a massive US$ 200 million. When he took over the ICC, the world’s body had UKP16000 in its coffers. When he left the ICC had US$ 15 million, and a fresh contract worth US$ 500 million in its hands. If you’re going to argue with those numbers, pause a minute and look at the state of other sports in India where penury at best and bankruptcy at worst are the norm.The Pawar group has come to power on tall claims of being different, of being transparent in administration, of taking money out of the BCCI bank accounts and spending it on the ground in infrastructure. Out of power and out in the cold, Dalmiya may spend a few days relaxing watching his favourite soap operas, savouring a vegetarian meal and sipping a bloodymary. But if the Pawar group fails to deliver on its promises, or makes familiar mistakes and begins to slip up, you can be sure Dalmiya will be off the living-room couch in a flash, licking his lips at the prospect of a scrap, and a return to the mainstream.

Scorecard

Bengal, helped by excellent hundreds from Deep Dasgupta and Laxmi Ratan Shukla, extended their first innings lead to 276 against Baroda on day three of the Ranji Trophy semi-finals at Kolkata. Dasgupta, the Bengal captain and wicketkeeper, went on to reach his sixth first-class century – and highest score – after occupying the crease for over eight and a half hours and facing 357 balls, while Shukla contributed a fine hundred of his own as Bengal took the day’s honours. Together they added a mammoth 314 runs in 103.1 overs, a partnership that successfully deflated Baroda.For Bengal it was imperative that they gained a substantial lead, as there was always the possibility that they would have to bat last on a pitch that could crumble as the match progresses. Unlike the first two days, where the first hour saw two wickets fall, today’s first session was dominated by the bat. At the forefront of Bengal’s surge was Dasgupta, who carried on his good work yesterday in defying anything bowled at him, running the singles well, and proving why he has been such a worthy performer for Bengal over the past four seasons. Dasgupta, whose previous hundred came against Gujarat in December, produced a definitive innings under trying circumstances, and it should provide inspiration for his team-mates.It certainly did for Shukla, whose unbeaten 137 was an innings of determination. Shukla has been a talent talked about for some time now – after making his Ranji Trophy debut for Bengal in the 1997-98 season, he hit a match-winning century as an opener in the Wills Trophy semi-final against Delhi in the next – and was seen as future India material. But a dip in consistency and a reported attitude problem has seen his name sidelined when it comes to national selection matters. Bringing up his second fifty of the season in the morning, in 190 minutes and from 155 deliveries, Shukla provided a glimpse of his potential once again.By lunch the two batsmen had extended their partnership to 138, with Bengal on 329 for 5, a lead of 88. Upon return to the middle, Dasgupta was the first to reach three figures; close on the heels of his senior partner, Shukla brought up his own hundred in emphatic fashion, launching Yusuf Pathan into the stands for six. The duo went from strength to strength, and as the partnership swelled past 250 just before tea, Baroda would have been looking for inspiration of their own. In the absence of Zaheer Khan, away on national duty in Pakistan, Baroda’s bowling attack lacked penetration. There was very little of note in the bowling today, and the spin attack comprising of Rajesh Pawar and Pathan bowled well only in spells and never looked threatening.Commenting on his maiden Ranji Trophy hundred, Shukla was pleased that it came at such a vital time for his team. “I batted the way the team wanted me to perform. I tried to restrict my shots and play according to the situation,” he said to . “I wasn’t getting the starts this season and I was determined to make most of this match. In the last two years, I have been dismissed ten times in the 80s.”Even though Dasgupta fell just before stumps, caught behind by Pinal Shah off Shekhar Joshi’s medium pace, the touring side still face the daunting task of chasing a large total on the final day. Baroda, under the tutelage of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the former Indian fast bowler, have done exceedingly well for the last two seasons, missing out on the semi-finals last season only on a poor run quotient. After today’s play, however, it was clear that their weaknesses outweigh their strengths.

Despite Australia convincingly beating them in the recent Test and one-day series, South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith, is confident of turning round their fortunes on home soil. South Africa host Australia for a three-Test series and a clutch of ODIs, the first of which is at Centurion on February 26.”We know that we can really turn around and play better cricket at home,” he said. “We’re all looking forward to getting home and performing there and that’s our goal at the moment.”The South Africans have been on the road for three months: they arrived in Australia in early December after a trip to India, where they drew 2-2 with the hosts in a limited overs series. Their performances weren’t assisted by a number of injuries to key bowlers, including Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and allrounder Jacques Kallis.But Smith believes things will start to turn in their favour after they take a two-week break in the lead-up to the home series, and refused to blame fatigue for the team’s results so far.”Our excuse is that we’ve just really been terrible at our basics so far,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys playing the best team in the world in their own backyard and they probably realise now that they’ve got to do a lot of improving at their levels to match up at this level.”Coming out of the Test series a lot of the guys that were here believed we could beat Australia. We didn’t take our chances, we had them under pressure in a number of cases and we just didn’t drive it home,” he said. “I think if we can really get together, perform well, get the same things right and take our chances we certainly have the opportunity back home of beating Australia.”Smith also pinpointed the home crowd as a distinct advantage. South Africa have been at the receiving end of a vociferously partisan Australian crowd on their tour.”It’s always a huge asset to play before your home crowd. It definitely adds another 10, 20 per cent to your game,” he said. “We’re looking forward to that more than anything else.”When asked how he hoped the home crowd would treat the Australians following the racial abuse of South Africans during the tri-series, Smith joked: “Hopefully pretty harshly. I hope the South African people will be better behaved than some of the things that we’ve been through on this tour.”

Yuvraj Singh’s chances of being fit for the first Test against England have been put into doubt after pulling a hamstring during his match-winning hundred in the final one-dayer at Karachi.Rahul Dravid, the India captain, said Yuvraj’s hamstring was “[a] bit of a worry” while adding that they would be advised of the severity of the injury within 48 hours. The first Test against England starts at Nagpur on March 1.Yuvraj suffered the injury when he was on 82; struggling to complete a single, he limped to the crease and called for immediate treatment. John Gloster, India’s physiotherapist, treated Yuvraj but he was in no position to carry on without a runner. He completed his century, still visibly in pain, and hobbled off the field in some discomfort.”We’ve strapped it up and iced it,” said Dravid. “We will need anywhere between 24 and 48 hours to know how sore it is. But I have to admit it’s a bit of a worry.” Greg Chappell, India’s coach, echoed Dravid’s worries. We won’t really know for another couple of days but I’d say he’s going to miss a few games,” said Chappell. “I would think he must be in serious doubt for the first Test.”India’s squad for the Test series against England is to be announced in four days’ time.

Twenty20 cricket is set to become an official part of the ICC international calendar from 2007 onwards – and England could be named as hosts of the inaugural world championship in 2009 – after a deal was struck on the second day of the ICC executive board meeting in Dubai.There had been much scope for disagreement before the meeting, with the powerful Indian board especially sceptical about a form of the game that has drawn massive crowds across the globe since its inception in 2003.But with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh keen to make a belated submission to host the fifty-over World Cup in 2011, the opportunity arose for a compromise to be reached. As a result, the Asian bloc have been given until April 21 to make their hosting submission for 2011, and England in the meantime have set their sights on hosting the first mandatory Twenty20 tournament in 2009.”There was potential for an impasse on these two issues with several of our members holding strong views,” admitted Ehsan Mani, ICC’s president, “but this approach has allowed us to map out a way forward on these important topics to try and reach consensus. The programme of ICC events from 2007 to 2015 will now be considered again in April.”The deals were put forward as the ICC thrashed out its package of events for 2007 to 2015. Under the new arrangement, there will be a major event every year, with a shorter eight-nation Champions Trophy set to take place on a biennial basis from 2008.An invitational twenty-over tournament has been pencilled in for next year but, as a demonstration of their willingness to host the Twenty20 tournament, and to win over the Asian bloc, England have proposed to withdraw their application to stage the 2015 World Cup, and will instead bid for 2019. Australasia and Asia are now the two regions in the reckoning for the forthcoming World Cups in 2011 and 2015.

In an absorbing day of cricket, with fortunes see-sawing at various times, a final flourish from the Belizean bowlers saw the hosts deny a committed Mexican challenge to win by 78 runs, and thus also win the first Central American Cricket Championships.After winning the toss and electing to bat, Belize started steadily thanks to good innings from Conway Young (30) and Pradeep Perera (35), and at 132 for 4 after 22 overs, seemed well set to take their total easily beyond the 200 mark and set Mexico a daunting run-chase.However, the introduction of spin and Gulshan Ahuja dramatically changed the complexion of the game, and 4 wickets fell for 6 runs to leave Belize staggering on 138 for 8. The hosts and favourites picked their way to a final total of 169 all out in the 32nd over, and the Mexicans justifiably felt they had put themselves in a strong position to pull off a stunning upset after their heroics in the field.Ahuja dominated what was a good allround bowling display, finishing with superb figures of 5 for 26 in his 8 overs. With two stumpings, a caught and bowled and two further catches, his guile and deceptive pace and flight certainly mystified the Belize batsmen.In reply, and in search of the Central American title, Mexico started cautiously but still kept the score ticking over to be in a strong position at 65 for 2 in the 20th over, just over a hundred to get in 20 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Opener Jamie Kay (20) and Nick Houston (22) had worked hard to set up an exciting finale.But with the introduction of Belizean seamers Clarence Anthony (5 for 13) and Howell Gillett (3-17) into the attack, the advantage swung one last time, and from 65 for 2 Mexico’s brave challenge was virtually extinguished as they crashed to 68 for 6, with 3 wickets all falling with the score on 68.There was some spirited rearguard action, but eventually Mexico were all out for 91 in the 27th over, and Belize had claimed victory by 78 runs, and thus also the first Central American Cricket Championship.An interesting and entertaining three days of cricket in Belize, and with plans already in place to play the second Central American Championship in Mexico in 2007, the success of the event, and the positive spin-offs it will no doubt provide for cricket development in the Central American region, seem assured.Belizean batsman Eldon Wade was named Player of the Tournament, and the final placings were as follows:1st: Belize
2nd: Mexico
3rd: Costa Rica

Ashantha de Mel, the former Sri Lanka fast bowler, has been appointed chairman of the national selection committee. The new-look panel, appointed by the government, also includes Amal Silva, Don Anurasiri and Shabbir Asgerally.de Mel, 46, replaced Lalith Kaluperuma, a former spinner, who chaired a controversial four-man panel that faced mounting criticism from the local media in recent weeks. de Mel previously served as chairman for a year, a tenure that included a public fall-out with Marvan Atapattu after the captain was dropped for a two-Test series against Pakistan. At that time, de Mel vowed not to return unless given his own team.On his secont appointment, de Mel said he would change Sri Lankan cricket for the better if changes were made to the domestic cricket structure. “I have always said I was willing to take on the job again only if there is a decent selection committee,” he told reporters. “We are appointed for a year and within that confined space of time we need to put into place strategies to improve our local tournaments. Standards are deteriorating because there is some problem with the system in place. We need to sit and bring out some good ideas to put Sri Lanka’s cricket back on track.”The new committee’s first task will be the selection of Sri Lanka’s one-day squad for a five-match series in England in June and July.

Scorecard

Sometimes a single innings stands out above anything else in a match. Not for the first time in a run-filled career, Stuart Law reached that level at Edgbaston as Lancashire built a match-winning lead of 144 in conditions that were still far from cakewalk for the batsmen. He and Iain Sutcliffe added almost as many as the whole Warwickshire line-up managed together – their stand of 165 could be the defining period of this match.There was less help for the seamers than on the opening day; when the sun shines at Edgbaston batsmen tend to prosper. However, it had by no means turned into a featherbed and an early wicket apiece for Dougie Brown and Heath Streak threatened another batting collapse. The ball that scooted through low to trap Brad Hodge would certainly have raised the odd eyebrow.But Law belied the conditions and whenever he was on strike it was as though an entirely different game was being played. He stamped his authority early with a succession of sweetly timed straight drives, but the sign of his class came with a delicate late cut off Lee Daggett that raced down to third man. The shot was played with complete confidence and control and Law was on his way.With the ball still offering to seam Law ensured he got a large stride down the pitch to cover any movement while still being in a position to rock back if the bowler dropped short. The Warwickshire attack offered plenty of both lengths, although erred on the side off too full, especially the young pair of Daggett and James Anyon. Daggett had found the perfect length on Saturday when Warwickshire bowled out Durham, but here he strived too hard rather than letting the pitch help him.The pace of scoring in this match has never threatened to beyond near three-an-over, so the fact Law’s century came off 151 balls showed how dominant he was. In contrast Sutcliffe crept along but that should not detract at all from an innings that was equally vital to Lancashire’s cause. He performed the anchor role that none of the Warwickshire top order could manage. What will have frustrated him, however, would be the manner of his dismissal when he edged a drive off Jim Troughton’s first ball, which was sharplytaken to slip’s right.Sutcliffe’s wicket sparked a mini-collapse as Warwickshire hauled themselves back into contention through Troughton and Moeen Ali, who ended Law’s outstanding innings with a delivery that turned behind his legs and hit legstump. It was due reward for Ali, and a memorable maiden first-class wicket, who bowled with encouraging flight and he soon added Dominic Cork via a soft edge to slip.However, Lancashire have always prided themselves on a long batting line-up. This match it is not quite as strong without Glen Chapple, but Kyle Hogg took the chance to display his prowess. Since being tipped for higher honours at the same time that James Anderson was selected in 2003, Hogg has regressed rather alarmingly and hasn’t been able to gain a regular spot in the first team. Dougie Brown will be wishing he wasn’t in this side.In the first over with the second new ball, Hogg launched Brown straight into the pavilion, then in his next over dispatched three fours in four balls in a calculated assault that significantly changed the balance of power. The spinners had given Heath Streak a modicum of control so taking the new ball was a risky decision and the first 10 overs with it brought 56 runs.When Hogg held out to deep square-leg, Tom Smith contributed more useful runs with the last three wickets putting on 100. The Warwickshire attack stuck to their task all day, but couldn’t quite find the talisman that Lancashire had in Cork yesterday. The tail-end efforts have shown that batting certainly is possible and the home side can take heart from that. But they’ll need more than some lower-order defiance to turn this match around; someone will have to play an innings out of Law book.

English sport has been in a bit of a pickle lately. Don’t mention thefootball. Don’t mention the tennis. Don’t mention the cricket. Exceptwe have to. So – now that England’s senior side is in some seriousdisarray in all forms of the game, perhaps the A team can help.To this end the selectors have called in Matthew Hoggard, AlastairCook and Ian Bell to take on the mighty Pakistanis at Canterbury andhopefully give England a fillip. It will be no mean feat, though:Pakistan are unbeaten in Tests in 2006 and they easily beatLeicestershire in a warm-up last week.They tinkered around with their opening pairings, such is their wont,but both combinations paid off albeit to differing degrees. SalmanButt and Imran Farhat added 168 first up, then Shoaib Malik openedwith Farhat, and although they only put on 38, Malik went on to get acentury.Most ominously of all, though, was the form shown by Danish Kaneria inthe third innings. He bagged 4 for 32 and England will be casting concerned eyes on his form when he pitches up at Canterbury tomorrow. They will know, too, that the pitches are only going to turn more and more in his favour as the season wears on.But Rana Naved-ul-Hasan must wait on a fitness test for his injured groin and Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer has already said that he will miss the first Test which starts at Lord’s next Thursday.Back in the A camp, England first hinted they were beginning to take these games a little more seriously in May when they fielded a strong side against Sri Lanka, who they rolled over in three days. In that match, Liam Plunkett gained some vital practice ahead of the Testseries, and Chris Read got the chance to keep his name in the frame, as did Rob Key. It’s much the same story here, with Key continuing to lead the side. He’s still knocking on the door; in that match at Worcester he posted a solid fifty.”Our job is to put the touring side on the back foot – which is generally what seems to happen to us every time we go overseas and play A sides,” said Key. “It also gives us a chance to stake a claim for the full side. This might be a bit tougher than our first match. I don’t think this pitch will be anything like the Worcester one.”The A team also, of course, can act as a springboard for others. Jon Lewis took nine wickets against Sri Lanka and leapt into the Test side for his debut at Trent Bridge.Stuart Broad was a late entrant to the team for the last A outing (so late, in fact, that he had to have his kitbag redirected from Harrogate). He took three wickets then and so this time he is in the side by right. He’s gained great experience over the winter, for the Ateam in the West Indies, thanks to another last-minute call-up. Hehasn’t looked back, and he’s already being talked about in senior England circles.Ravi Bopara, another late call-up, has impressed too after joining Broad on the plane to the Caribbean. Both have been flying high ever since and both will now want to soar into contention for the future. Everyone loves it when a plan comes together; so fingers crossed for the A team.England A Robert Key (capt), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Owais Shah, Ravinder Bopara, Jamie Dalrymple, Alex Loudon, Chris Read (wk), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Matthew HoggardPakistanis (probable) Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria

The Championship season could be set for a grandstand finale between the world’s two best spinners after Lancashire hinted that they are sounding out Muttiah Muralitharan for a short end-of-season stint.Cricinfo sources have confirmed that Muralitharan was approached about a return but also said that it was unlikely to happen. After the current triangular series also involving South Africa and India, he is keen to rest ahead of the Champions Trophy.The final round of Championship matches pits Lancashire, currently top, with Hampshire, currently third, in a potential title decider. If Muralitharan returns to Lancashire, he could face Shane Warne in a Rose Bowl head-to-head.Muralitharan has taken 152 wickets during his previous stints at Old Trafford, but any return is dependent on Cricket Australia’s ruling over Brad Hodge, Lancashire main overseas signing for this season. Hodge picked up a neck injury during the Top End series last month, but is still set to take part in Australia’s pre-summer training camp in Queensland.If the Australian board rule Hodge fit, but decided to rest him, Lancashire might be allowed a replacement depending on how the ECB read the situation, which would open the door for Muralitharan. However, if Hodge is still sidelined due to an official injury, ECB rules wouldn’t allow a direct replacement.Jim Cumbes, the Lancashire chief executive, told the : “We are waiting to hear from Brad and Cricket Australia. If he is still injured, we can’t replace him, but if they decide he is fit but needs rest, we may look to bring someone in.”Murali is certainly in the frame, but it depends on which area of the side coach Mike Watkinson feels we need to address. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike has asked him if he is available.”