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The likelihood of India and Pakistan playing against each other regularly moved closer with the news that the Indian government has proposed a number of measures to its Pakistan counterpart in a bid to normalise relations between the two countries.At the moment Pakistan are scheduled to tour India in February next year, with India in turn visiting Pakistan 12 months later. But the strained political relationship has meant that sporting contact between the two countries has been almost non-existent of late, with the Indian government opposing sporting contact with the exception of multination tournaments. India last toured Pakistan for a Test series in 1989, when Kris Srikkanth was captain, while Pakistan’s last tour of India was in 1999.”Obviously, the government have decided now is the right time to restore cricket ties,”said Ratnakar Shetty, the joint secretary of the Indian cricket board. “We are happy for this.”And Rameez Raja, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief executive, welcomed the news, insisting that his board had always maintained that politics should not interfere with sporting ties. “I wholeheartedly welcome India’s decision to send its team to Pakistan. We are very delighted and appreciate that Indian government has put cricket first. The PCB has always maintained that sports and politics should not be mixed. To improve the relationship, there has to be a people-to-people contact and cricket can be a good medium. I remember in the 1989 Test at Lahore, people came from New Delhi and Amritsar – and likewise when Pakistan played in 1997 and then in 1999, people from Pakistan went to Chandigarh and other Indian cities.”Last month Rameez Raja attended an ICC meeting in Mumbai, but he refused to take the credit for India’s change of mind. “I went there as a sportsman, as Pakistan’s ambassador and the PCB chief executive. I did the convincing or lobbying as part of my duties as a sport-loving individual.”I want to put it on record that our Indian counterparts were also lobbying to in New Delhi for the revival of cricket, while our chairman and the ICC played their role at the ICC platform. I would like to say that it has been a collective effort.”India are scheduled to play three Tests and as many one-day internationals – but Rameez said he would like to see three Tests and five ODIs. “Our public has been starving to see India play in Pakistan for nearly 14 years. I think eight international matches would generate huge excitement and interest, while almost every centre will also get its due share.”Rameez said he hoped that the itinerary would be discussed during the next ICC executive board meeting, which is in Barbados on October 29.Ehsan Mani, the ICC president, welcomed the announcement . "The international cricket community is delighted with this positive step. The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the great rivalries, not only in cricket but also in world sport, and the resumption of series between these countries is a boost for the game. I believe that these matches will help build greater understanding between the two countries."Mani praised the efforts of all parties involved in reviving the series. “The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board have both worked hard to revive the series and I am very pleased that the Indian government has taken this step today. “

Predictions of a pace-friendly pitch for the Boxing Day Test may prove correct if today’s ING Cup cricket match between Victoria and Western Australia is any guide.On a wicket just adjacent to the strip that will be used for the second Test between Australia and South Africa, WA’s Brad Williams and then Victoria’s Ian Hewett ripped through the opposition batting as the Bushrangers won a thrilling match by just ten runs.Hewett, who took 4-22 as Victoria dismissed the Warriors for 200 in reply to its total of 6-210, believes the Australian and South African quicks will have much to look forward to come Wednesday.”There was much more in it than a a normal wicket and especially compared to what you get interstate,” he said of the MCG pitch.”There was good carry in it all day.”While Hewett bowled with intelligence and gained plenty of assistance off the wicket, Williams was downright terrifying when he ripped through the Bushrangers’ batting line-up earlier in the day.The former Victorian speedster took 3-0 in seven balls as Victoria crashed to 3-34 in the 13th over. A vicious, lifting delivery to dismiss Brad Hodge for a first-ball duck was the stand-out.”It was getting to a point where it was almost about survival,” Hewett said of Williams’ opening spell.The Test pacemen will be taking notice after talk of a bouncer war between Australia and South Africa in the second Test following the heavy treatment dished out to Nantie Hayward by Brett Lee in the first Test in Adelaide.There is likely to be plenty of scary moments for batsmen of both sides if the Test wicket has anywhere near the bounce of today’s pitch.After Williams’ opening onslaught, Victoria looked unlikely to survive its 50 overs.But thanks to skipper Matthew Elliott’s 60 and half-centuries to youngsters Michael Klinger and Simon Dart, the home side eventually boosted its run rate above four an over.Western Australia’s innings started disastrously when Hewett dismissed its top four batsmen in his first seven overs, including a superb leg-cutter to get rid of Warriors skipper Simon Katich for three runs.From that point the Warriors were always up against it but still nearly pinched victory thanks to a magnificent 77 from Ryan Campbell.Campbell took 16 runs off Ian Harvey’s ninth over to reduce the target from 27 runs off 18 balls to a far more achievable 11 runs off 12 balls, despite being left to bat with No.11 Williams.Elliott then bravely tossed the ball to Jon Moss, who wouldn’t have even played had Damien Fleming not made a late withdrawal with hamstring soreness.Moss ended the Warriors’ innings with his first ball when he had Campbell caught behind.The Bushrangers finally had something to celebrate in the one-day arena even though they remain bottom of the ING Cup table.

St John’s (Antigua), April 10: Pakistan avenged their defeat ofSaturday against the West Indies Select XI by gaining a marginal14-run victory over the home team at the Antigua Recreation Groundhere on Sunday.Like the Pakistan team in the first match, the West Indies Select XIalso collapsed in a similar fashion while chasing 184 to win in 50overs.Mohammad Akram, who took three for 27 in the first match, was onceagain in good form as he picked four for 28 as the Select XI werebowled out for 169 in the 40th over. Pakistan in their innings hadmade 183 for nine after winning the toss.The Select XI from 135 for four had plummeted to 137 for seven afterRamnaresh Sarwan and Runako Morton seemed to have taken the grip onthe game with a stand of 70 for the fifth wicket. The two had takentheir innings from 65 for four to 135.After Morton was leg before for 25 to Mohammad Akram with the firstball of his second spell, their innings slid quickly.Junior Murray lofted Shoaib Malik to be caught at long-on by ImranNazir and Nehemiah Perry was stumped by Mohammad Wasim who had takenover after Atiq-uz-Zaman was taken to hospital with strained hipligament in an attempt to catch opener Wilden Cornwall.Pakistan had lost three wickets for 60 before Wasim and YousufYouhana, who scored 29, salvaged the innings. Pakistan lost fivewickets for 46 before Shoaib Malik made an unbeaten 22 to enhance thescore.

Everton’s shirt sponsors Cazoo have decided their agreement with Aston Villa is more important, finance expert Kieran Maguire has told Football Insider, pointing to the presence of Steven Gerrard as a big reason why.

The lowdown

Cazoo signed a two-year deal with Everton in 2020, believed to be worth £10million per year (via The Athletic).

But it emerged recently that The Toffees are looking for a new shirt sponsor after failing in talks to agree a fresh contract.

Villa’s jerseys are also emblazoned with the Cazoo logo after they struck a deal two years ago, though that one is only thought to be worth £6million p/a.

The latest

Maguire suggested that Cazoo may have had to decide between extending their partnership with Everton or Villa.

And Villa are the more attractive proposition at this point, he says, with a ‘high-profile manager’ installed and security in their Premier League status.

“Cazoo have two Premer League sponsorships at present,” he told FI.

“It looks as if they are going to carry on with Villa. It could be that Cazoo’s overall marketing budget didn’t warrant two clubs.

“They have decided in favour of Villa. It’s not necessarily a negative for Everton. Cazoo have just made their choice.

“Villa have got a high-profile manager in Steven Gerrard, whereas we have seen a succession of managers at Everton.

“There will also be a concern at Everton’s league position. They aren’t where any of the parties want them to be.”

The verdict

Perhaps this should be seen as a warning for Everton.

After hiring seven different permanent managers in six years, The Toffees sit on the brink of the relegation zone.

They’re only above Watford by virtue of their goal difference (-19 compared to -26).

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They do hold three games in hand on The Hornets, but their record of nine points from the last 60 available raises serious doubts about their capacity to make that advantage count.

And if Everton to drop, other sponsors might get cold feet too because the levels of exposure simply don’t compare.

For instance, the average Championship fixture broadcast by Sky Sports nets 178,000 viewers, while the average Premier League game on their channels pulls in 1.9million.

In other news, this trio struggled most against Wolves. 

Brad Hogg will have to put his Test ambitions on hold after being cut from Australia’s squad © Getty Images

Stuart MacGill has been given a clear run into the first-Test team after Brad Hogg was trimmed from Australia’s 13-man squad in Brisbane. Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, watched Hogg bowl in the nets before making the decision, which was helped by the cloudy and damp conditions.MacGill, who made light of his “bowl-off” with Hogg after training on Monday, is now in the prime position to play against Sri Lanka at the Gabba on Thursday and resume his Test career after an 18-month break. He needs only two wickets to reach 200 and should line up alongside Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson, who is eyeing a debut on his home ground.The Australians held on to Ben Hilfenhaus, the Tasmania fast bowler drafted into the squad at the weekend, but picking four fast bowlers is unlikely despite the swing-friendly conditions. Hogg was due to return to Perth to prepare for Western Australia’s Pura Cup match against Queensland on Friday.Sri Lanka’s choices are more difficult as they have four quality options to shoehorn into a probable three-man attack. Trevor Bayliss, the coach, will consider a pace quartet but the hamstring injury to Kumar Sangakkara, which has ruled him out, means the safer option is to pick another batsman and let the wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene slot in at No. 7.If that happens Farveez Maharoof appears to be the unlucky bowler despite his strong performances in the tour game against Queensland. “Dilhara Fernando will be the first quick picked,” Bayliss said. “He’s been the leader of the attack for the last few months. We gave him a rest in the last match because we thought he’d be the first pick.”Depending on whether we go into the match with four quicks or three, there might be one guy who is desperately unlucky.” Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga add necessary variety to the unit and the forecast of more rain in Brisbane over the next couple of days increases the chances of the visitors preferring their experienced bowlers.Sangakkara is hoping to play in Hobart and his place at No. 3 will be taken by Michael Vandort, leaving Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu in strong positions to return as openers. Both Jayasuriya, who started the tour with a century followed by two failures at Allan Border Field, and Atapattu have been out of the side for long periods, but they have been used at the top of the order in both tour matches.”Marvan looked good in both games,” Bayliss said. “In the game against Queensland he got almost 50 on a difficult wicket and looked very at ease, hopefully he brings that into the Test and we get a good start.”

Thomas leaves Glamorgan after 15 years © Getty Images

Essex have signed Darren Thomas on a one-year deal, ending his 15-year association with GlamorganThomas made his debut in 1992 when, aged just 17, he took 5 for 80 against Derbyshire at Chesterfield. A promising young bowler, he was an instrumental force in helping Glamorgan winning the Championship title in 1997 and, in all, has taken 504 first-class wickets.”I’m sad to be leaving Glamorgan because they have been part of my life for 15 years,” Thomas told Essex’s website, “but things change and when one door closes another opens. I’ve now come to Essex to further my cricket career. They have had a lot of success recently so I’m hoping to help them win more silverware in the future.”This is an opportunity I didn’t realise would come around. When I played against Essex for Glamorgan it was always massively competitive so I’m over the moon to now be joining them. I get on well with Ronnie Irani and have had quite a lot of success against them in the past, which I hope to now bring to Essex.”Thomas has had success against Irani, too; in the NatWest Trophy semi-final in 1997 Thomas punched the air in delight after dismissing Irani. Unfortunately, the batsman walked straight into the bowler’s euphoric thump.”When a cricketer like Darren Thomas becomes available during the transfer window it is an opportunity not to be missed,” Irani said. “Darren has a fantastic track record in both forms of the game, has over 500 first-class wickets and played a major part in Glamorgan’s Championship season in 1997. As has been seen, our bowling performances have let us down at times so Darren’s arrival will strengthen us.”

Mark Davis: ‘The 2006 season can’t come soon enough!’ © Getty Images

Sussex have announced that Mark Davis has been appointed as club coach, succeeding Peter Moores who became director of the National Academy at the end of September.Davis, 34, who was born in South Africa and has played for Sussex since 2001, takes over with immediate effect. “I’m thrilled to be able to continue with Sussex in this new position and I’m really looking forward to the new challenges it will bring,” he said. “Coaching is something I’m very used to and I feel it is a natural progression in my career. I’m very excited to be a part of the club in this new coaching era and the 2006 season can’t come soon enough!””This is a fantastic opportunity for Mark and a great coup for the club,” Mark Robinson, Sussex’s cricket manager, added. “He has all the qualities to make an outstanding coach; strength, honesty, integrity and an ability to communicate at all levels. His experience both within the professional game as a player and most recently by running his own coaching academy in South Africa will make him a vital member of the coaching team.”

Scorecard
Live audio
Day 3
Bulletin – Harbhajan helps India clinch a thriller
Verdict – The side with nothing to lose
Australian View – A whale of a debut
Roving Reporter – Capturing the debut
Quotes ‘I couldn’t be prouder of the guys’ – Dravid
Day 2
Bulletin – Australia ahead on difficult track
Verdict – About mood and confidence
Australian View – Born to ride
Quotes ‘I bowled much better in Nagpur’ – Kartik
Roving Reporter – Dancing the day away
Day 1
Bulletin – Damp start to the Mumbai Test
Verdict – The not-so-great cover-up
Quotes – ‘Right decision about offering the light’ – Buchanan
Roving Reporter – The ABC of cricket
Preview package
Preview – Playing for pride
News – Warne out of Mumbai Test
Stats spot – Three times trouble
Quotes – ‘We’re not going to rest any players’ – Ponting
Roving Reporter – The day before
News – Ponting fit for Mumbai Test
News – Ganguly out of Mumbai Test
News – Four new players in Indian squad
Selection analysis – The need for nurture

A record-breaking stand of 125 in 24 overs for the 6th wicket between TrevorWard and Paul Nixon completely transformed Leicestershire`s floodlit match with Glamorganat Sophia Gardens. Although Ward was dismissed for 104, his partnersaw his side home with an unbeaten 67, with the doughty wicket-keeper hitting the winning runs offthe last ball as Leicestershire won by 3 wickets.The pair had come together with their side on 52-5, chasing 227 to win, after aremarkable early spell from David Harrison who took 4 wickets for 3 runs in thespace of 14 balls. His victims included the prolific Brad Hodge and captain PhilipDe Freitas, and with 175 runs still required from 34 overs, Glamorgan looked tobe in the box seat.But Ward and Nixon carefully milked the Glamorgan bowlers and rotated the strike to keep thescoreboard ticking over, and maintain the asking rate of 5 an over. Ward was also not afraid toopen his shoulders, and theirstand, a record in all one-day cricket against Glamorgan, turned the game around asWard reached his first League century of the season.Shortly after reaching three figures, Ward chipped Robert Croft into David Hemp`shands at mid-wicket, and the equation was 50 runs from the final 49 balls. JeremySnape then came in to give Nixon valiant support, and they added a further 44 runsbefore Snape was fortunate to survive an attempted run out in the penultimate overbowled by Adrian Dale.Andrew Davies returned to bowl the final over with 6 runs still required, and aftera scampered leg bye and a dot ball, Snape lofted the ball into the air and Hemptook another good running catch. However, the batsmen had crossed and Nixon was ableto loft the penultimate ball to the boundary fence to bring the scores level, beforehitting the winning runs off the final ball.Earlier , Michael Powell had made a career best 91* as the Welsh countytook first use of a slow Sophia Gardens wicket, and he anchored their innings of 226-7 afterhis side had slipped to 114-5 in the 30th over. He then shared a record 6th wicket partnershipfor Glamorgan against Leicestershire with Mark Wallace, adding 78 in 11 overs as the pair upped thetempo against a Leicestershire side whose fielding at times was rather laboured.Powell survived a sharp chance when on 48 and then recorded his third consecutivehalf-century before picking off some wayward bowling as Glamorgan scored 85 in thefinal 10 overs. During the course of his innings Powell also passed 500 runs for the season in thecompetition – the first time he has passed this landmark – and his 91* came from 92 balls with 8fours and a six.

Bangladesh coach Trevor Chappell has done his homework and won’t be fooled by the nature of the pitch at Hamilton’s WestpacTrust Park for the first National Bank Test against New Zealand tomorrow.He was aware that while Pakistan suffered their heaviest defeat in Test cricket last summer, much of that was due to ill-disciplined stroke play more than particularly ferocious New Zealand bowling.The nature of the pitch was such that he didn’t know what he would be recommending if Bangladesh won the toss.”It plays a lot better than it looks,” he said but he added that his players wouldn’t like the amount of green in the pitch.Despite the disappointments of a rain-ruined first match in Wanganui and an innings defeat against Auckland, the Bangladesh players were looking forward to the Test.They had been enthused by an improved second innings batting display in Auckland and that sort of thing had a noticeable impact on the players, Chappell said.”They have been brought up on 50-over cricket and trying to get them to bat patiently is the big thing.”They have had a number of opportunities to watch opposition batsmen play and see the way they build an innings,” he said.In Bangladesh, there was some movement of the ball for a little while, but that could happen for two days or more here and the batsmen would have to be patient when the ball moved sideways or bounced a little more.”They have to know that if you can let it go, then let it go, don’t play at it.”Make the bowlers bowl to you,” he said he had been telling the batsmen.And because Test matches tended to be over sooner than five days there would be nothing wrong if players were slow to score. There would still be plenty of time left in the game, he said.