All posts by csb10.top

Congratulations to Sharon and Keith Parsons on the birth of their son Joseph Luke who weighed in at 8 lbs 4 ozs on October 17th.I am happy to be able to report that all parties are making good progress and young Joseph made his first appearance in the sunshine at the County Ground in Taunton this morning.After being introduced to everybody in the main office, Joseph made his way round to the Centre of Excellence where he caught a glimpse of Richard Johnson bowling in the nets, and met several of the coaching staff.After meeting Joseph the Somerset boss Peter Anderson commented that he had large hands and predicted that he would become an all rounder, just like his dad!Well done to Sharon and Keith from all Somerset supporters.

NATIONAL LEAGUE AVERAGES (after 10 November)Note: these averages are not accurate due to numerous discrepancies in the scoresheets submitted.

BATTING AND FIELDINGM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct/St R/OAdam, H (U) 3 1 1 1 1* — – – -Ali, W (HSC) 4 4 0 10 9 2.50 – – 1Anticevich, C M (Alex) 4 3 1 30 17 15.00 – – 1Austin, I (Q) 3 3 0 8 8 2.66 – – 1Bala, S (HSC) 5 4 0 52 23 13.00 – – 1Barrett, G F (OG) 2 2 0 71 51 35.50 – 1 1Bartlett, T G (Alex) 1 1 0 2 2 2.00 – – -Bath, B (Alex) 4 4 2 21 9 10.50 – – 1Benade, T (OH) 5 5 0 206 63 41.20 – 1 1Benhura, B (Alex) 5 4 0 79 37 19.75 – – 1Bennett, R J (OG) 5 4 2 31 18* 15.50 – – 1 1Biggs, J (OG) 2 1 1 1 1* — – – -Blignaut, A M (Alex) 4 4 1 69 25 23.00 – – -Brent, G B (M) 4 3 0 12 12 4.00 – – 1Brewer, C H (OH) 5 5 0 98 54 19.60 – 1 3 1Broadbent, S (Q) 1 1 1 3 3* — – – -Brooks, A A (HSC) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Brous, P (HSC) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – -Brundle, M R D (HSC) 2 2 0 45 39 22.50 – – 2Burki, A (OH) 5 2 1 2 2* 2.00 – – 3Burmester, M G (M) 3 3 0 239 133 79.66 1 1 -Butterworth, R E (OH) 5 5 0 126 92 25.20 – 1 2Campbell, A D R (M) 3 3 1 224 93* 112.00 – 2 1Campbell, D J R (K) 4 3 1 48 26 24.00 – – 3/1Carlisle, S V (HSC) 3 3 1 182 128* 91.00 1 – 3Chari, N (OH) 5 4 1 32 14 10.66 – – 1Chauluka, E (T) 1 1 0 38 38 38.00 – -Chawaguta, W R (T) 3 3 1 28 14* 14.00 – – -Chengetere, R (OG) 5 4 0 18 10 4.50 – – -Chibhabha, C (T) 2 2 0 41 40 20.50 – – 3Chigumbura, E (T) 4 4 0 131 70 32.75 – 1 – 1Chinyoka, I M (K) 5 4 1 60 45 20.00 – – 4Chiradza, R (U) 2 1 0 22 22 22.00 – – -Chirwa, T (Q) 4 4 2 22 11 11.00 – – -Chitare, N (T) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Chiwara, D (OH) 2 2 1 19 19 19.00 – – 1Chouhan, N (U) 5 3 1 57 31 28.50 – – 1 2Cloete, S (OG) 2 2 0 59 38 29.50 – – -Connelly, K M (K) 1 1 0 21 21 21.00 – – -Cornford, J M (K) 2 2 1 32 31* 32.00 – – 1Coulson, I M (OG) 5 3 0 3 3 1.00 – – 4Coventry, C K (BAC) 3 3 0 193 124 64.33 1 – 2Cremer, G (HSC) 3 2 0 8 7 4.00 – – -Crouch, D (Q) 1 1 1 30 30* — – – 1Croxford, G M (U) 5 5 2 154 48* 51.33 – – -Croxford, R (HSC) 1 1 1 2 2* — – – -Dabengwa, K M (BAC) 5 4 0 21 9 5.25 – – 1de Beer, D (Alex) 1 1 0 36 36 36.00 – – -de Grandhomme, I (Alex) 3 3 1 33 24* 16.50 – – 1de Sousa, M (OG) 2 2 0 8 7 4.00 – – -Delport, C (K) 1 1 0 8 8 8.00 – – 2du Plessis, G (Alex) 4 3 2 17 15* 17.00 – – 1Dube, F (Q) 1 1 0 3 3 3.00 – – -Duffin, T (K) 5 5 0 159 71 31.80 – 1 1Durham, A M (HSC) 3 2 0 2 2 1.00 – – 2Ebrahim, D D (U) 2 1 0 92 92 92.00 – 1 1Ervine, C (OH) 5 5 0 11 4 2.20 – – 3 1Ervine, R (K) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – -Ervine, S M (K) 2 2 0 147 96 73.50 – 2 2Evans, C N (OG) 5 5 1 214 88 53.50 – 2 5Ewing, G M (BAC) 4 3 1 162 85* 81.00 – – -Ewing, K (Q) 1 1 0 1 1 0.50 – – -Ferreira, N R (M) 4 4 1 248 125 82.66 1 1 10/1Flower, A (M) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – -Flower, G W (OG) 2 2 1 100 67* 100.00 – – 2Fourie, H (K) 1 – – — — — – – 1Fraser, A (OG) 1 – – — — — – – -Friend, T J (K) 2 2 0 28 15 14.00 – – 1Gilmour, A R G (Alex) 2 2 0 19 15 9.90 – – 2Goodwin, M (BAC) 1 1 1 0 0* — – – -Goosen, G C (Alex) 5 5 0 66 51 13.20 – 1 6/0 2Gripper, T R (HSC) 4 4 0 169 102 42.25 1 – 2 1Hamid, A (OH) 1 1 1 4 4* — – – -Hitz, J H (BAC) 3 3 0 73 51 24.33 – 1 5Hoffman, A P (BAC) 5 5 1 73 27 18.25 – – 2Hondo, D T (U) 3 2 1 14 14* 14.00 – – -Hundermark, B (K) 2 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Irvine, E (HSC) 1 1 0 7 7 7.00 – – -Johnston-Robertson, G (HSC)2 1 1 0 0* — – – -Jones, S (OG) 1 1 1 1 1* — – – -Karamba, T (K) 1 – – — — — – – -Kasawaya, R (BAC) 4 3 0 90 75 30.00 – 1 2/1Kaschula, R (OH) 4 4 1 48 28 16.00 – – -Khalid, S (OH) 1 1 0 3 3 3.00 – – 1Khan, S (OH) 5 4 1 25 12 8.33 – – 7/2King, R J (Q) 4 4 0 47 21 11.75 – – -Koen, B (HSC) 1 – – — — — – – -Kugotsi, A (M) 4 3 0 32 14 10.66 – – 1Lamb, G A (K) 1 1 0 77 77 77.00 – 1 -Lewis, J M (M) 3 2 1 4 4 4.00 – – – 1Lewis, M (HSC) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – – 1Lombard, R (Q) 2 2 0 20 20 10.00 – – -Lurie, A (HSC) 1 1 1 10 10* — – – -Mabuza, M (Q) 2 2 0 33 26 16.50 – – 1Mackay, A J (OG) 4 4 0 76 39 19.00 – – 1Macmillan, C (K) 4 4 1 43 23 14.33 – – -Mahachi, C (BAC) 4 4 2 40 27* 20.00 – – 1 1Mahwire, N B (U) 4 1 0 24 24 24.00 – – -Makoni, G (T) 5 5 0 60 29 12.00 – – 2Makovah, B (T) 1 1 1 1 1* — – – -Makunura, S T (T) 3 3 0 9 4 3.00 – – 1Malloch-Brown, L S (OG) 4 3 0 58 43 19.33 – – 5Manyande, R N (T) 4 4 0 68 44 17.00 – – -Maregwede, A (T) 5 5 1 146 52* 36.50 – 1 2/0Marillier, D A (Alex) 3 3 0 97 51 32.33 – 1 1Marillier, S J (Alex) 4 4 0 107 70 26.75 – 1 2Marisa, S (Q) 1 1 1 5 5* — – – -Marodze, A (K) 1 1 0 12 12 12.00 – – 1Masakadza, H (T) 1 1 0 69 69 69.00 – 1 1Mashanganyika, T (OH) 4 3 1 8 5 4.00 – – 2Matambanadzo, D R (U) 5 4 1 59 39* 19.66 – – -Matsikenyeri, S (T) 3 3 0 43 41 14.33 – – 2Maungwa, A (T) 1 – – — — — – -Mawoyo, T K (M) 5 3 0 36 24 12.00 – – 4Mbangwa, M (Q) 2 2 0 47 29 23.50 – – -Mboyi, T (Q) 2 2 2 10 7* — – – 1Mbwembwe, A (T) 3 2 0 3 2 1.50 – – 1McCormick, C (Alex) 2 1 0 15 15 15.00 – – 1McKean, M (HSC) 1 1 0 2 2 2.00 – – -McKillop, M G (BAC) 2 2 0 79 40 39.50 – – -McTaggart, A (Q) 2 2 0 4 3 2.00 – – -Meman, I (U) 5 3 1 40 29* 20.00 – – 1 1Meth, K (Q) 3 3 1 63 62* 31.50 – 1 -Mhandu, A (HSC) 5 4 1 13 7* 4.33 – – 1 1Moyo, V (BAC) 1 1 0 1 1 1.00 – – -Mufambisi, T (T) 1 1 0 35 35 35.00 – – 1Mukondiwa, N (BAC) 4 3 0 36 22 12.00 – – 1Mupariwa, T (BAC) 4 2 1 32 29 32.00 – – 1 1Murphy, B A (U) 4 4 0 282 174 70.50 1 1 2Musundire, O (Q) 3 3 0 21 8 7.00 – – -Mutendera, D T (U/T) 3 2 0 27 14 13.50 – – -Mutendera, L (HSC) 3 1 1 1 1* — – – -Mutyambizi, L K (K) 2 2 0 4 3 2.00 – – -Muzah, G (T) 1 1 0 5 5 5.00 – – -Mwayenga, A (HSC) 3 3 1 7 4 3.50 – – 1Mwayenga, W (OG) 3 1 0 6 6 6.00 – – 1Neethling, A J C (OG) 5 4 0 45 17 11.25 – – 2Nicolle, J S (BAC) 4 2 0 8 7 4.00 – – 3Nkala, M L (Q) 3 3 1 157 74 78.50 – 2 2Nkala, Q (Alex) 4 2 0 11 11 5.50 – – 1Nyumbu, J (Q) 5 3 0 1 1 0.33 – – -Obank, P (M) 2 2 1 22 22* 22.00 – – 1Oberholzer, D (M) 1 – – — — — – -Olonga, H K (T) 2 2 0 21 11 10.50 – – 1 1Panyangara, T (T) 3 3 3 11 7* — – – 1Preston, C (HSC) 1 1 0 2 2 2.00 – – -Price, R W (K) 3 3 0 45 35 15.00 – – 4Rainsford, E C (K) 2 2 0 5 4 2.50 – – 1Rennie, G J (Alex) 3 3 0 12 7 4.00 – – 3Rinke, H P (OH) 4 3 0 32 19 10.66 – – -Robb, D (OG) 2 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – 1 1Robbie, J (HSC) 1 1 0 23 23 23.00 – – -Rogers, B G (U) 4 4 1 223 126 74.33 1 1 3 3Ruswa, T (T) 1 – – — — — – – 1Sanders, C J (K) 1 1 1 2 2* — – – -Sanyika, B (U) 4 1 1 4 4* — – – 1Saunders, N V (K) 1 1 1 1 1* — – – -Scroobie, D (K) 1 – – — — — – – -Seager, M S L (OG) 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Shah, S (U) 4 1 0 15 15 15.00 – – -Shambare, A (HSC) 1 – – — — — – – -Shamuyarira, A (OG) 2 2 0 4 4 2.00 – – 1Sibanda, T (BAC) 2 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – -Sibanda, V (K) 2 2 0 42 39 21.00 – – -Sibanda, V (T) 2 2 0 21 20 10.50 – – 1Sims, R W (M) 4 3 0 53 40 17.66 – – 1Siziba, W T (Q) 4 4 0 92 67 23.00 – 1 1Soma, A D (M) 5 4 1 49 17 16.33 – – 2Soma, L J (M) 4 3 0 31 20 10.33 – – -Staddon, B (BAC) 4 4 0 42 26 10.50 – – -Stannard, D D (Alex) 5 3 2 31 31* 31.00 – – – 1Strang, P A (OH) 3 3 1 124 77* 62.00 – 1 5Strydom, G M (Q) 1 1 0 43 43 43.00 – – -Swanepoel, G (Q) 2 1 0 22 22 22.00 – – 1Taibu, K J (U) 4 1 0 19 19 19.00 – – -Taibu, T (T) 2 2 2 90 66* — – 1 1/1Taylor, A L (M) 1 1 1 3 3* — – -Taylor, B R M (HSC) 4 4 0 170 134 42.50 1 – 2/2 1Taylor, K J (M) 5 3 2 23 11* 12.00 – – -Townshend, M W (Q) 4 4 0 35 14 8.75 – – -Utseya, P (T) 4 4 1 58 39* 19.33 – – 3van Rensburg, N R (Q) 4 4 0 113 67 28.25 – 1 3Vaughan-Davies, M J (K) 5 5 1 117 67 29.25 – 1 2Vaughan-Davies, W J (Alex) 1 1 0 8 8 8.00 – – 1Veheremi, E (K) 1 1 1 0 0* — – – -Vermeulen, M A (HSC) 3 3 0 216 143 72.00 1 1 6 1Viljoen, D P (K) 4 4 0 115 55 28.75 – 1 3Waller, A C (OG) 1 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – -Went, K R P (M) 4 4 0 101 45 25.25 – – 3Whittall, G J (M) 2 – – — — — – – – 2Williams, C R (BAC) 3 3 1 22 15 11.00 – – -Williams, S (BAC) 2 2 0 20 20 10.00 – – – 1Wishart, C B (OG) 1 1 1 112 112* — 1 – -200 OR MORE RUNSM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50Murphy, B A (U) 4 4 0 282 174 70.50 1 1Ferreira, N R (M) 4 4 1 248 125 82.66 1 1Burmester, M G (M) 3 3 0 239 133 79.66 1 1Campbell, A D R (M) 3 3 1 224 93* 112.00 – 2Rogers, B G (U) 4 4 1 223 126 74.33 1 1Vermeulen, M A (HSC) 3 3 0 216 143 72.00 1 1Evans, C N (OG) 5 5 1 214 88 53.50 – 2Benade, T (OH) 5 5 0 206 63 41.20 – 1BOWLING AVERAGESO M R W Av. Best RateAdam, H (U) 14.5 2 64 2 32.00 1/12 4.31Ali, W (HSC) 2 1 8 1 8.00 1/8 4.00Anticevich, C (Alex) 13 4 35 3 11.66 2/14 2.69Austin, I (Q) 10 0 58 0 — — 5.80Bala, S (HSC) 40 9 87 7 12.42 3/22 2.17Barrett, G F (OG) 1 0 17 0 — — 17.00Benade, T (OH) 35 1 202 6 33.66 2/49 5.77Benhura, B (Alex) 29 0 140 4 35.00 1/21 4.82Bennett, R J (OG) 36.3 2 209 8 26.12 3/34 5.72Biggs, J (OG) 3 0 19 0 — — 6.33Blignaut, A M (Alex) 37.4 5 174 10 17.40 6/18 4.61Brent, G B (M) 28 2 135 6 22.50 2/15 4.82Brewer, C H (OH) 25 2 149 4 37.25 3/33 5.96Broadbent, S (Q) 3.5 0 35 0 — — 9.13Brooks, A (HSC) 10 1 38 1 38.00 1/38 3.80Brundle, M R D (HSC) 12 2 45 0 — — 3.75Burki, A (OH) 37.2 4 173 8 21.62 3/12 4.63Burmester, M H (M) 18 4 43 3 14.33 2/26 2.38Butterworth, R E (OH) 40 2 221 5 44.20 3/36 5.52Campbell, A D R (M) 20 0 96 3 32.00 2/38 4.80Campbell, D J R (K) 2 0 21 0 — — 10.50Carlisle, S V (HSC) 4 0 24 0 — — 6.00Chari, N (OH) 27 0 166 3 55.33 1/23 6.14Chawaguta, W R (T) 9 0 33 1 33.00 1/33 3.67Chigumbura, E (T) 23 3 109 4 27.25 2/24 4.73Chinyoka, I M (K) 25.1 1 118 5 23.60 2/41 4.68Chirwa, T (Q) 26 1 197 2 98.50 1/44 7.57Chitare, M (T) 2 0 18 0 — — 9.00Chiwara, D (OH) 9 0 53 5 10.60 5/53 5.89Chouhan, N (U) 13 0 62 0 — — 4.76Coulson, I M (OG) 30 4 121 5 24.20 2/17 4.03Cremer, G (HSC) 11 0 46 2 23.00 2/23 4.18Croxford, G M (U) 40 2 176 10 17.60 4/29 4.40Dabengwa, K M (BAC) 47 7 196 8 24.50 3/45 4.17Delport, C (K) 2 0 6 0 — — 3.00du Plessis, G (Alex) 28 4 75 4 18.75 2/21 2.67Duffin, T (K) 2.4 0 12 0 — — 4.50Durham, A M (HSC) 27 2 107 8 13.37 3/19 3.96Ervine, C (OH) 11 0 75 3 25.00 3/43 6.81Ervine, S M (K) 12.4 0 90 4 22.50 4/58 7.10Evans, C N (OG) 34.3 3 143 4 35.75 2/24 4.14Ewing, G M (BAC) 26.3 2 124 0 — — 4.67Ewing, K (Q) 5 0 21 0 — — 4.20Flower, A (M) 7 1 12 1 12.00 1/12 1.71Flower, G W (OG) 20 2 46 4 11.50 2/20 2.30Fraser, A (OG) 3 0 21 2 10.50 2/21 7.00Friend, T J (K) 10 0 60 2 30.00 2/42 6.00Gilmour, A R G (Alex) 0.4 0 12 0 — — 18.00Gripper, T R (HSC) 27 3 86 3 28.66 2/20 3.18Hitz, J H (BAC) 3 0 31 0 — — 10.33Hoffman, A P (BAC) 43.2 6 206 11 18.72 4/29 4.75Johnston-Robertson, G (HSC) 8 1 28 1 28.00 1/28 3.50Karamba, T (K) 1 0 4 0 — — 4.00Kugotsi, A (M) 7 0 55 1 55.00 1/34 7.85Lamb, G A (K) 9 1 40 2 20.00 2/20 4.44Lewis, J M (M) 21 6 62 6 10.33 5/25 2.95Lombard, R (Q) 12 0 75 0 — — 6.25Lurie, A (HSC) 3 0 22 0 — — 7.33Mackay, A J (OG) 36.2 6 99 8 12.37 3/21 2.72Macmillan, C (K) 37 2 155 8 19.37 3/38 4.18Mahwire, N B (U) 10 1 43 1 43.00 1/27 4.30Makoni, G (T) 2 0 18 2 9.00 2/18 9.00Makunura, S T (T) 12.3 0 52 4 13.00 4/14 4.23Manyande, R N (T) 18 1 103 2 51.50 2/53 5.72Marillier, D A (Alex) 30 0 127 2 63.50 1/36 4.23Marillier, S J (Alex) 28 1 152 5 30.40 2/22 5.42Marisa, S (Q) 7.3 0 46 0 — — 6.13Masakadza, H (T) 2 0 9 1 9.00 1/9 4.50Matambanadzo, D R (U) 31 0 138 3 46.00 3/60 4.45Matsikenyeri, S (T) 22 3 84 6 14.00 3/43 3.81Maungwa, A (T) 7 1 23 1 23.00 1/23 3.28Mbangwa, M (Q) 14 1 46 1 46.00 1/35 3.28Mboyi, T (Q) 14 0 103 1 103.00 1/34 7.35Mbwembwe, A (T) 20 2 91 2 45.50 1/17 4.55McKillop, M G (BAC) 1 0 5 0 — — 5.00Meth, K (Q) 15 0 68 2 34.00 1/24 4.53Mhandu, A (HSC) 24 1 158 3 52.66 2/44 6.58Mukondiwa, N (BAC) 24 2 130 2 65.00 1/19 5.41Mupariwa, T (BAC) 34.2 3 157 6 26.16 3/49 4.57Murphy, B A (U) 40 4 157 4 39.25 2/46 3.92Mutendera, D T (U/T) 14 1 68 1 68.00 1/18 4.85Mutendera, L (HSC) 1 0 8 0 — — 8.00Mutendera, L (HSC) 3.1 0 20 0 — — 6.31Muzah, G (T) 1 0 9 0 — — 9.00Mwayenga, A (HSC) 18 2 85 7 12.14 5/34 4.72Mwayenga, W (OG) 28 3 119 8 14.87 4/35 4.25Neethling, A J C (OG) 4 0 33 0 — — 8.25Nicolle, J S (BAC) 26 0 132 5 26.40 3/32 5.07Nkala, M L (Q) 26 1 132 3 44.00 2/31 5.07Nyumbu, J (Q) 30 1 145 6 24.16 3/55 4.83Olonga, H K (T) 20 4 58 2 29.00 1/19 2.90Panyangara, T (T) 19 2 85 4 21.25 3/29 4.47Price, R W (K) 29 10 56 3 18.66 2/21 1.93Rennie, G J (Alex) 15 3 38 2 19.00 2/6 2.53Rinke, H P (OH) 38 2 169 3 56.33 2/29 4.44Rogers, B G (U) 37 2 148 5 29.60 2/25 4.00Ruswa, T (T) 2 0 23 0 — — 11.50Sanders, C J (K) 8 0 62 0 — — 7.75Sanyika, B (U) 15 0 104 3 34.66 3/39 6.93Scrooby, D (K) 3 0 18 0 — — 6.00Shah, S (U) 14 0 78 2 39.00 2/34 5.57Sims, R W (M) 29.2 6 66 5 13.20 2/5 2.25Soma, A D (M) 7 0 58 2 29.00 2/52 8.28Soma, L J (M) 29.1 2 96 9 10.66 5/32 3.29Staddon, B (BAC) 6 1 52 0 — — 8.67Stannard, D D (Alex) 35.4 2 132 3 44.00 1/17 3.70Strang, P A (OH) 17 3 65 1 65.00 1/23 3.82Strydom, G M (Q) 7 1 36 1 36.00 1/36 5.14Swanepoel, G (Q) 2 0 11 0 — — 5.50Taylor, A L (M) 2 0 23 0 — — 11.50Taylor, K J (M) 8.5 2 36 4 9.00 4/19 4.07Townshend, M W (Q) 9 0 66 0 — — 7.33Utseya, P (T) 36 10 110 3 36.66 3/25 3.05van Rensburg, N R (Q) 18 0 74 2 37.00 2/36 4.11Vaughan-Davies, M J (K) 39 5 159 8 19.87 3/35 4.07Vermeulen, M A (HSC) 10.4 0 70 2 35.00 1/32 6.56Viljoen, D P (K) 33.2 3 122 6 20.33 2/23 3.67Went, K P R (M) 1 0 20 0 — — 20.00Whittall, G J (M) 12 3 37 3 12.33 2/28 3.08Williams, S (BAC) 10 1 44 3 14.66 3/44 4.4010 OR MORE WICKETSO M R W Av. Best RateHoffman, A P (BAC) 43.2 6 206 11 18.72 4/29 4.75Blignaut, A M (Alex) 37.4 5 174 10 17.40 6/18 4.61Croxford, G M (U) 40 2 176 10 17.60 4/29 4.40BEST RUN RATES (20 or more overs)O M R W Av. Best RatePrice, R W (K) 29 10 56 3 18.66 2/21 1.93Bala, S (HSC) 40 9 87 7 12.42 3/22 2.17Sims, R W (M) 29.2 6 66 5 13.20 2/5 2.25Flower, G W (OG) 20 2 46 4 11.50 2/20 2.30du Plessis, G (Alex) 28 4 75 4 18.75 2/21 2.67Mackay, A J (OG) 36.2 6 99 8 12.37 3/21 2.72Olonga, H K (T) 20 4 58 2 29.00 1/19 2.90Lewis, J M (M) 21 6 62 6 10.33 5/25 2.95

Sri Lanka and South Africa begin their final world cup countdowns onWednesday when the two sides meet for the first game in a five-match ODIseries at Wanderers.With teams compelled to announce a 30-man pool at the end of this month, andthen their final 14-man squad by December 31, time is running out forexperimentation."This is an important period of our world cup preparation," said SouthAfrica skipper Shaun Pollock after the team’s final practice session."We now have ten games in a row and by the end of this we should have ourgameplans in place and know which personnel we are going to use."But Pollock wants his side to first concentrate on winning the series."Sri Lanka are the number three side in the world at the moment andrepresent very tough opposition," he said. "Although the world cup is theback of everyone’s minds, the key is to carry on winning and buildconfidence."Both sides still have selection issues to resolve before the Decemberdeadline.South Africa have concerns over the make-up of their middle order and formof all-rounder Lance Klusener who has scored just 189 runs in his last teninnings with a highest score of 39.The world’s most destructive batsman at his peak during the 1999 World Cup,he has since become virtually strokeless after a loss form and confidenceand is now facing the axe."We know what he is capable of doing so it not a case of him proving hisability but he has to show form with the world cup coming up," said coachEric Simmons.South Africa have picked a 14-man squad for the opening two games, excludingveteran batsmen Darryl Cullinan and Gary Kirsten.That provides Boeta Dippenaar with a chance to cement a place in the middleorder.South Africa will be without the services of one-day specialist Jonty Rhodeswho has strained his left hamstring. His place will be taken by JustinOntong.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are looking for support bowlers Hasantha Fernando,Pulasthi Gunaratne and Prabath Nissanka to state their credentials for WorldCup berths during the next two weeks."This is ideal preparation for the world cup as we are playing on the samepitches," said Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya."The bowling is the important area at the moment. Both (Chaminda) Vaas andDilhara (Fernando) have been performing well and they have to be supported.""Prabath (Nissanka) is a quick bowler in the same mould as Dilhara andPulasthi (Gunaratne) has performed well for us in the past and at theweekend – they need to take their chance."Jayasuriya promised no let up in his sides aggressive approach: "I wasreally happy with the way that we fought back in the last Test. We have tobe aggressive if we are going to win overseas."Veteran Aravinda de Silva returns to the fold after sitting out the Testseries. He is certain to play despite only mustering five runs in 44 minutesagainst South Africa A at Potchestroom.That disappointing batting performance by the Sri Lankans, coupled with thefact that the Wanderers pitch is expected to favour quick bowlers, meansthat Sri Lanka are set to play seven batsmen and four fast bowlers.Hashan Tillakaratne, recalled to the national squad for the first time sincethe 1999 world cup after his unbeaten century in the Centurion Test,contests the final batting place with Jehan Mubarak.Mubarak, who also offers another option with the ball with his off-breaks,is expected to play after his brilliant fielding at Potchestroom, butTillakaratne will get a chance during the course of the series.Russel Arnold, who will share 10 overs with De Silva and Mubarak, gets achance to overcome his wretched Test form.Jayasuriya will not bowl unless there is an emergency but is certain to playafter recovering sufficiently from an ankle injury.Sri Lanka:Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold,Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Avishka Gunawardene,Hasantha Fernando, Upul Chandana, Thilan Samaraweera, Pulasthi Gunaratne,Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage Lakshitha, Prabath Nissanka,Hashan TillakaratneSouth Africa:Shaun Pollock (Capt), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, AllanDonald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener,Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Jonty Rhodes, Graeme Smith,

After executing two breathtaking reverse-sweep sixes during his match-winning unbeaten 110 against New Zealand in the first one-dayer in Chester-le-Street, Kevin Pietersen has strongly rejected the notion that such innovative strokes should be outlawed in cricket.Pietersen took on Scott Styris on both occasions, switching his grip to that of a left-hander and pre-meditating the stroke even before the ball was delivered. The first, in the 39th over, landed over deep backward point and the second, in the 43rd, was deposited over long-off. Though the reverse-sweep has been in existence for decades now, Pietersen has taken it to greater heights, after first unveiling the reverse-sweep six in 2006, off Muttiah Muralitharan in a Test at Edgbaston.Pietersen’s strokes were different from the conventional reverse-sweep because he changed his grip the bowler delivered, effectively making him a left-handed batsman. Since a bowler isn’t allowed to change his bowling hand without informing the umpire, some have suggested that the same should apply to the batsmen. Pietersen however disagreed and urged everyone to embrace innovation positively.”That’s ridiculous,” Pietersen said after England’s comprehensive 114-run win. “Absolutely stupid. The reverse-sweep has been part of the game for however long. I am just fortunate that I am able to hit it a bit further.”Everybody wants brand new ideas, new inventions and new shots. That is a new shot played today and people should be saying it’s a new way to go. There are new things happening for cricket at the moment and people shouldn’t be criticising it all the time.”Pietersen said he had visualised the shot the previous night, and the fact that he did it twice had his non-striker, Paul Collingwood, gasping.”I practise it, I visualise it, I go through routines in the nets,” he said. “It is just an option. The boundary was miles out on the leg side so I thought the other boundary was the way forward. There was only one man out there and there are normally three out on the leg side.”I covered my eyes as soon as he turned his body around,” Collingwood said. “I was quite surprised and I went ‘Oh no’ but he smashed it. In fact he smashed it twice. He did actually come up the wicket and say ‘I was thinking about that in bed last night,’ so at least we know the visualisation was there.”The opposing captain, Daniel Vettori, however, suggested that bowlers should get some respite in such instances and be able to fire deliveries past the pads without it being called a wide. “To even it up, bowlers should be able to bowl down both sides of the wide line,” Vettori said. “Then it brings your skill into play.”

Match facts

Friday, June 27
Start time 09:30 (local), 13:30 (GMT)

The Big Picture

Australia have the momentum after a convincing win in the first ODI in St Vincent on Tuesday and victory in the first of two games in Grenada would give them a formidable 2-0 lead in the five-match series. There were plenty of positives for the visitors in the opening encounter: Shaun Marsh was the Man of the Match with 81 on debut, Nathan Bracken picked up four wickets in his first major outing since knee surgery and Brett Lee was just as threatening as in the Tests. For West Indies virtually nothing went right. They were already missing Shivnarine Chanderpaul with a leg injury, then Xavier Marshall hurt his shoulder in the field, and none of the batsmen looked like making a successful chase. It will take a huge effort for them to turn the tide their way in Grenada.

ODI form guide

West Indies – LNWWL (most recent first)
Australia – WLLLW

Team news

As well as the injuries to Chanderpaul and Marshall, West Indies also had to deal with groin complaints for Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle, neither of whom were at 100% in St Vincent. The coach John Dyson says the group feels “more like a mobile hospital than a playing unit of late”. They tested a few younger players in the first match and it’s likely Andre Fletcher or Kieron Pollard will get another chance. Chanderpaul will return, making West Indies supporters happy after his exploits in the Tests, while Sarwan and Gayle are playing.West Indies (possible) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Xavier Marshall, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 5 Dwayne Bravo, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Fidel Edwards.If Australia’s idea for this series was to trial new players, part one of the plan worked brilliantly with Marsh’s debut heroics. David Hussey might get an opportunity at some point in the series, although probably not in this game, while Andrew Symonds remains in doubt with a lingering back injury. The wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s right ring finger is also troubling him, so expect Luke Ronchi to receive a chance over the next three days. Mitchell Johnson showed signs of improvement in St Vincent and Australia will likely continue with him rather than including Stuart Clark, but they have delayed naming their side until shortly before the game.Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Shaun Marsh, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Cameron White, 8 James Hopes, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Mitchell Johnson, 11 Nathan Bracken.

Watch out for …

Darren Sammy Typically it’s Dwayne Bravo that gets the all-round attention in this West Indies line-up but Sammy is starting to prove a very useful bits-and-pieces player. In St Vincent he was arguably West Indies’ best bowler, collecting 2 for 31 and clearly thinking about his craft. His nagging line made him harder to get away than his quicker colleagues and he has a well-disguised slower ball, which got rid of Marsh on 81. Sammy also equal top scored in the chase with 33. All West Indies need from him now is to turn these useful contributions into occasional match-winning efforts.Ricky Ponting Australia’s captain is experiencing an unusual run of form where he either seems to make big hundreds or fall very early. Since the start of the Chappell-Hadlee Series in December his ODI scores have been 107, 134, 0, 9, 9, 25, 10, 11, 124, 1, 1, 1 and 5. That means it’s about time for another century. It’s also his 300th ODI and he has a history of brilliant performances in milestone matches. But Ponting will need to get over his struggles against Jerome Taylor, who has now dismissed him four times from his past five international innings.Umpires Asad Rauf, Norman Malcolm.

Weather

Scattered showers are forecast for Friday, so it could be another stop-start day. There were plenty of such occasions during the Test series and then in the Twenty20 international.

Stats and trivia

Ponting will be the second Australian to reach 300 ODI appearances, with Steve Waugh heading the list on 325.Australia played two Super Eights matches at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada during the 2007 World Cup, thrashing Sri Lanka by seven wickets and demolishing New Zealand by 215 runs. West Indies’ only outing there during the tournament was a 67-run loss to South Africa.Leaving aside a rain-reduced match in 2004 and Ireland’s capitulation for 77 in the World Cup, the average first-innings score at the stadium is 255.

Quotes

“We have to regroup and rethink our approach. It is a series of five. It’s not the end of the earth yet.”
“The overall composition of the team is pretty good, and in Grenada, we can expect the same sub-continent type pitches, and I believe our overall make-up will work as well.”
Ricky Ponting, Australia’s captain