Victorian batsmen Brad Hodge (103*) and Jason Arnberger (100) have crafted a superb 190-run partnership to lead their team into a strong position by the end of day one of the Pura Cup clash against Queensland here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The pair’s twin centuries powered the Bushrangers to a total of 3/237 on a day when the Bulls were noticeably hampered by the absence of several of their leading bowlers.Continuing a phenomenal start to the season, it was Hodge who played the defining innings of the day. All-rounder Leigh Carseldine (0/37) beat him once in late afternoon as he pulled over the top of a short ball lazily, but it was one of the few deliveries that discomforted him. Many innings have passed since he burst on to the Australian first-class scene as an eighteen year old with 991 runs at an average in excess of fifty in 1993-94. But rarely, if ever, has he looked as commanding as he has in recent weeks. Again today, he was solid in defence and severe in his punishment whenever the bowlers erred in length. His driving was faultless.All the while, he swelled his first-class aggregate for the season to 597 runs. It is a measure of his current productivity that, in just his fifth match, he has already easily surpassed the tally of 423 runs he accumulated in the space of eleven matches last summer. He is also now within a whisker of emulating Darren Lehmann’s effort – recorded at an equivalent stage last summer – of reaching three figures five times in successive first-class matches.”This is probably the best I’ve ever put together,” said Hodge of his incredible run.”I guess the only equivalent would be my first year. Obviously that was a good year. But now I know my game a little bit more, know my limitations and know my strengths, and I’ve toned my game to suit that.””I thought my defence was lacking a little bit; for years, I’ve always had a number of good shots but I thought I lacked the ability to defend and stay out for there for long periods of time,” he explained of the contrast between the start to this year and seasons past.As impressive today as his sheer strokeplay alone – which was attractive enough in itself – was his ability to steady a dawdling Victorian ship through a slow early passage and then to effortlessly accelerate the pace of the innings. Although the sluggish pace of the outfield made the score appear more inadequate than it might otherwise have been, the Bushrangers had managed to accumulate a mere fifty-two runs during the pre-lunch session in a risk-averse performance that threatened to undermine skipper Paul Reiffel’s success at the toss. Utilising strokeplay which points to a new level of confidence and self-belief, Hodge encountered few difficulties in sparking the turnaround.It needs to be said that the meaty Arnberger lost little by comparison, though. After a patient start around the dismissals of Shawn Craig (8) and Matthew Mott (7), he followed Hodge’s lead to produce some sparkling strokeplay throughout the afternoon. Forceful driving through the arc between mid off and mid on punctuated his fourth first-class century, but there were very few parts of the ground to which he failed to play shots. His departure fifteen minutes before stumps – as he unleashed a loose cover drive at Adam Dale (2/30) – wasn’t quite the finish that his hand demanded.For the Queenslanders, it was a most unsatisfying day. Deprived of the services of Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz, Scott Muller and Ashley Noffke to a mixture of international commitments and injury problems, they struggled to confer to their attack a penetrative edge. Typically, Dale bowled accurately and was a model of containment. On their first-class debuts, medium pacer Carseldine and off spinner Scott O’Leary (1/39) weren’t the worst either. But there was little to encourage them in the straw-coloured pitch nor many obvious ways past the bats of Arnberger and Hodge. And where the thunderstorm-laden activity of late yesterday and early this morning might normally have been expected to encourage significant swing and seam movement, there was only spasmodic evidence of it to be found today.

The Highveld Strikers, who had set their sights on winning the Standard Bank Cup after a dismal defence of their Supersport Series first-class title this season, took another step backwards in the limited overs format when they lost to Free State by six runs at Goodyear Park on Wednesday night.In a match reduced by rain to 42 overs a side, the Strikers twice seemed to be cruising to their target of 223. First, when Adam Bacher and debutant Marthinus Otto were fashioning a third-wicket stand of 66.Then Bacher, who top-scored with 40, and Otto, who got 25, were caught in the deep off consecutive deliveries from Morne van Wyk. Van Wyk is an occasional left-arm spinner and had only been employed in that role when the man originally picked for the job, Johannes Mokoenanyane, picked up a back injury in his fourth over.The Strikers’ ship had seemingly been righted when Nic Pothas and Ottis Gibson were together, adding 37 for the sixth wicket off less than five overs, but Gibson too was caught in the deep, at long-off by Herman Bakkes, having been put down off the previous ball at long-on by Gerhardus Liebenberg, and the innings crumbled.With Pothas trying to keep the strike, but unable to hit boundaries off some superb bowling from Dewald Pretorius and Victor Mpitsang when he had it, the asking rate grew and the wickets fell. Mpitsang had Geoffrey Toyana caught by twelfth man Andre Abrahams and then trapped Clive Eksteen in front in the space of three balls in the 41st over, an achievement that also pushed the runs required to 14 off the last.Neil Fusedale lasted two Pretorius deliveries after Pothas had, perhaps unwisely, taken a single off the first, and Pothas, having got back to strike as Fusedale was picking out Van Wyk at mid-on, couldn’t get the 12 required off the last three. Pretorius jammed the first one into his pads and he was unable to get it away, rendering the last two balls academic, provided he could avoid wides and no-balls, which he did.Van Wyk’s catch, two wickets and a superb 62 in Free State’s 222 for five earned him the man of the match award. The platform had been laid by Kosie Venter (89) and Andrew Gait (41), who put on 90 for the first wicket, and after the cheap dismissal of Wiaan Smit, Van Wyk helped Venter maintain the early momentum.

Marcus Trescothick’s heroic innings of 137 from only 142 balls, carried England to within three runs of victory in a breathtaking finish to their second clash with Pakistan in the NatWest series.Trescothick’s magnificent effort over nearly four hours took him within one run of equalling the highest individual score in limited overs Internationals at Lord’s. That record goes back to June 1979 when Vivian Richards hit an unbeaten 138 in the World Cup final.He did, however, in partnership with Owais Shah, go past the England fourth wicket record of 154 in One-Day cricket. The two hit 170 off 183 balls with Pakistan appearing to lose control of the game as both batsmen dominated the bowling.Their hundred stand came from 125 balls and the 150 from an even quicker rate off 163 as Shah sped to his half-century from 79 balls. His run-out, perhaps betraying some inexperience as he backed up too far to Trescothick with 46 still needed from 10 overs, precipitated a landslide of England wickets with seven falling for 44.The start of the England innings was disappointing as well when three wickets went down for 26 in ten overs. Nick Knight, who has been in such fine form in this competition, was the first to go, run out for one and after Alec Stewart, four, fell to a catch at point from his pull shot England were two down by the eighth over.After Shah’s dismissal, Trescothick added 20 to his score but lacked support from the middle and lower order. His brilliant innings, which contained three sixes and eleven fours, ended with a catch at deep mid-wicket, with Shahid Afridi holding on to the ball despite a collision which caused Shoaib Malik to leave the field.Trescothick’s was the penultimate wicket to fall, with England six short of their victory target. Finally with three required from the last ball Andy Caddick was stumped, leaving Pakistan winners by two runs and England suffering their eighth successive defeat, their worst sequence in limited overs cricket.Trescothick has now had the mixed fortune to hit three international centuries for England to date, and his team have lost on each occasion.Earlier, Pakistan had got off to a brisk start after being put in to bat in overcast conditions, scoring at the rate of four an over until Darren Gough trapped Saleem Elahi leg before wicket with the total on 28. Elahi, coming in for Saeed whose daughter has been taken ill, was one of two changes in the side from their previous match at Edgbaston with Shoaib Malik, the off-spinner replacing the unfit Shoaib Akhtar.England, also with two changes from the match against Australia, had Michael Vaughan back for Ally Brown and Andy Caddick replaced Robert Croft.Caddick’s eighth over proved most effective with Pakistan losing two important wickets. The departure of pinch hitter Afridi would have been a relief to the hosts. He looked dangerous for England. He slogged a six over long-on, going down the wicket in Alan Mullally’s first over and after the 50 had come up in the fourteenth over, he hit two consecutive boundaries off Caddick.But Caddick had him caught in the same over, for 30, as he tried to cut a ball – coming into him – too close to his body. Pakistan were 59 for two and a run later from a no-ball, Inzamam-ul-Haq misjudged a full toss on the leg stump and was bowled. Caddick had taken two for 33 in eight overs.Pakistan’s hundred came from 153 balls and after 25 overs they were 100 for three. The scoring rate fell considerably as the partnership between Youhana and Younis Khan progressed, to the extent that between the 23rd and 35th overs there were no boundaries hit.It was, nevertheless, a stand that Pakistan needed, and the two revived the innings, taking it to 140 before Younis, on 41, hit Dominic Cork to cover to be caught low by Nick Knight.Youhana, in partnership with Rashid Latif lifted the tempo. He reached his 50 from 89 balls with a four to extra-cover off Cork whose five overs at that stage went for 36. The fifty stand between Youhana and Latif came fast, from 48 balls, and when Latif was bowled by Mark Ealham for 23 from 26 balls, Pakistan were 190 for five.Youhana, scored more freely as the overs climbed into the forties, displaying some lovely strokes, mostly along the ground but on 81, off 119 balls, he played a lofted shot to mid-wicket where Owais Shah held the catch. It was off Mullally who, two overs earlier, had dismissed Abdur Razzaq when Pakistan were 195 for six.After Youhana’s excellent innings which ended on the total of 208, a late flourish from Azhar Mahmood took him to 27 not out from 21 balls as Pakistan reached 242 for eight. It proved to be a vital contribution.Afterwards England captain Alec Stewart was obviously disappointed, but tried to look on the bright side.”Today we’ve seen what a fine player Marcus Trescothick is and we’ve seen the emergence of Owais Shah,” said Stewart. “They were outstanding.”We’ve had two very close games in the last two days and it’s very disappointing to have lost them,” Stewart told Sky Sports.com TV. “We got ourselves in a winning position but at the end we couldn’t quite get home. We couldn’t quite finish the job off.”But England now find themselves adrift at the foot of the NatWest Series table, and on a record run of eight consecutive defeats stretching back to Lahore in October and encompassing the Sri Lanka tour.”It’s mathematically possible (to reach the final). We know it’s going to be hard but we need to hold our heads up high and show a bit of character.”Waqar Younis paid tribute to Trescothick’s great knock: “I think Marcus Trescothick played a magnificent innings. He made us look as though we were going to lose.”It was one of our best games of the tour. I am really happy with the way we bowled, and Yousuf Youhana played the best innings. All the game we fielded well and that’s possibly why we were the winners.”

Saurav Ganguly’s return to Kolkata on Monday was different from whatit had been in the past. Ganguly usually returns to the city quietlyand without fuss with only an escort jeep accompanying him on his wayfrom the airport to his home in Behala. Monday was different. He wasgiven the Z-category security treatment as he stepped out from theplane on to the tarmac. There were plain clothes policemen shadowinghis every move. They had to be on their toes as the militant groupcalled Lashkar-Ei-Toiba has threatened to kidnap the Indian captain.All along the route from the airport to the Ganguly residence, therewere two cars packed with black cat personnel accompanying Ganguly. Athome also there were carbine-totting security men. A high level policeofficer said on Tuesday, "We have decided to give Ganguly the Z-category security cover. We are doing so because we have instructionsto do so. Other than that I am not in a position to divulgeanything."Ganguly’s father Chandi however, said that the security cover has beenprovided because of the threat. "The militant group has threatened tokidnap both Sourav and Sachin Tendulkar. So the Central Government hasprovided them with protection." He also informed that it was a newexperience for the entire family. "We have never known what securityis all about. Now we are also realizing the disadvantages of sucharrangements. But we have to accept it. After all, the warnings of themilitant groups cannot be taken lightly." In fact at the Gangulyresidence, three security personnel with stenguns are constantlyguarding the balcony that leads to the drawing room and bed room ofthe Indian captain.Meanwhile, the captain himself felt that the loss of Sachin Tendulkarfor a major part of the one-day triangular series in Sri Lanka wouldbe a great blow. "However, we have to overcome it. Sachin has rarelymissed a match, such is his commitment to the side. So his absencewill be felt. But then I am confident that the juniors will performtheir duties," he said today. Talking about his own form, Gangulysaid that his bad patch was probably over. "I have started scoringruns. In the last few innings that I have played, I have got twoscores over fifty. I hope that I will be able to regain my form fullyin Sri Lanka."The Indian captain also added that his performance in the past hadraised the expectations of the people. "But then I cannot alwaysscore centuries." Talking about his new opening partner, AmayKhurasia, the Indian captain said, "He has scored a lot of runs andhas the ability to make full use of the first 15 overs. I am confidentthat he will do well."

The final of Zimbabwe’s first triangular tournament takes placetomorrow, with the home side, demoralized by injuries and controversyoff the field, out of it. Visiting teams India and West Indies faceeach other at the Harare Sports Club.India are strong favourites to win the trophy after their clean sweepof all four first-round matches. Although West Indies have perhapsshown the best batting form of the three teams on view, India havebeen by far the most impressive team all-round, winning all theirmatches in reasonable comfort. Their bowling and fielding alike havebeen superior to anything the opposition has been able to offer.West Indies go into the match severely handicapped by the loss througha stress fracture in the foot of Cameron Cuffy, their most consistentbowler. In their most recent match, Mervyn Dillon took over Cuffy’smantle with reasonable success, and West Indies will be looking to himas the backbone of their attack. The other bowlers, except for thegentle off-breaks of captain Carl Hooper, have been erratic andprovided the opposing batsmen with little to worry about. Their attackhas lacked the ability to apply consistent pressure at both ends.India, on the other hand, have been well served by their seamers, andAshish Nehra continues to prove himself as their find of the tour. Theother seamers have backed him up adequately and no doubt HarbhajanSingh will play in the final to add a new dimension of spin bowlingthat their opponents cannot match.The West Indian batting has done well, although not well enough toovercome the inadequacies of their bowlers against India. On Wednesdaythey were perhaps unable to appreciate their good fortune in being putin to bat on a superb batting pitch, and scored a little too slowly toset the sort of target they should have been aiming for.Hooper would do well to think of promoting himself, with his greatexperience and powerful bat, to number four should the situationwarrant it. He came in too late on Wednesday to take full advantage ofa promising situation that required quick runs. Chris Gayle hasperhaps looked the best of the top three, but has a tendency to gethimself out when apparently on the verge of great deeds.Ridley Jacobs, and the team as a whole, will probably not be undulydistracted by his ban. Match referee Denis Lindsay presumably did notban him from playing in this final because of the disruptive effect itwould have had on the whole team to lose their wicket-keeper withoutan adequate replacement being available. He too may well warrantpromotion in the right situation, as he rarely fails with the bat whenruns are urgently needed. The quieter contributions of ShivnarineChanderpaul should not be overlooked, but in the one-day game heappears more as a steadier of the innings than a powerful attackingweapon.India’s batting line-up, such an awesome powerhouse on their own soil,has not adjusted fully to local conditions, but except in the SecondTest match they have proved adequate for the job. Sachin Tendulkar andSourav Ganguly have opened very well in the one-day tournament, andWest Indies will need to separate them early. Rahul Dravid has shownhis ability to play the appropriate game in any situation, but socompetently has the top order performed that he has not really beenstretched so far this tournament. VVS Laxman has been passed fit againfor the final, so the Indian batting will be at full strength. ManagerChetan Chauhan confirms that his players are all fit and the finalside will be chosen from 13, with Dinesh Mongia and Ajit Agarkaromitted.As far as fielding is concerned, India have the definite edge here.They have improved remarkably since John Wright took over as coach,while West Indies have been erratic at times. West Indian managerRicky Skerritt says that his available players, like India, are allfit, including Corey Collymore who had to miss Wednesday’s match, butthey have not yet narrowed down the selection.The wild card at the Harare Sports Club is always the pitch. Losingthe toss in their first match against India on a damp pitch condemnedZimbabwe to likely defeat, and should West Indies have similar goodfortune tomorrow, anything could happen. But no doubt the newgroundsman will have learnt his lesson and will ensure that heprovides a track every bit as good as it was on Wednesday. The teamwinning the toss then would be well advised to bat first.Being one-day cricket, anything could happen and West Indies certainlycannot be written off. If they play above themselves, or if India havethe off day that happens to even the best of teams sometimes, therecould be an upset, but it would be an injustice, for India have twicebeaten West Indies so far. They have been the outstanding team in thetournament and deserve to win the trophy tomorrow.

14-20 Oct ’01 Preparation Week at RMA SandhurstSat 27 Oct ’01 Depart Heathrow (tbc) Arrive Adelaide 29 Oct ’01Fri 16 Nov ’01 1-day v South Australian Cricket Association Academy at Adelaide19-22 Nov ’01 1-day Tournament at Adelaide involving Australian Cricket Board Under 19, Bangladesh Cricket Board Under 19, South Australia 2nd XI, Queensland Association of Sport03-06 Nov ’01 4-day v Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy (Australian equivalent of ECB NA) at AdelaideSat 15 Dec ’01 Depart Adelaide (tbc) Arrive Heathrow 16 Dec ’01Jan ’02 (tbc) Preparation Days 2 days – Venue tbcSat 12 Jan ’02 Depart Heathrow (tbc) Arrive Adelaide 14 Jan ’0221-24 Jan ’02 4-day v Victorian Cricket Association 2nd XI at the MCG, Melbourne26-29 Jan ’02 4-day v Australian Capital Territories 2nd XI at CanberraSat 02 Feb ’02 1-day v Australian Cricket Board Country XI at Bowral11-14 Feb ’02 4-day v South Australia 2nd XI at Adelaide25 Feb-01 Mar ’02 1-day Tournament at Sydney involving Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy, New South Wales 2nd XI, New South Wales Colts10-13 Mar ’02 4-day v Western Australia 2nd XI at PerthFri 15 Mar ’02 Depart Adelaide (tbc) Arrive Heathrow 16 Mar ’02

The three-day conclave of the Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF),beginning in Kolkata on Tuesday, will deliberate on various issuespertaining to the development of the game in the Asian region.The ACF’s Development, Screening and Technical Committees will meetand discuss various subjects listed in the agenda and was expected tofinalise programmes to be taken up during the year.The high-profile conclave of the ACF, which implements the programmesof the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), may also discuss theorganisational problems related to the forthcoming Asian TestChampionship, particularly in the light of the Indian Government’sreservations over granting permission to the Indian team to play inPakistan.The meeting was earlier scheduled to be held in Kolkata on July 31 andAugust 1 but was postponed to get adequate time to go through theagenda and programme documents of the International Cricket Council’sDevelopment Committee which is scheduled to meet in Amsterdam onSeptember 10 and 11.The ACF’s Development Committee will meet on the first day to discussthe implementation of the development plans for the Asian region.The committee, chaired by former Sri Lankan captain Duleep Mendis,comprises Mazhar Khan of the United Arab Emirates, Anil Kalavar ofSingapore, J Jaykumar Shah of Nepal and T Krishnaswamy of Malaysia.ACF chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya will be a special invitee.The screening committee will meet on August 15 to begin the process offinalising the development officers from each of the four Test playingnations in the Asian region.The committee will go through the credentials of all the nomineesbefore finalising the panel of development officers. The screeningcommittee, chaired by Dalmiya, comprises Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, ZakirSyed, Duleep Mendis and Ashraf-ul-Haq.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has nominated fourformer Test players for the post of development officers. Nationalselectors Ashok Malhotra and Madanlal, and former Test players RogerBinny and WV Raman are the four BCCI nominees.Pakistan and Sri Lanka had also sent their nominations for the post ofDevelopment Officers.While Pakistan has sent a list comprising former skippers MushtaqMohammed and Zaheer Abbas and medium pacer Iqbal Sikander, Sri Lankahad recommended former Test cricketers Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake andBrendon Kuruppu.The technical committee will meet on August 16 to discuss thetechnical aspects of the programmes. The committee comprises SunilGavaskar (India), Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan), Asantha De Mel (Sri Lanka)and Gazi Ashraf Hossain (Bangladesh).BCCI secretary JY Lele has also been invited to discuss certainmatters regarding the Asian Test Championship.

Kent claimed a share of the Norwich Union League first division lead after defeating relegated visitors Northamptonshire Steelbacks by 26 runs in the final match of the season in Canterbury.After posting a season’s best 284 from their 45 overs, Spitfires limited the Steelbacks to 258 for nine in reply to join Leicestershire Foxes on 46 points to ensure the title race will go to its final day next Sunday.The victory, Kent’s 10th of the campaign, was inspired by their skipper Matthew Fleming who hit a competition-best 125 and went on to claim three for 28 and a spectacular catch to scupper Northamptonshire’s stoic reply.Needing to score at more than a run-a-ball, Steelbacks were given a flying start by Graeme Swann and Michael Hussey, who posted 74 in 10 overs with Swann outscoring his Australian team-mate to play the leading innings with 61 from 44 balls.Fleming’s introduction from the Nackington Road End finally broke the opening stand when Hussey clipped a catch to short mid-wicket and, in Fleming’s third over, Swann lost his middle stump after an attempted back-foot force.Jeff Cook attempted to keep Northamptonshire in the hunt with a stylish 55 scored at a run-a-ball, but he undid all his good work with an ill judged drive to long-off where Mark Ealham took the catch.Martin Saggers then returned to run through the late order with three for 52 and ensure Kent won at the canter.Earlier, Fleming promoted himself to a pinch-hitting role to hit only the second league century of his career from 82 balls and with 15 fours.He featured in stand worth 98 with David Fulton (39), 71 with James Hockley (32) and 56 with Andrew Symonds (31) before finally running himself out for 125.Breaking the golden rule of never running on a mis-field, Fleming was left diving for his ground in vain as Hussey’s throw from deep cover ran him out by a yard.Ealham’s quick-fire 32 was icing on the Kent cake and took the target out of the Steelbacks’ reach despite their plucky reply.

There is plenty to play for as the last round of CricInfo Championship games begins. It’s a finale to savour and the myth that no one is interested in county cricket should be nailed once and for all.There have been excellent crowds at matches throughout the season – particularly the festivals at Cheltenham, Bath and Scarborough. Thousands more follow the scores over the internet and through newspapers. For domestic cricket in England, at least, it has been a fantastic season – and there could be a few twists in the tail yet.The wisdom of splitting the championship into two divisions appears almost unarguable as 10 teams have promotion, relegation or prize money issues to spur them on at this late stage of the season. Indeed, only one game in the entire summer – the clash between Yorkshire and Essex at Scarborough starting tomorrow – can be described as a ‘dead rubber’ as counties battle for their short term futures.In Division One doomed Glamorgan play Surrey, who need only four points to ensure their survival in the top flight.Kent have a tough battle on their hands as they try to take the £50,000 prize money for second place. Apart from the 16-point deficit they must make up, they also face a Lancashire side that should be fully motivated as it fights for its own Division One future.”This is obviously a vital match,” Lancashire coach, Bobby Simpson agreed. “It’s absolutely imperative that we stay in Division One. This team is too good to go down.”We’ve not played well this season, but we’ve not been fated with the weather after we went on a roll early on. The weather report is terrible again for this game and if it forces a draw those four points might not be enough.”Peter Martin is unlikely to play as he has a leg injury, while Mike Atherton may well have played his last first-class game as he faces a fitness test on his long-suffering back before the team is announced.Somerset need only five points to make the runners-up spot their own. It would be the highest finish in the club’s history and a wonderful achievement for a side shorn of its two brightest stars (Caddick and Trescothick) for much of the season.They will not find it easy, however, as they clash with a Northants team desperate to crawl out of the final relegation position. Somerset are without Peter Bowler who is sitting a law exam, but Northants are without Mal Loye, David Sales and Darren Cousins due to injuries.Condemned Essex travel to Scarborough to play Yorkshire. To make their exit even more galling the Essex team will be bystanders as the CricInfo Championship Trophy is awarded to the Yorkshire team at lunch on the first day.Darren Gough is ruled out with a foot injury, while Craig White is rested prior to his winter work for England. Captain David Byas has revealed that a young side may be put out to help gain experience for next year.”Wayne Clark has said he wants to include one or two of the young players to see what they can do at this level,” Byas said. “We were disappointed with the result down at Surrey but we should reap the benefits in the long term.”In Division Two the scramble for promotion places is too tight to call.Sussex are in an enviable position having ensured their promotion, and they host third-placed Gloucestershire at Hove. It’s a game Gloucestershire may well need to win. Just seven points separate them and the next two teams, Warwickshire and Middlesex and a draw might not be enough.Warwickshire travel to bottom of the table Derbyshire, a game they are expected to win, while Middlesex travel to Worcestershire in a tougher looking encounter.Hampshire are favourites to join Sussex in the top division. They play Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge needing just three points to cement their promotion. Chris Tremlett is added to their side that beat Middlesex last week.

The opening deliveries of the new club season will be bowled at 10h30 on Saturday 6 October amid the usual buzz of anticipation and expectation.Last season’s winners of both competitions in the 1 A and losing finalists in the National MTN Club Championships played recently in Pretoria, Victoria C.C, open their campaign against Almar at the Dumas Oval in Rondebosch, while recently promoted WPCC will be keen to prove that their relegation to be 1B a year ago was no more than a hiccup as they take on United C.C. at Impala Park.This weeks fixtures;

FixtureID LeagueID FixtureDate1 FixtureDate2 HomeTeam AwayTeam FixtureNotes1  1A  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 ALMA  VICT2        BELL  LANG3        CLAR  CTGP4        PINE  MONT5        UCT  CTCC6        WPCC  UNIT67  1B  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 DURB  RIVE68        FHCC  TYGB69        GLAM  UWC70        NGCC  MILN71        PRIM  EDGE112        STAG  SWCC113  1C  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 AVEN  STFN114        BISH  POL115        BONT  RYGS116        MICH  WYNB157        MOWB  HOTT158        OTTO  BLUE159  2A  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 CRAV  BELH160        HANP  YORK161        HELD  ELSI202        MACA  DOWN203        LENT  BELS204  2B  13/10/2001   MANE  NYAN205        RYLD  VIEW206        SHER  MAND207        TELK  PEN819  2C  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 GUGU  WILL820        KHAY  SPEN821        RATH  PASS822  RA  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 BELL  PRIM823        CTCC  STAG824        PINE  ALMA885        UCT  CLAR886        WPCC  VICT887  RB  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 EDGE  UNIT888        FHCC  CTGP889        NGCC  WPCB890        SWCC  BELL981        WPCA  UCT982  RC  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 ALMA  TYGB983        AVEN  NGCC984        DURB  MONT986        MILN  LANG1103        UWC  RYGS1104  RD  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 CLAR  OTTO1105        DURB  POL1133        MILN  CTCC1134        RIVE  PINE1135        WYNB  UNIT1136  RE  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 STFN  MICH1137        SWCC  CLAR1198        TYGB  MOWB1199        VICT  GLAM1200        WPCC  CTGP1201  RF  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 AVEN  UNIT1202        BLUE  BELL1263        EDGE  BISH1264        FHCC  BONT1265        NGCC  ELSI1266  RG  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 CTCC  CRAV1267        DOWN  STAG1328        HOTT  MACA1329        RIVE  BELS1330        RYLD  OTTO1331        LENT  WPCC1332  RH  06/10/2001 13/10/2001 BELH  SHER1333        BELS  HELD268        HANP  PRIM269        MICH  STFN270        MOWB  KHAY271        PEN  MONT272  3A  13/10/2001   BELL  MONT273        CAMP  WPCA274        GLAM  ALMB275        MANE  CTGB276        OTTO  WPCB277        PINE  CLAR458        POL  DURB459        SMCC  RYGS460        SPEN  CTGA461        VICT  ALMA462  3B  13/10/2001   CAMP  UNIT463        CTCC  GLAM464        EDGE  NGCC  Arrange by mutual consent465        MANE  POL1075        MILN  AVEN1076        PEN  FHCA1077        SPEN  VICT1078        SWCC  FHCB1394        TYGB  WYNB1395        UWC  BELL1396  3C  13/10/2001   BLUE  DURB1397        CTCC  STAG1398        KENS  WYNB1399        PRIM  LENT1400        RYLB  MACA1401        TYGB  ELSI1402        WPCC  UWC1403        RYGS  UNIT