Kenya’s players have finally received about two-thirds of the money owed to them from the 2003 World Cup and the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy after the government, and not, as reported elsewhere, the Kenyan Cricket Association, paid a lump sum of US$41,000 to help clear the arrears.Wellingtone Godo, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sports, said he hoped the payment would boost the team’s morale ahead of next week’s Intercontinental Cup tournament in Namibia. “The money may not be enough,” he said, “but we hope it will motivate the team to do well in the coming event.”It was these arrears which led to the players’ strike in 2004, an action which help escalate the demise of the old KCA regime headed by Sharad Ghai.The news came at the same time that the ICC finally released the remaining US$100,000 it owed under the old Project Kenya scheme. That had been withheld after serious issues arose about the way earlier funding had been used by the old regime. A strict condition of the final payment was that the money had to be put towards identified development projects and could not be used to clear existing debts.The KCA has inherited debts of at least US$500,000 from the Ghai regime, and there are almost no assets. Much of the paperwork for the final period of Ghai’s tenure has gone missing, and as a result it has not been possible to finalise accounts for 2004. As a result, the ICC is withholding quarterly payments of US$13,000 due to the KCA, arguing that without such financial details, it cannot hand over any more money. In the meantime, Ghai is due in court soon to face changes of stealing around US$3.3 million from the KCA in 1999.

On whether he felt that India erred with their choice of bowlers in HyderabadThe pitch there probably favoured the seamers more and didn’t take as much spin as expected. But having looked at this wicket, we feel spin will come into play more here.On the challenge posed by Indian conditionsPlaying India in India is always tight, and we knew that we’d have to play good cricket to beat them. If we’re not on top of our game, we’ll come up short.On what he expects from the Indians hereWell, they’re one nil down and we expect them to come out with all guns blazing. We’re ready for that.On whether awareness of equalling the world record for an unbeaten run would add to the pressureWe want to stretch that run for as long as we can. But we take it one game at a time, as we did in the last game.On how this side stacks up against the legendary team that lost the World Cup semi-final in 1999I still feel that was the strongest side that South Africa have had. But if we carry on like this, we can also be one of the best sides the country has produced. The stability within the team has been key.On how Mickey Arthur has changed things around as coachMickey’s made a lot of difference. The team’s more honest now. Guys put their hands up if the performances aren’t good enough. He’s also been using the computer to help work on technique and other things.On the dew factorIt will certainly be hard bowling with the wet ball. But we have experience of such conditions back home and are not too worried about it. The toss will certainly be important though.On whether the Indians experimenting to find their strongest combination reminded him of where South Africa were a year agoNot really. They’re a very strong side, as they showed recently against Sri Lanka. All the teams will be looking to experiment a little with the World Cup in a year’s time.

Australia’s season of change has continued with Phil Jaques, the New South Wales opener, picked to make his debut in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Jaques will open instead of the injured Justin Langer after Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, decided Michael Hussey would stay batting out of position at No. 5.Hohns said Jaques demanded selection when Langer was ruled out with a left hamstring injury. “His form has been outstanding for New South Wales over the past few seasons and he thoroughly deserves the opportunity,” Hohns said. “We have taken the option of selecting a specialist opener in Jaques, enabling us to stabilise the middle order where Hussey has been doing a great job.”Stuart Clark, the 12th man in Perth, was dropped to make way for Stuart MacGill and Andrew Symonds, who currently averages 12.62, has been given another chance to seal the allrounder’s berth. “MacGill’s inclusion allows the option of us playing two spinners if the conditions in Melbourne suit,” Hohns said.Jaques, who will be the third batting debutant in five Tests, showed fine timing when he scored his third ING Cup century in a row on Sunday, and he also has 400 Pura Cup runs at 50 this summer. Langer was rated a 50-50 chance by Errol Alcott, the team physiotherapist, of playing in the third Test at the SCG starting on January 2.Australia squad Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting (capt), Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath.

Brett Lee has been officially reprimanded for dissent during Australia’s third Test against South Africa at Sydney. It was found that Lee had breached the ICC code of conduct on the first day of the match and appeared at a hearing with the ICC match referee, Chris Broad, at the end of the second day.Lee’s breach of the code was at level one, which means he escaped a more severe punishment which could have included suspension. All level one breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of a fifty per cent fine of a player’s match fee.Lee was reported by Aleem Dar, Billy Bowden and Bob Parry, the third umpire, for a level one offence in the 25th over of South Africa’s first innings. He had an lbw appeal against Jaques Kallis turned down by Dar and television replays this morning showed Lee asking Dar why it was not out. Broad reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by all three umpires, the Australian team manager Steve Bernard, captain Ricky Ponting and Lee.

Scorecard

England were made to work hard in their opening match of the World Cup, asa talented Nepal team gave them more than the occasional moment ofuncertainty. Moeen Ali was the lone batsman to pass fifty, as Nepal’sspinners tied down the middle order. However, that was nothing compared tothe stranglehold the England slow bowlers subsequently created and,despite a promising start, Nepal’s run chase subsided meekly.When Nepal reached 41 without loss in pursuit of 210, the possibility ofthe first upset in the tournament flickered into view. KanishkaChaugai, Nepal’s captain and playing in his third U-19 World Cup, had laid intoMark Nelson and Andrew Miller operating with the new ball. However, playinga ball through the off side, Chaugai grabbed his leg and it soon becameclear he was suffering a repeat of the cramp that affected him during thewarm-up matches.Ali, who has already impressed as England’s captain in Sri Lanka, pulledhis team together for a mid-over huddle. He later told Cricinfo that itis something they have been doing for a while: “When things are not goingour way we just want to get everyone together. It’s something that worksat the moment so we will continue doing it.”As in the warm-up match against India, Ali was not afraid to throw theball to his spinners early in the innings. Graeme White was in action bythe seventh over and, in tandem with fellow left-armer Nick James,produced an extraordinary example of containment. The first 27 balls fromthe pair leaked just one run, and the pressure was telling on theanxious batsmen. The inevitable then occurred when Sarad Vesawkar smackedthe ball to mid-off, only to watch his partner fail to get within two metersof making his ground.Between overs seven and 21, White, James and Ali conceded a miserly 17runs as Nepal couldn’t decide whether to stick or twist and threatened tofold. Prem Chaudhary finally decided to chance his arm, taking two foursoff Ali before creaming a four and six off White – who had previously gonefor only six runs in 8.4 overs.Run outs, though, were always on the cards as skittish batsmencontinued to flirt with danger. They lived on the edge while there weretwo of them out there – the introduction of a runner when Chaugai returnedto the middle was always going to be a recipe for calamity. So it proved, and Nepal’slast real chance of pressuring England’s total vanished when Chaudhary wasremoved by a smart piece of fielding from James.England’s fine display in the field was capped by a stunning catch fromWhite, who ran backwards from midwicket, flung out his right hand while diving athletically and grabbed the ball inches off the turf. The whole team were ecstatic,but Ali was quick to admit it was a far from ideal performance.”We didn’t play anywhere near our best cricket,” he said. “We were luckyto get 209 in the end, then we had a bad start with the bowling butfortunately we finished strongly. But after hearing that the Aussiesgot 300 plus yesterday we wanted something similar but couldn’t manage itso that is something to work on for the next game.”Ali added that he had “really struggled” during his 54, but without itEngland would really have been in a pickle. From the comfort of 87 for 1the innings stalled dramatically as Nepal’s spinners probed away. England weren’t exempt from running issues either. They managed three, includingRory Hamilton-Brown’s passable impression of Mike Atherton at Lord’s in1993, scrambling on his hands and knees to fall well short of his crease.In the end, England stood up and dusted themselves off from their battingdisappointments, ensuring their World Cup run was off to a winning start.Nepal, though, have shown that they are not simply here to make up the numbers.They have plenty of heart and skill; the other teams in this group could well be in for a surprise.

Rain forced the State Shield semi-finalbetween Central Districts and Otago at Napier to continue to the second day after Centrals posted a competitive total of 274 for 7 in their 50 overs. Ross Taylor continued his fine form this season, top-scoring for Centrals with 114. In reply, Otago reached 23 for 1 in 3.5 overs when rain intervened.Taylor shared useful partnerships with Mathew Sinclair and Jarrod Englefield and a 90-run fifth-wicket stand with Bevan Griggs, the wicketkeeper, who made 36. Taylor’s innings included eight fours and two sixes and was dismissed by Bradley Scott, the pick of the Otago bowlers. Otago lost Chris Gaffaney early, caught by Brendon Diamanti off Lance Hamilton for 9.The match is scheduled to resume at 10.30 AM local time on Thursday. In the event of no further play, Centrals will qualify for the final, having finished on top of the points table.

Jesse Ryder lit up the first day of the State Championship match between Wellington and Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve with his second first-class century of the summer and his fourth overall. Ryder’s 141 off 205 balls was the highlight of a strong Wellington batting display that saw it reach 344 for 6 at stumps. Ryder was well supported by Neal Parlane (57) and Chris Nevin (56). Graeme Aldridge, Bruce Martin and Joseph Yovich each took two wickets.Auckland’s season of disappointment continued at home as it collapsed to 272 all out against Otago at the Eden Park outer oval. Otago’s Gareth Shaw did most of the damage ripping through the middle and lower order to take 5 for 49. Warren McSkimming was a handful too, taking 3 for 55. Earlier Auckland looked set to post a competitive total when captain Richard Jones (79) and Auckland’s anchor this season Rob Nicol (73) put on 98 for the third wicket. However, only Tama Canning (40) added anything of substance to the scoreboard. Otago reached 12 for the loss of Jordan Sheed’s wicket at stumps, Kyle Mills having the opener caught and bowled for 11.Canterbury will feel it missed out on a big chance to post a massive first innings score after winning the toss against Central Districts on a placid Village Green pitch. All the top-order batsmen got starts but only opener Gary Stead (67) and Shanan Stewart (83), the No.3, moved past 50 as Canterbury ended the day at 308 for 9 with Andrew Ellis not out on 30. Ewen Thompson (3 for 63) and Brendon Diamanti (3 for 80) were the pick of a tidy Central attack.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan fast bowler, rushed home from Colombo on Sunday to be with his wife who has been hospitalized following complications with her pregnancy.”He was put on the first flight that was available,” a Pakistan team official told .”He was desperate to return and be with his family after hearing about his wife’s poor health.”Rana had been named in the eleven, in preference to over Rao Iftikhar, because of his experience and good form in the ODIs. In the end, Umar Gul was called in to replace Rana; his first Test appearance for nearly two years.Rana rushed to the airport in the afternoon, only possible because the first day’s play of the first Test was washed out. “He took the permission of the team management before returning home,” Zaheer Abbas, the team manager, said. Whether he will return before the second Test is uncertain at the moment and Zaheer said a decision on any replacement would be taken soon.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Two contrasting left-handers made their mark on the opening day at Lord’s, as Marcus Trescothick signalled his return to international cricket with a robust century and Alastair Cook eased into his life at No.3 with 89, powering England into a commanding position. A late flurry from Kevin Pietersen signalled the intent to grind Sri Lanka down and the first act of the international summer could not really have gone much better for England.Muttiah Muralitharan, in his first Test at Lord’s, was Sri Lanka’s sole shining light and caused most of the uncertain moments. He was in the action by the 23rd over and Sri Lanka were only making the day competitive when he was twirling away. Until Farveez Maharoof snuck in by removing Cook with the second new ball, to take a marginal amount of gloss off England’s performance, Muralitharan was the only reason for any Sri Lankan smiles.The biggest grin, though, belonged to Trescothick, whose winter problems seemed a world away. Content to leave plenty during the opening overs, he let Andrew Strauss do most of the scoring – in an opening stand of 86. He escaped a plumb lbw appeal against Muralitharan when he had 28, and a couple of edges fell short of slip, but for a returning innings this wasn’t to shabby.Post-lunch the Trescothick that has hammered attacks around the world came more into focus as the tempo increased. He made an emphatic statement by launching Muralitharan into the Grandstand, with a trademark slog-sweep, to reach his fifty and when he shimmied down the track to Tillakaratne Dilshan’s part-time offspin, and deposited him down the ground, the swagger was back.He went to tea on 93 and wasted no time completing his hundred in the evening session, aptly sweeping Muralitharan through the legside. The helmet came off, the arms went aloft and the smile went from ear to ear. England’s balcony – and the whole of Lord’s – stood to applaud the century, which arrived from 171 balls, the 14th of his career and one of the most important. With a far-from-testing bowling attack – Muralitharan the notable exception – there was a monstrous innings on the cards but Trescothick couldn’t march on when he edged to slip.

While Trescothick had been the main feature Cook hung around in the shadows during their stand of 127. When he initially arrived in the middle, he had to work hard for his runs and struggled to pick Muralitharan’s variations. However, he was quick to pick off any loose offerings from the seamers, especially when Vaas drifted onto his pads.An early alarm did come from Muralitharan, but through his fielding rather than bowling. Cook set off for a single to mid-on and almost misjudged Muralitharan’s prowess as a sharp throw hit the stumps, but TV replays showed Cook had just made his ground by a couple of inches. A flashing edge then flew between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, but he slowly began to settle and the sparkling offside strokeplay that was present during his debut century at Nagpur began to make an appearance. However, with the chance to get his name in lights on the Lord’s honours board at the first time of asking, he had a waft outside the offstump and gave Sri Lanka a late boost.Cook’s lapse came three balls after Maharoof had committed the ultimate sin for a bowler – a wicket off a no-ball, and it was Pietersen who was reprieved when the catch at short cover didn’t count. Maharoof struggled with overstepping all day, sending down 12 in his 18 overs, and eventually one was going hurt. Pietersen had begun circumspectly – Vaas had a close lbw turned down against him on 4 – before unfurling his flamboyant strokeplay against a tiring attack and the reprieve on 52 could be costly. The pace attack is military medium at best and needs to take every opportunity.The basis for the commanding batting display was laid through a controlled opening stand by the reunited Trescothick and Strauss. They had to be watchful during the early overs as Vaas and Maharoof found some swing and it was Strauss who quickly located his rhythm and threaded the ball to the boundary. England appeared to be heading for a perfect first session but Strauss became Muralitharan’s first Test wicket at Lord’s when he pushed a conventional offbreak to Jayawardene at slip – a combination that became the leading fielder/bowler pairing in history.But, in many ways, Muralitharan’s lone performance just highlighted his team’s shortcomings and the pressure that is on his ever-twirling shoulders. With Pietersen having found his range and a powerful middle order around the corner it isn’t going to get any easier for Sri Lanka.

How they were outAndrew Strauss c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 48 (86 for 1)
Marcus Trescothick c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 106 (213 for 2)
Alastair Cook c Sangakkara b Maharoof 89 (312 for 3)

Division One

The Roses match at Headingley ended in stalemate even though Lancashire took the one wicket they needed this morning to make Yorkshire follow-on. Matthew Wood fell shortly after lunch, but then Joe Sayers (75*) and Matthew Wood (81*) added an unbeaten 147 for the second wicket before the captains agreed to an early end. The loss of 124 overs to bad weather made the draw almost inevitable.At Trent Bridge, most eyes were on Steve Harmison and his return to action, and he worked through 15 overs in two spells without alarm – and without a wicket – as Nottinghamshire avoided the follow-on after Durham had declared on 404 for 8. Darren Bicknell got the champions off to a good start with a brisk 40, and then Jason Gallian and Will Smith (41) took them to 163 for 1 before Gareth Breese (4 for 77) snatched three quick wickets to put Durham in the box seat. Gallian completed his hundred, the 34th of his career, but fell to Mick Lewis for 114 as Nottinghamshire ended on 255 for 6.

Division Two

There was no play before lunch at DerbyWhere Derbyshire maintained their good early-season form by taking a commanding grip against Leicestershire. Declaring on 401 for 6 after two balls, Derbyshire reduced the visitors to 49 for 4 before John Sadler (52*) and Jeremy Snape (30*) finally offered some fight. By the time bad light brought a premature close, they had taken their fifth-wicket stand to 88 and the score to 137 for 4.The weather also had a say at The Oval where overnight rain delayed the start, and when they did get going Worcestershire’s batsmen frustrated Surrey. Phil Jaques (61) and Stephen Moore (75) put on 109 for the first wicket and all Worcestershire’s top order got starts, with the spin of Ian Salisbury and Nayan Doshi accounting for the six wickets that did fall. Worcestershire, needing 352 to avoid the follow-on, closed on 314 for 6, and with heavy rain forecast for Saturday, a draw seems to be on the cards.