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There aren’t too many cricketers whose initials are longer than their surname. There aren’t too many bowlers around with an economy-rate of less than 4.16 in one-dayers. Nobody has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar nine times in ODIs. And, as Marvan Atapattu said on the eve of the sixth one-dayer at Rajkot, not many medium-pacers from the subcontinent have excelled for more than 10 years on the international stage.For Chaminda Vaas, returning to Rajkot has a special significance. It was on this ground, on February 15 1994, as a raw 20-year-old, that he bowled his first-ever ball in international cricket. “It all began here and I learnt a lot from bowling on these pitches,” said Vaas on the eve of the game. “The ball swings more in Sri Lanka compared to here. Bowling on these dry wickets in hot conditions is a big test. I realised how important it is to hit the right spots consistently.” And over the last decade, not many bowlers hit them as often as Vaas.For four glorious years from 2001 to 2004, Vaas was arguably the best medium-pacer in ODIs. In 103 games in that period, he snared 146 wickets and had a staggering economy-rate of 3.95. This series, though, where he has managed just four wickets in five games at an average of 54, has been a let down and he has no qualms about admitting that his performances have been below par. “I have bowled well only in patches on this tour. I need to improve in the next two games.”In fact, his fifteen previous games in India haven’t produced too many wickets – 13 at 40.3 – but he’s been invaluable with his economy-rate of 4.44. Not many will forget his masterclass at Mumbai during the Independence Cup in 1997 when he took a wicket off the first ball of the innings, a wicket off the last ball of the innings, managed three maidens, and stunningly conceded just 13 runs in his 10 overs. The pitch was so flat that Sanath Jayasuriya and friends reached the target of 226 in the 41st over.What’s really hurt Sri Lanka in this series, though, is Vaas’s profligacy – he’s leaked 6.35 runs per over – and the pressure on the batsmen has been instantly released. The Indians went after him in the opening game at Nagpur, where he was clobbered for 67 in 10 overs, and haven’t let up ever since. “It is tough getting wickets on these pitches but economy is very important. I’m confident I can rectify the errors in the last two games and come back stronger.”However, there were glimpses of the vintage Vaas in Ahmedabad where he tied Yuvraj Singh in all sorts of knots in the early stages before dismissing him with a wonderful set-up – shifted mid-on to a short midwicket, tempted him to push in the vacant straight region and got him to mis-time an incutter.Rajkot and Baroda follow and it remains to be seen whether Vaas can find his old touch. Despite his lean patch, though, he always brings with him several other dimensions. Atapattu spoke about the value he adds to the side and said, “He works really hard and is an ideal role model for all of us. He is a perfect team man and has played a vital role in the nurturing of younger fast bowlers.” But what is the one quality that sets Vaas apart from the rest? “Basics,” said Atapattu in an emphatic manner.The peerless Wasim Akram was once referred to as the `left hand of God’. And despite his tribulations in the current series, in the one-day game at least, the boy who wanted to be priest, isn’t too far behind.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsNasir Hossain collected three wickets to rattle Chittagong•Raton Gomes/BCB

Dhaka Dynamites bounced back from their defeat on Wednesday, securing a convincing six-wicket win against Chittagong Vikings. In yet another low-scoring encounter, Dhaka’s bowlers showed good control, rolling over Chittagong for 92. The top-order batsmen then complemented the bowlers as Dhaka chased down the target with 17 balls to spare.Chittagong’s innings began on an undesirable note: Tamim Iqbal was given out caught behind despite the ball not grazing the bat or the glove on its way to Kumar Sangakkara. Tamim dragged himself off the field, after which Anamul Haque was out lbw, trying to pull Farhad Reza in the next over.The 19-year old Yasir Ali, however, started off with three fours off Abul Hasan. He drove past cover, over mid-off, and pulled over midwicket to briefly revive the innings. However, he nicked a Mustafizur Rahman cutter behind in the next over.Tillakaratne Dilshan struck a four and a six soon after, but left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain had him lbw for 20. Chittagong promoted Mohammad Amir to No.6 but he made only 2 before chopping on Yasir Shah as Chittagong slumped to 50 for 5 in 8.4 overs. Naeem Islam, playing his first match of the season, hung around with the lower order after Jeevan Mendis (1) and Ziaur Rahman (9) were undone by Nasir Hossain.Naeem launched a six in the 18th over but ran out of partners and finished unbeaten on 29 off 38 balls. Mustafizur and Nasir claimed combined figures of 7.4-1-26-6.Shykat Ali and Shadman Islam, playing his first T20 game, laid a solid foundation, for the chase, with a 45-run opening partnership. Shykat went about his work impressively, the highlight being a pick-up shot that sailed over square leg for a six. However, he holed out to long-on for 23 off 17 balls.Nasir Jamshed then was caught at long-off in the 13th over, for 12, and Nasir was bowled by Naeem two overs later. Shadman, who was largely becalmed early on, then unleashed two square-cuts off Shafiul Islam. The opener fell with his side two runs away from the target but Kumar Sangakkara completed the chase with a pulled four.

Canada 203 beat Kenya A 193 by ten runsCanada got their tour of Africa off to a winning start with a 10-run victory over Kenya A at Ruaraka Sports Club.Canada were stuck in by the Kenyans and struggled throughout their innings, with none of their batsmen able to go on and make a decent score as they ended on 203. Moses Otieno and Dominic Wesonga shared three wickets while Ashif Mulla top scored with 36.Kenya started solidly to reach 67 for 1 but lost regular wickets and fell short.With Canada set to meet the full Kenyan side in the Intercontinental Cup later this week, Steve Tikolo, the captain, said his side were ready. “The team is alright and we have been in intensive training for three weeks where we have worked on rectifying our mistakes,” he told The Standard. “We believe we will put a good performance to lay a platform to reach the Intercontinental Cup final next year as well as prepare for the next World Cup.”

Seam bowler Andrew McGarry has joined Essex until the end of the season as the county search for injury cover. It is his second stint at Chelmsford after he played 15 matches between 1999 and 2003.McGarry was called into the Essex squad as a non-contracted player for the Championship against Glamorgan at the end of April. He went wicketless but did enough to encourage the club to sign him up.”Once you play somewhere you don’t expect to get a second chance, so to get another go is really good,” he told the Essex website. “I’ve matured and have a bit more experience. Obviously I haven’t played much on the first-class scene for three years but I’ve played a lot of minor counties cricket [for Suffolk] and have learnt a bit more about myself so will hopefully come back a better bowler.”David East, the chief executive, said: “Andrew has bowled well for us in our early season matches and demonstrated that he has matured as a cricketer. We have a number of injuries to our seam bowlers at present and Andrew’s addition to the squad will give us further options over the next few months.”McGarry went straight into the Essex squad for their three-day match against Cambridge University.

England warmed-up for their quadrangular tournament in Chennai with a 97-run win against India B at the India Pistons Ground. Claire Taylor led the way striking 52, as England used 13 players, then Holly Colvin impressed with the ball claiming 5 for 31.Taylor’s innings took just 40 balls and she used the sweep to good effect before retiring after completing her half-century to allow others a hit. Charlotte Edwards contributed a run-a-ball 46 and looked to dominate throughout her knock. The middle order ensured momentum was maintained and Laura Marsh capped the innings with 20 off 13 balls.A solid bowling effort followed and was backed-up by some sharp fielding. Isha Guha made an early breakthrough but the Indians moved to 86 for 1 before Guha struck again. However, they were never in touch with the target and Colvin ran through the middle and lower order, while Beth Morgan and Laura Newton grabbed one apiece.England’s second warm-up match is on Monday when they take on India A at the main stadium in Chennai.

Andrew Strauss has been cleared of injury after being struck flush on the helmet by a bouncer from Brett Lee during England’s second innings in the fifth Test at Sydney.Strauss was taken to a hospital nearby soon after for precautionary scans but team officials released a brief statement saying there was no serious damage. James Anderson later told reporters that Strauss was fine. “He’s all right. He’s wandering around the dressing room with a bit of a lump on his head but apart from that he’s ok,” Anderson said.Strauss was struck in the third over of England’s innings and as the ball crashed into the protective plastic covering covering his temple, he immediately fell to the ground. The blow prompted initial concern among Australian players, several of whom rushed to his aid while medical help was called. Strauss hadn’t opened his account at the time, though he recovered sufficiently to make 29 before being dismissed by Stuart Clark.Shane Warne, at first slip when Strauss was hit, admitted the players had been worried as he was struck. “He got hit really hard so we all went up and made sure he was OK. There was some concern and once we knew he was OK we went back and he played pretty well after that.”

Brett Lee and Shaun Tait should be unleashed on the England batsmen in a fast-bowling partnership reminiscent of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, according to Ian Chappell. Writing in his column in London’s Chappell said the extreme pace and late swing of Lee and Tait would be the best way to rattle England in the first Test starting at Brisbane on Thursday.”Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee were always certain selections for the Gabba but I would round out the Australian pace attack with the explosive Shaun Tait,” Chappell wrote. “Lee and Tait, L & T, pace and more pace. My mind wanders back to 1974-75 when another L & T combination, Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, pace and more pace, produced a Brisbane blitz that quickly changed the dynamics of an Ashes series.”The Gabba is the fastest and bounciest pitch in Australia and that is the ground where the Lee and Tait combination is most likely to work.” Chappell said using Lee and Tait would also help Shane Warne.”With the [potential] loss of Watson, Australia are likely to opt for a more conservative pace attack of McGrath, Lee and [Stuart] Clark, one attacking bowler and two miserly metronomes,” he wrote. “This could force the England batsmen to attack Shane Warne, the correct way to play the champion leg spinner.”However, play Tait instead of Clark and this means the balance is in favour of aggressive pace bowling and the requirement to score quickly off Warne won’t be so great; push and prod at the leg spinner with a bit of bounce in the pitch and batting life expectancy recedes faster than Brisbane’s twilight.”Tait, who left the field with leg cramps on day two of England’s tour match against South Australia, returned on day three and bowled six overs.

Scorecard

Jimmy Maher posted his highest first-class score and Martin Love nailed his fourth century in a final as Queensland tightened their grip on the Pura Cup at the Gabba. On a tremendous third day for the Bulls and an awful one for Victoria, the home side lost only two wickets – Maher for 223 and Love for 169 – to go to stumps preparing their victory speech at 3 for 584.A 297-run partnership between Maher and Love, the former state junior team-mates, set up the Bulls’ ride in a five-day match they have only to draw to end their three-year sequence of finishing second. Maher, who has been inspired by the victims of Cyclone Larry in north Queensland, brought up his double-century a ball after Love reached three figures shortly before lunch and enjoyed an animated celebration.Maher went on to beat his 217 for Glamorgan in 2001 before edging Mick Lewis, who had figures of 1 for 125, and leaving with 29 fours from his 385 balls. Queensland were in extreme comfort at 2 for 454, but they added 71 more through Shane Watson and Love, whose only error came when he hit a catch to Nathan Pilon off Nick Jewell from his 291st delivery.Queensland were forced to field for three days against Victoria in the 2003-04 final when the hosts scored 710, and the home side was intent on delaying their opponents for as long as possible. Watson was unbeaten on 73 and Clint Perren reached 24, with the state’s highest score of 687 against New South Wales in 1930-31 approaching.”I wasn’t thinking of pulling out at 711, put it that way,” Maher told . “That day we got hammered into the ground. Let me put it this way – I’ve got a pretty good memory. In saying that we want to win the game outright.”

The West Indies national team have called for the resignation of Bruce Aanensen, the WICB’s chief executive who has been in office for less than three months, highlighting what seems an almost irreparable divide between players and officials.In a strongly-worded letter, originally posted on caribbeancricket.com, to Dinanath Ramnarine, the chief executive of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), the players wrote that they were highly offended that Aanensen publicly labelled them as incompetent.”We are now left with the rather difficult situation of determining whether as players we would be able to continue working with Mr. Aanensen,” the letter concluded. “Unfortunately, given the unfair and frankly thoughtless nature of his comments we would not be keen in having any further interaction at a professional level with Mr. Aanensen. From Mr. Aanensen’s comments, for which, significantly, he has made no withdrawals or apologies, we would find it virtually impossible to engage him in any meaningful manner.”Gordon, who leaves office in 12 days, responded to Ramnarine, who forwarded the players’ letter along with a few asides of his own, by saying that he was not satisfied by the letters as there was no justification in the charges made.But he rounded on Ramnarine, accusing him of being “frequently abusive to Deryck Murray [WICB director] and his team at negotiations.” Gordon wrote: “You have stated at meetings with one of our board members and two executives of WICB present that I am a liar. You have since denied saying so, while everyone present heard your comment …”Reacting to the attack by the players, Aanensen said that he was anything but happy about it though he added that his response would be measured and forthcoming at the appropriate time. About the charge of calling the players “incompetent” following the second Test, Aanensen told the : “I had discussions with some of the players long after that interview [in the second Test] was done and I got no sense of animosity from them.” He accused Ramnarine of wanting to unleash an assault on him. “[He] thought that [the players’ letter] was a good support mechanism for his assault.”

Exactly two years to the day he entered the offices of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Gregory Shillingford closed the doors for the final time yesterday.The WICB terminated the services of Shillingford, its chief executive officer (CEO), in an action the board said followed consideration of a report on his performance conducted by its review and assessment committee, a review of the evaluation process, and comments from each board member.Barbadian Roger Brathwaite, who joined the WICB in May as chief marketing executive, will act as CEO until a replacement is appointed for the Dominican.Information reaching NATIONSPORT suggested that Shillingford’s performance was under review for some time now and the entire board was unanimous in its decision to part company with him.Efforts to contact him at home in Antigua and later on his mobile phone yesterday provide futile. Wes Hall, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, is in Sri Lanka.NATIONSPORT further understands that the board had outlined various targets for the CEO to attain, but under review it was felt by the board these were not being met.After this, efforts were made to reach an amicable solution between the WICB and the CEO. There were discussions back and forth over a settlement and it is still not sure if this was agreed to. The WICB is said to have acted on legal advice as the event unfolded.Just a few weeks ago, media reports surfaced indicating that Shillingford had resigned the post, but he was quick to refute these. Only last month, another employee, Laurie-Ann Holding, resigned as senior marketing manager (merchandising and rights).Shillingford started his tenure under former WICB president Pat Rousseau. He replaced Steve Camacho in the post, but yesterday’s sudden bombshell again shows that there is never a dull moment in West Indies cricket on and off the field.In recent times, West Indies cricket has been bombarded with several reports of indiscipline by players, attacks by foreign coaches on the goings on at the Shell Academy in Grenada, and now what appears to have been a split between a senior official and the executive.