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Seven days ago Sri Lanka were preparing for the opening Test in highspirits: the batsman had the luxury of having spent time in the middleduring the two warm-up games and fast bowlers were looking forward to plyingtheir trade on the more responsive pitches typical in South Africa.But a week is a long time in international cricket and after a crushinginnings and 64 run defeat at Wanderers, they have now lost their services oftheir leader, Sanath Jayasuriya, during the second Test at Centurion thatstarts Friday for the first time in a Test match since 1999.Jayasuriya damaged ligaments in his right ankle whilst warming up for netpractice playing football on Tuesday and is also in doubt for at least thefirst part of the one-day series that follows soon after this game.Muttiah Muralitharan, their premier bowler, is also struggling with ahernia, but, fortunately for Sri Lanka, he is currently pain free anddespite a swollen lower abdomen is expected to play a full part in the Testbefore undertaking surgery.Jayasuriya’s injury means that left-hander Jehan Mubarak, the only otherspecialist batsman available in a 17-man squad laden with fast bowlers, willplay his second Test match and open the innings with stand-in captain MarvanAtapattu.Russel Arnold, who bagged a pair at Wanderers as opener, edging into theslip cordon in both innings, will drop down into the middle order.Sri Lanka are also considering a change to their bowling attack. Left-armerRuchira Perera was banned from bowling in the first innings at Wanderersafter persistently running onto the danger area and the management arereluctant to risk a repeat performance at Centurion.One option is to pick wicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene to take the loadoff Kumar Sangakkara at number three and go into the match with only fourfrontline fast bowlers. That would add depth to a frail looking lower orderbut the management have all but discounted such a move, preferring insteadthe option of four seamers and one spinner.Thus Chamila Lakshitha Gamage, a right-arm fast bowler who claimed a wicketwith his first ball in Test cricket when he made his debut againstBangladesh in July, is set to play his second Test.Sri Lanka will, at least, be pleased to see that the groundsman at Centurionhas ignored the South Africa’s preference for a well-grassed, quick surface.The mowers were pressed into action on Wednesday afternoon and the result isa brown, flat looking pitch that promises a fair contest between bat andball.However, no matter how the pitch behaves, acting captain Atapattu, takingcharge for the first time in a Test, is looking for his team to learn fromthe mistakes made at Wanderers.”We did so many things wrong in the first Test and we are trying to put themright,” said Atapattu. “We have discussed where we went wrong and we willtry out utmost to correct that in the next match.”As a batsman, once you get a start you have to go on, especially inconditions like these which we are not very used to – hopefully we will putit right this time.”He doesn’t expect it to be easy, however: “We know what we are up againstand the task that we face. Whatever the pitch we have to do the basicsright.”And he doesn’t want the players dwell over the loss of Jayasuriya: “It is agreat loss but we have to understand that these things are going to happenfrom time to time. We have got to keep our heads high and perform.”A frontrunner for the captaincy should Jayasuriya decide to handover thereins after the World Cup, he is looking forward to the challenge of leadingthe side: “It is a great privilege to captain your country and I enjoy it.It is a bit different for me half way through the tour but hopefully I willhandle it well.”Likely Eleven:Marvan Atapattu (Capt), Jehan Mubarak, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywardene,Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas,Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage Lakshitha, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Glamorgan Dragons’ fire proved too much for Yorkshire Phoenix at Cardiff in their Norwich Union League Division One encounter.Both teams were level on 26 points at the start of play and retained legitimate hopes of winning the trophy. But it is the Dragons – who still have a game in hand over many of their competitors – that now find themselves only two points away from the top of the table, while Phoenix are left as outsiders in what is proving to be a frustrating season for them.It was the spin bowling of Robert Croft (3-27) and Dean Cosker (4-17) that turned the game in favour of the home team after Phoenix had looked to be cruising to victory in a rain-affected contest.Set 175 runs in win (by the Duckworth/Lewis method), Phoenix were well set at 86-1 in just the 10th over when Croft started their slide with the wicket of Matt Wood. Chris Silverwood followed just eight runs later, for an excellent 55 in 39 balls as pinch-hitter, while Richard Dawson and Anthony McGrath both followed before the 100 was posted.Michael Lumb and Gary Fellows regrouped for a while, but the introduction of Dean Cosker’s left-arm spin into the attack hastened the end and Phoenix fell away to be dismissed for 153, 21 runs short of their target.Earlier the Dragons made a decent start after electing to bat. Robert Croft began a good all-round performance with a brisk 37 (in 45 balls with seven fours), putting on 84 for the first wicket with Ian Thomas (40).But after Ryan Sidebottom claimed Croft’s wicket, more rain caused more delays and the game was further reduced to 22 over a side.Upon the resumption four wickets fell for 12 runs. Again it was spin that caused the problems, Andy Gray striking in his first over, having Ian Thomas – who had looked so good before the rain came – stumped. Fellow off-spinner Richard Dawson then took two in two balls, bowling Michael Powell for 12 before having Dragons’ skipper Steve James lbw first ball. Gray – who finished with 3-23 – then dismissed the dangerous Maynard before Darren Thomas provided some acceleration with three quick boundaries in a nine-ball cameo of 19.But Gray struck once again, dismissing Thomas before Adrian Dale and Mark Wallace took the total to 149 from their 22 overs.Duckworth/Lewis saw the target rise to 175, but despite the continued form of Silverwood as pinch-hitter this season, Croft and Cosker’s spin proved too much and the run chase ended in failure.

Long-time advocate of greater use of technology in umpiring decisions, New Zealand Cricket’s umpiring manager Brian Aldridge was delighted with the success of experimentation at the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.Aldridge said the experiment in Colombo had been on a largely “suck it and see” basis but it had proven worthwhile, and the concern that too much time would be consumed in referring to the third umpire had been groundless as no decision took more than a minute.”The two facets of the leg before wicket assistance, based on where the ball pitched, and what it hit, were great, but it was obvious the technology is not good enough yet for some caught behinds or doubtful catches,” he said.Apart from showing how much more refinement is needed in capturing those aspects on video, it also proved just how hard it had been for umpires to make decisions in the past.”It is great to have it. I do hope the International Cricket Council keep experimenting,” he said.Aldridge said the experimentation in Colombo had arisen from technology companies getting interested in what were technical aspects of the game, and he hoped more interest might stir the same, or other, companies to look at less clear areas of filming.He said there was still a concern about whether players still wanted to have the traditions of the game maintained.If that was the case then there would have to be a greater acceptance from players and portions of the media that umpires were capable of making mistakes.But at the same time if the players opted for decisions as correct as possible through use of technology then there was the prospect that even elite panels would still ask for confirmation in decision-making.

A place in the quarter-finals of the 38 County Cup competition awaits Lincolnshire if they beat Leicestershire County Board XI at Cleethorpes on Sunday.But the county team will be without captain Mark Fell, who has been at the bedside of his two week old son after it was found that the baby needed an urgent operation.Instead, vice-captain James Clarke will be leading the Lincs team which includes Cleethorpes’ Simon Webb, who replaces Fell, and sees the return of Simon Oakes who missed the recent three day game against Bucks. Webb’s team mate Jonathan Davies, now back in action after injury, is rested for this game in preparation for the next three day match, against Northumberland in mid-July.The match, which is 50 overs per side, begins at 11am and spectators are welcome at the Chichester Road ground.

Lincolnshire squad:J HarrisonR HowittM DobsonJ TrowerJ Clarke (capt)S WebbO Burford (w/k)R ChapmanD ChristmasD PipesS Oakes12th man:  J Davies

The greatest tragedy of Nathan Astle’s world record innings at Jade Stadium on Saturday was that it was watched by so few Cantabrians.Very few cricket enthusiasts in the once strong bastion of New Zealand cricket, Christchurch, will be able to say in the future, “I was there”.Attendances at the pride of Canterbury sport were little short of a disgrace throughout the Test and it can only be wondered what the ground would have looked like had it not been swamped with English supporters.Whatever the situation, Christchurch must surely have written itself off the Test match scheduling list after this was yet another demonstration of its inability to draw crowds to the South Island’s main Test venue at Jade Stadium.And the portable pitch has nothing whatsoever to do with it.It is all to do with the inability of Cantabrians to get out and support their venue.The decline in numbers has been obvious in recent years and with the ground taking on an increased appearance of a concrete jungle with the new West Stand nearing completion, the vast empty spaces, as seen in the television coverage of Astle’s innings are little short of embarrassing.Given the way the New Zealand Test team performed in Australia, there was every reason to expect some interest to be aroused among the cricket supporting fraternity.However, even the One-Day International staged in Christchurch failed to attract the expected level of interest.Given Christchurch’s standing in the cricket scheme of things this has to be a worrying trend.The likelihood always was that it would miss out on a Test next summer because a series, possibly of only two Tests against India, will be the only fare available as the World Cup is being staged in South Africa in February-March.One of those Tests is certain to be a Boxing Day match at the Basin Reserve and the other will be in the north of the North Island.Given Auckland’s similar propensity for failing to support Test matches, the most likely candidate would have to be Hamilton.But the real test will be the following summer 2003/04 when Pakistan and South Africa are due to tour. And at the moment Cantabrians have done nothing to boost their chances.

Hampshire find themselves with the advantage at the close of the second day of the Frizzell County Championship match at Headingley. Having been bowled out for 354, Yorkshire made heavy progress and are still 180 behind with six wickets in hand.With rain allowing just three minutes play in the opening seventy – play starting 30 minutes late before another heavy shower interrupted Hampshire’s innings – Steve Kirby removed Nic Pothas’ off stump with the fifth of the five balls bowled.After the restart, Yorkshire failed to follow this up and helped the visitors to move their score along at a healthy rate with a precession of no-balls and loose deliveries. Chris Tremlett joined Shaun Udal in a frustrating for the hosts ninth-wicket stand of 45.Tremlett became the sixth man dismissed bowled when Matthew Hoggard beat him for pace but Alan Mullally aided Udal’s advance with a useful 33 run partnership, including two lots of four byes and a pulled six into the incomplete new members stand off the England paceman.Udal was left unbeaten on 43, while the extras joined John Crawley and Will Kendall in recording half-centuries. Hoggard was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-93 while the fiery Kirby closed with three.Yorkshire opener Matthew Wood continued his dreadful run of late when he fended off a lifter from Mullally’s second delivery of the innings to Crawley at short-leg, being dismissed for his third consecutive duck.A sparkling knock from First Test centurion Michael Vaughan was in contrast to his partner Craig White, who remained stoic but undefeated at the other end.Vaughan, timing the ball with ease helped himself to a 68-ball 54 before Tremlett trapped him leg before and captain Darren Lehmann looked comfortable in reaching 21 before the same fate ended his innings, this time to Mascarenhas.Hampshire ended the day in the ascendancy having prized Anthony McGrath into driving Mascarenhas into the hands of Giles White at short mid-wicket.White remained unbeaten though the 54 overs one short of his half-century, while Michael Lumb kept his head on 14.31 runs are required to save the follow-on but Yorkshire are looking at a sizable first innings deficit if Hampshire can continue the good work of today.

Hampshire opening Norwich Union National League match away to Lancashire on Sunday (29 April) has fallen foul to the weather.Heavy rain over Old Trafford that has curtailed their CricInfo Championship match against Surrey, has continued, with heavy thunderstorms plaguing the area.The umpires met with officials and Lancashire captain John Crawley, and decided that it would be futile Hampshire travelling.Hampshire will attempt to get some outside practice at their Rose Bowl ground over the weekend, before travelling to Canterbury for their opening Benson & Hedges Cup match on Tuesday (1 May).

After a delayed start yesterday, the State Championship match between Canterbury and Auckland was underway on time in perfect conditions at the Village Green today.At the ground in the outer suburbs of Christchurch, all signs of rain had been driven away, and the forecast is for three further days of fine weather.Auckland resumed play on 127/5, and the first three overs proved full of drama.Ryan Burson began the day with a double wicket maiden, clinching his third wicket of the match. On the fourth ball of the second over Bradley Nielsen was out lbw for nine.Captain Brooke Walker came to the crease, but was out first ball, when he tried to push a delivery down which kicked up and was caught by Robbie Frew.Then Andre Adams came in to join Rob Nicol, but he denied Burson his hat-trick.Cleighten Cornelius joined the bowling attack in the third over, with brother and strike bowler Wade off the field with a suspected stress fracture.Auckland adopted a more attacking approach when bowlers Paul Wiseman and Peter Fulton came on. Nicol who only debuted this season, knocked up his half century with a drive down the ground for four off 128 deliveries.Burson took the new ball in the 81st over, but this was no challenge for Adams and Nicol who used the pace of the ball to bring up their 100-run partnership in the 89th over.Milestones kept on rolling and Adams brought up his half century off 72 balls, including eight fours.Right-arm medium-paced seamer Fulton was brought into the bowling attack shortly after, to try to get a breakthrough for the red and blacks, but Adams smashed him for 16 off one over.It was Wiseman who came up with the answer though – the spinner had Adams caught by Fulton at long on. He made 72 runs off 93 balls including a dozen fours. This was his highest score in first-class cricket.This ended their 133-run partnership, which was 10 off the record for an eighth-wicket partnership in an Auckland versus Canterbury game.Sanjeewa Silva came to the crease, but was back in the dressing room four balls later without scoring a run.Nicol, now on 99, was probably worried he would be left without a partner to score his century, but made this the following over off 206 balls, over a period of 259 minutes. His innings included ten fours and a six and was his second for Auckland this season.He was out for 104 off 213, which brought the first Auckland innings to a close, and Canterbury 272 to chase.Canterbury opening batsmen Frew and Shanan Stewart, were put in the hands of pace bowlers Adams and Gareth Shaw.When Silva took over from Adams at the northern end, he took the first Canterbury wicket when Frew edged a ball through to wicket-keeper Reece Young for 14.Michael Papps came to the crease, but soon after his partner was clean bowled by Shaw for 26, when he was just establishing his innings.Marcel McKenzie, appearing for the first time this season, was next in due to Chris Harris being called up to the New Zealand Test team. McKenzie was called in himself to field for Chris Cairns in the Test against England last week.Tama Canning and Nielsen continued bowling after tea, with Nielsen having two catches put down.Canterbury began to up their strike rate towards the 50th over, but took nearly three hours to get 100 runs on the board.Shaw was brought into the attack, after St John staff used the groundsman’s drill to release pressure welling up under his toe, with leg-spinner and captain Walker.Soon after Papps brought up his ninth first-class 50, and at stumps Canterbury had a total of 150 with Papps on 64 and McKenzie on 29.Umpires Gary Baxter and Dave Quested, called off play at the close of 96 overs, due to bad light. Both Shaw and Silva finished the day with a wicket apiece.New Zealand selector Brian McKechnie was among the ranks at the game today, possibly looking at future selection prospects.

Match facts

October 22, 2012
Start time 1730 local (1530 GMT)Sachin Tendulkar has a final chance to find some form•Associated Press

Big Picture

Sydney Sixers are the only side who have anything meaningful to gain from this match, as they will aim to remain atop Group A in order to face the weaker qualifier from the other group in the semi-final. They will also be after that extra boost of momentum, and will want their reputation as the form team of the tournament undiminished as they approach the knockouts.The Sixers’ bowling against Mumbai Indians’ batting shapes up as a crucial factor to the outcome of the match. In three innings, only one Mumbai batsman has crossed 40, and they are now up against the best pace attack of the tournament – though a slightly weakened one as Shane Watson has returned to Australia. If they are to save face and return with at least one win to their name, their batting will likely have to produce their best performance of the tournament.Watson’s absence is a big loss to any team, but so comprehensive have the Sixers’ victories been that they will be confident of completing a group-stage clean sweep nonetheless. Brad Haddin and Michael Lumb have played telling innings at the top of the order, and others lower down like Steven Smith and Moises Henriques have also made significant contributions.

Watch out for…

Lasith Malinga has copped plenty of flak back home for his performance in the World Twenty20 final, and unfairly, that has only intensified as he has been among the wickets for his IPL side. Like Sri Lanka, Mumbai rely on Malinga for wickets, and if he can make inroads into a Watson-less top order, he could help hide the remainder of the attack, who have not been particularly threatening.Pat Cummins has impressed with his pace, but with Watson absent, he will have to also take more responsibility when it comes to taking wickets. He has at times been predictable towards the end of an innings, and if he can introduce a few more variations into his game, he will help fill that Watson-shaped void better.

Indian left arm spinner Sunil Joshi (4 for 38) and seamer Dodda Ganesh(4 for 46) ran through the weak Assam batting line-up to helpKarnataka to a seven wicket win on third day of the five day RanjiTrophy pre-quarterfinal at the Nehru stadium in Guwahati on Monday.Karnataka batsmen then accomplished the task in 35.2 overs whilelosing three wickets in the process.Resuming at 310 for nine, Karnataka added just two more runs as JavedZaman bowled NA Khan off the third ball of the day. With a lead ofnine runs, Assam made a disastrous start in their second inningslosing both openers PK Das (15) and SB Saikia (4) with the scorereading 19 in the seventh over. Das was the first to be dismissedcaught behind by VST Naidu off MA Khan, while Saikia was caught behindoff Ganesh. Assam skipper Zakaria Zuffri (12) and S Ganesh Kumar (50)took the score to 46 before the former became Joshi’s first victimwhen Anil Kumar caught him.The next over, the 18th of the innings bowled by Ganesh, saw Assamsuffer a double setback. Off the third ball of the over Ganesh sentback R Borah (0) and two balls later the former Tamil Nadu left armspinner Sunil Subramaniam joined him in the pavilion. There was notmuch left for Assam after that even as Sukhvinder Singh (26) waged alone battle. It was only a matter of time before the innings folded upand in the 39th over of the innings the inevitable happened.Set to score 144 for a win, Karnataka made a shaky start when theylost opener J Arun Kumar (11), run out in the third over. His partnerMithun Beerala (14) followed in the 12th over with the score at 44.Beerala was caught by Ghosh off Ganesh Kumar. Then the former Indianbatsman Vijay Bharadwaj (41) and B Akhil (51) took the score to 93.Bharadwaj was sent back at this stage, caught by Samant off SukhvinderSingh. With only a handful of runs to get, Akhil and his skipper Joshihit off the required runs with consummate ease.