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Australia’s former Test captain, Steve Waugh, says his wife Lynette is making good progress in her recovery from surgery to remove a blood clot from her brain.”Lynette’s recovery is very pleasing,” Steve Waugh said in a joint statement with Charles Teo, the surgeon who carried out the operation. “So far all investigations into the cause of the haemorrhage have been negative. There are still a few investigations to be carried out.”Lynette Waugh, 38, had the surgery on Friday after being rushed to a Sydney hospital. “Dr Teo suspects the most likely scenario was a spontaneous haemorrhage and one that, hopefully, won’t reoccur in the future.”The Waugh family would again like to acknowledge the incredible support, goodwill and positive encouragement from the public and the media,” Waugh added. “It is greatly appreciated.”

Michael Kasprowicz will replay Steve Harmison’s final ball for the rest of his life after the heart-breaking yet thrilling conclusion to the second Test. A hurting Kasprowicz said the aim was to “dig in and have some fun” as he joined Brett Lee with Australia still needing 62 for victory.But three short of the most amazing come-from-behind victory he was judged to have gloved Harmison’s pinpoint short-ball, giving the wicketkeeper Geraint Jones a comfortable legside catch. “It’s the most vivid delivery that I’ll replay in my mind for the rest of my life,” Kasprowicz told . “It just got big quick and I didn’t see too much of it.” Slow motion replays suggested Kasprowicz’s hand was off the bat when hit, but it was millimetre-close and Billy Bowden gave the decision.The feeling was similar for Brett Lee, who took a string of stinging blows from Andrew Flintoff, including one on the armguard that he said was the fastest he had faced. “As much as we’re hurting right now mentally and physically, it’s good for cricket,” Lee said.When asked about his pain, Lee pointed to his heart and said: “I’m hurting more here. We knew we had to take a few on the body. I’d do it plus tax again to make sure we give everything we can to make Australia win.”Kasprowicz believed they could scrape home and the pair comfortably added singles, boundaries, byes and leg-byes in the gripping 59-run stand. “Over the years, this Australian side has come back from some pretty amazing positions,” he said. “We just decided our best chance was to get in there and dig in and have some fun along the way.”

The majority of county chiefs are in favour of making changes to the current promotion and relegation system, according to a poll in the latest edition of magazine. The survey confirmed that 13 of the 18 counties wanted to see two teams go up and down from each season rather than three.A change to this structure is expected to form part of the recommendations of the ECB’s Domestic Structure Review Group (DSRG), which is due to publish a report this July. However, any changes would be unlikely to come into effect until 2006.”Three sides going down is the equivalent of seven teams in football’s Premiership and that’s too many,” Jim Cumbes, Lancashire’s chief executive told the magazine. John Scopes, Northamptonshire’s chairman, agreed, saying, “It’s a bit of a lottery. It only takes a couple of injuries and a bit of bad luck with the weather to finish seventh.” Paul Sheldon at Surrey added: “Three-up, three-down is too many. More important is that we listen to current players rather than former players about playing too much – and a unified voice says we do.”Another who had his say was Tom Richardson, Gloucestershire’s chief executive, who said the two-up, two-down was the way ahead: “I don’t think we should be cautious about change, but we need to look at it in the round. Two divisions works. It adds to the focus, the competitive nature.” Gloucestershire were one of the three teams to have been promoted to Division One last season, meaning that every county has been in the top division at some stage.Restructuring the system has been high on English cricket’s agenda since the end of last season with numerous plans being put forward. The Cricket Reformation Group, headed by Bob Willis, a former England captain, believes 12 of the 18 counties should go part-time, with the national side being drawn from 120 professionals divided up between the six full-time clubs. While Matthew Engel, editor of the Wisden Cricketers’ Alamanack, proposed a merger of the Championship and the National League into a single competition.

The Somerset Mini Sabres Cricket Club that was launched earlier this week was heralded as a great success by the organisers.Fifteen budding young cricketers between the ages of three and five years old turned up for the first of the four one hour coaching sessions that will be held over the next few weeks at the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground in Taunton.The sessions were run by Brian Hoyle and Guy Wolfenden from the Centre of Excellence and Somerset county cricketer Matt Bulbeck.Guy Wolfenden told me; "We are very happy with the response that we have had for the Mini Sabres. The first session went very well indeed and all of the youngsters seemed to enjoy themselves."He continued: "This week we concentrated on ball skills. We did some catching and some batting as well and we tried to make it fun for all of them. I was quite impressed with the level of skills that some of the minis showed, they were much better than I expected.We have some very talented four year olds in Somerset. Next week we will be moving onto bowling."Somerset’s Matt Bulbeck told me: "I certainly enjoyed working with the Mini Sabres and they all seemed to enjoy it as well."Guy Wolfenden concluded: “In view of the response to the first four coaching sessions there are plans now that we will run the club on a termly basis.The level of interest surprised us all and in fact we may even have to have a waiting list for our future Mini Sabres sessions."Anybody wishing to find out more about the Mini Sabres should contact Guy Wolfenden on 01823 352266

Much of Hampshire’s CricInfo championship success apart from their excellent bowling prowess, has been their tail end batting in the 2001 season.Hampshire best opening partnerships this year have been 62, 61 and 59, whereas down the order there have been century partnerships for the seventh and ninth wickets, two partnerships in the 90s for the ninth, and a high of 80 for the last wicket.Taking each partnership seperately, the following table shows some interesting facts.

Wkt Innings Not Outs Runs Best Average1 15 1 392 62 28.002 12 1 534 131 48.543 12 0 523 147 43.584 12 0 435 134 36.255 12 1 377 106 34.276 11 0 169 81 15.367 11 1 290 142 29.008 10 1 481 130 53.449 9 0 368 95 40.8810 9 0 204 80 22.66

Chhattisgarh and Manipur made another case to be awarded the BCCI’s full membership as they made a presentation to the board’s affiliation committee in Bangalore on Sunday.Full membership would not only give both states – currently associate members – an annual revenue in excess of Rs 20 crore (approx. $3.03mn) but more importantly, will facilitate their entry into all the senior-level tournaments conducted by the BCCI.”We made a presentation to the BCCI affiliation committee today. We were asked to present our case. Now that we have explained all the activities, we hope that the BCCI takes our efforts into consideration and awards us full membership,” Rajesh Dave, secretary of Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh, told ESPNcricinfo.Both the states have been allowed to participate in the BCCI’s junior tournaments but lack of participation in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has hampered the progress of cricket there. Besides, with the board’s grant of approximately Rs 75 lakh (US$114,000) annually to its associate members, the developing states find it difficult to establish a structured development programme.However, CSCS and Manipur Cricket Association have been putting in a lot of effort to develop cricket in their jurisdiction. Both the states put in consistent performances in the BCCI’s affiliate and associate members’ tournament before it was disbanded two years ago as well as impressed at times during the Under-22 tournaments.The committee also considered Mizoram Cricket Association’s application to be awarded BCCI’s affiliate membership. The three-member committee, comprising BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, Vidarbha Cricket Association president Prakash Dixit and Goa Cricket Association vice-president Dr Shekhar Salkar, will now forward its recommendations for consideration at next month’s annual general meeting.If the board decides to award membership to either of the states, it will result in additional votes in the BCCI’s list. At present, the board has 30 full members. Due to the volatile election scenario, last year’s AGM had not considered Chhatisgarh’s plea.Chhattisgarh, along with Sikkim Cricket Association, Manipur Cricket Association and Bihar Cricket Association are BCCI’s associate members. Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh happen to be affiliate members, with Mizoram likely to join the ranks next month.

Netherlands 107 (Burger 4-44) and 161 for 3 (ten Doeschate 47*) trail Namibia 337 by 69 runs
ScorecardSeventeen wickets fell on the second day of Namibia’s Intercontinental Cup match against Netherlands in Windhoek, as Namibia took complete control. After compiling 337, Namibia’s opening bowlers tore through Netherlands to dismiss them for 107, forcing them to follow-on. At stumps they had moved to 161 for 3, still trailing by 69 with two days to go.The day’s precedent was set in the first few overs. Namibia, resuming on 322 for 5, collapsed to 337 all out to lose their last five wickets in six overs. But their bowlers gained revenge, with Kola Burger and Louis Klazinga sharing seven wickets and helping to reduce Netherlands to 52 for 7. Their star batsman, Ryan ten Doeschate, made only 6, though Peter Borren (35 from 52) and Eric Szwarczynski (23) at least allowed Netherlands to pass 100 with some entertaining hitting. To further compound Netherlands’ fortunes, Pieter Seelaar was hit in the face by a bouncer from Gerrie Snyman and is not expected to play any further part in the match.At least Netherlands made a better fist of things in their second innings. Alexei Kervezee and Tom de Grooth both fell cheaply before Bas Zuiderent, their experienced No. 3, dropped anchor in a resilient 52. He shared in a third-wicket stand of 91 with ten Doeschate who remained unbeaten on 47. Only he can save Netherlands from a thumping defeat.

Many of Australia’s World Cup-winning cricketers are thankful for their four-month break from the game – Shane Watson is cursing it. Watson’s summer was so dominated by injuries that until his return late in the CB Series his season was almost a write-off. He finally got fit only to spend his winter in training, waiting to prove himself in a hectic 2007-08.On a dark, drizzly June day in Melbourne, Watson appeared out of place helping to launch Cricket Australia’s ticketing program for next season. He looks like a man built for action, one who should never be kept indoors. But just like a muscular, blond He-Man figurine, when he’s tested too vigorously in real-world conditions his limbs have a habit of falling apart.He eventually overcame his persistent hamstring problems and began finding form in the Caribbean only to be sidelined again, this time with a calf injury. When he played there were glimpses of brilliance – his 32-ball 65 against New Zealand at Grenada won over many unconvinced fans – but his winter lay-off has been awkward.”The way it worked out personally it’s not really ideal because I didn’t play too much cricket this summer,” Watson said. “But in a way it’s been excellent because I’ve been able to sit down with a few guys and work out the best way to train over this winter, to work out the reasons why things have been happening and then proceed to get them right.”It seemed there were almost daily updates on his hamstring last season and it was a lot of hype for a player who still has only three Tests to his name. Although his first-class batting average of 49.22 is attractive, Watson knows the time has come to justify the selectors’ faith in him with an extended and productive run in the team. He has set his sights on 18 months of injury-free cricket.”The [training] techniques that I’m doing will just be changed moderately,” he said. “It’s more just the resting between when I’m doing weights and things, which does make a big difference. The big goal for me is to get through 18 months. What I do, being an allrounder, definitely puts my body under a fair bit more pressure, bowling and batting.”His target would mean staying on the field from Australia’s opening tournament of 2007-08, the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September, through home series against Sri Lanka and India and a busy 2008 that will feature more than 20 Tests. Watson was in Australia’s Ashes plans last summer but his hamstring dramas allowed Andrew Symonds to grasp his chance at No. 6.Watson is therefore deadly serious about his aim to replace Justin Langer as Matthew Hayden’s opening partner, although much will hinge on where he bats with Queensland at the start of the domestic season. “There’s big opportunities there this summer,” Watson said. “Like anything you need to be performing at the right time and be fit at the right time to make the most of those opportunities.”I had a bit of a chat to Queensland at the end of last summer about the prospects of batting in the top order so they’re really keen to try and get the best out of me as well as the team. Hopefully that opportunity will come at the start of the year and I’ll be able to press my claims.”Watson has opened in Australia’s ODI line-up and has spent time at No. 3 and 4 in Pura Cup matches. He believes he is technically and mentally ready for the Australian top-order. “I batted high up in the order, No. 3, for Tasmania and did really well [making four centuries in 2003-04],” he said. “Opening and No. 3 can be – as everyone’s seen with David Boon, with Justin Langer – interchangeable.”Wherever he fits into Australia’s side, Watson is unquestionably in their long-term blueprint for success. For now, all he wants is 18 injury-free months to prove, to himself as much as anyone, that he deserves to be there. “To be able to have a good crack at it would be awesome,” he said, “for me to be able to see how good I can be at international level.”

Mohan de Silva, the opposition candidate standing for elections to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), has said that Dambulla will remain the venue for the tri-series against India and South Africa, if he becomes the president.”When we get elected, well make sure that matches take place according to the original schedule,” de Silva, who is running against interim head Jayantha Dharmadasa, told AFP. “Its just poor management from the interim committee. It is just a matter of making outstanding payments to the authorities in Dambulla and the ground will be available.”The government-appointed interim board had sent the Indian board a request to accept change of venue from Dambulla to Colombo as they feared sabotage to the stadium if de Silva’s group loses the elections this Saturday. De Silva is backed by Thilanga Sumathipala, the former president of the board, who was thrown out of office by the government and replaced with the interim committee last year.According to the original schedule the first four matches of the tri-series, from August 14 to August 29, were to be held in Dambulla, while Colombo would host the final two matches.The two Tests against South Africa beginning July 27 are also scheduled to be played in Colombo, though it is not yet sure whether they will be shifted to a neutral venue.

Shane Warne is ready for the challenge of the Ashes series and has told England they should get used to losing again. He believes Australia are peaking at the right time after a difficult start to the tour. But he said this England team is impressive and, for the first time in a long time, the players have a genuine right to think they have a chance this summer.”Australia have played extremely well in the last couple of one-dayers and I think they have just started to peak at the right time,” Warne told a packed press conference at the team hotel in London. “A few players have started to hit their straps before the Test series, which is a good sign. The Supersubs have obviously favoured the side bowling first every time but Australia have won the toss in the last two games and have played some good cricket.”Warne said the hype around this Ashes series is justified by England’s recent winning form and it differs from the build-up to previous contests. “If anyone thought it was just a bit of hype about England playing Australia, the way they have played has shown they are up for a scrap, they are ready to get into our face and start fighting.”The expectation has always been high from all the England people, because they went unbeaten last year and they think they have got a side which can compete for the Ashes for the first time since 1989. Sixteen years is a long time to really not be in a contest. All the hype with the other contests has been because they thought they had a chance but deep down they knew they didn’t really. But this time they have a realistic chance.”Warne has been warming-up for the series at Hampshire and has formed a strong friendship with Kevin Pietersen, who he believes has to play. The major debate about England’s team has been whether Pietersen should replace Graham Thorpe, but Warne said the decision did not have to be that cut and dried.”They have got to make room for him, he is the most destructive player in England,” he said. “Kevin and Flintoff are both destructive but I think Kevin has that X factor. I played against him a couple of times last year and when I’ve seen him first hand for Hampshire this year, there is just something, he just has that thing you can’t quite but your finger on.”Why can’t they have Thorpe at five, Pietersen at six, Flintoff at seven, Jones at eight then Giles and two quicks. You still have Flintoff as your third seamer, you have four bowlers and some part-timers, so who says you can’t fit them all in?”However, he was quick to start the mind games, saying that he would be happy whoever he bowls against, and would enjoy Thorpe, who he has dismissed nine times in Tests. “Of course I’d rather Thorpe plays because I’ve got him out more times,” he said, “and sometimes you need experience as well.”This is likely to be Warne’s last Ashes series in England – he will be 40 by the time the next one comes around – and the Anglo-Australian contest is the ultimate for him and any other Australian player. “Suddenly England have something to cheer about and I think when No. 1 plays No. 2 it always brings out good entertaining cricket. Australia against England is what it is all about,” he said.”You can give me whatever other series you like. India, Pakistan, yes they are all great series, but to me the Ashes has always been the one and I think if you ask the guys coming over here it’s something special. It always brings out the best in the Australian sides and I can’t see it being any different this time.”