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Lalchand Rajput is not surprised that he has been appointed cricket manager of the Indian team for the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship to be held in South Africa in September. “My name has been doing the rounds each time a coaching role in any capacity has been discussed in the recent past, but it is an honour to get this opportunity”, Rajput said from Kandy, where he is the coach of the India Under-19s, playing their second Test of the series.Though he was yet to officially receive the news from the BCCI, Rajput said he was looking forward to the challenge. “I’ve been doing very well as a coach,” said Rajput, whose name was doing the rounds when the board was thinking of appointing an understudy to the coach of the national team.With the board’s head-coach hunt yet to take full flight, and Chandu Borde, the current cricket manager in England, considered unsuitable for the fast-paced environment of Twenty20, there was not much competition for Rajput. The highly regarded Chandrakant Pandit is coach of the India A side currently touring Kenya but what might have turned the balance in Rajput’s favour would be his coaching pedigree, especially his success as the coach of the Under-19 team, with whom he is yet to lose a series. In the past year, since his appointment, the team have won in England (Test series 1-0, ODI series 3-0, Pakistan (Tests 2-0, ODIs 4-0), New Zealand (Tests 1-1, ODIs 2-1) and now Sri Lanka (the triangular one-day series featuring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh U-19s; they are leading 1-0 in the Tests).Rajput, a former India and Mumbai opener, has had coaching stints with Mumbai and Assam and is currently also the director of coaching at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. “I have had a good rapport with youngsters in my various coaching roles so that would help me blend in easily with the Indian team.”India are yet to pick up the nuts and bolts of Twenty20 cricket. That’s something Rajput acknowledges. “We have not played enough of Twenty20 but at the same time Indians are quick learners so that gives me the confidence.” Unlike during the World Cup in the Caribbean, where the Indians were among the favourites, Rajput and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was appointed India’s Twenty 20 captain, have to work their way up in South Africa.Though it’s a daunting task, Rajput has a clear vision. “It’s a different ball game; it is really for young legs and you have to be involved always as every ball is important, so the focus and intensity should be good all the time. That will be the most important aspect we need to work on.”Even if India lack Twenty20 specialists, unlike the other teams, Rajput feels it’s a balanced side. “It looks a good all-round team with the right blend of some seniors and juniors. We have good strikers and the right set of youngsters to face the demand of the game.”Rajput has faith in his captain, who, he feels, has the ability to bolster spirits with his own hard work. “Dhoni is honest [and] has a very good work ethic, which will be a factor from the team’s point of view. He is a strong-willed person who doesn’t give up easily and you can see that in his batting, which will help him lead by example.”With little over a month left before the start of the tournament, Rajput has already set his agenda: “Running between the wickets and fielding are two key areas that will form the focus of the training.”

Andrew Strauss insisted England would be a “lot better” by the time of next year’s World Cup after they slumped to the eighth limited-overs defeat of his captaincy. Strauss, on his home ground at Lord’s, was powerless to prevent Pakistan’s comfortable seven-wicket win as they went 1-0 up in the five-match one-day series.It was the latest setback in a disappointing run of one-day results for England, who so far this season have lost Twenty20s against both Sri Lanka and Pakistan as well as going down 5-0 to the Lankans in a one-day series. With the World Cup in the West Indies now just six months away, England’s hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time in their history look bleak, even if star allrounder Andrew Flintoff returns in time from an ankle problem.But Strauss insisted there was plenty of time for England’s luck to change. “The World Cup is still a long way away. We’ve got a lot of guys who are early in their one-day careers and they can only get better. And I expect us to get a lot better by the time the World Cup comes.”All you can do is back your technique, back your ability, back the talent in your team. If we do that we have a decent chance of bouncing back in this series,” he added. “The most important thing for us is that we remain positive and go out and play in a positive manner.”Reflecting on England’s innings – they were bowled out for 166 – Strauss added: “It probably wasn’t one of the best tosses to lose. “But all credit to their bowlers – they took advantage of those conditions magnificently. It is very easy when you are bowling in those conditions to try too much to bowl people, but I thought they got it just about bang on.”The one plus point for England was the form of Jon Lewis (2 for 11 off eight overs), playing his first one-day international in over a year. “I’m really pleased for him,” said Strauss. “He showed he can exploit those conditions against the best batsmen in the world. He’s been waiting in the wings and chomping at the bit to get a run. When he did get it he stuck to the basics and they paid off for him.”The series continues with Tuesday’s floodlit fixture at the Rose Bowl.

On October 6, it was announced that the dispute between Kenya’s striking players and the board (KCA) had been resolved. The two bones of contention – outstanding salaries and contract renewals – would be resolved and all was well.At the time we voiced suspicions that the deal might be more of a cease-fire than an armistice, and it is beginning to appear that has turned out to be the case. Critics who accused the KCA of offering little more than words without substance appear to have been proved right.What is not disputed is that the KCA are strapped for cash, and critics claimed that the settlement brokered by the Kenya National Sports Council was little more than an attempt to pour cold water on what was becoming an increasingly bitter stand-off. Questions were raised as to how the board would pay the cash.Sources have told us that the players have not been paid the money owed to them in back-pay, nor have bonuses still outstanding from the 2003 World Cup – the major irritant to the players – been handed over. Even the monies owed from September’s Champions Trophy – for which the KCA received a one-off payment of $165,000 from the ICC – are still owing. It is also rumoured that the current coaching staff have not been paid their September salaries.The biggest sign that the KCA did not intend honouring the truce came when the selectors left all the striking players out of the squad for the Intercontinental Cup finals in Sharjah. Had they said that they wanted to stick with the same players who had seen off Namibia, and in doing so got them through, then that would have been understandable. Instead, it was claimed that the players had not re-applied to be selected. That excuse was unbelievable and wholly transparent.Last Wednesday, the players concerned publicly accused the KCA of reneging on its agreement and referred their grievances to Ochillo Ayacko, the minister for sport. Ayacko’s frustration with events had led to the KNSC’s intervention in the first place.Until recently, the KCA had been using money received from the ICC earmarked for development to pay salaries. But the ICC stepped in and put a stop to that, prompting the current cash-crisis.

South Africa, who have slipped down to third spot in the ICC Test Championship table, could regain their second spot if they win the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.England’s strong performances over the last few months have helped them slide into the No. 2 slot, but currently only one point separates the two – South Africa have 106 to England’s 107. If South Africa win both Tests, their rating will go up to 110 points, while a 1-0 victory will take them to 108. If they draw the series, however, they will slip to 105. England, meanwhile, can only move up to 109 even if they complete a 4-0 whitewash of West Indies.Sri Lanka are currently struggling in sixth place with 99 points, but they would move up two places if they manage to win both Tests in the current series. And what of the once-mighty Windies? Languishing at No. 8 – ahead of just Zimbabwe and Bangladesh – with 76 points, they will slide further to 73 if they lose their last two Tests in England. Given the way that series has gone so far, not many would bet against it.

England 416 (McGrath 81) beat Zimbabwe 94 (Johnson 6 for 33) and 253 (Harmison 4-55, Anderson 4-55) by an innings and 69 runs

James Anderson and Steve Harmison picked up four wickets apiece, as England completed their second consecutive innings victory over Zimbabwe shortly before 4.45pm on the third day of the second npower Test at Chester-le-Street. Zimbabwe, led by Travis Friend, made a better fist of things in their second innings of 253, but they were always staring at a heavy defeat after yesterday’s first-innings debacle.For the first time in the series, England had to work hard for their wickets in a much more even contest. While Richard Johnson tried but failed to recapture his magic touch, Anderson again showed maturity beyond his years by rising to the challenge with 4 for 55. Harmison, who also took 4 for 55, too showed his worth as a strike bowler by stepping in to break two irritating partnerships, before wrapping things up with two wickets in consecutive overs.Anderson got things going for England last night with the wicket of Mark Vermeulen, and he carried on the good work throughout the day, while Harmison delighted his home crowd with his pace and aggression. And just when Nasser Hussain wanted to finish things off, it was fitting that Harmison blasted out the last two wickets. He produced a snorter of a lifter to a helpess Ray Price, and started the celebrations with a spearing yorker to get rid of the last man Douglas Hondo.However, even though it was another crushing win inside three days for England, today wasn’t the easy ride many were expecting. Friend stood up to England with an aggressive and defiant 65 not out. He took his chances along the way, but it was just what Zimbabwe needed to restore some much-needed pride.With Sean Ervine, Friend added 54 for the sixth wicket, and treated the crowd to some rare quality strokeplay. Ervine cracked a quickfire 36, including a straight six off Ashley Giles, and Friend took his lead. Although he didn’t move his feet much, he drove the ball with equal ease off both the backand front-foot, and he fittingly brought up a well-deserved fifty with a glorious back-foot drive off Johnson, to whom he took a particular liking. For the first time in the day – and arguably, in the series – runs began to flow freely for Zimbabwe. But just when Hussain needed a wicket, Harmison stepped up to remove Ervine.Ervine was undone by Harmison’s extra pace when, trying to get his bat out the way of a high-bouncing ball outside off stump, he got a thick inside-edge which cannoned into his stumps (185 for 6). Ervine had scored 36, and it was a good effort considering Zimbabwe’s position and disastrous start to the afternoon after all the hard work they put in during the morning session.In the morning Dion Ebrahim had played sensibly, and with some determination, for a patient 55 before suffering another dubious lbw decision from Darrell Hair. With support from Stuart Carlisle (28), Ebrahim helped Zimbabwe to a respectable position at lunch, and the prospect of batting throughout the day looked a possibility.But Grant Flower played on to James Anderson for 16 in the first over after lunch, and when Giles picked up Tatenda Taibu soon afterwards, the writing was well and truly on the wall. And after Ervine’s and Friend’s sprightly partnership ended, Zimbabwe’s fortunes in this match were summed up shortly before tea by the dismissal of their captain, Heath Streak. Friend drilled a return catch to Steve Harmison , who spilled the chance and diverted the ball on the stumps at the non-strikers’ end, with Streak way out of his crease (202 for 7). It just hasn’t been their tour.Click here for today’s Wisden Verdict

Day 2 of the MRF Buchi Babu Tournament final on Wednesday at Chepauksaw New Zealand ‘A’ continue to dominate. First they piled up amammoth 486/7 declared in their first essay. And then their bowlersreduced Cricket Association of Bengal to 74/5 after 31 overs.In the morning, Lou Vincent and Hamish Marshall continued to dominatethe Bengal bowling. They put on 127 runs before Vincent (101) wasdismissed soon after he reached his ton. Marshall though refused toperish. The Bengal skipper Rohan Gavaskar dismissed Vincent with hisslow left-arm orthodox bowling. Marshall remained unbeaten on 78 notout at Lunch after Oram (16) and Sulzberger (1) failed. Stumper ChrisNevin was new at the wicket and gave Marshall company.After Lunch, runs started to flow at a more brisk rate, with Marshalland Nevin scoring comfortably. Half an hour before the Tea break,Nevin hit back a ball from Soumen Singh and was dismissed for 67 (7×4,1×6) after adding a very useful 126 runs for the 7th wicket withMarshall. Marshall remained unbeaten on 124 when Matthew Bell decidedto have a go at the Bengal batsmen and declared with the score on 486for 7. Marshall was the man to watch through the day. The innings ofNew Zealand ‘A’ was entirely build around Marshall, though Vincent andNevin made more than useful contributions.For the CAB XI, Shukla and Lahiri picked 2 wickets each. None of theseven bowlers used by Gavaskar ended with economical figures.New Zealand ‘A’ had a minor setback as Nevin was injured in the secondover of the CAB XI’s innings. Vincent donned the gloves from then on.To everyone’s surprise, Vincent had four catches coming his way and heaccepted all of them to put Bengal in a distressing position.The highest scorer for CAB XI was their skipper Gavaskar with 27. Hesent the ball six times to the fence and looked good but did not lastlong. Bond managed to get the better of Gavaskar as Vincent bagged yetanother catch behind the stumps. CAB XI had lost half their side withjust 64 on the board. Soumen Singh (12*) and Sanyal (3*) batted out theremaining four overs and live to fight tomorrow.Oram sent down just four overs out of the 31 and picked up two wicketsgiving away a miserly eight runs. Bond, Drum and Sulzberger wererewarded with one wicket each at the end of the day.New Zealand ‘A’ seem to have this match sewn up. Something miraculouswould have to happen for the CAB XI team to stop the visitors. All itwill take from here is some disciplined bowling and New Zealand ‘A’should be able to wrap this up comfortably tomorrow.

Match facts

Friday, August 14, 2015
Start time 1800 local (1600GMT)4:45

O’Brien: Big test for Williamson without McCullum around

Big Picture

The wide lens is focused on March next year when the World T20 takes place. Although conditions in South Africa are entirely unlike what teams will be presented with in India, any chance to trial combinations and practice patterns of play will be welcomed, with the limited number of T20 internationals played throughout the year, especially by teams in transition.Both South Africa and New Zealand have begun experimentation in their limited-overs games and both are plunging into the player pool searching for depth while retaining some of the members of their senior core. South Africa have AB de Villiers back in national colours, after he skipped the last two-thirds of their Bangladesh series on paternity leave and Hashim Amla back in the T20 side, but are looking at establishing a new all-rounder in the lower middle-order with David Wiese given the opportunity in this series. New Zealand’s batting has the experience of Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson, but the rest of their line-up gives way to players who have not held regular places in the past – Colin Munro, James Neesham, Adam Milne – but can stake a claim to do so now.But don’t blame the fans if they are not really focused on all that. For them, this series is the starter in an all-you-can-eat-style bumper season for South Africa, who will embark on their longest tour of India and host England for a full tour, including four Tests. Those marquee series are sandwiched between a sprinkling of shorter-format matches against Antipodean opposition with New Zealand as the entree and Australia the dessert before the World T20 next year. Many things could change by the time that tournament starts but for now, all South African cricket fans care about is that the summer starts now.

Form guide

(last five completed games most recent first)
South Africa WWWLL
New Zealand WLWLL

In the spotlight

South Africans have admired Kagiso Rabada from afar but have only seen him play one international game at home. In January he went wicketless in a T20 against West Indies at Newlands and was on the receiving end of a Chris Gayle avalanche. Rabada’s role in the national team has since become more prominent – he made his ODI debut and was included in the Test squad – and the signs are clear that he is considered the future. Rabada’s raw pace and pinpoint precision are tailormade for South African surfaces and in early-season conditions, he will have the chance to properly announce himself at home.The last time Kane Williamson played limited-overs cricket in South Africa, he struck a career-best 145, and was instrumental in setting up a series win. This time he returns as captain of the team in Brendon McCullum’s absence and will want to combine leadership with building on his good record against South Africa. He has played just four T20s against South Africa, scored 109 runs at 36.33 (higher than his overall average of 28.72), with a top-score of 51.

Team news

Morne van Wyk was recalled to the squad after being dropped for the Bangladesh series – despite scoring a century in his last T20 appearance in January – but could be confined to the bench. Faf du Plessis confirmed AB de Villiers would open the batting and keep wicket in this format and with Hashim Amla back in the squad, there may be no room for van Wyk at the top. Without JP Duminy, who is on paternity leave, Rilee Rossouw should get an opportunity higher up in the order with Farhaan Behardien one of two allrounders in the eleven. Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott will provide a three-pronged pace pack with space for just one spinner; either Eddie Leie or Aaron Phangiso.South Africa: 1 AB de Villiers (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (captain), 4 Rilee Rossouw, 5 David Miller, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 David Wiese, 8 Kyle Abbott, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Eddie Leie/Aaron PhangisoNew Zealand are missing several senior players, which has provided an opportunity for George Worker at No.3 in the line-up and could see Grant Elliot bat a position higher than usual. With Nathan McCullum providing a spin option, Ish Sodhi may have to sit out to make room for Doug Bracewell, who has joined the squad for the South Africa leg of their trip.New Zealand: 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Kane Williamson (capt), 3 George Worker, 4 Grant Elliot, 5 Luke Ronchi (wk), 6 Colin Munro, 7 James Neesham, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Doug Bracewell, 10 Adam Milne, 11 Mitchell McClenaghan

Pitch and conditions

Cricket has come before spring this season, which could make for interesting conditions on pitches that are only just shedding their winter coats. Durban should be the least affected venue – winter flits past the city with the casualness of a summer’s day – but is expected to be spicier than usual. A green surface should greet the teams for the first T20 on what is forecast to be a mild day with no rain. Drought-hit Kwa-Zulu Natal has, in the past few seasons, had many matches affected by rain but this time the weather should hold.

Stats and trivia

• South Africa have the historical advantage over New Zealand in all formats, particularly T20. They have won nine of the 12 T20s between the two sides while New Zealand have won only three.
• Faf du Plessis is the leading run-scorer in T20s this year. He has played four matches, scored 252 runs at 84.00 with a century and a fifty to his name.
• This is the first time ever South Africa are playing an international match at home in the month of August

Quotes

“I think with the T20s people thought it was just something that since we were playing Bangladesh we should beat them comfortably but looking back at the tour, for us it was quite tough in those conditions and to have beaten them two-nil and quite convincingly, I am very proud.””Whenever you get an opportunity to play for your country, you can push for a permanent spot but that’s not how the culture works in our team. It’s more about looking to contribute to a team performance, a team win and that’s where we want people playing their games.”

ScorecardCenturies from James Taylor and Ben Stokes helped England recover from a shaky start to post an imposing 470 for 5 on the first day of their opening warm-up match in South Africa. Despite the failure of their newest opening partnership, England’s day could not have gone much better, with Nick Compton also contributing a half-century from No,3.The star of the show, however, with 158 from 131 balls, was Stokes, who has been recovering from an injury to his collarbone joint sustained in the field during the Sharjah Test against Pakistan. In addition to his forceful batting, he has provided encouragement over his availability as an allrounder for the first Test at Durban by bowling in the nets in Potchefstroom.A domineering display with the bat suggested he has lost none of his edge in the meantime, even if the latter part of his onslaught came against a selection of part-time bowlers. He struck 23 fours and cleared the boundary ropes five times at Senwes Park, doing his best to hit the “Hit Me” target painted on the roof of one of the outbuildings, and helped England past 400 at a scoring rate of almost 5.5 runs per over before retiring.Taylor also retired his innings after making a more sedate century, allowing England’s lower-middle order valuable time in the middle. Moeen Ali reached the close unbeaten on a breezy 33 from 30 balls with Chris Woakes alongside him on 10, while Jonny Bairstow, who has been confirmed by the head coach, Trevor Bayliss, as England’s wicketkeeper for Durban, reached a fluent 35 from 46 balls, including five fours. He was eventually bowled by the pick of the South African bowlers, Thandolwethu Mnyaka, who returned the respectable figures of 3 for 66 in 18 overs.The first of Mnyaka’s wickets had come from the first ball of the day’s third over, when he jagged one back from round the wicket to trap Alastair Cook lbw for 2, and 6 for 1 quickly became 10 for 2 when Alex Hales, another man whose starting place for Durban has already been confirmed, left one from Junior Dala that came back a fraction to hit the top of off stump.James Taylor drives through the off side during his century•Getty Images

England’s recovery came first through Compton, who shared stands of 46 with Joe Root and 99 with Taylor. Installed as the likely successor to Ian Bell at No. 3, Compton left judiciously on his way to a 107-ball half-century – though he was given a life when dropped in the slips on 49 – and picked up nine fours before being pinned lbw for 58 to give Mnyaka his second wicket of the day.Root made a typically punchy start, scoring all of his runs in boundaries during an innings of 28 off 26, but was caught behind off former South Africa Under-19 quick Andile Phehlukwayo while trying to force another back-foot drive. While Compton accumulated steadily, Taylor continued with the busy approach and, after England had gone to lunch on 90 for 3, both moved past fifty in the afternoon session.Mnyaka’s strike left England 155 for 4 but that merely brought Stokes to the crease to begin his destructive intervention. Taylor recorded England’s first century on tour, from 137 balls with 13 fours, a six and an all-run five (thanks to an overthrow), and Stokes followed him to three figures a few overs later, despite Taylor having a 52-run head start.England, who will mix and match their players in the course of the three-day fixture, were set to give opportunities to Woakes and Mark Footitt with the ball, as they look to settle on a third seamer for the Boxing Day Test in Durban. Gary Ballance and James Anderson were also named as part of a 13-man side and will play some part in the later stages of the match.

The first ICC Americas Women’s Championship ended on a celebratory note with a match between a select Americas XI and the Trinidad & Tobago Under-17 team, as well as two 20/20 matches between mixed teams comprising players from Canada, Bermuda and Argentina who took part in the tournament.In the show match of the day, T&T recorded a comfortable five-wicket win over the Americas XI, knocking off the required 186 in only 35.5 overs. The Americas XI had compiled a useful 185 for 7 in their 50 overs after being sent in, but this ultimately proved to be nowhere near enough to challenge their youthful opponents.The Americas XI batting line-up performed solidly, but could never quite pick up the tempo and gain some momentum until late in the innings against the disciplined and tidy Trinidad & Tobago bowlers and fielders.It was finally thanks to a great partnership between the two form players of the tournament, Terry-Lynn Paynter (Bermuda), who made an undefeated 55, with seven fours, and player of the tournament, Joanna White (Canada), who made 40. The pair added 86 for the sixth wicket after the Americas team had been reduced to 83 for 5.Gaitri Seetahal shone with 3 for 26 in 10 overs, as did Whitney Cudjoe, who grabbed 1 for 15 in five.In reply, an almost faultless opening stand of 103, between player of the match Cudjoe (62) and Rachael Marcano (30) virtually sealed the result. Although Americas used a variety of bowlers to try to reverse the T&T dominance, the opening pair stood firm in a fine century partnership.Reuna Richardson, who finished with 2 for 15 off 4.5 overs, and Veronica Vasquez, 1 for 14, eventually made the breakthroughs, but Amanda Samaroo, (23*) and Gaitri Seetahal (26*) took them to a deserved victory.There was a festival atmosphere on the adjacent ground as the remaining players involved in the tournament joined together to play two entertaining 20/20 matches, where fine displays from Dirce Yuli of Argentina, and Canadian Helene Gaffney, earned them respective player of the match awards.So Canada claim the first ever ICC Americas Women’s Championship title, and certainly there is huge optimism for the future of women’s cricket in the region after an enormously successful tournament.Individual award winnersPlayer of the Tournament – Joanna White (Canada)Best Batter – Amanda Samaroo (T&T U17)Best Bowler – Terry-Lynn Paynter (Bermuda)Best Fielder – Melissa Sandy (T&T U17)Best Wicket-keeper – Jerveena Pollucksingh (T&T U17)
ICC Americas Academy
Joanna White, Muneshri Persaud, Monali Patel and Meara Crawford – Canada; Stacey Babb, Reuna Richardson and Rickelle Smith – Bermuda; Veronica Vasquez, Cecilia Birnie and Delfina Canton – Argentina.

Division One

Points table

Middlesex and Durham contested a tight match at Lord’s but it was the home side who ran out winners, by 13 runs. When Durham slumped to 99 for 5 chasing 259 it seemed that the game was over, but Gary Scott (49*) helped to rally the troops and they made a handy fist of things, but in the end the total was just too much for them. Owais Shah did the damage for Middlesex, blasting an unbeaten 122 from 109 balls, and he was well-supported by Scott Styris’s 74 not out; they shared an unbroken – and crucial – stand of 145 runs.Usman Afzaal and Robert White both hit rapid fifties to set up victory for Northamptonshire at Northampton. The home side made a mountainous 271 that proved too much for Nottinghamshire who made a game chase, but were always behind the target. Lance Klusener stood out among the bowlers – he took 4 for 54 from his 7.5 overs.

Division Two

Points tableThe game of the day came from the Rose Bowl where Somerset edged a low-scoring thriller with three balls to go. Hampshire made just 156 but some tight bowling – in particular Shaun Udal’s 2 for 32 – kept them in the hunt till the end, although Matthew Wood stood firm from the top with an unbeaten 77. But it was Somerset’s bowlers who had the edge; Richard Johnson impressing with 1 for 17 from seven overs, and Arul Suppiah took 2 for 20 from his seven. Hampshire’s topscorer was Dominic Thornely, who made 66.Surrey coasted to an easy eight-wicket win against Derbyshire at Chesterfield. Nayan Doshi took five wickets to spin out Derbyshire for 207, then Ally Brown and James Benning put on a commanding opening stand of 155 to set up the win, Brown making a 68-ball hundred and Benning a 59-ball 66. Brown’s knock included eight fours and eight sixes, Benning’s 11 fours and just the one six, with the pair continuing their good form in the Twenty20. Mark Ramprakash (33*) completed the job with Mark Butcher who didn’t even need to face a ball.Gloucestershire dominated a non-contest against Yorkshire at Cheltenham. Alex Gidman’s 3 for 21 helped to chip out Yorkshire for just 154, with Craig White’s 69 the only contribution of note. In reply, Hamish Marshall and Chris Taylor both made unbeaten fifties in quick-time to take Gloucestershire to an eight-wicket win with more than 16 overs to spare. Their unbroken stand was worth 104.