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Alec Bedser has been fond of repeating Arthur Mailey’s bon mot that “the last bowler to be knighted was Sir Francis Drake”. Not any more because Alec Victor Bedser, now 78 and the 16th man to be knighted for his services to cricket, is also the first specialist bowler. A fierce patriot, his twin brother Eric will share his pride today, as always.The pedant might argue that Gubby, Sir George, Allen was abowler first and foremost but he made 11 first-class hundreds,one in a Test. Bedser, it is true, made a century himself, butin 576 first-class innings he passed 50 on only 12 otheroccasions.With a bat he did his honest best, as he has throughout anindustrious life. But with a new ball he was in his element, aholy terror whenever there was anything in the pitch and aformidable opponent even on a flat one. Sturdy as an oak, he hadthe perfect rocking action and his stock combination offast-medium inswing and leg cut brought him 1,924 wickets at 20runs each: 236 at 24 in his 51 Tests.A pillar of the all-conquering Surrey side of the 1950s, hecarried England’s attack in the years of rebuilding after thewar and made lifelong friends of opponents, especially his mostdemanding one, Don Bradman. He will be visiting Sir Donald inAdelaide shortly, as he does in most winters.Twice he was able to do so as manager of MCC tours, a reminderthat this honour reflects not just his bowling and his exemplarybearing on the field but also his work for English cricket sincehis retirement, including 13 years as chairman of selectors,1969-81, during which England lost only two of their sevenseries for the Ashes.His stern criticism of the current standard of English bowlingis understandable: when Bedser played on the same ground onwhich the second Test in Harare was drawn, his match figuresagainst a Rhodesia side containing three Test players were28-14-36-7.Cricketing KnightsFrancis Lacey (1926), Fred Toone (1929), Pelham Warner (1937),Donald Bradman (1949), Henry Leveson-Gower (1953), Jack Hobbs(1953), Leonard Hutton (1956), Frank Worrell (1964), NevilleCardus (1967), Garfield Sobers (1975), George Allen (1986),Richard Hadlee (1990), Colin Cowdrey (1992), Clyde Walcott(1994), Everton Weekes (1995), Alec Bedser (1996).Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)

With a number of Australia’s top internationals nearing the end of their careers over the next couple of years, the forthcoming Top End series takes on greater importance as an opportunity for younger emerging players to stake their claim to the national side. So believes Allan Border, recently restored to the national selection panel.The series, due to begin shortly, is being played between A teams from India, Pakistan, New Zealand and hosts Australia in Darwin and Cairns and according to Border, it could not have come at a more opportune moment.Border believes performances over the next couple of years will help determine whether some of Australia’s older stars will be pushed out or go of their own accord. “That depends on the performance of the team generally and how good our young players are, and whether they’re pushing these guys,” Border told .Some of the A team players have already played Test cricket, all in the aftermath of the Ashes loss last year. Brad Hodge, Phil Jaques, Dan Cullen, Stuart Clark and Michael Hussey all toured Pakistan with the A team last October and have made their Test debuts since. Some – such as Hussey and Clark – have been immensely successful and become regulars.And, with the summer’s Ashes and next year’s World Cup expected to be among the last great challenges for Australia’s champion team, there can hardly be a better chance for Australia’s emerging players to make themselves irresistible.Others such as Shaun Tait, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson will also be keen to put forth their international credentials. Border, at least, takes heart from the strength of Australia’s back-up.”I’m very excited about the talent pool we’ve got. What we realise is that Warne, (Glenn) McGrath, (Adam) Gilchrist … and all these players, they’re in our best ever sides. But when Shane Warne started playing, I don’t think we envisaged a 700-wicket Test cricketer, and I played in his first Test match.”There are probably players out there right now that maybe fit that bill and we don’t know it yet. That will be the exciting process over the next couple of years.”

Jason Gillespie is resigned to breaking his spectacular new-ball partnership with Glenn McGrath if Brett Lee is recalled for the first Test on Thursday. Gillespie, who plodded through the one-day series, said he wouldn’t be bothered if Lee opened the bowling at Lord’s.Lee is favoured to return to the side for the first time in 19 months, but he will be in a three-way push for two spots with Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz in the tour match against Leicestershire starting today. “If Brett is in the Test side he would probably have to open the bowling,” Gillespie said in the . “It wouldn’t bother me. Anyone who can bowl at 95 miles an hour and swings them has a pretty decent weapon.”After regaining his spark with 3 for 44 in the final ODI at The Oval, Gillespie said he hadn’t bowled badly through the two series. “The England players have played well against me, it’s as simple as that,” he said in the . “It’s not as if I’ve been bowling waist-high fullies and ten wides and ten no-balls. Obviously [you feel] a bit down because you’re not taking wickets and you’re going for a couple more runs an over than you like, but I haven’t been as bad as probably some people have thought.”

The prospects of Muttiah Muralitharan touring Australia in July appear slimmer than ever after the prime minister, John Howard, repeated his claim that the world record-holder is a chucker.Pushed on the subject on Queensland radio this morning, Mr Howard said: “My understanding is that there were some tests carried out in Perth, weren’t there? And there were some conclusions that came out of that, and those conclusions were adopted by the ICC. I don’t know that I’ve got anything to add to that.”Mr Howard, who promotes himself as a “cricket tragic”, heaped fresh ridicule on Murali last Friday when he responded surprisingly candidly to a question at a Liberal Party function on whether Murali threw the ball. “Yes,” he replied. “They proved it in Perth, too, with that [biomechanics video] thing.”Murali, after months of threats, now seems unlikely to tour Australia when Sri Lanka visit for two Tests in Darwin and Cairns in July. He told Australian newspapers over the weekend that Mr Howard’s comments were “very unnecessary”.”[If] the prime minister of the country has accused me like that, why should I go out to that country?” Murali said. “It’s not right. Normal people can say something and I don’t care, but when the prime minister of a nation comes out it is very damaging to my image.”I thought of coming to Australia but now I will think three times before I come. I am disappointed and we are talking to our lawyers. He [Howard] should take away that word … I don’t know what is in his mind, but I am so disappointed that the prime minister of a country would be coming out and giving a statement like this, because he has more responsibility than this, I think.”But Murali confirmed that retirement, contrary to various reports, is not on his agenda. “All my career someone is trying to stop me because maybe I’m very good at bowling and doing things that others can’t do … But I won’t give in, I will keep fighting. There are ways to fight.”

Ouch! Kenya have thrown Sri Lanka’s World Cup plans into disarray.Yesterday’s shambolic performance, fittingly described as “amateurish” by afuming Sanath Jayasuriya, means that Sri Lanka’s progression to the SuperSixes is no longer assured.

Worse, even if they do qualify, they will no longer carry through themaximum points that would have eased their route to the semi-finals.Sri Lanka’s day-night game against the hosts South Africa at Durban is thekey match – victory there will assure them a berth in the next round.

Even if Sri Lanka win against West Indies on Friday at Newlands, they willneed to win against the South Africans to avoid being on equal points withSouth Africa, Kenya and New Zealand.Should that happen then Kenya and South Africa would automatically qualifyon the basis of having beaten two of the three other teams.

Net run rate will then decide whether it is New Zealand or Sri Lanka thatqualify.And with New Zealand still having games to play against Bangladesh andCanada, Sri Lanka’s current net run rate of +1.73 could easily beoverhauled.Coach Dav Whatmore described Sri Lanka’s predicament as a “test ofcharacter” and that is an understatement.

South Africa hold the psychological edge with memories of the recent 4-1toweling still swirling around the minds of the Sri Lankans.

Moreover, one fears the impact of yesterday’s electric Kenya performance onthe team’s confidence – a demoralised middle order is now under seriouspressure.All credit to Steve Tikolo’s side, they played with a verve and commitmentthat had hitherto not been witnessed in the tournament.The exhilarating jumping warrior-like huddle that greeted the fall of eachwicket will remain one of the most enduring memories of the tournament.

They batted with guts and fielded like men possessed – should they be ableto produce similar performances then there could be greater upsets ahead.

Kenya now have an excellent chance of qualifying, assuming they defeatBangladesh.Ironically, they will be now be supporting Sri Lanka as only a double defeatfor Jayasuriya’s side can deny them a place in the Super Sixes.

Somerset Seconds made short work of finishing off their match against Sussex at Hastings this morning.Resuming on 349 for 5, it was veteran all rounder Graham Rose, who had scored an unbeaten century earlier in the match who made the vital breakthrough that led to a collapse by the home team.Sussex were all out for 402 before lunch, with Jason Kerr ending with 3 for 42 to give Somerset victory by an innings and 38 runs.Somerset take 20 points from their second win in the Second Eleven Championship.The Seconds are in action again next Wednesday when they take on M.C.C. Young Cricketers in a three day match at Clevedon Cricket Club.

Border finished another wet day’s play at Buffalo Park with a 96-run lead after bowling Easterns out for 212 in their Supersport Series match on Sunday. A full day’s play was lost to the rain on Saturday, with not a single ball bowled.Easterns resumed on a total of 40 for four, chasing Border’s 244 allout. The visitors’ top-order crumbled quickly in the face of a tremendous onslaught from Border pace man, Vasbert Drakes.Drakes finished the day with figures of 4-48, while Geoff Love took3-63. But Mike Rindell stepped up to the crease and fired a quick 64 off only 90 balls to add some respectability to the Easterns innings. Rindell smashed 12 fours as he spearheaded the fight back.Pierre de Bruyn, who has been in fine form with the bat for his side this season, added a superb 53 runs himself, coming off 179 balls and including four fours. Together, the duo put on a valuable 92 runs for the seventh wicket before being bowled out just before tea.Border saw out the final session on 64 for two, with Kenny Benjamin claiming both the wickets of Dumisa Makalima (one run), and Stephen Pope (four runs), earning him figures of 2-28 when bad light finally forced play to be called off early.

Match facts

Friday, April 11, 2008Start time 09:30 am local time (04:00 GMT)

Big picture

Kanpur’s Green Park is known to produce more draws than results – 12 in 19 Tests to be precise – but after India’s embarrassing submission on a green first-day Ahmedabad pitch, the groundstaff have reportedly prepared a turner to try and suit what has traditionally been India’s strength – spin. Trailing 0-1 going into the final Test, India are up against it and may rely on a three-pronged spin attack to level the series.The pitch looks extremely dry and has no grass cover. Anil Kumble and the curator felt it would break as early as the third day and assist spin from there on. Gary Kirsten, India’s coach, is reported to have been taken aback by the track on first inspection. If all predictions hold true, neither side will want to bat last. The toss will be extremely crucial.The bounce is expected to be on the lower side which, given Dale Steyn’s raw pace, could also work in South Africa’s favour. If they win then Graeme Smith will become his country’s most successful captain after equalling Hansie Cronje’s record of 27 victories in Ahmedabad. South Africa will also be the first side to win in India since Australia in 2004.

Form guide – India

Last five matches: LWDDLPlayer to watch: Given the nature of the pitch and the slight doubt surrounding Kumble’s fitness, Harbhajan Singh could be the biggest threat to South Africa. After his captain he is the only bowler with some degree of success at this ground, with eight wickets at 28.62 here.

Form guide – South Africa

Last five matches: WWWDWPlayer to watch: Steyn has been hot all series and could again be a pain in India’s neck. If the pitch does stay low, it’s not improbable to envision Steyn causing trouble with the ball darting around the batsmen’s ankles at extreme pace. He has ran through the tail with ease but it’s the bigger, better batsmen that could be in for a spot of bother.

Team news

Injury concerns mean India might end up re-jigging their bowling line-up again. Kumble will play permitting a fitness test on the morning, and if he doesn’t make the cut Ramesh Powar could come in as the third spinner to go with Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla. Ishant Sharma’s fitness is being monitored and he is the likely candidate to partner Sreesanth with the new ball. Irfan Pathan applied himself excellently with the bat in Ahmedabad but his bowling was pedestrian and could face the axe.Smith is most certain to maintain the winning combination from Ahmedabad. Even though the pitch is expected to assist spin, and they have Robin Pietersen as another left-arm option, South Africa are tipped to play just the one spinner in Paul Harris.India (probable): 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Wasim Jaffer, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 VVS Laxman, 5 Sourav Ganguly, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 7 Anil Kumble (capt), 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Sreesanth, 11 Ishant Sharma.South Africa (probable): 1 Neil McKenzie, 2 Graeme Smith (capt), 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 AB de Villiers, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Morne Morkel, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.Umpires: Billy Doctrove and Asad Rauf.Weather: The weather in Kanpur is very hot, with clear skies and a chance of a few clouds as the game progresses. The temperatures are expected to hover around the 37 degrees centigrade mark, warmer than it was during the second Test.

Stats & trivia

What came as relief initially for both the teams now poses a serious threat to the third one-dayer. After the hot and sultry Dhaka, the teams are experiencing the other extreme. It has been raining here since the middle of Sunday night, with the intensity ranging from steady drizzle to heavy downpour.Both the teams practised at the indoor nets today. The weather forecast is nasty: a level-seven warning for winds from the Bay of Bengal has been issued, level ten being considered highly dangerous. Level seven is supposed to be a forecast for high winds and rain and the warning is expected to stay for three to four days. Even if it does stop raining, the groundsmen have a task on hand to get the ground ready for play on Tuesday. It will take at least three to four hours for the sun to single-mindedly beat down for the ground to be fit for play. The groundsmen have already started to worry about the Test due to start on May 18.The inclement weather promises to spoil Bangladesh’s last chance to live up to the expectations they had raised at the World Cup. ‘Playing for pride’ is a term much abused in sport. Every inconsequential match, every dead rubber is dubbed a defense of pride for the team who have already lost. For once, however, the phrase is relevant. When Bangladesh play India in the third ODI tomorrow, weather permitting, they will play for much more than recently-earned pride. They will also know this will be their last realistic chance to give Dav Whatmore a fitting farewell, unless they later do something they have never done against the more powerful teams – win a Test match. This is also Habibul Bashar’s last home one-dayer.It has taken Bangladesh a lot of time to make the world sit up and take notice. From hoping to not lose to believing they’d win to expecting to win has been one long journey. Now that the world has seen what they’re capable of, they would want a better result than 0-3 in the one-dayers. For most of the first match they dominated but contrived to somehow lose. Then, they didn’t quite bring their A game in the second one-dayer. Within three days, they showed both their quality and inconsistency.If the match doesn’t happen, Robin Uthappa and RP Singh, who last got a chance during the Champions Trophy in 2006, will also be disappointed. They’re set for their first opportunity in the series. For the two, this could also mean a last opportunity to impress ahead of tours to Ireland and England.Uthappa is supposed to bat at No.3 for India, which means Virender Sehwag will get another chance at the top of the innings. Rahul Dravid suggested he was worried about Sehwag getting good starts but not converting them into meaningful innings. “For someone of Sehwag’s calibre, we truly do believe that he should go all the way and play bigger innings,” Dravid said, “He is getting starts and he is not carrying on. That is definitely something we know that Sehwag should do. Sehwag himself knows that he must start converting those starts into meaningful contributions for the team.”Dinesh Mongia might end up being the one to make way for Uthappa. Mongia took three wickets in the first game but hasn’t impressed with the bat. Zaheer Khan will be rested and Sreesanth not risked ahead of the Test series and a busy season. Bangladesh have a few fitness problems, with Mohammad Ashraful hospitalised with fever, and Farhad Reza, his expected replacement, down with fever too. All this, of course, may not matter too much with the heavens threatening to open up and have the final word.Teams (likely)Bangladesh1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Javed Omar, 3 Habibul Bashar (capt), 4 Saqibul Hasan, 5 Farhad Reza, 6 Aftab Ahmed, 7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 8 Mohammad Rafique, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Shahadat Hossain, 11 Syed Rasel.India 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Robin Uthappa, 4 MS Dhoni (wk), 5 Yuvraj Singh, 6 Rahul Dravid (capt), 7 Dinesh Karthik, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Ramesh Powar, 10 RP Singh, 11 Munaf Patel.

Kevin Pietersen’s superb 142 in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston has lifted him to a career-best tenth spot in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen. Pietersen had moved into the top 20 only a couple of weeks back after his 158 in the first Test at Lord’s. England now have three batsmen in the top 20 – Marcus Trescothick is in 11th place – down one slot – while Andrew Strauss is in 15th.Among the bowlers, Matthew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff remain in fifth and sixth positions, though Hoggard’s tally of 795 points is his highest ever.It was a forgettable match for Sri Lanka, though Muttiah Muralitharan further strengthened his position at the top of the bowlers’ list with a match haul of 10 for 115. Kumar Sangakkara slipped two places to No.13 while Mahela Jayawardene dropped five slots to No.18 after disappointing performances with the bat. Michael Vandort’s hundred helped him break into the top 100 – he moved up 47 places to 78th.

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