With the sun shining and the smell of new mown grass in the air preparations for the new season at the County Ground are well in hand.One of the busiest places was the office where membership secretary Jo Arnold and several of her colleagues were dealing with the large pile of applications that had been received in the post.In the front office personal callers who required membership were being looked after and having their photographs taken as well as telephone applications being dealt with.By lunchtime more than £12,000 had been taken in membership income, and by the end of the day this had risen to £20,000, all of which bodes very well for the new season ahead.Jo Arnold told me: "Memberships have just been flooding in today which is what we would expect at this time of the year but this has to be one of the busiest days that we have ever had in the office. In the final week of the discounted period last year over one thousand members joined, and if this keeps up for the rest of the week we will be well up on that figure, all of which is very pleasing."Members are joining in all categories, and following the Somerset Junior Sabres link up with Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Shoguns Rugby Club there has been a marked increase in the junior membership category.This year Junior Sabres are able to gain free entry to Bristol Shoguns matches and the youngsters also have the chance to go along and see Bristol City play Peterborough on March 15th free of charge, to which there has been a big response.Recruiting Ian Botham one of the Cidermen’s greatest heroes to spearhead the 2003 membership campaign, Giles Clarke the new chairman has played a major part in setting the scene for what is promising to be a very exciting season ahead at the County Ground.

Overcoming the disappointment of their early exit from the World Cup and switching back into Test mode will be the key to New Zealand’s hopes of holding their Test ranking of No 3 in the world in their forthcoming Test series with Sri Lanka.The side leaves for the Test leg of the series next week, and will be going without stalwarts Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan and Chris Cairns. Astle is having surgery on a long-standing knee problem, McMillan has been dropped for this tour and Cairns is available only for the One-Day International tri-series after the Test matches.That third ranking is important to the Kiwis, it is not a position that has often been their property in the past, even in the unofficial rankings before the implementation of the ICC Test Championship.”Everyone else refers to it so we have to and we want to hold onto the third position which I think we have deserved over the last two years,” New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming says.With all the emphasis on one-day cricket this summer in preparation for the World Cup, New Zealand has been starved of Test action, playing only two Tests over the summer.That has made life tough for Test match specialists like opener Mark Richardson who only really picked up his best batting form in the latter stages of the domestic season, this despite playing some key innings in the Test series victory over India.Fleming said there would be no problem getting prepared for the Sri Lankan series after the disappointments of the World Cup.Just like falling off a horse really, the best medicine is to get straight back on.”There was a disappointing feeling after the Cup but the best medicine is to get back into it straight away. The challenge of the Tests is what I am looking forward to in Sri Lanka,” he said.Fleming enjoys touring Sri Lanka and recalls the success he had during the last Test tour when hitting his highest Test score of 174 not out.”Winning the first Test is crucial in a two-Test series and we will have to go hard for that.”We will have to soak up the pressure in their conditions and they will be very tough Tests,” he said.The Test series is an important one for many reasons. New Zealand has a winter off this year, but once the summer of 2003/04 starts it is all on in a big way.It has a tour to India and then the two home series against Pakistan and South Africa before a tour to England. Somewhere along the way the missing Test against Pakistan from that disrupted by the bomb which forced New Zealand home from Karachi last may has to be fitted into the calendar as well.Depth is lacking in some areas, especially the opening role and also in spinning. The spinning lack is probably the longest-standing problem in the New Zealand game. From the days through the 1970s and 1980s, when every New Zealand province had at least one quality spinner, the situation has deteriorated badly.Various methods have already been tried to improve the situation and another is to be tried on this tour with two promising young spinners, left-armer Bruce Martin and off-spinner Jeetan Patel being taken along for the ride to get some exposure to the international scene, and no doubt to do a lot of bowling in the nets.Their involvement is seen as part of a longer-term initiative, the finer points of which are still to be worked out.Off-spinner Paul Wiseman has been included for the tour despite some unconvincing performances in the New Zealand domestic season.But Fleming says Wiseman has experience of Sri Lankan conditions and he expects him to relish the opportunity the tour provides to shore up the spin-bowling options in the New Zealand side. He does come off some lengthy match bowling having sent down 63.2 overs in Canterbury’s last State Championship match against Central Districts this year. His reward was one wicket for 165 runs.Adding to the concern in the spin department is the relative lack of use of key spinner, left-armer Daniel Vettori.He had been hamstrung by the pitches that have been provided in New Zealand over the last summer, and on the portable pitches in the first and third Tests against England last summer.While Fleming looked to attack with him as often as possible, it was a fact that the wickets the side had been playing on had not allowed the opportunities.”You have to keep looking at the wickets, and the figures of the domestic cricketers are just the same.”The return of Matt Horne should strengthen the batting options at the top of the order while Fleming’s Wellington team-mate Richard Jones should bring a strength of attitude when he gets the chance.Going on tour without the support in talent and experience that Astle, McMillan and Cairns offered him did make for tougher going for Fleming but he said their absence provided chances for Horne, Mathew Sinclair and Jones.The extra responsibility that will go on Fleming would be significant and his recent run of form could be just what he needs to set the pace from the front. He has been happy with his form of late, and there has been a sense of reward for the work he has put in. But there is still more he wants to do, and that has to be encouraging.The tri-series with Sri Lanka and Pakistan will offer more opportunities for New Zealand to address their shortcomings in the one-day game.Fleming commented that it is the lack of opportunity for the one-day side to play together, with all its key performance elements, as often as possible that has been one of reasons for the side not achieving a level of consistent success since he has been captain.There was also a need for a greater understanding of the game and learning to apply the lessons of defeat at the right time when opportunities arose.Chopping and changing of players, especially in the twin areas of concern, opening the batting and the bowling at the death, had not helped this development.On this occasion Chris Nevin, a controversial omission from the World Cup team as an opening batsman, had the chance to stake a more permanent claim in the side while Horne was another who had plenty to offer.The problem with settling the issue of bowling at the death was that it was really a skill that was acquired as the result of experience at bowling in tight situations.Shane Bond still represented a chance in that role, although he had been used in the World Cup to try and polish off sides earlier. But Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams and Ian Butler were others who could have a role to play.There are still plenty of questions to be asked, and answered, for the New Zealanders but Sri Lanka represents a significant opportunity for some players, and the success of the tour may depend on how well they take them.

Zimbabwe have confirmed that their tour of England this summer will goahead, including their clash with England in the second npower Test match atthe Riverside, Chester-le-Street.On Saturday, Zimbabwe Cricket Union Chairman Peter Chingok said a meeting ofthe board had agreed to fulfil tour commitments from May to July regardlessof England’s boycott of their World Cup fixture in Harare last month.Ticket sales for the Riverside’s first ever Test Match are going well, withthe first two days expected to be sold out by the end of April.Durham County Cricket Club Chairman Bill Midgley said: “Despite all theuncertainty surrounding this game, ticket sales have been steady andexceeded the targets we set ourselves. Zimbabwe’s confirmation offulfilling the fixture means we can progress with our marketing activity andhopefully look forward to our first Test Match being a sell out.”Tickets for the North East’s first npower Test Match are on sale now.Tickets are priced at £25 for adults for the first four days and £10 forU16s for the first three days and £5 for the Sunday. Call the TicketHotline on 0191 387 5151 (office hours) or Ticketmaster on 0870 90 90 190(24 hours) www.CricketTickets.net.The countdown to the North East’s first ever Test Match has begun, 5 – 9June 2003. Be part of history, call 0191 387 5151. To find out how longleft click here: www.durhamccc.co.uk

Somerset duo Andy Caddick and Rob Turner are among a host of stars backing SportsAid’s Sporting Celebrity Online Auction – hoping to raise funds for young and disabled sporting talent.Members of the public can bid for training sessions with the England paceman and his county colleague, with the auction live from Monday 19 May. The auction runs for just over one month with bidders accessing the site via www.thesportsball.co.uk/auctionGuests at the 20th Sports Ball, to be held at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 12 June, will have the opportunity to out bid the online auction in the presence of the sporting celebrities on the night. The Charity hopes to raise at least £30,000 from the auction.Funds raised from the auction will go towards supporting talented youngsters identified by SportsAid for their partnership with health and fitness group LA Fitness. The agreement has seen over 100 youngsters around the country chosen for their sporting talent to receive funds raised in the LA Fitness clubs and from other national activities organised by SportsAid such as a Californian bike ride in October.Among the other stars taking part from across the sporting world are Ryder Cup golfer Colin Montgomerie, European 100m Champion Dwain Chambers, Olympic swimmer Mark Foster, Olympic athlete Mark Richardson, GB tennis player Arvind Parmar, and the Great Britain rowing coxless four, Rick Dunn, Toby Garbett, Steve Williams and Josh West.

Somerset Women’s Under-17 team quickly bounced back from their defeat last weekend when they were victorious over their Surrey counterparts at Kingswood School in Bath.Batting first Surrey were bowled out for 109, thanks to a fine spell of bowling from Annie Riccio who ended with the impressive figures of 8 overs, 2 maidens, 4 for 19, well supported by Colleen Ashbee who took 3 for 23 in her 8 overs.In reply Somerset reached their target with overs to spare, opener Lisa Pagett top scoring with 31. Coming in at number six , Izi Dragonetti hit an unbeaten 25 to help to see her side to a well deserved five wicket victory.Somerset take 28.5 points from their victory, whilst Surrey take 5.5 points.

Khaled Mahmud, the Bangladesh captain, put on a brave front as his 15-man squad left for a daunting one-month tour of Australia. Claiming that the preparations under Dav Whatmore, the new coach, had been”better and different from what we have had before”, Mahmud said: “Australia will be tough opponents. But we are not scared or nervous as we have already faced some of the world’s best teams, like South Africa.” Bangladesh will reach Australia more than three weeks before their first international match, in an effort to familiarise themselves with the local conditions.Bangladesh haven’t won an international match in four years, a fact that wasn’t lost on their captain. “We hope to show our improvements on the field. We also want to dispel the international criticisms against Bangladesh.” Ehsan Mani, the new president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), had sounded a warning to Bangladesh last week, saying that the country’s international commitments would be reduced.Bangladesh will play two Tests and three one-day internationals, with the first Test starting from July 18 at Darwin.Squad
Khaled Mahmud (capt), Javed Omar, Khaled Mashud (wk), Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Rafique, Hannan Sarkar, Mohammad Ashraful, Al Shahriar, Manjurul Islam, Alok Kapali, Sanwar Hossain, Tarek Aziz Khan, Mashrafee-bin-Murtaza, Tapash Baishya, Anwar Hossain Monir.

What does it feel like, finally making it to the England side, after scoring almost 7000 first-class runs?
My aim in my first Test is quite simple – I just want to play well. I’ve had a good run of form and scored a few centuries this season, and I just want to take that into the Test and play well for England.What have you done differently this season?
I haven’t changed very much. I’ve felt in good form since my trip to India in January, where I worked on a few things at the Cricket Club of India. Ever since then, I’ve felt good when I’ve walked out to bat and I’ve got a lot of hundreds.But surely you’ve changed something?
The one thing I have deliberately changed in the recent past is the type of bat I’m using. About two or three years ago I started using a bat with a longer handle. I did this on the advice of Vasu Paranjpe. That has helped my balance and it helped me get a bit tighter.How did going to India help?
I’ve been to India twice. The first time I came down was in 2001 when I stayed at the CCI for about a month. And then I came down again this winter, in January. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips and made some very good friendships in Bombay. On both trips I learned a great deal about cricket – especially playing spin and batting on wickets that are on the slower side. I’d have to say those two trips to India were a big part of my development as a cricketer.How much of the game is played in the mind?
I’d say about 50% of the game is mental. But it’s not really about percentages. There’s a great deal in having your mind in exactly the right state when you’re playing. Of course, you have to get things right with the physical aspects as well, and it helps to be in good form, but you can never undermine the importance of being in the right frame of mind.They say you have “a brain the size of the planet” …
Well (laughs), that’s certainly an exaggeration I’m afraid. People certainly like to exaggerate these things, don’t they?But you’ve written a book … cricket’s generally a blokeish profession where people are good at hitting a ball or bowling one, but not much else?
I have written a book, and am writing another one now. The first one was a comparison of cricket and baseball, and what they mean to England and America. It grew out of my experiences in New York, where I fell in love with the New York Mets baseball team. I wrote a book comparing the two games, so to that extent I’m guilty as charged of having a life outside cricket!And a double-first in history from Cambridge on top of writing books …
Unfortunately that doesn’t help me when I walk out to bat. The two things don’t have very much to do with each other. When I’m batting I’m very much thinking like a cricketer. And I try my best to play cricket as a cricketer. The double-first does nothing for me when I’m at the crease, I’m afraid.Apparently there are a few bowlers who think you’re a bit susceptible to the short stuff?
We’ll see on Thursday. We’ll all find out soon enough. I’m looking forward to playing on Thursday. I want to enjoy playing my first Test and then enjoy playing for England.Haven’t you credited Steve Waugh for helping with your game?
I really enjoyed playing with Steve. I learned a lot from batting at the other end, when he was here. He was not in the greatest form, but fought his way out of it with some very positive cricket. As much as batting with him, it was terrific to talk to him about batting, about cricket. I did learn a lot from him.

International Women’s Cricket Council TournamentYesterday’s reportIreland moved to the leading position in the International Women’s Cricket Council tournament being played in the Netherlands when they beat the Pakistan team by eight wickets yesterday. It was Pakistan’s first loss of the tournament.Ireland will now be favourites to take one of the two positions up for grabs at the next Women’s World Cup in South Africa in 2005. Ireland played at the last event in New Zealand in 2000.Pakistan scored 143 for 7 in their 50 overs with Zehmurad Afzal scoring 34 and Nazia Nazir 22. Barbara McDonald proved highly effective with her bowling by taking 1 for 13 from nine overs. Ireland reached 144 for 2 in 35.5 overs with Miriam Grealey scoring 61 not out and Catriona Beggs 35 not out.The Netherlands beat Japan by 301 runs after batting first and scoring 375 for 5 in their 50 overs. Pauline te Beest scored 143, the sixth-equal highest-score in women’s ODIs and an extension of the Dutch record she set with her 138 two days ago against Scotland. The total was the fifth highest in all women’s ODIs and bettered the Dutch record they set two days ago against Scotland. Caroline Salomons scored 60 and Helmien Rambaldo 46. Their winning margin of 301 runs is the fourth-highest in all women’s ODIs. Again the Scotland match was their previous highest with a 219-run margin while before that their best was 70 runs against the West Indies at Stoke-on-Trent in the 1993 World Cup. The 74 that Japan scored in reply was their highest innings to date.West Indies were untroubled in crushing Scotland. The hapless Scots were all out for 74 in 35 overs while West Indies scored 75 without loss in only 8.5 overs.

Match 9/15 P W L NR T Pts Net-RR For AgaIreland 3 3 – – – 6 +1.355 291/94.5 257/150Netherlands 3 2 1 – – 4 +3.333 800/150 274/137Pakistan 3 2 1 – – 4 +1.148 488/150 286/135.5West Indies 3 2 1 – – 4 +0.753 253/95.5 283/150Scotland 3 – 3 – – 0 -3.193 264/150 539/108.5Japan 3 – 3 – – 0 -4.599 162/150 619/109

Pakistan will be aiming to seal their first home series win in five years when they take on Bangladesh in the second Test, which starts on Wednesday in the north-western border city of Peshawar.Once invincible in their own backyard, Pakistan have not won a series onhome turf since whitewashing West Indies in 1997-98. “We are heading in the right direction,” Rashid Latif, Pakistan’s captain, said today. “What happened in the past is past, and now the young team is progressing well as we aim to build for the future.”Pakistan have lost four successive home series, to Australia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and England. Their first-round exit from this year’s World Cup prompted the selectors to induct fresh blood into the team, and one of those young players made a glorious debut in the first Test against Bangladesh at Karachi.Latif pinned the team’s hopes on new batting star Yasir Hameed, who marked his debut last week with a century in each innings. Latif said: “We have found a good batsman in Yasir Hameed to supplement the middle-order batting.”Hameed’s twin centuries led Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Peshawar will present more of a problem for both sides, however. Both teams will have to battle oppressive monsoon heat and humidity, at a venue where Pakistan have lost two of their past three Tests.”Conditions are tough, but they should bring out the best from the tough,”Latif said. “Bowling long spells will be difficult. We hope to put up a big total and dictate the terms.” Latif also hinted that the 11 players from the first Test would be retained for the second Test.Dav Whatmore, Bangladesh’s coach, saw signs of improvement within his team’s loss in Karachi. “I hope the boys build further on that,” said Whatmore. Bangladesh, Test cricket’s 10th and newest nation, have lost 21 of their 22Tests, with one rained-off draw against Zimbabwe.Bangladesh are likely to bring in Mohammad Ashraful and Manjurul Islam in place of Sanwar Hossain and Tapash Baisya.Teams (from)Pakistan Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umer, Yasir Hameed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Misbah-ul-Haq, Rashid Latif (capt, wk), Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria, Umer Gul, Shoaib Malik.Bangladesh Hannan Sarkar, Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Ashraful, Sanwar Hossain, Razin Saleh, Alok Kapali, Khaled Mashud (wk), Khaled Mahmud (capt), Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Manjurul Islam, Alamgir Kabir, Tapash Baisya.Umpires Steve Bucknor (WI) and Russell Tiffin (Zim)TV umpire Asad Rauf (Pak)Match referee Mike Procter (SA)

New Zealand cricket holds its breath tomorrow as its most priceless asset steps gingerly back into what he does best – bowling fast. Shane Bond is set to play on the opening day of Christchurch’s cricket competition. But the breath may have to be held a little longer.Shocking weather is forecast for the second time this week and the most likely prospect is that players will be clubhouse bound watching the rain fall. Bond has been out of action since suffering a stress fracture in his bank during a one-day international in Sri Lanka in May.Bond plays for the Old Boys club in the Christchurch competition and has been quietly building up for club duty, working at 80-90% of capacity and bowling 10-over spells, indoors, three times a week. He did say that it was possible he might have been available for the tri-series between India, New Zealand and Australia next month, but it was thought a more managed build-up would be best for him in the longer run.He will not only play club cricket, but will also be involved in the pre-season programme of games played at New Zealand Cricket’s High Performance Centre at Lincoln University between the New Zealand Academy and the major association sides, starting later this month.Bond said his back had been coping well with the recovery programme and he had also been doing some strengthening work to help reduce the load on the injured area. It hasn’t been a lone programme, he has had another stress fracture sufferer Wade Cornelius, to work with. Cornelius damaged his back after a highly-encouraging debut season in first-class cricket for Canterbury two seasons ago, when he was shaping as a prospectively significant bowler in New Zealand’s future.