Gujaratis are expert at constructing order out of chaos. What could have more tumult than the trading floor of a stock exchange, for example? There you will find, making sense of the thousands of transactions that take place in a sea of noise, the Gujarati, calm and precise. Or watch him at work in any market where Gujarati traders sit, and you will be assailed by confusion, by a sense of frenetic desperate activity, but there too, the Gujarati will be in command. Heck, India’s freedom movement was guided by a shrewd Gujarati, and though his methods of operating were different from his merchant brethren, he, too, had that ability to not be intimidated by turmoil, to cut to the chase and see the bigger picture clearly while not losing sight of details.And so it is that as I sit here, at around 7am, at the press box of the Motera Stadium, and noise just swells around me, of people clapping and talking and blowing trumpets or similar wind instruments, of the songs that fill what is left of the air through the loudspeakers.. When I took that long walk to the stadium from where the cops don’t allow autorickshaws to proceed, the street was full of people, so many of them, in colourful clothes, holding signs that said “4” on one side and “6” on the other, as if to define the extent of Virender Sehwag’s unpredictability. Until I reached the particular gate of the stadium where I entered, no one checked my pass. The people so vastly outnumbered the police; is the security here really taken care of, I wondered.But the chaos, of course, is deceptive. As I hung around to watch the cops at work, you could make out that they were right on top of things. There was none of the officiousness that marks so many other venues in India, and the security is focussed at all the places where they are needed, like the entry of the stands. They are not on edge because of the bigness of the occasion, nor are they filled with a sense of the power they have. This needs pointing out because it is so different elsewhere. These cops are friendly and courteous, and when they tell me to take that bottle of water out of my bag, and that I’ll get water inside, they are gently firm, not typical-Indian-cop boorish.It’s 7.30 as I type this, and the stands are almost full. People here, Gujaratis mostly, are sticking intently on their purpose of coming to this game, which is to have a good time. The administration is sticking intently to their purpose, of enabling the people here to have a good time while ensuring things don’t go out of hand. All is well in the world – though a group of people near a Pepsi machine does worry that India may lose the toss. And, despite the fact that their local boy, Parthiv Patel, has been displaced by better contenders, they are waiting to see Mahendra Dhoni bat. “Six maru chhe,” says one little boy, and raises his sign. It says, “6”. Cut to the chase.

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Champions Warwickshire lost for the first time in 20 Championship matches as Sussex steamrollered them at Hove. Jason Lewry and Mushtaq Ahmed made short work of the Warwickshire first innings, taking the last five wickets for 33 runs, then Chris Adams asked them to bat again 233 runs behind. They fared no better second time around as wickets fell steadily from the outset. Ian Bell resisted for 90 minutes but when he was caught behind off Mushtaq the end came quickly. James Kirtley got in on the wicket-taking act, claiming Dougie Brown and Toby Frost, before Mushtaq wrapped up the innings. Ashley Giles made it to the crease in both innings – and his hip injury is reported not to be serious – but Warwickshire are now unlikely to see their left-arm spinner again in the Championship this season, as England duties beckon.
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Simon Katich played a masterful innings as Hampshire sped into a commanding position at Canterbury. Katich chose the perfect time to hit his first century of the season, after Hampshire had managed to secure a first innings lead of 23. After another failure for Jimmy Adams, falling to Martin Saggers in the third over, Katich took control from the outset. He added 95 with John Crawley, who had been promoted to open the batting, before Crawley was run out for 25. However, Katich marched on and by the close had struck six fours and six sixes to push Hampshire’s lead past 200. A solid allround bowling performance had secured their slender first-innings lead. Shane Warne removed David Fulton early but at 255 for 5 Kent were the team eyeing the advantage. Matthew Stevens struck a boundary-filled 68 and Matthew Dennington made a valuable half-century. But Warne returned and with the help of Richard Logan and Chris Tremlett wrapped up the innings.
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Alan Richardson’s transformation from county trundler to strike bowler continued as Middlesex established a stranglehold on their clash with Gloucestershire. Since his winter move, from Warwickshire, Richardson’s form has been a revelation and he now has 22 wickets at 19 apiece. He shouldered the extra responsibility in an attack lacking Nantie Hayward and Chad Keegan. After an opening stand of 59 Richardson struck twice in two balls, but his biggest scalp was Craig Spearman, caught by Andrew Strauss for 69. Melvyn Betts chipped in with four – albeit expensive – wickets but Middlesex always had plenty of runs to play with. Even another failure for Strauss – out for 10 – could not take the gloss of a dominant display from Middlesex who will now aim to set a target over 400.

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A defiant half-century from David Harrison guided Glamorgan beyond the follow-on but Surrey remain firmly in control at The Oval. Harrison, Dean Cosker and Andrew Davies added 112 for the last two wickets to rescue Glamorgan from the depths of 233 for 8. Martin Bicknell caused the major problems with 6 for 74 including the top-three batsmen all trapped lbw. The Glamorgan top-order is brittle without Matthew Maynard and Matthew Elliott and Surrey exploited the weaknesses. Jimmy Ormond was economical and although Rikki Clarke and Mohammad Akram were expensive they picked up vital wickets. A lead of 99 was less than Surrey first anticipated but it was still a useful advantage. Scott Newman, following his first-innings 117, launched Surrey’s second dig in a positive fashion.

While Brad Hodge’s home ground for next season remains unclear, Tasmania have shown interest in recruiting Shane Harwood, the Victoria fast bowler. Harwood, who missed a contract during the Bushrangers’ initial offers, is being considered by the Tigers for a place alongside Adam Griffith, Damien Wright and Andrew Downton.”We have spoken to Cricket Victoria to say we are interested in talking to him,” David Johnston, the Tasmania Cricket Association chief executive, told The Age. “David Boon is handling that and discussing it with his manager. He didn’t get much of a go last year and we just want to establish whether he is interested.”The Age reported Cricket Victoria hoped to make an announcement on Hodge yesterday, but he is weighing up the choice between a strong offer from New South Wales and staying with his home state. The Bushrangers are desperate to hold on to Hodge, the Test squad member currently playing in Lancashire, after losing Matthew Elliott and Mathew Innes this month, while Ian Harvey’s future is also undecided.

It will be another 24 hours before a conclusive appraisal can be made on the injuries that Stuart MacGill and Jason Gillespie have picked up during the first Test at Perth. Both will be monitored closely to assess their availability for the second Test, which starts in Sydney on Friday.Errol Alcott, the Australian team physiotherapist, said, “Given the nature of the injuries and the short amount of time between matches, it is concerning, and I guess that puts a cloud over their availability for Sydney. With Jason Gillespie, he felt a degree of discomfort early in yesterday’s second innings. He wanted to keep bowling, he wants to bowl today, but scans have revealed that his grunt [sic] muscle is strained, so in the interests of his longer-term future, we need to hold him back.”Gillespie said it was another injury at a time when he felt the ball was coming out nicely. “I understand the need to take a cautious approach to this injury because it has set me back in the past,” he said. “I will do whatever it takes to get things right prior to the second Test, and I guess we will have a better idea as to how the injury is going over the day or so.”Alcott said MacGill had experienced sharp pain while he was bowling. “The calf is torn, which is a genuine concern considering it is his set-up and landing leg. We will treat him and assess his progress over the course of the next 24 hours.”Australia’s squad for the second Test is expected to be announced at 11am tomorrow (Sydney time).

Division One

Shane Warne rescued Hampshire from a poor start in their clash with Middlesex and ended the opening day seven short of his second century of the season. Hampshire slumped to 61 for 4 after choosing to bat as a result of a double strike from Scott Styris. But the turnaround was started by John Crawley’s 62 and even when Chris Peploe took three wickets Hampshire didn’t fall apart. Warne found an able ally in Dimitri Mascarenhas who helped him add 100 and then Shaun Udal partnered him until the close. Warne has only faced 73 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes, in another display of his all round skills.An unbeaten seventh wicket stand of 136 between Azhar Mahmood and Martin Bicknell ensured Surrey made the most of batting first against Gloucestershire. The pair exposed a tiring attack which, until the final session, had plugged away manfully after Scott Newman opened with an aggressive 82. Graham Thorpe also spent some much-needed time at the crease, making 73 off 116 balls. Richard Clinton (66) and Jon Batty (55) also cashed and Mahmood added the final flourish, hitting 11 fours and three sixes in his 91-ball 88.Glamorgan had another dispiriting day in the Championship, watching Nottinghamshire take control at Trent Bridge. No Glamorgan batsmen reached a half-century, although four passed 40 including Sourav Ganguly who top-scored with 47. He became a first first-class wicket for Mark Footitt, who was making his first-class debut. Greg Smith was the pick of the attack for 4 for 64 and Andy Harris took 3 for 62. Nottinghamshire’s top-order made sure the good work in the field wasn’t wasted with a solid opening. Darren Bicknell was run out for 61 but Stephen Fleming raced to 30 from 28 balls before the close.

Division Two

Durham wasted a solid start against Lancashire as a batting collapse resulted in them slipping from 72 for 0 to 167 all out. Glen Chapple and Gary Keedy took three wickets each to precipitate the rush of wickets and James Anderson helped with a brace. Nathan Astle tried to shore up the innings with a patient 58 but the tail folded quickly. Lancashire, on the other hand, built on a opening stand of 77 between Mark Chilton and Iain Sutcliffe. Chilton was unbeaten at the close 39, while Sutcliffe took 86 balls for his 48 before falling to Gareth Breese’s gentle offspin.Sturdy middle-order batting from Leicestershire allowed them a share of the honours against Somerset. Leicestershire slipped to 81 for 3 before lunch, but Chris Rogers made 48 on his county debut before the young and the old combined. John Sadler grafted to 52 until he became Charl Langeveldt’s second wicket – on his county debut – and Paul Nixon used his wealth of experience to nurture the tail. He was given valuable support by Claude Henderson, who made 25 in an eighth wicket stand of 52. However, Taunton has produced some high scores in the recent Twenty20 matches so Leicestershire may be left to rue the fact that no one progressed to a more substantial innings.Matthew Hoggard made a welcome return to form with three wickets – including Graeme Hick – as Yorkshire and Worcestershire exchanged the advantage on a fascinating day at Worcester. From 98 for 0, Worcestershire were then wobbling at 187 for 5 but Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali both struck 57. Yorkshire’s seam attack plugged away with Tim Bresnan and Deon Kruis chipping in with two each, as did Richard Dawson the offspinner. Yorkshire survived the final nine overs without losing a wicket, settling a solid platform for the second day.

The England selectors today announced their one-day squads to tour Zimbabwe and South Africa this winter. Andrew Flintoff and Marcus Trescothick were both rested for the Zimbabwe leg of the trip, and while Ashley Giles was given the option to rest too, he chose to make himself available.The squad includes four players new to one-day internationals: Ian Bell, Simon Jones, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior. Flintoff, Giles, Trescothick and Steve Harmison (who opted out of the Zimbabwe trip on moral grounds last week) have all been included in the 15-man squad for the one-dayers in South Africa in the New Year, along with Worcestershire’s Kabir Ali.Darren Gough, written off by many after some lacklustre performances in the recent Champions Trophy, gets another chance to prolong his dream of playing in the 2007 World Cup. David Graveney, England’s chairman of selectors, explained that Gough had a lot to offer the younger bowlers, and would be keen to show that his recent dip in form wasn’t terminal.The South African-born Pietersen, 24, only becomes eligible for full England selection at the end of October, so has been rushed into the side at the first opportunity following several productive seasons with Nottinghamshire. Prior, 22, who was also born in South Africa, impressed on tour with England A last winter, and has had another good season with the bat for Sussex, for whom he also keeps wicket.The concessions made by the ECB management regarding Flintoff and Trescothick had a trade-off, and that was that Michael Vaughan led the side. “As the ECB is a member of the global cricket family, we have a duty to protect the integrity of the international game and ensure that the level of competition on any England tour is not diluted by the wholesale resting of players without good reason,” said David Morgan, the ECB’s chairman. “After carefully considering the matter, Michael has chosen to lead the team in Zimbabwe mindful of his responsibilities both to his fellow players and to the long-term future of cricket in this country. He deserves great credit for doing so.”Neither the ECB nor the captain condones the situation in Zimbabwe and I would like to re-emphasise that the team will not be involved in state functions during this tour.””Under normal circumstances, I would have welcomed an extended break after a long international season,” Vaughan explained. “But the England team and the game as a whole are faced with an extraordinary situation in undertaking this tour to Zimbabwe. I am proud to be captain of my country and I feel that I have a duty to my team-mates to lead the team on this tour. It has taken me considerable time and effort to come to this decision, but ultimately it was my choice and one that I stand by.”While I certainly do not condone what is happening in Zimbabwe, I do not want to shirk my responsibilities as England captain and would not want to let the burden of captaincy fall onto another player’s shoulders.”England will play two warm-up matches in Namibia ahead of the Zimbabwe series.England squad to tour Zimbabwe
Michael Vaughan (capt), Vikram Solanki, Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Matthew Prior, Geraint Jones (wk), Gareth Batty, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Alex Wharf, Darren Gough, James Anderson.England one-day squad for South Africa
Michael Vaughan (capt), Marcus Trescothick, Vikram Solanki, Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones (wk), Gareth Batty, Kabir Ali, Ashley Giles, Alex Wharf, Darren Gough, Steve Harmison, James Anderson.

Bournemouth are believed to be on the brink of signing an Australian State cricketer in their bid to bring ECB Southern Electric Premier League glory to Chapel Gate this summer.Director of Cricket Richard Scott remains tight lipped on who the signing is, but revealed that “negotiations are well advanced and we’re just tying up a few loose ends like flights and accommodation.””If the signing comes off, he’ll be a very exciting acquisition indeed – and a player who could put Bournemouth in amongst the title chasers this summer,” Scott said.”He’s a top order batsman and a quality left-arm spin bowler – but that’s all I’m prepared to divulge until the deal is done.”The yet to be named Aussie cricketer is understood to have already toured the UK with Australia Under-19s and have been a member of the prestigious Academy in Adelaide.”We’ll be making an announcement as soon as everything is sealed,” Scott added.Premier League rivals Bashley (Rydal) and Division 3 side New Milton will also have Australian imports this summer.Luke Ronchi’s replacement at Bashley is experienced Western Australia Grade all-rounder Brad Thompson, who previously captained Perth but now plays for Willeton.”Brad’s got a fine reputation in Perth Grade circles. He’s a fully fledged middle-order batsman and a more than useful off-spin bowler,” commented Matt King, who has assumed the Bashley captaincy reins from Neil Taylor.New Milton’s summer signing is 21-year old wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Clarke, who joins the Fernhill set from South Perth, where Richard Scott played in his Hampshire professional days.”Ben’s coming over with Grant Hebbard, who managed the New Milton first team last season, explained Andy Snellgrove.”He’s been playing WACA Second Grade in Perth – but that’s no mean standard, probably stronger than our own Premier Division 3,” he added.But neighbours Lymington could start the season without any help from overseas.Newly wed skipper Danny Peacock thought Lymington had lined up a replacement for all-rounder Aaron Heal – who is remaining in Perth this summer – when they lined up South African Mark Sanders.”But when Mark switched provinces from Natal to Boland, he was refused permission by the Cape Province to come to England this summer.”It was a real shame. Mark had a terrific record with Horsham last year and is very highly rated in Durban. I fancy he could have won a few things for us,” Peacock said.Lymington certainly haven’t given up looking for overseas support.”We’re negotiating with someone in New Zealand at the moment, but nothing is settled at all,” he added.The Premier League season begins on May 3, with Bournemouth hosting BAT Sports and Bashley (Rydal) facing Calmore Sports.

Division One

Points TableJonathan Trott moved on to a double-century as Warwickshire ended their first innings on a dominant 475. Trott was last man out for 210. Sussex got off to the worst possible start, losing Richard Montgomerie first-ball to Makhaya Ntini. Mike Yardy, with 75 and Murray Goodwin, with an unbeaten 103 steadied a wobbling Sussex ship as the visitors ended the day on 244 for 3, trailing by 231 runs.Middlesex batted for a further 22 overs this morning, allowing Paul Weekes to register his hundred and Peter Trego to reach a blistering half-century, in their declaration of 400 for 8 against Kent. In reply, Robert Key and David Fulton put on 283 for the first wicket, both striking centuries before Key was run out for 142, his fourth hundred of the season. Fulton fell just before the close of play to leave Kent on 290 for 2, trailing by 110 runs.A sporting declaration by Hampshire has brought the possibility of a result in their match against Surrey. Hampshire, starting the day on 28 for 2, declared on 361 for 6 with Shane Watson hitting 88 and the wicketkeeper, Nick Pothas, striking an unbeaten 100. In what is essentially now a one-innings match, Surrey had five overs in which to survive, which they managed without alarm.Alex Wharf took 6 for 59 for Glamorgan, to bundle Gloucestershire out for just 133 and give the visitors control of the game. Glamorgan, who are still searching for their first win of the season, were bowled out for 382 before their seamers got to work. David Harrison got things going by dismissing Craig Spearman, as he and Wharf decimated Gloucestershire’s batting. At one stage, the home side were 37 for 6; they were indebted to Stephen Adshead, who made 36 and Jon Lewis with an unbeaten 36 at better than a run a ball. Glamorgan lost five wickets in their second innings, including two to Ramnaresh Sarwan’s leg-breaks, but they lead by 400 runs.

Division Two

Points TableA blistering 82 by Glen Chapple, from just 67 balls, gave Lancashire the honours on day two of their match against Worcestershire. Mal Loye could only add a further 17 runs, ending on 187, but Lancashire’s lower-order denied Worcestershire’s bowlers as they reached a formidable total of 562. In reply, Worcestershire lost Chris Gayle, Graeme Hick and Stephen Moore to leave the visitors struggling on 111 for 3, some 451 runs behind Lancashire.In Essex’s match against Somerset, which has been heavily affected by rain, James Foster’s first hundred of the season allowed Essex to reach a comfortable total of 400 for 6 declared. Foster and Ronnie Irani put on 157 for the sixth wicket, with Foster’s hundred coming off 196 balls with 13 fours and a six. The match is already into its last day, tomorrow, and despite Andre Nel picking up Matthew Wood and Arul Suppiah for ducks, the game is heading for a draw.Darren Robinson’s 19th hundred of his career, and his third of the season, was the highlight for Leicestershire who ended the day on 390 for 6. Leicestershire’s middle-order all got starts, but failed to convert them into substantial innings; Northamtonshire’s Damien Wright took four for 83 to leave the hosts struggling on 292 for 5. However, Ottis Gibson and Paul Nixon combined in a partnership worth 98, with Gibson ending the day unbeaten on 63 as the home side reached 390 for 6.Dale Benkenstein struck a century for Durham, whose first innings closed on 414 against Yorkshire. They lost wickets regularly, however, with Deon Kruis picking up 5 for 106, his third 5-wicket-haul of the season. In reply, none of Durham’s front-line seamers could force a breakthrough, but Paul Collingwood took 2 for 25 to leave Yorkshire on 129 for 2, trailing by 285.

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Faisalabad Wolves beat Chilaw Marians in the final of the inaugural International 20:20 championship, thanks to a captain’s innings of 45 from Naved Latif.The Wolves appeared to be coasting to their victory target of 133, as they reached 96 for 2 with little trouble, with Mohammad Hafeez stroking six fours in his 31 and Asif Hussain supported him well. But Nimesh Perara led the fightback for the Marians, dismissing Hussain, Ijaz Ahmed and Mohammad Salman in quick succession.Latif, like the chilly autumnal air, remained cool through to the end, striking a six to complete victory with eleven balls to spare. His bowlers had earlier restricted the Marians to a modest 132; only Perera demonstrated any fluency with some flamboyant strokeplay in his innings of 37. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was the pick of the Faisalabad Wolves bowlers with 2 for 25 – and the Marians lost two further wickets to run-outs in the closing stages of their innings, as the Wolves applied the pressure.In the end, their total wasn’t enough, and Latif took the Pakistani side through to victory, collecting the Man-of-the-Match award and the winner’s cheque.Full report and photos to follow shortly

Reports in the weekend newspapers that a group called Keep Cricket Free were going to lobby the government to overturn the ECB’s TV deal with BSkyB have drawn a firm response from Richard Caborn, the sports minister.David Brooks, the former strategy director of Channel 4, set up the group in a bid to get the four-year exclusive contract reviewed, but Caborn made it clear that it was a non starter.”On Friday during the Oval Test this lad stopped me and said he had set up a website for Keep Cricket Free, and would I listen to him,” Caborn told The Daily Telegraph. “I will listen to anyone. But as far as the deal is concerned this is a commercial deal and there is no intention of the Government to intervene.”I am very supportive of cricket and all that the ECB have done. The deal the ECB have done is confidential and we do not know who bid what. But it is clear the terrestrial broadcasters did not bid enough, and the ECB had to do the best deal for cricket.”It was always extremely unlikely that the government would interfere in a private deal which satisfied both the ECB and the broadcaster, and had also been run past media regulator Ofcom before it was completed.