Bangladesh have named their 15-man squad for the World Cup and, as widely predicted, they have left out their experienced wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud and chosen Mushfiqur Rahim, who performed well on the recent tour of Zimbabwe.Habibul Bashar, the captain, said that he was looking forward to the tournament. “I was a member of the World Cup team four years back and then we had hardly any ambition rather than playing good cricket,” he said. “The scenario is totally changed now after we have already won a number of matches in the recent past.””We are going to the World Cup with lot of confidence this time, especially after the away series victory and definitely our target is to make a second round berth. We know it will not be an easy task to beat at least one team like India and Sri Lanka to make our dream come true. But I think there is hardly any meaning to our trip if we have no target. I will not be surprised if my team beat any big fish in the competition.”Bangladesh squad Habibul Bashar (capt), Shariar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Tapash Baisya, Syed Rasel, Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar.

Scorecard

Clinton Perren’s 99 and Andy Bichel’s 7 for 54 kept Queensland in the game as Victoria were set 224 to win on a dramatic day at Brisbane. The Bushrangers, who need a victory to reach the Pura Cup final, were 0 for 2 at stumps having let the Bulls off the hook to reach 269.Perren compiled important partnerships with Chris Hartley and Ashley Noffke after a bad start left the team 4 for 28. Perren missed his second century of the season by one run but Noffke continued to trouble Victoria, passing fifty for the second time against them in 2006-07.Noffke was the last man out, for 53, and his timing gave Victoria one tricky over to face before stumps. They took no chances, opening with a night-watchman, their first-innings No. 11 Dirk Nannes, who survived all six balls from Bichel.Bichel had starred in a hectic morning session, destroying Victoria for 165 and earning his best figures for Queensland. The visitors lost 5 for 25 in 14 overs before the Bulls also struggled and were four-down at lunch.Clinton McKay, who claimed only one victim from his first two matches, was on a hat-trick in the sixth over when he had Jimmy Maher and Greg Moller caught in the slips. McKay did not get three in a row but next over added Ryan Broad, snared at bat-pad, and finished with 4 for 42.

Darren Gough’s return to Yorkshire as captain has been confirmed during a press conference at Headingley. He has signed a two-year deal with the club with a clause to leave after one depending on how the 2007 season goes.Gough has spent the last three years playing for Essex, where he was carefully managed and only turned out in a limited number of Championship matches. However, the offer of captaincy at his home club where his career started in 1989 was too good to refuse.”I thought it would never happen,” he said, “to be back as Yorkshire captain and there are exciting things happening at this club. The Academy is getting better and better, there are new players from overseas and everyone has a good chance for good performances.”In typically Gough style he was bullish about the future: “I love the game, and if I didn’t I wouldn’t play. I’m not like that, I’m Darren Gough, I’m different, I love the game. And when I finish this contract I’ll being playing for some club team. I love a challenge at my age. I’m not looking for a quick fix. This is biggest challenge apart from the dancing.”After years of underachievement since winning the Championship title in 2001, Gough said he wants to make it like the old days at Headingley. “We had lots of fun and lots of discipline, but when ten players leave over six years something isn’t right. I want to bring back some fun.”However, he admits it will be hard to play every game throughout the season. “Realistically, every match will be difficult. But last year I missed only two games before my injury [playing against Pakistan]. I’m totally confident in the players I’ve got. I’m there as a leader and to instill enthusiasm. The Academy’s got some great players and I’m excited.”Essex chief executive, David East, said: “It is with regret that Darren has decided to leave after we initially had high hopes over the winter that he would sign a new contract with the club. As is widely acknowledged, Darren’s ties to Yorkshire are strong and we understand his desire to return to play for his county of birth.”Yorkshire have been through a turbulent winter which has seen Chris Adams initially take an offer to lead the side only to withdraw weeks later. Then Anthony McGrath announced his decision to leave, despite being in contract and given a captaincy offer, and his case is now in the hands of lawyers and will be heard at Lord’s on Friday. “McGrath is someone I respect,” said Gough, “I played against and with him. He’d be a great player to have with me and hopefully he’ll still be a Yorkshire player next year. I’ve spoken to him, but it’s his decision.”They are also in the process of appointing a new coach with Allan Donald, Paul Grayson and Martyn Moxon all believed to be in the race to replace David Byas. Added to this there was the loss of Michael Lumb to Hampshire, leaving the side in disarray for much of the winter.However, slowly there have been the first steps of rebuilding with Younis Khan signed as an overseas player and Matthew Elliott acting as cover during the World Cup. They have also secured Jacques Rudolph on a three-year Kolpak deal. Gough’s signature brings a reasonable appearance to a bowling attack which includes Jason Gillespie, Tim Bresnan and Deon Kruis.

Tamim Iqbal v Zaheer Khan
Thirty-four runs off 25 balls, and a six that rang around the World Cup. Five more boundaries to boot and there’s every reason a fast bowler with a typically elephantine memory would be looking for revenge. Tamim reacted to being hit by Zaheer by stepping out the next ball and smashing him for a huge six over wide long-on. A similar dance first ball tomorrow won’t be a bad start at all.Virender Sehwag v Mashrafe Mortaza
Sehwag was bowled for two by Mortaza at the World Cup. The two times out of six that Sehwag failed to get into double figures, India ended up losing to Bangladesh. And both those times he was clean bowled by Mortaza. That could be inspiration enough for Mortaza to brave his back pain and have another go at Sehwag.Habibul Bashar v Rahul Dravid
Their tales couldn’t be any more different. Bashar struggled with the bat and the results initially but he’s started winning more frequently in recent times. Dravid the captain had a superb start, steamrolling Sri Lanka at home, but had a poor World Cup. During their loss to Bangladesh at the World Cup, Dravid’s decision to bat first came under scrutiny and, on a pitch that took turn, Bashar employed his trio of left-arm spinners extremely effectively. Both captains are under pressure at the start of this series. It could be a matter of who handles it better.

Piyush Chawla, the Uttar Pradesh legspinner, and Pankaj Singh, the 22-year-old Rajasthan fast bowler, have been asked to join the five-day bowlers camp in Mysore starting on June 4th. Former India seamer Venkatesh Prasad, who was the team’s fast bowling during the recent visit to Bangladesh, would assist the 14 bowlers.Chawla was to leave last night for Australia where here was scheduled to train at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane along with Tamil Nadu medium pacer Yomahesh and Saurashtra batsman Cheteshwar Pujara.It was also speculated that Chawla had been advised to cancel his Australian sojourn since he could be named in the Indian squad for the one-day internationals against South Africa and Pakistan later this month. That team was to be picked on June 11.Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, who were part of the originial list, would not take part in the camp as they would be playing in the Afro-Asia Cup. Sreesanth, who has been included in the Asia squad for the lone Twenty-20 International against Africa on June 5, would join the group the following day. The camp would be held at Infosys Complex and stringent security has been put in place.The batsmen’s camp would be held from June 9 to 12 at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.The 14 bowlers to train at the camp: Anil Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Rudra Pratap Singh, Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Ramesh Powar, Vikram Rajvir Singh, Ranadeb Bose, Ishant Sharma, Rajesh Pawar, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha and Pankaj Singh.

Trevor Penney, Sri Lanka’s stand-in coach, believes his side are as tough as Australia, and can compete with them in all aspects of the game.Speaking ahead of the three-Test series against Bangladesh, Penney said: “[Adam] Gilchrist was the difference at the World Cup. Otherwise, I think we are pretty much level with Australia with our fielding, our bowling and our batting. We’ve got some great talent.”The Australians are brought up tough. They are a tough team. The thing is that we are tough now. That’s the line we’ve got to keep working on, practising hard and playing tough as we proved in England last year, in New Zealand and in the World Cup.”Penney says Sri Lanka’s improvement over the past two years has been noted by Sandy Gordon, the sports psychologist who has often been consulted since June 2005. Gordon was called in for the forthcoming series, too.”He was very pleased with the guys, the way they have matured mentally,” said Penney. “I think that’s important. We’ve had him about six times. He was complimentary about everybody. He thinks there is a massive lift in the mental side of the game.”Penney then talked about the passion he himself brought to the practices. “When you play all the time you need someone to lift you up a lot. When I am training them or practising with them I am keener than they are so I am passionate about every single thing. Fielding certainly comes out the way, the way they are fielding these days.”This is his first full series as coach of a national team, after taking over from Tom Moody who has gone to coach Western Australia. Penney, though, has had experience working under Moody for Sri Lanka.”Tom allowed me a free rein to do a lot of the coaching because often he will be either talking to reporters, attending selection meetings… We both understood each other really well.”Penney believes that trust is a big part of Moody’s legacy. “The players knew they could trust Tom wholly. He would never lie to them. He was always straight up front yet he did it in a pleasant way. He tells you straight, but in the next breath he will be helping you as well. I’ve learnt a lot from him.”Some people want to stay on the fence. They don’t want to say something to a guy even if he is a senior player. It’s been important for us because we had a lot of senior players who had to be dealt with around the bush. Tom just went in straight and levelled the playing field so that all players are actually equal in our team now.”What’s nice about this team is that they stepped up a standard now and they all expect it from each other.”Penney said playing away from home had improved the team’s mental toughness.”It has been a big plus point for Sri Lanka. They are ready to take up the challenge.Mahela [Jayawardene] as captain has been wonderful. He is so strong and he’s got the team right where he wants them.”

Christchurch and Auckland will not host Tests when Bangladesh and England visit later this year. The grounds Jade Stadium and Eden Park have lost out because of an apathetic fan base, with smaller stadiums given the nod as New Zealand try to hide dwindling Test crowds. Both evenues will, however, hold Twenty20s for each series.Justin Vaughan, the board’s chief executive, told the the two grounds could gain the Tests back one day, but that New Zealand Cricket would prefer Tests “to be at the right sorts of venues where there is some atmosphere, not just an empty cauldron”.New Zealand will host five Tests and ten limited-overs matches when Bangladesh and England tour in 2007-08. England will arrive in January for a visit including three Tests, two Twenty20s and five ODIs while Bangladesh’s serious duties begin on Boxing Day.Bangladesh will appear in three one-day internationals and two Tests on their first trip to New Zealand since 2001-02, when they lost both Tests. The opening Test starts on January 4 at Dunedin, which has not been used in this format since 1996-97, and the second match will be at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from January 12.”Bangladesh showed at the World Cup that they are a steadily improving side who can be dangerous if underestimated,” New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive Justin Vaughan said. “With matches at key locations during the holiday period we expect the Bangladesh tour to be well supported.”New Zealand and England will be familiar opponents in 2008, with this series followed almost immediately by the return leg. “This is a comprehensive tour by England and we are expecting a large number of English fans,” Vaughan said. “The series will build on our traditional rivalry with them ahead of the tour there in May next year.”The Test series begins at Hamilton on March 5 and the remaining two matches will be at Wellington and Napier.Bangladesh itinerary
December 26, 1st ODI, Auckland
December 28, 2nd ODI, Napier
December 31, 3rd ODI, Queenstown
January 4-8, 1st Test, Dunedin
January 12-16, 2nd Test, Wellington
England itinerary
February 5, 1st Twenty20, Christchurch
February 7, 2nd Twenty20, Auckland
February 9, 1st ODI, Wellington
February 12, 2nd ODI, Hamilton
February 15, 3rd ODI, Auckland
February 20, 4th ODI, Napier
February 23, 5th ODI, Christchurch
March 5-9, 1st Test, Hamilton
March 13-17, 2nd Test, Wellington
March 22-26, 3rd Test, Napier

Matthew Maynard has been appointed cricket manager at Glamorgan, beginning his new role at the end of September.Maynard, the former Glamorgan and England batsman – who was replaced by Andy Flower as England’s assistant coach after the World Cup – will have the help of the two existing coaches Adrian Shaw and Steve Watkin. Though understandably excited at the role, he acknowledges how much work there is to be done.”This is a fantastic opportunity for me and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Maynard said. “I’m aware that there is a lot of work required and that it will not be an overnight transformation. It will be up to me to get the best out of the players we have, augment them with additions where appropriate, and to work as hard as I can to get Glamorgan back to the level of performance we all – players and supporters – enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.””Although I do not formally start in post until the end of the season, I will be spending whatever time it takes between now and the end of September consulting with them.”Maynard, 41, played nearly 750 matches for the club between 1985 and 2005, leading the side to the County Championship in 1997. In this new role he will be responsible for all elements of cricket and player development at Glamorgan, reporting to chief executive Mike Fatkin.”We’re delighted that Matthew has agreed to rejoin Glamorgan in this new role,” Fatkin said. “His commitment to the county and his record as a player stands comparison with the very best and having now had experience of coaching elite players we believe he is ready to take on this particular challenge.”

Former Free State captain Joubert Strydom has been appointed as the convenor of selectors for one year by Cricket South Africa (CSA).Strydom will replace Haroon Lorgat, who was not nominated by any of the CSA affiliates at the annual general meeting last week. Mustapha Khan and national coach Mickey Arthur, remained selectors with Shafiek Abrahams, the former South African spinner, being the new appointment.”The board of directors of CSA has decided to appoint Joubert Strydom as convenor for one year after which the appointment will be reviewed,” CSA’s chief executive officer Gerald Majola said. “Joubert is very experienced and has been part of the provincial and national selection system for several years now. He will give continuity.”Strydom said it was an honour to be appointed as convenor of selectors at what was “a very exciting time for South African cricket”.”We have won the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia for the second successive year which means we are going to have a big pool of young talent to work with. The challenge is to find the right combination of promising and established players.”

Ashwell Prince has resigned as president of the South African Cricketers’ association (SACA) following a report in , an Afrikaans newspaper, that 30 cricketers had signed a memorandum calling for the eradication of the quota system in South African cricket.Prince, who was currently touring India with the South African A squad, alleged that details of the meeting between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the cricketers had been leaked to the media.”I trusted people and that confidentiality has been broken. I was betrayed and used”, Prince told . “I feel strongly that SACA had nothing to do with this. But the fact that it could have been a player, or players, made me realise that I cannot represent people whom I cannot trust””My standpoint about certain aspects of CSA’s policy has never been a secret. Those who conspired against me should have known it,” Prince said. “Someone who was at the meeting we held last week has leaked [details of] the discussions to the news media.”Prince’s resignation was the latest in a period of off-field turbulence in South African cricket: Jacques Kallis’ resignation as vice-captain of the national team following his omission from the ICC World Twenty20, disciplinary hearings involving Mark Boucher and Loots Bosman, and Andrew Hall’s retirement from international cricket.