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Glenn McGrath has lifted his sights to 600 Test wickets as he prepares to become the first Australia bowler to play a Test aged 35 since Ray Lindwall. The quirky record is a huge compliment to McGrath’s ironman durability and his ability to recover from injuries, such as the ankle problem that almost ended his career last year.While his pace partners were waiting to see who would join him in the first Test at Christchurch on Thursday, McGrath was resetting his goals. "I’ve always focused on 500 wickets but with the way I feel now, I’ve probably moved that up another 100,” McGrath told the Courier-Mail. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt as good as I have the last three months. I don’t even feel the ankle any more and my confidence has never been higher.”McGrath currently has 481 wickets and the newspaper reported Sir Richard Hadlee saying he was a chance of passing 500 during the three-Test series. Hadlee played until he was 39, taking 431 Test wickets, and Courtney Walsh (519) and Curtly Ambrose (405) bowled well into middle-age.Australia have to look back to Lindwall (228) and Keith Miller (170) for such longevity. Lindwall’s final Test was against India at Eden Gardens in January 1960.

England’s hopes of victory in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington have taken a serious blow after their hero of the first innings, James Anderson, twisted his left ankle while playing football on the outfield after the close of the third day’s play.Anderson was a surprising selection for this match ahead of Matthew Hoggard, but he excelled in the first innings taking 5 for 73 in 20 overs of pacy swing bowling. According to an England spokesman, he received immediate ice treatment after going over his ankle during England’s warm-down session.There are no plans to send him for a scan as yet, and he was able to put weight on his foot soon afterwards. But he was seen leaving the ground on crutches, and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to bat when England resume tomorrow on 277 for 9, let alone bowl.If Anderson is unable to lead the attack, England’s chances of drawing level in the series will rest on their remaining frontline seamers, Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad, as well as the spin of Monty Panesar. With an overnight advantage of 421, they would still remain huge favourites against a side that has only ever passed 400 twice in the fourth innings and lost both matches, but even before the news broke, New Zealand were confident of putting up a fight when their turn comes to bat.”We’re pretty jovial, there’s a lot of time left in the match,” said Kyle Mills, who felt that the pitch conditions had eased significantly on the warmest day of the match so far. “If we get a day like today tomorrow and our batsmen can get in and cement themselves, I think it’s game on because we bat a long way down.”We feel a tick over 400 is definitely gettable,” he added. “Hopefully we can get the final wicket fairly early tomorrow and hopefully there won’t be many too clouds around. If we can get that sun on the wicket it can turn onto a flat one. There’s so much time left in the match.”Paul Collingwood, who carried England into the ascendancy with his second half-century of the match, also agreed that the conditions for batting had improved overnight. “With the sun being out all day today, it has dried it out a touch,” he said. “So we’ll have to wait and see what it plays like tomorrow. There is still a little bit in there though.”England may have one eye on past contests if the track does turn out to be flat when their turn comes to bowl. On their last tour in 2001-02, Nathan Astle gave them an almighty scare with an incredible 222 from 178 balls, and carried New Zealand within 100 runs of chasing down a total in excess of 500.Astle has moved on, but with aggressive strokeplayers such as Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum in their middle order, Collingwood predicted that New Zealand would come out fighting once again. “I think they will play the same way they are always playing and that’s pretty positive,” he said. “That is a good thing for us because it gives us chances. They’re an aggressive side and if they get to four or five-down it’ll be interesting to see how the McCullums and Orams come out to play it. It’s a big total but the wicket has played really well and we have to bowl well to stop them from getting the target.”Another man who could be expected to rise to the occasion is the former captain, Stephen Fleming. He has never scored a century on his home ground at Wellington, and in his final appearance before his retirement, tomorrow would be the perfect day to break that duck. “He’s a class batsman and I’m sure he’ll want to cement his mark on this Test match,” said Mills. “He always talks about doing well against England, but I’m sure he’s looking forward to making a big contribution tomorrow.”New Zealand’s record in Test run-chases is not too great, but the same players have enjoyed some notable success in one-day cricket, including against Australia last year when they twice chased down totals in excess of 330. “Australia posted those big scores and I guess at half-time people were writing us off and never thought we’ll reach them.”But this is just another target for us. There’s a lot of belief in this team and if we play to our potential, play well and get the conditions to suit us, all I can say is game on, we’ll definitely be fighting right to the end that’s for sure.”

If Zimbabwe’s authorities thought the problems of sides touring were over after England’s visit last November, they would have been disappointed by the announcement by New Zealand’s Green party that they had written to all the NZ team urging them to pull out of the August tour of Zimbabwe on moral grounds.Rod Donald, the joint leader of the Green party, told reporters that he had written to all 25 squad members asking them to consider their positions. The move follows comments earlier in the week by Martin Snedden, New Zealand Cricket’s CEO, that any individuals who objected to touring on moral grounds would be free to stay home without facing adverse consequences to their future playing prospects.”The Black Caps are role models with considerable power to task a strong stand against the brutality of the Zimbabwean regime,” Donald said. “Ideally, theGovernment and NZ Cricket would get together and decide to call off the tour. However, the players now have the power to force the hands of the authorities.”Sneddon has said that players’ playing careers will be unaffected if they decide to pull out of the Zimbabwe tour. That leaves players quite free to pull out of the tour without fear of it hurting their prospects of future selection. Realistically, if enough players exercised their consciences, the tour would have to be called off.”Donald went on to compare the situation in Zimbabwe to that in South Africa during the apartheid years. “Actions speak louder than words. In the 1970s and 80s, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders stood up for black South Africans by urging their sporting teams to cut all contacts with South Africa. Now, it’s time to utilise the same tactics against Zimbabwe.”The Mugabe Government is a brutal, illegitimate dictatorship that has just rigged what it claimed were free and fair elections. It has no respect for human rights, and intimidates and brutalises its enemies, including cricketers Henry Olonga and Andy Flower. Our cricketers should take the brave step of showing solidarity with Henry and Andy and the Zimbabwean people by refusing to give the Mugabe regime the respectabilityof welcoming international supporting teams.”Cricket is an important part of Zimbabwean culture, and not being able to welcome international cricketing sides would be a blow to the regime’s claims to legitimacy.”

Peter Borren, the Netherlands batsman, will replace Jeroen Smits as captain for his side’s Intercontinental Cup match against Scotland beginning on Thursday at Mannofield Park in Aberdeen. Smits, who replaced Luuk van Troost as captain after the 2007 World Cup, is missing the match because of work-related commitments.The Netherlands coach Paul-Jan Bakker, said that they could overcome Smits’ absence and draw confidence from their victory against Canada in June. Borren had scored 105, his maiden first-class hundred, in the second innings of Netherlands’ 45-run win against Canada.”I am sure that the boys will not be affected by this latest setback and will keep the momentum going,” Bakker said. “Peter [Borren] is an excellent batsman and has shown his talent on more than one occasion. But he can’t live on tales and will need to start all over again. While saying this, I am sure he is also looking forward to the new challenge [captaincy] and will try to make the most of it.”Bas Zuiderent and Ryan ten Doeschate both missed the game against Canada and remained unavailable for the match against Scotland. Netherlands were further depleted with medium-pacers Edgar Schiferli and Mark Jonkman and offspinner Adeel Raja pulling out due to injuries.”We can’t have a full-strength team all the time, which means there will always be opportunities for the youngsters,” Bakker said. “Now it is for them to take advantage of this and cement their places.””Scotland are a strong team and we respect them. But I understand that they will also be without some of their key players. I think we both are in a situation where we have to fill gaps and hope that the youngsters will raise their hands, take responsibility and fill those gaps.”Scotland’s Intercontinental Cup opener against United Arab Emirates in Ayr was washed out and the quadrangular series that followed, involving West Indies, Ireland and Netherlands, also affected by bad weather.Scotland captain Ryan Watson acknowledged the importance of the match against Netherlands. “We are keen to do well in this competition so it’s very important, after the UAE match was washed out, that we make the most of our remaining home games and take maximum points.””Obviously, as our preparations are already limited by player availability because of their work commitments, we have been somewhat handicapped of late. But the Dutch also fell foul of the weather [in the quadrangular series] and are in similar circumstances, while they also play a lot on matting.”Scotland recalled fast bowlers Richie Berrington, who has played just one first-class match, and Gordon Drummond, who has appeared in four first-class matches, for the game against Netherlands. Gavin Hamilton, Dewald Nel and Glenn Rogers will return to the squad for the third match against Ireland in Stormont from August 9.Despite their loss to Netherlands, Canada remained on top of the Intercontinental Cup table with 26 points from two games. Netherlands were second with 14 points from one game and, UAE and Scotland have three points from one game each. Bermuda, Ireland, Kenya and Namibia were yet to make an appearance.Netherlands: Peter Borren (capt), Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman, Tom de Grooth, Alexei Kervezee, Geert Maarten Mol, Mongesh Panchal, Jelte Schoonheim, Pieter Seelaar, Nick Statham, Eric Szwarzcynski, Somesh Kohli.Scotland: Ryan Watson (capt), Richie Berrington, Fraser Watts, Craig Wright, John Blain, Gordon Drummond, Majid Haq, Omer Hussain, Paul Hoffmann, Ross Lyons, Qasim Sheikh, Neil McCallum, Simon Smith.

Jonathan Trott’s superb all-round show guided Otago to a thrilling one-run victory in their State Shield one-day match against Northern Districts at the Westpac Park in Hamilton. Trott scored 114 and ran though the middle-order claiming 4 wickets off his seven overs. Batting first, Otago were three wickets down for 72 runs when Neil Broom joined Trott at the wicket. The two put on a massive partnership of 190 runs, an Otago record for all wickets against all teams, for the fourth wicket until Broom was dismissed for 93 off as many balls. They struck 25 boundaries and two sixes between them. Otago finished with 276 for four off their 50 overs.In reply, Northern Districts got off to a disastrous start losing their first three wickets for 24 runs. James Marshall, the captain, and Daniel Flynn held the innings together with a partnership of 123 runs when Trott took 4 crucial wickets to set Northern Districts to 230 for eight. Despite some late order resistance, Northern Districts were bowled out for 275 when Graeme Aldridge was run-out off the last ball. James Marshall top-scored for his team with 93. For Otago, Warren Charles McSkimming and James McMillan finished with two wickets each. First-class cricket was suspended at the oval last season after a pitch debacle when New Zealand played a FICA world 11.Canterbury embarrassed the home team at Eden Park’s outer oval, skittling them for 100 after Richard Jones, the Auckland captain, won the toss and elected to bat. Leighton Burtt, the debutant, ripped through the brittle Auckland batting taking 5 for 26 from 7.1 overs. Rob Nicol battled hard for 36 but received no support. In reply Michael Papps (43) and Shannan Stewart (37) put on 83 for the first wicket as Canterbury cruised past the target in 21.4 overs. Craig McMillan was not out 11 at the end.High-flying Wellington posted an imposing 270 for 7 when they met neighbours Central Districts at the Basin Reserve. Central couldn’t match it, falling to 220 all out. Jesse Ryder (61), Michael Parlane (51), his brother Neal (41) and Chris Nevin all contributed as the home team piled up the runs. Chasing, Central were looking good while Mathew Sinclair (64) and Geoff Barnett (57) were at the crease, but once they both fell to Luke Woodcock, Central faltered. From 193 for 3 Central slumped to 209 for 9 and the game was as good as won. Iain O’Brien was the chief destroyer with 5 for 43, while Woodcock took 4 for 36 from his 10 overs.

Scorecard

Ten wickets in the match and career-best figures of 6 for 85 for leg breakbowler Warwick Hinkel was enough to see Border convincingly beat FreeState in Bloemfontein.Having declared overnight, Border had set Free State a target of 381 runsfrom 104 overs. With Hinkel mesmerising the batsmen the game was over in the early afternoon, after 65 overs and a winning margin of 209 runs.Pool B: Eastern Province 178 and 300 (Homani 83, Nel 59, Howell 55,Alexander 3-48, Behardien 3-48) drew with Western Province 228 and 142for 6 (Munnik 55*, Willemse 4-61).
Scorecard

Eastern Province were not prepared to take a gamble at St George’s Park,and in the end they had to be content with sharing the spoils with WesternProvince. Batting out their second innings, they set a target of 251 runsin 52 overs after scoring 300. Bob Homani could only add 11 to hisovernight 72 while Ruan Nel (59) and Grant Howell (55), the son ofumpire Ian Howell, both made fifties on debut. Craig Alexander and FahaanBehardien each took three wickets.After a collapse from Western Province, engineered by Darryl Willmese (4-61),they were rescued by Rennier Munnik (55*) and Mark de Stadler (21) who had taken the score from 79 for 6 to 142 for 6 when time ran out.Pool B: Griqualand West 414 for 5 dec and 250 for 8 dec (McLaren 57,Stroh 6-84) beat North West 350 for 8 dec and 203 (Rosenberg 86, Arthur4-54, Coetzee 3-39) by 111 runs.
Scorecard

Griqualand West walked away with a massive 21.28 points as they beatNorth West at Sedgars Park by 111 runs. Griquas had continued batting untillunch, as Adrian McLaren scoring 57 which allowed them to declare at 250 for 8and a lead of 314 runs. Richard Stroh, on his debut for North West,started off his career well as he took 6 for 84.In reply, North West could not hold out being bowled out for 203 as theyattempted to go after the target. Marc Rosenberg nearly helped to pulloff the miracle by smashing 86 off 62 balls, but with no-one lending a hand,it was all in vain. Nathan Arthur (4-54) and Werner Coetzee (3-39) were themain wicket takers.

Simon Jones and Marcus Trescothick have been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against India, and are highly unlikely to return for the seven-match one-day series as well.Jones twisted his left knee while bowling in the nets at Nagpur on the day before the first Test and flew back to the UK the following day. He underwent an arthroscopy on Friday and will now begin his rehabilitation program with Dean Conway, England’s one-day squad physio.This is the latest injury setback for Jones, who missed the final Ashes Test at The Oval and the tour of Pakistan with a bone spur on his ankle. On the 2002-03 tour of Australia he picked up a horrendous injury in the Brisbane Test when he slid on the sandy outfield, damaging his right knee so severely he was out of action for nearly a year.Trescothick flew back home before the first Test due to personal reasons and Andrew Walpole, England’s team media manager, told PTI that he will not return for the Tests. “He has been ruled out for personal reasons which cannot be revealed at the moment.”

Ryan Steede, the medium-pacer and Kwame Tucker, the wicketkeeper, are the two notable omissions of Bermuda’s squad for the World Cricket League to be held in Kenya later this month.Both players have been retained in Bermuda’s reserves, although there are still concerns as to whether Tucker is fit enough to serve as the main reserve wicketkeeper. Jekon Edness, the 23-year-old wicketkeeper, has also named in the reseves should Tucker not prove fit enough.Bermuda are currently training for the tournament in Trinidad and depart for Kenya on January 24. Saleem Mukuddem, Stefan Kelly and Stephen Outerbridge – each of whom missed their side’s week-long preparation in Trinidad through injury – are all included.Full squad
Irvine Romaine (capt), Dean Minors (wk), Clay Smith, Stephen Outerbridge, OJ Pitcher, David Hemp, Janeiro Tucker, Lionel Cann, Malachi Jones, Delyone Borden, Saleem Mukuddem, Kevin Hurdle, Dwayne Leverock, Stefan Kelly, Arthur Pitcher Jnr.

Division One

Points TableJason Gallian was unbeaten on 191 for Nottinghamshire at the close of the first day of their game against Kent at Canterbury. An opening stand of 157 between Gallian and Darren Bicknell set the visitors up for a huge total, but Kent struck back with four quick wickets, including the captain, Stephen Fleming, for just 8. Nottinghamshire ended the day on 397 for 5, with Amjad Khan picking up 2 for 58. Nottinghamshire are top of the table, but Kent Hampshire and Sussex are all title contenders. Notts need to win this match and gain maximum points in order to secure the title.

Division Two

Points TableNorthamptonshire plundered 414 for 7 on the first day against Durham where there were centuries for Usman Afzaal and Riki Wessels. Liam Plunkett picked up 5 for 86 from 24 economical overs. Durham are on the verge of promotion to Division One, but need the secure as many bonus points as possible in this match – their last of the season.

Eight long years ago, the scene was remarkably similar. Australia had just completed a hit-and-miss one-day series (against West Indies), and entered the 1999 World Cup in a (relative) measure of disarray. Awaiting them on a slow track at Worcestershire were the ODI debutants, Scotland, who – for three-quarters of a keenly fought game – did just enough to ruffle a few Antipodean feathers.Then, of course, Steve Waugh weighed in with an unbeaten 49 and the rest was history, but on the eve of a rematch he can never have envisaged in a month of Hogmanays, Gavin Hamilton, Scotland’s Man of the Tournament back in 1999, was daring to dream anew. “There’s always that nagging thought at the back of your mind,” he said at Basseterre, “it only takes two or three good performances and a bad day from Australia. It’s a nice thought to hold onto.””Gav is in a great frame of mind at the moment,” said Peter Drinnen, Scotland’s Australian coach. “He’s really committed and he’s trained really hard over the last six to eight months. He sets the examples and it’s no coincidence that he’s performed well over the last five-six weeks. He’s been solid throughout and threatens with the big one. He’s certainly got the skills and capabilities.”Hamilton has, however, got a few scars as well. Since that last encounter with Australia, his career has been to hell and back. His achievement in becoming the most prolific English-qualified run-scorer in the tournament (217 in five innings) earned him an England Test debut at Johannesburg the following winter, but it was a harsh baptism. After scores of 0 and 0, and no wickets to boot, his game went into freefall – a bout of the yips destroyed his bowling and in 2003, he was acrimoniously released by Yorkshire.”To get another crack of the whip is something special,” Hamilton said. “I was probably at the peak of my game with my batting and bowling in 1999, and I think we caught them [Australia] at a pretty bad time back then as well. They were playing some pretty ordinary cricket and didn’t know what their best XI was. They were chopping and changing their bowlers, and we played some quite nice stuff. Hopefully we’ll catch them at not quite their best again.”It’s a pretty hopeful hope, for Scotland are remaining utterly realistic about their prospects in Wednesday’s contest. “It’s an incredible challenge,” Drinnen said. “We’re not going to stand here and say that we can blow Australia out of the water – what we’re concerned about is maintaining our standards, and even raising our bar a little more.”The big thing with Scotland over the years has been our batting,” Drinnen said. “We just haven’t been able to be consistent, and that’s because we just don’t get together that much.” But five weeks in Kenya for the recent World Cricket League, where Scotland reached the final only to be defeated by the hosts, might have helped to change that a touch.”What we encountered in Kenya was a consistency in cricket,” Drinnen said. “We had 17 days of cricket, and put together four or five really good totals. That was a big step forward for us. But we don’t encounter [Australian] level of attacks day-in, day-out, so that’s the real challenge. The bad balls don’t present themselves very often, so it’s what we do with the good balls that matter. We have to try to discover runs.”Drinnen said the line-up of his side was yet to be finalised, and they would only decide on four seamers or an extra spinner after the early-morning moisture had been assessed on Wednesday. But the players weren’t about to be blinded by tactics ahead of their big showdown. “We’re not going to analyse each and every player,” Hamilton said. “Our aim is to play good basic cricket, because that’s what’s made us successful against the associates and the county sides.””We’re playing in a World Cup in the Caribbean,” added Drinnen, voicing the unspoken incredulity of his whole squad. “It’s an incredible privilege to be here. We’re really looking forward to the challenge, and we hope to put in some solid performances to show these guys we’re really good cricketers.”