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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.

Scorecard

Justin Langer became Western Australia’s highest run-scorer as he and Chris Rogers reached unbeaten fifties to leave the Warriors strongly placed against Tasmania heading into the final day.Dan Marsh pummelled his way to 117 not out, and although George Bailey and Michael Di Venuto contributed half-centuries, Adam Voges still had the option of forcing the follow-on.Instead, he watched as Langer nudged past his friend Tom Moody’s 8853 career runs in a forthright opening stand with Rogers which left them 314 ahead and set for the push for outright points.The pair wasted no time laying into Tasmania’s attack as they brought up their hundred stand in the 25th over.Steve Magoffin added three wickets to pick up his third five-wicket haul in first-class matches as Tasmania were dismissed for 343.Marsh batted well with the tail to help put up some resistance and his century included ten fours and a six.

Ashley Giles has warned Monty Panesar that Graeme Swann will be breathing down his neck for England’s spinner’s spot. Giles, who is now Warwickshire’s director of cricket after retiring earlier this year because of ongoing hip problems, believes Swann can push Panesar all the way.”Monty has done well,” Giles told the . “But if someone like Swanny bowls well, and gets some runs also, then there’s that niggling thing about ‘what else does Monty offer us?'”That’s not me saying that, that’s just how it is. Whereas last winter it was ‘why is Ashley playing? – Monty should be playing’. It might not be long before we get ‘Monty is playing, why isn’t Swanny playing? He offers us a bit more’. That’s just the natural scheme of things.””Monty is now the man in possession, but now he has the threat of Swann to deal with,” Giles said. “That’s the way it works, you fall off the end of the production line.”Swann is expected to make his debut in the Test series in Sri Lanka, having already impressed in his one-day recall this year. He offers good batting and fielding, which could further enhance his claims.Panesar, who has 20 Tests under his belt, himself only admitted last week that he didn’t see himself as England’s No. 1 spinner, although he gave firm reasons why: “The only reason I say that is because I am still young and need to learn. That number one tag is quite a strong statement.”Nevertheless, he would still be the favourite ahead of Swann should England opt for one spinner. They could, however, opt for two as they did during their 2-1 Test series triumph when they visited Sri Lanka in 2001.England play two three-day warm-up games in Colombo before the first Test starts in Kandy on December 1.

Five Australians will make their debut against New Zealand on Wednesday in the first women’s Twenty20 international to be played in Australia. Sarah Andrews (NSW), Melissa Bulow (Qld), Michelle Goszko (NSW), Leah Poulton (NSW) and Jodie Purves (Qld) are in the Southern Stars’ starting line-up for their opening experiences of the short-form game at Allan Border Field.It is only Australia’s second Twenty20 after the seven-wicket win against England during the 2005 tour. Karen Rolton smashed an unbeaten 96 from only 53 balls as they reached the target with more than two overs to spare.The game on Wednesday is part of New Zealand’s tour of Australia, which includes a battle for the Rose Bowl over five ODIs. Rolton will lead the side during the series and the first one-day match begins on Friday.Australia Twenty20 side Karen Rolton (capt), Lisa Sthalekar, Sarah Andrews, Kate Blackwell, Melissa Bulow, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Michelle Goszko, Julie Hayes, Kirsten Pike, Leah Poulton, Jodie Purves (wk).New Zealand squad Haidee Tiffen (capt), Nicola Browne, Maria Fahey, Louise Milliken, Helen Watson, Aimee Mason, Rebecca Rolls, Sarah Burke, Sara McGlashan, Ros Kember, Sophie Devine, Anna Dodd, Sarah Tsukigawa.Itinerary
October 18, Twenty20, Australia v New Zealand (all games at Allan Border Field, Brisbane)
October 20, 1st ODI, Australia v New Zealand
October 22, 2nd ODI, Australia v New Zealand
October 24, 3rd ODI, Australia v New Zealand
October 26, 4th ODI, Australia v New Zealand
October 28, 5th ODI, Australia v New Zealand

First Division

Alfonso Thomas took a timely five-wicket haul to give the Championship pacemakers, Somerset, an outside chance of victory against Yorkshire at Taunton. Having been up against it since the first innings of the match, in which Yorkshire racked up 372, Somerset took complete control of the third day, first by extending their overnight 220 for 9 to a competitive 258, thanks largely to Craig Kieswetter’s unbeaten 67, then by dismissing Yorkshire for 208 in their second innings. Charl Willoughby and Andrew Caddick gave Somerset a dream start by claiming both openers for ducks, then Thomas got stuck into the middle order. Andrew Gale was the lone survivor in the top-order with 58, while Rich Pyrah made 51 from No. 8 to rescue Yorkshire from 104 for 6, but Somerset’s eventual target of 323 is by no means unobtainable – with ten wickets in hand and with Marcus Trescothick at the crease, unbeaten on 11 at the close.Dimitri Mascarenhas produced a captain’s innings of 74 to lift Hampshire into the ascendancy against Durham at Chester-le-Street. The game had been finely balanced on the third morning, not least when Sean Ervine fell for the addition of only three runs to his overnight 46, to leave Hampshire leading by 226 with three wickets standing. But then Mascarenhas got into his stride, striking 13 fours and a six in a 110-ball innings, to add 67 priceless runs. Durham, in reply, stuttered just as they had done in their first innings. Chasing a sizeable 294, they lost wickets at regular intervals, with Shane Bond and Chris Tremlett among the wickets, to close on 186 for 6. Neil McKenzie made 48 and Dale Benkenstein was still there on 46 not out, but with only the tail for company, defeat is looming on Monday.Justin Kemp put to one side the frustrations of two rain-affected days at Canterbury, and struck his first first-class century of the season to boost Kent’s morale against the champions, Sussex. Kemp made 102, having had to strap his pads on in a hurry following three wickets in seven balls for Ragheb Aga. Robert Key fell for 30, then Martin van Jaarsveld and Darren Stevens followed for ducks to reduce Kent to 76 for 4, but James Tredwell continued his allround form with 68, as the pair added 167 for the fifth wicket. They were eventually all out for a healthy 350, with Aga finishing with 4 for 63, and by the close Sussex were well placed for the draw on 57 for 1.Click here to read John Ward’s report on the third day between Lancashire and Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford.

Second Division

Derbyshire stormed to an innings-and-95-run victory against a feeble Worcestershire at Chesterfield as Graham Wagg and Rikki Clarke shared seven wickets. The match was over before lunch, with the visitors dispatched for 110 in less than 36 overs. Already one down overnight, it was a procession by Worcestershire from the moment Graham Wagg trapped Steven Moore – who is being chased by Derbyshire – lbw for 9. Wagg continued an outstanding match when he had Graeme Hick caught behind off a flat-footed push, soon followed by Steven Davies. Meanwhile, Clarke, back to bowling action in this match after recovering from a broken thumb, snapped up three cheap wickets, including Vikram Solanki bowled by one that nipped back. The final dismissal of Steve Magoffin, heaving across the line, summed up Worcestershire’s capitulation.Glamorgan were made to follow on at Cardiff after being bowled out for 248 in reply to Warwickshire’s 421, but by the close of the third day they were battling hard for survival on 228 for 4. Their lead was a slender 48, and they might have been better placed had they not lost three wickets for 28 runs after a healthy opening partnership of 71 between Gareth Rees and Matthew Wood. Instead it was left to the captain, David Hemp, and Jamie Dalrymple to rally the rearguard with a fourth-wicket stand of 107. Hemp fell before the close for 56, but Dalrymple remained, unbeaten on 52, to carry the fight into the final day.Stephen Peters guided Northamptonshire past the follow-on at Wantage Road with his first first-class century of the season. He batted for five-and-a-half hours and struck 16 fours in his 122, and without him his team would have been in dire straits. As it is they conceded a sizeable enough first-innings lead of 146, although by the close they had struck back with determination, reducing Gloucestershire to 115 for 4 in their second innings. David Lucas claimed both openers and Johann Louw added Marcus North for a duck, as Gloucs slumped to 58 for 4. But they were bailed out by Hamish Marshall and Chris Taylor, who were unbeaten at stumps in a 57-run stand.Click here for Jamie Alter’s take on the third day at Lord’s between Middlesex and Essex.

Australia will go into their first Test against Bangladesh without a practice game or a training camp, and Steve Waugh has admitted that his team will beunderprepared at Darwin next month.Bangladesh will play three warm-up matches before the Darwin Test, but Waugh did not appear too worried about the lack of preparation. “I’m assuming the guyswho played both the Tests and the one-dayers in the West Indies won’t be picking up a bat or a ball until next week at least,” said Waugh. “I think we’ll be scratchy and not that well-prepared, but the guys are used to that now, and they know how to get themselves prepared.Waugh added: “It’s a pretty low-key preparation coming into a Test series – there’s no practice matches, there’s no camp – but it is difficult to keep having those things when the guys are away from home so much.”The series has already faced much criticism, with Dennis Lillee attacking the International Cricket Council (ICC) for organising such tours for televisionrevenue earnings. Malcolm Speed, chief executive of the ICC, has also broached the idea of a two-tier system, with promotions and demotions within the Test world.Speed’s suggestion did not find favour with Waugh. “I think that would be unfair,” he said. “How are you going to get the bottom sides to improve if they keep playing other weak sides? I’d like to think cricket is in a better state than that. I think that’s being too elitist.””They (Bangladesh) have got to learn and they’ve got to catch up. Sri Lanka proved they could do it; 10 years after being given Test status, they won theWorld Cup,” said Waugh. “So I think you’ve got to put more resources into these countries and help them out rather than say ‘you’re not good enough, we’ll see you in five years when you’ve improved’.”Waugh also denied that Australia were playing the one-sided series for financial benefit. “I don’t think it’s ever about money. I don’t think any of the guys have ever played cricket because of money. We’re going into the Bangladesh series to play for pride and respect,” said Waugh. “It’s a big honour to be playing for Australia, and a lot of other guys would love tobe playing in this series.”

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.”

Nottinghamshire have released batsman Guy Welton and offspinner Stephen Randall as the rebuilding process gets under way at Trent Bridge. Welton, 25, leaves after eight years on the staff while 23-year-old Randall has been with the county for the past five seasons.Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, said: “It’s a shame things have not worked out for them. They are two local lads who are totally committed to Notts cricket but it’s just that we don’t think they are the way forward for this club. They both want to continue in the game and I wish them all the very best for the future.”Welton has played more than 70 first-class matches for Nottinghamshire, scoring 571 runs at an average of 24.83 this season. Randall has had limited opportunities for first-team cricket with Australian legspinner Stuart MacGill in the squad, and has been restricted to limited-overs appearances only this summer, claiming four wickets in six appearances.”This is just the start of the rebuilding process,” explained Newell. “Clearly something has to be done because I totally accept that performances this season have not been up to the required standard. We have to make room to bring in players who are capable of doing very much better than we have this season.”Seamers Gareth Clough and Charlie Shreck have been offered new deals along with offspinner Paul McMahon.

Scorecard
An efficient bowling display from Zimbabwe, led by Sean Ervine, against Rockingham-Mandurah was overshadowed by another batting collapse and the news that Douglas Hondo is a serious doubt for the opening Test next Thursday at Perth.Hondo, Zimbabwe’s third-choice seamer behind Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut, strained his thumb yesterday and was unable to bowl at all today. However, Ervine did his chances no harm by kick-starting Zimbabwe’s fightback with five wickets against the Rockingham-Mandurah team, who were bolstered by four fringe Western Australian players.Ervine, who smashed 41 in Zimbabwe’s first innings, grabbed 5 for 37 from 15 overs as Rockingham-Mandurah capitulated to 123 in front of a crowd of about 200 at Settlers Hill. Luke Ronchi saved his side from even more blushes with an entertaining 44 on the bowler-friendly pitch, but he was one of only three batsmen to make double figures.With a slender lead of 26, Zimbabwe’s fragile batting line-up was again exposed in their second innings as they slumped to 107 for 6 at the close. Craig Wishart (32*) ensured they still had some sort of advantage – a lead of 133 runs, but with only four wickets left and Hondo unable to bat.Day One Bulletin

Mike Hussey, the prolific Western Australian left-hander, is to join Durham next season. Hussey, 28, has already played county cricket for Northants – for whom he struck three triple-centuries – and Gloucestershire, who he joined for the second half of the current season.Hussey, who averages 51 in all first-class cricket, has captained Australia A, and has also played one one-day international – against India on his home pitch at Perth in 2003-04, scoring 17 not out.Durham faced stiff competition is signing Hussey, but he explained: “It is flattering that there has been a lot of interest from various counties – however, when I visited Durham I saw for myself what an ambitious and progressive club it is. There is no doubt in my mind that this is where I want to be playing cricket.”I am hugely excited about my move to Durham. As well as offering me a personal challenge it gives me the opportunity to help nurture and offer advice to the outstanding young talent that is emerging from within this team.”Martyn Moxon, the former England batsman who is now Durham’s coach, added: “Mike embodies the type of player we needed to bring into the team. He is a top-order batsman who will be a real asset. His experience will offer great leadership to the younger members of the squad. We expect him to be available for selection throughout the year, which will also give us continuity in the dressing-room.”