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England and India must be content with a share of the spoils after the final npower Test was abandoned as a draw. Heavy rain throughout the fifth morning at the AMP Oval made a start impossible, and the puddles that had formed on the edge of the covered area told their own sad tale of a soggy end to England’s longest-ever summer of international cricket.For the record, England led India by 121 runs with all their second innings wickets in hand when the game was called off. In truth it would have needed a remarkable day’s cricket for the game to end in anything other than stalemate, and the outcome that seemed likeliest for most of the match – and a rubber squared at one-all – was the eventual result.It means that India have had marginally the better of England in their series of encounters at home and abroad over the past year. In the seven Test matches India came out on top 2-1, by virtue of their win at Chandigarh in the opening game of the series in India. And after drawing the one-day series there, India’s unforgettable triumph in the NatWest final at Lord’s also gives them the edge in the shorter form of the game.The difference in quality between the two sides is slight. Both bat better than they bowl, especially India, who must surely have the best middle order in the world. But while they have yet to find an established opening pair, the emergence of Michael Vaughan as Marcus Trescothick’s opening partner is the biggest single positive to emerge from England’s summer. It will be fascinating to see how they fare in Australia. Form and fitness permitting, they could have the capacity to take their partnership from good to great.The squad to tour Australia will be announced tomorrow. With those two joined by the established Butcher and the captain Hussain, Graham Thorpe’s likely rehabilitation would cement exactly the line-up that Australia least want to meet. Andrew Flintoff is making steady progress after his hernia operation, and Alec Stewart’s many supporters will be hoping that he can end his Ashes career with a performance in keeping with the magnificent service he has given to his country.Meanwhile the bottom line on England’s summer – played seven, won three, lost one and drawn three – is in keeping with the form England have shown, last summer’s Ashes series excepted, for the past two and a half years. It tells of a competitive force, vying with several other teams for the title of second-best to the all-conquering Australians. By Christmas the first three Ashes Tests will have been played – what a ferment the Barmy Army would be in if England could still be in the series by then!

Somerset County Cricket Club have just started their new 2003 membership drive, and even before details have been sent out there has been considerable interest from both exisiting and potential members.This morning at the county ground membership secretary Jo Arnold told me: “Since the end of the 2002 season we have already received dozens of letters from people asking how they can become members of the club which is a really promising sign for the 2003 season.”Jo continued: ” No doubt as soon as the new arrangements are sent out the telephones will start to ring and the letters will start to flood in, which is very good news given the disappointing season that we have just had. Already people are looking forward to the 2003 season.”MEMBERSHIP 2003Somerset County Cricket Club where your expectations will be exceeded.Anyone can join and help to become the Force behind Somerset CricketCatch the Action and help the team to bounce back!Get real value for money as a member of Somerset County Cricket Club this summer and watch cricket in probably one of the most idyllic settings in England because 2003 promises to be an exciting year.Here at Somerset we pride ourselves in having one of the most picturesque and friendly grounds in the Country.We can provide you with the drama and fast action of one-day cricket, the 20 over competition begins this summer or if you prefer the tactical battle of 4-day cricket, we can offer you 32 days of action.The new Somerset Captain Michael Burns has a good blend of experience and youth throughout the ranks, including the returning established Australian batting star, Jamie Cox, hoping that without the burden of captaincy he will be back to his best.Whilst the bowling department should have a more cutting edge with the signing of the West Indian fast bowler, Nixon McLean.”We need to play positive cricket in 2003 to ensure a quick return to the First Divisions of both competitions,” says skipper Mike Burns.We know you won’t be disappointed, because membership is excellent value for money, so why not join in and ‘Become the Force’ behind Somerset Cricket.Not to missed in 2003-One of the annual highlights of the season will be the return of the ever-popular floodlit cricket and the family entertainment that it now brings with it in an electric atmosphere – an evening that the whole family will enjoy.FIRST EVER! 20-cricket competition begins-For those that like their cricket fast and furious – this is for you!In June, Somerset will play against Warwickshire and Gloucestershire at TauntonBath Cricket Festival-
Once again, Somerset will play at their Festival venue with an attractive fixture against Worcestershire and in the Sunday League, we face new opposition, Northamptonshire.The South African Test Team will be in Taunton for a 3-day match in July and will play against the Cidermen for the first time in over 40 years.There is also an exciting one day fixture against the full Zimbabwean side at Taunton in June.Scotland join the National Cricket League Competition for the first time and play against Somerset at Taunton in June.This is your invitation to join – there’s something for everyoneAdmission Privileges
Free admission to all home:
4-day County Championship matches,
National League matches (including floodlit)
NEW! 20 over competition
Tourist games – versus South Africa and ZimbabweLunches and Teas
All members are permitted to use the bars and catering facilities in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion, Ian Botham Stand and Old Pavilion on match days. Members & their guests are entitled to book lunch & a temptingly delicious afternoon tea in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion Restaurant. Advanced booking advised.Members Guests
The right to bring a guest in to the Members’ Enclosure during County Championship matches (on payment of £2 per guest ticket; the guest having already paid the ground entrance charge).Get the latest News and Information
Members receive FREE regular editions of the `From the Pavilion’ Club Newsletter and receive various other general mailings throughout the year.International Ticket Applications
Preferential ticket applications for international matches staged at any groundVoting Rights
Have your say! All members have the right to vote at the annual AGM.The Reciprocal Admission deal to Away Matches
Somerset members are entitled to FREE admission to County Championship matches at Glamorgan, Gloucestershire & Worcestershire for 2003 – when Somerset are not the opponents.Exclusive – Taunton Racecourse Reciprocal Deal
Somerset members can enjoy admission discounts and use of members facilitiesConcessions Booklets to Members
Enjoy a range of discounts and offers to various local attractionsAlthough it is disappointing for the team to be in Division 2, it will be pleasing to see Somerset renewing their acquaintances with local rivals, Gloucestershire and Glamorgan in the County Championship competition. Which also means that in 2003 there will be more opportunities to watch your team play in the SouthWest.As a rural First Class team, we are lucky to call upon support from all of our West Country neighbours in Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire and the farthest Southwest County, Cornwall.We need everyone’s support, why not encourage a friend to join you.MEMBERSHIP rates for 2003Choose which membership suits you best from the following categories.Each membership provides a personal admission swipe card for individual useDiscounted prices are in brackets and apply if membership is bought before March 2003)

Vice President £113.00 (£103.00)2nd Vice President £101.00 (£91.00)Vice President Family £226.00 (£206.00)Full Member £102.00 (£92.00)2nd Full Member £92.00 (£82.00)Full Family Membership £204.00 (£184.00)Country Member £80.00 (£70.00)Junior Sabre (Date of birth……..) £29.00 (£25.00)Company Patron + VAT £250.00 (no discounted rate)(additional ticket)Executive Business Club + VAT £565.00 (no discounted rate)

Twenty-eight students have been officially welcomed to the 2002programme of the Shell Cricket Academy of St. George’s University.President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Reverend Wes Hallwas among those who participated in the welcome ceremony on Thursday(May 16) at the True Blue campus of St. Georges University, Grenada.He told the young cricketers from the Caribbean and the Americas thathard work and not talent would determine how successful they were.Grenada’s Minister of Tourism Hon. Brenda Hood who also joined inwelcoming the students, pledged the full support of her government,and noted that her ministry is on a mission to form more strategiclinks between sport and tourism.External Affairs Manager of Shell, Roger Brathwaite, and St. George’sUniversity Dean, Dr. Allen Pensick also addressed the new recruits tothe prestigious three-month programme that is a joint venture by theWest Indies Cricket Board, Shell Antilles and Guianas Ltd and St.Georges University.Following the ceremony, Director of the Shell Cricket Academy, Dr.Rudi Webster gave the students an outline of the programme and Rev.Wes Hall gave a master class on fast bowling and West Indies crickethistory.The members of the 2002 class come from a number of different parts ofthe Caribbean and the Americas. The nations represented includeAnguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Grenada,Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and theGrenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America. TheAcademy runs from May 16th to August 8th.

The Faithwear Cup was thrown wide open after the second round produced wins for Southerns and Northerns, who had both lost in the opening matches. The results leave Westerns as the only one of the five sides without a loss to their name.Defending champions Northerns bounced back from their defeat by Westerns to record a three-wicket win over Centrals at Harare Sports Club. Boosted by the return of Ray Price, who took 3 for 24, they restricted Centrals to 172, and even that represented a recovery as at one stage they had been teetering on 13 for 4. At 75 for 6, Northerns appeared to be heading for defeat but Price (38) and Graeme Cremer (54*) put on 83 for the seventh wicket to steer them to the brink of victory.Tendai Machiri’s 53 was the platform in Southerns’ 25-run defeat of Easterns at Harare Country Club. Southerns made 164 in a laboured innings, but even that modest score proved too much for a weak opposition who had Forster Mutizwa’s career-best 49 to thank for preventing a complete rout.

Ajit Wadekar, Mankad’s Test captain
Despite being in bad form during the England series in 1971, Mankad never lost his sense of humour. Over the course of the tour he had difficulties coming to terms with the conditions and the England bowlers with John Snow being his main nemesis. But each time Mankad would do one thing without fail: he would walk up to Snow and greet him “Good morning, sir. I’m Ashok Mankad. I hope I’ll get runs against you,” and he would get out early. He knew how to enjoy the game.He was very young to pass away so soon. He was a damn good player and a prolific scorer. He could have played more Tests for India if he had not been asked to change his role in the batting order so frequently. Never did he shirk responsibility – he was a typical Mumbai guy, always thinking, and playing for the team. He was very knowledgeable about the game, be it spotting talent, or discussing technique. He was a keen student and also liked to work on the psychology aspect of cricket. He knew exactly where and when to tap the player or needle the opponent’s weak point. All this made him an astute leader during his captaincy stint with Mumbai.Erapalli Prasanna, Mankad’s room-mate
It’s a personal loss, in a way, because he was my room-mate on several tours. The one thing that always impressed me about him was his attention to detail: he was precise even with the minor stuff. His cricket gear would always be spic and span, everything would be where it should be from his attire to his pads and gloves. He worshiped his kit. All this proved he was a committed cricketer. He was an illustrious son of an illustrious father. He had a wonderful cricket brain that, sadly, the administrators never utilised properly which was a great loss to Indian cricket. For example just look at the way he got Mumbai back from the dumps few years ago during their Ranji Trophy campaign.Dilip Vengsarkar, Mankad’s team-mate
He was one of the best batsmen of his era and had a very good cricket brain. A light-hearted man, he would always keep the dressing-room atmosphere lively with his banter and jokes. He was a very good team man. When I scored my maiden century in the Irani Trophy he was at the non-striker’s end. We were chasing a 200-plus target and I made the bulk of the runs. Mankad had made only a few but he stood there keeping the partnership intact. A man of integrity, he did yeoman’s service to Mumbai cricket, as a player, and as a captain.

India’s expected familiarity with the Basin Reserve pitch because of their recent experiences in England was of no assistance as seen from their 10-wicket loss to New Zealand today.Team coach John Wright said the pitch for the first National Bank Series Test seamed and bounced more than the pitches the side struck in England.”I said before the match that the biggest Test for us was adjusting to the conditions, and clearly we didn’t manage that,” he said.On pitches like the Basin Reserve, batsmen had to spend a lot of time at the wicket and India hadn’t achieved that. Wright said he thought New Zealand’s Mark Richardson had shown what sort of application was needed.Asked whether he thought the side had enough time to adapt to New Zealand conditions, Wright said: “This is one country where the more you get before a Test the better and that would probably have helped.”But it is a fact of life. We’ve got the players. We have got some wonderful batsmen who, when they get in, can express themselves with their shots and they are good to watch.”In their shot selection they have to be a lot more judicious on these wickets.”We have to be a lot stronger in that area in the next Test,” Wright said.He thought the side had done a good job in containing New Zealand to a lead of only 86 and he felt that if India could get to 150-160 runs ahead that they could put the pressure on the home side.Captain Sourav Ganguly was clearly disappointed at the after-match press conference but he was in no mood to offer excuses.The side had failed to bat well in either innings and in the second innings especially, it was below par.”We just did not bat well. We had come back and I was hopeful that we could score 250-300 runs to make a contest of the game.”We will have to do our best in Hamilton to try and square the series.”All we can do is hope we will bat much better in this game,” Ganguly said.The side’s batsmen had scored runs all around the world on different types of pitches. They would need to get their mindset right to get back in the next match,” he said.Wright said the performance of left-arm medium-fast bowler Zaheer Khan had been a bonus for the side and India’s job was now to fine someone to pair up with him from the other end.Wright said he was not surprised at New Zealand developing pitches more like that at the Basin with more bounce than has traditionally been the case.”You always play to your strengths. It is a successful formula, they are winning matches, although they might miss the odd day or two’s play but all credit to them.But the art of touring was to adapt to the conditions you were faced with.”At home in the last two years we have been reasonably strong but you have to adjust to conditions when you are touring,” he said.”If we can put the runs on the board in Hamilton we will have the same opportunity,” he said.India had been beaten fair and square and it didn’t serve any purpose to make excuses. The side was a strong one but it had batted badly. He believed it could turn things around.Getting through the new ball would be a key, he said.

Somerset Sabres got their NUL National League campaign back on track at Cardiff today when they recorded a resounding victory over Glamorgan Dragons to earn themselves four valuable points in their fight for division one survival.After being put into bat, Somerset lost Matt Wood early but Peter Bowler and Jamie Cox took them onto 34 before Cox was caught by Dean Cosker in the gully off Andrew Davies for 12.Mike Burns came in and hurried the score along until with the score on 58, Bowler was bowled by Darren Thomas for 18. Burns stayed for a little longer but was eventually out for 25 caught by Glamorgan captain Steve James off Thomas.Coming in at 58 for 3 Keith Parsons worked hard to establish himself, and then after being joined by Ian Blackwell brought up the hundred for the Sabres.The demise of Blackwell shortly afterwards bowled by Adrian Dale for 10, brought Rob Turner to the wicket, to share in what was the most productive partnership of the innings for the Sabres.During the course of the next 16 overs Parsons and Turner plundered 81 all important runs from the Glamorgan attack. Parsons brought up his own fifty and Somerset’s 150 at the same time, and hit one big six off Cosker before he was caught at deep mid wicket by David Hemp off Robert Croft for an invaluable 70. Parsons had faced 68 balls, and hit 1×6 and 3×4.Matt Bulbeck came in to join Turner, but six runs later the wicket-keeper was out to a stunning catch by Cosker at wide mid on after he had scored 31.Bulbeck brought up the 200 and then hit two enormous sixes over the longest boundary on the ground, and Keith Dutch added some quick runs before the rains came down to put a premature end to the innings with Somerset on 245 for7. At the close Dutch was unbeaten on 26 with Bulbeck on 24.Chasing a reduced total of 234 from 34 overs Glamorgan got off to a quick start with Croft taking 12 off the first over that was bowled by Simon Francis, who was returning to the side after a long lay off through injury.Ian Thomas set off at a similar pace at the other end, dispatching Bulbeck’s first ball to the boundary, but his success was short lived as he edged the left armer to Turner to make Glamorgan 18 for 1.Croft continued to take chances in an attempt to move Glamorgan into a winning position should the Duckworth Lewis system be enforced but in the third over took one chance too many when he hoisted a ball from Francis to extra cover where Dutch took a diving catch close to the ground.Hemps stay at the wicket was short lived. In the next over from Bulbeck he gave a catch to second slip where Dutch gratefully received the offering, and Glamorgan total had slipped to 29 for 3.Bulbeck struck again in his next over when he trapped the Glamorgan skipper James LBW to make the Dragons 32 for 4. Nine runs later Dale followed his captain back to the pavilion after he skied a ball from Francis into the waiting gloves of Turner.Matthew Maynard and Mike Powell started to look settled and added 17 until Maynard edged a ball to Turner to give Bulbeck his fourth wicket of the innings and reduce the Dragons to 58 for 6.Mike Burns replaced Francis for the 13th over and immediately accounted for Darren Thomas. Two balls later Burns trapped Andrew Davies LBW and Glamorgan were 65 for 8.Burns hit the stumps with the first ball of his next over to dispose of Cosker, but last man Owen Parkin and Powell proved more obstinate.The final pair added 45 until they were eventually parted by Blackwell and Glamorgan were all out for 118 in the 22nd over to give Somerset Sabres victory by 108 runs.Immediately after the game a delighted Kevin Shine told me: "This was a thoroughly professional performance from the boys. The wicket wasn’t easy at the start, but we had good knocks from Keith Parsons and Rob Turner, and then some quick runs at the end from Matt Bulbeck and Keith Dutch."He continued: "Their boys came out at a rate as we knew they would, but Simon Francis and Matt Bulbeck kept their heads and put the ball in the right place and we kept taking wickets. I really am very pleased with today’s result."

After efforts to keep Bob Woolmer as their director of coaching came to nothing, Warwickshire have appointed former Australian Test batsman John Inverarity to the post on a two-year contract. Inverarity has had experience of English cricket before, making a good impression when he has helped Kent in the past. Woolmer is to return to his home in South Africa on a permanent basis.Meanwhile Warwickshire have offered a contract to New Zealand opening bowler Shane Bond to become one of their two overseas players next season. Bond took the place of Shaun Pollock earlier in the season when the South African went on international duty, taking 12 wickets in three matches. Warwickshire are also hoping that Jonathan Trott, the Boland opening batsman with English qualifications, will accept a contract to play at Edgbaston next season.Gloucestershire are pursuing Mohammad Akram, the Pakistani Test pace bowler, but not as an overseas player. Akram is married to an English girl and hopes to have a passport in time for next season. He played for Northamptonshire in 1997. Ian Harvey has ended speculatikon that he would not continue as one of the overseas players next season by signing a new contract. Harvey was influential in Gloucestershire’s run of success in one-day cricket.

The state of the world’s pitches is taking away the excitement from Test cricket, according to Ricky Ponting. Australia have completed two Tests on dull surfaces in Jamaica and Antigua and Ponting believes bounce is crucial to making the game more interesting.”I just think Test cricket is probably not as exciting anymore because of the wickets that we’re playing on,” Ponting said in the Sydney Morning Herald. “People would rather watch a game in Perth than they would in Antigua. There’s much more happening.”There’s more bouncers, more batsmen ducking and weaving and sometimes falling on their backsides, more catches behind the wicket, more hook shots. That’s the sort of Test cricket that we all grew up watching and enjoying.”Ponting repeated his view that the surfaces around the world were “just too flat and too placid”. “That’s what I would be saying to all the authorities around the world: let’s just try and do something with the wickets,” he said. “If it means digging them up and relaying them then let’s try it. It’s obviously not working too well at the moment.”While Ponting wants the pitches changed, he is less enthusiastic about the ICC’s idea of a Test world championship, with a prize awarded at the end of a four-year cycle. “You’re playing for a trophy every series you play,” Ponting said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s at the end of two or three or four years, there are trophies on the line every series. We’ve got to look at other smaller ways. But let’s just see how this all pans out.”

England fans have an unexpected last-gasp chance to see Nasser Hussain’s side take on Sri Lanka in this summer’s opening NatWest Series One-Day International at Trent Bridge.Around 200 pre-booked tickets for the floodlit match on Thursday 27 June have become available and will now be placed on general sale.Said Notts CCC Sales and Marketing Manager Lisa Pursehouse: “England’s recent Test series victory has once again sparked interest in the national team.”With the opening ODI at Trent Bridge virtually sold out, it appeared theopportunity of seeing the Sri Lankans in Nottingham this summer had gone.”But we now have nearly 200 of the best seats in the house in the middle tier of the Radcliffe Road Stand up for grabs and they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.”The tickets are priced at £47 each, and are available by phoning the Trent Bridge Ticket Office on 0115 982 3000.