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In a tight tussle, marred slightly by a couple of umpiring decisions, Kensington foiled West Torrens’ attempt at its first premiership for nearly forty years with a narrow victory giving them their second title in the past four seasons. The Browns commenced their innings in perfect conditions and there was action a plenty in the opening hour as Andrew McRitchie top edged a reckless hookshot and was dropped by over-exuberant paceman Daniel Lynch as he nearly collided with Ben Higgins who was running in from square leg. A few balls later, McRitchie shouldered arms and had his off stump bent back off a no ball and in the next over Anthony McDonald was dropped low down in the slips by Bradley Young off Brett Swain. Lynch redeemed his early error by getting McRitchie a short time later, attempting another rash hook stroke. Bradman Medalist John Lee immediately went on the attack, and just as he had reached his fifty, following some strong off side play, he edged to slip and lunch was taken at 2/105.Jamie Siddons went on the attack after the break, hitting Matthew Minagall into the temporary stand, but immediately after drove at one that he wasn’t to the pitch of and hit a return catch. Left hander McDonald continued to play the sheet anchor role and he was next to go giving Brad Wigney the first of two wickets in two balls as Jamie McPhee was trapped plumb in front first ball to make Kensington an uncomfortable 5/131.Skipper Dean Waugh was joined by Barry Steele but the union didn’t last long with the ex-New South Welshman becoming Minagall’s third wicket. Then came the first of two very contenious umpiring decisions in the match by Paul Angley as Steele was fortunate to survive a huge lbw shout as he padded up to Wigney. He eventually succumbed to Young but he and Justin Creek added 30 very valuable runs in the meantime and in the eventual context of the game these were vital to the outcome. Creek continued to bat well and he and John Palmer got the Browns through to tea at 7/196.Kensington’s innings didn’t thrive for too long into the final session with Minagall getting his fourth wicket and Young his second from 15.1 very tight overs. Creek was unbeaten at the end, justifying his place in the team solely as a batsman. West Torrens had 25 overs to survive on the Saturday and things started poorly as Jarrad Taylor padded up to left arm quick Andrew Watson. Darren Reeves and Andrew Haslett scratched out the foundations of a good partnership until shortly before the close Reeves played a loose shot off McPhee to go for 27 and in the next over Haslett was brilliantly stumped down the leg side off medium pacer Jamie Panelli.Sunday again dawned clear, but for West Torrens double disaster struck with Young being brilliantly snapped up in the slips by Waugh and immediately after Minagall went to Watson. Malcolm Howell and Ben Higgins then joined forces to attempt to carry out a very similar scenario to that which occurred in the semi-final and were going along smoothly until umpire Angley decided Howell was leg before to Panelli when fully forward and playing a shot. Higgins was joined by Ben Smith who took 31 minutes to score his first run and the partnership was promising when lunch was taken at 6/121, with Higgins having just reached his fifty with a leg glanced boundary.In a pulsating final session of the season, Smith went in the second over after lunch and Swain, after a brief flurry edged Steele behind, thus West Torrens needed 71 with just two wickets in hand. Captain-Coach Wigney strode to the wicket and immediately Higgins went after the bowling and with the new ball approaching, the pair made it to drinks needing a further 37. Watson returned to the crease, as did Steele and Higgins hit a juicy full toss over mid wicket to bring up a wonderful century. Sadly there was little acknowledgement from the fielding side who were starting to feel the tension of the situation. Higgins then beautifully drove Watson to the long off ropes and then in trying to keep the bowling, attempted a glide to third man only to give a catch to the solitary slip fielder present. Wigney was then dropped at third slip by Siddons and after he off drove an all run four, Lynch edged behind to end the match.Kensington thoroughly deserved their win however, but their over-appealing and non-clapping of Ben Higgins reaching his ton did slightly stain their efforts. Waugh expressed delight at the win particularly after the miracle come from behind effort in the semi-final. His opposite number, Brad Wigney was obviously disappointed and in the frustration of the narrow loss called for the sacking of the Umpire’s director Dennis Rebbeck.

Whilst Swansea City’s passing philosophy, started by Roberto Martinez and developed by Brendan Rodgers and now Michael Laudrup, has been critically praised by football pundits and talking heads ever since their ascension to the Premier League two years ago, the starting XI has been propped up by a speedy and resolute defence, with Wales international Ashley Williams at the heart of it.

The centre-back’s consistent form, having now maintained a high level of performance for two consecutive seasons and captaining the Welsh club to their first ever lifting of the League Cup, has convinced many that Williams has a higher calling than playing for a middle order team, leading to the tabloids linking him with a summer move to either Liverpool or Arsenal. But which of these two clubs need the 28 year old’s services more? At which team will he be most successful? And from Williams’ perspective, whom represents the best career move?

Both Liverpool and Arsenal can be accused of looking rather frail at the back this season. Whilst the Gunners may have conceded the fourth fewest goals in the Premier League, it is their performances against clubs of a similar or higher stature, at the top end of the table, which has lead to such aggressive scrutiny of Arsene Wenger from the British media. Furthermore, being unable to hold shape and effectively defend as a team has always been an underlying flaw of Wenger’s attacking philosophy, but it has been the performances of key defenders that have let the side down this season.

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The Gunners’ skipper Thomas Vermaelen has done anything but lead by example, being rather embarrassingly exposed for his lack of defensive nous in the North London derby, and although the Belgium international may be a fantastic athlete, there are clear weaknesses to his game that are now being exploited by his opponents. The collective opinion on Vermaelen seems to have changed for the worse since his supply of goals from set pieces has begun to dry up.

Similarly, Bacary Sagna’s woeful performance against Liverpool will live long in the memory and would make good footage for an educational video to show young defenders entitled ‘What not to do if you are a right full-back’. At the same time, Laurent Koscielny appears to have taken a step backwards from last season where he finally appeared to becoming acclimatised to English football, and Per Mertesacker will clearly never put in anything more than a slightly above-average performance.

It’s a similar story at Anfield, with the Reds finding themselves over-reliant on the soon-to-be-retired Jamie Carragher. I am not slating the 35 year old, indeed he has put in some exceptional performances this season, but Liverpool should be at a point by now, and more importantly, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel should be at a point by now, where their ageing veteran is not such an integral part of the team.

Skrtel’s dip in form has been well documented, with rumours that he is set for a summer departure, yet I’d argue that Agger has similarly been found wanting this season. A particularly poor showing against West Brom comes to mind, where the Danish international was solely responsible for both of the Baggies’ goals in a smash and grab display. I feel Agger and Vermaelen are similar in their action-packed, forward-thinking style, and thus why they have earned ameliorative reputations, but in terms of actual defensive capability, both are worryingly over-rated.

It’s clear that both clubs need some new blood in their backlines, but which club would benefit most from Williams’ presence next season? The Welshman epitomises the modern day centre-back, being pacey, incredibly physical and good on the ball, which would fit the Arsenal mould well. You’d assume the transition from the style of football at Swansea to that of Arsenal would be a relatively process, considering both clubs have a shared understanding of how the game should be played and a similar emphasis on attack.

Yet, there is an argument that Williams is too similar a player to Vermaelen, in terms of his strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, is another decent, but not top class, centre-back really what the Gunners need to project them back towards the title race? There is a huge, intangible difference between being a success at a rank and file Premier League team and being at an Elite European club, which is something Wenger has overlooked with many of his recent signings. Similarly, Arsenal appear to face a monumental struggle when it comes to defending set pieces, and the 28 year old, measuring in at just 6 foot, will do little to solve the first team’s height issues.

Perhaps therefore, Liverpool would be the more sensible option for the Welshman. He’d get the opportunity to link up with former boss Brendan Rodgers, whom is attempting to carry the Swansea ethos over to Anfield with the Reds’ progressive passing game. Furthermore, the Liverpool gaffer’s desire for his defenders to play out of the back would suit Williams perfectly, in comparison to Martin Skrtel who quite frankly does not have enough composure on the ball to carry out the tactic effectively and consistently.

Unlike at the Emirates, where Williams will be up against Koscielny, Vermaelen and Mertesacker on a weekly basis for a slot in the first team, breaking into the Liverpool’s starting XI would be a relatively simple task, with his current form providing enough evidence already to stake a claim to being a regular starter next season.

Similarly, the expectation at Anfield is arguably less high than at Arsenal, where their next campaign will be a career-defining year for Wenger, as it becomes clear the fans have had enough of maintaining their Champions League status without ever pushing for the domestic title.

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On Merseyside, the supporters are rather more patient. They too will be hoping for a top four finish next season, but with a team of exciting youngsters rising from the ashes of a squad formerly composed of over-paid has-beens, missing out on Europe’s top club competition would be an acceptable failing as long as there is a clear sign of overall improvement.

But it’s time to view things from the perspective of the player. The fact is, in the modern game, a footballer has to be a careerist first; there is no longer a place for any form of loyalty. Similarly, with the Champions League now being the Holy Grail of European football, any professional will do anything in his power to get as close to it as possible, even if his wings are burnt by flying too close to the sun. And even if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Arsene Wenger this year, you’d expect to see them return to the competition much sooner than Liverpool, who are still a long way off from returning to their former glories.

Perhaps on paper, Liverpool appears to be the best option; Williams will undoubtedly receive more playing time, less would be expected of him and he would become an important element in a team created around Brendan Rodgers’ youthful and progressive philosophy. But if the decision came down to the Welshman, with both clubs throwing a contract in front of him come the summer, I have no doubt he’d choose the Gunners, for the sake of European football, despite the Reds needing the centre-back’s commanding presence considerably more.

Newcastle United enjoyed another successful weekend in the Premier League as they extended their unbeaten run to six games in the competition.

They held West Ham United to a 1-1 draw away from home as Joe Willock’s improvised finish secured a point for Eddie Howe’s side.

It was also a big weekend for a Magpies player out on loan as Elliot Anderson scored his first senior goal for Bristol Rovers against Stevenage.

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The teenage attacking midfielder has enjoyed a sublime start to life in League One since leaving St. James’ Park on loan and is showing that he can produce at senior level.

As per SofaScore, he won six of his nine ground duels, created four chances and picked up a goal and an assist against Stevenage. He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.34 across five third-tier outings, winning 35 duels, creating ten chances and making 13 tackles.

The 19-year-old has also completed 83% of his attempted dribbles and 81% of his passes. This shows that he is reliable in possession and the aforementioned statistics highlight his quality on and off the ball as he works hard to win possession back and then makes things happen in the final third.

Anderson is showing that he has the potential to play at a higher level as he has been outstanding for Bristol Rovers and Eddie Howe could save PIF millions in the summer by offering him a chance in the Newcastle side.

He made his first-team bow for the Toon under Steve Bruce and the former Magpies boss previously lauded the youngster’s talent, saying:

“As soon as he comes onto the pitch, he accepts the ball, receives the ball. He’s got that lovely way of never looking like he’s rushed. It’s effortless to him and easy.

“So we hope he’s got a big future. He’ll remember his debut today, he could have scored in the last minute, couldn’t he. What a wonderful debut that would have been but I’m very pleased with his progress and he’s one that we hope can do us a good turn over the season.”

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However, he never kicked on under Bruce and this loan spell in League One could be the kickstarter he needs to push on and make the grade at St. James’ Park next season. He is showing that he can be an excellent box-to-box midfielder at that level and he has plenty of time left ahead of him, at the age of 19, to develop further and show off his talent in the Premier League.

Howe must offer him the chance to show what he can do in the summer as his emergence would allow Newcastle to avoid spending big money on a new midfield addition. He could take up a spot in the first-team that would otherwise be filled by a new signing, saving the club a shedload and delighting the fans with one of their own getting time in the first-team.

AND in other news, Fewer passes than Dubravka: Newcastle lightweight who made 0 tackles blew his chance…

Iain O’Brien limbers up ahead of the second Test © Getty Images

Mark Gillespie has been named in New Zealand’s 12 as they go into the second Test of this brief series on the back of a thrashing at the Wanderers with a host of injury concerns. They are without the crocked Shane Bond, but Stephen Fleming has been included in the squad, despite suffering from injury.If Gillespie makes the final XI this will be his Test debut for New Zealand. Gillespie, the fast-medium bowler, made his one-day debut at the tail-end of 2006 and has since played Twenty20s for New Zealand.Fleming was struck on the elbow in New Zealand’s second innings in Johannesburg and is also suffering from a problem with his thumb. Even with him the tourists’ batting looked paper thin, and if he has to sit this game out it is hard to see where substantial runs will come from.New Zealand had already been forced to summon Kyle Mills and Jamie How to cover for an assortment of injuries. Jacob Oram is suffering from a hamstring strain while Michael Papps is struggling with a gastric illness.The spotlight was briefly on Matthew Sinclair, who recently rattled off 243 for Central Districts in a State Shield match against Otago. But New Zealand’s selectors, who have been reluctant to depend on Sinclair, chose to go with How instead.Mills and How arrived in South Africa on Monday but the New Zealand camp was reluctant to thrust them straight into action so soon after arrival. “Ideally we would not want to use them because they arrive today,” Lindsay Crocker, the team manager, said. “But they are here as cover for the Test squad so they will be eligible for selection.”Mills appears likely to play as the pitch is expected to aid the faster bowlers. “Kyle Mills comes into the equation because he can bat, although to a lesser degree than Jacob [Oram],” said Daniel Vettori. Bond, who once again succumbed to injury – this time torn stomach muscles – has flown back home.South Africa are a much more settled side and they will name an unchanged XI, so Shaun Pollock again misses out. This also means Boeta Dippenaar and Neil McKenzie, who were in contention for spots, have to wait a while longer.The selectors have stressed the need for continuity. “We want continuity and, with the squad winning Test matches there is no reason to start making changes,” Joubert Strydom, the convenor of selectors, said after the end of the first Test. He also dismissed claims that Graeme Smith, the captain of the South African team, was under any pressure after twin failures in the first Test. “Statistics show that Graeme is still a highly effective performer, and we are not in the least bit worried about him.”South Africa’s coach Mickey Arthur, however, said they retained some concerns about playing New Zealand, despite the injuries to their opposition. “We still have enormous respect for them as a team, they are a team of fighters and I certainly expect them to bounce back hard.”A team is most vulnerable when they’ve just won and we’ve had quite a winning streak. So I’ve done quite a bit of talking this week, telling the guys to keep their feet on the ground and warning them to be on their guard.”South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 AB de Villiers, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Andre Nel, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.New Zealand (probable) 1 Craig Cumming, 2 Michael Papps, 3 Stephen Fleming, 4 Scott Styris, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Jacob Oram, 7 Brendon McCullum (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Iain O’Brien, 11 Chris Martin.

‘They have to lift their game, be disciplined and give more respect to the bounce here’ – Fanie de Villiers © Getty Images

Fanie de Villiers, former South African fast bowler, stated his interest in coaching India’s fast bowlers on their current tour of South Africa. “In the absence of a bowling coach, they need local help,” de Villiers, who worked with the Indian bowlers in 2001, was quoted as saying in , the Bangalore-based daily. “Without a doubt, they need somebody local like me to give them advice on how to bowl on these wickets, what the lengths should be like, things like that. I have done it in the past, and there is no reason why I shouldn’t do it again.”India’s bowling has always been better than they thought in this country. I helped the bowlers a while back, I went to the nets and they had their lengths completely wrong. Their lengths here have to be different from what they bowl in India. They got driven quite a lot. They have to plan properly. They have to know the exact lengths they have to bowl. They need to use the crease better because of extra bounce.”If they do their homework, they will be better. Irfan Pathan is a great player and [Zaheer] Khan is a good bowler. They must get their line and length right. I enjoy [watching] Sreesanth, and I am looking forward to enjoying the bowling of Pathan here. I am frustrated because I have always backed the Indians. I have seen what they can do in India and the sub-continent. Some of their players have been ranked very, very highly. But they have played nine Tests in South Africa and never won; since 1992, they have played 16 one-dayers and won just three. That’s a bad record, not good at all.”Each time India have come to South Africa, they have been disappointing. I don’t know what it is to do with – planning, form, bounce – but they haven’t fared as well as they should. Why does it boil down to conditions always? There are other teams who come from the sub-continent and fare well. Conditions are no more an excuse. It is history. They have to lift their game, be disciplined and give more respect to the bounce here. You can’t just play on national memory. If India play on national memory, they are going to get themselves out.But I am hopeful of India doing well. I personally believe coaching can play a really big role in a series in South Africa, and I am sure that Greg Chappell might take them to the next level.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

VVS Laxman led India’s riposte after Sri Lanka struck telling blows post lunch © Getty Images

Test cricket reveals character, and the first day of the Ahmedabad Test had ample displays of it. First, Sri Lanka shrugged off an indifferent start to reduce India to 97 for 5 – this, after theirfirst-choice new-ball bowlers had opted out of the game due to illness. But despite some sharp and committed bowling, India clambered back, led to respectability, at 247 for 6, by VVS Laxman’s 71 not out, and his partnerships of 86 with MS Dhoni and an unbroken 64 with IrfanPathan. It was a gripping day of cricket.It began with a notification of absence. Rahul Dravid had backed out earlier due to gastroenteritis – Sehwag captained in his place, as Kaif came into the XI – and Sri Lanka found themselves without Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Avishka Gunawardene. After Sehwag won the toss and opted to bat, Sri Lanka’s bowling did, initially, appear inadequate.Malinga, his steady run-up a contrast to the slingshotty flamboyance of his action, was wayward, and kept straying down the leg side. Maharoof was steady, moved the ball both ways off the seam, and mixed it up well. But the batsmen – Gautam Gambhir had been preferred toWasim Jaffer — negotiated him comfortably, the only exception being when Sehwag got a thin inside-edge of an incoming ball, which fell short of Kumar Sangakkara, the wicketkeeper.It was eventually Malinga who struck. He kept testing the batsmen with short balls, and Gambhir, fiesty and undaunted by the precarious state of his Test-match career, pulled him a couple of times. But valour got him nowhere. Having made 19, he tried to hook a short ball that waswell outside the off stump, from outside the line, and the ball ballooned up in the air limply. Upul Tharanga, making his Test debut, took an easy catch at midwicket (31 for 1).Sehwag and Laxman took India to lunch, which came after just an hour of play because overnight dew caused a late start, after which Sri Lanka lifted their game. Malinga’s action makes it just that bit harder to pick up the ball early, and perhaps that caused Sehwag to stay rooted to the crease to a ball he should have gone forward to, and playing down the wrong line. The ball clipped his pads and bowled him for 20 (52 for 2).Malinga kept running in hard, testing the batsmen with a lot of short deliveries, while Maharoof stuck superbly to a tight line just outside off. There was some reverse swing in the air, and the runs slowed. Malinga tested Tendulkar by shifting round the wicket and pepperinghim with bouncers directed, from wide of the leg stump, at his body. But Tendulkar was unfazed.Tendulkar greeted Muttiah Muralitharan’s advent into the attack with a lofted four to long-on, but was otherwise a picture of caution. He was on the back foot more often than not, playing as late as he could, generally turning the ball, with the spin, onto the leg side. It wasn’t with spin that Murali beat him, though, but with bounce, as Tendulkar was surprised by one that snorted off the pitch and took an edge onto the pads. Jehan Mubarak completed the dismissal, with a well-timed dive at forward short leg (88 for 3).

Jehan Mubarak began the Indian collapse with a good take to send back Sachin Tendulkar © Getty Images

Yuvraj Singh, who wasn’t completely comfortable against Murali in the last Test, didn’t last long, stepping forward and edging a good-length ball (88 for 4). Mohammad Kaif went soon after, pulling Malinga Bandara uppishly to midwicket. (97 for 5).It is rare for the advent of a No. 7 batsman to excite the crowds and worry the bowlers. It happens with Adam Gilchrist, and it may well happen with Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the years go by. He strode out without a trace of fear, played out the overs until tea, and changed the tempo of the game afterwards.Every movement of Dhoni at the crease signalled intent: whether going forward or back, he was decisive in his movement. Whenever bat met ball, it was emphatic, whether in defence or attack. He used his feet but kept his head; he was aggressive but did not take any risks. Sometimes he smashed the ball through empty spaces in the field; at other times, he used the empty space in the air, lofting without inhibition or fear of human intervention.Laxman had been 23 not out when Dhoni walked out to bat. Soon, Laxman was 50 not out and Dhoni on 49. But, with his second consecutive Test half-century in sight, Dhoni went back to a full offspinner from Murali, and was trapped plumb in front. (183 for 6).Laxman had a lucky escape just after that, when a bat-pad catch off Bandara was negated because the umpire didn’t notice the edge. But apart from that, he was a picture of solidity, as wall-like, to reprise a familiar cliché, as the man who normally bats at No. 3 forIndia. He battled on, immensely watchful, but throwing in the occasional delectable stroke to remind us of his art.Pathan struck some lusty blows, and India reached the end of the day having recovered much of the ground they had lost earlier. The pitch was likely to slow down as the match went on, and the odd ball was already keeping low. And the players headed for the pavilion in the knowledge that that the game was precariously poised and, like the last Test, could swing in the course of a session. Fun seemed certain to come on the second day.How they were outIndiaGautam Gambhir c Tharanga b Malinga 19 (31 for 1)
Virender Sehwag b Malinga 20 (52 for 2)
Sachin Tendulkar c Mubarak b Muralitharan 23 (88 for 3)
Yuvraj Singh c Samaraweera b Muralitharan 0 (88 for 4)
Mohammad Kaif c Atapattu b Bandara 4 (97 for 5)
MS Dhoni lbw Muralitharan 49 (183 for 6)

Bob Merriman: on a six-man committee© Getty Images

Bob Merriman, the Australian board chairman, has been appointed by the Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) as one of six people charged with a review of its constitution.The committee will start work next week, but Merriman, who will also represent the ICC, will not be available until October.The KCA has been embroiled in disputes with its own membership for some time, and annual elections have repeatedly been delayed because of pending legal action.”Times have changed," said Sammy Obingo, the board’s general manager. "We need to get recommendations from the members of the public to help us move forward."Obingo was appointed to his role earlier this summer after Ehsan Mani, the ICC’s president, told the KCA that it had to start addressing domestic conflict.Reports said that officials hoped the new constitution would be ready by the end of the year and that fresh elections would follow. But the timing of the voting is still subject to a hearing disputing the legality of the establishment of new provincial associations. That case is not due back in court until mid October.

The following members of the Canadian National Team Training Squad have been invited to participate in the West Indies Cricket Board’s 2003 edition of the Red Stripe Bowl. The players are scheduled to depart Toronto at the end of September for the tournament that starts on October 1, 2003. The preliminary round of games ends on October 12th.

• Ishwar MARAJ (Capt.)
• Ashish BAGAI
• Ashif MULLA
• Abdool SAMAD
• Ashish PATEL
• Austin CODRINGTON
• Sandeep JYOTI
• Sunil DHANIRAM
• Umar BHATTI
• Kevin SANDHER
• Karun JETHI
• Aftab SHAMSUDEEN
• Donovan MAXWELL
• Zahid HUSSAIN

• Manager: Mike Henry.
• Coaches: Phillip Service (WICB)
• Andre Coley (Asst).(WICB).

Several of the players participated in the cricket World Cup 2003. Several new players are being offered exposure and opportunities for development purposes and before selections are made for some significant ICC fixtures in 2004 and beyond. Other alternates also need to be “match-hardened” from an expanding group of both youth and senior players.Several players, including CWC 2003 standout John Davison, are expected to again be available for the 2004 and future fixtures. Competition to retain places is expected to be keen, as Canada forges ahead to the ICC 2005 World Cup qualifier and towards ODI status by 2006. Ex-Captain Joe Harris and Davis Joseph have announced their resignations.Jethi and Bhatti recently returned from a successful WICB U-19 tournament in Guyana and are expected to be leaders on Canada’s U-19 contingent to the ICC U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2004. Bhatti was a member of the WICB St. George’s Academy 2002 class.Red Stripe Bowl 2003 alternates include: D. Mills, T. Taitt, M.Mulla, Z. Surkari, A. Talati.

Hitting an unbeaten hundred, D Vinay Kumar took Hyderabad to a strongposition at the end of Day Two of their Ranji Trophy league matchagainst Tamil Nadu at Chennai.Unbeaten overnight on 56, Vinay Kumar proceeded to compile runs slowly,batting primarily with Venkatapathy Raju (35). He completed his centuryand was not out on 103, made off 317 balls. He hit 11 fours and a six.For Tamil Nadu, Lakshmipathy Balaji and MR Shrinivas took three and fourwickets respectively.The home side opener, Sadagopan Ramesh, fell having made 16, but SSriram and C Hemanth Kumar batted well before the former fell for 33.Hemanth Kumar was unbeaten on 42 off 84 balls at stumps, and he wasaccompanied by Hemang Badani, who was not out on 7.

Ireland successfully defended a small total of 149 when they defeatedNetherlands by 19 runs in the Plate Championship of the under-19 WorldCup at the Radella grounds on Wednesday.Electing to bat, Ireland found runs hard to come by against the trioof Tewarie (3 for 23), Nijman (2 for 31) and Hout (2 for 23) and wererestricted to 149 for eight in 40 overs. Opener D Joyce top scoredwith a fighting 58. He faced 101 balls and hit five of them to thefence. With wicketkeeper R Haire (23) he took part in the only standof note – 62 runs for the fourth wicket off 11.5 overs.Netherlands also struggled for runs and at 66 for seven, they faced abig defeat. But A Raja (43) and A Buurman (15) put up a semblance of afight by adding 34 runs for the eighth wicket off seven overs. Rajawho was last out, faced 46 balls and hit two fours and two sixes. CArmstrong was the most successful bowler with three for 13 off sixovers. Netherlands were all out for 130 in 38.3 overs.