7.5 Rahul DravidProduced two hundreds under pressure, in an unfamiliar role as opener, and helped India to fighting draws in the opening two games. He shuffled around his options in the field and sent out aggressive signals by picking five specialist bowlers for the second Test, but he will always rue his twin failures in the decisive game.7 Mahendra Singh DhoniMet fire with fire when India were on a slippery slope at Faisalabad, racing to a fabulous maiden Test hundred. Barring a couple of missed opportunities, had a fine series behind the stumps.7 Irfan Pathan
Came back strongly after a torrid time on the first two days of the series. But he soaked up the pressure in his crucial 90 and turned in an improved bowling performance in the second innings. Hat-trick will remain a career-high, regardless of the result.6.5 Yuvraj Singh
Spanked a vital 45 and a glorious hundred in a losing cause at Karachi, and fell to an impetuous pull shot in his only other innings in the series. He was outstanding in the field, snaffling a sensational catch at a crucial juncture at Faisalabad.6.5 RP Singh
Snapped up four wickets on an impressive debut at Faisalabad and but fell away a bit in the crucial second innings at Karachi. Overall, it was a promising beginning to his Test career.6.5 Zaheer Khan
Enjoyed a good return to the international fold and ended with 10 wickets, the most by an Indian in the series. Appeared jaded in the second innings at Karachi but was impressive enough to earn a recall into the one-day side.6 Virender Sehwag
Thundered a devastating 254 at Lahore, leading a most stunning riposte when faced with a mammoth total. Failed in all three innings that followed, and was hampered by an illness mid-way through the series.5.5 VVS Laxman
Steadied the ship at Faisalabad with a stylish 90. Was on the receiving end of two Mohammad Asif jaffas at Karachi and was cleaned up for cheap scores.5.5 Sourav Ganguly
Displayed tremendous composure in the first innings at Karachi, before falling for a loose stroke, and played another assured knock in the second innings. Bowled some handy overs and took a blinding catch at Lahore.5 Anil Kumble
Toiled away for 143 overs in the series, on pitches hardly suited to his style. Ended with nine wickets but will probably look back at this as the most forgettable series in recent memory.4 Sachin Tendulkar
Didn’t come to terms with Shoaib’s pace and, despite promising much in his brief stint in the second innings at Karachi, finished with a miserable average of 21.3.5 Harbhajan SinghWent wicketless after struggling throughout. He made no impression on featherbeds used for the opening two Tests and was dropped for the third.3.5 Ajit Agarkar
Had a tough time on a pancake-flat pitch at Lahore, picking up two wickets and being carted for more than five an over. Suffered a hamstring injury at Faisalabad and missed the next two games.

Muttiah Muralitharan, playing in his 100th Test, reached another landmark when he became the first bowler to take 1,000 international wickets during his 6 for 54 in Bangladesh’s second innings at Chittagong.Wicket No. 1000, his second of the day, came in slightly controversial circumstances when he had Khaled Mashud given out caught when the ball appeared to have only struck his pad. He finished the innings with 593 Test and 411 one-day international wickets.”I am delighted,” he said. “When I played my first Test I never thought I would have all these records. All I wanted was to play a few games.It is a dream for me to play 100 Tests and to take 1,000 international wickets. I never expected it.”I am still young, just 33 years old. I have had 16 years of hard cricket and that has included good times, bad times, and very difficult times.”Asked the almost inevitable question about how long he would continue, Murali smiled. “I am a father and I have to plan my future carefully,” he said. “I will play until the World Cup and maybe then decide. But today was special.”

When you touch down at the Lokepriyo Gopinath Bordoloiairport, a modest building fronts an airport in hillyGuwahati in India’s north-east. Grey Indian airforceaircraft easily outnumber their brighter commercialcounterparts. The runway seems to apologise forencroaching on the carpet of green that is interruptedonly by the odd outcrop of rock and the Brahmaputra,not quite in spate, but flowing with pride andconfidence, occasionally swelling at the banks like awoman carrying a few extra pounds who neverthelessknows she is a thing of beauty. England, wilting inthe heat, desperately need a change of fortunes, andwhether they will get that is doubtful. At leastthey will get a change of scenery.The fierce heat and oppressive humidity at Kochi thatsmothered England like a wet blanket have given way toMancunian noon-time temperatures in the earlytwenties, overcast skies and a generous if erraticsprinkling of rain and even hail at Guwahati. Thedrive from the airport, which is more than 20kilometres out of the city, to the hotel should pleaseEngland. The wide open spaces of rolling green are notquite the Yorkshire moors, but will soothe the eyes ofweary travellers spending far too much time in airportlounges.That said, there is much to complain about if you like- the roads are small and when you try to cross theroad you’re just as likely to be mowed down by a cyclerickshaw as a bus; the communication facilities arefar from adequate; the quality of hotels make you longfor your bed back home – but you’d be missing thepoint if you let all that get to you.You’d be missing the non-stop references to therhinoceros, that majestic and tragically endangeredbeast that has come to represent the region thanks tothe Kaziranga National Park. Here everything fromroad-side restaurants to cement is rhino-branded.You’d be losing out on the story of the struggle ofthe North East where secessionists have been locked ina long, bloody battle with the authorities. You wouldnot recognise the smile that cricket puts on faces infar-flung outposts like this.Assam may not have produced a cricketer of note, butjudging by the enthusiastic turnout of fans on the daybefore the game, even in pouring rain, interest forthe game is high. The ICC has nakedly embraced taking the game to new regions,urging everyone from Eskimos to Chinamen to pick upbat and ball when there are places in a cricket-madcountry like India that barely get a big game, anddon’t get the encouragement they need to develop theinfrastructure required to develop the game.The cricket ground itself is a pretty picture. You’dthink the man with the rose in his lapel, JawaharlalNehru, was the biggest patron of sport in this country- this is the third game on the trot that will beplayed in a stadium named after him. The stands arequite low, and would struggle to hold even 25000people, the outfield is lush green, the pavilionunderstated and the surrounds leafy. Cast your eye tothe horizon in any direction and you will see thehills, and the nearest one has a temple and televisiontower jostling for attention.Sadly, though, the hills don’t make for pretty viewingat the moment. The rain and bad weather have all beencoming from there. The afternoon’s downpour,accompanied by thunder, lightning and finally hail,made the Assam Cricket Association despair. They’reworking hard to get this game going, and despite thefalling rain had not given up hope, though it isincreasingly appearing likely that Guwahati might haveto wait another two years or so for the privilege ofhosting international cricket.

Nick Knight has announced that 2006 will be his last season of in first-class cricket. He has spent 11 years with Warwickshire after joining them from Essex in 1995.Knight, 36, was captain from 2003 to 2005 and led the team to their first County Championship title in nine years in 2004. He has notched up 27 centuries in first-class matches and 22 centuries in one-day matches for Warwickshire and has been the leading run scorer for the county in 1998, 2002 and 2005. In 2005 he reached 10,000 first class runs for Warwickshire in the fewest innings.Following his decision Knight said: “I feel very lucky to have played the game for this long at both county level, with Essex and Warwickshire, and internationally with England. Having played most of my career at Warwickshire, it is the members, staff and my team-mates I would like to thank the most. I feel the end of the 2006 season is the right time to move on and look to the future. I would like to express my gratitude for all the support and the memories.”The Warwickshire chief executive, Colin Povey, said: “Nick has been a great servant to Warwickshire and the club will miss his contribution both on and off the field. I hope that Nick’s last season is a successful one and reflect the outstanding career he has had with the Bears. I am sure I can say that everyone at the Club joins me in wishing Knighty every success in his life outside cricket.”Mark Greatbatch, the director of coaching, added his own endorsement: “Nick has been an integral part of the Club and we fully support his decision to retire. We are lucky to have him for the 2006 season and hopefully we can add some silverware to his collection, which will complete what has been a marvellous career in the game.”

Ice delaying the start of play at Old Trafford and Derbyshire having to move their opening fixture because their ground is underwater – sure signs that the new domestic season is here. As England complete a tough winter in the 45-degree heat of Indore, county players the length and breadth of the country have been shivering their way through pre-season nets. The real action starts today as MCC take on Nottinghamshire in the traditional curtain-raiser at Lord’s.For all the hype that surrounds the never-ending cycle of international cricket there is something special about the anticipation of a new season. Everything is possible, places are up for grabs, names to be made and the thought of those long, warm summer days soaking up the action (but probably not until about August).County cricket always faces a tough fight with the summer now so packed with Tests and one-day internationals. Last year it had to battle for attention against the extraordinary Ashes and while the exploits of Andrew Flintoff and Co. will again, understandably, take centre stage for most of the summer the domestic game has much going for it. In many ways, the team fielded by England on their tour of India showed county cricket in its best light for a number of years.Shaun Udal was the most uplifting story; a player who has consistently tried his hardest for Hampshire year in, year out and suddenly he helped England pull off one of their greatest victories. Owais Shah was another who showed that county cricket can produce Test match batsmen, while if the game was as ‘soft’ as it is sometimes described then Alastair Cook and Monty Panesar would not have been as comfortable on the international stage.With Duncan Fletcher adding his voice to those fearing player burn-out the chances of England’s main players making county appearances once the internationals start is very slim – save a one-day final in the C&G Trophy or Twenty20. But that, in no way, means that there will be a shortage of talented players and exciting matches to enjoy.The main target, for those nine teams in the first Division, will be the Championship title, which currently resides with Nottinghamshire following their superb allround performances from 2005. They have a mature squad, but as the Australians have shown, if results continue to go your way age is only a number. However, they are far from sure of retaining their title and, if anything, don’t actually start the season as favourites.

Some bookmakers have Lancashire, fresh from promotion, as odds-on to claim the title that has proved elusive since 1934. But they start without any overseas players – Brad Hodge will join in early May after his wife gives birth – and are so far settling for just the one, although don’t be surprised to see Andrew Symonds arrive for a late-season stint. Expect a strong charge from Sussex, who have the services of Mushtaq Ahmed and a strong top-order with Chris Adams, Murray Goodwin, Matt Prior and Michael Yardy, while Warwickshire are stronger this season with two established overseas names in Heath Streak and Daniel Vettori.Hampshire will again rest heavily on Shane Warne, so long as his shoulder stands up to even more bowling, but he has the ability to bring the best out in younger players and keep an eye out for Chris Tremlett who will want to remind the selectors he is still around. Kent have never suffered Championship relegation and shouldn’t be pulled down in 2006, even if they struggle to bowl sides out twice, while Middlesex are also likely to be more troubled by the search for wickets than runs. Durham and Yorkshire will have to fight hard to hold onto their hard-earned top division slots with squads that are set to be pushed to the limit.In the second division, Worcestershire and Surrey are best placed to secure the two promotion slots as their squads have reasonable depth and experience. Essex have an exciting bunch of young players balanced with the experience of Andy Bichel and Darren Gough. Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire will need to battle against limited squads and Glamorgan have been dealt a tough blow with the loss of Matthew Elliott and Michael Kasprowicz. Watch out for the Aussie spin-twins, Cameron White and Dan Cullen, who could spring a surprise at Somerset, but it is hard to see beyond another season of struggle for Derbyshire and Leicestershire.As always at this time of the season there is a wealth of possibilities. All teams feel that it will be their season while players are dreaming of runs, wickets, catches and greater honours. It is sometimes hard to see through the mass of Tests and ODIs and realise what is happening at the level below, but if you have a moment take a glance at the county scorecards. There are six fascinating months of cricket ahead and you may just catch a glimpse of the next Cook, Panesar or Udal.

The tenure of Indian selectors will get reduced to three years if the recommendations of the BCCI’s constitutional review commitee are approved in the special general body meeting of the board today in Mumbai.The Shashank Manohar-led committee recommended that the current four-year term be reduced to three years, while retaining the zonal five-man selection panel for both the senior and junior national selection committee.”The zonal system is being retained as this is the best system, otherwise we cannot cover such a large country like ours,” Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI and convenor of the review committee, told the . There has been demand within and outside the board for scrapping the system of appointing selectors on a regional basis, and to replace it with a more transparent system.Where tenure is concerned, the idea is to make the selectors’ term the same as that of the board’s office bearers. A BCCI official added that the review committee felt that a three-year term would give the selection panel a reasonable opportunity to frame policies and work towards the implementation of the same.The changes can be put to effect only by securing a two-third majority from among the 31 members of the board – 30 BCCI-affiliated units and the president.

Zimbabwe A 276 for 7 (Mufambisi 67, Hove 64) v Bangladesh ATafadzwa Mufambisi and Tinashe Hove scored half centuries to give Zimbabwe A a fine start on the first day of their third and final four-day Test against Bangladesh A at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.Mufambisi, who came in at No. 6, rode his luck to top score with 67 from 129 deliveries and dispatched nine fours while opener Hove was second best with 64 runs from 148 balls as Zimbabwe A, who won the toss and elected to bat, closed the first day on 276 for 7 in 90 overs.Mufambisi was given the benefit of doubt when yet to open his account when he drove left-arm spinner Enamul Haque (jnr) to mid-off where the fielder juggled with the ball but eventually held onto it – but umpire Kevan Barbour gave the batsman the benefit of doubt.Hove put on 68 for the second wicket with Friday Kasteni (38) and then went on to share in a 71-run stand for the fifth wicket before Hove, who seemed on his way to a big score, was run out going for a single that was never there.Shakib Al Hassan and Haque picked up two wickets each, but the latter, who has given the home batsmen a torrid time in this series, looked ordinary.

Charles Coventry has become the latest player to turn his back on Zimbabwe after he reportedly fell out with coach Kevin Curran and team manager Andy Pycroft, declaring that he will never play for Zimbabwe as long the duo are involved in cricket.Coventry, who is playing in the Southern Electric League in Hampshire, said he had a spate with Curran and Pycroft during Zimbabwe’s tour of West Indies in May. “I had a falling out with the coach and the manager and have realised that there is no future for me in Zimbabwe cricket. I also decided that I will not be coming back to Zimbabwe Cricket as long as Pycroft and Curran are involved due to personal reasons.”Even though he did not go into detail, reliable sources say it was so bad that Coventry walked out of the team before Zimbabwe took on Bermuda and Canada and headed for England.Coventry said he took the decision so that he could stop worrying about the future, and even the prospect of playing in next year’s World Cup in West Indies is not enough to make him change his mind. “My time of worrying and feeling like I do not know what is going to happen tomorrow is over,” he told Cricinfo. “I decided to it be in my best interests to leave before I do or say something that I will regret. Also financially it is not worth staying with Zimbabwe Cricket as I could find another job that can earn me better money.”A talented batsman with a love for big shots, Coventry attracted the attention of the Zimbabwe selectors after his exploits at the 2002 Under-19 World. He was called up for Zimbabwe one-day series against India and made his ODI debut against England in June 2003. He has represented Zimbabwe 11 ODIs and two Tests, both against India last year.

Bob Woolmer, Pakistan’s coach, has resisted from hitting the panic button following his side’s 167-run loss to England at Headingley. Though Pakistan have lost the series 2-0 with one Test to go, Woolmer firmly maintained that he would fight calls for players to be axed.”What we need to do is to keep this team solid and not to panic. We have been outplayed by a better team at home and we need to work on our cricket,” he told reporters. “I don’t want to throw individuals out of my team, I want to make sure they get better. We just need to go back to the drawing board and make sure we get things right. We don’t need to make wholesale changes. I shall resist that. It’s important we remember this team has done well for almost two years.””Some teams might have rolled over but we fought through all of this Test match. We fought back when England scored 500, got a lead and then bowled them out. We conceded the game in the morning, unfortunately. We had a realistic chance of winning but we threw our chance away in the first hour,” Woolmer added.Woolmer gave England their due while lamenting the spilled chances. “England played very well. They played better than us throughout the series, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “We made too many mistakes. We never quite got it together as a team. There were good individual performances but when we dropped catches and gave England a lifeline it cost us the series. England’s record at home has been outstanding for the last four years and you have to be at the top of your game to beat them. We weren’t.”The other area of concern was the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. Both fast bowlers have been sidelined with injury and did not take part in this series, but Woolmer said he would not rush either of them. “Shoaib hasn’t bowled for about six months [and] Asif hasn’t bowled for a month,” he said. “We’ll have a look at Shoaib [in Pakistan’s next tour game] but to rush him back after six months of not bowling, I think any bowler would shudder at the thought if they were not fit. It’s going to be up to him to prove that he is fit. If he isn’t, he won’t play. Our three seamers bowled very well on Monday and to bring in players who have not played for a long time would be wrong on those people.”The final Test begins on August 17 at The Oval.

ICC president Percy Sonn’s comments on South Africa’s pull out from the tri-series in Sri Lanka citing security risks have left Gerald Majola, the Cricket South Africa CEO, confused. As South Africa departed from Colombo last week, Sonn expressed his disappointment at their decision and that their return “was not in the spirit of the game”.Majola, though, felt otherwise. “If he is so disappointed, he should speak to his own consultants, because they are the ones who found that the situation was unsafe,” Majola told News24.com “I especially spoke to him [Sonn] and also sent the report to him in advance. He said nothing then about being disappointed because we had decided to come home. He was completely aware of the whole situation but did not indicate at all to me or anyone at Cricket SA that he was dissatisfied with our decision.”Two weeks after Sonn was made an honorary life member of Cricket South Africa, Majola mocked the move by saying that “he probably had to make a few noises” since he was now ICC president.At the time of the abandonment of the tri-series in Sri Lanka, Sonn was of the opinion that cricketers should simply play the game and provide entertainment to viewers.