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The organisers behind a professional Twenty20 league in the USA, which is targeted to be launched next summer, are planning to stage matches on artificial wickets.Currently the only ICC-approved ODI standard natural turf wicket in the United States is the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida. According to Cricket Holdings America chief executive Neil Maxwell, using artificial pitches will open the door to play matches in a number of cities and markets beyond south Florida.”I think one of the fundamental areas that has held people back historically is the concept of playing cricket on turf pitches,” Maxwell told ESPNcricinfo. “I think from our perspective, we’ve got far greater flexibility because we’re going to play on artificial surfaces predominantly for the Twenty20 game and that gives us a broader spectrum of potential venues and sites that we can use.”With the lack of cricketing infrastructure in the United States, spending money to construct new turf wicket stadiums would require significant investment in an unproven market. The league’s first season is tentatively set to take place over three to four weeks in June and July of 2013 and the cost to maintain a turf facility if left unused for 11 months could also prove to be expensive and inefficient. Maxwell says artificial pitches are a better option to get the league underway.”The biggest hurdle to try and stage major cricket matches is the cost and ongoing maintenance of turf pitches,” Maxwell said. “For the Twenty20 product where really you’re coming to see the ball struck to the boundary as often as possible, the bowlers are given some encouragement, but the main thing is going to be regular bounce and give them player safety and we think that’s going to be the best solution for it. The advancement in technology of these things is phenomenal, even in the last five years.”In June, West Indies made their highest score in Twenty20 Internationals when they posted 209 for 2 against New Zealand on a placid wicket in Florida. The innings featured explosive shot-making from Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, the kind that may be appealing to the casual American sports fan as well as the hardcore cricket fan. However, there are still lingering memories in Lauderhill of the dreadful pitch produced in 2010 which resulted in first innings totals of 120 for 7 and 81 all out when Sri Lanka took on New Zealand. Maxwell says it isn’t worth the risk to invest in turf pitches because if they aren’t prepared and maintained properly, it could have a dramatically negative effect on the on-field product.”I think cricket needs to have a look at itself,” Maxwell said. “We’ve got a 200-year-old product that’s based around something 200 years ago. A lot of major sports have moved to artificial surfaces. I think the beauty of the United States is that we’re starting with a blank canvas pretty much in respect to cricket history and tradition. Yes, we acknowledge the first internationals in 1844, but when you’re looking at a contemporary product of Twenty20 cricket we’re starting with a blank canvas. We have a reasonably well-educated core market, but it’s a small market. What we want to do is broaden this game to mainstream America as quickly as possible.”We can either approach that from a traditionalist’s point of view and invest millions of dollars into turf pitches and then try and guarantee that they’re going to be at the appropriate level for every game. Or we can go with a product that will allow the game to expand and develop within the country quickly because you’ll be able to provide pitches at a fraction of the cost to the market that might want to choose to play cricket. I think artificial pitches will become the norm for Twenty20 cricket in 10-15 years.”Reports have suggested that Cricket Holdings America is looking to have at least two of the league’s original six franchises to be based in New York and San Francisco. With sizeable South Asian and West Indian immigrant populations to tap into, those communities will be key to having good attendance figures at matches but Maxwell hopes to draw in other spectators by creating a vibrant atmosphere inside the stadium beyond the action out in the middle.”This is very much about entertainment,” Maxwell said. “This is about finding a way to appeal to mainstream America which might not be specifically through the game of cricket but through an entertainment product that will be exciting to a broad market segment.”

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements in Pakistan for the Asia Cup next month. “Everything is in order and we are satisfied with the security arrangements made by Pakistan,” Ashraful Huq, the ACC chief executive, told . “We hope that the event will be held in a fitting manner.”The Asia Cup will be played between six teams – Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong – in Karachi and Lahore from June 24 to July 6. Security has been a concern for visiting teams after a state of emergency was imposed in November, followed in December by the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, which sparked off violent protests across the country. The ICC women’s World Cup Qualifiers were shifted from Pakistan to South Africa and then Australia decided to postpone their tour of the country. But since general elections in February and the forming of a new government, the violence has lessened considerably.Last week an ICC delegation reportedly left satisfied after inspecting grounds around Pakistan to assess the security situation ahead of the Champions Trophy in September. Pakistan is expected to get the go-ahead for hosting the tournament, with Sri Lanka being the alternative host country, at the ICC board meeting in Dubai on June 29.The ACC will be commemorating its 25th anniversary during the Asia Cup and Huq said awards to mark the occasion would be given to top Asian cricketers and past and current administrators. A four-member committee has been formed to organise the function.

Most cricketers go through their entire lives without claiming a hatrick – they are a bowlers holy grail, rarer than a hole-in-one.Subiaco-Floreat fast bowler Gavin Swan obviously doesn’t subscribe to that notion as he has taken two in two weeks.The big right-armer claimed his first hatrick against Fremantle in round three of the SunSmart Cup and backed up with another in round five against South Perth.This was only the second time a bowler has taken two hatricks in a season in Perth first-grade history, the season of 1932-33 was the last time it happened.In a further twist both hatricks came about in identical circumstances with the first batsman of each hatrick being caught at second slip by Steven Glew and the other two being LBW’s.Swan, 31, had never taken a hatrick in any form of cricket before the Fremantle match and was not even nervous as lined up for his second in as many weeks.”I just thought it wasn’t going to happen,” the ex-state cricketer said.”I just told the boys to stand where they liked, they went particularly crazy after�I took the second one.”Swan is no stranger to setting precedents, he has been a powerhouse in the first-grade seen for a decade.He took a club record 9/23 against Mt Lawley in 1999-00 (the eighth best bowling figures in Perth first-grade history) and see’s no reason to hang up the boots any time soon.”I really enjoy it down at Subiaco-Floreat.”The boys all get along together, as long as�I keep enjoying it I’ll keep playing,” he said.

Hampshire captain Robin Smith is the only noticeable absentee from the Hawks 12 that travels to Lord’s for the Norwich Union League Division Two clash with Middlesex Crusaders on Bank Holiday Tuesday.He has an Achilles heal problem which has been concerning him for some time, and has decided to rest it rather than put it through the exertions of a one-day match. Will Kendall will lead the side in his absence.James Hamblin is recalled and will resume his pinch-hitting role at the top of the innings, while the eleventh place is likely to be between Laurie Prittipaul and Chris Tremlett, depending on the surface at cricket’s HQ.Hampshire Hawks squad: Neil Johnson, James Hamblin, Derek Kenway, John Crawley, Giles White, Will Kendall (capt), Nic Pothas (w-k), Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, Lawrence Prittipaul, Chris Tremlett, Alan Mullally.

On a seamer-friendly surface at New Road, Worcestershire Royals must fancy their chances of extending their lead in Division One of the Norwich Union League after posting 202 in their 45 overs against Glamorgan Dragons.After recent rain had given the ground staff scant time to prepare the wicket, Steve James was happy to send the Royals in on winning the toss. Although ten runs came off Andrew Davies in the first over, pickings were never easy on a track that offered constant encouragement to the Dragons’ pace attack.Vikram Solanki, after two attractive boundaries, was caught in the gully cutting at Davies, and Graeme Hick also took a brace of fours before he was taken at first slip driving at Owen Parkin. Mark Wallace then held a skier from Stephen Peters, attempting an horrible paddle to leg.That heralded the best partnership of the innings, between the Norwich Union’s batting star of the season so far, Ben Smith, and Shane Lee, playing his first match since arriving from Australia to replace Andy Bichel as the Royals’ overseas player. Lee (41 off 50 balls) was particularly severe on Robert Croft, the Dragons’ most expensive bowler.It ended when Smith was yorked by Davies for 25 to start a flurry of wickets. Lee was lbw walking across a straight ball from Dale, who took his third wicket when Rhodes failed to clear short fine leg. Batty did well to touch a ball that seamed and bounced, and Mike Powell brilliantly caught Leatherdale at mid-wicket, two-handed diving to his left.At 155 for seven the Dragons were hardly fired up, but Kabir Ali managed 17, including six as Croft toppled into an advertising hoarding while holding a brilliant catch at long-off. Ali was run out, slow to answer a call for a second from Stuart Lampitt, who also made a handy contribution as the Royals eventually squeezed past 200.

Pakistan have notched up yet another victory, beating South Africa by 61 runs in a 2002 Blind World Cup league match at Chennai. Wicketkeeper Tariq Samuel, who made an unbeaten century, was the man who scripted the win for his team.In the morning, Samuel made 131 off 119 balls after South Africa put his team in. Middle-order bat Ashraf Bhatti was the other major scorer with a 42 as Pakistan posted a mammoth 301/8 in their 40 overs.It was always going to be a daunting task for South Africa from then on. With opener Em Conradie making 70 and NA Meyer making 47, their team though made an effort. But once the duo were dismissed, the South African challenge floundered.Pakistan, then, were rewarded with five points (one bonus) for the win.

Somerset Seconds enjoyed three full days play in the north west of England but eventually went down by two wickets in their championship match against Lancashire at Blackpool, that ended with a day to spare after the extra half hour was taken on the third day.Resuming on their overnight score of 56 for 3, Somerset reached 254 for 9, with Joe Tucker being unable to bat because of a back injury. Pete Trego top scored for Somerset with 61, whilst Wes Durston made 49.Requiring 215 to win, Lancashire just managed to pass the Somerset total, scoring 218 for 8 to win by two wickets.Somerset Seconds play three matches in the 2nd XI Trophy next week. On Monday they entertain Worcestershire at the County ground, on Tuesday they travel to Bristol to play Gloucestershire and on Wednesday they return to Taunton to take on Glamorgan.Having reached the final of the 2nd XI Trophy last season before losing out to Surrey Somerset Seconds will be keen to try and go one stage further this year.

Women’s Cricket Australia (WCA) today announced a squad of 14 players for the upcoming tour of the United Kingdom, beginning on 18 June 2001.The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad, which will play two Test matches, three one-day internationals in England before heading to Ireland for a further three one day internationals, is:

• Belinda Clark (Captain) NSW
• Karen Rolton (Vice-captain) SA
• Louise Broadfoot VIC
• Sally Cooper QLD
• Avril Fahey WA
• Cathryn Fitzpatrick VIC
• Michelle Goszko NSW
• Julie Hayes NSW
• Lisa Keightley NSW
• Olivia Magno SA
• Therese McGregor NSW
• Charmaine Mason VIC
• Julia Price QLD
• Lisa Sthalekar NSW

Team Management:

• Sally Bailey (Physical Conditioning Co-ordinator)
• Stephen Jenkin (Coach)
• Christina Matthews (Assistant Coach)
• Lisa Ross (Physiotherapist)
• Janine Stainer (Manager)

Commenting on the squad chosen, Head Coach Stephen Jenkin said: “After selecting two new players for the 1999 World Cup, the selectors have maintained a rebuilding policy by introducing three new faces to the Australian team for England.”Our aim will obviously be to win both the Test and one-day international series, and I believe this team is a balanced group that will provide us with several options over the course of the tour,” Jenkin said.Batter Sally Cooper of Queensland has been selected in the national squad for the first time.On hearing the news of her selection Cooper commented: ” I’m just thrilled at being selected in the Australian team. It is not something I really expected but I’m aiming to make the most of the opportunity.”New South Wales middle-order batter and off-spin bowler Lisa Sthalekar will also make her Australian debut on tour. Sthalekar said: “My selection is a dream come true. I am looking forward to using the experience to learn as much as I can whilst on tour and I hope to contribute to a successful team result.”Top-order batter Michelle Goszko from New South Wales will return to the Australian team after a three-year absence. Goszko said her selection had been a long-term goal.” I’m excited about getting another opportunity to play for Australia and will work hard over the next four weeks to ensure I can cement a spot in the team,” Goszko said.The Australian women’s squad departs for England on 14 June 2001.

National skipper Khaled Masud was optimistic and he was right. Victoria Sporting Club, one of the oldest clubs in Bangladesh, has done more than what we have expected it could do. They have formed a very good side for Premier League 2001-2002 by taking a good number of national Team players in. the club officials were pretty serious in making a quick decision to give their aged club a very good shape in its 100th year, therefore, they started off to get as many good players as they could and they made it with excellence.Think about the big shots of the team – Khaled Masud, Al-Sahariar, Enamul Haque, Manjurul Islam, Jahangir Alam, Sayed Parvej, Sajjad Hossain and Golam Mortuza – all the conspicuous figures in Dhaka cricket. The club, virtually have three wicket keepers – Khaled Masud, Golam Mortuza and Jahangir Alam.Jahangir Alam, after some unsuccessful years in domestic cricket, has pulled off with a lot of runs in the Ispahani Mirzapore National League. He isn’t doing badly in the premier league either. Once he was a reputed wicket keeper who was reliable behind the stumps and aggressive in the front as an opener – came up with both roles in a lot of International matches (The match against Holland in ICC 1994, Jahangir made 118 not out).Sayed Parvej. The opener, did well last summer, carrying out a streak of half-centuries for Mohammedan Sporting Club. But he will have to fight for the opening slot with Nuruzzaman Nayan, the lad from Rajshahi. Nuruzzaman saw remarkable success this year in National League. He carried off with some very good knocks and got the second position in the highest scorer list.The inclusion of Rashed Hanif has bolstered the strong batting line-up. The bowling department is equally balanced as well. Pacer Manjurul Islam is always better and Saiful Islam, the ex-national seamer, put on a brilliant show against Mohammedan. Veteran Enamul Haque leads the spin section. Rashed Hanif and Alok Kapali are excellent with their combination of off and leg-spin to help him. Kapali is making marks with the bat too. In fact he is slowly growing up to be a perfect all rounder.So, Victoria has all the odds in their favor so far. They are really emerging as the giant killers this year (Defeated Abahani Sporting and Mohammedan in successive matches) and we won’t be surprised if we see some big upsets steered by this old Motijhil based club.

A distinctly below-par performance from Boland on the opening day of this Supersport Series Super Eight game against Eastern Province may not prove terminal to their chances of making an appearance in the final at the end of the month, but it left acres of room for improvement.On a day which featured one of cricket’s more bizarre interruptions ofplay, Boland were bowled out for just 236 by a determined and disciplinedbowling effort from the Jumbos, all the more impressive as it came with themercury climbing towards forty degrees in the Winelands. By the close,Eastern Province had moved to 21 without loss.A good start from EP, in which both openers were removed with just 31 onthe board, was overshadowed by Mornantau Hayward’s first official warningfor running on the pitch in his follow through. Hayward was convinced therewas something amiss in the alignment of the stumps at either end, and whenthe man who replaced him, Murray Creed, was similarly admonished, he seemedto have a case.A ten-minute delay while the groundsman brought out the tape measuredecided the matter in Hayward’s favour, the stumps found to be fully fivecentimetres off centre. This was not enough to concern umpire Barry Lambson,who considered the discrepancy ‘negligible’ and play duly recommenced.While only Louis Koen (50) and Jonathan Trott (74) ever gained afoothold at the crease, Hayward continued to struggle, eventually orderedfrom the attack after a second and final warning proved insufficient for aman who has looked a ghostly replica of the fearsome strike bowler only lastyear considered a genuine – and genuinely exciting – replacement for AllanDonald.He did, however, have the last laugh over poor Trott, who glanced adelivery speared well down the leg side into the gloves of the diving WayneMurray behind the stumps. Trott has yet to score a first-class hundred, andhis emotional reaction to such a soft dismissal spoke eloquently of hisfrustration.The temperatures are due to soar again on Friday, which looks set to bea long, sweltering day in the field for the home side. They need somethingspecial – it certainly never happened on day one.