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'We set ourselves for tomorrow' – Lara

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Chris Gayle’s belligerence put West Indies in command © AFP

Brian Lara’s press conference
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Streaming Audio: Real :: WMAAfter West Indies took the honours of a rain-hit first day in St Kitts, a pleased Brian Lara addressed the media and said the batsmen had prepared differently this time around. He was upbeat at their performance but hoped they could kick on and make this start count. Chris Gayle, who missed out on a hundred again, felt that Ramnaresh Sarwan and Daren Ganga would carry on their strong position and spur West Indies on to a large total. Cricinfo’s Siddhartha Vaidyanathan reports from St Kitts. Listen in!Download MP3 (right click and select “save target as”)
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World Cup eliminator in Namibia

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The road to the 2011 World Cup continues for six teams with the start of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two in Windhoek, Namibia this weekend. The hosts, as well as Argentina, Denmark, Oman, Uganda and United Arab Emirates will battle it out over a week of action at three venues around the city.And at stake are four places in the World Cup Qualifier (formerly the ICC Trophy) in the UAE in 2009, the tournament that will determine which of the leading ICC Associate and Affiliate teams will go to the World Cup in the Asian subcontinent two years later. For five of the teams in Windhoek, it is a road they have travelled down before as Denmark, Namibia, Oman, Uganda and the UAE all played in the ICC Trophy in 2005 but failed to reach this year’s competition.However, Namibia (2003 in Southern Africa) and the UAE (1996 in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) have both reached World Cup finals so they should know exactly what is at stake and what sort of rewards are on offer to the successful sides.The new kids on the block are Argentina, a country basking in the glory of its success in the recent rugby World Cup where they reached the semi-finals and finished third.The cricketers have done just as well in many senses because, as late replacements for the United States of America in the ICC WCL Div.3 event earlier this year in Darwin, they were not expected to make many headlines. On paper, at least, the likes of Fiji, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and the Cayman Islands all looked likely finalists alongside the fancied Uganda, and there were also Italy and Tanzania to consider.But Argentina proceeded to rip up the formbook and won through to the final before losing out to Uganda, the other side to earn promotion from that event which gave both line-ups their tickets to Windhoek. It will be fascinating to see if Argentina can continue their journey or whether they will get stopped in their tracks by some of the more experienced sides on show.Explaining the significance of the World Cricket League and how the Windhoek tournament fits in, ICC global development manager Matthew Kennedy said: “The idea of the WCL is to give each of the ICC’s 91 Associate and Affiliate Members a clearly defined pathway to progress and develop in world cricket. Apart from Division 1, which involves the top six Associate sides, the next best teams from the ICC Trophy 2005 have been allocated to Division 2 and 3 events along with the top teams from each of five regional qualifying events.”It means that regular global one-day cricket opportunities are no longer confined to just the top sides in the LG ODI Championship table and this tournament in Windhoek is an example of that. Our belief is that by exposing these sides to different opponents and different conditions they will improve and take that improvement back into their own domestic structures thereby helping our strong sport grow even stronger by broadening its base to a significant degree.”With places up for grabs in the World Cup Qualifier, the incentives and rewards for teams to improve have never been greater and I wish all the sides in action in Namibia the best of luck in what should be a terrific tournament and a great advertisement for Associate and Affiliate cricket.”

Stephen Alleyne dies at 47

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Stephen Alleyne, the former president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), died of a heart attack on the morning of October 15. Alleyne, 47, headed the Barbados Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2007 World Cup and was also a former director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).He was the driving force behind Barbados getting to host Super Eight matches and final of the World Cup. He was also in charge of the redevelopment of the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. The ground did not host any international games in 2006, due to the renovation work ahead of the World Cup.Alleyne was a member of the BCA’s Board of Management from 1992 to 1993. He then served as the Third Vice-President from 1994 to 1997, and later the First Vice-President in 1999. He took over as president after the death of Conrad Hunte, the former West Indies batsman, in December 1999. He was then elected President in 2000.Ali Bacher, the former president of the South African cricket board, said that Alleyne’s contributions to the game in the West Indies would be missed. The two first met when Bacher arrived in Barbados for Hunte’s funeral and he stated that he was impressed with his abilities as an administrator.”I always told him he had the attributes to be president of the West Indies Cricket Board,” Bacher told the , a Barbados-based daily. “There were two main reasons. The first was he had a great respect for the legends who helped build the game in the West Indies. He had a desire to keep the legends as part of the game. The second was that, as an actuary, he understood the commercial world very well and looked at the commercial side of West Indies cricket and how it could work.”When I heard of his death I was absolutely shattered. He was in the prime of his life. It’s a national tragedy, he was such a gifted person and wonderful man.”Joel Garner, the former West Indies fast bowler and current president of the BCA, acknowledged Alleyne’s contribution to cricket in the West Indies. “Stephen possessed a brilliant mind, a quiet confidence and he was always willing to give advice freely. He was thoughtful, meticulous and would be thoroughly analytical before he offered his counsel.”

MCC cricket committee calls for fewer ODIs

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The MCC’s world cricket committee has said that the game’s international calendar is far too cluttered, and wants to see less one-day cricket.”While lucrative for national boards, one-day cricket can be of a higher intensity and involves more travel than Tests,” a statement issued on its behalf said. The committee advocated a maximum of three one-day internationals or series, otherwise it said that an “elongated series often result in tired players more susceptible to injury”.”The MCC’s observation does not come as a surprise to us,” Tim May, the chief executive of the international players’ association (FICA) told Cricinfo. “FICA has been communicating such a message to the ICC for the past three years. Unfortunately, the ICC is not being given the power from its members to introduce any effective ceilings regarding the volume of cricket.”The MCC committee’s comments come at the end of a week in which even more ODIs have been crammed into the international calendar.On Friday it was announced that India will take on Pakistan at Glasgow on July 3 and Pakistan will play Scotland at Edinburgh two days earlier. In the week before those matches, India play South Africa in three ODIs at Belfast and those games are preceded by Ireland playing back-to-back ODIs against India and South Africa.In the second week of July, West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland play in a quadrangular one-day tournament, again in Belfast.In early June the Afro-Asia series takes place in Chennai and Bangalore, a time of year when heavy rain is expected.The extra series are all outside the ICC’s Future Tours Programme and are arranged by the individual boards as money-earners. However, there are increasing signs that the endless schedule of one-day tournaments is leaving broadcasters weary, and there remain doubts whether some of the matches detailed above will attract TV coverage.

'We'll put up an honourable fight' – SA assistant coach

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It may not have looked so at any stage of the seven days of Test cricket between India and South Africa so far, but the visiting batsmen did everything they could to prepare for their trial by spin.Led by Hashim Amla, who assistant coach Adrian Birrell has called “the most precise preparer for a match that I have ever met,” they conducted “very specific training,” to try and simulate the Indian spinners. Their specialist slow-bowing consultant Claude Henderson “threw,” in the words of Birrell, left-arm spin to get them used to facing Ravindra Jadeja. Birrell himself rolled back the years to his legspinning days to bowl like Amit Mishra although he was “not even close.” They brought in youngsters at every venue of the series to try and mimic R Ashwin’s threat. They batted on scuffed up pitches and put themselves under match pressure. Yet after all that, they have not been able to answer the challenge. Why?”Unfortunately, we are not quite as good as Ashwin,” a resigned Birrell said. In these conditions who is?”He is tighter than anyone else. He doesn’t give us any bad balls and maybe that’s been the difference,” Birrell said. “We dished up a few easy runs and yet we’ve had to fight for every run. He doesn’t give you those bad balls. He keeps the pressure on all the time, and he’s at the top of his game. He’s really in form and he’s an outstanding bowler. He can bowl on any surface.” And if South Africa can get the better of him, even in a dead rubber, they will leave India somewhat satisfied they achieved something.”We are here to fight,” Birrell said. “I like Hashim’s words – win or lose you need to put up an honourable fight. That was the case in this last Test and we’ll put up an honourable fight again in this Test. The guys are determined to put in a good performance.”South Africa may have conceded the series, but they have enough reason to regard the Delhi Test with as much importance as they would any other match. Another defeat would make it the first time since 2006, the same year they last lost a series away from home, that they have come second best thrice in a series. To win would require an effort in adaptability that seems beyond this South African line-up on although Birrell begs to differ.Like others in his camp, including Amla and du Plessis, Birrell expects turn again but unlike them, he was optimistic of an even contest. “We are playing in India so we expect the pitches to turn. This one looks like it will go more than three days. We are happy with what we see,” he said, referring to a strip which seems harder and less cracked than the one in Nagpur.Birrell also tried to distance the South African team from the criticism that clouded the Nagpur match, which seemed designed not to go full term. “We are not complaining. We are playing in India and we are playing in India’s conditions.”Instead, Birrell focused on the changing nature of Test cricket which has become more cut-throat and intense. “Look at it beyond India and more worldwide. There are a lot of Tests not going the full five days. There are very few draws,” he said. “The game is a lot faster. Runs per over are a lot quicker. I don’t think there are too many easy games. Every Test I have been involved in over the last two-and-a-half years has been very competitive and very tense. I think that’s good. It’s probably the way that Test cricket should be. It’s got to be tense and be competitive and there is a lot on the line.”With so much at stake, South Africa remain hopeful they will be able to use their premier pacemen Dale Steyn. who has not bowled since the first innings of the Mohali Test when he suffered a groin strain. Steyn will undergo another fitness test on Wednesday to determine his availability.The same wide berth may not be given to a few others. Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Vilas may be sweating over their sports, especially after Birrell hinted South Africa may make use of some their reserves. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there were one or two other faces in the XI.”

Inspired Munaf leaves Mumbai wilting

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Stumps
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Munaf Patel’s rejuvenated spell swung the match ROI’s way © AFP

After staring down the barrel the first day and restoring some parity on the second, Rest of India (ROI) ended a dramatic third day of the Irani Trophy with victory over Mumbai clearly in sight. Some classical tailend batting from Ranadeb Bose and Munaf Patel gave ROI a vital first-innings lead before a batting collapse – inspired by Munaf – left Mumbai 79 runs ahead with four wickets in hand and two full days to play.Given the time in hand, ROI’s taking the lead over Mumbai should have been insignificant but instead it proved inspirational. Munaf, so lacklustre with the ball earlier in the match, came out with his tail-end heroics fresh in his mind while Mumbai appeared somewhat demoralized. His direct hit to run out Sahil Kukreja got the ball rolling before Ishant Sharma and Ranadeb Bose each picked up a wicket early.Then Munaf, charging in first-change and getting the ball to move in towards the batsmen, snapped Mumbai’s back. His first victim was Prashant Naik, shouldering arms to one that jagged back in sharply. Then Abhishek Nayar, one of the first-innings centurions, was drawn into playing at one that moved away, edging to Aakash Chopra at second slip. Ramesh Powar had no clue about an in-swinger that hit the top of off stump. Three swift strikes had Mumbai tottering and their hopes now rest on Wasim Jaffer, who looked comfortable during his unbeaten 21, and Ajit Agarkar.The day began with Tiwary and Parthiv Patel, the overnight batsmen, opening up at a canter. The first over went for 12 and the first seven yielded 46 as Tiwary exposed the placidity of the surface. He’d played second fiddle to Parthiv on day three but danced down the track to the first ball from Iqbal Abdulla and lofted him over the long-on boundary. Everything short was hooked, busting Mumbai’s notion that the short ball might trouble him. None of the bowlers had enough pace to bother him

Manoj Tiwary’s 130 helped Rest of India on their way to securing a first-innings lead against Mumbai © AFP

Parthiv fell to a smart return catch from Abdulla for a career-best 178 but Tiwary raced from his overnight 56 to 101 in 31 balls, a thick edge to bring up his century being the only false stroke.Verma’s persistence with the new ball brought Mumbai back into the match, for a while, as Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha fell in succession and Verma bowled Tiwary to complete a well-deserved five-wicket haul. The burst from Munaf later in the day aside, Verma was the best bowler on either side always looking to do something with the ball, even with his limited pace.However, ROI clawed back thanks to some classical tail-end batting from Bose and Patel, coupled with perplexing tactics from Mumbai. When Munaf came in to join Bose after Tiwary departed on the stroke of lunch, ROI were 35 behind. In a tense span of 57 minutes after the interval Munaf and Bose prodded, edged, played and missed, survived close shouts, but crucially got ROI past the line.With the score at 434, Abhishek Nayar had some bad fortune when what sounded like a nick off Bose turned out to be kiss on the bail which refused to budge. Two balls later, Munaf walked in front of the stumps and was hit on the pads dead in front, but was not given out. Munaf then hit three boundaries in one Abdulla over really rub it in before he and Bose fell in quick succession.Mumbai didn’t help their cause by setting defensive fields for the tailenders. All through Munaf’s innings, the field was set with a deep long-off, a long-on, a third man and a midwicket. With just eight runs required, Abdulla bowled with six fielders on the boundary.ROI are now favourites to win the game tomorrow thanks to their rejuvenated performance.

Hoping for history to repeat itself

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Bangladesh will need another Cardiff-like effort from Mohammad Ashraful © Getty Images

Bangladesh, who caused one of the biggest upsets in one-day history when they beat Australia at Cardiff last June, may well be looking for a repeat as the three-match one-day series kicks off tomorrow at Chittagong.Following a 2-0 Test series loss, when they came perilously close to beating Australia in the first game, Bangladesh needed a shot in the arm. They have always looked more at home in the shorter version, and would take inspiration from their recent form. In March, Bangladesh completed a 4-0 whitewash over Kenya, and even took one match off Sri Lanka in a three-game series in late February. Both successes secured their place in October’s Champions Trophy in India.On the flip side, Australia’s last one-day match has been well-documented. March 12, 2006 will always be remembered as the day South Africa chased down 434 in arguably one of the greatest one-day internationals ever. Ricky Ponting, though, has urged his side to forget about the Johannesburg epic and transfer their recent Test success – they have not lost a Test since surrendering the Ashes last September – into the one-day format.In the ODI Championship table, Australia sit 13 points clear of their nearest challenger, South Africa, while Bangladesh lie at the 10th spot. An unlikely two wins will see Bangladesh’s rating rise by six points to 30 (Australia will slip to 128) and a miraculous 3-0 success will lift them to 33 rating points (Australia 126).From the side that lost 2-0 in the Tests, Enamul Haque jnr and Abdur Razzak, both left-arm spinners, have made way for Tushar Imran, the middle-order batsman, and Syed Rasel, the young left-arm medium-pacer.Dan Cullen, the offspinner, is set to make his one-day debut. “Dan Cullen will make his debut tomorrow and we get to have another look at Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Bracken is back in the team for us,” Ponting told reporters. He expected the Chittagong pitch to take plenty of turn, but said there should be plenty of runs in it as well for the batsmen. “We’ve got two spinners in [Brad] Hogg and Cullen which we think will suit the conditions.”Australia (probable): 1 Simon Katich, 2 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Andrew Symonds, 7 Brad Hogg, 8 Brett Lee, 9 Nathan Bracken, 10 Dan Cullen, 11 Mitchell Johnson.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Javed Omar, 2 Shahriar Nafees, 3 Habibul Bashar (capt), 4 Mohammad Ashraful, 5 Rajin Saleh, 6 Aftab Ahmed, 7 Khaled Mashud (wk), 8 Mohammad Rafique, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza, 10 Syed Rasel 11, Shahadat Hossain.

Tomlinson puts Hampshire on top

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Richard Montgomerie is cleaned up by Tim Bresnan for 73 © Getty Images

2nd dayJames Tomlinson took 5 for 78 – his second five-wicket haul of his career – as Hampshire bowled out Worcestershire for 289 to gain a sizeable first innings lead of 155 at Kidderminster. Hampshire were finally bowled out for 444 after Shane Warne, the captain, belted a quickfire 46 from 30 balls. And they carried forward the momentum with an early wicket in Worcestershire’s reply, Tomlinson having Daryl Mitchell caught behind for a duck. Before long, Hampshire had reduced them to 88 for 5 but Steven Davies (84) and Abdul Razzaq rescued Worcestershire from the mire with a sixth-wicket stand of 122. Razzaq was the last man out for 78, and Hampshire built upon their lead before stumps.1st daySussex took control of the key clash against Yorkshire with Michael Yardy’s 119 helping them to 386 for 5 at Hove. Yardy and Richard Montgomerie (73) added 178 for the second wicket as Sussex ensured they had a platform from which they could build a large total for their spinners to bowl at. Yardy, who made his second Championship century of the season, then added 79 with Murray Goodwin before Adil Rashid removed both in quick succession. However the runs kept flowing as Andy Hodd and Robin Martin-Jenkins built another partnership.

Ed Smith’s 111 was the main contribution for Middlesex as they built a solid total against Gloucestershire at Bristol. The innings wobbled on 81 for 3 during the morning session, but Smith, with his third century, added 174 with Eoin Morgan (76). After they both fell within 10 runs, Ben Scott and Tim Murtagh added 99 to put Middlesex on course for full batting points. Scott ended the day unbeaten on 76.Already promoted Somerset took control against Essex at Chelmsford as Charl Willoughby helped rout the home side for 144 before building a lead of 140. Willoughby made excellent use of the new ball as Essex fell to 13 for 3 and they never recovered. Peter Trego struck two blows in the middle order before the spinners and Willoughby did the rest of the damage. Tom Westley, the England Under-19 batsman, played a lone hand with 72. In reply, Somerset raced out of the blocks as Marcus Trescothick (59) and Neil Edwards (54) added 114. Danish Kaneria shouldered a heavy burden, with six wickets, and James Hildreth’s half-century pulled Somerset further away.Northamptonshire were indebted to Nicky Boje’s fine 125 to heave them up to 310 on the first day against Leicestershire at Grace Road. But Boje apart, Northamptonshire’s batsmen struggled; the next highest score was Lance Klusener with an uncharacteristically patient 45. Ryan Cummins was the principle wicket-taker and picked up his maiden five-wicket haul with 5 for 60. Tom New and John Maunders, the Leicestershire openers, put on 57 without alarm and go into the second day trailing by 253.

England revival in full flow

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Australia 1 for 28 (Ponting 11*, Hayden 12*) trail England 6 for 551d (Collingwood 206, Pietersen 158) by 523 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out – England
How they were out – Australia

‘Age is also telling for Glenn McGrath and his left heel. Hewas on and off the field in the opening session fortreatment and was belted for three fours by Pietersenin his first over of the morning’ © Getty Images

It has happened again. Down 1-0 after a first-Testthrashing, England have been revived for the secondAshes series in a row by batting first in the nextmatch. Through brilliant returns from Paul Collingwoodand Kevin Pietersen they grabbed the momentum fromAustralia, posted 6 for 551 and promptly declared infive-star luxury. The series gained further life whenJustin Langer edged Andrew Flintoff, who decided toopen the bowling, and the home side were 1 for 28 atstumps.Collingwood clipped a superb 206 and Pietersen backedhim up with a sensible 158 as England enjoyed anotherwildly successful day on a pitch offering nothingencouraging to the fast bowlers. Together they etchedthemselves into Ashes history with England’s highestfourth-wicket stand against Australia, passing the 288of Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe at Edgbaston in1997.Individually they coped well with Australia’spersistent tinkering in the field, the attempts atregular containment and Shane Warne and Stuart Clark,the biggest dangers in an ineffective attack.Collingwood closed a 70-year double-century droughtfor England Down Under when he became the first sinceWally Hammond to achieve the milestone. It was anoutstanding all-round innings that has sealed his spotat No. 4. Pietersen has been criticised for sitting aspot lower in the order but the move has workedspectacularly in this game.The top four blunted Australia and then Pietersen andCollingwood were allowed to capitalise, driving theirside into a position that was unthinkable for even themost positive England supporter over the past week.They narrowly avoided going three sessions withoutAustralia’s hyped attack taking a wicket and thechilly wind that blew between lunch and tea was morebiting than Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee.It took an edge from Clark, who was easily the leadingfast man with 3 for 75, to end Collingwood’s stay of392 balls and signal the tea break. India havepunished Australia at home like this recently, butonly occasionally do they allow themselves to betreated so badly in their own conditions.Adelaide is not Warne’s favourite ground and he hasnever given up as many runs against England as his 1for 167. Struck for centuries in consecutive inningsby opponents who usually shake whenever he flicks hiswrist, he has started to look like a 37-year-oldinstead of a vibrant 20-something. Spin has been greatbut slow and his first wicket didn’t come until his47th over. He barely acknowledged it.Age is also telling for McGrath and his left heel. Hewas on and off the field in the opening session for boot treatment and was belted for three fours by Pietersenin his first over of the morning. Clark was preferredto start proceedings and McGrath was only called for athree-over spell. He delivered 12 in the day, most ata speed in the mid-120s, and the decision to passhimself fit is in the process of back firing.

Pietersen and Collingwood etchedthemselves into Ashes history with England’s highestfourth-wicket stand against Australia, passing the 288of Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe at Edgbaston in1997. © Getty Images

England have no such concerns thanks to the 310-runpartnership between Collingwood and Pietersen thatrattled at 3.68 an over. Collingwood’s century arrivedfrom his second ball this morning and he was measuredin the first session before outscoring Pietersen by 27runs in the second.The most spectacular of his 16 fours were lofteddrives to bring up his 150 and 200 as he corrected hiserror on 96 in Brisbane. Warne was the first to watchthe ball sail over his head while Michael Clarke wasthe victim when Collingwood joined Hammond and REFoster as the only Englishmen to scoredouble-centuries in Australia.Until his dismissal Collingwood came closest to losinghis wicket on 109 when Michael Hussey had a chance ata direct hit and missed. As Collingwood walkedfollowing his edge 97 runs later Pietersen ran over tohis team-mate to join the loud applause and the BarmyArmy sang his name.Australia had shut down Pietersen by employing Warnearound the wicket, sometimes with five men on thelegside, but he was happy to let the ball thud intohis pads and occasionally used his feet to attackhalf-volleys. Lee was hammered by Pietersen on acouple of memorable occasions; one thumping straightdrive was just out of the bowler’s reach and a finehook shot sped to the short square boundary. However,Lee was convinced Pietersen nicked him on hisovernight score of 60, but Steve Bucknor ruled not outand was supported by the technology.A quick single from Clark brought up Pietersen’ssecond century against Australia and his double-armraise paid particular attention to his fiancée andLiberty X singer Jessica Taylor, who was standing andsmiling in the Sir Edwin Smith stand. A similarattempt at a run caused his downfall when Ponting under-armed sharply from midwicket. By then England’sgrip on the match was as secure as Pietersen’s bearhugs of Collingwood.

Short cuts

Shot of the day
Paul Collingwood’s lofted four over the head of ShaneWarne to bring up his 150. He tried a similar shot inBrisbane last week and failed, but stayed true to hisaggressive instincts and was rewarded.Highlight of the day
Collingwood again. His double-century was only thefifth by an Englishman in Australia. Wally Hammondscored three, the last in 1936-37, and RE Foster’s 287came in 1903-04.Partnership of the day
Collingwood and Pietersen gave Justin Langer andMatthew Hayden a target to aim for this summer for themost hugs in a liaison. There was a lot of love on theoval as they produced the highest fourth-wicketpartnership for England against Australia.Surprise of the day
Bored of Pietersen andWarne’s battle, the Boony Army tried to start aMexican Wave in the middle session, but the Barmy Armywere gripped by the action and refused to haveanything to do with it. How times change.Wave of the day
Glenn McGrath has never given up as many runs withouta wicket as his 107 in this innings, but theperformance did not steal all of his humour. When theBarmy Army cheered his century McGrath gave a thumbsup as he walked back to his mark.

Ed Cowan to miss games against Western Australia

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Ed Cowan, the New South Wales batsman, has been ruled out of the ING Cup and Pura Cup matches against Western Australia at Perth this week. Cowan hurt his toe in grade cricket and could be out for four to six weeks after doctors ruled that he needed surgery. He has been replaced in the one-day squad by Craig Simmons, a 22-year-old left-handed opener, while Greg Mail has been named as Cowan’s replacement in the Pura Cup squad.Simmons was with Western Australia till last season, but moved to Sydney in the hope of furthering his first-class career. The match against his former state will be his first one for New South Wales.Meanwhile, Aaron O’Brien has also been picked in the Pura Cup squad after scoring an unbeaten 227 in a second XI game against Victoria. O’Brien, an allrounder, has been a member of the one-day squad this season.