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Mathew Sinclair has carved a name for himself in English club cricket history by becoming the first player to score 1000 runs before the end of June.In two matches at the weekend for his Yorkshire League club Cleethorpes, Sinclair hit his fifth century of the summer and a half century to end the weekend with 1039 runs so far in the summer.He is now a great chance to break David Byas’ league record of 1394 runs. Sinclair’s impetus to achieving the 356 runs he needs to claim the record will only be halted by his requirement to miss three weeks of play while on duty for New Zealand in the tri-series in Sri Lanka next month.In Saturday’s game Cleethorpes went down by four wickets to York in the final over.Cleethorpes batted first and Sinclair and skipper Mike Smith started with a century partnership. Smith was out for 47 when the score was 122.Sinclair was joined by James Stevenson. Sinclair was next man out for 119, an innings which included one six and 12 fours. Stevenson finished on 59 not out as Cleethorpes ended on 261/4.While Cleethorpes made inroads into the batting, York’s No 7 and 8 batsmen Ben Quick and Steve Piercy were able to score the 88 required from the last 16 overs to give York the win.On Sunday, Cleethorpes were at home to Rotherham. Rotherham, batting first, were all out for 187. Sinclair, taking up bowling duties produced his best bowling for the club with four for 65 from 17 overs.While Cleethorpes lost skipper Smith for two, Sinclair was in total command. Twelve was his immediate target as it took him past 1000 runs. Local experts described his feat as “a monumental achievement”.Sinclair was dismissed for 51 and it took Stevenson to carry the side to the brink of victory with 71, and soon after the home side got there with four wickets to spare.Local identity Karl Walton said of Sinclair’s performance: “His total of 1039 league runs is a satisfactory total for a whole season for most professionals in the Yorkshire League but not this outstanding Kiwi talent. David Byas’ league record of 1394 runs in a season is likely to be shattered upon his return from international duty in Sri Lanka.”

Michael Clarke will wait for news from the selectors on whether he is elevated to the vice-captaincy following Adam Gilchrist’s retirement. Clarke was Australia’s captain during the Twenty20 international against New Zealand last month, when he expressed his leadership aspirations, but after posting his sixth Test century he said there was only a light-hearted application being made for the position.”One came from Haydos,” Clarke said. “I said to him: ‘Are you retiring as well?’ He said: ‘Not now, I’m a chance of getting a stripe.’ We had a joke about it but other than that it hasn’t been spoken about.”Clarke and Michael Hussey are the main contenders for the spot and the pair was involved in an on-field exercise on the fourth day when Hussey was operating as Ricky Ponting’s runner. Ponting, who scored 140 and combined for a 210-run stand with Clarke, suffered a lower back injury and did not field as India reached 1 for 45 at stumps. However, he is expected to return to guide the team on the final day.The Clarke-Ponting partnership allowed Australia to dream of a lead, which eventually stopped at 37, and they retain hope of repeating the miracle last-day win against England in 2006. Clarke raised a century in that match as well and his hard-working 118 today was a mixture of attacking bursts and considered play.”The easiest time to score was when the ball was new and hard, so it was our intention to come out and be positive with the new ball,” he said. “Once it got softer and started to go reverse – they also bowled a lot of spin – we knew it was going to be hard to bat. With guys on the boundary it was hard to keep the runs flowing.”Australia were eventually dismissed for 563 and their chase for quick wickets would have been more successful if Clarke had held a regulation chance at second slip when Virender Sehwag was two. It was the fifth attempt Clarke has missed in the past three games and Australia’s reshuffled cordon is having trouble matching the success of its predecessors.Despite the lapses Clarke said there was no major problem behind the fumbles. “Over the last 20 Tests Australia hasn’t dropped too many catches so I don’t think you’ll see too much change,” he said. “We train just as hard as we do when we take all our catches and nothing has changed in our preparation. I apologised to Brett Lee, and I certainly didn’t mean to drop it.”

Michael Clarke is showing growing maturity by taking advantage of the slow and flat Caribbean pitches as he closes on a World Cup average of 100. Clarke, who celebrated his 26th birthday on April 2, hit an unbeaten 55 against England on Sunday – it was his third half-century – to continue a tournament to remember.After five innings at No. 4 Clarke has scored 296 runs with a high of 93 not out and an average of 98.66. “There’s not much seam, not much swing by the time I get out there,” Clarke said, “so if I can’t make runs on wickets like that, I’ll never make them.”Despite his success, Clarke said it was the Australian openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist as well as Ricky Ponting who were proving crucial to his efforts. “It has certainly made my life easier,” he said. “And Andrew Symonds will have enjoyed spending a bit of time in the middle. It’s great to see him in a bit of form.”Clarke’s calculated approach on Sunday, on an Antiguan pitch which became slower as the match wore on, drew praise from the England coach Duncan Fletcher, who used him as an example in pacing an innings. Clarke took 42 balls to hit his first boundary and joined in a 112-run partnership with Ponting that lifted Australia from 2 for 89.”If you look at Michael Clarke he showed a lot of patience and that’s the key – show some patience and don’t panic, it’s important to build momentum slowly,” Fletcher said. “Sometimes you go in there and you can find the gaps but other times you have to work out which angles you can hit and which angles you can’t hit. But the longer you stay out there the easier it gets and Clarke showed it. When Ricky Ponting was batting freely Clarke was just occupying one end and slowly got himself into nick.”

Clare Connor, the England women’s captain, has announced her retirement from international cricket after a ten-year career, including six years at the helm. One of her final acts as captain was to help England regain the Ashes after 42 years.Connor played 93 one-day internationals and 16 Tests, the last of which was when England won the Ashes in August. However, she was forced to miss this winter’s tour to Sri Lanka and India due to injury.She took over the captaincy in February 2000 during the series against New Zealand and as captain she won five series. In 2004 she was awarded an MBE for her services to women’s cricket and then in 2005 she was awarded an OBE for her services to sport.Connor took a two-year sabbatical from teaching at Brighton College to focus on her cricket and worked extensively in the cricket media. She will now return to teaching English and PE and will head up Brighton College’s PR department.Reflecting on the decision to bring an end to her international career, Connor said: “After a decade of playing for England and six years leading the side, I have come to the decision to retire from international cricket. I have spent the last six months undergoing an agonising decision-making process and actually penning these words is the hardest moment of it all.”I have fulfilled the dream I had as a young girl: I have played for my country, led my country and we have won the Ashes. I firmly believe that women’s cricket in this country, at every level, is in the healthiest state it has ever been in and I am so proud to have played a part in that success and rise in profile.

“Whilst it has never been my job, playing for my country has been my life. With the Ashes now back in their rightful home at Lord’s, I feel it is the right time for me to turn to pastures new and for my successor to take the team, a wonderful team, to the next level.”Richard Bates, the England coach, said: “This has obviously been a very difficult decision for Clare to make as playing for England has been her life for the past 10 years. She has played a huge part in the progress we have made in recent years and will of course be missed in the England camp both on and off the field. It has been a pleasure to work alongside Clare over the past three years; the highlight of course was her leading us to Ashes victory in the summer.”Charlotte Edwards, the current vice-captain, has been named as England’s new captain, after standing in for Connor on the winter tour. Edwards said she was thrilled by the honour, but that Connor will be missed.”It is a great honour for me to be asked to captain my country and something I will do with great pride. It is something I have always dreamed of and will relish the role. We will all miss Clare as she was such an inspirational leader, but we must now look to the future and take women’s cricket to the next level.”Gill McConway, the executive director for women’s cricket, said: “Clare has been a wonderful ambassador and captain for England. She will be very much missed on and off the field by her colleagues and everyone involved in the game. Clare took over the captaincy when England was at its lowest and through her inspiration, dedication and love for the game she helped build the England side and team ethics to what it is today. I wish her the very best of happiness and success in her new world outside of cricket.”England is most fortunate to have someone of Charlotte’s talent and leadership skills to take over the reigns. I have every confidence that Charlotte will do a wonderful job in leading England to the next World Cup challenge in 2009.”Bates added that he believes England have a natural successor in Edwards: “We are delighted that Charlotte has accepted the captaincy. Charlotte has all the credentials needed to be a successful captain and has proven when she has stepped in to cover for Clare that she has what it takes to get the best out of her team mates. She has a very good understanding of the game and I’m sure she will take us to the next level.”

ScorecardCentral Zone batted Bangladesh Cricket Board XI out of the contest on the third day of the Duleep Trophy match in Delhi. Having gained a mammoth 205-run lead in the first innings, Central assumed complete control thanks to Sanjay Bangar’s gritty unbeaten 91. Bangar was well supported in a 76-run stand by Devendra Bundela, who composed 53, and they took Central to 212 for 6 at the end of the day, with a near-unreachable lead of 417. The events, though, were only of academic interest as Central had already qualified for the final by virtue of gaining the first-innings lead.Aftab Ahmed, the medium pacer, was the most effective bowler for the BCB XI with his 5 for 28 being the only consolation for the battered bowling line-up. Aftab also triggered a mini-collapse and snapped up four wickets in the space of six runs and gave Bangladesh a small opening. But the joy was shortlived as Bangar and Nikhil Doru ground out an 86-run partnership and stabilised the innings.Resuming the day on 117 for 6, the BCB XI offered little resistance and were bundled out for 146. Manjural Islam Rana top-scored with 47 while Shalabh Srivastava was the pick of the Central Zone bowlers and ended with 4 for 33.

Kent have signed England U19 fast bowler David Stiff on a three-year deal, beating off interest from several other counties. Stiff joins them from the Yorkshire Academy.Former Surrey and Durham wicketkeeper David Ligertwood, who acts as Stiff’s agent, said that interest in him had been “incredible”. He continued: “Twelve counties made offers for him, which is testament to his ability. As so many counties were keen to sign him, this was a very difficult decision. But overall Kent was the right place for him to play his cricket and develop as a player.”He is 6 foot 4 inches, generates steep bounce and is already genuinely quick. He definitely has the potential and physical attributes to play international cricket sooner rather than later.”Stiff is in the England squad for the U19 World Cup in February.

The destructive force of Victoria’s seam bowlers has humbled New South Wales on day three of the top of the table Pura Cup clash as they won outright and claimed top of the ladder with 26 points. It was supposed to be tight contest of one versus two with both sides enjoying close to their best line ups.New South Wales had the relative luxury of Steve and Mark Waugh with other international representatives such as Michael Slater, youngster Michael Clarke and Simon Katich. Yet even with this strong line up, NSW could only manage a parltry 150 on the morning of day three maintaining a lead of 22 runs after Victoria’s first innings total of 269.With a performance like this Victoria look certain to be the Pura Cup favourite’s as their display over the past three days has been impeccable.Victorian captain Darren Berry said the win over New South Wales, a team with so many internationals was very satisfying but he believed the home team failed to offer any respect – a claim refuted by opposing captain Steve Waugh."[The win was] very very satisfying and to be perfectly honest I don’t think they showed us any respect whatsoever. Steve Rixon in the pre match said Victoria hasn’t been tested this year. We look forward to testing them. We will wait until after Christmas now for that test from someone else."I don’t say that with any animosity…we have been underrated and I think we have really good depth and our bowling attack is good and our batting side with [Matthew] Elliott, [Jason] Arnberger and [Brad] Hodge and Graeme Rummans, who has been a great addition to our teamwe are just going along quietly.""I was really disappointed leading into this match. We were looking forward to it, playing against some players who we have enormous respect for and I just thought Steve Rixon showed us no respect whatsoever," Berry said."We gave them plenty of respect. I always give opposition respect; if you don’t you pay the consequences. We were outplayed by a good side and to say we did not show them respect is wrong," said Waugh."I don’t know how he could say that. `Chuck’ should give himself a pat on the back and say they played well. I think it’s a ridiculous comment to make."With Mark Waugh and Clarke at the crease, NSW had a chance to make a lead and give their bowlers a target to bowl at. But the middle and lower order could only add 40 runs from their overnight total.Waugh resuming his innings on 35, added just 10 runs when Shane Harwood bowled him for 45. The 37-year-old shouldered arms and the delivery pitched outside off stump jagged back and took his bails off.Harwood showed great strength and bowled in tandem with Matthew Inness to wrap up the final wickets of the morning. Harwood’s figures of 5 for 54 were his best first-class figures and he chose an incredible time to do it.Victorian captain Darren Berry suggested Harwood may have shocked a few of the NSW attack."He’s got an extra yard of pace and I think he may have shocked a few blokes. The New South Wales batsmen probably had not heard of Shane Harwood before and I think he really stood up for us this morning," said Berry.Harwood, 28, has only played three games for Victoria, took a hat trick on debut and along with Mick Lewis and Matthew Inness Victoria have strong bowling line up."He [Harwood] is an exciting talent and along with Mick Lewis and Matthew Inness I reckon we have equal to any bowling attack in the country," said Berry.His next victim, Clarke, on 38, tried to pull Harwood but got no further than silly mid-on where Mick Lewis resided and took a good catch which was hit incredibly hard.Wicketkeeper batsmen Brad Haddin repeated the same shot and fell to Harwood after Lewis took a sitter at mid-on. With only bunnies to come the innings ended within three overs. Inness snapped up Stuart MacGill for a duck when Hodge caught him at cover.The wicket of Stuart Clark gave Harwood his five after the New South Welshman skied the ball high for Darren Berry to take a simple catch.Needing 23 for outright victory, Victoria lost Jason Arnberger for five when he flayed the ball to the slips cordon for Mark Waugh to take the catch off the bowling of youngster Doug Bollinger. Arnberger gave the 21-year-old five wickets for the match.Matthew Elliott (12 not out) and Graeme Rummans (six not out) took the winning runs from the sixth over to give the Victorians outright victory finishing the match on 1 for 25.

Almost two years to date, in a replay of the ’99 World Cup final, Pakistan takes on Australia on Saturday for the NatWest Trophy. Two years ago the greenshirts had to eat humble pie. Not only were they defeated but disgraced too, for that was the most one-sided of all the World Cup finals. Back home, such was the backlash on that debacle the Pakistan Cricket Board was sent packing!This time round, the Pakistanis seem a whole lot more dedicated to not allow a repeat of that abysmal show. Beating the Aussies, albeit slightly under strength side with McGrath and Ponting having been rested, in one of the two league encounters has sent their confidence soaring.The question, however, is: whether they are equipped to overcome the Aussies, the best team in the world, in a crunch game?Well, for one, the Pakistanis in the last year or so have almost ended up losing every vital encounter. It shows that character flaw which the ’99 World Cup final itself had brought out in such sharp relief: the lack of ‘mental toughness’. The Aussies have loads of it, while the Pakistanis, despite their enormous talent, have lacked that important ingredient which transforms sides to the extent that they can virtually snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat.But during this early England summer, under a new captain, this seems to be improving, for the better. The rubber-levelling victory in the Old Trafford Test, which ensured that they extended their unbeaten run in England since 1987 (though they failed to win a series for the first time in four rubbers), was the turning point. The good work was carried on in the NatWest Series, and four wins from five games seems to be as good a record as any. More so because it matches that of their nemesis, the Aussies.Even the one game they lost, against the Aussies, was remarkable for the fact that after losing six wickets for 85, Yousuf Youhana-Rashid Latif rearguard took the total to a competitive 257. That was never going to be a winning score on a good batting wicket, but that they didn’t totally capitulate after the hara-kiri against Shane Warne, goes to show that they were resolute in not going down with a whimper.So going into the final, we see that despite the upper order a trifle unsettled, generally the combinations are working well. The middle order has mostly delivered, not only individually but tried to develop partnerships with the all-rounders and the tail. Despite getting out cheaply and in a manner that was anything but dignified, Inzamam is in very fine fettle, and so are Youhana and Younis Khan. The availability of four quality all-rounders – Wasim Akram, Abdur Razzaq, Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood – has added to the depth in both bowling and batting. Waqar Younis, the skipper, with 13 wickets in two outings is the leading wicket-taker of the competition by a distance and has immensely grown in stature as a captain. And Saqlain Mushtaq is bowling as beautifully as ever, and on occasions seems to be topping it off. The only problem areas are, Saeed Anwar not being in convincing form and the question of who should partner him. Saleem Elahi was included for one encounter, and after an extremely shaky start he made 70-odd. But should he be persisted with instead of recalling Shahid Afridi, whose three-dimensional talents could really come handy?In comparison, the Aussie upper and middle order has been in devastating form, but the bowling seems to be a slight area of concern. They have mostly tried to have Test-match like field placings against England, but that may not work out as the Pakistani strokemakers are wristy and have a habit of working off-side deliveries between square-leg and midwicket. Inzamam had given ample proof of that in his hundred in the Old Trafford Test.Other than their three frontline pacers, McGrath, Gillespie and Lee, the Aussie bowling lacks sting and penetration – something which was fully exploited when Pakistan scored 290 and beat them by 36 runs. It would have been a few more runs had the momentum not been broken when crowd disturbance caused an interruption. Shane Warne is not in the best of forms, and the back-up bowlers are not good enough to stop the flow of runs and get wickets at the same time.The Pakistanis would have to be conscious of not allowing the Aussie upper order, Gilchrist and Ponting in particular, to get a flying start and guard against a collapse much reminiscent of the ’99 World Cup final.So all in all, with the Pakistanis undaunted by the Aussie reputation, a pretty even fight at Lord’s is on the cards.

ScorecardLiam Hatcher’s performance meant Australia cannot lose the one-day series•Cricket Australia

Liam Hatcher took 6 for 27 to demolish England U-19s for 99 as Australia took a 2-1 lead in the one-day series with one match remaining.Hatcher ran through England’s middle order at Grace Road with Jack Burnham’s 21 being the top score in a paltry effort. They were 76 for 9 before a last-wicket stand of 23 nearly pushed them to three figures.Australia lost Caleb Jewell to a run out off the first ball of the chase and slipped to 9 for 2 Will Pucovski was lbw, but Matt Renshaw’s unbeaten 39 ensured there were few other worries as they cantered to the target in the 21st over.Australia had chosen to bowl first and were soon marking inroads as Jhye Richardson removed England’s openers, including the in-from Dan Lawrence, inside the first seven overs.It was then over to Hatcher who had Haseeb Hameed caught behind then bowled captain Aneurin Donald for 4 third ball. Burham’s 21 included five boundaries before he was also bowled. Nine of the England batsmen were dismissed with barely half the overs used when Hatcher claimed George Garton and Mason Crane in consecutive deliveries.

It’s not been a happy few months for the Asian Cricket Council.In December its Under-15 Elite Cup in Nepal was reduced to near farce after eight of the ten participants were thrown out for fielding over-age players – as many as eight in a 15-man squad. Last week the ACC Under-19 Challenge Cup took place in Thailand, but with only four of the original ten countries taking part. There has been no official explanation for the withdrawals, the last of which, Iran’s, came two days before the tournament started on January 12.The organisers were left with four teams – China, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia and Maldives – who played each other in a round-robin format and then, rather embarrassingly, all four then progressed into semi-finals.Saudi Arabia dominated the round-robin stage, winning all three of their matches and only being run remotely close by Maldives in their opening game. China, however, lost by large margins, underlining how far their cricket has to come despite bullish noises from those running world cricket.In the semi-finals, Saudi Arabia followed their ten-wicket drubbing of China earlier on with an equally impressive 191-run rout, while Bhutan beat Maldives by six runs in the game of the tournament. Maldives appeared set for victory but lost their last five wickets for five runs in 11 balls.In the final, Saudi Arabia easily beat Bhutan by 59 runs. Saudi Arabia, who won the toss, rattled up 247, a good score considering with 16 overs to go they were 131 for 5. Man of the Match Hussain Anwar triggered the late onslaught with a 68-ball 62, including two sixes. Bhutan were never up with the asking rate and only one of their top six passed 12.