A couple of the 2009-10 seasons (the South African and Zimbabwean seasons specifically) are getting underway as we speak. I will see what I can do.

Andrew Flintoff says he will be available for England's one-day and Twenty20 matches for the foreseeable future, once he returns to fitness.

Australia 234-4 in 42.4 overs against India when rain stops play in Champions Trophy

New Zealand reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals as Group B winners after beating England by four wickets.

England crashed out of the Champions Trophy at the semi-final stage as they were thoroughly outplayed by Australia.

New Zealand make heavy weather of their run chase but reach the Champions Trophy final with a five-wicket win over Pakistan.

A second successive hundred from Shane Watson ensured Australia held on to the Champions Trophy with a six-wicket win over New Zealand at Centurion Park.

First round of the Sri Lankan Premier Championship:


Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club v. Saracens Sports Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Nilakshan Abeyratne (Saracens) (76) Chamara Silva (Bloomfield) (50)
Burgher Recreation Club v. Sebastianites Cricket and Athletic Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Pasan Wanasinghe (Sebastianites) (108) Nimesh Perera (Burgher) (61)
Colombo Cricket Club v. Sinhalese Sports Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Kaushal Silva (Sinhalese) (39) Lasith Fernando (Sinhalese) (28)
Two days of the match were washed out
Colts Cricket Club v. Ragama Cricket Club - Colts win by 8 wckets
Top scorers: Indika de Saram (Ragama) (90) Dhanuka Pathirana (Colts) (78)
Lankan Cricket Club v. Singha Sports Club - Lankan CC win by 4 wickets
Top scorers: Hemantha Boteju (Lankan) (54) Thiina Dasun (Lankan) (53)
Moors Sports Club v Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Hasantha Fernando (Moors) (75) Nadeera Nawela (50)
Moratuwa Sports Club v Police Sports Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Supun Nirmala (Police) (104) Dammika Rajapakse (Police) (69)
Nondescripts Cricket Club v Badureliya Sports Club - Nondescripts win by an innings and 13 runs
Top scorers: Yohan de Silva (Nondescripts) (51) Chanaka Wijesinghe (Nondescripts) (51)
Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club v Panadura Sports Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Suresh Umayanga (Panadura) (62*) Nilantha Cooray (Panadura) (56)
Sri Lanka Army Sports Club v Chilaw Marians Cricket Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Amal Athulathmudali (Chilaw Marians) (64) Harsha Cooray (Chilaw Marians) (36)
Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club v Seeduwa Raddoluwa Sports Club - Match drawn
Top scorers: Supun Leelaratne (Sri Lanka Navy) (73) Umesh Karunaratne (S. Raddoluwa) (70)

England's Kevin Pietersen feels he has earned the respect of South African cricket fans and does not expect the same level of abuse he suffered on tour in 2005.

In two days time, the Australian Sheffield Shield season starts.

Somerset are knocked out of the Champions League Twenty20 as New South Wales cruise into the semi-finals.

Andy Moles has resigned as New Zealand cricket coach in an amicable agreement following a performance review.

Former umpire David Shepherd has died after a battle with cancer, aged 68.

Shepherd, who was born in Devon, officiated in 92 Tests and 172 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals before retiring in 2005.

He was famous for his aversion to the 'Nelson' - scores with a multiple of 111 - which made him hop at the crease nervously between deliveries.

Australia's fast bowler Brett Lee says he is far from finished as a Test cricketer following his latest injury.

Opening batsman Scott Newman crosses the Thames to join Middlesex from Surrey on a three-year contract.

Bangladesh bowl Zimbabwe out for 44 runs, and end up with a six-wicket victory. They now lead the series 3 - 1. Two Zimbabwean players make double figures. The Bangladeshi bowling figures:


NameOversMaidensRunsWickets
Hossain62102
Razzak50102
Haque jnr.72163
Al Hasan6.5183


A quite incredible performance from Bangladesh — their 24th win over the side in 49 One Day Internationals staged between the two sides.

Michael Vaughan says his old Yorkshire and England team-mate Matthew Hoggard should still be at Headingley.

Middlesex are on the verge of signing two new bowlers as they continue their squad rebuilding for next season.

Australia beat India by three runs in last-over ODI thriller after Sachin Tendulkar hits 175.

Sussex have confirmed that they are interested in signing England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar.

England make 294-7 from 50 overs in tour match against Eagles in Bloemfontein

England beat Eagles by 185 runs in Bloemfontein in opening match of South Africa tour

Seamer Stuart Broad has been sent for precautionary scans after injuring his right shoulder during England's opening tour match in South Africa.

CRICKET:Pakistan lose one-day series 2-1 to New Zealand despite 103-run 10th wicket stand.

Matthew Hoggard signs a three-year deal with Leicestershire and takes the captaincy

England bowled out for 89 as they lose by four wickets to South Africa A in Twenty20 match

I need to post some of the recent domestic results, I will do that when I wake up tomorrow morning..

Kevin Pietersen declares himself physically and mentally refreshed after joining up with the rest of the England squad in South Africa.

Eric Tindall, the oldest currently-living former Test cricketer, has, by my reckoning, just 401 days to go until he reaches a milestone no Test cricketer has ever reached — his century.

Here's hoping!

Eric Tindall, the oldest currently-living former Test cricketer, has, by my reckoning, just 401 days to go until he reaches a milestone no Test cricketer has ever reached — his century.

Here's hoping!
He became the oldest living Test cricketer in February 2004, on the death of Don Cleverley. He is also the oldest living All Black, and the last surviving All Black who played a Test before World War II. On 8 November 2009, he surpassed Francis MacKinnon, who played one test for England in 1879 and lived to 98 years and 324 days, as the oldest Test cricketer in history

Pakistan beat New Zealand by 49 runs in first Twenty20 international in Dubai

Rain stops play with South Africa on 127-3 chasing England's 202-6 in the first Twenty20 international in Johannesburg.

Loots Bosman and Graeme Smith's record stand sets South Africa on the way to an 84-run victory over England in the second Twenty20 international.

I had completely missed this happening - as of ten days ago, Eric Tindall has now become the oldest Test cricketer on record. He still has another 396 days to go, though, before he can claim to be the first Test cricketing "centurion". He surpasses Francis MacKinnon's lifespan of 98 years and 324 days.

Interestingly, the second-eldest living player is "only" 231 days younger than him — South Africa's Norman Gordon is also 98 years old. Gordon's stats are quite interesting (I've pruned them down to the ones that intrigue me):

Innings: 6
Total runs: 8
High score: 7

Meaning that in four of his Test innings, he must have been out for a duck.

England beat South Africa A by four wickets in their final warm-up before the one-day series begins on Friday

The owners of Lord's say they are not planning to sell the stadium's naming rights to finance a £400m redevelopment of the famous venue.

The redevelopment plans will in part be funded by flats around the stadium, but the MCC says it will not even look at selling rights for individual stands.

MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw told BBC Radio 5 live: "There's no way we would rename Lord's.

"It's the home of cricket, the hallowed turf. It's not an option at all."

He added: "It's something that we wouldn't consider, and in fact I even have a real problem even considering renaming the stands within the ground that are now dedicated to famous cricketers.

England's one-day series opener against South Africa is abandoned without a ball bowled

South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis out of ODI series against England with fractured rib

Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag hit hundreds as India dominated day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Gambhir (167) and Sehwag (131), who was dropped in the opening over by Mahela Jayawardene, put on 233 after India won the toss and elected to bat in Kanpur.

Muttiah Muralitharan removed both men either side of tea, but Rahul Dravid (85 not out) and Sachin Tendulkar (20 not out) led India to 417-2 at stumps.

It was the first time India had made 400 in a day in a Test match.

England fast bowler Stuart Broad declares himself fit for Friday's third one-day international against South Africa in Cape Town.

Rahul Dravid completed his 28th Test century and moved to fourth on the all-time scorers list on day two of India's second Test with Sri Lanka in Kanpur.

A bunch of Indian matches to report on when I finally get things organized.

South Africa beat England by 112 runs to level the one-day series at 1-1

South Africa win the toss and choose to bat in the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth.

James Anderson takes his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals as England dominate South Africa in Port Elizabeth.

James Anderson takes 5-23 as England bowl out South Africa for 119, winning by seven wickets to lead the one-day series 2-1.

Skipper Andrew Strauss was delighted for England's man of the match James Anderson as South Africa were beaten in the fourth one-dayer in Port Elizabeth.

The paceman took 5-23 to help bowl out the hosts for 119 and England, who conceded 354 on Friday, sealed a seven-wicket win to secure a 2-1 series lead.

"We had a good chat about what went wrong in Cape Town," said Strauss.

"James Anderson was outstanding, creating pressure and bowling wicket-taking deliveries as well."

England now head to the final match, in Durban on Friday, knowing they have at least drawn the series.

Pakistan 161-6 after a rain-shortened opening day of second Test v New Zealand in Wellington

Andrew Strauss hopes to mark his 100th cap by helping England become only the second team to beat the hosts in a one-day series in South Africa on Friday.

Virender Sehwag's astonishing unbeaten 284 took India to 443-1 in reply to Sri Lanka's 393 after just two days of the final Test at the Brabourne Stadium.

England become only the third team to beat South Africa in a home one-day series after the final match in Durban is abandoned because of rain.

Durham seamer Mark Davies is called into the England Test squad as cover for James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom

India move to the top of the world rankings with victory over Sri Lanka in second Test

Former captain Graham Gooch has remained non-committal about working with Andy Flower's England squad after the first Test in South Africa.

England bowler James Anderson is ruled out of the team's warm-up game against a South African Airways XI in East London because of a knee injury.

I have started a new topic for the 2010 Cricket Season

Andrew Strauss hits a hundred and Kevin Pietersen 71 as England enjoy the first day of their match against a South African XI.

New Zealand 346-6 in reply to Pakistan's 223 after day two of final Test in Napier

Indian pace bowler Sree Santh admitted to hospital with swine flu

Ryan Sidebottom takes 5-42 and James Anderson 1-58 as England draw their final match before the first Test against South Africa.

Pakistan end day three of final Test 128-0, still 120 runs off making New Zealand bat again

The England cricket team has been awarded the Team of the Year prize at the 2009 BBC Sports Personality show.

England's decision to field first in the opening Test backfired as South Africa racked up 262-4 on day one.

Jacques Kallis, in his first game since breaking a rib, hit a terrific unbeaten 112 and his unbroken stand of 103 with JP Duminy (38) gave the hosts the edge.

The pitch was lively in the morning, but England did not capitalise.

Having chosen to play four bowlers, they were hampered by a calf strain to Graham Onions but spinner Graeme Swann took 2-61 from a marathon 24 overs.

Graeme Swann defends England's use of the new umpire referral system after both calls are turned down in the first Test against South Africa.

Spinner Graeme Swann picked up the third five-wicket haul of his fledgling Test career before England reached 88-1 in reply to South Africa's 418.

Graeme Swann hits a magnificent 85 to rescue England on day three of an intriguingly poised first Test against South Africa at Centurion.

James Anderson dismisses nightwatchmen Paul Harris as England strike early on day four of the first Test.

South Africa 418 & 34/3 (12.0 ov)
England 356

WICKET - Smith b Onions 12 (SA 34-3)
Graham Onions has just bowled Graeme Smith, which is lovely. Think that might have jagged back plenty. Lovely.

WICKET - Kallis c Cook b Broad 4 (SA 46-4)
Swanny keeping it real again, just one from that over. Kallis looking a little bit twitchy against the England spinner... AND HE'S A GONER! Cheap wicket for England, Kallis sticking a short one from Broad straight down Cook's neck at deep square-leg. Good catch that, he had to adjust his hands and take it behind him. The Saffers in a bit of trouble here.

South Africa: 418 & 80-4
England: 356
Lunch

India's captain, has been banned for two ODIs because India maintained slow over-rate during the second match against Sri Lanka in Nagpur.

South Africa lose AB de Villiers before tea as South Africa build a significant lead of 244 runs with 5 wickets remaining on day four.

WICKET - Duminy lbw b Anderson 11 (SA 191-6)
Anderson too straight and Duminy whips him away for one. One more for Amla, Anderson latching on to a full-toss, before Anderson strikes - just above the knee roll, Umpire Davis raises his finger, Duminy refers it, and Hawkeye says it's clipping the top of off.

WICKET - Amla b Anderson 100 (SA 266-7)
Anderson with the new cherry, and he's making it sing. He gets one to nip away from Boucher, before moving one back in and rapping Amla on the pads. Only a strangled appeal, and rightly so, it was going over. Amla's gone! A shooter from Anderson rips out Amla's off-stump and sends it cartwheeling Not necessarily a good sight for England, the pitch is turning tricks.

SOUTH AFRICA SECOND INNINGS - 301-7 DEC (LEAD 363)

301-7 declared Morkel getting stuck into Anderson now, carving him through point for four. Smith hovering on the balcony, with intent, which would scare the bejabbers out of me if I were Cook or Strauss. Morkel heaves Anderson to mid-on for one, and Smith does indeed wave his batsmen in. The lead is 363, England will have to face six overs tonight. Nasty.

DISASTER!!!!!!!!

DISASTER!!!!!!!!
WICKET - Strauss c Boucher b Morkel 1 (Eng 5-1)
Morne's taken out England's king pin - brute of a delivery first-up, steepling bounce, and the England captain edges to Boucher behind the stumps.

England, chasing an unlikely 364 to win, lose captain Andrew Strauss before close on day four of the first Test.

Australia beat the West Indies by 35 runs in the third Test to clinch the series

England, chasing an unlikely 364 to win, lose captain Andrew Strauss before close on day four of the first Test.
WICKET - Anderson c Boucher b De Wet 10 (Eng 16-2)
There's not going to be any heroics from nightwatchman Anderson, he goes in very tame fashion, gloving a leg-side delivery from De Wet to Boucher behind the stumps.

England reach 77-3 at lunch chasing an unlikely 364 to win the first Test at Centurion.

162-3 TEA Morkel bounds in for what will be the last over of the session - confirmed by two successive no-balls. Strange shot from Pietersen, more a double-handed topspin smash than a cut shot, collecting three for his inventive shotmaking. But no alarms from the last ball of the session, batted out by Trott. That's tea. Brilliant session for England - 85 runs but more importantly, no wickets. Apart from KP's lbw let-off - courtesy of a no-ball from Morne Morkel - there has been little to grumble about.

WICKET - Pietersen run out 81 (Eng 172-4)
De Wet to continue and Pietersen and KP blocks out the first four balls of the over... I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry... KP's just run himself out for absolutely no reason, dropping the ball into the covers, legging it, and Trott not moving an inch. The daft showboater.

England salvage a draw in the first Test against South Africa in Centurion after last man Graham Onions bats out the final over.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff says he expects to resume batting in the new year

South Africa 170-5 at close of day one of second Test against England in Durban

Australia's openers both narrowly missed out on centuries but gave their side a strong start in the first Test against Pakistan in Melbourne.

Shane Watson and Simon Katich took Australia to 117-0 at tea in the Boxing Day Test, before Watson was run out on 93 in bizarre circumstances.

South Africa 170-5 at close of day one of second Test against England in Durban

England take three wickets straight after tea as South Africa end a rain-shortened opening day in the second Test on 175-5.

WICKET Boucher lbw Swann 39, SA 233-6 
 
Swanny again, big stride forward - thudder into the front pad, and England might ask for a referral here... Interesting - he is a long way forward, but that looks on the replay to be pitching in line, hitting in line, bouncing low.... GONE!

Final one-day int'l between India and Sri Lanka abandoned because of dangerous pitch

Another wicket!

Another wicket!
De Villers c Prior b Broad 50, SA 269-7 
Broad - full - wafty drive, edge - pouched!

WICKET!!!!!!!

Harris lbw b Swann 2, SA 280-8 
Still grey and soggy all around. Swann goes round the wicket, fullish, Harris late on the sweep - big appeal, out! Harris will refer this, which kills the moment stone dead, but after a tedious two minutes it's confirmed. Swanny's second of the morning, and we're in the balance.

LUNCH SA 281-8

WICKET!!!!!!!!! Morkel lbw Swann 23 South Africa 285-9 Swann bowls the first over after lunch and Morkel drives at fresh air as the ball turns past the left-hander's outside edge. Clearly there are signs of genuine turn. And now there's the wicket. He's gone lbw, South Africa failing with the referral.

England begin their reply to South Africa's first innings score of 343, after number 10 Dale Steyn hits 47.

A rapid half-century from Andrew Strauss takes England to 59-0 in reply to South Africa's 343 on day two of the second Test in Durban.

WICKET!

Strauss b Morkel 54, Eng 71-1
No referring that - two stumps are cartwheeling through the air...

Eng 100-1

That's nice from Cook - with slip, leg slip, silly point and silly midwicket in, the Essex man hits hard with the spin and lofts a sweet four down the ground. Too full from Harris again, and Cook can drive again for three more to bring up the England 100. Decent ding-dong. Light-meters being checked - nothing yet, but that moment could be approaching...

Bad light stops play One more glance from Aleem Dar, and unfortunately, that is the end of that for now. The umpires offer the light to the batsmen, and sure enough, away they rush.

STUMPS.

Unsurpisingly that's all for tonight folks, a reminder that we're back under way at 0730 GMT tomorrow and in all probability for the remainder of this match.

England reach 103-1 in reply to South Africa's 343 before bad light hits Durban on day two of the second Test.

England resume on 103-1 in reply to South Africa's 343 on day three of the second Test.

98 overs to be bowled today, which is about as likely to happen as Cookie is to switch-hit the first ball for six. Particularly as it's Trotty on strike.

WICKET!! Trott c Boucher b Morkel 18, Eng 102-1 

Morkel, the pick of yesterday's attack - edged, caught!

England reach lunch on 190-3 after losing the wickets of Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen in the second Test against South Africa.

Eng 237-3
 
Cook prods Ntini back past his bootlaces for the single that takes him to 98. Cut away by Colly to third man to get Cook back on strike for the final ball of the over - clip off the pads, and there it is! Cook's 10th Test ton, and what a splendid piece of battling that is. 324 minutes, 218 balls, 10 boundaries - a marathon effort, and a wonderful way to celebrate his 50th cap.

Eng 260-3
 
Cherry available, but Smith decides to give Harris one more. Cheers. Oof - Colly down on one knee to sweep, the ball popping up from his front foot and falling just safe. Morkel and Steyn warming up for cherry charges. Tickle away to leg, and Colly has his 18th Test half-century. Super effort - barely noticed him getting there. 106 balls, four fours.

Alastair Cook's patient century helps England move 43 ahead at 386-5 after three days of the second Test with South Africa.

England will need just four wickets on the final day of the second Test to beat South Africa following brilliant spells from Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad.

England's Paul Collingwood is battling a dislocated finger and is unlikely to take any further part in the Durban Test against South Africa.

Graeme Swann finished with 5-54 as England beat South Africa by an innings and 98 runs in the second Test to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

Hampshire left-hander Michael Carberry has been called into the England tour squad in South Africa as batting cover.

Carberry will be on standby for Paul Collingwood, who dislocated his left index finger during the Durban Test.

Collingwood is expected to play in the third Test at Cape Town on 3 January after X-rays revealed no fracture.

Arthur McIntyre, the former England wicketkeeper, who played three Tests between 1950-55, has died aged 91. He made his first-class debut for Surrey in 1938 and featured in 376 matches for the county, scoring 10,893 runs at 23.22, along with 615 catches and 147 stumpings.

His international career would have been considerably longer and more productive had he not played at the same time as Godfrey Evans. Making his debut against West Indies at The Oval in August 1950, he managed just 19 runs and eight catches in his short Test span.

He was also honoured as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1958, with his contributions behind the stumps being one of the main reasons for Surrey's record run of six County Championships.

After his retirement from the first-class cricket in 1958, he made occasional appearances for the Surrey first-team, and won the Championship as coach in 1971. He retained his association for a further 20 years as coach, finally retiring in 1978, leaving an indelible impression on generations of young Surrey players.

At the time of his death, Arthur was the oldest living England cricketer - an honour that now passes to Alec Bedser.

Paul Sheldon, chief executive of Surrey County Cricket Club said, "Arthur McIntyre was a truly great man of Surrey and the Club would like to offer its condolences at this time to all his friends and family."

West Indies bowler Jerome Taylor has been charged with improper conduct and assaulting a police officer following a bar scuffle in Jamaica.

England coach Andy Flower puts Paul Collingwood's chances of playing in the third Test against South Africa at "50-50".

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47019000/jpg/_47019109_collingwood226.jpg

England captain Andrew Strauss says he expects Paul Collingwood to be fit to play in the third Test against South Africa, which starts on Sunday.

Pakistan 14-0 at close after bowling out Australia for 127 in second Test in Sydney

Third Test, South Africa v England, Day One

The covers are coming off, but a little late. Delayed toss, and almost certainly a slight delay to the start. Overcast conditions, touch of green in the pitch - is it a day for sticking the oppo in?

There is a little more heavy mist in the air?

England win the toss and will bowl. Strauss says it's swinging nicely in practice and confirms Paul Collingwood will play. So England line-up as follows:

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Graham Onions.

England's James Anderson picks up the key wicket of South Africa's Graeme Smith after lunch on day one of the third Test.

WICKET De Villiers c Strauss b Swann 36, SA 127-4 

Swann again - chipped to short midwicket - bagged!

WICKET Duminy c Prior b Swann 0, SA 127-5 
 
The trap was set there for De Villiers - it was the same - DUMINY'S GONE FOR A GOLDEN!

SA 169-5

Local lad Kallis strokes a fullish one from Swann to long on for his 53rd Test fifty.

South Africa reach tea on day one of the third Test against England on 183-5, with Jacques Kallis on 57.

WICKET Boucher lbw Broad 51, SA 216-6 
 
Broad, red-faced, perspiring - in-jagger, Boucher plays all round it - Umpire Tony Hill raises his finger! Boucher will refer it, but that hit him on the knee-roll of the back pad - you're on your way, Poucher...

Jacques Kallis hits his 33rd century in Tests as South Africa recover from 127-5 to reach 279-6 on the opening day of the third Test against England.

Shaun Udal says Middlesex are close to signing South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini as a Kolpak player.

Shaun Udal says Middlesex are close to signing South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini as a Kolpak player.
Whoo-Hoo!!!

England's batsmen are guilty of playing some poor shots to end day two of the third Test on 241-7 in reply to South Africa's 291.

Captain Graeme Smith hits an unbeaten 162 as South Africa close day three of the third Test against England 330 runs ahead at 312-2.

England face a huge fight to save the third Test after ending the fourth day 132-3 needing 466 to beat South Africa.

England's last-wicket pair dramatically save the third Test against South Africa as they survive the last 17 balls.

Roundup of results. Zimbabwe first.

Logan Cup:

September 14

Mashonaland Eagles v. Mountaineers - Match drawn
Top scorers: Hamilton Masakadza (Mountaineers) (188) Elton Chigumbura (Mashonaland) (90)
Mid West Rhinos v. Mattabeleland Tuskers - Mid West Rhinos win by 135 runs
Top scorers: Vusimusi Sibanda (130) Friday Kastani (101*)

Logan Cup:

September 22

Midwest Rhinos v. Mashonaland Eagles - Match drawn
Top scorers: Forster Mutizwa (Mash.) (156*) Brendan Taylor (129)
Mountaineers v. Southern Rocks - Mountaineers win by 8 wickets
Top scorers: Tinotenda Mawoyo (Mountaineers) (86*) Alester Maregwede (Southern Rocks) (82*)