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LONDON – Australia spinner Stuart MacGill signed a new two-year contractwith English county Nottinghamshire today.MacGill, 31, took 40 championship wickets in just six matches for theTrent Bridge based county last season.Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, said the club wasdelighted to have retained the leg-spinner’s services.”It’s terrific news,” he said.”Stuart showed himself last season to be the best attacking overseasbowler at this club since Richard Hadlee.”MacGill has taken 82 wickets in 17 Tests but, despite his fine record,his international opportunities have been restricted by Shane Warne,widely regarded as one of the best leg-spinners of all time.

Scotland must beat Kenya in their Intercontinental Cup match which starts on Thursday to have any hope of qualifying for the finals. Scotland would go ten points clear of leaders Namibia if they won, but they would then face an anxious wait to see if remaining results went in their favour.Ireland, one of Scotland’s closest rivals, face away matches against Kenya and Namibia while one of Namibia’s remaining matches is at home against bottom side Bermuda. Scotland’s best hope appears to lie in victory followed by Namibia winning their two remaining matches and Kenya and Ireland cancelling each other out.Scotland are on a high after finishing in third place in the World Twenty20 Qualifier in Belfast, a spot that will give them a place in next year’s main event in England provided Zimbabwe Cricket’s board ratifies a decision made at the ICC annual conference to step back from the event.To secure third, Scotland beat Kenya in one of the most convincing – and one-sided – matches of the tournament, chasing down 107 to win by nine wickets with 11 balls in hand after Kyle Coetzer and Ryan Watson put on an opening stand of 102.Coetzer will be on county duty with Durham and is one of four changes in the squad with wicketkeeper Colin Smith, opener Gavin Hamilton and another county player, Navdeep Poonia, who is with Warwickshire, all missing.Dougie Lockhart comes in to open and keep wicket, while Ross Lyons, Qasim Sheikh and Omer Hussain are also all included. Lyons collected six wickets against Bermuda and seven against Canada, while Lockhart made his maiden first-class hundred in Toronto, a game in which Sheikh made 92.But if Scotland are flying, Kenya are struggling for lift-off. The World Twenty20 Qualifier was a disaster and the loss in the third and fourth-placed play-off means they will miss out on a tournament they were a part of in South Africa in 2007.A loss in Glasgow won’t end Kenya’s hopes of reaching the final but it will make it very tough. One of their remaining matches is against Netherlands, who have struggled badly in this tournament, but the other is against two-time defending champions Ireland.But before they can even think of the future, they have to contend with Scotland. David Obuya and Alfred Luseno are added to the squad that was in action in Belfast.Scotland (from) Ryan Watson (capt), Richie Berrington, Dewald Nel, John Blain, Gordon Drummond, Majid Haq, Omer Hussain, Dougie Lockhart, Ross Lyons, Qasim Sheikh, Neil McCallum, Fraser Watts.Kenya (from) Steve Tikolo (capt), Thomas Odoyo, Kennedy Otieno, Peter Ongondo, Tony Suji, Hiren Varaiya, Rakep Patel, Morris Ouma, Jimmy Kamande, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Alex Obanda, Ragheb Aga, David Obuya, Alfred Luseno, Collins Obuya.

England today named a 13-man squad for next week’s 2nd npower Test Match vIndia at Trent Bridge.Kent batsman Robert Key wins a Test call-up for the first time as areplacement for Graham Thorpe and the uncapped Durham pace bowler StephenHarmison is also included following the withdrawal of Glamorgan’s SimonJones with a side injury.Commenting on the selection, Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said:”Simon Jones was not considered for this match as he has an injury to hisleft side and will undergo a further scan tomorrow to enable us to assesshow long he will be out for.”Our resources in the bowling department have been stretched for this matchand we have had to slightly vary our policy with regard to bowlers needingto play in a four-day match before a Test match to prove their fitness.”Alex Tudor did play in a Norwich Union League match last week and we willgive him every opportunity to prove he is fully match fit in the run up tothe Test Match. With Simon Jones injured, we view Stephen Harmison as a likefor like replacement who gives us the option of express pace if required.”We also considered Ian Bell and David Fulton as replacements for GrahamThorpe. But Robert Key has been in outstanding form for Kent and his careerhas really kicked on this season after he attended the National Academy inAustralia last winter. He will open the batting with Michael Vaughan withMark Butcher coming in at number three.”England Squad for 2nd npower Test v India

Players D.O.BNasser Hussain (captain) (Essex) 28.3.68Mark Butcher (Surrey) 23.8.72Dominic Cork (Derbyshire) 7.8.71John Crawley (Hampshire) 21.9.71Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire) 6.12.77Ashley Giles (Warwickshire) 19.3.73Stephen Harmison (Durham) 23.10.78Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire) 31.12.76Robert Key (Kent) 12.5.79Alec Stewart (Surrey) 8.4.63Alex Tudor (Surrey) 23.10.77Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire) 29.10.74Craig White (Yorkshire) 16.12.69

Marlon Sanuels’ misdemeanour on the current tour of India did not warrant expulsion, because the penalty was not in keeping with the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) disciplinary guidelines.Instead, the 21-year-old Jamaican was fined 15 per cent of his match fee after breaking curfew in the early stages of the tour.In response to reports on a Caribbean cricket website which said Samuels was saved from banishment after the intervention of Rev. Wes Hall, the WICB president said yesterday he was diametrically opposed to the impression given that he condoned indiscipline."After seeking legal advice, it was clear that Samuels’ offence did not rise to the level of expulsion," Hall told NATIONSPORT before heading off to Antigua on WICB business."The guidelines stipulate that first offence is a fine and second on the same tour is expulsion."To send home any person, the manager will seek the concurrence of the board. For the board to send home anyone, it has to make sure it is not liable to be sued or anything like that."Hall also pointed out there were set procedures with respect to matters of curfew and any acts of indiscipline."It is in under the purview of the manager and tour committee, but serious offences are concurred in with the board," the WICB head said."As a routine, we would seek legal advice. The legal advice was that the punishment must be commensurate with the stated guidelines."As a consequence, it was felt Samuels’ offence did not rise to the level of expulsion and the management out there took the necessary action."It was stressed, however, that the WICB in no way condoned acts of indiscipline."Whereas we are viewing very seriously any evidence of indiscipline … we cannot be indisciplined in our quest to invoke punitive measures," Hall said."We asked for the best legal advice in Barbados and it was said the punishment must be commensurate with the documented guideline."If it is a serious offence, it must have the concurrence of the board. When it comes to serious offences, the board will seek legal advice. If the legal advice says we shouldn’t go the way of expulsion, we don’t."

SYDNEY – Cricket NSW today announced the 17 players who will be offeredcontracts for the 2002-03 season, including former Test players MichaelSlater and Simon Katich.Both failed to have their Australian Cricket Board contracts renewedearlier this year.NSW has also been officially notified that South Australia hasapproached Mark Higgs and Victoria has sought out Graeme Rummans withregard to their playing futures.Young fast bowler Aaron Bird, who famously struck Slater in the headplaying for NSW first grade club side North Sydney against theUniversity of NSW in February, is one of five players who have beenoffered rookie contracts for next season.Changes have also been made to the NSW selection committee after JohnBenaud and Jim Robson stood down.Brian Taber, a NSW Selector from 1975-1990, is the new chairman ofselectors and former NSW player Marshall Rosen has also been added.Dion Bourne and Steve Smith continue as selectors.The NSW players offered contracts are: Shawn Bradstreet, Michael Clarke,Brad Haddin, Mark Higgs, Phil Jaques, Simon Katich, Grant Lambert, ShaneLee, Greg Mail, Paul Maraziotis, Don Nash, Matthew Phelps, Nathan Pilon,Corey Richards, Graeme Rummans, Michael Slater, Dominic ThornelyThe players offered rookie contracts are: Aaron Bird (North Sydney),Doug Bollinger (Fairfield-Liverpool), Jason Krejza(Fairfield-Liverpool), Stephen Phillips (Western Suburbs), Aaron O’Brien(Northern District)

Somerset Under 17’s travelled to the Rose Bowl to play a 2 day match against Hampshire last week.When Hampshire batted they were all out for 268 in 92 overs, with Miles Webber being the pick of the Somerset bowlers, ending with 5 for 38.Somerset were all out for 178 in 68 overs, with Lloyd Davies top scoring with 41, to give the home side victory by 92 runs.

Former Test captain Wasim Akram took first steps in a bid to regain his place in the national side by grabbing three wickets as PIA trounced Bahawalpur by 10 wickets in the National One-day Cricket Championship Friday.The ace left-arm fast bowler, looking in fine shape after being asked to prove his fitness, was immediately in his groove by disposing off Hammad Tariq, caught in the slips off the first legitimate delivery of the Pool ‘A’ fixture at Asghar Ali Shah Stadium.After being sent in by PIA skipper Moin Khan, Bahawalpur were bundled out for a meagre 91 in 34.2 overs. Only captain Bilal Khilji (29 off 53 balls) and Mohammad Rashid (22 off 72 balls) exceeded the 20-run mark.Wasim later claimed two more wickets in his second spell to finish with three for 29 in 8.2 overs. However, the pick of the bowlers was another Pakistan reject Azhar Mahmood. The all-rounder cut and swung the ball prodigiously to return remarkable analysis of three for eight in seven overs.Saqlain Mushtaq, who was excluded from the Asian Test playing XI, also enhanced his claims by picking up two for 19 – the second victim being splendidly stumped by Moin. Opener Ghulam Ali then made light work of the target by smashing 58 off 67 balls. His knock was laced with four sixes and three fours.Shoaib Mohammad, the 40-year-old ex-Test stalwart, however, struggled to contribute 25 off 67 balls. Had he showed more urgency, PIA would have been home much earlier than the 21.3 overs they ultimately had to face.

Hampshire Second XI start their preparations for the forthcoming season with a friendly against the counterparts Sussex tomorrow (Friday).Unlike this time last season, the country has been enhanced by some fine weather and the players have been able to get outside practice.With preparations going ahead towards the completion of the main pavilion to be shown to the public this Sunday 14th April, the match will be played on the nursery ground starting at 11:00am.Kenway and Tremlett spent the winter months with the English Academy in Australia, and Nic Pothas the South African with the Greek passport are included.The team is as follows: Jason Laney, Derek Kenway, Lawrence Prittipaul, Giles White, Nic Pothas, Dimitri Mascarenhas, James Hamblin, Alex Morris, Chris Tremlett, Irfan Shah, and Iain Brunschweiler.Sides made up of Robin Smith’s XI and Will Kendall’s XI will contest a two day match on the Main Oval of the Hampshire Rose Bowl on Sunday (Open Day) and Monday, before the first team contest a friendly at Taunton on Wednesday (17th April), two days before starting their Division I Frizzell Championship match at Canterbury.

England A were in danger of recording their first defeat in 43 games after losing three vital wickets against Leeward Islands in Anguilla today.Replying to an intimidating 402 set by the Leewards this afternoon, England A were 119 for three at the close of the second day’s play with key batsmen Ian Ward and John Crawley back in the pavilion.

Responsibility for avoiding the follow on now lies on the shoulders of skipper Mark Alleyne and England A debutant Ian Bell who suffered a bumpy baptism at the hands of Leeward’s hostile bowlers on a pitch that is regarded as the fastest in the Caribbean.But at the close, the 18 year-old Warwickshire batsman, who arrived in Anguilla on Wednesday having spent six weeks batting on slow Indian pitches with the England Under 19 squad, was still there battling for survival, having seen off the worse of a painful induction.He was hit on the arm and the hip in his early overs facing genuine pace from Wilden Cornwall and Ricky Christopher. He was dropped at gully before getting off the mark and he benefitted from a Ridley Jacobs fumble over the stumps while still some way out of his crease.But he responded courageously hitting Cornwall’s next ball through a vacant mid wicket for four.It was a gutsy performance from the young prospect and finishing unbeaten on 16, one that impressed his senior colleagues.”He had a difficult time of it but he did very well and he is still there which says a lot for him,” said vice-captain John Crawley, with whom he shared a stand of 37 runs.Crawley himself made a stylish half-century from 105 balls but was given out leg before to fast bowler Goldwin Prince having added a single to his total.”I was annoyed to get out at that stage because it is an excellent batting track and as we saw in their innings, you can make runs on it. But we have some good batting to come and we need a big partnership if we are to save the follow on.”But with 149 runs still to get to reach the follow on target, England A have a tough day ahead of them to ensure they leave Anguilla with Busta Cup points before moving onto the semi-finals of the next stage of the tournament, the Busta International Shield.Chris Schofield earlier wrapped up the Leeward Islands tail taking the last four wickets for 38 runs. Resuming on 299 for five, Jacobs quickly completed the 13 runs needed for his century. It came from 152 balls, included 13 boundaries and he illustrated in one innings the depth he adds to the Leewards batting line up when not on Test duty.He eventually fell leg before to Jon Lewis with a ball that nipped back having spent another 20 minutes at the crease without adding to his score. His partner Carl Tuckett was well into his stride by then and with 18 year-old Omari Banks, the Anguillan all-rounder playing his first first-class season, the runs piled on, despite a more disciplined performance by the England A bowlers.The 6 foot 5 inch Banks, the son of leading West Indian reggae star Bankie Banx, produced some cleanly struck straight drives, reflecting the coaching tips he has had from former Hampshire bowler Cardigan Connor, now the Anguillan National Coach.He made an elegant 31 before becoming the first of Schofield’s victims but it was the wicket of Tuckett, caught behind to a ball that kept low after making a punchy 84 which signalled the start of Leeward’s quick decline.Prince was stumped by James Foster and Ricky Christopher was the last man out to give Schofield figures of 4-79 from 29 overs.

The draw for the semi-finals of the Benson & Hedges Cup has given holders Gloucestershire a tough trip to Headingley against Yorkshire.Surrey will entertain Nottinghamshire at The Oval to decide who will appear at Lord’s in the final.Both matches will take place on June 25.