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Since New Zealand beat Australia in January, the national one-day side has played poorly in it’s build up to the 2003 World Cup.In fact since the middle of the VB Series last January, New Zealand have won only four of the last 21 One-Day Internationals they’ve played. Quite frankly that is woeful. Time is running out. They now face just seven more ODIs in preparation for the Cup starting on February 9.Throughout the year the team have tried any number of experiments with different players and combinations, but the performances get worse. They find themselves with a number of critical problems:

1. An unsettled top four in the batting order.
2. No conclusion as to who the wicket-keeper will be since Adam Parore retired.
3. A permanent partner to Shane Bond with the new ball.
4. Inconsistent fielding performances.
5. Injury concerns to key players.
6. The major distraction of the players’ strike leading into the summer.

The most important thing New Zealand Cricket (NZC) must do now with such little time left is to create FAMILIARITY for the players who will be selected. The only way for the players to find their form and belief to take New Zealand, at least, to the top four, is re-introducing them all to familiar roles that they’ve succeeded in before.The 14-man team that I would select for the 2003 World Cup is (in batting order and subject to fitness):

1. Chris Nevin (wicket-keeper)
2. Nathan Astle
3. Stephen Fleming (captain)
4. Craig McMillan
5. Chris Cairns
6. Lou Vincent
7. Chris Harris
8. Andre Adams
9. Daniel Vettori
10. Daryl Tuffey
11. Shane Bond
12. Scott Styris
13. Jacob Oram
14. Paul Hitchcock

Non-travelling: Jeff Wilson, a batsman, a spinner and a new ball bowler.This squad on paper is a better all-round side than the 1992 World Cup squad. It has more all-rounders, has the world’s leading all-rounder/match-winner in Cairns, New Zealand’s finest one-day player in Astle, the world’s best left-arm spinner in Vettori, and a world-class leader in Fleming.The problem is that they do not have enough individuals who know their role within the team and the one-day game in general.Only Astle and Cairns have batted in the same position consistently in the last year or so. Only Bond and Vettori have bowled in the same roles consistently in that time.Therefore the team as a whole, need to resume their familiar positions.Batting:The most successful opening combination over the last year has been Astle partnered by Nevin. Nevin is far more familiar at opening than any other position. Fleming has tried the opening role but along with inconsistent scores is the fact that he has not done it much and has achieved his best average at No 3. McMillan will be considered for No 3 but has had very little experience and is vulnerable to the new ball and must continue to bat at No 4 where he has improved his record recently.Cairns and Harris have batted at Nos 5 and 7 respectively over the years with outstanding results. Lou Vincent could bat No 6 or 7 as could Harris, but Vincent is inexperienced and has been changed too often in position that he should revert to the one where he was contributing well and that was batting behind Cairns, scoring run-a-ball 30s.His main role in the side is the energy he will provide in the field and running between wickets.At No 8 should be Adams, if fit. He proved against England that he has the hitting power there, as well as being a specialist death bowler, to go with his athleticism. Vettori, Tuffey and Bond complete the batting line-up.Bowling:The only role Tuffey has consistently enjoyed is opening the bowling and, in particular, the very first over. His strike rate without runs on the board is excellent. While Bond is the better bowler, the fact that he bowls the second over is irrelevant, as long as he bowls downwind.Tuffey, into the wind, is a line-and-length bowler who needs to be used in a pro-active manner. He rarely performs when coming on after the opening bowlers have been used. He can be used in the middle for a couple of overs but is not to be used at the death. He can be invaluable if treated carefully.Bond, is the bowler who should bowl 10 overs, but after his opening spell of four or five, should be kept to shorter spells thereafter.Adams is a bowler who should be used in two ways. One, to bowl NZ through to the 15 over mark with a three or four-over spell. Then to be used through the death period in two spells of two overs each.Cairns, as the most experienced, should bowl behind Bond, four overs through to when the first 15 overs are up. Then saving six overs until the last 15 overs where his experience and magnificent slower ball become vital. He should bowl in short spells of two overs, swapping ends to rest Adams around the 43rd over mark to bowl two overs. Then swapping back to finish the innings, following Bond, for his last two overs.He, like Bond, as the best bowlers, should look to complete 10 overs if possible.Vettori and Harris have proven their combination after the 15 overs are up, but not before. They need the fielding restrictions lifted where they can bowl in tandem to help tie-up the start of the middle innings.Vettori should rest after bowling five overs to allow Tuffey to come back at the 27th over for two overs in the middle. Then Vettori comes back on again for at least four overs, with Harris as back-up if needed.New Zealand need to be conscious of fitness with Vettori, hence break in spell and shouldn’t need to bowl 10 unless conditions favour spin.In all, there should be a minimum of 13-14 bowling changes in any innings.Fielding:It is critical that New Zealand have their two best fielders, Harris and Vincent, on square, either side of the wicket.That’s why I wouldn’t use Vincent as a ‘keeper as he is too valuable and proven as a close-in fielder and doesn’t have enough experience keeping at the top level anyway.The fielding line-up looks very good with pace in the in field, strong arms in the deep from the quicks and great hands in the slips. The question mark has been over their preparation and consistency, unlike when Steve Rixon was in charge.Reserves:Scott Styris is an ideal back-up for Harris. He’s gained experience and should be able to come in and cover if needed with his all-round ability. Oram backs up for Tuffey as a new ball bowler but can also float up the order at any time. Hitchcock is cover for Adams as a death bowler mainly. Vincent is back up for Nevin as ‘keeper and also as an opening batsman.The balance of the side requires seven batsmen and one pinch hitter (Adams) and seven bowlers (with McMillan as eighth).Bowling Plan (Bowlers with over number):Upwind:Tuffey: 1st over, 3, 5, 7, 9 then 27, 29;
Adams: 11, 13, 15 then 39, 41 then 47, 49;
Vettori: 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 then 31, 33, 35, 37;
Cairns: 43, 45.Downwind:Bond: 2, 4, 6, 8 then 28, 30, 32 then 42, 44, 46;
Cairns: 10, 12, 14, 16 then 38, 40 then 48, 50;
Harris: 18, 20, 22, 24, 26;
Astle: 34, 36.Bowling totals: Tuffey 7 overs, Bond 10, Cairns 10, Adams 7, Vettori 9, Harris 5, Astle 2.Strategy:Naturally this should be seen as a skeleton plan, whereby bowlers will bowl in longer spells if taking wickets, or shorter if proving expensive. But, by and large, the plan should reveal a specific flow and a minimum number of 13 bowling changes. If changes are needed then there are seven bowlers plus McMillan, to call upon for a change of tactics at any stage.The key for Fleming is to keep two overs ahead of the opposition batsmen. To be able to sense when the opposition batsmen are getting used to a certain bowler and make a change. It’s important to avoid the big overs as they are usually momentum shifts and requires composure and decisiveness to pull back. So every bowler should be ready to bowl especially in that area where they are due to come in, give or take an over.All fielders need to look at Fleming at all times between balls. Fleming in return should communicate or signal to each player in some shape or form at least once every three overs.Preparation:All practice must simulate the match you are going to play. Batting in the right order at nets. Bowlers starting off in the correct order too. Both skills need to practice the situations they face in order of how the innings will unfold.Fielding needs to be intensive and sharp, rather than long and laboured.Summary:The attitude of the team must be that bowling and fielding wins ODIs, not batting. The best defensive (bowling/fielding effort) team on the field will win the contest. So keeping the opposition’s score down through efficient, tight fieldwork will ensure a higher percentage of wins.Batting needs to be consistent rather than brilliant. The first 15 overs are about attacking the bowling to set a run rate. Minimum of four an over. No more than three wickets down at the half-way stage. Accumulation through to over 40 maintaining run rate. The final all-out launch should not be too early in the last 10 overs, better to keep wickets for the last five overs. Wickets in hand, but more importantly a partnership in the last five overs, will reap the greatest rewards. This is the time improvisation is used.This New Zealand team can succeed if they start now to familiarise themselves with the roles they have succeeded in before. There is no time for experiments anymore in settling the key areas.The success of this campaign will be created by proper selection of the roles required, positive and clear communication of those roles, and detailed organisation of the team in general.

BRISBANE – Australians Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden and Indian starSachin Tendulkar have been nominated by their peers for theinternational cricketer of the year award.The trio join Sri Lankans Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardeneand South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis as the nominees for theFederation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) award to beannounced in London on July 10.But Gilchrist’s devastating batting in South Africa earlier this yearhas been ignored in other award nominations, including the “place inhistory” and “sheer instinct” prizes.Gilchrist slammed an unbeaten double century in the first Test inJohannesburg and a whirlwind 138 not out in the second Test in Cape Townto send him to the top of the world rankings.The award covers the year from June 2001, during which Hayden was themost dominant opening batsmen in international cricket with fivecenturies.Past winners of the award, conducted by the Federation of InternationalCricketers Associations, were Australians Steve Waugh (1998) and GlennMcGrath (2000), West Indian Brian Lara (1999) and Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower(2001).Australia’s Test and one-day squads and the Sri Lankan Test team werenominated for the international team of the Year award.Hayden and his opening partner Justin Langer also feature among thenominees for the place in history award for four double-century standsduring six Tests last summer.Teammate Shane Warne (6-161 from 70 overs during his 100th Testappearance) and New Zealand’s Nathan Astle (222 from 168 balls versusEngland) were also nominated.The sheer instinct award doesn’t include Gilchrist among the nomineesbut recognises Waugh for his century against England at The Oval,England’s Mark Butcher, Pakistan’s Waqar Younis and England all-rounderAndrew Flintoff.The four nominees for the young cricketer of the year award includeIndian batsman Virender Sehwag, English seamer Matthew Hoggard, WestIndian batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan and Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsmanKumar Sangakkara.Three former cricketers will be named at the dinner for induction in theFICA Hall of Fame that already has 55 players on its roll of honour.

Kent County Cricket Club today announced that Steve Waugh will be joining the Club as a replacement for Andrew Symonds until the end of the season. His first match will be on Wednesday 21 August 2002 – a Norwich Union League floodlit match against Leicestershire – and he will participate in all remaining one day and championship fixtures.Earlier today, Steve commented:”I am looking forward to the opportunity to play some tough cricket and this stint will provide excellent preparation for the upcoming season. It has been 15 years since I last played county cricket so it is quite exciting and I look forward to making a strong contribution at Kent County Cricket Club.”Ian Brayshaw, Kent’s Director of Cricket, added:”We are thrilled that Steve has agreed to play for us for the rest of the season. We are obviously sad to see Andrew go but are delighted to have been able to secure the services of such an experienced cricketer to help us in our push for success in the remainder of the season. It is a great boost for everyone at the Club.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced the domestic first-class fixture list for the 2003 cricket season. For the first time since 1972, there will be no Benson & Hedges Cup competition, which has been replaced by a new 20-over tournament called the ‘Twenty20 Cup’.The Twenty20 Cup begins on Friday 13 June when five late-afternoon group matches are scheduled. One of these opening games will be broadcast live by Sky Sports.All 45 group matches – the 18 first-class counties are split into three groups of six teams each – will be played over a 12-day period, thus intentionally scheduling the competition around the longest days of the year. This means that matches starting at 5.30pm will finish in daylight at 8.15pm. Essex and Sussex may stage floodlit Twenty20 Cup matches in the group stages, and the timings for any such matches will be confirmed in due course.All counties are guaranteed a minimum of two Twenty20 Cup matches at home next season. The winners of each of the three groups and the best-performing runner-up will progress to a finals day on Saturday 19 July, at which both semi-finals and the final will be played.Extensive media coverage of the competition is guaranteed. Sky Sports will broadcast a minimum of six group matches live as well as the three matches on finals day; Channel 4, meanwhile, will broadcast at least one match live (a Saturday morning slot on 14 June) and the highlights of the Final, plus prominent coverage of the competition in their weekly magazine programme. BBC Radio are planning extensive coverage on their regional and local stations in addition to live ball-by-ball coverage of the Twenty20 Cup Final on Radio Five Live and both Twenty20 Cup semi-finals on Five Live Extra.A new prize money structure will be implemented to encourage both team victories and individual performances. The Twenty20 champions will receive £52,000, the runners-up will get £26,000 and the losing-semi-finalists £15,500 – equal to the prize money on offer for the 2002 Benson & Hedges Cup Final. Incentives will also be made to the best performing individuals with cash prizes of £1,500 going to the best performing batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders (see below for details).Tim Lamb, Chief Executive of the ECB, said, “I have no doubt that the Twenty20 Cup will make a significant impact on our domestic cricket next summer. Thanks to excellent support from our broadcast partners, we can already guarantee a great deal of media coverage for the tournament. And with generous prize money on offer, the players have every incentive to go flat out to achieve success on the pitch. This is one of the most revolutionary and exciting initiatives undertaken by the ECB and the first-class counties for many years.”There are 367 matches, or 799 days of cricket in total, scheduled for first-class counties across four different competitions next season. The Frizzell County Championship season starts on Friday 18 April, the 45 over League competition (sponsor to be confirmed) begins on Sunday 27 April, while the third round of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy takes place on Wednesday 7 May.The women’s domestic season, meanwhile, will include the Super Fours trophy, now in its second year. The 48 best women’s cricketers in the country will be divided into four teams and will compete against each other in six one-day matches ahead of the international season. Super Fours will run each weekend from Saturday 17th May to Sunday 15th June.Yorkshire, meanwhile, will aim to retain their title in the Frizzell Women’s County Championship which will run from Saturday 26th – Wednesday 30th July at University Grounds, Cambridge.

Twenty20 Prize MoneyTeam awardsWinner (1 x £52,000) £52,000Runner-up (1 x £26,000) £26,000Losing Semi-Finalists (2 x £15,500) £31,000Man-of-the-Match awardsGroup Matches (45 x £300) £13,500Semi-finalists (2 x £550) £1,100Final (1 x £1,750) £1,750Series awardsBatsman – most runs (1 x £1,500)Batsman – 2nd most runs (1 x £1,000)Batsman – most 4’s & 6’s (1 x £1,500)Batsman – best strike rate (1 x £1,500)All-rounder – best (1 x £1,500)All-rounder – 2nd best (1 x £1,000)Wicket keeper – best (1 x £1,500)Bowler – most wickets (1 x £1,500)Bowler – 2nd most wickets (1 x £1,000)Bowler – fastest (1 x £1,500)Bowler – best economy rate (1 x £1,500) 15,000Total: £140,350

Rain meant that only 45 overs were bowled on the first day of the State Championship match between Northern Districts and Otago at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton.That was time enough for bottom-of-the-table Otago to display more of the poor batting form that has characterised their season.They finished the day on 107/9 on a pitch that offered no more than normal first-day help to the quicker bowlers. Poor shot selection was the chief factor. Three batsmen were dismissed by deliveries to which they offered no shot, while two of the top five were out attacking rashly before they were set.The Otago innings got off to a disastrous start after they were put into bat by ND skipper Robbie Hart. Chris Gaffaney shouldered arms to Joseph Yovich in the first over, only to see his off stump cartwheel out of the ground as the ball came back into him. Gaffaney had not scored.His opening partner Brendon McCullum fell for six attempting an expansive off drive from Graeme Aldridge’s bowling. Scott Styris took a sharp catch at second slip.Otago skipper Craig Cumming became the second batsman to be out offering no shot when he was struck on the pad by Yovich in the seventh over of the innings. Umpire Mike George ruled that the ball would have hit the stumps even though the front leg was well forward and the ball hit the pad above the knee. Cumming scored four.Jordan Sheed fell to the last ball before an 80-minute rain interruption. He was hit on the back leg by Simon Andrews to be leg before wicket for six.Scott Waide was out for 17 to the first ball he faced after the resumption, in a piece of cricket that amounted to ritual suicide. Without bothering to play himself back in, Waide attempted to hook a ball from Andrews that was on, or outside, off stump. The ball lobbed up to Aldridge at mid-on.Otago were 38/5, the worst start of their dismal season.Craig Pryor and Duncan Drew accumulated sensibly before Pryor got a snorter from Yovich that lifted and left him. Styris took his second catch of the day at second slip. Pryor scored 10 and put on 23 for the sixth wicket with Drew.Wicket-keeper Drew made a chirpy 28 before playing across a full length delivery from Styris to be out leg before wicket. His partnership of 31 with Nathan Morland for the seventh wicket was the biggest of the innings.Styris removed the off stumps of both Kerry Walmsley (0) and Morland (23) to finish with the day’s best figures, three for eight from seven overs.Aldridge was the pick of the ND attack, but the least rewarded. He finished with one for 20 from 12 overs.Yovich took three for 53 from 15 overs. He needs to cut down the number of boundary deliveries he bowls if he is to push for international selection.Andrews continued to make a good impression in the first-class game with two for 22 from 11 overs.Veteran all-rounder Grant Bradburn was left out of the ND 12, for the first time in many years.ND have made a recent habit of having illustrious drinks waiters. Ian Butler performed the task for the first part of the season before being called up to the CLEAR Black Caps squad. Simon Doull brought the experience of 32 Tests to the job before retiring. Today it fell to Bradburn, who has made a record 115 first-class appearances for ND.With Mark Bailey, as well as Doull, fading out of the scene recently, Bradburn’s omission is another sign that the ND guard is changing. The new line-up did well enough without him today, but it was against an Otago team that looked seriously short of class and confidence.

Five years have passed by, and the small pink house looks forlorn. Earlier, a man used to live here with his girl-friend, but without any idea of who the original inhabitant of the house might be. Now the local scribes say that the house at night is a den for Bridgetown’s anti-social elements.During his childhood, this was where Sir Frank Worrell lived. A small, white marble slab says as much: “This is the house where lived Sir Frank, and the house is now the property of the government.” A special board of trustees, at a meeting attended even by the Barbados Prime Minister, was formed on June 26 1991 to look after the house. In the 11 years since then, the trustees seem to have lost all interest in preserving the house.Adjacent to the house is the famous Empire club, one that spawned cricketers like Worrell, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith. Griffith, once the president of the club, has resigned now, and the club has gone downhill along with Caribbean cricket.With nobody living in the house now, grass grows out of the cracks in the stairs. The electricity has been cut off, but the brackets still remain. The window-panes are broken, and, peering through them, one can see the wash-basin that the residents once used. But there is no photograph visible of the man who once reshaped the game in this country. Were it not for the marble slab, there would be no indication that this ramshackle structure was Sir Frank’s birthplace.Griffith and Weekes are worried about the preservation of the house. “Something has to be done. The administrators have to look into the matter seriously. We have his face imprinted on a five-dollar note, but his house is in such a state and nobody is taking any initiative to preserve it in the proper way,” they say.Sir Frank continues to be honoured, though. The university here arranges a yearly lecture in his memory. Even a few days ago, former British prime minister John Major delivered a speech on the occasion. But for some reason, there is no initiative to preserve the house.

Glamorgan County Cricket Club have awarded a Benefit in 2002 to Adrian Dale, the county’s vice captain.Dale, 32, made his Glamorgan debut in 1989, was capped in 1992, and has since scored close to 10,000 first class runs for the Welsh county and taken nearly 200 wickets for the county, being a key member of the Club’s Championship-winning side in 1997. He has also played in over 250 one-day matches for Glamorgan, helping the team win the AXA Equity and Law League title in 1993 and to reach the Benson and Hedges Cup Final last June. He toured South Africa with England ‘A’ in 1993/94 and was appointed Glamorgan Vice Captain during last winter, leading the side in Steve James’s absence for the opening two games of this season.”It doesn’t seem too long ago that I was starting out at Glamorgan, but throughout my playing career I’ve been fortunate not only to have played with some fine cricketers and experienced some real highs with the team but to have made some great friends along the way. I know that Benefit years can be difficult for players but I have an excellent Benefit Chairman in HowardGadd and it’s a challenge I shall look forward to with some relish. I’ve been privileged to play for Glamorgan and I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded a Benefit. I’m very grateful indeed to the Committee for granting it to me.”Glamorgan Chairman Gerard Elias QC said: “Adrian Dale has been a cornerstone of the Glamorgan side in all forms of cricket since he made his debut twelve seasons ago and he has been one of our most reliable players throughout his career with us. Indeed, through the work he has undertaken in our marketing department these last two winters he has proved himself thoroughlycommitted to Glamorgan off the field as well, working hard to promote the Club in any way possible. Adrian thoroughly merits the award of a Benefit, which the Committee had no hesitation in granting. He’s been a fine cricketer for Glamorgan, enjoying a number of personal and team highlights, and we hope the public in Wales will take the opportunity to show their appreciation next year.”

Sussex’s acting skipper James Kirtley led from the front with four wickets as his side eased to their first CricInfo Championship win of the season by an emphatic 162 runs against Nottinghamshire at Hove.Kirtley took 4-65 while there were also four wickets for new ball partner Jason Lewry to give him 9-160 in the match as Notts, chasing 371 to win, were bowled out for 208.Sussex were in the driving seat by lunch having reduced Notts to 45-3. Kirtley removed Guy Welton and Usman Afzaal while Lewry accounted for Darren Bicknell.Kirtley struck again when he took the key wicket of Greg Blewett with the first ball after lunch when the Australian gloved a catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Notts were soon reeling at 67-6 when Kevin Pietersen was caught behind off Lewry and Chris Read lbw to Kirtley offering no shot.Veteran Paul Johnson staged a brief recovery in partnership with Paul Franks, the seventh wicket pair putting on 63 in 17 overs before Robin Martin-Jenkins struck in successive overs to remove Franks and then Gareth Clough leg before.Johnson duly went to his second fifty of the match and finished on an unbeaten 88 from 126 balls with 14 fours, but Sussex wrapped up victory 35 minutes after tea when David Millns was leg before to Lewry offering no shot and Smith bowled by Lewry’s inswinger after an entertaining last wicket partnership of 52 in eight overs with the impressive Johnson.Earlier Sussex had batted on for an hour in the morning before declaring on 298-8 with a lead of 370. South African Smith took two more wickets to finish with 5-37 and a match haul of 10-101.

The second edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to begin on January 17 next year, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed. The inaugural edition, played from February 10 to February 29, 2012, was won by Dhaka Gladiators.The franchise auction will be held on November 9 this year, and the players’ auction will follow it, on December 7.Apart from the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur and the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna will host BPL matches. Two more stadiums – the Sylhet Divisional Stadium and the Shahid Kamaruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi – will host the warm-up games.There would be three categories of players to be auctioned. ‘Golden’ category players would have a base price of US$75,000, the foreign cricketers would have base prices ranging from $50,000 to $15,000, and the local players will have base prices ranging from $30,000 to $10,000.The second edition of the BPL will be without icon players. Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Alok Kapali were the icon players in the 2012 BPL.

It was a day of mixed fortunes for New South Wales on day one of the important Pura Cup match against Queensland here at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.After a slow and shaky start, the Blues cranked up the run scoring in the afternoon, thanks to a superb second wicket partnership between Michael Bevan (111) andGreg Mail (71), who together built a solid stand of 174 runs off 389 balls. In the process, they lifted the Blues out of the doldrums and helped their side to the morethan respectable scoreline of 4/287 by the end of the day.The innings did not get off to an auspicious start After captain Shane Lee had won the toss and decided that his team would bat, the Blues lost Brett van Deinsen (1)to Adam Dale’s first ball of the match. Things always looked awkward from that point until lunch. Bevan and Mail were cautious and batted in uninspiring fashion.Both concentrated on survival and sturdy defence; there was accordingly a lack of flair in their strokeplay and, at times, both looked very heavy-footed.By lunch, the Blues had crawled to 1/46 and it looked as though it was going to be a very slow day’s cricket. Thankfully, looks can sometimes be deceptive and thenew session brought with it a totally new attitude.The first fifty runs of the innings were accumulated off 179 balls. But matters soon changed; the second half century came in ninety balls and the third was struck offjust seventy-six.Within minutes of taking the field after lunch, they launched an assault on the scoreboard, helping themselves to fifty-three runs from the first sixteen overs upon theresumption. The Bulls were suddenly struggling to contain the flow of runs and, for one of the few times in recent memory in first-class cricket, their game began tounravel. Bevan was dropped by Jimmy Maher from the very next delivery after he had registered a half century of his own.True to lore, he punished the Queenslanders for the error in an innings that spanned 197 deliveries and was punctuated by ten fours and three sixes. He looked atouch unlucky to fall to a low catch at mid on by Scott O’Leary; even exhaustive television replays failing to fully eliminate doubt about the complete validity of thedismissal.Mail lived through a close call that almost saw him run out in the thirty-sixth over but was eventually trapped on his crease by a quick delivery from Andy Bichel inthe day’s final session.Michael Clarke (0) came in and promptly fell to a beautiful darting ball from Dale that pitched just outside leg stump, straightened, and ensured that his stay wasneither long nor productive.Upon Clarke’s downfall, Mark Higgs (60*) patiently took twenty-two balls to open his account, but celebrated breaking the shackles in style by blasting a fourthrough the covers. It was the start of an enjoyable exhibition which netted the powerful batsman a maiden first-class fifty against the gloomy backdrop of rain cloudswhich were gathering to the east.Spectators waiting for one-day international star Andrew Symonds to take the ball were finally rewarded at the end of the day – albeit with only five overs remaining.It seemed that Bulls captain Stuart Law was going to persist with the exclusive use of his four specialist bowlers, – Bichel, Dale, Joe Dawes and O’Leary – and to pinhis hopes on the three pacemen and the off spinner to do the job.Symonds, in his three overs, conceded six runs and was not particularly inspiring. But, given the Bulls’ relative lack of success in the field today, it might well be thathe sees more action at the bowling crease tomorrow.By the end of the day, New South Wales had clearly assumed the honours, albeit that Lee might well need to make a delicate decision as to how long he extends theinningsThe Queenslanders, on the other hand, will need to produce some more penetration tomorrow if they are to successfully go about preserving top spot on the PuraCup table and limit some of the damage that Bevan, Mail and Higgs wrought upon them today.