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Michael Kasprowicz celebrates© Getty Images

Australia completed a thoroughly convincing 217-run victory three-quarters of an hour into the afternoon session on the fifth day of the Bangalore Test. An entertaining ninth-wicket stand between Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan delayed the inevitable, but with the skies completely clear, India were never in with a realistic chance of salvaging anything from the game.The match was decided in the last session yesterday when the Indian top order collapsed, and with just four wickets remaining when play started today, only the last rites remained. Harbhajan and Pathan threw caution to the wind in a stand of 89 to give the Sunday crowd a lot to cheer. Both went about dismantling Shane Warne, halting his march towards the world record. Warne went wicketless all morning and will have to wait for the Chennai Test to get another chance to overtake Muttiah Muralitharan.At the start of the day, though, the Indians waged a grim battle. Rahul Dravid faced only Warne while Pathan kept out Kasprowicz at the other end. The only scoring shots in the first 12 overs were Dravid’s two fours off Warne and, like last evening, he refused the singles. Pathan survived a large dose of fortune in the sixth over of the morning, edging an attempted drive off Kasprowicz, as Michael Clarke grassed a tough chance diving to his left at second slip. The rest of the time, though, Pathan got behind the line of the ball and blocked confidently.The Australians did their bit to break up the rhythm of the morning and Adam Gilchrist’s juggling of bowlers and ends finally paid off when Kasprowicz nailed Dravid in the 14th over of the day. The ball pitched outside off, cut back in and trapped him lbw for 60 (7 for 118).With Dravid gone, the tailenders played with unrestrained freedom and delayed the inevitable by a few hours. Pathan blasted two massive sixes over midwicket as he shimmied down the track, the second of which was taken brilliantly on the pavilion balcony as one of the spectators leant over the railings and clung on. He also pulled off some delicate sweeps and smart nudges and padded away a few balls from Warne with calm authority.

Shane Warne and Michael Clarke: one Australian sensation gives another a lift© Getty Images

Harbhajan joined in the fun by slog-sweeping Warne over midwicket and the pair added 72 rapidly before lunch, and went on to break the record for the highest ninth-wicket stand for India against Australia.Jason Gillespie ended the revelry a few overs after lunch, soon after the new ball was taken, as Pathan (55) played back to one that pitched on a good length. The ball kissed the outside edge and Adam Gilchrist did the rest (9 for 214). Harbhajan swished around a little longer, hitting a ball off McGrath that landed inches in front of the extra-cover fence, before a top-edged hook went straight to long leg.The batsmen were also largely helped by the attacking fields that Australians set, with a number of men in the catching zones, and there were a few edges that landed in vacant regions. That was the only time in the game when the Australians didn’t mind conceding a few easy runs, as they had choked the rest of the batsmen with a disciplined approach.

Michael Kasprowicz got the early breakthrough, trapping Rahul Dravid lbw© Getty Images

Glenn McGrath carried on from where he had left off in the tour game in Mumbai, and was near-impossible to score off, while Michael Kasprowicz’s ability to vary seam, length and pace left several batsmen clueless. The Australians religiously practiced bowling at one stump before the start of each day’s play and that was exactly the line that they consistently achieved throughout the game.The batting in the first innings had helped Australia seize the initiative as Clarke, Gilchrist and Simon Katich handled the spinners with ease. They didn’t find it as easy in the second innings, though, with Harbhajan teasing them with a magnificent spell. That, apart from the lower-order batting, is something that India will take with them to Chennai. The other departments, though, need some serious oiling. These may be early days yet, but Bill Lawry’s team of 1969-70 may just be shuffling in their seats.

The bat Don Bradman used during one of his final first-class centuries on Australian soil has been bought for $18,000.The bat was sold to a British collector bidding by phone at an auction in Sydney over the weekend. It had been expected to fetch $20,000.Bradman used the bat for an Australian XI against Western Australia at the Waca in March 1948. The match was staged before his 1948 Invincibles side boarded the boat to England and Bradman made 115.It was not, however, his last hundred in Australia. That came nine months later, for Bradman’s XI against Hassett’s XI, when he came out of retirement to hit 123 at the MCG.

At Montgomery Primary School in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, current England and Warwickshire CCC player Nick Knight today launched an inventive new scheme intended to provide a major boost to school sport.In a move aimed at improving the provision of PE and sport in schools and making children more active, thereby helping to counter the unprecedented rise in child obesity, innovative playground markings were unveiled which will not only encourage boys and girls to play more sport in their breaks but, importantly, to help teachers better deliver PE lessons to their pupils.Making the long overdue step from old-fashioned chalk marks on playground walls, these new brightly-coloured, multi-faceted markings will allow matches and training for a variety of sports – including cricket, football, netball and hockey – catering for a wide-range of sporting tastes.Numbered targets will also help with numeracy skills while the layout of the targets within the playground will facilitate more organised practice sessions.It is hoped that these imaginative markings, devised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and implemented by Highway Safety Systems Ltd (HSS), will be replicated at schools throughout the country.David Leighton, ECB Primary Schools Development Manager, said, The ECB and HSS aim to encourage Local Education Authorities and Head Teachers throughout the country to adopt the markings in a bid to encourage greater activity in school break-times and better use of existing school outdoor spaces.In-Service Training is offered by the ECB, free of charge, to teachers at the schools that implement the playground markings.

Kent’s bid to claim the CricInfo Championship runners-up slot moved a step closer as they dominated the opening day of their match with reigning champions Surrey in sunny Canterbury.Surrey, hampered by the loss of five first-choice stars through injury and Test calls, were dismissed for 255 having been reduced to 95 for six after electing to bat first in seemingly ideal conditions.Kent replied late in the day through in-form openers David Fulton and Rob Key, who scored 18 apiece without due alarm to see the hosts through to the close on 43 without loss after 16 overs.The first session had undoubtedly belonged to Kent’s seamers and their leading wicket-taker Martin Saggers in particular, who claimed his 50th Championship wicket of the campaign in breaking a stubborn, if unspectacular opening stand of 31 between Michael Carberry and Ian Ward.Saggers sent back Carberry and Nadeem Shahid in the space of four balls in the 11th over of the day, then struck again in his next over to have Adam Hollioake caught at slip by Fulton, for the second of his three catches.Alistair Brown failed to trouble the scorers to make it 42 for four, but Ward teamed up with Ben Hollioake to all but double the score before Hollioake became Martin McCague’s first Championship wicket of the summer.Ward also went before lunch, chipping a catch to square leg, leaving the hosts in a good mood at the interval.To their credit, Surrey re-grouped in the second session as top-scorer Martin Bicknell (78) featured in stands of 64 and 74 with Jonathan Batty and Ian Salisbury.But the tail fell away once Andrew Symonds trapped Bicknell leg before, to give the Australian three for 35 while Saggers polished off the job with the scalp of Saqlain Mushtaq to record figures of four for 58.

Manchester United are now “pushing” to sign an “incredible” player worth as much as £65m in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Amorim: Man Utd "kids feel entitled"

Whilst Man United are in the best form they’ve ever been in under Ruben Amorim – losing once in their last 10 games – the former Sporting CP boss is still at the centre of much controversy.

Last week, Amorim stole the headlines after name-dropping Harry Amass, Chido Obi and Kobbie Mainoo in a shock rant in defence of how he used Man United’s youngest stars.

A week later, after plenty of time to reflect and plenty of opinions sent his way in different forms, the Man United boss has doubled down – claiming that the club’s “kids feel entitled”.

The debate was sparked by Mainoo’s brother, Jordan, who wore a “free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt at Old Trafford as Man United and Bournemouth played out a frantic 4-4 draw on Monday. Whether that plays a part in the midfielder’s future amid links to the likes of Chelsea and Bayern Munich remains to be seen, however.

Instead, much of Man United’s future will be on winning a transfer race of their own. According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United are “pushing” to sign Antoine Semenyo after holding “direct talks” ahead of the January transfer window.

Man Utd "pushing" to sign Semenyo

An impatient queue has been forming ever since it emerged that Semenyo has a release clause worth £65m in his current Bournemouth contract.

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Liverpool, Manchester City, Man United and Tottenham Hotspur are all making moves in an attempt to sign the winger and the Red Devils have now reportedly held talks. Things could move fast, with Romano revealing that Semenyo’s release clause must be triggered before January 10.

It’s easy to see why so many clubs are chasing the 25-year-old’s signature. Bournemouth teammate Justin Kluivert dubbed Semenyo “incredible” back in October and has since watched on as the forward has scored seven Premier League goals in 15 games.

Subscribe to our newsletter for inside transfer and football coverage Get deeper transfer analysis—subscribe to our newsletter for clear breakdowns of Man United’s pursuit, Semenyo links and the wider Premier League transfer picture, plus expert context that adds value to what you just read. Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter for inside transfer and football coverage Get deeper transfer analysis—subscribe to our newsletter for clear breakdowns of Man United’s pursuit, Semenyo links and the wider Premier League transfer picture, plus expert context that adds value to what you just read.

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Amorim is also reportedly a huge fan, ticking another crucial box for INEOS and they should do everything to win what is likely to be the most frantic race of the winter window.

	Chris Rogers is now a Victoria player © Getty Images

Chris Rogers has confirmed he will play for Victoria in 2008-09, ending days of speculation after he left Western Australia and was chased by the Bushrangers, South Australia and Queensland. The announcement completes an eventful week for Rogers, who was axed from Cricket Australia’s 25-man squad of contracted players on Wednesday.Rogers left the Warriors because he felt “stale” after a decade in Perth. He was also frustrated by the lack of opportunities he was given in their one-day side, which contributed to him losing his national contract as he was considered a Test-only player.”The decision to leave the WACA and my home town of Perth was not one I made lightly,” Rogers said. “I have many fond memories of my time there and wish to thank all those who have helped me achieve what I have so far in my career.”Equally, I’m looking forward to a fresh start with Victoria. They’ve proved they’re a quality side in making each of the three interstate finals and I’m really keen to make a strong contribution to the top order, and more generally within the squad. I feel I have plenty to offer the Bushrangers and will also be doing my best to create further opportunities with the Australian team.”Rogers, 30, made his Test debut at the WACA in January, scoring 4 and 15. He finished the Pura Cup season with 744 runs at 43.76 in 2007-08, a year after compiling an imposing 1202 runs at 70.70. However, the national selectors chose only two specialist openers in their squad for the next year, Phil Jaques and Matthew Hayden, and they believe other contracted players like Simon Katich, Shaun Marsh and Brad Hodge could also step into the role.Rogers, who is in England preparing for a county season with Derbyshire, adds significant strength to Victoria’s top order. The Bushrangers lost the Pura Cup final to New South Wales and their opening combination was the least stable part of the side all summer.Cameron White, the Victoria captain, said Rogers would be a valuable addition. “The top of the order in four-day cricket is somewhere we’ve probably struggled to find some consistency,” White said. “Hopefully he would give us that. He’s a player that’s played Test cricket for Australia now, he’s a proven player.”David Hussey, one of the state’s middle-order stars, described Rogers as a “classy batsman”. “[He is a] quality player, quality bloke,” Hussey said, “and would fit into our culture perfectly.”

Brian Lara: will he take the field at Guyana?© Getty Images

Brian Lara has said that he is ready to continue playing for the national side provided the West Indian board re-selects the squad for the first Test against South Africa and chooses the best team with an assurance from parties. Lara, and six others, had earlier been excluded from the squad for the Guyana Test owing to the sponsorship row between Digicel, the team sponsors, and Cable & Wireless, the players’ sponsors.According to a Press Trust of India report, in a letter to Roger Braithwaite, the Chief Executive Officer of West Indies Cricket Board, Lara said: “In the circumstances, where neither my loyalty to the players nor my loyalty to West Indies cricket can be denied, I confirm that I am ready, willing and able to continue participating in West Indies cricket, provided that, even at this late stage, the best team will be selected with an assurance from all of the parties that the outstanding issues would be brought to the table and discussed.”The exclusion of the talismanic Lara from the squad sent shock waves around the West Indies and even several South African players hoped for the issue to be settled at the earlier and the best team to be selected. Lara continued: “I would also like to see an amicable resolution to the outstanding issues in an atmosphere of mutual compromise and respect, which would all redound to uplifting the morale and pride of the West Indian people who are passionate about the sport.”The West Indies Players’ Association also backed Lara’s stand and the president, Dinanath Ramnarine, said, “WIPA strongly deprecates the manner in which the Board issued an invitation to Brian Lara to make himself available for selection to the squad for the first Test match.”

Virender Sehwag was advised to refrain from taking board-related matters to the media © Getty Images

The BCCI today played down the warning it had issued to Virender Sehwag, explaining that it was more of an `advice’ rather than a `warning’. The board was responding to widespread criticism that it was trying to gag the players.”It is a warning. Advice is part of the warning”, Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, told PTI. “How can you call it a media gag on players? It is only a policy decision by the board that the players other than the captain, cannot talk about other players, selection and board policies. The matter is closed.”Sehwag, in a recent interview to PTI, had said that the team often missed Sourav Ganguly’s presence in the side, even as he conceded that it is the prerogative of the board and the selectors to decide on the former captain’s future. On the topic of player burn-out, Sehwag stated that the matter had been raised by Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain, with Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, during the tour of Pakistan earlier this year.Sehwag had telephoned Shah seeking permission to take his wife along on the upcoming tour to the West Indies, which was granted. Shah then advised Sehwag to refrain from speaking to the media regarding board policies and selection issues and instead communicate directly with the board without hesitation.He said, “If he (Sehwag) had some problem he and the other players need only to sit across the table with us and sort it out. Why go to the media? Why drag Dravid’s name and say they had a discussion with the board president? These are internal matters.”Does he go to the media when he wants an increase in TA/DA or players’ fees?” he asked.The BCCI has been firm on its instructions to Indian players on speaking on sensitive topics, which began during the Ganguly-Greg Chappell spat last September. Harbhajan Singh was the first player to voice his opinion on the issue, speaking out in support of Ganguly, following which the board took swift action. The board also imposed restrictions on the players regarding writing columns for newspapers and other publications – only the captain, coach and manager have permission to do so.Referring to the player burn-out issue, Shah explained that India was in no way violating the ICC’s new Future Tours Programme. “Playing against India at home or here means big money for the other cricket boards”, he said. “That’s the naked truth and we need to help them.”

Michael Clarke: set to make his long-awaited Test debut© Getty Images

As Sourav Ganguly and Adam Gilchrist exchanged pleasantries after theunveiling of the TVS Cup, with the incongruous Star Wars theme blaring in thebackground, it was difficult to escape the impression that theintensity and gamesmanship might come down a notch in the absence ofStephen Rodger Waugh. But while you might see a little less lip out inthe middle, it’s impossible to overstate how much this rivalry nowmeans to both sides.Despite Gilchrist cleverly negating ideas of final frontiers andcrossings, the fact is that any team with legitimate aspirations to beranked on par with Clive Lloyd’s West Indians and Don Bradman’sAustralians has to win against India in India. Only two teams havemanaged that since Mike Gatting came and had a few too many prawns in1984-85. They are Imran Khan’s Pakistan, who edged a thriller at this veryground in 1986-87, and Hansie Cronje’s South Africans, who crushedIndia at Mumbai and Bangalore in 1999-2000, only to have the veneer ofgreatness scratched away by the match-fixing scandal that followed.India haven’t enjoyed playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in recenttimes, with two defeats and a draw in three matches played since 1998.Michael Kasprowicz, who will be a key performer tomorrow, stopped thein-form Sachin Tendulkar in his tracks that March duringa magnificent spell of 5 for 28, and two years later, it was theinnocuous left-arm spin of Nicky Boje that sent India hurtling todefeat in Mohammad Azharuddin’s 99th and final Test.Australia will enjoy the temperate weather, and despite JohnBuchanan’s initial alarm on seeing the playing surface, they shouldn’tbe too put out by the pitch. As hard and flat as a concreteslab, with every blade of grass hacked away, you could mistake it forthe Atacama in the heat of summer. But, having been rolled to extremeflatness, it’s unlikely to crumble until at least the fourthafternoon.There has been much talk of how the pitch will abet the efforts of AnilKumble, who needs just three more wickets for 400, and Harbhajan Singh,but it seems extremely foolish to ignore the legend that is ShaneWarne. Neither captain was asked a question about Warne, and such a slightcould be just the inspiration that the man nicknamed Hollywood needs toscript a blockbuster.

Irfan Pathan: will need to operate at his maximum potential for India© Getty Images

Lest it be forgotten, Rahul Dravid’s pedigree was questioned by someafter his first innings failure at Brisbane last December, largely owing to the fact that his previous tour of Australia had producedjust 93 runs in three Tests. Like Dravid, Warne has too much in hislocker to keep failing in conditions that will suit him.Yesterday, Warne was quoted as saying that Brian Lara was thethird-best batsman in the world, after Sachin Tendulkar and daylight.And the absence of India’s little big man could be a big factor in theoutcome of this match, and the series. India will not only missTendulkar’s batting, but also the legspin that accounted for crucialtop-order wickets in the famous victories at Kolkata and Adelaide. Moreimportantly, they will miss Tendulkar the icon, whose presence on theteamsheet demoralises the opposition, and Tendulkar the team-man, whosearm around the shoulder can galvanise a Harbhajan or a ZaheerKhan.By contrast, Australia have few worries. Michael Clarke will make hislong-awaited debut, despite the stray whisper that Shane Watson mighthave a role to play. And Brett Lee, a familiar presence in Indianadvertising campaigns, will surely be off-camera, with Glenn McGrath,Jason Gillespie and Kasprowicz providing a formidable pace array forGilchrist to employ. Though Kasprowicz joked yesterday about how he wasprepared for five days of back-breaking effort, there’s no doubt thatthe abrasive surface will delight bowlers who are adept atreverse-swinging a scuffed-up ball.India will need both Zaheer and Irfan Pathan to operate atmaximum potential against a line-up that appears far more balanced thanthe one that played in 2001. Simon Katich, Darren Lehmann, DamienMartyn and Clarke all play the turning ball with assurance, whileMatthew Hayden – unless he can be undone by some early movement – presents a mighty initial barrier for India to cross.Australia will undoubtedly target Dravid and VVS Laxman – 965 runs inhis last six Tests against Australia – who have been the linchpins ofthe batting effort even when Tendulkar was in the side. VirenderSehwag’s recent form hasn’t been great, and there’s a perception amongthe Australians that both Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh have weaknesses,against genuine pace and spin respectively, that can be worked on.Ganguly’s stunning century at the Gabba last year made a mockery ofsuch plans, and it’s vital that he leads from the front again withexpectations having been raised to fever-pitch by the 1-1 draw in thatseries. Australia will undoubtedly play smarter cricket this timeround, conscious of how a gung-ho approach cost them at Kolkata in2001, as Gilchrist and gang attempt to go where no Australian teamhas gone since that controversial tour of 1969-70.It might not quite be Star Wars with Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting missing, but the watching world can certainly expect a Close Encounter of theTest-match kind.India (likely) 1 Aakash Chopra, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 VVSLaxman, 5 Sourav Ganguly (capt), 6 Yuvraj Singh, 7 Parthiv Patel (wk),8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Irfan Pathan, 10 Zaheer Khan, 11 Anil Kumble.Australia (likely) 1 Justin Langer, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Simon Katich, 4Damien Martyn, 5 Darren Lehmann, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Adam Gilchrist(capt, wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Jason Gillespie, 10 Michael Kasprowicz, 11Glenn McGrath.

The West Indian selectors have named a 14-man squad for the forthcoming seven-match one-day series against England, only half of whom are currently playing in the Antigua Test.Of the four fast bowlers playing at the Recreation Ground, only one, the economical Corey Collymore, has been retained – Fidel Edwards, Tino Best and Pedro Collins have all been rested. In their places come Merv Dillon for another recall, as well as the Under-19 World Cup finalist, Ravi Rampaul, and the Barbados paceman, Ian Bradshaw.After being dropped from the Test squad, Shivnarine Chanderpaul returns to prop up the batting, although Sylvester Joseph, who took Chanderpaul’s place in the squad, is also retained. Meanwhile, the Trinidadian allrounder, Dwayne Bravo, is set for his international debut.West Indies squad Brian Lara (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Dwayne Smith, Ryan Hinds, Sylvester Joseph, Ridley Jacobs, Dwayne Bravo, Ian Bradshaw, Mervyn Dillon, Ravi Rampaul, Corey Collymore.