Most of the West Indies players invited to the regional training camp ahead of the upcoming three-Test tour to Australia have made themselves available for the tour. has been reliably informed that the majority of the 30-man training squad called up for the tour signed their letters of invitation before yesterday’s 5pm deadline for accepting the invitation of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). This has come amid ongoing negotiations between the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) which began only a few days before yesterday’s deadline.Among the players expected to sign the contracts are fast bowlers Pedro Collins and Fidel Edwards. Over the weekend, a story in the reported that the pair had accepted the invitation for the training camp, and had decided they would sign the match/tour contracts “even if there is no resolution”.Although a source close to the negotiations between the parties was quoted as saying that Collins and Edwards had indicated they had “accepted the invitation and never indicated they would sign the match/tour contracts”, a report from the confirmed they would sign if selected.”I’m not sure who the source is and who’s speaking, but I want to make it clear I stand by the report,” the quoted Collins as saying. “Cricket is important to us as a people. The Caribbean will be on show during World Cup 2007 and we will do all in our power to ensure that West Indies put on a good show. This means preparations have to start from now as we need to field the best team possible.”When contacted yesterday WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine, although refusing to comment on negotiations between his association and the board, said the players would be making themselves available for the camp.The parties have been at loggerheads since November last year over players’ endorsements and match/tour contracts, which have affected each tour involving West Indies. The worst affected was the recent tour to Sri Lanka, where an under-strength team toured the subcontinent after only three of the 15 players called up by the WICB – including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the captain – accepted the invitation.The one-week training camp is due to start on Saturday at the Three W’s Oval at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. The Australian tour begins on October 27.The 30 invited players
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Denesh Ramdin, Daren Ganga, Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Dave Mohammed, Sylvester Joseph, Ryan Hinds, Runako Morton, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith, Devon Smith, Narsingh Deonarine, Carlton Baugh Jr, Omari Banks, Xavier Marshall, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best, Fidel Edwards, Ian Bradshaw, Deighton Butler, Daren Powell, Dwight Washington, Jerome Taylor.

Michael Kasprowicz believes West Indies’ unknown fast-bowling contingent might spring a surprise this month. Kasprowicz, the Queensland fast bowler who was left out of both Super Series squads after the Ashes, said he was looking forward to seeing the tourists during Thursday’s four-day tour-match at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.”We hear that there’s a lot of pace with their bowlers,” he told . “They’re a little shorter than what the West Indian teams of the past have been. Everyone’s pretty keen to see what their bowling will contain for the [Test] series. They’re coming into the games sight unseen and they could provide some impact.”West Indies face a tough workout against a Queensland side boasting eight players with international experience, including Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson. The opposition is only one problem for Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who believes the squad needed another tour match before the first Test at the Gabba on November 3.Chanderpaul plans to name a full-strength side for the warm-up fixture, but will wait until shortly before the match to finalise the line-up. “We want everybody to have a go and there is [only] one game before the Test match,” he said. “You want everybody to have a shot at it and a little bit of time before the game.”Giving the bowlers a lengthy run will be a crucial goal for West Indies, but showers and storms have been predicted for Brisbane on Thursday. “We have a bunch of young fast bowlers who are pretty sharp so it’s a good group of guys to pick from,” he said. “Fidel Edwards is pretty sharp. He bowls at over 90mph and he’s also a wicket taker along with Jermaine Lawson. Tino Best is pretty sharp and also takes wickets. Corey [Collymore] is one of our best bowlers.”Queensland squad Jimmy Maher (capt), Matthew Hayden, Martin Love, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Chris Hartley, Chris Simpson, Andrew Bichel, Ryan Le Loux, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Kasprowicz.West Indies squad Shivnarine Chanderpaul (capt), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Tino Best, Fidel Edwards, Jermaine Lawson, Daren Powell, Corey Collymore, Marlon Samuels.

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, says the inclusion of four fast bowlers and five spinners in Pakistan’s 16-man squad is designed to give Pakistan’s bowling as many options as possible as the series against England draws closer.In pointing out the squad was varied enough to be suitable for all types of pitches, Woolmer told , “We’ve picked a very strong squad and we’ve been preparing well for the series. But it remains to be seen how we perform under pressure and how the players respond to that pressure. They have been focusing hard for this series.”But he played down continuing suggestions that a decision to make spinning wickets – given the presence of Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan and Mushtaq Ahmed – had already been taken. Woolmer said, “The truth is that we can talk to the groundsmen and tell them what sort of pitches we would like but we can’t tell them what to prepare. It is their decision.”Woolmer also spoke of the decision to pick only one specialist opener – Salman Butt – in the squad. Despite having trialed nine different partnerships in ten Tests since taking over, Woolmer said, “We aim to give a pair a long run in the series. We’ll go with two openers and then allow them proper chances to seize the opportunity. We don’t want to confuse this issue in this series. We will not experiment in this series. We want to go with two openers and give them a proper run.”We want to give a decent run to the openers. We want to give them confidence. Because it is toughest facing the new ball. If we can find a stable partnership in this series than we are on the road to overcoming this problem,” he added. “Definitely we need a stable pair in this series because they have a good new ball attack.”Woolmer added that the issue of substitutes, which attracted increasing attention and condemnation from Australia as the Ashes progressed, was unlikely to be as contentious as issue here. England’s `tactics’ of letting their fast bowlers go off the field immediately after long spells, as well as irking Ricky Ponting, prompted Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, to call for clearer definitions of what is acceptable in the usage of substitutes.Woolmer, however, disagreed with Ponting, saying he felt, “England were within their rights to depute fielders when necessary. I think it is natural that during a match, because of the heat and sweat, players want to come out for a change of shirts or for a call of nature. It is not a big issue with us.”Meanwhile, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan captain, has said his side won’t be under any extra pressure given the strength of this English side. “Why should we be under pressure? I don’t see any reason for that; we are a good team and we’ll be proving it against England,” Inzamam told APP.Inzamam added, “If someone thinks that we are the weaker side and are under pressure, then it isn’t wise or fair. I’ve pinned a lot of expectations on my side and I’m fully confident they can respond to that.”

thatChappellOn the Dravid situationWe would love him to play, and are still hopeful. He sounded pretty good last night when I spoke to him, but then things got worse. I don’t like to think of worst-case situations, but we have good back-up within the squad.On Kumble’s 100th TestHe’s not only one of the greatest that India has produced, but one of greats – a much under-rated bowler. He’s a great competitor and has terrific control. He hardly bowled a bad ball right through the match in Delhi. He has very subtle variations and is not a great turner of the ball, which is probably why he’s so under-rated. He has both consistency and persistence. When I was playing, Dennis Lillee was a great competitor. Anil is right up there with him.On the pitchIt looks pretty good. There’ll be some runs in it. It’ll be a battle of wits much like the Delhi game was. Whoever has more patience will do well, whether that’s batsmen or bowlers.On the team approach to the game, leading 1-0 in the seriesI’ve never been happy to sit on a lead. We’ll go out there and play positive cricket, and try to win every Test we play.On Wasim JafferHe looks good. I’ve never seen him before except for a brief while on TV. He’ll well-organised and has a simple method. I can see him acquitting himself well if and when he’s given the chance.On Murali Kartik going back to play a Ranji Trophy gameThere was no point in him sitting here. It’s better for his career if he gets some match-practice.On the Pathan opening gambitWe decided based on the conditions and circumstances. He has struggled against spin in two previous innings, and we felt that it was a risk that was warranted. On that occasion, it came off. It won’t every time, but when an opportunity presents itself, we might try similar things.I also thought that Rahul Dravid was very bold and brave to take on the task in the first innings. And it was just as courageous of him to come it at No.5 in the second innings. The ball wasn’t coming on, and it wasn’t easy to bat against the soft old ball.On Gambhir’s poor runVery few players go through a career without some lean patches. Almost always, those are the best learning periods, where you find out the most about yourself. Gautam’s been there and done that – he’s scored a Test hundred, and also made a century in ODIs recently. The discussion over whether he should open for us tomorrow should be a short one. We want him to get some runs, and this looks a good track to do it on.On how different the batsmen handled Murali in the second innings at DelhiWe were a lot more positive in the second innings. I heard that he had some problems then, but we also felt that we had allowed him to bowl as he liked in the first innings. But you can’t afford to focus too much on one bowler, though in these conditions, he’s very much the danger man.

Damien Martyn, who missed the past four weeks with a painful finger injury, has been recalled to Western Australia’s squad for the ING Cup match against Queensland on Saturday. Martyn suffered the setback during a one-day game against South Australia and was subsequently ruled out of Australia’s one-day tour of New Zealand.With the side winning the series and the middle order performing strongly, Martyn will face a difficult time reclaiming his place and his international career could be over after he was dropped from the Test side after the Ashes. Martyn has replaced the allrounder David Bandy for the Warriors, who will be captained by Marcus North. North has led the side for the past two Pura Cup games after taking over the leadership role when Justin Langer was absent and Martyn was injured.Western Australia squad Marcus North (capt), Clint Heron, Chris Rogers, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Damien Martyn, Ryan Campbell (wk), Brett Dorey, Beau Casson, Ben Edmondson, Mathew Inness and Steve Magoffin.

Scorecard

India sauntered to an easy 10-wicket win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup as they warmed-up for Wednesday’s final against Sri Lanka in style. As throughout the tournament the Pakistan batting struggled to post any sort of target against a well-drilled Indian attack before Mithali Raj and Rumeli Dhar knocked off the runs inside 18 overs.Pakistan opted to try and post a defendable total but were soon in familiar trouble as the top order were skittled. Sajjida Shah resisted for 65 balls before falling to Varsha Rapheal, who bowled here 10 overs for 22. However, that appeared expensive compared to Devika Palshikar, who finished with the remarkable figures of 3 for 12 from her full complement of overs. Sana Mir produced a brave attempt to edge Pakistan towards three figures with a battling 27, which included three boundaries.But the Indian batting has produced consistent performances throughout the Asia Cup and this time Raj and Dhar eased along at five an over to make short work of the target. Dhar was especially impressive, striking eight fours and a six in her 48-ball 54.Despite losing all their group matches the Pakistan captain, Sana Javed, was still optimistic about the progress her team was making. “We are newcomers to women’s cricket and gained a lot of experience despite losing all four matches.”

Another match, another hundred; such has been Kamran Akmal’s run of recent form. In scoring his fourth Test hundred, he took his tally of centuries to three in his last four Tests. In that time, he has also scored two ODI hundreds as an opener. Arguably, on this pitch with his side teetering at 39 for 6, this was the finest of the lot.Unless he is behind the stumps, Akmal is a man of few words; unassuming, shy even and improbably modest. He dedicated the century to his parents and said later that he rated this innings alongside his maiden Test hundred at Mohali last year, where he saved Pakistan from defeat on the final day. “I just wanted to play to the team’s requirements. The Mohali century was probably my best one but this one is also a very good one because we were in serious trouble at 39 for 6. Thankfully we have managed to make a decent score because of my batting.”As he had done at Mohali, he asserted himself from the very beginning, rarely letting up in his run-scoring or allowing the precariousness of the situation to bog him down. “Inzi just said to go out and play positively and play your shots that was all. That was what I did and it worked.”By the time he walked out to bat in the 10th over of the morning, six batsmen had gone, in unequal parts to good seam bowling and poor shot selection. Akmal refused to blame the batting and instead chose to praise the Indian seamers. “The batting wasn’t that irresponsible and I don’t think any of the shots were poor ones. It’s just that the bowling was excellent before lunch. Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan both bowled very well and did exactly what was required on this pitch and I would like to congratulate Irfan on his hat-trick.”And as Pakistan bounded in to take four wickets in the afternoon – Akmal taking two catches – he said the pitch is likely to help the seamers through the match. “I think the wicket will continue to seam throughout. Playing the new ball is quite difficult on the pitch and that will be crucial. The new ball is moving around but once it gets old it doesn’t do too much. But this match is by no means over.”

Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, predicts Australia will play two spinners in Thursday’s first Test in a selection adding pressure to Andrew Symonds’s role as first-change bowler. South Africa’s attack is expected to be dominated by pace and Arthur told he hoped the pitch at Cape Town would suit his seamers Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock.”I don’t think it’s any secret we are looking for wickets with a little bit of grass in it,” Arthur said. “We want to try and negate the Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill factor, so it will be interesting to see what type of deck we actually get here. I do think [Australia will] play two spinners.”Arthur said if the surfaces suited pace and Australia chose both slow men it would increase Symonds’s workload. “It will be quite interesting because then that third seamer will become really important,” he said. “That will be a very interesting selection.”Symonds bowled well against South Africa in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests during Australia’s 2-0 series win, but he is still inexperienced as an international allrounder with only eight wickets in seven matches.Arthur raised an eyebrow when the Australia selectors sent Nathan Bracken home after the one-day series and opted for the bowling options of Michael Kasprowicz, Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait behind Brett Lee. “I really think Bracken is a good bowler,” Arthur said.”That actually surprises us.”When Arthur was asked if the one-wicket loss on Sunday would rock Australia’s Test preparations he said: “I think it could. [But] whenever we seem to have Australia down they come back fighting. It is a very, very tough side to beat.”

Michael Kasprowicz knows he doesn’t have a crystal ball. But with his confidence lifted after playing his first Test in seven months, he has rearranged his winter to give himself the best preparation for a potential Ashes contest.Dropped during last winter’s 2-1 loss to England, Kasprowicz returned for the first Test against South Africa and was a steady performer behind Brett Lee and Stuart Clark with 2 for 44 and 1 for 39 in the seven-wicket win. “It’s only natural that it’s going to feel good after a three-day Test match,” Kasprowicz told . “I’ve always spent my whole career being just in or just out of the side and I enjoyed being part of the side.”Kasprowicz’s experience was called for when Glenn McGrath was ruled out of the tour and the change in circumstances forced him to cut his northern summer county contract with Glamorgan. “By coming on this tour, then having the winter at home and training hard it will give me the best opportunity to be at my best for the start of the next season,” he said. “Whether that’s playing for Australia or whether it’s just for Queensland, I can’t see in the future. It’s something that I stewed over a lot, and having a good relationship with Glamorgan after a couple of good seasons there, I didn’t want to let anyone down.”The Ashes series has become a heavy topic of discussion despite the side preparing for the second Test at Durban on Friday. Ricky Ponting spoke about the series on radio during the week and Kasprowicz’s plans changed with next season in mind and without advice from the national selectors.”I don’t have a crystal ball and I have no idea what the future holds as far as Glenn is concerned either, but while I’m here and getting a game I’m certainly going to have fun,” he said. “With all the bowlers coming in there is always great respect for one another and for the guys in the team. You know there are blokes working hard to get in the side, which makes you work twice as hard to stay in there.”Shaun Pollock is set to prove his fitness from a back injury for the second Test and Kasprowicz said his recovery would be “huge bonus” for South Africa as they try to stay in the series. Peter Pollock, Shaun’s father, said his son was ready to play.”He has been at home having a lot of treatment with his personal physiotherapist working on the problem,” Peter Pollock said. “He is very confident of playing. I’m sure he will be right to go.”

Former England captain Tony Greig has accused the Australians of the worst sledging he has come across during the second Test at Durban earlier this week.”I have never heard anything like it,” Greig told a lunch at a Johannesburg cricket club on Wednesday. “I thought it might have something to do with the fact that we had a very, very good stump mic. We turned that stump mic up and we could hear every word out in the centre and it was unbelievable. It really was absolutely unbelievable. The Aussies love it.”The Test, which Australia won, contained several moments of controversy. It is reported in South Africa that the home side are considering an approach to the ICC regarding the handling of the bad-light issue in the final session, while it is also claimed that the ICC might be considering disciplinary action against Andre Nel after his outburst on the fourth evening.”The whole thing is getting out of hand,” Greig continued. “The time has seriously come for the authorities in the game to start to rethink the question of what players are allowed to say on the field.” He added that the broadcasters had to turn down the volume on the stump microphones after concerns about what was being said.