The ongoing row between the West Indies board and the players took another twist with a warning from the board’s CEO that the appointment of Bennett King as coach heralded a new era of discipline."I think they will recognise straight away that the people who are in charge have a very different outlook with respect to discipline, fitness, commitment and passion," said Roger Brathwaite. "Those who don’t share that philosophy unfortunately will be told that perhaps they should be doing something else. It is going to be very clear going that if you want to represent the West Indies you have to share these qualities. That will be across the board."The West Indies’ management have been criticised for several years for allowing a culture of indiscipline to go unchecked, but Brathwaite argued that was not the fault of the board. "Whatever was done was to ensure that decisions which were taken were consistent with the board’s code of conduct," he told The Nation newspaper. "That has not changed. The code of conduct has been revised and … it is very clear with what is expected of players and officials."The three-week training camp which was supposed to have started in Barbados today was postponed at the last minute as the dispute over contracts rumbled on. It had been thought that the breakthrough in negotiations last week had freed the way for the pre-tour training to go ahead. Nine of the 25 squad members have signed the new contracts and they have already arrived in Barbados.

They are known in the trade as “Duncan days” – performances so mediocrethat the only man capable of facing the media afterwards is the Englandcoach himself. And true to form, Duncan Fletcher did his best to put apositive spin on a disappointing effort from England’s cricketers, aftertheir batsmen and bowlers had both been given the runaround by a spiritedSouth Africa A side.”It is possible that one or two of our players were a bit ring-rusty,”conceded Fletcher as the day drew to a close, although he was quick topoint out what a good toss it had been to win, because the pitch swung andseamed for the South African bowlers throughout England’s innings. “Theseguys really know where to put the ball, and they managed to keep it movingfor 60 overs, instead of the usual 25.”The new arrivals for the Test series were especially caught out by theconditions, with Mark Butcher, Marcus Trescothick and Graham Thorpe allfailing to reach double figures. “Some individuals could have used theirtime in the middle more effectively,” admitted Fletcher, “althoughhopefully they’ll get another chance later when the wicket has flattenedout.”There were too many soft dismissals,” he added. “But in those conditions,there is no point in sitting around and trying to block, because youaren’t going to get on top of your game, and you’re liable to get outanyway. There was a decision to make – try and dominate or get out fornothing – but it was an important wake-up call for the batsmen. They mustutilise the time out there as effectively as possible.”After some less-than-taxing outings against Zimbabwe and Namibia, Fletcherhad no complaints whatsoever about facing a side that came at Englandhard. But he was also happy that the pitch had flattened out for hisbowlers by the time their turn came in the afternoon session.”I’m glad it is flat for the bowlers,” he explained. “The last thing theyneed now is a pitch that is doing something. That way they get no mileagein their legs, and they can also get fooled about what lengths to bowl.Today was a timely reminder of the disciplines that are required forTest-match cricket.”Andrew Miller is assistant editor of Cricinfo. He will be following England throughout their Test series in South Africa.

In the balmy heat of New Year’s Eve, thousands of revellers thronged the Victoria and Alfred waterfront to celebrate the start of 2005, and as the vast majority would later testify, Cape Town certainly knows how to create a hangover. For these poor unfortunates, the spectacular firework display that marked the arrival of midnight was matched only by the cranial explosions that kicked in roughly 12 hours later, and for an excruciating afternoon, as one lurked in semi-darkness waiting for the bad men to go away, it was briefly possible to take for granted the charms of perhaps the most beautiful city in the world.That indifference doesn’t last for long, however, because if there is one factor that makes Cape Town the sine qua non of New Year venues, it is its unrivalled ability to right the wrongs that it has inflicted. A cooling sea-breeze and a massaging midsummer sun are good starting points; then, once you’ve dared to open your eyes again, there is the opportunity to drink in the breathtaking scenery of the fairest cape; and then maybe, if you’re feeling brave or foolish (or both), you can go for a quick yomp up Table Mountain (or Signal Hill for the less energetic).A far more palatable option, however, is to write off the first of January entirely, and start your year afresh with a day at the cricket on the second. Newlands is a leafy suburb on the flip-side of the city which boasts scenery and sea-breezes in abundance, and with 22 appointed athletes doing all your exercise for you, you can even kid yourself into believing you’ve kept your New Year’s resolutions. It was certainly the preferred option for scores of Capetonians, not to mention a vast throng of English fans, and after the relative lack of interest at Port Elizabeth and (latterly) Durban, a full and enthusiastic house was an uplifting sight to launch the year.Rather like Lord’s, cricket’s other leafy bastion, Newlands is a ground that is aware of its assets, and makes sure that it lives up to its reputation. Admittedly, with Table Mountain seemingly within touching distance, it would have to try particularly hard to be anything other than stunning, but the ground doesn’t just trade on its location. There are none of the lawnmower’s graveyards that were dotted around the fringes of Kingsmead, nor the grim barbed-wired backstreets that were hidden from view at St George’s Park. Aesthetes might grumble about the nearby railway line and the adjoining Castle brewery, but the spectators can hardly complain about the convenience of either. (Well, OK, one or two delicate souls might consider the brewery to be an unpleasantly in-your-face reminder of the weekend’s revelries …)Given that the purpose of this day was primarily medicinal, it is probably just as well that the cricket was hardly edge-of-your-seat stuff. But whatever your state of health, the ground provides something for everyone. On each side of the ground, there are four fabulously appointed pagoda-style stands, with their green roofs and elevated views of the ground, where the spectators lounge beneath canopies (and, given the number of corporate boxes up there, no doubt eat canapés as well).These are offset by the grassy banks beneath the scoreboards at midwicket, where on one side, the Barmy Army take up residence in the shade-free vicinity of the beer tent, and work themselves into a more original voice than they have been demonstrating so far on this trip – to their signature tune of “Everywhere we go …”, they have added one or two new numbers, including the hilarious jibe “You’re Dutch and you know you are.” And sure enough, on the opposite bank lurk the Dutchmen, although given that they have a row of trees to shelter them, a full mountain vista to please them, and a range of tempting braais to whet their taste-buds, it is hard to find fault with their choice of location.

Andre Adams, the New Zealand allrounder, has signed a one-year contract with Essex for the 2005 summer as an overseas player, subject to the approval of the New Zealand board. He played for them in the second half of 2004, first replacing Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, and later the Zimbabwean Scott Brant.This year Kaneria and Adams fill the two overseas berths, though Grant and Andy Flower, who have together played more than 500 internationals for Zimbabwe, are in Essex’s squad as Kolpak players. The Kolpak ruling, which has been in force since 2003, allows anyone with a work permit from a country with an associate trading agreement with the European Union to have the same rights as a European worker.Adams, 29, plays for Auckland in New Zealand, has a highest first-class score of 124, and has taken five five-wicket hauls. “I am looking forward to coming back to Essex after a thoroughly enjoyable few months with the county last year,” he said. “Hopefully I can make a full contribution to turning the club’s fortunes around in 2005.”Ronnie Irani, the Essex captain, was also happy with the signing: “I am absolutely delighted about the re-signing of Andre Adams. He is a player who contributes in every department. He put in some great performances for us last season with both ball and bat as well as consistently awesome fielding displays. His attitude as a senior and overseas player was first class, while always willing to put himself out for others. We look forward to his contributions for a whole season this time.”

Shoaib Akhtar has pulled out of the forthcoming three-match Test series against India. The Press Trust of India reported that he announced: "I aggravated my injury a couple of days ago and now it seems that I will take four to five weeks to recover and play any competitive match."Shoaib has been at the centre of controversy for a while now, with his team-mates reportedly questioning his commitment and the Pakistan Cricket Board fining him. Such controversy will finally cease to hound the Pakistani side, but only until the end of the Test series."I am certainly not a candidate for the Tests," said Shoaib, "but if I recover by the time the one-day series begins, I will inform the Cricket Board. They can then select me if they feel the team requires me." He added that the main reason for his withdrawal was that he did not want to risk a mid-series breakdown, like the one he had undergone against Australia.Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s captain, said that Shoaib’s absence would be a loss for the team. "It’s a terrible blow for us," he said, "because it’s difficult to go on a tough tour like India without your premier bowler. But I think Shoaib is at a stage in his career where he is the best judge of his fitness. I hope he makes speedy recovery and makes himself available soon."

ScorecardWestern Australia fell short of a target of 497 after a heroic run-chase engineered by Justin Langer and Murray Goodwin and nearly pulled off by Shaun Marsh. They fell short of the target set by South Australia by only 42 runs at the WACA.Beginning the day with his team at 1 for 41, Langer attacked the bowling fiercely and was supported by Goodwin. At lunch, WA were 1 for 171. They were seperated with the score on 202, when Langer top-edged a sweep off Daniel Cullin. Goodwin fell a little later, edging to the wicketkeeper (4 for 273). Marsh and Adam Voges prevented further damage until tea. However, when Darren Lehmann took the new ball after tea, Voges fell, beginning a steady procession of batsmen who came and went. Marsh soldiered to a century which contained 15 fours – and was fortunate to be granted a life on 97 – but even the heroic chase cannot shroud that fact that a Pura Cup finals place might be out of reach for the Warriors.

Sourav Ganguly is in favour of Greg Chappell, the former Australian great, taking on the job of Indian coach following John Wright’s imminent departure. Cricinfo has learned that Ganguly has put forth Chappell’s candidature before senior board officials twice, during the first one-dayers at Kochi and Visakhapatnam.However, this seems to be personal initiative from Ganguly. Other senior members in the team have not been consulted on the issue, and the do not see it fit to approach board officials when their views had not been sought.Chappell, who was in Mumbai recently for a promotional event, told Cricinfo, “If they [Indian board] approach me and want to talk about it, I’m happy to do it. I’ve got plenty to do and I’m really focusing on getting on with my life. I tend not to think too much in hypothetical terms. I’m open to most things and always prepared to look and listen. If someone wants to talk to me about a job in or out of cricket I’m open-minded enough to have a listen. Coaching any national team would be a great honour, but it would also be difficult because it brings its own set of challenges. It would depend very much on what the offer was.”Interestingly, when Chappell was in Mumbai over three days, he was notcontacted by any board officials regarding the coaching job. It isunderstood that the board is actively seeking the advice of Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri in the selection of the new coach, and may well ask one of the two to speak to the candidate they eventually decide on.Chappell has his hands full at the moment, running his own coaching website, ChappellWay, and working full-time with a telecommunications company he has a stake in.Chappell was in contention for the coaching job when Wright landed it four years back, but was overlooked in the final interview stage. Although rumours about his demanding exorbitant sums of money are not entirely accurate, it is also clear that Chappell will be a more expensive prospect than someone like Wright. It is also rumoured that the final round of interviews was merely a formality, and that the board had already decided on Wright, having ascertained that he was the choice of senior members of the team. But, Chappell does not harbour any ill will from that encounter. “I tend not to hold on too much to things that happened in the past,” he said. “I prefer to look at each situation in its own right and take a decision on what needs to be done. I wouldn’t consider that a problem.”

Sri Lanka have delayed appointing a new coach because the candidates they have short-listed are also in the running for the Indian coaching job. Greg Chappell and Tom Moody appear to be the front-runners for the Indian job, although they have had talks with Sri Lanka Cricket as well. “We are trying to finalise the coach soon, but it will not be before the Indians finish their interviews this week,” Jayantha Dharmadasa, chairman of the committee running Sri Lanka Cricket currently told AFP.The Board of Control for Cricket in India is conducting its interviews on May 19, and is expected to finalise on a coach soon after. “We have to realise that the Indian board is the richest in the world and coaching the Indian team is a prestigious job,” said Dharmadasa. “Since the Indian board kept things on a hold, our candidates wanted some time as well”Sri Lanka were to announce their choice of coach on May 13, but have been forced to put the date back. Also in the running for the Sri Lankan job is Dean Jones. Sri Lanka are also viewing the candidature of Roy Dias and Rumesh Ratnayake for the job.

Bangladeshis 309 for 7 dec (Rahim 115*, Rafique 54) drew with Northamptonshire 230 for 6 dec (Shafayat 76, Afzaal 47*, Hossain 4-113)
ScorecardMushfiqur Rahim gave the Bangladeshis a much-needed boost ahead of the first Test, with an unbeaten century on the third and final day of their rain-affected match against Northamptonshire. The match petered out into a predictable draw, but Rahim’s innings enlivened proceedings and gave Dav Whatmore, Bangladesh’s coach, some unexpected selection dilemmas.Rahim, who is only 16, was originally picked on the tour as understudy to Khaled Masud, the established wicketkeeper, but he has shown the best form of all the batsmen in the last two warm-up matches. Following his gutsy 63 against Sussex he struck 15 fours and a six here, adding 91 with Masud and 87 with Mohammad Rafique, who made a quickfire 54 from 52 balls.Rahim has put his name in the frame for Lord’s as a specialist batsman, after the Bangladesh top order suffered another slump. The Northants attack did not feature any first-team players, but still caused plenty of problems. Charl Pietersen disposed of Javed Omar (6 for 1), while Matthew Friedlander removed Mohammad Ashraful, Rajin Saleh and Mashud as the Bangladeshis slumped to 105 for 5.Northants had earlier taken their first-innings total from 149 for 5 to 230 for 6. Usman Afzaal made a run-a-ball 47 and Andrew White struck an unbeaten 30. Anwar Hossain Monir picked up his fourth wicket, but conceded nearly six an over throughout his 20 overs. He is unlikely to feature at Lord’s and, although Rahim’s innings is a boost for the Bangladeshis, the XI who take the field on Thursday know that that will be the true test.

Virender Sehwag has been fined 65% of his match fee by Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee, after being found guilty of violating section 2.2 of the Code of Conduct. The law pertains to “showing serious dissent” and the charge was brought against Sehwag by Billy Bowden and Steve Bucknor, the two on-field umpires, and AV Jayaprakash, the third umpire.Sehwag pleaded guilty to the charge at a disciplinary hearing held at the end of the fourth day’s play. The hearing was attended by Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, the concerned umpires, and V Patel, the manager.The incident that sparked off Sehwag’s reaction came early in the second innings when he was adjudged lbw off Glenn McGrath by Bowden despite hitting the ball. The inside edge that sent the ball cannoning onto pad was so big that you did not even require television replays to tell you this. On his way out Sehwag said something to Bowden, and this caught the eye of the officials.