Keith Stackpole, the former Australian opener, has given up his commentary position with the ABC. Stackpole, 64, had been part of ABC Radio’s coverage for more than two decades, but announced that yesterday’s clash between Victoria and Queensland would be his last.Stackpole has also worked for the Seven and Nine television networks, and is expected to continue with his newspaper columns. One of his fellow commentators at the ABC, Dan Lonergan, spoke about Stackpole to . “He commentated the way he played the game: on the front foot and aggressively,” he said. “There will be a lot of people out there who will miss him, but Keith has obviously decided it’s time for someone else to have a go.”Stackpole played his first Test in 1965-66 as a middle-order batsman who bowled legbreaks, but was pushed up the order by Bill Lawry. Stackpole represented Australia in 43 matches, scoring 2807 runs with seven hundreds at 37.

Ochilo Ayacko, Kenya’s sports minister, is in London to meet with Ehsan Mani and Malcolm Speed, the ICC’s president and chief executive, to discuss how to resolve the stand-off blighting Kenyan cricket. Ayacko has travelled with Isaac Kalua, the interim chairman of Cricket Kenya (CK), the new body established in February to take over the running of cricket in place of the embattled Kenya Cricket Association (KCA).Although CK has the backing of almost all Kenya’s clubs, players and supporters, as well as the government, the KCA is still officially in charge of cricket in the country despite being virtually bankrupt. There have been reports that the ICC, under its own ruies, cannot recognise CK until June 2006 at the earliest, but Ayacko will try to persuade the ICC that common sense should prevail rather than the rule book. Were the KCA to remain the officially recognised body for another 15 months, the harm to Kenyan cricket could be irreparable.The ICC is known to be concerned about the management and governance of the KCA, and Kenya’s government are also carrying out investigations into the way the board has been run. At the end of February, bank records were seized as part of an ongoing investigation into claims made against the KCA.In light of the significant issues facing the KCA, it would seem to be self-defeating for the ICC to adhere to the letter of the rulebook. Ayacko is thought to be hoping to explain the situation to Speed and Mani ahead of the ICC meeting in New Delhi on March 17 where the subject is sure to be raised.While the ICC cannot become involved in domestic issues, this crisis now threatens the very future of one of the last World Cup’s semi-finalists , and it may feel it has to act.In today’s Nation, Chris Tsuma, who is well informed on the operations of the KCA, reports that Jimmy Rayani, the former KCA chairman and a man under the spotlight himself, is attempting to broker an honourable exit for senior KCA officials. But many opponents of the board feel that this situation has gone too far and the time for negotiation has passed. They are also demanding answers to questions regarding what they claim are holes in the KCA’s accounts.Rayani’s proposals also include keeping some existing officials on any new KCA board, and to many inside Kenyan cricket that is entirely unacceptable. "We have to get rid of the whole lot of them," one opponent told me. "We need a completely new start and not a reshuffling of the same old faces who have got us into this mess."

Stuart MacGill, the No. 11 batting hero for New South Wales in the Pura Cup final, would be devastated if he missed the Ashes Tour after his best season. MacGill hit the winning runs against Queensland on Sunday to conclude a close final and a stunning summer.”I think I have done everything I possibly can to be selected for any winter tour,” MacGill told the Daily Telegraph. “If they drew up a set of selection criteria I would be very interested to see where I let myself down.”MacGill claimed 54 Pura Cup wickets for New South Wales, breaking Bill O’Reilly’s 65-year-old state record, and also helped bowl Australia to victory against Pakistan in the third Test in January. “I’ve played in a winning state side, I’ve played in a winning Test match side and every time I’ve got the ball I’ve done what I could," he said.A county bowler for a couple of seasons, MacGill believes his England experience is a big plus for selection as back-up to Shane Warne. “I’ve played on most of the grounds and come across most of their players, including a lot of the players the Australians have not played before,” he said.MacGill said before the Pura Cup final that he was considering a move to Queensland, but the one-wicket victory changed his mind. “Barring injury, I think you will probably see me here until I can’t walk any more,” he said.

The West Indian batsman Wavell Hinds has been fined his entire match fee from the final Test against South Africa in Antigua, for a Level 2 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. But Graeme Smith, South Africa’s captain, has been cleared of any misconduct on his part, after a confrontation between the pair on the final day of the match.The incident occurred towards the end of a generally well-mannered series. Hinds deliberately overstepped the popping crease during his bowling spell and at one stage he was seen to spit on the ground in front of Smith. Billy Bowden, one of the umpires for the Test, and Brian Lara had to step in.Jeff Crowe, the match referee, found that Hinds breached the ICC Code for intentional throwing, overstepping the popping crease, and generally unacceptable conduct. Crowe said: “It is a breach of consequence that undermines the game’s values and is unacceptable in any given situation. The player has apologised for his actions.”Smith, who angrily denied reports that he had earlier used racist comments towards Dwayne Bravo, was later found not guilty of “conduct unbecoming [to his] status which could bring himself or the game into disrepute”.”No conclusive evidence was produced or found to support the serious nature of the alleged breach,” said Crowe in an ICC statement. “We must now look forward to a positive ODI series.” Smith had earlier told the South Africa African press agency News24: “This is ridiculous. Action should be taken against the people spreading the story.”The charge against Hinds was originally brought by the umpires as a Level 3 offence but, after considering the evidence, Crowe used the discretion available to him to reduce it to a Level 2 one . For Level 1 and Level 2 breaches of the code there is no appeal procedure for the player.

Teddy Griffith, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board, has announced that he will not seek a second term when the office comes up for re-election during the AGM in July.Griffith, 69, said that his decision came as a result of personal and family considerations which would not allow him to commit the energy and resources required to fulfil the role through the two year period to the World Cup in 2007.He also advised the member boards that he had been particularlyconscious of the rigorous and demanding schedule that would be required of the president over the next two years in discharging the onerous responsibilities and travel schedule required to fulfil obligations to the WICB, the ICC (where he serves as the director representing the West Indies), as a member of the ICC Governance and Audit Committees, and to the board of the World Cup.A new president will be elected at the WICB’s AGM on July 16 in St Maarten. Ahead of the meeting, WICB directors will attempt to find a consensus candidate. If competing candidates emerge, the six territorial boards that make up the WICB will cast two votes each. Griffith, as outgoing president, and Val Banks, the vice-president, also have one vote each.The website caribbeancricket.com reported that there was a proposal that the roles of CEO and president be merged. If so, that would probably lead to the removal of Roger Braithwaite, the existing CEO.

Points tablesLancashire virtually assured themselves of a quarter-final berth with another fine all round display against Durham, Mal Loye’s 55-ball 100 forming the cornerstone of their 37-run win. Loye and Brad Hodge added 160 for the second wicket to put Lancashire on course for their second total over 200 in two matches. It was Loye’s first Twenty20 ton, and the second by a Lancashire batsmen in successive matches following Stuart Law’s century against Yorkshire. Despite Nathan Astle’s brisk 55 from 37 balls Durham couldn’t maintain a required rate of over 10 runs an over. Dominic Cork was again economical, taking 2 for 25 from his four overs.Nottinghamshire gained their second win of the season, with a well-paced six-wicket win against Yorkshire, who are now struggling to secure a quarter-final spot. However, Notts’ win has probably come too late for them although they will take heart from a 101-run opening stand between Will Smith and Graeme Swann. Their partnership put Notts within reach of the target of 181 and Chris Read guided them home with two balls to spare. Yorkshire’s total was built around Phil Jaques’ 55 from 33 balls and a late surge from Richard Pyrah, who made 31 from 17.

The Sri Lankan board (SLC) has revealed its unease with the growing crisis over West Indies’ squad.The two-Test series is due to start on July 13, with the side arriving early next week. But so far, only five players are thought to have signed the West Indies’ board’s match/tour contracts, with the remainder locked in a dispute between the players’ association and the board.””We would obviously be very disappointed if the West Indies were unable to send a full-strength side,” Adel Hassim, an SLC board member, told Reuters. “The likes of Brian Lara and the other West Indies players are a huge attraction amongst the cricket-loving public in Sri Lanka and we all want to see the full team here.”The financial ramifications of a weak West Indies side are a major concern to the Sri Lankans. Were West Indies to scrap the whole trip, then they would have to pay around US$2 million compensation to SLC. But as long as they fulfill their obligation to send the strongest side available to them, then there would be no comeback for the Sri Lankans.SLC are expected to meet to discuss the problem further. “We are watching the situation very closely,” Hasim said. “The interim committee will discuss the issue at its meeting later this week, but we hope that an amicable solution is reached.”

When Shivnarine Chanderpaul walks out to toss at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo on Wednesday, he has an interesting challenge ahead. How, minus the likes of Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan, is his team going to answer the questions posed by Muttiah Muralitharan and company? One thing’s for sure – it’s not going to be easy. His team is by far the least experienced West Indian unit to take the field. And Sri Lanka, notparticularly overjoyed at having the gloss taken off a big series, will come at them all guns blazing.West Indies have traditionally relied on Lara to show them the way when playing against Sri Lanka. He has done so admirably in the past, playing Muralitharan with more finesse and control than any other batsman in world cricket. At the best of times it is hard to play Murali, but it might just prove to be too much for this team. Leaving aside Chanderpaul, no batsman has the experience needed to counter the unorthodoxy of Murali’s prodigious spin. Dwayne Smith has the next most experience – a mere six Tests – and the less said about the rest the better.West Indies can take some consolation from the fact that their bowling has a bit of firepower left. Jermaine Lawson and Tino Best have been around a while, and their genuine pace through the air could pose some problems even on slow Sri Lankan pitches. But the key to doing well in Sri Lanka is spin, and West Indies can only hope that Omari Banks can shoulder the workload.For what it’s worth, Chanderpaul has said that his team was raring to go. “We would not have been here if we did not think we could compete,” he said, on the eve of the match. “This is a young bunch we have who are determined to make a name for themselves. They are very keen to get on with it. Don’t write them off even before the series has started. Everyone needs a chance to prove themselves.”Bennett King, the coach, has also expectedly thrown his weight behind Chanderpaul. “You find diamonds in coal,” he said. “It takes a little pain to get joy. West Indian cricket may be in a state of flux but the system is in place for a brighter future.”Keeping with the spirit of things, Marvan Atapattu, the Sri Lankan captain, insisted that his team would not take things lightly. “We are not complacent at all,” said Atapattu. “There is a Test match to be played and I am certain the West Indians are as much ready for the challenge as we are. We have to do the job once we get there. We can’t be thinking who isthere is their line-up and who is not. There are runs to be scored and 20 wickets to be taken to win.”All that may be well, but if form sheets ever meant anything, there will only be one team on the park capable of scoring enough runs and taking 20 wickets to settle the issue.Sri Lanka Marvan Atapattu (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Gayan Wijekoon, RusselArnold, Rangana Herath.West Indies Shivnarine Chanderpaul (capt), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Darren Powell, Omari Banks, Kerry Jeremy, Deighton Butler, Sylvester Joseph, Narsingh Deonarine, Dwayne Smith, Tino Best, Jermaine Lawson, Xavier Marshall, Runako Morton, Ryan Ramdass.

Mick Lewis, who played two County Championship matches earlier in the season, has stepped in for the injured Ashley Noffke as one of Durham’s overseas players. Noffke hurt his lower back in the match against Derbyshire last week and the early indications were that he would be out for three weeks.However, there have been suggestions the problem could be serious enough to rule him out of the early stages of Queensland’s season. David Harker, the Durham chief executive, said they hadn’t given up hope of getting Noffke back to continue their impressive run in the four-day competition. “Ashley is certainly keen to return to the squad as soon as possible,” he said.Picked to play against Somerset this week, Lewis is a ready-made replacement after taking 14 wickets in his two appearances when chosen as early-season cover for Noffke, who was again injured. Durham, whose other overseas player is Mike Hussey, currently lead the competition and are 12 points ahead of Lancashire.

Weather forecast

Sri Lanka will be picking from a full-strength squad when they start their three-match one-day series against Bangladesh after Farveez Maharoof, who had been resting a hamstring niggle picked up during a practice game last week, passed a fitness test this morning.Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be without Mashrafe Mortaza who is expected to be available only for the second game on Friday after suffering from back spasms during the team’s only warm-up match on Sunday, a match they lost by 10 wickets.”He is suffering from lower back pain and the assessment is that it’s a muscle type injury,” team physiotherapist Paul Close told reporters on Monday. “He made the right choice by pulling himself out of the game. It was not severe but enough to be worrying for him. But the move was a precautionary thing from his point of view. I think we are looking forward to get him back within four or five days.”Bangladesh have called Tapash Baisya, who was originally left out of the squad due to injury, over from Dhaka. Coach Dav Whatmore said that Baisya was “an additional player and not a replacement” in an interview with The Daily Star. Baisya, due to arrive on Tuesday, has been named in a 12-man squad for the first game. Bangladesh are set to play Syed Rasel, and Manjural Islam Rana, a spinning allrounder, has been named as Bangladesh’s super-sub.Bangladesh start the series as the overwhelming underdogs, but will be looking to rebuild on the progress made during their recent tour to England when they played a substantial part in bursting the aura of invincibility around the Australia team with a shock win in Cardiff. Whatmore, once again, is downplaying the importance of results.”The win against Australia has prompted lots of comments around the world, but, never more than now, we have to totally focus on each individual’s performance,” Whatmore told Reuters. “The reality is that we are still ranked 10th and we are playing a team ranked second in the world, who are playing at the top of their game and in home conditions.”Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have promised a ruthless approach with Tom Moody – who has quickly settled as head coach to gain the confidence and respect of the players – promising no complacency after their recent victory in the Indian Oil Cup.”We are far from complacent and have been preparing as we would against any team and we will be playing as a hard cricket as we would against any team,” Moody told reporters. “From our point of view, this is an important stepping-stone towards our development as a one-day and team and we are taking it very seriously indeed.”While Maharoof is available for selection and almost certain of playing after his fine Indian Oil Cup, Sri Lanka will not be calling on the bowling services of Sanath Jayasuriya during the tournament. He has not fully recovered from his dislocated shoulder and will play only as a frontline batsman.Sri Lanka have picked nine specialist batsmen in their squad, dropping two pace bowlers in the process, and are expected to use one of those extra batsmen – Upul Tharanga, Avishka Gunawardene or Thilan Samaraweera – as their super sub. They will start with a full-strength batting line-up and then consider experimenting only if they win the first two games.”The slight change in the balance of our squad reflects the new regulations,” said Moody. “We have a fair idea as to how we would like to approach it but we are going with a little bit of uncertainty as to what is the perfect way of approaching the new regulations.”Whatmore, who introduced aggressive pinch-hitters as Sri Lanka’s coach back in 1996 after the first introduction of fielding restrictions, believes the new regulations will provide more entertainment. But he predicted that the laws will make chasing targets easier and favour the side batting second on a good pitch. “If the pitch is going to deteriorate batting second then I don’t think it is going to make too much of a difference, but in good conditions an extra batsman will certainly help chasing down the score.”Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Marvan Atapattu (capt), 2 Sanath Jayasuriya, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Russel Arnold, 6 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 7 Upul Chandana, 8 Dilhara Lokuhettige, 9 Chaminda Vaas, 10 Farveez Maharoof, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Javed Omar, 2 Rajin Saleh, 3 Aftab Ahmed, 4 Mohammad Ashraful, 5 Habibul Bashar, 6 Shahriar Nafees, 7 Khaled Mahmud, 8 Mohammad Raffique, 9 Khaled Mashud, 10 Nazmul Hossain, 11 Syed Rasel.