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More than a few English county professionals have struggled to adapt to the harsh glare of Sydney Grade cricket over the years, but nobody can accuse Nick Browne of being among their number. He has become the new star in town. Browne has become the first cricketer from the UK to hit a double century in Sydney Grade, advancing his reputation and sparing the blushes of a few English professionals in the process.Browne, one of the few bright spots in Essex’s 2015 season, struck 206 at the weekend for Mosman against Sydney University at the Allan Border Oval, following up a century in his first match in even more spectacular style.He beat the previous best score by an English batsman – 194 by Mike Gatting in 1979. Gatting had already won England recognition by then – making his ODI debut in 1977 and playing his first Test a year later – and went on to captain England and win 79 Test caps.Many in Essex believe that Browne should have received some sort of England development squad recognition this winter – but although he was overlooked it has driven him to a continuation of the form he showed in the county season.Browne was one of the few successes in 2015 in an Essex season that ultimately led to the removal of Paul Grayson as coach. He made six first-class centuries as he added his name to the long list of contenders urged by the England coach, Trevor Bayliss, to make an unanswerable claim to an England place in county cricket.He finished the season on a high – a career-best 151 not out against Leicestershire (albeit Division Two’s bottom club). His 1157 first-class runs represented the first time an Essex batsman had passed 1000 in the Championship since Ravi Bopara in 2008.This is the second year Browne has travelled to Sydney to play for Mosman during the English winter. His 206 was only four runs short of Mosman’s highest club score, so sparing one of Australia’s most famous clubs more emotional trauma than it could take. His opening partnership of 252 with David Lowery in a score of 406 for 3 was the second highest in the club’s history.

The Queen’s Park ground in Invercargill is set to host some of Otago’s matches this season after nearly a decade of being overlooked in favour of the University Oval in Dunedin. But now, with the University Oval being used for New Zealand’s first Test against Bangladesh in January and for an England tour game in March, Queen’s Park will get finally a slice of the domestic pie.Following a multi-million-dollar renovation of the ground and facilities, Queen’s Park was inserted into the fixtures list for an Otago State Championship match against Wellington in March and a State Shield game against Northern Districts in February next year. Apart from those two matches, Queen’s Park will also host a women’s two-day game and a Twenty20. If Otago qualify for a State Shield home semi-final, Queen’s Park will be booked for the playoff.Richard Hoskins, the executive officer of the Southland Cricket Association (SCA), said it was expected Queen’s Park would get high-quality fixtures this season. “We are delighted and now we just have to make sure the wicket continues to play well and we host some good fixtures,” Hoskins told the . “It’s really positive.”According to the report, the SCA was also hoping to rope in Chris Cairns and Nathan Astle to play invitation one-day and Twenty20 games at Queen’s Park in December.Queen’s Park last hosted a first-class game in February 1998 as part of the Shell Trophy when Canterbury beat Otago by seven wickets. The last State Shield one-day match at Queen’s Park was in January 2002 when Central Districts beat Otago by 99 runs.

Division One

Anthony McGrath’s defiant century took Yorkshire to a decent lead ahead of the final day at Old Trafford. After the early loss of Joe Sayers (6), the senior pairing of McGrath and Craig White added 183 before McGrath fell just before the close, to take Yorkshire to 192 for 2, with White making 78 not out. Earlier, Luke Sutton had made his way to 151 not out, just about reaching the 150-landmark before the Lancashire innings came to a close on 441, to give Lancashire a first-innings lead of 96.Shane Warne opened up Hampshire’s contest against Middlesex at Lord’s with a positive declaration as soon as his team had reached 400, and taken maximum batting points. Nic Pothas’s third century of the season compensated for the early loss of Michael Carberry in the day’s fifth over after adding just a single to his overnight 103. Sean Ervine contributed a forthright 42 before edging the new ball to first slip, but Pothas pressed forward and reached three figures with a Chinese cut. In the next over Warne carved the ball to the cover fence and promptly jogged off the park, aware that Hampshire need to win this match to maintain pressure on the top-of-the-table teams.An intriguing final day is in prospect at Edgbaston after Nottinghamshire‘s openers made inroads into their mammoth target of 404. Darren Bicknell and Jason Gallian shared an unbeaten stand of 88 to set up a tester tomorrow. Bicknell had reached his fifty by the close, with Gallian making 30. Warwickshire had earlier made their way to 230 for 9 before declaring, Mark Wagh topscoring with 70.

Division Two

Craig Spearman made his second century of the match – and just missed out on his 150 for the second time – to take Gloucestershire to 272 for 2 by stumps, a deficit of six runs. He and Phil Weston put on 227 for the first wicket as Gloucestershire worked their way towards parity. Matthew Nicholson eventually grabbed both openers, but they were to prove the only wickets for Northants on a frustrating day for their bowlers at Northampton.Surrey strode to an emphatic victory at at New Road, crushing Worcestershire by an innings and 108 runs to keep their title contention firmly on track. Ahzar Mahmood took 4 for 53 to start Worcestershire’s slide and then Ian Salisbury (3 for 36) and Anil Kumble (2 for 28) wrapped up the tail between them. Vikram Solanki offered the only resistance of note, his 56 propping up the home side for a while, but the rest of the wickets slid away, until they were all out for 165. Rikki Clarke had earlier lifted Surrey’s total past 500 with a firecracking 40 not out.Derbyshire stand on the brink of victory following another authoritative day against Somerset at Derby. The visitors have just three more wickets left in their pursuit of a further, and unlikely, 179 runs. Cameron White is still there, though, having already gamely fought his way to a valiant 197 and he will be Somerset’s biggest hope tomorrow. Steffan Jones is Derbyshire’s most successful bowler so far this innings, taking three wickets to bring his match haul to seven.

Kevin Pietersen: accepted into the fold © Getty Images

On the eve of the second Test at Edgbaston, Kevin Pietersen has been awarded an ECB central contract on the recommendation of the selectors, after making a remarkable start to his international career.During the first Test at Lord’s, Pietersen was the only England batsman to come to terms with the challenge posed by Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, thumping a half-century in each innings of his debut. That followed on from his stunning first foray in one-day cricket, in which he has amassed 786 runs in 15 innings, including three centuries in quick succession against his native South Africa.”By following up an outstanding ODI tour of South Africa with impressive performances in the NatWest one-day international programme, Kevin forced his way into the Test side and he fully deserves being upgraded to Central Contract status,” said David Graveney, England’s chairman of selectors.Pietersen’s acceptance into the fold has been a gradual process. He became qualified to play for England last October, but was initially omitted from the South Africa one-day series until Andrew Flintoff’s ankle injury gave him a late opportunity to impress. He was the pundit’s choice to play in the Tests against Bangladesh earlier this summer, but was again overlooked, this time in favour of Ian Bell.His inclusion takes the total number of players contracted to the ECB to 13, after 12 players were awarded 12-month contracts for the year from October 1, 2004. These players have their salaries paid by ECB and are available to their counties on a free-of-charge basis when released from international duties at the discretion of the coach, Duncan Fletcher.

Craig Spearman: highest score for Gloucestershire© Getty Images

While his former New Zealand team-mates played for pride against England at Trent Bridge, Craig Spearman today broke the record for the highest first-class score by a Gloucestershire player.Spearman flayed the Middlesex attack, smashing his way to 341 off 390 balls. He hit 40 fours and six sixes in his innings, moving past 318, and the record – previously held by none other than WG Grace – with a leg-side clip for two off Ben Hutton, whose grandfather Len was no stranger to triple-centuries himself. Grace scored his 318 not out against Yorkshire at Cheltenham back in 1876. Spearman’s innings was only the fourth triple-century scored by a Gloucestershire player, and the first since Wally Hammond’s 302 against Newport in 1939. Hammond also made another 302, his time not out, against Glamorgan at Bristol five years earlier.Spearman was eventually out, caught by David Nash off Hutton, but his 341 will go down as the highest first-class score in England since Brian Lara’s 501 not out in 1994, and is the joint eighth-highest in all County Championship cricket. It is also the third-highest score by a New Zealander, behind Bert Sutcliffe’s two knocks of 385 and 355.Chris Taylor’s first century since becoming captain was almost overlooked in the circumstances. He was dismissed for exactly 100 just before lunch, but Spearman went on and on, and eventually Gloucestershire declared at 695 for 9. Spearman, whose previous-highest score was 180, made the Middlesex bowlers look tame. His innings included a repertoire of reverse sweeps and massive sixes, as well as his trademark flowing cover-drives.Spearman, who has a business-studies degree, decided to give up his New Zealand career in 2001, after 19 Tests and 51 one-dayers, for a career in banking, which brought him to London. It was there that John Bracewell, a fellow New Zealander and the Gloucestershire coach at the time, asked if he fancied a few games at Bristol. He has not looked back since, and after a fairly ordinary international career has become one of the county’s most consistent batsmen. He does not play as an overseas player as he holds a British passport – his mother is Welsh.

Sri Lanka look set to employ an interim coach for the forthcoming New Zealand Test series following current incumbent Dav Whatmore’s request for early leave from his contract.The Sri Lankan born Australian’s contract expires at the end of May and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) has yet to decide upon a replacement.With Sri Lanka due to start a two-match Test series against New Zealand on April 25 there appears no other option but to appoint an interim coach.Whatmore communicated his willingness to step down early shortly after being informed that his contract would not be renewed before the Sharjah Cup.On Friday morning he handed over an official letter confirming his position, explaining that it would not be in the interests of the team for him to continue."We want Dav (Whatmore) to continue for the New Zealand tour and the triangular series but he has indicated an unwillingness to do so," said Anura Teenekoon, the BCCSL chief executive.The frontrunner for the temporary post appears to be former Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis, who was employed as an advisor during the run-up to the World Cup.Australian Steve Rixon, New Zealander John Bracewell and South African Graham Ford have all been short-listed as potential full-time coaches but a final decision remains some weeks away.Captain Sanath Jayasuriya also confirmed his resignation on Friday morning, handing over a letter to Teenekoon, who then informed the new chairman of the selectors Lalith Kaluperuma.His successor will not be announced until after the Sinhalese New Year but Marvan Atapattu is the clear frontrunner for the high-profile job.

Veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva, on the verge of retirement after hisrecent omission from the national squad, blamed Sri Lanka’s bowlers andfielders for their seven-wicket defeat by India in the second Test Kandy.De Silva, writing for the wicket.com, said: “Sri Lanka’s bowlers were unableto disrupt the Indian batsmen’s concentration and delivered too many fourballs, which enabled them to score far more freely than should have been thecase.””The Sri Lankan bowling also failed to respond to the challenge, with themain attack force, especially Muralitharan, failing to get as much turn outof surface as he normally does in the fourth innings,” he said. “The seamerswere just as disappointing in their length and direction.”De Silva, not the sharpest in the field, went on to criticise the home sidesfielding: “Sri Lanka’s patchy fielding effort did not help, with too manycatches being dropped at crucial stages of the innings. It was so unlikeMuttiah Muralitharan to drop a catch at a crucial moment.””It was also disappointing to see Russel Arnold, one of the more brilliantfielders in the side, dropping an easy catch which could have changed thewhole course of the match,” he added.De Silva pointed out, however, that Sri Lanka were unlucky: “Sri Lanka alsohad their moments of misfortunes. There were several confident appeals forleg-before decisions, which did not earn the umpires approval.”He did, though, comment that: “Compared to the previous match in Asgiriya inMarch against England, the umpiring was of a far higher standard in thisgame.”

Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has criticised the decision of Younis Khan to announce his retirement from one-day internationals, only one match into his recall to the team.Younis, 37, made the shock announcement on the morning of the first ODI against England at Abu Dhabi, having previously been outspoken in his criticism of the selectors for dropping him in the wake of Pakistan’s World Cup exit in March.He was dismissed for 9 in his 265th and final appearance during Pakistan’s run-chase at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, bringing to an end a 15-year career in the format that had begun against Sri Lanka at Karachi in March 2000.However, Shaharyar was unimpressed by Younis’s actions. “I am disappointed at not only his decision to retire from ODIs but also the timing of his decision,” he was quoted as saying by .”Younis has been doing well and that is why the selectors felt he should be played again in the one-day matches. For me it is surprising he announced his retirement today.”Shaharyar did, however, confirm that the PCB would arrange a suitable send-off for a man who has scored 7249 runs in the format at 31.24, with seven centuries, albeit just the one since 2008.Haroon Rashid, Pakistan’s chief selector, also expressed his confusion at Younis’s actions.”When I went to Sharjah to meet with the team management and I also talked to Younis, he gave me no indication he was planning to retire from ODIs after the first match of the series,” Haroon said.”We picked him keeping in mind that we needed an experienced batsman in the middle order to stabilise the batting. We picked him keeping in mind our future assignments. He never discussed this retirement thing with us.””The team will remain balanced but at no stage did Younis convey any desire to us he wanted to retire,” he added.Mohsin Khan, the former coach, speculated that Waqar Younis’s reluctance to have Younis back in the one-day squad may have played its part.”It makes no sense that after being picked for the full series in the one-day squad after such a big gap he should decide to retire after playing the first match. Definitely I think something has happened in the last 48 or 24 hours to have upset Younis who is very sensitive and a self-respecting individual,” Mohsin told Geo Super channel.”I think the job of the captain, manager and coach is to not only motivate the players but also make them feel comfortable and wanted. I think in Younis’s case this didn’t happen and no one tried to speak to him to find out his feelings.”

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford should be back in action against Aston Villa on Thursday. 

The lowdown

The 28-year-old hasn’t played for the Whites since the 2-2 draw with Brentford on 5 December. In fact, he has only made six Premier League appearances (totalling 459 minutes) this season owing to ankle and hamstring injuries.

He was back on the bench for Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge on Saturday afternoon against Leicester City, but the American decided against bringing him on even with his team 1-0 down.

The Villa game at Elland Road looks crucial for Leeds, who are hovering only two points above the relegation zone and have played a game more than 18th-placed Burnley.

The latest

The Athletic’s Leeds correspondent Phil Hay relayed an update from Marsch’s post-match press conference on Twitter.

As per the journalist’s update, the manager apparently ‘expects Bamford to be involved against Villa on Thursday’.

The verdict

This is an almighty boost for Marsch and Leeds.

Bamford demonstrated his value to the team last season, top-scoring for the Whites with 17 goals and also contributing eight assists.

In his absence, you could argue that Leeds are short of match-winners. Indeed, even though he has played so little football, only three players in the squad – Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Dan James – have racked up more goal involvements in 2021/22 (via BBC Sport).

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Therefore, it’s little wonder that the 28-year-old has been labelled a ‘massive’ player by former Elland Road goalkeeper Paul Robinson; and with Kalvin Phillips potentially returning next weekend, the fitness outlook may now be getting brighter for Leeds – and in good time, too.

In other news, read this injury expert’s claim on Liam Cooper

Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath farewelled Test cricket together but they could be reunited in the Indian Cricket League © Getty Images

Shane Warne will join Brian Lara in the Indian Cricket League if his conditions are met, however Warne’s manager conceded that such an agreement was still a long way off. Glenn McGrath has not ruled out his involvement and his manager said negotiations could progress in the next week.The ICL on Monday announced Lara as its first big signing, two months after his name was initially linked with the group. Warne’s manager James Erskine said he had been in talks with ICL officials including Tony Greig.”They haven’t offered what we have asked for, so negotiations are proceeding,” Erskine told the . “Provided the terms and conditions are right, Shane Warne will play, but it’s a long way off before we get the contract signed.” The paper reported that Warne’s proposed pay package was worth up to $2 million.McGrath’s manager, Warren Craig, said he had met with ICL officials some time ago and although there had been few developments since then, this week’s events were likely to speed the process up. “We certainly haven’t ruled it out,” Craig said.”Now Lara has signed, things might start to hot up a bit. Things could start to move over the next week or so.” However, Craig said the ICL had given no indication what salary it would offer to lure McGrath out of retirement six months after his final ODI appearance. The league wants to run its first Twenty20 tournament this October and November with six teams, each of which would ideally feature four international players and two Indian stars, with the rest made up of younger players.