Michael Veletta still loves a challenge.Just as much as he did when he appeared in first-class cricket for the first time for Western Australia as a gangly teenager back in 1983.Or when he inherited the job as the Australian Capital Territory’s captain-coach shortly before its seminal admission into domestic competition in 1997-98.Or when he represented his state in each of 16 semi-finals and finals.Or even when he played a celebrated pinch-hitting role on the way to Australia’s stirring World Cup victory in 1987.So it’s probably little surprise to discover that he returns to a new position in Western Australian cricket – this time as state coach – in as enthusiastic a frame of mind as ever.”The biggest challenge is to keep an enjoyable and progressive atmosphere around the state squad. If we can retain that, I have no doubt that we’ll not only play well but also that we’ll keep improving,” says the 37-year old at the outset of a summer that will see him attempt to follow in the very imposing footsteps of Wayne Clark.”There’s a diverse range of things you have to contend with as a coach.”I’m now in charge of a group of 29 and they obviously all have different levels of intensity that they play and train at, for instance. Everyone’s got a level that they’re most comfortable with, and I have to be conscious of that.”But, over the course of your career and your life, you learn many basic lessons that can assist in a job like this.When the Western Australian Cricket Association chose Veletta for the role in March, it made for a reasonably low-key transition. After all, Western Australians’ attention back then was most keenly focused on how many of the state’s players might be squeezed into a soon-to-be-selected Ashes squad. And the state’s media naturally seemed just as interested in dissecting the season past as the year ahead.Scarcely is it possible in recent memory, in fact, to identify a more unfulfilling season for the men from the West than the one they endured in 2000-01. Albeit that they still made the deciding match of the Mercantile Mutual Cup competition, it was the first summer since 1995-96 in which they had failed to garner a title. Measured against the tremendous achievements of most of the last three decades, it was seen as a disappointing year.Many outsiders accordingly see the upcoming season as a baton-changing one for Western Australian cricket. With the loss of outstanding senior players in Tom Moody and Brendon Julian; the likely long-term absences of at least three players to international commitments; and the growing presence within the squad of a collection of fresh-faced youngsters, perhaps it’s even the starting point of an altogether new era.But, while it all might suggest that the Sandgropers are confined to at least a fleeting period at the crossroads, that only makes the impending Australian domestic program one of opportunity for the Warriors in Veletta’s mind.”The same happened when Wayne (Clark) took over six years ago, really.”We’ve lost a very dominant leader in Tom (Moody), and we’ve lost a very senior and a very highly respected player in Brendon (Julian). From that point of view, the baton is definitely being changed and the team dynamics will change as a result.”It offers a lot of new challenges, certainly. But I think what we’ve seen to date is that everyone has been prepared to step up and take on the new responsibilities that come with that.”Veletta’s job of shaping on-field success – which formally begins with tomorrow’s day-night ING Cup match against South Australia – will initially be made a little easier by the presence in his team of the likes of international representatives Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn and Simon Katich.Yet even the first part of the season will deliver the complexity of three first-class and four one-day matches in the space of 31 days and then the question of who should be elevated to replace Gilchrist and Langer in the team’s leadership roles.”We’re all conscious of the need to start well, and to play at a level that we’re happy with. I have no doubt, if we do both those things well, that the results will very much take care of themselves.”We’re fortunate too in that we’ve got some very good senior people around. We’ve not only got Adam and Justin, but we also have Damien (Martyn) and Simon (Katich), ‘Huss’ (Michael Hussey) and ‘Big Jo’ (Angel). And there are obviously guys who stand up at club level too, like Robbie Baker and Ryan Campbell for example.”Look at New South Wales: they’ve had to contend with this sort of thing for many years.”Fashioned from extensive coaching experience with the ACT and with Perth first grade side Mount Lawley, Veletta’s approach to the stewardship of the side is by no means that of a novice. And his background has also fostered in him an impressive sense of self-assurance and commitment as he details his hopes for the Warriors of 2001-02.”Obviously, if individuals within the group are not content or don’t feel as if they have a specific role to play in our success, then at some stage they’re going to lose a little bit of interest.”So it’s important for me to keep all of them interested and enthusiastic generally, and in their chances of playing cricket for Western Australia and then Australia.”The passion, for me, never leaves. I get so involved in it – in wanting to help players improve – that the love of it will probably never go. If it does, then it’s quite obviously time to pack up.”The start of a new era it might be. But, around a man intimately acquainted with Western Australia’s culture of success, it’s hard to imagine a connection with the old one being severed altogether.

New Zealand claimed two early wickets before rain forced umpires to call an early lunch break on the opening day of the three-day tour match against the Queensland Academy of Sport at Allan Border Field.After winning the toss and batting, the QAS were 2-20 after just 50 minutes of play were possible after rain periods throughout the morning.Chris Cairns (1-5) and Daryl Tuffey (1-13) took the wickets, with Cairns removing Duncan Betts with the first ball of the match when the rookie was trapped LBW without offering a shot.Matthew Lunn made six before he popped a catch to Mark Richardson at short leg during slow going for the home team.New Zealand named a strong team, resting batsman Mathew Sinclair while naming spinners Glen Sulzberger and Paul Wiseman.

A fine all-round performance from Paultons’ Steve Mitchell was all to no avail in week four of the New Forest Indoor Cricket League at Lymington Sports Centre.Mitchell struck an unbeaten 26 in his sides’ total of 100 for 3 against Cadnam and then took three wickets for just 9 runs. Sadly the gritty northerner received little or no support from his team-mates as Paul Kerley (29no) and Simon Pollock (25no) guided Cadnam home to a three wicket victory in the tenth over.Swan Green are still looking for their first win in the top flight after suffering a 13-run defeat at the hands of North Baddesley. Jon Bance (25no) returned from injury to take Baddesley to 132 for 2 with the help of Pike (37no), Williams (22no) and Bewick (20). Williams then bagged two wickets as Swan were bowled out for 119.In Division Two, Lymington were soundly thrashed by a rampant Godshill who took full advantage of Lymington’s intriguing selection policy which involved picking four wicketkeepers but not one recognised bowler. Andy Cross (2-14) made early inroads into the Lymington top order and it was only some late resistance from veterans Robin Goff and Aubrey Hodder that enabled Lymington to creep up to 73 for 4.Godshill wasted no time in notching up a six wicket win with Gerald Pettley making an unbeaten 28.Matt Dowding’s 37 wasn’t enough to save Milford from defeat against Pylewell Park. Dowding led the seasiders’ reply after Pylewell had been dismissed for 124 (Trevor Mapes 32, Steve Gates 26). But Simon Pallister’s brace of wickets swung the game Pylewell’s way as Milford were bowled out for 112.Park II notched up their second consecutive big score in Division Three. With Graham Smith (29no), Colin Kitcher (28), Wayne Royan (28no) and Carl Brooks (25no) all among the runs, Pylewell rattled up a formidable 156 for 3 against Milford II. Brooks then took two quick wickets to leave Milford in dire straits at 18 for 5! Thankfully Colin France saved his team from complete embarrassment with a steadfast 41 not out, although the men from South Baddesley were still able to register a crushing 97 run victory.Burley II could only must five players for their clash with Esso III. Fiery fireman Les Browning (37no) set Burley on their way to 108 for 4, but Andy McEnhenney (25no) and Nick Chapman (27no) took full advantage of the extra gaps in the field to steer Esso to a three wicket victory with two overs to spare.

It is on days like this, with the sun burning down from ablue sky, the pitch flawless, the outfield like a billiardtable top and his mind intently focused on a particularobjective that Brian Lara can elevate batting to heightsreserved for a select few.It is on days like this that his mastery presents arefreshing contrast to the sordid controversies stoked bymen in high places without an ounce of cricketing skill intheir bones who would undermine the game for the sake oftheir inflated egos.And it is on days like this, as with those earlier in theseries, that we wonder why his average should need boostingup above 50 once more, when 70 would be more appropriate tohis God-given talent, and why he should only now become thesixth West Indian to pass 7 000 Test runs instead of thethird to 8 000.His waning passion for the game clearly rekindled, Larareeled off his second Test hundred in ten days and his 17thin all on the opening day of the third and final Testyesterday that led the West Indies to 327 for three off theallocated 90 overs.He acknowledged at the start of the series he was concernedabout an average that had rapidly dipped a dozen points to47 and set himself the goal of bumping it back up to whereit belongs.His unbeaten 178, spread over five-and-three-quarter-hoursand 285 balls with a straight six from off-spinner ThilanSamaraweera and 20 fours in all directions, carried him towithin 30 runs of achieving his mission, after earlierscores of 178, 40, 74 and 45.It also lifted the West Indies from the early gloom oflosing openers cheaply again. Within five minutes of CarlHooper winning the toss, the left-handed Chris Gayle hadgone third ball for his second successive duck to yetanother indeterminate outside edge for a low catch to thekeeper.Half-hour later, the right-handed Daren Ganga was lbwplaying across an inswinger.The probing left-armer Chaminda Vaas was the bowler eachtime, the Sri Lankan Ashoka deSilva the umpire.A Sri Lankan bowler didn’t claim another wicket all day asLara shared successive partnerships of 194 with RamnareshSarwan, who was run out for 69, and 116 with captain Hooper,who was 52 at the end of a day that reduced even spin wizardMuttiah Muralitharan to 32 wicketless overs and theconcession of nine fours to Lara’s blade.The situation was almost identical to that at a similarstage of the first Test when the West Indies were 316 forthree, with Lara 117 and Hooper 34.Yet their all-round fraility led to defeat by ten wickets asit did when they failed by quarter-hour to hold out for adraw in the second that Sri Lanka won by 131 runs.It left Lara and Hooper with plenty of work to do to ensurea total that would allow their inexperienced bowling thefoundation from which to work and at least end the serieswith some pride restored.Along the way, Lara joined the elite company of Sir VivRichards, Sir Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidgeand Desmond Haynes as West Indians with over 7 000 Testruns.It was a statistic he acknowledged he was aware of before heset out and, as soon as he completed his 130th run that gothim there, he raised his helmet and his bat to the dressingroom.Such things matter to Lara and they might just be thecatalyst for the relaunching of a career that, when he quitthe captaincy and took a four-months break early in 2000,was in definite doubt.He committed few errors throughout his long vigil. At 85, heedged occasional off-spinner Russel Arnold through wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakarra’s gloves.At 99, he was a whisker away from an lbw decision in favourof Chaminda Vaas during an especially testing spell ofreverse swing with a ball past its 50th over.At 115, in the second over after tea, his call for a sharpsingle to cover’s right left the sprinting Sarwan short ofhis ground on Mahela Jayawardene’s swooping pick-up anddirect hit.It was the fifth time in his young Test career the 21-yearold right-hander had been run out and Lara held his head inanguish at the needless loss.Once again, Sarwan had filled the breach as virtual openeron Gayle’s first-over dismissal and batted with calm,sensible assurance.He took a blow behind the helmet from an outfield returnsoon after lunch that required attention and was neverentirely at ease to Muralitharan’s straight ball. But he wasquick to pounce on any overpitched offering with his elegantdriving. He had one sharp chance to short-leg offMuralitheran at 44 but was determined not to be shiftedbefore misfortune struck four hours into an innings thatoccupied 162 balls and had ten fours.

JagmohanDalmiya Photo AFP

There has been one question occupying the minds of the cricket fraternity ever since the Sehwag row erupted. How far towards the brink was Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, prepared to go before pulling back?The answer came today in a statement from the International Cricket Council to the effect that Dalmiya had agreed that Virender Sehwag would be omitted from the Indian team to face England in the first Test scheduled for Mohali on Monday.Had he not done so, the match would not have been given Test status by the ICC, England would have withdrawn from the series, India might have retaliated by not touring England next summer, and world cricket would have been split down the middle.At the eleventh hour, a deal has been negotiated between the ICC and the BCCI whereby Dalmiya has agreed that Sehwag will be left out of the team, having originally been named in the squad as a direct challenge to ICC’s authority as the governing body of the game after the furore in South Africa.That led to endless negotiations between, on one side, Malcolm Gray, the president, and Malcolm Speed, the chief executive of the ICC, and Dalmiya on the other. These negotiations appear to have borne fruit and the Test and tour can continue as planned.The deal was described as a “victory for common sense” by the ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin. “I am delighted to hear this news. The decision is a victory for common sense, and I congratulate both the ICC and BCCI on reaching an agreement.”As we have made clear the ECB has always been fully supportive of the ICC’sposition throughout this process. The decision will strengthen the ICC’s authority and integrity as the world governing body for cricket — but the family of cricket is the real winner.”Dalmiya said: “Cricket had to survive. In the larger interests of the game, Sehwag had to be dropped in this match.”Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the ECB, echoed his chairman’s views. “This is good news for the millions of cricket followers worldwide and England’s supporters. There is huge expectation about the series, and I am delighted that the tour can now proceed as planned and that the England team can continue their preparations for the first Test in Mohali without any further distractions.”All such deals require some give and take and, while the ICC has received the assurance that Sehwag will not play at Mohali, the governing body has also made some concessions towards the BCCI.There will be a “Referees Commission” established to examine whether the ICC Code of Conduct and proper procedures were followed when Mike Denness imposed the penalties during the second Test in Port Elizabeth.The BCCI will be consulted as to the composition of the commission, but ICC has said that membership will be confined to “persons of the highest reputation and at least two of them will be reputed former cricketers.”At the end of the day, Dalmiya must have realised that the ICC would not accede totally to his demands and could not afford the scheduled Test series against England to be jeopardised. Hence the outcome that gives him a concession to show to his board while the ICC has successfully upheld its authority as the governing body of the game.

State Central Hinds have named their side to play the State Otago Sparks at Logan Park in Dunedin on January 5 and 6.Megan Graham (captain, Hawke’s Bay), Abby Burrows (Hawke’s Bay), Philippa Gerrish (Horowhenua Kapiti), Erin McDonald (Hawke’s Bay), Sara McGlashan (Hawke’s Bay), Zara McWilliams (Hawke’s Bay), Aimee Mason (Taranaki), Melissa Murray (Manawatu), Kate Pulford (Nelson), Toni Street (Taranaki), Nicole Thessman (Manawatu). One to be added. Coach: Paul Unwin. Manager: Jacqui Gardiner.Cindy Forsyth (Manawatu) is unavailable for the two matches against Otago but will join the team for the matches against the State Canterbury Magicians at the Village Green, Christchurch on January 7-8.

HD Ackerman has withdrawn from the Nashua WP team to play EP Jumbos in a vital Standard Bank Cup match in Port Elizaberth on Friday. Ackerman has not recovered from a shoulder injury suffered during last Friday’s match against Griquas at Newlands.

NASHUA WESTERN PROVINCE Vs  EASTERN PROVINCESTANDARD BANK CUPSt. Georges Park25   January 20021)Graeme Smith2)Lloyd Ferreira3)Neil Johnson   ( C )4)Andrew Puttick5)Ashwell Prince6)Jonathan Trott7)Thami Tsolekile8)Claude Henderson9)Roger Telemachus10)Quinton Friend11)Charl Willoughby12th )Renier Munnik

The NSW Blues have made it through to Sunday week’s ING Cup final after anailbiting win over Western Australia at the WACA ground last night. TheRedbacks must now beat Queensland in their ING match this Sunday at AdelaideOval to make it through to the final. A win by the Redbacks would also giveSouth Australia a home final.The Redbacks team for this Sundays clash against the Bulls is as follows:

• Greg Blewett (Captain)
• Bradley Young (V.Captain)
• Nathan Adcock
• Chris Davies
• David Fitzgerald
• Mark Harrity
• Ben Higgins
• Ben Johnson
• Graham Manou
• Paul Rofe
• Mike Smith
• Paul Wilson

The match is televised by Channel 9 and will start at 9.30am and go throughtill 5.00pm, with the interval from 1.00pm to 1.30pm.

MELBOURNE, Dec 17 AAP – Shane Warne today said he would do everything he could to recover in time for next year’s cricket World Cup.Warne today made his first appearance since yesterday’s surgery on his dislocated shoulder.He said he was still groggy and grumpy after his operation and disappointed at his latest setback.”All I know is I’m going to give it my best shot to try and get it right as quick as I can,” he said.”Hopefully that’ll give me enough time for the World Cup. If it’s not then so be it.”I’m pretty disappointed at the moment, things were going really well.”Over the last few years I’ve struggled to get back to full fitness. I’ve been on a fitness campaign the last 12 months and been as fit as I’ve ever been, and bowling probably better than I ever have.”After all the injuries that I’ve had, the shoulder, the finger, it’s pretty disappointing to have what happened to me the other night.”But I think I’ve shown a fair bit of courage … and that’s something I’ll have to face now.”Warne said he had had little time to think about his career since dislocating his shoulder against England on Sunday night.”I’ve been asleep for the last 24 hours so I’ve barely had a chance to think about anything just yet,” he said.Warne said he was in a lot of pain when he injured his shoulder and could feel the bone sticking out.He said his only thoughts were about getting off the ground and have the shoulder popped back into place.He said he felt yesterday’s surgery had gone well.But he was aware of the need to recover fully rather than rush back.”If I come back too soon and I am not 100 per cent, that won’t do anyone any good,” he said.Warne said he would be guided by specialist Greg Hoy and team physiotherapist Errol Alcott about when was the best time to return

PERTH, Dec 20 AAP – Paul Collingwood’s maiden one-day international century guided England to 9-258 off 50 overs in its day-night cricket match against Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground.But the Sri Lankans only had themselves to blame for not restricting England to a minuscule total after missing five regulation chances in the field including Collingwood on 11.The 26-year-old Durham batsman’s timely knock of 100 off 127 balls featured four fours and two sixes on a day which topped 40 degrees celsius.Collingwood rode his luck early in his innings as his side’s batting lineup lost its way with some reckless shots.He brought up his 100 by pulling a sharp short ball from Dilhara Fernando (4-48) for a single in the last over before being dismissed with the final delivery of the innings.He was well assisted in resurrecting the England innings in his 27th one-day international by Craig White (48) and they put on 110 for the seventh wicket after England had slumped to 6-122.Outstanding Sri Lankan paceman Chaminda Vaas (3-36) earlier cashed in on some ambitious England shots ripping through the top order on a typically bouncy WACA pitch.The 28-year-old left-armer claimed the scalps of openers Marcus Trescothick (15) and Nick Knight (11), and also Ronnie Irani for four.But he should also have dismissed Collingwood after Thilan Samaraweera dropped a straightforward opportunity at first slip.Poor fielding has been a sad theme of Sri Lanka’s opening two tri-series matches after putting down three catches at the Gabba.Knight and Trescothick opened the innings in aggressive fashion smashing opening bowler Pulsasthi Gunaratne out of the attack before Vaas struck.The classy paceman sent both players back to the pavilion in the fifth over after they attempted to pull him over the infield.Beleaguered No.3 batsman Irani entered and exited early again but not before almost running captain Nasser Hussain out and more than tripling his series average.Irani survived second slip Russel Arnold dropping a sitter off Fernando’s bowling but was unable to add to his score as Vaas trapped him in front.Hussain was also given a chance edging the second delivery he faced between the wicketkeeper and first slip at waist height off Fernando as well.But it didn’t stop England’s reckless array of shots with Collingwood top-edging a six off the unlucky Fernando before Samaraweera’s costly miss.Hussain (25) and Collingwood put on a half-century partnership before he was caught behind to the recalled Prabath Nissanka.Veteran Alec Stewart only lasted three balls before he guided a Nissanka delivery to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip to be 5-93.Fernando claimed his first scalp picking up the wicket of Ian Blackwell (19) just moments after Jehan Mubarak spilt a tough chance in gully off the same batsman in the same over.However Collingwood and Craig White guided the score towards a respectable total with their sensible century seventh wicket stand.Fernando finally received the rightful rewards for his fine bowling efforts picking up the last three wickets to fall.