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In an age when cricket scores and other, less important, information, can go round the world in the blink of an eye, it is amazing that communicating a simple decision over the length of a cricket pitch can sometimes prove so difficult. Yet this was the downfall of Central Districts in Hamilton today, as five batsmen were lost to run outs.Northern Districts won by five wickets with almost eight overs to spare. Some spectacular batting by opener (yes, opener) Simon Doull will probably be the memory that most spectators take away with them.A 79 partnership for the first wicket between Hill and Kelly saw CD off to a good start. Kelly looked in prize form, with seven fours in his 56. His dismissal turned the match irrevocably in ND’s direction.Three of the run outs were against top order batsmen. Only Oram’s was the result of a mix-up, with both batsmen finishing at the same end. The rest were simply a question of underestimating the capabilities of the ND fielders.James Marshall was involved in three of the run outs, including two direct hits. Grant Bradburn also threw the stumps down.The loss of momentum caused by the frequent dismissals allowed the bowlers to reestablish control. The spin combination of Bradburn and Martin was particularly effective, with combined figures of 20-1-58-1.The CD final score was only as high as 198 because of a loose last over from Alex Tait. Two sixes were hit by Andrew Schwass, in his first Shell Cup appearance for two years.ND sprung a surprise with the appearance of Simon Doull (previous highest score in 45 Shell Cup innings: 20) as Michael Parlane’s opening partner. An early season experiment in this regard had not been encouraging. Doull achieved a pair in the space of two hours in a Max game.Today, it was a spectacular success. Employing every part of his bat with effect, Doull hit, slashed, edged, carved and stroked his way to 58 from 41 balls including five fours and two sixes. The mightiest blow was a shot over wide long-on that almost finished in the catering van.He went down valiantly, a top edge climbing so high that bowler Andrew Schwass was within handshaking distance of the square leg umpire when he took the catch.Daniel Vettori, another destructive pinch-hitter, hit 80 in club cricket yesterday. ND supporters fantasised about the combination of Doull and Vettori opening the innings in some future match.Doull left ND well ahead of the required rate, but four top order wickets had fallen in the first fifteen overs. These included Michael Parlane, caught at fine leg from the first legitimate ball of the innings.It was James Marshall who guided ND home without alarm. Marshall’s day began in the early hours with a phone message from Mum telling him that twin brother Hamish was walking out to bat in his debut test innings in South Africa.It continued with his part in three run outs and finished with a match winning innings. Marshall has played little Shell Cup cricket and this was by some way his highest innings. It its own way this was like Hamish’s innings in Johannesburg: careful, defiant and with the interests of the team first and last. Less comparable are the two attacks involved.Marshall reached his fifty with the winning hit. He faced 97 balls and hit six fours.Both teams were without four squad members on international duty or who were injured as a result of being with the Black Caps. ND has a strength in depth that means that its selectors face problems only when everybody is fit and available.CD had five players on Shell Cup debut today, and it showed. Stepping up the scoring rate at the end of the innings was beyond the youngsters, as was holding back the ND scoring rate at vital times.Too many extras were given away and the fielding sometimes grew sloppy under pressure. These are the sort of mistakes that must be expected and understood in a young side.A player who did stand out was off-spinner Haydn Morgan who finished with 10-1-24-1. His one day debut was every bit as impressive as his first appearance in the Shell Trophy earlier in the week.ND has atoned for a poor performance last week. It will be a surprise if it does not feature in the top three at the end of the league stage, particularly if Doull continues his convincing Ian Botham impersonation.

Pakistan sounded a warning to their Asian neighbours when they defeated SriLanka by five wickets in Galle today to win the unofficial Test seriesone-nil. They came to Sri Lanka with an extremely young squad and have shownthat they have plenty of talent waiting in the wings when the seniors startto fade.Having saved the First Test Match in Dambulla by the skin of their teeth,Pakistan held the initiative throughout the last two games and, if the truthbe told, fully deserve to win the series: their batsmen showed greaterapplication, their fast bowlers were occasionally exceptional and, if thiswasn’t enough, they could count on the services of a fine wrist spinner.They were always likely to win this match after Sri Lanka had collapsed toDanish Kaneria last evening. Sri Lanka’s only hope was the overnightpartnership between Thilan Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayawardene. They keptsuch hopes alive for 40 minutes this morning, extending the partnership to46 runs, before a wonderful rocket like throw from the deep square boundaryby Irfan Fazil ran out Jayawardene and opened the door for Pakistan.They needed no second invitation to wrap up the innings. By the time thatJayawardene had removed his batting pads, Malinga Bandara, the next man in,was walking back to the dressing room having edged his first delivery straight to Hasan Raza at short gully.Thilan Samaraweera, obviously worried that he was going to get stranded,following the example of Raza yesterday and tried to pick up some quick runsbefore the innings closed. Unfortunately, he made the fatal mistake ofmissing a straight ball from Yasir Arafat and was trapped leg-before wicket.Dinusha Fernando rounded off the disappointment when he was run out by IrfanFazil, as he tried to pinch the strike. Sri Lanka had lost their last fourwickets for seven runs and Pakistan were required to score just 137 forvictory.Pakistan made heavy going of the target. Humayun Farhat, the wicket keeper,was promoted to open the innings, but he was trapped leg-before wicket inthe first over. Tauquir Umar was also trapped leg-before, this time offSamaraweera, moments after the luncheon interval.Hasan Raza, the mainstay of the Pakistan batting throughout the tour, thenadded 24 runs with Salman Butt, before the young left-hander pulled lamelyto mid-wicket. When Raza was caught behind off Dinusha Fernando, Pakistanwere 67 for four and Sri Lanka may have sensed an outside chance of victory.Misbah ul-Haq (23), who had saved the day in Dambulla, came to the rescueagain, this time with Faisal Naveed (42*). The pair added 55 runs for thefifth wicket, to finally drain the spirit from the Sri Lankan’s. When Misbahwas bowled with 15 runs still required, they had already given up and it wasno surprise that the target was eventually reached courtesy of four sloppyoverthrows.Both coaches have maintained throughout this three-week tour that the endresult was of secondary importance to the identification of new talent. Bythat measure too, Pakistan have gained the most from the tour. Three playersin particular look like they can make the jump into the national team soon.Hasan Raza, still only 19 years old if you believe the statistics, standsout as the one class batsman, having scored 321 runs at 64.2. DanishKaneria is a leg spinner of great potential and claimed 21 wickets in theseries; whilst Irfan Faizal’s fast bowling was particularly impressive onthis lifeless surface in Galle.Sri Lanka meanwhile have discovered little, although they will take heartfrom the fact that the bowling academy appears to be bearing fruit, with anumber of promising young fast bowlers now emerging.Thilan Samaraweera distinguished himself with 21 wickets, AvishkaGunawardene stated a powerful case for a recall into the national squad, andthe performance of Michael Vandort was encouraging, if not compelling, withthe bat. Alas, the rest of the batting was hugely disappointing and,Samaraweera apart, no spinner grabbed the eye.Food for though then for the Sri Lankan selectors, who picked an unwieldy 22players for this three-match series. Apparently, the rationale was to giveas many players as possible an opportunity. The chances of them taking thatopportunity, however, were dramatically reduced by the ensuing sense ofinsecurity within the squad. Unfortunately, it’s back to the drawing boardfor Sri Lanka.

The match between PIA and National Bank is heading for exciting finaleafter the bankers made a spirited reply in pursuit of a stiff targetof 368 in the Patron’s Trophy clash at Sheikhupura Stadium Saturday.According to a message received here, NBP closed the third day on 51for the loss of Imran Nazir’s scalp for 29. They now require another317 for an improbable win Sunday.Earlier, PIA made 325 in their second innings having resumed at theovernight score of 81 for one.Asif Mujtaba, the ex-Test left-hander, scored a solid 87 off 213 ballsin 259 minutes. Faisal Iqbal added another 20 to his Friday’s score of36 before he was caught by Inzamam-ul-Haq off Mohammad Sami. But aflurry from the incoming batsmen consolidated PIA’s position. WasimAkram blasted a cavalier 40 off 37 balls with the aid of six fours andone six while dominating a 68-run stand for the ninth wicket withfellow Test all-rounder Azhar Mahmood (33).Pakistan captain Waqar Younis captured four for 71 in 21 overs.National Bank Mushtaq Ahmed was expensive as he gave away 113 runs in27.4 overs while taking the wickets of Wasim Akram and Yousuf Youhana(18).

PATRICK GADA — BIOGRAPHYFULL NAME: Patrick Kudzayi GadaBORN: 5 May 1978, at HarareMAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (1998/99), Manicaland (1999/2000- )KNOWN AS: Patrick/Paddy Gada. Nickname: ‘Calfy’ – “I have fairlybig calf muscles!”; ‘Patriotick’ – “for my great love of my country.”BATTING STYLE: Right Hand BatBOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Medium Pace/Off SpinOCCUPATION: Professional cricketerFIRST-CLASS DEBUT: CFX Academy v Australian Cricket Academy, atAlexandra Sports Club, 27-29 March 1999TEST DEBUT: Still awaitedODI DEBUT: Still awaitedBIOGRAPHY (March 2000)Patrick Gada, Academy student in 1999, is one of the most promising young black batsman in Zimbabwe. He is highly rated for his attitude and self discipline. He is a non-smoker and does not drink alcohol; from a young age he practiced hard and worked on his fitness. He is a pleasant and quietly-spoken young man who deserves to go far in the game.Like most black players at the present, Patrick has no family background in cricket, although his family has always been very enthusiastic about soccer. His interest in cricket began at Chengu Primary School in Highfield, a high-density suburb of Harare, and he well remembers the times when Dave Houghton used to come and coach. Later on Lazarus Zizhou and Dave Levy took over, and both had much to do with developing Patrick’s interests and skills. Patrick has always been first and foremost a batsman, but he has kept up his medium-paced bowling and useful off-spin as well. He opened the bowling and batting in many early games.His first match, as far as he remembers, took place when he was about ten years of age. He recalls a match in Grade 6 against another school team containing David Mutendera. Once he scored 125 in a thirty-over game, when he was captaining his team, and won the Willards Trophy for his school. He took part in the national primary schools cricket week, captaining the Harare South team and being selected for the national B team.He progressed to Prince Edward High School, having been offered a place there by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union because of his cricketing potential. He had also been offered a place at Chinhoyi High School, but preferred Prince Edward mainly because of the better sporting opportunities it provided. He was immediately appointed as captain of the Under-13 team and progressed up the school year by year. He remembers his best scores when he reached the first team as being 90 against St John’s and 78 against Eaglesvale, batting at number four. He used to bowl regularly as well, opening the bowling at times and taking useful wickets, with seven in an innings being his best performance. In 1995 he went on tour to England with the school team. He names the late ‘Bunny’ Brereton as the high-school coach who helped him the most.At school Patrick was also an athlete, notably in triple jump and long jump. He played rugby and soccer as well, but cricket remained his premier sport. He played his first club match in 1992, for Bionics Cricket Club, which was later renamed Hungwe and is now Winstonians.In 1993 Patrick was selected for the Mashonaland Under-15 team, where he did well and was a reserve for the national side; he progressed to the Mashonaland Under-19 team along with such players as Brian Murphy, Gavin Rennie, Everton Matambanadzo and Gary Brent. Even at the age of 16 he made some good scores, but just missed selection for the national side, being encouraged by Mike Whiley’s assurance that he had plenty of time. In fact, he didn’t, through his own choosing, as he decided to leave school after gaining his O-Levels in Form Four. He does hope to improve his academic qualifications at some time in the future, though.He followed his cricket interests, doing some coaching privately in the high-density areas and assisting the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the Mashonaland Cricket Association on a private, part-time basis. In 1995/96 he began to play for Old Hararians Sports Club, coaching and practising in Highfield and at Harare Sports Club during the off season. His best club performance has been 92 against Universals in 1998/99. In 1998 he was encouraged by the Old Hararians captain Trevor Penney to apply for the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, and he was accepted for the 1999 season.His main memory of that year, along with many other students, was the visit of the Australian Cricket Academy team, which completely outclassed the local academy, mainly due to the express pace of Brett Lee who terrorised the locals and caused Patrick himself much concern. “It was a great turning point for all the Academy guys,” he says.From 1999 Patrick played and coached in England. It was a good experience, although he found the wickets too slow, sub-standard and uncovered. He did learn to adapt to the various wickets, both good and bad. He began in fine form, averaging over 50 to start with, and on 5 May, his 21st birthday, although finding the weather very cold, he scored 97 and had some words with the scoreboard operator for not keeping his individual score going, sure that he could have reached his century had he realised how close he was. His first century came at the Saffrons Ground in Eastbourne.He found that in England he had to learn to take a bigger stride to the ball, play forward more often and wait for the ball to come to him on the slower pitches. He remembers several times trying to drive through extra cover, only to find the ball arriving later than expected, resulting in a catch in the covers. “It was a very good experience in England,” he says.After leaving the Academy, Patrick was posted to Manicaland to coach for the remaining two years of his contract. He has opened the batting for them in the Logan Cup and played some useful innings, gradually finding the confidence to play his strokes more readily at that level.As a batsman his main attribute, he feels, is his concentration and the ability to bat for long periods of time, when as yet he is not fully fluent with his strokes at the top level. He is a strong back-foot player, scoring the majority of his runs on the on side and square of the wicket, while he also cuts well. He is happy to open the innings, but given the choice feels he would prefer number four or five. He usually fields in the middle distance or in the gully, but not in the slips. He has a safe pair of hands and enjoysfielding, and is fairly quick to the ball.Toughest opponents: “So far I think Brett Lee, when he played for the Commonwealth Bank Academy. He was very quick and the fastest guy I’ve ever faced.”Future ambitions: “I hope to stay in the game and keep working on my game all the time. It will take time, but I hope to keep improving. And obviously if I keep improving I would like to play cricket at the highest possible level, and do well.”Proudest moments: “I remember when I was captain of Harare South and my junior school in Highfield, the England A side came over, including Michael Atherton, Neil Fairbrother, Derek Pringle and ‘Sid’ Lawrence, in 1989/90, and I got an autographed bat from them. Then I was rated High Glen Best Junior Batsman, in 1990 again, and I was awarded a bat by Mr Dave Ellman-Brown. Also when I was awarded my cricket colours at Prince Edward High School in 1994 for the most outstanding performance and service. And meeting Viv Richards at the Malcolm Marshall memorial match in London in 2000.”Best friends in cricket: “My best cricketing friends are Amos Maungwa – he’s always out there, he tries very hard and plays for Winstonians, and we did a lot of practice together. All those who love the game and think positively. My late mother, and all my remaining family for all their love, trust and encouragement. Devon Malcolm, the Hopkins family, Mr John Smith, all in Sussex, England. The late Trevor Madondo, to whom I am forever grateful for the time we spent and the batting tips he gave me.”Other interests: “I like reading, especially cricket magazines and current information. I like fitness training; every time I’m free I go out and work on my fitness. I also like listening to music and watching cricket on television or video tape.”Personal views: “I hope I keep improving, especially now that I’m in Manicaland province. During the off season I would like to go overseas and play cricket there. I would also like to help juniors coming up and offer a hand from the knowledge I’ve gained from the game so far. I can’t wait to see Zimbabwe get on top of world cricket and dominate more than West Indies did and more than Australia will ever do.”I’ve enjoyed my 2001 season with Preston Nomads, and I look forward to touring Florida and New York City. My young players for the future are Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikanyeri, Hamilton Masakadza and Joe Gatting who plays for Preston Nomads and Sussex CCC juniors. My cricket heroes are Viv Richards, Ritchie Richardson and Graham Gooch. My motto in life is to respect and learn from others, and above all give thanks to the Almighty.”

ScorecardWho else but Chris Read to steer Notts from trouble?•Getty Images

Trouble-shooter Chris Read guided Nottinghamshire into a strong position at New Road, helping eke out a total of 330 by making 90 – his seventh score of 50 or more in 14 championship innings this season – before Worcestershire lost three wickets in clearing a deficit of 61.After a backs-to-the-wall final session, they were 54 in front on 115 for 4 and looking for much more from Joe Clarke, who closed 43 not out, and Ross Whiteley, on 22. It seemed they could not escape from those who piled on the pressure as Notts added 157 in the afternoon session. Brett Hutton, who made 40 out of 83 with Read, and Jake Ball, who reached a career-best 38 in a stand of 60 in seven overs, hit them hard with the new ball.Richard Oliver departed in Ball’s opening over – Read holding the catch – and Tom Fell’s off stump was knocked back when he played forward to Hutton with only nine runs on the board by the sixth over. With the score on 44 it was three down with Brett D’Oliveira lbw to Hutton for 19 and more trouble followed when Steven Mullaney took a well-deserved wicket by bowling Alex Gidman, middle stump, for 21.For Worcestershire it was yet another frustrating day in which they did so much right, taking 10 wickets in two sessions, but saw a promising position slip away despite claiming maximum bowling bonus points for the 39th time in 40 matches.Nottinghamshire were able to get away from them thanks to Alex Hales, who survived a mid-morning collapse to make 85, his first half-century since April, and Read, who has regularly dragged his side of trouble down the years. This season alone he has impacted on numerous matches, making 73 when Worcestershire lost at Trent Bridge and more recently scoring hundreds as Notts took 35 points in drawing with Middlesex and overwhelming Sussex.Although they secured the lead they wanted in this match, it was not done with total conviction. As soon as the opening stand was broken at 75 – with Brendan Taylor lbw to Joe Leach for 31 – they nosedived to 128 for 5.Charlie Morris became the third Worcestershire seamer to reach 40 Championship wickets this season when he took three in 10 balls. Mullaney edged to third slip, James Taylor was bowled off stump, and Riki Wessels went lbw for a duck. More upsets were not far away. A slip by Hales in turning for a second run caused the confusion which saw Samit Patel run out without scoring, and immediately after lunch, Hales shouldered arms when he was lbw to Jack Shantry after hitting 15 fours.From there it was the Read show. Dropped at first slip off Whiteley on 55, he picked off a dozen fours and a six until he was last out, falling leg-before to Shantry when wafting across the line.

ScorecardRoss Whiteley’s assault left a young Yorkshire side in disarray•Getty Images

There are dangerous T20 hitters hidden away in the English county game who the major overseas T20 leagues do not know exist and who, for that matter, are barely known outside their native county. Ross Whiteley is a case in point. It was his unbeaten 91 from 35 deliveries with 11 sixes which swept Worcestershire into the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast and which ensured that Yorkshire were effectively eliminated with the sense of their own inadequacy running high.Whiteley’s assault set Yorkshire a formidable target of 192 on a sunlit night at Headingley, their death bowling once again wanting as they spilled 103 from the final seven overs. They never came close, defeated by 74 runs. It was quite a way to go. “There will be people watching who are bitterly disappointed,” said Yorkshire’s captain Andrew Gale. “Whiteley turned the game on its head. It is disappointing because so much preparation has gone into this pre-season.”Yorkshire have four players in England’s Ashes squad, Aaron Finch is flying back to Australia with a broken foot and the overs of Ryan Sidebottom and Jack Brooks are being saved for the task of defending their Championship title. Possibly Tim Bresnan is being spared as well: he stands in the field in T20 matches but these days for reasons that have not been entirely explained – niggling injuries or the fact he goes for 11 an over? – he does not bowl his allocation.Another star Australian, Glenn Maxwell, who barely plays in the Championship and so attunes himself with nets and golf – not necessarily in that order – has played one influential innings all season. He was out first ball, holing out against the leg breaks of Brett D’Oliveira and checking the bottom of his bat: a World Cup winner playing in what was a glorified developmental XI. It can’t have been like that in the brochure.Developmental XIs have their place and Yorkshire develop better than anybody. But Yorkshire had identified the NatWest T20 Blast as a priority, alongside the Championship this season. They installed floodlights, they banged the drum and crowds have risen by 20%.Not many of those new spectators, their pride swollen by a Championship win, and a possibility of a second one, anticipated that the night they would be eliminated from the tournament would see them thrashed at home by such a margin with a defeatist batting collapse to follow the concession of a score probably 20 over par by an attack including four brittle teenagers having to learn their trade the hard way.Yorkshire are bottom of the table – and a failure to qualify for the quarter-finals might well have been inevitable, so much were the odds stacked against them, but which they seem to have tacitly accepted before their time.Whiteley was born in Sheffield, but he played his early county cricket at Derbyshire. “No slogging,” he said of his innings. Just lots of balls disappearing into the crowd, mostly over the short side. His strike rate has now swollen to 176.87 and he tops Worcestershire’s batting averages. That is heading towards Chris Gayle territory, even if he can’t match his batting average of 328.Another Yorkshireman smiling was Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire’s coach. He has a well-drilled squad which has surprised many people in this tournament. Their third quarter-final in four years suggests that they are a side full of good habits.At 63 for 4, Yorkshire’s bowlers had their tails up, but Worcestershire stirred with a stand of 61 from six overs before Mitchell was bowled by Liam Plunkett for 49 from 45 balls, a measured innings that might have come to grief earlier, on 24, if Jonny Bairstow had not broken the stumps with his hip while trying to effect a run out.Yorkshire’s bowling attack bore the look of a developmental XI – and so did the approach of the captain, Andrew Gale, as he bowled them ahead of two international bowlers. Yorkshire chose four teenagers and they bowled 13 overs between them. How does Maxwell not complete his spell in this attack?They gave T20 debuts to two 19-year-olds – the young left-arm spinner Karl Carver and medium pacer Ryan Gibson – and Will Rhodes was another T20 ingenue, veteran of five games. In such company, Matthew Fisher, at 17 but relatively proven, must have felt like a dispenser of wisdom.Carver, who mixed up his pace confidently, and Rhodes, who as an allrounder looks to have something about him, would have been relieved to escape with 30 conceded, Carver with two top-order wickets as well, but Gibson, who was faced with a big ask as he was thrown the ball for the 16th over, felt the full force of Whiteley, conceding 19 in his first over as the ball disappeared over the short boundary into the West Stand.The crowd disappeared about an hour later, grumbling as they went, and with good reason.

The BCB has started to make payments on Sunday to local players who have dues from BPL franchises. According to board directors, the sum to be paid this time is around Tk 2.10 crore (approx. $270,000) to about 70 cricketers.BPL governing council chairman Afzalur Rahman Sinha said the payments were made by the BCB after the franchises failed to give the players their due money. The governing council had asked BCB director Naimur Rahman to investigate the players’ dues and draw up a list for payment. It remained unclear whether this is the full payment for the local players who were unpaid for more than two years.Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Mithun, Sohag Gazi, Sabbir Rahman, Alok Kapali, Nazmul Hossain, Anamul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Milon and some other cricketers were seen entering the BCB offices in Mirpur, and an hour later some of them were seen walking out with cheques in hand. Only Anamul showed any sign of relief as he did a little celebratory jig.It was learned that several of these cricketers were unhappy with the amount given to them while others expressed satisfaction at finally being paid, having staying unpaid for so long.Sinha said that the payments were made in consultation with the players and the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh. “We were feeling bad seeing the players disappointed,” Sinha said. “We started to give out cheques from today. We gave them according to the list made by Naimur Rahman and Debabbrata [Paul]. It is nearly Tk 2.5 crore, which will be paid to around 70 players. They had contract with the franchises but since they failed, we made the payments. We have consulted their association before taking the decision. We paid them as much as they wanted.”The board, however, didn’t pay the unpaid players of Rangpur Riders for the 2013 BPL as the franchise informed the BCB that they would be completing the due payments.When asked if foreign players had been paid, Sinha claimed their payment had been completed. “We don’t have any due payments for foreign players,” he said.Naimur, the BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman, said he knew that some will remain unhappy with the amounts. “We kept the players’ need for money in our consideration,” Naimur said. “There are some senior cricketers who can earn money from other sources but there are also some who don’t have it. So they had to make that adjustment. There was no specific rate as such. We had to discuss with each cricketer.”There will be dissatisfaction. Some people will always remain dissatisfied, it is how they are. I did this job knowing fully that I will be blamed. I can’t make everyone happy. If everyone is happy with their payment, then I am not doing my job.”

Match facts

Friday, May 22, 2015
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)

Big picture

Only once has a side won both the eliminator and the second qualifier games in the IPL. Chennai Super Kings did that in 2012, but went down to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Royal Challengers Bangalore will want to become the second side to do so, but find Super Kings in their way.Royal Challengers put in a complete performance in the eliminator to beat Rajasthan Royals by 71 runs. Led by AB de Villiers and Mandeep Singh, they took 86 off the last six overs. Super Kings will likely not be so accommodating at the death. MS Dhoni’s men have comfortably beaten Royal Challengers in both league games this season, in Bangalore and in Chennai.In both those games, Super Kings batted first. It will be an interesting decision for Virat Kohli to make if he wins the toss. Four out of six IPL games in Ranchi have been won by the chasing side, and the victory margin in the fifth was only seven runs. Royal Challengers prefer to chase, especially in batting-friendly conditions at home, but this is a larger outfield and not as high-scoring a venue as Chinnaswamy Stadium.Super Kings have played a lot more in Ranchi than Royal Challengers have – seven games against two – and will be more familiar with the conditions. What will have bothered them is how their chase unraveled against Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier.They were 86 for 2 at the halfway stage when Harbhajan Singh dismissed Suresh Raina and Dhoni off successive deliveries, blows from which Super Kings never recovered. Mumbai Indians were 86 for 0 at the halfway stage, and Kieron Pollard catapulted them to 187 for 6. Super Kings have struck consistently with the new ball this season, something they could not do in the first qualifier, and will want to in the second.

Form guide

Chennai Super Kings LWLWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WWLWW

Head-to-Head

Super Kings lead Royal Challengers 11-7 in the head-to-head. Raina made 62 off 32 to lead Super Kings to 181 for 8 in Bangalore. Ashish Nehra’s 4 for 10 kept Royal Challengers to 154 for 8. Raina’s 52 off 46 took Super Kings to 148 for 9 in Chennai. Nehra claimed 3 for 19 as Royal Challengers were dismissed for 124.

In the spotlight

Suresh Raina is having his poorest IPL season, in terms of runs as well as strike-rate. His lowest season run-tally prior to this one was 421 in 2008, and his lowest season strike-rate was 135 in 2011. This time he has made 346 runs at 122. However, both his fifties have come against Royal Challengers.These are the two most productive attacks this season. Super Kings have taken 93 wickets at an economy-rate of 7.56 and a strike-rate of 18.9. Royal Challengers have 86 at 8.38 and 16.6. With so many power-hitters in both line-ups, it will come down to which set of bowlers holds up better under pressure.

Team news

Barring last-minute surprises, both sides should go in with the same XIs.Chennai Super Kings (probable) 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Michael Hussey, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Faf du Plessis, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Pawan Negi, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Ashish Nehra, 11 Mohit SharmaRoyal Challengers Bangalore (probable) 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Virat Kohli (capt), 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Mandeep Singh, 5 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 6 Sarfaraz Khan, 7 David Wiese, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 S Aravind

Pitch and conditions

The pitch appeared pretty dry on the eve of the game. The average first-innings score in IPL games in Ranchi is 150, suggesting a surface more to Super Kings’ liking than Royal Challengers’. The city is expected to sizzle at a maximum of 41 degrees but conditions will not be so extreme in the night. No rain is forecast.

Stats and trivia

• Royal Challengers beat Super Kings by five wickets in the only game between the two sides in Ranchi, in 2014
• Virat Kohli has scored the most runs in IPL games between the two teams – 694 with six half-centuries at an average of 46.26 and a strike-rate of 126.87
• Dinesh Karthik has 17 dismissals in IPL 2015. The season record is 19 by Kumar Sangakkara in 2011

Quotes

“The guys are getting pretty tired at this stage of the tournament. To get rid of a game and a bit of travel would have been good. But we are not afforded that luxury. We have to dig pretty deep. Happy that we have another opportunity… in Ranchi which has been good to us.”

At least in Tabarak Dar’s mind there is no question which is the better team between India and Pakistan. Twice, the Hong Kong captain has been asked this and twice he has been emphatic with his verdict. “On current form there is no doubt that India are the stronger side,” he said. Many will demur but Pakistan and India potentially play three times in this tournament so an answer will soon be evident.The pressure in these matches may be receding with familiarity but ShoaibMalik, Pakistan’s captain, reckons the hosts will feel the heat a little bit. “A little difference is made from playing so often but in both our countries, crowds want a win all the time. There is a little more pressure on us being at home, but we are confident going into the Indiagame.”It is likely that Pakistan will go in with the same XI and that Malik opensagain, though only after looking at the surface. “We want to keep thesame side, but it will depend on the wicket,” Malik said.Malik will hope the top-order collapse against Hong Kong was a blip butwill also want some contributions from his middle-order, where Misbah-ul-Haq andShahid Afridi have gone a number of innings without a fifty. Thoughcriticism of Misbah should be offset by his position in the batting order- one fifty in his last 12 innings hides his position nestled most oftenat six or seven – Afridi’s batting form is a worry, with only one fifty in his last22 ODIs.”Misbah bats lower down the order but whenever he bats he makes a 30 or40,” Malik said. “He bats in difficult situations lower down so that makes a difference.Anyway no player scores in every match.”Afridi’s situation is more complex. Though his batting has been poor, hehas almost become a specialist bowler. In his last 22 matches, he hasbowled his full quota 16 times, picking up 34 wickets in the process.Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistan captain, believes Afridi needs a move up the order to regain some confidence. “I’ve been noticing a difference in the way he bats for quitesometime,” Ramiz told . “He seems to hesitate a lot. I’mnot sure why but that is certainly affecting his batting.”I think the only way Afridi can overcome this lean patch is by batting upthe order. He should be opening the innings. That way he would get plentyof overs and I’m sure that within a few games, he would be in full flowagain.”I believe the team management will have to rethink Afridi’s position ashis batting is falling apart. He is too big an asset for Pakistan cricketand needs to be utilised properly.”

One of the most prestigious events on the secondary schools’ sporting calendar in New Zealand, cricket’s Gillette Cup finals, will be played out over the weekend in Palmerston North.The teams who have qualified for this year’s event are: Kelston Boys’ High School, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Wanganui Collegiate and Southland Boys’ High School.The tournament opens at Fitzherbert Park on Friday when Wanganui play Kelson and Southland play Hamilton.On Saturday, Kelston play Hamilton and Southland meet Wanganui.On the last day, Hamilton play Wanganui and Kelston play Southland.Kelston qualified by beating Dilworth School, Sacred Heart College, Westlake Boys’ High School, King’s College and Whangarei Boys’ High School.Hamilton beat Te Awamutu College, Hillcrest High School, St Paul’s Collegiate and Tauranga Boys’ College.Wanganui beat Wanganui High School, St Augustine’s College, New Plymouth Boys’ High School and Wellington College.Southland beat Verdon College, James Hargest High School, Waitaki Boys’ High School, Otago Boys’ High School and St Andrew’s College.Over the years the tournament has fashioned an outstanding record of achievement by its participants. Thirty-three finalists have gone on to play first-class cricket and eight, Matthew Bell, Robert Kennedy, Brendon McCullum, Hamish Marshall, Jacob Oram, Andrew Penn, Mathew Sinclair and Scott Styris have gone on to play for New Zealand while former Otago, Auckland and Wellington player Ian Billcliff helped Canada qualify for the World Cup and is a strong chance to appear at it in February.The highest score in the tournament’s history was 122 not out scored by Jamie Rae of Wanganui Collegiate. Seven centuries in total have been scored while Bell and Robert Lawson each finished matches on 99 not out.The best bowling belongs to Mark Pearson who took seven for 32 for Auckland Grammar against Wanganui Collegiate in 2000.The highest score by a team was 337/6 scored by Wanganui Collegiate against Rathkeale College in 1997.The finalists’ teams are:Kelston Boys’ High School: Shaun Page, Michael Forbes, Jason Fuller, Roneel Hira, Chris Langdon, Barry Lynch, Ben Mailata, James Matthews, Paul Matthews, Fa’a’sao Mulivai, Anand Patel, Chris Scheib. Team management: Chris McGarvey, Blair Webby, Sagren Govender.Hamilton Boys’ High School: Jason Perrett, Keir Bettley, Daniel Boughtwood, Anton Devcich, Dane McLeod, Sam McLeod, Jono McNeill, Sam Thomas, Bryce Turner, Bradley Watling, Cameron Weight, Ben Wilcock. Coach: Chris Kuggeleijn.Wanganui Collegiate: Ben Collier, Josh Ambler, James Barton, Guy Bryden, Richard de Gruchy, Darcy Hooper-Smith, Jack Jefferd, Jonathan Kight, Tom Lance, Ben Orton, Willy White, Richard Wylie. Team management: Robert Wake, Rob van Dort.Southland Boys’ High School: Tim McClean, Matthew Anderson-Stewart, Mark Beer, Campbell Cuthill, Shaun Fitzgibbon, Hamish Hargest, Regan Mauheni, Mike McClean, Andrew Mills, Daniel Ramsay, Hamish Skelt, James Wadsworth. Team management: Lindsay McClean, Peter Skelt.Previous winners were: 1990, Palmerston North BHS; 1991, St Kentigern College; 1992, Otago BHS; 1993, Otago BHS; 1994, Whangarei BHS; 1995, Wanganui Collegiate; 1996, St Patrick’s College (Silverstream), 1997, Wanganui Collegiate; 1998, Palmerston North BHS, 1999 Christchurch BHS; 2000, Auckland Grammar; 2001, Wellington College.