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New Zealand allrounder Suzie Bates will miss the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe in February-March 2026 with a quadricep injury. Bates, 38, will also miss the remainder of the domestic home summer for Otago and will remain on the sidelines for three months.Bates suffered the injury last month while fielding for Otago during the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, New Zealand women’s domestic one-day competition. Subsequent scans revealed that due to the severity of the tear, she will require three months of rehabilitation. This is the second injury blow for New Zealand in recent weeks after Eden Carson faces a longer period out because of an elbow injury.Related

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Bates is hoping to return to action in the white-ball series against South Africa in March.”I’m gutted to be missing out this summer, I was really looking forward to another season with the [Otago] Sparks, especially the Super Smash,” Bates said in an NZC statement. “I’m determined to get back on the field with the White Ferns in March, so that’ll be my focus for now.”Before the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, Bates had a difficult ODI World Cup in India, managing only 40 runs in five innings at an average of eight and a strike rate of 61.53.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host a rematch of last year’s Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) finals when arch-rivals Victoria Spirit and the New South Wales Breakers do battle in the three-match series beginning on 31 January.The finals showdown is a best-of-three match series with the limited-over games scheduled for 31 January, 1 February and the deciding match, if required, on Monday 2 February.Victoria Spirit claimed its inaugural WNCL title last season, defeating the New South Wales Breakers 2-0 in the finals series, also played at the MCG.Since the women’s national competition was established as the WNCL in 1996-97, the two sides have dominated the championship. New South Wales won six consecutive titles before Victoria broke the sequence to claim last year’s championship.In their two limited-over encounters this season, the sides completed a thrilling tie at Butler Oval in Frankston, before Victoria Spirit claimed a four wicket victory the next day at the same venue.Overall, the two states have played 25 times with the WNCL head-to-head battle standing at New South Wales (15), Victoria (9) and one tied result (this year).In WNCL finals series, they have met on four occasions – 1996-97, 1998-99, 2001-02 and 2002-03.Six players have played in all 25 WNCL matches between the states – Bronwyn Calver, Julie Hayes and Lisa Keightley (New South Wales), and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Melanie Jones and Belinda Clark (Victoria). Clark played 15 WNCL matches for New South Wales before relocating to Victoria.Play begins at 1000 and entry is free. Patrons should enter via gate 8.

Powered by Rob Nicol’s 134 Auckland ran away to a 149-run lead before restricting Central Districts to 114 for 4 at the end of the second day’s play at McLean Park. Nicol added 36 runs with his overnight partner Colin de Grandhomme, who moved from 65 to 87, but three quick wickets left Auckland struggling at 182 for 6. Nicol, then, stitched together a valuable 103-run partnership with Andre Adams to lift Auckland and was the last man to be dismissed, when he became the fourth victim of Gregory Hegglun. Chris Martin, who took a five-for in the first innings, caused a dent in the top order with a double strike but Jamie How revived Central Districts with a fluent 84-ball 72. Central Districts still trail by 35 runs, with only six wickets left.On a turgid day’s of cricket Northern Districts reached 181 for 3, in response to Otago‘s 404, at the end of the second day’s play at Dunedin. Bradley-John Watling shared a patient 122-run opening stand in 62.3 overs with Alun Evans but Bradley Scott struck twice to push Northern Districts on the backfoot at 142 for 3. Watling, however, carried on with his immensely patient knock and ended the day 15 runs short of what would be his maiden ton.Michael Papps starred with a fine 98 but three quick wickets in the last session saw Canterbury slide from a healthy 171 for 1 to 204 for 4 at the end of the second day’s play at Wellington. Jesse Ryder cleaned up Papps to start the mini-collapse and 22 runs late Shanan Stewart fell as Wellington came back into the game. Earlier, Wellington’s tail wagged to lift the score from the overnight 314 for 8 to 365.

Despite a year in which they lost the Ashes, Australia have ended 2005 with the top-ranked batsman and bowler in the world. Ricky Ponting took the No. 1 spot in the batting, following his 117 in the Boxing Day Test, while Shane Warne is secure at the top of the bowling rankings following 96 wickets in the year.Ponting also topped the table of Test run-scorers for 2005, finishing with 1544 – the closest a player as been to Viv Richards’ record of 1710 runs in 1976. He takes over from Jacques Kallis who has slipped to fifth following his double failure in Melbourne.Matthew Hayden also leapfrogs Kallis into third after his 65 and 137, completing a stunning recovery which began with his century in the final Ashes Test at The Oval. Since that match he has made 855 runs in six Tests with four centuries to regain a firm grip on one of the opening positions in the Australian side.Warne and Glenn McGrath head the bowling table after Warne broke Dennis Lillee’s calendar record at Perth against South Africa and finished just four short of a 100 wickets after the Melbourne Test. South Africa’s highest ranked bowler is Makhaya Ntini at No. 5, although Shaun Pollock and Andre Nel are also in the top 10.For the complete rankings click here

C Nagaraj, the former secretary of the Indian board, died in Bangalore on Friday.Nagaraj, 76, was admitted to hospital after collapsing at home but never recovered consciousness. He was joint secretary and honorary secretary of the board for 20 years from 1978, and also from serving the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in various capacities. Nagaraj was the secretary of the KSCA for two decades from 1978 and was also a committee member, team manager and assistant secretary. He is survived by a wife, two daughters and son.”I was shocked to hear the news,” Jogmohan Dalmiya told , a Kolkata based daily. “I had worked with Nagaraj for many years and it is hard to believe that he is no more.”

A remarkable seven-wicket haul by WPCC’s strike bowler Ryan ten Doeschate scuttled UCT, who were tumbled out for 103 at Groote Schuur.ten Doeschate’s return of 7 for 49 provided an ironic twist as the medium-pacer had skippered UCT last season when the students won the local league championship. He did well yesterday to extract an effective marginal lift off the pitch, also succeeding to swing the ball, and his short pitched deliveries forced the opposition onto the back foot, resulting in two of his victims being caught.The remaining three wickets were picked up by Andrew Mazina, a former Eastenr Province B offspinner. Responding to the students’ meagre total WPCC’s opening pair, Geo Colussi and Neil Quale, cracked a swift 71 before Quale departed for 37. Colussi continued his onslaught and went on to form the backbone of the innings. Together with Steven George (24), this pair continued the momentum in raising 65 for the second wicket.Colussi went on to carry his bat until the visitors declared at 227-8, the opener notching an unbeaten 109 off 163 deliveries, which included 14 fours. At stumps, Western Province had lost the wicket of Rob Sherwood – promoted to open and see off the remaining five overs of play, and were at 29-1. WPCC are well in control with a lead of 151.At the Boon Wallace Oval Marc Adams looked well set for a century for Claremont against Cape Town but was deprived Kyle Coetzer ran him out with a direct hit on 73. Adams hammered eight boundaries and with Marc Barham (46) put on 95 runs for the fourth wicket. Barham reached the fence on seven occasions while Alan Dawson (38) also batted well.Claremont eventually declared at 225 for 6 after 68 overs. Cape Town made a poor start, losing three wickets for 32 ,but Lloyd Moore and Kyle Coetzer(23) took the score to 96 before Moore had to retire with an injured back. At the close Cape Town had 102 for 4.Friday’s rain seeped under the covers at Pinelands with the result that the groundsmen had to battle to prepare the pitch for a prompt start. Bellville won the toss and did not hesitate to send the home side in, who battled with the pitch and were all out for a paltry 127. Bellville are in the driving seat with their openers, Ryan van Niekerk and JB Burger, putting on 128 for the opening stand. Burger was eventually out for 105 (13 fours and six sixes) after an excellent knock that included no chances. At the close Bellville were 152 runs on with seven wickets standing.

UCT v WPCC

UCT First inningsD Slater c Dourans b Ten Doeschate      9D Worth c Mazina b Ten Doeschate        14R Short b Ten Doeschate 0N Kruger b Ten Doeschate        2A Cronje c Roberts b Mazina     21C Vadas c Mazina b Ten Doeschate        0B Murphy c Roberts b Ten Doeschate      2E Lepine b Ten Doeschate        25R Sherwood b Ten Doeschate      9D Cooke c George b Mazina       0Z Meyer not out 3Extras  8TOTAL (After 38,3 overs)        103Falls: 1/19, 2/19, 3/25, 4/32, 5/32,6/60, 7/87, 8,90, 9/90.Bowling: Martyn 9-0-18-0, Ten Doeschate 12,3-2-49-7,Preston 12-4-26-0, Mazina 7-3-7-3
WPCC first inningsG Colussi not out       109N Quale c Lepine b Meyer        37S George c Sherwood b Meyer     24R Hendricks c Sherwood b Murphy 2R Ten Doeschate lbw Murphy      10A Martyn b Worth        16B Roberts lbw Worth     4J Doerans lbw Murphy    8N Preston st Sherwood b Murphy  1B Clark not out 6Extras  10TOTAL (for 8 decl)      227Falls: 1-71, 2-136, 3-141, 4-161, 5-179,6-183, 7-196, 8-204Bowling: Worth 4-2-67-2, Cook 5-1-29-0,Murphy 24-3-96-4, Meyer 12-1-33-2
UCT second inningsR Sherwood c George b Martyn    0R Short not out 20C Vadas not out 8Extras  1TOTAL (for 1)   29Falls: 1-15Bowling: Martyn 5-1-9-1, Ten Doeschate 3-0-3-0,Preston 2-0-17-0
Cape Town v Claremont
CLAREMONT First inningsP Lawson c and b Palmer 24G Stoffberg b De Beer   1W Havenga c Thornton b Holman   27M Adams run out 73M Barham lbw Holman     46A Dawson c J Holgate b Thornton 38D Loebenstein not out   13B Swanson not out       0Extras  3TOTAL (for 6 decl)      225Falls: 1-6, 2-49, 3-66, 4-161, 5-207, 6-215Bowling: Gie 8-2-31-0, De Beer 10-2-32-1,Martin 10-2-36-0, Palmer 24-10-60-1, Holman 14-0-51-2,Thornton 2-0-13-0
CAPE TOWN First inningsM Ritchie c Havenga b Stockton  5D Holgate c Havenga b Stockton  3L Moore retired hurt   46J Holgate lbw Stockton  6K Coetzer not out       23D Thornton lbw Dawson   11Extras  8TOTAL (for 4)   103Falls: 1/7, 2/24, 3/32, 4/102Bowling: Dawson 12-4-19-1, Stockton 13-6-20-3,Cullen 8-4-17-0, Loebenstein 4-1-9-0, Barham 7-2-22-0,S van Duiker 5-1-10-0.
Pinelands v Bellville
PINELANDS first inningsC Ambrose c Ackermann b Smith   24R Bannatyne c Vermaak b du Plessis      20R Clark c Vermaak b Smith       20R Beukes c Theron b Trott       1S Tarr c Theron b Olivier       23A Little c Smith b Trott        4B Wilkinson lbw Smith   0N Nickonnoche c Theron b du Plessis     16L Katz b Olivier        2T Franke lbw du Plessis 4G Williams not out      0Extras  13TOTAL   127Falls: 1-37, 2-68, 3-69, 4-75, 5-81, 6-84,7-116, 8-120, 9-126Bowling: Olivier 10.1-3-25-2, du Plessis 14-5-31-3,Smith 14-2-39-3, Trott 9-2-19-2
BELLVILLE first inningsR van Niekerk c Williams b Tarr 26JB Burger c Little b Tarr       105J Trott not out 72L Ferreira lbw Franke   58S Ackermann not out     14Extras  4Total (for 3)   179Falls: 1-128, 2-133, 3-244Bowling: Franke 24-5-74-1, Tarr 16-0-77-2,Williams 12-1-83-0, Bannatyne 9-3-43-0
Tygerberg v Almar
ALMAR first inningsA Gray not out  151A Kalis c Kotze b Philander     6K Jackson c Philander b L Simpson       63N Johnson not out       74Extras  26TOTAL (for 2 decl)      320Falls: 1-14, 2-145Bowling: Philander 21-2-108-1, Gilbert 12-0-12-0,Harris 5-0-29-0, L Simpson 15-4-66-1, Timmet 10-0-40-10,Buys 2-0-20-0
TYGERBERG first inningsA Simpson b Tatton      70B Johnson b Berg        9S Agulhas c Randal b Berg       0A Botha lbw Tatton      17B Gilbert not out       25V Philander not out     4Extras  11TOTAL (for 4)   136Falls: 1-41, 2-41, 3-78, 4-125Bowling: Johnson 5-0-21-0, Berg 10-3-23-2,Hemmings 6-0-23-0, Tatton 12-3-41-2, Snyman 4-2-11-0,Liebrecht 7-2-10-0

NIC POTHAS is a South African international wicketkeeper with a Greek passport, and will be lining up for Hampshire in the County Championship this summer.Director of cricket, Tim Tremlett, revealed last night that they had snapped up the talented 28-year-old from under the noses of at least four counties, including Lancashire.”We’re delighted to have signed Nic,” he said. “This shows the ambition of Hampshire.”There will be a lot of top teams in Division 1 this summer. Last time we came straight down, but this signing will prompt competition for places in the team, and enable us to compete in the championship.”Pothas, who has played three one-day internationals for South Africa, is currently plying his trade with Gauteng where he has a batting average of 36 and a top score of 165.He has signed a two-year contract with Hampshire and will join up with the team at the end of the domestic season.He holds a Greek passport, so will qualify to play for Hampshire under EC regulations enabling them to field Zimbabwe international Neil Johnson and Pothas in the same team.Tremlett revealed that they had been chasing Pothas for the last 18 months. “Our coach Jimmy Cook has known Nic since he was quite young, during his playing days with Transvaal,” added Tremlett. “He is a quality player and comes highly recommended.”This deal has been a long time in arranging. The registration finally came through from Lord’s in November.”Pothas’s signing could potentially put pressure on Hampshire number one wicketkeeper Adrian Aymes, and talented second team keeper, Iain Brunnschweiler.Tremlett admitted they were keen to increase the strength of the squad and boost competition, but they saw the South African primarily as a batsman.He added: “We have explained the situation to Nic. At the moment some people regard him more as a batsman/wicketkeeper. He regularly opens the batting for Gauteng in one-day game, and bats at four in the championship.”Nic does keep wicket, but we are looking to him primarily as a batsman, who can keep wicket.”Adie is one of the best wicketkeepers in the country, who also scores lot of runs, and he is certainly the number one.”Tremlett revealed that Hampshire are still keeping tabs on Lancashire batsman John Crawley. The England international stepped down as captain of the county last summer and has stated his intention to leave.Hampshire are keen to sign the player, but the county’s Director of Cricket admitted they were watching from the sidelines while Crawley sorts out his wrangle with Lancashire, who have refused him to be released from his contract.

Queensland has recorded a remarkable outright victory over Tasmania in a thrilling finish to the teams’ Pura Cup match at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane this afternoon. The four wicket triumph, achieved with just one over of play to spare on the final day, came when the Bulls spectacularly chased down a target of 372 from a possible seventy-two overs.Key batsmen Martin Love (161*) and Andrew Symonds (133) were the heroes of the win, building and then thrashing their way to a 261 run partnership for the fourth wicket that transformed the game completely. The match had seemed destined for a draw for much of the final afternoon as the visitors, who had held all the aces from close to the outset of the match, failed to achieve the breakthroughs that they needed through the middle phase of the Queensland innings.Even deep into the final day’s play, thoughts of an outright success for either team seemed remote. But, in the twinkling of an eye, the clean-hitting duo launched a spectacular assault. With the pitch playing as truly as it had for the majority of the contest, they smashed eighty-five runs in the space of seven overs in the hour after tea to metaphorically bring the Tigers to their knees. Symonds’ brutal strokeplay (which generated nineteen fours and two thumping sixes) and Love’s languid yet sophisticated approach (which also brought nineteen boundaries and two sixes, although in slightly more measured style) represented the perfect combination in the circumstances. Theirs was quite a performance.Much credit should go to the Tasmanians too, though. Captain Jamie Cox made an aggressively, but appropriately, timed declaration an hour into the final day’s play and he maintained attacking fields – something which could not be said of his opponents – throughout. Although they looked largely powerless in their attempts either to break or contain the Love-Symonds association for long periods, the Tigers also gave the impression of a unit determined to play positive cricket this season. They still even retained a genuine hope of victory at different moments during the concluding stages of the match before the Bulls finally completed their monumental recovery by snatching away the six points.

A proposed change in the annual tri-series format has received backing from Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, who believe the concept is tired. Cricket Australia is considering swapping the schedule from almost six weeks of matches to two head-to-head contests for 2008-09.Starting as the World Series Cup in 1979-80, the idea was Kerry Packer’s, but the senior players believe after almost 30 years it is time for a change. “The system has got a little bit tired,” Hayden told AAP. “If you’ve got a decreased number of games but a highly competitive tournament it’s an asset.”The series involving Australia, India and Sri Lanka, which starts in February, involves 12 group games before the best-of-three finals. “Towards the back end of the tri-series if one side, like Australia has done for a long time, has dominated the competition, there does seem to be a lot of dead rubber games,” Hayden said. “That could be Hobart’s [only] game and I believe they deserve a more meaningful game.”Matches between the two visiting teams have also struggled for support in recent years and Gilchrist said Cricket Australia needed to determine if they could improve the product. “It would be interesting to see what the public think,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how the public attends the coming summer’s triangular series, that might give us a bit more of an indication.”Cricket Australia’s board was planning to discuss the change during a meeting on Friday, but the programme for 2008-09, which includes New Zealand and South Africa, will not be finalised until March. Expanding the Ashes series to six Tests is also on the agenda.

The Nairobi Jaffery Sports Club has been granted official ODI status by the ICC following the final inspection by Chris Broad on January 7.Cricket Kenya is particularly pleased with the accreditation of this ground as it has a picturesque setting and has the size and facilities to become a high-class spectator venue for international matches. Officials had been worried as torrential rain in recent weeks left the venue underwater less than a week ago.This news means that all three venues for the World Cricket League, which gets underway on January 30, now have ODI status. The other two venues are Nairobi Gymkhana and Ruaraka Sports Clubm which was granted ODI status at the end of last year..