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Michael Hussey has left the cricket world wondering why he is retiring, rather than why not. In the midst of one of his most productive summers and with his place in the team completely beyond question, Hussey, 37, will end his international career at the conclusion of the Australian summer, meaning the New Year’s Test against Sri Lanka in Sydney will be his last.It was a decision Hussey revealed he had all but made before the season began, and needed only a waning desire for the looming tours of India and England to confirm it. Known universally as “Mr Cricket”, this most intense and diligent Australian batsman could not find his usual enthusiasm for the 2013 schedule, and so will exit the game on top. The hole left by Hussey’s loss to the Australian batting line-up, fielding circle and dressing room is incalculable.”I’ve known for a while that I probably wanted to finish at the end of the Australian summer,” Hussey told ESPNcricinfo. “I just wanted to see how I felt throughout he summer and my feelings hadn’t really changed. I was looking ahead to the India series and the Ashes and I didn’t have the same excitement or buzz about the challenges ahead.”So I knew I was making the right decision because I knew my heart wasn’t 100% in spending that amount of time away from home and being excited about the challenges that are going to come forward. Not very many players get to leave on their own terms, so I’m very fortunate in that respect.”It’s not so much a decision about how I’m playing, I still feel like I’m playing well. But it’s more to do with everything else around the game, time away from home, the constant travel, the constant training, the constant pressures and stresses involved with international cricket as well, that eventually they take their toll on you.”There was no question about Hussey shelving Twenty20 or ODI matches to prolong his Test career, and in a way this was fitting, for no batsman in the 21st century has achieved such a revered place in all three formats of the game. Starting with the base of a pure technique fostered by opening the batting for Western Australia before he moved down the order, Hussey’s combination of placement, power and matchless running between the wickets made him a man for all situations. He can point proudly to innings as contrasting as his barnstorming 60* to steal a a World Twenty20 semi-final from under Pakistan’s noses in 2010, and his commanding 195 against England in the first Test of an Ashes series later that same year.”I’d say looks can be deceiving,” Hussey said. “It’s certainly not easy, it’s been very tough. And all three formats are very challenging in their own right. I think it just comes down to pride in your own performance really. I’m very proud to be able to represent Australia, and you want to help Australia win games. Thats what the drive was, no matter what format of the game it was, and so I just wanted to approach every game, no matter what format it was, with that attitude. Wanting to win for Australia.”Hussey’s sudden retirement means Australia have lost two of their most experienced batsmen this summer, following Ricky Ponting’s exit after the Perth Test against South Africa. The development will lead to a significant reshaping of Australia’s middle order ahead of a tour to India and back-to-back Ashes. While many will fear for the immediate future of the Australian team without Hussey as the glue in its middle order, Hussey is adamant he will not be one of them.”I’m not worried about the team at all,” he said. “There’s plenty of fantastic candidates to come into the team, and I’m sure whoever comes in will do a great job, score plenty of runs and help Australia win more Test matches in the future. It’s shown in the history of the game that players come and go but the game continues on, and it’ll be no different with me. There’ll be a new player come in and represent Australia with the same pride and passion as I have.”That pride was personified in Hussey’s role as the singer of the team song after a victory, a role handed down sparingly down the years from its origins with Rod Marsh. Others to have taken the role include Allan Border, David Boon, Ian Healy, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer – rare company in which Hussey is most certainly not out of place.”The opportunity to wear the baggy green cap is the proudest thing, and then to prove to myself and the world that I could perform with that cap on, that gives me enormous pride,” Hussey said. “Then being able to play with some of the true legends of the game, guys like Warne and McGrath, Ponting, Hayden, Gilchrist etc, that makes me very proud I’ve been able to play with those guys, and lastly having the honour of leading the team song is something I’m very proud of as well.”CA chief executive James Sutherland said of Hussey: “Affectionately known as “Mr Cricket”, he has always been thoroughly committed to meticulous preparation and the highest levels of physical fitness which have in turn delivered consistent performances in all forms of the game.”An incredibly reliable player and leader within the Australian cricket team, Michael will retire from Test cricket with a record that puts him amongst the very best Australian batsmen of all time. Beyond his contributions to team success, he will be remembered for the way he has carried himself on and off the field – and in doing so he has won the respect and admiration of players, officials and fans all around the world.”Having made his ODI debut in February 2004, Hussey was belatedly awarded a Test cap in November 2005, having scored 15,313 runs at first-class level to earn it. He flirted with losing his place in the Test team during a dip in form during 2008 and 2009, but saved his place with a century in the final Ashes Test of that year, and went on to prove a pivotal component in the regeneration of the team under the captaincy of Michael Clarke.

Shane Watson’s ability to reinvent himself as a non-bowling top-order Test batsman may be tested by a return through the Sheffield Shield rather than the January ODIs.The calf problem that ultimately dissuaded Watson from stretching himself at the bowling crease is likely to keep him out of action until the start of the limited overs-matches against West Indies in late January. This will leave John Inverarity’s selection panel to decide whether to return him via that series or in a pair of Shield fixtures that will provide better indicators of the former allrounder’s durability over four days ahead of the India Test tour.The first group of players to India are expected to depart around February 9, while the final two ODIs against Darren Sammy’s team are scheduled for February 8 in Sydney and February 10 in Melbourne. New South Wales’ Shield games during the period will take place against Western Australia from January 24-27 and Tasmania from February 6-9.Australia’s coach Mickey Arthur said Watson was yet to formally indicate his desire to return as an opening batsman, but there can be little doubt about the vice-captain’s preference given his best Test displays took place as an opener and occasionally-used bowler under Ricky Ponting, and his recent decision to give up bowling for the foreseeable future.”I don’t think Watto would mind me saying this, right at the moment Watto wants to come back as a batsman,” Arthur said. “He feels every time he bats and then he gets injured bowling, he just loses a bit of momentum with his batting, which is probably fair to say. He wants to come back and bat, definitely. Once he feels his body is going well and that he feels he’s cemented his batting position, we will then take another look at how we want to go with Shane in terms of bowling.”And that’s a decision only Watto can make. We’ll be working very closely with him on that, because obviously Shane bowling a couple of overs is really good for us. And Shane Watson absolutely loves bowling. He still wants to bowl, but his primary focus right now is to make the team as an out-and-out batsman.”Arthur, Michael Clarke and the rest of the team hierarchy are satisfied with the present Test opening combination of David Warner and Ed Cowan, a partnership of contrasts that has reaped sturdy results even if Cowan has shown a tendency to get out after doing much of the hard work – something backed up by a mediocre average of 32.81 from 13 Tests. They also value Cowan’s maturity, team ethic and leadership potential.However Watson is expected to make a concerted push for his return to the role, hoping to open with Warner as he presently does, when fit, for Australia in ODIs and Twenty20 matches. “I guess if he’s not bowling it’s worth the consideration,” Arthur said. “It will certainly be worth the chat. But we haven’t had any discussions around that just yet.”I still maintain that I felt No.4 was a really good fit for Shane Watson. But that was Shane Watson bowling some overs as well. We’re lucky in that I think Watto can bat anywhere from Nos.1-6 in our order and has had some success there. He’ll still be opening in one-day cricket. And who knows, maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t but again it’s probably too early to even discuss it.”Hard evidence for Watson’s return to the opening position may be found in his overall record, for he has averaged better than 43 and made his only two Test centuries while walking out to face the new ball. Watson’s powerful if mechanical strokeplay also appears best suited to a hard ball and a tightly packed field.Nevertheless, his most recent returns under the captaincy of Clarke have indicated that if anything Watson has been of greater value as a thoughtful medium-pace bowler than an inconsistent batsman unable to reach three figures. In 11 Tests since Clarke took over as captain, Watson has made 528 runs at 26.40 with a top score of 88. He has also taken 19 wickets at 27. In five matches as an opener within that time Watson’s returns dipped further, to 182 runs at 20.22.These returns can be mitigated somewhat by the fact that under Clarke his level of bowling increased, occasionally leaving him bowling out the tail then walking immediately to the batting crease. But should Watson return to the top of the batting order it will be more out of the selectors’ hope for more runs in his preferred position than expectation based on recent showings.

Manoj Tiwary has been ruled out of action for at least six weeks after suffering a back injury in the Ranji Trophy.The injury means he will miss the Twenty20 series against England, the visit of Pakistan and could struggle to be in contention for the ODIs against England in January.Tiwary, the 27-year-old Bengal captain who had been named in India’s 15-man squad for the England T20s, picked up the problem during the first innings against Saurashtra on Sunday and retired hurt for 55. He was unable to return and underwent scans which showed the extent of the damage and he will now travel to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to begin his rehabilitation.”The MRI report has come and I am leaving for Bangalore tomorrow,” he told PTI. “I will follow what physio Nitin Patel tells me to do once he checks the report. As of now it looks like six weeks.”Tiwary has shown some good form this season, scoring 191 against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy and also made 93 against England for the Board President’s XI last month. This is the second injury he has suffered in quick succession after a wrist problem earlier in the season.He has not been a regular in the India starting XI, playing eight ODIs and three Twenty20s, since his debut in 2008. His most recent appearance was the T20 against New Zealand, in Chennai, during September. He was part of India’s World Twenty20 squad for the tournament in Sri Lanka.

When Ian Bell is an old man, reflecting on his career, it is unlikely he will recall his runs in this match against Haryana with particular pleasure. On a flat pitch and against a limited attack, England’s batsmen were rarely troubled. This was a case not so much stealing candy from a baby, as allowing the baby to pop the candy in your pocket to save you the bother. Batting is rarely more straightforward.England amassed 408 for the loss of just three wickets on the first day of the game, with all of their batsmen enjoying valuable time at the crease. While Kevin Pietersen will dominate the headlines after an imperious innings of 110, Alastair Cook, Nick Compton and Bell also recorded half-centuries, while Jonathan Trott fell only four short. None of them will have enjoyed many softer innings at first-class level.But even if this was not the most meaningful encounter, Bell, at least, faced a couple of challenges. Not only was he required to face the bulk of the bowling from Amit Mishra, the one quality spinner to have confronted England on the tour to date, but Bell was obliged to start his innings against him. Mishra did not come on until the 51st over and then claimed two wickets in his first six overs, dismissing both Compton and Trott leg before. But Bell dealt with him comfortably. Although his innings started with a mis-hit lofted shot over mid-on, Bell was soon skipping down the pitch to lift Mishra for two sixes and barely played a false stroke. He resumes on day two unbeaten on 57.”That was exactly what I needed going into the Test,” Bell said afterwards. “He’s a quality spinner. He’s played a lot of Test cricket. I know he didn’t bowl for quite a period of time, but it was nice for me to start against quality spin. That is pretty much what is going to happen in the Tests.”I feel confident coming down the wicket. It was a super wicket – it skidded on quite nicely – and I just want to be busy. We’ve talked a lot about using our feet – forwards and backwards – and it’s getting as much good footwork going as possible.”India’s tactic – and it does appear to be a deliberate tactic – of presenting England with little meaningful warm-up cricket may yet backfire. While it is true that England will go into the Test series having enjoyed little opportunity to bat against good quality spin bowling – or quality bowling of any type, really – they will have benefitted from time at the crease and with the confidence of runs under their belt. Sometimes clever tactics can prove too clever by half.Certainly that was the view taken by Bell. “We’ve faced a lot of seam on this trip so far,” he said. “But we can’t control that. We play what we come up against. Mishra bowled a few overs in the end which was great for me and KP to spend a bit of time against him. And there’s the new ball in the morning which is good for me and Samit Patel. The second new ball is going to be crucial over here as well as playing spin, so it’s going to be a good challenge for us in the morning.”England are also trying to see the bright side in the unavailability of three first choice bowlers for this game. While it seems most unlikely that Steven Finn, who has a thigh injury, will be fit to play in the first Test, England are hopeful that Graeme Swann, who has returned home due to family illness, and Stuart Broad, who has a heel injury, will both be available. Neither will, perhaps, have enjoyed the warm-up they may have desired, but Bell expressed a belief that the experience given to England’s second-string bowlers may prove valuable later in the series. England also rested James Anderson from this game.”If one of our main bowlers get injured in the first Test, we need backup,” Bell said. “These guys have overs under their belt which can only be a good thing for us. When we were in Australia, the reserve guys got an opportunity when we played Australia A in Tasmania and that helped us win the Ashes.”Pietersen is not injured. While the scoreboard may show that he retired hurt, it was only with a view to providing his colleagues with an opportunity to bat. It speaks volumes, however, that even after a commanding century, Pietersen was either not willing or not trusted to speak to the media. The last time he did so freely – the infamous “it’s not easy being me” press conference following the Headingley Test in August – precipitated chaos in English cricket and it seems there is some caution being extended to ensure there is no repeat.In his absence, it was left to Bell to describe Pietersen’s feeling upon completing a century. “Kevin is a guy who likes to get bat on ball so I think he’ll be happy to go into the Test with that innings under his belt,” Bell said. “Everything has gone pretty well. He’s trained well. He’s hit the ball well. I’m sure he’ll be a lot happier having scored a hundred, but he’ll be even happier if he scores a hundred in the next Test.”We don’t want to put too much pressure on him to be the main reason why we win a series. It would be great if he could come out and play some innings like he has in recent times, but as a batting unit if we all have a good series we give our bowlers the opportunity to take wickets. We know if he gets in, we know he can change a Test so we want him in the best nick he can be.”

“What does Steve Smith do, exactly?”This question, having lingered over Australian cricket for several summers, appears finally to have been answered by the man himself.As he prepared to begin the domestic season with New South Wales against Western Australia in Perth on Sunday, Smith stated plainly that he now considers himself a batsman, intent on promotion in the Blues’ order and earning a place in the top six for Australia.Across five Tests, 32 ODIs and 20 Twenty20 matches for his country, Smith’s role has appeared hazy, even the subject of derision from opponents. He has been the lead spinner, an allrounder, a top six batsman then an allrounder again, all the time seeming to flounder without the “role clarity” Australia’s coach Mickey Arthur is so often seeking.On this year’s ODI tour of England, Smith made scores of 8 and 21 while bowling two overs, seeming more spare part than central component. Having also been taken to the UAE for the ODI series against Pakistan, 23-year-old Smith is aware he is close to the Australian team, and now appears to know that it is runs not wickets, that will keep him there.”Runs is my main priority at the moment, I’m working really hard on my batting,” Smith said. “I believe to get back into the team it’s through my batting, with my bowling there as well. But I think my batting it’s just getting the runs on the board and getting those runs is going to be crucial for me.”For me at the moment it’s me focusing on my batting, I think that’s what’s going to get me there in the near future. I’ve always got my spin bowling to add to my bow, and if I keep working on that as well it just gives them another option if they need it.”On the subject of where he would like to bat in the future, Smith said he wanted to move higher up than the No. 6 spot he has occasionally occupied for Australia. His place in the batting order was the cause of some conjecture among the selectors and Australia’s captain Ricky Ponting during the 2010-11 Ashes, when Smith spent two matches at six then went down to No. 7 for the final match in Sydney.”I’d like to bat higher [then No. 6], I’m trying to bat as high as I can in this order,” Smith said. “I think the higher you can bat in your Shield team, if you’re doing well there the better off you’re going to be for batting anywhere in the Test line-up or any of the line-ups. So that’s my main goal at the moment, to go out and score a lot of runs and hopefully contribute for NSW.”I ended last season pretty well with a few runs on some tough wickets, a couple of hundreds would’ve been nice, but runs are always good, and putting NSW in good positions this season is what I’m looking for as well. Hopefully we can do that, get a couple of early wins away and kick off that way.”The Blues begin their campaign with a visit to WA, the scene of a humiliating innings defeat last summer, when they were bowled out for 91 on day one then watched Liam Davis peel off a triple century. Smith took part in the match, and said the chance to return to the scene of the hiding was a welcome one.”It was a pretty average game for us, a lot of boys sat down together after that game,” he said. “Playing in Perth’s obviously a little bit different to playing over here. This time we’ve got to have some clear goals and clear plans for particularly batting and to be able to get through the new ball and on the wicket with a bit more bounce it’s going to be crucial to have good plans in place and stick with them the whole way through.”In their efforts to improve on last summer’s poor showing, NSW will be helped by the presence of Australia’s captain Michael Clarke for their opening three fixtures. “Michael’s an unbelievable player and a good person to have around,” Smith said. “If blokes can do well as well he can see that being a selector and it’s always good to put your hand up in front of the Australian captain.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAlviro Petersen progressed to his highest score in Test cricket on day two•PA Photos

Alviro Petersen had been the batsman in South Africa’s top six that England least worried about, the only one to fail during their crushing innings victory at The Oval.For Petersen to respond with 182, his highest Test score, did not really fit the script, especially as the script also involved England winning the toss in the second Test and putting South Africa in to bat, anticipating that their quartet of fast bowlers would cause mayhem. Instead, the tourists survived until tea on the second day.Petersen did not just prove less vulnerable than England had anticipated, he produced the Test innings of his life: 182 in 365 balls, a ball for every day of the year, a year which from England’s perspective will go down as an .It could have been worse for England. As their captain, Andrew Strauss, reflected on a strategy that had failed to bring the desired effect, he could at least take solace from the 17 overs that he survived alongside Alastair Cook before rain forced a premature end.South Africa’s new-ball bowling was awry, with Morne Morkel in particular spraying the ball wide of the left-handers’ off stump. Dale Steyn, whose entrance was delayed until the sixth over, was driven down the ground as Strauss passed Len Hutton, on his home ground as well, in the list of England’s leading Test runmakers. That is not the sort of statistic they announce on the PA at Headingley; if Strauss gets 200, somebody might deign to mention it.But Petersen was the opener to celebrate. His innings was the cornerstone of South Africa’s austerely compiled 419. Unless the weather forecast proves entirely wrong or Headingley, the great trickster among Test grounds, stages its greatest ruse of all time, it should at the very least protect South Africa’s 1-0 lead entering the final Test at Lord’s.He needed treatment shortly before lunch for a hamstring strain, which was serious enough for him not to field during England’s innings and go to a Leeds hospital for a precautionary scan. It might put him out of the rest of the match but the same levels of pain were felt by the media, who were unable to talk to him.He finally succumbed to Stuart Broad in mid-afternoon, edging to the wicketkeeper, Matt Prior. He departed with his reputation enhanced, a fourth Test hundred secured and a Test average now comfortably above 40.The manner of his dismissal begged the question why England had not countered him with fullish deliveries on or around off stump more often because this was the area where he rode his luck. England’s lengths were shorter, their lines straighter, and Petersen flourished throughout with strong leg-side strokeplay, reaching both his fifty and hundred on the first day with confident pulls.England had to resort to DRS to claim Petersen’s wicket. The not-out decision by Rod Tucker was such a howler that Broad grinned at the absurdity of it all, knowing that the TV umpire would routinely overrule it. It was yet another example of how the Decision Review System enhances the game.Once Petersen departed, at 353 for 7, England began to make progress, Vernon Philander swung Steven Finn to Tim Bresnan at deep square leg, Morne Morkel’s attempted lofted drive against Broad fell tamely to Alastair Cook at mid-off and Imran Tahir fell without scoring, steering James Anderson to slip.England remained committed to their long-held policy under Strauss and Andy Flower, the director of cricket, to play controlled Test cricket and draw their opponents into error. But their opponents were South Africa. They are not easily deflected from their task.England had to settle for just the wicket of Jacques Rudolph in the first two hours. Even Rudolph’s dismissal served to challenge the sense of England’s omission of Graeme Swann in favour of an all-pace attack. Kevin Pietersen, whose part-time offspin was introduced in desperation 20 minutes before lunch, puffed out his cheeks and turned his second ball sharply past Rudolph’s outside edge for Prior to complete the stumping.It was referred by the square-leg umpire but Rudolph’s foot was on the line, not behind it. It was a narrow call – and will doubtless be too narrow for some partisan observers – but all the evidence was in favour of the third umpire, Asad Rauf. England had taken a wicket that they sorely needed. Back in the dressing room, Swann’s testosterone levels probably rose sharply with frustration.Petersen also resorted to technology with telling effect earlier in the day. He had successfully overturned an lbw decision made by umpire Steve Davis shortly before the close on the first day when he was 119 and he did so again, this time before adding to his overnight 124, when Anderson’s delivery was shown to be both high and going down the leg side.It was a perfect first session for South Africa. The second new ball was less than eight overs old at start of play and there was enough movement to encourage England’s bowlers, but Petersen and Rudolph absorbed the pressure, accepted their moments of fortune with composure, and maintained a rigorous approach that has characterised South Africa’s cricket through the series.The day began with six successive maidens but to term it stalemate would be misleading because with every over that passed the ball was ageing and, much to their frustration, England’s chances were receding. Both Anderson and Broad were on their mettle, more purposeful than the first day, and nearly half an hour had elapsed when Petersen pushed Anderson into the off side for the first run.England bowled shorter at Rudolph than Petersen, recognising his unwillingness to hook or pull, but he was in no rush and a series of conscientious leave-alones were combined with an occasional flirt to third man.Rudolph had managed 19 from 73 balls on the ground where he played with distinction for Yorkshire for several seasons, imagining that his South Africa career was over, before Pietersen struck.But the other Petersen ground forward, surviving an occasional flash at a wide one, willing himself to remain true to the stern disciplines that South Africa believe will bring them the series.

None of the bowlers likely to make up England’s attack for the first Test against South Africa will play first-class cricket before the series, having been rested for this week’s round of County Championship matches following the one-day series against Australia.James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann are unavailable for their counties, who all start four-day matches on Wednesday – roughly 12 hours after the end of the final NatWest Series tie at Old Trafford.England’s concerns lie primarily with Swann, who was rested for the final two ODIs against Australia to nurse a troublesome elbow, and Bresnan, who sat out the last match, also with an elbow niggle.The management’s decision means that the only bowler playing county cricket this week who is in the shake up for a Test slot is Durham’s Graham Onions who is currently in action against Worcestershire. He appeared in England’s most recent Test, against West Indies at Edgbaston, when Broad and Anderson were rested.Anderson was troubled by a groin injury during the Australia series and missed the second match at The Oval, while Broad and Finn played the four games that were possible. Bresnan is currently in possession of a Test place but Finn, who also played against West Indies last month, will push him close after taking eight wickets at 19.37 in the one-day matches against Australia including 4 for 37 at Chester-le-Street.Rest has also been prescribed for some of the batsmen, with England’s ODI captain, Alastair Cook, and Ravi Bopara, who is favoured for a Test recall to replace Jonny Bairstow, not available for Essex’s Championship match against Gloucestershire, although Bopara can play the CB40 match that follows on Sunday.Jonathan Trott has also been given the week off whereas Ian Bell, his Warwickshire team-mate, does play against Sussex at Edgbaston. Earlier this season Bell was eager to play as much cricket as possible after a lean winter and appeared for England Lions against the West Indians.England’s Test specialists – Andrew Strauss, Matt Prior and, these days, Kevin Pietersen – will all play a Championship match as expected. Strauss will face Nottinghamshire (minus Broad and Swann) at Uxbridge, Prior has a match against Warwickshire and Pietersen will face Lancashire – but not Anderson – for Surrey at Guildford. For Strauss it will be his first competitive outing since the final Test against West Indies.Eoin Morgan, who is unlikely to be in the Test thinking, sits out Middlesex’s match, which means he will not need to make a late-night dash south after the ODI.The time span of 12 hours between a floodlit match at Old Trafford and the Championship matches, largely in the south, also swayed the selectors’ thinking about the fast bowlers. Quite why the quirk in the fixture list was allowed is something England are unlikely to discuss.

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, has used the old industrial relations tactic of revealing how much better off the country’s cricketers will be over the next five years if the players union accepts the board’s offer in the current round of MOU negotiations.On the day the players took part in an annual golf day devised to raise money for the Australian Cricketers Association player hardship fund, Sutherland said their payments would be improved “in the vicinity of $80 million” over the next five years under the terms put to them by CA.”We have put a very substantial offer on the table, it’s in the vicinity of $80 million more over a five-year period than what we paid in the preceding five-year period,” Sutherland told AAP. “And $80m is a lot of money – and that is based on our conservative revenue projections.”If we go halfway towards meeting our more optimistic ambitions with revenue growth, that increase in player payments will be even more significant than $80m.”Sutherland expressed his “surprise and disappointment” at what he suggested was a lack of flexibility by the Australian Cricketers Association, as MOU negotiations continue to drag.However Paul Marsh, the ACA chief executive, stressed that the players had already conceded plenty of territory to CA in its efforts to implement a more performance-based pay structure for the national team in particular, and were not prepared to cede anymore ground. Marsh described the $80 million figure as “misleading””I’m not sure why anyone at CA would be surprised at the stance the ACA and players are taking on this issue,” Marsh told ESPNcricinfo. “The simple facts are that we currently have a deal with CA where players receive 26% of a defined pool of revenue. CA now wants to dilute that pool of revenue and therefore our real share of revenue.”In addition they want to change the model from a fixed 26% share to a variable model where players could earn as little as 24% but up to 27%. We think CA’s current proposal is designed to see players receive less than their current 26% share and therefore it’s not fair, but in saying that I think with a bit more work we can find a model that can work for both parties.”The players and ACA have been more than reasonable in these negotiations. We’ve agreed to reduce the number of Australian contracts, we’ve agreed to a variable percentage share of revenue model even though it could mean players receive less than their current share but CA still want us to give back more. Well we’ve given all we’re prepared to give in these negotiations.”The most recent heated pay dispute between CA and the players took place in 1997-98, the battle lines drawn from the moment the board released individual player salaries to the media in an effort to win the public relations high ground.Marsh has described industrial action as “the absolute last resort” in a dispute that is likely to keep raging right up to the June 30 deadline. Australia’s squad for an ODI tour of the United Kingdom is set to arrive in London on June 14.

ScorecardFile photo: Kieran Powell was the one wicket to fall on the final day•Associated Press

Only 14 overs were possible on the third day of West Indies’ tour game at Hove before the decision was made to abandon it once and for all. If ever a game was crying out for euthanasia, this was it. After 34 overs across three bitterly cold and wet days, it was laid to rest shortly after lunch and will no doubt receive a burial at sea. It will go unmourned.It says much for the conditions that the greatest moment of excitement – and that is playing fairly free and easy with the word excitement – came when two sea gulls, understandably mistaking the damp Hove outfield for the sea, swooped towards Kieran Powell just as was about to receive a delivery from Amjad Khan. Powell, reacting like an ornithophobia sufferer in an aviary, leapt out of the way and swished his bat at the birds; one of the more aggressive strokes he played. Perhaps he has simply watched rather too many Hitchcock films?There were few moments of cheer for West Indies on the final day. Shivnarine Chanderpaul required treatment to a hand injury as a result of repetitive jarring – it is not thought to be serious – and Darren Bravo was struck high on the back as he attempted to duck a short ball from Amjad Khan. Bravo seemed fine, too, though the interview he gave at the close of play was so quiet that only lip readers and wolves could possibly have known he was even trying to communicate. The only wicket to fall was that of Powell, edging to the keeper after being caught in two minds whether to play or leave and doing a bit of both and a lot of neither.Sussex’s bowlers maintained a tight line and length in testing conditions and could feel quietly satisfied with their performance. The club continue to await news on Luke Wright’s health. The allrounder, who has been appearing in the IPL back is in the UK having attended a family funeral, recently underwent tests to ascertain whether he has dengue fever.Most pertinently, the West Indies are still missing three men. At present the team management confess they do not know where Marlon Samuels is, but they are expecting him to arrive on Tuesday. Assad Fudadin and Narsingh Deonarine, meanwhile, remain in Jamaica waiting for a visa. The UK Border Agency have recently tightened the work permit rules, but it is surely the job of someone at the West Indies Cricket Board to resolve these matters before such issues arise.The squad travel to Northampton on Tuesday and begin their final warm-up match – a four day game against England Lions – the following day. With the weather forecast remaining far from promising, it seems inevitable that some of the team will go into the first Test having had very little opportunity to adjust to English conditions.

ScorecardAnisa Mohammed in action•WICB

A five-wicket haul by offspinner Anisa Mohammed helped West Indies Women complete an easy victory over Sri Lanka Women in the first ODI in Bridgetown, in the three-match one-day series. Anisa had Shashikala Siriwardene caught behind for her first wicket, which broke a 67-run fourth-wicket partnership between Siriwardene and captain Dilani Manodara. Anisa followed up with the wicket of Manodara in her next over, triggering a collapse as Sri Lanka lost seven wickets for 45 runs and fell 88 short of their target of 229.Batting first, West Indies built their total around half-centuries by Stafanie Taylor, Shanel Daley and captain Merissa Aguilleira. Daley shared a 78-run partnership with Taylor after the fall of opener Juliana Nero early in the match. Later, Daley was involved in another half-century partnership with Aguilleira for the fourth wicket. Aguilleira’s quick 62 off 63 balls helped West Indies to increase the scoring-rate and add 108 in the last 19.3 overs.