GCB President’s Cup…
Berbice in sole control thanks to Permaul
… Chandrika misses second ton
By Calvin Roberts
POINTS leaders Berbice were in sole control at the end of the penultimate day of their final round match in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President’s Cup four-day competition against hosts Demerara at the Everest Cricket Club ground, thanks to left-arm orthodox spinner Veerasammy Permaul.

He took 5-98 and along with Assad Fudadin’s 3-22 and Royston Crandon 2-60, bowled out their nemesis for 334, with Rajendra Chandrika and Christopher Barnwell contributing 85 and 83 respectively while Troy Gonsalves (40) and Zaheer Mohammed and Joseph Perry with 26 each offered support.

Needing to score 279 for an outright victory, Berbice, who defeated both the Rest XI and Essequibo in the earlier rounds, were 42 without loss with Delbert Hicks and Arthley Bailey unbeaten on 19 and 14 respectively.

Scores in the match to date Demerara 248 and 334, Berbice 304 and 42-0.

Demerara resumed on 119 without loss with Barnwell on 69 and Chandrika 36 and progressed to 149 before they lost the wickets of Barnwell and Krishna Deosarran (3), with Barnwell who faced 75 balls and struck nine fours and two sixes in his 83, offering a catch to Fudadin at first slip when he attempted to cut a delivery that was too close to him from Permaul in the seventh over of the day’s play.

Deosarran played a compact forward defensive stroke, leaving no room for daylight or even breeze, but still had his furniture disturbed by Permaul who later removed Gajanand Singh (12) and Leon Johnson (7) before lunch, leaving Demerara on 209-4 and a lead of 153 with Chandrika, who faced 64 balls and struck five fours in his 50, on 85.

After lunch, Permaul picked up his third five-wicket haul in this year’s tournament, following his 10 against Essequibo, when he had Chandrika who was given a life by Ranga Lachana at deep backward square leg when he swept Crandon, caught by wicketkeeper Hicks without any addition to his or the team’s lunchtime score.

Chandrika faced 111 balls and struck eight of them for four whilst batting for 201 minutes, leaving Demerara on 209-5 then 219-5 when Steven Jacobs (24) who had replaced Johnson hit Devendra Bishoo over his head for six and four in successive overs, followed by another four over extra cover in Bishoo’s next over which pushed Demerara to 228-5.

Joseph Perry got a life when Hicks, who was presented with an easy stumping chance off Crandon, failed to execute same, but the bowler got his reward when Jacobs picked out Rajiv Ivan at mid-on two deliveries later to depart for 24 made off 65 deliveries with two fours and one six at 251-6.

Berbice got rid of Perry just before tea, when he offered Crandon an easy return catch which was gleefully accepted, after making 26 off 96 balls and at tea, Demerara were sitting precariously on 305-7.

After tea, Fudadin who had shared the new ball with Brandon Bess the previous evening, disturbed the stumps of his opposite number Mohammed, who had struck Crandon for two fours in his 80-ball 26, leaving Demerara on 311-8 and a lead of 255 runs with two wickets in hand.

They pushed the lead to 278, courtesy of Gonsalves who scored a 47-ball 40 on his home ground, decorated with four fours and a six over midwicket off Bess, before he too was bowled by Fudadin who had last-man Damian Van Tull caught by Bishoo to wrap up the home team’s innings, as he ended with 3-22 to support Permaul and Royston Crandon.

Needing to score 279 to complete an outright victory, the points leaders saw their openers Hicks (19) and Bailey (14) erase 42 of those from the 14 available overs, with Hicks hitting Andre Stoll, who was unbeaten on two when Demerara batted a second time, for six.

Today is the final day and when play commences at 10:00 h, Berbice will be looking to get the added 237 runs to complete the victory and at the same time maintain their dominance over their nemesis this year
SCOREBOARD
DEMERARA 1st innings
248 (R. Chandrika 100, L. Johnson 44, G. Singh 39; D. Bishoo 6-74, B. Bess 2-41)
Berbice 1st innings 304 (H. Pooran 80, R. Crandon 70, R. Ivan 50; T. Gonsalves 3-52, S. Jacobs 3-56)

DEMERARA 2nd innings o/n 119 without loss
C. Barnwell c Fudadin b Permaul 83
R. Chandrika c wkp. Hicks b Permaul 85
K. Deosarran b Permaul 3
G. Singh c (sub.) Ramoo b Permaul 12
L. Johnson c & b Permaul 7
S. Jacobs c Ivan b R. Crandon 24
J. Perry c & b R. Crandon 26
Z. Mohammed b Fudadin 26
T. Gonsalves b Fudadin 40
A. Stoll not out 2
D. Van Tull c Bishoo b Fudadin 3
Extras: (b-11, lb-8, nb-4) 23
Total: (all out, 99.3 overs) 334
Fall of wickets: 1- 145, 2- 149, 3-179, 4-206, 5-209, 6-251, 7-275, 8-311, 9-328.
Bowling: Bess 11-0-63-0, Fudadin 6.3 0-22-3, Permaul 37-12-98-5, R. Crandon 17-2-60-2, Bishoo 28-5-72-0.

BERBICE 2nd innings
A. Bailey not out 14
D. Hicks not out 19
Extras: (b-5, lb-4) 9
Total: (without loss from 14 overs) 42
Fall of wickets: Nil
Bowling: Stoll 4-0-15-0, Jacobs 5-1-7-0, Mohammed 3-3-0-0, Van Tull 2-1-4-0.

20 years on, Banks DIH still on board
--- Caribbean Airlines also on board
TWENTY years on and Banks DIH is still on board the annual Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament which is scheduled to kick off for another year on December 13.

Co-director of the Kashif and Shanghai organisation Kashif Muhammad (second left) accepts the sponsorship from Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive, Carlton Joao, while looking are the beverage company’s Soft Drink Manager Jennifer Khan and K&S Co-director Aubrey `Shanghai’ Major.

Also on board for a third consecutive year is Caribbean Airlines, who presented the organisers with two airline tickets for a North American return trip.

Prior to yesterday’s presentation of the airline tickets, Caribbean Airlines, formerly known as BWIA, had assisted with sponsorship of airline tickets to North America for the three previous years.

In brief remarks yesterday, Co-director of the Kashif and Shanghai organisation Aubrey `Shanghai’ Major expressed his gratitude to Banks DIH for still being on board the tournament, stating that it was the beverage company that sponsored the first tournament 20 years ago to the tune of $4 000 and there were only four teams involved at that time.

Major said he is very grateful to Banks DIH for their sterling contribution over the years.

Banks DIH’s Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao said his company has over the years been very satisfied with the conduct of the tournament and is pleased to be associated with it.

While he did not disclose the exact amount his company is pumping into this year’s tournament, he informed that this year’s sponsorship is in excess of $2M which is greater than any of the other 19 years it has been a sponsor of the tournament.

According to Joao, this year, the company would be part-sponsoring the tournament under its Power Stout, Aqua Mist Water, Banks Beer and Coca Cola brands.

Meanwhile, Caribbean Airlines Area Manager Carlton DeFour, in brief remarks, stated that his company is pleased to be associated with the tournament and has committed its continued sponsorship for it.

He noted that the organisers have been above board over the years and that is the reason they will continue to support it.

He said he has been to the final of the tournament over a number of years and thinks that this year’s tournament would be bigger and better since it is expected that Brazilian legend `King Pele’ would be in attendance.

He said the two airline tickets would help in offsetting expenses that the organising committee might encounter. (Michael DaSilva)

Essequibo crash to an innings defeat against Rest XI
… pacer Keon Fraser bags five for 40
ESSEQUIBO collapsed once again for the second time in consecutive matches in their second innings, this time to hand the Rest XI victory by an innings and 49 runs, an hour after tea in their GCB-sponsored four-day cricket match at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, yesterday.

Batting in their second innings with a deficit of 150 runs to overhaul, the Essequibo opening pair of skipper Norman Fredericks and wicketkeeper Kenzo Baksh started positively putting on 45 runs in quick time before Fredericks was unluckily given out, caught by Sauid Drepaul off the bowling of lively youth pacer Keon Fraser, despite the ball appearing to fall just short of him.

His knock came in 36 balls and he smashed five spanking boundaries. Royston Alkins joined Baksh but didn’t last long as he was lbw to the experienced Deon Ferrier who was getting the ball to turn sharply, without any addition to the score.

Navin Bahudur was also unlucky, given out via lbw for one, despite the ball taking a thick inside edge. This decision sparked angry cries and shouts from the small but lively Essequibo supporters.

Dellon Heyliger soon followed him back to the pavilion as he became Fraser’s second victim trapped in front for 8.

From here on it was a steady trek back to the pavilion as the boys from the Cinderella County once again showed the lack of commitment that’s required for this level of cricket.

Despite his team mates playing their free-scoring shots and gifting the opposition their wickets, Baksh continued to play with patience and timing but once he went for a hard-fought 30 which continued two boundaries no other batsman offered resistance to the Rest XI boys.

Trevor Benn 12 and Anthony Adams 13 got into double figures as the Essequibians were dismissed an hour after tea.

Pacer Fraser finished with 5 for 40 off 13 penetrating and accurate overs. He was well supported by Ferrier who finished with 2 for 17 off 14 overs with 5 maidens, while Ryan Ramdass grabbed two wickets for no run off two overs while the other wicket went to Totaram Bishun.

The entire first session was lost to overnight rain and seepage of the covers unto the pitch and the Rest XI skipper Derwin Christian made no hesitation in declaring his team innings at their overnight total of 376 for 8 with Ferrier on 58 and Bishun on 8, with the aim of pushing for an outright victory, a decision which left him smiling at the close.

A member of his team reliably informed Chronicle Sport that they had planned to bat through the first hour of play to push their lead beyond the 200 mark but that was spoilt by the rain.

Essequibo finished the competition as the only team not to win a match and many are wondering when they will play cricket to the level required. (Brandon Cabose)

Irish FA responds to outcry with playoff replay call
… Irish PM backs call, French PM warns against involvement
By Padraic Halpin
DUBLIN, Ireland (Reuters) - The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) responded to national outrage yesterday by calling on FIFA to order a replay of the controversial World Cup playoff against France.

Disappointed Irish fans woke up to newspaper headlines of ‘Le Cheat’ and ‘The Hand of Frog’ after striker Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build-up to the decisive goal on Wednesday that sent France to next year’s finals.

The FAI said the extra time goal at the Stade de France, which gave France a 2-1 aggregate win and dominated news bulletins in Ireland all day, as well as being discussed in parliament, had “damaged the integrity of the sport.”

Citing a decision to invalidate the result of a World Cup qualifier between Uzbekistan and Bahrain in 2005 as a precedent, FAI chief executive John Delaney said he was not calling for a replay simply out of principle.

“When you ask me is this clutching at straws, we have to do what we are doing. We have to do it. It is up to the people who govern the game now, if they really believe in the principles of fair play then step forward,” Delaney said.

“Every time I go to congress it is all about fair play and fair play ambassadors ... but well done is better than well said. They are words, I’d like to see actions,” he said, adding that he had also written to the French FA on the matter.

The Irish government supported the call and Prime Minister Brian Cowen said he would discuss the matter with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Brussels where they were attending a meeting to decide on the European Union’s first president.

Earlier, Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern led the outcry for a rematch, a call that was backed by 95 percent of some 10 000 people who needed just 10 minutes to text their support to a radio poll run by national broadcaster RTE.

“It’s the least we owe the thousands of devastated young fans around the country. Otherwise, if that result remains, it reinforces the view that if you cheat, you will win,” Ahern told Ireland’s Newstalk radio station.

Elsewhere, a group calling itself Irish Fans For Justice said it would organise a protest at the French Embassy in Dublin tomorrow, urging fans to bring “placards, banners and noise.”

REPLAY IMPOSSIBLE
However, Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni added a touch more realism into the debate, telling a news conference it would be impossible to replay the match.

“I cannot ask this because I know it is impossible. When a referee decides, it ends the game for me,” he said.

The Italian instead criticised FIFA’s late decision to seed the playoff draw and called on the ruling body to scrap extra time in similar games as it handed an advantage to the team drawn at home in the second leg.

While Ireland were understandably devastated, France were far from praised in the local media after William Gallas’s goal booked their plane tickets to South Africa.

‘The hand of God’, screamed a headline on the front page of French sports daily L’Equipe, referring to Diego Maradona’s infamous hand-made goal in a 1986 World Cup quarter-final.

“France have qualified for the 2010 World Cup, that’s for sure, but the result, the most essential thing in sport after all, is not enough to erase the uneasy feeling we had last night,” the newspaper wrote.

Keen to stop the matter descending into a diplomatic row, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said it was not up to either government to get involved in FIFA decisions.

“I will not hide to you the fact that I really preferred the first leg to the return leg,” Fillon added to reporters.

World Cup lineup decided as last six spots taken
By Mike Collett
LONDON, England (Reuters) - The final lineup of teams for next year's World Cup in South Africa was settled on Wednesday after six drama-charged playoffs on three different continents.

France, with a controversial extra-time goal, joined Slovenia, Greece and Portugal as the last four qualifiers from Europe.

Algeria snatched the last African spot while the World Cup's inaugural champions Uruguay grabbed the 32nd and final berth.

France squeezed into the finals after a contentious late goal from William Gallas despite failing to beat Ireland in Paris.

France progressed after a 1-1 draw with Ireland gave the 2006 finalists a 2-1 aggregate victory but they needed Gallas's close-range goal -- after a blatant Thierry Henry handball in the build-up -- to win the tie.

France fell behind to a battling Irish side who scored through skipper Robbie Keane after 33 minutes.

They only equalised 13 minutes into extra time when Gallas scored, helped by Henry controlling the ball with his hand in the penalty area and then crossing for the defender to bundle home.

"The ball bounced off my hand, the referee did not see it and I played on," Henry told reporters. "It doesn't change anything to the fact that I'm happy we have qualified."

RUSSIA PUNISHED
Unlike Ireland, Slovenia managed to clinch an upset by knocking out Russia who paid a heavy price for not wrapping up the first leg on Saturday when they allowed Slovenia a late goal in a 2-1 win.

Russia's late lapse proved costly in Maribor as Zlatko Dedic scored the only goal just before the break.

That was enough to give Slovenia a 1-0 win and the tie on the away goals rule as they reached the World Cup finals for the second time since joining FIFA as an independent nation in 1992.

Russia finished with nine men after substitute Alexander Kerzhakov and Yuri Zhirkov were sent off.

The defeat also denied Russia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink a fourth appearance in the finals after coaching his native Netherlands in the 1998 World Cup, then South Korea in 2002 and Australia in 2006.

Greece, held to a 0-0 draw by Ukraine in Athens on Saturday, went to Donetsk as underdogs, but stunned the home team by winning 1-0 with a first-half goal from Dimitris Salpigidis

Striker Giorgos Samaras supplied the pass in the 32nd minute for Salpigidis who sent Greece to the World Cup for only the second time after their debut appearance in the U.S. in 1994.

Coach Otto Rehhagel, who took charge of Greece in 2001 and steered them to the 2004 European title, will be involved in the World Cup for the first time in his 50-year career.

PORTUGAL THROUGH
Portugal clinched their place 2-0 on aggregate, following up Saturday's 1-0 home win over Bosnia with another 1-0 win thanks to midfielder Raul Meireles who silenced a raucous 15 000 home fans in a cauldron of the Bilino Polje stadium after 56 minutes.

Algeria booked their place after beating arch rivals Egypt 1-0 in neutral Sudan to win a tense sudden-death playoff, defender Antar Yahia scoring five minutes before halftime with a stunning half-volley.

The match was littered with fouls, but despite the high stakes, it was completed without major incident. A heavy police presence around the stadium and on the streets of Khartoum also ensured little crowd trouble afterwards.

Uruguay advanced 2-1 on aggregate after their 1-1 home draw to Costa Rica in the second leg of the South American/CONCACAF playoff.

Substitute striker Sebastian Abreu gave the South Americans the lead with 20 minutes to go at the Centenario, where they won their first World Cup in 1930, before Costa Rica captain Walter Centeno equalised three minutes later.

The draw was enough for Uruguay to advance.
The draw for the finals takes place in Cape Town on December 4.

Kruger, Townsend belt centuries as Windies bowlers toil
BRISBANE, Australia (CMC) – West Indies hit back late on the second day but Queensland Bulls took command of the four-day tour match after Nick Kruger and Wade Townsend carved out superb maiden first class centuries yesterday.

Kruger stroked an outstanding 172 and Townsend got an even hundred as Queensland finished on 383 for four in reply to the Windies’ 271 at the Allan Border Field.

Cruising at 296 for one in the afternoon session, the hosts seemed headed for a massive score but the tourists took three wickets for 46 runs late in the day to haul themselves back into the contest.

Despite being kept in the field all day, West Indies would have taken heart from the performance of 21-year-old rookie fast bowler Kemar Roach who bowled with sustained pace and troubled all the Queensland batsmen.

He finished with one for 67 from 23 overs and was the pick of the Windies bowlers on a pitch tailor-made for batting.

Resuming from their overnight position of 43 without loss, Queensland suffered an early setback in the eighth over of the day when Ryan Broad was caught at the wicket off Roach for 29, adding just four to his overnight score. 

Any thoughts West Indies had, however, of turning the screws on Queensland were quickly dispelled as Kruger and Townsend put their bowlers to the sword in an entertaining stand of 243 for the second wicket.

Kruger, unbeaten on 17 overnight, survived a testing spell from Roach to smash 20 fours and five sixes as he compiled his maiden first class century off 205 balls in a knock that lasted a shade under five hours.

Struck on the grill by a short delivery from Roach in the sixth over of the morning, the 26-year-old recovered well to pummel the Windies bowling.

The 23-year-old Townsend, in only his fourth first-class match, meanwhile faced 242 balls in an innings that spanned 336 minutes and included 12 fours and a six.

Kruger, an attacking left-hander, lived a charmed life surviving three chances en route to his career-best score that formed the backbone of Queensland’s innings.

He was dropped at 40 by Ramnaresh Sarwan diving to his left at third slip, after failing to negotiate a short, quick delivery from medium pacer Dwayne Bravo, in the first over after the first water break of the morning.

The 26-year-old Kruger had added 31 when he offered Narsingh Deonarine a return catch which the Guyanese off-spinner floored and he was again given a reprieve on 91 when Adrian Barath put down a simple catch off Roach.

Riding his luck, Kruger brought up his century moments later when he cut left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn to the point boundary for his 16th four.

He then raised the tempo of his innings with bold stroke-play, smashing Benn for a massive six into an adjoining car park a few overs later before also lashing the same bowler for another six over long off in a subsequent over.

Kruger took delight in Bravo, reeling off successive boundaries off the first three balls of the 69th over and also launching Deonarine for successive sixes three overs later.

He eventually perished in the same manner in which he had played, holing out in the deep to Ravi Rampaul off Benn at 296 for two, just before tea.

West Indies then clawed their way back, with Deonarine prising out Lee Carseldine cheaply for six to a catch by Bravo at first slip in the third over after the break.

Townsend remained resolute, however, and a glance to fine leg off pacer Rampaul late in the day raised three figures for the left-hander.

He was kept scoreless by a fired-up Roach off the next six balls and finally succumbed to the pressure, nicking Rampaul behind off the seventh ball he faced at 342 for four.

The left-handed Nathan Reardon then stroked an unbeaten 45 in an unbroken 42-run fifth stand with Chris Hartley who was 10 not out at the close.

Queensland lead West Indies by 113 runs, with two days left in the contest.

WEST INDIES 1st innings 271 (Ramnaresh Sarwan 73; Daniel Doran 3-107)
QUEENSLAND 1st innings (o/n 43 without loss)
R. Broad c wkp. Ramdin b Roach 29
N. Kruger c Rampaul b Benn 172
W. Townsend c wkp. Ramdin b Rampaul 100
L. Carseldine c Bravo b Deonarine 6
N. Reardon not out 45
C. Hartley not out 10
Extras: (b-4, lb-9, w-3, nb-6) 22     
Total: (4 wkts,107 overs) 384
Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-296, 3-303, 4-342. 
Bowling: Rampaul 21-2-90-1, Roach 23-3-67-1, Bravo 16-4-57-0, Benn 22-3-79-1, Deonarine 21-2-74-1, Nash 4-3-4-0.

Gambhir digs in after Sri Lanka’s mammoth 760 for 7
AHMEDABAD, India (Reuters) - Opener Gautam Gambhir led India's fightback to save the first Test after a world record sixth-wicket partnership of 351 helped Sri Lanka take control of the game.

Gambhir was 74 not out as India reached 190 for two at close of play on day four after overnight batsmen Mahela Jayawardene (275) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 not out) extended their record stand to help Sri Lanka take a first innings lead of 334.

Sri Lanka, second behind South Africa in the official Test rankings, declared their first innings 40 minutes after lunch at 760 for seven, giving themselves a chance of winning a Test in India for the first time.

Gambhir put on 81 for the opening wicket with Virender Sehwag who slammed a chancy 51 and 88 with first-innings centurion Rahul Dravid (38) for the next but India face an uphill task, still 144 runs behind.

Nightwatchman Amit Mishra (12) was keeping Gambhir company after Dravid fell leg-before to Chanaka Welegedara.

Sehwag blasted seven boundaries before falling tamely when he top-edged left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to be caught at mid-on.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene, 204 overnight, fell after lunch while his namesake Prasanna recorded a career-best effort to help Sri Lanka (591-5 overnight) post the highest innings score in India by any team.

Sri Lanka added 169 for the loss of two wickets on a record-breaking day when Mahela Jayawardene, who faced 435 balls and hit 27 fours and a six, became the ninth batsman to reach the 9 000-run mark in Test cricket.

The sixth-wicket stand between the two Jayawardenes upstaged a 72-year-old mark of 346 set by Australia's Don Bradman and Jack Fingleton against England in 1937.

The pair tormented a listless Indian attack in a productive first session before former skipper Mahela fell in the third over after lunch, bowled by Mishra when he gave the leg-spinner the charge.

The tourists declared after Dammika Prasad (21) fell to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh after adding 34 with wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, giving themselves 135 overs to push for a victory.

India took the third new ball at the overnight score without effect as Mahela Jayawardene, who recorded his sixth double hundred on Wednesday, toyed with the bowling.

Prasanna, 84 overnight, recorded his second Test century, and the fifth century of the match, when he guided pace bowler Ishant Sharma to the third man fence in what was another frustratingly unproductive session for India.
SRI LANKA first innings o/n 591 for 5
T. Dilshan c Dravid b Khan 112
N. Paranavitana c (wkp.) Dhoni b Sharma 35
K. Sangakkara c Tendulkar b Khan 31
M. Jayawardene b Mishra 275
T. Samaraweera c Yuvraj Singh b Sharma 70
A. Mathews c Gambhir b Harbhajan Singh 17
P. Jayawardene not out 154
K. Prasad c Mishra b Harbhajan Singh 21
Extras: ( b-5, lb-16, w-4, nb-20) 45
Total: (7 wickets, 202.4 overs) 760
Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-189, 3-194, 4-332, 5-375, 6-726, 7-760.
Bowling: Khan 36-6-109-2 (nb-9, w-2), Sharma 33--0-135-2 (nb-3, w-2), Harbhajan Singh 48.4 -4-189-2, Mishra 58-6-203-1 (nb-8), Yuvraj Singh 16-1-64-0, Tendulakar 7-0-20-0, Sehwag 4-1-19-0.

INDIA second innings
G. Gambhir not out 74
V. Sehwag c Mathews b Herath 51
R. Dravid lbw b Welegedara 38
A. Mishra not out 12
Extras: (lb-7, nb-8) 15
Total: (two wickets, 45 overs) 190
Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-169.
Bowling: Welegedara 9-0-31-1 (nb-1), Prasad 9-0-49-0 (nb-3), Herath 13-0-47-1, Muralitharan 14-0-56-0 (nb-4).

IAAF agrees to Semenya keeping world title
By Marius Bosch
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has agreed that South African runner Caster Semenya will keep her 800 metres world title, the country's sports ministry said yesterday.

The 18-year-old Semenya, who stormed to victory in August's world championships in Berlin, underwent gender verification tests this summer in South Africa and Germany and a panel of experts has been studying the results for the IAAF.

South Africa's government, Semenya's lawyers and the IAAF had reached total agreement that she will retain her gold medal, title and prize money because she has been found "innocent of any wrong," the ministry said in a statement.

Agreement was also reached with the IAAF that scientific gender tests conducted on Semenya will be treated as confidential and there will be no public announcement of the results.

The IAAF said it could not confirm the details in the statement but said it had accepted the resignation of Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene from the IAAF Council and had opened a formal investigation into the handling of the Semenya affair by Chuene and ASA.

Chuene and his board have been suspended by South Africa's Olympic governing body pending an investigation after Chuene admitted he lied when he denied Semenya had undergone gender tests before the world championships.

The sports ministry said Semenya would decide her future on her own.

"The implications of the scientific findings on Caster's health and life going forward will be analysed by Caster and she will make her own decision on her future. Whatever she decides, ours is to respect her decision," the ministry said.

South Africa had requested the IAAF to apologise at the way the Semenya saga had been handled.

"Their response is: 'It is deeply regrettable that information of a confidential nature entered the public domain.' The IAAF is adamant that the public discourse did not originate with them," the ministry said.

Australia's Daily Telegraph, citing an unnamed source, reported in September that Semenya was a hermaphrodite with both male and female sexual characteristics.

The IAAF has not confirmed the report.

Semenya and family members say the runner is female and that publicity surrounding the case has caused hardships.

South Africans have reacted angrily to the case and the country's ruling African National Congress has denounced the IAAF and ASA for their handling of the sensitive matter.

Bollinger gets nod for first Test against Windies
AUSTRALIA'S selectors have given their first insight into the possible make-up of next year's Ashes squad in announcing their team for the first Test against West Indies

The left-arm paceman, has been preferred over the more seasoned Stuart Clark who, at 34, is now facing an uphill battle to force his way back into the Test side.

Australia will play 10 Tests against West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand before re-engaging England next year, and Andrew Hilditch, Australia's chairman of selectors, admitted the announcement was made with an eye to the 2010-11 series.

Shane Watson, Michael Hussey and Nathan Hauritz retained their places in the Australian squad, with the pace trio of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus down to lead the attack.

"We're very confident this young group going forward will do well in this very exciting series (against West Indies) but also we're very much in preparation for the next Ashes, which is only 12 months away," Hilditch said.

"Doug is at the moment bowling really, really well.

"It's a different form of the game, and you've got to be careful comparing one form of the game to the other, but he's just been very impressive when he got an opportunity in Dubai and then went to India and really came away as one of the key bowlers of that series.

"We think it's the right time to give him a chance."

Bollinger represents the only change from Australia's squad from the final Test at The Oval.

His nine wickets at 19.33 on the recent one-day tour of India - highlighted by a haul of five for 35 in Guwahati - caught the eye of Hilditch's panel, which had previously granted him a Test cap for this year's Sydney Test against South Africa.

Bollinger's elevation over a fully fit Clark will raise questions as to whether the curtain has fallen on the latter's Test career.

Hilditch was short of effusive when assessing Clark's Test prospects, although he did not rule out the bowler who won Man-of-the-Series honours during the last home Ashes series.

"We have very much an eye on the Ashes and if our assessment at the time is that Stuart is the best bowler for the Ashes and he's still going well, then so be it," Hilditch said.

"At the moment we're preferring this bowling group."

Hilditch, meanwhile, expressed confidence in Hussey's ability in the middle order, despite a difficult 12 months in the Test arena.

His fighting century in a losing cause at The Oval impressed the panel, and his ensuing form in the one-day series in India - 313 runs at 104.33 - convinced them to persist with a man once regarded as the foundation stone of the Australian innings.

"The assessment is he's in good nick," Hilditch said.

The same goes for Hauritz, who held off challenges from Jason Krejza and Bryce McGain to retain his place in the Test side.

So enthused were the selectors with Hauritz's recent efforts in England and India, Hilditch felt compelled to laud the strength and depth of Australia's spin bowling stocks - an unthinkable scenario at the start of the year.

"I actually think we're in a pretty good spot at the moment," he said.

"Hauritz is bowling very well and getting better and better. It will be interesting to see how his confidence levels transform from one-day cricket into Test cricket.

He's a very talented bowler. Krejza's made a lot of progress and he was definitely considered. He's bowling well. Plus there are a couple of young kids around the country we're watching closely as well."

Australia squad: Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt.), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wkp.), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger.

Essequibians treated to another successful Day of Interaction
ONCE again a successful Day of Interaction was held by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground last Sunday.

The day’s activity, which was blessed with encouraging weather, commenced with a colourful March Past of athletes and officials. Brief remarks were made by the Regional Chairman, Region 2, Ali Baksh, who welcomed all and expressed his conviction of another worthwhile day.

Neil Kumar, Director of Sport, in his remarks outlined the reasons for such an activity and challenged the region to ensure continuity, while Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, called upon all to use the activities to build unity and social cohesion.

He also asked the schools and communities to ‘step up’ their sports programmes as consideration is given to include the school (primary and secondary) and the community with the best sports programme to be included for National Sports Awards.

The gathering was treated to a spectacular Wushu Demonstration comprising of forty-five students drawn from the New Opportunity Corps and the Anna Regina Multilateral School, under the guidance of Mr Lu Yong and Mr Jeetendra Singh.

During the course of the day, hundreds of spectators/supporters crowded the venue and were kept on their toes as there were competitive activities throughout.

Approximately 500 athletes participated in Domino, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Softball Cricket (male & female), Football, and Circle Tennis.

The final results of the various competitions are:

Domino

After an exciting preliminary round, the Guyana Defence Force, Dartmouth and Henrietta played their way into the final. At the conclusion, Dartmouth dominated with 78 games followed by Henrietta on 70 and the Guyana Defence Force on 67.

Circle Tennis:

Five teams participated with Supenaam and Kabakaburi meeting in the final. Kabakaburi blew Supenaam away with scores 244 runs to 189.

Volleyball

Of the ten teams involved, Danielstown defeated Mainstay in a keenly contested final.

Table Tennis:

The competition was played as an Open Category and attracted sixteen players.

Brian Duncan outplayed Rawle Griffith in the final 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 while Suresh Jagmohan and Akime Grant occupied the third and fourth places respectively.

Softball Cricket (Male)

Twenty-one teams entered this competition. However, Suddie and Cullen prevailed to the final where Suddie outclassed their opponents by bowling out Cullen for 37 runs after scoring 47.

Softball Cricket (Female)

The Players of all five teams displayed great potential and skill during the games. The teams were evenly matched.

The final was a two-over contest. Charity PYO batted first and scored 23 runs. Kabakaburi in their innings made 19 in reply.

At the closing and presentation ceremony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar thanked all for attending and participating in the Day of Interaction.

Trophies were presented to the winners and runners-up in each discipline.

Bradman Oration…
Greg Chappell fears for Test cricket's future
By Brydon Coverdale
GREG Chappell has delivered a blunt message to cricket's administrators: Test cricket is under threat from Twenty20 and something must be done to save the traditional form of the game.

Chappell believes the situation is so severe that there could come a time when only four or five nations play Test cricket, with the weaker countries focusing purely on 20- and 50-over games.

The former Australia captain and India coach was in Melbourne yesterday to deliver the annual Bradman Oration on the state of the game and he painted a worrying picture for the five-day format.

He said while iconic tours like the Ashes retained their importance, many other series had lost relevance and administrators should focus on the quality of cricket played, rather than the quantity.

"I'm of the belief that we can support the three formats but obviously we have to give a very long and hard think about how best they work together," Chappell said. "I have a belief that we need to make each series, whether it's 20-, 50-over or a Test match series, a lot more relevant.

"I think the format that is under most pressure with 20-over cricket coming in is Test cricket. It has been struggling for some time. Economically, some countries find it very difficult to be competitive and therefore it affects economically the viability of Test series between some countries.

"I have a feeling that Test cricket is going to reduce in size rather than grow in size. I can see the time when perhaps there will only be four or five major countries playing Test match cricket. It's another reason why I think 50-over cricket needs to be supported and given a rethink because 50-over cricket could well become the Test cricket of the future for a lot of cricket-playing countries.

"There are only probably four or five countries that have the critical mass and have the infrastructure that will allow them to produce competitive Test match teams on a regular basis. That is a problem. That's been exacerbated by the success of 20-over cricket.

The prospect of separate divisions in Test cricket, which might help ensure matches are closely fought, was not an idea that sat well with Chappell.

However, he believed that the introduction of day-night Tests, which appears to be a certainty when a suitable ball is developed, could help regenerate interest in the five-day format.

"If you want people to come, then obviously you have to fit into their lives, not hope that they will fit into the life of cricket," Chappell said. "I have no doubt that in the not-too-distant future we will see Test cricket played under lights and played at night time when it's easier for people to come."

Chappell's comments have come at a time when the ICC is considering ways to keep the public interested in Test cricket.

An MCC survey recently found that only 7% of cricket followers in India regarded Test cricket as their preferred form of the game, while ticket sales for Australia's SCG and MCG Tests against Pakistan this summer are 20% down on the Tests at the same venue last season. (Cricinfo)