West Indies hand Netherlands 215-run thrashing

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West Indies 330 for 8 (Gayle 80, Pollard 60, Seelaar 3-45) beat Netherlands 115 (Cooper 55*, Roach 6-27) by 215 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

	Kemar Roach lifted the spirits of a lacklustre game by taking a hat-trick to finish the game © AFP Enlarge

Kemar Roach lifted the spirits on a dank day of World Cup action by becoming the sixth bowler to claim a World Cup hat-trick as West Indies cruised past a disappointing Netherlands outfit in Delhi.

Roach's whippet pace and low trajectory overwhelmed Netherlands who, set 331 for victory, were left to regret their captain's decision to field first. He finished the game in style, trapping Pieter Seelaar and Bernard Loots lbw before splattering Berend Westdijk's middle stump to seal a 215-run victory.

After the World Cup found its voice in a nerve-shattering encounter on Sunday evening it reverted to an inaudible mumble on Monday as Canada capitulated against Zimbabwe in Nagpur, before Netherlands put up an embarrassing showing. Gone was the intensity and discipline that spooked England as they allowed West Indies to saunter to victory with more than 18 overs left unused.

This was an important match for West Indies who, coming into it, looked in danger of being drawn into a qualification dogfight in Group B. If they are to beat Bangladesh to the quarters they need their big guns to fire and they would have been relieved that Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard found their form before Roach's heroics.

It was only a composed but futile 55 not out from Tom Cooper that dragged Netherlands past their lowest-ever ODI total - 80 against West Indies four years ago - in a showing that did themselves, and the beleaguered Associate brand, a total disservice.

Roach operated consistently around the 90mph mark and was happy to aim full at the stumps - a tactic shunned by England's bowlers against the same opposition - and Netherlands' batsmen were not up for a fight.

Though he took six wickets, the crucial, crushing blow was landed by towering left-arm-spinner Sulieman Benn. Ryan ten Doeschate, the hero against England and the sole player in the side with the quality to mount a challenge, was trapped low on the front pad and despite a long stride, and a review, he could not survive. Thereafter it was only Cooper who could resist Roach's pace.

The rot was set earlier in the day when Gayle made a measured 80 and Pollard a 27-ball 60 that carried West Indies out of sight. Pollard blended his immense power with the touch of savvy that has been absent from his 50-over game so far to bring up only his second ODI fifty. His assault gave a crowd deprived of much excitement something to cheer and emphatically confirmed that Borren's decision to field first on a pudding pitch and speedy outfield was the wrong one.

Devon Smith's silky fifty allowed Gayle plenty of time to rouse himself into the contest. At no stage were West Indies pinned down but it did take Gayle 24 deliveries to find the boundary. ten Doeschate's first over shattered his shackles as he drove three times through the covers, before collecting two more boundaries in the next over. He looked poised to explode from thereon but was instead content to coast and make the most of some generous Netherlands offerings.

The seam bowlers leaked runs both sides of the wicket and it was only the 23-year-old left-arm-spinner Pieter Seelaar who impressed. With an action and temperament similar to his touted Irish counterpart George Dockrell, Seelaar was happy to give the ball air and was rightly rewarded when Gayle holed out to long-off, one run shy of his 8000th in ODI cricket.

At that stage, two balls into the batting Powerplay, West Indies looked like suffering the same hoodoo that has infected many other teams throughout the tournament, but in Pollard they had the right man for the stage. There was the customary six-hitting, including a monstrous strike into the stands off Mudassar Bukhari, but there was plenty of nous too as he raced to his fifty from 23 balls, the joint fourth-quickest in World Cup history.

Given the stiff target Netherlands were unlikely to get near and Roach ensured West Indies overcame them in style.

Steven Davies reveals he is gay

ESPNcricinfo staff

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	Steve Davies has played eight ODIs and five T20s for England © Getty Images Enlarge

England and Surrey wicketkeeper Steven Davies has revealed he is gay, becoming the first playing professional cricketer to so. Davies, who was part of England's successful Ashes tour, went public with the news in an interview with the Daily Telegraph . He said he was comfortable with who he is and hopes his announcement would make it easier for others to be open about their sexuality.

"I'm comfortable with who I am - and happy to say who I am in public," Davies said. "To speak out is a massive relief for me, but if I can just help one person to deal with their sexuality then that's all I care about."

Davies came out to his friends and family five years ago and confided in England coach Andy Flower ahead of the Ashes tour, with Flower and captain Andrew Strauss then letting the rest of the squad know.

"It was a fantastic thing to do, telling the lads," he said. "The difference is huge. I am so much happier. I told Andy Flower first. It was a tough thing for me to do, to tell him face-to-face, but I had to do it. He supported me 100%, [both] him and Andrew Strauss. It was the right thing to do as I felt I couldn't live like this anymore.

"I didn't enjoy going on tour too much because of the secret, and the Ashes was going to be a 3½-month tour. That's a long time and I would have really struggled to finish it. My sexuality is an essential part of who I am, so I wanted the boys to know."

Strauss said that he would tell half the squad, with Flower telling the others. Two days later, Davies met his team-mates at Lord's, where their reaction could not have been more supportive.

"I was so nervous," he said. "I got there really early -- I was the first one. I couldn't think of anything except what they were going to say and how they would react. In fact, everyone was great. They just said it wasn't an issue."

Matt Prior, who was his rival for the wicketkeeping position and is playing that role in the World Cup, came over to give Davies a hug. "He couldn't believe I had kept it to myself for this long," Davies said. "He said I should have told him. That was special."

Davies becomes one of only a handful of professional sportsmen to come out. Footballer Justin Fashanu, who died in 1998, and dual-code rugby international Gareth Thomas are the only two British sportsman to previously do so during their playing careers. "Gareth Thomas' story helped me," Davies said. "It showed me it can be done. He was brave enough to stand up and say who he was. If I can help anyone else like he helped me, that would be great."

Flower said he has the full support of the England set up and backed Davies to regain his place in the one-day squad he lost just prior to the World Cup. "This is something Steve chose to discuss with me and the squad some time ago. I would like to make it very clear that Steve is first and foremost a very talented cricketer and a valued member of the England set-up.

"Steve has had and will continue to have the full respect and support of the entire squad and everyone involved in England cricket. I have no doubt that he will continue to work hard to regain a place in the England squad."

Davies' England team-mate batsman Ian Bell said the news had no affect on team whatsoever. "For us as a group, it didn't affect anything for Steve or any of the other lads," Bell said. "It helped him by speaking to the guys and we just got on with it. He's a fantastic cricketer and we're all with him. We support Steve as any of the other lads. He's a good mate of mine and that doesn't change absolutely anything. He's a massively important person in our team going forward. The more cricket he can play for England, the better."

Vikram Solanki, chairman of the Professional Cricketers' Association, and Davies' former team-mate at Worcestershire said: "Steve has the full support of all his colleagues in cricket. Many of those Steve plays with and against have known about this for some time and none of them regard it as anything other than an entirely personal matter."

Bresnan reprimanded, England fined

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	Tim Bresnan smacked a six shortly before the incident © Associated Press Enlarge

Tim Bresnan, the England allrounder, has been reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the thrilling tie with India in Bangalore. Bresnan hit the stumps with his bat after being bowled by Piyush Chawla in the penultimate over of England's chase.

Bresnan apologised for the incident and didn't contest the reprimand. He pleaded guilty to contravening Level 1 of the Code of Conduct which relates to the "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fitting." All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and/or a maximum penalty of the imposition of a fine up to 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

"While giving my verdict, I took into account that Bresnan admitted his mistake, apologised for his action and that it was his first offence," Roshan Mahanama, the ICC match referee, said. "Further, it was encouraging to note that Bresnan on his own initiative met the umpires concerned and reiterated that his action was unintentional."

England were also fined for a slow over-rate after they were found to be one over short of the target at the end of the Indian innings, after time allowances were taken into consideration. Andrew Strauss, the captain, was fined 20% of his match fee, the rest were fined 10%.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Bell stumped by his UDRS reprieve

	Yuvraj Singh thought he had Ian Bell lbw but even after seeing the replays, Billy Bowden disagreed © Getty Images Enlarge

Ian Bell has conceded that he was as baffled as anyone when he benefited from a controversial decision review in England's tie with India on Sunday. Bell was given not out by umpire Billy Bowden but the bowler Yuvraj Singh was certain he had trapped the batsman lbw, and convinced the captain MS Dhoni to ask for a review.

The process was played out on the big screen at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and when the fans saw the ball had struck Bell in line and was going on to hit the stumps, a roar went around and Bell began to walk off. However, Bell was turned back by the fourth umpire Aleem Dar, who was sitting on the sidelines and knew that Bowden was sticking to his decision.

Bell was more than 2.5 metres down the pitch when he was struck, and from that distance the Hawkeye tracking technology is considered to be less reliable, so the on-field umpire can decide to trust the computer or stick to his own eye. The spectators had no idea why the decision was upheld, and began chanting "cheating", while Dhoni said after the game it was an adulteration of human decision-making and technology.

"When a decision gets reviewed, you can see everything as it unfolds on the big screen," Bell said the next morning. "When I saw it pitch in line and hit the stumps, I thought that was it. I wasn't aware of the rule of how far you had to be down the wicket. I got waved back on by the fourth official and I moved on from there. I wasn't aware that the distance down the wicket was a factor.

"I didn't even know that rule existed. As soon as I saw it pitch in line and hit, I thought that was enough. It's strange, to be honest with you, if you see Hawkeye saying it's going to hit the stumps. It's a little bit strange. But that's the rule, I guess, and we're not going to be able to change that for this World Cup."

Although the rule was news to Bell, it had been seen during England's recent ODI series against Australia. In the seventh and final match at the WACA, the Australian batsman Tim Paine was adjudged not out to Liam Plunkett, and England reviewed the umpire Paul Reiffel's on-field decision.

The replays showed Paine was hit more than 2.5 metres from the stumps, but Hawkeye suggested the ball would have crashed into the stumps halfway up, and on that occasion Reiffel decided not to argue with the technology, even though he would have been within his rights to stay with his not-out call.

Bowden didn't feel the same way on Sunday, and the decision contributed to an epic tie that came down to the final ball of the 50th over, as England nearly pulled off a mammoth chase. Despite not taking full points from the game, Bell said England could take plenty of confidence from their efforts against a strong Indian side.

"I think we can take a hell of a lot from it," Bell said. "Going in halfway chasing 338, I don't think too many England teams in the past over here would have done that. I've certainly played in a fair share myself where we wouldn't have got 250 runs chasing that.

"To do that and to be involved in this one-day side showed me the strides forward we've made as a team. If we can keep doing that, we've got the quality in bowling that when we get our bowling and fielding 100% right we're going to be a good team in this competition."

'Wherever there is a need, I play there' - Younis

	Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq have had dynamic partnerships in the middle order © AFP Enlarge

The good form of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in the middle order, individually and in partnership, has been one of the significant factors in Pakistan's winning starts in Group A. They made two fifties each against Kenya and Sri Lanka, putting on a quick 45 in Hambantota and a platform-setting 108 against the co-hosts at the R Premadasa.

Their partnerships have been doubly important given the pre-tournament concerns that batting Younis and Misbah at No. 4 and No. 5 would rob Pakistan of impetus in the middle overs. Instead, the pair has brought stability and momentum. In recent years, Younis has been the regular one down, but the arrival of Ahmed Shehzad pushed Kamran Akmal to that spot, pushing Younis down one further. The two fifties have been his first in World Cup cricket, having failed to perform in 2003 and 2007.

"My job is that wherever there is a need, I play there," Younis said at the P Sara Oval in Colombo after a practice session. "I played at No. 3 before and now we need me at No. 4, so whatever the situation is for the team or in the match, I will do. Misbah and I are the seniors and we talk about our roles. We've made a couple of good partnerships so we want to keep that going. In both of the games I have missed hundreds but I am happy that I have scored fifties."

Younis and Misbah, at 33 and 36, are very much the senior members of the squad, and along with another old pro Shoaib Akhtar (35), were involved in the moments that won the Sri Lanka game. Younis and Misbah have also been involved in leading the fielding performances of the side which, though it faltered towards the end of Saturday's game, has shown signs of improvement over the last few months and series.

Senior players, including Umar Gul, got together before the World Cup and decided they would take the lead. "The seniors got together and decided that we have to make an extra effort with juniors," Gul said. "Whatever is in the junior's workload, we should also take that on so that we can be role models roles for them. That is our target, that we should take the load and fulfill as much responsibility as we can ourselves."

Pakistan's second win puts them in a good position to not only qualify for the quarter-finals but also to be in a good position in the group, as two of their four remaining games are against Canada and Zimbabwe, which they would expect to win comfortably.

"It is getting easier now because by winning every match we make it easier to get to the quarter-finals," Younis said. "We want to keep playing like this and win every match. We all know that it's a big tournament, so senior or junior, the goal is that we give our best and contribute to every game."

Pakistan's win has put them on the radar as far as serious contenders in the tournament are concerned. Shahid Afridi has already said he wants, at the least, a semi-final berth, but Younis was more cautious about where he saw Pakistan reaching. "I have said this before, right now these are round matches. In knockouts, if it is your day, if someone bats well or bowls well or has a lucky day, then the match turns. First we want to reach the quarter-finals."

We can't improve our fielding much - Dhoni

ESPNcricinfo staff

India captain, MS Dhoni, has admitted his team fielded poorly against England, but said there were limits to how much it could improve its fielding. Instead, he said, the team needed to focus on its strengths.

"Maybe if we would have fielded slighted better, we would have won the game by one run because you realise in these games the importance of one run," Dhoni said. "I don't think we can improve the fielding very much because we have got quite a few slow fielders in the side.

"So I think if we were a different fielding side it would have been slightly better, but then you need to realise your strengths and definitely fielding is not a big part of it."

Apart from a dropped chance off Andrew Strauss early in his innings and one off Ian Bell at slip, India conceded quite a few runs by way of misfields.

The hosts amassed 338 on the backs of another Sachin Tendulkar century on Sunday in Bangalore, but Strauss made a century of his own and the match ended in a dramatic tie after some lusty lower-order hitting from England. During England's innings, Dhoni was seen discussing fielding and bowling changes on a number of occasions with Virender Sehwag.

	Munaf Patel took a clever return catch to dismiss Kevin Pietersen, rare bright moment for India in the field © AFP Enlarge

"If you are not 100% sure of something, you have got experienced players in the side whom you can always approach because at the end of the day the motivation is to take the best decision at the right time. That's what I was interacting with him since he was close to me."

Dhoni said he likes to let his bowlers choose their own field and it is only when things don't go to plan that he steps in. "I always give the liberty to the bowlers to set the field," he said. "If the fast bowler wants a particular field, even if i am not very happy with it, I believe in the skill of the fast bowlers, and give him the first preference to pick his own field. If it is not successful, then I implement my own field."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Kenya hope to avoid mismatch

	Kenya's team is significantly weaker than the one that beat Sri Lanka in 2003 © AFP Enlarge

Big Picture

The last time Sri Lanka played Kenya in a World Cup, they did so despite security concerns in the country, choosing not to follow New Zealand, who forfeited their game in Nairobi. No amount of concerns over security would have prepared Sri Lanka for what happened: a shocking 53-run defeat against a spirited home side. It was 2003, and to borrow from the pop-sport anthem, it was time for Africa. Kenya were a seriously good side then, and would have had every right to feel indignant about not being a Test side. Eight years on, their side well and truly reflects the political turmoil the country has gone through, and the general neglect of the sport. Suffice to say, no such upset can be fantasised about this time.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have gone from strength to strength since 2003. All they will want is for the Colombo rains - which are never too far away any time of the year - to stay away, and then notch up the two points by playing solid cricket. There will be disappointment after Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan. It could result in the hosts having to play a better team in the quarter-final than they would ideally want, but there aren't many teams who can claim to have faced the ghosts that appear only under the Premadasa floodlights, and lived to tell the tale.

Form guide

(Most recent first)

Sri Lanka LWWWL

Kenya LLWLW

Pitch and conditions

Scattered thunderstorms are predicted for Tuesday, but that is hardly unusual for Colombo. The weathermen say chance of precipitation is 60%. Now that becomes slightly gloomy. Be that as it may, the game should become interesting if Kenya get to bat first and set Sri Lanka a fighting target under the lights. The pitch, though, hardly holds any demons otherwise.

Watch out for…

In his 15th year of international cricket, Thomas Odoyo is still going strong. His opening spell against Pakistan was the only positive Kenya could take away from their first game of the World Cup. They will need much more from him to compete against Sri Lanka.

Considering how successful Shahid Afridi's spin was against the Kenya batsmen, Muttiah Muralitharan could be in for a wicket-fest too.

Team news

Sri Lanka, strong favourites to win the World Cup, had one problem area when they started out. They have the class of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene and Nos. 3 and 4, and the hitting prowess of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera in the lower order. The link between them, though, gets exposed every now and then. Chamara Silva's fifty against Pakistan, though, might just mean he is the lesser of the evils. The other Chamara, Kapugedera, doesn't have the results to match the flair he seeks to exhibit. Lasith Malinga is reportedly fit but whether he will play is not yet certain.

Sri Lanka: (probable): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Chamara Silva, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Ajantha Mendis, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.

Kenya: 1 Maurice Ouma, 2 Seren Waters, 3 Colins Obuya, 4 Steve Tikolo, 5 Tanmay Mishra, 6 Rakep Patel, 7 Jimmy Kamande, 8 Thomas Odoyo, 9 Nehemiah Odhiambo, 10 Shem Ngoche, 11 Elijah Otieno.

Try picking the XIs for tomorrow's game by playing Team Selector.

Stats and trivia

• This is Steve Tikolo's fifth World Cup, and he possesses an all-round record that not many from stronger sides will mind - 739 runs and 15 wickets.

• Although Sri Lanka co-hosted the 1996 World Cup, this is only the second World Cup game being played at the Premadasa. Australia and West Indies forfeited their Colombo matches back in 1996 because of security concerns.

• Tikolo is six short of becoming only the second Kenyan to take 100 ODI wickets, after Odoyo.

Quotes

"Sri Lanka look solid up there, but we have nothing to lose. They are the ones who would be under pressure to perform at home, and now obviously having lost to Pakistan, it's a must win game for them tomorrow."
Jimmy Kamande plays the underdogs card.

"Lasith bent over to pick up a cricket ball about two weeks ago and strained his back a little. He bowled in the last two practice sessions. He has bowled with a full run-up today and batted and fielded. We have a selection meeting in the evening and will decide what to do then."
Trevor Bayliss, Sri Lanka's coach, on Malinga's fitness.

Selectors leave door open for Hussey's return

Selectors leave door open for Hussey's

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	Cameron White and his Australian colleagues are enjoying some downtime in Colombo © AFP Enlarge

Michael Hussey's hopes of winning a surprise recall to the World Cup squad have been boosted with the news that Australia's selectors have delayed naming a replacement for the injured fast man Doug Bollinger. The selectors had been expected to rush a bowler to Colombo in time for Australia's next match, against Sri Lanka on Saturday, but they have decided not to hurry their decision.

A key factor in their hesitation is likely to have been Hussey's expected return to elite cricket after recovering from a serious hamstring injury. He is set to play for Western Australia against Queensland in a Sheffield Shield match that starts at the WACA on Thursday, and if he gets through the match without any trouble he could be on a plane to the World Cup.

That would leave the squad short of a bowling option, but the allrounder John Hastings is already in reserve and can step in if required. Bollinger did not play after the opening warm-up game and with Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson handling the pace duties, he would have found it difficult forcing his way into the starting XI in any case.

"It is obviously disappointing to lose Doug Bollinger from the World Cup squad through injury, however, we have decided to delay the naming of a replacement for him until later in the tournament," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. "Currently all our fast bowlers are fit and we have John Hastings in the squad ready to play if an opportunity presents itself.

"We also have cover in the event of an injury to Brad Haddin [Tim Paine] or any one of the batsmen [Callum Ferguson] so there is seen to be no rush in making the decision. The national selection panel will make a decision as we approach the later stages of the tournament so we can select a replacement player who in our view will give us the best chance of success in the World Cup."

That last line is a strong hint that Hussey, who is the fourth-ranked ODI batsman in the world, will be in the frame. In the meantime, the Australians are relying on Cameron White as the experienced man in the lower middle order, and White knows that he will need to step up against Sri Lanka after beginning the tournament with scores of 22 and 22 not out.

White has not made a half-century in his past 11 ODI innings, and he enjoyed having some time in the middle against New Zealand in Nagpur, where he was under little pressure as the Australians completed a low chase. The big shots for which he is renowned have not been on display so far, and White knows that he needs to lift in the absence of Hussey.

"I felt okay [against New Zealand]," White said in Colombo. "I've been feeling pretty good at the crease for a while, just not converting any starts really. Hopefully I've started something in this tournament. The middle overs are going to be where it's most difficult. Starting is the hard part."

By the time Saturday's game against Sri Lanka arrives, the Australians will have had a seven-day break between matches, but they are enjoying some downtime for the time being. They'll be even happier if they see Hussey make big runs for Western Australia later in the week.

Rehman to miss Canada match

ESPNcricinfo staff

	Abdur Rehman has picked up a leg injury and will miss at least one match © AFP Enlarge

Abdur Rehman, the left-arm spinner, has been ruled out of Pakistan's next World Cup match against Canada on Thursday after suffering a leg injury. Misbah-ul-Haq has also picked up a minor hamstring strain but isn't too much of a concern.

Rehman took 1 for 63 in Pakistan's 11-run victory against Sri Lanka on Saturday but now requires a five-day break. "Rehman sprained his leg while fielding in the match against Sri Lanka and had to put on a strapping in order to bowl. It's an adductor muscle rupture," Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan manager, told AFP. "We don't want to risk Rehman and will wait for him to recover."

Rehman's absence is likely to mean a chance for offspinner Saeed Ajmal who has yet to play a match in the competition. The other bowlers in the squad who didn't play against Sri Lanka were the left-arm pace duo of Wabah Riaz and Junaid Khan.

Although Misbah's problem isn't considered a major worry he may still be rested for the Canada game with the opposition unlikely to cause an in-form Pakistan too many problems. Misbah hit 83 off 91 balls against Sri Lanka to continue his strong start to the tournament after he made 65 against Kenya.

If Misbah does miss out and Pakistan retain the same balance to their team Asad Shafiq, the 25-year-old batsman, is the other option in the squad.

Strauss has set the template for us - Bell

Brydon Coverdale in Bangalore

	Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell set England up at Bangalore with a 170-run stand © Associated Press Enlarge

Ian Bell believes Andrew Strauss's brilliant 158 against India is a sign that England are well placed for success at this World Cup, as they get ready to return to Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium to take on Ireland. England had to settle for a tie with the hosts on Sunday, but Bell said he and his batting colleagues would look at their captain's effort as the template for how to bat in this tournament.

"It's probably the best knock I've ever seen, to be honest with you, from an England player," Bell said. "It had everything. He hit his boundaries when he wanted to, he rotated the strike, he played his sweeps. He looked very, very hard to bowl to.

"If you can have a player like that at the top of the order, it really holds us in good stead. In the next game if it's not Straussy that goes on and makes a hundred, it's [hopefully] one of the other top four that does, because it really was for the rest of us a template for how you play a proper one-day innings. He's done that for a while for us."

However, Ireland's young spinner George Dockrell said his team would not be intimidated by the hefty and almost successful chase when they meet England on Wednesday. Ireland are still searching for their first win of the World Cup, after missing a golden opportunity against Bangladesh, and they know they will have to score big to challenge England, who could regain Stuart Broad after he missed the India game due to illness.

"With both teams getting 338, you can see that the pitch is very good and the outfield is quick, it's a small stadium," Dockrell said. "There's big scores out here in India, there are going to be games like this. I don't think we'll be daunted by that. We played one of the warm-up games in Nagpur, a lot bigger stadium and yet we got 290 against New Zealand, so I don't think we'll be too daunted by that.

"We're obviously disappointed with the game against Bangladesh and now we're looking forward to this England game and hopefully getting that first win. We took a lot of positives from that Bangladesh game. It was a very good bowling performance from us, the batting went wrong in a few places but we're quite confident still coming in to this game."

Dockrell is one of several members of the Ireland squad who have been handed county deals, after he was signed by Somerset last year, and his bowling colleague Boyd Rankin is another who is well known by the England players. Rankin has played with Bell at Warwickshire and, despite leaking 62 off his nine overs against Bangladesh, could be more of a handful in Bangalore.

"Boyd has got a lot of ability and is someone who I think could go a long way in this game," Bell said. "For Warwickshire I've seen him bowl some fantastic spells. He's got good pace and really good bounce. Playing at Dhaka isn't the easiest place to play as a big 6'6-plus guy. If you're slightly off line to someone as good as Tamim Iqbal you get punished.

"This wicket will probably have a little bit more pace and bounce than Dhaka did. He's someone you respect. We're going to have to play him well with the new ball. A lot of those guys are respected on the county circuit. There's a lot of experience now in their side, in county cricket, and it's a game that we're looking forward to and we're going to have to play well in. It's not a game that we can turn up in and just coast."

Onions given go-ahead to resume bowling

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	Graham Onions impressed early in his England career before injury struck © Getty Images Enlarge

Graham Onions, the Durham and England pace bowler, who missed the whole of last season a serious back injury, is set to resume training soon after receiving positive news from his latest scans.

Onions first picked up the problem at the start of the Bangladesh tour last March and flew home early from the trip before being diagnosed with a stress fracture. However, it wasn't until towards the end of the 2010 season in early September that it was decided he needed surgery to save his career and the initial recovery period was around nine months.

However, just six months after the operation Onions has been given the go ahead to bowl again although he knows he can't rush his return. "Scans were really good and been given the green light to start bowling," he posted on Twitter. "This is a big step, can't wait to start bowling. Realise that I have to go slow to start."

Onions has played eight Tests for England and made an impressive start when he took 5 for 38 in his debut against West Indies, at Lord's, in 2009. He went on to play three Tests in the 2009 Ashes where he took 10 wickets at 30.30, but is most famous for his two last-over rearguards on the tour of South Africa in 2009-10.

At Centurion and Cape Town he was twice left to fend off the final over of the Test against Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel to secure England draws to keep the visitors 1-0 ahead. However, after the second of those efforts he was left out for the last Test at the Wanderers when the selectors controversially preferred Ryan Sidebottom as South Africa squared the series.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Kamande rubbishes rift rumours

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Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande has rubbished reports of a rift between his players and their West Indian coach Eldine Baptiste, saying it was just an excuse people were looking for because the team has been performing poorly. On Sunday, Cricket Kenya chief Samir Inamdar had said some of the senior players were not happy with Baptiste, but Kamande said there were no such problems.

"I have read it like you. My team is very, very solid. We all are together as one," he told AFP. "When the team loses, people try to find excuses, but there are none on those lines, just that we haven't performed well so far and will try to do well in the rest of the games."

Kenya lost their opening two games to New Zealand and Pakistan, results that were expected, but it was the margins of victory and the lacklustre performance of Kenya's batsmen that have drawn criticism. They were bowled out for 69 against New Zealand in Chennai, and got to just 112 in their chase against Pakistan in Hambantota. Inamdar said the board was disappointed with the results and wanted the team to at least be competitive against the Test playing nations.

	Kenya captain Jimmy Kamande said there would be changes, perhaps in the batting order © AFP Enlarge

Kamande said there would be changes and his team would try to bounce back by getting the basics right. "We don't want to complicate the game of cricket. Obviously we haven't been on top form, but some changes have to be made; maybe in the batting order. We can't continue doing the same thing."

Things don't get any easier for Kenya, as their next match is against tournament co-hosts and favourites Sri Lanka, on Tuesday at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka lost their last game, against Pakistan, and Kamande said that would put them under pressure.

"Sri Lanka look solid up there, but we have nothing to lose. They are the ones who would be under pressure to perform at home and now obviously having lost to Pakistan it's a must-win game for them. We will try to put some pressure on them and bowl at a nice tight line and length and if we do it will add problems for the Sri Lankan side."

Kenya upset Sri Lanka in the 2003 World Cup, but have lost the other four ODIs they have played against Sri Lanka.

Benham and Thornely in Unicorns squad

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	Chris Benham will hope to catch the eye of a county when he appears for the Unicorns © Getty Images Enlarge

Chris Benham, the former Hampshire batsman, and Michael Thornely, who was released by Sussex last season, are two of the new faces in a 29-man Unicorns squad to take part on the Clydesdale Bank 40 tournament during the English domestic season.

Benham and Thornely both found themselves without counties following the 2010 summer but have been given a chance to showcase their talent for the Unicorns which is made up of players without professional contracts. Ten players from last year's squad have been retained.

The likes of Benham will be hoping to have similar success to allrounder Wes Durston last summer when he performed well enough for the Unicorns to earn a full-time deal with Derbyshire

During their first season the team claimed three county scalps - Sussex, Glamorgan and Worcestershire - but still finished seventh in Group A. This year they have been drawn in Group C alongside Nottinghamshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Essex, Somerset and Lancashire.

Squad Jahid Ahmed, Chris Benham, Luke Blackaby, Chris Brown, James Campbell, Tom Craddock, Dan Davis, Paul Dixey, Ned Eckersley, Tom Friend, Alan Ison, Josh Knappett, Robin Lett, Jonathan Miles, James Ord, Sean Park, Keith Parsons, Chris Peploe, Joel Pope, Glen Querl, Luis Reece, Dominic Reed, Amar Rhashid, Neil Saker, Chris Thompson, Jackson Thompson, Michael Thornely, Dan Wheeldon, Adam Wilson

Warriors and Cobras earn semi-final edge

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	Herschelle Gibbs has found his form at the right time © Getty Images Enlarge

The Warriors and the Cobras have the advantage after the first leg of the Pro20 semi-finals after both teams won their matches on their home grounds.

In Port Elizabeth, the Warriors restricted the Dolphins to 128 for 5. Rusty Theron and Makhaya Ntini strangled the Dolphins top order, allowing only 18 runs to be scored in the first five overs and with that control from them came frustration for the opposition.

Loots Bosman, Devon Conway and David Miller all fell to Ntini as the Dolphins were reduced to 29 for 3 in the Powerplay. Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Ahmed Amla shared a 63-run fourth wicket stand to keep their team above water. Both scored at more than a run a ball, with Amla hanging around to bring up a half century. Justin Kreusch and Nicky Boje kept a stranglehold during the middle overs to ensure that the Dolphins only posted an average score.

Yasir Arafat gave the visitors an early wicket when he had Ashwell Prince trapped lbw for 5, but he went on to bowl costly overs to concede 41 runs in 23 balls. Although the Dolphins attack, and Jon Kent in particular, kept making dents in the Warriors batting, they needed a little more to defend. Davy Jacobs made 27, Mark Boucher hit 20 and 22 off eight balls from Craig Thyssen saw the Warriors canter to victory with more than over to spare.

The Cobras also had a relatively uneventful chase against the Titans on Sunday, after bowling first and keeping the Titans to 141 for 6. The Titans innings was not a disaster by any description but not one of their batsmen managed anything more than a start. Jacques Rudolph and Henry Davids with 20 and 24 respectively laid a good platform but it was only built on slightly. Albie Morkel's 25 off 18 balls added some impetus at the end. Michael Rippon was the only Cobras bowler who conceded less than six runs and over.

Richard Levi and Herschelle Gibbs virtually ended the contest with the first-wicket stand of 72 in seven overs. Half the job was done with plenty of time left. Levi fell to Davids but Owais Shah joined Gibbs with an attitude of equal intent. Roelof van der Merwe was the bowler to suffer as his three overs cost 40. When Gibbs departed, Justin Ontong finished the job with Shah.

The second legs will be played next week in Durban and Centurion.

Bowler of the week: He is rolling back the years with each game, getting better and better as the competition goes on and earns this award for the second week in succession. Makhaya Ntini tore through the Dolphins top order and helped set up the victory for the Warriors.

Batsman of the week: Also a blast from the past, Herschelle Gibbs had yet to produce an innings of authority in this season's campaign but he did it at the right time. His 54 off 42 balls was well paced and as he performed the role of both anchor and the aggressor for his team.

'Malinga is fit' - Bayliss

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Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lanka fast bowler is available for selection for their World Cup, Group A game against Kenya on Tuesday, according to the team's coach Trevor Bayliss. Malinga, who created a world record at the 2007 World Cup by capturing four wickets off four balls in Sri Lanka's game against South Africa, missed his team's first two matches in this edition due to a sore back.

But at the media conference on Monday, Bayliss said: "Malinga is available for selection. His physio told us that the first two weeks were the most important and those are up tomorrow. Malinga is fit and it is up to the selectors to pick him or not for tomorrow's match."

Malinga's absence in the bowling line-up was clearly felt when Pakistan ran up 277 for 7 and went on to beat Sri Lanka by 11 runs on Saturday.

Sri Lanka team manager Anura Tennekoon said Malinga would play against Kenya to give him much-needed match practice ahead of a crucial game against Australia on Saturday. If Malinga does play, either Thisara Perera or Nuwan Kulasekara will have to make room.

Coach Bayliss said Sri Lanka did not play to their potential against Pakistan and they would come out in full force to prove a point. "I thought the other night against Pakistan we played some very good cricket for lots of the match. There were a couple of periods where we didn't play as well as we would have liked. Our guys know we can play a lot better than that. I am sure they will be out to show how good they can play in the match against Kenya tomorrow."

	Lasith Malinga has been bowling in the nets, but did not feature in Sri Lanka's first two World Cup games © AFP Enlarge

The match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was a close affair, and along with the thrilling tie between India and England on Sunday, gave the World Cup a much-needed lift after a dour start. "Both teams I think probably thought that they should have won," Bayliss said of Saturday's game. "Both teams at different stages probably thought they might lose. It was a good game; one of those good games to be involved in. It was very good for the tournament as a whole."

Sri Lanka are overwhelming favourites for the match against Kenya, who have looked out of their depth in the World Cup so far. But Bayliss ensured his team were not taking anyone for granted. "I am sure they [Kenya] will like to put in a better performance than they have done in the last couple of games. Certainly our guys will not be taking Kenya lightly. That's for sure."

One of the key areas Sri Lanka will concentrate on is building partnerships, the absence of which resulted in their defeat to Pakistan. Their batting line-up is unlikely to change but they may rest Muttiah Muralitharan and play the other two spinners: Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis.

Bayliss also praised the Premadasa pitch and said that it was the best pitch he's seen in the four years he has been coach.

Dutch devastated, West Indies resurgent

Dutch devastated, West Indies resurgent

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	Kemar Roach said the victory boosted West Indies ahead of their important clash against Bangladesh © Getty Images Enlarge

West Indies came sashaying back into this World Cup with a performance so calypso it was a pina colada for the eyes. It had flamboyant batting, destructive bowling, over-the-top celebrations and that essential ingredient, something orange that had been turned to pulp.

The colour was provided by Netherlands, who came into this match on a high, anticipating a decent performance after their competitive showing against England. Ryan ten Doeschate's century had propped them up comfortably, and even though they weren't able to secure victory with the ball, they had shown a determination beyond their minnow status. They had arrived in Delhi with a real base on which to start from.

They came to the capital with so much to live up to, so much promise, so much expectation and so much belief that they were going to compete in the tournament. Against West Indies, they were even spoken about as competing as equals. In a daze of hype, it looked as though the Dutch forgot that beyond the confidence and the positivity, they would actually have to turn up and play, before any of that became a reality.

They had spoken about an improved performance in the field, which they were not able to execute half as well as they talked about. Even though batting has been their strength, without getting the other half of their game to work, it's negated. Peter Borren had no answers, no excuses and by the looks of it, no motivation at the end of the match.

After the game, his one statement summed up an evening that left his team gutted. "If we are going to bat and bowl and field as poorly as we did today, it actually makes no difference if we bat or field first." With that empty statement, and the hollow expression that accompanied it, he left the room. It's going to take a lot for Netherlands to pick themselves up from this demoralising defeat, and they only have three days to figure out how to.

For West Indies, the three days between games can't be over with soon enough. After their initial defeat to South Africa, their 12th in succession, the critics were saying the same thing: that the West Indians were not good enough and would have to battle for their place in the quarter-finals. Then, albeit against an associate side, all the big guns fired. Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard belted out half-centuries and Kemar Roach, their premier strike bowler, ended up with 6 for 27, including the tournament's first hat-trick.

Roach said the victory buoyed the team, particularly for their next challenge in Dhaka. "We take a lot of confidence into the game against Bangladesh," he said. "This match was good preparation for the Bangladesh game. We'll go there on a high. Bangladesh are an improving team but we are better than them."

That kind of confidence is rare for a current West Indian bowler, especially because bowling is considered their weak link, with some suggesting that they would always need big runs because they would struggle to bowl sides out. Roach, who often operates as the lone strike bowler, said that although being a seamer in the subcontinent is challenging, he is adapting. "It's tough coming here as a bowler to the subcontinent, you have to be very accurate and consistent, once you get that right, you get wickets."

Roach opened the bowling with spinner Sulieman Benn in the last two matches, and even though West Indies were renowned for hunting in fast-bowling pairs, he said he doesn't miss not having another quick on the other end. "I don't feel as though as I am left out. Benn is a very good partner of mine. To see that two guys from Barbados are opening the bowling for the West Indies is great."

Although Ravi Rampaul and Andre Russell are waiting in the wings to add to the seam contingent, Roach is happy to carry the load, with Kieron Pollard to help out, if he has to. Roach has been particularly inspired by a message the injured allrounder Dwayne Bravo gave him. "He is my big brother. He said go hard and enjoy it and be confident in whatever you do."

New York could host Full Member teams in August

Peter Della Penna

	The last time the USA hosted Full Member teams was at the Central Broward County Regional Park Cricket Stadium in Florida © CCUSA Enlarge

USA Cricket Association President Gladstone Dainty is attempting to arrange another set of matches involving New Zealand later this year that could potentially be played in New York.

"We're very seriously looking to do something in August," Dainty told ESPNcricinfo. "We don't have another [team] yet, but we're looking to do something in August." USA hosted New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Florida last May for a pair of Twenty20 games that took place shortly after the conclusion of the World Twenty20 in the West Indies.

While matches might be played in Florida, New York could also become a viable option after Dainty revealed plans to install a turf wicket at Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field. A USA XI played two matches against a West Indies XI captained by Brian Lara at the same ground in 2006. Floyd Bennett Field also shows up in the 2008 Joseph O'Neill novel Netherland, a fictional story about a man who uses cricket to help piece his life back together after 9/11.

"We're still working on getting this facility in New York going," Dainty said. "I'm hoping that it'll be ready by August." Dainty would not reveal how much money it would cost to make upgrades including the turf wicket at Floyd Bennett Field. It is also unknown if the costs would be covered by the group of investors behind Cricket Holdings America or if the money would be coming from a different source.

Dainty feels that the turf wicket would be ready for immediate use once it's put in place while the long term viability of the facility would be achieved by utilising the site for a domestic Twenty20 league in the USA. Dainty told ESPNcricinfo in December that CHA was hoping to start the proposed league by the summer of 2012.

USA played Jamaica in a series concurrent with the Sri Lanka and New Zealand matches in Florida last year, but Dainty did not know if something similar would be planned to involve USA for the next time around. Speaking about the team's fortunes at the ICC WCL Division Three in Hong Kong, Dainty acknowledged that the squad was underprepared for the tour and that it played a part in USA's last-place finish.

"The team to me didn't do very well in Hong Kong," Dainty said. "I'm not going to be the one that's blaming the team alone. For all of us, I would say that the team was not a very well prepared team. In terms of when they were playing, it was their offseason for most of them. Even during the national championships, I didn't see the energy from a lot of the players.

"I really think that when we did not get [Neil] McGarrell in the team that it hurt us a lot," Dainty said, in reference to the former West Indies Test spinner who was originally included in USA's squad. McGarrell had to be replaced when the ICC ruled him ineligible to play for USA based on residency requirements. "What happened in Hong Kong is not a failure of 14 or 17 guys; it's the program as a whole because they were not well prepared. It was US cricket as a whole. We needed additional funding for them to play some more."

Even though there is a significant amount of funding that USACA is set to receive from signing the deal with CHA, the bulk of it will not trickle down until later in the year.

"We have sources of funding now. I wouldn't say we have all the money right now, but we have sources now," Dainty said. "We've got enough funding to do what we want to do, but remember we didn't have a lot of funding to run the national championship, even the Under-19 tournament we had to put off. Since then we had one camp and then the funding came in."

Dainty was unhappy that Howard Johnson, the team's 46-year-old assistant coach, was inserted into the starting XI for the match against Papua New Guinea. Johnson was added to the squad after batsman Aditya Thyagarajan went down in the second game against Denmark with an injured knee. Johnson last played for the USA at the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland prior to his one-off appearance in Hong Kong.

"Based on what I knew in terms of Howard being included in the squad, we had a player who was injured and because of the logistics, we were more concerned about somebody emergency fielding," Dainty said, indicating that it did not make sense to fly in a replacement player from the USA. "And then you know … never did I think he would be put there as a player. If we knew that Howard was such a strong candidate to play, we should have known that before. I was as disappointed as anyone else."

"That should not be a reflection of Howard. Howard is a very nice and decent man and I don't think he should have been asked to do that at all. I don't know who should take responsibility but I hope it won't happen again. I've never been a micromanager, but this type of situation certainly needs more managing."