Shane Bond’s bad luck with injuries continued when a scan revealed another stress fracture in his back, and put his international career in doubt.Bond, 29, has only appeared in 10 Tests and 27 one-dayers, and has not played any international cricket since May 2003. With this latest news, it will be a while until he plays again – if at all.”Shane is now considering the options given to him by his surgeon,” said Leanne McGoldrick, Bond’s manager. “One of those is surgery and that seems his most likely option at this stage. He just wants to take a few days to think things over. His other option is to give the injury complete rest to allow it to heal, before he starts rehabilitation.”Bond flew with the New Zealand Test squad to England earlier this year, but despite playing in a few warm-up games, he did not play in any of the three Tests and flew home early. He was sorely missed as New Zealand went down 3-0, and they are likely to miss him even more with such a busy schedule ahead of them. He has already been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy in England this September, and is now almost certain to miss the tours of Bangladesh and Australia later this year

The Australian batsman, Martin Love, has signed a one-year contract to play for Northamptonshire in 2005.Love, 30, enjoyed a successful month-long stay at Wantage Road earlier this season, scoring 394 runs in two Frizzell County Championship Division One matches – including a century in each innings against Worcestershire at New Road – after replacing the South African, Martin van Jaarsveld.Mark Tagg, Northamptonshire’s chief executive, said: “It was a pleasure to have Martin Love here. He showed tremendous professionalism in his short stay with us and was a firm favourite both on and off the field.”His decision to sign for next year so early reflects his belief in theoutline plans we have for the future, and shows confidence that Northants are determined to make progress in the years to come.”Love, who plays for Queensland during the Australian season, said: “I enjoyed my brief spell working with Kepler Wessels and can see great potential in the squad.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

A sensational spell of savagery from Sanath Jayasuriya was followed by a metronomic spell of fast bowling from Dilhara Fernando as Sri Lanka moved to the brink of a big win in the first Test at Faisalabad. Jayasuriya tore the bowling apart on his way to his third double-hundred, a wonderful 243, and almost single-handedly boosted the lead to a daunting 418. Fernando then prised out Pakistan’s top four with subtle cutters and Sri Lanka’s fightback, after playing catch-up for one-and-a-half days, was all but complete.Of the 154 runs that Sri Lanka added this morning, Jayasuriya made 123. But unlike yesterday, when he was uncharacteristically subdued, he was back to his devastating best. He lost partners at regular intervals, as a middle-order collapse reduced them to 337 for 8, but his whirlwind 101-run partnership with Fernando – of which Fernando made just 1 – left the bowlers bruised and Pakistan’s morale dented.In 11.2 overs of the new ball, Jayasuriya saw red in a big way, clattering a further 79 runs, including four fours in one over off Shoaib Akhtar, the last of which was intentionally carved over the slips. Not content with that damage, Jayasuriya then accidentally stepped on Shoaib’s foot while both were ball-watching – a classic case of adding injury to insult.Jayasuriya farmed the strike without any problems, leaving Fernando with just one or two balls to face per over. He turned down several singles, but quickly made amends by belting the ball with beastly fury. He brought up his double-hundred with a stunning six off Shoaib, swivelling in a flash and pulling with amazing bat-speed, and then raced along even faster once the landmark was passed.Shoaib’s mind probably went back to that fateful no-ball which he bowled yesterday, as Jayasuriya edged one to Moin Khan when he had made just 9. But eventually, after adding 244 more to his total, Jayasuriya was the last man to fall, trapped lbw by Danish Kaneria for 253, the fourth-highest score by a Sri Lankan in Tests.

Faced with an uphill task, the Pakistan openers launched their reply with a flurry of boundaries, as Imran Farhat hooked at the slightest opportunity. The 50 came up in just nine overs and neither of the openers were in any trouble. But a nine-over spell after tea from Fernando left Pakistan reeling. He consistently delivered an arrow-straight line with the ball cutting and swinging just enough. Yasir Hameed misjudged one that nipped back sharply and rapped him on the pads. Despite Hameed showing his disappointment with a baffled look at the umpire, the ball appeared to be going on to hit the stumps (59 for 1).The next two wickets were to identical deliveries as Asim Kamal and Farhat were undone by balls that pitched on middle and straightened a shade. Kamal was comprehensively bowled after attempting an expansive straight-drive, while Farhat was stone-dead lbw when he failed to get bat onto ball (86 for 3). Fernando landed one more blow soon after as Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was extremely scratchy in his 30-ball innings, lost his off stump after completely misreading the line (91 for 4).Yousuf Youhana was nearly dismissed by Rangana Herath a few overs before the close but Steve Bucknor didn’t spot the ball popping off his bat onto boot straight to the short-leg fielder. Youhana was unbeaten on 23 when stumps were drawn, but Pakistan would need a minor miracle to save this one.

Reunert Bauser, the chief executive of Border Cricket Board (BCB), is being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds after a raid on the board’s offices last Thursday.According to the South African Press Association, Bauser has been accused of using some of the proceeds from the 2003 World Cup for air tickets to the UK worth R20,000 (£1,800), and a further R400,000 (£36,000) that was earmarked for the Border Bears team.Bauser, who was in the UK at the time of the raid last week, vehemently denied the allegations and, according to his lawyer, earlier financial statements were found to have no irregularities when vetted by auditors. Bauser believes there may be a “vendetta” against him.But Vido Mgadla, the president of the BCB, denied any suggestions of a vendetta on Wednesday, and said, “This is bad for Border cricket and the sooner the matter is sorted out the better.” Asked what might happen if Bauser were to be found guilty, Mgadla joked: “I suppose the wicket will have to be prepared all over again but I hope not.”The BCB has launched its own investigation, which is expected to conclude on Friday.

David Hookes threw two punches at a bouncer before he was allegedly knocked to the ground and suffered fatal head injuries, a court heard today. The altercation between Hookes and the bouncer occurred after Hookes had been thrown out of a Melbourne pub on January 18 this year.Hookes, 48, died the next day from injuries suffered in the alleged assault. Zdavko Micevic, a 22-year-old bouncer, is charged with manslaughter and assault over the incident outside the Beaconsfield Hotel in St Kilda.At the opening of Micevic’s committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today, Terry Forrest QC, the accused’s lawyer, said his client would give evidence that Hookes had thrown two punches at him before he retaliated. Mr Forrest also said evidence would show that Hookes had a blood-alcohol content of 0.14 at the time of the incident.The court heard Hookes and several members of the Victoria and South Australia teams had been celebrating at the Beaconsfield Hotel after a match that day at the MCG. Mr Forrest said witnesses would testify that the group became rowdy when asked to leave at closing time and Hookes, in particular, had argued with security staff.The court heard that a local resident would give evidence that a group of up to 14 men was involved in a loud argument outside his house. He told magistrate Ian McGrane that one of the cricket group is alleged to have told a bouncer that his “head would roll tomorrow” and that “you won’t have a job”. The court also heard that a witness saw a group of men arguing and throwing punches outside the pub.But Darren Lehmann, today’s only witness, said that despite being in the pub and being close to the group outside, he hadn’t seen anyone throwing “a violent series of punches” or noticed any boisterous behaviour. Lehmann presented a stoic defence to questioning about his role in the altercation with the bouncers and his observations of the night’s events.Lehmann repeatedly told the court he either hadn’t seen various incidents described by Mr Forrest or could not recall what was said or done by other members of the group at almost any stage of the night. He could, however, remember how much he’d had to drink.Asked by Mr Forrest if he’d had a lot to drink, Lehmann said he’d drunk only three beers and a vodka during the two-and-a-half hours he was at the pub. He’d also had two beers in the dressing rooms after the match and another at his team’s hotel before leaving for the Beaconsfield. He said he didn’t believe Hookes had drunk too much on the night.Asked if Hookes had been argumentative with hotel staff, he replied that he couldn’t recall. Lehmann gave the same answer when asked if he’d heard women who were with his group screaming and again when asked if a female with the group had jumped onto a bouncer’s back.While Lehmann agreed that he had telephoned for an ambulance, he had not seen how Hookes ended up on the ground or what he had been doing prior to being felled. In response to questioning by Mr Forrest, Lehmann denied he had collaborated with others before making a statement to police or that he had “sanitised” his evidence.Mr Forrest earlier told the court that after being charged over Hookes’ death, Micevic’s house had been burned down, he had received death threats and his car had been vandalised. The Beaconsfield Hotel, which has since ceased trading, was also vandalised.”Needless to say, the past 24 hours have been very difficult,” Lehmann said. “However, it is all behind me now, and I’m looking forward to helping Australia win this Test series. The case is still before the courts, so it is inappropriate for me to make any further comment on the matter. As I have said though, it’s great to now be back with the boys, and I’m really looking forward to getting out there on Thursday.”The committal hearing, which is scheduled for eight days, continues tomorrow.

South Africa’s selectors have resisted the temptation to rest leading players en masse in the forthcoming three-match one-day series against Zimbabwe, with only Jacques Kallis being allowed time to recharge his batteries.But Haroon Lorgat, the selection convenor, said that several leading players would be allowed to sit-out at least one of the games. “We have decided to give Jacques Kallis a complete break, and we will be looking to give Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Graeme Smith a rest at some stage in the series,” he told reporters. “They have done an enormous amount of work over the last few months and we must be mindful of the Test series and the tour of the West Indies.”Kallis has been replaced by allrounder Albie Morkel. “Albie is one of a group of very fine young allrounders in the country at the moment,” Lorgat explained. “He has impressed us with his good form for both South Africa A and the Titans and we hope he continues that form for the senior team.”The only injury doubt is Justin Kemp who is battling to recover from a strained intercostals muscle and will undergo more treatment before having a fitness test before the opening match on Friday.South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Nicky Boje, Adam Bacher, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Albie Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Ashwell Prince, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Rudolph.

Before the series against Zimbabwe started, Graeme Smith said how his team would be using the two Tests to pick up some momentum ahead of their tour to West Indies, starting at the end of March. After the opening day at Centurion his team have picked up enough injuries to throw the planning into chaos.Shaun Pollock did not even make the Test, given the opportunity to rest the tendonitis in his left ankle, which is becoming an ongoing saga to rival Andrew Flintoff’s. There is talk that he will not make the start of the tour and could miss the opening Test in Guyana, starting March 31, although Gerald de Kock, in his final act as South Africa’s media manager said: “at this stage it is far to early to say he will miss the first Test.” A South African attack without Pollock has a very different, and much less threatening, look.The plan was that Pollock’s rest would allow one of the fringe candidates for the tour to stake their claim. Andre Nel and Monde Zondeki returned to the team, while Charl Langeveldt had another chance to impress. But now Langeveldt is unlikely to bowl again in this Test match, which means he has failed to complete any of his three games. A tour of the Caribbean is not the place for an injury-prone bowler.Andre Nel is the favourite to go to the West Indies, but he suffered a hamstring strain and only got through 12 overs on the first day at Centurion. However, he has a big heart and came back to take the new ball, so his injury does not look tour-threatening. Jacques Kallis carries such a weight for South Africa with the bat that it is questionable why he is playing this match before an important tour. The point was reinforced, after he too went off, needing treatment on his right hip. He did not look entirely comfortable when he returned with the new ball. By the end of the day even Monde Zondeki, who carried the attack, was looking less than sprightly in the outfield.To add to the bowler’s troubles, Graeme Smith is having problems with his ankle and Jacques Rudolph has a long-term back problem that restricts the amount of bowling he can do.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Gallery
5th day
Bulletin – Kumble bowls India to victory
Verdict – India’s colossus delivers again
On the ball – Impeccable Kumble
Pakistan View – Beaten, not disgraced
News – Harbhajan’s action reported
Stats – Kumble the destroyer
Quotes – Ganguly – ‘The turning point was getting a wicket off the day’s first ball’Quotes – Inzamam – ‘We can draw level at Bangalore’4th day
Bulletin – Dravid’s gem sets up a classic
Verdict – Making the impossible possible
On the ball – Runs all around
Commentary – Karthik turns it around
Stats – A six-year gap
Quotes – Dravid – ‘The side that holds its nerve will win’3rd day
Bulletin – Tendulkar’s fall levels the scales
Verdict – Cut down in full flight
On the ball – Allround fluency
Commentary – Sami’s challenge
Plays of the Day – The twilight twist
Quotes – Kumble – ‘We’re back in the game’2nd day
Bulletin – Younis and Youhana sizzle
Verdict – Trading flair for resilience
Commentary – Payback time for Younis
On the Ball – Striking the balance
Plays of the Day – Finding their voice
Stats – Y & Y’s success
Quotes – Younis: ‘I appreciate everything the team did for me’1st day
Bulletin – Late strikes mar India’s day
Verdict – Dravid’s masterclass
On the Ball – The off-side God
Plays of the Day – The end of Sehwag
Stats – First-class Dravid and high aggregates
Quotes – Dravid: ‘I felt in control throughout’Preview Preview – An equal battle
The ground in numbers – The perfect Test venue
Feature – Breaking down Kaneria
Quotes – ‘Younis Khan will play’ – Inzamam

Alec Stewart and Nasser Hussain have been awarded honorary life membership of MCC. Both players had impressive records at Lord’s; Stewart made 1476 runs at 44 and Hussain 861 runs at 50. Hussain, memorably, finished his playing career at Lord’s, by guiding England to victory against New Zealand in 2004, with an unbeaten 103.After receiving the honour, Stewart, who was known for his strong patriotism as a player, said: “It is an honour to be given this recognition by MCC. The Club is the most historic in the world, with a very proud tradition. I am delighted to have been given lifetime membership of MCC.”Nasser Hussain, who wore his heart on his sleeve as captain, was also delighted: “I was thrilled to be made an Honorary Life Member. It is the greatest cricketing accolade I could receive,” he said. “I loved everything about playing at Lord’s; this will continue my involvement with the historic ground, and give me a long-term association with MCC.”

Shoaib Akhtar, who pulled out of the Test series against India due to a hamstring injury, is hoping to recover in time for the one-day internationals beginning on April 2 at Kochi. Akhtar has set a target of three weeks to fully recover from the injury.”It is so disappointing to be sitting in Lahore while the team is preparing for the Test series in India. But there is nothing much I can do about the injury except try to regain my fitness as soon as possible,” Shoaib said in an interview to . “I have been training regularly with the board’s South African trainer Grant Compton and he says I should be fit in two-and-a-half weeks’ time. As soon as I am fit I will play in a match to test out my fitness before making myself available for the one-dayers.”Wasim Bari, the chief selector, had asked Akhtar to participate in a match to prove his fitness before being considered for selection for the six one-dayers. Pakistan’s bowling line-up has been weakened with the absence of Shoaib and the pace attack largely dependent on Mohammad Sami and Naved-ul-Hasan.Akhtar, whose commitment towards Pakistan cricket was questioned, said he’d give the series his best if selected for the ODIs. “If I can make it for the one-dayers in India I can assure you I will give more than 100% for the team. Playing against India and their batsmen is always a big challenge and I love to do well against them.”Akhtar holds an impressive record against India with 15 wickets in 4 matches at 27.66. His most renowned spell came in Kolkata in the Asian Test Championship in 1999, when he bowled Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar with consecutive late-swinging yorkers. He claimed eight wickets and Pakistan won by 46 runs.