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Julian Hunte, the West Indies Cricket Board president, and Donald Peters the chief executive, have played down the financial concerns of the game in the Caribbean despite the recent loss of sponsors for domestic tournaments.Neither the four-day or one-day regional events had title sponsors after Carib Beer pulled out of the first-class event shortly before it began. It left the board needing to fund the tournament, which has been expanded this year, out of their own reserves but Peters said options are on the table.”We are getting sponsors,” Peters told the agency. “But the directors have set some parameters for levels of sponsorship. We have proposals from a number of small sponsors who want to work with the WICB, and we are doing this, and the week before I came to Guyana, we were signing a contract with a major player in the Caribbean.”We will announce this later in the month, so I want to assure you that it is not an absence of sponsors,” he added. “I have read that we are broke, and that sponsors are leaving us, but it really is that we are leaving them. The important thing is if our side starts winning, people will join us.”Nobody rejects us flatly. They just tell us what they can afford and we decide if it’s the right fit. What we have also offered sponsors is to come together to sponsor one competition, so we are optimistic.”Earlier this week Peters was criticised for remarks that put the blame for the money problems at the foot of the West Indies players for not performing consistently on the field and making the team a marketable product. Hunte, though, said the economic climate was a major factor in making life difficult, but that the board was prepared to support themselves.”We are always in the market for sponsors, but if you will look back toShell and to now, you will see the number of firms that have sponsored WestIndies cricket and have left,” he said. “The impression that we get is, given the economic realities of the Caribbean right now, that it is difficult to find sponsors for our tournaments, so that we can play them on a home and away basis.”The cost for the four-day competition is US $2.2 million. We have people shying away from it, but our policy is to ensure that we find the resources every year, as we budget, to be able to run our premier tournaments ourselves.”Where we can get a sponsor or a number of sponsors in a small market like ours, we will embrace them. But the policy is not to depend on the sponsors because we will run the risk of not doing what we are supposed to do.”WICB’s chief financial officer Barry Thomas said the board had plans to pursue alternate means of revenue generation. “The full implementation of a professional league by 2010 and increased revenue from non-traditional sources such as merchandising and new tournaments are some of the things we plan to pursue,” Thomas said. “Also executing an efficient World Twenty20 Championship next year to ensure a positive financial return is also another means to give our revenue a boost.”Thomas said apart from the global recession, developing franchises for a new cricket league and a fresh international touring schedule following the end of the current Future Tours Programme could have a negative impact on the WICB’s finances.

Tasmania 163 and 5 for 197 (Marsh 58*) beat Western Australia 189 and 168 (Magoffin 59*, Duval 4-29) by 5 wickets
Scorecard
Points table

The captain Dan Marsh showed a cool head as Tasmania completed a fine comeback against Western Australia that increased their chances of making the Sheffield Shield final. The Tigers, who were 26 behind on first innings, are now second after Marsh steered the closing stages of the chase with 58 not out as they reached their target of 195 with five wickets in hand.In conditions that no batsman mastered, the Tigers were nervous until Marsh, who scored 64 in the first innings, took charge. When he hit three fours in a Drew Porter over they needed only 13 and he finished the match with a lofted boundary from Adam Voges.It was the fourth time in a row at home that Tasmania had successfully chased a fourth-innings total, which is a strong record considering the damage caused by the bowlers during the matches. Tasmania’s 5 for 197 was the highest total of the game that finished a day early.The Tigers started solidly with the openers both reaching 18 before Jonathan Wells and Rhett Lockyear both fell with the score on 37. Alex Doolan and George Bailey made important contributions of 33 and 36, but they were still looking to Marsh when Tim Paine departed with 25 still needed. Victoria lead the competition while Tasmania, who have 24 points, are two ahead of Queensland with two matches remaining.Western Australia began the third day at 8 for 97 with a quick finish looking likely, but the No. 10 Steve Magoffin had other ideas and registered an unbeaten 59. Magoffin, who would later take 3 for 59, lost Josh Mangan for 12 early in the morning before he combined with Brett Dorey (16) in a 48-run stand. Unfortunately for the Warriors, it only delayed the defeat.

Bucknor stops here
Steve Bucknor made a good start to his final Test appearance, withseveral decisions upheld by the review system. One such moment camewhen Peter Siddle was adamant that he had trapped Ashwell Prince lbwfor 40 and Bucknor disagreed. The Australians were convinced enough togo for the review and while the ball struck Prince in line and wouldhave crashed into the stumps, it clearly pitched outside leg and wasthe right decision. Bucknor has copped plenty of criticism in thepress over the past couple of years but journalists are a famouslyforgiving bunch. One South African reporter in the Newlands press box,after seeing the replays, bellowed: “Steve Bucknor, don’t leaveus yet!”Passing the buck to Billy
The response wasn’t so positive when the TV umpire Billy Bowdenoverturned Bucknor’s not-out call to end Prince’s innings on 150. TheAustralians felt Prince had gloved down the leg-side off BenHilfenhaus and Bucknor went in the batsman’s favour. After six minutesof mostly inconclusive replays, including a Hot Spot that didn’t showimpact on the glove but might not have had the best angle, Bowdenadvised Bucknor to give it out. It looked as though the ball probablyhit the glove but it was hard to imagine how Bowden could have beencertain enough. For the record, Bucknor told Cricinfo last week thatleg-side catches were among the hardest for umpires to adjudicate.”These are difficult to see from in front,” Bucknor said. “They areeasier from behind but at least the referral system is there toassist.”100 … maybe
Kallis has waited 11 months for a Test century so when it cameup with a quick single his celebrations were naturally boisterous. Atfirst. Until the umpire Asad Rauf called it a leg bye. The ball hadtaken the inside edge before ricocheting onto Kallis’ midriff and when the umpire’s signal came he was already embracing his partner AB de Villiers and acknowledging the standing ovation from the crowd. After Kallis showed his bat to Rauf, the umpire reversedhis decision and the century stood. Ricky Ponting had some strongwords to Rauf, querying the reversal, and it was unclear whether Raufhad consulted the third umpire or not. The confusion continued whenthe electronic scoreboard went blank. When it was switched back on,the figure next to Kallis’ name was 100. Well, when you’ve waited 11months, what’s another minute or so.Bryce pays the price
After bowling his first two Test overs late on the first day, BryceMcGain was overlooked for three hours on the second day before finallygetting the ball in his hands. Onlookers were wondering why RickyPonting was ignoring McGain and instead rotating his four seamers invarying combinations. Eventually, at 2.10pm, McGain was given hisfirst bowl of the day and it wasn’t really worth the wait. Prince tookthe long handle to McGain and his first three balls disappeared forboundaries and when Jacques Kallis got in on the action as well,McGain’s spell finished up at five overs for 51 runs. When he returnedfor a second spell things didn’t improve and his first ten overs atTest level cost 93.Economic stimulus
While McGain was getting pounded at one end, Peter Siddle at the otherwas sending down a magnificent spell of tight, aggressive fastbowling. Siddle’s spell at the same time was six overs, five maidens,0 for 1. He was so difficult to get away that at the same time asMitchell Johnson had gone for 74 from 16 overs, Siddle’s 16 overs hadcost 16. But applying pressure is about working from both ends and thelack of support meant Siddle was unable to get a breakthrough duringthat wonderful spell.

The second IPL season has been insured for a total of $286 million, more than double that of the $125-million cover last season, and includes provisions for acts of terrorism and cancelled matches. It also includes ten-fold increases, in some cases, in individual covers.MS Dhoni, captain of Chennai Super Kings, attracts the highest individual insurance cover of $10.5 million, while Sanath Jayasuriya of the Mumbai Indians is the highest insured among overseas players, for around $6 million. The package takes into account all 120 auctioned players as well a few non-auctioned players.The cost in premiums to the franchises is around $430,000 each.The original plan – formulated when the tournament was to be held in India – involved a total insurance package of $219-263 million negotiated by the BCCI, broadcasters Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and the eight franchisees. That package included a $120-154 million cover for match cancellation due to standard perils, a $87-million cover for the BCCI against terror attacks and personal accident insurances for individual players.”The sum assured has been higher this time around with the tournament moving overseas,” Reena Bhatnagar, deputy general manager of Oriental Insurance Corporation (OIC), the IPL’s insurers, told Cricinfo. “The details of the package are similar to those signed last year, and will provide covers not just due to terrorism, but take into account other factors like accidents during travel, flights etc as well.”The width of the individual player insurance covers – the figures are decided by the franchises – ranges from $2.5 million to $10.5 million. Dhoni commands the highest, followed by Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh. “That Dhoni has been placed above Tendulkar or Ganguly, is entirely their [franchises’] perception,” Bhatnagar said. “It is the IPL organizers who then decide and provide us the values.”The new figures are more than six times those for the previous season, when the individual covers ranged from $380,000 and $1 million. Dhoni still led the pack, with Tendulkar, Ganguly and Andrew Symonds following behind. The policies for non-auctioned and junior players were between $120-250,000.The entire package is totally reinsurance-driven, meaning that OIC would seek to protect itself with other insurance companies against the risk of losses during the tournament. “With such a large package signed up, it was beyond the capacity of the Indian insurers,” Bhatnagar said. “We had to travel the reinsurance route and tap the London market.”A match cancellation cover includes non-payment by sponsors and broadcasters in case a match gets cancelled. It also insures budget match expenses, or the expenses incurred by franchisees for preparing the stadium field. The loss of baggage cover means that players will be paid the cost of their belongings, in case they misplace them during the course of the tournament. The policies will be effective from the time the players leave for the tournament till they return home.The IPL’s second edition will be played from April 18- May 24, spanning 37 days

Tony Hill and Ian Gould have been added to the ICC’s elite panel of umpires following the annual review and selection process.The addition of the pair, who have been serving on the international panel, brings the total back up to 12 with the imminent retirement of Steve Bucknor coupled with last year’s retirement of Darrell Hair.In addition, four other umpires from the international panel – Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Rodney Tucker (Australia), Amish Saheba (India) and Nigel Llong (England) – have been identified for overseas appointments in addition to umpiring international fixtures taking place in their own countries.”We are delighted to confirm the promotion of both Ian and Tony,” said Dave Richardson, the ICC’s general manager – cricket. “Their promotions are a result of perseverance, hard work and commitment and I am sure these two umpires will serve as an inspiration to the other international panel umpires who are striving hard to break into the top flight.””I believe that having played cricket at a high level for 21 years I understand the game from the players’ point of view and that I bring that empathy out in my umpiring,” Gould said. “Although it’s a very different challenge to playing the game, being an umpire is enormously rewarding and a great way to stay involved.”Meanwhile in a separate appointment, former Zimbabwe Test batsman Andy Pycroft has been added to the panel of ICC Match Referees bringing the total number of referees to seven.

Division Two

Shaun Udal grabbed six wickets as Middlesex sensed victory, but their middle-order collapsed spectacularly to draw with Surrey•Getty Images

James Tredwell’s career-best 8 for 66 prompted a dramatic Glamorgan collapse as Kent beat the visitors by 204 runs at Canterbury. Kent declared on 409 for 5 in their second innings, with Martin van Jaarsveld falling for 182, which left Glamorgan a sizeable target of 385. They were never in the hunt. Gareth Rees and Ben Wright took them to 99 for 1 but when Rees became Tredwell’s second wicket, the doors were then flung wide open. Glamorgan lost 9 for 81 with Wright the last man out for a resilient 81 from 157 balls, as Tredwell recorded the superb match figures of 11 for 120.Northamptonshire raced to their target of 176 in under 40 overs, beating Essex in impressive fashion on the final day at Wantage Road. The home side put on 81 for the opening wicket with Rob White cracking an unbeaten 76. James Middlebrook and Danish Kaneria each took a wicket, but chasing such a meagre total was never likely to trouble Northamptonshire, and Nicky Boje, the captain, flayed 34 from 33 balls. White sealed a thumping eight-wicket win with a clattered six off Matt Walker.Anthony Ireland took two wickets to limit Gloucestershire’s target to a facile 72, as William Portfield and Kadeer Ali knocked off the required runs in a confident 10-wicket win over Leicestershire at Bristol. Ireland removed James Taylor, who only added one to his overnight 34, and although Carl Crowe (41*) and Iain O’Brien (31) added lower-order runs, Leicestershire were dismissed for 331 to set Gloucestershire an easy target. Porterfield, the Ireland captain, stroked four fours in his 32 while Kadeer cracked six in his 51-ball 38, as Gloucestershire raced home in the second session to win by ten wickets.With victory in sight, Middlesex collapsed spectacularly to the spin of Murtaza Hussain and Chris Schofield as Surrey very nearly pulled off a remarkable win on the final day at The Oval. Shaun Udal picked up 6 for 74 to dismiss Surrey for 242, with only Michael Brown (73) passing fifty, and that left Middlesex requiring 186 in 25 overs. The Twenty20 Cup champions began superbly, with Phillip Hughes smashing 57 from just 46 balls and gaining good support from Nick Compton (28 from 24). The pair took Schofield for 30 runs in nearly three overs, but he got his revenge in removing Hughes for 57 and, with support from Hussain at the other end, Surrey ran through Middlesex’s middle-order as a nailbiting finish ensued. Thirteen were needed from 11 deliveries; then 10 from 6 before three were required from four balls. However, Hussain trapped Steve Finn leg-before to leave three needed from the last delivery, but Stuart Meaker ran out Alan Richardson to record a thrilling and unlikely draw.

Division One

Durham are still looking for their first win of their Championship defence after they drew with Sussex on the final day at Hove. Sussex were set 316 in 56 overs and scorched 72 of their first 105 runs in boundaries, but kept losing regular wickets to halt and ultimately end their chase. Durham picked up five wickets as Sussex began to wobble, but Chris Nash (85) and Andrew Hodd knuckled down with a steadying sixth-wicket partnership of 64 as the match drifted to a draw. Liam Plunkett picked up impressive figures of 2 for 36 from 12 overs, following on from his four in the first innings.For a full report of Nottinghamshire’s six-wicket win over Somerset at Trent Bridge, click here.And for a full report of Warwickshire’s draw against Yorkshire at Edgbaston click here

Group A

Nottinghamshire boosted their chances of a place in the quarter-finals with a nine-run win over Leicestershire at Grace Road. Nottinghamshire reached 149 for 3 from 35.3 overs before the rain fell, with Mark Wagh (40) and Samit Patel (48*) both impressing. Leicestershire were set a revised target of 77 in a ten-over thrash, but fell 10 runs short. The hosts needed 19 from 10, before 14 were required off the last over, bowled by Ryan Sidebottom, who conceded just two from the first three balls. Joshua Cobb was then run out with two balls to spare, ending Leicestershire’s hopes in this year’s competition.

Group C

Mark Ramprakash continued his imperious form with yet another century – his third in six Friends Provident ties, and his fourth in all competitions this season – as Surrey posted a daunting 241 for 7 in only 39 overs against Sussex at The Oval. In a rain-reduced fixture that total might have been even more had Ramprakash not been run out in his prime, for 102 from 94 balls, having already cracked five fours and five sixes. Sussex, having already qualified for the quarter-finals, opted to shuffle their lineup for today’s match – including drafting in Chad Keegan, the former Middlesex fast bowler – and their pursuit began poorly when Ed Joyce was bowled for a fourth-ball duck. They were soon behind the rate when they slipped to 102 for 6, with Chris Schofield picking up 5 for 32, and despite Keegan’s enjoyably free-spirited 38, they were rolled for 162 in 30 overs.

Group D

Heavy Welsh rain at Swanseaprevented Glamorgan’s match against Northamptonshire from getting underway, and the match was abandoned at 2.30pm. Both sides took a point each.

South Division

Middlesex won the contest between the two bottom-placed teams in the South Division, beating Surrey by seven wickets at at The Oval. Surrey made a promising start after choosing to bat with openers, Michael Brown and Chris Jordan, adding 76. Jordan made a sedate 28, leaving most of the scoring to Brown, before he was run out by Dawid Malan.Brown held up one end, scoring 77 off only 54 balls, but his dismissal with the score on 141 proved a turning point, depriving Surrey of the finish they needed. Usman Afzaal scored 25 off 17 balls as Surrey finished on 160 for 5 with Malan bowling a restrictive spell of 0 for 17 in four overs.Middlesex lost Billy Godleman, who was bowled by Jordan, early during their chase but Owais Shah, batting at No.3, stepped up with a half-century. He scored 61 off 41 balls with three sixes while Neil Dexter and Malan batted around him, contributing 20 and 38 respectively and remained unbeaten to lead Middlesex to victory in the 19th over.

South Division

Despite interest from other counties, Martin van Jaarsveld has signed an extension to his contract at Kent until 2012.Both Surrey and Lancashire had expressed interest in van Jaarsveld, who was voted the PCA Player of the Year in 2008, but the 35-year-old Kolpak player has decided to stay put.”This has been a difficult decision for me to make. Since arriving at the club my family has made many friends and I have much enjoyed my time in the county,” said van Jaarsveld. “It has been flattering to have received offers from other clubs, but I feel for my cricketing future and for my family Kent is where I wish to remain.”Graham Johnson, Kent’s chairman of cricket, added: “Everyone at the club is delighted that Martin has agreed to continue his career with Kent.  Since he joined us in 2005, his contributions both on and off the field to the development of Kent cricket have been outstanding. Martin has been one of the most successful players in county cricket in recent years, and it is great news that he has decided to continue his career at Kent.”

West Indies captain Floyd Reifer has said the team is aware of the need to level the two-match Test Series against Bangladesh, having lost the first match in Kingstown.”We are raring to go in this Test match because we know we have to play cricket for the six million people in the Caribbean,” Reifer said. “This match means a lot to Caribbean cricket and to people in the West Indies, so we know we have to level the series.”West Indies lost by 95 runs, following a capitulation on the last day at Arnos Vale, to hand Bangladesh their first overseas Test victory and their second win overall. Reifer though, remained optimistic that the second line of West Indies players could draw level in the second match, beginning on Friday.”The guys are very confident,” he said. “We know we have to win this game, we know all the things we have to do and what is expected of us. We are just asking the people in Grenada to come out and support the team.”Reifer, 36, identified batting as a weak area and said the team needed to improve to reverse the result. “We have to bat better. In the first innings (of the first Test), I thought we could have scored more runs. We had a good start. At 228 for 4, I thought we could have scored 350 to 400 runs but we fell short.”He also believed the inclusion of allrounder Ryan Hinds would bolster the batting. “Ryan was the best allrounder in the Caribbean in the last three or four years,” he said. “He has scored a lot of runs and taken a lot of wickets. He is always a good man to have in your side.”The West Indies squad, cobbled together in haste after renowned and senior players opted out due to the WICB-WIPA dispute, have a large number of Test debutants. Reifer pointed out that there was an unfamiliarity with playing Tests and many of the players found it difficult to to cope with the five-day format.”We exercised a bit of impatience,” Reifer said. “Most of the guys play four-day cricket in our regional competition, so when you get into day five of a Test match, a lot of guys are not accustomed to that. I was discussing with the coach [John Dyson] that we have to find ways to get the guys to concentrate on day five, which is a very important day in Test cricket.”