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Jason Gillespie might not be in South Australian colours next season © Getty Images

Jason Gillespie could become a victim of South Australia’s woeful season and salary-cap problems, revealing he does not have a contract for next season. Gillespie said he would be keen to continue his career interstate if the Redbacks failed to secure his services.Gillespie has been far from South Australia’s worst performer in 2006-07, with 26 Pura Cup wickets at 29.34. The Redbacks have had trouble with their veterans this season, dumping Greg Blewett from the one-day side in December and axing Matthew Elliott from the Pura Cup team for their most recent match.”I don’t know where I stand with South Australia, whether I’m required for next year,” Gillespie told Adelaide’s . “I guess I’ll find out pretty soon. I’m still off contract so I guess I’m a free agent. You never know, maybe there’s a state keen on me and I’ll weigh up that option.”Obviously the Redbacks are my first option and I’d like to sign a two-year deal with them, but if that doesn’t happen then I’ll have to look elsewhere. In recent years, South Australia have signed some guys to long contracts and they haven’t performed, so maybe they are a bit concerned about my longevity.”Gillespie was dropped from the Australia Test team after the 2005 Ashes loss but returned for two Tests in Bangladesh last April. He earned the Man-of-the-Series award with eight wickets and a stunning 201 as night-watchman.However, he was ditched straight afterwards and believes he has virtually no chance of earning another recall. “I can’t see myself getting another Cricket Australia contract,” he said. “I believe they only gave me one last year because of what happened in Bangladesh.”My chance of playing for Australia again is about as remote as you can get. The selectors have played their card, they have lost faith in me, they don’t want me around and that’s their call. I’m not saying I deserved to be in the World Cup but it’s a bitter pill to swallow when you get man of the match in your last two Tests and you aren’t in the picture.”

Leah Poulton scored an unbeaten 70 to lead New South Wales to victory over Queensland © Getty Images

A powerful batting performance gave the New South Wales Breakers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals series against Queensland Fire at North Sydney Oval.Set 175 for victory, NSW started well with a 51-ball 50 to Alex Blackwell before Leah Poulton’s unbeaten 70 and Michelle Goszko’s 48 sealed the eight-wicket win.Kasee Marxson guided Queensland with 72 but only three other batters reached double figures as they were dismissed for 174 in 48 overs.Sarah Andrews was the best of the NSW bowlers with 3 for 35 while Emma Liddell, Julie Hayes and Nicole Goodwin picked up two each. The second match is at the same ground on Saturday with the third final on Sunday if required.

Daniel Vettori: might he be better used later in the innings? © Getty Images

The night before the third one-day international at Auckland, I told a colleague of mine in the UK that the expected slow wicket at Eden Park gave New Zealand a decent winning chance. “Why don’t you make all your pitches like that?” he asked. Despite New Zealand’s loss today, it’s a fair question.Rewind to the World Cup in the summer of 1992 when the names Greatbatch, Harris, Larsen and Crowe dominated match scorecards and became Kiwi legends. New Zealand racked up six successive wins in the pool stage, starting with the scalp of the defending champions Australia.Standing out like a lighthouse at Cape Horn was the offspinner Dipak Patel, New Zealand’s most unlikely and unexpected opening bowler. While his new-ball partners changed in virtually every game, New Zealand’s success was in no small way due to Patel’s ability to restrict runs in the first 15 overs. On slow tracks, the secret was not so much in deviation but in a lack of pace and clever field placements. It is unthinkable now that New Zealand’s new-ball duo in one match, against England, was Patel and the slow-medium bowler Chris Harris.If Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval was a fortress for the Caribbean quicks of the 1970s and 80s, Eden Park became the impenetrable battlefield of the lack-of-pace New Zealand attack in the World Cup. Batsmen of the calibre of Desmond Haynes, Imran Khan and Brian Lara found the wicket devilishly hard to score on and, in the 13 years since, little has changed. Australia’s 264 today was only the sixth time a total of over 260 had been achieved at Eden Park.Although New Zealand went into today’s match with just three frontline medium-fast bowlers, the question could be asked whether even that was too many. While Glenn McGrath was resting in the grandstand on his day off, Daryl Tuffey probably wished he had the same luxury after his new-ball effort went horribly wrong. Each of his first six deliveries were either no balls or wides en route to a 14-ball over first up and it came as no surprise that he was not seen at the crease again after conceding 25 runs from his opening two overs. At the other end Kyle Mills was removed after just four overs.In recent times New Zealand has struggled to take wickets or restrict runs inside the first 15 overs against Australia. Even back in the glory days of the 2002 VB Series when New Zealand won three from four, twice Australia got off to flyers – 95 for 2 in Melbourne and 70 for 2 in Sydney – before collapsing. Ditto the Chappell-Hadlee matches before Christmas – 95 for 1 and 101 for 1 – and the current series – 74 for 1, 96 for 1 and 81 for 1. Even the taming of Adam Gilchrist has not stopped the rot.The first 15 overs with the ball has become a battle for survival for New Zealand. Tuffey and Mills have been unable to find the swing which they are selected for and simply don’t have the pace to trouble Australia’s top order. Tuffey struggled with even the most basic of disciplines today, bowling straight.Perhaps then it is time to revert to the model devised by Martin Crowe and Warren Lees in ’92. And why aren’t all New Zealand’s pitches in this series Eden Park replicas? What would Stephen Fleming and John Bracewell do for the RPOs of 3.10, 3.44, and 3.81 achieved by Patel, Gavin Larsen and Willie Watson respectively? New Zealand showed today that they were no worse off using the lesser pace of Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan in the final ten overs.As a departing thought, is it best to bowl Daniel Vettori out with 15 overs remaining as happened today? Sure he’s turned in outstanding economical spells in this series but is that the best use of Fleming’s primary weapon? Crowe thought so in his column in the Sunday News last week when he compared Vettori to Larsen. However, with New Zealand’s death-bowlers so ineffective of late, there must be a decent case for Vettori being held back as Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh did so successfully with Shane Warne.Andrew McLean is a presenter of The Cricket Club, New Zealand’s only national radio cricket show.

When Sadagopan Ramesh square-drove Jacob Oram to the fence early on the second day, it was a shot that released two years of frustration. Despite averaging nearly 38 from 19 Test matches, he was banished to the cricketing wilderness by a selection committee that believed he did not have the technique or the stomach to face quality fast bowling. At Rajkot, on a wicket that had decent carry and bounce, he showed that he had the ability to make runs. At the end of the day, the five wise men that make up the selection panel must swallow all talk and recognise the fact that there is nothing more important than the ability to put runs on the board.In a near chanceless display – he was dropped by Scott Styris off Daniel Vettori when on 96 – Ramesh proved that the he had in it in him to score runs when it mattered the most. Over the last two Ranji seasons, he has made just one first-class century, against Kerala, but he is the first one to admit that big games do the trick for him. “Probably the motivation factor is much higher in a big game. The stakes are higher in a big game and I have never thought of the consequences,” he said. ‘What if I fail?’ – that question never came into my mind. Maybe that clicks for me in the big games.”There was more than one occasion during the day when Ramesh played and missed. With Daryl Tuffey bowling well from one end, Ramesh flirted with danger, proffering half-hearted strokes at some deliveries that were best left alone. But any batsman worth his salt will tell you that this is bound to happen when you spend four-and-a-half hours at the crease to make 110 from 206 balls. But then, people who have watched Ramesh over a period of time will tell you his biggest strength is his ability to put the odd setback behind him. He does not mull over nicks that could have been. He merely gets on with what he knows best – driving the ball when it is pitched up. On the day, 19 boundaries came off his blade, and no one but the cruellest man would suggest that he got more than his fair share of luck.Showing the full face of his Woodworm Wand he drove magnificently down the ground, both past mid-off and mid-on. Occasionally, when the bowling flagged, he unveiled the cut, a shot he had shelved sometime ago because the percentages did not work out. The hook shot, a rarity in modern Indian batting, was also on display, and reached the fence unerringly, even if it kept the outfielders interested every now and then.More than any of these strokes, though, it was the runs on the board that brought a wide grin to Ramesh’s face. “I would not say I am relieved because I could have added another 40 or 50 runs. It’s just that I have been waiting for this opportunity for so long. I am happy that I was able to grab the opportunity." On Saturday, the selectors pick the squad to play the first Test against New Zealand at Ahmedabad, and they were present in full strength to watch the innings. In that sense, the timing of this innings could not have been better. But Ramesh is not one to hang onto these sorts of thread. He refused to be drawn out when asked if he had done enough to make it back to the Test team. “I will come to the ground tomorrow,” he said, almost as though nothing had happened. “I take the day as it comes. If I see my name in the reckoning or in the team, I will be very happy about it but otherwise I am not the sort to dream about all these things.”Dream or not, Ramesh clarified several points that were raised against him. At several moments in the day, he did not get much of the strike or was bogged down by spells of good bowling. But he did not throw it away. On 30, 44 and then finally 84, he was stuck, unable to get the runs flowing. He took half an hour to get to his 85th run. And then, of course, the three-figure mark loomed. “Every batsman becomes conscious of the three-figure mark once he crosses 80,” conceded Ramesh. “I know there is a big difference between 99 and 100. I have gone through that. So I wanted to get to the three-figure mark today.”Finally, despite putting a strong hundred on the board, there was carping about the manner in which he was dismissed – and replays showed clearly that the ball missed bat and went off shoulder – and his footwork. Laid-back as ever, Ramesh pooh-poohed such doubts. “I have got to the three-figure mark, so don’t start that talk again,” he said, breaking out in a wide grin. “I have tightened up my game a bit more. But it’s for the people to judge, not for me to talk about. After all, they are only watching me, I can’t watch myself bat.”Jacob Oram, another left-hander to make a century on the day, was full of praise for the manner in which the India A openers handled the New Zealand bowling. “I thought they played very well. They left the ball well but at the same time, they put away the bad ball, especially Ramesh. He was very good on the drive and played very well on a wicket that was still helping us with the new ball.” Very true, Jacob, very true. You might just be seeing a bit more of this bloke in the days to come.

One veteran spinner at the crossroads, and two slow bowlers at the starting gates of potentially prolific careers. It will rely on the weather, but it’s possible that Tasmania and Victoria will make a major contribution toward a changing of the guard in Australian spin bowling when their Pura Cup match begins in Hobart tomorrow.Ordinarily, Colin Miller – who returned to Victoria at the start of last summer, but who still remains something of a hero in both locations – would be expected to represent a major force in a meeting between these two states. But a slow start to the season from a Bushrangers squad that doesn’t easily deal with being on the bottom of competition ladders means that no-one is being spared in the search for better results.Tasmania is having its own problems after an encouraging start in Sydney. Injuries to key batsmen Dene Hills and Michael DiVenuto and all-rounder Scott Kremerskothen haven’t helped, compounding a lack of penetration with the ball that has forced the Tigers to attempt to bat out the last day of all three of their matches to date.Which all means that, though neither 19-year-old Xavier Doherty nor 18-year-old Cameron White was barely even born by the time that Miller had graduated to first-class ranks, there is every chance they’ll be the spinners making the waves this week.Along with left arm paceman Mathew Inness, White and Miller are likely to jockey for the remaining two positions in a Victorian attack headed by pacemen Paul Reiffel and Damien Fleming and all-rounder Ian Harvey.”He’s got a huge future ahead of him. We’re very excited about him; we think he has a very long career ahead,” said Reiffel of leg spinning all-rounder White on his arrival in Hobart today.”He seems a lot older than he actually is. He carries himself very well. He’s an exciting talent; there’s no doubt about that.”We’re very happy to have him in our side.”In the opposite dressing rooms, meanwhile, left arm orthodox spinner Doherty is certain to be included in the eleven, filling a berth vacated by all-rounder Brad Thomas after a crushing innings loss to South Australia.”Potentially, he could have a very good career ahead of him,” said Tasmanian captain, Jamie Cox, in reference to Doherty.”We’ve monitored his progress for quite some time now.”And there are great opportunities for Xavier, with a bit of a dearth of finger spinning (bowlers) around the country … really there aren’t many around. We thought the time was right to give him a go.”It opens the way for the prospect that White will play just his third first-class match and Doherty his first.And that not even Miller’s status as his country’s reigning Test player of the year, nor as one of the most successful bowlers in history at the Bellerive Oval, may guarantee him his place.And all in a game that is likely to be played in attacking style, given that results elsewhere over recent weeks have left these two teams in urgent need of outright points.The only threat might be Hobart’s weather. Though there has ironically been no rain at the ground since Monday – the last of four days of poor conditions which played havoc with the Second Test between Australia and New Zealand – the long-range forecast points to the likelihood of a return of unpleasant conditions over the weekend.One team may need to turn the match its way quickly.Teams:Tasmania: Jamie Cox (c), Scott Mason, Michael Dighton, Shane Watson, Daniel Marsh, Shaun Young, Sean Clingeleffer, Damien Wright, David Saker, Xavier Doherty, Shane Jurgensen, Adam Polkinghorne.Victoria: Paul Reiffel (c), Matthew Elliott, Jason Arnberger, Matthew Mott, Brad Hodge, Michael Klinger, Ian Harvey, Darren Berry, Cameron White, Damien Fleming, Colin Miller, Mathew Inness.

Sussex were indebted to bowler Robin Martin-Jenkins (86), who made hishighest score in first-class cricket with thirteen boundaries, to save their innings in the championship match against Essex at Arundel. His 150 runs fifth-wicket partnership with Tony Cottey (83), who reached the boundary twelve times in his 145-ball stay, picked the county from 45-4 and set them on the way to a 265 runs total.Both batsmen were dismissed by Danny Law (3-74), previously with Sussex, after which Ashley Cowan (4-61) cut down the lower-order with three wickets for eight runs in less than two overs. The rescue was needed as neither captain Chris Adams nor Michael Bevan scored as they offered no stroke to the balls which dismissed them. By then Richard Montgomerie was already back in the pavilion.Wicketkeeper Barry Hyam’s fine catch – one of his five in the innings – to sendback Toby Peirce gave Mark Ilott his 50th first-class wicket. In their 15 overs batting before the close Essex reached 30-2.

Everton have made an offer to Franck Kessie ahead of the expiry of his AC Milan contract but the player is unconvinced, according to Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Kessie has reportedly turned down the offer of an extension at the San Siro and made clear his intention to depart in the summer.

He’s currently able to negotiate with foreign clubs with a view to potentially joining on a free transfer.

Landing Kessie on a Bosman deal would be impressive business given that the player is rated at £43.2million by Transfermarkt.

Stefano Pioli has used the Ivorian first and foremost as a defensive midfielder, but he can also operate as a box-to-box number eight.

The latest

Everton have reportedly proposed pre-contract terms to Kessie, though he isn’t thought to be particularly keen.

The player was hopeful that teams towards the top of the Premier League would come in for him, but no such offers have materialised yet.

Instead, he’s increasingly open to the idea of joining FC Barcelona, who have ‘intensified’ their efforts to sign him in recent weeks.

The verdict

It’s no surprise that Everton are interested in Kessie, regarded as a near-complete midfielder by former Milan star Antonio Cassano.

Cassano says that Kessie ‘scores, he assists, he doesn’t lose the ball, he’s intelligent’ and claimed that he can be ‘devastating’.

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The problem is that it may just be a bit too ambitious. The Toffees, let’s not forget, are fighting to avoid relegation, whereas Milan are in the midst of a Serie A title race and Barcelona are a club of similarly immense stature who will hope to be competing in next season’s Champions League.

If Lampard can lure the 25 year-old to Merseyside though, he could form a monstrous midfield partnership with Abdoulaye Doucouré.

In other news, Everton could sell this academy product if the right offer arrives.

	George Bailey’s half-century guided Tasmania to victory and the top of the Twenty20 table © Getty Images

ScorecardSean Ervine helped Western Australia become the first team to beat Victoria in a Twenty20 match, pushing them past the Bushrangers’ 186 with nine balls to spare. Ervine remained unbeaten on 56 from 34 deliveries after the Warriors’ top order made a quick start to the hefty chase. Clinton McKay came in for some harsh treatment, finishing with 0 for 50 from his three overs as Luke Pomersbach belted 39 from 22 balls and Luke Ronchi struck 26 from 11. Shaun Marsh then added a handy 35 as Victoria’s second-string attack could not stem the flow. The Bushrangers had looked on target to remain undefeated from all their matches in three seasons of Twenty20 when Brad Hodge’s 45 guided them to 9 for 186. But the Perth crowd got its money’s worth with 373 runs scored in three hours of play.
ScorecardGeorge Bailey’s second consecutive half-century pushed Tasmania across the line as they chased down New South Wales’ 157 with one ball to spare in Hobart. Bailey rattled up a quick 54 from 38 balls, including three sixes, but fell with 18 needed from the final three overs. Dan Marsh made 24 not out and got his side over the line following Michael Dighton’s solid start – he made 29 before he was the first of Doug Bollinger’s two victims. The Blues’s run-rate eased when Ben Hilfenhaus collected three wickets from seven balls at the top of the order, including Simon Katich for 6. Brad Haddin steadied with 49, taking 41 balls to get there, while Moises Henriques (28) and David Warner (31) chipped in.Match abandoned
ScorecardPersistent rain meant Queensland’s game against South Australia at the Gabba was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The showers eased and the umpires wanted five overs per side – the Bulls won the toss and would have batted – but the weather turned bad again and both sides were denied their first victory of the season.