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Rebecca Rolls has called for more Twenty20 cricket for the women’s game. Rolls, the New Zealand keeper, believes that the short form of the game is a good promotional tool for the women, and can enhance the game. She says that the women’s game should follow the example of Australia, where women’s state teams have played before the men to raise public awareness in front of decent crowds.”We can improve our game by increasing accessibility for young girls by playing in lots of different locations in a country hosting a series, by getting in front of the general public through media and as has recently been done in Australia, perhaps playing Twenty20 curtain-raisers before a men’s game.”Rolls is aware, however, that any crowds coming along to any such Twenty20 match who are watching the women’s game for the first time must expect different styles of cricket to the men.”I think it’s important to recognise the differences between ours and the men’s game and emphasis the strengths women have such as shot placement, bowling variations and other intricacies, in the absence of brute force, speed and power the guys possess.”[We] can become even more attacking in our batting, field settings and tactics, and smarter with our bowling. Recent introductions of Twenty20 games have promoted this and I believe it’s a game we should play more of.”The White Ferns are already scheduled to play two Twenty20 matches when they head to England this summer, rather than the customary single match. This is, in part, to make up for the lack of Test cricket. New Zealand do not play Test matches, and there are rumours that this form of cricket may be scrapped for all countries.The Twenty20s won’t be followed by any men’s matches, but their profile will be raised on television, with Sky committed to covering both as well as the first one-dayer. All of these matches will be hosted by Taunton, the newly anointed home of women’s cricket.In the meantime, New Zealand will face England in the women’s quadrangular series, where they will also play Australia and India in Chennai. The tournament, which brings together the world’s top four countries, will be helpful preparation for the 2009 World Cup in Australia.New Zealand will attend a 10-day training camp in Christchurch before they depart. They will also play practice games against New Zealand A (7 and 9 February) and Australian Youth side (11 February) before departing for Chennai on 14 February. They open their campaign against Australia on 21 February.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has not ruled out scrapping Zimbabwe’s one-day tour in April, nor of seeking compensation from the Zimbabweans after the cancellation of two Tests following Zimbabwe Cricket’s decision to suspend itself from Test cricket.Zimbabwe’s board announced that it would only play ODIs three weeks ago after bitter infighting left it struggling to raise a side. A series of humiliating defeats had also raised questions as to the country’s international status. The first casualty of the manoeuvre was Zimbabwe’s proposed tour of the Caribbean, but ZC did state that it still intended to proceed with the five ODIs against West Indies which were originally scheduled.Since the announcement, there has been speculation that the WICB would cancel the whole tour, but speaking to Cricinfo, Roger Brathwaite, the WICB chief executive, explained that no decision had yet been made.”This is under consideration,” he said. “However, we are continuing to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe as to the likely strength of the team they would send.”Brathwaite admitted that alternative opponents had been sought to replace Zimbabwe but none were available at the right time.Under the terms of the Future Tours Programme, the WICB would be within its rights to seek compensation from Zimbabwe for the cancelled Tests. “The FTP agreement between the member countries makes provision for situations such as this,” he said. “However, until we have a bit more clarity on the situation in terms of responses from our sponsors, media partners etc, I am unable to say if we would seek compensation under the agreement.”Zimbabwe Cricket were unavailable for comment.

IS Bindra, the former president of the Indian board, has criticised the BCCI’s decision to award a production contract to TWI for US$1.5million when an alternate offer worth US$1.29million by Nimbus, another production company, was available.In a letter to the BCCI, Bindra said he did not understand “how and when the decision was taken to accept the production offer of Trans World International (TWI) and at what rate,” acording to a report on Indiantelevision.com. Bindra said that the decision to award the contract was not unanimous, as the board had earlier claimed. He said that the board president, Ranbir Singh Mahendra, had only been authorised to negotiate with production companies and ensure that the board’s revenue was maximised and the production costs minimised.A while later, Mahendra responded to questions by media over Bindra’s letter by saying that there were no discrepancies in the contract and that Nimbus’s allegation that a board member had misled a BCCI decision-making team were false. He also wondered why Bindra had not spoken to him directly as both were on a flight to Chandigarh.This new conflict is the latest in a series of hard questions being asked of the BCCI by board members. Embarrassing letters have been leaked to media, making public disagreements within the board. The most recent of these was a letter by Niranjan Shah, a former secretary of the board, asking how much the BCCI had lost on television rights during the Australian and South African tours of India.

Mark Butcher completed his first first-class century of the winter, as England’s batsmen reacquainted themselves with the middle of a cricket ground, after a frustrating week of washouts and waiting. Butcher had been worryingly out of touch during the Bangladesh series last month, but was back to his fluent best as England reached 225 for 5 at the rain-imposed close, a lead of 44.With Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick taking a break from this match, the onus was on England’s Test specialists to come up with the bulk of the runs. And, with the exception of Nasser Hussain, who was unluckily bowled off his thighpad for a second-ball duck, they have so far delivered. Butcher added 93 for the second wicket with Graham Thorpe, whose eye for the gap was as astute as ever, and by the time Freddie Flintoff had walloped 47 from 53 balls, England were in a handy position.After taking their time to settle, Butcher and Thorpe rattled along at more than four an over. But, just when Thorpe looked to be hitting top gear, he allowed himself to get carried away after smearing two boundaries off Dilhara Fernando, and was caught behind in the same over, as he snicked an attempted pull (96 for 2).As England’s captain, Flintoff announced himself in the only appropriate manner – by hoisting his first ball for a six over square leg – and all but trod on his stumps in the process. He thumped three sixes in all, one of which clanged off the corrugated-iron roof of the green hut at cow corner. But, with tea approaching, Russel Arnold turned to the legspin of Bathiya Perera, and Flintoff clubbed his first ball down the throat of Chamila Gamage at midwicket (189 for 3).Butcher reached his century in emphatic style, by hoisting Thilan Samaraweera down the ground for a straight six, although England’s progress was slowed by two run-outs – Chris Read, who was beaten by a throw from point, and Gareth Batty, who was cruelly sent on his way after Butcher’s straight drive had clipped Samaraweera on the way through to the stumps. Before Geraint Jones could make an impact on his representative debut, however, the rains rolled in once again.In the morning session, England had endured a frustrating half-hour in the field, as Perera converted his overnight 29 into an opportunistic half-century. England didn’t help their cause by missing two catches in the slip cordon, and they watched a host of edges fly down to the unguarded third-man boundary as the President’s XI moved along to 181 in their first innings.Perera took full advantage with an unbeaten 55, although he ought to have added just five runs to his overnight 29, when Geraint Jones fingertipped a diving chance to his right off James Kirtley. Nandika Ranjith was later dropped at second slip by Thorpe – his second miss of the match.Flintoff had earlier persuaded Gamage to fend a sharp chance to Batty in the gully, and Batty himself wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Ranjith, courtesy of Jones, who redeemed himself with another smart stumping.

On Friday afternoon at 3pm a group of Somerset players will be taking the impressive Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy to Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital to show to the youngsters in the Children’s Ward.As well as showing the cup to the patients, one of the players will be cutting the ribbon to rename the ward.Among those expected to attend tomorrow’s renaming ceremony are Ian Blackwell, Steffan Jones, Keith Dutch, Mike Burns, Carl Gazzard and Simon Francis.The players will also be talking with the youngsters and giving out free Junior Sabres tee shirts, fixture cards and picture postcards signed by England star Marcus Trescothick.Ahead of the visit to the hospital Steffan Jones told me, “We are putting something back into the community which is important from our point of view. People come to support us and in this way we are showing that we are supporting them.We are really down to earth ordinary people who want to help others in anyway that we can.”

The P Ramachandra Trophy Under-22 match involving Tamil Nadu andAndhra at the AC Tech College Ground in Chennai on Friday meandered toan inconclusive draw. Tamil Nadu who declared having scored 438 fornine, earned five points by virtue of the first innings lead while Andhrahad to be content with three. So far, from two matches Tamil Nadu has goteight points and Andhra six.Andhra, who were tottering at 100 for 7 at the end of the second day,managed to add a further 64 runs to their first innings total. The Andhraskipper IG Srinivas (53) was the topscorer while Y Venugopal Rao (37) andGyneshwara Rao (21) chipped in with useful contributions. The Andhra lowerorder succumbed to the slow leftarmers of R Ramkumar (5 for 28).Following on 274 runs behind, and with a draw their only hope, Andhramanaged to hold the fort for 43 overs while scoring 128 for 2 when stumpswere finally drawn. Ram Kumar was again among the wickets as he dismissedboth openers Taher Hussain (7) and Anil Kumar (37). However Gyaneshwar Rao(41) and NM Khan (35) remained unbeaten while sharing a 58-run third wicketstand.Earlier on the second day, Tamil Nadu continued from where they leftoff to pile up a huge total. Skipper SV Saravanan (86) and SS Viswanathan(30) added 89 runs for the fourth wicket in 21.5 overs.With the score at 331, Viswanathan was caught by Khan off Faiq. Three ballslater, Saravanan departed, caught by Taher Hussain off Srinivas.R Satish (63) and K Manoharan put on 89 runs for the sixth wicket in 17.2overs. Thereafter three more wickets fell for the addition of 13 runs whenthe Tamil Nadu skipper declared the innings.In reply, Andhra were off to a bad start losing both the openers withineight balls. Taher Hussain was the first to go caught by Hemanth Kumar offShrinivas off the second ball of the innings. Then off the fourth ball ofthe second over Anil Kumar was caught bu Ram Kumar off Balaji. GyneshwarRao (21) and Venugopal Rao (37) however added 64 runs for the third wicketin 17.5 overs.At 66, Venugopal Rao was dismissed, caught by Manoharan off Bhatia. Thenext over was the exit of Gyneshwar Rao, caught by Vidyuth off RamKumar. Thereafter Andhra struggled to reach the 100-run mark whilelosing three more wickets at stumps.

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has already shown plenty of faith in the younger players in his squad, with Conor Gallagher, Tyrick Mitchell and Marc Guehi all earning call-ups to the England senior squad for the current international break due to their fantastic form for the club.

The likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have both also been regularly utilised by the French manager, who clearly has ambitions for his Eagles squad, and will likely continue down the route of developing youth – particularly if clubs begin targeting his players for transfers.

Vieira also seems keen to rectify a mistake back in 2017 too when one of the club’s finest prospects was allowed to join Chelsea, as he targets the signing of now Brentford B attacker Nathan Young-Coombes.

What’s the news?

According to The Sun, Young-Coombes’ exceptional form for the West-London club’s development side has put not only Palace, but also Southampton, QPR and Bournemouth in the conversation to sign him.

However, Brentford aren’t believed to be wanting to sell one of their most prized assets, and are instead searching for a potential loan destination for him instead – but given the 19-year-old already knows Palace inside and out having been a youth team player there and Vieira’s preference to develop youth, a deal wouldn’t seem implausible at all.

The next Ivan Toney?

After scoring 27 times for Brentford B this season, it’s understandable why the 19-year-old has become one of the hottest properties in England, having spent last season with Rangers, learning from the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe.

After signing for his current club, the developmental team manager Neil MacFarlane was full of praise and excitement for the teenager’s future, saying: “We know that he has been highly thought of at Rangers and he is the sort of number nine which aren’t easy to find.

“He’s somebody that will play on the shoulder of defenders, and he can also bring other players into the game.

“He possesses a real goal threat and a high level of finishing.”

Combine that with the fact he now plays for the Bees and it’s not beyond the realms of fantasy to compare him to a certain Ivan Toney.

The Brentford striker has been labelled as a £50m player of late while also being dubbed an “exceptional” talent by Barry Fry for the 46 goals he’s netted for the Bees.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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Like Toney, Young-Coombes is clearly a fox in the box and it’s not just the fact they play for the same club where similarities can be drawn as their respective records at beating the goalkeeper are both fabulous.

Should he believe he is ready for first-team football now, he may choose to make the jump across London to Selhurst Park, to play under one of the most exciting managers in the country right now, where he would almost certainly experience Premier League football in the future.

In other news: £13m in the bank: Palace dodged a major transfer bullet on shocking £4.5m-rated flop

Andrew Symonds entertained at the WACA … and then was in pain after injuring his right ankle again © Getty Images

Andrew Symonds is expected to play the first match of the Chappell-Hadlee Series in Adelaide on Friday despite injuring his right ankle while fielding in the Twenty20 victory. Symonds has iced the ankle and will have further physio but should make it, a Cricket Australia spokesman told .The problem is not as serious as when he first hurt it in the second Test against Sri Lanka and Michael Hussey said the allrounder’s condition was “pretty good”. “I know he will be getting physio over the next couple of days,” Hussey said in Adelaide. “We’ll see how he goes at training [on Thursday].”He seemed pretty confident this morning, he wasn’t too worried at all. He’s obviously in great form and we want him in our team.”Symonds’ problem was the only cloud surrounding Australia’s thumping 54-run victory against New Zealand on Tuesday. Symonds hit a typically entertaining 85, which came from 46 balls, and Australia will rely on his input if he can recover in time to take part in the three-match series.The Twenty20 was Michael Clarke’s first match in charge and his usual captain Ricky Ponting, who sat out the match, was impressed with the appointment. “He’s 26 now, so in a few years, when I’m finished, he’ll be perfect age-wise and experience-wise to fit into the leadership roles,” Ponting told the Australian.Justin Langer, Clarke’s former Test team-mate, also endorsed the view in the same paper. “I applaud the selectors for this short opportunity to give him a taste of it. It might just be the stepping stone for him to turn into the final product, as Steve [Waugh] and Punter have done.”Clarke has dismissed talk of future captaincy, especially with Ponting locked in for years, and he was ready to hand back the reins. “I will take one from one and give it back to Punter, I am quite happy with that,” Clarke told Nine after the match. “It was a pretty easy team to captain, the guys were fantastic, and our energy out in the field was spot on.”

Fifty-over matches are more to Ricky Ponting’s liking than Twenty20 contests © AFP

Ricky Ponting doesn’t like playing Twenty20 matches and believes Australia should contest only one game of the popular format each season. Ponting will captain Australia against England on Tuesday in a warm-up for the tri-series and the SCG is expected to be sold-out.Ponting, who has 131 runs in four Twenty20 affairs, said his problem with the concept was treating a game between two countries as “just being fun”. “I don’t really like playing Twenty20 international cricket,” he said in the . “I know it is cracking entertainment for the fans. I can see it would be good fun, and how it might attract new spectators.”He said if the games were limited to one fixture a season and a four-yearly tournament it “might be all right”. “Maybe with the odd international game and by having state teams playing a short competition in the way Twenty20 cricket is played in England, I think it has value,” he said. “My problem is that I can’t play a game in which I’m wearing my national team’s colours, and my opponents are wearing theirs, and treat it as just being fun.”However, Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said the format should be played seriously ahead of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in September. “The reality is there’s not going to be much difference from one-day cricket, and that Twenty20 is likely to grow and grow,” he told .Australia Twenty20 squad Adam Gilchrist (wk), Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Cameron White, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus.

Points table

Ramesh Powar holds the key to Mumbai’s prospects © Getty Images

An upbeat Mohammad Kaif-led Uttar Pradesh, with a mixture of youth and experience, take on a slightly vulnerable Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semi-final at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on January 20.Mumbai, 36 times-champions, who enjoyed a six-match winning streak until their 65-run loss to arch-rivals Maharashtra at the same venue in the concluding Elite Division Group A league tie, will be hoping to iron out the remaining wrinkles in their performance. There is a bit of tentativeness and apprehension in the Mumbai camp surrounding their batting, which has not clicked consistently this season. Forced to drop Sushant Marathe, the opener, and Abhijit Shetye, middle-order batsman, and missing Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar and Wasim Jaffer, Mumbai would be relying on Amol Muzumdar, Vinit Indulkar and Nishit Shetty to come up with significant innings, while they turn to Nilesh Kulkarni, the captain, Avishkar Salvi and Ramesh Powar to impress with the ball.”We look unsettled because the guys have not scored. We have failed to put a big score. It’s time people such as Nishit Shetty converted those 30s into something big. They have to take more responsibility. The fast bowlers have been disciplined in the last few matches but they need to be consistent. This is a do-or-die match and we’ll be going in with a positive mindset,” Karsan Ghavri, the coach, said on the eve of the game.Kulkarni chose to focus on his team. “We will have to get the basics right and concentrate on our strengths rather than the opposition. We are positive in our approach and this time we shall ensure that we won’t repeat the mistakes that we made in our last games against Maharashtra. We made mistakes mainly due to lack of discipline among our batsmen,” he said. Mumbai, of course, would be missing Wasim Jaffer, the man in form this season, for the big game as he is away to Pakistan on national duty. “We want Wasim to do well in international cricket. He should open for India and I think he will. As for missing his services, the rest of us should chip in.” Kulkarni said.Mumbai will be looking to Powar who has had a great run of form with bat and ball, to shepherd them to a place in the final. But Kulkarni realises that they just cannot depend only on Powar. “He’s done exceptionally well for the team, but then everybody else has to pitch in.” Powar seemed to agree with his captain. “I do well under pressure but I don’t want to play in those circumstances again, “said the allrounder.Meanwhile Uttar Pradesh, charged by young talent inspired under the leadership of Kaif, are upbeat about their chances. Rajinder Singh Hans, the coach, sounded confident on the eve of the big game. “Our team is a mix of youth and experience. Piyush Chawla and Praveen Kumar are youngsters who have been performing, along with experienced Ashish Zaidi and Gyanendra Pandey. With Kaif as leader, we have a confident unit. He sets an example himself. With him in the side, we have won both the matches.” Gyanendra Pandey, the veteran, agreed with his coach. “Kaif brings a sense of energy to the side. He comes to the nets, is the most hyper, gets younger guys into different drills and practising is fun, all of a sudden,” he said.The UP team had a rough start this season, losing the first two matches to Haryana and Baroda and drawing their next two games, against Services and Punjab, before Kaif joined the camp to charge them to a place in the semi-final. Speaking on the eve of the game, Kaif sounded upbeat. “We beat Hyderabad on an absolute flat track. That shows our bowlers are in nice touch. And we beat Andhra on an Anantpur pitch that is quite similar to the Wankhede’s. We have a great opportunity to probably win a Ranji Trophy,” he said. With Suresh Raina and Kaif, two of the top three fielders in the country, in their side UP’s fielding will put Mumbai under pressure.History favours Mumbai – it took UP 40 years to register their first and only win against Mumbai in Ranji Trophy – but current form gives UP a slight advantage. With UP peaking at the right time and Mumbai playing at home, a tough battle is on the cards.