Brendan Taylor has been banned for nine months following reports of indiscipline during Zimbabwe’s recent A-team series against Pakistan.Taylor was slapped with the ban after reportedly missing training twice without informing Kevin Curran, the coach, or giving a satisfactory explanation for his absence.The action rules Taylor out of the home series against India and New Zealand as well as Zimbabwe’s tour of New Zealand in January. He will, however, be able to play domestic matches.If the punishment appears to be excessive, sources report that this was not Taylor’s first brush with the authorities. Last month, Cricinfo exclusively reported that Taylor had stayed out clubbing all night less than 36 hours before the start of the Test against South Africa at Johannesburg in March.

Steffan Jones seems likely to leave Somerset after being given permission to talk to other counties despite having a year left on his current contract. He is thought to have had discussions with Northamptonshire and Kent.Jones, 29, made his debut for Somerset as a solidly-built seam bowler in 1997, the same year he won Blues for cricket and rugby at Cambridge. He took 59 wickets in 2001, and spanked a century off the 1999 New Zealanders in their tour game at Taunton.In 2003 he took only 22 wickets in eight first-class matches, at an average of 42.

It was always destined to be a day of Aussie runs – why else would the start of play have been delayed by the appearance of a green-and-gold banner behind the bowler’s arm, bearing the urgent request: “Mum, send Imodium!”? But the warning came too late for Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist. Their rollicking 167-run partnership came at such a rate this morning that there was never any prospect of reaching the dunny in time.Runs, and lots of them, are what Indian crowds appreciate the most. But when Australia resumed at 316 for 5 this morning, the stands began to swell with the optimistic assumption that Australia had had their fill – or most of it, at any rate. So it was with some simmering disappointment that they were made to wait until the stroke of lunch for their first breakthrough.Even the scoreboard operator seemed to be feeling the strain, as he acknowledged Gilchrist’s half-century by flashing up the message: “Congratulations, Haidee Tiffen – 50 not out”. Tiffen, for the record, is a New Zealand women’s allrounder, who made 56 on her last (and first) appearance at Bangalore in December 2003. Who knows which of the city’s copious databases they dredged that particular graphic from.It was all getting too much for the besieged national TV network as well. They were awarded the rights to this series as a last-ditch measure, following the breakdown in communications between the BCCI and its primary suitors, and thecobbled-togetherness of it all meant that there were bound to be a couple of wobbles along the way.Mike Atherton, primarily out here as a newspaper correspondent, was press-ganged into service as a commentator, while the producer only arrived midway through the first day, after being airlifted from a family holiday in Turkey. The upshot was that India’s armchair fans spent much of the morning watching a re-run of Kenya’s 1996 World Cup victory over West Indies, among other such gems. Mind you, after being subjected to the vacuous soap-star-turned-anchorwoman, Mandira Bedi, during Sony’s coverage of the Champions Trophy, the Indian public are well used to such irrelevances.What they missed during that hiatus was the continuation of an innings of utter serenity from Clarke. His personal fan club, those Imodium-seekers above the sightscreen, had been so convinced that he would reach three figures that they had come armed with a second banner reading “On ya Clarkey, 100 on debut”. It required a bit of black tape and a hasty scramble for the scissors, however, to adjust the banner in time for his 150.Clarke’s eventual demise geed the home support up no end, as they suddenly awoke to the prospect of witnessing their own batsmen in action. The Mexican Wave, more commonly associated with boredom and frustration, now carried the resonance of an expectant volcano, as an urgent drum-beat echoed across from the bleachers at midwicket.Not for the first time in the day, however, it was the travelling band of 200 or so Aussies who had all the more to crow about. A pair of exceptional deliveries from Glenn McGrath, including the ball of the match to dislodge Rahul Dravid, and those little splodges of yellow began to vibrate in adulation once again. But the counter-roar was massive and defiant, as the home support responded with ecstasy to every push for two into the covers.Special mention, however, must go to the lone Indian voice that rang out above all others, all throughout the day, as he sung merrily to himself in a disturbing falsetto, utterly oblivious to the concerned looks from his neighbours (not to mention the men in white coats hovering at the entrance to the stand). Among his favourite numbers were “Kaspa has only got one ball”, “MrLaxman, do it for me”, and “Knick-knack paddy-whack, these Aus-sies are going home.”With such a devoted support behind them, and an even bigger crowd expected as the weekend approaches, there can be no giving up of the ghost just yet. Not when there’s a follow-on looming and a Mr Laxman in the side, at any rate.Andrew Miller is assistant editor of Wisden Cricinfo.

Ray Jennings, the former South Africa coach, is unlikely to be the new coach of Titans as Richard Pybus, the former Pakistan and Border coach, seems favourite to be selected for the position. According to the News24 website, Pybus will take over from Dave Nosworthy. The other candidate was Keith Medleycott, while Graham Ford had withdrawn his application.The announcement, which is to be made today, could end all hopes that Jennings had of coaching a domestic side. Jennings was replaced as national coach in May by Mickey Arthur, after he had masterminded a successful and unbeaten tour of the West Indies. However, Jennings’ unconventional coaching style has been the topic of debate with several players raising concerns. He also had regular spats with Graeme Smith during his eight-month tenure.West Indies were rumoured to be interested in hiring his services for their academy, and there has also been interest from various county sides.

The England & Wales Cricket Board will be letting out a collective sigh of relief today after it was announced that Zimbabwe’s 10-week tour of England and Ireland, which starts later this month, has been given the go-ahead.”I am delighted we have been given the definitive green light from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) for the tour to go ahead,” said Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the ECB. “This guarantees a full international programme for the summer, including the first-ever Test Match to be held at Durham’s Riverside Ground. With Zimbabwe, South Africa and Pakistan touring, I look forward to another great summer of international cricket.”After weeks of anxious waiting for a decision by the Zimbabwean government’s Sports and Recreation Commission, Peter Chingoka, the chairman of the ZCU, finally received a telephone call on Friday approving the tour from Anthony Mandiwanza, the commission’s chairman.Chingoka would not confirm the go-ahead until he received the official letter, but a reliable source said on Saturday: “I can tell you that approval for the tour has been received, but it won’t be released officially until the Sports Commission letter arrives.”The ZCU have spent anxious weeks awaiting the decision, because it was feared that the government of Robert Mugabe might intervene to stop the tour in response to England’s boycott of Harare during the recent World Cup. There had been widespread speculation that the regime might have decided on a tit-for-tat retaliation.But Mr Mandiwanza told AFP: “We have a clear mandate at the commission in decision-making. And we deal only with sport, not politics.” He added that the delay in advising the ZCU was because he had been away, and for no other reason, and he emphasised there had been no input by any government ministry. This was contrary to previous statements from his director-general, Elias Musangeya, who said the matter had gone first to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.The team is scheduled to leave Harare on April 29. They will play two Tests – at Lord’s and the inaugural one at Chester-le-Street in Durham – and a triangular one-day series which also includes England and South Africa.

Andy Blignaut, the former Zimbabwe allrounder, has been dropped by Tasmania for their first home game of the season against Victoria at Hobart on Monday. Blignaut has played 15 Tests and 47 one-day internationals but was left out after recording figures of 0 for 79 off 12 overs and 9 & 0 in the nine-wicket loss to Western Australia last month.Peter Faulkner, the TCA chairman of selectors, said Blignaut was selected too early and was not sufficiently prepared. “He is an essential part of the team and has a huge role to play in our success this season,” he said. “We believe he will have a huge impact on the game when he takes to the field.”Adam Griffith has replaced Blignaut while Travis Birt makes way for Michael Bevan, who has recovered from an achilles injury.Tasmania Daniel Marsh (c), Michael DiVenuto, Michael Bevan, Sean Clingeleffer, Jamie Cox, David Dawson, Michael Dighton, Xavier Doherty, Andrew Downton, Brett Geeves, Adam Griffith, Damien Wright.

Scorecard

A fine 102 by Salman Butt wasn’t enough to win the game for Jacques Kallis Invitational XI, as they went down by three runs against a South Africa XI at Newlands in Cape Town. Requiring 259 for victory, the Kallis XI made a spirited chase, but despite handy contributions from Lance Klusener (44) and Brian Lara (31), they fell marginally short.Earlier, the South Africa XI racked up 258 after winning the toss, with half-centuries from Graeme Smith, Ashwell Prince and Shaun Pollock. The Kallis XI also included Mfuneko Ngam, the right-arm fast bowler who is attempting a comeback after repeated stress fractures in the legs for the past four years. Ngam was expensive but polished off the tail to finish with 3 for 57 from 7.1 overs. Allan Donald and Mohammad Sami took two wickets each.The run-chase began poorly for Kallis XI with AB de Villiers being dismissed for a duck, but Butt anchored the innings with his 144-ball knock which included eight fours and a six. The middle order didn’t contribute much, with Kallis himself getting just 10 off 32 balls. Though Klusener threatened a revival with a 38-ball blitz, the target turned out to be just beyond reach.The second game of the two-match Jacques Kallis benefit series will be held at Centurion on Sunday.

Considering that the Indian Board President’s XI lost their first two wickets in 8.1 overs, captain Mohammad Kaif will not be too displeased with the final total of 275 for eight declared on the first day of the three-day match against the touring West Indians at Bangalore.Winning the toss, Kaif opted to bat, but he must have had his heart in his mouth as Merv Dillon skittled out first Sanjay Bangar and then Gautam Gambhir. But the fall of the second wicket meant that Kaif himself had to walk out to the middle – which he did, going on to add 91 runs for the third wicket with Hemang Badani.Badani hit seven fours in his 67 off 129 balls, the knock coming in 200 minutes. The Tamil Nadu southpaw is still looking forward to make his way back into the Indian side, although the recent strong performances by the youngsters in both the Test and one-day teams will make it difficult for him to do so.One of those very youngsters, skipper Kaif made 40 off 95 balls with three fours, playing solidly with Badani to ensure that the Board President’s XI did not suffer any more hiccups after those early ones. Kaif fell with the score on 108, and Dinesh Mongia carried on nicely where Kaif left off, putting on 50 runs for the fourth wicket with Badani.With Badani being dismissed, bowled by left-arm paceman Pedro Collins, a slew of wickets followed. Parthiv Patel, Murali Kartik and Sarandeep Singh departed within the space of 21 runs, and at 186 for seven, the West Indies had a hold of the match for the second time in the day.And as before, they lost this one too. Mongia batted steadily with leg-spinner Amit Mishra to add 55 runs for the eighth wicket. Mishra contributed a vital 10, and after he was dismissed, Mongia then batted on with Tinu Yohannan, completing his century off 149 balls with 12 fours and three sixes.Kaif declared after Mongia reached three figures, and the West Indian openers Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds had to play out five overs before close. Gayle ended on 14 off 17 balls, while West Indies reached 20 for no loss. But more than the batting, the West Indians will be worried about the fact that their bowling – especially the spin of Carl Hooper and Mahendra Nagamootoo in helpful conditions – made little impact on a cobbled-together domestic side.

Austin “Jack” Warner, the president of Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association football (CONCACAF), has criticised the proposed move by Texan millionaire Allen Stanford to pour US$28 million into a regional Twenty20 tournament.”Stanford is making the biggest mistake of his life because Stanford believes he can save cricket by building at the top. At the top there is nothing to build. What he should have done with his money is invest it in cricket from the bottom, build on the ground, go into youth programmes, go back to the days of the Wes Hall cricket league. (He should) bring coaches from overseas to help train these young cricketers and over time (in) three, four, five, six years, you will build a cadre of cricketers in the region as you have never seen.”Stanford announced on Monday his plans for a regional Twenty20 tournament scheduled for August and September next year, and which is expected to see 17 countries competing for a top prize of US$1 million. The team finishing second will collect US$500,000 with the boards of the top two teams receiving US$200,000 and US$100,000, respectively, to be used for developmental purposes. While there will be US$25,000 for the Man-of-the-Match in every game, that person will claim US$100,000 in the championship game.Stanford said he had been motivated to undertake the initiative after having witnessed the decline of cricket in the region and hoped the tournament would be “the catalyst for a resurgence of love for the game, that it will signal the return to the glory days of cricket”.