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Johnny Hayes, who made 15 Test appearances for New Zealand as a fast bowler in the 1950s, has died at the age of 80.A tall right-arm bowler who on his day was genuinely quick, Hayes toured England under Walter Hadlee in 1949 but sustained a groin strain which meant he was a virtual passenger for much of the trip. His Test debut eventually came against England in 1950-51 and the following season he produced possibly his best single burst when he removed Gomez, Walcott and Worrell in eight balls against West Indies.In 1955-56 he toured India and Pakistan with success, taking 35 wickets at 32.11 in first-class games where he used the new ball with skill. He was less penetrative in the Tests, his 13 wickets in six outings costing 46.61.He made a second trip to England in 1958 where he took 62 wickets, including 11 against the MCC at Lord’s. The New Zealand side was widely regarded as one of the worst to tour overseas and Hayes struggled in the four Tests with only six wickets. The bulk of those came in England’s only innings at Lord’s where Hayes took his Test-best 4 for 36.In all first-class cricket he took 292 wickets, playing his domestic cricket for Auckland and Canterbury.After retiring from cricket in 1961, he worked in an import-export business and was Morocco’s honorary consul-general in New Zealand until his retirement in 2004.

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David Hussey, the stand-in captain, led the Bushrangers to victory with 116 © Getty Images

Victoria will host Queensland in the Ford Ranger Cup final after a David Hussey century set up a crushing 143-run win for the Bushrangers over Tasmania. Hussey made 116 as the Bushrangers gave the Tigers a challenging target of 284 but the home side’s finals hopes evaporated and they crashed to 140.The demoralising loss was worsened for Tasmania when their captain Dan Marsh retired hurt with a potentially season-ending calf tear. The timing of Marsh’s injury would be a major worry for the Tigers, who are still in real contention for the Pura Cup final with two matches remaining.Hussey’s 103-ball innings was punctuated by six fours and five sixes and no bowler was safe as he and Rob Quiney built an important 98-run partnership for the third wicket. Quiney continued on from his impressive Pura Cup debut during the week and finished with 50, including two sixes beautifully clipped off his pads over square leg and midwicket.A quick 31 late in the innings from Adam Crosthwaite pushed Victoria to 6 for 283 and only Xavier Doherty (2 for 43) escaped with acceptable figures. Early wickets to Mick Lewis and Shane Harwood started the downward spiral for Tasmania, who virtually lost any chance when Marsh went to hospital with his leg problem.George Bailey top-scored with 35 but two wickets each to Harwood, Darren Pattinson, Andrew McDonald and Grant Lindsay sealed the win. Victoria’s home final will give them a chance to add to the Twenty20 title they earned last month.

Chris Cairns faces the media to announce his retirement © AFP

Chris Cairns, one of New Zealand’s greatest allrounders, has announced his international retirement a year before he was expected to bow out at the 2007 World Cup. Cairns, 35, walked away from the Test arena in 2004 hoping it would extend his career, but he could not find regular rhythm as a one-day specialist and will now focus on his expanding business interests.”I still enjoy playing for New Zealand and want to leave at a time when that enjoyment has not diminished and when I feel that I am still performing at the top level and contributing to the success of the team,” Cairns said in a statement. “It is also important to retire at a time which allows NZ Cricket to develop other options well ahead of the World Cup.” Cairns’s farewell match will be the Twenty20 international against West Indies at Auckland on February 16.New Zealand will need two players to replace Cairns and he leaves with 4950 runs at 29.46 and 201 wickets at 32.80 in his 215 one-day matches. He was only 50 runs short of joining Jacques Kallis and Sanath Jayasuriya as the only men to reach the 200-wicket, 5000-run double, but his recovery time after games had increased while his impact had reduced.Dropped from last year’s South Africa tour, Cairns vowed to regain his place with the plan of pushing on to the World Cup, and he improved his fitness and returned to domestic cricket to prove his form. However, he struggled with the ball in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy against Australia and produced scores of 10 not out, 2 and 28 against Sri Lanka.Cairns will be best remembered for his ferocious limited-overs hitting – he belted 153 sixes alongside 87 in Tests – and New Zealand will also miss his penetrative seam bowling. He collected 26 fifties and four centuries, including one in the 2000-01 version of the Champions Trophy when he smashed an unbeaten 102 to defeat India in the final. His one five-wicket haul came against Australia at Napier in 1997-98 and he scraped to 200 victims when he added Tillakaratne Dilshan on January 3.John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, said Cairns would be missed. “He is very much the elder statesman within the team and plays an important role in mentoring players,” he said. “He has shown great commitment in returning to full fitness this season and I believe that he had the ability to push towards the World Cup.”Cairns, the son of the big-hitting Lance Cairns, made his debut as a 20-year-old in 1990-91 and would have played more if he was not hindered by regular injuries, particularly to his knees and ankle, which now has no ligament support. The wear and tear forced his Test retirement in England after 62 Tests, 3320 runs and 218 wickets.Until last year he was an automatic selection when fit, and he is expected to fulfil a contract playing club cricket with Bacup in the Lancashire League after finishing the current domestic season with Canterbury. He has developed business interests and has a proposal with the ECB relating to ball-by-ball video capture and analysis of all domestic cricket in England.

The Eagles confirmed their top-of-the-table finish and headed for thefinal of the Standard Bank Cup with a convincing six-wicket win overthe Lions at Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein on Wednesday.Winning the toss and batting first on a very good pitch the Lions made a conservative start against some tight bowling from Johannes van der Wath and Cliff Deacon. With the total on 12, at the start of the 6th over, Deacon induced Andrew Hall into an edged drive to be caught by the keeper, Morne van Wyk, for 10. A recovery of 52 runs was halted when Bacher pushed towards Craig Thyssen at mid-on and, calling too late, ran out HD Ackerman, at the bowler’s end for 17. Neil McKenzie (6) did not last long – he was beaten by turnand the bounce, pushing forward to Nicky Boje, for Van Wyk to take his second catch. At 73 for 3 the run rate had slipped below four to the over.Bacher, continuing with the form that he has shown all season, went tohis 50 off 81 balls. In trying to up the tempo he then top-edged a short ball from Deon Kruis to Thyssen at squareleg to be well caught for 52, and the Lions in trouble at 95 for 4 in after 27 overs.Forced into a more defensive mode, Justin Ontong and Vaughn vanJaarsveld put together a vital 50-run 5th wicket partnership, as theyconsolidated the innings with some excellent running between thewickets. Deacon got the breakthrough when Van Jaarsveld forced a fulltoss straight at Davey Jacobs at mid-on to be caught for 28, having puton 58 with Ontong.Ontong brought up his 50 in 54 balls as he increased his rate byimprovising well during the final slog overs. A near controversy wasalleviated by the television umpire Marais Erasmus when Jacobs at deepmidwicket, after dropping and palming the previous ball over the ropesfor six, took a good catch millimetres from stepping back on the rope to get rid of Ontong off Roger Telemachus for 73. His final 23 runs hadcome off just 11 balls.Ahmed Omar ran himself out for three while Derek Crookes played a little cameo of an innings as he ended undefeated on 21 having helped the Lions to 215 for 7.The Eagles made a quick start to their innings scoring 52 for the lossof two in the first 10 overs. Loots Bosman was trapped in front by David Terbrugge for seven and he was followed in a similar fashion by Morne van Wyk for 21 off the bowling of Crookes. Jacobs continued the momentum and when he was bowled by Hall for 23 the platform had been set for Boeta Dippenaar and Nicky Boje to pace themselves towards the target.Boje was caught at point for 60 with just 31 runs needed. He had timedhis innings well and was just starting to accelerate when he failed toget over a ball from Bacher.Dippenaar, in the end, saw the Eagles home and into the final as hefinished undefeated on 84 having played the anchor role once Boje cameto the wicket.

Hutt Valley Junior Cricket draw for November 8 is:All games start at 8.30amUnder-14: Hutt Cutters v UH Ingham, Te Whiti 6; U H Whiteford v Hutt Doolan, TMP 4; Petone Goldsbury v Petone Sellwood, Petone 4; Taita v U H Goodwin, Fraser 5Under-12: U H Walklin v S V Thompson, Delaney 3A; Wainui Sharks v Hutt van Baarle Construction, R Prouse 1 ; E”bourne Bodie v U H Cole, TMP 2; Hutt Vodafone v U H Morris, Te Whiti 4; S V Red v Hutt Richardson, Delaney 2; Hutt Shaw v Naenae, Naenae 3A; Hutt Narasy v Hutt St P& P, Te Whiti 5A. Petone Walker byeUnder-11: U H Blue v U H Red, TMP 1; Hutt Pickering v Naenae, Naenae 2; Taita v Hutt Patterson, Fraser 3; Hutt Mackie v Tokelau, Trafalgar; E’bourne Withers v Hutt Pawson, te Whiti 2; Hutt Hilligan v wainui Steelers, R Prouse 2Under-10: Hutt Coyle v Hutt Laing, Te Whiti 1; E’bourne Hampton v Naenae, Wellesley Coll,; S Valley v Wainui Gold, Delaney 1Under-9: E’bourne Dunn v E’bourne Gordon, H W Shortt; Hutt Ravi v Hutt Serci, Hutt 4; Hutt Green v Hutt Classic Hits 90 FM, Hutt 2; Taita v Petone Panthers, Fraser 4; E’bourne Simon v Petone Lawrence, Petone 5Under-8: Hutt red v Tokelau, Hutt 5; Naenae Ryan v S Valley , Naenae 1; Taita v Hutt Baird, Fraser 1; Hutt Gandhi v E’bourne Healy, Bishop 2; Wainui Tigers v Hutt Webster, B Heath 2; Naenae De Jonge v Wainui Royles, B Heath 1Kiwi: Hutt AyJay v HuttBorthwick, Hutt 6; E’bourne Hickey v Hutt Azad, Bishop 1; Hutt Stirling v Hutt Coulson, Hutt 7; E’bourne Barrett v Wainui Broadhurst, Bishop 3. Petone Higgison/Singh bye

Teenage Ariz Kamal wrote himself into record books with acentury on first-class debut as Karachi Whites posted acommanding 316 for three at stumps on the opening day of thefour-day Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match against Rest ofBalochistan at the National Stadium Monday.Ariz, who narrowly missed selection in the Pakistan Under-19team for this month’s Youth World Cup, stroked a flawless119 during his 325-minute stay. His innings was laced with15 boundaries off 288 balls.The right-handed opener, who was dismissed in the fourthlast over of the day yorked by off-spinner Naseer Khan, leftHasan Raza’s entertaining unbeaten 157 in the backgroundwith his century. It was Hasan’s second century of theseason and 14th of career.Ariz and Hasan gave Rest of Balochistan, a run for theirmoney after Faisal Irfan (two for 61) picked up two cheapwickets in the first hour’s play to leave the home team at31 for two. The two young guns, who matched each otherstroke-by-stroke, put on 282 for third wicket.Ariz, who was 26 at lunch in Karachi Whites’ 107 for two,overcame a rush of blood in the second session beforereaching the magical figures in the final session with anexquisitely timed straight boundary.Hasan, on the contrary, was aggressive and braced his nicelycontrolled innings with a flurry of delightful boundaries -mostly through the off side. Having easily overtaken hisinexperienced partner at lunch, Hasan got to his century inthe last over before tea with a sweetly timed cover-driveoff Faisal Irfan.Hasan has so far batted for nine minutes under five hoursand doesn’t look in any mood to throw away the opportunityof getting another double century. He has faced 231 ballsout of his 20 have been converted into boundaries and oneover the fence.

Baroda gained first innings points against Saurashtra in a Cooch BeharTrophy West Zone league game at the Motibaug Palace Ground in Barodatoday. A captain’s knock of 165 (382 balls, 22 fours) by Vimal Joshiand his 165 run fourth wicket stand with Akhilesh Joshi (76) saw thehosts pile up 417/6 before declaring on the second day.Left arm spinner Hitshu Bachani then produced a spot of magic with theball, claiming 5/82 as Saurashtra stumbled to 290 all out, skipperUday Karavadra making 67 to add to his two wickets and one catch inBaroda’s innings. In the 11 overs that remained Baroda closed at 16/1,taking home five points while Saurashtra collected three.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter and transfer ‘insider’ Dean Jones has shared an update on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans involving Middlesbrough forward Isaiah Jones.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Boro raid?

Spurs, and by extension manager Antonio Conte, have reportedly been eyeing a few promising players from the Championship outfit in recent months.

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One man supporters will be familiar with is right-wing-back Djed Spence, currently dazzling on loan at Nottingham Forest, who managing director Fabio Paratici reportedly tried to sign for Tottenham in the January transfer window.

ESPN reported that winter bids had been lodged for the defender, all of which were knocked back, while Goal insist that Tottenham are still very much interested and are even favourites for his summer signature.

Spence, however, isn’t the only player from Boro on Spurs’ radar.

The Latest: Jones transfer claim emerges…

Indeed, Tottenham officials have apparently been sent to run the rule over Chris Wilder’s bright young forward Jones with the Lilywhites scouting him at Boro.

Speaking to GMS, reporter Jones has claimed:

“From what I understand, they’ve been scouting Isaiah Jones, too, and they think that he could be the guy they turn to.”

The Verdict: Hugely promising talent…

As Lilywhites officials are dispatched to the Riverside Stadium to watch Jones, they simply must be impressed by what they’ve witnessed.

Wilder, speaking to the press recently, heaped praise on his ‘outstanding’ and ‘exciting’ winger with WhoScored also going into detail on the 22-year-old’s statistical contributions.

Jones ranks in Boro’s top four performers going by average match rating (6.94) and has also completed the joint-second most key passes per 90 (1.2) out of Wilder’s squad in England’s second tier.

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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If that wasn’t enough, the Englishman averages more successful take-ons (1.5) every game than any Boro player – highlighting his obvious threat in the final third.

If Tottenham do ‘turn to’ Jones, they could be opting to sign one of the country’s most brilliant attacking talents.

In other news: Conte may lose Spurs player tipped to be ‘really important’, he’s now eyeing an exit…find out more here.

Saqlain Mushtaq, the former Pakistan offspinner, has said he would jump at the chance to represent England if the call came his way. Saqlain has a British passport through his marriage and qualifies in April as he begins another season with Surrey.”If they [England] call me, definitely I’ll play,” he told BBC London. “I’ve been discussing with my family and friends and they’ve all been saying ‘Saqqy, if they give you the chance, definitely go for it’.”Saqlain hasn’t played international cricket since 2004 when a serious knee injury threatened to end his career. However, following surgery he signed with Sussex – alongside former team-mate Mushtaq Ahmed – before rejoining Surrey for the 2008 campaign.”To be honest, I love my cricket and I want to play at the highest level,” said Saqlain. “I’ve been thinking about it because last year the press asked me the question and I said I’m looking after my body and my form at the moment.Saqlain, who has 208 Test scalps and 288 ODI wickets, adds that motivation wouldn’t be an issue. “If England needs you and asks you and you can’t play with that passion, that’s wrong. [But] If I’m playing for a national team, for a country, I don’t want to lose.”

Rajesh Sharma’s career in cricket has been put on hold, at leasttemporarily. Cricinfo had earlier reported that the Punjab offspinner’s actionhad been reported to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on twoseparate occasions, something which the chairman of the Punjab selectioncommittee then claimed to have no knowledge of. All that has changed.”We have asked the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) not to select him for thefinal Ranji match of the season,” Niranjan Shah, secretary of the BCCI,said. “He was reported two times and there is a danger of him being calledin a match. It is better this way [than him being called in a match].”There was some confusion over how the Sharma case would move forward afterhe was reported for a suspect action, first in the final of the DuleepTrophy, and then in Punjab’s Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra.”We do not want any bowler with suspect action playing domestic cricket,”said Shah. “Now we will send him to the NCA [National Cricket Academy] for him to reviewed by the bowling review committee, of which Shivlal Yadav is a part.” Yadav will provide technical assistance to Sharma in an attempt to straighten out the kink in his action.When asked if the board was being more pro-active with issues such asthese, Shah said he did not see any harm in what the BCCI was doing. “Theboard has to take an active role,” he said. “There has to be communicationbetween the board and the players and others. We have to let them knowwhat we are thinking. After all the board runs cricket, and the attentionof people and media is so high.”At the same time Shah did not give much credence to suggestions that hewas growing in stature as his term of office unfolded, and that he wasbeing more assertive in his role as secretary as he gained experience. “Ihave to follow the policy of the board. I speak to all my colleagues andtake their opinions on any issue,” he said. “I think I now have enoughexperience [in administration] and that counts. I’m lucky to have apresident like Sharad Pawar who gives me the freedom to do my work.”In the past there have been numerous cases of players being reported forsuspect actions in domestic cricket, by umpires and match referees, butthis is one of the few times any concrete steps have been taken to remedythe problem.