The Matabeleland selectors have finalized the side to play Mashonaland this weekend, leaving Jason Hitz out of the named 13 with Munir Makadam as 12th man. The team has not as yet been announced. The decision to omit Jason Hitz from the 13 is rather harsh as he was twelfth man for the whole of last season and attended every practice; his batting has improved through the current season beyond all recognition, anda better team man is hard to find.It is always pleasing to see new caps and youngsters being given a chance but it may well prove costly in the batting, with new cap Norman Mukondiwa having not only to prove his bowling skills but also to show he is capable of batting and seeing his team through to a good score which is of utmost importance in the four-day game. Matabeleland have a reasonable bowling line up and, should the bowlers perform to standard, be capable of holding their own against a weakenedMashonaland side.Townshend, who has been bowling well recently will share the new ball with new cap Mupariwa, with Mukondiwa, McKillop and Strydom providing the seam attack and the spinners, Ewing and Mercury, doing most of the bowling if Matabeleland are unable to dismiss the opposition for a reasonable score.It has been very hot in Bulawayo for this time of the year, temperatures being far higher than normal, 32-36 degrees and no rain, so a fast outfield and a batting-friendly wicket could well be the order of the day. Following a further practice, and discussions on the composition of the team, it was decided to change the lineup and include Jason Hitz, omitting Norman Mukandiwa, which adds some batting strength to the tail.Player profilesTawanda Mupariwa – born 16/4/85, Bulawayo. RAFM. BAC.Michael Grant McKillop – born 24/4/81, Bulawayo. RHB/RM. BAC. Zimbabwe HockeyMunir Mukadam – born 15/2/1983, Bulawayo. RHB/RHM. CrescentsCollin Ray (Porgie) Williams – born Bulawayo. RHB. BAC. Has played Matabeleland prior to first class status for Matabeleland. Zimbabwe Hockey and National Coach.Gavin Mackie Ewing – born 21/01/81, Harare. RAOS/RHB. Queens. Zimbabwe U19, Liverpool Comp UK.

New Zealand lifted their one-day performance levels this season and just about broke even in terms of results.In 15 games played they won seven, which is one of the better winning ratios in recent years. It is still well below the level that will indicate the side has been winning consistently but it is a step in the right direction, especially with the World Cup looming next year.Several of New Zealand’s players are moving into the prime years of their careers and their performances in the year or two ahead should be reflective as the most settled of their careers.A CricInfo review of New Zealand’s players used this year follows:NATHAN ASTLE:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 11 11 2 343 122* 38.11 65.96 1 2 7 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 11 19.2 0 93 3 31.00 3-4 – – 38.6 4.81

Outstanding as Astle’s season finale was in Dunedin when he produced one of his most significant ODI centuries to set up a series win over England, the Astle strike rate in the statistics above better reflects his season. He did have a 95 in his first innings in Australia, and he did also receive what he politely called “rough calls” in the England series. But he lacked for the sort of consistency New Zealand require of him if they are to be a formidable consideration for the World Cup. He doesn’t have that on his own. But that last innings will linger long in the memory and he is clearly our best-performing one-day batsman.CHRIS NEVIN:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 5 5 0 120 55 24.00 88.23 – 1 3 1

Nevin had cause to feel a little confused with his status this season. The preferred option for the first one-day series in Pakistan which never happened, he was then over-looked for the VB Series in Australia as Adam Parore’s ‘keeping form could not be denied. So he was called in for the England series where he generally succeeded in seeing New Zealand off to the sort of starts wanted. Starts of 99, 25, 10, 9 and 55, make a darned sight better reading than New Zealand managed in Australia. And Nevin’s strike rate is the most interesting reading with 88.23! Some remedial work over winter on his ‘keeping and he looks World Cup bound.BRENDON McCULLUM:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 7 7 0 92 37 13.14 56.44 – – 2 –

The real shot in the dark of all the New Zealand selections this year, McCullum did not produce instant results. But this is a player who, in a year or two, has the potential to set about challenging the record Astle has developed. His selection has not been wasted and he has a huge future in the New Zealand game. He has hard work to do in terms of his own disciplines, but this is a batsman who will be capable to taking the best attacks apart.STEPHEN FLEMING:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 14 14 1 444 85 34.15 65.10 – 4 8 –

Fleming has been a fascinating study in style this year. Having overcome the Test match bogey of not being able to convert 50s into centuries, he has developed his captaincy very well and his tactic immediately preceding Graham Thorpe’s dismissal in Dunedin was a classic example of his innovation for effect in ODIs. But he is also working on developing his batting style to cope with the new bouncer law. That has not made for pretty watching at times, but if the longer term benefit of it is that he emerges as a better-equipped batsmen in ODIs then that has to have made it all worthwhile. His strike rate for the summer is too low for a player of his quality and reflects the season he has had. He looks like he needs a good, long match-winning innings to restore his quality to its highest level. But let no-one doubt the quality of his leadership in this side.CRAIG McMILLAN:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 15 0 427 73 28.46 72.86 – 2 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 15 7 0 39 0 – – – – – 5.57

For the type of player he is, McMillan must feel some frustration with his results this year. They are not bad, but they are not at the dominating level he achieved last summer. His strike rate this year of 72.86 compares with the 85.07 of last year and the average has dropped from 37.90 last summer to 28.46 this year. Perhaps, he too is having to come to grips with the bouncer law. His role in the middle-order is vital to the side’s future, and his commitment during the 100-run stand with Astle in Dunedin was a classic example of his ability to fill that demand. McMillan will come back stronger, he has too, and World Cup year might represent perfect timing.LOU VINCENT:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 15 1 317 55 22.64 58.05 – 1 8 –

It is not until you do this sort of exercise that you realise just how light Vincent’s contribution has been with the bat this year. Admittedly part of that is due to the requirement to use him as an opener for a while. His place is in the middle-order and hopefully that fact has been established now. The innings he played in Wellington with McMillan during an 84-run stand was pivotal to New Zealand’s success. But much more of the same is needed from him, at an even faster clip. There’s no doubting the lift he gives New Zealand in the field and a key player in future scheme of things.CHRIS CAIRNS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 14 14 2 398 102* 33.16 94.08 1 3 5 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 14 111 8 495 23 21.52 3-32 – – 28.9 4.45

Cairns not only advanced his batting strike rate on last summer, he vastly reduced his bowling economy rate, no doubt benefiting from the knee surgery he underwent. Now that the is not required to open the bowling, Cairns has become a much more influential figure with the ball. And his bowling in Dunedin which was his best of the summer, is an indication that he is right back in his stride. There were times during the England series when he failed with the bat, although the threat was always lurking as England found out as he almost defied Duckworth/Lewis in Auckland. However, the innings in Brisbane to beat South Africa was a graphic representation of his class. Everyone would like Cairns to be more consistent but that is largely in his own hands.CHRIS HARRIS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 14 4 280 63* 28.00 63.06 – 1 11 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 15 115.3 2 487 12 40.58 3-37 – – 57.7 4.21

New Zealand are never beaten until Harris has been taken out of the picture. His fighting qualities have been revealed time and again. Despite the best efforts of batsmen everywhere to get on top of him, his economy rate is down again on last year, and this on better quality wickets in Australia and New Zealand. His batting too, remains consistent and his status is undiminished, the genuine team man who doesn’t know when to quit.ANDRE ADAMS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 9 8 4 118 28* 29.50 126.88 – – 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 9 76.2 3 347 12 28.91 3-13 – – 38.1 4.54

Someone soon on the world cricket scene is going to suffer at Andre Adams’ hands. His best score is not going to remain 28 not out for long. He’s had sufficient taste of international play this summer to pause and reflect on what more he must do, but there is no doubt he has made his mark. He offers New Zealand greater strength with his batting, while his sheer speed in bowling makes him far more valuable than your regular old New Zealand medium-pacer. However, he cannot rest on his laurels, players like Jacob Oram have to be competing with the likes of Adams and McCullum for places and it is the player performing the most consistently who will be selected most times.SCOTT STYRIS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 4 4 0 64 23 16.00 64.00 – – 1 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 4 13 0 74 0 – – – – – 5.69

Styris is unlikely to feature in the immediate future with the one-day side. His bowling is too expensive while his batting strike rate is not sufficiently high enough to push him ahead of Adams and Oram, who ended last summer with a batting strike rate of 91.46 and a bowling economy rate of 4.89.ADAM PARORE:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 10 9 3 109 36* 18.16 64.11 – – 16 –

A future in One-Day Internationals looks unlikely for Parore. Nevin is doing the job at the top of the order that is required by New Zealand while the hope has to be that McCullum’s knee problem can be solved so that he can be groomed to assume Parore’s wicket-keeping mantle in the longer term picture of New Zealand’s cricket. Parore could not offer the batting scope that Nevin provides and while there was no doubt about Parore’s sheer ‘keeping quality, Nevin best fits the bill at the moment.SHANE BOND:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 9 4 2 32 17* 16.00 76.19 – – 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 9 82.2 10 344 21 16.38 5-25 2 1 23.5 4.17

Bond’s arrival on the scene has given New Zealand an extra weapon with his pace bowling, all the more important now the bouncer law is in vogue. Injury preventing him playing against England was a disappointment but with a full programme in the month’s ahead, he still has plenty of time to be exposed to top quality play before the World Cup where his role is assuming significant proportions. An exciting prospect in all respects, and he can fling a bat as well.DION NASH:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 4 3 0 45 24 15.00 78.94 – – 1 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 4 28 1 124 6 20.66 3-37 – – 28.0 4.42

Nash’s contribution was nowhere near as much as everyone would have wanted of him. The injury problems flared again and it has to be wondered where his future lies. At least there are players emerging who are capable of filling his role in the side. But he still had something to offer when he was used, and his ability to snap up key wickets has not been lost. The last may not yet have been heard of Nash.DANIEL VETTORI:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 11 4 74 30 10.57 54.81 – – 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 15 125.1 2 531 10 53.10 3-17 – – 75.1 4.24

It probably wasn’t the most successful of Vettori’s one-day summers although in terms of economy his runs per over was sound. He was hunted by the Australians and South Africans, much moreso than the English, but, typically, he never lost his cool. While the Test match arena appeals as the area in which he can cause most havoc, he is still a doughty one-day player with the ability to tie down opposing sides when the need requires. His batting has been found out in some respects but anyone who frees him up can expect to suffer the consequences.MARK RICHARDSON:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 4 4 0 42 26 10.50 43.29 – – 1 –

The experiment of the year but one that failed. Richardson had pushed a compelling case for inclusion in the one-day side, in the public’s mind at least and if the selectors had any doubts they decided to find out for themselves. Richardson did not come off. Chasing runs in a Test match setting is a different proposition to getting the innings underway and while he would get a place fielding in the England side, he does not fit in the New Zealand plan. Test matches only will be his label in the future one suspects.JAMES FRANKLIN:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 7 5 1 18 9* 4.50 45.00 – – 3 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 7 54 0 289 6 48.16 2-41 – – 54.0 5.35

It was a harsh season for Franklin, especially after the highly-encouraging start he made last year. But it will not be the end of him. Out of the ashes of the fire Shaun Pollock lit at Perth will emerge a better player and it will be all the more impressive when he adds his impressive batting talent to his CV.DARYL TUFFEY:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 5 2 0 6 5 3.00 35.29 – – 1 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 5 43 5 184 6 30.66 3-42 – – 43.0 4.27

Disappointment must have entered Tuffey’s thinking when he failed to make the VB Series squad but if he let that upset him it has not been obvious. His bowling against England has been tremendous. In Wellington and Dunedin he bowled outstandingly, and he has gained a degree of control that makes him unrelenting. His is an important role in the side and he looks set for a long stay as a journeyman in the traditional New Zealand Bob Cunis/Ewen Chatfield mould.IAN BUTLER:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 2 1 0 3 3 3.00 50.00 – – – -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 2 9 0 58 1 58.00 1-37 – – 54.0 6.44

Success doesn’t come as quickly as Butler’s first ODI wicket did. Called in as a speed option replacement for Bond, Butler always had to be kept in cotton wool. He is a fine, long-term prospect, and the thought of he and Bond at opposite ends in an ODI is a thrilling one. But more work needs to be done on him. He may well get a winter tour but investment is the word that best sums up his summer.

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has confirmed that fast bowler Trent Kelly will remain in Brisbane, on standby for the Pura Cup game against the Queensland Bulls, which commences in Brisbane on Sunday, January 19.Kelly will remain in Brisbane as back-up for fast bowler, Paul Rofe, who dislocated a finger during the ING Cup game at the GABBA today (January 17).Kelly was due to fly back to Adelaide from Brisbane tomorrow (January 18) to take up bowling duties for his grade club, West Torrens, and for the Australian Under-19 squad. The Australian Under-19s are due to play the English Cricket Academy from Monday, January 20.Rofe will undergo a fitness test in Brisbane tomorrow, and if deemed unfit to play, will make way for Kelly’s debut in the four-day competition for the Redbacks.

Mpumelelo Mbangwa – born Plumtree, 26 June 1976
Right-handed batsman, right-arm medium-pace bowler
Career: 1995/96-2001/02

Abbreviations: Capital letters for teamnames denotes a Test match.Man – ManicalandMash – Mashonaland * indicates not out inningsMat – Matabeleland + indicates wicket-keeperMCD – Mashonaland Country Districts *+ retired hurt/illMid – Midlands # batted firstZim – Zimbabwe/ZimbabweansGrounds:Alex – Alexandra Sports Club OG – Old Georgians Sports ClubBAC – Bulawayo Athletic Club OH – Old Hararians Sports ClubHSC – Harare Sports ClubNo. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1995/96 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalAlthough not taking more than two wickets in an innings, Pommie’s bowlingquickly impressed the selectors and he played seven representative gamesduring the season for the Zimbabwe Board XI and other teams.1 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 0 #305 – (2) 15 5 42 2 219(HSC, 15 Sept – Won) — 300/7d 1 (2) 18 3 66 1 2272 ZCU President’s XI v Tasmania (10) 0 403/9d – (3) 11 1 35 1 #196(BAC, 9 Oct – Drawn) – (2) 23 6 52 2 309/43 Zimbabwe Board XI v Boland B (11) 0* 229/9d 2 (4) 5 0 16 0 #238(Paarl, 27 Oct – D) — 176/7 – (6) 6 0 26 1 226/6d4 Matabeleland v Young Mashonaland (11) 0 #221 – (2) 19 5 62 0 203(BAC, 3 Nov – D) — 370/5d – (2) 6 2 23 0 202/25 Matabeleland v MCD (11) 14* #152 – (3) 3 0 21 0 209(BAC, 17 Nov – W) (11) 0* 344 – (3) 3 0 31 0 2836 Zim Board XI v Northern Tvl B — 334/9d 1 (3) 17 4 42 1 #339(Centurion, 24 Nov – D) — 131/7 – (4) 8 2 19 0 244/8d7 Zim Board XI v Eastern Province B — — – (2) 15 5 43 2 297/6d(Alex, 25 Jan – D)8 Zim Board XI v Transvaal B — 0/0d – (3) 7 1 26 2 #119/4d(BAC, 8 Feb – D) — — 1 (3) 5 1 19 0 87/29 Mash Invitation XI v Yorkshire — 273/9d – (1) 17 4 43 2 #267/6d(HSC, 1 April – L) (11) 0* 156 1 (1) 17 5 52 2 215/7d10 Matabeleland Select v Yorkshire (11) 10 #84 – (2) 22 7 53 2 #329/5d(BAC, 11 April – L) (11) 5 2341995/96 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM10 9 4 29 14* 5.80 – – 6 217 51 671 18 37.27 2/26 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1996/97 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl Total11 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 0 #118 – (2) 23 5 66 2 279(BAC, 4 Oct – L) (11) 0 279 – (2) 8 2 27 1 85/2M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 11 11 4 29 14* 4.14 – – 6 248 58 764 21 36.38 2/26 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1996/97 (Pakistan) bat Score Total bowl TotalWith Heath Streak and Henry Olonga injured, Pommie was called in as anemergency replacement for the national side, and made a surprise Test debut,with some success.12 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (2nd) (10) 0 #133 – (2) 17 1 67 2 267(Faisalabad, 24 Oct – L) (11) 2 200 – (2) 7 3 14 0 69/01996/97 (PAKISTAN) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1 2 0 2 2 1.00 – – – 24 4 81 2 40.50 2/67 – -Career 12 13 4 31 14* 3.44 – – 6 272 62 845 23 36.73 2/26 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1996/97 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total13 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 4 448 – (1) 11 0 38 0 #503/4d(Alex, 15 Nov – D)14 Matabeleland v Mashonaland — 69/4d 1 (1) 16 2 67 0 #477/6d(BAC, 22 Nov – L) (11) 0 195 – — forfeit15 Matabeleland v England XI (11) 7* 188 – (4) 19 3 60 1 #334(BAC, 10 Dec – L) (11) 8 261 – (2) 11 2 35 0 230/5d16 Mat Inv XI v Worcestershire — 168/9d – (4) 12 3 16 2 #145(BAC, 28 March – L) (11) 2 222 – (4) 7 1 30 1 263/8d1996/97 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM5 7 1 21 8 3.50 – – 1 107 18 339 7 48.42 2/16 – -Career 16 18 5 52 14* 4.00 – – 7 348 73 1091 27 40.40 2/16 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1997/98 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl Total17 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 6 129 – (3) 8 3 20 0 #307(OH, 4 Sept – L) (11) 3* 14218 Matabeleland v Mashonaland A — 300/7d – (2) 13 4 27 0 #312(BAC, 23 Oct – D) — 227/9 – — 279/5dM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 18 20 6 61 14* 4.35 – – 7 369 80 1138 27 42.14 2/16 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1997/98 (Sri Lanka) bat Score Total bowl Total19 Zimbabweans v SL Board XI — #311/6d – (2) 14 5 24 2 313/8d(Matara, 2 Jan – D)20 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (2nd) (11) 0 #251 – (2) 16 4 61 2 225(Colombo SSC – L) (11) 4 299 – (2) 14 4 34 1 326/51997/98 (SRI LANKA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 2 0 4 4 2.00 – – – 44 13 119 5 23.80 2/24 – -Career 20 22 6 65 14* 4.06 – – 7 413 93 1257 32 39.28 2/16 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1997/98 (New Zealand) bat Score Total bowl Total21 Zimbabweans v New Zealand A (10) 0 #67 – (2) 31 11 49 4 271/8d(Dunedin, 13 Feb – L) (10) 11 19522 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND (1st) (11) 0* #180 – (2) 17 4 42 1 411(Wellington, 19 Feb – L) (11) 0 250 – — 20/023 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND (2nd) (11) 0 #170 – (2) 27 10 78 3 460(Auckland, 26 Feb – L) (11) 0 2771997/98 (NEW ZEALAND) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM3 6 1 11 11 2.20 – – – 75 25 169 8 21.25 4/49 – -Career 23 28 7 76 14* 3.61 – – 7 488 118 1426 40 35.65 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1997/98 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total24 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (1st) (11) 0 #321 – (2) 23 15 25 2 256(Queens, 14 March – D) — 302/4d – (2) 22 13 29 1 258/625 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (2nd) (11) 2* #277 1 (2) 33 12 56 3 354(HSC, 21 March – L) (11) 3 268 – (3) 2 0 11 0 192/71997/98 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM4 5 2 14 6 4.66 – – 1 101 47 168 6 28.00 3/56 – -Career 25 31 8 81 14* 3.52 – – 8 568 158 1547 46 33.63 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1998/99 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalPommie played a vital but largely unrecognized part as back-up to the pace ofHeath Streak and Henry Olonga in Zimbabwe’s Test victories over India at homeand Pakistan away.26 ZIMBABWE v INDIA (Only) (11) 2 #221 – (5) 14.2 4 28 1 280(HSC, 7 Oct – W) (11) 0 293 – (4) 12 6 16 2 173M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 26 33 8 83 14* 3.32 – – 8 594.2 168 1591 49 32.46 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1998/99 (Pakistan) bat Score Total bowl Total27 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (1st) (11) 1* 238 1 (4) 23 9 40 3 #296(Peshawar, 27 Nov – W) — #296 – (3) 7 2 23 3 10328 Zimbabweans v Lahore City (10) 21 #394 – (2) 7 2 21 0 287/9d(Lahore, 4 Dec – L) — 239/6d – — 350/929 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (2nd) (11) 2 #183 – (3) 24 4 66 0 325/9d(Lahore, 10 Dec – D) — 48/01998/99 (PAKISTAN) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM3 3 1 24 21 12.00 – – 1 61 17 150 6 25.00 3/23 – -Career 29 36 9 107 21 3.96 – – 9 655.2 185 1741 55 31.65 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1998/99 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total30 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 3* 232 2 (3) 8 5 13 0 #243(BAC, 5 Jan – D) — 278/6 – (3) 9 1 29 1 333/2d31 Matabeleland v Mashonaland A (11) 11* 403/9d – (3) 12 5 22 3 #102(BAC, 19 Jan – W) — 50/3 – (4) 12 4 29 2 35032 ZCU President’s XI v England A (10) 4 493 – (3) 9 4 23 0 #267(Kwekwe, 26 Jan – D) – (3) 20 8 31 0 327/71998/99 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM4 5 2 20 11* 6.66 – – 2 96.2 37 191 9 21.22 3/22 – -Career 32 39 11 125 21 4.46 – – 11 725.2 212 1888 61 30.95 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl Total33 President’s XI v Australians (11) 2* 219 – (3) 19 3 64 2 #335/7d(Queens, 9 Oct – L) (11) 16* 176 – (3) 16 2 60 1 304/5dM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 33 41 13 143 21 5.10 – – 11 760.2 217 2012 64 31.43 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (South Africa) bat Score Total bowl Total34 ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA (Only) (11) 0* #192 – (5) 35 9 75 2 417(Bloemfontein, 29 Oct – L) (11) 0* 2121999/2000 (SOUTH AFRICA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1 2 2 0 0* — – – – 35 9 75 2 37.50 2/75 – -Career 34 43 15 143 21 5.10 – – 11 795.2 226 2087 66 31.62 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total35 ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA (Only) (11) 1* #102 – (3) 28 6 91 2 462(HSC, 11 Nov – L) (11) 3 1411999/2000 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 4 3 22 16* 22.00 – – – 63 11 215 5 43.00 2/64 – -Career 35 45 16 147 21 5.06 – – 11 823.2 232 2178 68 32.02 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (West Indies) bat Score Total bowl TotalPommie again played a vital part as back-up for Heath Streak, although takingno wickets, in what should have been a victory over West Indies, but for apathetic Zimbabwean batting display.36 Zim Board XI v WI Board XI (11) 0 #428 – (2) 14 4 25 1 198(St George’s, 4 March – D) — 24/037 ZIMBABWE v WEST INDIES (1st) (11) 0 236 – (3) 10 3 21 0 #187(Port-of-Spain, 16 March – L) (11) 0 63 – (3) 15 10 15 0 631999/2000 (WEST INDIES) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 3 0 0 0 0.00 – – – 39 17 61 1 61.00 1/25 – -Career 37 48 16 147 21 4.59 – – 11 862.2 249 2239 69 32.44 4/49 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2000 (England) bat Score Total bowl TotalPommie found English conditions to his liking and finished fourth in the entirebowling averages for the season. He also took his first career five-wickethaul, and then made it ten in the match, in the victory over a weakenedYorkshire team on a green pitch.38 Zimbabweans v Hampshire — 364/7d – (3) 16 9 19 4 #131(Southampton, 27 April – D) – (5) 7 2 18 1 234/439 Zimbabweans v Kent (11) 0 #159 – (2) 9 3 14 1 487/8d(Canterbury, 3 May – L) (10) 3* 16540 Zimbabweans v Essex (11) 9* #315 – (2) 30 13 47 2 249(Chelmsford, 11 May – D) — 75/041 ZIMBABWE v ENGLAND (1st) (11) 1* #83 – (3) 21 5 69 0 415(Lord’s, 18 May – L) (11) 8 123 -42 Zimbabweans v Yorkshire (11) 9 #235 – (2) 18 10 14 6 124(Leeds, 24 May – W) (11) 0* 68 – (2) 14 2 39 4 14743 ZIMBABWE v ENGLAND (2nd) — 285/4d – (4) 18 6 40 2 #374(Nottingham, 1 June – D) — 25/1 – (4) 15 8 25 0 14744 Zimbabweans v West Indians — 275/8d – (4) 21 4 73 1 #407(Arundel, 10 June – D) — 108/1 – (2) 15 7 36 3 200/5d45 Zimbabweans v Gloucestershire (11) 0* #568 – (4) 12 7 11 1 167(Gloucester, 16 June – W) — 258/2d – (4) 15.5 10 23 5 1352000 (ENGLAND) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM8 8 5 30 9* 10.00 – – – 211.5 86 428 30 14.26 6/14 2 1Career 45 56 21 177 21 5.05 – – 11 1074.1 335 2667 99 26.93 6/14 2 1No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2000/01 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalDespite his good tour of England and continued steady performances at home,Pommie fell out of favour with the national selectors, who were lookingfor `shock’ bowlers. On a happier note, he was appointed captain ofMatabeleland.46 President’s XI v New Zealanders (11) 0* 205 – (4) 16 4 46 1 #339(Mutare, 1 Sept – D) — 96/3 – (4) 11 5 25 1 263/3d47 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND (2nd) (11) 0* 166 – (4) 28 10 58 2 #465(HSC, 19 Sept – L) (11) 5 370 – (3) 4.2 0 22 0 74/248 Matabeleland v Mashonaland A — 128/8d – — –(Alex, 16 Feb – D)49 Matabeleland v Manicaland — 122/5d – (1) 12 6 20 1 #201/9d(BAC, 2 March – D) — 124/5 1 (1) 7 3 14 1 141/9d50 Matabeleland v Midlands (10) 5 384 1 (1) 21 7 44 1 #380/6d(BAC, 9 March – W) — 117/6 1 (1) 9 7 2 2 12051 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 3* 115 1 (1) 15 2 39 1 #194(HSC, 23 March – L) (11) 0 19 – (1) 18 6 27 1 225/5d52 Matabeleland v CFX Academy — 508/9d 1 (2) 16.2 4 45 2 #320(Queens, 30 March – W) – (2) 4 2 2 0 126M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM7 6 3 13 5 4.33 – – 5 161.4 56 344 13 26.46 2/2 – -Career 52 62 24 190 21 5.00 – – 16 1235.5 391 3011 112 26.88 6/14 2 1No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2001/02 (Kenya) bat Score Total bowl TotalPommie was appointed captain of the Zimbabwe A team to tour Kenya.53 Zimbabwe A v Kenya (1st) (10) 30* #240 – (2) 10 3 35 1 411(Nairobi Gym, 30 Nov – L (10) 0 14854 Zimbabwe A v Kenya (2nd) (9) 0* 278/7d – (3) 13 2 50 1 #424(Nairobi Simba, 4 Dec – D) — 199/1 – — 314/4d2001/02 (KENYA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 3 2 30 30* 30.00 – – – 23 5 85 2 42.50 1/35 – -Career 54 65 26 220 30* 5.64 – – 16 1258.5 396 3096 114 27.15 6/14 2 1No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2001/02 (India) bat Score Total bowl Total55 Zimbabweans v Ind President’s XI (10) 3* 340 – (5) 19 8 41 1 #361/3d(Vijayawada, 15 Feb – D) — – (4) 6 1 16 0 154/12001/02 (INDIA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1 1 1 3 3* — – – – 25 9 57 1 57.00 1/41 – -Career 55 66 27 223 30* 5.71 – – 16 1283.5 405 3153 115 27.41 6/14 2 1No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2001/02 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl Total56 Matabeleland v Manicaland (9) 0 244 – (1) 19 6 75 1 #574(Mutare, 12 Aust – D) — 206/357 Matabeleland v Mashonaland A (11) 20 319 2 (1) 17 6 28 1 #270(Queens, 19 April – D) (11) 2* 268/9 – (1) 16 7 35 2 332M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 3 1 22 20 11.00 – – 2 52 19 138 3 46.00 2/35 – -Career 57 69 28 245 30* 5.97 – – 18 1335.5 424 3291 118 27.88 6/14 2 1RECORD SEASON BY SEASONM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1995/96(Z) 10* 9 4 29 14* 5.80 – – 6 217 51 671 18 37.27 2/26 – -1996/97(P) 1 2 0 2 2 1.00 – – – 24 4 81 2 40.50 2/67 – -1996/97(Z) 5 7 1 21 8 3.50 – – 1 107 18 339 7 48.42 2/16 – -1997/98(SL) 2 2 0 4 4 2.00 – – – 44 13 119 5 23.80 2/24 – -1997/98(NZ) 3 6 1 11 11 2.20 – – – 75 25 169 8 21.25 4/49 – -1997/98(Z) 4 5 2 14 6 4.66 – – 1 101 47 168 6 28.00 3/56 – -1998/99(P) 3 3 1 24 21 12.00 – – 1 61 17 150 6 25.00 3/23 – -1998/99(Z) 4 5 2 20 11* 6.66 – – 2 96.2 37 191 9 21.22 3/22 – -1999/00(SA) 1 2 2 0 0* — – – – 35 9 75 2 37.50 2/75 – -1999/00(Z) 2 4 3 22 16* 22.00 – – – 63 11 215 5 43.00 2/64 – -1999/00(WI) 2 3 0 0 0 0.00 – – – 39 17 61 1 61.00 1/25 – -2000 (E) 8 8 5 30 9* 10.00 – – – 211.5 86 428 30 14.26 6/14 2 12000/01(Z) 7 6 3 13 5 4.33 – – 5 161.4 56 344 13 26.46 2/2 – -2001/02(K) 2 3 2 30 30* 30.00 – – – 23 5 85 2 42.50 1/35 – -2001/02(I) 1 1 1 3 3* — – – – 25 9 57 1 57.00 1/41 – -2001/02(Z) 2 3 1 22 20 11.00 – – 2 52 19 138 3 46.00 2/35 – -57 69 28 245 30* 5.97 – – 18 1335.5 424 3291 118 27.88 6/14 2 1*including 2 UCB Bowl matches played in South AfricaRECORD IN EACH COUNTRYM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMZimbabwe 32 38 15 141 20 6.13 – – 14 762 233 1963 59 33.27 3/22 – -England 8 8 5 30 9* 10.00 – – – 211.5 86 428 30 14.26 6/14 2 1Australia -South Africa 3 3 3 0 0* — – – 3 71 15 178 4 44.50 2/75 – -West Indies 2 3 0 0 0 0.00 – – – 39 17 61 1 61.00 1/25 – -New Zealand 3 6 1 11 11 2.20 – – – 75 25 169 8 21.25 4/49 – -India 1 1 1 3 3* — – – – 25 9 57 1 57.00 1/41 – -Pakistan 4 5 1 26 21 6.50 – – 1 85 21 231 8 28.87 3/23 – -Sri Lanka 2 2 0 4 4 2.00 – – – 44 13 119 5 23.80 2/24 – -Bangladesh -Kenya 2 3 2 30 30* 30.00 – – – 23 5 85 2 42.50 1/35 – -57 69 28 245 30* 5.97 – – 18 1335.5 424 3291 118 27.88 6/14 2 1RECORD ON ZIMBABWEAN GROUNDSM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMAlexandra 3 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – – 26 5 81 2 40.50 2/43 – -Bulawayo AC 14 15 5 65 14* 6.50 – – 7 298 83 823 25 32.92 3/22 – -Harare SC 7 12 5 19 5 2.71 – – 4 221.4 63 551 19 29.00 3/56 – -Kwekwe 1 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – – 29 12 54 0 –Mutare 2 2 1 0 0* 0.00 – – – 46 15 146 2 73.00 1/25 – -Old Hararians 1 2 1 9 6 9.00 – – – 8 3 20 0 –Queens SC 4 5 3 40 20 20.00 – – 3 133.2 52 288 11 26.18 2/25 – -32 38 15 141 20 6.13 – – 14 762 233 1963 59 33.27 3/22 – -LOGAN CUP RECORD (FOR MATABELELAND)M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1995/96 3 4 2 14 14* 7.00 – – 1 64 15 245 3 81.66 2/42 – -1996/97 3 4 0 4 4 1.00 – – 1 58 9 198 3 66.00 2/66 – -1997/98 2 2 1 9 6 9.00 – – – 21 7 47 0 –1998/99 2 2 2 14 11* — – – 2 41 15 93 6 15.50 3/32 – -1999/2000 -2000/01 5 3 1 8 5 4.00 – – 5 102.2 37 193 9 21.44 2/2 – -2001/02 2 3 1 22 20 11.00 – – 2 52 19 138 3 46.00 2/35 – -17 18 7 71 20 6.45 – – 11 338.2 102 914 24 38.08 3/22 – -RECORD AGAINST OTHER LOGAN CUP TEAMSM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMFor Matabeleland:CFX Academy 1 – – — — — – – 1 20.2 6 47 2 23.50 2/45 – -Manicaland 2 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – 1 38 15 109 2 54.50 1/14 – -Mashonaland 7 10 3 19 6 2.71 – – 5 149 34 434 9 48.22 2/42 – -Mashonaland A 4 3 2 33 20 33.00 – – 2 70 26 141 8 17.62 3/22 – -Mash Country Dist 1 2 2 14 14* — – – – 6 0 52 0 –Midlands 1 1 0 5 5 5.00 – – 2 30 14 46 3 15.33 2/2 – -Young Mashonaland 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – – 25 7 85 0 –17 18 7 71 20 6.45 – – 11 338.2 102 914 24 38.08 3/22 – -HIGHEST SCORE30* Zimbabwe A v Kenya Nairobi Gymkhana 2001/02Highest in Zimbabwe:20 Matabeleland v Mashonaland A Queens Sports Club 2001/02`PAIRS’0 and 0 Matabeleland v Mashonaland Bulawayo Athletic Club 1996/970 and 0 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND Auckland 1997/980 and 0 ZIMBABWE v WEST INDIES Port-of-Spain 1999/2000FIVE WICKETS IN AN INNINGS1 6/14 Zimbabweans v Yorkshire Leeds 20002 5/23 Zimbabweans v Gloucestershire Gloucester 2000MOST OVERS BOWLED IN AN INNINGS35 (35-9-75-2) ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA Bloemfontein 1999/2000MOST OVERS BOWLED IN A MATCH45 (45-18-54-3) ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN Queens Sports Club 1997/98MOST RUNS CONCEDED IN AN INNINGS91 (28-6-91-2) ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA Harare Sports Club 1999/2000MOST RUNS CONCEDED IN A MATCH124 (35-5-124-3) President’s XI v Australians Queens Sports Club 1999/2000MOST MAIDEN OVERS BOWLED IN AN INNINGS15 (23-15-25-2) ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN Queens Sports Club 1997/98DETAILS OF DISMISSALS AS A BATSMANbowled 11 26.83lbw 15 36.58caught 11 26.83caught by wicketkeeper – 0.00caught and bowled – 0.00stumped 3 7.32run out 1 2.44TOTAL 41 100.00%DETAILS OF DISMISSALS AS A BOWLERbowled 11 9.32lbw 26 22.03caught 53 44.92caught by wicket-keeper 28 23.73caught and bowled – 0.00stumped – 0.00TOTAL 118 100.00%MOST CATCHES IN AN INNINGS2, on 3 occasionsMOST CATCHES IN A MATCH2, on 4 occasions

DURBAN, South Africa, March 20 AFP – India’s cricket supremo Jagmohan Dalmiya called today for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to be even-handed in the way it enforced financial penalties.India were told before the World Cup they would be having a portion of their proceeds witheld following the players’ decision to alter the terms of their tournament contracts.But Dalmiya, speaking to reporters during India’s day-night World Cup semi-final against Kenya at Kingsmead, said the ICC would also have to be equally firm with England and New Zealand who forfeited World Cup matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively and so risked potential financial penalties.”This has got to be sorted out. We can’t go on like this,” said Dalmiya ahead of a two-day ICC executive board meeting in Johannesburg starting on Friday.”But what applies to one must apply to all,” added Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and formerly president of the ICC.However, Dalmiya did not appear too concerned by the prospect of any action being taken by the world governing body against India. “The money is in the reserve bank of cricket.”I’ve had a little experience of the ICC. The ICC can’t claim for money against us if no one claims against the ICC.”

Yousuf Youhana could hardly have faced a better first-up delivery in his relatively lengthy career. Against England at Cape Town, Youhana looked to play forward to a full James Anderson delivery angled in with the arm – except, when he probed forward, the ball wasn’t there. It had already swung back towards off, clipped middle and off, and sparked off considerable celebration on the field, most of it centered around the young English medium-pacer.Anderson certainly bowled well on the day, but how much he was helped by evening conditions – just as, presumably, Ashish Nehra and Chaminda Vaas were in other matches – is yet another subject of heavy debate in the 2003 World Cup. Only one team batting second under lights has yet won a match in the tournament, and that team – Kenya – edged home against a less-than-mediocre Canadian bowling attack by four wickets.The physics of it are simple. Under lights, South African grounds become sinks of water-vapour, humidity descending rapidly post-twilight and conceiving conditions that are tailor-made for medium-fast bowlers like Vaas, Nehra and Anderson, who can swing and seam the ball at a good pace. Consequently, chasing under lights – already a pressure-cooker situation in the making – becomes a hugely difficult task.This dominance of natural conditions would pose little problem if it weren’t so one-sided, and especially in South Africa, the result of a day-nighter is virtually decided by the toss of a coin, for the lucky captain will have little hesitation in gleefully opting to bat first. Former South African coach Bob Woolmer, one of the foremost analysts of the modern game, has noted as much. “It would seem, judging by the few games that have been played under lights, that the bias is too much weighted towards the side batting first,” Woolmer told Reuters. “The subject of day-night cricket during a World Cup will now have to be put firmly on the agenda for the next International Cricket Council (ICC) playing affairs committee.”Woolmer refers to World Cup tournaments in particular just because, in such an evolved format, one game could – and has, in the case of Pakistan for example – make all the difference in qualifying for the next stage. By extension, however, few one-day games at all should be decided by the toss, so at least for conditions like those that prevail in South Africa, there have been calls for the day-night cricket to come under serious review.The format started, like so many other innovations that have come to stay in one-day cricket, with Kerry Packer’s “pyjama cricket.” Day-night games that started in late afternoon and stretched past 10 p.m. occupied the all-vital prime-time slot on television, attracting advertising revenues by the barrel. The excitement factor also shot up; two batsmen chasing under the glow of floodlights, surrounded by thousands of vocal spectators who poured into the stadiums after work, gave the game the appearance of a gladiatorial contest of old. All that was missing, some would argue, was the caged tigers.And as the one-day game grew in popularity, it made more financial sense to continue with the day-night system, and by the 1996 World Cup, it had settled into popular acceptance. Both semi-finals and the final of that World Cup were played under lights, and if the next edition, staged in England, did not boast as many floodlit fixtures, it was only because the long English summer evenings had deterred the installation of unnecessary light-towers.The popularity of the format continues, as a CricInfo poll suggests; only 30.4 % of voters thought that day-nighters in the World Cup should be scrapped – and this after the clear advantages bestowed on sides bowling second under lights in earlier games. There are two day-night games scheduled for the Super Six, as well as one of the two semi-finals, and the venues – Durban and Cape Town – have already demonstrated the disparity in playing conditions that Woolmer speaks of.The preliminary matches have also made the cricketers themselves extremely wary of day-nighters. In a crucial Pool B game under lights, West Indies skipper Carl Hooper looked dejected when he lost the toss – and the game had not even started! Pakistan captain Waqar Younis urged organisers to reconsider the semi-final fixture, stating: “I would say any team which wins the toss has won the match 75 percent (of the time) and that is grossly unfair.”Australian coach John Buchanan has also gone on record as wishing to avoid the Durban semi-final. “The point is, even if it is only partially accurate, you are still unsure what you should do at the toss because there are elements that might affect the game,” said Buchanan to Reuters. And when the coach of the present, seemingly indestructible, Australian side starts worrying, there must truly be something amiss!Much of the carping may have to do with sour grapes. After their win against Pakistan, England’s newspapers hailed Anderson as a fast-bowling wonder, but when Nehra scalped six in similar conditions against a clueless English batting line-up, issues about day-nighters were raised instantly. But there is no denying that, at least at some venues, conditions at night skew the game significantly. And while the ICC playing affairs committee may not actually go with Christopher Martin-Jenkins’ suggestion in to play the game in four sessions of 25 overs apiece, they may have to start closely examining individual ground conditions before allotting day-night fixtures.

Essex won the Triangular Tournament Final yesterday, beating Lancashire by 3wickets at Newlands. Lancashire won the toss and batted first, but couldonly reach 142 off 44 overs on a slow, low wicket being used for the fourthconsecutive time. Iain Sutcliffe made some welcome runs and was thetop-scorer with a solid innings of 45. The only other batsmen to reachdouble figures were Mark Currie with 29 and Gary Yates who finished 21 notout. James Middlebrook and Paul Grayson once again tied the batsmen down,Middlebrook taking 4 for 19.In the Essex reply, Will Jefferson hit 61, which an innings watchingLancashire Manager Mike Watkinson described as "brilliant". The rest of theEssex batsmen struggled with the conditions and a mid-innings collapseinitiated by Gary Yates with 4 for 39 and Peter Martin (3 for 32) meantEssex still required 30 runs with only 4 wickets left. Wicket-keeper JamesFoster and the experienced John Stephenson then combined to steer their sideto the victory target with nearly 8 overs to spare.Mike Watkinson while disappointed with the defeat, was pleased with thefight back in the Essex innings. "You would like to win, of course," hesaid, "but these games are all about time in the middle, and we will beusing the remaining games to give everyone as much practise as possible."Scores:Lancashire innings: 142 all out (44 overs)Mark Chilton 2, Iain Sutcliffe 45, Mal Loye 9, Alec Swann 0, Mark Currie 29,Glen Chapple 3, Warren Hegg 4, Peter Martin 2, Gary Yates 21*, John Wood 8,Steven Crook 4.Bowling figures:Jon Dakin 0-24 (5), Justin Bishop 1-28 (7), Andy Clarke 2-22 (8), JohnStephenson 1-21 (6), James Middlebrook 4-19 (9), Paul Grayson 1-24 (9).Essex innings: 144-7 (37.1 overs)Will Jefferson 61, Darren Robinson 16, Aftab Habib 6, Paul Grayson 9, JamesFoster 27*, Ravinder Bopara 0, Jon Dakin 3, James Middlebrook 3, JohnStephenson 10*. Did not bat: Justin Bishop, Andy Clarke.Bowling figures:Peter Martin 3-32 (9), Glen Chapple 0-24 (7), Gary Yates 4-39 (8), John Wood0-27 (7), Steven Crook 0-20 (6.1).

Andrew Flintoff was ruled out of Lancashire’s County Championship fixture against Essex after suffering a suspected compressed nerve in his shoulder, and is a doubt for England’s first Test against Zimbabwe.Flintoff underwent a scan on Monday after complaining of pain in his bowling arm, and will have further tests later this week. The England & Wales Cricket Board said no decision has yet been made as to whether he will be released for Lancashire’s National League match against Hampshire on Sunday, the final chance for match practice ahead of Thursday’s Test.It is the latest in a string of injury setbacks for Flintoff. He was forced home during the Ashes series after failing to recover from hernia surgery, although he came back in time for the World Cup, where he took seven wickets and made 156 runs as England were eliminated at the first round stage.England name their squad for the Lord’s Test on Saturday.

Liphook & Ripsley v Hampshire AcademyThe boot was on the other foot this week as Hampshire this time were on the right end of a rain-affected game in which they came out as rather undeserving winners, a point not lost to acting captain Tony Middleton.In identical fashion to Hampshire’s previous and only game, the side batting first scored 190-9.Overseas opener Alistair Gray got Liphook off to a flier, racing to 56 in 67 balls with a six and 8 fours. Former skipper Duncan Berry bludgeoned 49 in just 46 balls, including four big leg-side sixes to go with 2 fours, but from a position of strength at 144-2 in the 33rd over, Liphook crashed to 160-7 at the first of two rain delays. Eventually. Liphook limped to 190-9 in their allocated 50 overs.Requiring a reduced target of 130 in 34 overs, the Academy made rather heavy work of it. After Kevin Latouf had struck a confident 26 in 33 balls, Tim Wheatley (2-28) and in particular Andy Crawford with his off spin had Hampshire in tatters at 58-5. But then in strode the confident Mitchell Stokes. Typically, the 16-year-old all-rounder went for his shots, admirably supported by wicket-keeper Tom Burrows; the pair putting on 41 runs in 27 minutes, before the former departed for a very well made 29 in 28 balls (1 six, 2 fours). Another collapse followed, and when Burrows (21) departed 9 wickets were down with 11 still needed. But Middleton joined former Liphook old boy Charlie van der Gucht, who struck a vital four, to ease Hampshire over the line in scenes of chaotic excitement as the winning runs came in the fortuitous form of four byes.

The Indian board has decided to name 25 probables for the preparatory camp before New Zealand’s tour to India. According to the Press Trust of India, SK Nair, the board secretary, stated that the camp would be held in Bangalore from August 12-26, while the probables would be named in the first week of August.Nair added: "The Indian cricket team will have another one-week camp from September 1-6 before the New Zealanders arrive on September 23 for a two-Test series and a triangular one-day tournament later with the Aussies as the third team.”Nair also stated that he wasn’t aware of the move to rope in Greg Chappell to assist John Wright, the Indian coach, during the preparatory camp. Reports in certain sections of the Indian media indicated that Chappell had been asked to help out, a claim which was refuted by Sourav Ganguly.Nair also informed that the board’s Marketing Committee would meet on July 23, while the Working Committee meeting would be held next month. In both meets, the details of the corporate cricket tournament are expected to be discussed.