It was yet another day of domination by the Indians against the hapless youngsters of the CFX Academy at the Country Club, Harare. The Indians amassed 447-4 before they declared with Hemang Badani going on to make a hundred and becoming the third batsman in the innings to score one, after SS Das and VVS Laxman. Skipper Sourav Ganguly hit a breezy fifty before he too was retired out. Once again India's inability to get the tail-enders came into forefront, when the last two wickets added 114 runs. The home team at one stage was 78-8, before former international Gary Brent made an unbeaten 78 at number eight! Despite a lead of 255, the Indians opted for batting practice and were 15 without loss at close.

Meanwhile the total of 447-4 decl. against the CFX Academy was the highest made by any Indian team on Zimbabwean soil. It betters the previous best of 400-5 decl. made against the ZCU President's XI at the Sunrise Club, Harare in October 1998. Just for the record, the highest ever total made in Zimbabwe is the 600-6 decl. by the Sri Lankans against the Mashonaland Country Districts XI at Harare in 1994-95. The three hundreds in the Indian innings equals the second best such performance by a team in Zimbabwe first-class cricket. A best of four hundreds were recorded by Sri Lankan batsmen in the same innings against a ZCU Presidents XI at Harare in 1994-95.

Hemang Badani (112 not out) recorded his fifth first- class hundred in his 43rd match of his career. It was the eight hundred scored by an Indian batsman in Zimbabwe, if we are to consider the 101 scored by Ravi Shastri for the Young Indians against Zimbabwe at Harare in March 1984. Badani now emulates Shastri (above) and Sanjay Manjrekar (104, for India against Zimbabwe at Harare in October 1992) to become the third Indian batsman to score a hundred on his first appearance on Zimbabwean soil.

England, chasing 370 for their sixth continuous series win and its first series win over Pakistan at home since 1982, cautiously reached 85 for no loss at stumps on the fourth day. Earlier Pakistan was bowled out for 323 in the second innings with useful contributions coming from Inzamam ul Haq (85) and Yousuf Youhana (49). Gough and Caddick who took three wickets each continued to remain Pakistan's chief tormentors. On his 35th birthday Wasim Akram, playing his last innings in England, showed some resistance in the end with a brisk 36 that included six fours. England need another 285 runs on the final day and has ten wickets in hand.

If England manages to score 370 runs, it will be its highest score in the fourth innings to win a Test match. Its previous highest was 332-7 against Australia at Melbourne way back in January 1929.

Pakistan's bowling coach on the tour of England Daryl Foster has resigned midway through the series citing the "unscientific attitude" of the Pakistani bowlers as the reason for his abrupt resignation. Despite being talented, he said they were not scientific enough. Foster will not be a part of the Pakistan team for the one-day series that follows the Manchester Test.

The ICC's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) headed by Sir Paul Condon had apparently warned the English Cricket Board (ECB) of a potential threat from people who were likely to influence the ongoing England-Pakistan series. Both the team managers and the players were warned to be vigilant and report any suspicious approaches to the team management. Meanwhile Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said there had been no suggestion that bookmakers had attempted to influence the outcome of the Test series. "As far as I am concerned there has been no hint of anything on this tour," he said.

Australia warmed up to its defence of the Ashes with a resounding win over Worcestershire by 360 runs in the first match of their tour. Declaring their second innings on the third day at 360-8 the Aussies set the hosts a target of 549 runs for victory. Worcestershire could only manage 188 mainly due to some stubborn resistance from David Leatherdale who made 72. Glen McGrath claimed four wickets as the hosts were comprehensively defeated.

Australian skipper Steve Waugh did not have a very happy 36th birthday after he fell down heavily on his knee during the course of the match against Worcestershire. Waugh was earlier injured during the Calcutta Test match in the same area, while taking a catch. The fall has just made the knee cap a little sore although he expects to be fit in time for the one-day series (involving Pakistan and England) that is due to begin next week.

The Indian team for the one-day triangular series in Zimbabwe also involving West Indies (from 23 June -7 July) will be announced next week, either on June 12 or 13. The BCCI secretary JY Lele said the exact date for the selection committee meeting would be known only after consulting chairman Chandu Borde, who is busy with his daughter's wedding arrangements. He also hinted that a few changes are likely to be made to the squad that is currently in Zimbabwe to play the Test series.

India would visit Australia for the one-day series only if the government refuses permission to tour Pakistan for the Asian Test championships in September. According to the BCCI secretary JY Lele the priority for the BCCI is the Asian Test Championships and not the tour of Australia.

Contradictory to reports that have been appearing in the press it is unlikely that Justice Edwin King will revoke the indemnity proceedings against banned South African captain Hansie Cronje. There have been speculations in the media that Cronje could face prosecution and maybe even an extradition to India.

Trouble could be brewing for the talented yet unlucky South African opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs regarding the marijuana incident. On Thursday a disciplinary hearing will be held in Johannesburg to announce the punishment to the cricketer, who is already serving a suspended three-match ban. Gibbs is likely to be banned from the initial matches of the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Meanwhile former South African skipper Kepler Wessels has asked the authorities to be tough against Gibbs who has continuously been in the center of some controversy or other and has showed no respect for the game or to his team.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has reinstated the sacked team manager Ricky Skerritt. Meanwhile, however the WICB's president since 1996, Pat Rousseau and his deputy Clarvis Joseph have tendered their resignations because of this decision.