Standard Bank Triangular series in South Africa

The well-oiled South African machine completed the formality of beating minnows Kenya in a completely one-sided affair at Bennoni yesterday.
Electing to bat first the Kenyans were never at ease after having lost a wicket of the second ball of the match, and run scoring became almost next to impossible.
If not for a brave 68 of 83 balls by Steve Tikolo studded with a few brilliant strokes, the Kenyan total of 159 would have looked even worse. South Africa were a little plucky in their reply and lost the 2 early wickets by sheer over confidence of their batsmen. They coasted to victory in the 34th over with 7 wickets to spare.

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The Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has reportedly requested the BCCI to reassess the fitness of Baroda fast bowler Zaheer Khan and fly him to South Africa as soon as possible.
Following this request Khan is likely to appear before fitness expert Anant Joshi in Mumbai. Ganguly is reported to have made this request to the new president of the BBCI Jagmohan Dalmiya when the later telephoned to congratulate him on a wonderful century.

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A Pakistani flag surfaced out of nowhere in the media area at Benoni yesterday. The organizers however politely told the couple and the child who were waving it to leave the area, as a steward quickly brought the situation under control.

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The organizers of the 2003 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa were not amused to see over enthusiastic fans run onto the pitch to congratulate their hero's.
In Fridays game between India and South Africa there were a couple of such interruptions and South Africa's World Cup director Ali Bacher said he would not tolerate such invasions in future.

England in Zimbabwe

A formidable total was put up by the Zimbabwe in the third of the five match one-day series at Harare yesterday. The challenging total of 262 was possible yet again largely because of the flower of all seasons "Andy" who came up with a brilliant 142 not out. Skipper Heath Streak also chipped in with a useful 56. Flowers 142 of just 128 balls was studded with 16 fours and 1 six. England's reply was steady with most batsmen contributing their share and the target was achieved in the 48th over with 4 wickets still in hand.

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The third match at Harare yesterday was marred by much bad blood and plenty of episodes between the two teams. Match referee Naushad Ali has summoned England's wicket keeper James Foster and skipper Nasser Hussain for a disciplinary hearing. On two occasions during Flower's innings of 142 not out, Foster claimed to have caught Flower.
After the second occasion, Foster approached Flower following the appeal being turned down by umpire Chris Nyazika and stared eyeball to eyeball, at Flower who appeared to push his head at Foster.
Words were exchanged heatedly as Flower was taking guard for the next delivery, and square leg umpire Ian Robertson had to talk to the two players to calm them down. Andrew Flintoff was another reacting angrily after being patted on the shoulder by bowler Grant Flower, after he was dismissed. But Hussain was unrepentant after the match, and said that he is happy to have people on his side bit of character and a bit of fight.

Miscellaneous (International)

Australian bowler Shane Warne was just a few meters away from pocketing one million dollars ($500,000 US) in the first game of Australia's new season. The leggie just missed hitting the sponsors sign that would have resulted in him being rewarded with the jackpot. Warne had hit his fellow leg spinner Stuart McGill. Warne whose team Victoria lost the encounter to New South Wales said he was disappointed he couldn't give his team something to cheer about.

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The Justice Karamat Bhandari World Cup Inquiry Commission has appointed former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir as its technical assistant. Qadir would be attending all future hearings of the commission and provide assistance on cricketing matters to Justice Bhandari. The commission is to probe the allegations that two 1999 World Cup matches played by Pakistan against Bangladesh and India were tampered with. It will also look into the conduct of Pakistan umpire Javed Akhtar, who gave as many as nine lbw decisions in the England and South Africa Test at Headingley in 1998. None other than Dr Ali Bacher former Managing Director of the South African Cricket Union raised the allegations regarding the Pakistan matches of the World Cup and Javed Akhtar's conduct.

Miscellaneous (National)

The new president of the BCCI Jagmohan Dalmiya has swung into action straight away with a number of moves including writing a letter to the team coach and speaking to skipper Sourav Ganguly.
Letters were faxed to coach John Wright and physio Andrew Leipus in South Africa asking them to list reasons behind recent slide following a memorable win against Australia at home in the Tests.
He is said to have made it clear to the duo that his initiatives should not be misunderstood adding that he was only trying to put that extra effort from the top to put everything in order. Damiya is reportedly upset with India's poor standing (8th position) in the World Test ratings.

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Members of the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) managing committee has criticised the BCA secretary Jaywant Lele for taking a decision on not holding the Irani Trophy matches in the city without consulting the members. He said communicating to the Board about the inability to host the tie was not proper.
Meanwhile the BCA auditor, Vishnu Mahajan has written to Lele requesting Lele to step down from the post in the interest of the game. The BCA's emergency General Body meeting is to be held in Baroda today and Lele will face a no confidence motion.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Anti-Corruption commissioner K Madhavan is reported to have exonerated former India skippers Kapil Dev and Ajit Wadekar in the report he has submitted to the BCCI a few weeks ago.
Madhavan was asked to investigate whether then coach Kapil Dev had influenced Sachin Tendulkar (captain at the time concerned) not to enforce follow-on in the Ahmedabad Test of 1999 against New Zealand despite having a lead of more than 200 runs. Sachin and Kapil maintained it as being a team decision. Wadekar was investigated regarding his awareness was on Kapil Dev's alleged bribe-offer to Prabhakar

SCORES AT A GLANCE

ENGLAND IN ZIMBABWE
At Harare (3nd ODI)
Toss: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: 261-8 in 50 overs (A Flower 142 not out, H Streak 56; M Hoggard 5-49)
England: 265-6 in 47.3 overs (N Knight 41, M Ramprakash 47, P Collingwood 36, A Flintoff 46: G Flower 2-38)
Result: England won by 4 wickets with 15 balls to spare.
Man of the match: A Flower (Zim)

Standard Bank Triangular Tournament in South Africa
South Africa vs Kenya (2nd match)
Played at Willomore Park, Benoni
Toss: Kenya
Kenya: 159-7 in 50 overs (S Tikolo 68; S Pollock 2-19)
South Africa: 160-3 in 33.4 overs (J Kallis 54, N McKenzie 49; T Odoyo 2-24)
Result: South Africa on by 7 wickets with 100 balls to spare
Man of the match: S Pollock (SA)

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