Standard Bank Triangular series in South Africa

The Indians pulled the wind right out of the South African sail where the home team were looking for their third straight win of the triangular series. On a pitch much more helpful to the bowlers the Indian's posted 233 in just under 49 overs, and one thought the home team would coast to victory. A couple of bad umpiring decisions (TV replays showed Kallis catch of Ganguly was not cleanly taken) too did not do India much good. However with Agarkar striking in his first over, the South Africans were put on the back foot straight away. Wickets fell in a hurry thereafter and it was only a 77 run partnership between Klusener and Boucher for the eighth wicket that prevented India from picking up a bonus point (if they had dismissed South Africa for less than 186). In the end the visitors won by a comfortable margin of 41 runs.

Match report

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Former South African spinner and now columnist and TV commentator joined the bandwagon of "Ganguly critics" when he came down heavily on the Indian skipper for his open criticism of his bowler's performances in the first match against South Africa at Johannesburg. Symcox squarely put the blame on Ganguly for the defeat saying his dropped catch of Gibbs was a crucial miss.

England in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe were crushed yet again this time at Bulawayo by the visiting England side when they were beaten by 70 runs in the fourth of the five one-day international match series. Batting first England posted a commanding 280-9 with Trescothick (52), N Knight (49), Collingwood 77, and Flintoff (46) making useful scores. Zimbabwe in reply could muster only 210 with only G Flower (96) showing some form of resistance.

Zimbabwe last won a one day match on 11-4-01 when they beat a lowly Bangladesh by 36 runs at Bulawayo. They have lost 11 matches since to India (2), West Indies (2), South Africa (3) and now England (4).

Images of the match

Miscellaneous (International)

The England and Wales Cricket Board is monitoring the political crisis that has hit the Indo-Pak region following air strikes on Afghanistan by the United States. The ECB chief Tim Lamb said that as of now the tour was still on, however adding that a final decision would be taken only later depending on the political situation. Lamb will be discussing the matter with the BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya when the two meet at an ICC meeting in Kuala Lumpur next week.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that South African coach Richard Pybus had decided to discontinue his coaching contract with them. The primary reason is said to be the political uncertainty prevailing in the country. Pakistan will now have to find a new coach with the Sharjah series just two weeks away.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board are likely to press the ICC to pass a resolution where in a batsman can appeal against an on field umpires decision and ask him to seek the help of the TV umpire. Batsmen who show the slightest sign of dissent over even dubious decision are punished severely while umpires are let off the hook. Pakistan batsman Inzamam ul Haq is currently serving one such 2-match suspension following his disapproving an lbw decision made by English umpire P Willey in a Natwest Triangular match against Australia in June. The idea seems strange as only the on field umpires are authorised to consult the TV umpires only in ruling of catches, boundary line decisions, run-outs and stumpings and not close lbw decisions.

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The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS), Sharjah have come out and offered help to the beleaguered Pakistan Cricket Board by offering to host their matches for them. Abul Rahman Bukhatir the Chairman of the CBFS came out and said that if the ICC wants or PCB sought our help he would be willing to help out.

Miscellaneous (National)

The 42-year old Indian all-rounder who had last year severed all ties with cricket is slowly making a comeback to the game. Kapil Dev has offered to help Indian fast bowlers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan with their bowling. Speculations are doing the rounds that Kapil Dev could be eyeing the post of the coach of the Indian team with John Wright being put under pressure following India's poor showing in the past three months.

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Udayan a charity home for leprosy-affected children in Kolkata made famous by Australian skipper Steve Waugh said they were extremely concerned about the welfare of the Australian skipper. Waugh has been associated with the children's home since 1998 and has been involved personally in many of its fund raising activities. An employee of the home said special prayers were being held for Waugh and hand painted cards by the children had been sent to Waugh who has been suffering from injuries and later developed deep vein thrombosis since the fourth Test against England in August this year. Waugh had spoken to the officials of the home and assured them that he was under treatment and that there was nothing to worry about.

SCORES AT A GLANCE

ENGLAND IN ZIMBABWE
At Bulawayo (4th ODI)
Toss: England

England: 280-9 in 50 overs (Trescothick 52, N Knight 49, Collingwood 77, and Flintoff 46; D Marrillier 4- 2-38).

Zimbabwe: 210-6 in 44.3 overs (G Flower 96, C Wishart 30; A Grayson 3-40)

Result: England won by 70 runs with 21 balls to spare.
Man of the match: P Collingwood (Eng)

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Standard Bank Triangular Tournament in South Africa
South Africa vs India (3rd match)
Played at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Toss: India

India: 233-7 in 48.5 overs (S Tendulkar 38, R Dravid 54, Y Singh 42, V Sehwag 33; Pollock 5-37).

South Africa: 192 in 46.2 overs ((L Klusener 44, M Boucher 38; Harbhajan Singh3-27).

Result: India won by 41 runs with 22 balls to spare
Man of the match: Harbhajan Singh (Ind)

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POINTS TABLE

Teams	P	W	L	T	Points	Bonus	Total
South Africa	3	2	1	-	8	1	9
India	2	1	1	-	4	-	4
Kenya	1	-	1	-	-	-	-

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