India's tour of West Indies

Second Test, day 4: India 339 & 218-9; West Indies 245 and 131-2

Brian Lara made an unbeaten 40 as West Indies, needing 313 for victory in the second Tests against India, began their run-chase in positive fashion.

Lara, known for his aggressive batting style, struck only four fours to put West Indies on top before bad light ended play 19 overs ahead of schedule.

Mervyn Dillon and Cameron Cuffy combined well to claim the last six Indian wickets for 13 runs.

New Zealand's tour of Pakistan

Pakistani authorities are taking stringent measures at Rawalpindi Stadium for the second one-day International match against New Zealand.

"We will ensure that the game is played smoothly and peacefully," Raja Tariq Kiyani, city Nazim (Mayor) told BBC Sport Online.

Officials were alarmed by a stone throwing incident during the first match in Karachi on Sunday, which prompted match referee Mike Procter to halt play temporarily.

Miscellaneous

Former fast bowler Jeff Thomson believes Pakistan could be the biggest threat to Australia in next year's World Cup.

But he believes they must continue the consistent level of performance shown in recent months and avoid the dressing room disharmony which has adversely affected past Pakistan sides.

"Pakistan are as good as anybody if they play as a team - and they don't play as a team too often.

"Their batsmen are too aggressive at times, instead of trying to hang in there," said Thomson.

"If you ask me, South Africa aren't good at all. I don't think they are number two. What I am saying is that Pakistan, on ability, should be the second best team to Australia."

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South African cricket is mourning the death of fast bowler Walter Masimula at the age of 26.

He died in his sleep in England where he was due to play club cricket for Surrey Championship side Brook this summer, having appeared for Ventnor in the Hampshire league last year.

The exact cause of death is not yet known, but it is through he may have suffered a heart attack.

Although he never played international cricket, Masimula was an important figure in encouraging the development of the game in the townships.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board is hoping to convince its counterparts in Australia to play a three-Test series instead of just two Tests during a tour to the sub-continent in October.

Australia only wants to play two Tests so it can head back to Australia and play a first-class match on home soil before the Ashes series begins.

"We are talking with the Australian Cricket Board officials and remain hopeful that they will agree to play three Tests in October," PCB director Brigadier Munawwar Rana.

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Allan Donald has made himself, and South Africa, another promise: "Come what may, I am going to do my best to play in the World Cup. That's my dream."

He begins a gym programme at the beginning of next month, designed to raise his fitness to new levels and curtail any effects his 35-and-a-half years would have on his suppleness.

"I'm very, very hungry," he said then. "I want to play for my country again."

"It will be great to pull on the No 10 shirt again in Kenya and I feel I can still bowl quickly for another two or three years."

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