Australia in South Africa

Final Test, Durban, day three (stumps):
South Africa 264-4 & 167 v Australia 315 & 186.

A century for Herschelle Gibbs in Durban put South Africa on course for victory in the third Test against Australia.

The hosts ended the third day 264 for four, needing 71 more runs for victory, to salvage some pride at the end of a miserable Test season against Steve Waugh's men.

Gibbs made 104 - his sixth Test century and his first against Australia - in an opening stand worth 142 with Gary Kirsten and a further 74 with Graeme Smith.

Two wickets in consecutive overs saw South Africa stumble, but Jacques Kallis steered the hosts to stumps, facing three uneventful overs of the new ball.

At the close, Kallis was 35 not out from 55 deliveries, alongside Ashwell Prince, who survived an early run-out chance to be unbeaten on eight.
Scorecard | Match report | Images

________________

Centurion Herschelle Gibbs says a big batting partnership on the fourth morning will be crucial to South Africa's hopes of victory over Australia in the third Test.

And Australia coach John Buchanan believes the tourists still could win if they could make an early breakthrough on Monday.

At stumps on Sunday's third day, South Africa were 264 for four, needing 71 more runs for victory, to avoid a second successive series whitewash at the hands of Steve Waugh's men.

England in New Zealand

England captain Nasser Hussain was relieved to draw first blood in the three-Test series against New Zealand after Nathan Astle gave them an unexpected scare in Christchurch.

Their 98-run win was an excellent effort after being put in on the opening day on a pitch offering plenty of assistance to New Zealand's seam bowlers.

But the margin of victory was a lot closer than expected as Astle powered his way to 222.

Hussain laid the foundation with his 106 on the first day, but it was the 281-run second innings partnership between Man of the Match Graham Thorpe (200 not out) and Andrew Flintoff (137) which ultimately put the game beyond the home side's reach.

"It was a great Test match - it was a Test match in reverse because usually the wicket deteriorates and that wicket just got better and better," Hussain commented.

________________

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has come under fire from Sir Richard Hadlee for his comments before the first Test against England.

Fleming accused his opposite number Nasser Hussain of disrespecting New Zealand when they toured England in 1999.

Convener of selectors Hadlee believes Fleming's outburst helped motivate England to their 98-run win in Christchurch.

"Stephen Fleming has to be accountable for the comments he makes," Hadlee told BBC Radio Five Live.

"They (England) may well have been motivated by the comments made by Fleming when he indicated that perhaps England didn't respect New Zealand when they toured four years ago.

"I think that might have egged on the Englishmen considerably.

"The captain has every right to make comments and he has to stand by what he says.

________________

One-day specialist Chris Harris has been drafted into New Zealand's squad for the second Test against England, which starts in Wellington on Thursday.

All-rounder Harris was included in the squad as cover for spinner Daniel Vettori, who aggravated a recurring back injury during the first Test, won by 98 runs by England.

Seamer Daryl Tuffey replaces star all-rounder Chris Cairns, who will miss the rest of the series after tearing a tendon in his right knee in the first Test.

"Vettori is going to be examined to determine how severe the injury is," said NZ chairman of selectors Richard Hadlee.

"And we will make our decision based on the advice of our medical experts "Chris gives us another useful bowling option, is a very experienced campaigner, and he has been in form with the bat, as his very healthy average in the State Championship this season testifies."

Miscellaneous

The role of the Test match referee is to be overhauled by the game's governing body as a result of the Mike Denness controversy.

And a new panel has been named to investigate the actions of Denness, who caused controversy last year by punishing six Indian players, after India objected to the original group.

But the International Cricket Council (ICC) has stopped short of restoring Test status to the match held between South Africa and India in November.

The scheduled third Test was stripped of its status after Denness was replaced, against ICC rules, when India threatened to pull out of the tour.

________________

Australia's tour of Pakistan scheduled for this year appears certain to go ahead barring further escalation of tensions within the country.

A delegation including representatives from the Australian Cricket Board and the Australian Cricketers Association visited Pakistan this month and is understood to have come away satisfied with security measures in place.

However, doubts remain over Australia's four-week tour to Zimbabwe next month as the African nation continues to be regarded as a safety risk in the wake of last week's presidential election.

The latest travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises visitors to Zimbabwe "to maintain a high level of personal security awareness" and "to exercise caution ... especially in the capital Harare and regional cities".

Yesterday's News .........................  News Roll archive