Harbhajan fit and raring to go

Looking relaxed with his finger injury having almost healed, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said he would utilise his stint with English county side Lancashire to prepare for India's engagements against New Zealand and Australia later this year.

"I am now almost fit and raring to go. My injury is almost cured," Harbhajan told newspersons after attending the BCCI-convened spinners' meet in Kolkata.

Harbhajan, who join Lancashire next month and play till the end of September, said, "I want to use this assignment for keeping myself in peak condition for the coming international engagements."

Though Harbhajan was supposed to join the county in April-end, an injury to his index finger delayed his departure.

Expressing happiness at the deliberations at the spinners meet, he said, "It's a good step. I have no doubt that if the recommendations are implemented, we will get very good spinners."

Harbhajan felt there is no dearth of quality spinners in the country.

Asked who he considered the most promising Indian spinner, he named Amit Mishra.

No rest for Zimbabwe against Middlesex

Zimbabwe found Middlesex in unforgiving mood on Friday as the English county piled up 330 for five on the first day of their four-day tour match at Shenlmbabwe.

Zimbabwe, who went down by an innings and 92 runs to England inside three days in the first Test at Lord's last week, once again did not help their cause with some lax fielding and poor bowling.

At Lord's, centurion Mark Butcher was put down before he made 40 while, yesterday, it was Robin Weston's turn to benefit. He eventually made 129 but only after seeing Stuart Carlisle at point floor a routine catch off paceman Mluleki Nkala when he had made 19.

And some wayward bowling allowed Ireland's Ed Joyce (80) and England one-day reject Owais Shah (68) to cash in.

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, resting from this match along with fellow quick bowlers Andy Blignaut and Douglas Hondo, warned his team in the aftermath of their Lord's defeat that they need to tighten up in the field if they were not to suffer similar embarrassment in the second and final Test which starts at Durham's Riverside Ground on Thursday.

Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh reinforced the message once more yesterday. "It was a tough day in the field. We tended to bowl too short and too wide," he said.

"On a wicket like that you need to keep a tight line," former Australia opening batsman Marsh added.

Marsh an inspired choice: Lillee

Australia bowling legend Dennis Lillee says making Rod Marsh an England selector was an inspired choice.

In London to promote his autobiography 'Menace', Lillee said Marsh's appointment would revitalise English cricket.

"I could never have imagined Marshy being an England selector 20 years ago but it makes sense," he told the Evening Standard.

"It just begs the question of why it never happened in Australia. He's coached enough young kids but was never made a selector, which makes you wonder.

"Marshy's got one of the best cricket brains in Australia and will do a great job.

"I'm not sure what his first impressions are, but he's always pretty positive. I'll be going for a few sherbets with him next week, so I'll let you know."

Lillee and Marsh were integral parts of the Australian cricket team which tormented the English side in the 1970s, Lillee with his pace and Marsh, behind the wicket.

Lillee also defended the Australians against accusations of bad sportsmanship.

"Don't forget that these guys rarely lose a cricket match. They don't know how to lose," he said.

"People think it's an Australian disease, but (English legend) WG Grace was no angel and I played against a few English bowlers, including John Snow, who had more than their fair share of bad things to say in the middle.

"I don't think a great Australian side deserves to be remembered as bad losers because of three or four incidents in a 10-year period."