The Border Bears made light work of a promising Northerns Titans top order that flattered to deceive as they were beaten by four wickets in their Standard Bank Cup match at Supersport Park on Sunday.The toss was won by the home team, who elected to bat first considering that they were buoyed by a few Titans stalwarts.Coach Dave Nosworthy had selected a batting line-up which he believed gave him enviable depth throughout the order.On the basis of his team’s form in the four-day game there were few who were willing to challenge his optimism.The in-form Neil McKenzie had been sacrificed to the national cause, but Nosworthy was pleased to announce that off-spinner Dirkie de Vos would take his place. Johan Myburgh, left out of the Supersport Series matches, was also back to partner opening bat Rudi Steyn.But with his side on 24 for two wickets, Nosworthy must have been wondering where he got it wrong. The Titans went on to put together a modest total of 137 all out in 38.5 overs.A 36 from De Vos midway down the order was all Nosworthy had to cheer about, considering that was the most significant change the coach made to the team that thumped North West in a limited-overs match two months ago.Left arm paceman Liam Graham did most of the damage for Border, claiming three wickets for only 18 runs in his six-over spell. Graham was most effective in the 22nd over, taking both the wickets of Gerald Dros and Finlay Brooker in the space of four balls.Set a victory target of 138 runs off 45 overs, the visitors cruised to victory with 12 overs to spare.Pieter Strydom’s 41 off only 39 balls, featuring five fours and one six, was the top score for his side before he was dismissed by Steve Elworthy.

Essex captain Ronnie Irani shouldered the responsibility of bowling the lastover of the match just as Hampshire’s last-wicket pair of Lawrie Prittipauland Chris Tremlett threatened an unlikely victory – and was rewarded withPrittipaul’s wicket with his first delivery giving Essex a win of their ownby eight runs.Essex looked home and dry when Hampshire slumped to 169 for nine in reply to their 216 for seven. But then promising youngsters Prittipaul and Tremlett began chipping away at the deficit so that only eight were required from the final over. Prittipaul was duly bowled aiming an extravagant drive.A crowd of around 2,500 (the biggest yet at the Rose Bowl) saw Essex build a decent total around Stuart Law’s 45 and a breezy 47 not out from young wicket-keeper James Foster in a partnership of 83 for the sixth wicket with Ashley Cowan.Neil Johnson led a bright Hampshire reply with a six and six fours in his 48 and then Prittipaul and Dimitri Mascarenhas put on 54 for the sixth leaving Hampshire needing 51 off the final ten overs.Wickets fell steadily, notably to the accurate Mark Ilott, and it seemed all over as a contest until the final resistence which so nearly swung the match Hampshire’s way.

A win was the last thing on the minds of captain Sourav Ganguly andcoach John Wright ahead of India’s first Test against Zimbabwestarting in Bulawayo on Thursday with the duo emphasising that it wasthe performance of the team that mattered more than the result.”We are not looking at the 2-0 scoreline. We want to win sessions (ofplaying days) and if we play good cricket, the results will take careof themselves,” Ganguly told reporters after the team’s practicesession on Wednesday.”We are looking to play 10 days of good cricket. We don’t want to lookthat far ahead (at the result). It is like a batsman walking out (tothe crease) – he is not looking at a hundred straightaway,” he said.Wright was more clear. “Personally, I don’t like talking aboutwinning. What’s really important is that we play the first two hourswell, then the next two hours and the then the next two hours.”But that they were not totally oblivious of the ultimate objective ofwinning the first series win outside the sub-continent in 15 years wasevident when Ganguly said, “We have to set our records straight inthis series otherwise all our previous records will boil down tozero.”And he underlined it with “the bottom line is: play good cricket towin Test matches”.Ganguly refused to accept that India’s poor performance on foreignsoil was because of the fast and bouncy pitches. “I don’t think thewicket has got much to do with our performance abroad. If you gothrough the record of our top batsman – probably Das is playing forthe first time and Ramesh – but the rest of us nearly average 50 perinnings abroad. Sachin (Tendulkar), Rahul (Dravid) and I average morethan 50 abroad, more than what we have managed at home. So I don’tthink the wicket has been an issue,” he said.”I have been involved with touring Indian sides for five years now andI would not say we were never in a position to win abroad. We cameclose to doing it in the West Indies, in Wellington, in South Africa.Indeed the Barbados defeat was the saddest since we couldn’t get 120runs in the last innings. But this team looks to have it in them.”Then he went on to outline why he believed India would do well in thisseries. “We are now a unit. We have got together as a team which hasprobably been our strength in the last six months. I also think wehave the bowling strength to get sides out twice. We have struggledfor a third seamer on previous tours, and I think we probably have thesolution here. The team probably looks more solid than it has everbeen before. I don’t believe in harping on the past but the way I wefought in the Australia series and the way we came out of difficultsituations, I think, that has given me more confidence than thevictory (against the Aussies) itself. I think that’s going to help usand stand for us in tough situations.””I am also very confident about Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh). I think heis match-winner on any surface. But then he has to prove it,” Gangulysaid.What he probably left unsaid was that India have one of the bestbatting line-ups in the world despite some doubts over the performanceof openers Shiv Sunder Das and Sadagopan Ramesh.Wright was ready to give the duo a clean chit though. “I am happy withthe way they have shaped up. We would have liked them to play reallybetter in the first game. Opening is a critical position. We want togo through the first two hours and the first three batsmen are veryimportant.”The coach too was happy with India’s pace bowling options. “Obviouslythings are more optimistic now. We have the players who can get fourfive wickets. It is good because conditions here are different thanIndia. So seam bowling and catching will be important areas.”Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak was banking on his battery of young pacebowlers to exploit the Indians’ perceived discomfort against fastbowling on fast and bouncy tracks. Andy Blignaut and Baton Watamba areZimbabwe’s newest finds who along with Travis Friend and the skipperhimself form a potent attack.”They are young and don’t have much experience but they have gotgenuine ability. Only, they have to remember where they should bebowling to specific players… not to be overawed by names andreputations and who they are bowling at.”Streak chose Friend, who would be making his debut tomorrow, forspecial mention. “He has good pace and bounce and has the ability totake wickets on any kind of surface at any time. I think he would be agood prospect for us. It is a huge game for us, a huge series. We hada very tough one when we played in India but quite a few positivethings have come out of that. Obviously, playing at home we know theconditions a little better and we can give them a run for theirmoney.”Coming to the danger man, Harbhajan Singh, Streak said: “We watched alot of him playing in the Australian series. Obviously the wicketsthere were more conducive to spin. Each person has thought out his ownway (to tackle Harbhajan), and we have got some feedback on him andhow he has bowled in the two warm up games at Mutare and Harare. Not alot of guys have faced him, but hopefully, we have discussed how toplay him.”

In a thrilling match of constant fluctuation, Zimbabwe finally wonthrough over India by four wickets in the second Test at Harare onMonday. Their heroes on the final day were Heath Streak and AndyBlignaut with the ball and then, when the Zimbabwe challenge wasfaltering, Stuart Carlisle stood firm and saw his team home to theirsixth victory in 52 Tests, and their fourth at the Harare Sports Club.Against expectations, Zimbabwe levelled the two-match series withIndia, who are left still waiting their first overseas series winsince 1986.It turned out that the loss of Rahul Dravid in the final over of thethird day, reducing India to 197 for four, was the turning point ofthe innings – and the match – as in the first half-hour of the morningZimbabwe ripped open the Indian middle order, seizing four wickets for10 runs.Saurav Ganguly’s poor run on form continued. He had still not scoredwhen Andy Blignaut made a ball straighten on him and trapped him lbw,playing back instead of forward. The next blow was the loss of ShivSunder Das (70), who unwisely shouldered arms to Heath Streak and wasalso dismissed lbw, television upholding both decisions as good.India, 202 for six, now relied on debutant Hemang Badani and theirlower order.With no further addition, Ajit Agarkar drove loosely at a ball fromStreak swinging away, to be caught at the wicket, and next ballHarbhajan Singh slashed at a similar delivery and only just edged itover the slips for four. Harbhajan continued to live dangerously andtwo balls later he skied a catch just clear of cover, and down at theother end a leading edge off Blignaut was caught at short cover by thediving Dion Ebrahim in an effort that drew comparisons with JontyRhodes. India were sensationally reeling at 207 for eight.Badani and Javagal Srinath dug in for 35 minutes until Streak returnedfor his second spell after drinks, and immediately had Srinath (3)caught at the wicket. Ashish Nehra (0) hung on manfully for a further24 minutes before losing his off stump to Blignaut, but during thattime Badani (16 not out) was able to add only one scoring shot, a pullfor six over square leg. Blignaut finished with five wickets for 74and Streak four for 46.India were all out for 234, leaving Zimbabwe 157 to win. Zimbabwe hadscored 162 for three to beat Pakistan at Peshawar in 1998/99, but thiswas their only previous instance of successfully chasing a targetagainst a senior Test team. It was going to be a stern test ofconfidence and temperament for the Zimbabwean players, most of whomwere either untested or found wanting in such situations. The memoryof their failure to reach 99 to beat West Indies just over a year agowould have been fresh in their memories, although under more adverseconditions.Ganguly began with an attacking field. But Guy Whittall (8) and DionEbrahim (6) responded positively, leaving Zimbabwe 17 without loss atlunch.India broke through soon after lunch with the wicket or Whittall (10),caught off bat and pad off Srinath. This inspired the bowler togreater efforts as he worked up a real pace, but Harbhajan took thenext wicket, Ebrahim (20), also caught off bat and pad. At 45 for two,the Zimbabwe innings was at the crossroads.Alistair Campbell and Stuart Carlisle put together a brief partnershipbefore the former, once again failing to put together a score inkeeping with his ability, fell lbw to Nehra for 13. Grant Flower camein ahead of Andy, who was nursing a thumb injury, but there were nowsigns that Zimbabwe were beginning to clam up under the pressure.Harbhajan bowled his 11 overs before tea for just eight runs.At the interval Zimbabwe were 86 for three, 71 short of victory. GrantFlower (3) fell in the second over afterwards, caught at second slipoff Agarkar to put Zimbabwe’s backs to the wall at 89 for four.Carlisle gradually began to open up and play his strokes positively,and the tension began to relax as he ran to his fifty. The tensionrose again as Streak (8) drove loosely at Agarkar to be caught at thewicket, making the score 119 for five.Blignaut (16) played a few aggressive strokes, but tried it once toooften against Nehra and was bowled, middle stump, at 144 for six. Incame the injured Andy Flower, and to him fell the honour of scoringthe winning runs, a sweetly-timed cover drive for four. Carlislefinished unbeaten with 62 while Flower was eight not out.At the prize distribution ceremony, a jubilant Streak dedicated thevictory to Trevor Madondo. Shiv Sunder Das was adjudged man of theseries and Andy Blignaut was given the man of the match award.

Four applications have been received to date for the position of coach of the Northern Districts Knights this year.Applications close at the weekend.Overseas interest has been expressed in the position which will be a fulltime position. It is the first time ND will have had a fulltime coach.”There is such an extensive off-season programme now,” ND chief executive John Turkington said today.”I’m very happy with the quality of the applications,” he added.Interviews for the position will be conducted by a member of the ND board, operations manager for ND Pat Malcoln and Turkington.It is hoped the position can be filled quickly after the interviews.ND also has its long awaited resource consent hearing for floodlights at WestpacTrust Park with the Hamilton City Council from Tuesday to Thursday next week.Turkington said he was feeling quite positive about the hearing and that most people had been supportive of the ND initiative which will allow One-Day Internationals to be played at the revamped ground.Some issues raised during the protest process had been worked through and Turkington said he was 99% confident the lights would be approved.

After returning from a strenuous tour of England where the Pakistan team drew the short Test series but lost the NatWest final to Australia, some of the boys are enjoying a rare spree of rest and recreation. The 1st week of August will mark the start of a training camp to prepare the team for the Asian Test Championship followed by a 3-Test cum ODI home series against the visiting Black Caps.A 25-man ‘probables’ squad is to be announced at any time. I am sure the experts in the PCB know fully well the shortcomings of the team and would try to eradicate them during the forthcoming camp. The two most conspicuous weaknesses that often become instrumental in recent debacles are poor standards of physical fitness and fielding. The third, possibly the most important, needing immediate attention is not being mentally tough and the lack of a killer instinct.A horrible 9 wickets defeat at the hands of Australia in the NatWest final was the anti-climax of their superb performance in the earlier part of the tournament. While the team lacked any sign of a killer instinct both in batting and bowling, the Aussies proved to be a thoroughly professional outfit. They had planned to fight the last battle with meticulous care and executed their plan brilliantly.This was certainly not the first occasion the Pakistan team having emerged victorious in the earlier encounters flopped when it came to the all-important finish. The failure to conquer the peak seems to have become a psychological barrier for the team. There is a general belief that teams from these parts leave too much to fate. Though the part played by ‘lady luck’ in victories and defeats cannot be denied, it does not mean that the players should not apply themselves correctly and put in their best. Luck has its own mood and should better be left at that.Scanning the recent past, one finds that there have been at least three top tournaments in which Pakistan have credibly won the earlier matches but crumbled in the finals, letting the top honours slip away. World Cup 99 was the most important event where Pakistan’s defeat in the finals deprived the country of sharing the signal honour of winning the world cup twice with the West Indies.This was followed by the loss of the ARY Gold Cup at Sharjah and then the NatWest Trophy in England. While in World Cup 99, Pakistan did lose a few matches leading up to the final, it had a clean sweep in the ARY Gold Cup. In the NatWest Series, it marched alongside Australia gaining equal points to reach the final.Discussing the three events in a little more detail, one finds in the World Cup 99, Pakistan emerged with a sparkling success in its pool by winning four out of five matches. It defeated the West Indies by 27 runs, Scotland by 94 runs, Australia by 10 runs and New Zealand by 62 runs. In the 5th Pool match, however, it suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of minnows Bangladesh by 62 runs, a debacle that continues to haunt cricket lovers in Pakistan till today.Jumping into the Super-Six Stage, Pakistan lost two of the three matches. It defeated Zimbabwe by 148 runs but lost to South Africa by 3 wickets and India by 47 runs. By inflicting a glorious 9 wickets defeat on New Zealand in the semi final, Pakistan landed into the finals of the prestigious event.Though Australia and South Africa were the hot favourites, Pakistan made it to the final leaving South Africa behind. Reaching the final of the World Cup for the second time was a great achievement. This was perhaps the juncture where the team was required to bring into play the best of its skill together with the full weight of its physical as well as mental strength. It failed to do so. Overpowered by the ghost of Australia’s super-strength, Pakistan’s batting line crumbled for a paltry 132, a total too small for the bowlers to defend. The bowling arsenal of which Pakistan was always proud, thus failed to play its magic. Pakistan lost the coveted honour by 8 wickets. It was a clear case of breaking down under pressure.In the final of ARY Gold Cup at Sharjah, Pakistan suffered a 77 runs defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka. With full domination over the tournament Pakistan had reached the final undefeated. Surprisingly, the fact that Pakistan had defeated Sri Lanka twice in the league matches also failed to act as a morale booster. Pakistan obviously lost the battle of nerves.Coming back to the NatWest Series, Pakistan was absolutely at par with Australia before start of the final. Both the teams had defeated England thrice, lost once to each other and secured equal points. In the earlier encounter in which Pakistan defeated Australia, the team was able to pile up a total of 291 runs.As for bowling, the one-man demolition squad of Waqar Younis (6 for 59) devastated the Aussies for 254 runs, thus hoisting a 36 runs victory for Pakistan.With such performances in the league matches, what could be the reasons for Pakistan to lay down arms in the final without putting up a fight? The team was out for a petty 152 runs in 42.3 overs. Not being able to play the full quota of 50 overs in such a crucial match was perhaps the worst example of casual and careless batting.Look at master-batsman Saeed Anwar (highest scorer with 27) unnecessarily lifting a ball to mid-off and getting caught on a poor shot. And then the 5-star bowling squad led by superstars Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq completely failing to claim a wicket. The only wicket that Australia lost was on a run-out. Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat by 9 wickets.What does such a repeat of debacle in a final indicate? The team is not deficient of talent or prowess in batting or bowling. Fielding is poor but it only makes a marginal difference. Though it needs definite improvement, the weakness did not prevent the team from reaching the finals. By my understanding of the game, the reasons are psychological. The team lacks mental strength to fight and win the last battle. Overpowered by reputations of its opponents, it succumbs to pressure. It is shy of grabbing a target, which happens to be close but looks too far.I would advise the PCB to start some psychological training in the National Cricket Academy to handle such problems. By doing so, we will not only build up the mental strength but also save many talented players from extinction. For example, there is nothing wrong with players like Shahid Afridi except for temperament and lack of self-control. Once treated by a psychologist they can turn into gems for the future.

Wizards, whether in the shape of players, administrators or other technocrats are not easy to find. Some of them are born and destined as such while others achieve top positions through dint of sheer hard work and relentless effort to enhance their basic talent. Each one is worth millions to any organisation.Letting go waste such people amounts to depriving an organisation of invaluable assets. Unfortunately PCB seems to have accepted letting go two of its wizards, Wasim Akram, slashed by the Selection Committee and Javed Miandad, walking out the door, said to be a victim of ‘palace intrigues and jealousies’.Wasim’s exclusion from the practice camp to prepare 27 probables for Asian Test Championship and the visiting New Zealand team has raised a hue and cry far and wide. Disappointment has been expressed at home and abroad about on inviting a number of ‘non-entities’ under the garb of “concentrating on young talent with an eye on 2003 World Cup”.The media is full of reports, articles and comments criticising the PCB for the shabby treatment given such a great cricketer. This also appeared in a panel discussion conducted by Radio Pakistan. Excluding Akram from the training camp and telling him to prove his form and fitness in two practice matches being held before the final selection, was considered to be ridiculous. Cricket observers attribute this Selection Committee decision as a downright insult of an outstanding cricketer of his times, who holds the world record of clinching over 400 wickets both in the tests as well as one-day internationals.The issue reflects two completely different sides of the picture. Skipper Waqar Younis who was thought to have opposed Akram’s inclusion among the probables has denied it by saying that ‘he only knew about the names of players and the omission of some top players when he arrived home from abroad’. When questioned, he even denied having called the former Pakistan Captain ‘problematic’, as some press correspondents termed it.Waqar Younis in fact came out in support of his dropped pace-partner by saying, “I never had any problems with Akram and to use the word ‘drop’ for a player of his calibre is not right. It all depends on his fitness and form…Akram can come back in the side through trial matches.”In contrast, Chief Selector Wasim Bari’s remarks on the subject carried a tinge of arrogance. He maintained that it was a unanimous decision by the selectors who picked the best possible combination from which the Pakistan side will be formed for the Asian Test Championship. Insisting on the form and fitness of the dropped players, he emphasised, ‘the players must show their worth again in the domestic first class season starting in September.’The Chief Selector’s attitude and the PCB’s endorsement of his theme ‘that upcoming fast bowlers who are working hard to earn a place in the national side should be tried in the home series which was the best opportunity for them to prove their worth’ indicate that there are no roses in the basket for Wasim Akram.Despite all his achievements he is almost back to ‘square one’. He is likely to be picked for the two matches to be played on August 17 and 20 between the Camp Trainees XI and the Rest, during which his performance will be evaluated like others. Congratulations Wasim Akram, you are being treated as a ‘youngster’ again! Then what else can be said, if a player like Chris Cairns considers you “the greatest cricketer he has ever played against”?My advice to the PCB is to not blindly follow the dictates of the selection committee but also use its own imagination to decide important issues. Let’s be clear one cannot win a tournament like the World Cup with a team comprising players having only two years international experience.While the Pakistan cricket team is set on the path of losing a great cricketer like Wasim Akram, the PCB has lost an illustrious figure in world cricket, Javed Miandad. The irony is that the people at the helm of Pakistan’s cricket do not feel sorry about losing these two invaluable diamonds. I only wish someone would realise that players of such calibre are born once in a century.Miandad has reached Bangladesh on a coaching assignment where he and former West Indies quickie Andy Roberts are to prepare the Bangladesh team for the Asian Test Championship. Though not a permanent assignment, Miandad’s act of withdrawing from all the assignments of PCB is shrouded in mystery.After recently serving as coach of the Pakistan team, he was appointed Chairman of the newly formed Management Committee that had the important mandate of looking after the affairs of domestic as well as international cricket. Not willing to carry on, he declined to hold the appointment on the pretext of ‘non-availability of time’.Surprisingly, before departure Miandad returned all the items issued to him by the PCB including the car and a mobile telephone – enough to indicate his disenchantment with the Board. His initial attachment with Bangladesh cricket is said to be of only 3 weeks duration and he could have done the task easily while holding his job in the PCB. Former Test cricketer, Iqbal Qasim who was appointed as his deputy was competent enough to carry on the job during his absence. His severing of relationship with the PCB smells of some sort of politics.Since his involvement in Pakistan’s cricket affairs, whether as a coach, member of the Advisory Council or Chairman of the Management Committee, Miandad did not really have a happy time. Troubles arose on different occasions turning him into a controversial figure. Whether it was on account of his inability to adjust himself or others’ unwillingness to accept him, only the Board would know.It was, however, a great gesture on the part of PCB Chairman to say that ‘the doors of PCB were open for him and he could resume again on his sweet will’ but somehow it is not enough. Apart from his status as a world-class cricketer and captain, Miandad is a wizard as far as knowledge of the game is concerned. A player of his calibre would be an asset for any cricket body and on any assignment. Like any other human being he may be have his idiosyncrasies but let us not forget that a king is a king who must be treated and respected as such.It is unfortunate that, the PCB is still inhabited by people who do not like the presence of those wiser or more competent than them. Thus differences still crop up, turning into conflicts and controversies.The principal officers of the Board need to involve themselves more actively and monitor closely, the working of all committees. There would be no harm in taking advice of some ‘neutral observers’ when required. It is wonderful to know that the PCB has hired the services of a psychologist. Besides looking after the players, let him also study the ‘attitude problem’ that badly ails the cricket body and find a remedy.

England’s one-day opener, Nick Knight, was taken to hospital after he was struck on the head while batting for Warwickshire against Somerset in the semi-final of the C & G Trophy at Taunton.Knight took his eye off a short delivery from Andy Caddick (who bowled with real aggression at close to 90 mph), and ducked into the ball, sustaining a sickening blow on his neck and the back of his head.Warwickshire physio Gerhard Mostert treated the batsman on the pitch for several minutes, before Knight, rather surprisingly, continued his innings. He was uncharacteristically subdued during his innings of 45 – taking 110 balls to score his runs.Warwickshire coach Bob Woolmer revealed: “Knight has gone to hospital for a check-up as a result of the blow on the head from Andrew Caddick early in his innings.”Ian Bell replaced Knight when Warwickshire took the field.

Shortly after the close of play at Taunton , during which Steffan Jones took his first class wicket tally past the fifty mark he said: "This time next month my ambition is to be part of the England team on the tour to Zimbabwe. Next year my ambition is to play for England in the World Cup and bowl the final over to help England to win. I think that these ambitions are realistic."He told me "I’m very pleased to get my fifty wickets this year. It’s a good weight off my shoulders now that I have passed that milestone. My next target is to get to sixty this season.Already I have taken ten more wickets than last season."I asked him what he attributed his success this season. He said: "I think my success is due to more specific fitness training which has made me a yard quicker than last season. I’m much fitter now so I’m bowling more overs, and I’ve learnt a lot from our coach Kevin Shine.""During the winter I’ll be working on more aspects of my fitness so that next season I’ll take ten more wickets than in 2001," he concluded.

Durham County Cricket Club today announced that 25 year-old all-rounder Paul Collingwood has signed a new contract extending his stay at the club for another two years. Collingwood made his one-day international debut for England this season and will go with the squad to Zimbabwe in October, hoping to establish his credentials as a genuine World Cup prospect.He says: “I am delighted to have signed a new contract and to be part of an exciting team at Durham. We have won promotion to the Norwich Union League Division One with a young team which can only get better and which will also develop as a four-day side.”I hope to play a big part in Durham’s promotion bid in the CricInfoChampionship and I would love to be part of a successful cup run.”Club Chairman Bill Midgley says; “Paul is an outstanding talent who hasimpressed even the Australians. He is a fine example of what we have set out to achieve here by giving young local talent a chance, and we are all delighted that Paul has committed himself to us for the next two years.”Durham secured promotion to the Norwich Union League Division One ina thrilling nine run victory over Worcestershire at the Riverside onthe final Sunday of a season during which Collingwood, a local lad from Shotley Bridge, has played a significant part.