Bangladesh are fighting to avoid innings defeat at the M A Aziz stadium at the end of the fourth day of the second Test against Zimbabwe. At stumps, the hosts had reached 227 for the loss of 4 wickets with opener Javed Omar and Ashraful still at the crease.When Bangladesh followed on, it was Henry Olonga who once again made the breakthrough. He trapped Al-Sahariar lbw for 40 – an innings that included five boundaries.Habibul Bashar, the man in form, compiled another superb knock of 76 before being caught at long off. He and Javed Omar shared a partnership that took the total towards respectability. They both were set and dealt with the Zimbabwean attack with ease.Before tea, Bangladesh were in a reasonably comfortable position at 184 for 1. Bashar was approaching his second successive century and it was not unachievable the way he was batting. But he looked impatient just after tea and attempted to go for his shots. He lifted Grant Flower to long off a couple of times – he got two from the first and a boundary from the second. An excited Bashar, while attempting to lift the same bowler over long off for a third time, mistimed his stroke and offered an easy catch to the fielder positioned there.The quick fall of Aminul Islam and Akram Khan changed the scenario. Zimbabwe took over control as Grant Flower dispatched them both. Aminul offered a catch to silly point for 1, and shattered the stumps of Akram Khan for 2.Javed Omar and Mohammed Ashraful survived the remainder of the day peacefully. Ashraful, reputed as a natural stroke player, batted quiet unusually. At the end of the day he was still there with just a single to his name after facing 53 balls during his 95-minute innings.Javed Omar batted brilliantly to record his third Test half century, all coming against Zimbabwe, and remained not out with 80. He batted for 415 minutes and faced 320 deliveries.Grant Flower, not widely recognised as a front line bowler, looked deadly on this track. He was getting sharp turn like the previous day and was difficult to put away. He had only taken 10 wickets in his entire Test career, but here he has taken seven already – exactly half the Bangladeshi wickets to fall.Bangladesh are still 64 runs behind the Zimbabwean total, going into the final day of the match.

His body and baggy green cap may not go the distance, but Steve Waugh wants to continue playing Test cricket into his 40th year to complete “unfinished business” in India.Waugh, 36, made the revelation today while announcing a bat sponsorship worth an estimated $750,000 over three years with Indian tyre and sporting goods manufacturer MRF Limited, which also looks after Sachin Tendulkar.Despite being one of the great Test series, Australia’s 2-1 loss this year in India left a sour taste in Waugh’s mouth and extracting revenge in 2004 would be his ideal way of bowing out.He has fond memories of India from the tied Test in 1986, a World Cup win in 1987, his work with the Udayan home for children of leprosy sufferers and this year’s epic contest.”I’m looking forward to the World Cup (in 2003), that’s probably the next major goal for the Australian cricket side,” he said.”Particularly myself, I’d love to go back to the World Cup and win a World Cup – that’s not to say I’m guaranteed selection from now until then.”But that’s definitely a goal of mine and I guess way down the track, it’s three odd years I think, is another tour to India, that may be a possibility.”It’s almost sort of unfinished business for the Australian cricket side … we went so close and it’s the one place where we haven’t managed to win.”Australia will play three Tests against India from September, 2004.If he lasts that long, Waugh (9,289) will almost certainly pass Allan Border (11,174) on the all-time run scorers list but Tendulkar (7,089) is not far away and he’s eight years younger than Waugh.”He’s the No.1 in the world at the moment and rightly so, he’s the best batsman that I’ve ever seen,” said Waugh, despite Zimbabwean Andy Flower being top of the world ratings.”I’d like to also challenge him (Tendulkar) to the No.1 position in the future and score a few more runs.”While he was looking into his crystal ball, Waugh rejected calls for video umpires to rule on lbw decisions in the wake of the incorrectly favourable ruling for Justin Langer at the Gabba.”You don’t want it to become Americanised and for us to be looking to the monitors to adjudicate on everything, it would take up a lot of time and you need that human element,” said Waugh.”There’s always going to be those decisions that mightn’t be the right way, but in the long run it does tend to even out.”Waugh light-heartedly suggested he knew it was time to finalise the MRF deal when No.11 Glenn McGrath was the only other player without a sponsor in the first Test.What kind of blade does he like?”People probably don’t understand it but bats pick up a certain way and they feel good in your hand in the way they lift and come down – it’s more of a feel thing,” said Waugh.”If I had to say a weight it would be two pounds, eight ounces with an oval-shaped handle.”I don’t use a round handle, which is probably unusual and I like a bit of curve in the bat, a bit of a bow.”Waugh will lead NSW in a one-dayer against Queensland at the SCG on Sunday.

Hampshire Over-50s returned tired, exhausted but boasting an unblemished five-match winning record from their 17-day Malaysian tour.The county veterans found the standard of Malay opposition generally disappointing, but the searing heat and intense energy-sapping humidity was hardly in their favour.

Hampshire Over 50s

Several players to leave the field suffering from exhaustion in matches which seldom exceeded 35-overs duration due to the heat.Hursley Park’s John Harris and Alan Wright (Liphook & Ripsley) batted consistently, with Calmore’s sprightly all-rounder Billy Sims twice producing match-winning performances with the ball.

Tour results –Royal Selangor Club 88 (Westbrook 3-22, Azor 2-13) Hampshire 89-1 (Harris 45*, Wright 33). Hampshire won by 9 wickets.Hampshire 148-9 (Harris 54, Swain 45) Kelewar District 103 (Sims 4-26, Allum 3-18, Azor 2-19). Hampshire won by 45 runs.Hampshire 141-3 (Azor 41, Swain 31, Wright 25) Silver State 117 (Sims 5-12, Prouton 2-12). Hampshire won by 24 runs.Hampshire 143-4 (Harris 64, Owen 39) Penang Sports Club 98 (Smallbone 2-4, Westbrook 2-5). Hampshire won by 45 runs.Hampshire 132-6 (Wright 45, Owen 22) RAAF Butterworth 75 (Allum 2-4, Wharton 2-4). Hampshire won by 57 runs.

Leggie Danish Kaneria limited the Bangladesh-A team to 210 in their first innings on the second day of the three-day match at BKSP. At the close the Pakistanis were 57 without loss in their 2nd innings. Earlier Bangladesh made a solid start through Mehrab Hossain and Hannan Sarkar, as the pair added 70 runs for the first wicket. The right-hander notched up 29 in his 136-minute stay before Waqar finally got him. At the other end his partner Mehrab was dealing with the Pakistani bowlers calmly. Nafiz joined him after Hannan’s fall and added more 40 runs.The Pakistani skipper struck again when he eliminated Mehrab caught by Shahdab Kabir. Bangladesh were 110 for 2 at that stage. Mehrab top scored 57 in a good innings that included six boundaries.At 134 the hosts lost their third wicket, Nafiz Iqbal, who made the fourth highest score (29). Waqar contributed to this wicket too as he grabbed the catch when Nafiz tried to lift Kaneria.Wickets then fell in quick succession as the Bangladeshi bats had no answer to Kaneria’s wiles. The hosts lost their next five wickets adding only 43 runs. Only left-handed Enamul Haque put up some resistance through his unbeaten 35 with 7 fours. Kaneria, Pakistan’s hero in Multan, captured 7 wickets in his relentless spell of 25 overs. Waqar well assisted him by taking 2 for 17 in his 15-over spell.The Pakistanis had a 102-run first innings lead. Shahdab Kabir and Taufiq Umar, both less than successful in the first innings, came to the crease. They remained unbeaten in the 19 overs Bangladesh A bowled and extended the lead to 159 runs.

Marcus North has been included in the Western Warriors squad to play the Tasmanian Tigers in a Pura Cup game in Hobart starting Friday.North was included in the team following last night’s dismissal of Brad Hogg’s appeal against a one-match suspension from the WACA’s Sunsmart League.The suspension coincides with the Western Warriors Pura Cup game against the Tasmanian Tigers and under WACA Cricket Council rules he is automatically suspended for this first-class fixture.Last night the WACA’s Appeals Board met to hear an appeal lodged by Brad Hogg of the Willetton Cricket Club against a penalty handed down by the Pennant Cricket Committee last Tuesday evening. Hogg’s penalty was a one-match suspension and one suspended match, from the WACA’s Sunsmart League.Hogg appealed against the severity of the penalty on the grounds that it resulted in severe personal hardship and was not in the best interests of WA cricket.The Appeals Board dismissed Hogg’s appeal saying that after careful deliberation, they found that Brad Hogg was unable to make a sufficient case under the Cricket Council rules to satisfy the Appeals Board.Speaking on the decision Appeals Board Chairman Tony Claydon said,”It is in the interests of WA cricket for the Cricket Council rules to be enforced and it seems equally important for the rules to be seen by all players to be enforced.”After the hearing, Brad Hogg was repentant.”In regard to this incident, I would like to apologise to my family, my team-mates, both Willetton and Western Warriors, to fellow grade players and to those who follow and support WA cricket to the fullest, especially up and coming junior Warrior cricketers striving to attain the highest levels.”The WA team to play Tasmania now reads as follows:

• Justin LANGER (Capt.)
• Jo ANGEL
• Ryan CAMPBELL
• Michael CLARK
• Murray GOODWIN
• Kade HARVEY
• Michael HUSSEY
• Simon KATICH
• Scott MEULEMAN
• Matthew NICHOLSON
• Marcus NORTH
• Brad OLDROYD

Standby – Luke RONCHILuke Ronchi has been taken to Hobart with the Western Warriors squad, on standby for Ryan Campbell. Ronchi’s inclusion in the squad is a precautionary measure in the event that Ryan Campbell is unable to take his place in the team due to his injured left thigh.Campbell suffered tightness in his left thigh late on Sunday afternoon during the Pura Cup game v the Victorian Bushrangers. As a consequence Campbell did not take the field for the remainder of the game and has since been receiving regular treatment from team Physiotherapist Ross Clifford.Ross Clifford is in Hobart with the Warriors squad and will be providing regular treatment to Campbell in the hope of Campbell making a full recovery from injury in time to play the Tigers.

Batting practice Photo © ACF

Afghanistan’s determination to consign the terror of the past three months to history is evident in the proposal of the country’s Cricket Federation to send a team to take part in this year’s Chiang Mai Sixes. The tournament, one of cricket’s most popular amateur events, runs from April 1st to 6th at the Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club.According to the tournament director, Maurice Bromley, Afghanistan’s 900-odd cricketers are keen to get back to playing as soon as possible. “They are very keen to start playing cricket again after the terrors of all that bombing in their country,” Bromley said. “All they need is some sponsorship to get them here, and a little help from the visa authorities.”

A group in training Photo © ACF

The Afghanistan Cricket Federation was founded in 1995, and consisted of 28 registered clubs at the time the war broke out. They play for most of the year on pitches varying from concrete to matting and grass. Should an Afghan team go to Chiang Mai, it would be their first tournament abroad since the bombing.The problem, however, is money. “We have played some cricket as a messenger of peace during the bombing,” said the Federation’s general manager Daud Khan. “But due to the problems, we do not have funds to play outside the country. However we have a very talented team. Therefore we must ask if you can help sponsor us. Surely it would be a great help for Afghan youth.”This year’s Chiang Mai Tournament is expected to be the biggest ever, involving 30 teams from 11 countries. It is the 15th year that the event has been held. More information can be obtained from the tournament director ([email protected]) or if you are interested in sponsoring the Afghan team, contact Daud Khan ([email protected]).

It is difficult being Stuart Carlisle these days. With Andy Flower struggling, Zimbabwe has been at the receiving end in recent Tests in the sub-continent. After being whitewashed by the Sri Lankans in the previous series, they are faced with the prospect of another rout in India. The Zimbabwean captain spoke about his team’s hopes ahead of the second Test at Delhi.What are Zimbabwe’s chances after being 1-0 down?Well, we have come here to play and are doing exactly that. We did lose the first Test but it happens. Our spirits are not down and we are hopeful that we will win this Test and square the series. We have to play well, though, and show faith in our own abilities.Have you seen the pitch?Yeah, it’s a typical slow Indian wicket. It doesn’t seem to have anything in it for the fast bowlers. In fact, I would believe it will help the spinners and could break early, as early as the third day itself. India will have the upper hand but we have to look at our options. Ray Price bowled well at Nagpur, and I would have been very happy if our main spinners had also toured this time, rather than resting at home with injuries. But, there is nothing we can do.What total will Zimbabwe be comfortable with?We have to try and get scores of around 400 in our first innings. We did that in our last tour here and need to repeat it. For that every body will have to pitch in with useful effort. But I am confident that they would do it now.Why is Zimbabwe always under pressure once Andy Flower fails to come up with big scores?Well, Zimbabwe have to learn that we cannot only depend on Andy Flower every time. Others also have to contribute and they are not doing it right now. It is the job of the batsmen to score runs and play to their own potential rather than rely on just one player.

Hemang Badani struck a well-paced run-a-ball century to propel South Zone to a 10-run win over East Zone in their Deodhar Trophy tie at Visakhapatnam’s Indira Priyadarshini Stadium on Thursday.Winning the toss, South Zone skipper Venkatesh Prasad opted to bat first. Ambati Rayudu provided some firepower at the top of the order with a 34-ball 30 that included four fours and one six. Arjun Yadav at number three made 44 off 65 balls, and it his partnership with Badani that laid the foundation for a fighting total.When Yadav were dismissed, South were 167 for three after 32.1 overs, so the final score of 261 all out in 49.3 overs may have come as something of a let-down. But Rohan Gavaskar’s left-arm spin in an incisive spell of 6.3-0-35-5 broke the back of the lower middle-order, spurring the late collapse.East Zone looked to be cruising when Shiv Sunder Das and MS Dhoni were batting well, adding 62 runs for the third wicket. But Das fell (63, 71b, 6×4) and although Dhoni made 71 (87b, 7×4, 2×6), the later batsmen could not capitalise on the start. To make matters worse, as many as four run-outs littered the East Zone innings, which finally ended on 251 in 49.1 overs.

Gloucestershire County Cricket ClubIn conjunction with ‘Bola’ and Templegate trainingOne day course in understanding and using the bowling machineDo you get the best out of the machine?Following courses to be run at the County Ground, Bristol

Sunday 9th February 10.00 am – 4.00 pmcost £15Sunday 9th March 11.30 am – 5.30 pmcost £15

A course aimed at understanding the mechanics of the machine and the health and safety involved in using the machine, getting the best out of the machine and its uses in the club situation.For details contact Lizzie Allen on 0117 9108015

An MCC squad will leave London tomorrow morning (Saturday 15th March) to play cricket in Nepal.Travelling via Delhi, the squad will arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday evening. After two days of acclimatisation, practice and coaching, MCC will play its first match on Wednesday 19th March, against a Nepal Select XI.The tour will culminate, five days later, in a 50-over match between MCC and Nepal.MCC’s party includes Iqbal Sikander (the former Pakistan player) and John Hampshire (umpire), and will be managed by Colin Maber.In common with other MCC tours, the trip has been planned in conjunction with the International Cricket Council with the twin aims of increasing international interest in cricket and enabling the host country to assess the extent of its recent cricketing progress.Commenting on the trip, MCC’s Head of Cricket, Tony Dodemaide, said:

“MCC is delighted to have this opportunity to play and promote cricket in Nepal. We’re looking forward to all four matches – including the game against Nepal’s national side.It will play an important part in developing cricket in the country.The trip shows the range and scale of our touring programme. Indeed, only last week, an MCC squad completed a successful tour of Papua New Guinea. Tomorrow, it will start the second leg of its two-stage tour, with the first of six fixtures in Fiji”.

The fixtures on the Nepal tour are:

Wednesday 19th March Nepal Select XI vs MCCThursday 20th March Nepal U-19s vs MCCSaturday 22nd March Nepal Select XI vs MCCMonday 24th March Nepal vs MCC

All four matches will be played at the University Stadium in Tribhuvan.The tour will include receptions hosted by the Nepalese Cricket Association and the British Embassy.Future MCC tours will include trips to Belize (June) and Greece (September).