Members of the South African Cricket World Cup squad are meeting theirsupporters and doing signing sessions around the country before and duringthe ICC Cricket World Cup to give the players an opportunity to chat totheir fans and to sign autographs.Cape Town fans can come and meet the whole South African Cricket World CupSquad at the V&A Waterfront on Sunday 2 February to chat to them and wishthem luck for the ICC Cricket World Cup. Supporters may being any items fortheir cricket heroes to sign, but will be limited to two items per person.When: Sunday 2 February 20032:30pm to 4pmWhere: V&A Waterfront (amphitheatre)Johannesburg fans will have a similar opportunity at Eastgate ShoppingCentre on Thursday 13 February at 2.30pm to 4pm.

The first week of the 2003 World Cup has gone by after causing agreat deal of heartache for a lot of people. The biggest surprisewas South Africa losing twice. And if the double blow was not badenough for the host nation, they have lost Jonty Rhodes to aninjury while Allan Donald seems to be struggling in his finalhurrah.

Talking of Donald, another great cricketer who was looking tosign off in style by winning the World Cup, Shane Warne, hassadly been forced to fly back home after failing a drugs test. I,for one, was looking forward to seeing the blonde bombshell takeon the world’s best batsmen. Arguably the best spin bowler of hisera, Warne’s loss to diuretics has taken some sheen off the WorldCup. He would definitely have played a major role in the latterstages of the tournament when the tracks were expected to takeincreasing turn.Despite Warne’s loss, the popular wisdom is that Australia willgo all the way and win the coveted Cup. But I still have mydoubts regarding their batting. In the game against Pakistan,they probably got away because Waqar Younis failed to apply morepressure when his team had their opponents on the mat. As for thegame against India, Australia did not even have to bat for morethan 20 odd overs.All credit, though, to Andrew Symonds for playing such a superbinnings under pressure against Pakistan. Despite this, I,however, still feel that the Australian middle-order might justcave in during an important game. That is when they would sorelymiss the experience of Steve Waugh, their saviour on moreoccasions than one. Remember, that in the previous World Cup, itwas two great efforts – one by Steve Waugh and the other abrilliant spell from Warne – that took Australia to the covetedtrophy.Brian Lara’s brilliant comeback has, meanwhile, revitalised theWest Indies’ World Cup ambitions. No team can under-estimate thebatting strength of the men from the caribbean, but it is their bowling that looks a bit weak with the part-timers having to chip in with 20 overs.This will leave them exposed against a strong batting side.India’s performance thus far in this World Cup has been dismal. Their batting looks woefully short of confidence, and sadly the message that is being communicated by the body language of the senior players does not make for happy reading.That said, I am deeply saddened by the violent reaction of somefans in India; such mindless acts will only have a negativeeffect on the team. It brings to mind the sad scenes towards theend of the 1996 World Cup semi-final game against Sri Lanka atKolkata. No matter what, violence is certainly not the solutionto any problem.

I feel for the passionate fans of this wonderful game, who feelhurt and let down by the performance of the Indian team. Theunhealthy extent to which the media and the commercial folks havehyped up the game is beginning to prove detrimental now. If thetrend continues, Indian cricket is in real danger of sufferingthe fate of the proverbial golden goose.Having said that, the Indian cricket team and the management, inparticular, deserve all the criticism that is coming their way.The voices that are coming out of the Indian camp provides littlereassurance. If the team management can’t really make out what isgoing wrong with the players, then it is a serious problem thatthe BCCI has to address as soon as possible.I do not doubt the talent and ability of the Indian cricketers,may it be Sourav Ganguly or Mohamad Kaif. These guys have provedto us in the past that they have it in them to do well and wingames for India. With this being the case, I feel that if theforeign coach, sports psychologist, and the computer analyst workdiligently, the players wouldn’t be left feeling as clueless.When it comes to giving advice, I can, for starters, tell our batsmenthis – they need to work hard on their footwork! I am amazed thatsomeone like Rahul Dravid looks so stiff and immobile at thecrease. The same is the case with most of the other players -their feet are not going anywhere, and they have been playingaway from the body, a cardinal sin as far as any top-notch batsman is concerned. All said, my best wishes are still with the Indian team. They nowhave to win the next game against Zimbabwe, though I cannot help but shudder at the very thought of it possibly being a green top at Harare.New Zealand is one team I expect to be in the World Cup final.They have in Chris Cairns a quality all-rounder who can win agame on his own. He will certainly bowl more in the coming gamesand that will add a definite edge to their cricket.

When it comes to their skipper, Sourav Ganguly should try tolearn something from Stephen Fleming. It was a few tacticalblunders by the Kiwi captain that lost his team their openinggame against Sri Lanka. I wouldn’t have expected Fleming to dropVettori, and even decide to bowl first against Sri Lanka. Themistake was made, the game was lost, and New Zealand got off to apoor start. But importantly they did not give up.Fleming and his boys were not willing to let their heads drop,even when South Africa scored 306 against them. Had not rainintervened, I am certain that New Zealand would have scored allthe runs needed to win the game. Fleming led from the front,played a knock that was simply surreal, and took New Zealand tovictory. Indeed, he richly deserves the title – Captain Marvel.This World Cup has gotten off to a stunning start, breaking a lotof hearts and yet providing joy to millions of fans around theworld. The quality of cricket too has been excellent. As we headinto the second week, Australia are at their dominant best. SouthAfrica, meanwhile, are continuing to choke. As for India, theymust play for their life in the remaining games. But when itcomes to picking the team that would go the distance, New Zealandstill remain my favourites.

LAHORE, March 13: Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has levelled corruption allegations against some senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and demanded of President Pervez Musharraf to change the present set up.Addressing a Press conference here on Thursday Sarfraz said that the Pakistan team had been tasting defeats regularly fromthe home series against England to the World Cup-2003 and now there was no justification for General Tauqir Zia to head the PCB.Sarfraz claimed that he had brought it to the notice of the PCB chairman some incidents of corruption in PCB, two years back but no action had yet been taken by him.He alleged that the National Academy building in Lahore had been completed at a cost of Rs 600 million which should be around Rs 300 million. He went on to say that according to laws, any national project exceeding Rs 500 million should get an approval from NAB which was not sought for the academy. He also said that NAB should investigate the TV rights deal of 40.5 million dollars recently signed between PCB and Taj Company.He said that PCB chairman had changed the name of inquiry committee as review committee which was formed by the board to present its report on the debacle of the Pakistan team in the World Cup-2003.He said that Aaqib Javed, one of the members of the committee, had said that Wasim and Waqar were his favourite bowlers. How could he give his recommendation against them.He asked why the three foreign coaches of the team, Richard Pybus, Dennis Waight and Daryl Foster were not asked to appear before the review committee.He suggested that Moin Khan should be named as next captain of the team.

Somerset ended the second day of their opening first class fixture of the season against Loughborough UCCE at Taunton in a commanding position.By close of play the Cidermen had moved onto 160 without loss in their second innings, with Rob Turner unbeaten on 84 and Peter Bowler on 73, a lead of 228 over the visitors.Earlier the students had declared at teatime on 345 for 8, after a good batting performance with Jimmy Adams top scoring on 107.Ian Blackwell was the pick of the Somerset bowlers, coming on just before lunch he bowled until the close of the innings by which time he had the impressive figures of 27.4 overs,11 maidens, 5 wickets for 65 runs.After play new skipper Mike Burns told me: "It’s been a good day for us. It was good to see Ian Blackwell getting wickets in his first bowl here this season, and Simon Francis and Richard Johnson also bowled well for us on a very flat wicket. Rob Turner and Peter Bowler then batted well for us at the end.”Looking forward to tomorrow he said: ” We will have to see what happens with the weather before deciding what to do tomorrow but I hope that we can put our bowlers under a bit of pressure later on."

Bangladesh teetered on the brink of yet another innings defeat, after collapsing in the morning session for 102. They fought better after following on, but at the end of the third day’s play, still needed 24 runs to make South Africa bat again, with just two wickets in hand. They lost 18 wickets in a day that epitomized their fragility perfectly.South Africa repeatedly snapped promising partnerships to ensure that Bangladesh’s cause stayed hopeless. Six Bangladesh batsmen went past 20 in the second innings; none had the temperament or maturity to consolidate on their start and play a long innings.It was similar to the first innings, when Bangladesh lost ten wickets in the morning session. Mehrab Hossain and Javed Omar put on 22 for the first wicket – the highest stand of the innings – before Hossain (8) nicked a legcutter from Shaun Pollock for Graeme Smith to catch at second slip (22 for 1). It started a shameful procession, and the remaining nine wickets tumbled in a heap for 80 runs.Pollock (2 for 21) and Makhaya Ntini (3 for 32) caused the early damage. Both bent their backs to squeeze some life out of a low and slow pitch, with Pollock in particular generating a surprising degree of seam movement in his six-over spell.Putting up stiffer resistance after lunch, in the second innings, Hossain and Omar played sensibly for over an hour to put on 46 for the first wicket.But with habitual carelessness, Bangladesh undid the good work. South Africa were gifted the first breakthrough when Hossain (16) was run out. Omar (27) departed without a run being added. The floodgates opened.In a spin-dominated attack after tea, Robin Peterson struck in successive overs to hasten Bangladesh’s end. He took the wickets of Habibul Bashar (33) and Khaled Mahmud (0), as Bangladesh lurched to 139 for 6.Spurts of strokeplay enlivened the evening session but defied logic. Surviving the day increased the possibility of rain rescuing Bangladesh. But the urge to entertain took precedence over basic common sense.Akram Khan’s cameo was a typical example. He struck five hefty boundaries, including three successive fours off Ntini. But he reacted late to a short, vicious ball in the same over and could only fend it off to Jacques Rudolph at short leg (119 for 4). Khan (23) was Ntini’s hundredth Test victim.So, for only the fourth time in ten Tests since the start of 2002, Bangladesh reached the fourth day. They were helped by rain along the way, which remains their only hope now. But surely even the weather gods have their limits.

Dropped catches cost Minor Counties dearly, together with some wayward seam bowling on a pitch of variable bounce and slow pace, enabling Northants to score 271 for 8 in their 50 overs. Chris Brown was again on top form, taking 2-13 from his 10 overs.This was always going to be a stiff target especially when Howitt was caught at cover off his first ball. Adshead and Dawson batted aggressively, adding 54 for the second wicket in just 6 overs. Trower again showed his class and together with Mann proceeded to keep up with the clock. When Trower(45) was well held driving uppishly to fly gully and Mann(29) spooned a catch to extra cover, the target proved out of reach, in spite of some determined batting from Brown(30) and Kidner.

Javed Miandad has finally signed a contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board, more than 11 weeks after taking over for his fourth stint as national coach.The contract, reported to be worth R10 million (US$175,000) per annum, was signed on the eve of the Pakistan team’s departure for their short tour of England.Miandad had delayed agreeing the new deal while issues regarding salary and perks were sorted out. "He was not pushed to sign the contract," a PCB spokesman told the local News newspaper. "He knew whenever he did sign it the contract would be valid from the date he took over as Pakistan coach and he would receive all backdated payments.”

New Zealander Neal Parlane and Damian Shirazi set a new record opening partnership as BAT Sports posted the highest-ever ECB Southern Electric Premier League total of 330-4 against South Wilts at Bemerton.But the Division 1 leaders were unable to eke out a victory as South Wilts, who had won the toss and fielded in scorching heat for almost four hours, clung on for a draw at 217-9, with their last pair at the crease for the final seven overs.The 17 points BAT took from their match domination kept them comfortably ahead of defending champions Havant, who thrashed neighbours Portsmouth by nine wickets, and Bournemouth, who climbed into third spot with an eight-wicket win at Liphook."We were a bit disappointed not to have won, having backed ourselves to bowl South Wilts out in 60 overs. But we were dam close to doing it," said skipper Richard Dibden."We batted positively and played South Wilts out of the game, and made it into a `two result’ outcome."It didn’t quite work out, but all credit to South Wilts for battling it out."The 249-run first wicket stand between Parlane and Shirazi shattered the previous highest opening partnership set by Brian White and Ted Cosway, ironically for South Wilts, in the old Southern League at Alton 20 years ago.And White was among the sun-drenched spectators at Bemerton to see his record disappear, modestly acknowledging his surprise that it had taken two openers so long to break it !The pair gave only one chance – Russell Rowe, in an unfamiliar (and rather uncomfortable) wicketkeeping role, fluffing a regulation catch behind before Sharazi had barely got into double figures.That one ball apart, the partnership oozed quality with Parlane, in particular, in awesome touch.The Kiwi, who plays First Class cricket alongside Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming for Wellington, missed out on a century when he was dismissed for 92 by Liphook last week.But one straight six back over Alex Senneck’s head in the third over and an awesome pull over the deep mid-wicket boundary in the fifth signalled his intention not to miss out again.He had his century in the bag by lunch – his chanceless ton taking 95 balls and containing three sixes and 14 fours.At the break, BAT were 181 without loss, with Parlane 103 not out and Shirazi undefeated on 73."I came in at lunch thinking I’d been a policeman on traffic point duty, just watching the ball being routed all around the ground," reflected Paul Draper, standing in for broken collar bone victim Rob Wade."Parlane was in such good nick he was almost able to nominate where he was going to place the ball for runs."His innings was superb – as good as I’ve seen in club cricket," he praised.There was little respite for the South Wilts fielders after lunch as Parlane and Shirazi (98) set a new 249-run opening partnership that eventually ended when the run-happy MCC YC’s left-hander appeared to lose his balance and offered up a catch to a grateful Jamie Glasson at mid-wicket.Parlane got to his 150, which included 20 fours, before being caught in the deep at 268-2.But Richard Kenway, who learned of younger brother Derek’s century for Hampshire (115 against Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl) as he waited a patient three hours for a knock, made up for lost time with a breezy 59 not out as BAT raced on to a Premier 1 record total of 330-4.South Wilts got off to the worst possible start, losing Jamie Glasson minutes after coming in from a near four-hour baking in the hot sun.By tea, they were 17-3, with the left-arm swing of Dan Goldstraw accounting for Tom Caines (12) and Dan Webb in consecutive deliveries.At one stage, Goldstraw, who was to finish with 5-69, employed eight outfielders behind the bat, with only James Schofield (at short-leg) in front !Former Hampshire player Jason Laney, 31 not out at tea, found a reliable partner in the slightly unorthodox Colin Perry (30), but they lifted the total to 81 before Goldstraw stuck a fourth blow.Draper and Rowe too perished before Laney (57), at 154-7, made too much room and was bowled by Terry Rawlins. It appeared South Wilts might sink with all hands.But the lower-order made BAT work hard for their successes on a batsman-friendly surface, none more so than Simon Woodhouse, who remained entrenched until the end.Dibden (2-35) teased out Senneck (18) and when Goldstraw had teenage debutant Lysander Wolfe caught behind, South Wilts still had seven overs to last out.But with Woodhouse comfortably pushing his score to 49 and Australian medium-paceman Jim Seeary holding his end up, South Wilts survived for a creditable draw at 217-9."Overall, it was an extremely competitive game, played in the right spirit," Draper concluded.

The BCCI is toying with the idea of inviting Sri Lanka to tour India early next year, in order to meet its contractual obligations to Doordarshan, the national broadcaster.According to a report on rediff.com, the BCCI’s agreement with Doordarshan stipulates at least 27 days of international cricket on home soil in a season. India’s engagements for 2003-04 allow for only 20 days, inclusive of two Tests against New Zealand, and a triangular series also involving Australia. Unless the BCCI can find seven days from somewhere, they stand to lose about Rs 460 million – the last installment of their deal with Doordarshan, which expires in April 2004.Doordarshan clinched the contract, beating off competition from the likes of Sony Entertainment Television, in 1999, anticipating more matches between India and Pakistan in the wake of Pakistan’s tour of India earlier that year. The Kargil conflict put paid to those hopes.According to KS Sarma, CEO of Prasar Bharti, “BCCI this year hasn’t been able to fulfill its quota of 27 days of international cricket because the scheduled trip of Pakistan to India didn’t materialize.”Discussions are on to facilitate a tour of Pakistan early next year, but the BCCI’s contractual bind means that they might well sacrifice that in order to accomodate a touring side.India return from their tour of Australia only in February 2004, when Sri Lanka are scheduled to host the Aussies. With the international calendar so tightly packed, it’s difficult to see where a tour could fit in. That said, unless Sri Lanka or Bangladesh – very much the last resort – oblige, the BCCI could be kissing a lot of money goodbye.

All Today’s Yesterdays – August 17 down the yearsAugust 16 | August 181976
One of the most extraordinary pieces of sustained fast bowling ended with Michael Holding becoming the only West Indian to take 14 wickets in a Test. On an Oval pitch known as a graveyard for pace bowlers, he twice clean-bowled the England captain Tony Greig, who had suggested before the series that West Indies might “grovel”. Holding lived up his nickname of Whispering Death by taking 8 for 92 and 6 for 57 to wrap up a 3-0 series win.1972
Birth of Habibul Bashar, the one Bangladesh batsman who has held his own in international cricket. He started off by stroking 71 and 30 in his country’s debut match, against India at Dhaka in 2000-01, and then made 64 and 76 against Zimbabwe at Harare later in the same season. He has performed well against tougher opposition too, scoring 141 runs in the two-Test series in Australia. Bashar is also the only Bangladesh batsman to score fifties in each innings of a Test on three occasions.1964
One of the best and most unforgettable opening batsmen scored the first of his 22 Test centuries. Geoff Boycott was still wearing glasses when he made 113 at The Oval against such high-class pace bowlers as Graham McKenzie and Neil Hawke. Australia retained the Ashes when rain washed out the last day.1946
After making 128, then the highest score for India in a Test in England, classy opening batsman Vijay Merchant was run out by Denis Compton, who played for Arsenal when they won the 1950 FA Cup final. Like the skilful winger he was, Compo ran Merchant out by kicking the ball onto the stumps.1878
Hard-hitting Australian batsman Reggie Duff was born. When rain fell on his Test debut, against England at Melbourne in 1901-02, he was held back until the pitch improved – then made 104, the first century by a No. 10 batsman in Test cricket. Australia’s win levelled the series. After that hundred in his first Test, he scored another in his last, top-scoring with 146 at The Oval in 1905.1880
One of South Africa’s best wicketkeeper-captains was born. Percy Sherwell’s nine stumpings against Australia in 1910-11 equalled a series record that still stands. He captained his country in every one of his 13 matches – and his only Test century was a real captain’s innings. He promoted himself to open the innings at Lord’s in 1907 – then hit 115 to save a match in which South Africa had followed on. He captained them to their first win over England, at Johannesburg in 1905-06, when he came in at No. 11 to score 22 and help snatch the match by one wicket.1922
Lancashire offspinner Roy Tattersall was born. Although the considerable shadow of Jim Laker limited his Test appearances, he had his moments, sharing a matchwinning stand with Reg Simpson at Melbourne in 1950-51 and taking 7 for 52 and 5 for 49 to beat South Africa at Lord’s in 1951. In all, he took 58 wickets in his 16 Tests.1924
Very few slow left-armers have played for Australia – although ironically the first played in the very first Test match. Tom Kendall, who died on this day, was the first bowler to take seven wickets in a Test innings. In that inaugural match, at Melbourne in 1876-77, his 7 for 55 helped beat England by 45 runs. He also took six wickets in the next Test, the following month, but couldn’t stop England winning by four wickets and wasn’t capped again.