England’s cricket authorities are being forced to walk a tightrope to avoid being sucked into a political storm over the World Cup match scheduled to be played in Harare against Zimbabwe on February 13th. Nevertheless, with senior government figures realising that once again sport can be used for political ends, the dangers for cricket become all too obvious.While there is growing international outrage at the policies and behaviour of Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, no attempt was made to stop England playing a series of one-day internationals in the country as recently as last year. Now, however, politicians appreciate that an event with the profile of the World Cup offers a far more prominent stage on which to make a statement.Aware of the problems, the ICC sent a fact-finding delegation to Zimbabwe, including the countries that are scheduled to play World Cup matches there. The result was that they all signed up to continue with arrangements as they stood on the grounds of safety and security with the proviso that the ICC would monitor the situation in case of any deterioration.The chief executive of the ICC, Malcolm Speed, has reiterated that those circumstances remain, despite increased political activity in the UK."We’ve talked to the ECB about this," he said. "The decision is that if England doesn’t play because of political considerations, they will not receive any points from that match, in effect they will forfeit that match. If the situation deteriorated and it was unsafe for England to play, the points will be shared."I don’t see it so much as a moral dilemma. A decision has been taken by the ICC board that the only factor to take into account is safety. We’ve done that, we’ve assessed the situation in Zimbabwe with regards safety and we’ve resolved to move forward."There have been a number of comments from members of the British government. What we’ve said consistently is that it’s up to the politicians to make political decisions, we make our decisions based on sporting factors and we’ve done that."We’ve made our decision and the ECB have said, that from England’sperspective, they will abide by that decision, so hopefully we can move forward."We can only make our decision based on cricketing considerations and sporting considerations. We have 84 member countries that come under all sorts of political regimes. We’re aware of the political difficulties, we’re aware of the economic difficulties, but they’re factors that we don’t take into account."Speed’s comments come after Downing Street and the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, commented on remarks made by Clare Short, the International Development Secretary. She said that England should refuse to play in Harare, adding that a decision to go would be "deplorable and shocking.""An election has been stolen and people are being starved because they dared to vote freely," she said. "I think they should not go. It is like pretending everything is OK in Zimbabwe and it is not."A spokesman from Number 10 said: "We have no power to order a teamnot to go. It is up to them but our advice is that they should not go."A statement from the Foreign Office explained Mr Straw’s view. “While it is not for us to tell the International Cricket Council or the England and Wales Cricket Board what to do, it is Mr Straw’s personal view that it would be better if England didn’t go.”We ask the cricketing authorities to reflect on the humanitarian and political crisis that is happening in Zimbabwe and the fact that the situation could deteriorate over the coming weeks.”Interestingly, chairman of the England selectors, David Graveney, has stated that he would refuse to go if he was asked to play in Zimbabwe. This is even though he managed a rebel tour to South Africa during the apartheid years.The chief executive of the ECB, Tim Lamb, has made his stance quite clear. “We don’t believe it’s our position as a sporting body to make political judgements about the appropriateness of regimes in host countries for playing cricket.”Cricket is a soft target and is being treated differently to the 300 other businesses which continue to trade with Zimbabwe which ministers aren’t discouraging. There are some double standards here.”Writing on the subject in his Sunday Telegraph diary, England captain Nasser Hussain takes a line that would not disgrace professional politicians. “It must be right that the decision is made at a higher level than sport, by a government body."Even if it means that England will forfeit points by not playing inZimbabwe, that would be willingly done if the Government believes it right that England should not play."Cricket, and qualifying for the Super Six stage of the World Cup, comes a long way down the list of what is important, especially compared with people starving."Such a government body was needed last winter, it is needed now and it will be needed again as there are sure to be similar situations which come up in future."

Former Hampshire opening batsman, Tony Middleton, has been appointed by the England and Wales Cricket Board as Hampshire Cricket’s Academy Director.

The 38-year-old from Winchester was among ten applicants, some of them from overseas. Middleton played for Hampshire in two winning one-day finals at Lord’s before retiring in 1995. Hampshire have financed the Academy since it was launched in September 1998 but will now receive a £50,000 annual licence fee from the ECB and Sport England.”The support and guidance from the ECB and a network of County Academies will allow us to expand and improve the quality of our Academy students’ programme.” said Middleton.Having run the Academy since it opened, he is responsible for player recruitment and will oversee the entire development of players aged 13-18. Last season, when he also coached Hampshire’s second XI, his Academy side gained promotion to the Southern Premier League’s top flight.Two highly-rated young Hampshire first teamers, Chris Tremlett and John Francis, graduated from the Academy and there are currently six players in the Academy, half of whom live outside the county, who are all considered to be potential first-class cricketers. The extra funding allows for the programme to be extended to accommodate up to 12 players.”Tony Middleton is highly respected, not only as a coach but as an individual,” says Tim Tremlett, Hampshire’s Director of Cricket. “He had Hampshire’s interests very much at heart and will be able to carry out the ECB’s mission statement of taking young cricketers from the playground to the Test match arena.”Tony Middleton made his Hampshire debut in 1984, but his best season came eight years later when he scored nearly 2,000 runs in first-class cricket, including six centuries. He was chosen for that winter’s England ‘A’ tour to Australia.

England’s women have secured a first innings victory against Australiawomen’s Youth XI by 71 runs at The Alan Border Oval, Brisbane, today.In a two-day warm-up match before the first Women’s Ashes Test match, whichstarts on Saturday 15th February, England posted 202 batting first andbowled out Australia Youth for 131. England had then reached 44-2 in thesecond innings, before Captain, Clare Connor, finished the game.Newcomer, Lydia Greenway, scored the majority of England’s runs reaching 88on her full England debut. Lydia flew to Brisbane as a late call-up onMonday having performed well in the recent women’s U19 tour to Australia,which saw England dominate the ACB’s U19 state competition and win six gamesfrom six. Playing with confidence, Lydia admitted, “I had a good tour herewith the U19s and I really enjoyed this match too. I felt very comfortableand it was good to play some shots. Hopefully, I’ll get the chance to stepup and face the Australia senior team”.But, fellow England U19 player, Laura Harper, secured the Player of theMatch award, taking 5-30 from 19 overs to dispatch Australia Youth’s middleorder, who didn’t ever threaten the England total.England Captain, Clare Connor, said. “This was excellent preparation for thefirst Test match and it’s always great to beat any Australia side inAustralia. I’m sure the Australia senior team will be more competitive, butthe experience has been good for some of our young players like Lydia andLaura who have an essence of the longer form of the game. It was a verydisciplined performance which is what we’ll need to repeat at The Gabba”.Harper was assisted in England’s bowling attack by the experience of ClareTaylor, who returned figures of 1-12 from 12 overs, and is continuing tobowl with great economy on this tour. The highlight of England’sperformance was the fielding, with all but two of the Australia wicketsfalling to catches, and Sharon Millantra was run out with an exceptionallysharp return from Dawn Holden.England have now won three matches in a row, beating India twice at the endof the World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand, to finish third in thatcompetition.The two Ashes Test Matches are at The Gabba, Brisbane from Saturday 15th -Tuesday 18th and The Bankstown Oval from 22nd-25th February.

ADELAIDE, March 5 AAP – South Australia’s cricketers will aim to end coach Greg Chappell’s five seasons at the helm on a rare high note in the Pura Cup match against Tasmania starting here tomorrow.Chappell had a magnificent playing career as an Australian batsman and captain through the 1970s and 1980s, scoring 7,110 runs at an average of 53.86 in his 87 Test matches.But his stint in charge of the Redbacks, which he will retire from after the four-day match against the Tigers, has been far less productive.SA has finished in the bottom half of the Pura Cup table in each season in which Chappell has been in charge, and has not made a final of the one-day competition.This season, the Redbacks finished last in the ING Cup and were incapable of finishing higher than fourth in the Pura Cup heading into tomorrow’s match.But skipper Greg Blewett said today Chappell did not deserve to bear the brunt of the blame for the results, and players were keen to send him off with a victory against the Tigers.”We haven’t won anything over those five years and I don’t think that’s any reflection on (Chappell),” Blewett told reporters.”His enthusiasm has been excellent throughout the five years even though we have gone through some tough times.”We certainly owe it to (Chappell) and to ourselves, I suppose.”If we do finish off on a good note that would be fantastic, mainly for the guys, but also for (Chappell), it would be nice to send him off with a win.”Chappell said he had mixed emotions heading into his final match as coach.”There’s a little bit of sadness but a lot of excitement as well, it’s the end of one chapter and the start of another one,” he said.”It would be nice to finish on a high note if the boys can have a win here for our final game of the season.”He said he was not the best person to judge how successful he had been as a coach, but believed his impact on individual players was a more important measure than results.”It would have been nice to have won a title, and we went close to playing some one-day finals over that time, and I think we probably should have won a one-day title over that period, but that’s not the ultimate,” Chappell said.”It’s the ultimate in certain areas and certain ways, statistically that’s nice to do, but I think the overall development of the guys as players and as people is probably more important.”SA has made only one change to the side that was thrashed outright by the Tigers in Hobart last week, with all-rounder Mick Miller out with a foot injury, replaced by untried paceman Trent Kelly.Damien Wright and Adam Griffith return from injury into Tasmania’s 13-man squad.Squads:SA: Greg Blewett (captain), Ben Johnson, Mark Cleary, Graham Manou, Mark Cosgrove, Shane Deitz, Paul Rofe, David Fitzgerald, Shaun Tait, Mark Higgs, Brad Young, Trent Kelly. (12th man to be named).Tasmania: Jamie Cox (captain), Sean Clingeleffer, Michael Dighton, Michael Divenuto, Xavier Doherty, Andrew Downton, Adam Griffith, Adam Polkinghorne, Daniel Marsh, Scott Mason, Chris Bassano, Gerard Denton, Damien Wright. (12th and 13th men to be named)

Now there is no doubt that Australia are the true world champions in cricket just as Brazil are in football. The only question now concerns which team rank at number two.Australia defeated every team by comprehensive margins and even the ICC’s number two ranked team, South Africa, suffered humiliating defeat by not even getting to the Super Six.Going back to the football analogy, Brazil have won five World Cupswhile Australia have now won three cricket World Cups. In the 2002 FIFAWorld Cup, Brazil won seven consecutive matches while Australia won 11 successivematches in the 2003 ICC World Cup.Besides Australia, the West Indies (1975 and 1979), India (1983), Pakistan (1992) and Sri Lanka (1996) won World Cups. During 2003 World Cup, Australia comprehensively defeated former World Champions Pakistan,India and Sri Lanka while the fourth former world champions, West Indies, failedto qualify for the Super Six stage and so avoided defeat by Australia.It is interesting that Australia amassed more than 300 runs against the best bowlingattacks of Pakistan (310), India (359) & Sri Lanka (319) and they also scored 301 runs against Namibia, while no team scored more than 250 against them. The highest against Australia came from Zimbabwe with 246 runs.Just look at the records they amassed in the final. Their total of 359 is the highest innings total and 140 not out by Ricky Ponting is the highest individual innings in the final. It is only the fourth century in a World Cup final and the second by a captain, the other century-makers being Clive Lloyd (102) – captain in 1975, Vivian Richards (138) in 1979 and Aravinda de Silva (107) in 1996.It is more interesting that the runners-up, India, took only three Australian wickets for 485 runs while Australia captured 20 Indian wickets for only 369 runs in the two World Cup matches they played against one another in South Africa.To confirm their superiority, the Australians are unbeaten in 18 World Cup matches – a record going back to 23rd May, 1999 when Pakistan recorded a ten-run victory over them at Leeds. It is also 17 one-day internationals since Australia were beaten in this form of cricket.Australia won three World Cups on different continents – Asia (1987), Europe (1999) & Africa (2003). In football Brazil are the only team who have won World Cups in different continents – Europe, Asia and America.There is no doubt that the two best teams (Australia and India) played the final of ICC World Cup 2003, but Australia were far superior to the other 13 participants in the competition. I think that, compared with the two finalists, the other 12 teams played mediocre cricket in this eighth World Cup.

LAHORE, April 3: Trials for the selection of the Pakistan women’s cricket team will be held at six centres between April 8 and May 2. The selected national team will take part in the qualifying rounds of the IWCC Trophy to be played in Holland this July.Former Pakistan captain and ex-chairman of selection committee Imtiaz Ahmad and former Test all-rounder Ijaz Faqih will conduct the trials as selectors.According to the schedule, the process of trials will commence from Gaddafi Stadium when two-day trials will beheld on April 8 and 9. The selectors will then proceed to Peshawar where the trials will take place on April 15 and 16 at Peshawar Gymkhana Cricket Ground.National Stadium, Karachi is the next venue of the trials where it will be held on April 22 and 23. In Quetta the trials will be staged at Shola ground on April 25 and 26, followed by Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on April 29 and 30.The round of trials will be conducted at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on May 1 and 2.Women cricketing affairs has come under the governance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after receiving recommendations of the scrutiny committee conveyed by the PCB chairman under the orders of the Honourable High Court.

New Zealand clinched a nailbiting nine-run win against Sri Lanka in another low-scoring thriller, thanks to a career-best bowling performance from Daniel Vettori, to cement their place in the final of this Bank Alfalah Cup. Chasing a moderate 157 for victory, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 147 in the last over of the innings.Sri Lanka, who now have to keep their fingers crossed and hope that New Zealand beat Pakistan tomorrow, were left kicking themselves for letting Brendon McCullum clobber 47 crucial runs in the last five overs of the New Zealand innings.McCullum’s onslaught turned a substandard total into an eminently defendable score on a pitch that has favoured the bowlers – both fast bowlers and spinners – throughout the first five matches played.Nevertheless, Sri Lanka would have expected to chase down the target. The key to the innings was seeing off Vettori, who was always expected to turn the ball at right angles on the dusty surface. They failed miserably in that task as Vettori took 4 for 14 from his ten overs – his best ever figures in one-day intenational cricket.Sri Lanka started well enough, with Romesh Kaluwitharana setting off like a man trying to catch the early afternoon safari bus from the team’s Habarana hotel. However, when Kyle Mills was whipped out of the attack, having conceded 24 runs in two overs, Andre Adams brushed Kaluwitharana’s glove with a leg-side bouncer (28 for 1).Sanath Jayasuriya was unusually circumspect, facing 28 balls for his 9 runs, before being caught behind off Tuffey, beaten by a delivery that angled across (43 for 2).Vettori, introduced in the 17th over, wasted no time before making his mark, bowling Kumar Sangakkara through the gate with his first delivery. An over later, he grabbed the prize wicket of Atapattu, who lobbed up a simple catch to Matt Horne at extra cover (63 for 4).Vettori was pulled out of the attack after just these two overs, but Sri Lanka proved more comfortable against the medium pacers. Vettori’s reintroduction spelled the end of Tillakaratne Dilshan, who edged a straightforward chance to slip (79 for 5).Mills found the outside edge of Chaminda Vaas’s bat in his second spell and Kumar Dharmasena was caught behind off Chris Harris, as Sri Lanka tottered to 101 for 7.Jayawardene and Kaushal Lokuarachchi inched slowly towards the target, adding 20 in 58 balls, but New Zealand kept striking whenever the initiative started to swing.Scott Styris trapped Lokuarachchi leg-before with an inswinger and, after the addition of another 14 runs, Muttiah Muralitharan couldn’t resist trying to launch Vettori into the grandstand (136 for 9).Prabath Nissanka plodded to the crease with 21 runs needed off 31 balls. He appeared calm – so calm that he played out a maiden in the penultimate over of the innings to leave Jayawardene needing 10 from the last six balls.Jayawardene, who scored just one boundary in his 102-ball 38, gambled on Styris’s first ball, trying to reach the unprotected off-side boundary with a reverse sweep. He top-edged a catch to backward point.Earlier, after slumping to 88 for 6, New Zealand’s victory hopes were kept alive by McCullum and Mills who added 50 runs for the seventh wicket. McCullum top-scored with 47 from 63 balls, a knock that included three sixes and two fours.New Zealand had been under the hammer right from the time Atapattu won the toss and decided to bowl first – a gamble considering the manner in which the pitch was always likely to break up in the second innings – but McCullum swung New Zealand back into the game.New Zealand lost regular wickets. Not a clatter of them like in the first match between the two sides, when New Zealand had slumped to 18 for 3, but a slow drip that stopped budding partnerships. It didn’t help that two out of New Zealand’s top seven were runout after wasteful mix-ups.Once again, it was Muralitharan who dominated the bowling. Muralitharan, who broke through in the first over of his first and second spell, finished with 2 for 41 from his 10 overs. He has now taken 13 wickets in the tournament. Jayasuriya was also effective with his left-arm spin, taking 2 for 35 from nine overs.

The Reverend Wes Hall will step down from his role as president of the West Indies Cricket Board on health grounds within the next few days, according to a report in yesterday’s Barbados-based Sunday Sun newspaper.Hall is understood to have advised all the various members of the board of his decision, and the timing of his decision means that a new president can be chosen at the board’s AGM in Dominica next month.Hall, 65, took over in July 2001 at a time West Indies cricket was suffering from infighting. His predecessor, Pat Rousseau, had resigned following a decision to reinstate team manager, Ricky Skerritt, who had been fired.In his two years at the helm, Hall was instrumental in getting the 2007 World Cup awarded to the Caribbean.It is unclear who will emerge as Hall’s likely successor. Val Banks, the current WICB vice-president, is not thought to be interested. Some reports have indicated that Tony Marshall, a former president of the Barbados Cricket Association and a WICB director, might throw his hat into the ring.

Sussex are in talks with Mushtaq Ahmed to extend his contract with the county beyond the end of this season. Mushtaq has already taken 52 Championship wickets, and Chris Adams, Sussex’s captain, said at the weekend that he was confident that a deal could be struck.”If they really want me I would like to stay,” Mushtaq said. “I don’t like changing clubs, I prefer to stay with old friends and Sussex have made me and my family very welcome. Peter Moores and Chris Adams are great people. Even when you are not doing well they still treat you the same and try and encourage you.”

National League Division One
TableGloucestershire 199 for 3 beat Glamorgan by seven wickets at Cheltenham
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Gloucestershire moved to the top of Division One with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Glamorgan. James Averis and Mark Hardinges claimed three wickets apiece as Glamorgan collapsed to 197 all out, and Gloucestershire eased to victory with seven balls to spare. Each of the batsmen made a contribution – Alex Gidman continued his fine form with 49, before Matt Windows wrapped things up with an unbeaten 54.Worcestershire 219 for 6 beat Surrey 140 by 79 runs at Guildford
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An understrength Surrey team surrendered their top spot in Division One with a 79-run defeat against Worcestershire at Guildford. Ben Smith produced a captain’s innings of 93 not out, with 10 fours, to ensure a decent total of 219 for 6, after James Ormond had grabbed two early wickets. Smith found good support from Andrew Hall, who added 87 for the fourth wicket, before Kabir Ali’s impressive return of 4 for 30 devastated Surrey’s reply. Matt Mason also picked up four wickets, with the only resistance coming from Adam Hollioake’s 33. Essex 203 for 6 beat Leicestershire 166 by 37 runs at Southend
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Will Jefferson’s 61 made the difference as Essex overcame Leicestershire in a low-scoring match at Southend. Jefferson cracked eight fours in his innings, and added 101 for the second wicket with Ronnie Irani, who threw in a robust 36. Jeremy Snape was the pick of the Leicestershire bowlers, and his 3 for 14 from nine overs might have made the difference. But Antonio Palladino, Graham Napier and Joseph Grant each claimed two wickets, and only Paul Nixon’s 40 provided any meaningful resistance. Yorkshire 197 for 8 beat Kent 179 by 18 runs at Scarborough
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Muttiah Muralitharan picked up two wickets on his Kent debut, but he was unable to prevent Yorkshire from recording their second win of the season. Craig White top-scored for Yorkshire with a watchful 47 off 82 balls, before Tim Bresnan and Chris Silverwood added vital runs at the bottom of the order. Ed Smith and Robert Key replied with an opening stand of 57, and David Fulton made 48, but Craven claimed 4 for 22 to secure victory.National League Division Two
Latest tableMiddlesex 238 for 5 beat Northamptonshire 234 for 8 by five wickets at Northampton
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Owais Shah’s 83 knocked the stuffing out of Northamptonshire, as Middlesex successfully pursued 235 for victory. Shah hit two sixes and six fours in 86 balls, after Andrew Strauss had launched the chase with a handy 40. Northamptonshire’s opener Tim Roberts had earlier made 64, his highest one-day score, and David Sales chipped in with 56. But Simon Cook took three wickets and prevented a handy total turning into an unassailable one.