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Jake Doran played a superb innings on a tricky MCG pitch to earn Tasmania a vital lead

AAP25-Nov-2022Former Test quicks Jackson Bird and Peter Siddle have again ripped through Victoria’s top order to put Tasmania firmly in control of their Sheffield Shield contest.The veteran pair shared seven first-innings wickets and backed up with figures of 4 for 19 and 2 for 33 respectively in Victoria’s second innings at the MCG on Friday, limiting the hosts to 7 for 162.Victoria had a lead of 63 at stumps on day two, after Jake Doran (85) had earlier dug in with the bat to steer Tasmania into a strong position.”The wicket did suit our bowling attack really well but give [Bird and Siddle] credit, they’re two world-class bowlers,” Doran said. “Those two coming in and opening the bowling…it was very good.”\Bird has been outstanding with match figures of 8 for 32 from 31 overs, including 16 maidens.”He’s bowled very well and it’s good to see,” Doran said. “He puts in a lot of work and trains very hard and does it every season. He comes back and produces for us and [in this match] he’s reaped the rewards.”Victoria face a monumental task to fight back on Saturday as they chase their first win of the Shield season.Sam Harper (24 not out) will resume at the crease with debutant Sam Elliott after Will Sutherland (44) threw his wicket away late on day two.”You want to get to [a lead of] triple figures. Anything under that and it’s pretty challenging,” stand-in captain Nic Maddinson said. “But with the wicket still moving around, especially with the new ball, so if we can get to 100 [we’re a chance].”We’ve got two guys in that can bat and can score quickly once they’re in. If we can get to triple figures, at least then we can attack with the new ball and keep catchers in and you just never know.”Doran defied bowler-friendly conditions on a green deck to be the only batsman in the match to pass 50 but fell short of what would have been his fourth first-class century.The left-hander was the last man out in Tasmania’s first innings of 220, in reply to Victoria’s paltry 121.Right-arm quick Elliott, the son of former Test batsman Matthew Elliot, has impressed on debut for Victoria and claimed 3 for 45

Senior pair could feature in one white-ball game between them this summer

Matt Roller05-Jul-2021Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes could play a single white-ball international between them this summer, after Eoin Morgan confirmed that their involvement in this month’s T20I series against Pakistan is in doubt.Buttler played the first T20I of England’s home summer, making 68 not out against Sri Lanka, but has missed the following five limited-overs internationals with a calf tear that has also ruled him out of this week’s ODI series against Pakistan, which starts in Cardiff on Thursday.Stokes, meanwhile, missed the whole of Sri Lanka’s tour while recovering from the finger injury he sustained in Rajasthan Royals’ opening IPL fixture, and while he has been playing county cricket over the past two weeks, England are wary of rushing him back with an eye on upcoming Test series against India and Australia, as well as the T20 World Cup.”There’s always a fine balance between looking at the here-and-now and planning towards the T20 World Cup, also bearing in mind that those two guys are all-format players so they will probably go Down Under and play in the Ashes as well,” Morgan said following Sunday’s no-result against Sri Lanka. “Trying to balance that along with trying to get the best squad out can be difficult at times, but I think at the moment we’re spoiled for choice.”Stokes has been named in Durham’s County Championship side for the first time in three years in this week’s fixture against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, and has played six times in the Vitality Blast over the past two weeks – though his comeback was accelerated by a second-team player testing positive for Covid-19, creating an availability crisis as several squad members were forced to self-isolate.But Morgan insisted the players would not be rushed back at the risk of further damage, and that the Pakistan series was not a priority in comparison to events later in the year. “The last thing we want to do is rush somebody back and jump with the level of intensity from county cricket to international when there isn’t necessarily a need,” Morgan said. “We are happy for Ben to progress as he sees fit, and obviously have one eye on the Test series as well.Related

• Ben Stokes shows all-round return to form to inspire Durham victory

• Sam Curran's five-for sets England up before Joe Root, Eoin Morgan seal clinical run chase

• England name unchanged 16-player squad for Pakistan ODIs

• A not-so-Super spectacle, but allure of World Cup Super League dictates ruthless England approach

“From what I’m hearing, calves can be quite temperamental – it just depends on how he [Buttler] feels. In a similar instance to Ben, the priority wouldn’t be to get him back as soon as possible if there’s a 50-50 chance. I know he progressed his running a couple of days ago and does feel good, but things can change.”The squad for the T20I series is due to be named between the second and third ODIs, and if both players miss out it will mean minimal involvement with the limited-overs sides this summer. They are both likely to return in time to play the opening rounds of the Hundred before the start of the India series, at Trent Bridge on August 4.Morgan also explained the decision not to rotate players in Sunday’s third ODI, with Tom Banton and George Garton both left to run the drinks after being pulled out of the Blast, and said that Sam Billings and Moeen Ali would have been promoted up the order to get time in the middle ahead of Pakistan’s tour, but for the rain’s intervention.”When we look at players [and] when Tom has been in the side before, we’ve earmarked a number of games throughout the series that he would play. We did that in New Zealand when he played [in late 2019] and we did it last year. It’s very rare that we will put somebody in for a one-off game.”The reason behind that is that it doesn’t hold a lot of context, unless it’s tied in with a string of games. When you identify a player or a talent to come into a squad, I believe you should always invest in that talent and think long-term so therefore identify down the line after he’s been around the side for a little period of time and becomes comfortable, to give him a number of opportunities and not just one.”For years I’ve watched guys come in and out of sides and being given one-off games, and whether it’s [through] opportunity or form, not given many after that. It’s not a way that you want to treat a good asset, or an asset for the future.”We have given guys games in this series that haven’t played in the T20 series, and that’s a conscious effort to get games under guys’ belts. With the limited opportunity, you want guys to be exposed as much as possible but that didn’t necessarily happen throughout both series. That aside, when you consider the threat that Sri Lanka are and their ability – they beat us in the World Cup and have a lot of capabilities and talent – to beat them the way that we did, that’s quite a big positive.”

Jonny Grave, CWI’s CEO, pledges support for cricket community amid COVID-19 outbreak

George Dobell18-Mar-2020England’s home series against West Indies could be rescheduled until September or even played in the Caribbean due to the COVID-19 crisis.At present the sides are scheduled to play three Tests in England with the first due to start at The Kia Oval on June 4. But with it now all but inevitable that the start of the English domestic season will be significantly delayed and a peak in COVID-19 cases in the UK anticipated in June, it seems highly unlikely the series will proceed as planned.ESPNcricinfo understands that the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have held several discussions in recent days. The options under consideration include the possibility of rescheduling the series – with September the most obvious time – or staging it in the Caribbean. It is understood CWI have also offered to host England’s three-Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to start on July 30.ALSO READ: Recreational cricket suspended ‘with sadness and regret’ by ECBWhile there are COVID-19 cases in the Caribbean, the virus would appear, at this stage, to have taken hold far more in the UK. There have, for example, been only two reported cases in each of Barbados and St Lucia and one in Antigua.”I’ve spoken to Tom Harrison a couple of times in the last few days,” Jonny Grave, CWI’s CEO told ESPNcricinfo, “and assured him that we will be as flexible, supportive and helpful as possible.”To that end, yes, we have offered to host the series here in the Caribbean if that is deemed helpful. The ECB would retain all commercial and broadcast rights.”This is not about us trying to take advantage of the situation. It’s about the cricket community working together at a difficult time for everyone and, one of the many great things about the Caribbean is, we can play cricket all year round. There has long been a special relationship between the cricket communities in the Caribbean and England and we wanted to make it clear we will do everything we can to help.”ALSO READ: Crunch time as English cricket feels the squeezeEngland are also scheduled to host Ireland for three ODIs in mid-September. It is possible, however, that two England squads – one Test and the other limited-overs – could be in action in different places at the same time.West Indies also have other commitments later in the year. They are scheduled to host New Zealand (in three ODIs and three T20Is) between July 8 and July 19 before South Africa arrive (for two Tests and five T20Is) between July 23 and August 16. Financially, the series against England is more valuable to CWI, however, so it remains possible those tours could also be rescheduled.CWI are also understood to be considering the possibility of rescheduling the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to December if necessary. This would see it running for just three or four weeks – probably requiring the need for several double-headers – over the Christmas and New Year period and put it in competition with Australia’s Big Bash League. In a fast-moving situation, it seems all possibilities will be considered and it is far too early to confirm any details.

The wicketkeeper is suffering from an injured groin while the captain has decided to take some time off

Liam Brickhill01-Feb-2019Quinton de Kock has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan. The wicketkeeper batsman sustained a groin injury during the fifth ODI against Pakistan, and will need a period of treatment and rehabilitation to make a full recovery. Cape Cobras’ Janneman Malan has been called up as replacement. Also, at the end of the first T20I, captain Faf du Plessis announced that he would rest for the remainder of the series.”Quinton sustained an injury to his left groin while fielding during the last ODI on Wednesday,” South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said. “He will be unable to take part in the T20I series against Pakistan and we are hopeful he will be fit for selection for the Test series against Sri Lanka starting in Durban on February 13.”As a top-order batsman, Malan has already built a healthy reputation across formats for Cape Cobras in franchise cricket and Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League. He formed a potent opening partnership with de Kock in the MSL, scoring 305 runs in the tournament, including two fifties, as Blitz reached the final.Malan, 22, is the youngest of three cricket-playing brothers and is not the first to be included in a South Africa squad. His oldest brother Pieter was called up to the Test squad in the New Year as injury cover for Aiden Markram, though he did not manage to debut. Middle sibling Andre plies his trade for Western Province in Cricket South Africa’s provincial league.”Janneman was one of the standout players during the Mzansi Super League and has been putting in the runs consistently at franchise level,” Selection Convener Linda Zondi said. “He is an exciting young prospect, this is a great opportunity for us to continue blooding players at international level.”

Ed Cowan has revealed that Australia captain Steven Smith was surprised at how the national selectors ignored Cricket Australia’s directive to choose younger players for the first Ashes Test

Daniel Brettig22-Nov-20172:43

Shaun Marsh is back. Yet again

Australia’s captain Steven Smith was surprised at how the national selectors abandoned Cricket Australia’s previous directive to focus on choosing younger players in their squad for the first Ashes Test, former opener Ed Cowan has revealed.In pleading for greater clarity and consistency in selection policies, Cowan said that Smith had not expected the panel to turn away from youth in dropping Matt Renshaw and choosing Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine for the Gabba. Those decisions arrived a matter of weeks after Smith had explained to Cowan that there was no room in the New South Wales team for Cowan due to the need to look at younger players, despite the left-hander’s standing as last season’s leading run-maker in the Sheffield Shield.”He (Smith) has had some open and honest conversations with me,” Cowan said ahead of his return to the NSW Shield side. “I think he was surprised – without revealing confidential conversations between us – he certainly had a view that that’s the way the board had indicated selections were going to go. And I think the selection panel, as directed by Pat Howard, has turned that on its head.”Once we got to the bottom of why it happened, I was comfortable with that [being dropped from NSW team]. The only sour element comes from the fact that three weeks ago, I was evidently too old, and then someone [Shaun Marsh] who I played youth cricket with gets picked in the Test team. The policy of the young guys playing, I’ve got no problem with, as long as it is a selection policy that sticks consistently.”The bottom line here is every player in the system wants it to be at its absolute maximum capacity. We love the Australian cricket team. We want it to win and we are wishing those guys all the very best. But from a systemic point of view, we just want a little more consistency and clarity around selection.”Speaking to ESPNcricinfo earlier this month, Smith said Cowan had been left out for the younger Daniel Hughes as a direct result of the board’s directive to think long-term, following a fifth successive Test defeat in Hobart last year. “There’s been a directive from the board last year to try to get younger guys into the Australian team,” Smith said. “Guys like Matt Renshaw and Pete Handscomb, who came in and did really well. That’s got to filter down, I think, into state cricket a bit. I know Ed doesn’t agree with it, but Hughesy’s been in terrific form.”Cowan, who was a longtime team-mate of Tim Paine for Tasmania before returning home to NSW, said that the Blues’ wicketkeeper had reason to be “shattered” by the decision to not recall him, and instead choose a gloveman who has not been the Tigers’ first choice behind the stumps for two years. Paine has only kept wicket in one first-class match this season, for a CA XI against the Englishmen in their tour match at Adelaide Oval.”While Tim Paine’s a friend and former team-mate, and someone whose cricket I admire a lot, I really do feel for Nev, and to a degree, I really feel for Matt Renshaw,” Cowan said. “So I think, generally, the goalposts moving around selection is pretty hard to take, and I’m sure that’s why someone like Pete probably feels very aggrieved and I think he has every right to. Whichever way you want to select the team, it needs to be consistent, and those goalposts of performance need to be set in stone.”I feel for those guys who are really pushing for Test selection and they really don’t know what is required. I can only imagine [Nevill] is shattered, but ever the professional, he’s getting on with what he needs to do to prepare for this next game. You’re talking about a guy who’s a seasoned professional, he’ll continue to be a high performer in our team. I wish Painey well and [hope] the Australian team’s winning, but hopefully we can get some clarity around selections.”

Craig White, the former Yorkshire and England allrounder, is to join Hampshire’s coaching set-up ahead of the new season

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-2016Craig White, the former England allrounder, has been named as Hampshire’s new head coach, following the departure of Dale Benkenstein midway through the 2016 season.White, 46, made his name at Yorkshire in an 18-year first-class career that included more than 12,000 runs and 395 wickets, and played 30 Tests and 51 ODIs for England between 1994 and 2003.He joined Hampshire as assistant and bowling coach in 2012, and was handed the reins for the final six matches of their County Championship campaign in 2016. Although he was unable to prevent their relegation, the club was handed a reprieve when the ECB sanctioned Durham for receiving financial support, and sent them down to Division Two instead.”I’m flattered and honoured,” White told BBC Radio Solent. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started in the job.””I was thrust into the job and I really enjoyed it. It was something I didn’t think I was quite ready for. Maybe another two or three years learning the trade might have been the right time.”But when [director of cricket] Giles White mentioned would I take on the job full-time, I said I would. I think some big names applied, so to be given the job permanently is a great honour.””Craig has been an integral part of the coaching set-up for a few years now,” said Giles White. “He has experience, a great understanding of the game and is respected by everyone here at Hampshire. For all those reasons he is the ideal person to take on this important role.”

England have embarked on what will be a hugely significant and demanding six months in the development of a free-spirited but still often raw side

Andrew McGlashan30-Sep-20151:46

England look to smooth rough edges

So England’s crammed year of international cricket moves to its next stage. With a young team, Ashes regained, the white ball not something to be feared and spirits lifted the squad embark on what will be a hugely significant and demanding six months in the development of a free-spirited but still often raw side.The UAE is the first destination: a neutral venue, but one in which Pakistan feel very much at home. Three years ago England arrived fresh from the triumph of reaching No. 1 in the world under Andrew Strauss’ leadership, only to come a cropper in the Test matches: whitewashed 3-0, defeats by 10 wickets, 72 runs (chasing 145) and 71 runs (despite bowling Pakistan out for 99). The next month will be about a challenge of the spinning ball – both playing it and bowling it – men around the bat and temperatures that could nudge the 40s.Alastair Cook was still Strauss’ lieutenant in 2012, now he is a captain with his authority and standing restored after a summer where he has shown immense character and fortitude – plus a willingness to adapt, a facet that will be tested again on this tour. He is one of just five survivors from the Test squad of the previous trip – alongside Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Steven Finn (who did not play) – and in an era when overseas wins are tough to come by he is aware of what lies ahead.”It’s definitely going to be a tricky tour with their history in terms of how strong Pakistan are and their record in the UAE,” Cook said. “I think they’ve played six or seven series and haven’t lost a series. That shows what is in front of us. The great thing is in Test cricket is trying to win away from home. It’s getting harder and harder.”In 2012 it was the batting that cost England. They crossed 300 once in six innings and did not score an individual hundred in the three Tests. The bowling, led by Anderson and Broad then allied with the spin twins of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar for the latter two matches, more than held its own (Pakistan only topped 300 twice) but the batting line-up proved hapless against Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman, who combined to take 43 wickets.Neither will be around this time, but they have been handsomely replaced by Yasir Shah, the legspinner who became the fastest Pakistan bowler to fifty Test wickets, and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar. New faces, same threat for England.”You do learn lessons but it happened quite a few years ago. And this is a very different side. Only four of us are going back,” Cook said. “I think also that the pitches have changed a little. The matches seem to be a lot higher scoring than they were in 2012.”Clearly, in the modern way of international cricket, we’ll do some homework on the bowlers and the Pakistan team in general. We haven’t faced many of them, it is quite a different bowling attack to what we have faced in the past. I certainly haven’t faced a couple of them. The legspinner clearly has done incredibly well so far in his short career.”England faced a trial by spin the last time they played Pakistan in the UAE•Getty Images

A point which Cook recalled from the previous series was the manner of dismissals. There were a combined 43 lbws across the three matches – the joint most for any Test series – with England batsman falling 22 times and Pakistan’s 21.”The one thing I remember is that skiddy, back-of-a-length spin that is difficult to face. Rehman and Ajmal bowled well, quick spin, I think there was a world record number of lbws. Trying to force yourself to go forward was quite hard. With DRS now, you can’t just get your pad in the way and say you’re a long way down. If it’s in line, you’re out. We’re going to have to make sure we defend using our bats.”Although Ajmal and Rehman proved the trump cards three years ago, England were not cast adrift when it came to bowling spin: Swann and Panesar shared 27 wickets, Panesar taking 14 in two matches. This time they cannot match such quality in the spin department. Moeen Ali, with 45 Test wickets at 36.04, is the lead man and is likely to be joined by the uncapped Adil Rashid. Samit Patel, a late addition to the squad, has four Test wickets while Joe Root is the other supplementary offering.”I’m confident they can take the wickets, but in a different way to Monty and Swanny,” Cook said. “Mo has had a fantastic start to his international career with his all-round contribution. He’s not an out-and-out spinner in the way that Swanny was, he provides a lot of all-round value. Same as Rash. Monty’s Test record when he played was fantastic but Rash can also bring runs. That’s a real string to his bow. So we have a different balance to the side this time.”The hints appear to be, therefore, that Moeen is favourite to open alongside Cook and Rashid will earn a Test debut, probably as part of a six-man attack alongside four quick bowlers. Anderson, Broad and Ben Stokes are certainties, leaving the final decision between Mark Wood’s skiddy pace and Finn’s height and bounce. The former’s qualities could be more suited to conditions.However, England only have two two-day matches in Sharjah, the first starting on October 5, to get their game back into sync and make final decisions on the composition of the XI for Abu Dhabi. “That’s what we’ve been given. Would we want more? Absolutely,” Cook said. “The guys have just finished the one-day stuff against Australia and we’re now going to the UAE. But that’s what modern cricket is and it’s up to the players to adapt. That’s why it is so hard to win away.”The first Test begins on October 13, followed by matches in Dubai and Sharjah – the first time England will have played a Test at that venue. A four-match ODI series and three T20s make up the tour.

The curator at the MA Chidambaram stadium has expressed satisfaction with the way the pitch for the Chennai Test, which was termed “ugly” by the two captains, behaved over the duration of the Test

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Feb-2013The curator at the MA Chidambaram stadium has expressed satisfaction with the way the pitch for the Chennai Test, which was termed “ugly”, behaved over the duration of the Test. The pitch took turn from the first day, but held together till the fifth.”I like to see a result in Test cricket, and the fact that the game went five days says to me that it’s a pretty good Test match wicket,” K Parthasarathy, the curator, told the .”We started by making the entire pitch firm. After that we watered it selectively. The areas on either side of the stumps were kept dry, and so turned out to be loose. The line of the stumps was watered and rolled, so it stayed firm through the Test.”Australia lost all their wickets in the Test to the spinners, with R Ashwin inflicting maximum damage. “Australia need Raffa Nadal here in Chennai on the clay,” Shane Warne had tweeted with a picture of the third-day pitch. But James Pattinson, with his extra pace, also managed a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Both the captains also said the pitch played better than expected.”If I had kept the entire pitch dry, people would have called it under-prepared. But now nobody is complaining,” the curator said.Parthasarathy had used the method of selective watering back in 1998 when Australia lost to India by 179 runs. Warne, who frequently bowled round-the-wicket line during that series, struggled to make an impact as Sachin Tendulkar took the attack to him.”I kept the square patches outside the leg stump, on either side of the wicket, really hard. It was difficult to get turn from that part as there would be no rough there.””After that game, Warne came to me and asked why he wasn’t getting the turn and others were. I told him it was because of his dodgy shoulder, that was to be operated later in the series.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the first Twenty20 between New Zealand and Zimbabwe in Auckland

Firdose Moonda10-Feb-2012

Match facts

February 11, Auckland
Start time 1900 (0600 GMT)Colin de Grandhomme could debut but will have to contest with Kane Williamson or one of the seamers for a spot•Getty Images

Big Picture

How does a boxer find motivation to keep throwing punches when his opponent is cowering, bleeding and just about begging for mercy? New Zealand may soon know the answer to that as they continue to hammer away at an already ground down Zimbabwe side.The series ends with two Twenty20 matches. In most years that would be only an afterthought, but with a World Twenty20 to be contested later in September, they do have some importance. As the best performing non-subcontinent team at the 2011 World Cup, New Zealand will want to repeat their strong showing in Sri Lanka in the 20-overs showcase event. They have a rather new look side and will use these matches to incorporate more uncapped players and complete their unit.Brendon McCullum spoke about the importance of keeping the intensity up. If the one-day series is anything to go by, New Zealand know how to do that. Not content with merely proving they are a better side than Zimbabwe, they have imposed their dominance brutally and seem to have their minds set on continuing to do that.Zimbabwe are an inexperienced and unsuccessful Twenty20 side. It’s not a format they have played in great quantities at any international level, but the popularity of their domestic tournament has meant that all of the national squad have some recent 20-overs game-time. Already the gulf between what they have been doing at local level and what is required to be done on the international stage has proven wide and deep. Perhaps too wide and too deep. While shorter formats are thought to increase the competitiveness between sides, it may not be true in this case.Demoralised and weary, Zimbabwe will have to feed off their desperation to do well. They certainly have the desire to prove themselves but they have to multiply that a few times to be able to compete with a rampant New Zealand side.

Form guide

New Zealand WWLWW (most recent first)
Zimbabwe LLLLL

In the spotlight

There’s always a bit of needle when a county plays against a team with one of their countrymen in it and Colin de Grandhomme can expect much of the same. The Harare-born New Zealand allrounder even played for Zimbabwe Under-19s but moved to New Zealand in 2006 and has now qualified for his adopted country. He has performed well in the domestic leagues and gets his chance at the highest level, but will have to brace for some hostility from a severely wounded Zimbabwe side.Twenty20 is Elton Chigumbura‘s format, the one where he has the freedom to pay in the carefree manner he appears most comfortable with. With Zimbabwe as down and out as it gets, they may as well give their players the liberty to enjoy the last two matches of the series and play without limitations. If there is one player who will enjoy this sort of approach, it will be Chigumbura. With absolutely nothing but another match to lose, if he decides to make it his day, it could well be.

Team news

New Zealand have two injury concerns – Martin Guptill has a slight groin strain and Jacob Oram experienced tightness in the calf. Both left the field in the last ODI in Napier but Brendon McCullum said he expects both to be fit to play. In particular, he hopes Guptill can continue because he has found a rich vein of form. Andrew Ellis was added to the squad after Dean Brownlie was ruled out with a finger injury and coach John Wright indicated that he would be given an opportunity. The other two uncapped players, Colin de Grandhomme and Ronnie Hira could debut but will have to contest with Kane Williamson and one of the seamers for a spot.New Zealand: (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum, 3 Rob Nicol 4 Colin de Grandhomme 5 James Franklin/Kane Williamson 6 Andrew Ellis 7 Nathan McCullum, 8 Jacob Oram, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Doug Bracewell/Ronnie Hira, 11 Kyle MillsAfter axing Hamilton Masakadza for the third ODI, Zimbabwe will likely open with Stuart Matsikenyeri and Regis Chakabva. The last time they played Twenty20s Tatenda Taibu was injured, but he will play. It still allows Zimbabwe to accommodate three allrounders in Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura and Keegan Meth. If both Prosper Utseya and Ray Price play, one of the three seamers will have to sit out.Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 2 Regis Chakabva, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Tatenda Taibu, 5 Malcolm Waller, 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Keegan Meth 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Ray Price, 10 and 11 Kyle Jarvis/Brian Vitori/Shingi Masakadza

Pitch and conditions

A fair strip, offering plenty for the batsmen is likely to be prepared. Weather in Auckland on Saturday evening should be clear and mild.

Stats and trivia

• Zimbabwe have only played 18 Twenty20s and have won just three, all away from home. Their last victory came in February 2010 against West Indies.
• Martin Guptill was the top scorer in New Zealand’s HRV Cup with 504 runs at an average of 72.00. Ronnie Hira and Michale Bates were the highest wicket-takers, with 14 scalps each.

Quotes

“The gap between two teams is always narrowed, the shorter the game. So it means we will have to be more efficient in all areas.”

South Africa’s World Cup ambitions could be damaged by the ongoing spat between CSA’s chief executive Gerald Majola and the body’s president, Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, according to sports minister Fikile Mbalula

Firdose Moonda23-Jan-2011South Africa’s World Cup ambitions could be damaged by the ongoing spat between CSA’s chief executive Gerald Majola and the body’s president, Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, according to sports minister Fikile Mbalula. “Anything that has to do with internal politics will have a negative impact on our campaign,” he said at a press conference in Centurion on Sunday.The minister met with the CSA board sans Nyoka, who was invited but chose not to attend because he had other plans, during the fifth ODI between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park to flesh out recent developments in the tussle between the top brass, especially because of its timing. “Government is concerned and shocked that on the eve of the important ICC calendar event the sport of cricket in the country is thrown into disarray by personality issues,” Mbalula said.The row between Majola and Nyoka intensified last week when, on Wednesday, Nyoka was served notice of a motion of no confidence being tabled against him. The presidents of all 11 CSA affiliates signed the document which was delivered to Nyoka in the form of a letter. On Thursday, Nyoka called Majola a liar during an interview with Johannesburg-based TalkRadio702. Nyoka said Majola had deceived him about bonuses that were paid out after IPL2.”Gerald lied to me, he misled me,” Nyoka said on air. “He’s the only person who told me, ‘Listen, I know you might have doubts about when and whether I’ve taken money or not. I want to relieve you of that burden and show you this document I’ve signed with the IPL. There is nothing here that says anything about me receiving millions’.”Majola and 39 other CSA staff members collectively received R4.7 million (US $7671, 428) in bonuses paid out after the IPL in 2010 and the Champions Trophy in 2009. CSA’s auditors, Deloitte, found a discrepancy in their financial statements in August last year and a commission of inquiry was put in place to investigate. The commission was initially supposed to be an external one, chaired by former Chief Justice Pius Langa, but was moved internally, something Nyoka was not in favour of. The internal commission, chaired by vice-president AK Khan, cleared Majola of any wrongdoing.Nyoka has indicated that he believes the internal commission was a cover-up and lacked credibility and said so while on radio. “The issue is not going to go away,” he said. “They will never be able to bury the truth. Sport belongs to the public. Cricket is not a secret society. We are not in Stalin’s Russia.”Majola’s only response has been to say that he is consulting with his lawyer about the allegation made by Nyoka on radio. CSA have rallied behind their chief executive, issuing a release of “reassurance” on Thursday. South Africa captain Graeme Smith came out in praise of Majola on the same day. “Gerald Majola has always backed the team to the hilt in every possible way,” Smith said. “The players have great faith in him and he must take his share of the credit for the successes we have enjoyed over the last period of time.”It was this comment by Smith that attracted the attention of the sports ministry. A report in the said Mbalula told a commercial radio station that Smith should stay out of “politics” and concentrate on the cricket. Mbalula said at his press conference on Sunday that Smith made the statement in response to a “question that came directly to him” and that he was “simply stating his support for the leadership.” Despite being satisfied with Smith’s reasoning for answering the question, Mbalula said that “it is advisable that the players do not get involved.”Mbalula also cautioned against panic on the state of the game in the country, saying that the “house is not coming down” and the problems in CSA are “not insurmountable.” The ministry’s involvement in the matter is set to continue and they will meet with CSA again on February 12. “CSA will present the ministry with a report on the actions of the president as well as the commission of inquiry that looked into the bonus scandal,” Mbalula said. That is also the date set for CSA’s special general meeting to finalise the proposed motion of no confidence in Nyoka, who had earlier told the that if he received written notice of a vote of no confidence, he would step down in a “dignified manner”, but has shown any sign of resigning since getting the letter.