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June 18, 2001
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NatWest triangular

Waqar Younis' brilliant spell that read 10-0-36-7 was pushed to the background after another pitch invasion, put an end to the match at Headingley, Leeds, with Pakistan still needing two runs to win. One of the stewards on the boundary had to be taken to hospital after he suffered injuries. He is said to have broken ribs and has a damaged spleen and injuries on his head and stomach as a result of the stampede. The players ran in to the safety of the dressing room with two runs still to get, as supporters, largely Pakistanis, began running onto the pitch. England's captain Alec Stewart later conceded the match saying the safety of players and umpires was most important and no one was keen to risk injury for the required two runs. The match was then awarded to Pakistan as England lost its tenth match in a row, albeit, in unusual circumstances.

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Earlier, Pakistani skipper Waqar Younis recorded the second best figures by a bowler in one-day internationals, when he claimed seven for 30. See full list below. However, Waqar's bowling figures are now the best by a captain in ODIs. The previous best was the 6-41 by West Indian Viv Richards (off-spin) against India at Delhi on 23/10/1989. It was also the best bowling performance by any bowler against England bettering the 6-14 by Australian left-arm pace bowler Gary Gilmour during the 1975 World Cup semifinal - also at Leeds on 18/6/1975.

The best bowling performances in ODIs:
7-30 (10 ov) by Muthiah Muralitharan for SL v Ind at Sharjah on 27/10/2000.
7-36 (10 ov) by Waqar Younis for Pak v Eng at Leeds on 17/6/2001.
7-37 (10 ov) by Aaqib Javed for Pak v Ind at Sharjah on 25/10/1991.
7-51 (10.3 ov) by Winston Davis for WI v Aus at Leeds on 11/6/1983.

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Pace bowler Darren Gough became the highest wicket-taker for England in ODIs when he claimed his 146th wicket (of Pakistani Shahid Afridi) in Leeds match. He went past the previous tally of 145 wickets in 116 matches by former all-rounder Ian Botham. Gough now has 147 wickets in 94 matches.

India & West Indies in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will be making India sweat before they earn their first series win abroad At one stage the home side even seemed taking the initiative when they reduced the visitors to 32-2 in their second innings after taking a first innings lead of 78. However, it took a patient stand of 118 runs from SS Das and Sachin Tendulkar to ensure that India scraped past the deficit. The match now is delicately poised with India 119 runs ahead with six wickets and still two days of play to go. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe got rid of in form Rahul Dravid for 26 off the last over of the day.

Statistical Highlights

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The West Indians made heavy weather of their 45-over one-day match against the CFX Academy XI at the Country Club in Harare. The tourists could only manage 211-3 in their 45 overs, thanks largely to a 177 run opening partnership between Darren Ganga (101) and Chris Gayle (76). The West Indians then just managed to restrict the Academy XI to 203-5 in 45 overs despite fighting half centuries from Neethling (54) and Croxford (86). The visitors finally won by just eight runs.

Miscellaneous

Strong words from Sir Paul Condon regarding England skipper Alec Stewart not making himself available for questioning by the ICC's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) has resulted in the cricketer fixing a date with the ACU after the NatWest Triangular. The exact date of the meeting is still unknown. Earlier Condon had lashed out at Stewart for not finding time to appear before the inquiry committee and also demanded that he be dropped from the team, if necessary.

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The English county Worcestershire are not sure if their overseas player Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath would be available for his second season with them next year. McGrath took 80 first-class wickets last season for the county and was awarded the county's player of the year award. But with Australia set to play South Africa, New Zealand and Zimbabwe in a total of 11 Tests during 2001 and 2002, it is unlikely that he will be available as much for the county as they would like him to do.

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The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is likely to appoint former hockey Olympian Dr Vece Paes as the physical instructor of their cricket team. Dr Paes is the father of India's tennis player Leander. Paes, whose appointment was recommended by former cricketer Arun Lal, will also assist the junior teams. Paes, an experienced physical trainer and has also been associated with the Indian Davis Cup teams, is currently attached with the East Zone's Cricket Academy. There is also a move to involve him with the Bangalore based National Cricket Academy (NCA).

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The former president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Patrick Rousseau, has questioned the appointment of Richard Jodhan, as the Chief Financial Officer of the interim committee of the Board, since he knew that Jodhan had misused his authority on certain financial investments made the WICB.

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Former Pakistani leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has expressed his desire to set up spin academies in England that will be able to produce quality spinners in five years time. Qadir who has already established an academy in Lahore said he wished to launch the academies in London and Manchester. He lamented England was unable to produce any quality spinners, let alone leg-spinners.

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A Colombo based English daily The Island expressed its regret over the publication of some remarks allegedly defaming the former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga. The daily published a regret saying that the comments were not published with an effort to defame him. Ranatunga, however said he was anguished by the remarks that blamed him for the non-participation of some of the leading cricketers during the 1998 Commonwealth Games which were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Tom Thompson, the Australian publisher of late Sir Don Bradman, has threatened the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) with legal action for releasing a statement in their website that they were appalled to learn that Thompson was awarding the Bradman Caps to cricketers and has been publishing private comments made by Sir Don, without the approval of Bradman's family. Thompson, in a letter to the ACB, has termed the contents in the website as false and defamatory, since he has a contract with the late Don Bradman, which empowers him and his company to promote and publish all Bradman's books and other promotional items. He asked the ACB to remove the statement from its website by Monday, failing which he has no other option than seek legal action against the ACB.

SCORES AT A GLANCE


ZIMBABWE VS INDIA (2nd Test)
Played at Harare Sports Club, Harare (3rd day)
Toss: India
India: 237 (SS Das 57, R Dravid 68 not out, Harbhajan Singh 31; HH Streak 3-69) 197-4 (SS Das 68 not out, SR Tendulkar 69; A Blignaut 2-55)
Zimbabwe: 315 (D Ebrahim, 49, A Flower 45, H Streak 40, G Flower 86; A Nehra 4-72, Harbhajan Singh 4-71)

7TH ODI MATCH: NATWEST SERIES
ENGLAND vs PAKISTAN
Headingly, Leeds
Toss:Pakistan
England:156 in 45.2 overs (BC Hollioake 53, D Gough 40 not out; Waqar Younis 7-36)
Pakistan:153-4 in 39.5 overs (A Razzaq 75, D Cork 2-32)
Result:Pakistan won (England conceded defeat)


Points Table:
Team P W L Abd Points
Australia 4 3 0 1 7
Pakistan 5 3 1 1 7
England 5 0 5 0 0

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Compiled by: Mohandas Menon