Australia's victory celebrations on the famed balcony at Lord's were barred, when a beer can was thrown by someone from the crowd below, which hit Australian left-hander Michael Bevan on his cheek. A stubborn Steve Waugh rushed his team inside and refused to come out to the balcony for the presentation. This was the only incident in the day that otherwise went off smoothly thanks to all the security arrangements made to prevent the now infamous pitch invasions by the Pakistani supporters throughout this series. The presentation of the trophy and mementos to the players was made indoors in the player's dining room for the first time in Lord's cricket history.

It was a virtual replay since the two teams last played at this same venue two years ago, as Australia once again thrashed Pakistan, in this occasion by nine wickets in a truly one-sided final to lift the NatWest Trophy 2001 at Lord's. Set a modest target of 153 Australia made mincemeat of Pakistan's fearsome bowling attack, thanks to Adam Gilchrist's unbeaten 76, which enabled the Aussies to coast home with nearly 23 overs to spare.

Pakistan batsmen Inzamam ul Haq has been handed a two match one-day international ban for showing dissent during the NatWest final against Australia yesterday. Inzamam who was given out lbw to Warne by umpire Peter Willey stood his ground in displeasure for a while after he was given out. Perhaps ICC match referee Brian Hastings must have been unimpressed with Inzamam's slow walk back to the pavilion, immediately slapped him with a 50% match fee fine and a two match ban.

Zimbabwe were beaten in all departments of the game by a determined looking West Indian side who were looking to put all those desolate performances behind and perform creditably. Sent into bat West Indies posted 266-5 in 50 overs with a sound opening stand of 113 from Daren Ganga (66) and Chris Gayle (53). Thereafter the other batsmen consolidated with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (51) & skipper Hooper (29) making useful runs. Zimbabwe were never in the chase as wickets fell at regular intervals before they finally ended up at 239-9 in 50 overs, to lose by 27 runs.

The Zimbabweans going into the one-day tri series confident after their morale-boosting win over India at Harare in the second Test, suffered a set back when skipper Heath Streak resigned as captain just minutes before play was about to begin. Grant Flower was then hurriedly being made captain ahead of vice-captain Guy Whittall. Streak claims that differences with the selectors over the choice of the team were the reason for his abrupt resignation. Streak was keen to blood Donald Campbell, younger brother of Alistair Campbell as keeper rather than the 18-year old school boy Tatenda Taibu.

West Indies will take on Zimbabwe today in the opening match of the tri-series tournament at Harare. This incidentally is the first ever such tri-nation tournament to be held in Zimbabwe.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has rescheduled the three match one-day series against India in September. The first two matches will now be played at Melbourne's Colonial Indoor Stadium on September 21 and 23, while the third will be held at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, at Gabba on September 26.

The managing committee of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed an eight-member cricket improvement committee to be headed by former Test cricketer Madhav Apte. The committee has been empowered to appoint selection committees and coaches for various Mumbai teams for the 2001-02 season, apart from taking decisions for the development of local cricket in the metropolis. The other members of the committee include Milind Rege, Raju Kulkarni, Sanjay Manjrekar, Chandrakant Pandit, Lalchand Rajput, Dilip Sardesai and MV Gothoskar, the release added.

All necessary precautions will be taken by the organisers of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa to avoid crowd trouble as seen recently during the tri series in England. No unauthorised persons will be allowed onto the field from the time the umpires and players enter the field and also no spectator will be allowed inside the ground even during drinks break.

The Canadian authorities have denied visas to some the players from the UAE, Nepal and Uganda who would be participating in the forthcoming ICC Trophy at Toronto from June 28. A spokesman from the Emirates Cricket Board, is however confident that the matter would be settled soon. Perhaps the refusal to the UAE team is due to the fact that it comprises of 12 players of Pakistani origin.

Pakistan's cricket chief Lt Gen Tauqir Zia feels until Alec Stewart and Brian Lara clears their name of the match fixing charges they should not be left scot-free. Moreover he feels that the players are not innocent and should not be allowed to play cricket for their respective countries. Meanwhile, Stewart will be questioned by the ACU on July 5.

Former Australian batsman and captain Greg Chappell will be auctioning his personal collection next month. The collection comprising of about 100 items is valued at an estimated US$ 125, 000, will come under hammer for public. Chappell, who has recently moved to a new house, has found the collection too large for one person to handle. He feels the new owner of the collection will take better care. The collection includes his four baggy green caps, two blazers and several cricket bats.

COCA COLA TRI SERIES IN ZIMBABWE
ZIMBABWE vs WEST INDIES (1ST MATCH)
Played at the Harare Sports Club ground
Toss Zimbabweans
West Indies: 266-5 in 50 overs (D Ganga 66, C Gayle 53, S Chanderpaul 51)
Zimbabwe: 239-9 in 50 overs (A Campbell 68; M Dillon 3-48, M Samuels 3-28)
Result: West Indies won by 27 runs
Man of the match: Cameron Cuffy (WI)

10TH AND FINAL MATCH: NATWEST SERIES
PAKISTAN VS AUSTRALIA
Played at Lord's Cricket Ground, London
Toss: Pakistan
Pakistan: 152 in 42.3 overs (Saeed Anwar 27, S Warne 3-56)
Australia: 156-1 in 26.3 overs (A Gilchrist 76 not out, M Waugh 39, R Ponting 35 not out)
Result: Australia won by 9 wickets (to win the title)
Man of the match: A Gilchrist (Aus)
Man of the series: Waqar Younis (Pak)

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Compiled by: Mohandas Menon