The computer system being used by the Indian cricket team of late to analyse their defects and improve performances, has developed a bug and has crashed. The equipment and its operator, Nandan will be returning home to Bangalore so that the system can be kept ready before the next tour to Sri Lanka. Initially, the idea was to create a website with the recorded information, so that the players could have access to it from anywhere. However it seems a lot more work would have to be done on the system before placing the information on the net.

Sourav Ganguly continues to struggle with his own batting form as he rides on the successes of the team. It seems that the team, however has rallied around the skipper in his time of strife. Sachin Tendulkar has reportedly spoken to the beleaguered skipper and told him that there was nothing wrong with his technique. Meanwhile, everyone had been gunning the skipper saying he should be forced to sit out rather than be a liability for the team.

It is now confirmed that VVS Laxman, who had injured his left index finger during the last one-day match played in Harare against Zimbabwe, has not fractured it. Tests showed that Laxman who injured himself while taking a catch has only crushed his finger and has not broken it. He is under observation and it is hoped that he will be fit for the next match tomorrow.

The recent drawn Test series between Zimbabwe and India means that both teams continue in the same position as before - at numbers nine and seven respectively. Australia still leads the table followed by South Africa.

A rollicking hundred by Simon Katich enabled Australia to post 390 in the match against a MCC XI at Arundel. At one stage Australia were 64-4 before Katich came along and smashed 168 in 167 balls to take them to 390. The hosts, in reply were tottering at 82 for six, at stumps on the first day.

England pace bowler Andrew Caddick who was on the injury list, after being hit on his left-hand by Australian fast bowler Brett Lee in the NatWest series match at The Oval on June 21, will play the first Ashes Test against Australia, which begins at Birmingham next week. Caddick will however have extra protection in his left hand while batting.

Italy has withdrawn from the ICC Trophy in Toronto after four of its players were found ineligible. The four players, including Australian-born Lancashire all-rounder Joe Scuderi, have been prevented from playing for Italy because the International Cricket Council rules for the tournament does not permit a cricketer to play for a country in which he was not born. Meanwhile, the Italian Cricket Federation has come down heavily on the ICC rules saying that it does not agree to it as citizenship by birth is a matter of national sovereignty for a country.

International Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Women's Cricket Council (IWCC) have joined hands as part of a strategic plan to promote the global development of women's cricket. Former Australian women's captain Lynette Larsen has been appointed as the coordinator for this project.

The West Indian duo Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose are back. They have agreed to play in the Rest of the World XI against Gough's All-Star side for Gough's benefit match on August 30th at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team's visit to the BCCI's office in Mumbai was just a courtesy call. The two CBI officials were invited for lunch at the Cricket Club of India by the BCCI's Executive secretary Sharad Diwadkar. However, it is understood that the officials will be visiting the BCCI office in a couple of days before their departure to Delhi. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary Prof Ratnakar Shetty was also present during the luncheon meeting.

A former cricketer of Indian origin, Logan Naidoo, has been elected President of the Kwazulu-Natal Cricket Union. He is the second person of Indian origin to be elected to a top position in cricket in the province after Cassim Docrat, who is the CEO of provincial cricket and the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban.

Former Indian middle-order batsman and currently director of the National Cricket Academy, Brijesh Patel was honoured with a 'Lifetime' award on Sunday for his achievement in the sport. A silver bat was presented to Patel by KH Shrinivas, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka State Legislative Council, at a function in Belgaum. The award has been instituted jointly by the Rotary International and Belgaum Sports Club from this year.

The 2003 World Cup organising committee, headed by Dr Ali Bacher, has put up a proposal to the ICC for organising at least four gala charity banquets be staged in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria to raise money for charity in support of the fight against AIDS. Many of the world's top cricketers will support and participate for this cause.

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