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June 27, 2001
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Coca-cola triangular in Zimbabwe

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and the Zimbabwe team will both be under fire as the two teams meet today for the second time in the Coca-Cola Cup triangular at Bulawayo. Zimbabwe desperately need a win to stay in the competition, while Ganguly probably realises that this is his last chance to get some much needed runs.

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Zimbabwe's woes on and off the field continued with Heath Streak's fitness still in doubt. Zimbabwe's most experienced and main strike bowler Streak has been suffering from an abdominal strain. He however hinted changes in the Zimbabwean batting line up that may include a promotion in the batting order for young wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu who has performed creditably both with the gloves and the bat in both the innings he has played so far.

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VVS Laxman may not play today's match against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo due to a finger injury. He may be replaced by either left-handed batsman Dinesh Mongia or all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi.

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There is a possibility that the Bulawayo match will be disrupted by rain. Yesterday, the sky was overcast for the whole day, with a slight drizzle. However the locals are confident that rain will not interfere with the match.

Australia in England

Steve Waugh posted yet another hundred to take Australia to a massive lead of 560 runs against a MCC XI at Arundel. Waugh's 105, his 64th of his first-class career, included 19 boundaries. He was also involved in a century partnership with Damien Martyn who made 80. After bowling out the hosts for 124, the Aussies chose not to enforce the follow on in order to get some batting practice before the first Test against England. Scores: Australia 390 & 294-8; MCC 124

Miscellaneous

Acting England skipper Alec Stewart was finally interviewed by the ICC's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU). Stewart's legal advisor was also present. Stewart yet again denied having received 5,000 pounds from bookie Mukesh Gupta for providing pitch and team information during the English tour of India in 1993.

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South African captain Shaun Pollock has been given a national award for reestablishing and maintaining the image of South African cricket after it was ruined by the match fixing allegations involving former skipper Hansie Cronje. Pollock took over captaincy after Cronje's ouster and has led South Africa with distinction with victories against Australia at home and against the West Indies abroad.

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The two detectives from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who are investigating the telecast rights scam involving BCCI officials left for New Delhi after a two-day visit to Mumbai. They however did not visit the Board's office. BCCI's executive Secretary, Sharad Diwadkar and Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Prof. RS Shetty hosted them a lunch at the CCI two days ago.

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Pakistani batsman Yousuf Youhana and his wife are reportedly safe after they were involved in a road accident in Manchester on Monday. Youhana's wife, who is six months pregnant, is reported to have fallen out of the car due to the impact of the crash. The two were immediately taken to a hospital. While Youhana escaped with a few stitches and bruises, his wife's condition is delicate although she is out of danger. Youhana had stayed back in England after the completion of the Pakistan tour of England along with a few other players.

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The fiery former West Indian fast bowler Wesley Hall will most probably take over as the new president of the West Indies Cricket Board. He is the sole nominee for the post after Pat Rousseau resigned from the post earlier this month. The 62 year old Hall has played in 48 Tests and has taken 192 wickets from 1958-59 to 1969. Hall has also served as the manager of the West Indies team for a long time during the eighties. Meanwhile the name of Val Banks of Anguilla has been put forward for the post of vice-president, in place of Clarvis Joseph, who had also resigned along with Rousseau.

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The South African cricket team will sign a pledge in recognition of the United Nations theme "Sports Against Drugs". By signing such a pledge the team will endeavour to be positive role models to the United Nations campaign against drugs. A few members of the South Africa team were under fire recently for alleged smoking of marijuana on their last month's tour of the West Indies. The South African Board however said it was committed to the cause and are expecting all cricketers to endorse the theme of sports without drugs.

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Goa Cricket Association (GCA) president and former Deputy Chief Minister Dayanand Narvekar, is likely to be charged in the fake-ticket scam during the India-Australia one-day match held at Goa this April. The police had arrested Narvekar, and the GCA secretary Vinod Phadke and later released them on bail. The fake tickets were printed at Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu and also in Hyderabad. The police are likely to file charges against the accused soon.

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The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is looking for a new coach for the forthcoming domestic season. The names of former Test all-rounders Roger Binny, Madan Lal and Karsan Ghavri have been short-listed for the post.

Obituary


Mumbai Cricket Association's long serving and tireless administrator Bal Mahaddalkar passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest. Mahaddalkar was associated with Mumbai cricket for nearly three decades and has served as its joint secretary and vice president. He was the first cricket administrator to be awarded the Maharashtra State's Chatrapathi Shivaji Award in 1993-94. He was 62.

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Compiled by: Mohandas Menon