South Africa in Zimbabwe

After putting up a fighting performance in the first Test at Harare, Zimbabwe began the second Test yesterday in Bulawayo against South Africa in a much more steady fashion.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss the hosts surely but steadily posted 154-2 at stumps on the first day. The highlight of the day's play was the 152 run partnership between openers Alistair Campbell (77) and Dion Ebrahim (71).
The duo, however were dismissed within two runs of each other just before stumps when bad light brought an early end to proceedings. The same pair had put on 164 for the opening wicket against West Indies at this very ground just two months ago.
Incidentally South Africa was conceding its only third 150-plus partnership for the first wicket since their return to the Test fold in 1992. Earlier the two teams observed a minute silence before play began in memory of those killed in New York and Washington.

Problems for Pakistan?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested the New Zealand Cricket Council to confirm within the next ten days if they would reconsider touring the country.
With the Sharjah tournament beginning on October 27 the PCB said it was willing to reschedule a few matches so that the abbreviated tour would still conclude on October 24 as was planned.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board's worries on the financial front are likely to surface after yet another tour collapsed.
The PCB as it is has been struggling to cope with the losses suffered when India refused to tour the country for a bilateral series and the Asian Test Championships.
New Zealand now pulling out has added to its woes. The PCB who has been heavily overstaffed with about a dozen handsomely paid officials and also with money lavishly spent on so called foreign specialists has put a dent on its financial resourses. It is now estimated that the PCB will lose about $35 million.

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The Pakistan team coach Richard Pybus flew back to his home in South Africa following the cancellation of the tour of New Zealand. Pybus had requested the PCB to be released.
Most of the players too who had assembled in the team hotel at Lahore returned to their homes. The PCB added that Pybus would be back when required to supervise future international assignments.

Miscellaneous

Pace bowlers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will also take part in the Dennis Lillee conducted MRF Pace Academy clinic in Chennai. The South Africa bound Indian pace bowlers are already practicing at the Academy.

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The members' pavilion at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is to be brought down and rebuilt as part of a redevelopment scheme in time for the 2005 Commonwealth Games.
A new stand, plush carpeted pavilion, high-ceilinged members atrium (a central court) similar to the current Long Room at Lord's have been planned. With these changes the ground will eventually accommodate over 100,000 spectators.

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The Australian Cricket Board are desperate to find a new sponsor for their international cricket after Ansett Airlines, their sponsor for many years, seems to have been grounded. Recently Australia's national airline Ansett had collapsed after suffering heavy losses.

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Former skipper of South Africa Kepler Wessels has been appointed High Performance Consultant of the Eastern Province. He will work with coach Adi Birrell and captain Carl Bradfield on improving skills of players and involve himself in match tactics as well.

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Australian bowling coach Daryl Foster will arrive in Sri Lanka later this month to study the action of their pace bowler Suresh Perera.
West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor recently reported Perera to the ICC for a suspect action. Foster was part of the team that had cleared Muthiah Muralitharan few years ago and recently was instrumental in the change of action of Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

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According to former West Indian all-rounder Sir Gary Sobers Indian leg-spinner Subhash Gupte was a better bowler than Australian Shane Warne.
Sobers also considers Englishman Jim Laker and fellow West Indian Lance Gibbs as the best off-spin bowlers he ever faced.

Scores at a Glance

Zimbabwe vs South Africa (2nd Test)
Played at Bulawayo (1st day)
Toss: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: 154-2 (A Campbell 77, D Ebrahim 71;
L Klusner 1-31, C Henderson 1-44)

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