NatWest series (India, Sri Lanka and England)

Another stellar performance in the field will be needed if England are to continue their bright start to the NatWest Series with victory over India at Lord's.

Three outstanding catches by the home side stopped Sri Lanka's big-hitters in their tracks at Trent Bridge on Thursday evening as the hosts successfully defended a total of 293.

And, in light of their expensive bowling in tour matches so far, India will be keen to fight fire with fire.

They conceded an aggregate 545 runs in warm-up games against Kent and Leicestershire but a side with an explosive batting line-up led off by skipper Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag can never be discounted.

"We play a great brand of cricket and I hope the boys do really well because this is a great opportunity for them," said coach John Wright.

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Injured England paceman Darren Gough should be available for the fourth one-day triangular series match against Sri Lanka at Headingley on July 2.

The England and Wales Cricket Board made the announcement as the opening day-night clash between the two teams got under way at Nottingham. India are the third team playing in the 10-match series which has its final at Lord's on July 13.

"Darren will play for Yorkshire's second team then join the England squad on Saturday," an ECB spokesman said.

"Subject to him not suffering any reaction he will be available for selection for the match at Headingley."

New Zealand in West Indies

Second Test, Grenada, day one:
New Zealand 208-5 (at end of first day) v West Indies.

Opener Mark Richardson was dimissed for 95 as New Zealand reached 208 for five against West Indies at the end of the first day of the second Test.

West Indies fast bowler Pedro Collins was the man who did the damage - a two-wicket burst stalled the tourists's progress at the Queen's Park ground, cricket's newest Test venue.

That ended a 123-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Richardson and Nathan Astle - as well as dismissing nightwatchman Daniel Vettori.

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New Zealand Test opener Lou Vincent has been fined by his team management after talking to a journalist without permission, team manager Jeff Crowe has said.

The fine is the latest twist in a farcical drama that began as the New Zealand team celebrated their first Test victory over the West Indies in a night club in Bridgetown, Barbados.

A drunken New Zealander, celebrating with the team, playfully rugby tackled the player, flattening him. Vincent complained later of having a stiff knee and a news agency reporter quoted him as saying he might not be able to play in the second Test beginning in Grenada.

New Zealand team management dismissed the report, saying Vincent was fit to play. Crowe summoned reporters to tell them that Vincent had been fined for a breach of team protocol.

"Normally players must not speak directly to journalists about such matters without talking to the captain, the physio or the coach," he said.

Triseries in Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket Board director Brigadier Munawar Ahmed Rana has warned that they stand to lose "millions" if Australia call off their three-Test tour there in October.

Renewed political tensions between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir have added to the unease many teams felt about visiting both countries, and Pakistan in particular, that was created in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks.

But Rana, speaking at a meeting of International Cricket Council delegates at Lord's, said Pakistan had always carried on touring regardless of political situations elsewhere.

"Pakistan is on record as visiting every place it was due to tour. We came to England when the IRA (Irish Republican Army) was on top and we were twice asked to move hotels which we didn't do.

"And we toured India in 1999 when our players were under direct personal threat and we also went to Sri Lanka during the last World Cup, when Australia wouldn't (because of terror fears), to show solidarity.

"We are also willing to go to Zimbabwe (Pakistan are due there in October and November of this year).

"World cricket has to make a decision about whether it is going to let these events get under its skin," Rana added.

World Cup 2003

Cricket fans heading for the KwaZulu Natal headquarters after September will find themselves at a completely revamped Kingsmead ahead of next year's World Cup.

Work on the R11-million revamp is ahead of schedule and when completed will ensure a world-class stadium. A whole new floor is built into the existing structure that is the North Stand.

This will see an upgrade in player facilities, a new VIP and President's Lounge and a new state-of-the-art press centre.

The Oval in Pietermaritz-burg, also a World Cup venue, is being upgraded to the tune of R1,2-million.

Miscellaneous

India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar and versatile spinner Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka are among six players nominated by their peers for the International Cricketer of the Year award, officials said.

Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden (Australia) and Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) are the other nominees of the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA).

The winner will be announced at the FICA International Awards dinner in London on July 10.

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Lance Klusener has hit some big sixes in his life off some of the world's best bowlers, much to the delight of South African cricket fans.

A lesser-known fact is that "Zulu" can smack a golf ball enormous distances too.

This was evident in KwaZulu Natal's Mount Edgecombe qualifying leg of the Re/Max world long drive championship.

Klusener "punished" a 319,40m tee-shot to win the Open division of the qualifier. This is the longest drive recorded at the coast by any Re/Max contestant - pro or amateur - in the month of June.

This almost puts him in the same league as "Grip it and Rip it" John Daly.

Klusener, a single figure handicap, now goes through to the KwaZulu Natal regional finals in July and if successful there qualifies for the national semifinals.

Victory in that competition will put him in the national final in October and the ultimate goal of any competitor is to win that and make it into the world finals in the United States.

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Steve Waugh is determined to play as full a part as possible for Australia over the coming months following a prolonged break from the game.

Although still captain of the Test team, Waugh has not played since he and brother Mark were dropped from the one-day squad in March.

Although he has taken the opportunity to spend time with his family, Waugh has also undergone minor surgery to clear up an ankle problem and put himself through a rigorous training programme.

He wants to regain his one-day place before next February's World Cup in South Africa and before that, hopes to help Australia to another Ashes victory over England.

"There's not necessarily any position up for grabs and I'm just trying to work my way back into it," said 37-year-old Waugh.

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