After seven years without defeat in an official match, the Mashonaland juggernaut finally crashed to defeat at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on 29 January 2003. It was not a first-class match, but part of Zimbabwe’s first official one-day competition, and Manicaland, the team from the Eastern Highlands, were the side to achieve it. They did so by a margin of 65 runs, with a good fifty from Richie Sims and an incisive bowling performance from Blessing Mahwire being the highlights of a great team performance.This match was between the two top teams in the log, with Mashonaland having three victories to their credit and Manicaland two. A Manicaland victory would open up the competition but Mashonaland were favourites as usual and winning again would virtually assure them of the Faithwear Trophy. Mashonaland were missing Andy Blignaut from a finger injury sustained when facing Heath Streak in their last match in Harare.In front of a ground devoid of spectators (the number did creep into double figures in the afternoon) and on a humid, partly overcast morning, Manicaland won the toss and decided to bat on a sound pitch. Alistair Campbell opened and seemed to enjoy a charmed life. He got off the mark with a leading edge that would have presented a closer third man with the easiest of catches, he survived a stumping chance off a leg-side wide from Gus Mackay with keeper Tatenda Taibu standing up, and in the same over, the fourth of the innings, edged a catch that would have been swallowed by second slip had there been one.Manicaland obviously recognized that they needed to post a large total if they were to test Mashonaland. Neil Ferreira, who has built a reputation as a dogged opener in the Logan Cup, twice hit the bowlers over their heads in the early overs, and then lashed Douglas Hondo through the covers for another four. Campbell, settling down, hit Mackay for a screaming low six over extra cover, but his luck finally expired when he sliced a ball from Waddington Mwayenga all the way to deep third man Elton Chigumbura. He scored 31.Ferreira (20) fell in the same over, caught low at backward point, and at 56 for two Manicaland were in danger of losing their advantage. Glen Barrett, sent in at three as a pinch-hitter, went to work with a will and was soon hoisting Hondo for a huge six over midwicket, immediately followed by a murderous straight drive for four and a six into the sightscreen; altogether he hit 20 off the over.Guy Whittall, who at present would hardly recognize a run if it hit him on the helmet, made only 6 of their partnership of 37 before a tentative push yielded a catch to the keeper off, again, Mwayenga. Barrett, less accomplished against spin, was frequently found groping when Murphy brought himself on to bowl, but Richie Sims at the other end joined the party by hitting Mwayenga over long leg for two sixes.Grant Flower came on to provide spin at both ends, and Barrett (44) immediately donated him the easiest of return catches; Manicaland 129 for four in the 25th over. A good, if quieter, partnership then developed between Sims and Stuart Matsikenyeri, but they were not able to get the slower bowlers away as consistently as they would have wished. These included Andy Flower, who tied up an end for a while with slow-medium ‘dobbers’ until Richie Sims finally stepped down the pitch and hit him into the sightscreen for six.Matsikenyeri (30) was eventually caught in the covers off Grant Flower in the 43rd over, with the score 204, somewhat less that desirable against the powerful Mashonaland batting. Paul Strang hit a quick 16 off 12 balls, Guy Croxford 11 off 11, and Gary Brent 12 not out off 9, but a total of 252 for eight wickets was a target that Mashonaland would fancy. Mwayenga finished with the best figures of three for 37 in 8 overs, while Grant Flower bowled his 10 for just 30 runs.Mashonaland’s only weakness is their opening partnership, and they now tried Brian Murphy, who is enjoying a good club season in that position, as Stuart Carlisle’s third opening partner in four matches. This too failed, as he had only 6 to his name when a ball from Henry Olonga clipped his leg stump.Andy Flower came in next, batting with his usual unobtrusive mastery in these matches. He lost Carlisle for 19, trapped lbw by Blessing Mahwire, and then Grant Flower (2), lbw to the same bowler. Mahwire and Whittall at the other end both bowled a tight line and length, and Mashonaland were forced to struggle for runs. Ebrahim, frustrated, swung wildly at Mahwire and was bowled for just 1. At 67 for four in the 20th over, Mashonaland were struggling – but so had they in their previous match, against Matabeleland, where they eventually won by two wickets. The excellent Mahwire was to finish with three for 38 off his 10 overs.Then came the major blow, as a fine throw from Guy Whittall ran out Andy Flower – remarkably for such a fine runner, the second time in three matches he has fallen this way – going for a second run. Flower made 30, and Mashonaland were now 75 for five, without Blignaut to come. But Craig Evans was still there, a man easily capable of a match-winning century.Evans responded in typical fashion by hammering Sims for a straight six, followed by another over extra cover in the following over. He escaped with a couple of miscued strokes, and played and missed several times, but continued to attack with confidence. Then, immediately after the drinks interval, he seemed to lose concentration and gave it away, as he pulled a ball from Whittall straight down the throat of deep square leg. He scored 39 and, with Mashonaland 134 for six and all their major batsmen gone, Manicaland appeared to have victory firmly in their sights. This was perhaps the most decisive moment of the game.A useful partnership ensued between Tatenda Taibu and Elton Chigumbura, but Sims persuaded Taibu (32) into giving a return catch; 159 for seven in the 39th over, and a required run rate of more than eight an over now. Manicaland’s only obstacle now was the big-hitting Gus Mackay.Mackay was soon selecting the balls and hitting some powerful boundaries, while the 16-year-old Chigumbura played a valuable support role. But then came the final blow: a direct hit from Strang ran out Mackay, 14 off 11 balls, and at 176 for eight in the 42nd over, Mashonaland had reached the point of no return.Chigumbura did his best with 22 before skying a catch, and finally last man Mwayenga was bowled by Sims, giving Manicaland a historic victory and propelling them to joint first place with Mashonaland on the log, with two matches to go.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 has noted with distress recent media reports claiming that the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) funded the opening ceremony of the cricket spectacle to the tune of R3-million.Earlier this week, the IFP Youth Brigade, and later the PAC and the UDM, were reported to have criticised the UYF for granting the ICC CWC 2003 the money, saying the funds should have been used to benefit the youth of this country.”It is extremely unfortunate that the media actually ran with the story without familiarising themselves with the true facts,” said the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Volunteers 2003 programme manager Herman Beetge.”The fact is that the youth fund pledged R2-million to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, but this money is envisaged to cover various costs of the Volunteers 2003 programme. At no stage was the money earmarked for the opening ceremony as that event had its own budget and separately organised volunteers,” said Beetge.”We are currently running a huge Volunteers 2003 programme at the stadiums where World Cup matches are being played, and so far we have received nothing but praise from members of the public for the role played by these purple-shirted volunteers. The success of this programme is based among others on contributions like those made by the UYF and we commend for this. It is unfortunate that instead of running a positive story about the volunteers, we are having to deal with false claims about the opening ceremony which was a huge success in its own right.”Beetge said the breakdown for the UYF grant was expected to be used as follows

Training Materials 389,676Trainer & Co-ordinator workshop 29,089Costs associated with processing of applications 103,000Initial contact with trainees 37,597Trainers’ costs 153,154Pilot projects 271,811Meals & refreshments during training process(shared 50/50 with ICC CWC 2003) 514,039Contribution towards transportation of trainees duringtraining programme (shared 50/50 with ICC CWC 2003) 514,039Total 2,012,405

“As can be seen from these figures, this was a highly involved programme and those who have been attending the matches can attest to the quality of our volunteers. They received high quality training and it is important that we look after them well with decent refreshments, transports and uniform to allow them to perform their duties with dignity and with their morale high.”Also, the training the Volunteers 2003 received will benefit the youth who make up 90% of all volunteers and in all 35% of our volunteers are unemployed.”We hope this puts the whole issue into perspective and that misperception created are corrected.”

Sunday, March 16, 2003:::
Tendulkar a man on a mission
Ever since this tournament began there has been something different about Tendulkar, a look in his eye, something about the way he has been carrying himself, a maturity suggesting that he believes his time has come, writes Peter Roebuck.
Source: The Sunday Age, Australia
Kenya bowl establishment a wrong ‘un to make semis
In Kenya cricket used to be something for the wahindi – Hindi speakers – or the wazungu, the whites. But with their World Cup success, the times they are a changing.
Source: The Observer, UK
India’s success should be enshrined
“Whatever has been done to bring about this modern miracle should be documented and placed in a shrine. If it could be recorded there would be a number of prospective consumers in the cricket world willing to pay considerable royalties to access the secret” – Greg Chappell.
Source: Rediff.com
India deserves all the luck
The Indians, as I mentioned, cannot be faulted for starting to plan for the finals. The only area that a change could be made in at this stage, observes Barry Richards.
Source: Mid-day, India
Read anything interesting lately? Send us the link for the CricInfo weblogs.Saturday, March 15, 2003:::
Flower: A true all-rounder
Martin Gough looks back at the career of Andy Flower, the consummate professional who was also something of a ‘patron saint for lost causes’.
Source: BBC, UK
Parthiv Patel faces a real test
Parthiv Patel, the youngest wicket-keeper in the 2003 World Cup, may not have played a single match but being the good young man that he is, he has gainfully employed the free time at his disposal, reading his text books and preparing for the big test that awaits him on his return to India.
Source: Cricket365.com
Indians ready for Aussie showdown
I didn’t think any team could challenge Australia at the start of the tournament – they were untouchable. But after watching India’s performances over the past few weeks, I think Sourav Ganguly’s team now have a very good chance of winning the final in Johannesburg next Sunday, writes Imran Khan.
Source: BBC, UK
Aussies in a spin over St George’s pitch
Australian batsman Darren Lehmann is the latest to vent his frustration over the state of the Port Elizabeth pitch where the world champions are due to play their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.
Source: The Independent, South Africa
Read anything interesting lately? Send us the link for the CricInfo weblogs.Friday, March 14, 2003:::
Kenya next up where England failed to tread
It is natural for countries knocked out early to lose interest, or sometimes feel a little aggrieved, but you have to say that Kenya deserve full recognition for what was the greatest achievement in their cricketing history, writes Michael Bevan.
Source:Guardian
Kenyan progression gets the drums beating across the Serengeti
Kenya has played sound cricket, giving nothing away and taking its chances. It is an old formula and it works. Every time the team has faltered it has fought back. There is resolution in this team from Africa, and considerable ability, writes renowned cricket writer Peter Roebuck.
Source:The Age, Australia
Renewed Tendulkar seeks final revenge
Sachin Tendulkar has vowed to avenge India’s nine-wicket loss and his own lacklustre World Cup innings against Australia with a win over Ricky Ponting’s team in the final.
Source:The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Team India turns laptop warriors
At the heart of the Indian cricket team’s performance in the World Cup, and their general cricketing revival, is the use of technology.
Source:Times of India
Kenya laughing their way to success – McGrath
Glenn McGrath believes that South Africa could have avoided early elimination if they had gone about their cricket as Kenya have in this World Cup.
Source: The Independent, South Africa
Read anything interesting lately? Send us the link for the CricInfo weblogs.Thursday, March 13, 2003:::
Kenya’s youngsters long for home after incredible win
Apart from the bright green and red training kit, there is only one other thing common with all the Kenya players off the pitch: mobile phones. But if you have ever been away from home for a long time, you will understand that the little gizmo is the closest you can get to your loved ones.
Source: Allafrica.comWhere the cricket is something that eats crops
They are arranging a side trip from the main centre of the cricket World Cup to play in a state notorious for brutal executions and for a dodgy election that produced a leader reviled round the world. This is the next World Cup, scheduled for West Indies in 2007, you understand. And the state concerned is Florida.
Source: The Guardian, UKMcGrath lauds smiling giant-killers
Glenn McGrath said that Shaun Pollock’s perennially stressed-out team would have benefited from enjoying themselves as much as Australia and the underdog Kenyans, who booked a semi-final berth by beating Zimbabwe at Bloemfontein.
Source: The Australian, AustraliaGreg Chappell revives Bradman-Tendulkar debate
Australian batting great Greg Chappell yesterday wondered if the legendary Don Bradman would have handled the modern game as well as India’s Sachin Tendulkar does. Chappell called Tendulkar a “genius” after watching him score a record 571 runs in the World Cup so far.
Source: AFP in Arab News, Saudi ArabiaUtter rubbish!
These are the only two words that can describe yesterday’s pathetic performance by the Zimbabwe cricket team, who were knocked out of the 2003 World Cup when they suffered a humiliating seven-wicket defeat with 23 overs to spare against non-Test-playing Kenya — of all teams — in a Super Six match at the Goodyear Park.
Source: The Harare Herald, ZimbabweRead anything interesting lately? Send us the link for the CricInfo weblogs.Wednesday, March 12, 2003:::
Lankan Buddhists join Indian victory celebrations
A group of Sri Lankan Buddhists joined thousands of Kolkatans in boisterous celebrations over India’s thumping victory against Sri Lanka at the World Cup. “We are monks. All are equal in our eyes. So we shouldn’t be partial,” a smiling Dipak Lama said.
Source: The New Indian Express, IndiaAll rise for the bullet-proof genius
Sachin Tendulkar arrived in southern Africa with two runs in three matches in New Zealand, a shadow over his batting position and the ever-insatiable expectations of millions, yet he steadily made the World Cup his own.
Source: The Guardian, UKWorld Cup veterans standing strongest
How wrong those pundits were who predicted a youth-spurred World Cup! Peter Roebuck discovers that it is the ageing veterans who are propelling their sides further into the tournament.
Source: The Age, AustralianPonting escapes censure after Cairns run-in
Ricky Ponting escaped a ticking off from officials today after a prolonged verbal send-off to Chris Cairns. After Cairns was dismissed for 16, Ponting ran in from cover to eyeball Cairns and let rip with some choice adjectives as he was trudging off.
Source: Stuff, New ZealandTravel agents make hay as fans rush to South Africa
India’s entry into the World Cup semi-finals has resulted in cricket-crazy fans heading for South Africa in droves. While the number of queries for tickets have gone up by almost 50 per cent at agencies after the team’s victory over Pakistan, travel agents have sold more packages over the last 10 days.
Source: Business Standard, IndiaRead anything interesting lately? Send us the link for the CricInfo weblogs.Tuesday, March 11, 2003:::
Prisoners in Mumbai fast for TV
When India is reeling under cricket fever, is it tantamount to a denial of human rights to withold cricket matches from prisoners? Some in the Azad Maidan Police Station seem to think so, and fasted until they got their cricket!
Source: Mid Day, IndiaWest Indies to host “greatest-ever World Cup”
When the West Indies World Cup organising committee delegation hosted a tete-a-tete with journalists after studying the World Cup, World Cup 2007 committee CEO Chris Dehring seemed sure that he could top the current tournament for organisation and quality.
Source: The Gulf News, UAEAmerica to play in the next World Cup
Those who hold cricket as one of the last bastions of un-Americanisation have reason to weep. As part-hosts of the 2007 World Cup, the USA will get automatic entry into the next edition of the tournament.
Source: The Guardian, UKRussell Crowe wishes Kiwis well against Australia
Adopted Aussie Russell Crowe is going in to bat for New Zealand at the cricket World Cup, switching allegiance to the Black Caps in South Africa after close friend Shane Warne was booted out of the Australian side for failing a drugs test, said cousin Jeff Crowe.
Source: The New Zealand Herald, New ZealandRead anything interesting lately? Send us the link for the CricInfo weblogs.Monday, March 10, 2003:::
Condemned by colourful fingers of fate
One employs an arthritic, crooked finger to condemn a batsman, another occasionally hops from foot to foot while a third had to take evasive action to avoid a knockout blow from the world’s greatest batsman. Under the glare of the television lights here, World Cup umpires are beginning to shine just as much as the players.
Source: The Independent, South AfricaBodyline antics have Fleming yawning
Stephen Fleming is not about to be dragged into a debate over Australia’s use of bodyline tactics against key opponents, or the question of launching a pre-emptive strike if given the opportunity.
Source: The New Zealand Herald, New ZealandGreat rivalry deserves world stage
Certainly it is appropriate that Australia and New Zealand are going head to head at this eighth World Cup for their great rivalry deserves a world stage, writes renowned cricket writer Mike Coward.
Source: The Australian, AustraliaFacing the old rivals
There’s one thing no self-respecting Aussie can do and that’s lose against a Kiwi. It doesn’t matter what sport you’re playing – cricket, rugby, tennis – they won’t accept back home, writes Darren Lehmann.
Source: The BBC, UK,The World Cup of the morons
Raj Subramanyam rolls up his sleeves and gets down to the pleasurable task of naming the morons – men who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory – of the ongoing World Cup.
Source: Rediff.comRead anything interesting lately? Send us the link for the CricInfo weblogs.

John Emburey, Former England Captain and current Middlesex Coach backs Ladbrokes sponsorship of the Middlesex County Cricket League and Youth Academy.This is a new and innovative sponsorship for Ladbrokes; combining support for the league and the academy and for the first time Ladbrokes is launching their highly successful `Fair Play’ scheme into league cricket.John Emburey Fair Play Ambassador commented, "This is an opportunity for Umpires to strike back, it’s a great initiative and a fantastic opportunity to penalise players for sledging and bad sportsmanship on the field. It will improve standards of behaviour and uphold the traditions of the game. We are thrilled to be involved with such an enlightened approach".The scheme rewards one club in each 1st XI side that finishes top of the Fair Play league in each of the 3 divisions considered by the umpires to have achieved the highest standards in Fair Play through the season.In assessing teams for Fair Play umpires will consider three broad criteria, which are based on `The Spirit of Cricket’. The criteria for Umpires are:

• Spirit of Cricket on the Field
• Courtesy towards umpires and opponents
• Acceptance of decisions

Ladbrokes, sponsors of this years Middlesex Cricket League is officially launching the partnership at The Cricketers Club of London, 71 Blandford Street, London W1U 1AB, on Tuesday 8th April at 7pm.Dominic Harrison, Ladbrokes Commercial Director said "Ladbrokes recognises the importance of supporting grass roots sports and is delighted to be sponsoring the Middlesex League, we are looking forward to a successful and enjoyable relationship"Vinny Codrington, Chief Executive of Middlesex, was delighted to have secured such a sponsorship. "To be able to support league cricket in the county, and help with the development of players through the academy is a major step forward for cricket in Middlesex, and we are delighted to be involved with Ladbrokes."

Mike Burns and his Somerset team were thwarted by the rain at Derby on Friday as they attempted to win their second successive championship match of the season, and will hope for better weather when they resume at eleven o’clock tomorrow morning.Despite the umpires making three separate inspections during the early part of the afternoon any hopes were abandoned when play was eventually called off by umpires Mark Benson and Allan Jones just after three o’clock.Back at the County Ground in Taunton, chief executive Peter Anderson reflected on the Cidermen’s season so far. He told me: "Some people have expressed disappointment following the team’s defeat by eight runs in the championship match at Bristol, and our National Cricket League defeat when we played Durham last weekend. We were pretty poor against Durham make no mistakes about it, but our bowlers who were criticised did have a wet ball to contend with."He continued: "There are several very pleasing signs however from the season already. Our quick bowlers are bowling sides out in sixty overs, and that is a vindication of coach Kevin Shines tactics of putting a strong bowling side out because to win matches you have to take twenty wickets, especially in Division Two.""The batting is coming together now and it is pleasing to see Jamie Cox scoring runs. Peter Bowler and newcomer James Bryant put together a gutsy performance against Durham in the championship when the pressure was on us, laying the foundation for a good win, and our newcomers are also beginning to find their feet in this team."He went on: "The young players at the club are a great value to us and there are several of them waiting in the wings ready to make their mark. Players like our rising star Gareth Andrew, Michael Parsons, Robert Woodman, Steven Wheeler, James Hilditch and Richard Timms all show great potential, not forgetting Tom Webley and Cornishman Michael Munday who are both playing first class cricket for Cambridge UCCE and Oxford UCCE respectively.""Again this is a vindication of our coaches Kevin Shine and Mark Garaway who have worked hard in the development field with these promising young players, and down through the age groups there are some lovely little gems waiting for their chances," he added.Regarding the current crop of injuries at the club the Somerset boss said: " Early season injuries started with Matt Wood who was hospitalised after contracting a virus at Southampton. That affected his availability to play, and has set him back, however thankfully he has now fully recovered and is playing again.""Matt Bulbeck having had a history of back injury has had to rest from bowling for three weeks because of a suspected stress fracture of the back, and Neil Edwards who had such a successful tour to Australia with England at Under 19 level has been suffering from glandular fever, but is now thankfully ready to resume light training."The chief concluded: "The whole of our pre season was upset by the virus that several of the players contracted at Southampton which is why we often had to use fifteen or sixteen players in the warm up matches."

While foreign peacekeeping forces roam Afghanistan and new governmentinstitutions are being installed, sport, and especially cricket, is taking aback-seat.

Not so for the fledgling Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF) who are busyfighting a lonely battle to develop cricket in their war-torn country. Theybelieve cricket can play an important role in helping rebuild their nation’ssocial fabric and want to bring people together in friendly competition.They say cricket provides a healthy outlet for youthful energy as itencourages team spirit and turns attention away from guns and fightingtowards the field of play.It’s a long tough road ahead but their spirits are high and some good workhas already been done. But without aid in the form of donations, know-howand sponsorships they face an almost impossible task.A start has been made, however, as a little help came their way when inApril the cricket-friendly British Embassy staff arranged for a donation ofsome cricket equipment and, earlier, members of the International SecurityAssistance Force (ISAF) took time out to play cricket with the ACF team.Only the love of cricket could bring people together from cultures acontinent apart to play together in the unlikeliest of locations, Kabul andits environs.The ACF is trying to re-establish a cricket structure in a country that hasfar more immediate problems but they still managed to tour neighbouringPakistan during the 2002-03 season to play for the Cornelius Trophy, aGrade-II domestic tournament there and they plan to send a youth team forJuly’s Youth Asia Cup 2003.Although the Afghanis failed to make much of an impression on other poolmembers in the Pakistan tournament – not qualifying for the next round -they did gain invaluable competitive experience.A bright moment came their way when playing out a draw against Rajanpurwhen allrounder Mohammad Nabi scored an unbeaten 103. Was this the firstinternational century by an Afghani? We will have to wait till cricketstatisticians come up with an answer after Afghanistan plays some morecricket.Against Rahimyar Khan they went down by 189 runs while Okara blasted them byan innings and 113 runs. In their last pool match, Gujrat showed no mercywith a 10-wicket win and ensured the visitors finished with no points fromtheir four games.Some solace nevertheless was Nabi’s performance who topped their averages inbatting (226 runs at an average of 37.66) and in bowling (six wickets at anaverage of 24.83 with a best of 4-66).During 2001-02, the Afghanistan team had also competed in Pakistan¹sdomestic Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-II but remained empty-handed. The starthen was skipper and president of the ACF, Allah Dad Noori who hauled in 18wickets in five games with a best of 9-89 in one match.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been providing the Afghan team withsome financial support apart from allowing them to play in local tournamentsand during the 2002-03 tour helped with a qualified coach, former allrounderNaeem Ahmed.After the tour Naeem said, “The Afghan players had all the needed talent anddesire but lacked professional coaching and exposure to competitive cricketwhich can only come if a cricket infrastructure is developed back home andthey play more cricket.”Speaking to Wisden CricInfo, Abdul Khalil, general manager of the ACFexplained: “Cricket was one of the few organised sports allowed under theprevious [Taliban] government, so it was, and is, a very important game forus and for the development of youth in Afghanistan.””The ACF was founded in 1995 and before the war [post-September 11] we had29 registered clubs and over 900 regular players nationally. We also hadbegun a schoolyard league that helped introduce cricket to ourschoolchildren.”He went on to express happiness that no known players were lost during thefighting in his country.”However, our main ground became an army command centre used by varioustroops, and most of our equipment, facilities and the league infrastructurewere destroyed.””We are trying to rebuild sponsorship and funds are urgently needed forcricket academies. Cricket should be an important social contributor toreconstruction in Afghanistan.””We would like to sincerely thank those who have helped us already and hopethat we can be assisted to rebuild cricket academies in three key provincesKhost, Jalalabad and Kabul, and for an opportunity to show that Afghanistanis also a country of sportsmen.”It was the ‘inventors’ of cricket who came up with some timely support forthe ACF on April 16, 2003 when the British Ambassador to Afghanistanpresented a quantity of cricket equipment to be given to and distributed tothe cricketers of Afghanistan by the ACF.The equipment included bats, balls, protective equipment, whites and twoartificial pitches. All through the efforts of one cricket enthusiast at theembassy, Andrew Banks, who managed to convince various individuals, sportscompanies and several English counties to donate.At a ceremony at his residence Ambassador Ron Nash LVO also presented Afghanplayers with off-field uniforms and an ACF tie.Cricket was first taken up by Afghani refugee youth who had fled to Pakistanafter the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the early 1980’s and carriedon playing till they could return home 10 years later – more than sufficienttime to inculcate cricket culture.Among them was nine-wickets-in-a-match man and ACF President, Allah DadNoori, who learnt cricket as a young man playing in Peshawar who then wenthome to help found the ACF in 1995.These young men convinced the ruling Taliban militia to allow cricket to beplayed and one may recall this strict regime had banned most sports as beingrepugnant after taking over from the Soviets. They brought most ofAfghanistan under their ultra-orthodox interpretation of Islamic Shariahlaw, banning women from outside jobs and education and ordering men to growuntrimmed beards.In 1998, Afghani boxers were banned from participating in an internationalboxing tournament in neighbouring Pakistan because they refused to trimtheir beards. The organisers felt the beards to be an unfair advantage asthey would soften knock-out punches.”We all pray that Afghans adopt not only the technical aspects of the gamebut the charisma that surrounds the cricketing field,” said Pakistan’slegendary batsman Hanif Mohammad after he was told that cricket had beentaken up in Afghanistan.

“But it is good news as more children are involved in cricket, the furtherthey will be from the fighting. The atmosphere will change as mothers andfathers come to watch their children play,” he added.In January 2000, the ruling Taliban militia approached the PCB to help ACFjoin the International Cricket Council (ICC).”They have written to us and want us to help recommend them for associatemembership of the ICC,” said Yawar Saeed, who was a member of PCB’sadvisory council.After a visit to review local cricket and facilities by Nasim-ul-Ghani,ICC’s regional development manager for Asia, the ACF received recognition asan Affiliate Member in 2001.After this struggle, and with stability now returning to Afghanistan, theACF has made an appeal to cricket-playing countries, their boards, sportsequipment manufacturers and sponsors to help donate to develop cricketfurther.They need to setup coaching academies, provide equipment to players, anddevelop grounds.A laudable plan that surely matches the spirit of cricket for soon we mayall enjoy one more team in the arena battling it out with bat and ball.

Nicky Boje has undergone surgery after fracturing his left fibula while fielding in the NatWest Series one-day international against England at Edgbaston on July 8. Boje, who was substituting for Martin van Jaarsveld, also suffered medial-ligament damage in his ankle, and is expected to be out of action for at least four months.Boje had come onto the field at the drinks break and was fielding at extra cover. His immediate reaction was one of pain as he screamed to the dressing-rooms for assistance, and, after a swift assessment by the physiotherapist, he was carried from the field by his team-mates before being taken by ambulance to the Selly Oak West Midlands hospital.South Africa’s coach Eric Simons reflected the feelings of the tightly knit squad: “I feel desperately sorry for Nicky. He has had injury problems before with his shoulder, and now this. I just hope he will recover quickly, as he has made a positive impact on the squad both on and off the field.”And what was the injury to van Jaarsveld that necessitated the substitution that brought Boje on to field? Gerald de Kock, South Africa’s media spokesman, put it this way: “van Jaarsveld got hit in the box before play and during his innings and that got more and more painful.”Well, at least his fibula’s still all right.

Lincolnshire ended day two of their Minor Counties Championship match at Barrow-in-Furness in a commanding position.Having set Cumberland a target of 365, Jonathan Davies capitalised on the wicket he claimed at the close of day one, taking a second before the home side had added to their overnight score of 26.And Bob Chapman quickly got in on the act with the wicket of Ashley Metcalfe to make it 33 for three.Opener Oliver Clayson and number five Graeme Lloyd stopped the slide with a stand of 76. But when both fell to Dowman – Clayson lbw and Metcalfe to a diving catch at gully by David Christmas – the Cumberland innings crumbled from 120 for four to 154 all out, wicketkeeper Oliver Burford taking three catches and one stumping.Dowman finished with three for 29 and Davies two for 30, both off 12 overs while Elliot Wilson took two for 37 off nine and Christmas followed up his excellent opening day innings with an economical two for 17 off 14 overs, eight of which were maidens.Mark Fell then invited the home side to follow on and the second innings brought a steadier performance as Steve Knox made 29, Clayson 26, Metcalfe 34 and Lloyd 58 off 77 balls in which he hit 11 fours.Jason Quint contributed 31 and at the close of play Cumberland were 244 for five, O’Shaughnessy unbeaten on 31 and Christmas adding two more wickets to his tally.Cumberland go into the final day 33 ahead with five wickets standing, and Fell will be looking for early bowling success to leave Lincs an achievable target.

Hampshire look set to announce the signing of Chaminda Vaas as their overseas replacement for veteran Pakistani Wasim Akram who quit the county earlier in the month.Vaas, 29, who has taken 216 wickets in 68 Tests for Sri Lanka, held talks with Hampshire after Heath Streak, Zimbabwe’s captain, turned down an offer of a second spell with the county. Paul Terry, Hampshire’s manager, said that an official announcement will be made later in the week.Streak turned down Hampshire’s approaches as he wanted to spend more time with his family after Zimbabwe’s recent tour of England.Wasim Akram left Hampshire halfway through a one-year contract because of his continuing battle with diabetes which had restricted him to just five of their eight first-class matches.

When you approached the Chinnaswamy Stadium from the south in the afternoon, you saw a sea of people dressed in white – sporting bright green scarves – milling around Mahatma Gandhi Park. They were farmers protesting against the SM Krishna government’s “anti-farmer” policies, though you could also glimpse the odd billboard that said, very dramatically, “Kill the WTO”. While the fat cats in their Saville Row suits divide up the world-trade pie in Cancun, the little man’s voice continues to be heard above the din the world over.One or two of the younger ones seemed a little bored, glancing wistfully in the direction of the stadium. The older bunch contented themselves with peanuts and snoozing, interrupted by the sporadic slogan. In any event, the atmosphere there was a great deal more lively than what you found inside the stadium itself.The smattering of supporters were spread over three stands, and they roused themselves only when a certain Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar started putting bat to ball after a hesitant start. There was also applause for Wasim Jaffer, who started off-driving like a dream, and then went for one too many. The main topic of discussion in the stands then was the “no-ball” with which Lakshmipathy Balaji had made a mess of Tendulkar’s stumps. More than the five wickets he took, bowling with great verve, accuracy and discipline, it was that delivery that made the spectators sit up and take notice of Balaji – who is a far better bowler than his one-day debut against West Indies suggested.Zaheer Khan, by contrast, was all over the place. It should surprise no-one that the key performers in this match were all part of the India A team that toured England. While their senior colleagues appeared woefully short of match practice – even Tendulkar was a pale shadow of his usually authoritative self – the likes of Balaji, Rohan Gavaskar, Sridharan Sriram and Irfan Pathan were in fine fettle. So much for those who write off the Challenger as a waste of time. Imagine India’s plight if its finest had gone into the series against New Zealand on the back of just one Irani Trophy game.The other welcome thing about today was the absence of the M word, Munaf to those of you that have been deprived of news over the past fortnight. If you read some of the reports, you might have been convinced that Munaf Patel was a combination of Dennis Lillee, Jesus Christ, Moses and Harry Houdini, the “secret weapon” who would irreparably scar the Australian psyche this winter.Did we miss something? Munaf has yet to play a first-class game, and already the hype machine suggests that he’s the man to stymie Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist, who only comprise the best batting line-up on the planet. Figures like 150 kmph – only Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar clock that with any consistency – are freely bandied about. But who has put a radar gun on him? The media?To add some weight to flimsy arguments, they quote his coaches at MRF, who are hardly likely to give him anything but favourable press, come to think of it. You can almost understand why Sourav Ganguly, who knows a thing or two about earning the India cap, brushed off the hullabaloo by saying that it would be best to wait until he had actually shown his stuff in the middle. Like some of us, he can remember names like Iqbal Siddiqui and Tinu Yohannan, who aren’t even Challengers anymore. Munaf should forget about the elevator and take the stairs just like everyone else. The thing is, men like Aavishkar Salvi, Balaji and Pathan are already a couple of flights ahead.
Munaf Patel – The whirlwind from Gujarat