Captain's Log - Feb. 5-Feb. 11

Saturday, February 8, 2003:::

"It's probably a good thing that if these injuries had to happen, they happened when they did. If they had occurred towards the end of the VB Series, with less and a fortnight to go for the World Cup, we would certainly have been in serious trouble." Ricky Ponting, on the recent injuries suffered by Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie
Source: Gulf News, United Arab Emirates

"We went on a tour to Zimbabwe two years ago. At the time, there was lots of talk of violence. But we didn't have any problems when we were there." Shaun Pollock, on playing in Zimbabwe
Source: Financial Times, UK

"The opening two games (against Holland and Australia) are absolutely vital. It would give us a fair idea and it could put us on a roll. I am eagerly looking forward for the tournament to unfold." Sourav Ganguly
Source: The Pakistan Tribune, Pakistan

"We're just focussing on the World Cup and making the Zimbabwean people proud. We want to go out there and really fly the flag for Zimbabwe." Heath Streak, on the turmoil surrounding his country's role as host in the World Cup

Source: The BBC, UK

posted at 12:57 p.m. IST

Wednesday, February 5, 2003:::

"It looks like we have moved it to stage two where our board has got behind us and asked to take this to the Technical Committee. But this is only stage two and there is another stage to go." Nasser Hussain, on the ECB's request to move their World Cup game from Zimbabwe
Source: The Gloucestershire Citizen, UK

"I just want to play as a member of the team after the World Cup in order to spend more time with my family." Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud, on stepping down as captain after the World Cup
Source: The Statesman, India

"As Christians, we all make mistakes and God forgives us. He paid for his sins and it is over. Hansie meant a lot to South African cricket and in my opinion, he was one of the best. I have the greatest respect for him." West Indian captain Carl Hooper, after paying his respects to the late Hansie Cronje
Source: News24.com, South Africa

""I attribute playing on the trot -- under hostile conditions -- as one of the factors that exhausted the players' minds and added to the stress level." Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis, on his side's recent poor record away from home
Source: The Globe and Mail, Canada

posted at 11:26 a.m. IST