The Expert's Log - Feb. 17 - Feb. 23

"There's a lot more sense of unity and if anything it got guys to talk about team issues - not necessarily Hansie and the captaincy. If anything this has all driven the team together." South African coach Eric Simons, on the reported rift in his team
Source: Reuters

"It would be a great shame if we lose his (Shane Warne's) services. On the other hand, there are rules that need to be upheld and I would support the rules being upheld. I just hope that he doesn't break them." Australian Prime Minister John Howard, to Adelaide radio station 5DN
Source: The Age, Australia

"We gave him a chance to bowl, and we were so impressed by his speed. We told ourselves this was a Proteas bowler in the making...give Ntini about three more years he will be at his peak." Talent scouts Greg Hayes and Raymond Booi, on their discovery, Makhaya Ntini
Source: The Natal Witness, South Africa

"I've never been to Zimbabwe before in my life, and my concerns are the same as those of the England players. I am worried about my safety." Umpire Peter Willey, asking to be switched from a game he is scheduled to officiate in Zimbabwe
Source: The Independent, UK

"I think certainly a lot of these teams are out of their depth and I wonder how much it does for cricket. I think it detracts a little from the tournament. When there was an eight-team format, with the top four advancing to the next round, every game was meaningful. Now there are too many matches that don't mean much." Former South African captain Kepler Wessels, on the presence of teams like Namibia and the Netherlands in the World Cup
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

"I was called in to do the same thing with Steve Waugh's Australian team during the last Ashes in England. I just wanted to get the message across that no matter how it looks, great teams get knocked over in finals." Former South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar, after being consulted by Shaun Pollock on the secret to World Cup success
Source: The Age, Australia