The Headlines (for Jan 96)

DEC95 news items moved to ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/DEC95

Wed 31

New Zealand beat Zimbabwe in the second one-day international. The scores: ZIM 181/9; NZ 184/4

Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga said his team is brimming with confidence to face a tight one day international calender in the coming months.Their first hurdle will be the 12-nation World Cup in the subcontinent where they are down to play five first round matches against the West Indies,Australia, Zimbabwe, India and Kenya. Soon after the World Cup, Sri Lanka team will fly to Singapore to play in a three-nation international tournament which also features India and Pakistan from April 1. The Lankan cricketers will fly to the Caribbean island direct from Singapore to take part in the Queens Park Club celebrations where they will play two one day internationals on April 12 and 13 against the West Indies. Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a three-match home series against Australia before they host the five-nation Singer World Series later this year.

Kenyan players persistent financial disagreements with the Board threaten to "self-destruct" their ambitions to cause upsets in the forthcoming World Cup. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Tue 30

The Asian Cricket Council has approved the selection of Sri Lanka as the host nation for the next Asia Cup cricket tournament in 1997. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will clash for honours in the four-nation tournament.This is the second time that Sri Lanka is hosting the Asia Cup limited over tournament having staged it in 1986. On that occasion Sri Lanka won its first ever international tournament when they beat Pakistan in the final under Duleep Mendis who is the present team manager.

A request by the Zimbabwean Cricket Union to delay the start of the third and final Under-19 Test between Zimbabwe and England at the Queen`s Oval until tomorrow, has been deferred until this morning. After seven days` continuous rain, the groundsman has requested more time to prepare the pitch. However, there was no rain in Bulawayo yesterday and though England want to start to play today they are willing to compromise if conditions are unsuitable. England lead the series 1-0.

The BBC have reached an agreement with BSkyB to show highlights of the World Cup. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Mon 29

Australia wraps up the Test series against Sri Lanka making a clean 3-0 sweep of the series. Australia wins the Third Test by 148 runs. The scores: AUS 502/9 d & 215/6d; SL 317 & 252.

Please the World Cup News Digest file and World Cup articles directory for more news items.

Sun 28

At close Day 4, Sri Lanka are 71/1 in their second innings in the third Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Earlier, Australia declared their second innings at 215/6.

New Zealand beat Zimbabwe in the first one-day international. The scores: NZ 278/5 ZIM 204

Sri Lanka is gearing up security for the forthcoming World Cup. The five teams that will play in Sri Lanka will get security equivalent to what foreign dignitaries get. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Roshan Mahanama is expected to be fit by next month`s world cup. Over a thousand 1000 English fans are expected to tour Sri Lanka next month for the World Cup. For further details and other World Cup news briefs, see the news digest file in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Sat 27

At close Day 3, Australia are 16/0 in their second innings in the third Test against Sri Lanka at the Adelaide Oval. Earlier, the tourists were dismissed for 3 17 (Paul Reiffel 5-39).

Imran Khan made a significant entry into the whole Pakistan ball tampering debate by writing a major article on the controversial issue in Daily Telegraph pub lished in London. The former Pakistani cricket captain insisted that the International Cricket Council clarifies the laws of ball tampering. In his arti cle he said the ball tampering has been a part of the game in some form. He dwelt on Pakistan`s troubles over accusations of cheating and ball tampering. In his article in the Daily Telegraph Imran Khan wrote at length about the Sri Lankan tour in Australia. He said:`The Sri Lankan team were accused of bal l tampering by two umpires and the match referee. Rather than accepting the verdict the Sri Lankans were furious and demanded an apology from the two umpires and the match refere e. The ICC for the first time stepped in and completely exonerated the Sri Lankans.

Former Australian cricketing great Greg Chappell said that he does not believe there are too many bowlers in cricket whose delivery actions would stand close scrutiny under slow-motion television. Cheppell said, in his opinion, Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralidharan is not a deliberate `thrower`. "I don`t think he runs up with any intent to `chuck` the ball.If you were going to run up and throw it, you would not use the action he uses," he said.

Sri Lanka is ready to host a India-Pakistan World Cup match at Colombo if the situation arises. See the World Cup news digest file in forthcoming/wc96/articles /.

Organizers in Pakistan predict that the forthcoming World Cup wll generate record earnings. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Fri 26

At close Day 2, Sri Lanka are 80/0 in reply to Australia`s first innings score of 502/9 declared. (Steve Waugh 170).

Brian Lara captains Trinidad today in the Red Stripe Cup against Barbados, returning to first class cricket after a self-imposed exile. See article in current/ articles/.

Carl Hooper has withdrawn from the forthcoming World Cup citing illness. He will be replaced by fast bowler Cameron Cuffy. For further details and other West Indies briefs, see article in news/.

The winner of the forthcoming World Cup in the Indian subcontinent will receive a 114-year-old trophy designed by the official jewellers to Britain`s Royal fam ily. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Border Cricket Board were yesterday fined by the United Cricket Board of South Africa for preparing a sub-standard pitch for the sixth one-day international b etween South Africa and England last week. UCBSA managing director Ali Bacher said in a statement the Border Cricket Board had been fined R5,000 (UK Pounds 91 4) for producing a "pitch that fell a long way short of the standard required for international cricket". See news/.

Richard Davis, the slow left-armer who played for Kent from 1986 to 1993 before making the move to Warwickshire, is to join Gloucestershire on a two-year contract.

Thu 25

Veteran Australian Test batsman David Boon has decided to call it a day. The 35-year-old Australian opening batsman will announce his retirement from international cricket after his team`s third and final Test against Sri Lanka which starts in Adelaide tomorrow. Thirty five-year-old Boon,who will not play in next month`s world cup, decided to end his international career after extensive discussions with his wife, family and the selectors. Boon has played in 106 Tests, scoring 7343 runs at an average of 43.70 with 21 centuries, with the last top against Sri Lanka in the second Test.But he will continue to play Sheffield Shield cricket for Tasmania for two more seasons.

A final decision on the inclusion of controversial off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to the Sri Lanka team for Thursday`s third and final Test against Australia will be taken by the team Manager Duleep Mendis. Australia leads 2-nil in the series as the third Test starts in Adelaide on Thursday. But the Cricket Board sources said the chances of the 23-year-old off spinner playing in the Adelaide Test can not be ruled out. But an official of the BCCSL said that the decision should be taken by the selectors in consultation with the tour management. Sri Lanka is not willing to play Muralitharan too early, after being cleared by Australian medical expert Daryel Foster, as they want to keep the off spinner for the World Cup. Cricket Board officials and selectors were in touch with Mendis and coach Dave Whatmore.

New Zealand have included Robert Kennedy, their raw fast-bowler, who made his Test debut in the Zimbabwe series just ended. Shane Thomson and Chris Harris, two out-of-favour all-rounders, have been recalled.

Zimbabwe named Andy Waller, 36, as their batting replacement for David Houghton, who had his foot broken by Kennedy this week in the drawn Test in Auckland.

Pakistan plans to host England women`s cricket team soon. Female cricketers in Pakistan formed the first national body to promote the game mainly amongst schoolgirls and organise national tournaments. The Pakistan Women`s Cricket Control Association which was established in Islamabad over the weekend, will invite a women`s cricket team from England soon. The association`s founder president is Shaiza Said Khan.

Wed 24

The second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand ends in a draw. The scores: NZ 251 & 441/5d; ZIM 326 & 246/4.

Australia will play in the forthcoming World Cup unless the peace agreements with the touring Sri Lankans break down during the third Test. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Imran Khan says that the ICC "need to come to grips with the laws" and that there should be be a "distinction between illegal and legitimate actions." See current/articles/.

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev arrived in Singapore to take part at the Johnnie Walker Classic ProAm Golf Championship which starts in Singapore on Thursday. The championship is the curtain-raiser to Asia`s premier meet carrying prize money of one million US dollars. Test cricketer turned golfer, Kapil will join eight other celebrities from the Asian region for a nine-hole event. Among the top players in the main tournament are Greg Norman,Ernie Els, Fred Couples,Bernhard Langer and John Daly, who is rated as world`s longest hitter.

Mendis meets ACB chief executive to express concern over umpiring

Sri Lanka team Manager Duleep Mendis met the Chief Executive of the Australian Cricket Board Graham Halbish and expressed his concern over some controversial umpiring decisions that went against the touring team in Australia. Sri Lanka has been the victim of some atrocious decisions by Australian umpires during the tour. In Colombo, the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka is preparing a document with TV clippings on all the bad decisions made by Australian umpires against the tourists. The report will be handed over to the International Cricket Council chief executive David Richards in London next week.

Tight one day international schedule for Sri Lanka team

Sri Lanka cricket team will have a tight one day international calender in the coming months. Their first hurdle will be the 12-nation World Cup in the subcontinent where they are down to play five first round matches against the West Indies, Australia, Zimbabwe, India and Kenya. Soon after the mega event,Sri Lanka team will fly to Singapore to play in a three-nation international tournament which also features India and Pakistan from April 1. The Lankan cricketers will fly to West Indies direct from Singapore to take part in the Queens Park Club celebrations where they will play two one day internationals on April 12 and 13 against the West Indies. Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a three-match home series against Australia before they host the five-nation Singer World Series later this year.

A newspaper photographer has filed a complaint against Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin, for allegedly snatching a photo film and exposing it. See news/.

Tue 23

At stumps Day 4, Zimbabwe are 39/0 in their second innings against New Zealand. Earlier, New Zealand declared their second innings at 441/5 (Spearman 112, Cairns 120).

ENGLAND will be hoping for an improvement in the weather when the second Test starts here this morning, although the forecast is not promising. Last week, rain washed out the first Test at St George`s College and allowed only four sessions of the three-day game against Mashonaland District. A squad of 14 has been named but the final XI will not be decided on until the pitch, at the Harare Sports Club, has been inspected. ENGLAND U-19 v Zimbabwe.- 2nd Test (Harare Spts Club, Jan 23-26), from: A Morris (Yorks, capt), U Afzaal (Notts), G Batty (Yorks), C Campbell (Durham), G Edwards (Glamorgan), A Flintoff (Lancs), N Gie (Notts), P Hutcheson (Yorks), D Nash (Middx), D Roberts (Northants), D Sales (Northants), O Shah (Middx), M Wood (Yorks), M Hoggard (Yorks).

England players return to South Africa today morning with the Professional Cricketers` Association seeking on their behalf a right of reply to criticisms aired against them in the media. See news/. for more details.

Muttiah Muralitharan has been included in the Sri Lankan final 14-member squad for the forthcoming World Cup. See forthcoming/wc96/articles for more details.

Various other teams have also named their World Cup Squads. Please see the final squad file in forthcoming/wc96 periodically for updates.

Muralitharan has also been included in the squad for the third Test against Australia. See preview file in current/sl in aus/articles.

Mon 22

At stumps Day 3, New Zealand are 138/0 in their second innings in the first Test against Zimbabwe. Earlier Zimbabwe were all out for 326 in their first innings. Dave Houghton, not out 104 overnight, retired hurt at start of day, and was later diagnosed as having a broken leg, rendering him out of the current Test match as well as the forthcoming World Cup.

Darrel Foster, one of Australia`s most respected cricket coaches, has cleared Muralitharan`s bowling action. See article in news/.

Sri Lanka are to meet with ICC match referee Graham Dowling, in order to improve relations. See article in news/.

The Professional Cricketer`s Association are to question the imbalance in cricket regulations. See article in news/.

South Africa have ruled wicketkeeper Dave Richardson out of the World Cup, because of a broken finger. He will be replaced by Steve Palframan of Border. Richardson, 36, suffered a fracture to his left index finger on Friday in East London when South Africa defeated England to take a 5-1 lead in the one-day series.

West Indies manager Wesley Hall, has hinted that Brian Lara will figure in the final West Indies squad for the forthcoming world cup. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Sun 21

At stumps day 2, Zimbabwe are 231/7 (Dave Houghton 104*). Earlier, New Zealand were all out for 251.

Australia clinched the World Series cup finals after beating the Sri Lanka in the rain-interrupted second final.

South Africa beat England 6-1 in the one-day series. In the seventh one-day international, South Africa beat England by 64 runs.

Sri Lanka`s dashing wicketkeeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana has been picked as Benson and Hedges Player of the Series for his brilliant performances in the preliminary rounds of the World Series. `Kalu` who won three `Man of the Match` awards, will receive A5,000 dollars, Baccarrat Crystal Ice Bucket with gold fittings. The match umpires with three senior media representatives, voted 3-2-1 system from five judges for each game.

World Cup officials state that Australia should have no fears with regard to security during the tourney. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles.

Australia newspapers report that Shane Warne may withdraw from the forthcoming World Cup due to fears for his life. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles.

The 12 participating teams in cricket`s sixth edition of the World Cup which will be hosted jointly by Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka in February/March, are required to submit the names of squads of 14 members to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by Monday.

Sat 20

At stumps day 1, New Zealand are 234/6 in the second Test against Zimbabwe.

Dave Richardson and Jonty Rhodes both suffered hand injuries during the 6th ODI between England and South Africa at Buffalo Park, East London this evening. Richardson has broken his left index finger and Rhodes has a cut finger which required 4 stitches. Their replacements are Border wicket keeper Steve Palframan and Boland all-rounder Adrian Kuiper.

Umpire Darrell Hair has apologized to the Sri Lankans about the whole chucking controversy. See article in news/.

The Sri Lanka cricket team,led by Arjuna Ranatunga, has been voted Best Team for 1995 in the Eastern Eye newspaper published in the United Kingdom. English cricket commentators have been speaking highly of Lankan cricketers with particular reference to Aravinda de Silva and his innings for Kent at Lords. But the British media earlier highlighted Sri Lanka`s poor form in the first Two Tests against Australia and the Muttiah Muralitharan controversy. Those attracted headlines in the broadsheets and tabloid newspapers in the UK.

Sri Lanka is likely to include all-rounder Ruwan Kalpage for their second World Series Cup final against Australia to be played in Sydney on Saturday (21). Team Manager Duleep Mendis said a decision on Kalpage`s inclusion will be made on Saturday after inspecting the wicket. Sri Lanka which lost the first final at the MCG by 18 runs must beat the Australians on Saturday if they are to go for the third final to be played on Monday, also at the SCG. Mendis said there will not be any changes in the batting line-up though opener Sanath Jayasuriya, who has failed to impress, is challenged by Chandika Haturusinghe.

South African captain Hansi Cronje said his team`s present form will give them a tremendous boost for next month`s World Cup to be worked off in the Indian subcontinent. Cronje was a jubilant man after his team`s five wicket win over England in the fifth one day international in Durban. Cronje (78) led from front with a record 118-run 3rd wicket partnership with Jacques Kallis (67) last night as South Africa took an unbeatable 4-1 team in the seven-match series. The visitors will play their last two one day internationals on January 19 (in East London) and January 21 (in Port Elizabeth) before ending the current tour of South Africa.

Singapore`s first ever international cricket tournament to be worked off in April after the World Cup in the subcontinent. The president of the Singapore Cricket Association Joe Gimberg said that the stage is set for their big event where Asian cricketing giants India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka battle for supremacy. The triangular competition will be played from April 1-7 and Pakistan will meet Sri Lanka in the `curtain raiser` on April 1.

Fri 19

South Africa beat England in the 6th one-day international. The scores: RSA 129 all out in 41.4 overs; ENG 115 all out in 43.4 overs.

The minister for sports in Sri Lanka, Mr. Dissanayake has sent a letter to the Sri Lanka cricket board asking for clearing Muralitharan off the chucking controversy. See news/.

UAE have announced their World Cup squad. See squad file in forthcoming/wc96/ as well as article in forthcoming/wc96/articles for more squad news.

ENGLAND Under-19s were again frustrated by the weather when the start of their three-day game against Mashonaland District was postponed at a waterlogged Goromonzi Country Club for a day. After losing three days of the first Test to rain the home team agreed to England`s suggestion that the game start this morning. Alex Morris, the England captain who top-scored in the first Test, misses today`s game but will return for the second Test, which starts next Tuesday.

The ACB have allowed Australian players the option of withdrawing from the forthcoming World Cup in light of the death threats received by some of the players. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles.

Muralitharan has criticized the ICC for not standing by players who are in the midst of controversy. Furthermore he has vowed to take legal action against those who no-balled him in the Test match during Boxing Day. See article in news/.

Thu 18

South Africa took an unbeatable 4-1 lead in the ongoing one-day International series with England, by beating England by five wickets in the fifth match. The scores: ENG 184 all out (49.5 overs); RSA 185/5 (48.1 overs)

The West Indies selectors are due to meet in Barbados next Tuesday to select their final 14-man squad for the World Cup.

Sri Lanka play Australia today at Melbourne in the game 1 of the World Series Cup finals. For a full detailed preview see article in current/one-day tournaments/wsc/articles/.

Captain Richie Richardson states that the West Indies will still be a force to reckon with in the forthcoming World cup despite their dismal performance in the current World Series Cup in Australia. See article in news/.

Australia are considering withdrawing from the forthcoming World Cup after death threats to some of their players. See forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Aussie cricketers fearing retribution after the current spate of controversies with Sri Lanka and Pakistan, will be allocated more security in the forthcoming World Cup. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Australia will be relying more on youth in the forthcoming World cup. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Nasim-ul-Ghani and former Indian captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi will be the match referees for the four World Cup matches to be held in Sri Lanka. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Wed 17

The first test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at Hamilton ended in a draw. Zimbabwe needing 245 to win the test, made 208/6 at close.

Sri Lanka beat Australia by 3 wickets and advanced to the WSC Finals. The first match of the finals will be on the 18th between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Former England batsman Allan Lamb, meanwhile, will play one last season for Northamptonshire before retiring from first-class cricket. Lamb, 41, who played 79 Tests from 1982 to 1992, relinquished the county captaincy at the end of last summer but intends to accept the offer of a new one-year contract.

Former Yorkshire batsman Simon Kellett, 28, has turned down the chance to sign for Sussex after accepting a two-year contract to work for a supermarket chain instead.

Devon Malcolm denies that his dispute with Ray Illingworth is racist in nature. See news/. for more detail.

Tue 16

At close of play day 4, New Zealand were 129/4 in their second innings. Earlier, Zimbabwe were all out for 196.

Devon Malcolm claims that Ray Illingworth swore at him and ordered him to leave the nets during Christmas Day on the South African tour. See article in current/eng in rsa/articles/.

Martin Crowe, who dominated New Zealand cricket for 15 years announces his retirement. See article in news/.

Australia have rejected an appeal from the Sri Lankan team asking for the removal of umpire Darrell Hair from their remaining matches on the tour. See article in current/sl in aus/articles/.

Sri Lanka will meet Australia in another crucial World Series Cup match to be played under lights in Melbourne on Tuesday. A win for Sri Lanka is a must at the MCG if they are to play Australia in the best-of-three finals starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Thursday. Both Sri lanka and the West Indies have six points each. But if Sri Lanka loses to Australia tomorrow, the West Indies will make it to the finals on a better run-rate. The new World Cup style overall run-rate is calculated by deducting the runs scored against (what bowlers have given away per over) from run rate (batting - runs per over). This is where the West Indies take a close lead even if they are equal with Sri Lanka on match points. See the preview article in current/one day tournaments/wsc/articles/.

Australia may use Ricky Ponting as part-time wicketkeeper in the forthcoming world cup. England`s main weakness during the world cup may be the ability of their batsmen to play spin. Pakistan begin their world cup campaign on February 24, after the Ramadhan break. See the world cup digest file in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

The mascot for World Cup 1996 will be "Googlee", an animated cricket ball with legs and hands. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Mon 15

At close of play day 3, Zimbabwe were struggling at 82/5 in the first Test against New Zealand. Earlier New Zealand had declared at 230/8.

South Africa beat England in the fourth one-day international. The scores: ENG 272/8 in 50 overs; RSA 276/3 in 48 overs (Gary Kirsten 116)

Sri Lanka beat West Indies in a World Series Cup game. The scores: SL 202 all out; WI 186/9 in 50 overs.

Speculation in India that Kapil Dev could make a comeback in the World Cup has been rejected by a board official.

Mike Atherton claims that batsmen are to blame for the Test series defeat incurred by England against South Africa. See article in current/eng in rsa/articles/.

14 Sun

Rain again ruined play in the Test match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand. At stumps day 2, New Zealand are 144/4.

Pakistan have urged India to end the current TV rights row as this could have a profound influence on the forthcoming tournament. Earlier Pakistan and Sri Lank a expressed their interest in hosting matches slated to be in India if the TV rights row did not get resolved. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Australia took an unbeatable lead and booked a place in the finals in the latest points table of the three-nation World Series Cup cricket tournament now in progress. Australia, with their convincing 83-run win over Sri Lanka at the WACA grounds on Friday night, will qualify to play either Sri Lanka or the West Indies in the best-of-three finals to be played on January 19 (Melbourne),January 20 (Sydney) and January 22 (also in Sydney).Mark Taylor`s team has gained ten points winning five out of their seven first round matches and will meet Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Melbourne. In the second place is the West Indies, with six points winning three out of seven matches, followed by Sri Lanka - four points winning two out of six matches.

Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga may be forced to be out of action in the remaining matches of the World Series Cup. Originally, Ranatunga was planning to play on Sunday`s match against the West Indies by team sources said it is unlikely that the left- hand middle order batsmen play at the WACA grounds. Ranatunga who missed his team`s last four World Series Cup matches, is nursing an injured thumb and should be fit by the third Test against Australia starting in Adelaide on January 25.

Sri Lanka are considering playing Muralitharan in the World Series Cup game against the West Indies on Sunday. See preview article in current/one-day tournamen ts/wsc/articles/.

Sri Lanka are to press for an independent panel to judge on Muralitharan`s action in the forthcoming ICC meeting to be held in Calcutta on Febuary 11. See the news briefs article on Muralitharan in news/.

13 Sat

Rain marred play on the first day in the Test match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand. At stumps, New Zealand are 68/2.

South Africa beat England by three wickets in the third of seven one-day internationals. The scores: ENG 198/8 in 50 ov; RSA 199/7 48/1 ov.

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 80 runs in a World Series Cup match. The scores: AUS 266/6 in 50 overs (Mark Waugh 130); SL 183/9 in 50 overs.

Australian players have made an official request for better security measures during the World Cup in light of the spate of controversies they have been involve d in with two of the host nations, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Sri Lankan community in Sydney are considering taking legal action against the two umpires who called Muralitharan for throwing. See article in news/.

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Dr.Buddy Reid,who is examining controversial Test off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, will soon file his final report to the International Cricket Council for their views. Dr.Reid had voluntarily agreed to conduct the experiments on Muralitharan to clear the bowler from all charges of throwing. Dr.Reid has already examined Muralitharan once on December 29, and confirmed the bowler had a fixed deformity of the right elbow of 32 degrees.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka ready to share world cup matches slated to be held in India if the TV dispute does not get resolved. See forthcoming/wc96/articles/. for details.

BCCI has announced financial Incentives for the Indian cricketers for the World Cup and for the Sharjah, Singapore and England tours. See article in news/.

Pakistan has demanded that India shift the WC matches to be played in India to Pakistan and Sri Lanka - Dalmiya. This is due to the permission to uplink from India getting delayed by the sports ministry even after the Court verdict directing Government to grant permission to uplink. See forthcoming/wc96/articles for further details.

Australia may play a short series in India this year. Jagmohan Dalmiya says that ACB has agreed to play 1-2 test during its tour to India this winter for the triangular series. The third team will be RSA.

RSA U-19 team will visit India from Mar 20 to Apr 17. The Matches will be held in North and Central Zone Centers.

India will play 3 ODIs and 3 test matches in England in the early part of the summer, whereas Pakistan will play England in the second half of summer this year. For the first time in England, ODI will be played back-toback over a weekend in Headingly and Old Trafford. The Indians who will be touring England after a gap of six years will stop in Amsterdam on the way home to play Holland in couple of ODIs. Full itineraries are available in forthcoming/.

Dickie Bird says that he will retire after officiating the second Test between England and India at Lords later this summer. See article in news/.

Former England batsman Peter Willey has been promoted to the National Grid International Panel. Willey will replace Dickie Bird who announced his retirement to day. See article in news/.

Match referee Graham Dowling reprimanded Asanka Gurusinha for `bringing the game into disrepute` in a recent World Series Cup game. See article in current/oneday tournaments/wsc/articles/.

Fri 12

England beat South Africa by 5 wickets and 9 balls to spare in the 2nd one-day International. The scores: RSA 262/8 (50 overs) ENG 265/5 (48.3 overs). The sev en-match series is now tied at 1-1.

Sri Lanka coach, Dave Whatmore said his team will fight till the last match to enter the finals of the World Series Cup cricket tournament now in progress in Australia. Whatmore said Tuesday`s win over Australia has boosted his team`s morale. Whatmore said his team is brimming with confidence and will play all their trump cards to make it to the best-of-the-three finals of the three-nation tournament. "As it is,I see no reason why we can not make it to the finals even if Arjuna Ranatunga does not recover soon,"said Whatmore as he kept a sharp eye on the Sri Lankans practising at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) grounds in Perth on Thursday. Sri Lanka, with two wins in five matches,will meet Australia in a day night WSC match at the WACA on Friday. Sri Lanka beat Australia in their last match in Melbourne, which was also a day-night game.

Gavaskar is the latest cricket star to come to Murali`s defence. See article in current/sl_in_aus/articles/.

World Cup organisers are concerned at the Indian government`s refusal to grant key facilities for television coverage of the event, saying the delay could sink the tournament. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

Thu 11

There are further discussions going on about safety concerns in India with the forthcoming World Cup. This is after a Christmas fire killed 400 people in minut es, coupled with the earlier disaster at Nagpur stadium where 9 people were killed and over 50 injured after a wall collapsed during an India-New Zealand one-da y international. See article (dated 9th Jan) in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

ALEX TUDOR, the Surrey fast-bowler, and Leicestershire`s James Ormond have had to withdraw from the England Under-19 tour to Zimbabwe because of injury. Tudor aggravated a thigh strain without bowling a ball in a match. Ormond bowled one delivery. Matthew Hoggard, an opening bowler from Yorkshire, who is spending the winter playing club cricket in Johannesburg, has arrived in Harare as replacement.

Greg Blewett moved back into World Cup contention with a polished 85 in Australia A`s run-rate win over the West Indies in a daynight match watched by a 30,000-plus crowd at Sydney yesterday.

Kenya have announced their final 14-man squad for the World Cup. Kenya is being coached by former Indian Test player Hanumant Singh. See the squad file in for thcoming/wc96/ for further details.

Derbyshire are considering lodging an official complant if they find that Devon Malcolm was unfairly treated on the current South Africa tour by team management

Sri Lanka arrive in Perth for their World Series Cup match against Australia on 13 Jan, and in most likelihoods, Arjuna Ranatunga will not figure in the startin g XI. See preview article in current/one-day tournaments/wsc/articles/.

Sri Lanka has a good chance of entering the finals of the World Series Cup tournament if they beat Australia once again. Sri Lanka are still in the third place with four points but will definitely enter the finals for the first time if they win two of their three remaining matches. But if Sri Lanka beat the West Indies with a better run-rate in Perth on January 14, they still can afford to lose next two matches against Australia in Perth (on Friday) and Melbourne (Jan. 16) and enter the final. Sri Lanka has won only a match each in their previous World Series Cup competitions but this year, they have already won two - a win each against the West Indies and Australia, out of the first five games.

New Zealand`s two-Test home series against Zimbabwe will commence in Hamilton on Saturday. But the inexperienced home team will face a gigantic battle in preventing Zimbabwe registering their first Test ever Test win abroad. New Zealand team is badly hit with experienced Danny Morrison being declared unfit and pace bowler Dion Nash on the injured list. Medium pacemen Gavin Larsen and Simon Doull have been dropped from the side.

Star batsman Martin Crowe is likely to return to international cricket in leading New Zealand at next month`s World Cup tournament. Cricket sources in Wellington said that Crowe will end his continued absence due to a chronic knee injury and will captain Kiwis. He has been named in the World Cup squad and he has time until January 24 to prove his form and fitness.

Wed 10

South Africa beat England by six runs in the first of seven oneday internationals. The scores: RSA 211/8 (50 overs) ENG 205 all out (49.5 overs).

The ICC have rejected an appeal by Sri Lanka to settle Muralitharan`s `throwing` controversy. See article in news/.

AUSTRALIA have dropped Michael Slater after their three-wicket World Series defeat by Sri Lanka in front of a 60,000 crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday.

None of the Sri Lanka cricketers are within the first ten in either batting or bowling lists of the latest Coopers Lybrand world rankings issued in London. Australia takes major honours leading both the batting and bowling lists. Steve Waugh (920 points) has overtaken West Indian Brian Lara (888 points) in the batting list. Inzamam ul-Haq of Pakistan takes the third place. Australian spin sensation Shane Warne heads the top bowlers` list with 874 points followed by Courtny Ambrose (West Indies - 862 points) and Indian Anil Kumble (829). See stats/ for further details.

Shaun Pollock will play for Warwickshire next county season. See brief article in news/.

West Indies takes good lead in the latest points table of the World Masters Over 35 tournament now in progress in Sharjah. After their convincing five-wicket win over England, the Windies lead the league with eight points from two matches. Pakistan and England have a win each and four points to their credit. India, who lost to Windies and Pakistan, are without any points to their credit in the four-nation tournament. The tournament offers a total prize money of USD 1.24 lakhs.

Tue 09

Sri Lanka beat Australia by three wickets in a World Series Cup game. The scores: AUS 213/5 (50 ov - Ricky Ponting 123) SL 214/7 (47.3 ov).

West Indies beat England in the ongoing Master`s tourney in Sharjah.

New Zealand have omitted Danny Morrison out of their Test side to face Zimbabwe. See current/zim_in_nz/articles/ for further details.

Australia, despite suffering their first defeat in Brisbane on Sunday, continued to lead in the latest points table of the World Series Cup cricket tournament now in progress in Australia. Australia leads in the three-nation tournament standings with eight points - four wins and one loss. West Indies are placed second with six points - three wins and four defeats in seven matches. Sri Lanka continued to remain in the bottom with two points with one win and three defeats in four matches. Australia play Sri Lanka today. Ruwan Kalpage is expected to play in this match in place of Muttiah Muralitharan - see preview file in current/od_tourney/ wsc/articles/.

West Indies captain Richie Richardson states that ace batsman Brian Lara could still be omitted from the final World Cup squad. See forthcoming/wc96/articles for details.

Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, described crowd levels for the England series as a "wonderful turn-out". He said: "We budgeted for 275,000 in 25 days and we got 265,000 in 17 days. It indicates tremendous support for Test cricket in South Africa."

Michael Atherton, England`s captain, has slipped two places to 11th, behind Graeme Hick and Graham Thorpe in the Coopers & Lybrand world Test rankings. See stats/ for further details.

Pakistan have delayed naming their final World Cup squad, possibly due to differences over the inclusion of veteran Javed Miandad in the squad. See forthcoming/wc96/articles/ for more details.

A group of 3000 supporters performed a march in Sri Lanka in favor of controversial spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. See the news briefs article in current/sl_in_aus/articles/.

Mon 08

Pakistan beat India by seven wickets in the Masters Tourney in Sharjah. The scores: IND 215/5 (45ov) PAK 216/3 (43.4ov). Mudassar Nazar was declared the man of the match for his unbeaten 107.

Brian Lara returns to the crease and scores 119 and 29 for Trinidad & Tobago in trials for the forthcoming Red Stripe Cup. See article in news/.

The West Indies have not selected the promising Vasbert Drakes, Sussex`s overseas player next summer, for their provisional squad for the World Cup. The preliminary squad is available in forthcoming/wc96.

Pakistan yesterday decided to delay naming their final World Cup squad to assess the fitness of Javed Miandad, who has been hoping to make a comeback. Miandad, 38, has not played for Pakistan since December 1993, and it is probable the Pakistani board will monitor the players` training camp starting on Jan 24 before reaching their final decision.

Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Dharmasena are among five Test bowlers under scrutiny for their bowling actions. See article in news/. On a related note, the board of cricket in Sri Lanka have requested the ICC to take the matter into their hands, and pass judgment on the Muttiah Muralitharan controversy. See news/.

South Africa captain, Hansie Cronje, said that they will probably play the same squad in the first one-day international as the one that beat England in the fifth Test. See preview article in eng_in_rsa/articles/.

Australia captain Mark Taylor says that it will be impossible for Sri Lanka to beat them, unless Sri Lanka can come up with a bowler who can run through the Australian batting line-up. See preview article in sl_in_aus/articles/.

Sun 07

West Indies beat Australia by 14 runs in a World Series Cup match. The scores: WI 231 all out; AUS 217 all out.

The Australian media claims that the Muralitharan issue should be settled once and for all by the Sri Lankan cricket board in a court of law. See article in current/sl_in_aus/articles/.

Ruwan Kalpage has been summoned to Australia, possibly as a replacement for Muralitharan in the World Series Cup competition. See article in current/sl_in_aus/articles/.

Sat 06

West Indies have announced their preliminary World Cup squad. Brian Lara is among the 18-member preliminary squad. See the preliminary squad file in forthcoming/wc96/ for further details.

Sri Lanka Manager Duleep Mendis states that Sri Lanka have no plans of omitting controversial spinner Muttiah Muralitharan from the Test squad for the third Test against Australia starting 25th Jan. See article in current/sl_in_aus/articles.

Dean Jones has been included in an Australian-A side which will take on the West Indies in a one-day game next Wednesday. See article in news/.

Despite the ongoing current controversy revolving around Muttiah Muralitharan, an official of the Australian Cricket Board maintains that it will not affect Australia`s tour to Sri Lanka later this year. See article in news/.

Sri Lanka may drop its controversial off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for their World Series Cup match against Australia to be played at the WACA grounds in Perth. Team sources said that they will all probably keep the 23-year-old off spinner,who was called for throwing in two matches by Australian umpires Darrell Hair and Ross Emerson, out of Friday`s game. Hair, who called Muralitharan for the first time in his 23-match 81-wicket Test career in the second Test against Australia in Melbourne, is one of the umpires assigned for Friday`s game.

Hosts Australia could take an unbeatable lead and enter the best-of-the-three finals of the World Series Cup tournament, if they beat the West Indies in Brisbane on Sunday. Australia won four matches in-a-row to take maximum eight points in the threenation tournament which also involves Sri Lanka. Australia has beaten the West Indies on all three previous tournament matches and are determined to register their fifth straight win. West Indies, after four successive defeats, have shown a vast improvement and won the last two matches against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka will drop its experienced opening batsman Roshan Mahanama for the third Test against Australia unless the veteran right-hander returns to form in the remaining World Series Cup matches. Mahanama is enduring a horror tour with the hand which has been troubling him for a year. A bone scan 12 months ago revealed that seven of the eight joints on the four fingers have either been fractured or are `hot spots`.

West Indies defeated India in the ongoing Masters tourney in Sharjah. The scores: West Indies 202 all out; India 194/5.

Fri 05

West Indies beat Sri Lanka for the second time in the ongoing World Series Cup tourney. The scores: SL 102 all out in 45.2 overs; WI 104/3 in 26.1 overs.

England Team Manager Richard Illingworth states that there will be a few changes in the England team for their next Test series, and that there will be a tendency towards youth. Illingworth`s statement conflicted with Atherton, who did not anticipate any significant changes.

Netherlands have announced their World Cup squad. For details, see the preliminary squad file in forthcoming/wc96/.

Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled five times in the World Series game against West Indies by Australian umpire Ross Emerson.

Neil Fairbrother, Dermot Reeve, Neil Smith, Phil DeFreitas, and Craig White are the newcomers in the England squad for the seven match one-day series, starting Jan 9. They replace Devon Malcolm, Mark Illott, Angus Fraser, Jason Gallian, and John Crawley, who return home on Tuesday. England will play Western Province tomorrow in a practice one-day match.

Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, states that he would like to see Miandad`s fitness before he is included in the final World Cup party. Miandad, on the other hand, wants the selectors to make up their mind about him. See articles in forthcoming/wc96/articles.

The Chief Executive of Gloucestershire, Philip August, says that he is confident that they will have Andrew Symonds for the forthcoming English County Season.

South Africa captain, Hansie Cronje was fined half his match fee, by match referee Clive Lloyd, for insisting to umpire Dave Orchard to refer to the third umpire for a run-out decision. Additionally, Clive Lloyd encouraged the use of more TV technology with respect to cricket decisions.

Thu 04

England lost the Fifth Test against South Africa. The scores: ENG 153 and 157; RSA 244 and 70/0. South Africa clinch the rain-marred series 1-0. Allan Donald was declared the man of the match as well as the man of the series.

Australia, inspired by earlier West Indian domination, are determined to go unbeaten in the current World Series Cup tourney. See article in current/od_tourneys/wsc/articles/.

Wed 03

At stumps Day 2, England are 17/1 in their second innings. Earlier, South Africa were dismissed for 244. England scored 153 in their first innings.

West Indies beat Sri Lanka in the sixth World Series Cup game by 70 runs. The scores: WI 194 all out in 48.2 overs; SL 124 all out in 37.4 overs.

A member of the World Cup organizing committee in New Delhi states that Muttiah Muralitharan can play in the forthcoming World Cup - see article in forthcoming/wc96/articles.

Indian World Cup officials are worried about visa issues for the forthcoming World Cup. This is in the wake of an Under-18 Indian Hockey team being denied visas to enter Pakistan. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles.

Australia will be among four teams to participate in the second Sri Lankan World series later this year. See article in news/.

The Souther Province of Galle may host a Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka later this year. See article in news/.

Somerset`s director of cricket, Bob Cottam, seems likely to be Yorkshire`s first manager. See article in news/.

Tue 02

The fifth Test between England and South Africa is underway. At stumps Day 1, South Africa are 44/2 in their first innings, in reply to England`s 153 all out (Allan Donald 5 wickets).

The Muralitharan controversy has dominated the British papers. For more details on the ongoing controversy, see series of articles in current/sl_in_aus/articles/.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumara Dharmasena have been recalled for the World Series Cup game against the West Indies on Wednesday. Injured Ranatunga is likely to play the game against the West Indies but Mahanama, out of form and furthermore injured, will miss the game. See preview article in current/od_tourney/wsc/articles/.

Former Australian Test opener, Keith Stackpole, has praised the Sri Lankan team for their exemplary behavior off and on the field amidst the ongoing throwing controversy. See article in current/sl_in_aus/articles/.

Sri Lanka have named their preliminary squad (18-man) for the World Cup. See the preliminary squad file in forthcoming/wc96/ for further details.

Roshan Mahanama, Sri Lanka`s opening batsman, is playing in fears, because a highly recommended medication could potentially result in a drugs scandal. See article in current/sl_in_aus/articles/.

A 0-0 stalemate in the ongoing test series between South Africa and England would not be a fair result. See the preview article in current/eng_in_rsa/articles/.

Mon 01

Australia beat West Indies in the ongoing World Series Cup tourney in a rain-reduced match. The Scores: WI 172/9 43 ov AUS 173/9 43 ov.

Sri Lanka are to include Muralitharan for their next World Series Cup match against the West Indies on Wednesday. Also, an official request by Sri Lanka to speak to umpire Hair after the match has been rejected by the ACB. For more details, see series of articles on Muralitharan and the ongoing throwing controversy in current/sl_in_aus/articles.

Australia and New Zealand have named their preliminary 18-man squads for the World Cup. For details, see the preliminary squad file in forthcoming/wc96/.

All-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya who failed to get into the side in first two Tests against Australia, will return to the Sri Lanka team for their Wednesday`s World Series Cup match against the West Indies. Team Manager Duleep Mendis said Jayasuriya will function as an opening batsmen and Chandika Haturusinghe will bat low down in the Lankan line-up. Sri Lanka, with one win and one defeat, are placed second in the points table behind Australia.

All four teams which are to play their world cup matches in Sri Lanka are scheduled to arrive in Colombo by February 15. See brief article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

All rounder Ruwan Kalpage is tipped to be included in the Lankan squad for the World Cup. See article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.

West Indian Lloyd Barker will be the International Cricket Council neutral umpire for the Third Test between Sri Lanka and Australia which starts in Adelaide on January 25. The ICC appointed three international umpires to officiate in the three-Test between Sri Lanka and Australia. Khizar Hayat of Pakistan and New Zealander Steve Dunne stood in the first and second Tests respectively. Australia, after today`s 10-wicket win in Melbourne, takes an unbeatable 2-nil lead in the three-Test series.

Mendis and Whatmore are to tipped retain their posts as Sri Lankan team and cricket managers for the World Cup. See brief article in forthcoming/wc96/articles/.