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John Wright, the former New Zealand batsman, is the frontrunner for the position of national coach once John Bracewell ends his term in April next year.Though Wright hasn’t declared any desire to coach the team, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will contact him to get an answer, said Justin Vaughan, the board’s chief executive.”We didn’t want to stress him ahead of time when we weren’t even looking for applications,” Vaughan told the Wellington-based . “But now that we are, we’ll need to know one way or the other.”Wright, who coached India for five years, was appointed NZC’s acting high performance manager last year but the post was among several abolished last month as the board underwent a major restructuring program an effort to become a world-class sporting organisation. However NZC was keen for Wright to stay on and take up a different role.”He’s got a lot of strengths and the thing about John is that he’s got a lot of different areas that he can contribute to New Zealand Cricket if he does decide to put his name into the hat,” Vaughan said.”With Tom we might be struggling, we’d love him to apply but I think his family circumstances mean that he is taking some time off.”NZC will be accepting applications for the post till August 4.

Canterbury Cricket is still on the lookout for the most suitable venue for its secondary venue for first-class matches.While Jade Stadium was still extremely important to Canterbury Cricket, and always would be, according to Canterbury Cricket Association chairman David Shackleton, a permanent secondary ground was necessary.That ground was not going to be the Village Green at QEII Park. While agreement has been reached with the Christchurch City Council over the provision of a permanent building at the Village Green, the Association was looking for another facility, including possibly somewhere at Hagley Park.”This will be given a great deal of focus over the next few months,” Shackleton said.While it had been disappointing not to reverse the trend of financial losses suffered by the Association over recent years, the fact that the meeting was being held at the new indoor facility and offices was a significant triumph for the Association and a landmark in its development.With all the issues that were facing the Association it had been fortunate to hold the loss to what it was at $54,231, he said.The Association was budgeting to breakeven next year but even if that was achieved it was still not good enough.Shackleton said the issue of finances of the Associations had been discussed after last weekend’s annual general meeting of New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and there had been a good deal of debate. NZC were concerned about the situation for the Associations and Shackleton said they would be holding a review once the World Cup had been completed next year.It was hoped that some of the share of income from the World Cup would be used to assist the Associations in stabilising their costs.Club delegate Peter Crowhen raised concerns over the Association’s cashflow situation and board member Steve Riddell said cashflow was a key issue for the board and the fact the new facility was up and running was one of the contributing factors to the cashflow, but a number of decisions made by the board had been with a view to the next four or five years.In the vote for two board positions resulting from Trevor Luke facing re-election by rotation and Anne Urlwin standing down, Luke was returned along with Mike Satterthwaite from Canterbury Country.Former New Zealand Cricket Council member Brian Adams was elected president after Brian Hastings completed his four year term of office.Riccarton Cricket Club delegate Tim Murdoch raised a constitutional point in general business when suggesting the constitution was at fault in not requiring the Association’s board selection panel to meet and interview potential board members before nominations were received.It was a weakness in the system of appointment and did not assist delegates to the annual meeting in making their selection.

IN MEMORIAM-The Canadian Cricket Association extends deepest sympathies to two members of our Board, and outstanding long-term contributors to cricket in Canada, in Alberta and in Quebec respectively.To: Fitzroy Sargeant and Family – the loss of a beloved sister in Ottawa.To: Charles Pais and Family – on the loss of his dear mother in India.Charles and Fitzkeep up the hard work.It is never easy in these situationstrue friends however are always there for you.

The Somerset finals of the Sport Relief Kwik Cricket competition took place recently at the County Ground in Taunton, and at the end of very exciting day St John’s School at Highbridge emerged as the winners.Altogether over sixty primary schools entered the competition, from which Ash Primary representing South Somerset, Newbridge Primary from Bath and North East Somerset, Wells Central from Mendip and St Johns from Sedgemoor emerged as the finalists.St John’s Highbridge, and Wells Central now go forward to the south west regional finals that take place at Newton Abbot, where they will be hoping to emulate the achievements of Danesfield School, Williton who were the regional champions in 2001 and went onto compete in the the national finals at Trent Bridge.The inaugural Year 5 Kwik Cricket competition, held at Gypsy Lane, the new home of Taunton Cricket Club, was won by Eastover Primary School from Bridgwater.The competition that was organised by the students from Richard Huish College, was preceded by the opening ceremony with each school representing one of the five major cricket playing nations of the world.Somerset Cricket Development Officer Andrew Moulding told me: "The Year 5 Kwik Cricket competiton was a great success, and was enjoyed by everybody who took part. The students from Richard Huish did a fantastic job for us, and their help was much appreciated by all. We also appreciate the support that Vodafone gave to this event."

New Zealand and South Africa’s Academy sides played out a draw on a slow pitch in Townsville yesterday.New Zealand chose to bat first and struggled to get any momentum to their innings. In the 25 overs to lunch on day one they had scored 51/1 and the wicket lost was an unforced error when Jesse Ryder attempted a second run on a fielder’s error.Shanan Stewart did get some scoring going but Jordan Sheed took 59 balls to get off the mark. Stewart finally succumbed when on 41, attempting to hook South African paceman Alan Kruger only to be bowled off a bottom edge. His innings latest two and a half hours.Rob Nicol tried to fire things up and hit two boundaries early in his innings but when off-spinner Imraan Khan was introduced Nicol attempted to hit a full toss through the off-side only to be caught at point.At tea, New Zealand were 124/3 off 51 overs. Sheed was on 21 and Jamie How nine.Sheed departed just after the interval, for 22, having been bowled by South African captain and medium-pacer Alviro Pieterson.With Joseph Yovich joining How, some short singles and better placement of the ball into gaps finally occurred and they added 55 before Yovich attempted to run the ball past the slip field and played the ball onto his stumps.How took 100 balls and 119 minutes to achieve his half-century but saw Kyle Mills fall leg before wicket to Hashim Amla in the same over. The new ball proved a reviver as How attacked and by stumps he and Stu Mills had added 52 for the seventh wicket.However, day two saw play revert to a slower pace as batsmen attempted to get back in synch with the pitch. How and Mills spent 25 minutes tried to get their partnership going but eventually Kruger denied How his century when he edged a ball to wicket-keeper Thando Bula with his score on 89, his overnight score.Kruger also trapped Iain Robertson leg before wicket in what was definitely a much-tighter bowling line adopted by the South Africans on the second day.By lunch, New Zealand were 319/8 with Mills and Gareth Shaw having added 58 for the ninth wicket.After lunch the pair capitalised on the tiring South African bowlers and achieved an unbroken stand of 124 for the ninth wicket when the declaration was made at 385/8.Amazingly, New Zealand were required to open their bowling with an old ball as no new ball was available. That didn’t deter Kyle Mills however, as he induced an edge from Gerhard Strydom which was taken by How in the slips.By tea South Africa were 52/1 after 15 overs. However, after tea off-spinner Jeetan Patel had Pieterson caught at mid-off.Khan faced a fiery spell from Mark Gillespie but survived and after 25 overs New Zealand asked to change the old ball. Khan played with much more confidence and posted a half century off 96 balls but the 102-run partnership with James Schorn was ended when Schorn was leg before wicket for 44 by Gillespie and then Khan’s choice of a second run off a leg bye proved fatal when he couldn’t beat How’s throw. He was run out for 86 scored off 140 balls.By stumps on day two, Amla and Davey Jacobs had taken the side to 180/4.Conditions were perfect on the third day, a fact appreciated by the two batsmen who had as their immediate target avoiding the follow-on mark of 235. Jacobs was especially effective when hitting Patel to the long-on boundary or pulling the pace bowlers in and over square leg.However, when they had added 52, Amla attempted a cut shot against Patel and was caught by wicket-keeper Stu Mills.Jacobs was undaunted and after he brought up his half-century off 62 balls, the South Africans declared 142 runs behind. Eighty overs minimum remained to be bowled.New Zealand went out aggressively with Ryder thriving on the challenge. Forty runs were scored off eight overs but Stewart was caught at mid-wicket off Kruger and just before lunch Ryder was caught at mid-on having his 43 off 33 balls. New Zealand were 73/2.How scored a half-century off 52 balls before ending his run-a-minute innings when suffering a communication error with Nicol and was run out. Nicol and Sheed batted through until a declaration was made leaving South Africa 297 to score off 50 overs.The South African chase didn’t start well as both openers were gone after only seven balls had been bowled. Schorn drove at Yovich but merely edged to How in the slips while Strydom offered a leg-side chance to Mills from Kyle Mills’ bowling.Mills also picked up Amla to have South Africa struggling at 26/3 after nine overs.New Zealand dangled the bait and Pieterson and Jacobs attacked and scored half-centuries as they scored at run-a-ball pace. But Mills came back and removed both of them with Jacobs caught at mid-off and Pieterson trapped leg before wicket. He scored 85 off 91 balls while Jacobs scored 52 off 55.Ryan McLaren fell to a full toss from Patel and was the sixth wicket down when trapped leg before wicket but the lower order batted out for the draw with South Africa 41 runs short of their target.Mills did best of the New Zealand bowlers taking four for 44 from his 10 overs.

As one who has worn many hats in Barbados’ and West Indies’ cricket, David Holford appreciates the importance of the junior coaching programmes at some of the island’s clubs.At the senior level we have to compete with people who are all coached, said the former Barbados captain, West Indies all-rounder, team manager and chief selector and current Spartan Club president and chairman of the Barbados Cricket Association’s Cricket Development Committee.In Australia, England, South Africa, the kids are coached from an early age and they become more technically proficient than our guys, who tend to be natural players.They, through the well-structured coaching programmes, are able to develop players who don’t have the natural talent that we do, but they end up with the discipline that comes from the coaching programme.It is important for us, if we are going to compete at the highest level, to make sure that we equip our players technically to deal with all the different situations that they may encounter.That’s why clubs like Spartan are providing the opportunities for young children between ages five and 14 to have the benefit of quality coaching from some of the island’s eminent coaches.Alvin Greenidge, Ezra Moseley, Roddy Estwick, Dexter Toppin, all highly rated by many observers, are among those involved in Spartan’s programme. Second vice-president Ron Greenidge, Teddy Foster and Sylvan Stoute also lend a hand and from time to time, there is assistance from Philo Wallace and Livy Puckerin, two of the club’s current players.But it was George Linton and Jeffrey Mascoll who were instrumental in getting things going in 1999.Neither is available today because of other commitments, but they laid the groundwork for the success of the programme which was reorganised in 2000 to include the addition of the professional coaches.Holford also mentioned two characteristics which were also spoken of when we featured Wanderers and Richard Straker’s Northern Cricketers high interest in participation and lack of adequate facilities.After about a year, we started getting a lot of kids, the Spartan president said.From a start-up number of 50, the register rose to about 200 at one point. About 150 are now active, but the average session would have about 80 to 90 boys.Like other programmes, Spartan have had to turn back people and inevitably, there are challenges in managing it.It is fairly difficult. One of the things lacking in Barbados is cricket facilities. We do the best we can with what’s available here in Queen’s Park, Holford said.The club, however, is trying to develop some practice pitches in the north-eastern corner of the ground.We need some more facilities. There really is not enough room, not enough wickets to cater to that number of boys. They keep coming all the time and it’s difficult to refuse them.As Holford spoke, there were four sets in sessions taking place on the field. The one on the main pitch was supervised by Wallace.A lot has been said about players not putting back anything into cricket, said the experienced Spartan and Barbados opening batsman. I am one of those players who is prepared once I have the time to come out and put in a big effort in terms of developing the cricket. There is no better age than to do it at this junior age.Wallace also spoke of the enthusiasm he saw among the kids.It’s nice to see that you are asking players to do something and you can see them trying to do it. That is very pleasing, he said. People are saying that our cricket is dying and the talent is not there, but there is loads of talent at this junior level. All we need to do is harness it some more and try to develop that talent.In the north-eastern corner, there was another group, under the guidance of Estwick. Among them were Jason Simmons and Shane Dowrich, two ten-year-olds from West Terrace Primary.I love cricket, Simmons said when he was asked why he joined the programme. When I came here two years ago I was throwing, but now I can bowl.The confident Dowrich, who claims to be a batsman, bowler and wicket-keeper, has big goals.I want to be like Martin Nurse. I want to play cricket for Barbados at the age of 16, he said.Holford has a suggestion that will help those like Simmons and Dowrich improve even more: a competition among those clubs with these programmes.In the past, Spartan played matches against Wanderers and Windward on an informal basis.What is lacking now is a competition for the youngsters. That is what we need to fit into the whole structure, Holford added.It’s one thing to show guys how to play and it’s another to need a platform where they can go and exhibit what they have learnt and learn more from the game situation.

A One-Day International championship table appears to be set to emerge from the International Cricket Council meeting in London next week.A committee of the ICC has been working on the table and a report is expected to be put before the meeting that could see the table in place before this year’s ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka.Because of the rapidly-changing nature of teams involved in one-day matches the system is likely to be based on the results of the last two years, and not reaching as far back as the Test table does.Another important issue to be discussed is how the future tours programme can cater for cancelled tours, especially those where reasons for withdrawal are not as clear cut as those which have faced New Zealand in Pakistan recently, and Australia in Zimbabwe before that.It is understood the ICC will be looking to try and set in place rules which do not allow countries to pull out of tours that they shouldn’t.Some guidelines for use of independent and neutral venues, such as that recently completed in Tangiers in Morocco, will also be discussed.Code of conduct issues relating from the Condon Report on Corruption are expected to be implemented by the meeting.A video to educate players on corruption is being prepared while issues relating to regional security managers, the minimum requirements for access to players’ areas and contractual clauses in player contracts will also be discussed.Security issues which have long been sought by the players are also expected to be implemented with minimum standards applying to all countries. As part of this there will also be discussion of the use of video screens at grounds and their ability to upset spectators and put players at risk from spectator over-reaction.A discussion paper on the procedures relating to the reporting of players with unfair bowling actions is also likely to produce some debate as the result of dissatisfaction having been expressed about the process as it stands at the moment.The after-effects of what are described as quite revolutionary technology changes being implemented for the ICC Champions Trophy tournament will be discussed along with what might happen after the tournament where the changes are successful or otherwise.Bonus points as they apply in One-Day International series will also be on the agenda.

The following will represent Zimbabwe A in a 3-day warm-up match against the touring Indian team, which arrives here on 25 May 2001. The match will be played from 28 to 30 May at Mutare Sports Club, Mutare

• GAVIN RENNIE (CAPTAIN)
• HAMILTON MASAKADZA
• DION EBRAHIM
• CRAIG WISHART
• CRAIG EVANS
• DIRK VILJOEN
• TATENDA TAIBU
• TRAVIS FRIEND
• BRIAN MURPHY
• DAVID MUTENDERA
• BRYAN STRANG
• STUART MATSIKENYIRE (12TH MAN)
• KISHORE GOKAL (MANAGER)
• BRADLEY ROBINSON (PHYSIOTHERAPIST)
  

Central Districts passed two tests against a strong New Zealand Selection XI at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln University today, and succeeded in getting quality practice ahead of their forthcoming major assignment.Ewen Thompson, with 5-29, overshadowed fellow left-arm quick Shayne O’Connor. However, his international hopes centred on a trip to Perth, Western Australia, for the inaugural Champions Cup four nations domestic one-day tournament, rather than Tuesday’s Test against Pakistan.Thompson even qualified for a interview from TV One, at almost two metres tall towering over diddy David Di Somma. Thompson told CricInfo it was “good to get a few wickets on the day of the selection,” and made the ball move around as the early morning sun removed damp from the wicket. CD coach Dipak Patel responded to whether he thought Thompson had overshadowed Test shoe-in Shayne O’Connor today by saying, “I suppose he has, he’s bowled very well to good batsmen and got good batsmen out.”However, the major plus from this match was the form and fitness of O’Connor, who has bowled 27 overs during the three days of matches. He took 6-32 off 17 overs on Monday and Tuesday, followed by 1-44 off ten today. The last ball of his spell, bowled to Greg Todd, was dropped at second slip by Kerry Walmsley. With his number of overs objective reached he was seen in lengthy conversation with the chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee.Hadlee would not be drawn on his selection for next Tuesday’s third Test at Hamilton, but did tell CricInfo, “we know we’ve got to find at least one new fast bowler. We’ve had a good observation in this game as we will do in the Wellington game which starts tomorrow against Pakistan. So, there’s still a number of players on trial at the moment.””We’re pleased to see Shayne O’Connor back in action. He’s the type of player we’d welcome back into the side because he swings the ball, he’s left-arm, he’s different, but clearly we’ve got to know what his match fitness is like and whether he can get through a workload of perhaps bowling 50 overs in a match.”The other bowler with a real Test chance, Brooke Walker, 24 on Sunday, took 2-19 from ten overs and was impressive in his limited opportunity on Monday with 2-15 off five. His flipper was working well, and Sir Richard commented, “he’s bowled nicely. He did bowl well.”So, while CD prepare for their Perth test, it seems at least one other man on display here this week has his own Test to look forward to.

Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore is wary of player burnout as he prepares his young team during the nest six weeks in South Africa and Australia for another shot at cricket’s most prized and expensive title – the World Cup next February .The coach who guided the country to its highest achievement in the sport when they won the World Cup in 1996 thinks the present team has the ingredients to make it happen again provided the players are nurtured carefully through the next four months ."It’s great to play against that kind of opposition, but we’ve got to be careful that we don’t mismanage the opportunity that’s provided for us," said Whatmore."In my opinion, it is potentially dangerous with the frequency of games and the workload that we have, that we should be a little bit careful we do not get into a situation when we play our first World Cup match on February 10 (v New Zealand) we have a group of players who are very tired and jaded."While it’s great to play on surfaces that we need to get used to, we also have to be a little bit careful the players don’t burn out. Prescribing sufficient rest would mean that you wouldn’t play necessarily your strongest team on a game to game basis. Therefore, it is important that the public and everyone else know and understand that."While the objective is to win every match, you also run the risk of a little bit of confidence down because you are playing against good, tough opposition and managing players that is not your best team that is available at anyone game," said Whatmore."In my mind there is a huge danger of being in a situation where the players start an important competition and they are down in terms of their drive to perform in amajor competition. The objective is to ensure that the players are at their peak at the World Cup and commence the tournament as fresh as they possibly can. There’s a mean’s to an end and our objective is the World Cup," Whatmore said.Sri Lanka commence their final preparations towards the World Cup when they leave tomorrow for a two-Test and five-match one-day international tour to South Africa. This will be followed in mid-December by an eight-match (11 if Sri Lanka qualify for the finals) triangular in Australia, where England is also playing."We would be looking to play a game of cricket more suited to those conditions. That being the underline objective, I would like to see the Sri Lankan team take on its opposition with an attack a little bit more akin to what other teams do in those conditions and have had success," said Whatmore."In South Africa we are playing only against one opposition. In the World Cup we are playing against many. I think it will be very good practice for us if we are able to come up with a combination that is more likely to give us a result in these five games against the same opposition bearing in mind, we won’t be playing South Africa in every match in the World Cup," he said.Whatmore said that he was keenly looking forward to seeing more of the seven quicks picked for the tour, and the batsmen getting in there and creating a presence amongst themselves.He said to be successful in South African conditions Sri Lanka will need to succeed in all departments."At any stage you can get a good batting or bowling performance that can win a match. The fielding has to be of paramount importance to back up the quicks. There are certain wickets there where the bowlers can make an impression on the game and there are certain wickets where the batters can do the same. It is important that all areas are covered adequately and contributions are provided," said Whatmore."Personally, I think we need to brush up a bit in our bowling attack which has been predominantly based around spin and had some terrific results. In these conditions I would like to see the more medium-pace quick stuff providing the bulk of the overs to put the pressure on the opposition. That will really provide good opportunities for some."The batting has also to be given due importance with the ball that’s coming on with a little bit of bounce, making sure that when they do get a start they go on. We’ve got enough batsmen to make a reasonable total or chase a total. What I would like to see is a little bit more dedicated effort into the formation of the bowling attack, which is slightly different to what we have been doing," he said.Whatmore said that in his opinion the bulk of the players who are selected for the Australian tour will form the World Cup squad because there was hardly any time between tours to make changes. Even for the current South African tour, the one-day squad is likely to be finalized before the first Test starts at Jo’burg on November 8.There will be similar logistic problems concerning the World Cup squad too because the final 15 will have to be submitted to the ICC by December 31, at which point Sri Lanka would have played only three of their allotted eight qualifying matches in Australia.Whatmore said as much as the one-day games are important so too are the two Tests against South Africa."It is very important for Sri Lanka to come out and have a good strong showing in those conditions. We haven’t particularly done well on that last tour and some of the lessons I am sure have been learnt," he said.Sir Lanka have made two Test tours to South Africa in 1997-98 and 2000-01 and, lost both series by 2-0 margins."I think the group of players that we’ve got in terms of the attack and the options that we have, we might be better placed to put more pressure on the opposition than before," said Whatmore."The two Test matches are important to get out there and really compete in conditions different to what we are used to. I think that might give us a little bit of confidence as well for the one-day series. The game is a very good indicator of the final group of players who will represent us in the World Cup," he said."The last time Sri Lanka went there, South Africa played very well. They were on top[ of their game. But at the moment I am not sure they are as stronger as they have been. So there are some variables. All I can say is that the boys who are going there have a good feeling that they can do well."South Africa are still a good outfit in their own country and despite (Allan) Donald retiring from Test cricket, and Jonty Rhodes and Darryl Cullinan not playing Test cricket, they are still not an easy team to beat in their own country. I think it would be a good test for us," Whatmore said.SRI LANKA TEST TEAM TO SOUTH AFRICA:Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu (vice-captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene (w/k), Hasantha Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Ruchira Perera, Chamila Gamage, Sujeewa de Silva, Tharanga Lakshitha, Thilan Thushara.Officials: Dav Whatmore (coach), Ajit Jayasekera (manager), Duleep Mendis (technical advisor), Alex Kountouri (physio).