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Australia’s coach, John Buchanan, has scotched suggestions that today’s match between Australia and England would give an insight into the teams’ prospects for next summer’s Ashes series. There has been a familiar sense of optimism surging through England’s ranks, thanks to their recent successes in Tests and one-dayers, but Buchanan is not getting caught up in the hype, saying that this match was only a fleeting moment.”I’m not convinced about that,” Buchanan told AAP, when asked if the match was an indication of the future. “It’s a snapshot in time. It makes a statement about this particular match. Nothing else. There’s a lot of time before the Ashes series, a lot of change will happen to both teams between now and then. I don’t think this game will have any bearing.”But Duncan Fletcher looked at it differently. He believed English cricket was changing, and that the team had a pretty good chance of putting one over Australia. “This is probably the best opportunity we’ve had in a long time to topple the Aussies,” Fletcher said to the . “Winning the World Cup and the Ashes would be the ultimate dream. Any decent coach would tell you the same thing.”But something special is happening in English cricket. We really do want to become the best side in the world.”It was a thought mirrored by Darren Gough, who added that neither victory nor defeat could hide the fact tht England had improved. “I don’t think we have to beat them to know that England have progressed in both forms of the game. We have a good one-day side and the Test side is playing some excellent cricket, but we’ll only get a true test of how close the sides are when they play against each other in a five-Test series.”Even when I’m not playing I want England to beat them. It’s always going to be that way,” said Gough. “There will come a time when England beat Australia all the time and the Aussies will be thinking the same.”

On going past Murali as Test cricket’s highest wicket-taker
I’m obviously proud of that achievement. It’s been a few years since I made my debut against India in Sydney, and back then I was happy to get one wicket, forget 500. It’s something to tell the grandchildren.On the day’s play
We toiled hard, created a lot of chances, even took a wicket off a no-ball. I think it’s the best I’ve ever bowled in India. I troubled all their batsmen, and there were a few chances that didn’t go to hand. If I continue to bowl like that, hopefully I can play a big part in this series.On the dropped catches, and whether the conditions might have contributed
None were really easy. We’re usually renowned for turning games by taking such chances, but not one stuck today. To mention heat and humidity would be an excuse. Hopefully, this won’t happen again during the rest of the series.On Australia’s chances of winning the match
If we can make what India make in their first innings when we bat, I think it’ll be a great game. We’re going to fight back. On the prospect of Murali taking back the record
Let me just bathe in it for a while, OK [laughs]? Look, Murali will probably end up with 1000 wickets. But whether I hold the record for two weeks or a month, it can’t be taken away from me. It’s something to hang your hat on.On when he plans to call it quits
I don’t want to stop yet. The key thing is enjoyment. I’ve retired from one-day cricket, but I think I can play Tests for a while yet. You have guys like Anil Kumble, Harbhajan [Singh], Murali and Saqlain [Mushtaq] who have shown that spinner can play both forms of the game. They’ve proved that the guys who reckoned that there wasn’t even a place for spinners in first-class cricket didn’t have any idea what they were on about.On the response from his opponents and team-mates
Rahul Dravid came in and shook my hand even before he’d faced a ball. I thought that was a great moment, and it said a lot about the spirit in which this series is being played. Sehwag shook my hand too, and Kumble and Yuvraj (Singh) came in to the room later. Also John Wright. I’d like to thank all those guys.My team-mates? Well, you could see that they were really happy for me.On the extra aggression when he bowled to Sehwag
I wanted his wicket [smiles]. He was the man to get today the way he was smacking us across the park. He has an eye like a dead fish [laughs]. If you bowl anything half-loose, he’ll smack it. It’s great entertainment.He got away with a few as well. But he was just too good for us today. Hopefully in the second innings, we’ll be too good for him.On how he’s soldiered on despite several rough patches
Oh look, I’ve had some great times too. Been really lucky to do something I really enjoy – not many people get that chance. I’ve made a few bad choices, and I’ve learnt my lessons. I’m 35 years old now, got three kids. It’s great that my wife is here to see me go past the record. But if we lose this game, the world record itself will be a bit of a downer.On how he accounts for his comparatively poor record against India, given his outstanding figures against other subcontinental teams
I’ve been inconsistent against India, mainly when I’ve been over here. The first two times I came here, I was carrying injuries – the shoulder the first time and trouble with my spinning finger on the last tour. But I also think they play me really well. I just hope I can carry on like I bowled today and cause them a few more hassles.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the schedule for Australia’s tour, which takes place at the end of the year. Australia will only have one warm-up match in India after the Champions Trophy – a three-day match against a Board President’s XI.A BCCI committee will meet tomorrow and Monday (July 18 and 19) to finalise the venues of the matches, as well as those of the Test series against South Africa which follows the Australia tour. Delhi, which was slated to host one of the Tests against Australia, has now officially pulled out of the race after indicating their inability to finish the renovation of the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in time for the match. The Test is now likely to be shifted to Eden Gardens in Kolkata.Australia’s last tour of India, in 2001, was an epic confrontation between the world’s two leading teams, with India eventually winning 2-1.Australia in India, series schedule:
September 30 – October 2 v Board President’s XI
October 6-10 v India, 1st Test
October 14-18 v India 2nd Test
October 26-30 v India 3rd Test
November 3-7 v India 4th Test

At the conclusion of the 2003 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola U/19 Week a group of twenty-four players was named by the U/19 Selection panel to represent South African Schools and South African School Colts.The following twelve players will represent South African Schools in a match against a KwaZulu-Natal Invitation XI at Chatsworth Oval.

Colin Ingram (cp) Woodridge HS Eastern ProvinceKeegan Africa Hilton College KwaZulu-NatalCraig Alexander Bellville Tech Western ProvinceAndrew Birch St Andrews Eastern ProvinceClint Bowyer Maritzburg College KwaZulu-NatalDarren Govender Durban HS KwaZulu-NatalVernon Philander Ravenshead SS Western ProvinceWaylin September New Orleans SS BolandMpumelelo Slwana (wk) Grey High Eastern ProvinceBlake Snijman King Edward VII GautengVaughn van Jaarsveld King Edward VII GautengDivan van Wyk Grey College Free State

KwaZulu-Natal Invitation XI will feature South Africa and Western Province left-arm wrist spinner Paul Adams who is recovering from a hand injury.The following twelve players will represent South African Colts in a match against Premier League Delta Club at Tills. The Colts team is made up of players who may still be eligible to return to the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in 2004.

Andrew Russell (cp) St Stithians GautengDean Elgar St Dominics Free StateRemano Esau Newton Tech Eastern ProvinceQuintin Kruger Volkskool Potch North WestSithembile Makongolo Dale College BorderLwando Manase Forbes Grant BorderKobus Pienaar Waterkloof HS NorthernsChristo Ritter Paarl Gimnasium BolandAshley Schultz Br Block Free StateMafinky Serame Milner HS North WestGodfrey Stevens New Orleans SS BolandWilhelmus v d Schyff Grey College Free State

“I want to be a part of that resurgence. I want to see us get back to the top… It’s so important everyone is involved – the selectors, the public, the administrators, the cricketers – have all got to be moving in the same direction and not fighting each other if we want to move forward…. Who leads the team is not of major importance as long as everybody puts in 100 per cent in a positive manner.”What a difference a week makes.The message from Brian Lara is essentially the same, but how much more encouraging and hopeful were his words in London on Monday compared to the frustration-laced outburst in Kingston mere minutes after his West Indies team had lost the Test and the series to India at Sabina Park.Yet, if the intention was first to violently rock the boat before making it clear he had no intention yet of jumping ship, then the West Indies captain has made his point. The issue now is, will any of it make any difference at the critical decision-making level of the regional administration?As with any other meeting of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), tomorrow’s gathering of members and directors in Barbados is generating considerable speculation as to what visionary, controversial or altogether foolish decisions will be made, especially in the almost immediate aftermath of Lara’s unbridled disaffection with officialdom for their apparent reluctance to give him more direct influence in matters relating to the senior team.Indeed, it is true to say that any one decision by the WICB can generate reactions that are good, bad and indifferent all at the same time, simply because there are so many people with so many different views about what is right, what is wrong and, most importantly it seems, who is to blame for the state of West Indies cricket both on and off the field.The next time you are in the company of cricket fans, just throw out the issue of what is wrong with West Indies cricket and see how many different and highly emotive responses you get, each advocate of whatever issue thoroughly convinced that once so-and-so is done, then it’s only a matter of time before we get back up to the top where we belong.If only it were that easy.

Truth is, as most us really know deep down, there is no quick fix to a very complex and wide-ranging problem, not a foreign coach, not a new captain, not two tearaway fast bowlers, not even the Stanford 20/20.Those diehard believers in the overnight turnaround have now been waiting 11 years since Mark Taylor’s Australians shattered the West Indies aura of invincibility. That’s a long time to be sleeping.Well, it’s about time the Rip van Winkles – from the boardroom to the dressing room to the lunchroom – open their eyes and take in a Caribbean cricket landscape that, in keeping with our general preoccupation with things irrelevant, has only changed superficially in terms of impressive new structures, constant noise and endless partying.If all of this is intended to maximise global exposure and tourist revenue in the aftermath of next year’s World Cup, fine. But what difference will it make to the long-term viability of the game?It is almost impossible not to believe that too many people are directly involved in West Indies cricket primarily for what they can get out of it. No one is suggesting that only generous benefactors and selfless philanthropists should be involved, but unless the key personnel see the bigger picture, all of the selectorial changes here, and grassier pitches there, will make no fundamental difference.Part of that bigger picture is appreciating that they are all parts of the same whole. From the evidence of the wildly inconsistent performances on the field to occasional administrative bungling to the still unsettled relationship between the WICB and the Players’ Association, it is clear that very few are prepared to step out of their own shoes and consider the challenges from different perspectives.Lara’s comments about everyone moving in the same direction and giving a wholehearted effort in a positive manner essentially sums up what should really be done, except that, again, it all comes down to sometimes sacrificing personal ambition for collective gain.The captain is in the fortunate and, to some, enviable position of having achieved almost all that he has ever wanted to on a personal level as a cricketer. Now, with the western horizon drawing ever closer, he feels no sense of real loss in putting a greater focus on being both a mentor to his players and the globally-recognised spokesman on West Indies cricket.But the same cannot be said of so many others in key positions in the regional game who still have axes to grind, people to cut down to size and points to prove, all for the sake of leaving no one in doubt as to really has the power in their hands.That is why, after all the speculation and heated reaction, nothing meaningful will come out of tomorrow’s meeting in Barbados, never mind who has been jettisoned and who is now on board. Like the performances in the recent series, which fuelled hope only to end in disappointment, the to-ing and fro-ing over selectors and directors are just different waves in the same turbulent ocean.It takes real leadership to chart a course to calmer waters.

1. On 12 October 2003 the Western Australian Cricket Association (‘WACA’) lodged a complaint pursuant to Cricket Australia’s Code of Behaviour (‘the Code of Behaviour’) in respect of certain comments allegedly made by Mr Murray Goodwin who is a prominent cricketer having previously had a distinguished international career for Zimbabwe and currently a member of the Western Australian Cricket side.
2. The charge laid against Mr Goodwin by the WACA was for a breach of Rule 9 of Section 1 of the Code of Behaviour. Rule 9 is in the following form:-“Without limiting any other Rule, players and officials must not make public or media comment which is detrimental to the interests of the game.”
3. The guidelines which form part of the Code of Behaviour indicate that players and officials will breach this Rule if by making any public or media comment they:-
   “
   • Publicly denigrate another player or publicly denigrate or criticise an …. official …. or team against which they have played or will play, whether in relation to incidents which occurred in the match or otherwise ….
   • Denigrate another player or official by inappropriately commenting on any aspect of his or her performance, abilities or characteristics …. “
4. Subsequent to the laying of the charge, the WACA gave detailed particulars of the charge. It is unnecessary to refer to the detailed particulars of the charge. It is sufficient to summarise the charge against Mr Goodwin in this fashion. During a series of interviews on 7 and 8 October 2003 to various media sources, Mr Goodwin made comments which suggested that players were chosen for the Zimbabweian Test Cricket Team otherwise than on pure ability. He suggested that race played a part in such selection.
5. Following several directions hearings by tele-conference a hearing of the matter was scheduled for Saturday 1 November 2003. On Friday 31st October 2003 I was advised that Mr Goodwin intended to plead guilty to the charge and I was requested, accordingly, only to adjudicate on the question of penalty.
6. This course of action was one which was agreed by both parties to the matter, namely the WACA and Mr Goodwin who was very ably represented by Mr Ron Birmingham QC.
7. The parties have asked me to determine the question of penalty, if I regard this course as appropriate, in the light of a signed statement made by Mr Murray Goodwin dated 30 October 2003 and a written submission made on behalf of the WACA dated 31 October 2003. I attach hereto copies of each of those documents.
8. It is apparent from Mr Goodwin’s Statement that he acknowledges making the comments attributed by the WACA and acknowledges that they constituted a contravention of the Code of Behaviour. That Statement also makes plain, in my mind, Mr Goodwin’s sincere regret for making statements which, on any view of it, were ill-timed, potentially harmful to the interests of cricket and otherwise inappropriate.
9. Mr Goodwin is, in my view, to be commended for acknowledging his mistake in making the comments and expressing such contrition which I believe is totally genuine.
10. It is pleasing also that the WACA, which properly made this complaint, has given due weight to Mr Goodwin’s Statement.
11. In the WACA’s submission, it urges me to take account of Mr Goodwin’s ‘genuine contrition’ and that submission urges me ‘strongly’ to issue no more than a reprimand with respect to Mr Goodwin’s conduct.
12. It is not, of course, my function to simply rubber stamp an agreement between the parties to a complaint as to the appropriate penalty for a breach of the Code of Behaviour. Such a course would be completely contrary to the letter and spirit of the Code of Behaviour. It is a role of the Commissioner for the Code of Behaviour to determine what is the appropriate penalty for a breach of the Code irrespective of the wishes or views of the parties. Nevertheless, in my opinion, the views of the parties are a significant factor to have regard to in considering an appropriate penalty.
13. Mr Goodwin’s plea of guilty to the charge relieves me of the obligation of adjudicating upon whether there was, in fact, a breach of the Code of Behaviour. Having said that, I should indicate that, on the materials which I have seen, Mr Goodwin’s decision to plead guilty to the charge was appropriate. That is not to say that I may not have come to a different conclusion upon having heard all the evidence. In particular, however, I note that there is no material before me to suggest, one way or the other, whether the comments made by Mr Goodwin are in fact accurate or reflect the true state of affairs in respect of Zimbabweian selection policies. Further, I expressly make no comment on whether or not, upon a proper construction of the Code of Behaviour, truth would be a defence to a charge under Rule 9 of the Code of Behaviour. It suffices to say that the Code of Behaviour, in my view, contractually binds players who participate in competitions under the auspices of Cricket Australia. Notions of freedom of speech which may otherwise be in vogue pursuant to the common law can, of course, be limited or restricted by the contractual agreement of parties. The Code of Behaviour, in my view, is such a contractual limitation. Cricketers who wish to enjoy the benefits of playing in competitions conducted under the auspices of Cricket Australia must also be prepared to incur the obligations which are imposed by the contractual arrangements to which they agree.
14. As a result of a number of well publicised incidents in the past 12 months, the Code of Behaviour has been considerably revised to reflect and enhance the Spirit of Cricket. As I understand it, all players playing in elite competitions under the auspices of Cricket Australia have been fully briefed upon the new requirements under the Code of Behaviour. I infer that Mr Goodwin, at the time he made the comments attributed to him, had been the beneficiary of such a briefing.
15. That is a matter of concern for me because, as I apprehend it, the revised Code of Behaviour is intended to not only sanction a player for a breach of it but also to deter future breaches not only by the player concerned but also by others. Ordinarily, in my view, that may mean that a less sympathetic approach to breaches of the Code of Behaviour should be taken now than has hitherto been the case. In saying this, of course, I am not seeking to prejudge any future breaches of the Code of Behaviour, rather I am seeking to state my impression of the purpose and intention of the revisions to the Code.
16. Under Section 5 Rule 2 of the Code I am obliged to apply one or more of the following penalties to a breach of Section 9 of Section 1 of the Code of Behaviour:-
    1. Ban the person from participating in any match;
    2. …..
    3. Fine the person an amount that accords with Rule 11 of this Section;
    4. ….
    5. Require the person to undergo counselling for a specified time;
    6. Require the person to perform voluntary service to cricket or the community; and/or
    7. Reprimand the person.
17. Under Section 5 Rule 3 of the Code I am entitled, in considering the appropriate penalty, to take into account any relevant circumstance including the following:-
    1. The seriousness of the breach;
    2. The harm caused by the breach in the interests of cricket;
    3. The person’s seniority and standing in the game;
    4. Remorse shown by the person and the prospects of further breaches;
    5. The prior record of the person in abiding by this Code, the ICC Code of Conduct and any similar Code of Behaviour;
    6. The impact of the penalty on the person.
18. In considering the appropriate penalty, pursuant to these considerations, I have formed the following views:-The seriousness of the breachI consider the breach to be a moderately serious one. Leaving aside the truth or otherwise of Mr Goodwin’s allegations, the comments were very inappropriately timed (immediately before the commencement of Test Series between Australia and Zimbabwe) and were likely to cause embarrassment to, and place pressure upon, Zimbabweian players and officials at an important time in the development of cricket in that country .

    The harm caused by the breach to the interests of cricket
    Given Mr Goodwin’s contrition and apologetic remarks I consider the harm which could otherwise have been done by his comments has been very substantially alleviated. Nevertheless, I think those comments were harmful to the interests of cricket.The player’s seniority and standing in the game
    Mr Goodwin is a senior player of high standing in the game. He has played at the highest levels of the game and with distinction not only for Zimbabwe but also in first class cricket in Australia and England. This is a neutral factor in my mind because Mr Goodwin’s standing in the game gave added legitimacy to his allegations but, on the other hand, that consideration is cancelled out by the contribution he has made to the game.The remorse shown by Mr Goodwin and the prospect of further breaches
    Mr Goodwin has shown considerable and commendable remorse and I do not consider there is the likelihood of any further breaches of the Code by him.Mr Goodwin’s prior record
    Mr Goodwin has had a long and distinguished international and first class career without any other blemish of the Code of Behaviour or any similar Code of Conduct. This is to his great credit and must be taken into account on the question of penalty.The impact of the penalty on Mr Goodwin
    I regard this as an irrelevant factor. I consider that any fine I may impose will be within Mr Goodwin’s reasonable means.

19. Having considered all of the matters listed above and having taken into account the contents and nature of the breach of the Code by Mr Goodwin, in this case I consider that a reprimand is the appropriate penalty.
20. In this regard, my finding is consistent with the finding I made in a recent matter in respect of Mr Adam Gilchrist and reflects the fact that I consider that Mr Goodwin intended no malice in the comments he made. Further, I do not believe that Mr Goodwin realised the impact and significance of his comments. In respect of each of these matters, I consider that I should give Mr Goodwin the benefit of any doubts I have about them.
21. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 5 Rule 2 of the Code of Behaviour I reprimand Mr Goodwin in respect of the conduct the subject of the charge. I impose no further sanction.
22. In conclusion, as will be apparent from these Reasons, I wish to stress that the sanction which I have imposed in this matter should not beregarded by players or officials subject to the control of Cricket Australia as a precedent for future similar conduct. Of considerable significance to me in imposing the present penalty has been the fact that the revised Code of Behaviour has only recently been promulgated and I think that, in this particular case, justifies a more lenient approach than might otherwise be the case at a subsequent time when players are more familiar with the revised Code. Further, the leniency of the sanction in this regard has also been considerably influenced by the compassionate attitude taken by the complainant.ALAN SULLIVAN QC
    Deputy Senior Commissioner
    Friday 31 October 2003

The second Test ended in a tame draw after crackling briefly back into life on the final day when New Zealand were bowled out for 183. Muttiah Muralitharan did most of the damage, with a record 37th five-wicket haul in Tests. Set 191 to win from 38 overs after tea, Sri Lanka disappointingly settled for a draw soon after Sanath Jayasuriya (9) fell early.Sri Lanka’s only chance of winning was for Jayasuriya, their most destructive batsman, to launch an early assault. Jayasuriya tried, smacking two early boundaries, but was then dismissed tamely when he mistimed a drive. Sri Lanka immediately settled for a draw, disappointing a noisy crowd whose expectations had been raised by Sri Lanka’s dramatic fightback with the ball in the first session. The match ended with Sri Lanka at 72 for 1 after 30 overs.New Zealand had started the final day in a dominant position, leading by 99 runs with nine wickets remaining, but Sri Lanka wrested back the initiative with Muralitharan bowling his heart out, taking the crucial early wicket of Mathew Sinclair (55). He then snared Jacob Oram (16) and the injured Daniel Vettori (0) in quick succession before lunch to have New Zealand tottering at 139 for 7.However, Muralitharan, who was searching for the one wicket he needed to complete 450 Test wickets, was unable to prise out Hart or Wiseman. Both put together 40 precious runs and occupied the crease for 28.1 overs to give Sri Lanka less time to chase whatever total that New Zealand eventually set.Chaminda Vaas finally broke through, as Hart feathered a legcutter into Romesh Kaluwitharana’s gloves, but by then Sri Lanka’s window of opportunity had been closed (179 for 8). Muralitharan then claimed his 450th Test wicket, as Daryl Tuffey (1) skyed a sweep to Jayasuriya at deep square leg, before Vaas wrapped up the innings as Wiseman (29) edged to first slip.At the start of play, Stephen Fleming and Mark Richardson tried to be positive but soon faltered. Richardson was the first to depart. He added only four runs to his overnight 51 before edging Prabath Nissanka to Kaluwitharana (109 for 2). Sinclair (0) was next deceived by Muralitharan’s arm ball (110 for 3). It marked the end of a dismal series for Sinclair, who scored only 21 runs in four innings.Suddenly it was game on. Sri Lanka attacked with Muralitharan and bottled up the other end with medium-pace bowling. The batsmen lost their way, scoring only five runs in the 44 minutes after the fall of Sinclair. The pressure increased and Vaas, varying his pace intelligently, deceived Scott Styris (1), who lobbed up a catch to Muralitharan at mid-on (115 for 4). New Zealand had lost three wickets for just six runs.Fleming added 21 with Oram before being scalped by Kumar Dharmasena, the offspinner, as he edged a catch to Kaluwitharana. It was Dharmasena’s first wicket of the match. Fleming had scored 33, with three fours (136 for 5).Muralitharan then swung the match emphatically towards Sri Lanka, trapping Oram lbw with an arm ball, and then bowling the injured Vettori behind his legs shortly before lunch (139 for 7).But Sri Lanka could not mop up the tail quickly enough, and the match meandered to a soporific draw with the series ending in 0-0.

On the eve of Pakistan’s departure for their short tour of England, Rashid Latif, the captain, has said that the trip will have major implications for the process of rebuilding which has started following their World Cup humiliation.Several senior players were left out in the aftermath of the World Cup and the policy of picking youngsters paid off when Pakistan acquitted themselves well in the Bank Alfalah Cup in Sri Lanka last month. “I am more than satisfied with the team’s performance since I took over," Latif told reporters, "but the England tour will test the skills of these youngsters because of changed conditions.”Despite being a short tour of three one-day matches, this tour will have long-term implications and results will guide us how the rebuilding process is shaping,” Latif continued. "We are the underdogs and a lot will depend on how our batting performs because our bowling is as good as England’s."Javed Miandad, Pakistan’s coach, said that he had been satisfied with the progress since he took over ten weeks ago, but the real test was about to come. “All the youngsters are hungry for success and want to take permanent positions in the team and I think with this kind of attitude the day is not far off that we would succeed against tough opponents."

Pakistan will include Afghanistan in its inter-district tournament this season for the third time, to help promote the development of the sport there, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said today. “The Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF) requested us to allow their team to appear in one of our tournaments," said the board in a statement, "and we have included them in our non-first class inter-district tournament later this year."Zakir Khan, the former Test fast bowler who is now the PCB/s general manager, told AFP: "Afghanistan’s federation is trying hard to come up and as a friendly promotion we have allowed them entry for a third time."Afghanistan took part in Pakistan’s non-first-class tournament for the first time in 2000-01, when they won only one of their six matches. Last season, their second appearance, they lost all their four matches.Cricket in war-ravaged Afghanistan is promoted by refugees who learnt the finer points of the game while in exile in Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Federation is trying to muster support from the International and Asian Cricket Councils to develop the game.Earlier this month the ACC sent Iqbal Sikander, its development officer, from Pakistan to Afghanistan to see how the sport could be developed there. Sikander said he was impressed with the interest of the youth in the game, and would recommend that the ICC and the ACC help to improve the cricket infrastructure. And Zakir Syed, the ACC’s development manager, said the council would train Afghan coaches and give the sport grants to buy gear.

CAPE TOWN, Feb 7 AFP – England will decide on Sunday whether or not it will go ahead with its controversial opening World Cup clash against Zimbabwe in Harare after it failed in its final, desperate bid to have the game switched to South Africa.Justice Albie Sachs today rejected England’s last gasp attempt to have next Thursday’s match relocated on safety grounds.Following a briefing from World Cup security chief Patrick Ronan, England players and officials were locked in marathon talks over their next move in the long-running saga.They face two possibilities – either go ahead with the February 13 clash as scheduled or withdraw and be docked four World Cup points, as well as risk a substantial fine imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaking its contractual obligations.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has no right of appeal against the decision made by South African judge Sachs.Earlier today, Nasser Hussain’s men met with ICC’s Australian chief executive Malcolm Speed to discuss a report the world governing body had commissioned from American security firm Kroll.This concluded it was safe for the six World Cup matches due to take place in Zimbabwe and two in Kenya to go ahead as scheduled.Speed praised the ECB’s handling of the situation but said he hoped Sachs’ ruling was the end of the matter.”The ECB has acted properly throughout,” Speed said.”It has exercised its rights under the contract and I expect they would continue to do so.”There have been suggestions that the ICC might fly England in and out of Harare on the day of the match itself in a bid to minimise safety risks to players and spectators alike.ECB director of corporate affairs John Read said: “The issue is whether we play the match or not.”Travel arrangements are not irrelevant because there are questions about preparation and acclimatisation but they are not directly relevant to this issue,” Read told AFP.England was always meant to be in Cape Town today ahead of taking part in Saturday’s tournament opening ceremony at the city’s Newlands ground.Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) president Peter Chingoka insisted there was “no bad blood” between the teams despite his outright hostility towards England’s relocation bid.”It’s important for the tournament to proceed without interruption,” Chingoka said.”But there is no bad blood between ourselves and the ECB.”We’re looking forward to welcoming England with African hospitality.”Sachs warned Zimbabwe that, despite his ruling, it now carried the “enormous responsibility” of ensuring the safety of everyone at Thursday’s match.”Serious political and economic issues have arisen in Zimbabwe, to which it would be wrong to turn a blind eye,” Sachs insisted 24 hours after the World Cup event technical committee turned down England’s first formal appeal.”Not only must the players be protected, but also the spectators.”Sachs’ decision is set to have implications for all the six World Cup matches due to be staged in Zimbabwe and possibly the two fixtures in Kenya where New Zealand has refused to travel on safety grounds following terror attacks in the East African state.South Africa is due to stage the other 46 games in the February 8 to March 23 tournament.