A fumbled catch, a sensational run-out, a few reckless strokes, an abandoned match and, suddenly, the euphoria of the West Indies’ opening World Cup victory over South Africa has turned to apprehension over whether they can get past the preliminary round.The situation has been compounded by the untimely loss of form of Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds, the left-handed openers who had such a profound influence on the stimulating 4-3 triumph in the One-Day series in India last November, and by the uncertain catching.Had the Bangladesh match gone the required distance, the West Indies surely would have won and taken the full four points.Barring slip-ups, cricketing or meteorlogical, in future engagements against Canada and Kenya, they would have taken on Sri Lanka without the pressure of needing victory since South Africa would have been the ones to miss out.The Benoni rain has thrown the home team back into contention and Sri Lanka’s remaining matches against the West Indies and South Africa are likely to determine which two join New Zealand in the Super Sixes.Inferior catchingTo advance, the West Indies must play appreciably better than they have in their last two matches against the confident Sri Lankans, who defeated New Zealand in their opener and have been utterly ruthless against Bangladesh and Canada since.The inferior catching, characterised by costly deep field misses in the late overs by Pedro Collins against South Africa and Marlon Samuels against New Zealand and three in the slips against Bangladesh, and the faltering top order batting do not constitute the recipe for winning the World Cup – or even getting through to the next round.Even Brian Lara’s run-out by a piece of New Zealand magic was too casual at this level.The catching problem is nothing new and no amount of practice seems to make a difference.It has been the most frustrating aspect of Roger Harper’s tenure as coach. As peerless a fielder as there has ever been, he must die a little with every dropped catch.Hooper and Gayle, two specialist and usually reliably slip fielders, each put down straightforward offerings on Tuesday."We have to learn in the tougher games that we have to take these chances when they come," was Hooper’s self-evident observation.It would be helpful as well if Gayle and Hinds could find some form against Canada in the next match at Centurion on Sunday, leading up to the Sri Lanka match five days later.Gayle, tall, commanding and a fierce striker at his best, is yet to come to terms with conditions with scores of two, 22 and nought.He dragged on a flat-footed drive against South Africa, slashed high to slip against New Zealand and drove to extra-cover against Bangladesh.Hinds, who has made nought, 14 and 18, was undone by a bad umpiring decision against South Africa, drove loosely to short extra-cover against New Zealand and got a good one that he edged to slip against Bangladesh.Their partnerships have been four, 34 and 19, well short of their resounding successes in India."The tracks are a bit different and they’re struggling a bit to find their feet," Hooper noted.But there was no thought yet of changing them."They did wonderfully well for us in India where they had some huge stands at five, six, sometimes seven runs an over that set us up for big totals," he said."It’s a bit of a worry now but the important thing is to believe in them. I think they’ll come good sooner or later."Their useful bowling is a bonus but, if their form doesn’t improve soon, change would be necessary.Promoting Shivnarine Chanderpaul to open, as he has often done with success, would allow the introduction of Samuels, whose rich talent is being wasted in the dressing room but who cannot find a place, given Ricardo Powell’s spectacular hitting at No. 7.Powell has been one of the revelations of the tournament.While the established candidates Lara, Sanath Jayasuirya, Herschelle Gibbs, Stephen Fleming have made an immediate impact, Powell, out of the West Indies team only nine months ago, has returned with a bang.His shot selection has improved without any loss of power and his 40 off 18 balls against South Africa and 50 off 31 against Bangladesh have included some of the longest hits of the tournament.In both matches, his finale in partnership with Ramnaresh Sarwan against South Africa powered the West Indies along at more than ten-an-over in the closing stages."We’ll hear a lot more of Ricardo Powell in this tournament," Hooper said after the Bangladesh match.Perhaps we will, but only if the West Indies move on to the next round.

Thursday, March 6, 2003:::
“I was able to get hold of a copy of the Duckworth-Lewis printout and, having seen them so often, I knew we had to better the par score printed on that. So we were all shouting at Mark Boucher to take a single off the last ball, but to no avail. I have no idea why the team didn’t realise they needed to do better than 229, except that the pressure of the situation maybe went to their heads.” Former South African coach Graham Ford
Source: The Natal Witness, South Africa”We committed schoolboy errors and the team’s management has to take a hard look at itself. What happened out there was unacceptable.” Former South African off-spinner and current national selector Pat Symcox
Source: The Independent, South Africa”I think a strong character like Hollioake in the middle order would be very good and they need a captain who has been successful. Neither Vaughan nor Trescothick have County Championship captaincy experience although Trescothick has captained a bit for England. Vaughan is the favourite but personally, I would like to see Adam Hollioake.” Former England spinner John Emburey, on Nasser Hussain’s successor as English one-day captain
Source: This is Cornwall, UK”A (banned) athlete can go and practise running around an oval if he is a sprinter or a hurdler or a shot-put thrower, so why shouldn’t Shane Warne be able to practise his craft against the best players?” Victoria coach David Hookes, on Warne practising during his ban against first-class opposition
Source: The Sunday Times, AustraliaMonday, March 3, 2003:::
“A game against Australia requires some special performances, but we don’t need that against Sri Lanka. We don’t need anything special, just the basics. We mustn’t drop catches, mustn’t get run out and need to keep things tight. We just need simple, percentage cricket.” Former South African fast-bowler Fanie de Villiers
Source: The Star, South Africa”I know he would be disappointed because he felt we stood a chance, as everyone else felt we stood a chance. But these things happen in sport and I think it’s important having dialogue with him to see where we go from here.” Former West Indian skipper Viv Richards, on captain Carl Hooper’s World Cup
Source: CaribbeanCricket.com”There’s probably one or two players who have hung on a bit too long. I know Australia has over the last four years pretty much been moving guys out and bringing new guys in. So far it’s proving to be a good decision for them. But I’m not quite sure that South Africa is blessed with the riches of talent that they (Australia) are, so it’s a little bit more difficult.” Former South African cricketer Kepler Wessels, on South Africa’s current team
Source: The Age, Australia

A board of directors has been set up to establish a Foundation to honour former Barbadian Test cricketers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes, for their outstanding contributions to Barbados, the West Indies and the entire cricketing world.The Foundation, whose trustees are Sir David Seale, Sir David Simmons, Sir Stephen Emtage, Sir Neville Nicholls, Algernon Symmonds, Professor Hilary Beckles, Stephen Alleyne and David Holford, will be entrusted with net proceeds from two weeks of planned celebration activities to honour the 3Ws.While the focus of the events will be to celebrate and honour the 3Ws, proceeds raised will be used to assist in the establishment of three-year scholarships tenable at the University of the West Indies (UWI), to assist in the development of Sir Frank Worrell’s birthplace as a museum celebrating the legacy of the 3Ws, and to create lasting memorials to the 3Ws.The Foundation will be soliciting the support of all cricket lovers, as well as the general public, in rekindling the model characters of the 3Ws."Young Barbadians today are seriously in need of the mirror images which the likes of Worrell, Weekes and Walcott kindled within the hearts and minds of the generations of their day," said trustee Stephen Alleyne."This unique trio, ultimately rewarded with the highest national honour of knighthood, has made us proud to be Barbadian. Their great achievements, despite their humble origins, make them representations of hope for our youth."The celebrations will begin with an ecumenical service at UWI grounds April 21, at 9 a.m., where the public is invited to witness the renaming of the grounds to The 3Ws Oval.There will also be a presentation entitled, The 3Ws: Their Achievements, Contributions & Legacy on April 29 at Frank Collymore Hall at 7:30 p.m.The highlight of the events will be a gala banquet on May 3, at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex at 8 p.m, where keynote speaker will be Reverend Wes Hall.Event manager Jerry Ishmael of Premier Events Services, said: "The gymnasium will be transformed into a lavish dining experience where an estimated 900 cricket enthusiasts, players and supporters will dine on a blend of Caribbean and international flavours."Entertainment will be provided by top local musicians and every patron will be given an autographed miniature bat as a keepsake.

Hampshire had dominated the first two days of this Frizzell Championship Division Two match against Gloucestershire at The Rose Bowl, but they were left hanging on to a draw at the end of the match after rain and some tight bowling went against the home side.Jonty Rhodes and Jon Lewis gathered a further 45 runs when play started after lunch. The morning two hours had been lost to heavy rain, and it was a tribute to the ground staff and the quick drying Rose Bowl that play managed to get underway. Rhodes finished 151 not out, hitting 13 fours and three sixes in a stay of 270 balls.Set 283 for victory in a minimum of 55 overs, Hampshire’s loss of early wickets put paid to any hope of making a challenge for the runs. John Crawley and first innings hero Derek kenway both fell to Aussie Ian Harvey’s seam bowling, and he shared the spoils with off spinner Martyn Ball.It fell to Dimitri Mascarenhas and Shaun Udal to put the brakes on their teams downfall, and on the formers dismissal Wasim Akram played an unusual role of defence, and the draw was comfortably achieved in the end.

An unbeaten fourth wicket partnership of 126 between skipper John Crawley and John Francis lifted Hampshire Hawks into second place in the National Cricket League Division Two table, bypassing the Scottish Saltires by seven wickets at the Rose Bowl.Crawley, showing a distinct return to form hit an excellent 83 (88 balls) while Francis kept him in good company to the tune of 62 from 75 balls, which included one immaculate straight six and five boundaries as they led the Hawks to victory with an over to spare.Hampshire won the toss and, noting their chasing exploits the previous day in beating bottom-of-the-table Sussex Sharks, asked the Saltires to bat first and the captain saw instant results as debutante Chaminda Vaas trapped Dougie Lockhart lbw for 2 while Gregg Williamson followed him for the same tally nine runs later.Ryan Watson and Rahul Dravid rebuilt the innings after the early setbacks but it was the partnership between the Indian batsman and South African all-rounder Jon Kent which was the main focus of the visitors’ eventual 225-5.Dravid scored 81 while Kent followed his century at Hove with an unbeaten 78 as they added 103 for the fourth wicket.Shaun Udal picked up two wickets, but Vaas was the pick, showing all his experience in taking 1-31 from his nine overs of left-arm seam.As seems to be the way in Hampshire’s innings, James Hamblin and Simon Katich made a good start in the reply, posting 55 on the board but two wickets in successive balls to Saltires skipper Craig Wright set the Hawks back a step.Hamblin was bowled attempting a straight drive and Derek Kenway shuffled across to his first delivery and was lbw. Much relied on Katich but he also fell to Wright for a 66-ball 45.However, the day was set for Crawley, who is timing the ball as sweetly as he has for some time and his left-handed accomplice Francis, recording his highest league score of the season to take the Hawks home.

Strange as it may sound, both Bangladesh and Pakistan have reason to look forward to the third Test at Multan, which starts on Wednesday (Sept 3). Pakistan’s young players have taken the opportunity of getting used to international cricket against the easiest opposition they could face at this level. Bangladesh’s cricketers, meanwhile, have shown more gumption that they have displayed in the past. Multan is an opportunity for them to journey furtheralong those respective roads.For Pakistan, Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Hafeez have made impressive centuries, while Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul have gained in confidence while picking up some easy wickets. Inzamam-ul-Haq hasn’t taken the easy pickings on offer – yet – but with the rest of the Pakistan batsmen firing, his contribution is not as vital as it would be against any other team.Bangladesh have fought harder in this series than in recent memory. They even grabbed a first-innings lead in the second Test but, as in the first, they faded in the second half of the match, allowing Pakistan an easy victory. Javed Omar, Hannan Sarkar, Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Ashraful and Rajin Saleh have all batted with application and discipline, though their bowling hasn’t yet shown the promise of taking 20 wickets in a Test.They will be motivated. The Bangladesh team was made to travel to Multan in economy class, while the Pakistan team sat in executive class. The Bangladeshis bristled at what they perceived to be an affront. They do not take kindly to being treated like a second-class cricketing nation, and Rashid Latif’s patronising comments about the forthcoming Test would not have helped either.”I don’t want to interfere in their planning,” said Latif, “but if Bangladesh does not play positive cricket they will not learn and improve. We allowed them to perform in the first two Tests but here we will try our best to finish it off early.”It is unlikely that Bangladesh will express much gratitude for this kindness. Dav Whatmore, their coach, remained focussed on the task at hand. “I am trying to make sure that the boys do not lose confidence after their slump in the Peshawar Test,” he said. “We need to guard the areas of improvement.”It does not help to have a morose captain, though. Khaled Mahmud, under criticism for his allround non-performance, admitted, “After the series I will sit down with the Board’s officials and will review my career.” It wasn’t all defeatism, though. He also said, “When someone criticises our Test status we feel hurt because the improvement is definitely there.”Bangladesh have lost 17 Tests in a row. The momentum seems overwhelming, but somewhere, someday they will stem the rot. Will it be at Multan?Probable teams
Pakistan 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Taufeeq Umar, 3 Yasir Hameed, 4Inzamam-ul-Haq, 5 Yousuf Youhana, 6 Younis Khan, 7 Rashid Latif (capt and wk), 8 Shoaib Akhtar, 9 Danish Kaneria, 10 Shabbir Ahmed, 11 Umar Gul.Bangladesh 1 Hannan Sarkar, 2 Javed Omar, 3 Habibul Bashar, 4 MohammadAshraful, 5 Rajin Saleh, 6 Alok Kapali, 7 Khaled Mashud (wk), 8 Khaled Mahmud (capt), 9 Mohammad Rafique, 10 Manjural Islam, 11 Mashrafe Mortaza.

The Tasmanian Selectors have today announced a squad of fouteen to travel to Maroochydore on a pre-season trip to prepare for the 2003/04 season.

CASCADE TASMANIAN TIGERS
Daniel MARSH (Captain)
Sean CLINGELEFFER
Michael DIGHTON
Michael DiVENUTO
Xavier DOHERTY
Andrew DOWNTON
Adam GRIFFITH
Jamie COX
Shane WATSON
Scott MASON
Scott KREMERSKOTHEN
George BAILEY
Damien WRIGHT
Brett GEEVES

The Cascade Tasmanian Tigers will play three matches against Victoria at the Maroochydore Cricket Club consisting of:19th October – 20 over match20th & 21st October – 2 day match23rd October – One Day matchThe Team departs on Sunday 19th October from Hobart and will be accompanied by Brian McFadyen (Coach), Dene Hills (Assistant Coach), Laurie McGee (Physio) and Ricky Langford (Fitness Advisor).The Tigers will play their first ING Cup match of the season against the Queensland Bulls at the Gabba on Saturday 25th October. It is expected that the twelve to represent Tasmania in that match will be announced by the 22nd October, 2003.

The Victorian Bushrangers have taken an early lead in the domestic standings of the state Spirit of Cricket award combining the Pura Cup and ING Cup, Cricket Australia announced today.The Bushrangers, who have played two Pura Cup and three ING Cup games, lead the table on 18 points, five points ahead of closest rival the Cascade Tasmanian Tigers, who have 13 points from four matches.The West End Redbacks sit in third place on 12 points, followed by the SpeedBlitz Blues and XXXX Queensland Bulls on nine points, while the Retravision Warriors trail the field on two points.The officiating umpires issue points on a 3,2,1,0,-1 basis at the end of each game, with teams rewarded for displaying the true spirit, traditions, and values of cricket.If a player is reported and found guilty under Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct during a match, their team is automatically given a score of minus one point.Western Australia’s Paul Wilson and Ryan Campbell have both been reported under the Code for separate incidents earlier this season, while Queensland’s Stuart Law was reported following his side’s recent Pura Cup match against Victoria.Voting in ING Cup games is weighted at a ratio of 1:1, while Pura Cup voting adopts a 3:1 weighting. The state Spirit of Cricket points table, including all Pura Cup and ING Cup fixtures up until Monday 17 November follows:

TEAM	TOTAL POINTS	MATCHES
VIC	18	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
TAS	13	4 (2 Pura; 2 ING)
SA	12	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
NSW	9	4 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
QLD	9	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)
WA	2	5 (2 Pura; 3 ING)

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the state Spirit of Cricket award served to acknowledge the efforts of the states in upholding the laws and traditions of the game."Cricket Australia strongly believes that cricket’s appeal to fans and participants is closely related to the values that are firmly entrenched in the game," Mr Sutherland said."Strengthening and protecting the spirit of cricket was one of four Cricket Australia strategic priorities identified in 2002, and we see this award as an important vehicle in helping promote the value of fair play through the states."Earlier this season Victoria, through its Pura Cup captain Darren Berry, publicly pledged to improve the side’s on-field behaviour so it’s encouraging to see them leading the points table at this stage of the season."The state Spirit of Cricket award is part of a broader Cricket Australia Spirit of Cricket project designed to ensure Australian cricketers at all levels understand their obligations to fair play.Announced ahead of the First 3 Test match against Zimbabwe in Perth last month, the project incorporates a national Spirit of Cricket award for grade and local club sides around Australia.It also includes an elite Australian player pledge, defining a set of standards of behaviour and values by which they intend to play the game.The state Spirit of Cricket award will be updated at the end of every second Pura Cup round, and announced on the following dates:

• Tuesday, 16 December, Pura Cup rounds 3 and 4, plus all ING Cup games since last update;
• Friday, 16 January, Pura Cup rounds 5 and 6, plus all ING Cup games since last update;
• Wednesday, 11 February, Pura Cup rounds 7 and 8, plus all ING Cup games since last update;
• Wednesday, 10 March, Pura Cup rounds 9 and 10, plus all ING Cup games since last update. Overall winner announced.

All the latest news and updates concerning the spirit of cricket is available online at www.baggygreen.com.au/spirit

Hutt Valley Junior Cricket Draw for 1 NovemberAll games start at 8.30amUnder 14: Hutt Cutters v U H Whiteford, Te Whiti 2; Petone Goldsbury v U H Ingham, Petone 4; Taita v Hutt Doolan, Fraser 2; UH Goodwin v Petone Sellwood, TMP 1.Under 12: Wainui Sharks v S V Thompson, R Prouse 1 ; E’bourne Bodie v Petone Walker , Petone 5 ; Hutt Partridge v Hutt van Baarle Construction, Te Whiti 4 ; S V Red v U H Cole, Delaney 3A; Hutt Riverside v U H Morris, TMP 2 ; Hutt Narasy v Hutt Richardson, Fraser 3 ; Hutt St P & P v Naenae, Naenae 3A ; U H Morris byeUnder 11 : U H Blue v Hutt Pickering, TMP 4 ; Taita v U H Red, Fraser 5A ; Hutt mackie v Naenae, Te Whiti 6; E’bourne Withers v Hutt Patterson, Wellesley Coll ; Hutt Hilligan v Tokelau, Trafalgar ; Wainui Steelers v Hutt Pawson, R Prouse 2.Under 10 : Hutt Coyle v E’bourne Hampton, Hutt 2 ; S Valley v Hutt laing, Delaney 2; Wainui Gold v Naenae , Naenae 2Under 9: E’bourne Dunn v Hutt Ravi, H W Shortt; Hutt Green v E’bourne Gordon, Hutt 5,; Taita v Hutt Serci, Fraser 4; E’bourne Simon v Hutt Classic Hits 90FM, Petone 3,; Petone Lawrence v Petone Panthers, Petone 2.Under 8: Hutt Red v Naenae A, Hutt 6; Taita v Tokelau, Fraser 1; Hutt Gandhi v S Valley, Delaney 1; Wainui Tigers v Hutt Baird, R Prouse 4;Naenae B v E’bourne Healy, Naenae 1; Wainui Royles v Hutt Webster, B Heath 2Kiwi : E’bourne Hickey v Hutt Borthwick , Bishop 1; Hutt Stirling v Petone Higgison/Singh, Hutt 7 ; E’bourne Barrett v Hutt Azad, Bishop 2; Wainui Broadhurst v Hutt Coulson, B Heath 1 ; Hutt Nevin bye

Robert Croft, who announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday, has warned that England won’t produce a match-winning spinner unless there are drier pitches at county level.Croft, who took 49 Test wickets at 37.24, said, “I know there’s an instruction from Lord’s saying that pitches must start dry, but it either gets ignored or it’s because of the climate we have in this country, but it doesn’t happen.”Because of that, a lot of the spin bowlers don’t adopt an aggressive or positive attitude towards bowling spin in this country,” he continued. “We tend to get used a lot to hold up an end while the seamers have a break. Then you’re expected to go away and bowl on turning pitches. If you haven’t got a positive mindset it’s very tough to do.”Croft, who took 35 wickets overseas, compared with 14 at home, added, “We have to develop more of a positive attitude towards spin bowling and the only way we can do that is to start producing drier pitches. When you do play on a pitch that is dry and get some wickets, if you come up against a green pitch in the next game you’ll spin it more.”If you play on drier wickets on a regular basis then I’m sure you would see a vast improvement in spin bowling.”