West Indies v India: 4th Test, Day 1
India 200 all out, West Indies yet to bat
(Dravid 81, Taylor 5/50)
Monthly Archive for June, 2006
Zimbabwe A v Bangladesh A: 3rd ‘A’ Test, Day 1
Zimbabwe 276/7, Bangladesh yet to bat
(Mufambisi 67, Hasan 2/47)
Match report: Herald
Word from The Independent that the draft Zimbabwe Cricket constitution, which was presented at last weekend’s Constitutional Committee in Mutare, would provide for seven of the ZC board’s 12 members to be appointed by Government, thereby removing the ability of the provincial associations to have any significant level of control over the running of the game. Only 5 board members would be elected to their posts. Here’s the relevant section (Article 11, subsection 3):
“Of the 12 board members mentioned above (in subsection 2), seven shall be appointed by the Minister (of Education Sports and Culture) and the remaining five shall be appointed by the provincial associations as outlined in section 16.”
Even then, while the appointed board members will serve full four-year terms, some elected members may only be in post for two years (Article 15, subsection (b)):
“Of the five directors elected by the provincial chairpersons, two shall retire at the expiration of the first half of the term of the board and the electoral college of the 10 provincial chairpersons shall elect two new members from amongst themselves or their associations to replace the two retired members who will serve the remaining half of the term.”
The draft also makes it illegal for provincial associations to pass votes of no confidence in the national board or any of its members. Cricketing experience is not a requirement, with “a first degree or equivalent qualification” being listed as a suitable alternative.
The current interim board’s tenure ends on 31 August, which doesn’t leave much time for amendment. It doesn’t look likely that the provinces will approve the proposals as they stand, but Zimbabwe being Zimbabwe there’s always the possibility the new constitution will simply be imposed from above.
The Independent - ZC wants minister to appoint directors
Snuck in at the bottom of The Chronicle’s preview of today’s ‘A’ Test is word that Zimbabwe Cricket is looking to arrange an additional tour ahead of October’s Champions Series:
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is also trying to organise a tour of South Africa ahead of the Bangladesh series and the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in India in October.
Sadly lacking on detail, including whether we’re talking the full national side or the ‘A’ side, but any playing practice for either team would be welcome at this stage.
The Chronicle - Zim A makes two changes
There have been three notable changes to the Zimbabwe A squad ahead of the 4th ‘A’ Test against Bangladesh. Bernard Mlambo, Hamilton Masakadza and Kudzai Taibu are out - Taibu didn’t perform particularly well in the first two games, while Masakadza reportedly has university exams - while Keegan Meth, Chamu Chibhabha and Tino Mawoyo join the side. Meth and Chibhabha both looked promising in the recent West Indies tour, so assuming they play this will be useful experience for them. Stuart Matsikenyeri is promoted to captain in Masakadza’s absence.
The match begins at Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo tomorrow.
CricInfo have an interview with outgoing ICC President Ehsan Mani. One of the subjects touched upon is the situation with Zimbabwe Cricket, where Mani is convinced the ICC’s constitution would not have allowed them to handle the problems within ZC any differently:
“We are governed very much by our constitution. We have the responsibility to manage affairs at international level. It is only when things start impacting the international game that we move in. This is what we have done each time. The ICC will move and I didn’t hesitate to move when I thought the integrity of Test cricket was at stake. I’m sure that is what will happen in the future. Whether I could have done anything differently, I don’t think constitutionally I could have.”
He also indicates that there’s unlikely to be an automatic return to Test cricket for the Zimbabwe team:
“They lost 15-20 of their top cricketers. No country can sustain a loss like that. These things go in cycles and yes, obviously Zimbabwe needs a lot of time before they return to Tests. That is going to be the challenge in coming years.”
Any takers on the 2007 Australia series being postponed, then?
Outgoing ICC president speaks to Cricinfo
England v Sri Lanka: 4th ODI
Sri Lanka 318/7 (50 overs), England 285 (48.4 overs)
Sri Lanka win by 33 runs and lead series 4-0 with 1 to play.
Scotland v Pakistan ODI
Scotland 203/8 (50 overs), Pakistan 205/5 (43.5 overs)
Pakistan win by 5 wickets
Speaking to The Herald, Zimbabwe A manager Givemore Makoni expressed his satisfaction at the team’s performance in the 2nd ‘A’ Test:
“The guys played good cricket this time around and it was a marked improvement in batting compared to the first game. We scored about 600 runs in total and a number of the top-order and middle-order batsmen like captain Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri are showing signs of improving. We could have won this game but the performance and the result leaves us in a stronger position ahead of the decider in Bulawayo and we are now looking forward to a competitive match at Queens.”
Zimbabwe A were just 28 runs short of victory with three overs remaining when bad light stopped play to end the 2nd ‘A’ Test against Bangladesh in Mutare, but Zim will be pleased with the result after again having problems removing the Bangladeshi batsmen.
Bangladesh elected to bat after winning the toss, and centuries from Mehrab Hossain Jnr (120) and Alok Kapali (111) helped Bangladesh to another good 1st innings total of 380. Zimbabwe’s bowling was economical enough, but yet again didn’t seem to cause significant problems for the batsmen, with only Trevor Garwe (6/65) making any real progress. Zim’s reply got off to the worst possible start with a first-ball duck for Tinashe Hove, before the middle order stabilised the innings, although the lower order again collapsed to a 1st-innings total of 258 - well behind Bangladesh. Enamul Haque Jnr did most of the damage, taking 5/61.
Bangladesh’s 2nd innings looked to be going much the same way as the first, until the visitors declared on 258/6 after allowing opening batsman Mehrab Hossain Jnr to bring up his second ton of the match (100*), leaving Zimbabwe chasing 381 for a win - a target which, based on their recent performances, looked decidedly out-of-reach, but after a slow start (Tinashe Hove again disappointing, eventually leaving for 0 after facing 19 balls) the home team decided to take the battle to Bangladesh, lead by an impressive 131 from captain Hamilton Masakadza. Sadly, failing light left them with a case of “so near, yet so far”, but the team’s prospects now look considerably brighter ahead of the 3rd and final ‘A’ Test at Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo, starting on Friday (30 June).
Bangladesh 380 & 258/6 dec, Zimbabwe 258 & 352/8
Match Drawn. Bangladesh lead series 1-0 with one to play.