‘The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.’ Not so with the Zimbabwe cricket team. The flesh may not look too good compared to the top Test-playing countries, but it was the lack of spirit in the match against Kenya that was the most disappointing and worrying aspect.CONTENTS:

• Zimbabwe v New Zealand: scorecard and review
• Zimbabwe v Kenya: scorecard and review
• Gary Brent: updated biography and first-class career record
• LettersWhen Zimbabwe first played in South Africa in their triangular tournament six years ago, the Zimbabweans quickly attracted fans all over that country for the way they obviously enjoyed their cricket. There was widespread disappointment when they narrowly failed to qualify for the finals to India. They played hard and enjoyed it. But today that enjoyment has gone.External factors, such as the present state of the country and the imminent defection of Andy Flower, have no doubt had their effect. There may well be pressures from other quarters, but nothing that would compare with that upon the Indians, whose failure might well result in physical violence to themselves, their property and families.It is sad for Zimbabwe cricket that our players are unable, once they get on to the field, to shut out all distractions and live out the thrill of playing among the top six cricket countries of the world, and enjoy the experience, the challenge of the World Cup. But traditionally our players have found it difficult to put aside their inferiority complex when playing supposedly stronger teams, and this time it even seemed to enter their match against Kenya.They just have to find some way of overcoming the pressure, and in the past the best answer has been a wholehearted enjoyment of the game. But this seems beyond them at present. Thrying too hard has led to a loss of joy and a loss of power. Until they regain it, I cannot see much improvemnet in the state of Zimbabwe cricket.I have developed this further in my match review, included in this issue. I do not have the priviledge of travelling to South Africa with the team, but I have followed every ball on television, and the contrast in approach between the Zimbabwe and Kenyan players could scarecely have been greater. The exuberant deservedly beat the careworn.We hope for better against Sri Lanka, mainly because the pressure will be off. Zimbabwe cricket does have the ability to pick itself up again, but until the zest for the game returns, utilitarian performances and `acceptable’ margins of defeat will be the fare.

To England supporters, there is a peculiarly ghastly symmetry about the fact that the coup de grace to their World Cup aspirations has been delivered in Zimbabwe. Just as rain deprived South Africa of a critical two points at Kingsmead last night, so it intervened in Zimbabwe’s favour at Bulawayo today.Far from being in the Super Six, England have joined South Africa and the West Indies in the group that might be termed the “What If” Three. Three captains have known the misery of watching the weather intervene to their disadvantage – Carl Hooper at Benoni, where rain deprived West Indies of a certain win over Bangladesh, Nasser Hussain, who could probably hardly bear to think about, let alone watch, today’s watery scenes at Queens Sports Club, and of course Shaun Pollock last night.No true cricket lover who saw Pollock’s agonised expression as his team’s hopes drained away in the Durban drizzle will have drawn any pleasure from it. But the cold light of another day must remind him that in losing to both the West Indies and New Zealand – even though the latter match was also rain-affected – South Africa left themselves an awful lot to do.As has so often been said during this World Cup, you cannot expect to progress unless you beat the top teams. On that basis Sri Lanka and New Zealand deserved to go through, despite the solitary aberration of the former against Kenya, who have taken maximum advantage. The only significance of New Zealand’s decision not to go to Nairobi rests in the number of points the two sides take through.

In Group A, the same applies to Australia, who beat everyone, and India, who beat everyone else. Pakistan, who lost to Australia, England and India, can hardly bewail their fate. England, to their credit, came closest to upsetting the favourites. If last Sunday’s result had fallen on the other edge of the knife, they would be through.Which brings us to the other “might have been” scenario for England, which is so glaring that it seems almost superfluous to highlight it. Well before the politicians got stuck in to the Zimbabwe match, it was plain that victory in Harare was England’s need as well as their expectation. Australia, India and Pakistan were their three toughest matches. Suffice to say that but for the forfeiture, England could have gone through despite being beaten in two of those three. Their exit is no disgrace.So we have a scenario that few would have put money on before the tournament. The primary hosts are out, while the two lesser hosts are both hanging in there against the odds. Not quite what the organisers had in mind – indeed rather the reverse – but there is nothing completely new about that. Remember what happened to the host nation in 1999?

Saturday, April 5, 2003:::
“There was a lot of euphoria for the way we played during the tournament and a lot of people (in the Government) are proud the way we played. We received a rousing welcome when we got back to Nairobi.” Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo
Source: The Gulf News, United Arab Emirates”I would be interested in having a chat. Whether I am interested [in the job] would depend on that chat. Coaching New Zealand would be my main ambition but any team that plays one-day internationals and Test matches would appeal to me.” John Bracewell, on being approached by Sri Lanka for the position of coach
Source: The Guardian, UK”I would rather look at someone like Sandeep Patil, who has done a wonderful job with Kenya. I don’t want to discuss the merits of a foreign coach but I know we too have the people to do the job.” Former Indian star Kapil Dev, on the issue of a foreign coach for India
Source: The Hindu, India”[It is] more daunting than trying to hit a first-ball six.” Indian captain Sourav Ganguly to West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, on the prospect of making a speech in Bengali
Source: The Times of India, IndiaTuesday, April 1, 2003:::
“We are a very forgiving people. We feel that if the selectors recommend any player once, twice or three times, we should look at it,” West Indies Cricket Board president Rev. Wes Hall, on the appointment of Brian Lara as the new captain
Source: Ananova, UK
“We are the benchmark for other teams to aspire to, due largely to a thing called professionalism, which is what we all pride ourselves on,” Australia Test captain Steve Waugh
Source: BBC, UK
“Lara is a great player and he will no doubt fire up against Australia. He particularly likes facing Glenn McGrath. He likes to perform on the big stage, and playing Australia is as big as it gets for him,” Steve Waugh
Source: The Age, Australia
“I always thought that a batsman’s best years are between 28 and 36. At 30 I was looking forwards to the best years of my international career. But the selectors forced my hand and that was obviously not ideal for me,” Alistair Campbell, announcing his retirement
Source: Rediff.com

In an effort to revive truncated cricket ties with Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said that it will seek its government’s permission to play Pakistan at neutral venues. Rajiv Shukla, a cricket administrator and a Member of Parliament, said that the board would soon approach Mr A B Vajpayee, the Indian Prime Minister, with the request.The Indian government had banned bilateral cricket with Pakistan since 2000, in protest against alleged Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the disputed state of Kashmir. However, the Indian team is allowed to play Pakistan in multi-national tournaments, as in the recently concluded World Cup. Direct sporting relations continue between India and Pakistan in other sports such as hockey.Earlier in March, the Indian government had overruled another request from the BCCI to resume bilateral matches with Pakistan. The BCCI claimed that it could be heavily penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for failing to fulfill commitments. In an embarrassing contradiction, the ICC promptly denied such a possibility, maintaining that it will not hold individual boards accountable for governmental decisions.But with big money at stake, both the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards have increased their lobbying with the Indian government. “We want to somehow resume bilateral cricket,” said Karunakaran Nair, the BCCI secretary. Nair said that senior board members would discuss the issue by the end of May. The matter is also expected to be discussed at the Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) meeting in Dubai next week.

Roger Treherne (Southampton) – A Hampshire member for 50 years, who joined the committee in 1986 having played cricket for Hampshire Colts and Deanery Cricket Club.Roger was elected Chairman of the Members’ Committee in 2002 and retired from Marsh UK Ltd in the same year. He has had many roles within the committee including chairing the Hampshire 2000 fund raising year. Alongside Mike Taylor he organized the major dinner to mark the leaving of Northlands Road with over 1000 attending. He is committed to representing Members’ interests.Roger is married with 2 children and lists golf as his main other interest being a member of Stoneham Golf club.

BAT Sports are boosted by the return of left-hand opener Damian Shirazi as they bid to extend their sizeable lead at the top of the ECB Southern Electric Premier League against Andover at Southern Gardens tomorrow SAT, 11.30am.Sharizi, who has been on trial with Kent 2nd XI this week, was on Lord’s groundstaff duty at last Saturday’s NatWest 1-day final and missed the nine-wicket drubbing of Portsmouth.But the 407-run teenager kept his eye in by scoring 109 for the MCC YCs against the Army on Monday.He will resume his opening partnership with hard-hitting Kiwi Neal Parlane, who has 531 runs to his credit this season.BAT are 37 points clear of second-placed Havant, who face an awkward test against the rejuvinated Hampshire Academy in BBC Radio Solent’s feature match at Havant Park.Steve Snell returns for Havant, while off-spinning all-rounder Richard Hindley, who made his County Championship debut for Hampshire this week, will miss his return to his recreational role after having his right hand broken by a Michael Kasprowicz delivery on Thursday as he struck a debut 50 for the county.Bashley (Rydal) have an ideal opportunity to step up the pressure at the top when they visit lowly Liphook & Ripsley at Ripsley Park.The all-day game means a breakfast-time leave for Matt King’s side, but confidence is high that Bashley could return home in second place.”Obviously, we’ve got to win, but Havant – now only four points ahead of us – have a difficult game against the Academy and might find it tricky forcing a result,” said Bashley skipper Matt King.Chris Sketchley, absent from last week’s six-wicket win over Havant, returns at Liphook, where King looks to increase his season’s impressive 31-wicket haul.The Bashley captain is currently eight in front of BAT’s Dan Goldstraw in the quest to become the SPL’s top wicket taker.Bournemouth will also fancy their chances of improving their current 15 points per match average against Portsmouth, who have completely lost their way in recent weeks.Lee Savident, who spent a short while at Chapel Gate, has lost a host of key players through injury and unavailability, including locally-based Naqeeb Ali Mohammed, who is out for the rest of the season with knee trouble.Portsmouth call up Wayne Lockey from the 2nd XI, who have a potential Hampshire League title decider on their hands at Tichborne Park.David Kidner and Richard Scott play in the 2nd XI, both probably as batsmen, but there is no place for teenager James Kennedy, who hit a crucial 17 not out in last week’s thrilling two-wicket win at Sarisbury Athletic.Paul Cass, absent from the 138-run drubbing by the Young Hawks at the Rose Bowl last week, returns for Calmore Sports against off-colour South Wilts at Loperwood Park.South Wilts give talented 16-year old all-rounder James Hayward his Premier League debut. “He will bat and six and certainly bowl his left-arm spin,” confirmed injured skipper Rob Wade.

Tasmania will introduce a new plan this summer to ensure the continued development of its club cricket.The basis of a review undertaken by Tony Ibott of Wise, Lord and Fergusson was to check on the state of health of club cricket in Tasmania. It was designed to coincide with the review being undertaken across the board by Cricket Australia.Among other aspects of the review were: addressing club concerns over the competition structure in view of societal trends; looking at ways of ensuring community involvement when there are so many competing activities; ensuring a career path to State play through a competitive club scene; and ensuring Tasmania was keeping up with cricket trends and to check on player migration from off-shore and internally.As a result of the survey, changes for the new season in grade cricket will involve 14 weeks of play with limited overs matches played in all grades for the first time.The Kookaburra Cup competition will be included in the first grade roster and points from matches will be included on the first grade ladder. Instead of a pennant committee over-seeing the club competition, a grade committee will take over with three members appointed of the Tasmanian Cricket Association board and two club nominations.TCA chief executive David Johnston: “The report and the implementation of the recommendations will enhance TCA Grade cricket, give a clear direction and pathway for players and clubs alike and will ensure that the competition provides an opportunity for cricket to be fostered at all levels.”The recommendations approved by the TCA Board, and supported by all grade clubs, will ensure that grade cricket keeps pace with the ever-changing nature of the sport.”

Zimbabwe’s World Cup squad are to receive less than half the pay they were originally promised in their contracts, according to a report in today’s edition of . The report claims that Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s president and the patron of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU), has decreed that some players will lose as much as US$20,000 (about £12,400) from their original payout. And to make matters worse for players such as Andy Flower and Henry Olonga, who now both live in England, the majority of the money owed to them will be impossible to transfer abroad.First a little-noticed clause in the players’ contracts, stating that their fees would be cut by 19% if the ZCU’s income fell below a certain level, was invoked. This, combined with the horrendous state of inflation in Zimbabwe, and the conversion of their fees from American dollars to Zimbabwean ones at an unfavourable rate, all means that the players will eventually receive a meagre meagre sum. Add tax on top of that, and it’s no surprise that the players apparently feel as if they have been robbed.But where Flower and Olonga lose out even further is that they are no longer allowed to transfer their money out of the country. In order to access their foreign-currency accounts, they would have to fill out a form explaining how they are going to use it.One of the four Zimbabwe players who spoke to said: “We’ve been screwed. It’s daylight robbery.” The players in question asked not to be revealed as a legal battle is now likely, but another said: “It’s like they’re stealing our foreign currency and it’s only worth living in Zimbabwe if you can earn foreign currency.””We signed a contract and they agreed to pay us a certain amount,” said the third player. “Now we’re not going to get what they agreed. We have always been pay-as-you-earn individual employees. We’ve never been companies or corporate entities.”The other added: “This was the big payday for us, that only comes every four years. If your income is in Zimbabwe dollars, you just can’t make out. It’s scary. That’s why so many people are leaving the country.”Retraction: Zimbabwe players’ payments

Paras Mhambrey, the former India and Mumbai mediumpacer, will assist John Wright in the six-day coaching camp that starts in Bangalore on September 1. Although unsure about the exact role he would play, Mhambrey told Wisden CricInfo: “I’ve got a letter from the Board saying that my services were required and that I should report to John Wright on September 1. I’m not entirely sure what is expected of me, but I’m happy to work with Wright and the Indian team in any way required.”Mhambrey retired from first-class cricket after leading Mumbai to victory in the Ranji Trophy in May this year. While he still plays club cricket, coaching is now Mhambrey’s number one passion.Wright watched Mhambrey in action when he was working with Frank Tyson. Curious about Mhambrey’s track record, Wright quickly asked around, and when informed about his achievements for Mumbai and India, he grew interested. The fact that Mhambrey was a Level II qualified coach and had recently assisted Tyson in conducting examinations and evaluations for the same qualification clinched matters. Mhambrey has also worked with the Karnataka Under-19 and Under-17 teams.”I’ve worked a lot with Frank (Tyson) and that has really helped me each time. For me as a coach, just implementing his methods is an amportant thing,” said Mhambrey. “Ever since I retired in May I’ve been concentrating on coaching, and I’m just happy for the opportunity to work with the national coach and the team.”The fact that Mhambrey is the sort of person who would not interfere too much or look to impose his own views goes strongly in his favour. Moreover, the camp is likely to feature at least seven mediumpacers, and this is where Mhambrey will come in handy. With Tyson, he has worked on several specific drills designed to work on various aspects of bowling such as accuracy, swing and variation.Star players have had numerous disagreements and ego clashes with several of the coaches and assistant coaches in the past. Mhambrey prefers to keep a low profile and has played with people like Sachin Tendulkar and Ajit Agarkar for over 10 years. “I’m sure there wont be any problems on that count,” he said. “I’ve got a job to do and I’m happy to assist Wright in any way he wants.”At the moment, it’s merely a one-off appointment for the six-day camp, but Mhambrey will take heart from the growing number of players who fell just short of the big-time in their heyday before turning into successful international coaches.

The MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chennai has hosted eight one-day internationals so far, of which four have been day-night matches. India have a 50% win record in the four ODIs they have played here.

New Zealand’s only ODI here – a quarter-final match of the 1996 World Cup against Australia – was a high-scoring game with two memorable batting performances. Chris Harris smashed 130 off just 124 balls as New Zealand amassed 286, but Australia found their man for the moment in Mark Waugh, whose beautifully paced 110 took his team to a six-wicket win with more than two overs to spare.

Past record suggests that the toss doesn’t have much of a bearing on the result of a day-night match at Chennai. In the four games played under lights, captains winning the toss have won two and lost two. Also, batting first seems as good an option as batting under lights, with both options achieving a success rate of 50%.

The first ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was also the most thrilling of the eight played here so far. In a league match of the 1987 World Cup, Australia scored 270 and scraped through by one run after India’s middle and lower order fluffed their lines and made a mess of an excellent start provided by the top three. In fact, Chennai has been a particularly favourable ODI venue for Australia, who have won all four matches.

India’s other defeat here came courtesy a stupendous effort by Saeed Anwar, whose 194 – still the highest score in an ODI – allowed Pakistan to notch up 327. Rahul Dravid led India’s reply with 107 – the only Indian centurion at Chepauk – but Pakistan still eased to a 35-run win.

Sachin Tendulkar, in the throes of a horror run with the bat, hasn’t had as much success in ODIs in Chennai as he has had in the Tests. In three one-dayers, Tendulkar has scored just 80 runs, 68 of them coming in one match against England in 2001-02.