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New Zealand’s selectors are still not happy with Craig McMillan’s form and have dropped him for Lou Vincent to return to the side for tonight’s important match against Australia at Port Elizabeth.Vincent has just recovered from a thumb injury but selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee said that Vincent gave the side speed, agility and accuracy in the field.Hadlee said the selectors are still concerned with McMillan’s lack of form and they felt Australia’s bowling attack would quickly expose this.”Craig has yet to address to our satisfaction some of the issues that have been hampering his form,” Hadlee said.”He is still not moving his feet or being disciplined in his application at the crease, which is why he failed on a flat wicket against Zimbabwe on Saturday.”The team for the Super Six match is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent. Daryl Tuffey (12th man).Kyle Mills was unavailable for selection because of injury.Hadlee said he believed the New Zealand team had improved significantly this year and the match against Australia would provide a useful guide in just how far the team had improved.The prize for success over the Australians today would be an automatic place in the semi-finals after Sri Lanka’s loss to India yesterday.”This should be incentive enough for them to produce their best performance at the World Cup to date,” Hadlee said.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks broke their duck in the Norwich Union League this season at the sixth attempt, courtesy of a three-wicket victory over Yorkshire Phoenix at Wantage Road.It was hard work for batsmen on both sides, and below-strength Yorkshire struggled to 161-8 in their 45 overs – a total made possible by all-rounder Gary Fellows with a competition-best 67 from 108 balls.Northants also found the going tough and declined from 77-1 to 120-6 in the space of 13 overs. But they were guided to their target by Mal Loye, whose unbeaten 65 off 121 deliveries with seven boundaries proved the decisive contribution.Phoenix ran into early trouble as skipper David Byas and Michael Lumb went for 14, leaving Fellows and Matthew Wood (35) to repair the damage with a stand of 83 in 21 overs. Former Sussex paceman Michael Strong snapped up for 4-28 on his first Sunday appearance of the summer for Northants.Richard Blakey’s 33 not out in 41 balls gave the visitors a chance, and once the second-wicket partnership of 59 between Loye and Russell Warren (30) was broken the match ebbed and flowed over by over.It took a sensible 20 from David Ripley to settle the hosts’ nerves, and Northants secured the points despite a fine spell of spin bowling from Richard Dawson, who claimed 3-28 in nine tidy overs.

Indian Railways denied an outside chance for Andhra Cricket Association XI to enter the semifinals by recording a 3 wicket win over the former at the AOL ground in Hyderabad on Saturday. At the start of the sixth round of matches India Pistons had to lose the encounter with Indian Oil Corporation by at least 100 runs and ACA to enter the semifinals had to defeat Indian Railways by the same margin.Electing to bat, the Andhra Cricket Association innings was soon in disarray, losing four wickets with only 47 on board in 18.3 overs. Then Venugopal Rao in the company of RVC Prasad defied the Railways’ attack for an 83 run fifth wicket stand in 13.5 overs. But after their departure the rest of the ACA batsmen could not manage to stick around and ended their innings at 155 for nine.Railways lost an early wicket that of Sanjay Bangar (5) to Panav Raju, the other opener Tejinder Singh (58) ensured that his team was on the right track with a 81 run second wicket partnership in 12 overs. VJT Rammohan then (4 for 48) triggered a minor collapse. But with only a small total on the board, Railways reached home safely in the 33rd over with 3 wickets to spare.

The MCC’s World Cricket Committee has proposed the creation of two three-week periods in the international calendar to accommodate sanctioned events such as the Indian Premier League.There is a concern that players may start preferring the riches on offer in India ahead of playing for their country because there are few gaps in the current schedule.”The committee accepts that there is a place for the IPL but that the introduction of this tournament has brought to the fore the issue of premature retirement from the international game,” read a statement today. “It is vital to ensure that there is a strategic, well-planned fixture list.”The committee proposes that the ICC identify windows in the cricket calendar to enable all forms of the game – Test, 50-over ODI and Twenty20 – to successfully co-exist. Furthermore, the committee hopes that all Member boards will work with ICC to work towards this goal.”Another recommendation was to trial day/night Tests in countries where the climate makes in feasible in order to boost attendances. “The committee recognises that there will be challenges to overcome with a proposed trial of Test match day/night cricket – such as dew, the colour of the ball and clothing used – but that efforts should be made to research and develop this option.”There was also a call to allow elite umpires to stand in matches involving their own country and that an effort should be made to ensure those umpires who don’t want to travel the world can still be used at the top level.The committee said that the minimum Test over-rate should 15-an-hour, calling the current average of 13.8 “acceptable, particularly for the paying public.”A warning on the importance of player conduct said it was vital that international cricketers set the best example, while the committee reiterated its support for the use of increased technology in decision making.

The veteran broadcaster Tony Cozier, who has witnessed the highs and lows of West Indies cricket, has said that he now fears that he is watching the terminal demise of the regional side.Writing in his regular column which is syndicated throughout the Caribbean, Cozier warned: “The next step back is into oblivion and, if never far away, it is now as close as it has ever been.”Since the surprise success in the Champions Trophy last September, little has gone right for West Indies. Despite the appointment of Bennett King as coach, the headlines have been grabbed by contract disputes, threatened player walkouts, and last week by a leaked report which slammed players for their attitude and behaviour in Australia. The supposedly secret dossier, compiled for the side’s new US$20 million sponsor, Digicel, by their liaison officer Richard Nowell, accused players of lacking commitment and of being motivated purely by money.”He [Nowell] got no co-operation from the players and virtually advised Digicel that its sponsorship money wasn’t worth anything,” Cozier reflected. “Already the board is talking of a loss this year of $US5million, they just don’t have any money and this was the biggest sponsorship they have ever had. Other sponsors are backing off because they don’t want to get involved in controversy.”Although Cozier said that the players’ activities in Australia was not anything out of the ordinary for touring sides, he warned that the ongoing row between board and players over sponsorship was potentially crippling, describing the “very militant” West Indies Players Association (WIPA) as being a major concern. The WIPA was also attacked by Nowell.But, Cozier warned, the most serious conclusion of Nowell’s was when he questioned whether Digicel’s sponsorship had any value. “Those are words that should fill both the WICB and the players with dread, for the wellbeing of West Indies cricket and those who play it is heavily dependent on the sponsors’ input … and Digicel’s is the by far the largest ever gained.”Cozier explained that the real issue, and one which continued to fester, was the clash between the board and players over sponsorship. That is likely to rear its ugly head very soon when the squad is asked to sign contracts for the forthcoming series against South Africa and Pakistan. The WIPA is likely to advise its members not to do so, and while the situation was papered over in time for the Australian tour, “this time,” Cozier cautioned, “there is unlikely to be any compromise … and heaven knows where that would leave West Indies cricket, except penniless and even more decrepit than it already is.”

This one promises to be special. West Indies v India will take a backseat for a while as Trinidad gears up to toast one of its most famous sons. As he walks out to bat at the Queen’s Park Oval, in front of his adoring home crowd, Brian Lara may feel a gush of emotion. It’s probably the last time he will wear his maroon colours there. Don’t miss it for anything.”Sunday will be an emotional experience,” said Lara while looking ahead to the clash. “It will be a momentous occasion. It’s Trinidad & Tobago and the ovation and the love is always there. I know every blade of grass here at the Queen’s Park Oval. I always try my hardest to do something special.”He’s already played a special innings; but the Lara lightning often strikes twice. “Winning the match on Sunday is very important. We may rest a few key players and not have a full-strength side and if we can still win it, it will show we have distanced ourselves from India.” Despite wrapping up the series, Lara hasn’t allowed the party to start yet. “We need to realise the importance of Sunday. And we have a lot of cricket coming up. There’s the ICC Champions Trophy and there’s a long, hard tour of Pakistan.”As Lara and his men relaxed on match eve, India opted for a short practice stint. Yuvraj Singh, who had missed the third game because of a back spasm, and Ajit Agarkar, who was hit on the chin yesterday, didn’t take part and were unlikely to take the field tomorrow. Robin Uthappa, the young opening batsman from Karnataka, would probably get his first game of the series while Venugopal Rao and Rudra Pratap Singh could also be included.Rahul Dravid also hinted that Virender Sehwag could be demoted down the order. India’s progress has often been stalled in the middle-overs, with Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels bowling restrictive lengths, and Sehwag’s ability to hit over the top would come in handy.Sewnarine Chattergoon and Dave Mohammed, the left-arm spinner, were the new faces that West Indies were likely to try out. But they will require to make one heck of a contribution if they harbour hopes of diverting the attention, all of which will be reserved for the genius from Santa Cruz.Teams (probable) India 1 Robin Uthappa, 2 Rahul Dravid (capt), 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Mohammad Kaif, 5 Venugopal Rao, 6 Irfan Pathan, 7 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 8 Ramesh Powar, 9 Harbhajan Singh, 10 Sreesanth, 11 Rudra Pratap SinghWest Indies 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Sewnarine Chattergoon, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Brian Lara (capt), 5 Wavell Hinds, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Dwayne Smith, 8 Denesh Ramdin, 9 Ian Bradshaw, 10 Jerome Taylor, 11 Dave Mohammed

Gloucestershire have signed Steve Kirby, who asked to be released from Yorkshire last month.Gloucestershire have won the race to sign Steve Kirby, who was released by Yorkshire last month with one year of his contract remaining.”I am absolutely delighted to be joining a club like Gloucestershire whose track record and reputation speaks for itself,” he said. “The club’s ambitions to excel in all forms of the game match mine perfectly. I am a great believer in actions speaking louder than words and can’t wait to get stuck in to what should be an exciting challenge that lies ahead.”Kirby, 27, played a crucial role in Yorkshire’s Championship-winning season of 2001, taking 47 first-class wickets at just over 20 apiece. This performance earned him a place in the first England Academy squad which left for Australia in November 2001.But he has since struggled to produce the same form. In 2004, he claimed only 31 wickets at an average of more than 36, after suffering with a niggling back problem.”Steve Kirby’s recent record is very impressive but more importantly, he has the character and spirit that would compliment our squad perfectly,” Mark Alleyne, head coach at Gloucestershire, said. “I look forward immensely to working with such a talented and committed cricketer.”

The crisis in Zimbabwean cricket took a turn for the worse today when the senior players issued an ultimatum to the board, asking it to meet their demands by Wednesday or face the prospect of mass resignation.According to London’s Guardian newspaper, this happened after a marathon meeting between the players and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU), in which the ZCU stuck to its stand and refused to reinstate Heath Streak as captain. Streak, Andy Blignaut and Grant Flower represented the players, while Peter Chingoka, the chairman of the ZCU, and Vince Hogg, its chief executive, were present along with three other board members.”We’ve given the delegation a mandate of 4pm on Wednesday, and if they don’t come up with the goods we’re out of here,” the Guardian quoted a senior player as saying. “I don’t think we’re going to get anywhere with them. There is no future for Zimbabwe cricket.”If the senior players carry out their threat, Zimbabwe will be forced to field a virtual second-string side for their series against Sri Lanka, which starts in less than two weeks.According to the report, the players were concerned about the sacking of Streak, and the elevation of Tatenda Taibu as captain. “There are quite a few guys who don’t want to play under Taibu, and it’s not a racial issue,” the unnamed player told the Guardian. “It’s because he is 20 years old and he’s still trying to make it in international cricket.”We’ve asked them to reverse the captaincy situation back to Streak, and they have said they won’t. If that’s the case, there are a few of us who are going to leave purely on that basis.”Meanwhile, AFP reported that Streak was considering legal action against the ZCU. “Legal action remains an option for me and I’m going to carefully consider that,” Streak said. “I shall also be considering their offer for me to continue simply as a player. But if I do so, that will not have a bearing on my claim to continue as captain.”

Everyone’s got an opinion, and that’s hardly surprising, because that’s what half the fun of World Cups is all about.Assessing just who are the likely winners in whatever sport is taking part, and then following those sides through the contest makes for all the more enjoyment from the event.So what show New Zealand?CricInfo New Zealand editor Lynn McConnell went for a short trip around the world to assess what some of the pundits were saying about New Zealand’s chances.Here’s what they reckon:Former England captain Mike Gatting, in The Observer, believed that Australia and South Africa were the best choice as finalists while “if the form is to be upset” he rated Pakistan as the team best capable of doing it.And then he added: “Don’t write off New Zealand either if Chris Cairns and Shane Bond can make a significant contribution.”Former Australian batsman and frequent nemesis of New Zealand in One-Day Internationals Mark Waugh said in the Sun-Herald (Sydney): “A lot of people rate them [New Zealand] as a big chance. They are a good, solid team and performed well last time they were in Australia. They’ve got a good attitude, are well-disciplined and always in there fighting. You would be silly to write them off, but I believe they lack a real world-class batsman and the likely unavailability of Chris Cairns as a bowler – although he’ll still be able to bat – could hurt them. Their recent form has been fairly inconsistent and I don’t think they have the class to go all the way.”And the former Sri Lankan batsman, Asanka Gurusinha told The Age, Melbourne that he regarded Australia as favourite ahead of South Africa and New Zealand.Mike Selvey, in The Guardian: “Perhaps one world-class batsman away from being a possible winner. But they plan meticulously, have the best captain in the business in [Stephen] Fleming, and a disciplined bowling attack. They field wonderfully, with Chris Harris as good as it gets at backward point. Chris Cairns’s fitness could hold the key to their progress.”Angus Fraser, in The Independent: “After refusing to play their match in Nairobi, the ‘Black Caps’ will find it difficult to qualify for the super sixes. Captained by the impressive Stephen Fleming, the Kiwis will be well organised and have detailed plans for each team they play against. However, such preparation cannot make up for a lack of class. New Zealand will be competitive, but against the top sides something extra is needed.”Fraser’s forecast: Out in first round unless lawyers can get the points back!”Ian Chappell, The Telegraph [London]: “Even with one of their top bowlers operating at less than full fitness I expect Australia to make the semi-finals along with South Africa and New Zealand. An unpredictable but dangerous India (with their best players available) could be the fourth team through, although I would put Pakistan and to a lesser degree the West Indies in the same category.”Jonathan Agnew of the BBC commented: “They are competitive and tenacious and when they start winning they tend to get on a roll.Injuries permitting they are more than capable of doing that in South Africa and I fancy them for an outside bet.”

Philip Weston scored his first century for two years as Worcestershire piled up a lead of 444 against Nottinghamshire in search of their home Championship of the season.After a first day of 20 wickets and centuries by Graeme Hick and Kevin Pietersen, the game quietened down under Weston’s more measured supervision.The left handed opener made an unbeaten 185 in six-and-a-half hours but only one of his partners got as far as 40 in Worcestershire’s second innings total of 356 for 8.Nottinghamshire were made to pay for a missed chance at mid-off during Weston’s rapid progress to 50 off 76 balls in an opening partnership of 96 in 24 overs with Anurag Singh.The initial impetus was then lost as Notts used their left-arm spinners, Richard Stemp and Usman Afzaal, in support of the seamers.Singh clipped a catch to mid-on and Graeme Hick played on for two wickets by Stemp and then Afzaal had Vikram Solanki taken at cover before bowling Nick Boulton.The pacemen were also rewarded, first when David Leatherdale edged David Lucas to slip and again when Andrew Harris took two wickets in the last over before tea.The game was in the balance, with Worcestershire 313 ahead at 225 for 7, but Weston accelerated with a third 50 in 64 balls and Stuart Lampitt made 40 in an eighth-wicket stand of 120.Weston, who scored his last century against Leicestershire in July 1999, carried on his marathon to finish a day at the crease with 31 fours from 299 balls.