Close Rockingham-Mandurah 52 for 3 (Voges 7*, Whisson 7*) trail Zimbabweans 149 by 97 runs
Scorecard
Sean Ervine saved his side’s blushes with a belligerent 41 and two early wickets, but Zimbabwe were made to struggle on the opening day of their tour match against the grade cricketers of Rockingham-Mandurah, whose ranks had been swelled by the presence of seven Western Australia state players.Andy Blignaut was the only major omission from a virtually full-strength team, but in gale-force winds and on a lively wicket, Zimbabwe were quickly reduced to 36 for 4, then 85 for 7 as the new-ball bowlers Darren Wates (4 for 22) and Tim Gilbert (3 for 35) exploited the conditions to perfection. But Ervine came in at No. 8 and with determined support from Ray Price, he pushed the total along to a moderately competitive 149.The absence of Grant Flower, who broke his right thumb in a Logan Cup match last month, was keenly felt by the Zimbabweans. Without his experience, there is nobody in the touring squad who averages more than 28 in Tests, and their batsmen have managed just two Test centuries between them – both against Bangladesh. The first Test begins at the WACA in Perth on Thursday week, and on this evidence it is unlikely to be much of a contest.The day did end on a brighter note for the Zimbabweans. Doug Hondo, who is playing in this match purely as a bowler, dismissed Rockingham-Mandurah’s captain Craig Simmons for a duck, before Ervine chipped in with two timely wickets, including Scott Meuleman for 29. Heath Streak, Zimbabwe’s captain and main source of experience for the Tests, was wicketless in his eight overs.Rockingham-Mandurah Craig Simmons (capt), Tim Gilbert, Steven Glew, Aaron Heal, Scott Meuleman, Luke Ronchi, Phillip Scott, John Taylor, Adam Voges, Darren Wates, Corey Whisson.Zimbabwe Heath Streak (capt), Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Craig Evans, Trevor Gripper, Douglas Hondo, Raymond Price, Mark Vermeulen, Craig Wishart.

Derbyshire have signed Damien Wright, an allrounder from Tasmania, as their second overseas player for next season.Wright, 28, was recommended by Michael Di Venuto, the captain and fellow Tasmanian. To date, Wright has a batting average of 20.55, and has taken 120 wickets at 34.48 since his first-class debut in 1997. He has also represented Australia A, and played twice for Northants last season.David Houghton, Derbyshire’s director of cricket, said, “He is a talented pace bowler, and dangerous lower-order batsman, who really fits the bill for us.”Meanwhile, Wright added: “I’m really looking forward to a full season of county cricket with Derbyshire.”

Retravision Warriors Jo Angel and Chris Rogers have been ruled out of WA’s PURA Cup Clash against the SpeedBlitz Blues starting at the SCG tomorrow.Angel has strained an abdominal muscle. It was sustained during training before Sunday’s ING Cup loss to the Blues and Angel missed that game. Angel will head back to WA for an ultrasound and is likely to be out of action for a fortnight.This means he will miss the Retravision Warriors ING Cup clash against the West End Redbacks on November 9th at the Adelaide Oval.Rogers will miss the PURA Cup match with a strained lower abdominal muscle. Rogers was struck on the hip during the ING Cup match against the Redbacks at the WACA Ground on October 24th and the injury flared up during the ING Cup loss to NSW on Sunday.He to will return home and is only a fifty-fifty chance to be fit for the ING Cup match against the Redbacks on November 9.Willetton all-rounder John Taylor will now make his first-class debut. The right-arm fast-medium bowler moved to WA from Victoria prior to the 2002-2003 season and starred for Willetton in the Vodafone Cup.This led to the 24-year-old being offered a Warriors contract for 2003-2004. Taylor made his ING Cup debut against NSW on Sunday. He took 2-48 and earnt the praise of Australian Test Captain Steve Waugh after the game.Scott Meuleman has travelled to Sydney and will take on 12th man duties.The Team in likely batting order:Justin Langer ©, Michael Hussey (VC), Murray Goodwin, Marcus North, Shaun Marsh, Ryan Campbell, Peter Worthington, Beau Casson, John Taylor, Callum Thorp, Paul Wilson and Scott Meuleman 12th man.Radio Fremantle 107.9FM will provide ball by ball coverage starting at 8am Perth time.

Western Province extended their lead in the Standard Bank Cup with aconvincing win over Boland, while Easterns slipped back after Griqualand West pulled off a surprise win in Benoni.PointsTableWestern Province 272 for 3 (Gibbs 98, Smith 71, Johnson 61*) beatBoland 140 (Strydom 35, Willoughby 3-29, Henderson 3-27) by 130 runs.
ScorecardOnce Western Province had amassed 272 for 3 in their allotted 45 overs, Boland had little hope of taking the Standard Bank Cup champions to the wire. Bowled out for 140 in 37 overs Boland had lost the game in the field with the national openers, Graeme Smith (71) and Herschelle Gibbs (98), putting on 132 in 24.3 overs. Gibbs failed to reach his hundred when coming down the pitch and splicing the drive to point.Boland’s morle was mometarily boosted when they got rid of Jacques Kallis for three, but once Neil Johnson (61*) and Ashwell Prince (35*) got together, the runs flowed off the bat.For Western Province, Charl Willoughby and Claude Henderson picked up three wickets apiece.Griqualand West 194 for 7 (Bosman 68*, Bossenger 43, Nel 3-26) beatEasterns 191 (Hall 58, Kruis 3-30, Gidley 3-36) by 3 wickets.
ScorecardJoint leaders with Western Province at the start of the evening, Easterns slipped back by losing to Griqualand West in Benoni. Winning the toss and batting first, Easterns could only muster 191 for 9 when the overs ran out. A 59 from Andrew Hall and 30s from the two de Bruyns was never going to be enough.Deon Kruis and Martin Gidley were the destroyers-in-chief, each taking three wickets.Griqualand West, at 61 for 5, was in danger of being bowled out cheaply but thanks to an undefeated 68 from Loots Bosman and 43 from Wendell Bossenger, their captain, they managed to work their way to the target. In the end they won by three wickets. Andre Nel was in fine form for Easterns, taking 3 for 26 in his nine overs.

In a big blow to a team already wracked by injury, Jason Gillespie has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at Melbourne. Gillespie, the most impressive of the Australian bowlers in this series, suffered an injury on the final day of the second Test at Adelaide, and was unable to take the field after lunch on that day.Errol Alcott, the Australian team physio, said, “Jason has strained his right groin and although the medical staff is confident it will resolve over the short term, we felt it was prudent for him to miss this Test match.””I’m pretty disappointed at missing this Test,” said Gillespie. “To play any match for Australia is a huge honour. I knew I was a chance of not playing but once you find out you won’t play it hits you harder than you realise. It’s now a case of getting things right for the rest of the summer as we have plenty of cricket left to play.”I obviously won’t be out on the field with the lads in Melbourne, but I’ll probably travel down there for treatment with Errol and be around the ground each day. So far I’m progressing well and I’m pleased with the improvement that’s occured over the last few days.”Australia were without three of their four first-choice bowlers during the first two Tests of this series – Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee were out injured, while Shane Warne is serving a one-year ban for taking a banned diuretic. Lee is expected to return for the Melbourne Test, but Gillespie’s injury will dampen some of Australia’s joy at his return.

Irfan Pathan has been reprimanded by the ICC for a breach of the Code of Conduct. Pathan, who took 2 for 75 in India’s crushing loss in the second final of the VB Series, made an exuberant gesture, clapping and beaming Damien Martyn off when he dismissed him. Watching television replays, it was difficult to say if words were exchanged.Clive Lloyd, the match referee, found Pathan guilty of a Level 1 offense, unfair play. Pathan was reported to the match referee by Rudi Koertzen and Daryl Harper, the on-field umpires, and also by Simon Taufel, the third umpire. The reprimand was made in a hearing shortly after play, an ICC media release informs. Lloyd said, “It’s important that players and team officials at all times conduct themselves within the spirit of the game.”

Australia’s steely resolve enabled them to win a crucial encounter at Colombo, and wrap up the five-match one-day series. Ricky Ponting was understandably elated after the match, saying, “That was a fantastic win.”Ponting said that his team’s triumph was built on the ability to “hang in” for as long as possible. “We had things going our way half-way through our batting innings, but things change around pretty quickly over here. At one stage, we were looking at about 260 … and ended up about 30 short. Then we were behind the eight-ball early with the ball.”But as I said to the guys out on the ground, the side that hangs in there the longest in this game will probably win.”Michael Kasprowicz was the declared the Man of the Match, and he said that the win came thanks to the unity within the side, and a defiance in the face of foreign conditions. “You can feel the emotion in the team that comes from achieving something special,” he said. “Playing in Australia, you know the conditions, but to come over here and play on turning wickets against unfamiliar spinners on lightning quick outfields – everything’s just so different – and I think that’s the challenge.”When asked about his bowling, Kasprowicz said, “I’ve definitely bowled better in domestic cricket, but never better for Australia.”Adam Gilchrist took six catches in the match, thereby equalling his own world record. Afterwards, Ponting said: “I know he was very happy with that. Equalling the world record in one-day cricket doesn’t happen every day.”He added that he wasn’t too concerned about Gilchrist’s barren run with the bat, and warned, “Gilly’s still batting well, there’s no doubt about that. He probably hasn’t scored as many as he would have liked in the last couple of games. But don’t worry, he’ll play well in the Tests.”Australia will probably rest a number of key players for the final match of the series tomorrow, with Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie and Ponting or Matthew Hayden the likely candidates to make way for Brad Haddin, Brad Williams and Simon Katich.Ponting confirmed this when he said, “Obviously we’ve got a few guys in the shed that haven’t played any cricket at all and a few that have only played a couple of games. We want to try and give most guys a bit of cricket.”

KwaZulu-Natal move to the top of the table, as Border rout Griqualand West in two days at East London.Super Sixes Day Two Reports
Western Province 311 v KwaZulu-Natal 300 for 8 (Watson 58,HM Amla 50, AM Amla 75, Benkenstein 75)
ScorecardDoug Watson and Hashim Amla both scored fifties to provide the ideal platform for Natal as they chased Western Province’s first-innings total of 311. Ahmed Amla, Hashim’s brother, and Dale Benkenstein continued the good work with another solid partnership before Ahmed was trapped lbw for 75. But Benkenstein also fell for 75 as Natal suffered a mini collapse, to close on 310 for 8.Free State 267 v North West 246 for 5 (Jacobs 131, van derWath 3-50)
ScorecardDavey Jacobs’ sixth first-class hundred improved North West’s hopes of a first-innings lead, before rain brought play to an early close. Jacobs and Dirkie de Vos nearly batted all the way through the first session, before De Vos was caught behind for 47. North West ended the day on 246, 21 runs in arrears. After performing well with the bat, Johannes van der Wath showed his allround ability by taking three of the five wickets to fall.Border 266 and 41 for 3 beat Griqualand West 169 and 134(Langeveldt 5-42, Zondeki 4-53) by seven wickets
ScorecardThirty-three wickets fell in two days at East London, as Border routed Griqualand West by seven wickets. After some early morning rain, Border were bowled out for 266, a lead of 97 runs. Charl Pietersen was unable to add to his overnight haul, finishing with 4 for 79. Griquas showed no resistance in their second innings as they were bowled out for 134, leaving Border a target of 38. Once again it was CharlLangeveldt who did the damage, taking another five-wicket haul to end the match with 10 for 84. Monde Zondeki weighed in with 4 for 53. Border suffered a scare for Border as theylost wickets in the first over, but they went past the target with seven wickets in hand.Shield Day One Reports
Northerns 250 (Petersen 57, Aronstam 116*, Dros 66) vBoland
ScorecardNortherns made a conservative start after being sent in to bat at Boland Park, losing two early wickets but consolidating through the efforts of Alviro Petersen, who made 57. Maurice Aronstam andGerald Dros then further consolidated the innings with a 100-run partnership of their own. Dros fell for 66 but Aronstam scored his maiden first-class hundred in only his second match. At the close Northerns had moved to 300 for 6 with Aronstam still at the crease.Gauteng 34 for 1 v Eastern Province
ScorecardOnly 29 minutes of play was possible at the Wanderers, as bad light andinclement weather had the players off the field for most of the day. Eastern Province had put Gauteng in to bat, and they crawled to 34 for 1 in what little time was available.

Maurice Tate has been named as Sussex’s All-Time Greatest Cricketer, as voted for by the public. Following closely were Imran Khan and Ted Dexter respectively.Tate was a Sussex man – he was born in Brighton in 1895 – and first represented the county in 1912. He became one of England’s finest bowlers and in recognition of his service to Sussex County Cricket Club the gates at the front of the ground were named after him.His Test career lasted from 1924 to 1935 when he represented England 39 times. He took 155 wickets at an average of 26.16 including one with his first ball at Edgbaston against South Africa. It was in this match that Tate and Arthur Gilligan shared in one of the most famous Test analyses. South Africa was bowled out for 30 in 75 balls. Gilligan 6 for 7, and Tate 4 for 12.Sir Jack Hobbs, who faced Tate on countless occasions, summed him in Wisden: “Maurice was one of the greatest bowlers of all time. It is difficult to find words to praise him sufficiently. I know from experience how difficult it was to play against him.”Tate died on May 18, 1956 and the Sussex and Middlesex teams, as well as a very large crowd at Lord’s, observed a minute’s silence the following day.Christopher Tate received the award on his grandfather’s behalf and brought with him the golden key to the Tate Gates presented to his grandfather’s widow in 1958.

A second cricket journalist has been deported from Zimbabwe. Telford Vice, who was covering the five-match one-day series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka for Reuters, was forced to leave the country on Friday after being refused press accreditation.An exhausted Vice, speaking from Johannesburg International Airport lastnight as he waited for a flight to Durban, said Reuters made the decision tosend him to cover the series late and thus his accreditation application didnot completely comply with Zimbabwe’s stringent rules. Journalistsneed to get accreditation from both the Zimbabwean government and theZimbabwe Cricket Union, and the government accreditation alone costs US$600.Vice arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday, and without hope of getting hisaccreditation, it was “suggested” that he leave the country. “It was quite atense climate,” he said. “The thing with Zimbabwe is that everything is politicised. Itfelt like South Africa in the 1980s.”Last week the Daily Telegraph cricket writer Mihir Bose was deported from Zimbabwe, after also submitting a late application for accreditation.