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FULL NAME: Gary Bazil Brent
BORN: 13 January 1976, at Sinoia (now Chinhoyi)
MAJOR TEAMS: Mashonaland Under-24/Young Mashonaland (1994/95-1995/96);
Mashonaland (1996/97-1998/99), Manicaland (1999/2000 to date).
Present club teams: Old Hararians, Mutare Sports Club.
KNOWN AS: Gary Brent. Nickname: GB.
BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler
OCCUPATION: Professional cricketer
FIRST-CLASS DEBUT: Mashonaland Under-24 v Mashonaland Country Districts, (Harare South), 16 September 1994
TEST DEBUT: 18-22 November 1999, Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka (Queens Sports Club).
ODI DEBUT: 30 October 1996, Zimbabwe v Pakistan (Quetta).
BIOGRAPHY (updated March 2003)Gary Brent is a medium-pace bowler, and also a useful batsman, who has been on the fringe of the Zimbabwean national side for several years now without being able to break through and earn a permanent place in the team.Gary comes from a strong cricketing background, and his uncle Jon Brent was an all-rounder, like himself, who represented Zimbabwe between 1988 and 1990. His earliest memories of cricket are of his father bowling to him on the lawn at home when he was very young.Although Gary is now primarily a bowler who can bat, his bowling was a later development in his career. Although born in Chinhoyi, his family soon moved near Harare and he attended Highlands Primary School there. He won his place in the large school’s Colts team, which consisted mainly of Grade 5 players, while still in Grade 3, as a batsman and later also as wicket-keeper. This was a role he was to fulfill until late in his high-school career.He scored his first fifty for the school first team while in Grade 7 and was sent for trials for the national primary school tournament, but did not make the final side. He progressed to Eaglesvale High School, where he was in the same year as the Matambanadzo twins, Darlington and Everton. At first he continued to keep wicket and either opened the batting or went in at number three. It was here that he was coached by Barry Lake, whom he names as the main influence in his cricketing career.It was Mr Lake who encouraged Gary to develop his bowling. Gary soon became a useful seam bowler, aiming to hit the seam and with the inswinger as his stock delivery. In his final year he hit 108 against the English school Dean Close at the Prince Edward Cricket Festival, in a partnership of over 300 with Doug Marillier, who scored a double-century. He was selected for the national schools team as an all-rounder.During this year he also played club cricket for the first time, joining Old Hararians who offered free membership to players from schools such as Eaglesvale. He had further encouragement from some of the leading players, and pays tribute especially to Paul and Bryan Strang who gave him a great deal of help, especially on the mental side of the game, and also Dirk Viljoen for his advice with his batting.After leaving school he started work for his father on the family farm in Norton, which earned him a qualification for Mashonaland Country Districts. During the off season he travelled to England to play for the club at Burridge, where he found the play of quite a good standard, better than Zimbabwean second-league standard he thinks.After some useful performances at club level, mainly as a bowler, he made his first-class debut in the Logan Cup for Mashonaland Under-24 against Mashonaland Country Districts. Although he took only one wicket, he did play an innings of 40 against an attack containing Test players Gary Crocker, Steve Peall and Paul Strang, which was to remain his highest first-class score for five years. In his team’s next match, against Mashonaland, he took the wickets of Test players Craig Evans (twice), Andy Flower and Gavin Briant.Gary also had some good performances to his credit for the Zimbabwe Board XI in matches not ranked as first-class against South African teams, most notably eight wickets against Free State B. It was largely as a result of these performances that he was chosen to tour Pakistan with the national side in 1996/97, a surprise choice even though Zimbabwe’s pace-bowling reserves were very thin at that time.It was a memorable tour for Gary, even though most of his time was spent doing twelfth-man duties. He was particularly struck by the dryness of the country and the poverty of so many of the people there, and also felt very much in awe of the great crowds that filled the stadiums and the noise they created. A great deal of time was also spent driving from place to place in not the most comfortable of conditions. He did play in one international match, making his one-day debut at Quetta, where he scored just one run and bowled five rather innocuous overs. He was clearly not international material yet, and was overlooked for more than a year after this by the national selectors.His career took an important step forward when he was selected to attend the MRF Pace Foundation coaching course with Dennis Lillee at Madras just before he returned to international cricket in April 1998. He worked hard at his action, especially in putting his feet down in the right places, and feels the coaching was of great benefit, an experience he would be eager to repeat given the opportunity. He feels Lillee’s advice on playing in big matches also made a positive impression on him: "Stop, look, and take in the atmosphere."Gary’s second one-day international was no more successful than his first with the ball; playing against India in Cuttack, he again bowled only five rather expensive overs without success, but he did score a useful 24 with the bat, hanging on while Grant Flower reached his century at the other end as Zimbabwe made a late but unsuccessful bid for victory.The following season he attended the Commonwealth Games, playing in two matches against Malaysia and Sri Lanka, taking one and two wickets respectively in the unofficial internationals. He again played in just one official one-day international during the season, another unsuccessful match against India, but at least he had the satisfaction of a wicket this time, dismissing Rahul Dravid.Shortly after this he was given a place in the first intake of the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, a position he had been aiming for as he hopes to become a fully-fledged professional cricketer. He had his first taste of captaincy at first-class level when, in the absence of Dirk Viljoen, he led the academy against the visiting Australian Cricket Academy team, which was to be a rather torrid experience, as the tourists had in their ranks Brett Lee, a bowler of express pace who literally frightened some of the local Academy players. Gary himself showed his unselfishness in the second innings by promoting himself in the batting order, when on a `pair’, to face the fury of Lee when he could have waited until the bowler was rested. He weathered the storm and made a valiant 37, but the team was heavily defeated.He also played in the one-day series for Zimbabwe A against the touring England A team, and impressed with some attacking accurate bowling. He had recently shortened his run-up and found it made a considerable difference to his bowling; this, he thought, was perhaps the best spell of bowling he had ever done. In his ten overs he took two wickets for 21 runs, by some way the best bowling return for his team.The 1999/2000 season was a major one for Gary, as to the surprise of many he played in two Test matches, with fair results, and played regularly for the national one-day team. He played a couple of one-day matches against Australia with no great success, and he himself was rather surprised to be selected to make his Test debut against Sri Lanka in the First Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.This came on the back of his best career bowling figures, six for 84 while playing for the Academy against the Sri Lankans at Kwekwe. That Test was badly affected by rain, but Gary was by far the most economical of the Zimbabwean bowlers, taking two wickets (Jayawardene and de Saram) for 55 runs in 32 overs. Against that, he was out first ball with the bat.He kept his place for the Second Test at Harare, where he was less successful with the ball, until the second innings, when Sri Lanka needed just 35 to win. Gary gave them a shock by taking three quick wickets, but still lost his place for the final Test, when Eddo Brandes returned to the team.Gary went on to have a most successful Logan Cup season. After completing his year at the Academy, he was posted to Manicaland, where he became the backbone of their attack in their most successful first year in the competition. He took 15 wickets in his first two matches for them, although he trailed off after that, and they missed him badly in the final which they lost the Mashonaland, as he was touring with the national side in the West Indies.Gary played in 17 one-day internationals during the season, taking 24 wickets at an average of 30, although conceding five runs an over. Eight of the wickets were in consecutive matches against Sri Lanka, so that remains his favourite series.He played in the triangular tournament in South Africa, against England at home, toured West Indies and finally was included in the World Cup squad for England in 1999. He played in only one World Cup match, though, the final one at The Oval against Pakistan, when he was as unsuccessful as the best of the team.Then it was back to domestic cricket for 2000/01, as he was not even selected for the Zimbabwe Board XI. He had another good season for Manicaland, taking 23 wickets in their four matches, but he did not even get a single game in the national one-day side.Then suddenly, the following season, he found he was in favour again. Regaining his one-day place, he was Zimbabwe’s most accurate and economical bowler against the South Africans, and continued to bowl steadily against England in the home one-day series. Sharjah followed, with seven wickets in four matches.The came the tour to Bangladesh, where Gary was given another chance at Test cricket, in the Second Test at Chittagong. He was disappointed to take only one wicket for 88 runs against weak opposition, but he took five wickets in two one-day internationals, which helped to keep him in the side for Sri Lanka.More disappointments were to follow, as he played one unsuccessful one-day match there and another disappointing Test match. He was given what was to be a final chance on the tour to India, but took just two expensive wickets in three one-day internationals.Since then Gary has been out in the cold as far as international cricket is concerned. He returned to live in Harare, although still playing for Manicaland and Mutare Sports Club in the national league, while rejoining Old Hararians for the Vigne Cup competition. He took 10 wickets at 14.20 each in his two Logan Cup matches in 2001/02, but his 2002/03 season did not go well. He cannot put his finger on the problem, but he tended to be more expensive in domestic cricket and so failed to challenge for a place in the World Cup squad.Gary’s batting steadily improved, and he has learned to be a better starter and contribute more consistently without producing any really high scores. He plays straight and scores the bulk of his runs from drives, while he is also able to play safe and keep an end up if that is in the interests of the team. He scored his first fifties for Old Hararians and also for the Zimbabwe Board XI in 1998/99. He felt particularly pleased with an innings of about 60 on a dodgy pitch in a Vigne Cup match, while his best first-class innings has been 72 not out when strengthening a CFX Academy XI against the Indian tourists of 2000/01.A modest man who perhaps still needs to work on the confidence factor, Gary’s international future is uncertain, but he could still return with plenty of hard work and mental strength. The next season or two should determine the future of his career as he seeks a return to the national side.

A predictable redemption for former New Zealand Cricket captain Martin Crowe has occurred with today’s release of New Zealand Cricket’s inquiry into allegations made against Crowe by Indian bookmaker Mukesh Gupta.All Gupta’s claims have been thrown out unceremoniously by the inquiry which found no record of Gupta ever having entered New Zealand.Making matters all the more frustrating for Crowe was the realisation that despite the fact, which he used in his defence, he was to have been paid $US3000 for newspaper articles in India, he never received a cent.”Martin Crowe’s incorrect assumption, that he had been paid when the story broke in November 2000, was understandable,” the inquiry said.”The issue had not arisen between 1992 and 2000, so far as he was concerned. Only then did he check to see if any bank credit could be identified as had been agreed with the “journalist”. That enquiry, carried out by chartered accountants, revealed no sum approximating that which he agreed, or Gupta alleged. He could have avoided any such inquiry, simply by asserting a cash payment, or denying payment, had he something to hide,” it said.Crowe’s insistence on facing up to the charges, despite the lack of supporting evidence to Gupta’s claims made to the Indian police, won credit from the New Zealand inquiry of Sir Ian Barker and Nick Davidson.”Martin Crowe would have been entitled to refuse to come before the Inquiry,” their report said.”The Inquiry would have accepted that decision without criticism and it would have left Gupta’s allegations as unsubstantiated except to the extent Martin Crowe acknowledged contact with him.”However, Martin Crowe still sought to tell his story, and have his credibility assessed.”This was much to his credit.”He was prepared to give his evidence under oath, but as there was no jurisdiction for this Inquiry to administer such an oath, he made a statutory declaration, to record the truth of his statements. The interview took place on 4 July 2001 in Auckland,” they said.There was scope for the Inquiry to treat the allegations as unproven.However, the inquiry would have been a proper conclusion and fair to Martin Crowe.”He chose however to have his credibility assessed, despite that fact. Readers of this Report should recognise the significance of that stance, and the finding of credibility in his favour.”By this Report, Martin Crowe is cleared of any wrongful practice. His reputation should stand untarnished,” they said.The inquiry reported that Crowe explained to the Inquiry that when he learned after one or two calls that the person with whom he was speaking by telephone was not a journalist but a bookmaker attempting to fix matches, he reacted with shock and disgust. He spoke crudely and forcibly to this person and ended the conversation and all contact.”Crowe said he immediately spoke with Mark Greatbatch while in a state of shock, and told him what had occurred.”Mark Greatbatch confirmed what Martin Crowe had said. He remembered vividly Martin Crowe’s shocked state at the time, and the reason for it,” the report said.New Zealand Cricket chairman, Sir John Anderson, said the NZ Cricket board fully accepted the Inquiry findings and thanked the Inquiry team for their detailed and thorough investigation of the issues and their clear and concise conclusions.”The Board fully accepts the principal findings of the Inquiry: that former New Zealand cricket captain, Martin Crowe, was unfairly accused, and there is no evidence of any wrongdoing on his part.”The Board believes the ‘name and shame’ approach of the initial Indian CBI report offended principles of natural justice.”Martin Crowe can hold his head high in the knowledge that he has been exonerated by this rigorous and independent Inquiry. The Board accepts the allegations of corruption against Martin were without substance and considers the matter now closed,” Sir John said.By way of explanation of their approach to the inquiry Barker and Davidson backgrounded their .”The Inquiry had no powers to compel any attendance before it, or indeed provision of any information. It relied on co-operation,” they said.”Martin Crowe responded to the Report at the time by acknowledging he received money from a person whom he now understood to be Gupta, without realising he was a bookmaker. Martin Crowe said he thought he was to be paid for writing articles from a captain’s perspective, relevant to the 1992 World Cup, for syndication in India.”From the outset, Martin Crowe through his Counsel, David Howman, said he would co-operate with the Inquiry and attend for interview.”There was some public criticism of him, for stating as a condition that Gupta first come forward with his evidence, so that it could be tested in full. The Inquiry does not share in that criticism. Martin Crowe’s stance was entirely proper. Having been accused of associating with a known bookmaker for money, he was entitled to require that person to come forward before he gave his own evidence.”There were from the outset essential differences between the public statement Martin Crowe made, after publication of the CBI Report, and Gupta’s ‘statement’, they said.These were:

• Martin Crowe denied that he knew the person with whom he dealt (assumed to be Gupta) was a bookmaker, until he was asked to fix a match. He said he was approached by a person whom he believed to represent a newspaper, to write articles for syndication in India.
• He denied that Gupta had ever been to his home and that of his (then) wife Simone Crowe, as Gupta alleged.
• He denied that he was introduced to Gupta by Arvinda de Silva of Sri Lanka.
• He denied being paid US$20,000 in cash, in an envelope, but said he agreed to a fee of US$3,000, for provision of information for newspaper articles.

The New Zealand Inquiry attempted to interview Gupta through their counsel assisting the inquiry, Tim Gresson, of Timaru. He visited India in December 2000 with Anti Corruption Unit representatives and met with the Indian Bureau of Investigation. Efforts to interview Gupta failed.The Inquiry also conducted an exhaustive serach of New Zealand immigration files to see if Gupta visited New Zealand in 1991 and 1992. While Gupta reportedly left India in September 1991, there was no record of him entering New Zealand.The Inquiry also worked with the Sri Lankan inquiry into allegations made against Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga and De Silva denied introducing Gupta to Crowe, as Gupta claimed.”Because Simone Crowe was implicated in the narrative of Gupta’s allegations, the Inquiry asked her to come before it. Despite being encouraged by Martin Crowe, she chose not to do so and gave reasons which the Inquiry accepted.”She provided a written statement which denied the allegations made by Gupta,” the Inquiry said.

The Athletic’s Kieran Devlin has claimed it is possible that both Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis start for Celtic on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Furuhashi’s return from injury

Ange Postecoglou has been without Furuhashi since December due to a hamstring problem.

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The Hoops have managed to cope without their top scorer though and are now three points clear of rivals Rangers heading into Sunday’s crucial Glasgow Derby at Ibrox.

Giakoumakis has stepped up to the mark in Furuhashi’s, absence, scoring 11 times in 2022, however, there is hope Furuhashi could be available against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.

The Latest: Devlin’s claim

Devlin shared a story on The Athletic on Wednesday, looking at who could lead the line for the Hoops at Ibrox.

He said it is ‘possible’ that both Furuhashi and Giakoumakis start together, although he added that it is unlikely.

The Verdict: A risk?

It looks as if Furuhashi may well have a part to play on the weekend, however, it could be a huge risk if Postecoglou selected the forward in his starting XI.

The 27-year-old suffered a reoccurrence of his hamstring issue after starting against St Johnstone prior to the winter break, so there could be a chance of lightning striking twice on Sunday if forced back for too many minutes.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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It could be better for Giakoumakis to lead the line with Furuhashi on the bench, easing him back into action, as there is still a lot of football left to play this season, including two more games against Rangers.

In other news: ‘Fantastic’ Celtic gem now drops major hint he won’t be available for title run-in. 

Boyd Rankin, the Warwickshire and Ireland fast bowler, is likely to miss the entire 2008 season after being diagnosed with a serious shoulder injury.He is suffering from a SLAP (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior) lesion in his right shoulder, a common injury among sportsmen who throw or in cricket bowl, and will undergo surgery. The expected recovery time is between three and six months.It is the latest blow for Rankin, who impressed during the 2007 World Cup for Ireland, after he spent the winter overcoming a back problem following his move from Derbyshire to Warwickshire.”I just dived for a ball in the warm-up [before the first day of the championship game against Worcestershire] and landed awkwardly,” Rankin told . “Then I went on as a substitute fielder and had to dive for another ball. When I tried to throw it in it felt as if I’d been stabbed.”It’s very frustrating. I’d worked so hard. But it’s better to have the operation now than let it get worse and hopefully I can get a few months cricket in later in the summer.”

North

Rob Key hit out for Kent before rain ended the innings © Getty Images

Nottinghamshire made it two wins in two, beating Lancashire in a close match at Trent Bridge.Samit Patel made his second unbeaten fifty in consecutive evenings to seal the six-wicket victory with three balls to spare. He smashed 84 from 57 deliveries, with good support from David Hussey (21) and Will Jefferson (20*).Gareth Clough and Graeme Swann were once again in the wickets, taking two each, as did Charlie Shreck. Lancs lost wickets at steady intervals after being sent in, but Gareth Cross was on hand with a late boost to lift them to 163 for 7.Notts had enjoyed a straightforward win over Derbyshire on the opening night, but had to work much harder to sneak to the top.

South

It was a rather watery Canterbury tale down at Kent, where their Twenty20 against Essex became more like a Five5. Kent made 44 for 1 from 5.1 overs before a two-hour rain delay washed out their innings and left Essex needing 50 from 5 overs, on Duckworth-Lewis. Kent managed to keep them down to 46 for 6 – Ryan McLaren taking 2 for 3 in his over.Heading into the last over, bowled by Yasir Arafat, Essex needed 15. James Foster hit a six off the first ball, missed the second and gained a four from the third. A wide followed, leaving Essex needing four from three balls. Foster was then bowled off the fourth ball, Adam Hollioake played and missed and, in attempting a run to the keeper, Grant Flower was run out. James Middlebrook then faced the final ball, which he sent to the midwicket boundary for a catch.

Durham 76 for 2 trail Kent 179 (van Jaarsveld 59) by 103 runs
ScorecardOut ground cricket these days is not particularly fashionable for counties: too expensive to move all the required technical support; too much of a lottery when it comes to quality of pitch; too many moans from county staff that the changing rooms are too small. It is much more bother than its worth.Yet it was something equally unfashionable that had driven Durham to schedule this week’s fixture against Kent at Stockton – Elton John. Thanks to a concert on Saturday at the Riverside (and an impending one-day international), this suburban district played host to a Championship game for the 11th time since Durham became a first-class county.Stockton is a suburban town, just outside Middlesbrough and the ground,while clearly not blessed with the architectural beauty of Durham City oreven the Chester-le-Street ground, has a gentle, picturesque atmosphere.Out-ground cricket may be dying – or regularly ignored – but here’s aprime example why it shouldn’t be.Stockton CC is a successful club in the high-class North-East PremierLeague – the same league the Durham Academy play in. Lee Daggett, theyoung Warwickshire swing bowler who dismissed Durham at Edgbaston for 141last week, played here while at Durham University, so this is an area – anda pitch – clearly immersed in the county’s cricketing fortunes.And the ground was full of passionate fans, most bedecked in Durham logoson shirts and caps, the bar and food stalls didn’t stop and the crowdcould hear the players’ chatter and the general noise of the game,something never too clear at most headquarters. Okay, the quality of thewicket might not have matched the quality of the atmosphere – but it didproduce entertainment.A slow morning session that ended with Kent on 100 for 2 – David Fultonbattled to 27 from 105 balls, Martin van Jaarsveld 59 from 127 – gave wayto fireworks in the afternoon. Ottis Gibson found rhythm and swing as thesun disappeared and Kent lost five for five in eight overs. A brief blitzfrom Andrew Hall and Darren Stevens, then the tail collapsed – all out179. This may be the lottery pitch counties try to avoid but only two ofthe dismissals – van Jaasveld and Jon Lewis in Durham’s reply – couldreally blame demons. The only other demons were in the batsmen’s heads,worried about what could (but rarely did) happen, as the home side’s toporder showed.As the Kent batsmen came and went from the changing rooms at square leg -the building looks more like a working men’s club than a sporting facility- the Durham crowd’s buzz increased. Gibson and Graham Onions keptstriking from the Grangefield Road end and the bar beside the pavilion,designed bizarrely like a football dugout giving the patron’s a sunken,worm-eye view, became busy through celebration and compulsory refreshment.The locals were on top and enjoying the day out.But the politics of staging such games are enormous and in the north-east,with such an isolated and young first-class county, these politics areworse. The clubs need endorsement and financial support from localcouncils, then they need to prove they are the best alternative in thearea, before crossing their fingers and hoping the county simply likesthem and can be bothered to move from home for a few days. It is nosurprise Durham, like many other counties, avoid out-ground fixturesunless their own marketing department – along with an internationalpop star – compels them to.But the members love the day out – 300 can seem like 3000 in this closeand intimate surrounds – many who find it difficult to travel toChester-le-Street have cricket coming to their doorstep and they don’twant to waste the opportunity. It really does bring cricket to the peopleand is a good experience of high-quality sport in a relaxed and accessibleatmosphere.So maybe it was the informality of the setting that did for Kent’s firstinnings – their skipper Rob Key was playing frisbee on the outfield duringlunch in flip-flops and shorts – but then this is the charm and the reasonout grounds are great: kids throw balls around next to a first-classcaptain enjoying his break. It’s not going to happen at Lord’s …

Sri Lanka A and West Indies A fought out a tie in the opening match of their five game series, at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo. West Indies A were set a revised target of 201, from 41 overs, they managed a share of the honours despite falling to 99 for 6.They were indebted to the young Test wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh made an aggressive 65 not out from 67 deliveries to revive West Indies A’s hopes of victory, before falling one run short. Baugh recieved strong support from Dave Mohammed, who stroked 33 of 37 balls, and they both coped well with despite the asking rate being more than a run-a-ball. Loku Dilhara removed the top-order with 3 for 21 from six overs.Mohammed’s innings completed an impressive match for the allrounder after Sri Lanka A won the toss and chose to bat first. Saman Jayantha top-scoring with 73 but Mohammed who has played two Tests for West Indies, took 4 for 44 with his left-arm chinamen.

Scorecard

Tatenda Taibu: an unbeaten 96 on captaincy debut© Getty Images

Before the start of this first one-day international between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, it was widely expected that the inexperienced new Zimbabwean team would be humiliated. In fact, it was a lukewarm Sri Lankan team that had to fight hard in the end to avoid embarrassment. It took a fine unbeaten 73 from Kumar Sangakkara, and a bit of help from Messrs Duckworth and Lewis method, to end Zimbabwe’s resistance.Except at the start and finish of the match, Sri Lanka were unimpressive, perhaps unable to motivate themselves properly knowing they were facing a stand-in Zimbabwe team with an average age of 21. But Zimbabwe put in a highly spirited allround performance and gave the tourists a several shocks before finally going down. The catalyst was their Man of the Match Tatenda Taibu, who hit a superb unbeaten 96 on his captaincy debut, when all seemed lost with the Zimbabwe batting.The partnership between Taibu and Alester Maregwede turned the Zimbabweinnings round from a precarious 79 for 5 in the 25th over. When Maregwede finally holed out on the long-on boundary for 37, respectability at least was assured.On a good pitch, Marvan Atapattu won the toss for Sri Lanka and amazedeverybody by putting Zimbabwe in to bat. Good, accurate bowling by Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa, both obtaining a little movement in the air and off the pitch, proved too much for Zimbabwe’s raw opening pair of Vusi Sibanda and Brendan Taylor, who both fell without scoring. Zimbabwe were two down after two overs, the only run on the board being a leg-bye.This brought Taibu to the crease for the start of the third over. DionEbrahim batted doggedly with him for 13, but never looked confident, while Elton Chigumbura, also made 13 in a brief cameo. But the situation looked bleak until Maregwede joined Taibu.Mluleki Nkala also played above himself with some powerful strokes in an unbeaten 33 at the end, including two sixes over midwicket. But Muttiah Muralitharan was surprisingly ineffective later in the innings, taking 1 for 47 in his 10 overs. Vaas, with 1 for 9 in his first seven, had his figures spoilt to the effect of 1 for 31 off ten, while Zoysa, who did not bowl at the death, was the pick with 3 for 21.Sanath Jayasuriya showed Sri Lanka’s intentions by lashing the first ball of the innings through the covers for four, but had just 9 to his name when he edged a catch to first slip, giving Tinashe Panyangara a wicket with only his second ball in international cricket. Atapattu was then adjudged lbw to Douglas Hondo without scoring, but Kumara Sangakkara began aggressively and was 18 not out off 13 balls when the rain came.The target was adjusted to 173 off 33 overs when play finally restarted. Mahela Jayawardene fell for 5, holing out at long leg, and the pinch-hitter Nuwan Zoysa made a brisk 14, but at 77 for 4 the match was still in the balance. The run rate, however, was good, and so that pressure was lacking as Tillakaratne Dilshan joined Sangakkara at the crease.This pair took Sri Lanka home by way of steady ones and twos rather than spectacular strokes. After 27 overs, though, the light had deteriorated and the batsmen accepted the offer of the umpires to leave the field. They were 12 runs ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis asking-rate at that stage, with Dilshan having contributed a valuable unbeaten 35.Sri Lanka kept their honour, but they will start the second match onThursday more warily than they did this one. As for Zimbabwe, theysurprised this time, playing above themselves, but adrenaline will notsuffice for ever and the fear remains that their serious lack of depth will soon be exposed.

The Duleep Trophy match between Elite B and Plate B, held at the Guru Nanak College Grounds, Chennai, turned out to be a veritable run-fest, with only the 18-run difference in first-innings totals giving the former five points and the latter three.Winning the toss, Elite B skipper Rohan Gavaskar opted to bat first, and his quickfire 42 (32b, 5×4, 2×6) was one of the string of middle-order knocks that spurred Elite B to a total of 350. Arjun Yadav made a steady 59 (172b, 7×4) and MSK Prasad 40 (58b, 2×4), but it was TP Singh’s knock of 64 (83b, 5×4, 2×6) that really lent backbone to the Elite B innings.The lower order of Elite B succumbed to the wiles of leggie Narendra Hirwani, who scalped six for 80 in his 27.5 overs, and the side was bowled out early on the second day. Plate B then proceeded to bat a day themselves, falling just short of Elite B’s 350 by making 332.Star of the Plate B innings was opener Sujith Somasunder, who made 116 off 226 balls, with 13 fours. But his knock alone would have hardly gotten his side close to the Elite B total, and it also took Sreekumar Nair’s 95 (150b, 10×4, 2×6) to take Plate B past 300. For Plate B, speedster Amit Uniyal took six for 92.The tour-de-force batting display was still to come, however. Batting for 540 minutes and facing 438 balls, Elite B opener Amit Pagnis dominated the second innings, making 184 and hitting 21 fours in his side’s total of 434. He was ably supported by Wasim Jaffer (59, 89b, 9×4) and later MSK Prasad (79, 134b, 8×4), but although Gavaskar delayed the declaration to give Pagnis a much-deserved double, he fell short by 16 runs.Plate B were thus set the hugely impossible target of 453 runs off a single over, and instead of trying to go for the target, makeshift openers SB Dahad and S Santh courageously played for the draw, getting it comfortably in the end.

Pakistan ‘A’ captain, Hasan Raza, has been declared fit to play in thedecisive third and final One-Day International tomorrow, against Sri Lanka ‘A’at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.There were doubts about Hasan’s participation, after he was hit by a SureshPerera delivery, when batting in the second One-Day International. Theright-hander, who was not wearing a helmet, took his eyes off a shortdelivery as he ducked. The batsman was rushed to the hospital forprecautionary x rays.Though the player returned later in the day, he didn’t return the crease andlooked unwell. He appeared doubtful for Wednesday’s game. Today, however,team officials revealed that he will be available for tomorrow’s game.