ODI Series - Eng./Zimb./Sth. Africa

Post by **Donny** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 3:15 pm

Smith doubtful for Old Trafford game
Wisden Cricinfo staff - July 2, 2003

Graeme Smith is doubtful for the NatWest Triangular Series clash against England at Old Trafford on Thursday after injuring his shoulder during South Africa's 46-run victory against Zimbabwe at Canterbury.

Smith fell twice while attempting to catch Travis Friend in the outfield and though scans and X-rays revealed no serious damage, he faces a race against time to be fit for the day-night game.

"It's not the best preparation for the next match, but Shane (Jabbar) [the physio] and I have been working extremely hard and will continue this evening," he said. "I had a couple of injections today which seem to have helped as well as I'm not feeling nearly as much pain."

A final decision regarding Smith's participation will be taken on Thursday morning. South Africa are currently bottom of the table, though they have played one game less than the other two teams. A continuous light drizzle prevented them from practising on Tuesday.

HAL · Post by **HAL** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 3:17 pm

What happened to it?

Post by **Donny** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 11:03 am

In last night's game, England were held to 7/223 by some good bowling from Pollock (1/21 from 10) and Ntini (3/38 from

. Trescothic hit 60 and McGrath, 52.

Sth. Africa cruised to victory after early wickets. Kallis continued his great form with 82 n.o. and Rudolph scored 71 n.o. as the won by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare.

HAL · Post by **HAL** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 11:05 am

I do not understand that allusion.

Post by **Donny** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 11:09 pm

SA won the toss and sent Zimbabwe in to bat. They restricted them to 8/174 with only Streak (54) passing 26.

Pollock was best with 0/23 from his 10 overs.

HAL · Post by **HAL** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 11:13 pm

What else do they do?

Post by **Donny** » Sun Jul 06, 2003 9:20 am

SA cruised to the win, losing only Smith for 58. Gibbs came good with 93 n.o. from 97 balls as they won in a canter.

Preview of tonight's match from Cricinfo:

England v Zimbabwe, Bristol, Sunday, July 6, 0945GMT

In some ways, the match between England and Zimbabwe in Bristol has become a semi-final for the NatWest Series. With their win over Zimbabwe in Cardiff, South Africa have made substantial claims for one of the final places, while the outcome of the match in Bristol might well have serious implications for the losers.

Just as England were expected to beat Zimbabwe in their two previous meetings in the tournament, they should hope to prevail this time. However, despite those earlier expectations of victory, they find themselves still searching for a win against the side which seems to make a habit of saving its best performances for occasions when England are the opposition. In those other meetings, Zimbabwe won reasonably comfortably at Trent Bridge in the opening match while the weather washed away any prospect of a result at Headingley.

So now this has become something of a must-win match for England. They could lose and then beat South Africa under the Edgbaston lights on Tuesday and rely on South Africa beating Zimbabwe again in the final qualifying match and still reach the final. On the other hand, a win in Bristol would make life very much easier.

Whether they achieve that or not depends largely on whether they can get a significant contribution from their middle order. Robert Key has been released to play for Kent in the National League, indicating that the selectors do not think he is the answer to England's problems. Quite whether it's the personnel or the batting order that is resulting in too many collapses remains to be seen but, for their own peace of mind, the management will be hoping to find a solution at the earliest possible opportunity.

There should be no lack of atmosphere in Bristol with all bar the last few seats sold to guarantee a capacity 13,500 crowd. The boundaries have been brought in to accommodate the extra seating to satisfy demand to witness Bristol's sixth one-day international.

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak is unhappy about having to travel from Cardiff to Bristol for back-to-back matches and has the support of ICC general manager - corporate affairs, Brendan McClements. He said: ""The ICC's guideline on back-to-back games is that they should be avoided." However, he went on to say: "In relation to the games this weekend, clearly the England & Wales Cricket Board and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union have agreed that scheduling such matches in this case was unavoidable."

In view of what has gone before in this series, perhaps the Zimbabwe captain could regard the scheduling as something of a handicap - just to level things up a bit.

England (probable) 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Vikram Solanki, 3 Michael Vaughan (capt), 4 Andrew Flintoff, 5 Jim Troughton, 6 Anthony McGrath, 7 Chris Read (wkt), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Richard Johnson, 10 Darren Gough, 11 James Anderson.

Zimbabwe (probable) 1 Dion Ebrahim, 2 Doug Marillier, 3 Travis Friend, 4 Grant Flower, 5 Tatenda Taibu (wkt), 6 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 7 Heath Streak (capt), 8 Sean Ervine, 9 Andy Blignaut, 10 Raymond Price, 11 Doug Hondo.

Post by **Donny** » Sun Jul 06, 2003 8:33 pm

England won the toss and sent Zimbabwe in to bat. After 9 overs, they are on 3/33. Gough has 2/15.

Post by **Donny** » Sun Jul 06, 2003 9:10 pm

The Zimmers are going down in flames. 7/51 after 17. Gough has 4/22 from 8 overs and Jihnson, 2/10 from 4.

JLC · Post by **JLC** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 9:27 am

Zimbabwe showed a little bit of fight with the ball but Flintoff polished them off. Zimbabwe are in a rebuilding phase and England should and did spank them.

England will need to lift for the final on Saturday against South Africa. I think they can win as Vaughan is due for a big score with the bat.

jlc

Post by **Donny** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 10:41 am

Zimbabwe made 92. Flintoff polished off the tail with 3/13.

Heath Streak did his best to cause an upset and had England at 4/25 but Flintoff (47 n.o.) and Vaughan (11 n.o.) saw their team home and into the final.

Streak took 4/21 from 9 overs to take the bowling honours from Darren Gough (4/26 from 9)

Post by **Donny** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 12:59 am

SA are 4/87 after 18 overs. Smith made 45 and Gough is bowling well and Johnson has two wickets.

couragous cloke · Post by **couragous cloke** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 12:22 pm

GO THE POMS!! cant wait for the final! im stayin up! jimmy anderson, U ROCK!

Post by **Donny** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 12:23 pm

Post by **Donny** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 9:43 pm

Is Ntini one of the hottest bowlers around at the moment ?

Zimbabwe won the toss and batted. Ntini crashed through the top order to have the Bangers on their knees at 3/18.

After 23 overs, they are 6/79. Ntini has 4/31 from 8 overs and Nel, 2/14 from 6.

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ODI Series - Eng./Zimb./Sth. Africa