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The future looks uncertain for Inzamam-ul-Haq © AFP

Inzamam-ul-Haq has not been included in a provisional squad set to undergo a rigorous two-week conditioning camp in Abbottabad. The 20-member squad, announced by the national selectors, will start the camp from June 10. There are two more similar camps in Quetta and Karachi thereafter.There has been growing speculation in Pakistan about the future of Inzamam in the Test squad. While he is expected to get a central contract, his exclusion from the preparatory camp suggests that he may not figure in the immediate future plans of Pakistan. The presence of Misbah-ul-Haq, Asim Kamal and Faisal Iqbal in the camp suggests that other middle-order options are being explored by the Pakistani setup.Inzamam retired from the one-day game in the aftermath of a disastrous World Cup but said that he was keen on continuing in the longer version of the game. However, a severe indictment from an inquiry commission on the World Cup seemed to indicate that the road ahead would be tough.Younis Khan and Danish Kaneria have also not been included in the camp as they are playing county cricket for Yorkshire and Essex respectively. The duo have been given permission by the Pakistan board to play in the county circuit till September. Shoaib Akhtar, who had been dropped from the Afro-Asia Cup squad due to injury concerns, has been called up to the camp.”We need Akhtar in the hectic schedule ahead and hopefully he will play a crucial part on the tour of Scotland,” said Salahuddin Ahmed, the chief selector to AFP, adding, “Akhtar has been bowling eight overs on the trot without any trouble and we hope he will get into top gear in the tune-up camp”.Among those included in the camp are Fawad Alam and left-arm medim-fast bowler Najaf Shah. The 21-year old Fawad Alam who plays for Karachi in domestic cricket has a career average of 47.60 in domestic List A cricket. While Alam hasn’t played a Test match, he has played his only ODI in the recently concluded Abu Dhabi series. Shah who also played his sole ODI in the same series, has also been called up after an impressive domestic seasonCamp attendees
Shoaib Malik (Captain), Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Yasir Hameed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Naved Latif, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzak, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Najaf Shah

Gibbs: slotted at No.4 © Getty Images

According to Haroon Lorgat, South Africa’s convenor of selectors, Herschelle Gibbs will move to No. 4 in the batting order and Thandi Tshabalala is unlikely to play the first Test in Sri Lanka.The website SuperCricket reported that Lorgat confirmed this decision after he announced the 14-man squad for the two Tests, saying: “I always make sensible decisions.” Gibbs has replaced Jacques Kallis, out for rehabilitation from elbow surgery, and has been slotted down the order to continue the Graeme Smith-Boeta Dippenaar opening combination.On Tshabalala’s selection, Lorgat said: “The principle reason for Thandi’s selection is for him to gain exposure and experience and it is very unlikely that he will play in the first test.” He added that the team management would keep a close eye on the 21-year-old in an attempt to ascertain when he would be ready to make the next step. “Judging by how he goes in practice and once he has been in those conditions for a week or two, we will not hesitate to choose him when he is ready,” Lorgat said. “We will play it by ‘eye’, if you like, but we would be bold enough to use him.”Lorgat also said that Johan Botha, the offspinner whose action was deemed illegal by the ICC, was on the mend. “Johan has done lots of remedial work with Vincent Barnes at the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town and Shafiek Abrahams at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, and also with Russell Domingo, his coach back home,” he said. “The corrections to his action have been done and now it’s all about him bowling as much as possible so the changes become habit. Before the start of next season he will have a test in South Africa just so we can be confident he will meet the ICC’s regulations. After that he will go for the formal, independent testing in Perth.”South Africa play the first of two Tests in Colombo from July 27.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued notices to Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, the BCCI, Pepsi and Sony Television for a commercial featuring a child who supplies the Indian team with soft drinks.The petition was filed by a social worker who believed that the commercial depicted child labour. She said that the television spot violated articles of the constitution. The Justices presiding over the case asked for a detailed report on the matter.

Scorecard

Brendon McCullum on his way to a thrill-a-minute 57© Getty Images

A thrill-a-minute 57 from Brendon McCullum, allied to the obduracy and strength of Jacob Oram, dug New Zealand out of a hole on the third day of the opening Test against South Africa at Westpac Park. They were also indebted to Scott Styris, whose sedate 74 knitted the first half of the innings together. At stumps, New Zealand were 361 for 7, still 98 in arrears.McCullum, who was making his Test debut after 48 one-day appearances, announced his intent with the very first ball after tea, driving Andre Nel on the up to the mid-off boundary. Though he had his moments of discomfort on a pitch where Paul Adams was able to get the ball to turn almost square – huge puffs of dust, and even flying chunks of turf, accompanied balls that were speared into the bowlers’ footmarks – he bided his time and played some glorious cuts and drives when offered some width.He and Oram had come together with New Zealand precariously placed at 225 for 6, but a few meaty blows after tea ensured that the follow-on target of 260 was surpassed with ease. That didn’t stop McCullum, who displayed the positive approach that had been eschewed by every other batsman, barring Chris Cairns.Oram soon caught on, using his height and immense power to belt pace and spin alike over the midwicket fielder. They added 84 before Jacques Kallis, the pick of South Africa’s bowlers on the day, got McCullum to inside-edge one through to Mark Boucher (309 for 7).Daniel Vettori then illustrated why he has a Test hundred to his name, as New Zealand finished much the stronger against an attack that had run low on inspiration and energy. Oram could have been stumped off Adams’s bowling late in the day, but Boucher failed to get a glove on the ball with Oram stranded a long way out of the crease.

Russell Tiffin patches up the deteriorating wicket© Getty Images

It hadn’t gone New Zealand’s way in the morning, as the bowlers established a stranglehold, conceding only 42 runs in the 27 overs bowled. Michael Papps, 50 overnight, added only nine more before being given out leg-before to Kallis (127 for 3). The ball struck him just outside the line, but after turning down several appeals earlier, Steve Davis, the umpire, was inclined to be charitable.Styris and an out-of-sorts Craig McMillan then crawled to lunch, showing little desire to take the initiative against a bowling line-up that was never menacing. McMillan made just 19 before becoming the fourth leg-before victim of the innings. Kallis was again the fortunate bowler, and the ball had darted back enough to suggest that it might have missed leg stump (172 for 4).Cairns started circumspectly, but cut loose when the new ball was taken in the 85th over. Shaun Pollock saw one smashed back past him with a tennis follow-through, and was then on the receiving end of a superb cover-drive. That prompted Graeme Smith to move a man from gully to short cover, and Cairns delighted in taking the mickey by cutting the next ball past where gully had been.At the other end Styris Styris defended stoutly, and played some attractive cuts and sweeps when Adams erred in line or length. It was his dismissal, bowled by one from Pollock that darted back in, that triggered the wobble before tea. Cairns, in fine touch during his 28, soon followed, tickling a short-pitched ball down the leg side from Makhaya Ntini through to Boucher (225 for 6).At that stage, the follow-on appeared a distinct possibility. McCullum and Oram, who finished the day unbeaten on 49, then combined to make sure that it was anything but, as the tired South Africans were given the runaround in the final session.

Henry Khaaba Olonga – born Lusaka (Zambia), 3 July 1976Right-handed batsman, right-arm fast bowlerCareer: 1993/94-2001/02Abbreviations: Capital letters for team names denotes a Test match.Man – ManicalandMash – Mashonaland * indicates not out inningsMat – Matabeleland + indicates wicket-keeperMCD – Mashonaland Country Districts *+ retired hurt/illMid – Midlands # batted firstZim – Zimbabwe/ZimbabweansGrounds:Alex – Alexandra Sports Club OG – Old Georgians Sports ClubBAC – Bulawayo Athletic Club OH – Old Hararians Sports ClubHSC – Harare Sports ClubNo. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1993/94 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalOn his first-class debut Henry took five wickets and also survived at the crease for the final fewminutes of the match to earn a draw for his team.1 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 0 214 – (3) 15.3 1 48 3 #358(HSC, 4 March – drawn) (11) 1* 253/9 1 (3) 10 2 46 2 160/3d1993/94 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1 2 1 1 1* — – – 1 25.3 3 94 5 18.80 3/48 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1994/95 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalHenry became Zimbabwe’s first black Test player with his selection for the First Test againstPakistan – appropriately Zimbabwe’s first Test victory. He took the wicket of Saeed Anwar inhis first over, but the occasion was marred when he was called for throwing. Injury preventedhim from bowling in the second innings and kept him out of the rest of the series.2 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (11) 3 178 – (3) 16 2 58 1 #344/7d(BAC, 16 Sept – lost) (11) 34 241 – — 76/13 Mat Select v South Africa A (11) 4 #379 – (3) 16 2 76 1 471/9d(BAC, 27 Sept – lost) (11) 1 308 – (3) 5 2 18 0 219/44 Zim Board XI v Northern Tvl B (11) 3* 205 – (1) 13 1 54 0 #276/9d(HSC, 5 Jan – lost) (11) 0 117 – (1) 17 5 29 1 227/7d5 Matabeleland v MCD (11) 4 127 – (5) 9 2 20 1 #123(Harare South, 20 Jan – won) — 335/3 – (5) 14 2 56 3 3366 President’s XI v Pakistanis — #301/4d 1 (1) 17 1 72 1 327/6d(Harare South, 27 Jan – lost) (11) 0* 143 – (1) 5 1 16 0 119/37 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (1st) — 544/4d – (3) 10 0 27 1 322(HSC, 31 Jan – won) – — 1588 Mash Select v Northamptonshire (10) 0 83 – (2) 16 2 40 1 #276/7d(HSC, 4 April – won) — 417/4 2 (2) 18 3 53 3 2239 Matabeleland v Glamorgan — 302/8d 1 (1) 13 2 55 1 266/7d(BAC, 11 April – won) — 294/7d – (1) 6 2 30 1 171M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM8 9 2 49 34 7.00 – – 4 175 27 604 15 40.26 3/53 – -Career 9 11 3 50 34 6.25 – – 5 200.3 30 698 20 34.90 3/48 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1995/96 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl Total10 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (10) 0 #305 – (1) 19.4 2 50 4 219(HSC, 15 Sept – W) — 300/7d – (1) 20.2 6 34 2 227M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 10 12 3 50 34 5.55 – – 5 240.3 38 782 26 30.07 4/50 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1995/96 (South Africa) bat Score Total bowl Total11 Zimbabwe A v Eastern Province (11) 3 #112 1 (1) 18.4 1 57 4 313(Port Elizabeth, 28 Sept – L) (11) 0* 14412 Zimbabwe A v South Africa A (11) 4 #221 1 (1) 12 0 60 1 310(Durban, 6 Oct – D) — 256/81995/96 (SOUTH AFRICA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 3 1 7 4 3.50 – – 2 30.4 1 117 5 23.40 4/57 – -Career 12 15 4 57 34 5.18 – – 7 271.1 39 899 31 29.00 4/50 – -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1995/96 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total13 Zim Board XI v Boland B (10) 13 229/9d – (1) 11 1 42 1 #238(Paarl, 27 Oct – D) — 176/7 – (1) 3 0 13 0 226/6d14 Matabeleland v MCD (10) 6 #152 – (2) 19 4 80 5 209(BAC, 17 Nov – W) (10) 10 344 – (1) 18 4 81 2 28315 Zim Board XI v Griqualand West (10) 9 153 – (2) 28.1 5 94 4 #290/9d(Harare South, 15 Dec – D) (10) 23* 258/9 1 (2) 12 2 48 1 183/9d1995/96 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM4 6 1 61 23* 12.20 – – 1 131.1 24 442 19 23.26 5/80 1 -Career 15 20 5 118 34 7.86 – – 8 362.2 55 1257 44 28.56 5/80 1 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1995/96 (New Zealand) bat Score Total bowl TotalOn his first tour with the national side, Henry found the pitches in New Zealand did not suit him.16 Zimbabweans v New Zealand XI (8) 41 172 1 (1) 10 3 24 0 #111(Wanganui, 2 Jan – W) — 154/3 1 (1) 11 2 39 2 21217 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND (1st) (9) 0 196 1 (3) 14 2 65 1 #230(Hamilton, 13 Jan – D) — 208/6 2 (6) 3 1 20 0 222/5d1995/96 (NEW ZEALAND) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 2 0 41 41 20.50 – – 5 38 8 148 3 49.33 2/39 – -Career 17 22 5 159 41 9.35 – – 13 400.2 63 1405 47 29.89 5/80 1 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1996/97 (Sri Lanka) bat Score Total bowl Total18 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (1st) (7) 1 145 1 (2) 17 3 57 2 #349(Colombo Pre, 11 Sept – L) (9) 0 12719 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (2nd) (11) 3 #141 – (1) 26 6 81 0 350/8d(Colombo SSC, 18 Sept – L) (11) 3* 235 – (1) 3.4 0 17 0 30/01996/97 (SRI LANKA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 4 1 7 3* 2.66 – – 1 46.4 9 155 2 77.50 2/57 – -Career 19 26 6 166 41 8.30 – – 14 447 72 1560 49 31.83 5/80 1 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1996/97 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl Total20 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (10) 4 #118 1 (1) 24 6 70 3 314(BAC, 4 Oct – L) (10) 33 279 – (1) 8 2 33 0 85/21996/97 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 20 28 6 203 41 9.22 – – 15 479 80 1663 52 31.98 5/80 1 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1996/97 (Pakistan) bat Score Total bowl TotalHenry, taking over as Zimbabwe’s spearhead in the absence of Heath Streak through injury,himself broke down during the First Test, which ended his tour.21 Zimbabweans v Combined XI (9) 2* #307/7d 1 (1) 14 3 32 1 236/8d(Sahiwal, 12 Oct – D) (9) 1 203/8d – (1) 7 1 24 0 238/922 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (1st) (11) 7 #375 – (1) 19 6 60 1 553(Sheikhapura, 17 Oct – D) — 241/71996/97 (PAKISTAN) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 3 1 10 7 5.00 – – 1 40 10 116 2 58.00 1/32 – -Career 22 31 7 213 41 8.87 – – 16 519 90 1779 54 32.94 5/80 1 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1996/97 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total23 Matabeleland v England XI (10) 7 188 1 (1) 14 3 63 2 #334(BAC, 10 Dec – L) (10) 4 261 – (1) 11 3 41 1 230/5d24 ZIMBABWE v ENGLAND (1st) (11) 0 #376 – (4) 23 2 90 3 406(Queens, 18 Dec – D) (11) 0 234 – (2) 2 0 16 1 204/625 ZIMBABWE v ENGLAND (2nd) (11) 0 215 – (3) 9 1 23 1 #156(HSC, 26 Dec – D) – (3) 7 0 31 0 195/326 Mat Invitation v Worcestershire (10) 17 168/9d 1 (3) 14 3 38 3 #145(BAC, 28 March – L) (10) 29* 222 – (3) 13 2 53 1 263/8d1996/97 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM5 9 1 94 33 11.75 – – 3 125 22 458 15 30.58 3/38 – -Career 26 38 8 270 41 9.00 – – 18 612 104 2134 66 32.33 5/80 1 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1997/98 (New Zealand) bat Score Total bowl TotalThis for Henry was a season ravaged by injury, although the selectors kept faith in him when hewas fit. He played no first-class matches in Zimbabwe but did tour New Zealand. Even when fit,he showed little real form or accuracy.27 Zimbabweans v New Zealand A (11) 0* #67 – (1) 14 0 49 0 271/8d(Dunedin, 8 Feb – L) (11) 3* 1951997/98 (NEW ZEALAND) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1 2 2 3 3* — – – – 14 0 49 0 –Career 27 40 10 273 41 9.10 – – 18 626 104 2183 66 33.07 5/80 1 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1998/99 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalFine bowling by Henry in both innings played a major part in Zimbabwe’s Test victory over India.28 Pres XI v Plascon Cricket Acad. (9) 0 194 – (3) 15 2 53 1 #358/7d(Sunrise, 21 Aug – W) — 307/4 – (4) 11 3 25 1 137/2d29 ZIMBABWE v INDIA (Only) (9) 5 #221 – (2) 26 7 70 5 280(HSC, 7 Oct – W) (9) 5 293 1 (1) 10 1 40 1 173M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 29 43 10 283 41 8.57 – – 19 688 117 2371 74 32.04 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1998/99 (Pakistan) bat Score Total bowl TotalHenry’s pace bowling again played a major part in Zimbabwe’s first away Test victory.30 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (1st) (10) 3 238 – (2) 17 3 47 2 #296(Peshawar, 27 Nov – W) — 162/3 – (2) 11 1 42 4 10331 ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (2nd) (9) 3 #183 – (2) 25 9 63 3 325(Lahore, 10 Dec – D) — 48/01998/99 (PAKISTAN) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 2 0 6 3 3.00 – – 2 53 13 152 9 16.88 4/42 – -Career 31 45 10 289 41 8.25 – – 21 741 130 2523 83 30.39 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1998/99 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total32 Matabeleland v Mashonaland (10) 5 232 – (2) 12 3 41 0 #243(BAC, 5 Jan – D) — 278/6 – (1) 8 1 33 0 333/2d1998/99 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM3 4 0 15 5 3.75 – – 1 82 17 262 8 32.75 5/70 1 -Career 32 46 10 294 41 8.16 – – 21 761 134 2597 83 31.28 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalInjury to Heath Streak meant that during a full season Henry had to be the backbone of a thinZimbabwe bowling attack.33 ZIMBABWE v AUSTRALIA (Only) (11) 0* #194 – (1) 17 1 83 0 422(HSC, 14 Oct – L) (11) 0* 232 – — 5/0M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 33 48 12 294 41 8.16 – – 21 778 135 2680 83 32.28 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (South Africa) bat Score Total bowl Total34 ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA (Only) (10) 1 #192 – (1) 33.1 7 93 4 417(Bloemfontein, 29 Oct – L) (10) 24 2121999/2000 (SOUTH AFRICA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1 2 0 25 24 12.50 – – – 33.1 7 93 4 23.25 4/93 – -Career 34 50 12 319 41 8.39 – – 21 811.1 142 2773 87 31.87 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl Total35 ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA (Only) (10) 0 #102 1 (1) 33 7 107 3 462(HSC, 11 Nov – L) (10) 4* 14136 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (1st) (11) 1* #286 – (1) 32 6 103 4 428(Queens, 18 Nov – D) — 136/337 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (2nd) (10) 10* #174 – (1) 30 5 88 2 432(HSC, 26 Nov – L) (11) 0 292 – (1) 5 1 14 0 38/438 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (3rd) (11) 3* #218 – (1) 22.4 2 54 3 231(HSC, 4 Dec – D) — 197/7d – (1) 4 1 11 0 36/11999/2000 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM5 8 6 18 10* 9.00 – – 1 143.4 23 460 12 38.33 4/103 – -Career 38 56 16 337 41 8.42 – – 22 937.5 164 3150 99 31.81 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.1999/2000 (West Indies) bat Score Total bowl Total39 Zimbabweans v President’s XI (11) 23 394 – (1) 18 4 103 3 #349(Pointe-a-Pierre, 10 Mar – D) – (1) 23 1 98 3 41740 ZIMBABWE v WEST INDIES (1st) (10) 2 236 – (2) 18 7 44 1 #187(Port-of-Spain, 16 March – L) (10) 0 63 – (2) 13 3 38 2 14741 ZIMBABWE v WEST INDIES (2nd) (11) 22* #308 – (1) 31.1 8 65 3 339(Kingston, 24 March – L) (10) 2 102 – (3) 3 0 20 0 75/01999/2000 (WEST INDIES) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM3 5 1 49 23 12.25 – – – 106.1 23 358 12 29.83 3/65 – -Career 41 61 17 386 41 8.77 – – 22 1044 187 3508 111 31.60 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2000 (England) bat Score Total bowl TotalHenry, no doubt suffering the effects of a long tiring season, suffered a leg injury early on thatrefused to clear up.42 Zimbabweans v Hampshire — 364/7d – (1) 13 3 31 0 #131(Southampton, 27 April – D) — 234/4 – (1) 12 0 60 0 234/443 Zimbabweans v Essex (10) 45 #315 1 (1) 22.3 6 73 2 249(Chelmsford, 11 May – D) — 75/0d2000 (ENGLAND) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 1 0 45 45 45.00 – – 1 47.3 9 164 2 82.00 2/73 – -Career 43 62 17 431 45 9.57 – – 23 1091.3 196 3672 113 32.49 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2000/01 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl Total44 Zimbabwe A v New Zealanders (10) 16 168 – (1) 22 1 120 0 #677/7d(Kwekwe, 7 Sept – D) — 72/3 – (1) 5 1 22 0 137/3d45 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND (2nd) (10) 4 166 – (1) 27 5 115 3 #465(HSC, 19 Sept – L) (10) 0 370 – — 74/2M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMCareer 45 65 17 451 45 9.39 – – 23 1145.3 203 3929 116 33.87 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2000/01 (India) bat Score Total bowl TotalOn an otherwise unsuccessful tour, Henry entered the record books as a batsman, sharing with AndyFlower a Zimbabwean Test record partnership of 97 unbroken for the last wicket in the First Test.46 Zim v National Cricket Academy — #322/6d – (3) 12 2 69 0 323/6d(Indore, 8 Nov – D) — 320/5d – (1) 6 0 28 1 42/147 Zimbabweans v President’s XI — 236/5d 1 (1) 18 6 47 0 #314/5d(Faridabad, 13 Nov – W) — 262/6 – (1) 11 1 44 0 183/2d48 ZIMBABWE v INDIA (1st) (11) 11* #422/9d – (4) 20 3 79 2 458/4d(Delhi, 18 Nov – L) (11) 10 225 – (3) 6 0 26 0 190/349 ZIMBABWE v INDIA (2nd) (11) 0 382 – (2) 24 4 98 0 #609/6d(Nagpur, 25 Nov – D) — 503/6d2000/01 (INDIA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM4 3 1 21 11* 10.50 – – 1 97 16 391 3 130.33 2/79 – -Career 49 68 18 472 45 9.44 – – 24 1242.3 219 4320 119 36.30 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2000/01 (New Zealand) bat Score Total bowl Total50 Zimbabweans v Canterbury (10) 4 150 – (3) 28 7 78 3 #330/5d(Christchurch, 21 Dec – D) — 38/2 – (1) 8 3 8 0 121/0d51 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND (Only) — 340/6d 1 (3) 30 2 105 0 #487/7d(Wellington, 26 Dec – D) — 60/2 – (4) 2 0 12 0 153/4d2000/01 (NEW ZEALAND) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – 1 68 12 203 3 67.66 3/78 – -Career 51 69 18 476 45 9.33 – – 25 1310.3 231 4523 122 37.07 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2000/01 (Zimbabwe, cont.) bat Score Total bowl TotalHenry was due to play for Mashonaland in the Logan Cup, having moved to Harare from Bulawayo, butinjury prevented him from appearing for them. He broke down during his only home Test match ofthe year.52 Zimbabwe A v Bangladeshis (9) 17 222/8d – (4) 21 8 61 2 #333(BAC, 13 April – D) — 205/3 1 (4) 12 1 25 3 16653 ZIMBABWE v INDIA (1st) (10) 16 #173 – (4) 8 1 35 1 318(Queens, 7 June – L) (10) 0 328 – — 184/22000/01 (ZIMBABWE) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM4 6 0 53 17 8.83 – – 1 95 17 378 9 42.00 3/35 – -Career 53 72 18 509 45 9.42 – – 26 1351.3 241 4644 128 36.28 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2001/02 (Bangladesh) bat Score Total bowl Total54 ZIMBABWE v BANGLADESH (1st) (11) 2* 431 – (3) 6.2 0 18 3 #107(Dhaka, 8 Nov – D) 1 (3) 5 1 17 0 125/355 ZIMBABWE v BANGLADESH (2nd) — #542/7d – (3) 12 0 40 1 251(Chittagong, 15 Nov – W) — 11/2 – (4) 15 5 31 1 3012001/02 (BANGLADESH) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 1 1 2 2* — – – 1 38.2 6 106 5 21.20 3/18 – -Career 55 73 19 511 45 9.46 – – 27 1389.5 247 4750 133 35.71 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2001/02 (Sri Lanka) bat Score Total bowl Total56 Zimbabweans v SL Board XI — #319/6d – (1) 20 6 52 2 269/4d(Colombo Sav, 21 Dec – L) — 169/5d – (2) 10 0 60 2 223/557 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (1st) (11) 4 184 – (3) 23 3 103 0 #586/6d(Colombo SSC, 27 Dec – L) (11) 0 23658 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (2nd) (11) 18 #236 – (3) 24 2 131 0 505(Kandy, 4 Jan – L) (11) 1 175 -59 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (3rd) (11) 0 236 – (3) 18 6 52 0 #418(Galle, 12 Jan – L) (11) 0 79 – (5) 7 0 56 1 212/2d2001/02 (SRI LANKA) SEASON TOTALM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM4 6 0 23 18 3.83 – – – 102 17 454 5 90.80 2/52 – -Career 59 79 19 534 45 8.90 – – 27 1491.5 264 5204 138 37.71 5/70 2 -No. Own Team Ct No. O M R W Opp.2001/02 (Zimbabwe) bat Score Total bowl TotalHenry was appointed captain of Mashonaland A, but could only play in two matches; both were won byfairly narrow margins.60 Mashonaland A v CFX Academy (10) 3* #346 – (3) 6 1 24 2 273/9d(Country Club, 1 March – W) (10) 2 149 – (1) 15.3 4 37 2 18461 Mashonaland A v Manicaland (10) 37* 307 – (9) 5 0 14 1 #255(Alex, 22 March – W) (8) 11 155/8 1 (1) 6 0 28 0 206M I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM2 4 2 53 37* 26.50 – – 1 32.3 5 103 5 20.60 2/24 – -Career 61 83 21 587 45 9.46 – – 28 1524.2 269 5307 143 37.10 5/70 2 -RECORD SEASON BY SEASONM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wM1993/94(Z) 1 2 1 1 1* — – – 1 25.3 3 94 5 18.80 3/48 – -1994/95(Z) 8 9 2 49 34 7.00 – – 4 175 27 604 15 40.26 3/53 – -1995/96(SA) 2 3 1 7 4 3.50 – – 2 30.4 1 117 5 23.40 4/57 – -1995/96(Z) 4* 6 1 61 23* 12.20 – – 1 131.1 24 442 19 23.26 5/80 1 -1995/96(NZ) 2 2 0 41 41 20.50 – – 5 38 8 148 3 49.33 2/39 – -1996/97(SL) 2 4 1 7 3* 2.66 – – 1 46.4 9 155 2 77.50 2/57 – -1996/97(P) 2 3 1 10 7 5.00 – – 1 40 10 116 2 58.00 1/32 – -1996/97(Z) 5 9 1 94 33 11.75 – – 3 125 22 458 15 30.58 3/38 – -1997/98(NZ) 1 2 2 3 3* — – – – 14 0 49 0 –1997/98(Z) -1998/99(P) 2 2 0 6 3 3.00 – – 2 53 13 152 9 16.88 4/42 – -1998/99(Z) 3 4 0 15 5 3.75 – – 1 82 17 262 8 32.75 5/70 1 -1999/00(SA) 1 2 0 25 24 12.50 – – – 33.1 7 93 4 23.25 4/93 – -1999/00(Z) 5 8 6 18 10* 9.00 – – 1 143.4 23 460 12 38.33 4/103 – -1999/00(WI) 3 5 1 49 23 12.25 – – – 106.1 23 358 12 29.83 3/65 – -2000 (E) 2 1 0 45 45 45.00 – – 1 47.3 9 164 2 82.00 2/73 – -2000/01(I) 4 3 1 21 11* 10.50 – – 1 97 16 391 3 130.33 2/79 – -2000/01(NZ) 2 1 0 4 4 4.00 – – 1 68 12 203 3 67.66 3/78 – -2000/01(Z) 4 6 0 53 17 8.83 – – 1 95 17 378 9 42.00 3/35 – -2001/02(B) 2 1 1 2 2* — – – 1 38.2 6 106 5 21.20 3/18 – -2001/02(SL) 4 6 0 23 18 3.83 – – – 102 17 454 5 90.80 2/52 – -2001/02(Z) 2 4 2 53 37* 26.50 – – 1 32.3 5 103 5 20.60 2/24 – -61 83 21 587 45 9.46 – – 28 1524.2 269 5307 143 37.10 5/70 2 -*Including one UCBSA Bowl match played in South Africa.RECORD IN EACH COUNTRYM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMZimbabwe 31 47 13 331 37* 9.73 – – 13 795.5 137 2746 87 31.56 5/70 2 -England 2 1 0 45 45 45.00 – – 1 47.3 9 164 2 82.00 2/73 – -Australia -South Africa 4 6 1 45 24 9.00 – – 2 77.5 9 265 10 26.50 4/57 – -West Indies 3 5 1 49 23 12.25 – – – 106.1 23 358 12 29.83 3/65 – -New Zealand 5 5 2 48 41 16.00 – – 6 120 20 400 6 66.66 3/78 – -India 4 3 1 21 11* 10.50 – – 1 97 16 391 3 130.33 2/79 – -Pakistan 4 5 1 16 7 4.00 – – 3 93 23 268 11 24.36 4/42 – -Sri Lanka 6 10 1 30 18 3.33 – – 1 148.4 26 609 7 87.00 2/52 – -Bangladesh 2 1 1 2 2* — – – 1 38.2 6 106 5 21.20 3/18 – -Kenya -61 83 21 587 45 9.46 – – 28 1524.2 269 5307 143 37.10 5/70 2 -RECORD ON ZIMBABWEAN GROUNDSM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMAlexandra 1 2 1 48 37* 48.00 – – 1 11 0 42 1 42.00 1/14 – -Bulawayo AC 9 14 1 174 34 13.38 – – 5 230 50 856 26 32.92 5/80 1 -Country Club 1 2 1 5 3* 5.00 – – – 21.3 5 61 4 15.25 2/24 – -Harare South 3 4 2 36 23* 18.00 – – 2 85.1 13 306 10 30.60 4/94 – -Harare SC 12 18 7 35 10* 3.18 – – 5 330.1 53 1017 35 29.05 5/70 1 -Kwekwe 1 1 0 16 16 16.00 – – – 27 2 142 0 –Mutare -Old Hararians -Queens SC 3 5 1 17 16 4.25 – – – 65 9 244 9 27.11 4/103 – -Sunrise 1 1 0 0 0 0.00 – – – 26 5 78 2 39.00 1/25 – -Total: 31 47 13 331 37* 9.73 – – 13 795.5 137 2746 87 31.56 5/70 2 -LOGAN CUP RECORDM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMFor Matabeleland:1993/94 1 2 1 1 1* — – – 1 25.3 3 94 5 18.80 3/48 – -1994/95 2 3 0 41 34 13.66 – – – 39 6 134 5 26.80 3/56 – -1995/96 2 3 0 16 10 5.33 – – – 77 16 245 13 18.84 5/80 1 -1996/97 1 2 0 37 33 18.50 – – 1 32 8 103 3 34.33 3/70 – -1997/98 -1998/99 1 1 0 5 5 5.00 – – – 20 4 74 0 –1999/20002000/01Total: 7 11 1 100 34 10.00 – – 2 193.3 37 650 26 25.00 5/80 1 -For Mashonaland A:2001/02 2 4 2 53 37* 26.50 – – 1 32.3 5 103 5 20.60 2/24 – -TOTAL: 9 15 3 153 37* 12.75 – – 3 226 42 753 31 24.29 5/80 1 -RECORD AGAINST OTHER LOGAN CUP TEAMSM I NO Runs HS Av. 100 50 Ct O M R W Av. BB 5wI 10wMFor Matabeleland:Mashonaland 5 8 1 80 34 11.42 – – 2 133.3 25 413 15 27.53 4/50 – -MCD 2 3 0 20 10 6.66 – – – 60 12 237 11 21.54 5/80 1 -Total: 7 11 1 100 34 10.00 – – 2 193.3 37 650 26 25.00 5/80 1 -For Mashonaland A:CFX Academy 1 2 1 5 3* 5.00 – – – 21.3 5 61 4 15.25 2/24 – -Manicaland 1 2 1 48 37* 48.00 – – 1 11 0 42 1 42.00 1/14 – -Total: 2 4 2 53 37* 26.50 – – 1 32.3 5 103 5 20.60 2/24 – -For all Logan Cup teams:CFX Academy 1 2 1 5 3* 5.00 – – – 21.3 5 61 4 15.25 2/24 – -Manicaland 1 2 1 48 37* 48.00 – – 1 11 0 42 1 42.00 1/14 – -Mashonaland 5 8 1 80 34 11.42 – – 2 133.3 25 413 15 27.53 4/50 – -MCD 2 3 0 20 10 6.66 – – – 60 12 237 11 21.54 5/80 1 -TOTAL: 9 15 3 153 37* 12.75 – – 3 226 42 753 31 24.29 5/80 1 -HIGHEST SCORE45 Zimbabweans v Essex Chelmsford 2000Highest in Zimbabwe:37* Mashonaland A v Manicaland Alexandra Sports Club 2001/02`PAIRS’0 and 0 ZIMBABWE v ENGLAND (1st Test) Queens Sports Club 1996/970 and 0 ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (3rd Test) Galle 2001/02FIVE WICKETS IN AN INNINGS1 5/80 Matabeleland v Mash Country Districts Bulawayo Athletic Club 1995/962 5/70 ZIMBABWE v INDIA (Only Test) Harare Sports Club 1998/99BEST MATCH FIGURES7/161 (5/80 & 2/81) Matabeleland v Mash Country Dist Bulawayo Athletic Club 1995/96MOST OVERS BOWLED IN AN INNINGS33.1 (33.1-7-93-4) ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA (Only) Bloemfontein 1999/200033 (33-7-107-3) ZIMBABWE v SOUTH AFRICA (Only) Harare Sports Club 1999/2000MOST OVERS BOWLED IN A MATCH41 (41-5-201-6) Zimbabweans v WI President’s XI Pointe-a-Pierre 1999/2000MOST RUNS CONCEDED IN AN INNINGS131 (24-2-131-0) ZIMBABWE v SRI LANKA (2nd Test) Kandy 2001/02MOST RUNS CONCEDED IN A MATCH201 (41-5-201-6) Zimbabweans v WI President’s XI Pointe-a-Pierre 1999/2000MOST MAIDEN OVERS BOWLED IN AN INNINGS9 (25-9-63-3) ZIMBABWE v PAKISTAN (2nd Test) Lahore 1998/99DETAILS OF DISMISSALS AS A BATSMANbowled 10 16.13lbw 14 22.58caught 30 48.39caught by wicketkeeper 5 8.06caught and bowled 2 3.23stumped 1 1.61run out -TOTAL 62 100.00%DETAILS OF DISMISSALS AS A BOWLERbowled 24 16.78lbw 35 24.47caught 47 32.87caught by wicket-keeper 34 23.78caught and bowled 2 1.40stumped – 0.00hit wicket 1 0.70TOTAL 143 100.00%MOST CATCHES IN AN INNINGS2, on 3 occasionsMOST CATCHES IN A MATCH3 ZIMBABWE v NEW ZEALAND (First Test) Hamilton 1995/96

Marcus Trescothick produced an innings of sublime quality to ease Somerset into the C&G Trophy quarter-finals with a seven-wicket win at Taunton.The England opener reduced what looked a testing target of 270 to win to a cakewalk, hammering 121 off just 83 balls, with 20 fours, as the home side skated in with 8.2 overs to spare.Trescothick needed only 23 balls to reach his half-century, hitting ten of his fours in that time. Steve Watkin’s first two overs cost him 25 and by the end of the 15th over when fielding restrictions were lifted Somerset were 126 without loss.Peter Bowler leant sensible support, making 43 in an opening stand of 143, but spent much of his time admiring his partner’s selection of powerful drives and pulls.By the time Trescothick was bowled around his legs by Robert Croft the total was 173-2 and Somerset skipper Jamie Cox ensured no late alarms with an attractive 63, including three sixes.Earlier, Matthew Maynard had rescued Glamorgan from 44-3 as they posted an 269-6 after losing the toss in blustery conditions.Maynard survived a difficult low chance to Somerset wicketkeeper Rob Turner on three and went on to hit 93 off 108 balls.After a bright start, lost three with the score on 44. Ian Thomas was caught at fine leg off a top edge and Keith Newell clean bowled in the same Richard Johnson over.Andy Caddick quickly removed Croft to a catch behind, but Maynard then came in to alter the course of the innings, sharing a stand of 93 with Steve James, who made 46 before loosely cutting Keith Parsons to Jamie Cox at backward point.Mike Powell kept Somerset on the back foot, reaching a half-century off just 58 balls and sharing another partnership of 93 with Maynard.But in the end their efforts counted for nothing as there was only onecandidate for the man-of-the-match award. Trescothick was simply magnificent.

Rangers have arguably their biggest Premiership game of the season ahead of them tomorrow as the latest Old Firm derby is set to take place at Ibrox.

As things stand, the Gers are currently three points behind their Glasgow arch-rivals at the top of the league table, making victory imperative if they are to strengthen their hopes of retaining the title.

The Ibrox outfit were dealt an injury blow after Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that they will be without Alfredo Morelos for the next few weeks as a result of a thigh injury he picked up while on international duty with Colombia.

In addition to this direct blow, it seems as though the Dutchman and his side have been dealt another big setback ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

However, rather than it being an injury issue with one of their players, it seems to be the fitness of one of Celtic’s key players which could land a blow on Rangers’ chances of securing a much-needed victory.

What’s the news?

After being out of action since December with a hamstring injury, Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi will be available to feature in Sunday’s clash according to Ange Postecoglou.

Taking into account how the Japan international has scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 26 appearances for the Hoops since his arrival from Vissel Kobe last stummer, it’s safe to say that the attacker has been a solid addition to Celtic’s ranks and a real attacking threat for them, much to the annoyance of Rangers fans.

Also, to further highlight the 27-year-old’s attacking talent, he currently has the third-highest shot-on-target average (54.8%) out of any player in the Premiership this season, showing how deadly he is in front of goal.

Therefore, having him back available for selection will surely be a massive boost for the Hoops and a big blow for the Gers, especially if he is able to get on the pitch and on the scoresheet.

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Moving forward, Rangers will have to accept this bad news and make sure they do enough to snuff out the Japanese forward and Celtic’s other attacking players to make sure their arch-rivals don’t open a six-point gap at the top of the table.

In other news – McLeish howler: Rangers had a nightmare on “outstanding” 362-goal “special player”

ScorecardMumbai Champs turned in yet another disappointing performance to allow Chennai Superstars to register a facile win at Panchkula in Chandigarh. T Kumaran grabbed a four-wicket haul to restrict Champs to 123, a total that was never going to threaten the Superstars, who romped home by nine wickets with 44 balls to spare.G Vignesh chose the occasion to equal Chris Cairns’ tournament record for the fastest fifty with a 17-ball effort and picked up the Man-of-the-Match award.Kumaran struck in the fifth over to dismiss the opener Saman Jayantha, after which wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. That Dhiraj Jhadav’s 28 was the highest score of the innings reflects the Champs’ woes.The chase was over in a hurry after Vignesh exploded at the start with a 30-ball 61 that featured eight hits to the boundary and three over it. Michael Kasprowicz had a forgettable day, leaking 20 runs in his solitary over. Ian Harvey remained unbeaten on a 30-ball 31, while R Sathish hastened the end with a 17-ball 29.

After taking yesterday off, India trained hard in the afternoon heat of Mirpur © AFP

Things have changed a lot since India last visited Bangladesh. Rahul Dravid, after a tough practice session today, said as much. “Bangladesh have improved a lot since last time. Their team has changed a lot. You can see they are playing some really good cricket. We are aware of that and expect a stiffer challenge than the last time.”India had become the first team to lose an ODI to Bangladesh in Bangladesh then. They have beaten Australia, Sri Lanka, India again, and South Africa in one-dayers and come within three wickets of beating Australia in a Test match too.The Indian team themselves wear a different look. They are without a coach; they have a cricketing manager instead. For the first time they are touring with a bowling coach and a fielding coach. There is no Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, or Harbhajan Singh in the team. Instead, looking to make debuts are Manoj Tiwary and Piyush Chawla. Dravid praised both of them on the way they have performed in domestic cricket and said they had earned the opportunity. “It’s not only this series, selectors are investing in these players for the long-term future. They are exciting talents and good players,” Dravid said.

Dravid: It’s going to be challenging, especially for the bowlers. But the conditions are same for both the teams. Kolkata camp has been good for us in that regard.

Following the shoulder injury to Manoj Tiwary, another possible injury was evaded when a Sreesanth beamer hit Ramesh Powar’s left glove at the nets. Powar went off for a moment, but came back to bat and field without any obvious discomfort.After having taken yesterday off, India trained hard today in the afternoon heat of Mirpur. The first look of the ground conditions – what with temperatures hovering around 35 degree Celsius through the day and a high humidity – has suggested this is going to be a tough tour physically. “It’s going to be challenging, especially for the bowlers,” Dravid said, “But the conditions are same for both the teams. Kolkata camp has been good for us in that regard.”The nets, otherwise, followed India’s normal routine of late – two batsmen go out on two simultaneous wickets; pace bowlers bowl on one and spinners on the other. The spinners’ net is observed by Ravi Shastri, the pacers’ by Venkatesh Prasad. The batsmen interchange when they are done with one type of bowlers. Two players, at the same time, practice catches with Robin Singh and Greg King.With a day to go before the first one-dayer, India haven’t zeroed in on any particular combination. “Any 11 out of the 15 can play,” Dravid said, “We are going to play according to the conditions; we are pretty clear we are going to be putting the best team possible. If it means some have to sit out, they will sit out.”

‘Today the priority is money and it is really sad because it is destroying West Indies cricket’ – Richie Richardson © Getty Images

Richie Richardson and Andy Roberts, former players, have hit out at the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) for its stance on negotiating a contract for retainer fees with the regional board.Richardson said WIPA was pushing for too much money while Andy Roberts said the players’ association has been dragging its feet in meeting with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to discuss the contract. The WICB, after negotiations went beyond their first deadline of last Friday, have now proposed a further meeting with WIPA tomorrow with a new deadline of May 3 for the players to sign its offer for retainer contracts.Richardson said the players are failing to understand the plight of the regional game. “It is really sad the state of affairs of West Indies cricket at this present time,” Richardson told a local radio station yesterday. “We are all aware of what we are going through and rather than us getting together and trying to restore our cricket as quickly as possible we continue to fight and argue for things that should not be a priority in West Indies cricket.”Cricket is bigger than the players. The board and I think that in the interest of the fans and West Indies cricket we have got to really quickly sort out our problems and get on with playing and get the game going, get the fans happy and try and restore our cricket.”We are right down at the bottom of the table and yet our players are demanding big money. I don’t like to compare time but when we played we fought for a lot of things. We fought for better treatment of the players, for improvement in payments and things like that. If we were to adopt the same attitude that the players were adopting today we would have never gone out on the field of play because there was hardly any money.”But our priority was to go out there and play for West Indies, to go out there and represent the millions of fans who depend on us to keep them uplifted throughout their daily lives. Today the priority is money and it is really sad because it is destroying West Indies cricket.”I think the board needs to be a bit stronger. At the end of the day the board can only offer what it’s capable of offering to the players,” Richardson added. “Just take it or leave it. If they don’t want to go out there and play cricket I’m sure there are a number of players who want to go out and play. We’re not winning anything so you might as well go out there and invest in young players who want to go out there and play for their country and groom them and maybe in five, 10 years we will have a much better team.”Roberts, a former player and coach, said both WICB and WIPA should share the blame for the impasse, which has been raising its ugly head repeatedly.”It seems as though this is a problem we are seeing every tour West Indies have embarked on within the last year or so, whether it’s a home series or away series,” Roberts said. “I’m not casting the blame entirely on WICB and I’m not casting the blame entirely on WIPA. But I believe the CEO for WIPA has some ulterior motives because I cannot see every time you wait until the final hour before you decide to come to the bargaining table. If there’s any hiccup we are back to square one again. We have to find a team if the players decide that they are not signing any contract on Tuesday. Where do you find the top players from?Roberts also castigated the WICB. The players are to blame but the board has contributed to the problem. Check some of the salaries of some of the administrators.”