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September 3, 2002
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News Roll
  The ICC Contract controversy
Indian and South African officials are continuing their efforts to persuade their leading players not to boycott the forthcoming Champions Trophy because of a contracts dispute. The Indian team, currently in England, has asked for more time to consider their position after the International Cricket Council refused their compromise offer.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa has, meanwhile, called an urgent meeting with players' union chief executive Tony Irish after learning that their team are reluctant to sign.

No concessions for Indians The tournament starts in Sri Lanka on 12 September and the ICC is facing the possibility of two of the leading sides being unable to field their strongest line-ups.

  India in England
India look set to pick the same side that routed England in the third Test, according to national coach John Wright.

Wright hinted the tourists would again start with the dual spin threat of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble in the fourth and final Test at The Oval.

The New Zealander told: "I think you'll find that our combinations will be pretty similar to Headingley. "We may look at one or two things but we seemed to get the formula right there."

India dominated throughout the five days of the third Test at Headingley, winning by an innings and 46 runs to level the scores in the series at 1-1.


Desperate times often require desperate measures and this is the position England's selectors have been forced into this week as they attempt to pick a balanced side for Thursday's decisive fourth Test against India at The Oval.

With the series level at 1-1 and Nasser Hussain hoping to finish the summer off on a high note, Marcus Trescothick and Ronnie Irani have been rushed back into the international fold with little practice, form or proof that they have fully overcome recent injuries.

Of the 14 named yesterday these are the only two additions to the squad which was comprehensively beaten at Headingley a week ago and turning this series back England's way will require one last huge effort from Hussain's side. The only other surprise is that England have not selected Richard Dawson as a second spinner on a ground with a history of favouring the slow bowlers

  PSO Tri-Nation Tournament
Kenya Tri-series, 4TH ODI:
Australia 85-2 (17 ovs) beat Kenya 84 all out (35.3 ovs)

Australia's all-round excellence proved too much as Kenya were comprehensively beaten at the Gymkhana Club Ground.

Bowled out for their lowest score in a one-day international after being reduced to 17 for six at one stage, Kenya were powerless to stop Ricky Ponting's side from cruising to victory.

The home side had the consolation of dismissing Adam Gilchrist and Jimmy Maher, but in-form opener Matthew Hayden saw Australia home with an unbeaten 39.

Australia made one change to the side which beat Pakistan by 224 runs in their opening game of the competition, with paceman Brett Lee replacing Andy Bichel.

  Miscellaneous
South African star Jonty Rhodes is spearheading a drive to recruit at least 3,000 volunteers to fill a variety of jobs at next year's World Cup.

Rhodes, who has scored more than 5,600 runs in 231 one-day appearances, agreed to act as patron of the Volunteers 2003 programme following an invitation by tournament director Dr Ali Bacher.

A range of jobs are available including media assistants, information kiosk and car park attendants, and stadium ushers. All of them will be unpaid.

"The person we were looking for had to be a role model for all the different people of South Africa," said Bacher.

"In addition, this person had to have achieved international acclaim and, off the field, demonstrated impeccable behaviour. The unanimous choice was Jonty Rhodes."

Design: Imran Shaikh


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