Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and thank you for coming to Lord’s today.As you are all aware, there has been a Special Meeting of the ECB’s Management Board this morning to discuss England’s ICC World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Harare on 13th February. It was a very detailed and thorough meeting and all the issues were fully debated and considered.As I think is widely recognised, the ECB Management Board has been confronted with an extremely difficult situation, not of our own making.The position of the Board has, throughout this public debate, been totally clear and consistent. The ECB is not a political body and we do not take decisions on that basis. We are not, of course, immune to, or unaware of, what is happening in the wider world, but we do not believe that it is our role to make subjective moral judgements about the various regimes in the different cricket-playing nations.These are matters for elected Governments to consider and take a decisive and early lead. They are not matters for sports administrators.However, that is not to say we do not care about these issues.We are fully aware of what is happening in Zimbabwe and we do not in any way condone the policies and actions of the political regime in that country. However, we do not believe that the cancellation of one cricket match in Zimbabwe will make any difference to the leaders of that regime.The ECB has always found it perverse and inequitable that we have been asked to make an isolated and purely symbolic gesture by withdrawing from this match. Sport, sadly, is once again being used a political tool to fill the policy vacuum that seemingly exists. Consider these facts:There are over 300 British companies currently trading in and with Zimbabwe; British Airways – the national carrier – flies to Harare twice a week; there are no wholesale economic or trading sanctions against Zimbabwe and no universal sporting sanctions have been applied, unlike in the case of South Africa in the past; Britain still maintains diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe; and no decision has been taken to date to expel Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth.But, despite this, cricket and the ECB in particular is still being asked to make a unique and unilateral sacrifice and pull out of this fixture. And, we are being asked to make this gesture with only four weeks to go before the ICC World Cup begins, despite the fact that it was known that this particular match was scheduled to be played in Harare as far back at October 2001.One wonders why it was acceptable for Zimbabwe’s athletes to parade around the City of Manchester Stadium during last summer’s Commonwealth Games. Apparently, it wasn’t wrong then for Britain to be engaging with Zimbabwean sportsmen and women. Why is it now?We have not been elected to take decisions of a political nature. Our primary responsibility is to safeguard the future of cricket in England and Wales and indeed within the wider international cricket fraternity, including of course Zimbabwe where the national cricket union is a fully multi-racial and apolitical organisation.From the tone of my remarks you will have almost certainly deduced that the ECB Management Board has this morning decided that we are going to honour our commitment to play Zimbabwe in Harare on 13th February. In fact the decision of the Board was unanimous.I have already outlined what our general thinking is on this issue, but there are other factors that have been taken into account by the Board in coming to this decision.I have previously referred to the patent unfairness of cricket and the ECB in particular being expected to make what would amount to a purely symbolic gesture when there are so many more meaningful ways in which the British Government, the Commonwealth and the international community could express its displeasure at what is happening in Zimbabwe.Moreover, I would reiterate that the cancellation of one cricket match will not make the slightest bit of difference to the Mugabe regime or in any way lessen the economic and political turmoil in Zimbabwe.Even if we were to make a unilateral gesture and withdraw from our match, there are still another five World Cup matches which are due to take place in the country. Unless it is for safety and security reasons, Zimbabwe will not be deprived of its opportunity to co-host the World Cup in accordance with an agreement that was arrived at as far back as 1994.Crucially, the ECB has consistently emphasised that withdrawing from the match would put us in breach of our contractual commitments to the ICC. This could expose us to the risk of unlimited damages which could have devastating financial consequences for cricket and have a ruinous effect on the fabric of the game in England and Wales. We are the national summer sport, but we are also a commercial organisation, with a relatively modest annual turnover and we simply cannot afford to absorb the sort of financial losses that might arise from any decision to withdraw from this match.As you know, we have put our case to Government but, despite effectively asking us to withdraw from this match in the national interest, they have refused to entertain the notion of compensating us out of the national purse. A position that contrasts, very markedly, with that of the Australian Government, who have taken a much more understanding view.However, one positive aspect of our recent meeting with the Government was that we told Ministers of our determination to deny the Mugabe regime the opportunity to exploit our presence in Harare. We will not take part in any ceremonial activities that could imply any support for the regime or be used as a propaganda platform.Put into perspective, playing this match in Harare does not mean that we are endorsing the Mugabe regime any more than playing in Pakistan means we are endorsing military rule in preference to democracy.Those who say otherwise might ponder whether the Government and certain sections of the media will deem it equally reprehensible for British athletes to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.The past few weeks have been very difficult ones for cricket. We fully understand the high emotions and strong feelings that have been aroused about our intention to play this match in Zimbabwe. We hope that the World Cup will be an uplifting occasion and source of pleasure and pride for many Zimbabweans. Sport alone does not have the ability to solve political problems but it can sometimes help to bring people together.The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup will be a wonderful sporting spectacle in a continent desperate to have something to celebrate – and England intends to play its full part in accordance with the contractual obligations that we signed up to many months ago.Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the ECB’s statement.

Dr Ali Bacher, Executive Director of Cricket World Cup 2003, promised cricket lovers worldwide that the opening ceremony at Newlands in Cape Town would be the biggest event in the history of cricket and the largest production ever staged in South Africa.Some were sceptical, but once again he was true to his promise with 25,000 spectators and an estimated 1.4 billion television viewers enthralled and entertained in a two hour live spectacular.With extravagant costumes and dance routines the ceremony, hosted by comedian Marc Lottering, opened with scenes from a safari with guinea fowl, zebras, meer-cats, and a host of animals flowing into a colourful routine depicting the unity of the "Rainbow Nation" and its people.The humour of life in the townships swept into the tides of the oceans that surround South Africa. Seven scenes in total, a celebration of the continent, the country and Cape Town.Local artists accompanied the dancers in ethnic song, displaying the diverse cultures of the country brought together into unity as one nation and maybe closer than ever by the holding of the 2003 World Cup on home soil.Malcolm Gray, President of the ICC, thanked the people of southern Africa for embracing the tournament with such enthusiasm."It is the largest sports event in Africa’s history and the biggest cricket tournament that has ever been staged. The eyes of the world will be on Africa as you embrace the game and the players, mingling in a strange harmony of contrasts," he said.Each team was warmly embraced by the spectators at the ground, with South Africa, looking to become the first winner on home soil, receiving tumultuous applause as they moved around the boundary before the South African President, Thabo Mbeki officially declared the ICC 2003 World Cup opened.

Coach Education Administrator – Edgbaston
Attractive packageThe England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket from schools to international level. Its Performance Department is responsible for identifying and developing the most talented young cricketers in the country, and the development and implementation of the national coach education programme.Working as part of a small team at our Coach Education Office based at Warwickshire County Cricket Ground, your job will involve contact with ECB National Coaching Scheme course organisers, registration of courses and arranging despatch of course resources as well as general administrative support.You must be a `team player’ with good communication skills and a confident telephone manner, a flexible attitude and have excellent computer skills including experience of working with databases. Some accounts experience would also be an advantage.For an information pack and application form please contact Natasha Mason, ECB el: 020 74321 171. E-mail: [email protected] date for applications is 6 March 2003.ECB is fully committed to developing policies to promote equal opportunities.

Warren Hegg and Glen Chapple helped Lancashire squeeze home in a tight gamewith Western Province to make today’s Triangular Tournament Final where theywill play Essex.The pair came in at a time when Lancashire needed the final few runs to beatWestern Province’s score of 188 for 9 inside 39 overs if they were toqualify for the final on run-rate. They reached the target just off thethird ball of the 38th over, Lancashire finishing on 189 for 5. Themainstays of the Lancashire innings were Mark Chilton, who made 49, AlecSwann who was run out on 47 and Mal Loye. Loye came in towards the end ofthe innings when quick runs were needed, hit three 6’s and his score helpedset up the win inside the required overs.Earlier the Lancashire bowlers enjoyed the best of the exchanges whenWestern Province batted. Peter Martin took two wickets with the first 3balls of the match, finishing with 2 for 27 off 9 overs. John Wood turnedin an excellent spell of 2 for 23 again off 9 overs while there were wicketsfor Steven Crook (2 for 48 off 8 overs), Gary Yates (1 for 35 off 9 overs)and Glen Chapple (1 for 40 off 8 overs). Western Province ended on 188 for9 off 45 overs.Today’s final is a day/night match starting at 2.30pm – Local time.

v Somerset 18-21 April (Bristol)
v Northants 23-26 April (Northants)
v Durham 30 Apr to 3 May (Durham)

Spearman HardingesWeston RussellHancock FisherRhodes BallWindows SillenceTaylor SmithAlleyne Lewis

Director of Cricket, John Bracewell advises, “the rationale behind selecting a squad for 3 games is for both those selected and those no picked to have clearly defined goals for the period and to establish themselves or to make readjustments to in order to be considered for selection. Further, breaking the season into bite sized chunks helps us to stay focused, to apply more of an `event’ philosophy rather than just react to a long list of fixtures. We have a really competitive squad and we want to keep it that way.”Team v Somerset

Spearman WestonHancock RhodesWindows AlleyneRussell FisherSillence LewisSmith

Somerset duly recorded their third county championship win of the season to keep themselves right up at the top of the Division Two table, but they didn’t have things all their own way on the final day at the Hampshire Rosebowl.Resuming this morning on 239 for 6, the hosts lost Derek Kenway without further addition to his overnight score of 94, when he was caught by wicket-keeper Rob Turner off the bowling of Nixon McLean.The Hamphire lower order batsmen proved quite difficult to remove, but eventually Simon Francis accounted for Shaun Udall (34), whilst McLean bowled Chris Tremlett for 43, and then removed Alan Mullally for no score as the hosts were dismissed for 306 just before lunchtime.McLean ended the second innings with 4 for 64 to give him match figures of 8 for 95, Mike Burns ended with 3 for 64 and Francis 2 for 81.Requiring 128 for victory, the Cidermen were struggling at 35 for 3, after losing Matt Wood, Rob Turner and Jamie Cox cheaply. Burns was out with the score on 59, but a sensible innings from James Bryant (39 not out) and a typically hard hit 41 from Ian Blackwell saw the visitors home to a six wicket victory and twenty valuable points.At the end of the game Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "It’s always to good to get a win and this was an excellent all round effort from the team. This morning Hampshire had a couple of niggling partnerships, and then they bowled well."He continued: " From our point of view Nixon McLean and Simon Francis, supported by Mike Burns and Gareth Andrew bowled well for us, and then James Bryant played very well in a difficult situation, before Ian Blackwell came in and took the game from them."The two sides meet again tomorrow in the National Cricket League at the Rosebowl, and with each side having one victory under their belts both side will be looking for victory.Somerset recall Steffan Jones, Keith Parsons and Carl Gazzard for the NCL match in place of Matt Wood, Peter Bowler and Nixon McLean.

Richard Johnson, the uncapped Somerset fast bowler, is the one newname in England’s squad of 12 for the second npower Test againstZimbabwe, which starts at Chester-le-Street on Thursday (June 5).Johnson replaces Matthew Hoggard from the side that won the firstTest, at Lord’s, by an innings inside three days. Hoggard injured hisknee earlier this week playing for Yorkshire in the C&G Trophy. JamesKirtley, 12th man at Lord’s, retains his place in the squad, and the lastplace in the starting XI probably lies between those two. Johnson mightjust edge it by virtue of his better batting credentials – earlier thisyear he smote his maiden first-class century.Johnson, who’s now 28, has been close to England selection before: after a good 1995 season with his then-county Middlesex, he was chosen for the winter tour of South Africa, but had to pull out with back trouble. He was also called up fortwo Tests of the 2001 Ashes series, but missed out when the teamwas named, and toured India in 2001-02 without making the Test side.David Graveney, England’s chairman of selectors, said: “RichardJohnson has been in our plans for a while and has been selected nowthat he is fully fit again after suffering from a groin strain earlier inthe season. He is in good form and is a bowler who is capable of 90mphpace and making the ball swing.”The only other absentee from the squad called up for Lord’s is AndyFlintoff, who is still unable to bowl after injuring his shoulder. But heshowed yesterday that he can still bat, hammering a rapid 154 forLancashire against Kent at Canterbury.Graveney explained: “Andrew Flintoff is back playing for Lancashire asa batsman and we will continue to monitor his fitness. But we did notconsider him for this Test match as we feel that he is not yet ready forthe rigours of a five-day game.”Flintoff’s replacement, Anthony McGrath, is set to retain his place after apromising debut at Lord’s – he scored 69 and took three wickets -even though he picked up a side injury that will restrict his bowling.Either Johnson or Kirtley will be winning his first cap, but the focus onThursday will be on another Test debutant. The Riverside ground atChester-le-Street in Durham will be England’s first new Test venue for101 years – since Sheffield’s Bramall Lane in 1902. England lost thatgame to Australia and never played in Sheffield again, but theRiverside, with its clean stands and room to breathe, should have amuch rosier future.England Squad Marcus Trescothick (Somerset), Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire),Mark Butcher (Surrey), Nasser Hussain (capt, Essex), Robert Key (Kent), Alec Stewart (wkt, Surrey), Anthony McGrath (Yorkshire), Ashley Giles (Warwickshire),Richard Johnson (Somerset), Stephen Harmison (Durham), James Anderson (Lancashire), James Kirtley (Sussex).

England 95 for 4 (Flintoff 47*, Streak 4-21) beat Zimbabwe 92 (Gough 4-26) by six wicketsMichael Vaughan
On Darren Gough (4 for 26): Throughout the tournament he has bowled well and been an invaluable member of the squad. Throughout the one-dayers this summer he has been a lynchpin in the team.On the pitch: If the game finishes so early in front of a big crowd you might obviously think it is not a great wicket. [But] it was definitely very sporting – I wouldn’t have minded being a bowler out there. Jimmy struggled to control the swing, because it was doing so much.On the chase: It was always going to be a tricky little total, and the way Heath Streak bowled put us under pressure. But Flintoff did really well, in his new role batting up the order from No. 7. This was the perfect opportunity for him to go out and play the way he did and settle our nerves from 25 for 4. We had to win, because the pressure was on to get to the final. I am pretty pleased with the way we bowled and fielded – and the way Freddie batted was outstanding.Heath Streak
On the pitch: It was not a good one-day wicket. There was too much emphasis on the toss. There was a lot of moisture out there and early movement. It was tough even for their [England’s] players who are used to swing and seam bowling. We don’t have a lot of experience to call on.On retirement: I’ve no immediate plans to go anywhere. I’m still enjoying my cricket. You’re always up against it as Zimbabwe. Not much has changed.On his team: We have a very young side, and the guys have to learn a lot from this tour. It’s tough but it’s also very rewarding to see the youngsters coming through. I hope they can go away and have a bit of a break and be better players next time they come and play in these conditions.

Northamptonshire recorded a double over Hampshire in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at the Rose Bowl today, when they reached their set target of 330 with some twelve overs to spare.In the hot sun, the Hampshire bowlers toiled, and did not find the wicket quite as bowler friendly as they did the previous day.Mike Hussey, Northamptonshire’s Australian captain and David Sales shared a 159-run partnership, this after Tim Roberts has been dismissed off Chris Tremlett’s first ball of the morning and Phil Jaques was well caught at forward-short-leg by John Francis.Although both batsmen were out just before the tea interval, Hussey, who compiled exactly 100 and hit 13 fours and Sales, a 125-ball score of 75 with 11 fours and a six, the partnership had set up the remaining batsmen towards victory.Mike Powell and Rob White then took their side to within twelve runs of the win. Shaun Udal took the burden of the overs, bowling 34 as he tried everything in his armory to dislodge the visiting batsmen.Simon Katich, the bowling hero of the first innings, found life much more difficult. His ten overs going for 56 runs. James Bruce took two wickets and showed some guts as he bravely battled, but all was in vein.The mutterings around the Rose Bowl were of whether John Crawley had declared too soon the previous evening. But in fairness, Northamptonshire batted soundly and deserved their victory.

Umpires through all levels of cricket in New Zealand this summer will not be giving explanations to players for their decisions.No longer will there be the signal of which way an umpire thought the ball was going after a leg-before-wicket appeal and there will be no comments on why, or why not, a particular bat-pad catch appeal was not upheld.New Zealand Cricket’s umpires manager Brian Aldridge said today that the policy of not explaining to players the reason for particular decisions was being employed on a trial basis but it was his belief that it would become a permanent policy, especially if, as he imagined, it was employed by all nations in the future.”It will take players a while to get used to and there may be the odd umpire who will break ranks in an attempt to keep in with the players,” Aldridge said. But he believed the policy of giving an explanation in the interests of communication had backfired.Players, once given a reason, had sometimes taken issue with the decision and this had been the cause of many of the code of conduct violations that have occurred. The decision to abandon the policy has been backed by New Zealand Cricket and it will be implemented this season.Player reactions to decision-making was just one area of potential conflict and removing it was one small step in reducing the opportunity for problems to develop. Aldridge said the reaction of players, even at club level, had been making it difficult to retain umpires who felt they could do without some of the problems that developed.