India's tour of West Indies

First Test, Georgetown, day one:
West Indies 1st innings 270-4 at close of first day v India.

Brian Lara went for a duck but captain Carl Hooper led from the front with an unbeaten 108 as West Indies ended the opening day of the first Test against India on 270 for four.

The West Indies skipper, who had elected to bat first on winning the toss in Guyana, shared a patient 113-run stand for the fourth wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan (53).

He then added another brisk unbeaten 113 for the fifth with Shivnaraine Chanderpaul (57 not out).

Hooper brought up his 11th test hundred cutting leg-spinner Anil Kumble to the third-man fence. "I've been desperate to make a 100 before my home crowd for so long that when the moment finally arrives you can allow to let yourself go," said the jubilant Hooper.

Match report | Scorecard

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Indian batsman Virender Sehwag is hoping he can still play some part in the tour to the West Indies.

The 23-year-old is still receving treatment for a shoulder injury suffered during the recent home series against Zimbabwe.

But he hopes to be able to submit a fitness certificate to the Board of Control for Cricket in India in two weeks.

He could then be sent to the Caribbean for the one-day series whch follows the five Test matches.

"Presently I am undergoing physiotherapy and muscle strengthening exercises," he told the Press Trust of India.

"If the pain subsides, I will go to nets for practice and later submit a fitness report to stake a claim for the one-day side."

Sharjah

Sharjah Cup, match three:
New Zealand 237-8 lose to Pakistan 288-6 by 51 runs.

New Zealand have been comfortably beaten by Pakistan with all teams in the three nations tournament now on four points after two matches.

Pakistan almost went to the top of the tree, but the Kiwis just saved the bonus point in the penultimate over.

New Zealand were always likely to struggle attempting to reach such a huge target. Chris Nevin and Nathan Astle put on 32 for the first wicket, but Astle's dismissal to Wasim Akram for 12 in the fifth over heralded a difficult period for the Kiwis.

Miscellaneous

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes their one-day team still has room for improvement despite their 5-1 victory in South Africa.

Following the squad's return home, Ponting identified the the need to find a quality all-rounder as an area of particular concern.

Ian Harvey has filled the role in recent years, but managed only five wickets in five games at a cost of 46.25 runs each and his highest score was 19.

Ponting's Tasmanian teammate Shane Watson also failed to impress on his first tour with the senior side, averaging 9.25 with the bat and conceding runs at almost six an over. "The all-rounder's spot is probably one we would like to make a little bit better," acknowledged Ponting.

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Waqar Younis has been re-appointed as Pakistan's captain for the forthcoming home series against New Zealand.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has retained its faith in pace bowler Waqar despite the recent home defeat by Sri Lanka in the Asian Test Championship final and they are currently in charge of the team at the Sharjah Cup one-day competition.

"Although I foresee him leading Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup, we stick to our policy of appointing the captain series by series.

"We want to keep a check on the team's performance, his fitness and his performance," explained PCB chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia.

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Australia's tour of Pakistan is likely to be reduced to just two Test matches because of its proximity to the early start to next summer's Ashes series.

The four-yearly visit to Pakistan in September and October was scheduled to include at least three Tests, as has been the case in all series between the two countries over the past 30 years.

But the final itinerary, which is due to be completed next week, appears set to forsake the final Test to allow the Australian players sufficient time to prepare for the five-Test home series against England.

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