Triangular series in Australia

VB Series 2nd final, Sydney:
South Africa 173-4 (38.1 overs) beat New Zealand 175 all out (41.1 overs) by six wickets (D/L method).

South Africa won the series 2-0.

Jonty Rhodes made an unbeaten 61 as South Africa blanked New Zealand in the VB Series finals with a six-wicket victory in Sydney.

Allan Donald and Jacques Kallis took three wickets each to bowl the Kiwis out for 175 in a rain-affected match. And Rhodes led the side home with eight overs to spare, his innings occupying just 68 deliveries.
Scorecard | Images | Report

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New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming tipped South Africa as the team to beat at next year's World Cup following his side's 2-0 defeat in the best-of-three VB Series final.

His side were not able to match the all-round efficiency of Shaun Pollock's side, who have now won 17 of their last 18 one-day matches against the Kiwis.

"A lot can happen in 12 months, but at this stage they're the form horse. They play a very good style of cricket and they're a well-rounded team," said Fleming.

South Africa will have home advantage for the World Cup, but will be conscious that no host nation has yet lifted the trophy - although Sri Lanka were co-hosts in 1996, the final was played in Pakistan.

West Indies and Pakistan in Sharjah

Second Test, Sharjah, day two:
Pakistan 1st innings 472; West Indies 1st innings 164-4 (at close).

Pakistan's spinners gave them the upper hand after West Indies had mounted a determined fightback.

Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi and Danish Kaneria claimed a wicket each after their opponents had reached 88 for one in reply to Pakistan's 472 all out.

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Leeward Islands all-rounder Runako Morton has been called up to the West Indies squad for the series against Pakistan in Sharjah.

The 23-year-old from Nevis will take the place of Marlon Samuels who underwent arthroscopic surgery in Sharjah on Wednesday.

After a successful Busta Cup season two years ago, he was among 20 players called to a West Indies training camp prior to a two-Test home series against Zimbabwe but was not selected.

Miscellaneous

Glamorgan are in discussions with former Pakistan cricket skipper Wasim Akram to fill their overseas player post for 2002.

The Welsh county have made the 35-year-old Test all-rounder an offer, but Wasim wants to play a reduced programme of matches.

The former Lancashire captain is concerned about his fitness ahead of the 2003 World Cup, and hopes he can conclude a deal to enable him to stay injury-free for the competition.

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Former West Indies fast bowler Wes Hall has faith that the current policy of blooding younger players will take the Caribbean side back to the top of world cricket in the next few years.

"We will rise again. It won't be next year but certainly in a year or two," the West Indies Cricket Board president told BBC World Service.

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Lord Condon, head of the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), will fly to Sharjah next week to review new security measures at the desert venue.

These measures, implemented following recommendations made by the ACU last April, include a ban on mobile phones in player dressing rooms, and security cameras to combat illegal book-makers.

"Although members of the ACU have been working closely with the Emirates authorities for some time, this will be my first visit to Sharjah," Condon said in a statement on Friday.

Under-19 World Cup

Zimbabwe (247-1) beat Nepal (110 all out in 35.4 overs) by 137 runs.

Zimbabwe ended Nepal's dream run in the Plate Championship final of the Under-19 World Cup with a comfortable 137-run victory on Friday.

Replying to Zimbabwe's 247 for one, Nepal were bowled out for 110 with fast bowler Waddington Mwayenga and spinner Hamilton Masakadza doing most of the damage.

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Already strong favourites to win Saturday's Under-19 World Cup final, Australia received an extra boost on the eve of their meeting with South Africa, when Steve Waugh phoned.

Waugh, who captained the senior side to glory in the 1999 World Cup, rang to pass on advice and best wishes to Cameron White and his side, who have yet to lose in the tournament.

"We have been absolutely thrilled with the support that we have received from back home," coach Wayne Phillips said. "It has been a major factor in our success so far."

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