England in New Zealand

England all-rounder Ben Hollioake believes the team will bounce back from their 155-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.

England head into Wednesday's third match in the series 2-0 down and needing a win to stay in with a chance of winning the one-day series.

Hollioake, who is battling to regain fitness, described England's capitulation as "very disappointing".

"I am sure the boys are holding their hands up and admitting they were poor," he added.

Miscellaneous

The International Cricket Council has been forced to postpone the inaugural meeting of the panel commissioned to investigate the Mike Denness affair.

The match referee unwittingly caused pandemonium in the game late last year, and ICC president Malcolm Gray is angry at the current state of affairs.

Pressure from within the game's governing body has meant Gray's hand has been forced, in what the Indian board will view as a victory for their corner.

Scotsman Denness caused a rift between the ICC and the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) when India had him sacked without the permission of the world governing body.

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Shane Warne will not face any action by police investigating an alleged attempt to blackmail the Australian Cricket Board.

It is claimed that a man attempted to obtain money and tickets from the ACB in return for his silence over an incident in which a teenage girl was supposedly kissed by a player at the Gold Coast resort last month.

Victorian state police are satisfied that no such incident took place.

"The cricketers simply came down for a meal and they have done absolutely nothing wrong," said a spokesman.

Australia vs South Africa

An unrepentant Brett Lee has promised a rough ride for South Africa's batsmen when he returns to the fast bowlers' playground in Johannesburg on Friday.

Lee recorded his fastest delivery at the Wanderers ground two years ago when he sent down a 156km/h lightning bolt - a speed which could be challenged in Johannesburg's thin air in the first Test against the confidence-sapped Proteas.

And Lee hasn't taken fright at the criticism of his controversial summer, highlighted by a rash of bouncers at South African tailender Nantie Hayward during the first Test in Adelaide in December.

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Out-of-favour opening batsman Michael Slater will draw on the inspiration of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer in a bid to reclaim his Test spot.

Slater, replaced in Steve Waugh's team by Langer in August and dumped from the NSW team last month, yesterday felt he was a "strong chance" to don the Baggy Green again and drew strength from the performances of the incumbent Aussie opening partnership.

"He (Langer) thought he wasn't going to play a Test match, maybe ever again, but certainly on that tour (of England)," Slater said.

Women's cricket

Australia aim to make home advantage count when the two best sides in women's cricket begin a six-match series on Wednesday.

The Rose Bowl trophy will be at stake against New Zealand, and Belinda Clark's team have an added incentive as they try to avenge their four-run defeat in the 2000 World Cup final.

Australia have won 12 of the 16 series between the teams since the Rose Bowl was inaugurated in 1978-79.

But there is a new format this year, with a points system to determine the winners, rather than the number of victories.

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The England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to target the tourist trade when international cricket is played on the island of Jersey for the first time this summer.

The Grainville club will stage three matches in a triangular one-day series featuring the England, New Zealand and India women's teams.

They will take place in mid-July when the Channel Islands will be full of holiday makers and the ECB hopes they can attract sizeable crowds to the games by advertising in hotels.

"The island is full of tourists at that time and we'll obviously targetting them with a view to them coming to watch and support the games," said Chris Minty, ECB development officer for the Channel Islands.

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