England in India

Opener Marcus Trescothick hit the fastest one-day century ever by an Englishman against India in Calcutta but it was in vain as the tourists crashed to a 22-run defeat.

No other England batsman could pass Nasser Hussain's 25 and the home attack rebounded to take the last six wickets fell for 35 runs, bowling the tourists out for 259 in the opening match of the series.

Trescothick, who took just 80 balls to reach his second limited overs ton, was out in controversial fashion for 121. Replays showed clearly that the delivery from Javagal Srinath which was adjudged to have had Tresocthick lbw had pitched well outside leg stump.

Andrew Flintoff, the last recognised batsman, was run out for 23 by a throw from Harbhajan Singh at deep point.
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England captain Nasser Hussain has asked the match referee to act after India's 22-run victory in Calcutta was aided by two dubious lbw decisions from the umpires.

"I hope the ICC match referee has a look at things," Hussain told Radio Five Live. "I'm tired of commenting on umpires decisions every other game.

"My team were certainly not the losers out there. Cricket lost out a little bit but certainly not my team."

Triangular in Australia

Chris Cairns hammered a brilliant unbeaten 102 to steer New Zealand to their first one-day win over South Africa since March 1999.

The Kiwis were heading for defeat on 98 for five, but Cairns dominated stands of 62 with Chris Harris and 84 with Adam Parore as they moved to the top of the VB Series table. He rounded off the match in style by driving the first delivery of the final over to the extra cover fence to reach the fourth limited overs century of his career.

South Africa went into the game as favourites having beaten the Black Caps in the nine previous one-day meetings between the two sides, but paid the price for losing last five wickets for 10 runs.

They were all out for 241, with paceman Shane Bond returning figures of four for 37.
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Steve Waugh has been forced to defend his form and future as a one-day cricketer as Australia's slump put the Waugh twins under heavy scrutiny.

Mark's one-day career is hanging by a thread and he needs a start -- and a decent score -- against South Africa at the Gabba today to ensure his place in a squad which will be re-selected at the end of the game.

Steve's role as captain guarantees his presence a little longer but he is also under mounting pressure to perform as an anguished Australian selection panel prepares to usher in a new generation.

Miscellaneous

Star batsman Andy Flower has hit out at Zimbabwe's system of racial quotas as a major factor behind his side's recent poor form.

Current Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) policy requires three non-white players in the side at all times.

"I think it is crazy," Flower told Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine. "There is definitely scope for integration from the B side downwards but not on the international stage."

And Flower described a ZCU plan for the side to be captained by a non-white in the World Cup in 12 months' time as "disgusting". "You pick the best man for the job, regardless of the colour of his skin," he said.

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