Flintoff can be England's Gilchrist: Boycott

England cricket great Geoffrey Boycott has said Andrew Flintoff could be an even more effective one-day international player if he was promoted to open the innings from his current number five berth.

Boycott, in an article reviewing England's one-day home season for today's Daily Telegraph newspaper, wrote, "For me Andrew Flintoff has been a revelation and shown he is England's most valuable player.

"Personally, I feel we need to experiment to find his best batting position. He can do so much damage so quickly that I would like to see him tried as an opener.

"Adam Gilchrist of Australia moved from Test middle-order to one-day opener with amazing results.

"Like Gilchrist, Flintoff could soon put the bowling side on the defensive and wondering what the hell has hit them," former England opener said.

England, under new one-day captain Michael Vaughan, beat Pakistan 2-1 and, having lost their opening match against Zimbabwe, defeated South Africa by seven wickets in Saturday's triangular series final at Lord's.

These were early successes for a largely new-look side which England chiefs hope will form the nucleus of their 2007 World Cup team.

Two genuine all-rounders can make India unbeatable : Kapil

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev feels that induction of a fifth regular bowler and two genuine all-rounders in the national cricket team can make it an "unbeatable side".

"The present indian side is far better than previous ones and if a regular fifth bowler and two allrounders are inducted into it, it can become almost invincible," Kapil Dev said at Moradabad on Monday.

Praising youngsters Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh, he said when these two players "found their right rhythm" they could change the course of the game.

Dismissing reports of partiality in the selection of the team, Kapil Dev said since the squad was selected by the five-member selection panel and the team captain together there was no possibility of any discrimination and partiality towards any individual.

Bangladesh series important for cricket

It may have the look of the biggest mis-match in cricket history but opening batsman Justin Langer says Australia's two-Test series against modest Bangladesh is important for cricket.

Despite Bangladesh's woeful Test record, Langer said he looked forward to the series between the world's top and bottom-ranked teams, which starts at Marrara Oval Darwin on Friday.

"I will certainly be respectful to the Bangladeshis, they've earned the right to play Test cricket," Langer said at Darwin on Tuesday.

Bangladesh have endured 18 losses and one rained-out draw in their 19 Tests.

"I'm looking forward to it, particularly playing in Darwin and Cairns, it's a good opportunity for cricket.

"It's great for cricket in general. I think it's important not to look at your own backyard, but it's always a bigger picture.

"It's great to have Bangladesh playing a Test match against Australia."

In contrast to Bangladesh's struggling start to Test status, the top-ranked Australians have won 285 of their 640 Tests with 174 losses, 179 draws and two ties.

Langer said he didn't know much about his opposition before the series which concludes with the second Test in Cairns, in north Queensland.

"We've got our first team meeting tomorrow, so I'm sure we will have video footage and plenty of information about them," he said.

Brancker, Melhado to head 2007 World Cup organisation

Businessman Rawle Brancker, a former Barbados and West Indies cricketer, will head the board of directors of Cricket World Cup 2007, cricket officials said at Bridgetown.

The West Indies Cricket Board approved Brancker's appointment as chairman, and that of Jamaican Owen Karl as deputy chairman, at the annual meeting in Roseau, Dominica, over the weekend.

The 65-year-old Brancker, a left-handed all-rounder, toured England with the West Indies team in 1966 and played 47 first-class matches between 1956 and 1970.

He is currently chairman and president of the Brancker Corp., a business that he started and has run successfully in Barbados since 1976. Brancker has also served on the boards of a number of prominent regional companies.

Melhado is a shareholder and vice chairman of Red Stripe beer, a company with a close association to West Indies cricket through its sponsorship of regional first-class and one-day tournaments since 1988.

He is also a former chief executive officer of major corporations such as IBM Jamaica, Jamaica Commodity Trading Corp., and the Social Development Corp.

The other members of the board were approved by the WICB and will be announced later in the week.

Smith posts century as Gibbs struggles again

South African captain Graeme Smith made 152 as the tourists took charge on the opening day of the their three-day match against Somerset at Taunton on Tuesday.

Smith's innings was the centrepiece of South Africa's 326 for four declared as they looked to put last weekend's triangular series final defeat by England behind them and focus on next week's first Test at Edgbaston.

However, after winning the toss, Smith saw opening partner Herschelle Gibbs post another low score.

Gibbs, who managed just one double-figure innings in South Africa's six one-day matches, was bowled for four by Somerset quick Steffan Jones.

But experienced batsman Gary Kirsten, in his first match following his post World Cup one-day international retirement, found his form quickly with 66.

Neil McKenzie, another included in just the Test squad, made his mark with 66 not out.

At stumps, Somerset were 38 without loss.

Left-hander Smith, at 22, South Africa's youngest-ever captain, took advantage of a Somerset attack lacking England duo Andrew Caddick and Richard Johnson as well as West Indies'Nixon McLean.

He faced 214 balls and hit 27 fours before calling a halt to the innings.

Smith and fellow left-hander Kirsten accumulated steadily in a partnership of 163.

But Kirsten, whose fifty came off 92 balls including one six and seven fours, was out when a sweep off left-arm spinner Ian Blackwell was caught by Wes Durston at square leg.

Boeta Dippenaar (17) then fell to Durston's off-spin before McKenzie injected some impetus during a 97-ball knock featuring two sixes and nine fours.

Meanwhile, Smith, shortly after reaching 150, was dismissed when a pull off medium-pacer Keith Parsons to square leg was held by Gareth Andrew.

The declaration was not long in coming and before the close there was time for 14 overs and quicks Dewald Pretorious and Charl Willoughby bowled seven apiece.

After this match, South Africa have one more warm-up fixture, another three-day encounter, against India 'A' at Arundel in Sussex, before playing England in the first of five Tests, starting at Edgbaston on July 24.