Srikkanth to appear in a movie

Srikkanth makes his 'debut' in movies

Former India batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth will make his 'debut' in movies when the Tamil film 'Periyamana Tozhi', starring popular hero Madhavan, is released next month.

However, Srikkanth said he is not enamoured about it (acting in movies) and it would be his "first and last" appearance in films.

The dashing opener makes his appearance in the film for a few seconds in the role of a cricket coach to Madhavan, the hero.

Srikkanth said the movie was produced by Gukan of AVM, who is a close family friend. "I could not refuse to oblige Gukan and Madhavan," he said.

Madhavan, a brand ambassador for Pepsi and Air Tel, had worked with Srikkanth for Sony Max during the Mini World Cup in Sri Lanka last September.

Former cricketers like Salim Durrani, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, S.M.H Kirmani and Ajay Jadeja have acted in films.

No rest for Zimbabwe against Middlesex

Zimbabwe found Middlesex in unforgiving mood yesterday as the English county piled up 330 for five on the first day of their four-day tour match at Shenlmbabwe.

Zimbabwe, who went down by an innings and 92-runs to England inside three days at the first Test at Lord's last week, once again did not help their cause with some lax fielding and poor bowling.

At Lord's, centurion Mark Butcher was put down before he made 40 while, yesterday, it was Robin Weston's turn to benefit. He eventually made 129 but only after seeing Stuart Carlisle at point floor a routine catch off paceman Mluleki Nkala when he had made 19.

And some wayward bowling allowed Ireland's Ed Joyce (80) and England one-day reject Owais Shah (68) to cash in.

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, resting from this match along with fellow quick bowlers Andy Blignaut and Douglas Hondo, warned his team in the aftermath of their Lord's defeat that they needed to tighten up in the field if they were not to suffer similar embarrassment in the second and final Test which starts at Durham's Riverside Ground on Thursday.

Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh reinforced the message once more yesterday: "It was a tough day in the field. We tended to bowl too short and too wide.

"On a wicket like that you need to keep a tight line," former Australia opening batsman Marsh added.

Vengsarkar to continue as MCA selection committee chairman

Buoyed by their recent Ranji Trophy triumph, the Mumbai Cricket Association has decided to continue with former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar as the chairman of the selection committee.

"The other three selectors are former Indian paceman Raju Kulkarni and ex-Ranji players Abdul Ismail and Sanjay Patil, MCA joint secretary Prof Ratnakar Shetty said.

Vengsarkar is also the vice-president of the MCA.

"Sanjay Patil will be the chairman of the under-19 selection committee while Bharat Nadkarni, Kiran Mokashi and Deepak Jadhav will be the three selectors", he said.

Kiran Mokashi will be the chairman of the under-17 selection committee with Tukaram Surve, Ravi Thakkar and former Test cricketer Praveehe selectors while Amre will be the chairman of the under-15 selection committee with Hemu Dalvi, Umesh Kulkarni and Shankar More being the three selectors, Shetty said.

Former India stumper Chandrakant Pandit has been retained as Mumbai Ranji team coach after his stupendous success this year while Mumbai skipper Paras Mhambrey, who too played a big part in his team's success and announced his retirement from first class cricket on Saturday, will be the under-25 coach.

Other coaches include Dinesh Nanavaty (under-19), Vasu Paranjpe (under-17) and Suru Nayak (under-15).

Zaheer preparing to tackle Australian aggression

Indian left-arm pace bowler Zaheer Khan is preparing himself to tackle the Australian "on field aggression" when the Aussies come down to India later this year.

About his plans for countering the Australian aggression, visible both in their play and body language, Zaheer said "you will see in December".

Zaheer, who was speaking at the launch of Hero Honda's 223 cc Karizma bike, said during the off-season he is focussing on his fitness.

"We (team members) have been given a special programme by our trainer and I am following the same," he said.

After the hectic World Cup, where India finished runners-up, the team proceeded to Dhaka to participate in a triangular series in April where they were the joint winners.

The new season for India starts in October 2003 with New Zealand and Australia coming over followed by the team's  tour of Australia.

"I am looking forward to the new season and am just preparing for it," Zaheer said.

The left-arm pace bowler bowled 88.2 overs in 11 World Cup matches to scalp 18 wickets at an average of 20.77 to emerge as India's most successful bowler in the tournament. He was topped only by Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka), Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath (both Australians) in terms of wickets.

Zaheer was tapped by Warwickshire for the county season as replacement for New Zealand's Shane Bond but the stint could not materialise as he was not available for two of the four-day games.