Smith thanks Hussain for 'motivation'
South Africa captain Graeme Smith stoked a simmering war of words with Nasser Hussain on Thursday by thanking the England captain for helping to motivate his side before the first Test.
Smith, who scored 178 not out as his side amassed 398 for one on the first day at Edgbaston, said Hussain's suggestions in the run-up to the match that there was a rift in the South Africa camp had charged up his players.
"It definitely does play a role in motivating you," Smith said. "We thought those comments were a lot of rubbish. We took those to heart."
Trescothick confident despite finger fracture
England opener Marcus Trescothick is confident of batting against South Africa despite breaking a bone in the tip of his right index finger while fielding on the first day of the first Test on Thursday.
England coach Duncan Fletcher said, "We will have to find out in the morning (on Friday). It depends. He felt quite confident tonight.
"It's a minor fracture and the right hand is hidden away for a left-handed batsman."
An X-ray revealed the break. An England team spokesman said Trescothick would be given ice treatment overnight.
ICC meeting at CCI
The heavyweights of international cricket administration will converge at the Cricket Club of India in September for the International Cricket Council's Cricket Committee - Management (CCM) meeting.
CCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur told Mumbai eveninger Mid-Day on Thursday that his club is delighted at the ICC's choice of venue.
ICC's Project Officer Jon Long said from London that the meeting would be held in India on September 18 and 19 without confirming the venue. The meet would bring together chief executives of Test-playing boards to discuss all issues in world cricket.
The contract crisis between the ICC and the Indian cricket board is without doubt a major issue and chances are that a solution could emerge in the Mumbai session. Ehsan Mani, who succeeded Malcolm Gray, will visit India for the first time as head of the ICC.
"No place would offer so much. We have the best facilities at the CCI and to top it all, a great ambience," said Dungarpur, the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Lord's performers to be honoured
The CCI plans to honour Indian players who have taken five wickets in an innings or scored a hundred at Lord's. A unique glass paperweight with the grass of Lord's in it will be presented to them on October 19.
A family member of players who are dead will be invited too.
Before critics slam him for his undying love for Lord's, Dungarpur hit across the line as it were:
"People will say I am an Anglophile but if the holy water of Ganga can be preserved, why not grass of the most hallowed cricket ground in the world?"
Dungarpur stressed that performances will not be restricted to Test cricket.
"Sunil Gavaskar did not get a Test hundred at Lord's but he scored 188 for Rest of the World vs MCC in 1987. Sunny will be honoured too."
Dilip Vengsarkar was a stand-out performer with three hundreds in four Tests at Lord's. The erstwhile India captain slammed tons in 1979, 1982 and 1986.
"Unfortunately, some former players like Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri (century-maker in the Lord's Test of 1990) will be away on commentary duty. And yes, Mohammad Azharuddin will be invited too," said Dungarpur.
There are plans to invite Charles Fry, the next president of the Marylebone Cricket Club. He is the grandson of legendary English cricket legend C B Fry. Roger Knight, the MCC's secretary and chief executive will be there too.
Tom Graveney, the first Englishman to score a Test century at the Brabourne stadium (175 in 1951-52) is also being invited and will be duly honoured.
