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Kiwis delay brawl report
February 25, 2003 16:18 IST
New Zealand cricket chiefs Tuesday delayed releasing the results of their inquiry into the team's infamous Durban nightclub brawl.
The fracas at the Tiger, Tiger club in the early hours of Friday left star all-rounder Chris Cairns with a cut lip after the incident which was reportedly caused when some players removed their shirts and danced the haka, the Maori war-dance associated with the country's All Blacks rugby team.
A spokesman for New Zealand Cricket said the findings would be released Wednesday - when the Kiwis face Bangladesh at Kimberley.
Team manager Jeff Crowe forwarded his report about the incident to NZC on Monday, but chief executive Martin Snedden delayed its release to clarify some points.
The spokesman added that NZC wanted to interview some of the nine players who were at the club at the time again.
It is understood that both Cairns and wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum are facing a fine for their involvement in the brawl.
Meanwhile, eight days after defeating co-hosts South Africa in Johannesburg, Stephen Fleming's men get down to business in a mad scramble to make the Super Sixes from Group B.
Kenya's shock win over Sri Lanka yesterday further complicated the race, leaving New Zealand to win both their remaining matches against Bangladesh and Canada to stay in contention.
"This is a very important game," Fleming said.
"The long break has been good for us but we are leaving nothing to chance because we need to improve our run-rate besides putting four more points on the board."
Fleming insisted his team had got over the night club brawl.
"Whatever happened off the field is behind us and we are focussed for our last two games," he said, adding the win over South Africa was just the morale booster his team needed.
"We're feeling confident and convinced that we can come out of the first round well," said the New Zealand captain who smashed a match-winning century against Shaun Pollock's home team.
The Black Caps, who lost to Sri Lanka in their first game but defeated the West Indies, have relatively easier outings against the weakest teams in the group.
They must, however, hope Sri Lanka lose to both West Indies and South Africa to allow them to carry extra points in the Super Sixes.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, are determined to put up a better show after losing three games while the fourth against the West Indies was washed out.
"It has been a disappointing show by our team but I hope the boys pull up their socks and end the tournament on a high note," captain Khaled Mashud said. "We know we hardly have a chance against New Zealand but we must fight all the way."
Teams (from):
New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Andre Adams, Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, Shane Bond, Craig McMillan, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey, Mathew Sinclair.
Bangladesh: Khaled Mashud (capt), Al Sahariar, Alok Kapali, Habibul Bashar, Hannan Sarker, Ehsanul Haque, Sanwar Hossain, Khaled Mahmud, Manjurul Islam, Akram Khan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Rafique, Talha Jubair, Tapash Baisya, Tushar Imran.
Umpires: David Shepherd (England), Darrell Hair (Australia).
TV umpire: Brian Jerling (RSA).
Match referee: Mike Procter
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