Former Zimbabwe all-rounder Curran dies

Updated October 11, 2012 11:33:29

Kevin Curran, the former Zimbabwean all-rounder and coach, has died in Mutare at the age of 53 after collapsing on a morning run while preparing his franchise team for a domestic game.

Curran made his international debut aged 20 and was an integral part of the Zimbabwe team at the 1983 and 1987 World Cups but played the majority of his cricket for English counties Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire and for Natal in South Africa.

He was known throughout his playing career for his physical fitness and stamina and retired in 1999 after a first-class career spanning over two decades.

"He was the epitome of good health ... we are still coming to terms with this tragic loss, we are in shock," said Zimbabwe Cricket's managing director, Wilfred Mukondiwa.

Curran returned to Zimbabwe in 2004 to take up a full-time position as director of the national academy and coach of the under-19 team but assumed the role of national coach a year later following the departure of West Indian Phil Simmons.

He had been head coach at the Harare-based franchise, Mashonaland Eagles, and was about to start a game against the Mountaineers. The match was postponed.

"He was a great believer in the future of Zimbabwe Cricket and he came back to this country to help the rebuilding and restructuring process," said former captain and ZC's director of cricket, Alistair Campbell.

"He will be desperately missed by everyone, not least by his son, Sam, who was Zimbabwe's junior cricketer of the year last year. He had a father he can be proud of for the rest of his life."

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, zimbabwe

First posted October 11, 2012 07:25:13

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Proteas send Zimbabwe out of World Cup

Updated September 21, 2012 06:23:43

Jacques Kallis recorded the best Twenty20 figures for his country to inspire South Africa to a convincing 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a Group C match at Hambantota on Thursday.

The 36-year-old all-rounder grabbed 4 for 15 and was well supported by Morne Morkel's 2 for 16 as Zimbabwe were kept down to 8 for 93 - their second lowest total in all Twenty20 internationals - after they were put into bat.

Openers Richard Levi then notched 50 not out and Hashim Amla an unbeaten 32 to knock off the low target in the 12.4 overs to cap a comfortable victory for one of the title favourites in this 12-team competition.

The defeat meant Zimbabwe becomes the first team to go out of the tournament after a one-sided match watched by just 1,000 fans in Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium.

Levi hit six boundaries off 43 balls, while Amla hit three off 33 deliveries.

"I am very happy with the start," South Africa skipper AB de Villiers said.

"I back my pace bowlers to do well on this kind of deck and hopefully it's the same for the next game.

"We've improved a lot facing spin in these conditions, so can't wait to take on what's coming our way."

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor said his team was disappointed, but promised to come back strongly in future events.

"It's definitely disappointing and the end of the road," said Taylor. "South Africa showed what a classy bowling line-up they are. We are a team that is going to bounce back sharply."

Zimbabwe failed against a ruthless South African pace quartet, led by Kallis and Morne Morkel.

Craig Ervine top-scored with 37, and added 35 for the fourth wicket with Stuart Matsikenyeri (11), to help Zimbabwe just avoid their lowest total of 84 in all Twenty20 internationals, made against New Zealand in 2010.

Morne Morkel dismissed Vusi Sibanda (nought) and Brendan Taylor (four) in his first two overs before Kallis polished off the middle-order with the wickets of Matsikenyeri and Elton Chigumbura off successive deliveries in his first over.

He then dismissed Graeme Cremer (six) and Ervine to improve on Morne Morkel's 4 for 17 against New Zealand in 2007 which was the previous best bowling by a South African in a Twenty20 match.

Hosts Sri Lanka, who beat Zimbabwe by 82 runs, play South Africa in the final Group C match on Saturday.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super Eights round.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, south-africa

First posted September 21, 2012 06:23:43

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Injured Taylor out of Zimbabwe series

Updated January 28, 2012 09:20:20

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has been ruled out of the remainder of the Zimbabwe series by a calf strain which forced him to retire hurt on 122 in the first innings of the Test.

Taylor was attempting a quick single early on Friday as he built on his sixth Test century when he tore his right calf and was forced to hobble from the field.

Following hospital treatment, he said he would be sidelined for three to four weeks.

New Zealand is playing one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches against Zimbabwe before hosting South Africa from February 19.

"While it is early days, our target is to have Ross available for the one-day series against South Africa in late February," New Zealand physiotherapist Paul Close said.

Meanwhile, a full day's play was expected in Napier on Saturday after much of Friday was washed out by rain.

With three days remaining in the one-off Test, New Zealand resumes its first innings at 5 for 392 with BJ Watling on 52 and Doug Bracewell on 11.

Brendon McCullum takes over as New Zealand captain for the remainder of the match.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, new-zealand

First posted January 28, 2012 09:20:20

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NZ beat Zimbabwe by innings and 301 runs

Updated January 28, 2012 16:54:47

New Zealand highlighted the gulf in international cricket when they bowled Zimbabwe out twice on Saturday to win the only Test match of their tour at McLean Park in Napier by an innings and 301 runs.

The hosts declared their first innings at 7 for 495 earlier on Saturday after wicketkeeper BJ Watling posted his maiden Test century, then bowled the visitors out for 51 and 143 to record their largest victory by an innings in tests.

It was the third time a team has been bowled out twice in one day. New Zealand also dismissed Zimbabwe twice in a day for 59 and 99 in Harare in 2005, while India were dismissed for 58 and 82 by England in Manchester in 1952.

New Zealand are eighth in the International Cricket Council's Test rankings, while Zimbabwe are unranked. Only 10 countries have Test status, with Bangladesh the ninth-ranked team.

The Africans only returned to playing Test cricket last year following a voluntary five-year absence after the country was engulfed in political turmoil, forcing many leading players to retire from international cricket.

The visitors had crashed to 5 for 19 in their first innings and looked in danger of being bowled out for the lowest total in Test cricket though Malcolm Waller took the attack to New Zealand's bowlers and saw them past the mark before he was caught in the slips by Dean Brownlie off Tim Southee for 23.

The lowest score is held by New Zealand, who were dismissed for 26 against England at Eden Park in 1955.

Waller's dismissal left Zimbabwe on 8 for 50 and they added just one run for the final two wickets to record their lowest score in tests, before stand in captain Brendon McCullum enforced the follow on.

McCullum took over the captaincy after Ross Taylor was ruled out of the rest of the matches against Zimbabwe, which includes three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches, when he strained his right calf muscle while batting on Friday.

Zimbabwe again flirted with the lowest Test score when Doug Bracewell took two wickets in the first over after tea to reduce them to 5 for 12, but Forster Mutizawa saw them past the mark before he was dismissed for 18.

Regis Chakabva (63) and Graeme Cremer (26) combined for a stubborn 63-run partnership that temporarily thwarted New Zealand's victory push before Chris Martin cleaned up the tail to finish with six wickets for 26 runs.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand, zimbabwe

First posted January 28, 2012 16:43:10

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Hilfenhaus facing Zimbabwe selection trial

Posted May 23, 2011 16:28:00

Industrious paceman Ben Hilfenhaus faces a probable selection trial for this year's Test tour of Sri Lanka after being named in an Australia A squad travelling to Zimbabwe next month.

Hilfenhaus joined spinner Jason Krejza and Queensland's Chris Lynn from outside the provisional squad list for the Zimbabwe tour, which will feature a one-day tri-series against the hosts and South Africa as well as two four-day matches against Zimbabwe.

The burly Tasmanian quick was a member of Australia's attack for the final Ashes Test against England at the SCG in January but faces a challenge from rising stars, such as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, to retain his spot for the tour of Sri Lanka later in the year.

Hilfenhaus struggled during the Ashes, taking seven wickets at 59.28 in the four matches he played.

"The fast bowlers will be led by the experienced Ben Hilfenhaus who we are keen to get plenty of cricket into following a good break from last season," national chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in a statement.

"Also Mitchell Starc is returning from injury but performed well in Australian colours against Sri Lanka back in early November.

"They will be well supported by Trent Copeland and Luke Butterworth who both had stand-out seasons for their respective states."

New South Wales teenage bolter Pat Cummins was not available for the tour because of a back injury.

Australia's next Test appearance will be on a tour of Sri Lanka in August-September, although dates are yet to be confirmed.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine will lead both the one-day and four-day squads, which departs for Africa on June 25.

There will be four changes between the two forms of the game with Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Lynn and Stephen O'Keefe to be replaced by Michael Beer, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and Jason Krejza for the longer-format matches.

A schedule for the tour's matches is yet to be finalised by Zimbabwe Cricket.

Australia A one-day squad: Tim Paine (c), Callum Ferguson (v-c), Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Chris Lynn, Nic Maddison, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, Stephen O'Keefe, David Warner

Australia A four-day squad: Tim Paine (c), Callum Ferguson (v-c), Michael Beer, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Usman Khawaja, Jason Krejza, Phillip Hughes, Nic Maddinson, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, David Warner

- AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, zimbabwe

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