Zimbabwe exposed as Streak resigns
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The party began with the hosts in a terrible mess. The start of Zimbabwe's one-day triangular was marred by the resignation of their captain, Heath Streak, followed by defeat to a West Indies side deprived of Brian Lara.
Streak stood down just minutes before the first match in Harare because of differences over selection. "It's been a long time coming, it is not out of the blue," said Streak. "It has got to a stage where it was affecting everyone. The selectors and I do not agree on some issues and they seem to have no confidence in me, which is undermining my ability as captain."
Zimbabwe were without their top batsman, Andy Flower, who had dislocated his thumb in the second Test against India. Flower was replaced by the 18-year-old wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu but Streak reportedly wanted to pick Donald Campbell, brother of Alistair. Bizarrely, the captain is not included in the selection process.
Stand-in skipper Grant Flower put the West Indies in but had to wait 25 overs for a wicket to fall. Daren Ganga, who scored 66, and Chris Gayle put on 113 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit 51 off 46 balls as the tourists reached 266 for 5. Alistair Campbell contributed 68 but Zimbabwe were left 26 runs short on 239 for 9.
Chris Bassano has played a lot of second XI cricket. The South African-born resident of Tasmania has an English mother and has touted his batting talents at Somerset, Sussex and Gloucestershire. Then Derbyshire, rooted at the bottom of the Second Division with just five batting points from six matches, gave him a game.
He duly became the first player to score two centuries on his Championship debut, against Gloucestershire at Derby, but Derbyshire just failed to record their first win. The hosts declared on 432 for 5 and dished up buffet bowling so that the visitors reciprocated on 177 for 0, setting a target of 306 to win, Bassano, 25, hit 106 off 167 balls with 12 fours but off-spinner Martyn Ball took 5 for 100 and they had to settle for the draw on 297 for 9.
Nottinghamshire, needing 447 for their first win, collapsed to 105 for 6 against Sussex at Trent Bridge before Darren Bicknell, with 123 off 267 balls with 19 fours, put on 141 with Chris Read (78). But Sussex, who won by 162 runs at Hove in May, settled for 161 this time as the home side were all out for 285.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments