Streak unscathed against Sussex

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak gave his side a boost ahead of Thursday's first Test against England at Lord's by playing a full part in their final warm-up game.

The fast bowler, who missed most of Zimbabwe's previous tour match, a tie against Worcestershire due to a back injury, bowled without apparent discomfort as the four-day encounter against Sussex ended in a predictable draw at Hove, England, on Sunday after rain had washed out nearly two whole days.

Streak, 29, who has one of the most powerful throws in world cricket, also showed good agility to run-out Mike Yardy after Sussex's former Zimbabwe batsman Murray Goodwin had turned the ball onto the onside and set off for a single.

And Streak also led from the front by taking the first Sussex wicket to fall, opener Richard Montgomerie (24) edging to Sean Ervine.

Goodwin, who retired from Test cricket following Zimbabwe's last tour of England in 2000 saying he could earn more money playing domestic cricket for Western Australia and Sussex, put on 92 for the third wicket with Dutch  international Bas Zuiderent (50).

Goodwin eventually fell for a 74-ball 49, bowled off-stump by seamer Andy Blignaut.

Earlier Ervine, who started the day on 39 not out, lived up to his reputation as an aggressive batsman, the left-hander making an unbeaten 57 off 93 balls including nine fours as Zimbabwe finished on 395 all out.

In reply Sussex made 179 for four, Blignaut taking one for 24 from 10 overs and Streak one for 29 from 12.1, before the match ended in a draw. 

Lehmann out for two ODIs with calf strain

Darren Lehmann is likely to miss at least two one-day internationals after straining his calf muscle in Australia's opening two-run win over the West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica, on Friday.

The South Australian left-hander, who has played 96 one-day internationals, injured his calf while scoring 55 off 86 balls at Sabina Park and needed the aid of a runner to complete his innings.

He was ruled out of Sunday's second match and it was not known whether he would be fit for Wednesday's third match in St Lucia.

All-rounder Ian Harvey was another casualty from Saturday's game and was forced out with a stomach strain and replaced by fast bowler Jason Gillespie.

"Lehmann felt some tightness early on in his innings and then when he had to push for two runs he felt it lengthen out and felt some pain with it which are usually the classic signs of a strain," team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said.

"He had a scan which didn't show much, which is encouraging. We have to wait a day and we'll reassess it when we treat him and see how it pulls up over the next few days." 

England skipper voices doubts about Test future

Nasser Hussain said on Sunday he was adopting a wait and watch policy over his future as England's Test captain.

Hussain, speaking ahead of England's first Test against Zimbabwe at Lord's which starts on Thursday, said, "I'm concentrating on leading us out against Zimbabwe, winning the Test series and then doing the same against South Africa."

"After that, we'll just have to wait and see (if I continue as captain)."

The 35-year-old, who stepped down as England's one-day skipper after his side's exit from the World Cup, added, "When you're in the kitchen, sometimes it gets hot - that's how it is being England cricket captain."

"If you asked Graham Gooch or Mike Atherton, they'd say it's a tricky, difficult job but also a very rewarding one."

"What I'm worried about is winning Tests for England and if we play like we can, we should beat Zimbabwe. The moment you win a Test or one-day match, you're very proud."

Share your comments