Men and the cup

Even an excellent spell against Pakistan 8211; he took three for 28 off 10 overs 8211; barely earned him a mention, as the world8217;s media swarmed around Pakistan8217;s new pace discovery Shoaib Akhtar.

Akhtar 8211; who took two for 54 in Pakistan8217;s 27-run win 8211; has captured the imagination with his coltish pace. The 36-year-old Jamaican, in comparison, is an old warhorse with a dodgy knee and the knacker8217;s yard awaiting him.

Hick makes a point

CANTERBURY: Graeme Hick and Nasser Hussain have had their differences with the England selectors in recent years. The Zimbabwean-born Hick has spent as much time out of the team as in it, as doubts have persisted about histechnique. Hussain, meanwhile, was told he was surplus to requirements for the World Cup. He only got into the squad by the back door, after Michael Atherton had to withdraw with back problems. Hussain now seems set to retain the opener8217;s slot alongside skipper Alec Stewart, after the out-of-touch Nick Knight, groomed for the position for the past two years, was dropped on the eve of the World Cup.

Gough targets Botham record

LONDON: England8217;s Darren Gough, fresh from taking his 100th one-day victim, readjusted his sights on Wednesday by announcing he now wanted to break his idol Ian Botham8217;s national record. He said: quot;I knew I was approaching 100 one-day wickets, so it is a relief to get there. I can now concentrate on getting past Ian Botham 8230; as England8217;s leading one-day wicket-taker by helping us to do well in this tournament.quot;

All-rounder Botham, one of England8217;s greats, holds the national one-day wicket-taking record with 143, in 116 matches. Gough added: quot;It wasn8217;t playing on my mind;it was just like a batsman in the 90s nearing a hundred.quot;It8217;s always been my ambition to get to 200 Test wickets and 150 one-day international wickets, so I8217;m heading in the right direction.quot;

Ijaz out of Scotland game

CHESTER-LE-STREET: Experienced Ijaz Ahmed has been ruled out of tomorrow8217;s match against Scotland with a toe injury, Pakistan officials said on Wednesday. Former captain Salim Malik, 36, is likely to replace Ijaz, making an appearance in his fourth World Cup. Pakistan will not name their team until the morning of the match. Ijaz suffered severe bruising when he was struck by a ball from West Indies fast bowler Mervyn Dillon last Sunday. He was given out lbw for 36 in the process.

He has had blood removed from the toe and is likely to recover in time for Sunday8217;s match against Australia in Leeds.