/ 4 March 1998

Zim take one-day thriller

FRIDAY, 2.15PM

ZIMBABWE beat New Zealand by one run in Christchurch on Wednesday to set a spark to the one-day cricket series.

The Zimbabweans, who trail 2-0 in the best-of-five series, captured the last nine New Zealand wickets for 102 runs. New Zealand, chasing Zimbabwe’s 228 for seven, needed 13 runs to win off the last 12 balls, with Chris Harris and Adam Parore at the wicket.

Harris was picked up in the deep on the second ball of the 49th over and Simon Doull was stumped on the last ball of a fantastic over by legspinner Paul Strang.

The Kiwis needed 10 to win off the last over bowled by quickie Heath Streak, but Daniel Vettori and Shayne O’Connor could only manage eight, to finish on 227 for nine.

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand skipper, was disappointed. “We relaxed at 125 for none, thinking the job was done, but credit to them, they fought back very well. They were a beaten side at that point but we got a bid timid and we tried things and it backfired.”

SPORT BRIEFS

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

THE weekend’s Premier League fixtures are:

Friday:

8pm, Manning Rangers v Hellenic (Chatsworth Stadium); 7pm, Supersport United v Jomo Cosmos (Pretoria Technikon).

Saturday:

3.45pm, Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates (FNB Stadium); 3pm, Moroka Swallows v Santos (George Goch Stadium).

Sunday:

3pm, Cape Town Spurs v Bush Bucks (Greenpoint Stadium);3pm, Vaal Professionals v Wits University (Iscor Stadium); 3pm, Real Rovers v Sundowns (Pietersburg); 3pm, African Wanderers v QwaQwa Stars (Kings Park Stadium); 3pm, Bloemfontein Celtic v AmaZulu (Seisa Ramabodu).

Tuesday, March 10:

8pm, Orlando Pirates v Moroka Swallows (FNB Stadium); 8pm, Manning Rangers v Supersport United (Chatsworth Stadium).

Wednesday, March 11:

8pm, Kaizer Chiefs v Wits University (Johannesburg Stadium); 8pm, Jomo Cosmos v Cape Town Spurs (Pam Brink Stadium).

Thursday, March 12:

4pm, QwaQwa Stars v Sundowns (Goble Park,Bethlehem).

SA X-COUNTRY TEAMS

ATHLETICS South Africa on Tuesday named senior and junior teams for the IAAF world cross-country championships in Marrakech, Morocco, later this month. Hendrik Ramaala (CGA) will captain the four-man men’s team, which also includes Tsunaki Kalamori (AGN), Enoch Skosana (AVT) and Hendrick Khumalo (CNW).

The women’s team will be led by Colleen de Reuck (KZNA), and includes Charne Rademeyer (AGN), Zena Wilsnach (FSA) and Melody Marcus (WPA).

Junior teams will also compete in Morocco. Vincent Kutoane (CGA) will lead the boys’ team which includes Jeffrey Gwebu (AVT), George Mofokeng (CNW), Alistair Cragg (CGA), Whitey Modibe (AVT) and Sylvester Mohalakane (CGA).

The girls’ team will be captained by Rene Kalmer (CGA) and includes Yolandi Neuhoff (NPA), Elaine du Plessis (CGA), Letitia Pheleu (AVT), Lize Mari Venter (KZN) and Catherine Maapela (AGN).

The teams leave for Marrakesh on March 17 under team manager Quinton Arendse, assistant managers Jodie Foster and Dora Ngwevu, coach Abrie de Swart and team doctor Dr Harold Adams.

COETZER PATRON OF JUNIOR TENNIS

WORLD women’s tennis number five Amanda Coetzer will act as patron of the Junior Nike Tour for under-12 and under-14 players this year. The tour gives younsters the chance to represent their country at the International Junior Masters in Europe at the end of the year. Three of the 10 tournaments in this Under-12 and Under-14 competition have already been played, with two more coming in April.

BENT JOINS MASTERS’ SQUASH TEAM

WORLD Masters 45 champion Charlie Bent of Western Province has been included in the national masters’ squash team due to tour England and play in the British Open masters’ championships in Birmingham from March 25 to April 5.

The team: Men’s 45: Bent, Willie du Toit (NG), Tony Jackson (KZN); Men’s 50: Frikkie Bester (WP), Nick Penstone (G), Eddie Schoch (NW); Men’s 55: Roy Gossman (KZN).

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