Zimbabwe defeated Namibia their rain-affected World Cup Group B clash at the Harare Sports Club here on Monday. The winning margin was 86 runs decided on the Duckworth-Lewis method after a torrential downpour brought an early conclusion to the match.

India go into their World Cup opener against minnows Netherlands on Wednesday confident that Sachin Tendulkar and psychologist Sandy Gordon have helped them get over pre-tournament jitters.

Followers of English cricket are used to failures on the field, but this World Cup campaign looks set to be remembered for off the field incompetence unmatched in the long, inglorious history of British sporting administrators.

The England and Wales Cricket Board have dismissed reports that they have boycotted their match against Zimbabwe — even though a statement released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) seemed to indicate England would not be going to Harare.

Full scoreboard of the World Cup group A match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein on Monday.

England’s Cricket Board (ECB) told World Cup organisers on Monday its players won’t play in Zimbabwe because of security fears. After three days of discussion with security officials and administrators, the ECB delivered the news in a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Lawyers for South Africa’s asbestos victims intend using their victory against mining giants Gencor and Gefco as a precedent for suing the country’s even larger gold mines. Attorney Richard Spoor said that about 500 000 gold miners had been abandoned penniless.