First tri-nation tourney in Zimbabwe

By Mohandas Menon

** Zimbabwe was organising a tri-nation one-day tournament for the first time. Zimbabwe was the only nation not to host such a tournament earlier.

** Tatenda Taibu became Zimbabwe's 64th player to appear in LOIs. At 18 years 40 days, he became the second youngest Zimbabwean to appear in LOIs. Mluleki Nkala at 17 years 170 days still remains the youngest (v India at Bulwayo, 27-9- 1998). Taibu also becomes the sixth player to keep wickets for Zimbabwe.

** Zimbabwe was playing an international match (including Tests) without the services of Andy Flower for the first time. Ever since his LOI debut against Sri Lanka at New Plymouth, New Zealand on 23-2-1992 during the 1992 World Cup, he has appeared in 172 LOI matches in a row. He however fell short of the record 185 consecutive matches by India's Sachin Tendulkar (from 25-4- 1998 to 24-4-1998). Flower has also appeared in 52 Tests in a row from 18-10-1992.

** Grant Flower became the seventh Zimbabwean to lead his team in LOIs. He was appearing in his 155th match of his career.

** The Flower brothers (Andy and Grant) now became the third pair of brothers after the Australian Chappells (Ian and Greg) and New Zealand's Crowes (Martin and Jeff) to lead their respective sides.

** The 66 by Darren Ganga was his maiden fifty of his career in 11 matches. His previous highest was 22 also against Zimbabwe at Perth on 2-2-2001.

** The 113 runs between Ganga and Chris Gayle was the first hundred-plus partnership for the West Indies for the opening wicket since the 111 put on by Ridley Jacobs and Sherwin Campbell against New Zealand at Auckland on 2-1-2000. Since then, in 34 innings, West Indian openers have put on a highest of only 86 runs - also against Zimbabwe at Chester-le-Street (in England) on 16-7-2000.

** Cameron Cuffy, playing in his 27th LOI match won the second man of the match award of his career. It was his second such award in a row having won in his previous match against South Africa at Kingstown (Arnos Vale) on 16-5-2001.

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