``We will put blacks in your team,'' ran a banner headline in The Star newspaper after the United Cricket Board of South Africa elected to make the presence of non-white players in provincial teams mandatory from next season.

``We think it is very unfortunate that cricket, which has done more than any other sport to promote development, is being forced into this compromise by politicians,'' The Citizen said in an editorial.

But Mluleki George, the National Sports Council president, said: ``There is a concerted effort to keep black players from representing the country at the senior level . . . we can not fold our arms while black players are deliberately kept out of cricket. ``

In Pakistan, Zimbabwe lost to the Lahore City Cricket Association by one wicket after Salim Malik made 149. The former Pakistan captain, omitted from the squad of 18 for the second Test starting on Thursday, helped the local side make 347 in 75 overs to win with five balls to spare.

Malik, who is under judicial investigation over allegations of match-fixing and betting, vowed that he would be vindicated when the judge conducting the inquiry reports his findings to the country's president, Mohammad Rafiq Tarar, next week.

Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum said: ``I wouldn't commit on who are the players . . . but I admit that something is wrong somewhere and the allegations levelled in the past are not baseless.

``It will be entirely up to the president what action he takes. But I believe action will be taken.''

India were bundled out for 103 by a Central Districts Selection XI in Napier as they made a disappointing start to their tour of New Zealand. The districts were 121 for one at stumps.

SSource :: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk)

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