THE PRESS, Christchurch Saturday, May 7, 2011 WEEKENDSPORT D3

BASKETBALL CRICKET Bitter end for Afridi

Pakistan’s batting was exposed by the West Indies’ three frontline seamers and their bowling upstaged by another blistering innings from Lendl Simmons as they lost by 10 wickets in the fifth one-day cricket international on Thursday. Pakistan, however, won the series 3-2, with comfort- able wins in the first three matches securing the result. A fluent 55 off 83 balls from Mohammad Hafeez failed to inspire the Pakistanis, and their batting crumbled for the first time in the series. They were all out for 139 in 41.2 overs after they chose to bat on an unpredictable Guyana National Stadium pitch. The visitors’ bowlers found it difficult to defend such a modest total as Simmons hit a career-best, unbeaten 77 from 73 deliveries, and fellow opener Kirk Edwards supported with 40 from 71 balls to guide the hosts to victory with 159 balls remain- ing. ‘‘It is a disappointing end to the series for us because it was not a pitch on which we should have been dismissed for 139,’’ said Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. ‘‘Our batting has been struggling for a long time, and I think we need someone to help us with situations like this.’’ ‘‘We all wanted to bat on this pitch and that is why the management and I decided to bat, but we did not play well. Winning streak: Breakers guard Corey Webster looks for the pass. Administrators hope to use the team’s ‘‘The thing that I always success to boost participation in . Photo: BEN WATSON keep stressing [is] building partnerships. We did not build any partnerships and this is what was missing.’’ Afridi said: ‘‘The series victory is important for us. ‘‘We are not playing any cricket at home, so winning Top-level links this series is very important and will keep the morale high, and I think for the future it will be good for us.’’ Hafeez and Umar Akmal were the only Pakistani to help game batsmen to pass 20. AFP

Geoff Longley AWARDS balls down the street and joining local clubs but he was The benefits of Basketball confident BBNZ had the ■ Breakers awards night: Cook at New Zealand’s chief executive coaching and administrative Clubman of the Year Tim Hamilton having pre- infrastructure to cope. (overall contribution to the vious sporting connections at ‘‘It may be that you don’t Breakers): CJ Bruton. North Harbour have been see obvious benefits immedi- the helm ■ MVP’s MVP (voted by evident in strengthening ately because the likes of a Breakers season ticket BBNZ’s ties with the New Thomas Abercrombie was Two heads are supposedly holders): . Zealand Breakers organis- attracted to the game by the better than one – and the ■ Players MVP (voted by the ation. Tall Blacks performing at the England and Wales Cricket Breakers roster): Mika Not surprisingly Hamilton 2002 world tournament and Board is hoping three is better Vukona. wants to forge further links took time to develop and come still. ■ Breakers MVP (Breakers between the two bodies after through to the top level.’’ The ECB appointed player of the season): Kirk the stunning success of the Apart from the NBL, Alastair Cook as captain of Penney. Breakers who captured their another epic New Zealand- England’s one-day team yes- first Australian league title, Australia clash was in pros- terday, giving it a different the first for any team sport in the television room pect in September when the player in charge for each of New Zealand, last weekend. overflowing. Tall Blacks clashed in a three- the game’s three formats. ‘‘I think the two, while Hamilton said it was ideal test series with the Boomers England already had a separate organisations, have that the domestic national in Australia. separate captain for the an intrinsic link which can league season had just started ‘‘That should help keep Twenty20 side, but 26-year-old benefit both and I want to see and crowd numbers have interest bubbling along.’’ opener Cook is taking over those ties extend further.’’ been reported as being up in Hamilton said BBNZ had to the 50-over team after test Hamilton was previously most venues around the re-examine its operation after captain Andrew Strauss the chief executive for North country. posting a disastrous $2 million relinquished control. Harbour netball and Netball ‘‘In Taranaki they reported loss following the world under Strauss, who has quit North based on the North a record crowd and we saw 19 championships in Auck- limited-overs cricket, retains Shore, so was well aware of some of the playing benefits land in 2009. the test captaincy after stating the Breakers and their oper- when Saints played Waikato Sparc conducted a review a desire to focus on the elite ation on his doorstep. the other night in what I and agreed to inject some form. The ECB dropped While BBNZ has its base in thought was a quality game. funds to bolster the then- allrounder Paul Collingwood Wellington, Hamilton has had Corey Webster was to the fore struggling sport. Last October as T20 captain in favour of ongoing contact with his for Saints having obviously Christchurch businesswoman pace bowler Stuart Broad. Breakers counterpart, Rich- gained value from his Sue Suckling was appointed ‘‘It’s never been tried ard Clarke, and believes the Breakers experience.’’ to oversee BBNZ and road- before so we’re quite excited sport is prepared to benefit The appearance of shows have been held around about the opportunity this from the interest the Breakers Breakers American guard the country before making provides us,’’ team director have generated. who has governance changes in the Andy Flower said. ‘‘I don’t Hamilton told of signed for the Southland organisation, which are due think any side has had three holidaying at Easter with his Sharks for the remainder of to be ratified at the annual separate captains so it’s family at a campground in this season will inject further meeting. covering new ground. We do Waihi, but being forced to interest. ■ Last night’s NBL results: not know 100 per cent if it will watch the second grand final Hamilton said it had not Nelson 86 Otago 77, Hawkes 89 work or if it will be the most game against Cairns in Aust- been quantified how many 74, Saints 124 Tara- effective system but we will ralia through a window with more kids were bouncing naki 102. give it a try.’’ AP

HOCKEY Errors, turnovers prove costly for NZ

The New Zealand men’s SCORERS goalkeeper Andy Hayward stepped up hockey team slumped to a 4-2 pulled off a great save from to fire home a penalty corner loss to Pakistan in its opening Abbas’ drag flick, only to see drag flick to claim a goal back ■ New Zealand 2 (Andrew match at the Sultan Azlan Syed Kashif Shah react first to for New Zealand three Hayward, Hugo Inglis) Shah Cup in Malaysia on the and slot the goal. minutes later, but Pakistan Pakistan 4 (Mohammed Thursday night, its first loss The Black Sticks started to landed the killer blow from Rizwan Senior, Syed Kashif to the Asian champions in six edge their way back into the the restart when they Shah, Abdul Haseem Khan, matches. match in the closing stages of punished another turnover in Mohammad Umar Bhutta). Despite a promising per- the first half, and Wellington’s the New Zealand defence to Halftime: 0-2. formance from debutant Matt L’Huillier, on debut, saw two put the game beyond reach, L’Huillier and a goal by drag flicks at penalty corners Muhammad Zubair showing Otago’s Hugo Inglis in his 50th quick counter-attack after a well saved by Pakistan goal- exquisite skill to unlock the international, errors and New Zealand turnover, keeper Imran Shah. defence and slip the ball turnovers in the opening half Muhammad Rizwan putting In the second half, under the advancing Pontifex. cost New Zealand as they the finishing touches to Sohail Pakistan grabbed their third New Zealand dominated trailed 2-0 at the break. Abbas’ right-wing cross. in the 51st minute when the closing stages and Inglis

Pakistan opened their From their first penalty Abdul Haseem Khan scored, but it was all too late. Ogilvy_RS2928_CP account in just the third corner, Pakistan doubled the punished another New Zea- They will play South Korea minute as they mounted a lead when New Zealand land turnover. tomorrow. NZPA