LONDON, 13 August 2003 — England captain Michael Vaughan wants his team to match South Africa’s hunger in the third Test at Trent Bridge starting tomorrow.

The hosts slumped to defeat by an innings and 92 runs last week in Vaughan’s first Test in charge, prompting the new skipper to give a blunt assessment of his side.

“All in all, it was a pretty poor performance,” he said. “I don’t think we were as hungry as them.

“I can’t answer why, it’s something that needs to be addressed. I know you have to rock the boat a few times and upset a few players.” Another defeat would leave the hosts 2-0 down in the series with two games to play, but at least Vaughan, handed the captaincy at short notice after Nasser Hussain’s resignation following the drawn first Test, has now had time to plan his strategy.

One of his first tasks will be to work out a way of dismissing rival captain Graeme Smith, who has plundered 621 runs in three innings including two double centuries.

The England attack has been unable to contain the tall left-hander, who combines a solid defense with a range of clinical strokes, predominantly through the leg side.

James Kirtley is likely to be handed his debut in place of the retired Darren Gough, joining forces with James Anderson and Steve Harmison in an inexperienced pace attack boasting a total of 13 Test caps.

Karachi Takes PCB to Court, Bangladesh Test in Jeopardy

Karachi’s cricket authority challenged in court yesterday a Pakistan Cricket Board decision to withdraw its rights to host Tests and one-day matches, putting next week’s Test against Bangladesh in jeopardy.

The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) filed the suit in the Sindh High Court, KCCA lawyer Arshad Tayyab Ali said. It was due to be heard on Aug. 15.

The action challenged a PCB decision last month to set up provincial cricket associations to organize cricket matches at district level, effectively ending the KCCA’s rights to host Tests and one-day games.

The PCB also announced that the newly formed Sindh Cricket Association (SCA) would host a Test against Bangladesh in Karachi due to start on Aug. 20.

KCCA has refused to accept the decision saying the formation of SCA was “unconstitutional”. Ali described the board’s move as “an unjust action against the KCCA”.

If the court issues an injunction order on the KCCA petition, the PCB cricket schedule and the Bangladesh Test could be jeopardized.