VISAKHAPATNAM, India, 27 September 2003 — New Zealand’s preparations for the upcoming Test series against India suffered a setback as rain wrecked the start of their three-day tour opener here yesterday.

Just 10.2 overs were possible on the first day in which the Indian board president’s team reached 23 for no loss after electing to bat. Test opener Virender Sehwag, leading the home team, and India-aspirant Akash Chopra were unbeaten on nine runs apiece.

India Turn to Gavaskar

to Help End Opening Woes

In Calcutta, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, the first man to score 10,000 Test runs, has been drafted in to search for a quality opening pair in the Indian team.

The 54-year-old Gavaskar, known for his technical brilliance at the top of the order, has been asked to help identify players who can end India’s opening woes.“Sunil is now part of the process for getting a good opening pair for India,” Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told reporters yesterday.

Indian and Pakistani Youngsters

Set to Revive Cricket Ties

Indian and Pakistani youngsters are set to revive cricketing ties between the two nations when the Asian emerging teams tournament One-Day International series gets under way in Colombo. India and Pakistan play each other in the first round game in Colombo tomorrow. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka play each other twice before the final on Oct. 5.

SA Tour Refusal Purely

on Security Grounds: Smith

South Africa’s initial refusal to tour Pakistan was based only on security concerns, captain Graeme Smith said in Cape Town yesterday. “Let me clear one thing up straight away. This is not, and never has been, an issue about Pakistan,” Smith wrote in his column for the Cape Times newspaper.

No Conspiracy Behind

Latif Resignation: Inzamam

New Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq insisted yesterday there was nothing sinister behind the sudden resignation of previous incumbent Rashid Latif ahead of the crucial series against South Africa. “I assure everyone there was no controversy behind Latif’s resignation,” Inzamam said in Karachi after some 150 supporters voiced anger Thursday that a ‘match-fixing mafia’ was responsible for the veteran wicketkeeper’s departure.

“Latif did not feel comfortable as captain but he remains part of the set-up and his influence would be there on the rebuilding of the team,” Inzamam said.