CRICKET

CRICKET

Aravinda de Silva, the Sri Lankan Test batsman, is considering an offer to join Kent for the forthcoming season. The County approached the Sri Lankan vice-captain with a one-year contract, subject to De Silva being available for the whole summer.

Sri Lanka's one-day tour opener against the New Zealand Academy XI in New Plymouth yesterday was abandoned because of rain. The scheduled 50- over match was reduced to 35 overs and scrapped altogether after the Academy XI had reached 101 for 5 in 27.1 overs.

ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL (Christchurch) New Zealand bt South Africa by 46 runs.

(South Africa won toss)

NEW ZEALAND

*M J Greatbatch c and b Cronje 76

M W Douglas lbw b Matthews 8

K R Rutherford c Callaghan b Cronje 61

S P Fleming c Cullinan b Matthews 21

C L Cairns c Kirsten b Matthews 33

S A Thomson c Richardson b de Villiers 6

A C Parore not out 30

J T Vaughan run out 7

G R Larsen not out 2

Extras (lb2, nb2, w1) 5

Total (for 7, 50 overs) 249

Fall: 1-28 2-126 3-167 4-172 5-190.

Did not bat: C Pringle, D K Morrison.

Bowling: De Villiers 10-0-39-1; Matthews 10-1-49-3; Donald 10-0-50-0; Cronje 10-0-50-2; Simons 6-0-33-0; Callaghan 4-0-26-0.

SOUTH AFRICA

A C Hudson c Douglas b Morrison 10

G Kirsten c Fleming b Thomson 63

D J Cullinan c Vaughan b Larsen 13

*W J Cronje st Parore b Vaughan 34

J N Rhodes c Greatbatch b Morrison 14

D J Richardson c Thomson b Vaughan 7

D J Callaghan lbw b Larsen 23

E O Simons c Greatbatch b Vaughan 7

C R Matthews b Larsen 16

P S de Villiers c Thomson b Larsen 7

A A Donald not out 0

Extras (b1 lb4 w4) 9

Total (47 overs) 203

Fall: 1-28 2-67 3-117 4-138 5-143 6-162, 7-173 8-190 9-197.

Bowling: Pringle 8-0-35-1; Morrison 8-1-30-2; Vaughan 10-0-37-3; Cairns 4-0-24-0; Larsen 10-0-39-3; Thomson 7-0-33-1.