Cricket: Crowe set to tour England

MARTIN CROWE, the New Zealand captain, expects to be fit for the tour to England, which starts next month. Crowe, New Zealand's leading batsman with an average of 47.08 in 67 Tests, has not played since undergoing surgery to his right knee in November.

'I have started running on it again and while it is still a little sore, I think I will be ready,' Crowe, 33, said. He admitted that his knee 'would never be what it was,' but said it had not affected his batting technique: 'The muscles around the knee are probably stronger than they have ever been.'

Yesterday the Kiwis registered their first tie in an international match, against the touring Pakistanis in Auckland. New Zealand needed 162 runs to win, but Waqar Younis dismissed the last two batsmen in the final over amid scenes of pandemonium. Pakistan lead the one-day series 3-0.

FOURTH ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL (Auckland): Pakistan 161 for 9 (G A Larsen 4-24); New Zealand 161 (Waqar Younis 6-30). Match tied.