Fleming and Lara warm up for series with centuries

While the England captain Michael Vaughan was guiding Yorkshire to the semi-finals of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy with an unbeaten century at Old Trafford yesterday, Stephen Fleming and Brian Lara, the captains of New Zealand and West Indies respectively, were also getting themselves into shape for the forthcoming one-day triangular series with centuries of their own.

While the England captain Michael Vaughan was guiding Yorkshire to the semi-finals of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy with an unbeaten century at Old Trafford yesterday, Stephen Fleming and Brian Lara, the captains of New Zealand and West Indies respectively, were also getting themselves into shape for the forthcoming one-day triangular series with centuries of their own.

However, New Zealand's tour went from bad to worse when another ton, from Hassan Adnan, helped Derbyshire to a four-wicket win over the tourists.

New Zealand, who lost 3-0 to England in the Test series, hit 258 for 7 in their 50 overs. But Derbyshire reached their target with eight balls to spare for the loss of six wickets with Adnan hitting 113 not out off 113 balls.

Fleming made 102, striking 13 fours before he was trapped lbw while Scott Styris scored 56. Nathan Astle continued his poor tour by making two off 19 balls and Daryl Tuffey was the only bowler to deliver a maiden. Chris Harris and Ian Butler made their first starts on tour, while James Franklin, who has replaced the injured Kyle Mills in the one-day squad, also played.

Lara hit 106 to lead his side to a win over Ireland at Stormont in Belfast. His was the main contribution in a total of 242 in 46.2 overs, support only coming from Dwayne Bravo's 45. Three wickets from Ravi Rampaul limited Ireland's reply to 146, to hand the visitors a 96-run victory.

* The Pakistan Cricket Board yesterday sacked Javed Miandad and appointed the former England Test player Bob Woolmer as coach of the national team.