Flower gives up run chase

CRICKET Zimbabwe gained some valuable batting practice as their three-day tour match against Tasmania petered out in a draw.

After being set a target of 253 from 49 overs on a hectic final day, the tourists laboured to 156 for five before the captains agreed to call a halt 30 minutes before the scheduled close. play was delayed for two hours because of the damp conditions following a downpour on Monday.

Andy Flower, the Zimbabwe captain, declared on the overnight total of 141 for 3, 116 runs behind Tasmania, in the hope of producing an outcome. Tasmania smashed 136 for 3 from 31 overs before they declared, setting a run-rate of 5.16 an over.

The tourists never appeared likely to achieve the target despite Grant Flower's fine 63. Andy Flower said: "We were going to give the target a shot, but by the time we lost our fifth wicket it was up to 10 an over."

TOUR MATCH (Devonport): Tasmania 257 for 5 dec and 136 for 3 dec (J Cox 63 no); Zimbabwe 141 for 3 dec and 156 for 5 (G W Flower 63, C R Miller 4-35). Match drawn.