Mohali, October 23
The New Zealand team, which has to win the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy match against Pakistan on October 25 to remain in the fray, was on a high while doing the nets at PCA Stadium here this afternoon.

The team, which has one win and one defeat to its credit, got a big boost as their two key players, speedster Shane Bond and all-rounder Scott Styris, seemed fit during the net sessions. Both players toiled hard with bat and ball for more than an hour. The team spent more than three hours on the nets under the supervision of their coach John Bracewell.

Hoping for the duo play in the match, the all-rounder Lou Vincent said, “Bond had a long stint of practice which is a good sign. Styris, too, seemed fit for the match”.

On the team’s debacle against Sri Lanka on Friday, Vincent said the team members did not adjust themselves to the sub-continent conditions. He also praised the Sri Lankan bowlers.

However, he hoped that the Mohali match against Pakistan would be a different one as the conditions here were conducive to the team. He termed Mohali stadium a fantastic venue, where his team has a good record history. “Under the leadership of Stephen Fleming, who is like a rock in the team as well as great player and motivator, we are very much confident of the positive chances”, said Vincent.

On the other hand, half of the Pakistan team, including skipper Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Abdul Rehman and Faizel, turned up at the PCA did light training at the nets while the rest of the players chose to rest at the hotel.

Chandigarh, October 23
The Australian cricket team, which has shown the doors to England on Divali by registering a comfortable six-wicket win, landed in the city this afternoon.

The team, which will take on the hosts, India, on October 29 at PCA Stadium, is the third team after Pakistan and New Zealand teams, to reach the city.

Amidst tight security, the team chose to have lunch immediately after arriving at a local hotel. As Australians have five days in hand before the match, all high-profile players preferred to rest.

The team, which is in a must-win situation against India to sail into semifinals, will hit the nets at the Sector 16 stadium tomorrow morning.

Australia has two points in its kitty with one win against England and one defeat against West Indies.

Chandigarh, October 23
In a one-sided match, St John’s beat YPS, Mohali, by 40 runs in the final of the 9th Blessed Edmund Rice Cricket Tournament (under 10) being played at St John’s High School, Sector 26, here today.

Batting first, St. John’s made 62 runs in the allotted 15 overs. In reply, YPS were bundled out for only 22 runs.

For the St John’s, Mehul took 3 for 10 while Jaywant claimed 2 for 4.

Brief score:

St. John’s: 62 for 5 in 15 over (Vaibhav Kaushik 20 and Yuvraj 1 for 10)

YPS: 22 all out in 9.3 overs (Mehul 3 for 10 and Jaywant 2 for 4).