Cricket: Mugabe Opponent Wants Tour Scrapped

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday urged the England and Wales Cricket Board to call off the autumn tour of his country.

His message was read at a Westminster news conference by Trudy Stevenson, another leading member of the Movement for Democratic Change.

Mr Tsvangirai called on Commonwealth countries to work together to boycott the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. He said: "It is our view that, since cricket is largely a Commonwealth game, Commonwealth nations should be lobbied to support the boycott and to come together as members of ICC [the International Cricket Council] to tell the ICC board to endorse the boycott."

New Zealand's captain Stephen Fleming has been given an intensive programme of practice and physiotherapy following fears that he may miss next week's first Test against England at Lord's.

His coach John Bracewell said: "Stephen has an abdominal strain which he aggravates when he runs. But we are confident we can get him to a point where he can play at Lord's."

The team manager Lindsay Crocker is confident that Fleming will make it. "It's not a nailed-on certainty but Stephen is almost certain to be fit in time," he said. "In fact, if the Test was starting tomorrow he would play."

Fleming took part in yesterday's net session at a damp and cool Canterbury but will not play in the match against Kent which starts today.

The Australian batsman Michael Dighton has become Hampshire's fourth overseas signing this season. Currently playing for the Scottish club Greenock, the 28-year-old will provide back-up while the Australians Shane Warne, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson are on international duty in Zimbabwe.

Alf Valentine, the great West Indies spin-bowler of the 1950s and 60s, has died at his home in Orlando, Florida aged 74. The Jamaican formed part of a famed spin duo with Sonny Ramadhin. He played 36 Tests, taking 139 wickets at an average of 30.32.