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Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq has injured his hand and will be unavailable for the limited-overs leg of the tour of Australia. “I’ve sustained a fracture while batting” Razzaq told . “It was one of those out-of-the-blue injuries, where I was batting and the ball smashed into my hand. The hand has been plastered and I’ve been advised rest for one month by the medical staff. It’s very unfortunate, as I was really looking forward to playing in Australia for Pakistan if selected.”Pakistan have already surrendered the Test series, with the third and final Test in Hobart still to be played, and they were hoping to make amends in the five one-dayers and lone Twenty20 international that follow.Having played a key role in Pakistan’s 2009 World Twenty20 triumph on his return from the unofficial ICL, Razzaq’s all-round ability, especially his big hitting lower down the order will, no doubt, be missed by the visitors.The 30-year-old last featured for Pakistan against New Zealand in November last year. Pakistan lost the three-match ODI series in Abu Dhabi 2-1, but swept the Twenty20 internationals in Dubai 2-0.

At least 12 players from Pakistan have applied to the IPL requesting to be placed in next season’s auction. Though the identities of all the applicants is not yet clear, one player said most of the touring squad currently in Australia has been in touch with the IPL.The IPL had earlier this month set a December 31 deadline for players from Pakistan to put themselves into the auction pool for IPL 3. Four players – Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Gul – already have contracts with franchises from the first season, though they stand currently suspended. The only way they can now participate is if their franchises free up a spot in their squads by offloading a foreign player.”All the players here have sent emails to Lalit Modi expressing their interest for next season,” one of the players told Cricinfo. “We haven’t yet applied for visas to India but we have the NOC’s in place from the board.”An IPL official confirmed to Cricinfo that “over 12 players” had applied from Pakistan though he was also unsure of the exact number. The PCB has passed out general NOCs for all its players, clearing them from their end to play next season. The board has been keen on its players being able to take part in the next season after they missed out on the last IPL, held in South Africa.Pakistan’s government had refused to clear its players to take part in that season, believing that their security would be at risk in India after the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008. That incident led to a deterioration in political ties between India and Pakistan. Because the relationship remains unstable, it is unclear what kind of interest franchises will show in Pakistan players during the auction.

Derbyshire have signed Robin Peterson, the former South Africa left-arm spinner, as a Kolpak player for the 2010 season.Peterson, who has played six Tests and 35 ODIs for South Africa, holds the unenviable record of conceding the most runs in a single Test over, after Brian Lara took 28 from his left-arm spin at the Wanderers in 2003.Peterson plays for the Cape Cobras in South Africa and was due to play for South Africa A in the warm-up game against England at Potchefstroom. However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) pulled him out of the squad after he declared his intentions to play for Derbyshire which made him ineligible for future international duty.Derbyshire struggled to make much of an impact last season, finishing sixth in the second division of the Championship despite a late promotion bid, bottom of the North Division in the Twenty20 Cup and seventh in the Pro40. John Morris, the head of cricket, hopes Peterson’s experience can bring better success.”We are delighted and excited by the capture of Robin who is an all-rounder of international quality and plenty of experience,” he said. “Good quality spin bowlers are a valuable commodity in the modern game, as are explosive batsmen. Robin brings both of those attributes to the party and I am thoroughly looking forward to working with him in 2010.”

Daniel Vettori has given New Zealand’s coach Andy Moles little more than qualified support after Thursday’s reports that the senior players wanted Moles sacked. Vettori, the captain, was pressed on the issue when accepting his prize at the New Zealand Cricket awards night and was less than enthusiastic in his endorsement of Moles.”I think we have to be,” Vettori said when asked if he would be happy for Moles to continue as coach. “There’s no point me making statements to the contrary. I think we have to prepare to take a team away and get the best out of them. Andy and I have a good working relationship but whether that’s enough to make the team better is the question that’s been asked.”One of the concerns that the senior players were reported to have raised with NZC was that Vettori had effectively been coaching the team for the past six months and that Moles had not provided enough tactical or technical support. When asked if the players were unhappy with Moles’ input, Vettori was evasive.”I don’t think I’d put it in those terms … we’re not sitting around trying to plot Andy’s demise,” Vettori said, as reported by NZPA. “Whenever players are asked honest questions about anything they give their answers.”I think guys have voiced ways of making the team better. Part of that is my captaincy, part of it is players fronting up and a part of it is Andy improving as well. We just want the best for the team.”Moles and Vettori sat at the same table at the awards dinner in Auckland and Vettori said it had been a difficult day. The players are believed to like Moles as a person but question whether he is the right man to coach the team.”It’s been a tough day for a number of people involved and hopefully everyone can deal with it in the best possible manner,” Vettori said. “I think Andy understands this is part of cricketing life. Guys are always looking for ways to improve and you constantly go through a review process.”Moles was expected to enter mediation talks with NZC on Friday so the issue could be dealt with before the team flies out on Monday to begin its one-day series with Pakistan in the UAE. Should Moles quit before then, Vettori did not expect a replacement coach to be in place for the tour.”Our relationship stands strong in what we need to do,” he said. “Andy and I are at the helm and until we know anything different that’s the status quo … It would be incredibly difficult for someone to step in at short notice.”

Cricket South Africa and Zimbabwe Cricket have been working together on a three-year plan to form the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s ambition to return to the Test arena.Gerald Majola, the CSA chief executive, and his opposite number Ozias Bvute met on Monday in Johannesburg to discuss various issues relating to Zimbabwe, who are currently taking part in a short two-match ODI series against South Africa.Zimbabwe took self-imposed exile from the Test game in 2005 after it became clear they couldn’t field a competitive team, but are now focussing on returning to the five-day game after improvements within the country. At the height of Zimbabwe’s problems, South Africa withdrew their support but have now pledged to help their neighbours.”The plan, which targets grassroots cricket up to the national team, and the administration of Zimbabwe cricket, will now be work-shopped by CSA’s cricket committee, the chief executive’s committee and will finally make its way to the CSA board meeting next February for final ratification,” Majola said.”We had a constructive session yesterday and now we look forward to gaining further insight before presenting the three-year plan to the board. Both boards are determined to find a successful and sustainable structure for Zimbabwe cricket.”Bvute was also encouraged by the outcome of the meetings. “We are happy with the progress made with input from both parties,” he said. “We shared ideas and looked for ways that will positively impact Zimbabwe Cricket. We are confident that jointly we will come up with a long term solution.”ZC president Peter Chingoka added: “Zimbabwe has a wealth of cricket talent and we want to turn them into stars. Cricket South Africa have strong development structures and we look forward to learning from them as we continue unearthing the stars of the future.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Graeme Cremer and Prosper Utseya claimed nine of the ten wickets in Zimbabwe’s 86-run win•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Graeme Cremer produced career-best figures with bat and ball as Zimbabwe secured a 2-0 lead with three matches to come in their ODI series against Kenya. Chasing an imposing 264 for victory at the Harare Sports Club, Kenya put up a fight with David Obuya cracking a quickfire 49 at the top of the order, but Cremer strangled their momentum with superb figures of 6 for 46, as Zimbabwe prevailed by 86 runs with 31 balls remaining.After winning the toss, Prosper Utseya chose to bat first, just as he had done in Monday’s first ODI, whereupon Hamilton Masakadza built on his career-best 156 in that fixture, with a coolly compiled 66 from 91 balls.He added 77 in 15 overs for the first wicket with Mark Vermeulen, who was the first to fall for 32, and though the middle order wobbled to leave Zimbabwe awkwardly placed on 170 for 5 with 12 overs remaining, Stuart Matsikenyeri was on hand to guide the tail, finishing unbeaten on 71 from 70 balls, with two fours and two sixes.The stand-out performer in the closing overs, however, was Cremer, who built up his confidence ahead of his bowling stint with a quickfire 31 from 19 balls in an unbeaten eighth-wicket stand of 65. His innings included three fours and was only the third time in 16 international innings that he had reached double-figures. The pick of the Kenya attack was the slow left-armer Hiran Varaiya, who claimed 3 for 38 in his ten overs.In reply, Kenya started with some poise as Obuya and Rakep Patel added 57 for the first wicket. But Utseya struck twice with his offspinners before Cremer crashed through the middle-order. His first victim was Obuya, caught by Elton Chigumbura for 49 from 51 balls, and he chipped away at regular intervals, with two of his wickets coming from the last three balls of his spell.Spin accounted for all ten of the Kenyan wickets, with Ray Price pinning Nehemiah Odhiambo lbw, second ball for 1, before Utseya returned to deliver the coup de grace, as Peter Ongondo was stumped by Brendan Taylor for 1. The teams reconvene on Thursday for the first of three potential series deciders.

Match facts

Sunday, September 20, 2009
Start time 10.15 (9.15 GMT)Ricky Ponting has had plenty to smile about since returning to the team and can secure a 7-0 whitewash on Sunday•Getty Images

Big picture

England are on the brink of an unwanted piece of history. No team has ever been whitewashed in a seven-match series and the fragile team faces a huge challenge to stave off Australia at Chester-le-Street. The margins have grown bigger throughout the series, reaching embarrassing levels at Trent Bridge when they were hammered by 111 runs on Thursday. Only the greatest optimist would give them a chance of claiming the final game.Australia have moved though the gears impressively during the series with different players performing key roles in each game. Three days ago it was the turn of Tim Paine to make his mark with a maiden international hundred as he proves a more-than-able deputy for Brad Haddin. However, the difference between the sides was highlighted by Ricky Ponting’s fielding, as the Australian captain twice pulling off stunning direct hits to remove Matt Prior and Ravi Bopara.This match marks the end of England’s longest home international season, which started way back on May 6 against West Indies. There has been the one major success in the summer of regaining the Ashes, but more than a fair share of shockers as well, including a Twenty20 defeat to Netherlands, the two-and-a-half day thrashing at Headingley and now these one-dayers. Victory here would only be the smallest crumb of comfort, but the beleaguered Andrew Strauss would accept anything right now.And the day after this game is finished, both sides fly to South Africa for the Champions Trophy. The season is drawing to a close, but cricket doesn’t stop.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)England – LLLLL
Australia – WWWWW

Watch out for…

Andrew Strauss has been angry after England’s last two defeats, first seething about poor fielding and then a horrendous batting performance. He was booed at the post-match presentation, which was harsh on the captain but a reflection of the public’s view of how the team has played. Strauss, though, has shown his resilience many times over the last 12 months. If anyone has the mental strength to pull out one performance, Strauss does.Brett Lee has been the bowler of the series, striking with the new and old ball to put major dents in England’s nervous batting order. There is always something happening when Lee bowls, ranging from flying stumps, boundaries and the occasional free hit. He is a great weapon for a captain to have and has the luxury of being an out-and-out strike bowler, something England have severely lacked during this series. He missed one game when he rested under Australia’s rotation policy, but has shown outstanding form ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Team news

It’s hard to know what England can do. They are tied to this squad because these are the players selected for the Champions Trophy, but one by one they are all losing confidence. Bopara looks shot at No. 3 while Owais Shah continues to frustrate. Paul Collingwood is back after his break so he could replace one of those in the middle order, while Graham Onions is surely due his ODI debut. He can’t exactly do much worse than what has gone before him.England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Joe Denly, 3 Matt Prior (wk), 4 Owais Shah, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Dimitri Mascarenhas, 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Tim Bresnan, 10 James Anderson, 11 Graham Onions.Ponting has said that Australia are likely to field their strongest side for this final match after resting players under the rotation system. Therefore Michael Clarke should return along with Mitchell Johnson, which means James Hopes could miss out despite his 38 off 22 balls and three wickets at Trent Bridge.Australia (probable) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Tim Paine (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Callum Ferguson, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Cameron White, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Nathan Hauritz, 11 Nathan Bracken.

Pitch and conditions

The series finishes at the northern-most first-class ground in England, which is a risk in mid-September but the forecast suggests a fine day. The Chester-le-Street pitch has produced some high-scoring one-day games this season and batsman can score quickly once they get set.

Stats and trivia

• These two teams have met in one previous ODI at Chester-le-Street, in 2005, when Australia won by 57 runs. Shane Watson was spooked by the ghosts of Lumley Castle, and Darren Gough didn’t let him forget.
• The top five wicket-takers in the series are Australian, before James Anderson sneaks in at No. 6 with six wickets.
• Ponting requires 37 runs to usurp Inzamam-ul-Haq as the third highest all-time run-scorer in ODIs.

Quotes

“Obviously we don’t want to lose 7-0. There’ll be a lot of pride to play for on Sunday. We’re very disappointed with the way we’ve played in this series, we’ve never really clicked as a team.”
“It’s been great to be spending a bit more time at this level and getting comfortable with big crowds and all that sort of stuff. I haven’t thought too much of what will happen when Brad returns, but for now I’m just concentrating on enjoying playing for my country.”

John Buchanan, the former Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders coach, has said he was “shocked and disappointed” when he was sacked by the IPL franchise as he had been looking forward to moulding the team over five years.Buchanan was sacked in June after a dismal 2009 season. Kolkata finished last and the campaign was marred by off-field controversies, the biggest of which was caused by his multiple-captains theory.”We were trying to build something over five years but Shah Rukh Khan, the owner and king of Bollywood, had a change of direction and I was told I was no longer needed,” Buchanan told the . “That was a a shock and a disappointment.”An uneasy relationship with the franchise’s icon player, Sourav Ganguly, who is immensely popular in his home state of Bengal, did not help matters. “Ganguly was the icon player and the captain of the outfit and I told him I didn’t believe he was up to the pace of the game,” Buchanan said.Ganguly was replaced as captain by New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum for the disastrous 2009 season and several Bengal players hinted that the team would have performed better if Ganguly had been at the helm.Kolkata won only three out of 14 matches but Buchanan said many games could have gone either way. “We got to the last over in nine games and lost them, getting to the last ball five times and losing.”In stark contrast to Kolkata’s abysmal record, Australia were virtually unstoppable during Buchanan’s eight-year stint as coach. He is now concentrating on a career as corporate coach, and said he will not be chief coach of any major cricket teams in the future. “I’d never coach another state or international side,” he said. “There are certain loyalties involved but to help another coach? I’m quite happy to do that.”