Cricket: Scan for Bicknell: Paceman's tour could be over

MARTIN BICKNELL will know today if it is to be sunshine or snow for Christmas, writes Glenn Moore from Port Elizabeth. The England A pace bowler will have an isotope bone scan on the rib muscle injury he suffered warming up on Wednesday and, if the diagnosis is poor, will be sent home.

While Bicknell is seeing the doctor his team-mates take on Eastern Province in the second first-class match of the tour. On a slow pitch expected to take spin both Peter Such and Robert Croft are likely to play, the latter despite sporting a 'shiner' after being hit yesterday by a short ball from Dominic Cork.

From being the best side in the country two years ago Eastern Province have lost status and players and rely heavily on the West Indian Test all-rounder Eldine Baptiste.

England (from): H Morris (capt), M N Lathwell, J P Crawley, A Dale, A P Wells, M B Loye, D G Cork, S J Rhodes (wkt), R D B Croft, D Gough, M C Ilott, M J McCague, P M Such.

Eastern Province: E A E Baptiste, P G Amm, L J Koen, M C Venter, V Michau, S C Pope, T G Shaw, R E Veenstra, A G Huckle, P A Tullis, R A Lyle.

Zimbabwe dismissed Pakistan for 147 on the first day of the third and final Test in Lahore yesterday. David Brain finished with 5 for 42 and in reply Zimbabwe were 15 for 0.

Australia beat New Zealand in the World Series Cup in Melbourne yesterday but could lose Steve Waugh for the first two Tests against South Africa after he damaged a hamstring in his side's three- run victory. Replying to 202 for 5 off 50 overs the Kiwis needed six to win off Craig McDermott's final ball but Danny Morrison could only manage two to deep cover.

Sri Lanka beat the West Indies by three wickets with five balls to spare in the second one-day international in Colombo yesterday. Chasing 230 off 49 overs Sri Lanka required 13 off 12 balls, Arjuna Ranatunga hit Curtly Ambrose for two successive boundaries to pave the way for the victory.