World Cup pauses to honour quake dead

by Julian Guyer

WORLD CUP CRICKET: NAGPUR, India, Feb 26, (AFP) - Australia and New Zealand paused in the middle of their crucial World Cup clash on Friday to remember the victims of the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

Shortly before world champions Australia began their quest for the 207 runs they needed for victory in Nagpur, players from both sides stood shoulder to shoulder, forming a circle on the outfield.

At least 113 people have been killed following Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake which caused widespread destruction in the New Zealand city.

Both teams wore black armbands and before the match started there was a traditional minute's silence as fans and players remembered the victims of the tragedy.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting, speaking after his side's seven-wicket win, said: "I made it pretty clear yesterday (Thursday) that as far as Australian cricket was concerned, we wanted to do whatever we could to pay our respects to the country of New Zealand, but more importantly to the people of Christchurch who have been affected over the last week.

"You saw today with the armbands, and I thought the minute's silence at the change of innings was a great thing to do.

"I thought it was great for both teams to get together and show their respects for what has happened.

"The New Zealanders are neighbours of ours and almost like our brothers. I think we've shown whatever we can over the last two days to hopefully be able to put on a good spectacle for the people back in New Zealand to watch and maybe just take their minds off what's happened in Christchurch." There were barely a couple of hundred people inside the VCA Ground for the start of the game between the trans-Tasman rivals in another example of the administrative chaos that has dogged this event so far.

As television cameras panned around the ground they found a small knot of Kiwi fans with one spectator holding aloft a simple message on a plain white piece of paper that said: "Thinking of you Christchurch."

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, speaking after the match, insisted the emotional effect of the tragedy was in no way responsible for his team's conclusive defeat.

"It would be unfair to the people who are going through a lot worse than we are over here to say that was the reason we didn't play very well today," he said.

"We're professional sportsmen and we have to get up for these games."