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World Cup: White heads for home after breaking down

England (140-2) beat UAE (136) by 8 wickets

The cost to England of Craig White's injury may be in the sum much greater than the value of their victory by eight wickets over an outclassed United Arab Emirates here yesterday.

White is returning home almost immediately with another side strain after breaking down in mid-over. It is similar to the one he sustained in Australia a year ago in that it is on the left side, but it is worse in terms of the pain.

England immediately contacted Sunil Gavaskar, chairman of the PILCOM organising technical committee, asking permission for a replacement.

After a doctor on behalf of the committee had examined White at the team hotel last night, a replacement was authorised, and the choice is likely to be either Dermot Reeve or Mike Watkinson.

Both were in the provisional 18 named before the tournament began and played in South Africa, so are close to match fitness. But Ray Illingworth agreed that no all-rounder was actually on 24- hour stand-by.

``You can't cover every position,'' he said, a surprising explana- tion when one considers that the World Cup is in large part about men who can perform with bat and ball.

White said: ``I had put more into the delivery, trying to hit the pitch harder. I felt it go straight away. I knew it was bad im- mediately.''

He lamented that injury seemed to dog him every time he was bowl- ing with confidence. In Melbourne, against Australia A last winter, he had the same trouble and did not play again on tour. ``That time it took two and a half months to recover,'' he re- called.

So England's bad luck continues. In a fortnight, four players (White, Dominic Cork, Robin Smith and Graeme Hick) have sustained injuries and two (Alec Stewart and Neil Fairbrother) have been involved in accidents.

The match itself was totally one-sided, and England polished off the opposition professionally

No wonder Illingworth grumbled: ``It never rains but it pours. White is very upset, understandably, since he appeared to be in such good form and was an important part of our plans. This is his third breakdown after he has made a breakthrough to England level.''

White was not the only England player struck low. Neil Smith was taken ill during his innings, and after vomiting twice, left the pitch looking very wan. ``It's part of playing cricket out here,'' Michael Atherton said.

Smith had eaten a pizza the night before, but was sufficiently recovered to claim his man of the match award.

Coming in for Hick, the Warwickshire player first collected three UAE wickets in eight balls, finishing with three for 29. Then he was used as Stewart's opening partner and hit four boundaries in his 27 off 31 balls.

The match itself was totally one-sided, and England polished off the opposition professionally, hardly needing to break into a gallop. The crowd, small but vocal, was almost more absorbing than the cricket. One spectator had brought his cockerel, which sat placidly on his lap, and a contortionist hopped up and down the terraces, feet wrapped about his chin.

The Emirates chose to bat first and proceeded tortuously to 136 off 48.3 overs, Mazhar Hussain, with 33, being the only batsman to show any real prowess.

Phillip DeFreitas was the pick of the quick bowlers, his accuracy demonstrated by figures of two for 16 in almost 10 overs, but the slow pitch did not suit Cork or Darren Gough, who were driven for seven boundaries in their opening spells.

Smith found timing sometimes difficult at the top of the order, but was willing to hit the bad balls hard.

Stewart was untroubled until he tamely chipped a drive to short midwicket, but Atherton still seemed to be struggling, particu- larly around leg stump. He was bowled through the gate, pushing half forward to the slow left-armer Azhar Saeed.