Cricket: Controversy as test comes alive

It started off as the most boring, mind-numbing event since television started screening party political broadcasts - a blessing only for insomniacs.

But in the end, the first cricket test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand not only managed to produce a remarkable win for the tourists, but also a feast of records and milestones, some injury worries concerning Daniel Vettori and no small amount of controversy.

Almost overshadowing New Zealand's seven-wicket margin at Bulawayo was the plight of Zimbabwean part-time spinner Grant Flower, who on Saturday became the 11th bowler to be no-balled for throwing in a test.

The left-armer was called three times in his second over by Australian umpire Darrell Hair, and was subsequently replaced at the bowling crease by Gavin Rennie.

Hair, who in 1995 no-balled Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for chucking at Melbourne, called alternate balls in Flower's over and discussed his action each time with colleague Russell Tiffin and Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak.

Television replays seemed to suggest that Flower, who has also been called in his domestic Logan Cup competition, was not throwing in essence, although his unorthodox and highly truncated action may still contravene the word of the game's ever-evolving law.

Quite why Hair, in keeping with recent actions against Shoaib Ahktar and Brett Lee, did not simply report his suspicions to the International Cricket Council's illegal deliveries panel, is not yet crystal clear, but it seems Flower's allrounder status is now in jeopardy.

Before this test, he had bowled 247 chuck-free overs for no great reward (six wickets at 98.50), while also rolling up 445 overs in one-day internationals.

It was the third occasion in which a New Zealand side has been involved in a chucking controversy.

Indian bowler Abid Ali was called by Fred Goodall at Christchurch in 1967-68.

But on that occasion the ball was deliberately thrown, in protest over the action of New Zealand fast bowler Gary Bartlett.

And England batsman David Gower was also called after deliberately throwing a delivery against New Zealand in the second test at Trent Bridge in 1986.

The scores were level at the time and the no-ball presented the win to the tourists.

The first bowler to be called for throwing in a test was Australia's Ernie Jones, no-balled once against England at Melbourne in 1897-98.

The Bulawayo win was Stephen Fleming's 11th as captain in 28 tests, equalling the New Zealand record set by Geoff Howarth, who was at the helm for 30 tests between 1979 and 1985.