Rahul Dravid signed off with an impressive century last night as India's No 3 Test batsman helped Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to a 174-run victory against Nottinghamshire in Abu Dhabi.
Dravid, who was 81 overnight, finally succumbed to the left-arm spin of Samit Patel, who dismissed the man known as "The Wall" for 106 on day three of the scheduled four-day match, but it proved to be in vain as MCC won the English county championship curtain-raiser.
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South Africa will declare a six-man shortlist for the vacant head coach position after the conclusion of the World Cup over the weekend.
Gerald Majola, the country's cricket chief, revealed that some of the candidates for the role, which is available after interim boss Corrie van Zyl's contract expired, are still involved in the competition being played on the subcontinent.
Gary Kirsten, the India coach, and Eric Simons, his assistant, are reportedly the front-runners, while Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, is also seen as a candidate.
"Our panel will start the interviews as soon as the shortlist is announced and we hope to make the appointment by June," the Cricket South Africa chief executive officer told the website www.sport24.co.za.
Jade Dernbach is the only uncapped player named in yesterday's 27-man England performance squad ahead of the summer campaign. The 24-year-old Surrey seam bowler has been included for the first time after he was last week called up as a replacement in England's World Cup squad for Michael Yardy.
