World Cup Notebook Warne earns name of wizard and soothsayer Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday June 15, 1999 01:08 PM   Shane Warne thinks the quick throw was becoming an unnecessary trend in cricket, which could make the decision on a fair catch a fine line. AP BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -- Shane Warne the spinner has often been called a wizard. It's about time he is called a soothsayer. Warne had predicted during a team meeting before Australia's heartstopping win over South Africa on Sunday that Herschelle Gibbs could spill a catch through showmanship. Gibbs proved Warne right, putting down Australian skipper Steve Waugh when he was on 56. Waugh's escape turned the match as he went on the make an unbeaten 120 to lead Australia to an unlikely five-wicket victory and a place in the semifinals. "Shane actually said if Herschelle takes a catch, stand your ground, because he doesn't hold them," coach Geoff Marsh said. The 25-year-old Gibbs took the catch well from a miscued pull off Lance Klusener, but the ball popped out of his fingers as he tried to toss it in the air in a hasty celebration. Warne's judgment was apparently based on seeing Gibbs perform the same stunt when the West Indies recently toured South Africa. Marsh said the Australian players laughed at Warne when he voiced his observation. But after Waugh got the life, Warne "came out on the balcony and laughed at us. It was unbelievable; only Warnie could do that," Marsh said. "It was pretty prophetic," Warne said. He added that the quick throw was becoming an unnecessary trend in cricket, which could make the decision on a fair catch a fine line. "I think you've got to hold the catch a bit longer than some blokes are doing. [England's] Adam Hollioake is one in particular who just takes it and throws it straight away. "It doesn't hurt to hold it a bit longer. I think most blokes will do that from here on in," he said. British soil If Australia wins the World Cup, it will be allrounder Tom Moody's second "world title" on British soil. Moody, who is preparing with his team for the semifinal here against South Africa, revealed that during Australia's 1989 tour of England he captured sport's least prestigious world title -- champion haggis thrower. The Scottish sport, which is a bit of an oddity even in Scotland, is something like hammer throw, except that the athlete perched on a barrel hurls a bag filled with sheep intestine. "I remember the haggis being about the shape of an oversize light bulb, but pretty heavy," said Moody, who stands 210 centimeters (6 feet 7 inches). "I threw it like an American football quarterback and it sailed into the car park for a world record," he said. Moody said he and his team mates were taking part in a mini-Highland games and the main event was the haggis throwing contest. "It was all very professional, he said. "The other lads thought it was hilarious and the locals couldn't believe it. I got nothing for it -- except haggis for lunch," he said. Fanatical fans Pakistan cricket fans are among the most fanatical in the world but a leading Pakistani newspaper believes their passion is misplaced. The Dawn newspaper of Karachi said recently that public expectation of the national cricket team is overblown. "We have a very demanding public," the newspaper said. "If only it was equally demanding in matters of national importance we would have no power cuts, no delayed airline flights, no [defaulted] loans and no tampering with the law," the Dawn said. Defing authority When Hansie Cronje leads his team for the semifinal against Australia on Wednesday, he would be the only captain in the World Cup to have defied the authorities consistently for the last nine matches. Cronje has refused to wear the No. 1 on his back like other captains to identify them as team leaders. Cronje uses No. 5, his long term position in the batting order. No. 1 is used by opener Gary Kirsten. Live coverage The BBC's coverage of the World Cup has been often criticized for switching off live coverage of cricket matches to broadcast other events. The latest was when it shifted from New Zealand's clash with India on Saturday to show "trooping of the color," the official celebration of the queen's birthday. But the BBC is claiming a new innovation this week with wide-angle camera coverage of the second semifinal at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Presenter Jonathan Agnew said the new technology will enable the camera to capture all the slips without losing any clarity of bowler and batsman. "Widescreen is more comfortable on the eye ... It is superb," Agnew said. The only trouble is that the technology is digital so most viewers, who have analog TV sets to receive BBC1 and BBC2 in England, won't see the benefit.   Related information Stories Waugh warns to watch out for Australia Mascarenhas transforming another player Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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