Australia’s team hierarchy has vetoed an ambitious bid by injured all rounder Andrew Symonds to defy medical logic and play in the ICC Cricket World Cup match against the Netherlands.

Zimbabwe and Ireland played to a thrilling tie in a tense finish to their ICC CWC Group D match at Sabina Park here on Thursday.

Debutants Bermuda found life at the top extremely uncomfortable as they crashed to a massive 243-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their opening ICC CWC match here on Thursday.

In what was undoubtedly the most exciting match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 so far, the Ireland-Zimbabwe game ended in a dramatic tie. Though the points were shared equally, there was little doubt as to which team walked away happier.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene was graceful in victory, praising Bermuda for making life tough for his batsmen.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will have revenge very much on his mind when the Black Caps open their ICC CWC 2007 campaign against England here at Beausejour on Friday.

The 37-year-old Lara believes his side has to overcome the kind of catastrophic batting collapse that saw them being dismissed for 85 in 25.5 overs in Friday's nine-wicket defeat to India in their final warm-up match at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said there is no need to panic despite watching his world number one side's batting line-up fail to click for the second successive match.

The ICC Cricket World Cup door opened further for Andrew Symonds yesterday, with the all rounder now believed likely to make a shock early return to action. Symonds's rehabilitation from surgery to his right biceps has gone so smoothly that team medical staff are having to hold him back from surging ahead of schedule.