51.   The opposition claimed the government was trying to avoid defeat.

52.   The West Indians were fighting to avoid defeat in the second test against Sri Lanka at lunch on the fifth and final day Sunday.

53.   To reach the second round, England needs just to avoid a defeat on Wednesday against the Nigerians, who have already been eliminated.

54.   United, which has played three more games than Arsenal, had to avoid a defeat or a draw to keep its title hopes from collapsing.

55.   Glamorgan hung on to avoid defeat against Somerset at Swansea in a match they seemed likely to win.

56.   Instead Sacchi has been obliged, against Norway and Mexico, to pick teams to avoid defeat and ensure qualification rather than to win.

57.   Algeria host Ethiopia while Tanzania must improve a dismal away record to avoid defeat by east African neighbours Uganda.

58.   Both Norway and Austria had only needed to avoid defeat to qualify ahead of the Dutch and Irish from their respective groups.

59.   But a fighting effort by Hodge bolstered hopes of avoiding defeat.

60.   England may need to produce another rain dance to avoid defeat against South Africa at Rawalpindi in Pakistan at the weekend.