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Sri Lanka off to a solid start

2011-09-17T16:14:00.000+05:00

Colombo – Sri Lanka made a steady start in reply to Australia's 316 in the third and final Test in Colombo on Saturday, reaching 86 for one by tea on the second day.

The hosts, seeking a series-levelling win, began slowly as the left-handed opening pair of Tharanga Paranavitana and Lahiru Thirimanne took 25 overs to put on 56 on the board.

Thirimanne, a 22-year-old playing only his second Test, scored a watchful 28 off 80 balls when he was bowled by seamer Peter Siddle just before tea.

Tharanga Paranavitana was unbeaten on 40 and Kumar Sangakkara, making his 100th Test appearance, was on 18 as the pair added 30

runs for the second wicket.

Michael Hussey, meanwhile, continued his prolific form in the current series with a second successive century to lift the tourists to 316 before they were all out 30 minutes before lunch.

Left-handed Hussey followed a match-winning 95 in the first Test in Galle and 142 in the drawn second game at Pallekele with a fluent 118 studded with 12 boundaries and two sixes.

The 36-year-old West Australian, playing his 62nd Test, passed 5,000 Test runs on way to his 15th century Ä the fourth against Sri Lanka.

Hussey was last man out, bowled by debutant seamer Shaminda Eranga, who finished with four for 65 after taking a wicket with his first delivery in Test cricket on Friday.

Left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara claimed three for 75, while new-ball partner Suranga Lakmal took 2-60.

Brad Haddin put on 75 for the sixth wicket with Hussey when Australia resumed the day at 235-5 before he was the first batsman to be removed in the morning session, caught behind off Eranga.

Hussey reached the 5,000-run mark with two consecutive boundaries off Welegedara that took his score to 99.

Hussey then watched from the other end as Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle were dismissed off successive balls by Welegedera, but Trent Copeland denied the seamer a hat-trick.

Hussey reached his century with a flick off Rangana Herath for a single, earning himself warm applause from his team-mates in the dressing room and 2,000 fans at the ground.

Welegedara picked up his third wicket when he had Copeland caught at second slip by Mahela Jayawardene as the Aussies slipped from 293-6 to 295-9.

Hussey scored 18 in a last-wicket stand of 21 with Nathan Lyon, including a reverse sweep off Herath to the third man fence after Sri Lanka had placed seven fielders on the leg-side.

Australia had been reduced to 22-2 in the ninth over on Friday after being sent in to bat by Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Smashing win for England

2011-09-17T11:02:00.000+05:00

Debutant Jonathan Bairstow smashed 41 not out off 21 balls as England completed a 3-0 NatWest series win over India with a six-wicket victory in a rain-affected final game in Cardiff.

Bairstow joined Ravi Bopara in the middle in the 26th over with England floundering at 166-4 in pursuit of a 241 in 34 overs - a target that had been twice revised by rain delays.

What followed was a remarkable display of controlled hitting from both batsmen as an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 75 saw England home with 10 balls to spare.

Bopara, whose dismissal on 96 in the previous match at Lord's last Sunday meant the match ended in a tie on the Duckworth-Lewis method, this time saw the job through with 37 from 22 deliveries.

But he was overshadowed by the clean striking of Yorkshire's 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow, who hit three huge sixes in his quickfire contribution.

Virat Kohli (107) and Rahul Dravid (69) - the latter in his 344th and final one-day international - had earlier powered India to a total of 304-6, which also owed much to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's late hitting in a 26-ball, unbeaten 50.

Momentum

Opener Craig Kieswetter had contributed initial momentum to England's run chase against the new ball, before going lbw for 21 to a Vinay Kumar delivery which appeared to be heading past leg-stump.

Jonathan Trott, whose first straight six off Kumar was his maiden maximum in a 34-match ODI career to date - had a huge slice of luck on 16 when he drilled Munaf Patel for a catch straight to mid-off only to be reprieved by a no-ball call.

On an increasingly greasy outfield, Munaf slipped and injured his leg - an incident which caused a 10-minute delay before the seamer limped off and out of the remainder of the match.

Trott and Alastair Cook's stand of 79 ended when, the very next ball after Dravid dropped a straightforward catch at short fine-leg, Kohli bowled the left-hander for 50 with a skilful variation leg-cutter.

As Trott moved past a half-century of his own at better than a run-a-ball, Ian Bell (26) helped to bag three sixes in one Ravindra Jadeja over as England took on the short straight boundary, only to then fail to clear when he tried again off RP Singh.

Dhoni gambled by recalling Jadeja before Bopara had settled, and Trott (63) tried to engineer a boundary into the off-side and chipped a catch to point.

Bairstow was pitched into mission improbable yet marked his debut by slog sweeping his fifth ball in international cricket for six in a Jadeja over which conceded 15 - and after he and Bopara had plundered 42 in a three-over powerplay, they only had to keep their nerve, which they did admirably.

Transformed

Earlier, Kohli's sixth hundred at this level and his stand of 170 with Dravid had transformed India's innings after an uncertain start.

Ajinkya Rahane ought to have fallen to Steven Finn for only eight but was reprieved by Samit Patel's fallible catching, at third man, after Cook won his fifth successive toss.

The tall seamer nonetheless made sure England's, and especially his frustration did not last when - also at third-man - he made good ground to lunge in and take a fine catch after Rahane somehow managed to flick an attempted swipe to leg off Jade Dernbach in his direction.

Rahane's departure brought Dravid to the crease - and a large contingent of India support duly voiced their loud appreciation for one of their country's finest batsmen.

Patel was unable to keep him company for long, holing out to mid-on in Graeme Swann's first over of off-spin.

But that meant Kohli was in the match, and he and Dravid immediately found a fluency previously lacking. Their placement and timing helped them find handy boundaries - and with 10 overs remaining, India had the perfect platform for a total in excess of 300.

Dravid's only moment of fortune came when Dernbach was unable to hold a sharp return catch away to his left, on 51, and Kohli needed no luck until he was already past his hundred from only 87 balls.

Dravid fell to the very next delivery, after his 22-year-old partner had gone to three figures, losing his off bail advancing and trying to heave Swann to leg after a 79-ball innings which contained just four fours.

Kohli had nine fours - and a straight six off Patel - when he went shortly afterwards, again just dislodging a bail as his foot slipped in the crease, to go hit wicket off Swann (3-34).

The double breakthrough gave England some respite. But Dhoni then clubbed five fours and two sixes - the second to bring up the 300.

Bairstow - Dream come true

2011-09-17T11:00:00.000+05:00

Jonny Bairstow described his England debut as a "dream come true" after his 41 off 21 balls set up a six-wicket victory over India in Cardiff.

The 21-year-old Yorkshireman smashed three sixes, two of them out of the ground, in an eye-catching performance that carried England to their revised target of 241 after rain had interrupted their innings.

"I got a call on Thursday and then to start off like this is a dream come true," Bairstow told Sky Sportsafter receiving his England cap from Geoffrey Boycott.

"He just said relax and enjoy it and that's all I tried to do. It's a positive outcome for the side and obviously they've played really well in this series.

"I wanted to enjoy the experience and hopefully we can go from here."

The result means England have completed a 3-0 series win over India, following on from their 4-0 Test series win, and they leapfrog India to go fourth in the ICC ODI Championship standings.

Captain Alistair Cook admits the team have exceeded their own expectations.

"Yes, we have," he said. "To stay unbeaten in this one-day series is a huge credit to our side and a fantastic effort from the lads.

"It's all about developing young players and giving them a chance, there are really encouraging signs for the future."

Journey

The Test series victory saw England go to number one in the world rankings but Cook admitted: "We're a long way off that but it's the start of a journey. But we know how hungry the lads are. It could have been easy after a few days off, we've already won the series, but to come and chase down that target is very satisfying."

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni collected the player of the series award for his own individual performances despite the problems his team suffered.

The weather hardly helped them but it is injuries that have blighted them throughout, with Munaf Patel hurt in this game.

"We can control the weather," Dhoni said. "Losing Munaf when he still had four overs left hurt us, he's a main bowler and it was a big blow to lose him.

"Definitely we need to manage our injuries, that's a big thing for us. We've lost nine or 10 players, every game we lost enough player, and that's a big blow for us."

Marsh impresses again

2011-09-17T10:58:00.000+05:00

Shaun Marsh compiled another impressive innings on Friday as Australia hit back after a shaky start in the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Marsh, who hit 141 on debut in the previous match, held the tourists' innings together with a confident 81 after openers Phillip Hughes and Shane Watson were both dismissed early.

The newcomer's efforts - together with those of Mike Hussey, who remained unbeaten on 63 when bad light brought play to a premature close - enabled Australia to reach 235 for five at the close on day one.

Sri Lanka, who need a win at the SSG to level the series, will be pleased with their efforts but slightly frustrated by their failure to make further inroads after the departures of Hughes and Watson left Australia teetering on 22 for two.

Marsh, surprisingly named at three in the batting order, and former skipper Ricky Ponting, back in the side after missing the Kandy Test to attend the birth of his child, steadied the ship before Hussey punished a tiring attack towards the close.

Suranga Lakmal was the pick of the bowlers with two for 39 while Shaminda Eranga claimed two for 52.

Uncertain

Watson looked uncertain from the off. He survived a leg before wicket appeal from Chanaka Welegedara from the second ball of the morning due to an inside edge but failed to keep out Eranga's first ball in Test cricket.

It was little more than a loosener but Watson pushed sloppily at it and presented Tillakaratne Dilshan a simple catch at backward point.

Hughes had already departed by then, the under-pressure youngster chopping on to his stumps to hand Lakmal the breakthrough.

Ponting took a while to get going and had only six to his name from 26 balls when Sri Lanka unsuccessfully reviewed a not out decision for caught behind off Welegedara.

The veteran hit 10 runs, including successive fours, off the left-armer's next over and there was no more danger as he and Marsh progressed steadily up to lunch as Australia reached 63 for two.

Sri Lanka wasted their second review trying to remove Ponting in the first over after the restart, but Australia started to get on top thereafter - picking up fours at a steady rate.

Lakmal widened his line as Ponting approached a half-century and the Tasmanian eventually took the bait, edging an attempted drive to Prasanna Jayawardene having made 48.

No surprise

Michael Clarke got off the mark after 12 balls but, one glanced boundary off Welegedara aside, the tourists' skipper was far from fluent.

It was no surprise when he eventually departed, to muted celebrations, having made six in 24 balls.

By then Marsh had moved serenely to 50 with a commanding stroke into the onside.

He looked set for successive tons when, having just made it into the 80s, he played for the spin to Rangana Herath and the ball went straight on, knocking back his off stump.

Brad Haddin joined Hussey and looked in good touch as he progressed to 21 not out by stumps.

Hafeez stars in Pakistan win

2011-09-17T10:54:00.000+05:00

An impressive all-round performance from Mohammad Hafeez saw Pakistan canter to an 85-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club.

Hafeez plundered 71 off 48 balls to lead the tourists to an imposing total of 198-4.

He then starred with the ball as well, claiming 4-10 in 2.2 overs as Zimbabwe were skittled out for 113.

Pakistan were asked to bat after Brendan Taylor won the toss, but the Zimbabwe captain must have been questioning his decision when Hafeez struck the second and third balls of the game for four.

Things got worse for the bowler, Chris Mpofu, when Asad Shafiq hit four successive boundaries in his next over.

Elton Chigumbura came in for similar treatment with two fours and a six hit in his first over, which cost 15, while the home bowlers were not helping themselves as they contributed a total of 15 runs through wides.

Ray Price was the chief offender, but he saw Shafiq run out for 38 off 23 balls in his next over with the score on 74.

Gifted

The blow did not slow Hafeez down though, as he whipped a four and a six of Hamilton Masakadza's first over, and was then gifted another maximum off the same bowler when Mpofu pushed the ball over the boundary.

Hafeez finally perished with the score on 147, but debutant Rameez Raja and Umar Akmal both got past 20, while Sohail Tanvir hammered an unbeaten 17 from five balls.

Sohail Khan dismissed Vusi Sibanda and Cephas Zhuwao in the second over of Zimbabwe's reply and when Sohail Tanvir got rid of Taylor with the score on 37, Pakistan were well on their way to victory.

Hafeez then took over with three quick wickets and, fittingly, returned to finish the game off by bowling Price.

Only Charles Coventry (30 off 13) and Chamu Chibhabha (28 off 26) made meaningful contributions for Zimbabwe, who will try again at the same venue on Sunday.

Big Bash tempts Warne

2011-09-17T10:50:00.002+05:00

Shane Warne has said he is ready to return from retirement to take part in Australia's Twenty20 competition the Big Bash.

The 42-year-old announced he had played his final professional game after leading the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League earlier this year. However, Warne has now said he wants to have a swansong in his home nation.

The leg-spinner, who appears in better physical condition now than at the end of his international career in 2007, suggested he would be prepared to turn out for one of the two Melbourne-based franchises in the domestic T20 league in an interview on Australian television.

He subsequently used Twitter to confirm his ambitions.

Warne wrote: "Re Big Bash - yes keen to be with a team, play a few games - help off field and help the younger players learn the game - could be fun!!!!!

"My number one priority is my children and everything works around that. But if all things fall into place re scheduling etc big bash - yes!"

Dravid wants winning send-off

2011-09-17T10:48:00.000+05:00

Rahul Dravid is more concerned with helping India beat England for the first time this summer rather than his final ODI appearance.

The 38-year-old admits this summer has been a "bitter-sweet" experience, as he has continued to churn out runs in vain while India first of all lost their number one Test status to England in an unexpected 4-0 series romp for the hosts, then were second best in a one-off Twenty20 and are 2-0 down with only one to play in the NatWest Series.

He has decided to call time on his 50-over career and could be playing his last game in Britain in Cardiff on Friday.

"I would like to sign off with a win. It would be lovely for India," he said.

"We have had a tough tour, and it would be lovely to finish with a win - irrespective of what I get."

Determination

Dravid, famously nicknamed 'The Wall' for his determination and watertight technique in Test cricket, adapted his game effectively to the 50-over format.

The results have been laudable, and he will leave the ODI stage rightly at ease that he has been such a high achiever.

"It does not feel like I am finishing, or retirement, or the end, because I will be playing Test cricket.

"But it is a nice time to reflect on what I think was a pretty pleasing and satisfying one-day career.

"I don't think there is going to be anything different in my life from tomorrow onwards.

"My wife did mention there were some very nice things written about me during the Test series, back in India.

"It was a bit bitter-sweet in the sense there was a lot of satisfaction personally against a tough attack and scoring runs, but it has been a disappointing tour for us.

"I am still truly humbled by some of the nice things said about me in the last few weeks."

Pleasure

With characteristic modesty, Dravid cites an event in which he himself played no part as perhaps the proudest moment of his cricketing life.

He was not selected in the squad which this year won India's second World Cup, on home ground, yet he took more pleasure in that collective success than in any of his own personal glories.

He added: "I'm not dreading quitting.

"You just recognise that the time has got to come at some stage when you have got to move on.

"I am happy and I am comfortable with that.

"I have had some highs and lows in both forms of the game.

"That is life, that is cricket - and it has taught me a lot about myself as a person and how to deal with a lot of things.

"I have absolutely no regrets.

England send for Bairstow, Buttler

2011-09-17T10:46:00.000+05:00

England have called Jonathan Bairstow and Jos Buttler into their NatWest Series squad after Ben Stokes suffered a recurrence of a finger injury.

Durham batsman Stokes has played in each of England's four matches so far against India.

England are already 2-0 up, after a no-result at Chester-le-Street and then a tie at Lord's on Sunday, but have been disrupted by two other injuries already, which reduced them to 12 fit men to choose from - before Stokes was hit during batting drills on Thursday.

Eoin Morgan and Stuart Broad both succumbed to shoulder problems, and Stokes took a blow to the right index finger he broke earlier this year and which has prevented him bowling since.

Uncapped Yorkshireman Bairstow is thought to be the most likely to replace Stokes, if necessary - while Buttler, who was playing in the final day of Somerset's match against Lancashire at Taunton on Thursday, is called in as more general cover.

England aiming for whitewash

2011-09-16T09:51:00.000+05:00

London – England captain Alastair Cook is hoping to complete a miserable tour for India on Friday by wrapping up a 3-0 one-day series victory over the tourists.

India are yet to taste victory over England this summer, having been whitewashed 4-0 in the Test series and trailing 2-0 ahead of Friday's final one-dayer in Cardiff.

However India came agonisingly close to pipping England at Lord's last weekend, and Cook remains wary of the threat posed by the wounded tourists heading into the match.

“The last two games have been very close, and have shown what a talented side India are,” Cook said.

“We're going to have to play at the top of our game to try to win, and finish the summer on a high as a one-day team.”

Cook however is satisfied with England's form in his first season in charge as skipper of the limited overs side, which also included a 3-2 series win over Sri Lanka.

“It's been a good start, and I'm very happy with the way the lads have taken to me as captain and bought into the ideas,” Cook said.

“I'm very happy with winning both series. We know how tough it's going to be in the next two months or so (in a return series in India), but this side has always responded well to challenges.”

Cook also believes England's one-day squad can improve.

“We are a very young side trying to make progress,” he said. “The exciting thing is I don't think we've played as well as we can.

“We have been put under pressure in this series, but have still won the games. That is very encouraging.

Meanwhile Cook paid tribute to India batsman Rahul Dravid, who will be playing his 344th and final one-day game.

“He's scored 10,000 runs in both forms of the game. He's managed to adapt his game to every surface,” Cook said. “He is an all-time great.”

Pakistan whitewash Zimbabwe

2011-09-15T09:59:00.000+05:00

Harare, Zimbabwe – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 28 runs in the third one-day international on Wednesday to complete a clean sweep of the three-match series.

Pace bowler Aizaz Cheema claimed a career-best 4/43 as Zimbabwe was restricted to 242/9 in 50 overs after Pakistan posted 270/5.

Cheema mixed up his deliveries well to remove Brendan Taylor (6), Malcolm Waller (19), Elton Chigumbura (9) and Ray Price (10).

Spinner Yasir Shah picked up two wickets as Zimbabwe collapsed after posting a century first-wicket partnership between openers Vusi Sibanda (59) and Chamu Chibhabha (62).

Pakistan set Zim 271 to win

2011-09-15T09:54:00.000+05:00

Harare – Zimbabwe were set a winning target of 271 runs by Pakistan after containing the tourists' acceleration towards the end of innings on the third of three ODI at Harare Sports Club Wednesday.

Pakistan won the first two internationals and got off to a spectacular start with Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat scoring 32 runs off the first three overs.

However on a batsmen friendly pitch Zimbabwe managed to turn the screw and slow Pakistan's run rate, which climaxed at 270 in their 50 overs.

Despite their promising start Hafeez and Farhat both mistimed attempts for boundaries and were caught, Hafeez by Malcolm Waller off Brian Vitori for 23 and Farhat by Chamu Chibhabha off Elton Chigumbura for 37.

With the score standing at 76/2 and the run rate dropping to about five an over from then on, Zimbabwe held the fort well although Assad Shafiq and Younis Khan put on 97 for the third wicket without undue haste as the score steadily mounted.

Shafiq made 51 – his fifth half-century – before being stumped by Tatenda Taibu off Ray Price. Taibu fumbled the ball but Shafiq was so far down the wicket he was able to recover.

Khan was looking to secure his seventh ODI century but he was caught and bowled Kyle Jarvis with a diving effort for 81. It was his 44th half century in internationals.

Zimbabwe had hopes for a breakthrough at that stage and Shoaib Malik only accrued 14 before being caught and bowled by Chigumbura, who made amends for dropping Khan when he was on 56.

Misbah ul Haq and Adnan Akmal in his unorthodox fashion moved the scoreboard briskly along to the final 270-5 with 29 and 24 respectively.

Apart from a poor start the Zimbabwe bowlers were better than in recent matches, Chigumbura especially tight and successful with 2/36 in nine overs.

Zimbabwe need to produce at least a score that comes close to the Pakistan total in order to satisfy their critics, who have been vocal in the last few days. A win would quickly turn their fortunes around – and their status at this level.

Swann to skipper for Windies T20s

2011-09-15T09:53:00.000+05:00

London – Graeme Swann was Wednesday named captain of England's squad for two Twenty20 internationals against West Indies.

With injured captain and vice-captain Stuart Broad and Eoin Morgan currently unavailable, England had been hesitating over who would lead the team at The Oval next week.

Both one-day international captain Alastair Cook and regular Tim Bresnan made it clear over the past two days that they would jump at the chance to take over.

But Test and ODI opener Cook remains outside the Twenty20 squad, having not featured in the shortest format for almost two years.

There is also no Kevin Pietersen in the 14-man list, meaning England will start with a youthful squad which includes two potential debutants in Yorkshire batsman Jonathan Bairstow and Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs.

There is a return to Twenty20 for fast bowler James Anderson, inked in for Tests and ODIs – while young Durham leg-spinner Scott Borthwick is the other addition to the squad from the one which beat India by six wickets last month.

National Selector Geoff Miller said: “We have once again selected a blend of experienced international performers, along with exciting young players with a great deal of talent.

“We have had a successful summer to date and will be looking to continue our form during the Twenty20 series against West Indies and finish the summer with two strong performances.

“We have selected 10 of the players who were involved in last month's Twenty20 victory over India, while the injuries to Stuart Broad and Eoin Morgan and the continued period of rest for Kevin Pietersen means we bring four players into the squad.”

Off-spinner Swann, who has never captained his country before, will become the fifth man to lead them this summer.

Miller added: “Graeme Swann is a highly-respected member of the England side, and his experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable when he leads a young England team next week – a role he is very much looking forward to.”

England play the West Indies at The Oval on September 23 and 25.

SQUAD

GP Swann (capt), JM Anderson, JM Bairstow, RS Bopara, SG Borthwick, TT Bresnan, DR Briggs, JC Buttler, JW Dernbach, ST Finn, AD Hales, C Kieswetter (wkt), SR Patel, BA Stokes.

Aleem Dar wins the David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year 2011

2011-09-14T12:06:00.000+05:00

Umpire Aleem Dar has won the David Shepherd Trophy for third time after being named ICC Umpire of the Year at the LG ICC Awards in London tonight.

Dar, who is 43 and from Pakistan, was voted to this award by the 10 Full Member captains as well as the eight-man Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, based on his decision statistics and officiating skills over the past 12 months.

It is the third year in a row that he has received the ICC award which was renamed last year after the late England umpire David Shepherd*.

Dar accepted his award from ICC Hall of Fame 2011 inductee Alan Davidson and said: "It's a great honour and I'm thankful to everyone at the ICC and also my colleagues on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires along with the Pakistan Cricket Board. I'd like to also thank all my family for all their support since I'm away nearly eight months of the year umpiring."

Dar beat off strong competition from his colleagues on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires Steve Davis, Ian Gould and five-time ICC Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel.

Dar, who made his international debut as an umpire in 2000, joined the Emirates Elite Panel in 2004. In the voting period of these awards, Dar stood in five Tests and 13 ODIs. He stood in the ICC Cricket World Cup in the India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where he was an on-field umpire in eight of the matches, including the final between India and Sri Lanka.

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 ? presented in association with FICA ? take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Women's Cricketer of the Year and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 25-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Stafanie Taylor wins ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year 2011

2011-09-14T12:04:00.000+05:00

West Indies all-rounder Stafanie Taylor has been ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year at the LG ICC Awards in London.

During the voting period Taylor played 10 ODIs for the West Indies scoring 610 runs at the top of the order at an average of 76.25, while the off-spinner also claimed 15 wickets. She also scored 49 runs and took five wickets in Twenty20 Internationals in the period.

The 20-year-old took the accolade ahead of England duo Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway and last year's winner of the title, Australia's Shelley Nitschke.

The accolade rounds off a successful year for Taylor who was part of the West Indies side that was victorious as the ICC Women's Twenty20 Cricket Challenge in South Africa.

Taylor was unable to attend the ceremony to collect her award in person due to finishing a series against Pakistan yesterday in Guyana.

Upon hearing the news of her win, Taylor said: "It is a fantastic honour to be named the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.

"I said before the awards that my goal was to be the number one women's cricketer in the world and I'm on my way there with the rankings and to be named the winner of this award makes me extremely happy.

"I would like to thank my team-mates and coaches from the West Indies team and also my domestic side Jamaica and also my family for all the support they continue to give me and I hope I can continue to represent the West Indies with pride."

The Women's Cricketer of the Year Award was one of 10 individual prizes given at this year's LG ICC Awards.

The nominations for the Women's Cricketer of the Year were decided after a committee of former players, current administrators and journalists created a long-list. This in turn was broken down into a short-list by a separate 25-person voting academy.

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 – presented in association with FICA – take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Ryan ten Doeschate wins ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year 2011

2011-09-14T12:03:00.000+05:00

Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate has become the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year for the second successive year at the LG ICC Awards in London.

The voting academy chose ten Doeschate over other top Associate and Affiliate players including Afghanistan?s Hamid Hassan and the Ireland duo of Paul Stirling and Kevin O?Brien. It is the third time ten Doeschate has claimed the award, the first time he picked up the title was in 2008 while he also won the award last year.

During the 12-month voting period, all-rounder ten Doeschate played for the Netherlands in six ODIs making two centuries and one half-century. His batting average was 61.40 for the period with a strike rate of 89.24.

The 31-year-old Essex player scored both his ODI centuries during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the first against England in Nagpur and the second against fellow Associate side Ireland in Kolkata.

Ten Doeschate, who was unable to attend due to playing commitments, said upon winning the third ICC award of his career said: ?I?m really sorry I couldn't be there tonight. It's obviously a great privilege to win this award and I'd like to thank all the coaches and my team mates who have helped me during what has been a very good year for the Netherlands cricket team. I hope everyone has a good night and again sorry I can?t be there.?

The Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year Award was one of ten individual prizes given at this year?s LG ICC Awards. It was announced by Hashim Amla of South Africa.

The Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year award serves to recognise and reward the efforts in all international matches of the outstanding cricketers from the teams outside the ICC Full Members.

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 ? presented in association with FICA ? take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Women?s Cricketer of the Year and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 25-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Tim Southee wins ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year 2011

2011-09-14T12:02:00.000+05:00

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has won the ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year in recognition of his five wickets for 18 runs against Pakistan in New Zealand.

This is the fourth year the award has been given to recognise the most impressive performance by a player in Twenty20 Internationals during the 12-month voting period and it continues to mark the advent of this exciting format of the game at international level.

On 26 December 2010, during the Black Caps' Twenty20 International match against Pakistan in Auckland, Southee ripped through the Pakistani top order in a performance that saw him take 5-18 in his four overs including one maiden. He also claimed a catch to dismiss the then Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and the side went on to win the game by five wickets.

According the LG ICC Awards' 25-person voting academy Southee's effort was the most impressive of the voting period from 11 August 2010 to 3 August 2011.

It beat competition from England's Tim Bresnan for his four wickets for three runs against Pakistan in Cardiff in September 2010; South Africa's JP Duminy for his 96 not out in 54 balls against Zimbabwe in Kimberley on 10 October 2010 and Australia's Shane Watson for his 59 runs in 31 balls against England in Adelaide 12 January 2011.

The 22-year-old from Whangerai was unable to attend the awards but upon hearing the news he said: "I'm sorry I'm unable to attend the awards and it's a great privilege to accept the ICC Twenty 20 Performance of the Year. Looking at the nominees it's a great achievement to have even been nominated and to win it is something I will never forget.

"Looking back at the game which has won me the award, it was Boxing Day in a full house at Eden Park and it was a big game for us as we'd been going through a rough patch of losing, something like 12 or 13 games lost on the trot and it was our first win in a long time. It was great to be able to contribute to that win and also put in a great performance."

The Twenty20 International Performance of the Year was one of 10 individual honours handed out during the LG ICC Awards in association with FICA. The event, held at Grosvenor House Hotel, London recognises cricket's star performers over a 12-month period.

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 – presented in association with FICA – take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it is being held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Kumar Sangakkara claims the LG People's Choice Award

2011-09-14T12:00:00.002+05:00

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara has become the second-ever recipient of the LG People's Choice Award at the LG ICC Awards in London.

Sangakkara was voted to the award by the general public and beat off strong competition for the award from South Africa's Hashim Amla, England's Jonathan Trott, West Indies' Chris Gayle and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The award, which was introduced last year at the LG ICC Awards in Bengaluru, was chosen by cricket fans around the world who, over the course of four weeks had the opportunity to vote for their favourite player. Sangakkara was unable to collect the award in person due to current playing commitments in the Sri Lanka Test series against Australia in Colombo.

Andy Mackay, LG Electronics UK Commercial Director, announced that the Sri Lankan had scooped the prize at the ceremony in London.

Upon hearing the news of winning the award, Sangakkara said: "It's a great privilege having won this award especially since it was voted for by the fans. I would like to thank all of you, not just those who voted for me but everyone who come, day in and day out, to watch us play.

"We will continue doing our best to entertain you and keep attracting more and more fans to see this wonderful sport."

The cricketers were selected on the basis of some really innovative parameters, in sync with the values that embody brand LG, by a five-man ICC selection panel. This panel was chaired by former West Indies captain and current chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee Clive Lloyd and includes former international players Zaheer Abbas of Pakistan, Mike Gatting of England, Paul Adams of South Africa and Danny Morrison of New Zealand.

The values by which the winner was judged include innovation, dynamism, strength in decision-making, performing well under pressure and executing a plan to distinction. The winner of this award should demonstrate an ability to engage spectators and should also embody the game's unique spirit, both on and off the field.

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 – presented in association with FICA – take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Dhoni's gesture earns ICC Spirit of Cricket Award

2011-09-14T11:59:00.002+05:00

India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2011 at the LG ICC Awards in London.

Despite being wrapped up in an intense and difficult Test series in England, the India captain showed the right spirit in agreeing to allow England batsman Ian Bell to continue batting when he was run out in controversial circumstances during the second Test at Trent Bridge in July 2011.

On what was the last ball before tea on the third day, Bell hit the ball towards the boundary. He mistakenly thought it had gone for four, left his crease and headed towards the pavilion assuming the session was over and the ball dead. Meanwhile the ball, which had not reached the rope and therefore was still in play, was returned to the middle, the bails removed and Bell was correctly given run out.

Upon reflection during the tea interval and following a request from the England team, Dhoni withdrew the appeal and recalled Bell thus turning boos into cheers from the appreciative Nottingham crowd.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "While the initial appeal and umpire decision were correct to the letter of the law, the decision by Mahendra and his team to withdraw the appeal shows great maturity. To see players and officials uphold the Great Spirit of cricket, which has underpinned the game for more than a century, is very special."

This award is voted by the members of the Emirates Elite Panels of ICC Match Referees and Umpires. Dhoni's gesture was voted as the winner ahead of that of South Africa's Jacques Kallis, who twice demonstrated such spirit during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 by walking once he had clarified with opposition fielders directly that they had caught the ball cleanly rather than waiting for the umpires to decide.

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 – presented in association with FICA – take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Alastair Cook named Test Cricketer of the Year 2011

2011-09-14T11:58:00.002+05:00

England's Alastair Cook has been named Test Cricketer of the Year 2011 at the LG ICC Awards.

During the performance period, he played 12 Tests and in 18 innings, he compiled 1,302 runs at an average of 51.74, including six centuries and four half-centuries. His highest score of 235 not out against Australia at Brisbane helped his team towards series victory as it won the Ashes away from home for the first time since the 1986-87 season.

The independent voting academy of 25 highly credentialed cricket experts put Cook first, ahead of an impressive group of players that had been short-listed, including England team-mates Jonathan Trott and James Anderson, as well as Jacques Kallis of South Africa, who previously won this award in 2005.

Cook received his trophy from West Indies ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Curtly Ambrose and said: "I think the highlight of year was when we won in Sydney, to beat Australia and Chris Tremlett to take that final wicket it was truly a great year. This award is about the rest of the team not just me."

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 - presented in association with FICA - take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Women's Cricketer of the Year and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 25-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Kumar Sangakkara named ODI Player of the Year 2011

2011-09-14T11:57:00.002+05:00

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara has been named ODI Player of the Year 2011 at the LG ICC Awards in London.

During the performance period, he played 25 ODIs and compiled 1,049 runs at an average of 55.21, including one century and seven half-centuries. As wicketkeeper, he also took 36 victims comprising 26 catches and 10 stumpings. Despite that busy workload, he still managed to lead his country to the ICC Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai where they lost narrowly to home team India.

The independent voting academy of 25 highly credentialed cricket experts put Sangakkara first, ahead of such talented and in-form players as Australia's Shane Watson, Gautam Gambhir of India and South Africa's Hashim Amla.

Sangakkara was unable to attend the awards due to playing in the recently completed Test match against Australia in Pallekele. Upon hearing the news he said: "It's a great honour first of all to have been nominated for this award and a great honour to have actually won it.

"I would like to thank the rest of my teammates, they have done a great job over the years in one-day cricket and I am privileged to be part of this and led these guys for just over two years. I thank you again, I feel very very proud."

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 – presented in association with FICA – take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Women's Cricketer of the Year and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 25-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

Jonathan Trott named ICC Cricketer of the Year 2011

2011-09-14T11:56:00.000+05:00

England's Jonathan Trott has been named ICC Cricketer of the Year 2011 at the LG ICC Awards after an extraordinary 12 months for the batsman.

In 12 Tests, he compiled 1,042 runs at an average of 65.12, including four centuries and three half-centuries. In addition, he played 24 ODIs, hitting 1,064 runs at an average of 48.36 with two centuries and nine 50s. In that time he has helped his team retain the Ashes in Australia, reach the quarter-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and also register other Test series victories against Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.

The independent voting academy of 25 highly credentialed cricket experts put Trott first, ahead of a formidable group of players that had been short-listed, including England team-mate Alastair Cook, last year's winner Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa opening batsman Hashim Amla.

Trott follows in the footsteps of India's Rahul Dravid (2004), Andrew Flintoff of England and South Africa's Jacques Kallis (joint winners in 2005), Ricky Ponting of Australia (2006 and 2007), West Indies' Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2008), Mitchell Johnson of Australia (2009) and India's Sachin Tendulkar (2010) to take the top award.

Trott accepted the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy from ICC President Sharad Pawar at a glittering ceremony in London and was clearly thrilled with the accolade.

He said: "It's fantastic to be part of a successful team and I never envisaged winning this award and it's a brilliant feeling to be recognised."

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 ? presented in association with FICA ? take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Women's Cricketer of the Year and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 25-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the ICC Intercontinental Cup final, several ICC World Cricket Leagues as well as several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and this year it will be held in London, England. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

AB, Steyn make ODI Team of the Year

2011-09-13T11:49:00.000+05:00

AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn have been named in the International Cricket Council ODI Team of the Year, which was announced in London on Monday.

De Villiers and Steyn also made the ICC Test Team of the Year, announced a fortnight ago.

“This has been an outstanding year for 50-over cricket. I think everyone saw in the ICC Cricket World Cup how exciting this format can be,” said ICC Awards selection panel chairman Clive Lloyd.

“The ICC Cricket World Cup was rightly applauded as one of the greatest in history and no one who was in Mumbai will forget that remarkable evening,” he said.

Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy will also be up for top honours at the 2011 ICC Awards.

Amla is nominated for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC, Cricketer of the Year and for ICC ODI Player of the Year.

Kallis is up against the English trio of James Anderson, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, as well as the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.

Duminy is nominated for the ICC T20 International Performance of the Year.

ICC ODI Team of the Year (in batting order): Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL), Virender Sehwag (Ind), Kumar Sangakkara (SL), AB de Villiers (SA), Shane Watson (Aus), Yuvraj Singh (Ind), MS Dhoni (Ind, wicketkeeper/captain), Graeme Swann (Eng), Umar Gul (Pak), Dale Steyn (SA), Zaheer Khan (Ind), 12th Man Lasith Malinga (SL)

Broad injury blow confirmed

2011-09-13T11:47:00.000+05:00

Stuart Broad will miss at least eight matches for England after it was confirmed that he has suffered a torn muscle in his right shoulder.

The Twenty20 captain has been ruled out of two 20-over contests against West Indies at the end of next week, as well as the last match of the one-day series against India at Cardiff on Friday.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board have also said that Broad, who hurt himself bowling in the fourth one-dayer at Lord's on Sunday, will miss the return leg of five ODIs in India in October.

England will therefore be searching for a replacement to captain the team against the Windies in their final two matches of the summer, with vice-captain Eoin Morgan ruled out after shoulder surgery.

An ECB statement read: "England bowler Stuart Broad will miss the final ODI against India and the NatWest Twenty20 series against West Indies, as well as the ODI leg of the India tour, with a muscle tear within his right shoulder.

"Broad may be fit to join the England squad for the Twenty20 fixture scheduled for October 29 in Kolkata."

Weeks out

ECB chief medical officer Nick Peirce added: "Stuart has a muscle tear within his shoulder and will require an initial period of rest and rehabilitation.

"Exact timescales will be determined in due course, but he is likely to be ruled out of cricket for a number of weeks."

There is the prospect of England employing a fifth captain of an arduous summer. Broad, Morgan, and Test and one-day international leaders Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook have all been in charge so far.

Alternatively, Cook, cast for so long as an out-and-out Test batsman who would not be able to adapt adequately to the shorter formats, could be pressed back into action as captain to resume a 20-over career which appeared to have terminally stalled after only his fourth cap almost two years ago.

Broad wrote on Twitter: "Bad news on the shoulder, torn a muscle, I know which one, just can't spell it."

Steven Finn had to complete the stricken Broad's bowling duties - and dosed up with pain-killers and after an uncomfortable net on the nursery ground it was decided he would be able to bat if necessary as England chased 280-5.

Broad's number eight position was filled instead by Graeme Swann, however, and he was held back to 11, not required in the end as bad weather resulted in a dramatic Duckworth-Lewis tie which meant England clinched the series.

Australia, Sri Lanka draw

2011-09-12T17:21:00.000+05:00

Pallekele, Sri Lanka – Resolute Sri Lankan batting and bad weather frustrated Australia's bid for a series-clinching win as the second Test ended in a draw in Pallekele on Monday.

Just 35.3 overs were bowled on the final day, in which Sri Lanka moved from their overnight score of 223/2 to 317/6 in the second innings, an overall lead of 80 with four wickets in hand.

Three half-centuries led a determined batting display by the hosts, who had faced defeat after being shot out for 174 in their first knock.

Seamer Ryan Harris finished with 3/54 as the tourists chipped away at the Sri Lankan middle order, but rain did not leave enough time for Michael Clarke's men to force the result that would have given them the series.

Angelo Mathews was unbeaten on 11 and Suraj Randiv was on four when play was halted midway through the post-lunch session. The match was finally called off two hours before the scheduled close.

Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after their 125-run win in the first Test in Galle, with the final Test starting at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Friday.

Sri Lanka, who trailed by 14 runs at the start of the day, lost both their overnight batsmen, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, within the first hour.

Australia removed the two star batsmen with the second new ball, which was taken as soon as it was due after one over from Trent Copeland with the old ball.

Sangakkara failed to add to his overnight score of 69 when he was squared up by a lifting delivery from Harris and edged a waist-high catch to Clarke at second slip.

The dismissal broke a threatening 101-run stand for the third wicket between Sri Lanka's main batting hopes.

Clarke then dived to his left to snap a stunning low catch in the slips and send back Jayawardene for 51 off the bowling off Copeland.

Jayawardene stood his ground as the umpires debated whether the ball had touched the ground before landing in Clarke's hand, but replays confirmed it was a clean catch.

Sri Lanka were 288/4, a lead of 51 runs, when a sharp shower drove the players back to the pavilion and the umpires ordered lunch 30 minutes early.

When play resumed, Australia grabbed two wickets in the space of six runs to reduce Sri Lanka to 307/6.

Harris picked up his third wicket of the innings when he forced Prasanna Jayawardene (21) to edge a catch to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

Thilan Samaraweera made a dogged 43 when he was dismissed in similar fashion by Shane Watson in the post-lunch session.

Series sweep for England after tie

2011-09-12T11:58:00.000+05:00

London - England completed a series victory over world champions India on Sunday after the fourth one-day international at Lord's ended in a Duckworth/Lewis tie on Sunday when rain forced the players off the field with seven balls remaining.

The result was decided by a boundary catch when Ravi Bopara attempted to clear the ropes to complete his first one-day international century.

He was well held by Ravindra Jadeja in the deep for 96 to reduce England to 270 for eight from 48.5 overs in reply to India's 280 for five.

The teams left the field immediately afterwards with no more play possible and Bopara's dismissal meant the teams were tied on the Duckworth/Lewis method for deciding rain-reduced matches.

England still took a 2-0 in the five-match series after the first game was rained out.

They meet for the final time in Cardiff next Friday with India yet to record a single international win in the English summer after they were whitewashed 4-0 in the test series.

“We got ourselves into a great situation but I think a tie was fair result,” England captain Alastair Cook said at the post-match presentations.

Bopara's highest one-day score followed an innings of 40 in a winning cause at the Oval last Friday. He was dropped from the test side during the 2009 Ashes series but fought his way back this year after Jonathan Trott was injured.

Ajinkya Rahane (38) and Parthiv Patel (27) gave India a sound start, scoring 65 from 13.3 overs, with Rahane striking Steven Finn for six followed by two consecutive boundaries.

Both fell to Stuart Broad in consecutive overs and the introduction of Graeme Swann was even more successful.

In his opening over, the off-spinner had Virat Kohli caught behind for 16 and Rahul Dravid followed three balls later, caught and bowled for 19.

India were in trouble at 110 for four in the 26th over but captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (78 not out), as he had at the Oval, played with a sensible mixture of defence and measured aggression in combination with Suresh Raina (84 not out) to turn the innings around.

Raina top-edged a deliberate four and swiped Anderson into the crowd over mid-wicket to bring up his half-century and the pair were still together when Broad started the final over of the innings.

Dhoni pulled the first delivery for six over mid-wicket and the bowler pulled up in pain after his second, clutching his right tricep. He left the field and Finn bowled the remaining four balls, dismissing Raina to capture his only wicket of the innings.

Craig Kieswetter and Alastair Cook both gifted their wickets within the first six overs when England began their reply.

Kieswetter on 12 gave himself room to belt RP Singh over the inner circle but skied the ball and was caught by Jadeja at extra-cover. Cook perished for the same score in similar fashion.

Ian Bell eschewed risk in a composed innings of 54 with only three boundaries, adding 98 from 121 balls with Bopara. Bopara also took no chances, picking up singles and playing one delicate sweep to the fine-leg boundary.

He continued to manipulate the ball skillfully both sides of the pitch, losing Ben Stokes for seven and Tim Bresnan for a belligerent 27.

Swann, promoted in place of the injured Broad, played the aggressor's role, clumping from 31 in a partnership of 50 when he was run out by a direct hit by bowler Munaf Patel, followed immediately by Bopara's dismissal.

Raina flays England’s bowlers

2011-09-12T11:57:00.000+05:00

London – Suresh Raina hit 84 as India made 280-5 off their 50 overs after being put in to bat in the fourth one-day international here at Lord's on Sunday.

Raina shared a stand of 169 with captain MS Dhoni (78 not out) which was the highest fifth wicket partnership for India in one-day internationals against England as India posted a challenging total.

Dhoni faced 71 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes, whilst Raina, who accelerated late in his innings faced 75 balls and hit seven fours and two sixes.

But it looked like it would be a different story when India were 110-4 in 26th over.

Graeme Swann had just dismissed Virat Kholi and Rahul Dravid in his first over and one more wicket would have exposed the Indian tail.

But Raina and Dhoni got their side to a score well above the average first innings one-day total here with aggressive batting which delighted the hordes of Indian supporters at the ground.

They helped their side to add 109 off the last ten overs with both batsmen hitting the English bowlers high into stands as India finally enjoyed themselves after a dismal summer in England.

In a bad session for England Stuart Broad went off without completing the final over holding his arm and Steve Finn was called on to bowl the rest of the over.

Earlier, Broad had dismissed both openers Parthiv Patel for 27

and Ajinkya Rahane for 38 but Finn, playing his first match of the series, went wicketless despite bowling well.

He eventually snared Raina when he was asked to replace Broad when the batsman was superbly caught by Ben Stokes in the deep.

England lead the five-match series 2-0 with one no result and one match left to play, in Cardiff, on Friday.

Pakistan restrict Zim in second ODI

2011-09-12T11:56:00.000+05:00

Harare – Pakistan held the upper hand after restricting Zimbabwe to 225-6 in their second One Day International at Harare Sports Club here Sunday.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat with Brendan Taylor's team getting off to a very slow start.

There were three maidens in the first seven overs by Juanid Khan and Sohail Tanveer. Vusi Sibanda scored one run from 20 balls before getting out for 14.

Hamilton Masakadza scored only four from his first 25 balls.

In the first 10 overs only 22 runs were on the scoreboard.

It all added up to potential disaster for the home team, though they went on to make a recovery of sorts.

Masakadza ended with 68 runs but from 118 balls, well below par. He held the team together, but fell well short of what he should have scored from that number of deliveries. It was his 18th half century.

Taylor also got 50 runs, his 23rd half century, while Tatenda Taibu hit a bright and adventurous 26. Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya took 13 off Tanveer's last over, but it had the look of being too little too late.

It was as much Pakistan's opening attack success as Zimbabwe's failure in the early stages of the innings.

Junaid Khan finished with 1-29 in 10 overs, and Tanveer took two wickets for 43 in nine overs.

Sibanda and partner Justice Chibhabha simply couldn't cope with the seamers' policy of swinging the ball across them.

The Zimbabwe middle order were much more comfortable with the spinners, taking a succession of singles. Masakadza and Elton Chigumbura hit sixes but they were more gestures than substantive contributions.

Taylor might well rue the decision to bat first. Pakistan have a strong batting line-up and they will be feeling confident of getting 226 runs for victory and the series.

Pakistan won the first of the three match series in Nulawayo on Thursday.

Sri Lanka fight for survival

2011-09-12T11:55:00.000+05:00

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka put on a determined batting display on Sunday to improve their chances of forcing a draw in the second cricket Test against Australia.

Sri Lanka, who were shot out for 174 in the first innings, moved to 223-2 in their second knock before bad light ended play an hour early on the fourth day at the Pallekele International Stadium.

Former captains Kumar Sangakkara (69) and Mahela Jayawardene (38) were together at the crease, having put on 95 valuable runs so far for the third wicket.

Sri Lanka, who trail 1-0 in the three-match series, will start the final day's play on Monday just 14 runs behind Australia, and with eight wickets in hand on a good batting pitch.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, worried over forecasts of bad weather, had declared his team's first innings at an overnight score of 411-7 in order to bid for a victory.

Rain and bad light allowed 79 of the stipulated 98 overs on Sunday, but heavy thundershowers have been forecast on the fifth day.

Australia's hopes of terminating Sri Lanka's innings quickly rest on the second new ball which will be available after one more over.

Sri Lanka's openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana (55) put on 81 for the first wicket, their best partnership of the series so far after stands of four, zero and two in the previous three outings.

Under bright skies they warded off the early threat from the Australian seamers.

But Dilshan undid the good work just before lunch with a wild heave, soon after a five-minute stoppage due to bad light.

The captain, who looked settled in on 36, drove at a wide ball outside the off-stump from seamer Ryan Harris but only managed to edge a catch to Shane Watson at first slip.

Paranavitana went on to compile his eighth Test half century before falling to a controversial decision by third umpire Aleem Dar.

The left-hander played defensively to Mike Hussey and the ball lodged in the gloves of wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who was the only one to appeal for a catch.

When umpire Tony Hill turned down the appeal, the Australians asked for Ä and received Ä a favourable review from Dar, even though television replays proved inconclusive.

Sangakkara, preparing for his 100th Test match next week, mastered the Australian bowlers to hit eight boundaries. The more circumspect Jayawardene had three fours.

The tourists are looking to clinch the three-match series on their first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2004 after winning the opening contest in Galle by 125 runs.

Hussey strikes for Australia

2011-09-12T11:54:00.000+05:00

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka - Australia's part-time bowler Michael Hussey removed opener Tharanga Paranavitana to halt Sri Lanka's rearguard in the fourth day's second session of the second Test on Sunday.

At tea, Sri Lanka were 164 for two wickets, still trailing by 73 runs, with their most experienced batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene unbeaten on 35 and 13 respectively with an unbroken third wicket partnership of 36.

Hussey dismissed Paranavitana in the fifth ball of his first over, having the opener caught behind by wicket keeper Brad Haddin for 55.

Umpire Tony Hill had to change his 'not out' decision as Australia captain Michael Clarke asked for a review on Haddin's strong request though Hussey did not even appeal.

Hussey's wicket maiden over came as Australia were becoming desperate to break the second wicket partnership in order to capitalise their 237-run first innings lead.

In Sri Lanka's first innings, Hussey dismissed Kumar Sangakkara in his one over to break the home team's highest partnership.

Paranawitana's 143-ball knock helped steady the home team, who had lost the first five wickets before making 100 in the first innings and the both innings of the first test.

Resuming the innings 83 for one wicket after lunch, Paranawitana shared 47 runs with Sangakkara for the second wicket before being dismissed.

In the first session, openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Paranavitana shared an 81-run first wicket partnership before Sri Lanka captain was caught by Shane Watson off Ryan Harris for 36.

Both openers attacked Australian fast bowlers and played patiently after they failing to build the foundation Sri Lanka had been looking for throughout the series.

Earlier, Australia declared their first innings before the day's play started with the total of 411 for seven wickets and the tourists enjoy a 237-run lead.

On Saturday debutant Shaun Marsh and Michael Hussey scored hundreds to lift Australia first innings to 411 runs. Australia won the first test of the three-match series in Galle by 125 runs.

Sri Lanka off to a better start

2011-09-12T11:53:00.000+05:00

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka - Strong batting by Sri Lanka's openers helped them lift their second innings score in the fourth day's first session of the second Test on Sunday after tourists Australia had declared with a 237-run first innings lead.

Openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana shared an 81-run first wicket partnership in 26.5 overs before Sri Lanka captain was caught by Shane Watson off Ryan Harris for 36.

At lunch, Sri Lanka were 81 for one wicket with Paranavitana 36 not out and Sangakkara yet to score, still trailing 154 runs.

Both openers attacked Australian fast bowlers and played patiently after they failing to build the foundation Sri Lanka had been looking for in the series.

Play was stopped due to rain after 25.4 overs when Sri Lanka were 81 for no loss and resumed after 13 minutes.

Dilshan's dismissal in fifth ball of the 27th over came before the play was stopped for the lunch in 28 overs.

Earlier, Australia declared their first innings before the day's play started with the total of 411 for seven wickets and the tourists enjoy a 237-run lead.

On Saturday debutant Shaun Marsh and Michael Hussey scored hundreds to lift Australia first innings to 411 runs. Australia won the first test of the three-match series in Galle by 125 runs.

Cook - Pressure was on

2011-09-10T17:23:00.000+05:00

Captain Alastair Cook paid tribute to the way his side's lower order handled the pressure to see home England's victory over India in the third one-day international.

The hosts clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with a three-wicket Duckworth-Lewis win at the Oval after a rain delay had interrupted them.

Craig Kieswetter made 52 at the top of the innings before a string of quick wickets fell, with a calming innings of 41 from Ravi Bopara needed to stop the chase falling apart.

Bopara combined with Tim Bresnan for a timely sixth-wicket stand of 60 before Graeme Swann hit the winning runs with seven balls of the shortened innings left.

"It was touch and go there but it was pleasing the way we handled the pressure.Credit has to go to the lower order, especially Ravi," Cook told Sky Sports.

"It was a good score. When we started, though, we felt like it was a good wicket.

"We were surprised at how much it turned after the rain delay. It was pleasing with the way we handled that after the resumption.

Good form

"It was slightly disappointing that no-one got the 80-odd to win the game but everyone in that order is playing well."

England's victory was set up right at the start of the match as India slumped to 25-4 after Cook decided to bowl on a green wicket.

India, who are still looking for their first win against England after two months on tour, fought back through Ravindra Jadeja (78) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (69) to post a respectable 234-7.

Cook added: "We knew it would do a little bit early. The way Tim Bresnan and Jimmy exploited the conditions made it tough and to get those quick wickets was important for us."

Dhoni was left rueing his side's poor start as James Anderson took three wickets and ran out Rahul Dravid before the end of the 11th over.

"We lost quite a few early wickets and that made a big impact on the game," he said.

"To get close to what we put on board was a good task. Especially Jadeja in his first game back. It was not enough runs though so (we) had to bowl well."

He added: "With the rain we had an advantage in the sense we lost seven overs and not many runs. But the disadvantage was that it started to come onto the bat after the rain and the outfield was wet."

England hold their nerve

2011-09-10T17:20:00.001+05:00

England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their five-match one-day series with India after claiming a three-wicket Duckworth-Lewis victory at the Oval.

Like the two before it, the third match in the series was interrupted by rain after the tourists had recovered from an awful start to post a competitive total of 234, with new recruit Ravindra Jadeja scoring 78.

England looked to be well on their way to victory as Craig Kieswetter blasted a half-century at the top of the innings, but the rain delay and then India's spin attack checked their momentum.

However, the revised total of 218 in 43 overs eventually proved too much for India to defend, as a solid knock of 40 from Ravi Bopara helped the hosts across the line.

An opening stand of 63 got the chase off to a trouble-free start, before captain Alastair Cook (23) shuffled across and was trapped right in front of his stumps by Munaf Patel.

Kieswetter kept the pace up with his usual powerful strokes as the wicket-keeper cleared the ropes three times on his way to 51.

Stutter

But he and Jonathan Trott were both bowled after misreading straight-on deliveries from Jadeja and R Ashwin (3-40) respectively, leaving England stuttering on 89-3 shortly before the rain came down.

Ben Stokes was surprisingly sent in ahead of Bopara at number five in what was only his second international innings but managed to make 20 before he too was bowled by Ashwin.

Ian Bell had also departed in the meantime, being caught short of his ground after being sent back for an attempted single and beaten by Dhoni's direct hit.

Bopara and Tim Bresnan were left needing 85 in 15 overs and ensured England kept the upper-hand, as they put on 60 before the latter was bowled trying to score through offside off Jadeja.

Bopara was bowled by Ashwin before the target was reached, but Graeme Swann held firm to complete the victory and keep England on course to blank India in all three formats of the game this summer.

James Anderson had earlier single-handedly reduced India to 25-4 after removing both openers and Virat Kohli, while also running out Rahul Dravid.

Duck

He first struck in the opening over of the match as Ajinkya Rahane edged to slip for a third-ball duck, with Dravid joining him in the sixth over after a leisurely single left him short of his ground.

Anderson claimed his second wicket when Parthiv Patel (three) was bowled playing across the line before Kohli pushed out and was caught behind the stumps by Kieswetter for seven.

Suresh Raina (21) was also caught behind the stumps, this time off the bowling of Stuart Broad, to leave the visiting side floundering at 58-5.

But a fightback was imminent as Jadeja announced himself with a cover-driven four and went on to combine for a sixth-wicket stand of 112 with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni finally poked a simple catch to Cook off the bowling of Tim Bresnan to depart after scoring 69 from 103 balls.

Jadeja made his runs more quickly and stayed at the crease until the final over, when he was caught at long-on as he and Ravichandran Ashwin (36) smashed 51 runs in the batting powerplay.

Australia’s charge halted by rain

2011-09-10T17:16:00.000+05:00

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka – Michael Hussey hit a 14th Test century and debutant Shaun Marsh his first ton before rain halted Australia's progress in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

The two left-handers put on 258 for the fourth wicket as the tourists moved to 411-7 in their first innings by tea on the third day, a lead of 237 runs with three wickets in hand.

Marsh made 141 and Hussey scored 142, his second big knock in the series after a match-winning 95 in the first Test in Galle last week.

Rain allowed just eight overs to be bowled in the post-lunch session in which Australia lost three wickets in the space of one run.

Marsh added 11 to his lunch score of 130 when he pulled seamer Suranga Lakmal to Kumar Sangakkara on the mid-wicket fence while attempting his 19th boundary.

Sangakkara, who had also caught Hussey, picked up his third catch when Brad Haddin lofted Suraj Randiv to mid-on.

Randiv then bowled Mitchell Johnson first ball, but Ryan Harris prevented a hat-trick.

At the break, Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 13 and Harris was on nine.

Hussey and Marsh, who began the day at 264-3, stayed together till 10 minutes before lunch when Hussey holed out to the cover fence against part-time spinner Thilan Samaraweera.

Their partnership was the highest ever against Sri Lanka for the fourth wicket, surpassing the 256 by Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for India in Mumbai in 1997.

The pair had joined forces on Friday morning when Sri Lanka grabbed three quick wickets to reduce Australia to 116-3 in reply to their own 174.

Both Marsh and Hussey reached their respective centuries in the same over from Randiv 45 minutes after the start of play.

Hussey, who was on 76 overnight to Marsh's 87, outscored his partner and achieved his third hundred against Sri Lanka with an on-drive for two runs.

Marsh moved to 98 by driving seamer Chanaka Welegedara through the covers for a four and then reached 100 by flicking Randiv to mid-wicket for two.

Former Australian opener Geoff Marsh applauded warmly from the stands as his 28-year-old son jumped in the air with a raised bat to celebrate the landmark.

The younger Marsh had come into the Test side in place of former captain Ricky Ponting, who had to return home after Galle for the birth of his second child.

The century will help the left-hander secure his place in the team even when Ponting returns for the third and final Test in Colombo from September 16.

As Australia piled up the runs, Sri Lanka rued the absence of their two first-choice spinners, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath, who were forced to miss the match with injuries.

Australia, who won the first Test by 125 runs, are hoping to clinch the three-match series, their first in Sri Lanka since 2004.

Aus takes huge lead against Sri Lanka

2011-09-10T17:14:00.000+05:00

Debutant Shaun Marsh and Michael Hussey hit centuries in the third day's first session of the second test on Saturday as Australia took a 204-run lead in the first innings against Sri Lanka.

Both left-handers frustrated the Sri Lankan bowlers, who failed to capitalise the pressure in Hussey and Marsh before reaching their centuries at the start of the session.

They added quick runs from the start of the session, helping the tourists to pile up runs and take a huge lead of 204 runs in the first innings at lunch in Kandy.

The pair added 110 runs to the overnight score of 264 and extended their fourth wicket partnership to 258 runs in 76.4 overs before Hussey dismissed for 142 runs.

Both Hussey and Marsh reached their centuries in the 10th over of the session off Suraj Randiv in similar style.

Hussey hit his 14th test century when he pushed a Randiv delivery to the midwicket for two runs as the tourists reached 300 runs.

Marsh, who replaced Ricky Ponting in the second test, completed his debut century two deliveries later, sweeping the ball to the midwicket and completing a scrambled second run.

The 28-year old debutant got his maiden century in front of his father and former Australian test opener Geoff Marsh, who gave the traditional baggy green cap to his son on Thursday.

Marsh has scored 130 in 304 balls at lunch including 16 boundaries.

Hussey's knock came to an end when he was caught by Kumar Sangakkara off part time bowler Thilan Samaraweera for 142 runs.

Hussey's five-hour innings included 16 boundaries.

Hussey removed Sangakkara in Sri Lanka first innings to break the home team's key partnership with Angelo Mathews in his one-off over.

On Thursday, Sri Lanka captured three Australiann wickets in the first session after having elected to bat first and being bowled out for 174 runs in the first day.

Australia won the first test of the three-match series in Galled by 125 runs.

Jadeja, Dhoni lead India fightback

2011-09-10T10:10:00.000+05:00

London – Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni led India's fightback as the tourists recovered from a dismal start to reach 234-7 in the third one-day international against England here at The Oval on Friday.

Dhoni's beleaguered team looked in dire trouble after slumping to 58-5 in the early stages, but the Indians hit back impressively thanks to an aggressive innings of 78 off 89 balls from all-rounder Jadeja.

Jadeja's 112-run partnership with Dhoni lifted India after James Anderson had taken three wickets to put the tourists on the back foot.

India arrived at The Oval still waiting for a first victory over England on this tour after losing all four Tests to surrender the number one spot to their hosts.

They then crashed in the lone Twenty20 international and the second one-day match at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday, after the first match was rained off.

With eight players, including star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, already ruled out for the rest of the series, the last thing Dhoni's team needed to see was a green wicket and overcast skies in south London.

The conditions looked ideal for England's bowlers after Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to field and it took just four balls for Anderson to make the breakthrough as Ajinkya Rahane edged to Jonathan Trott at first slip.

India needed Rahul Dravid to steady the ship but the 38-year-old's ageing legs let him down as he was brilliantly run out by Anderson in the sixth over after rashly attempting a quick single.

Anderson was proving England's dangerman and he quickly added Parthiv Patel to his list of scalps as the opener was bowled playing all round a straight delivery.

India were into the 10th over before Raina finally scored their first boundary and their struggles continued when Virat Kohli became the fourth man to go, caught behind off Anderson with the score on 25.

Suresh Raina fell when he mistimed a wild slog off Broad, edging to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter to leave India deep in trouble at 58-5.

But, to the relief of the massed ranks of Indian supporters, Dhoni was able to lead a revival.

Dhoni brought up his 39th one-day 50 in 69 balls and, aided by some overly defensive field settings from Cook, he was able to rebuild India's innings in a century partnership with Jadeja.

Jadeja nudged a four to reach his fifth one-day 50 in 73 balls and the stand with Dhoni reached 112 before the skipper skied a mistimed drive to Cook off Bresnan.

India were finally letting rip now and a quick-fire 59-run partnership between Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin ensured India finished with a competitive total thanks to 84 runs in the final 10 overs.

Morgan to miss tour of India

2011-09-10T10:09:00.000+05:00

London – England batsman Eoin Morgan was ruled out of next month's tour of India on Friday after electing to undergo shoulder surgery which will sideline him from all cricket for three months.

A statement from the England Cricket Board (ECB) said Morgan had decided to go under the knife in order to be fit for next year's Test and limited overs matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

“After seeing a specialist today (Friday) it has been confirmed that Eoin will require surgery to his right shoulder with the likelihood of repairing a chronic SLAP lesion,” ECB chief medical officer Dr Nick Peirce said.

“We have managed the injury to date with a conservative program but Eoin has now reached the stage where surgery is the most appropriate progression of his treatment.

“Following the operation Eoin will undertake a rehabilitation programme ruling him out of all cricket for approximately 12 weeks.

“The recovery period is anticipated to see him return to full fitness ahead of England's tour of the UAE commencing in January.”

England are due to play India in five one-day internationals next month as No.1 ranked Test side attempts to improve their standing in the abbreviated form of the game.

England win toss, elect to field

2011-09-10T10:07:00.000+05:00

London – England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to field against India in the third one-day international at The Oval here on Friday.

England batsman Jonathan Trott returned to the team in place of spinner Samit Patel as Cook made one change from the side that won the rain-affected second game at the Rose Bowl by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

India made two changes, with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja coming in for Manoj Tiwary, and RP Singh replacing Vinay Kumar.

TEAMS

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Craig Kieswetter (wkt), Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Ben Stokes, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jade Dernbach

India: Ajinkya Rahane, Parthiv Patel, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (capt, wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, RP Singh

Umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA) and Nigel Llong (ENG)

Third umpire: Billy Doctrove (WIS)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

Marsh, Hussey punish Sri Lanka

2011-09-10T10:02:00.000+05:00

Pallekele, Sri Lanka – Shaun Marsh was 13 runs away from a century on his debut and Mike Hussey hit an unbeaten 76 as Australia piled on Sri Lanka's misery in the second Test in Pallekele on Friday.

The West Australian pair put on 148 for the unbroken fourth wicket as the tourists moved to a commanding 264/3 in their first innings when bad light halted play soon after tea.

Marsh was on 87 and Hussey followed his match-winning 95 in the first Test in Galle with another half-century as Australia built a 90-run lead with seven wickets still in hand.

The pair joined forces after Sri Lanka had grabbed three quick wickets in the morning session to restrict Australia to 116/3 in reply to their own 174.

Former Australian opener Geoff Marsh looked on from the stands as his 28-year-old son mastered the Sri Lankan attack with 11 boundaries after a dour start.

Marsh had come into the Test side in place of former captain Ricky Ponting, who had to return home after Galle for the birth of his second child.

The knock will help the left-hander cement his place in the team even when Ponting returns for the third and final Test in Colombo from September 16.

Marsh drove Suranga Lakmal through the covers and then chipped debutant leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna over mid-on to take Australia past Sri Lanka's total.

Two successive boundaries off Prasanna, a lofted shot and a straight drive, gave Marsh his half-century from 133 deliveries.

Hussey reached his second half-century of the series by smashing off-spinner Suraj Randiv to the square-leg fence for his sixth boundary.

The hosts missed their two first-choice spinners, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath, who were forced to skip the match with injuries.

Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan tried seven bowlers, including part-timers Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera, to try to contain the tourists.

Sangakkara, who had gone wicketless in 98 previous Tests and has just one first-class wicket to his credit, also bowled the first over with the second new ball.

Australia lost Shane Watson before they had added to their overnight score of 60 for no loss, and the other opener Phil Hughes fell shortly after the drinks break.

Watson had made 36 when he left alone a delivery from seamer Lakmal that dipped in to uproot his off-stump.

Left-hander Hughes carried his overnight score of 23 to 36 before he was snapped up at forward short-leg by Tharanga Paranavitana off Randiv.

It soon became 116/3 as skipper Michael Clarke (13) attempted to drive seamer Chanaka Welegedara outside the off-stump and edged a low catch to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip.

Clarke has now gone 22 Test innings without a century since making 168 against New Zealand at Wellington in March last year.

Australia lead 1-0 in the three-match series, Clarke's first as captain, having won the first Test by 125 runs last week.

Bad light stops play in SL

2011-09-10T09:58:00.002+05:00

Pakellele, Sri Lanka – Bad light has halted play in the post-tea session of the second cricket Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Friday.

Australia, replying to Sri Lanka's 174, were 264/3 with debutant Shaun Marsh unbeaten on 87 and Mike Hussey on 76.

Marsh scores half century as Oz lead

2011-09-10T09:57:00.002+05:00

Pallekele, Sri Lanka – Left-hander Shaun Marsh scored a half century on his Test debut on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Friday as Australia took a 77-run first innings lead at tea.

Australia were 251/3 with Marsh, who replaced Ricky Ponting, 17 short of his maiden century as he shared 135-run unbroken fourth wicket partnership with Michael Hussey, who was 68 not out.

Resuming at 133/3 after the lunch, Marsh scored patiently and slowly, playing a supporting role to his experienced partner Hussey.

Hussey scored his 26th Test half-century in style.

Sri Lanka's bowlers toiled and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan used seven bowlers including himself and part timers Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera without any success in the second session.

In the first session, fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and spinner Suraj Randiv dismissed the Australian openers.

Lakmal bowled Shane Watson (36) with his second ball of the day which the batsman wrongly decided to leave as he was dismissed without his team adding to the overnight score of 60.

Randiv then dismissed Phillip Hughes also for 36 when Tharanga Paranavitana jumped forward from short-leg to hold a bat-and-pad catch.

Australia captain Michael Clarke then added a quick 13 runs in 20 balls before being excellently caught by Mahela Jayawardene at second slip off Chanaka Welegedara when the total was 116.

On Thursday, Sri Lanka were skittled out for 174 runs having won the toss.

Australia won the first Test of the three-match series in Galle by 125 runs.

Sri Lanka fight back

2011-09-10T09:56:00.000+05:00

Pallakele, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka fought back in the second cricket Test against Australia by grabbing three wickets in the morning session of the second day's play on Friday.

The tourists went to lunch at 133-3, still 41 runs behind Sri Lanka's meagre first innings total of 174 with seven wickets in hand.

Australia lost Shane Watson before they had added to their overnight score of 60 for no loss, and the other opener Phil Hughes fell shortly after the drinks break.

Watson had made 36 when he left alone a delivery from seamer Suranga Lakmal that dipped in to uproot the off-stump.

Left-handed Hughes carried his overnight score of 23 to 36 when he was snapped up at forward short-leg by Tharanga Paranavitana off Suraj Randiv.

It soon became 116-3 as skipper Michael Clarke (13) attempted to drive seamer Chanaka Welegedara outside the off-stump and edged a low catch to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip.

Shaun Marsh, making his Test debut in place of former captain Ricky Ponting, hung around for two hours to make an unbeaten 26.

The left-hander hopes to get a big score and cement his place in the side once Ponting returns from home for the third and final Test in Colombo following the birth of his second child.

Michael Hussey was the other unbeaten batsman at the crease on 15.

Australia lead 1-0 in the three-match series, having won the first Test in Galle by 125 runs last week.

Pakistan just too strong for Zim

2011-09-09T10:09:00.002+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Pakistan scrambled a five-run victory over Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in the first of three one-day internationals here on Thursday.

That was the official result, but the reality is that Zimbabwe lost it in the final over when they needed 12 runs to win but made only seven.

It could hardly have been closer as both sides struggled against good and varied bowling all day.

Winning the toss, Pakistan went into bat first and made 247 runs, somewhat below their expectations on a slow but reliable batting wicket.

Zimbabwe, losing fewer wickets in the early stages, looked to have it wrapped up during the middle period.

But two excellent overs from Saeed Ajmal in the latter critical stages that conceded only five runs left Zimbabwe with too much to do.

The story is told by Zimbabwe's final run-in.

They needed 125 runs from 20 overs, 74 from 10 overs, 42 from 40 balls, when they appeared to have the match well in hand, 25 from 18 balls, 22 from 12 and finally 12 from the last six.

Elton Chigumbura, returning from a knee injury, was going well in the final stages but just could not get the runs needed at the end.

Pakistan lost Imrun Farhat in the first over of the day but Younis Khan struck 78 in 72 balls to steady the tourists.

Misbah ul-Haq weighed in with 54 in a partnership of 60 for the fourth wicket.

The Akmal brothers, Umar and Adnan, made 36 and 27 respectively but Adnan's wild and fruitless swipes cost Pakistan quite a few runs.

Their 247-7 total did not seem to be enough and the Pakistanis were certainly stifled in general by consistent Zimbabwe bowling, which was mainly spin and medium pace.

For Zimbabwe, in reply Vusi Sibanda made 73 but the main performer for the home team was Brendan Taylor with 84, recovering from a run of low scores.

Tatenda Taibu made 26 in his usual brisk manner and Chigumbura, who might have become match-winner with big hitting early on, could not maintain the necessary momentum.

Aizaz Cheema was the most successful bowler with 3-36 and it was he who saw Pakistan through in the end by conceding just five runs in the final over.

Man of the match was named as Younis Khan.

The Pakistan tour now moves to Harare for the remaining two ODIs and two Twenty20 matches.

England must beat India home and away

2011-09-09T10:08:00.002+05:00

London – England must beat India home and away in one-day internationals if they are to emulate their rise to the top of the global Test rankings, spinner Graeme Swann said Thursday.

After securing the No.1 spot in Test cricket, England have targeted a sharp improvement in the one-day arena – where they are currently ranked fifth – as their next major objective.

England are currently leading India 1-0 ahead of Friday's third match at the Oval in the ongoing best-of-five series, although the injury-hit tourists are missing several of the stars who featured in April's World Cup win.

Swann said that while England remain focused on clinching the current series, his team-mates were eyeing the return series staged in India next month.

“Our official ranking is five and I don't think we can argue with that,” Swann told Sky Sports News.

“We have shown some improvement recently but we have to continue that if we want to be one of the best teams.

“We have to beat teams like India, not just in this series, but when we go away to play them as well.”

Swann meanwhile said one-day captain Alastair Cook was on the way to erasing doubts about his suitability for the abbreviated version of the game after a match-winning unbeaten 80 in Tuesday's win at the Rose Bowl.

“He's just letting his bat do the talking,” Swann added.

“It is very good for Cooky. He works very hard on his game, no-one works harder on his game although Kevin Pietersen might tell you differently.

“It is brilliant that it is paying off for him.

“He was written off - he's even hitting sixes these days. So you never know, hell might freeze over.”

Australia in control against Sri Lanka

2011-09-09T10:07:00.002+05:00

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, - Australia pace bowlers took eight quick wickets to skittle out Sri Lanka for 174 runs on day one of the second Test in Kandy on Thursday, as the home team struggled against fast bowling from the start of the innings.

The tourists were 60 for no loss in 17.4 overs at the end of the first day with Shane Watson on 36 and Phillip Hughes at 23 as play was halted 15 minutes early due to bad light.

Earlier, Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris captured three wickets, while Trend Copeland and Mitchell Johnson took two apiece as they bowled out Sri Lanka in 64.1 overs.

Angelo Mathews resisted the Australian bowlers to hit his fourth Test half-century before being dismissed for 58, which included three sixes and six boundaries in 111 balls.

He was caught behind off Johnson as Mathews single-handedly tried to lift the score without much support from the other end.

Before tea, part-time medium-fast bowler Michael Hussey dismissed Kumar Sangakkara for 48 runs to break the sixth-wicket partnership which had helped Sri Lanka to recover from 76 for five in the first session.

Resuming after lunch, Sangakkara and Mathews added 52 runs before Hussey struck with his third ball of the only over he has bowled in the Test.

Hussey, who also produced an excellent catch to dismiss Mahela Jayawardene when the total was at 14, told reporters: “I was pretty lucky today that the two probably key wickets were in my hands.

“It's a fantastic Test match for the bowlers. They are very clear in their minds on what they are trying to do,” Hussey added. “But we have to really bat well tomorrow and bat a long time...set the challenge of one or two batsmen going on getting big hundreds.”

Opening bowler Harris removed Tharanga Paranavitana for no score in the third over as the opener prodded an edge to wicket keeper Brad Haddin, leaving Sri Lanka on 2-1.

Then Copeland, who claimed Tillakaratne Dilshan as his first career wicket in the debut Galle test, dismissed the Sri Lankan captain again, forcing him to misjudge the ball which hit the top of the off stump.

Dilshan scored only four runs and his dismissal left Sri Lanka defensive at 10 for two wickets.

“They really bowled well at the start,” Dilshan said. “This is a good wicket and you can't get out for just 174 when you play with seven batsmen. We have a problem in out middle order and top order. We may change the batting line up in the second innings.

“This is the third time we have got out cheaply. We tried to survive in the first 10-15 overs as we knew the ball was going to move. But unfortunately we lost three wickets in the first 10 overs.”

Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera led a Sri Lankan recovery in the first session, adding 43 runs for the fourth wicket, but Samaraweera fell for 17, caught by Haddin off Harris in the 24th over when the Sri Lanka total was only 57.

Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to bat first as left-handed batsman Shaun Marsh and spinner Seekuge Prasanna made their debuts for Australia and the home team respectively.

Australia won the first test in Galle by 125 runs and lead the three-match series 1-0.–

Dolphins sign ‘explosive’ Gayle

2011-09-09T10:06:00.000+05:00

Durban - Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has signed to play for South African franchise the Dolphins in the South African domestic Twenty20 (T20) competition, the Durban-based team announced on Thursday.

Gayle, 31, has been involved in a protracted dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board and has not turned out for the team since he played in a World Cup quarterfinal against Pakistan in Dhaka on March 23.

The left-handed Gayle, who will join the Dolphins next February, is regarded as one of the most devastating batsmen in world cricket and has scored 6,373 runs in his 91 Test matches, while he has accumulated 8,087 runs in 228 ODIs.

In the 20 T20 internationals he has played, Gayle has bludgeoned 617 runs at a strike-rate of 144.49 and he is one of only five men to have scored a T20 international century.

Younis Khan stars for Pakistan

2011-09-09T10:03:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq hit half-centuries Thursday to help Pakistan reach 247-7 in the first one-day international against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club.

Zimbabwe's opening bowler Chris Mpofu and spinner Ray Price took two wickets each to stem the Pakistan run flow on a good batting wicket.

Younis (78) first shared a second-wicket stand of 73 runs with Mohammad Hafeez (26) after Pakistan lost opener Imran Farhat for a duck early, before adding 52 with captain Misbah for the third wicket.

Farhat went early after nicking Mpofu to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu. Vusi Sibanda then took a brilliant low catch at square leg off Utseya to remove Hafeez.

Younis faced 72 balls and smashed nine boundaries, finding the gaps and using the fast outfield to full effect before he was run out by Malcolm Waller's throw to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu in the 25th over.

Misbah, who was trapped in front of middle stump on 54 trying to reverse-sweep spinner Ray Price in the 40th over, struck three boundaries and a six from 64 balls.

Umar Akmal (36) and Adnan Akmal (27) made sure Pakistan reached a competitive total at the end before falling to Mpofu and Price, respectively.

SL bowled out for 174

2011-09-09T10:02:00.000+05:00

Pallekele – Australia pace bowlers took eight quick wickets to skittle out Sri Lanka for 174 runs on day one of the second Test in Kandy on Thursday, as the home team struggled against fast bowling from the start of the innings.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris captured three wickets, while Trend Copeland and Mitchel Johnson took two apiece and part time medium fast bowler Michael Hussey claiming one wicket as they bowled out Sri Lanka in 64.1 overs.

Resuming the inning with 150 runs for 8 wickets after tea, Sri Lanka survived only 6.1 overs before being all out.

Angelo Mathews resisted Australian bowlers to hit his fourth Test half century before being dismissed for 58, which included three sixes and six boundaries in 111 balls.

He was caught behind off Johnson as Mathews single handedly tried to lift the score without the support from the other end.

Before tea, Hussey dismissed Kumar Sangakkara for 48 runs to break the sixth wicket partnership, which helped Sri Lanka to recover from 76 for five wickets in the first session.

Resuming from 76/5 at lunch, both Sangakkara and Mathews added 52 runs for the sixth wicket before Hussey struck in his third ball of the only over he has bowled in the Test.

Sangakkara was caught by Hughes at short extra cover for 48 runs and the end of his 121-ball knock was Hussey's third Test wicket in 61 test matches.

Pacemen Trend Copeland and Ryan Harris dismissed four Sri Lankan top order batsmen in the first session as none of the Sri Lankan batsmen were able to take on the Australian pacers with confidence from the first ball of the innings.

Earlier, opening bowler Ryan Harris remove Tharanga Paranavitana for no score in the third over as the opener prodded an edge to wicket keeper Brad Haddin, leaving Sri Lanka 2/1.

Then Copeland, who claimed Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan as his first career wicket in the debut Galle Test, again dismissed, forcing him to misjudge the ball which hit the top of the off stump.

Dilshan scored only 4 runs and his dismissal left Sri Lanka defensive at 10 for two wickets.

Copeland in his next over removed Mahela Jayawardene as Michael Hussey held an excellent catch leaping to his left to get rid of the only century maker in the first Test.

Mahela's wicket left Sri Lanka in deep trouble with only 14 runs for three wickets.

Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera led Sri Lankan recovery in the first session, adding 43 runs for the fourth wicket.

Samaraweera fell for 17 caught by Haddin off Harris in the 24th over when the Sri Lanka total was only 57.

Wicket keeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardene joining Sangakkara for the fifth wicket, attempted to accelerate the total, but was caught for 18 by Harris off Nathan Lyon's first over.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first as left-handed batsman Shaun Marsh and spinner Seekuge Prasanna made their debut for Australia and home team respectively.

Australia won the first Test in Galle by 125 runs and lead the three-match series 1-0.

SL struggling against Aussies

2011-09-09T10:00:00.003+05:00

Pallekele, Sri Lanka – Part time bowler Michael Hussey dismissed Kumar Sangakkara to break the sixth wicket partnership after pacemen Trend Copeland and Ryan Harris dismissed four Sri Lankan top order batsmen in the first session of the second Test as Sri Lanka struggled against Australia on the first day in Kandy on Thursday.

At tea on the first day, Sri Lanka were 150/8, adding further 74 runs in the second session while losing three wickets.

Angelo Mathews still at crease with an unbeaten 43 and running out of batting partners after Sangakkara dismissed for 48 runs.

Resuming from 76/5 at lunch, both Sangakkara and Mathews added 52 runs for the sixth wicket before Hussey struck in his third ball of the only over he has bowled so far.

Sangakkara was caught by Hughes at short extra cover for 48 runs and it is Hussey's third test wicket in 61 Test matches.

Sangakkara 121-ball knock came after the home country were reeling at 76/5 wickets.

Soon after Sangakkara's dismissal, Suraj Randiv was caught by Lyon on his own bowling.

Just before the tea, Harris bowled debutant Seekuge Prasanna for 5.

None of the Sri Lankan batsmen were able to take on the Australian pacers with confidence from the first ball of the innings.

Earlier, opening bowler Ryan Harris remove Tharanga Paranavitana for no score in the third over as the opener prodded an edge to wicket keeper Brad Haddin, leaving Sri Lanka 2/1.

Dilshan scored only 4 runs and his dismissal left Sri Lanka defensive at 10/2.

Copeland in his next over removed Mahela Jayawardene as Michael Hussey held an excellent catch leaping to his left to get rid of the only century maker in the first Test.

Mahela's wicket left Sri Lanka in deep trouble with only 14 runs for three wickets.

Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera led Sri Lankan recovery in the first session, adding 43 runs for the fourth wicket.

Samaraweera fell for 17 caught by Haddin off Harris in the 24th over when the Sri Lanka total was only 57.

Sangakkara was dropped by Shane Watson at the first slip off Mitchel Johnson when the batsman was at 27 in the ball just before Samaraweera dismissed.

Wicket keeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardene joining Sangakkara for the fifth wicket, attempted to accelerate the total, but was caught for 18 by Harris off Nathan Lyon's first over.

Prasanna Jayawardene's dismissal came after he scored 12 runs in the first five balls off Lyon including a six to deep mid wicket and a four.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first as left-handed batsman Shaun Marsh and spinner Seekuge Prasanna made their debut for Australia and home team respectively.

Australia won the first Test in Galle by 125 runs and lead the three-match series 1-0.

SL suffer early collapse

2011-09-09T10:00:00.000+05:00

Pallekele, Sri Lanka – Fast bowlers Trend Copeland and Ryan Harris dismissed four Sri Lankan top order batsmen in the first session of the second Test as Sri Lanka struggled against Australia on the first day in Kandy on Thursday.

At lunch on the first day, Sri Lanka were 76/5 wickets with Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews at the crease.

None of the Sri Lankan batsmen were able to take on the Australian pacers with confident from the first ball of the innings.

Opening bowler Ryan Harris remove Tharanga Paranavitana for no score in the third over as the opener prodded an edge to wicket keeper Brad Haddin, leaving Sri Lanka 2/1.

Then Copeland, who claimed Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan as his first career wicket in the debut Galle test, again dismissed, forcing him to misjudge the ball which hit the top of the off stump.

Dilshan scored only 4 runs and his dismissal left Sri Lanka defensive at 10 for two wickets.

Copeland in his next over removed Mahela Jayawardene as Michael Hussey held an excellent catch leaping to his left to get rid of the only century maker in the first test.

Mahela's wicket left Sri Lanka in deep trouble with only 14 runs for three wickets.

Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera led Sri Lankan recovery, adding 43 runs for the fourth wicket. Samaraweera fell for 17 caught by Haddin off Harris in the 24th over when the Sri Lanka total was only 57.

Sangakkara was dropped by Shane Watson at the first slip off Mitchel Johnson when the batsman was at 27 in the ball just before Samaraweera dismissed.

Sangakkara has scored 29 runs including four boundaries at lunch in 65 balls coming to the crease at the third over.

Wicket keeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardene joining Sangakkara for the fifth wicket, attempted to accelerate the total, but was caught for 18 by Harris off Nathan Lyon's first over.

Prasanna Jayawardene's dismissal came after he scored 12 runs in the first five balls off Lyon including a six to deep mid wicket and a four.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first as left hand batsman Shaun Marsh and spinner Seekuge Prasanna made their debut for Australia and home team respectively.

Australia won the first test in Galle by 125 runs and lead the three-match series 1-0.

Stroll in the dark for England

2011-09-07T10:35:00.002+05:00

England took a 1-0 lead in the One Day International series with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over India at the Rose Bowl.

The tourists are still without a win over England this summer and subsided to yet another defeat after posting a competitive-looking total in the rain-reduced game.

India made 187-8 in their 23 overs but that proved woefully inadequate, with their bowlers struggling for any containment or penetration as England cruised home with five balls in hand.

Skipper Alastair Cook and Craig Kieswetter gave England a flying start, putting on 33 in the first three overs.

Back-to-back straight sixes from Kieswetter off Ravichandran Ashwin brought up the 50 midway through the fifth over and even when Kieswetter went with the score on 67, the runs continued to flow.

Kieswetter was finally trapped lbw on the drive by Praveen Kumar, but his 46 from 25 balls had given England the perfect platform.

Ian Bell continued the assault, hitting 25 from 15 balls before he tried to go over the top and picked out Virat Kohli at extra cover off Ravichandran Ashwin.

At 105-2 England could have been in danger, but Ravi Bopara tempered aggression with caution in making 24 from 20 balls before he went for one big shot too many and skied Ashwin to Kohli at midwicket.

But all the time Cook was there anchoring his side to another victory, the skipper finishing with an unbeaten 80 from just 63 balls.

Stevens likes look of Stokes

2011-09-07T10:33:00.000+05:00

Evergreen Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens has compared England new boy Ben Stokes to Kevin Pietersen and backed the Durham man to light up the international arena.

Stokes, 20, is currently part of England's squad for the one-day international series against India in place of Pietersen, who has been rested for the five matches.

Having made his international debut against Ireland a couple of weeks ago, the all-rounder was included on his home ground in Saturday's series opener at the Riverside.

He was denied the chance to impress that day as rain forced the encounter to be abandoned, but 35-year-old Stevens is confident Stokes will shine in international cricket.

India call for Badrinath

2011-09-07T10:28:00.000+05:00

India have called up Subramaniam Badrinath to replace Sachin Tendulkar for the rest of the one-day series against England.

Tendulkar was forced to miss the entire series because of a toe injury, becoming the eighth player to be sent home from the tour because of injury.

Badrinath is something of a late-comer to the international arena at the age of 31, having played just two Tests, seven one-dayers and a T20 international.

The right-hander will join Manoj Tiwary in the squad for the second one-dayer at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday after Tiwary was called up on Sunday when Rohit Sharma was ruled out.

Bell moving on up

2011-09-07T10:21:00.000+05:00

Ian Bell is relishing his opportunity to move up the England batting order in the absence of Kevin Pietersen.

The talented Warwickshire batsman stepped up from number five to deputise at three for the injured Jonathan Trott in the last two npower Tests and has been asked to operate at number four in the one-day series, with Pietersen rested.

The 29-year-old has filled a number of roles in England's limited-overs set-up in recent years, and is happy to continue doing so in the second match of the series against India at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.

"It's nice to have the opportunity to bat up the order," he told Sky Sports News.

"I see myself being flexible in the one-day side, whether it's opening or batting at four or six I have to adapt and it's a strength of my game that I can do that.

"It's a good indication of the strength of the squad that somebody like KP can be rested and we still have an order to compete with the best teams in the world. The longer we can have that, the better."

IPL will entice, exhaust players: Hussain

2011-09-07T10:02:00.000+05:00

LONDON: Former England skipper Nasser Hussain feels the highly-lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) will entice and exhaust players unless it is carefully handled by cricket boards across the world.

“I have seen IPL and I know what it means to the Indian public, they love it, British Indians love it. It’s a good tournament, but it will exhaust cricketers,” Hussain said.

“There’s no doubting it helped their one-day game. I think they wouldn’t have been world champions if it wasn’t for IPL. I think it has massively helped.”

“But it is now going to hinder them — as we have seen here — in Test match cricket. Because you need young bowlers to be fit and raring to go, and the IPL is death for bowlers,” he added.

The 43-year-old also believes that England players will be in demand for IPL after their 4-0 victory over India and the onus would be on ECB to ensure that they don’t allow cricketers to play in the cash-awash T20 event.

“They are going to be enticed by IPL money. Come and play, come and play. All of this cricket would have been on (television) in India. (Graeme) Swann, (Stuart) Broad and (Chris) Tremlett ... they’ll all be offered decent money. And they need to be looked after by the board to make sure that they don’t go. So that they are ready for Test matches in the future,” he said.

“We don’t need the players coming straight from that exhausted. When you get a bowler, it’s like gold dust. You do not just let him go. You donlt just say, ‘oh fine, we can lose Anderson.’ Because before you know it, they’re all gone. And you’re left scratching your head again.

“Look at India, look at Australia. Looking after this bowling unit and keeping them together is crucial for England at the moment.”

Morgan ruled out of one-day series

2011-09-07T09:59:00.000+05:00

SOUTHAMPTON: Eoin Morgan has been ruled out of the remainder of the one-day series against India due to the recurrence of a shoulder injury he first suffered on the Ashes tour after he felt “acute” pain during the Twenty20 international at the Old Trafford last week.

Due to the first One-day International (ODI) at Chester-le-Street being abandoned seven overs into England’s innings Morgan hasn’t batted again since the Twenty20 although did spend fifty overs in the field in Durham.

As yet there is no time frame or clear outline for Morgan’s treatment and that will be determined after he is assessed next week.

However, it would appear unlikely that he will be available for the two Twenty20 internationals against West Indies, at The Oval, later this month and, depending on the seriousness of the problem, may be a doubt for the one-day tour of India in October.

England aren’t going to name a replacement player with means a chance for Ravi Bopara in the middle order.

“Eoin initially developed discomfort in his right shoulder during the Ashes tour in the winter and has been managing the injury until now with a conservative program,” England chief medical officer, Dr Nick Peirce, said. “Unfortunately there has been an acute flare in his pain which has not responded to treatment.”

Bangladesh fire Shakib, Tamim

2011-09-06T14:15:00.001+05:00

Dhaka – The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sacked national team captain Shakib Al Hasan and vice-captain Tamim Iqbal on Monday following the squad's unsuccessful tour of Zimbabwe.

“Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal have been relieved of captaincy and vice-captaincy as their leadership was not satisfactory,” Jalal Yunus, BCB media director, told AFP.

“They failed to lead the side during the tour. There are reports of indiscipline against Shakib. In certain areas, Tamim breached discipline. He argued with the head coach.”

Bangladesh were defeated in their only Test match against Zimbabwe and then lost the five-match one-day series 3-2.

Yunus said a new captain would be named before the West Indies' tour of Bangladesh in October.

Shakib, 24, and Tamim, 22, are the best Bangladesh cricket players to have emerged on the international scene, winning Wisden cricket magazine's international player of the year in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Left-arm spinner-cum-batsman Shakib was named regular captain of Bangladesh in November last year after he led the cricketing minnows to a 4-0 one-day whitewash of New Zealand as a stand-in captain.

In the same role, he also led the side to a 2-0 Test clean sweep against the West Indies in 2009.

Shakib, one of the world's leading all-rounders, and Tamim have also played in English county cricket games.

Bangladesh host the West Indies in two Tests and three one-day international matches in their next assignment in October.

Tendulkar out of ODI series

2011-09-05T14:14:00.000+05:00

London – India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has been ruled out of the rest of the one-day series against England due to a toe injury, the BBC reported on Monday.

Tendulkar, one-day cricket's leading run-scorer, missed the first two matches of the five-game series, which India trail 1-0. The third match is at the Rose Bowl, Hampshire on Tuesday.

Tendulkar, 38, has made 99 centuries in international cricket, 51 in tests and 48 in one-dayers.

Pakistan beat Zim in one-off Test

2011-09-05T13:44:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Queens Sports Club here on Monday, getting the winning runs with seven wickets in hand a few minutes before lunch on day five.

They were left needing 88 runs for victory after bundling the home team out for 141 runs in their second innings, although they did lose three wickets in the process.

Having been put into bat by Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq, Zimbabwe reached 412 all out in their first innings before the tourists replied with 466 all out to establish a first-innings lead of 54.

There was not much in it at that stage but Zimbabwe's second effort collapsed to 135-8 at the close of the fourth day, leaving the Pakistanis with the prospect of a routine mop-up operation.

Ul Haq said afterwards: “Maybe I was mistaken asking Zimbabwe to bat first. The wicket had green patches. But the bowlers stuck to the task well.

“Our batting to follow was excellent, of good quality. I am proud of the youngsters, especially Aizaz Cheema, who took eight wickets in the match.

“Zimbabwe are a good side and they will improve with experience and become a strong force in the game I'm sure.”

Man of the match was Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez, who scored 119 and took four wickets for 31.

With one more wicket he would have recorded a 'viper' in cricket terms – a century plus five wickets in an innings but he did not get a bowl in the final session.

Zimbabwe's opening innings score of 412 looked likely to secure at least a draw, which was their prime target in terms of their need to gain respectability in top cricket circles after being readmitted to Tests after a gap of six years.

And if they had not dropped seven Pakistan wickets in their first innings, plus a fumbled run-out opportunity, the tourists' response might have been much lower than 466.

The Zimbabweans' batsmen were exposed by both Pakistan seam and spin in the second innings.

The wicket had deteriorated and they showed inexperience in dealing with it. Five wickets were lost before they even got past the 54-run deficit.

Only Tatenda Taibu and Kyle Jarvis stood between a single figure total and the 141 runs they eventually managed to scrape together.

They put on 66 for the ninth wicket during the late afternoon of the fourth day – not quite a face-saving effort, more a reprimand to their colleagues.

However, the Zimbabwe innings lasted only 15 balls on Monday morning, Taibu and last man Christopher Mpofu falling to Cheema.

Pakistan lost Hafeez, Tafeeq Umar and Azhar Ali in reaching the winning line, but concentration levels required could not have been of the highest.

The first of three one-day internationals will be played here on Thursday, followed by the other two in the series and two Twenty20

matches to round out the Pakistan tour in Harare.

Taibu stands firm for Zim

2011-09-04T13:43:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Pakistan's attempt to wrap up their one-off Test with Zimbabwe a day early was thwarted by a resolute innings from Tatenda Taibu at Queens Sports club here Sunday.

An astonishing collapse by the hosts in their second innings saw them go to tea on the fourth day on 56/5, just two runs ahead of Pakistan who had been dismissed for 466 just after lunch.

But Zimbabwe lived to fight until the final day thanks to a gutsy ninth-wicket stand worth 66 between Taibu (58) and Kyle Jarvis.

The hosts will resume their second innings on 135, a lead of 81.

Zimbabwe will have been relieved to pass their lowest Test total, 54 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2005.

The Zimbabweans had more than held their own over the first three days but that effort seemed to have taken its toll as their top order batsmen surrendered their wickets all too easily with captain Brendan Taylor out for five for his sixth successive failure.

Tinotenda Mawoyo barely made it to double figues as he went for 12.

The match looked on a plate for Pakistan, especially when the score for Zimbabwe stood at 69 for eight, providing a trifling lead of 15 with two wickets left.

But the irrepressible Taibu was having none of it, especially when Jarvis dug in as well.

The recovery game is one that Taibu often plays well.

He is small but stubborn and skilful in desperate situations, as he has shown before.

His present effort is a hopeless cause, most likely, but one worth taking up for the sake of the record books.

The story of the day began in late afternoon when Zimbabwe set out to wipe off their 54-run deficit.

But they fell into a heap of broken wickets. Vusi Sibanda was caught trying to hook, then came Mawoyo's exit on 12, 151 runs short of his first innings effort.

The next seven batsmen all failed to reach double figures until Taibu and Jarvis put on the brakes.

Taibu's 58 was his 11th Test half century.

Despite causing so much mayhem early on, Pakistan bowlers Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema and Mohammad Hafeez, from whom so much was expected, could make no further progress.

Hafeez could however record on Monday what is known as a “viper” – a century and five wickets.

He would be the 20th player in Test history to have this on his c.v.. But first Taibu and Jarvis must be broken.

Earlier the Pakistani batsmen had thrown caution to the wind as they upped the scoring rate to go into lunch on 460-8.

Beginning the session on 357-5 and looking for a big lead to put Zimbabwe under pressure, Pakistan lost three wickets, including the pivotal wicket of Younis Khan, who only added 27 to his overnight score of 61.

He was caught somewhat fortuitously at first slip by Taylor off veteran spinner Raymond Price, the ball first bouncing off wicketkeeper Taibu's pad.

Umar Akmal survived a TV review of a run-out appeal but he failed to capitalise on that reprieve as he was caught soon afterwards by Taylor off Gregory Lamb for 15.

Sohail Khan was then caught by Lamb on the mid-wicket boundary off Christopher Mpofu for 11.

Khan had been dropped at gully by Hamilton Masakadza just beforehand -the sixth spilling of the innings – and he punished Masakadza by hitting the next ball for a six.

Saeed Ajmal spent the last three overs of the morning scoring quick runs but was eventually out for 28 after lunch, bowled by the dependable Price.

Zim suffer stunning collapse

2011-09-04T13:42:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Pakistan were on the verge of victory here on Sunday after an astonishing collapse by hosts Zimbabwe in their second innings of the one-off Test match saw them go to tea on 56/5.

It left the hosts just two runs ahead of the tourists, who had been dismissed for 466 just after lunch.

The only consolation would have been that they had passed their lowest test total, 54 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2005.

The Zimbabweans had more than held their own over the first three days but it seemed to have taken its toll as their top order batsmen surrendered their wickets all too easily with captain Brendan Taylor out for five for his sixth successive failure.

Tinotenda Mawoyo was the only one to even reach double figures as he went for 12, but that was as good as it got.

Saeed Ajmal and Aizaz Cheema took two wickets apiece while Mohammad Hafeez delivered a heavy blow to the hosts when he trapped Craig Ervine leg before shortly before the interval.

Earlier the Pakistani batsmen had thrown caution to the wind as they upped the scoring rate to go into lunch on 460-8.

He was caught somewhat fortuitously at first slip by Taylor off veteran spinner Raymond Price, the ball first bouncing off wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu's pad.

Umar Akmal survived a TV review of a run-out appeal but he failed to capitalise on that reprieve as he was caught soon afterwards by Taylor off Gregory Lamb for 15.

Sohail Khan was then caught by Lamb on the mid-wicket boundary off Christopher Mpofu for 11.

Khan had been dropped at gully by Hamilton Masakadza just beforehand – the sixth spilling of the innings – and he punished Masakadza by hitting the next ball for a six.

Saeed Ajmal spent the last three overs of the morning scoring quick runs but was eventually out for 28 after lunch, bowled by the dependable Price.

Zimbabwe's fielding in general cost them dear throughout the innings and it showed no change on Sunday as several elementary errors in the field cost them more runs.

England, India match abandoned

2011-09-03T13:39:00.000+05:00

Chester-Le-Street, England – The first one-day international between England and India here Saturday was abandoned because of rain with England 27/2 from 7.2 overs chasing a target of 275.

The match was declared a no result.

The hosts were 7.2 overs into their innings – chasing 275 to win from 50 overs when the players were taken off with Jonathan Trott 14 not out and Ian Bell unbeaten on two.

Captain Alastair Cook made just four before he edged a delivery from Praveen Kumar onto his stumps and Craig Kieswetter was leg before to the same bowler for six leaving the bowler with figures of 2/11 from four overs.

India had to bowl at least 20 overs for the contest to be deemed a match.

Pakistan steady, Zim punished

2011-09-03T13:38:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Pakistan reached 357/5 in reply to the hosts' 412 all out at the close of the third day of the one-off Test at Queens Sports Club here Saturday.

Zimbabwe missed a cluster of chances to pile the pressure on Pakistan, dropping five catches with a fielding fumble also costing them an easy run out.

The day was also marked by two batsmen passing the 1000 Test run landmark, with Mohammed Hafeez reaching 115 and scoring his third century and Umar Akmal, when he had reached 12.

However neither pair went very far afterwards.

Hafeez was out at lunch for 119, which included a six and 17 fours – a career highest.

Umar was out for 15 off the last ball of the day. He hit Greg Lamb hard onto a close fielder's shoulder and Brendan Taylor took the rebound.

Azhar Ali moved his overnight 27 to 75 before giving a nick to Tatendo Taibu off Lamb. It was his ninth Test 50 and his third in succession.

Captain Misbah ul Haq made a fluent 66, remarkably his ninth half century in his last 11 innings.

Predictably remaining to fight another day in partnership with the incoming Adnan Akmal is Younis Khan, who is on 61 after securing his 24th fifty.

Pakistan will be looking to these two to take them past the Zimbabwe total on Sunday.

There have been two significant partnerships for the tourists - Hafeez and Ali put on 188 for the second wicket and Khan put on 100 with Ul Haq for the fourth.

For Zimbabwe it was a generally successful day in difficult flat-pitch circumstances, due largely to the spinners Raymond Price and Lamb.

Price was economy supreme, conceding 39 runs in 34 overs with 18 maidens but without any wickets. Lamb disposed of three tourists for 85.

However the pacemen Chrisopher Mpofu and Brian Vitori drew blanks in conceding 148 runs between them.

Pakistan will need another good partnership Sunday to gain the advantage while Zimbabwe will need two more wickets to get into the tail and that could give them pole position.

Ponting to miss Test for child’s birth

2011-09-03T13:11:00.000+05:00

Galle, Sri Lanka – Australia's former captain Ricky Ponting will miss the second Test match against Sri Lanka as he will fly home for the birth of his second child, Cricket Australia said on Saturday.

Ponting became the first player to participate in 100 Test victories when he helped Australia to beat Sri Lanka by 125 runs in the first test in Galle which ended on Saturday.

“New South Wales batsman David Warner will join the Australian Test squad in Sri Lanka as a standby player for Ricky Ponting,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.

“Ponting...plans to return in time for the third and final test of the series in Colombo.”

The Australian team will travel to Kandy on Monday to prepare for the second Test which starts on Thursday. The final Test in Colombo begins on September 16.

India reach 274/7

2011-09-03T13:10:00.001+05:00

Chester-Le-Street, England – Parthiv Patel missed out on a maiden international hundred but still helped world champions India to a total of 274/7 from 50 overs in the first one-day international against England here on Saturday.

Patel – who came in for the injured master batsman Sachin Tendulkar – made 95 from 107 balls with 12 fours and shared a stand of 103 for the second wicket with Virat Kohli who made 55.

Patel's well-paced innings looked like giving him his first three figure score for Indian until he was caught behind off James Anderson giving the England bowler his 200th wicket in one-day internationals.

Suresh Raina added 38 from 29 balls before he was deceived by a slower bouncer from Jade Denbach and gave Alastair Cook a simple catch at leg slip and while captain MS Dhoni was there towards the end of the innings a total of 300 looked possible.

However, the Indians stalled in the final overs as England snapped up three wickets in the last two overs.

On a gloomy day in the north east of England Cook put India in after winning the toss but his bowlers struggled as the Indian opening pair of Patel and Ajinkya Rahane put on 87 for the first wicket.

Rahane was first to go – caught at fine leg by Samit Patel top-edging a hook from Stuart Broad – and Rahul Dravid went for just two.

Dravid edged a ball from Broad to Craig Kieswetter but stood him ground when the England side appealed.

The Hot Spot technology failed to pick up the edge but third umpire Marais Erasmus told the on-field officials he had heard a noise and that was enough for Dravid to be given out.

Kohli and Patel took the score on before Patel, sniffing his milestone, tamely edged behind and Rohit Sharma was hit on the hand first ball by Broad and retired hurt.

Raina and Dhoni swung the bat – but the steady loss of wickets meant India could not get away from England and two wickets in the last over of the innings for Tim Bresnan put the brakes on.

Tendulkar missed the match with a toe injury meaning his wait for his 100th international hundred goes on and for England Graeme Swann was suffering from a stomach virus leaving Patel to take on the role of senior spinner and he took 1/42 off his ten overs.

Ill discipline lets Zim down

2011-09-03T13:10:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Hosts Zimbabwe missed the chance to pile the pressure on Pakistan by dropping five catches as the tourists raced to 280/3 in their first innings before tea on the third day of the one-off Test.

Zimabwe, all out for 412 in their innings Friday, were also left rueing a fumbled run-out opportunity that could have slowed Pakistan's bid to build on an overnight score of 116/1.

Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali put on 188 for the second Pakistan wicket.

The in-form Hafeez had two lucky escapes on his way to his third test century but his luck ran out two balls from the lunch interval when on 119 he spooned the ball to Gregory Lamb off medium pacer Hamilton Masakadza.

Hafeez's 119 included a six and 17 fours and saw him pass the landmark of 1000 runs.

Hafeez rode his luck throughout the innings as in his opening over of the day Chris Mpofu dropped a straightforward caught and bowled chance. He and Ali were also stranded at one end of the wicket but a fielding mix-up let them off.

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor persisted with seamers through most of the morning, Mpofu bowling ten straight overs but finally opted for a change of tactics when he brought on medium pacer Masakadza and it duly paid off with Hafeez's rush of blood to the head.

Ali's long innings came to an end when he on 75 he was caught by former skipper Tatenda Taibu off Lamb.

However, Younis Khan and captain Misbah ul Haq prevented any further inroads and had put on an unbeaten 62 runs fourth wicket partnership by tea with Khan on 30 and ul-Haq on 37.

Jayawardene, Mathews defy Aussies

2011-09-03T13:09:00.000+05:00

Galle, Sri Lanka - Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews combined for a brilliant unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 119 to stall Australia's victory charge on a rain-affected fourth morning of the first Test on Saturday.

At lunch, Sri Lanka were 187 for five wickets in their second innings with Jayawardene and Mathews helping the home side recover from 68-5 and frustrate the tourists, who would have been hoping to wrap up a win in a little over three days.

Resuming on 120-5, the pair added 67 runs to the overnight score to leave Sri Lanka 192 runs short of victory but with a new ball available in two more overs, Australia are still heavy favourites to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Play started 15 minutes early due to previous rain delays but only 21 deliveries were bowled before a quick downpour took the players off the field for another 65 minutes.

Jayawardene added 33 runs to his overnight score to reach the lunch break on 90 from 215 balls, in an impressive rearguard knock that did include a spectacular six off debutant spinner Nathan Lyon over long-on.

At the other end, Mathews recorded his third Test half-century and was on 66 at the interval from 137 balls.

The Australian bowlers toiled with little success in the session and Lyon, who picked up five wickets for 34 runs in the first innings, was unable to add to his tally while giving up 69 runs in 18 overs.

On Friday, Australia were dismissed for 210 in their second innings with Sri Lanka left arm spinner Rangana Herath collecting a career-best five-wicket haul as the visitors set the hosts a winning target of 379.

The tourists beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in the one-dayers ahead of the Test series.

Harris leads Aussies to victory

2011-09-03T12:39:00.000+05:00

Galle, Sri Lanka – Paceman Ryan Harris captured five wickets as Australia made full use of the second new ball to break a stubborn sixth-wicket partnership and mop up the tail on the way to a 125-run victory over Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first Test on Saturday.

Harris took three wickets in the afternoon session to finish with figures of 5/62, with the removal of Mahela Jayawardene for a brilliant 105 proving to be the catalyst for the victory charge after the hosts had frustrated Australia in the morning.

Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews had batted superbly to rescue Sri Lanka from 68/5, the pair adding 142 runs before the former edged a Harris delivery onto his stumps six overs after Australia had taken the new ball as soon as it became available.

The remaining four wickets fell cheaply and Mathews was dismissed an agonising five runs short of a maiden test century after he opted to attack the bowlers when he was running out of partners.

Resuming on 187/5 after lunch, Jayawardene reached his 29th century off 229 balls, spending five hours at the crease in Sri Lanka's forlorn chase of the 379-run winning target set by Australia on Friday.

Jayawardene is the first player to score a Test century in the fourth innings on a Galle pitch that historically favours spin bowlers while Australia's former captain Ricky Ponting became the first player to participate in 100 Test victories.

Mathews faced 238 balls to reach 95 when he was the ninth wicket to fall, bowled by Shane Watson, with the last pair adding four more runs before Nathan Lyon, who took five wickets in the first innings on debut, completing the victory as the hosts were dismissed for 253.

The match was a low-scoring affair with Australia managing scores of 273 and 210 in their two innings and Sri Lanka falling for just 105 in their first innings as Lyon ran through the batting order with figures of 5/34.

Rangana Herath was the pick of Sri Lanka's attack with match figures of 8/133 while Australia batsman Michael Hussey picked up the man-of-the-match award for his battling 95 on the opening day.

The second Test in the three-match series will start in Kandy on Thursday.

Hafeez reaches Test ton

2011-09-03T12:37:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – In-form Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez had two lucky escapes on his way to his third Test century here on Saturday on the third day of the one-off Test with Zimbabwe.

Hafeez's luck ran out though two balls from the lunch interval when on 119 he spooned the ball to Gregory Lamb off medium pacer Hamilton Masakadza.

However, he and the more sedate Azhar Ali, who was 65 not out, had taken Pakistan on to a comfortable 196/2 at the break in reply, 217 runs adrift of the hosts respectable 412 all out in their first innings.

Hafeez's 119 included a six and 17 fours and saw him pass the landmark of 1000 runs.

England win toss, field first

2011-09-03T12:36:00.000+05:00

Durham, England – England captain Alistair Cook won the toss and put world champions India into bat in the first of their five one day internationals here on Saturday.

India – who are seeking to restore some honour after losing the test series 4-0 and the one-off Twenty20 – surprisingly left out master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, replacing him with Parthiv Patel, and leaving him stuck on 99 international hundreds.

India also handed Ajinkya Rahane his one-day international debut which leaves just four of the side that won the World Cup beating Sri Lanka in April.

The home crowd were given a filip as Durham star Ben Stokes got the nod from the England selectors.

TEAMS

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Craig Kieswetter (wkt), Jonathan Trott, Eoion Morgan, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, Samit Patel, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jade Dernbach

India: Parthiv Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (capt/wk), R Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, R Vinay Kumar, Munaf Patel.

Toss: England

Umpires: Billy Doctrove (WI) and Richard Illingworth (Eng)

TV Umpire: Marais Erasmus (SA)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (Nzl)

Tendulkar to miss ODI against England

2011-09-03T12:34:00.000+05:00

Chester-Le-Street, England - Sachin Tendulkar's agonising wait to score a 100th international century has been prolonged further with the batting great missing the first of the five One-Day Internationals against England on Saturday because of a foot injury.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he would lead out the same team that lost the one-off Twenty20 match against England by six wickets at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Tendulkar's absence allows fellow Mumbai player Ajinkya Rahane make his One-Day International debut and the 23-year-old opener will be called into action immediately after England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and opted to field first.

Tendulkar, the game's highest run-getter with 51 Test and 48 one-day centuries, needs just one more triple figure score to become the first cricketer to record 100 international tons.

Stuck on 99 since scoring a century against South Africa in the World Cup in March, the 38-year-old batsman is reported to be suffering from a swollen toe and was expected to consult a surgeon soon.

India surrendered their world number one Test status to England following a 4-0 whitewash in that series, a setback attributed both to their poor performances and a spate of injuries to key players.

Hafeez leads Pakistan’s fightback

2011-09-02T12:27:00.000+05:00

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe – Tintotenda Mawoyo became the third Zimbabwean player to carry his bat as the opener made 163 not out in his side's first innings total of 412 on the second day of the Test against Pakistan at Queens Sports Club Friday.

After the early loss of Taufeeq Umar, the Pakistan batsmen settled well on an easy pitch and by the close had reached 116 for one with Mohammad Hafeez on 79 and Azhar Ali on 27. They trail by 296 runs with nine wickets in hand.

The day, however, belonged to the 25-year-old Mawoyo who picked up where he left off on Thursday as he stone-walled the Pakistan attack.

Resuming on 82 he went on to reach his maiden Test century and then, as wickets fell around him, pushed on past the 150-mark.

When last man Chris Mpofu was bowled by Aizeez Cheema to signal the delayed tea interval, Mawoyo had become the 47th batsman in the history of Test cricket Ä this is the 2006th Test match Ä to carry his bat.

The only two Zimbabweans to do it before him also achieved the feat against Pakistan. Mark Dekker made 68 not out in Rawalpini in 1993 while Grant Flower hit 156 not out on this ground in 1998.

Starting the day on 245 for four, Zimbabwe lost Craig Ervine early when he gave Juanid Jhan his first Test wicket, caught and bowled for 49, ending a fifth wicket partnership of 94 with Mawoyo.

Debutant Greg Lamb, however, dug in to add another 95 with the opener for the sixth wicket.

Mawoyo had a major stroke of luck when he was on 98 as Adnan Akmal missed a straightforward stumping off Saeed Ajmal. It was his second chance as Sohail Khan dropped him on the boundary when he had made 25.

There was a little bit of uncertainty as he reached his century. Mawoyo thought he was running a leg-bye only to realise it was his all-important 100th run when the umpire failed to signal the extra.

Mawoyo faced 453 balls and spent a total of 645 minutes at the crease, hitting 20 boundaries during the course of his innings.

Only David Houghton, who made 266 in 675 minutes against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo in 1994 and Flower, whose 201 not out against Pakistan in Harare in 1995 spanned 654 minutes, have produced longer innings for Zimbabwe.

When Lamb fell for 38, the Zimbabwe tail fell apart but they still got the side across the psychological 400-odd mark.

Saeed Ajmal bowled with guile and variation, his doosras a constant torment to the Zimbabwe batsmen but he was out of luck, finishing with four for 143. It fell to Aizaz Cheema to clean up with tail and he helped himself to four for 79.

When Pakistan came out after tea, they were quickly in trouble as Taufeeq Umar was given out leg before to Kyle Jarvis even though the ball pitched outside leg stump.

Hafeez, however, made light of the setback, hammering one six off Lamb and 15 fours – three of them off successive deliveries from Brian Vitori – as he raced to 79 from just 93 deliveries.

His partner Azkar Ali was more circumspect, nudging his way to 27 from 72 deliveries but by the close the stand was worth 108 and both batsmen were looking forward to another dig on this batting-friendly pitch.

Kohli wants India to prove Hussain wrong

2011-09-02T12:26:00.000+05:00

Durham – India batsman Virat Kohli insists the world champions will prove Nasser Hussain wrong after the former England captain labelled some of the tourists as “donkeys”.

Hussain made the controversial remark about India's fielding while commentating during Wednesday's one-off Twenty20

international, which England won by six wickets.

The comment has prompted criticism in India with the Board of Control for Cricket vice president Rajiv Shukla describing it as “totally uncalled for”.

India have endured a miserable tour to England, losing their position as the number one Test team after being drubbed 4-0 by Andrew Strauss's team, but Kohli believes Hussian's criticism was wide of the mark.

He points to India's successful World Cup campaign earlier this year as proof that the tourists have nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to fielding in hectic one-day games.

“Everyone has their opinion. We don't have to get angry about it and try really desperately to change it,” said Kohli ahead of Saturday's opening one-day clash against England in Durham.

“I don't really pay attention to all of this. We just have to do what we have been doing for a while. We haven't become world champions just like that.

“If we fielded like the remarks that have been said then we wouldn't have been world champions.

“I don't think these remarks should be making a difference to us. It's up to us to perform at our level best - like we have been for a while in the limited-overs format.

“We are the ones playing in the field and we have to know that we've given 100 percent.”

India head into the series without a win over England on tour so far but Kohli is among a number of new faces to join the squad following the Test series, and he believes they can turn around a forgettable trip so far.

“It's all about how you come back and fight,” he said. “There is no embarrassment (in the Test series defeat) because that is part of cricket.

“We were beaten fair and square. We have no complaints about that.

“We have some new faces in the team now and they are fresh and up for the challenge.

“We are working hard in practice. We hope to win this series and turn things around.”

Many of the changes India have made have been forced upon them by injury, with Ravindra Jadeja due to join the squad after Gautam Gambhir became the latest player to fly home.

Gambhir returned to India this week still suffering the concussion he suffered in the fourth Test to join star names Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma as early departures.

However, young opener Ajinkya Rahane took his chance with a blazing 61 from 39 balls in the Twenty20 and is set to make his 50-over debut on Saturday.

“Injuries are unfortunate but they present opportunities for the players coming in,” Kohli added.

“We saw Ajinkya due extremely well on Wednesday. All those who have been called in are up for the challenge.”

Cook warns England ODI players

2011-09-02T12:25:00.000+05:00

Durham – England one-day captain Alastair Cook has warned that no player is guaranteed a place in his side after Kevin Pietersen was rested for the forthcoming series against India.

Cook will be without flamboyant batsman Pietersen when he leads England into battle in a five-match limited overs series against India, which starts in Durham on Saturday.

Pietersen played a full part in England's 4-0 rout of India in the recent Test series and also featured in the Twenty20 victory over the tourists earlier this week.

But he has been left out of the India one-day matches and reports on Friday suggested he could also be excluded for the one-day tour to Asia, which would raise serious questions about his place in England's 50-over plans as they build towards the 2015 World Cup.

Cook insisted Pietersen, who has scored just two one-day half-centuries in the past two years, had only been left out due to England's rotation policy, but he did warn that no-one was safe as the selectors look to find a winning formula.

“KP is a world-class player. We said with the management of players he has been rested for this series,” Cook said on Friday.

“He's part of the programme to rest players who are involved in all three formats of the game.

“There is no guarantee for anything, because we haven't had that selection meeting for India.”

Asked if he would prefer someone like Pietersen in his team, Cook repeated: “There's no guarantee for anything.”

In Pietersen's absence, 20-year-old Ben Stokes has been called into the squad to help fill the hard-hitting role.

The Durham all-rounder has proven a match-winner at county level and Cook admitted England would look to rest their regulars to allow them to have a look at the likes of Stokes as they begin their World Cup planning.

“It's a great chance as a side to do that,” Cook said. “We've got four years until the World Cup. You want to win every game that you play.

“There is always an eye on when we do arrive in four years' time that we have a settled and experienced squad that can cope with those conditions.”

Meanwhile, England could be without spinner Graeme Swann for Saturday's game as he struggles with a stomach bug.

Swann took his career-best one-day figures of five for 28 at Durham two years ago against Australia, and Cook said a decision on his fitness would be made early on Saturday.

Sri Lanka staring down the barrel

2011-09-02T12:24:00.000+05:00

Galle, Sri Lanka – Australia closed in on a convincing victory in the first Test in Galle on Friday after Sri Lanka's top order was ripped apart for a second time.

Sri Lanka, set an improbable target of 379 to win on a crumbling wicket, were tottering at 120-5 at the close of the third day's play at the Galle International Stadium.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene provided a batting lesson for his team-mates, making an unbeaten 57 with the help of eight boundaries.

Angelo Mathews was the other not out batsman, on 32, having put on 52 runs for the sixth wicket with his senior partner.

Australia start the fourth day's play on Saturday needing five more wickets to win and take the lead in the three-Test series, their first in Sri Lanka since 2004.

Sri Lanka need to defy history to stop the tourists – the highest fourth innings score at the ground is 210 by New Zealand two years ago.

The hosts, who were shot out for 105 in the first innings, succumbed to a hostile three-wicket burst by Ryan Harris and probing seam bowling from Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson.

Harris trapped Tharanga Paranavitana leg-before with the first ball of the innings and then bowled Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan in his fourth over to leave the hosts 15-2.

Kumar Sangakkara would have been another Harris victim, but survived a review for leg-before off the first ball he faced.

Harris, a 31-year-old from Sydney playing only his sixth Test, followed his defiant 23 in Australia's second innings with 2-15 in his first five overs.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene, Sri Lanka's two most experienced batsmen, attempted to rebuild with a 37-run stand on either side of the tea break.

Watson, who took three wickets in 10 balls in the first innings, broke the partnership when Sangakkara (17) fenced a vicious rising delivery to Mike Hussey at gully.

Thilan Samaraweera edged a ball from Johnson to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin for a 14-ball duck, leaving Sri Lanka on 63-4.

Harris bowled Prasanna Jayawardene to complete a pair for the Sri Lankan wicket-keeper, but Mathews dug in to ensure the game went into the fourth day.

Australia resumed at 115-6 after the entire morning session was wiped out by heavy rain and were dismissed for 210 in their second innings midway through the post-lunch session.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath finished with 5-79 after claiming three wickets in the first innings.

Australia added 15 runs to their overnight score when they lost the wicket of Johnson, who top-edged a high catch off Herath which was taken comfortably by the wicket-keeper.

Usman Khawaja put on 40 for the eighth wicket with Harris before falling leg-before to Chanaka Welegedara for 26 to leave Australia 170-8.

Australia's total was boosted by a last-wicket stand of 32

between debutants Trent Copeland and Nathan Lyon.

Lyon made 13 before he was caught in the deep off Dilshan, leaving Copeland unbeaten on 23.

Mawoyo scores maiden Test ton

2011-09-02T12:22:00.000+05:00

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – Opener Tino Mawoyo hit an unbeaten maiden Test century to guide Zimbabwe to 314/5 against Pakistan at lunch on the second day of the one-off Test at Queens Sports Club.

Playing in his second Test, Mawoyo resumed from his overnight score of 82 after batting through the first day, nervously reaching his ton on a day in which he played the spinner Saeed Ajmal better and showed good footwork.

He was unbeaten on 117 having faced 362 balls. His fifth-wicket partnership of 94 with Craig Ervine gave Zimbabwe the foundation to put on a competitive first-innings score in good batting conditions.

Ervine was out a single run away from his maiden Test half-century, being caught and bowled by Junaid Khan off a rising delivery.

BCCI slams Hussain’s ‘donkey’ comment

2011-09-02T12:21:00.000+05:00

New Delhi – The India cricket board has objected to former England captain Nasser Hussain's comments during this week's Twenty20 game at Old Trafford when he referred to some India fielders as “donkeys”.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's vice president Rajiv Shukla said on Friday that Hussain's jibe “was totally uncalled for” and that “every player has to be respected”.

Hussain, while commentating during the game on Wednesday, said India had “one or two donkeys in the field”.

World Cup champion India lost to England by six wickets, continuing a dismal tour. India was whitewashed in the four-Test series, and begins a five-game one-day series on Saturday.

Duminy has recipe for success

2011-09-02T12:20:00.000+05:00

NESTLED between the scenic Overberg mountains, surrounded by lush green fields, the quaint Elgin Valley is a canvas of splendour. Its aesthetic beauty is something to behold, comparable to JP Duminy’s glorious cover drive when in full flow.

Duminy is currently absorbing all this natural beauty while in camp with the Proteas, who have spent the past week at a nearby Kleinmond hotel preparing for the forthcoming season.

Part of the Proteas’ preparation between the many workshops with mental conditioning consultant Paddy Upton, and acclimatising themselves with the new management group headed by World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten was a “meet and greet” with former South African cricketers.

One of the former Proteas who were invited was former all-rounder Adrian Kuiper. The drive to the hotel for Kuiper is, of course, a short one for the Elgin apple farmer, who during his heyday from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s ensured the valley was renowned for more just than its golden produce.

“I just had to chat to Kuips, he played a lot of one-day cricket, and was especially explosive at the back-end of the innings where I bat for the Proteas in ODI cricket,” Duminy said Thursday. “I am not a natural finisher, which I told him, and have really had to adapt my game to the necessary requirements of my role, but saying that, I think I had a fairly successful limited-overs season last year, and now it is about consistency.”

Duminy’s game is not based on power, like Kuiper’s was, but instead one built on touch and exquisite timing, although he does have the ability to clear the boundary with effortless ease when the need arises.

This technique has worked well for the left-hander in limited-overs cricket, where he boasts a career average of 41, but has not yet fully delivered on the promise he has shown since a teenager and fleetingly produced at Melbourne in 2008 in the Test arena.

“Yeah, that was definitely something I was spoken to about a few times by a host of former players. That I have maybe not lived up to my full potential, especially in Test cricket. I don’t see it like that yet. Of course I miss being out of the Test side, very much in fact, but I am now 27, and with the one-day and Twenty20 stuff going well, I think I am well poised to play a further eight years of international cricket and really make my stamp on the game when the opportunity arises,” he said.

After a longer-than-usual break, where weddings, including Duminy’s, were very much in vogue within the Proteas team, South Africa have a congested season ahead, with arch-rivals Australia looming large on the horizon.

Duminy may not be part of the Test XI at the moment, but there’s no debate that South Africa will need the Capetonian in-form and raring to go when the solitary T20 and the one-day series kicks off next month.

“I go to the Champions League with the Cobras next week, and that is ideal preparation for the limited-over series against the Aussies,” Duminy added.

“I am also looking forward to working with Gary. He is a left-hander like me, and in the past, our coaches were mostly former bowlers, and it’s great to have Gary on board who I can bounce things off.

“Paddy Upton has also been working with the team this week, and I personally have tried to lots of mental analysis with him, not only to improve myself as a cricketer, but as a person.”

Door is open for bowlers - Kirsten

2011-09-01T13:03:00.000+05:00

There is a nice opportunity for three or four young seamers to step up to the plate and announce that they are ready for international competition in the colours of the Proteas.

So says South African coach Gary Kirsten, who ran the rule over a squad of 28 nationally contracted and fringe players at a pre-season camp at Arabella, near Kleinmond, this week.

Referring to the relative inexperience of the fast bowlers below the national side’s current new-ball pair of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, Kirsten said: “There are a few guys we have identified. They are all here (at the camp) and they are aware of the opportunity”.

At the front of the queue in Tests would be players like incumbent Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren, but whoever emerges as the man for the long-term will face a busy couple of years due to the Proteas’ full programme. And the key would be settling down as soon as possible at top level.

Ideally Kirsten would have liked more time with the national squad ahead of the season, but he has consoled himself with the fact that 13 of the country’s top players will be getting in some action in the Champions League T20 tournament which starts in India later this month.

Kirsten was speaking yesterday at a golf day at Arabella.

“It would have been nice to have more time to prepare before our first T20 match against Australia (at Newlands on October 13),” Kirsten said. “But 13 of the players from the list for this camp will be playing in the CLT20.”

South Africa will be represented in the tournament by the Cape Cobras and the Warriors, the champions and runners-up in last season’s domestic Pro20, and they could theoretically be occupied in India until October 9 when the CLT20 final is scheduled. Apart from the Cobras and Warriors players engaged in the tournament, others like Jacques Kallis (Kolkata), AB de Villiers (Bangalore) and Albie Morkel (Chennai) will be in action there too, for their Indian Premier League franchises.

The Australian tour starts with two T20 matches, which are followed by three ODIs and two Tests.

Kirsten said that although the run-in to the start of the international programme for the 2011-12 season would be disjointed due to the CLT20, the situation would just have to be managed well.

Plenty of fitness work, discussions and briefings took place at the camp, the first of Kirsten’s tenure.

“The camp has been a good learning curve for me, understanding where everyone is and how things have worked in the past,” said Kirsten. “We’ve had a lot of time to discuss and map the way forward and what systems we should put in place.”

With the international programme putting much stress on players, Kirsten seems keen to make rotation of players part of his plan.

“It is important to manage players if you want to get the best out of them, and sometimes a rotation system may be important,” the coach said.

Referring to premier batsman and all-rounder Kallis, Kirsten obviously feels that there is plenty more left in the 35-year-old’s tank. “Jacques must just be used wisely. he’s earned the right to be used wisely. He is a two-in-one player and there has been a tendency to over-use him because he brings great balance to a team.

“We’ve discussed the notion of being used wisely with him.”

Speaking of England’s ascent to No 1 spot in the Test rankings, Kirsten said the fact that teams like Australia and Sri Lanka were in transition was exciting for world cricket. “Every team has a chance now, they are all competitive. You must treat all teams with respect.”