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Harris Included In 12-Man Australia Squad For 2nd Test

2011-12-30T02:37:00.000-08:00

Melbourne, Dec 30: Swing bowler Ryan Harris was today included in Australia’s 12-man squad for the second cricket Test against India starting on January 3 in Sydney, while the eleven who played in the opening match here retained their places.

Pacer Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Daniel Christian were left out from the 13-man squad for the opening Test which Australia won by 122 runs at the MCG.

The 32-year-old Harris from New South Wales has picked up 35 wickets from eight Tests at 21.37 average before a hip injury during the Cape Town Test against South Africa last month put him on a rehabilitation programme.

“Harris has been included in the eleven that played the first Test in Melbourne. Ryan has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan,” said national selector John Inverarity.

Apparently skipper Michael Clarke is a great admirer of Harris’ quality seam and swing bowling. The quick bowler was extremely successful in Sri Lanka and South Africa before he suffered a hip injury in Cape Town.

The much-vaunted Indian batting line-up’s failure in the first Test -- 282 and 169 in the two innings—could mean Australia opting for an all-pace attack at the SCG, a prospect captain Clarke had hinted after winning the first Test.

As expected, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey keep their places and so does wicketkeeper Brad Haddin despite his failure in the two innings of the first Test.

All-rounder Shane Watson continues to be sidelined as he has not fully recovered from his calf injury.

“Shane has not fully recovered from his right calf injury and is therefore not available for Sydney Test,” Australian team physio Alex Kountouris said.

“He will continue his rehabilitation and hopefully be available for one of the remaining Test matches.”

Sri Lanka Grabs Breakthrough Win In South Africa

2011-12-30T02:36:00.001-08:00

Durban, Dec 29: Rangana Herath took 5-79 as Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 208 runs in the second test Thursday for a breakthrough win in the country.

Spinner Herath wrapped up Sri Lanka's first ever test victory in South Africa late on day four as the Proteas slumped to 241 all out, well short of their victory target of 450.

Herath broke a stubborn 99-run stand between A.B. de Villiers (69) and Dale Steyn (43) and then removed Steyn and Marchant de Lange in three balls to wrap up a series-leveling victory for the tourists with a day to spare.

Herath had De Villiers lbw after his battling partnership with Steyn delayed Sri Lanka's march to victory and lifted South Africa from 133-6 in its second innings.

Sri Lanka also ended a run of 15 tests without a win.

Australia Defeat India By 122 Runs In First Test

2011-12-28T23:31:00.001-08:00

Melbourne, Australia, Dec 29: Peter Siddle claimed three wickets, including the prize scalp of Sachin Tendulkar for the second time, as Australia beat India by 122 runs before stumps on the fourth day of the first test.

Set the imposing victory target of 292, India could manage just 169 as its top order offered little resistance in the face of a formidable Australian pace attack.

Man of the match James Pattinson led the attack with 4-53, while Ben Hilfenhaus, who completed his first test five-wicket haul in the first innings, had 2-39.

Tendulkar, who top scored for India with just 32, was denied yet another chance to claim cricket’s first ever 100th international century.

Australia’s fast bowlers worked in harmony throughout most of the afternoon, applying constant pressure rewarded by regular wickets.

“I’ve got to give full credit to our bowlers,” Australia captain Michael Clarke said. “We all know how dangerous India’s batting lineup is and for our bowlewrs to be able to restrict them in both innings, full credit to them.”

Hilfenhaus made an early breakthrough before lunch when Virender Sehwag was caught by Hussey for 7 and Siddle (3-42) removed Gautam Gambhir caught by Ricky Ponting in the slips for 13 in his first over of the afternoon session.

Pattinson bowled first-innings danger man Rahul Dravid for 10, then had V.V.S. Laxman, traditionally a big scorer on Australian wickets, caught by Ed Cowan for 1 after making 2 in the first innings.

Virat Kohli was out first ball, trapped lbw by Hilfenhaus.

Tendulkar showed his intent from the first ball, driving for three runs after the crowd of more than 20,000 rose to cheer him to the crease in what is almost certainly his last test innings at the MCG. They rose again as he walked from the field with India at 81-6.

Out for 73 to Siddle in the first innings, Tendulkar batted assuredly before offering a thick edge to Hussey in the gully. The batting great has been stuck on 99 centuries since March and will next attempt to reach the 100th century milestone in the second test at Sydney next week.

Ravichandran Ashwin made a quickfire 30 runs off 35 balls before popping up a Siddle ball to give Cowan a simple catch shortly after tea.

Zaheer Khan drove Pattinson for a boundary to backward point before smashing a six over long on, only to give Cowan his third catch of the innings at short leg off the next ball.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (23) played the ball onto his stumps off Pattinson’s next over to leave tailenders Ishant Sharma (6) and Umesh Yadav (21) to bat out the innings. Yadav was the last man out, caught on the boundary by David Warner off spin bowler Nathan Lyon.

Earlier, Pattinson (37) and Hilfenhaus (14) shared a defiant 43-run partnership for the last wicket to frustrate the Indian bowlers.

Hilfenhaus sent an outside edge to Laxman off an Ishant Sharma ball to end Australia’s second innings on 240.

Zaheer Khan claimed the breakthrough wicket of Australian top-scorer Hussey, who made 89 with nine boundaries before offering an outside edge to wicketkeeper Dhoni.

Hussey and Ponting made an innings-saving 115-run partnership Wednesday after Australia’s top-order collapsed into disarray at 27-4.

Former captain Ponting was Australia’s most consistent batsman in the test, with innings of 62 and 60, including a first-innings partnership of 113-runs with new test opener Ed Cowan, who topped the first innings with a watchful 68.

Australian Fans Should Lower Their Expectations : Barry Richards

2011-12-14T23:26:00.002-08:00

Melbourne, Dec 15: As Australia gear up to take on India in a gruelling four-Test battle, South African batting great Barry Richards said fans Down Under should “lower their expectations” from the home team which is in transition.

“Australia’s come right back to the pack. Fans are just going to have to lower their expectations of what their team is capable of.

That’s taking a bit of time, isn’t it?” Richards was quoted as saying by ‘The Age’

India and Australia will play a four-Test series starting December 26 and given the home team’s struggles, the visitors have got a good chance of upstaging them.

Asked to comment on the future of out-of-form senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, Richards said, “If someone is there to take their place, they should go. And therein lays the problem.”

Speaking on the overall state of the game, Richards criticised the Twenty20 format, saying it is too commercial a format.

“The size of the fields, the pitches and the power of the bats are so different from what we know as cricket that they should actually invent another name for it,” Richards said.

“It’s so commercially driven in batsmen’s favour that Stevie Wonder could go out and hit 50.”

“It’s not just Australia, it’s everywhere in the world, where you have cricket people wanting to defend the interests of the national team against commercial and marketing people who may not be very familiar with cricket but have a job to bring it to the people and maximise its commercial potential,” Richards added.

The South African said Twenty20 is good for an “independent contractor.”

“Someone like Chris Gayle is not wanting to be tied to the West Indies for 12 months. He’ll play for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash, then go to play for the Dolphins in South Africa, the IPL and somewhere in the UK, too, and he’ll virtually negotiate match by match who he’s playing for.

“Because the money’s so good -- who can knock back $700,000-$800,000 for sitting on the bench in the IPL and not having to hit or bowl a ball? -- we’re going to see a lot more of these players. If we eventually see two IPL competitions a year, for the guys playing in that why would they bother with representing their country?” he asked.

Indian Team Arrives In Australia

2011-12-13T21:26:00.001-08:00

Melbourne, Dec 14: The remaining members of the Indian cricket team, led by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, today arrived in Australia for the gruelling Test series starting later this month.

The players, including Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Zaheer Khan and coach Duncan Fletcher left Chennai for Australia yesterday.

As soon as they landed in Melbourne, the team left for Canberra on a bus.

India are scheduled to play two warm-up matches against Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra— first on December 15-16 and the second a three-day game from December 19 to 21.

“Different vibe in Australia. Lovin it though! Off to Canberra 3 hour drive. Not good after 13 hours of travelling,” tweeted Kohli.

The batsman even posted a rather tired-looking picture of himself on his account. “ On the way to Canberra!!! Sleepy as you can see,” he wrote.

Seven members of the Indian squad—Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha and Pragyan Ojha—are already in Australia in a bid to get acclimatised to the conditions ahead of the gruelling Test series which begins on December 26.

They had left India on December 8 and were training in Melbourne.

India are scheduled to play four Test matches, beginning from December 26, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, besides two Twenty20 Internationals and a triangular ODI series involving Sri Lanka.

The remaining Test matches are going to be held in Sydney (Jan 3-Jan 7), Perth (Jan 13-Jan 17) and Adelaide (Jan 24 to Jan 28).

Australian Keeper Tim Paine Out For 4 Months

2011-12-13T21:25:00.001-08:00

Melbourne, Dec 14: In yet another setback for an Australian test squad depleted by injuries, backup wicketkeeper Tim Paine is expected to be sidelined for a further four months after surgery on his finger.

The 27-year-old Paine has not played any first-class cricket for Tasmania this season after re-injuring his right index finger during a warmup match.

Cricket Australia doctor Trefor James on Wednesday said Paine's recovery had been slower than anticipated.

"It is clear that the fracture has not healed as expected and the best course of action is for Tim to undergo further surgery," James said.

Paine, who has played four tests, was to undergo surgery later Wednesday.

Australia starts a four-test series against top-ranked India at Melbourne on Dec. 26 and is in upheaval after a seven-run loss to New Zealand on Monday cast doubt over the immediate international futures of opener Phillip Hughes, No. 3 Usman Khawaja and veterans Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin.

The lack of experienced backup for Haddin takes pressure off his selection as wicketkeeper.

After winning the first test against New Zealand by nine wickets, Australia had to settle for a drawn series following the loss in Hobart on Monday. No. 8-ranked New Zealand captured its first test win on Australian soil since 1985 when Doug Bracewell inspired a batting collapse and finishing with 6-40 as Australia slumped from 159-2 to be all out for 233 chasing 241 to clinch a 2-0 series win.

Pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson is out for four months and 18-year-old fast bowler Pat Cummins isn't expected to return until late in the series against India. Allrounder Shane Watson, top-order batsman Shaun Marsh and veteran

Familiarity With Indians Won't Mean Less Intensity : Warner

2011-12-13T21:23:00.000-08:00

New Delhi, Dec 13: The familiarity with each other following IPL stints will help Indian and Australian players understand one another better but it will not take any of the competitiveness away when the two sides clash in a Test series later this month, feels Aussie opener David Warner.

“That some of us have played in DLF Indian Premier League over the last four years will surely help the players understand one another better but I don't think that this familiarity will take the edge away when we are on the field,” Warner, who represents Delhi Daredevils in IPL, said.

“Lots of things were going on when India toured Australia the last time in 2007-08 but that is what makes cricket. Everyone likes to play very seriously and that alone should ensure that none changes the attitude on the field,” he added.

The 25-year-old, who made his battling maiden Test century and was named man-of-the-match against New Zealand at Hobart yesterday, said he was disappointed that his knock could not help Australia win the match.

“It was nice to get to the milestone of a Test hundred but it was disappointing not to be able to help Australia over the line,” said Warner after New Zealand registered seven-run victory over Australia in the second Test.

Even as wickets kept falling at the other end, Warner finished on unbeaten 123 off 170 balls with 14 boundaries.

Warner remembered the encouragement he received from his Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag and other teammates.

“Playing for Delhi Daredevils has obviously helped me as I worked with a set of world class players. I will not forget when I joined the Daredevils, Sehwag told me that I would be a better Test cricketer than a T20 player when I had not even played first-class cricket. When I asked him how he could predict that, Sehwag shared his theory of how everyone would be in the slips and I could play my shots freely,” revealed Warner.

Australian Media Slams 'Lowest Of The Low' Cricketers

2011-12-12T22:24:00.000-08:00

Sydney, Dec 13: Australia's cricketers were on Tuesday damned by the press as the "lowest of the low" after a disastrous loss to New Zealand and branded a team in crisis ahead of a Test series against world number two India.

Michael Clarke's men handed the Black Caps their first victory on Australian soil in 26 years after a dramatic batting collapse in the second innings in Hobart, described as arguably their most embarrassing defeat in Test history.

"Lowest of the Low," read the headline in Sydney's Daily Telegraph over a photo of a crestfallen Australian number 11 Nathan Lyon, while the Sydney Morning Herald remarked on the once dominant team's loss of form.

"Once the kings of world cricket, Australia are no longer capable of putting away eighth-ranked New Zealand," the Herald said.

Commentators rubbished Australia's batsmen, who gave away a solid lead going into the fourth day to succumb to New Zealand with Clarke and Michael Hussey both out for nought and Ricky Ponting making just 16.

"It's sad and getting silly," Robert Craddock wrote in the Telegraph.

"If new chairman of selectors John Inverarity is not brave enough to end Ricky Ponting's Test career, he should stand down himself."

Others called for opener Phil Hughes, who made just 24 runs over two innings, to be dropped.

"His sacking is so obvious it will barely be discussed by the (selection) panel when they meet early next week and he will not be recalled under any circumstances against India," said Craddock.

All commentators criticised the inability of the batting line-up to finish off the Kiwis, after Australia failed to reach a 241 target despite at one point only requiring 82 runs to win the match with eight wickets in hand.

Test debutant David Warner almost took his side to victory with an unbeaten 123, but he could not stem the rapid fall of wickets, including those of Ponting, Clarke and Hussey who were all removed within 15 balls.

"The top order again failed against the swinging delivery, a fact that will be noted by India as it prepares for the four-Test post-Christmas series," wrote Peter Lalor in The Australian.

Lalor added that Australia's recent score of just 47 in Cape Town and the historic loss to New Zealand proved "this inconsistent team had new depths to plumb".

"Australia will head into the marquee series of the Test summer with a misfiring batting line-up vulnerable to costly and spectacular collapses if yesterday's humiliating defeat to New Zealand has not sharpened John Inverarity's axe," concluded the Herald.

Win In Australia An Early Christmas Present : Taylor

2011-12-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

Hobart, Dec 12: Skipper Ross Taylor praised his New Zealand team's fighting spirit as the Kiwis pulled off a magnificent seven-run victory for their first win in Australia for 26 years at Bellerive Oval on Monday.

Looking consigned to defeat with Australia closing in at 159/2, chasing down 241 runs, the Kiwis roared back capturing eight wickets for 74 to humble their better-resourced rivals for a famous victory.

New Zealand have been constantly reminded that their last win in Australia was back in 1985 at Perth's WACA Ground when paceman Richard Hadlee was in his pomp.

In fact, New Zealand's only two Test victories across the Tasman came in that 1985 series.

New Zealand's previous Test triumph over the Australians was 23 Tests ago at Auckland's Eden Park in 1993.

So it was with relish that the rejoicing Kiwis celebrated by popping champagne corks on the Bellerive pitch hours after their amazing Test win and one toasted by Taylor.

"I've had over 50 text messages on my phone, I think it's pretty big," Taylor said.

"Rugby is obviously our number one sport but any sport against Australia and winning in Australia the New Zealand public enjoys.

"The New Zealand public knows the New Zealand cricket team when it plays against Australia is always the underdog but they don't like it when we don't show much fight.

"We didn't do it in Brisbane but we showed a lot of ticker today."

In an incredible turnaround of just eight days the Kiwis denied Australia after being crushed by nine wickets inside four days in the first Brisbane Test.

It was Australia's first defeat in 10 Tests at Bellerive going back to 1989.

"We believed in ourselves that we could win this match, we know we had to fight, we had to play a lot better than we did in Brisbane," Taylor said.

Taylor reserved special praise for 21-year-old seamer Doug Bracewell, playing in only his third Test but New Zealand's match-winner with six for 40 off 16.4 overs.

Bracewell turned the match around with the wickets of Ricky Ponting (16), Michael Clarke (0), Michael Hussey (0), James Pattinson (4), Mitchell Starc (0) and Nathan Lyon (9).

"He bowled outstandingly well for a young guy, 21, and to come in only his third Test and to get Ponting, Clarke and Hussey, that's something to tell your grandkids about," Taylor said.

"Doug can hit the deck but also can swing it away and as captain you've got to go on hunches and I thought Dougie would bowl well, but not that well."

Taylor, in only his third Test as captain, backed his intuition and drew the very best out of his Black Caps team.

"We knew we needed wickets before lunch. I never batted well, but I never felt in on that wicket so I knew it wasn't going to be easy to bat on that wicket, it was still nipping around on day four," he said.

"So we knew that wickets fall in clumps and you still had to be as upbeat as possible. Whatever position we were in we tried to believe in ourselves and we did."

Taylor said his role as skipper was to encourage his team's fight and national pride.

"We did not show much fight in Brisbane, but we did show guts and determination out there today," he said.

"That was for the New Zealand public and an early Christmas present, I guess."

Warner Finally Proves He's A Test Cricketer

2011-12-12T22:18:00.000-08:00

Hobart, Dec 12: David Warner defied his doubters and rewarded his backers by carrying his bat Monday for an unbeaten 123 in his second test, but it was the only highlight for Australia in its seven-run loss to New Zealand.

The discipline and patience he showed should dismiss the impression that the hard-hitting opener lacked the concentration to play anything more than Twenty20 games.

The 25-year old Warner has been a prolific run scorer in Australia’s Twenty20 team since 2009 when he was plucked from obscurity to become the first Australian in 132 years to be selected for the national team without having played a first-class match.

In his debut T20 match against South Africa, Warner showed the kind of big hitting that has become his trademark by smashing 89 runs off 43 balls with seven boundaries and six sixes.

He has been less successful in the 50-over format, scoring only 210 runs from his 10 international matches, providing fodder to the critics who claimed he was a mere T20 specialist.

Regardless, the new-look Australian selection panel thought it worth a gamble on Warner when they handed him his test debut this month for the series opener against New Zealand at the Gabba in place of the injured Shaun Marsh.

Success did not come immediately, with innings of 3, 12 and 15 before his mature and enigmatic knock Monday.

“I’ve always had it in me in the four-day form,” Warner said. “This was a good opportunity to show people you’re more than just a Twenty20 player and a one-day player.”

Resuming on 47 on Monday, Warner doggedly stuck around while veteran batsmen Ricky Ponting, captain Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey all lost their wickets cheaply as the hosts collapsed to 199-9 and needing 42 runs to win.

Warner and last batsman Nathan Lyon whittled the target down to single figures before Doug Bracewell claimed Lyon as his sixth dismissal of the innings.

“I want to pay a lot of credit to David Warner,” Clarke said “Scoring his first test match hundred was outstanding today.

“He’s an amazing talent and has been for a long time,” he added. “He’s been keen to get an opportunity to play test cricket for Australia. He’s made the most of his chances in Twenty20 and one-day cricket and he’s shown the world again today that he’s here to stay in test cricket as well.”

Warner was named man of the match for his 170-ball knock that lasted more than five hours and featured 14 fours—nobody else in either team got close to a century on the lively green wicket at Bellerive Oval.

“It’s disappointing to get so close at the end there and not get across the line, but credit to New Zealand for the fight they put on there this morning and this afternoon,” he said.

New Zealand’s win was its first on Australian soil since 1985, but captain Ross Taylor interrupted his celebrating to pay tribute to Warner, saying he “played outstandingly well.”

That one innings had propelled Warner from test outsider to one of the few sure selections for the first test against India starting Dec. 26. His opening partner Phil Hughes will be at long odds to retain his place, while there are growing doubts about the future of veteran pair Ponting and Hussey.

Hussey Hits Second Century Of The Series

2011-09-17T04:29:00.000-07:00

Colombo, September 17: Mike Hussey hit his second century of the series to lead Australia to a first innings score of 316 on the second day of the third and final test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Seam bowler Shaminda Eranga led a spirited Sri Lankan attack by taking four wickets and bagging the last five Australia wickets for 81 runs in the opening session.

Eranga returned Sri Lanka’s best bowling figures of 4-65.

Sri Lanka batted for 12 minutes before lunch, scoring nine without loss.

Australia resumed the second day on 235-5, with Hussey batting on 63 with Brad Haddin on 21.

But Eranga quickly put the pressure on the visitors with the fifth ball of his first over of the day when Haddin was caught behind by Prasanna Jayawardene for 35 runs.

Left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara took two wickets in succession having Mitchell Johnson caught by Rangana Herath and Peter Siddle caught by Tharanga Paranavitana at slip. Welegedara returned 3-75.

Eranga then bowled Hussey after the left-hander had faced 178 balls, smashing two sixes and 12 boundaries. Hussey scored 118 runs -- his 15th test hundred -- following up his top score of 142 in the second test and 95 in the first.

Shaun Marsh, who batted at No. 3 ahead of regular Ricky Ponting, scored 81 after getting 141 on his debut in the second test. AP

India Drop To Fifth Position In ICC Rankings

2011-09-17T04:28:00.000-07:00

Cardiff, Sept 17: World champions India dropped to the fifth position in the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table after England won the five-match ODI series 3-0 here Friday.

It is Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side’s lowest ranking since October 2008, when it spent three months at the number-five position, to sum up a disappointing summer in England where it slipped from number-one position in the ICC Test Championship to third spot after losing all the four Tests.

India had entered the series in third position on 117 ratings points and finished on 112 ratings points after it lost the second, third and fifth ODIs while the first ODI at Chester-le-Street was washed out and the fourth at Lord’s ended in a tie.

In fact, India had slipped to fourth position after the third ODI at The Oval where it went down by three wickets (according to Duckworth-Lewis method) and then slipped further behind after defeat in another rain-reduced match in Cardiff.

In contrast, England has gained a place and has moved to fourth position. For remaining unbeaten in the series, Alastair Cook’s side earned six ratings points which has left it just one point ahead of India and three behind third-ranked South Africa.

However, India will have a chance to not only reclaim lost ground but potentially move into second position depending on how it performs in the five-match ODI series against England which starts at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad Oct 14.

But India will also have an eye on the three-match ODI series between South Africa and Australia, which starts at Centurion from Oct 19.

India Lose Fifth ODI By 6 Wkts, End England Tour Without A Win

2011-09-17T04:26:00.000-07:00

Cardiff, Sept 17: India’s miserable tour of England ended without a win as the home side spanked them by six wickets under Duckworth-Lewis method in the rain-affected fifth and final cricket One-Dayer with Rahul Dravid finishing his illustrious ODI career on a losing side here today.

Put into bat, India rode on a fluent century from Virat Kohli (107) and substantial contributions from Dravid (69) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (50 not out) to post an impressive 304 for six on a batting friendly Sophia Gardens pitch.

Chasing the challenging target and their innings interrupted by intermittent rain, England stuttered to 166 for four in the 26th over but recovered to race to the revised target of 241 with 10 balls to spare with Jonathan Trott (63) and captain Alastair Cook (50) being the main contributors.

Debutant Jonny Bairstow and Ravi Bopara, who knocked off the winning runs, also chipped in with unbeaten knocks of 41 and 37 respectively.

The target was revised twice earlier as the start of England run chase was delayed due to rain. First it was revised to 295 from 47 overs and then to 270 from 40 overs. It was finally revised to 241 from 34 overs and England reached the target comfortably.

With the loss, India had to return home without any win in the disastrous tour. They were whitewashed 0-4 in the four-match Test series, beaten in the one-off Twenty20 International before ending the tour by losing the five-match ODI series 0-3.

The disappointing performance, one of the worst ever, meant that India will slip to fifth position in ICC ODI rankings while England will be a rung above. PTI

Yuvraj's All-Round Show Helps India Win By 5 Wickets

2011-03-07T02:06:00.001-08:00

Bangalore, Mar 6 : Yuvraj Singh produced an impressive all-round performance as title contenders India really toiled hard in order to pull-off a five-wicket win over a spirited Ireland side in a group B encounter of the cricket World Cup, here today.

Yuvraj became the first player in the history of World Cup to take five wickets and score a half century (5/31 in 10 overs and 50 not out) as India huffed and puffed on their way to a modest victory target of 208 in 46 overs.

After restricting Ireland to a modest 207, courtesy his five-for, the southpaw batted sensibly on a slow track for his half century as it came in 75 balls and had only three fours in it. India now have five points from three matches having notched up their second win.

Put into bat after Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss,Ireland lost two early wickets before rival captain William Porterfield capitalised on an early reprieve to rescue his team.

But Yuvraj triggered a collapse that saw Ireland lose their last eight wickets for 85 runs. The giant-killers, who stunned England in their last match at the same venue, tried to make a match of it, but India maintained their composure to log full points from the tie.

When India batted, Yuvraj walked in after the hosts lost the important wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, but the left-hander was soon left to rue as a misunderstanding between him and Virat Kohli led to the latter's dismissal.When Dhoni joined Yuvraj at the halfway stage, India needed another 108 runs for victory, and Ireland seemed all pumped up, sensing another upset.

But such thoughts were soon put to rest as the two experienced campaigners added 67 runs off 99 balls for the fifth wicket to put India on course. The duo didn't take any undue risk as the asking rate was always under control and the strip didn't allow free-flowing strokeplay.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell dimissed Dhoni with India still 41 runs shy, but Yusuf Pathan, in his customary fashion, clobbered the bowler for 16 runs in the same over to take India within sniffing distance of victory.A sequence of 0, 4, 6, 6 took the pressure off Yuvraj who spent 108 minutes en route to his 47th ODI half century.

There was no twist in the tale after that as India completed the task with four overs to spare.India's start was pretty similar to Ireland's as Virender Sehwag got a leading edge back to bowler Trent Johnston while trying to work him on the leg side in the second over.It was a big wicket for Ireland, and the occasion was apt for Johnston to break into a celebratory jig.

Gautam Gambhir was the next to go, caught brilliantly by Alex Cusack. It was an ordianry delivery pitched outside leg,but Gambhir couldn’t check his shot as the ball flew towards square leg.Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli then added 63 runs for the third wicket, before the legend was trapped in front by Dockrell for 38.

Tendulkar looked comfortable at the crease and played some good shots, including a flick that raced to the square-leg boundary off the first delivery he faced.But it was meant to be Yuvraj's day as the dashing left-hander followed up his exploits with the ball with a knock that paved the way for an India victory.

The Punjab player was high on confidence after starring with the ball that also included important wickets of rival skipper Porterfield and last match' centurion Kevin O'Brien.The Ireland skipper, who was droppd by Pathan for nought in the slips, ensured that he capitalised on the life.

Porterfield (75 off 104 balls) along with Niall O’Brien (46 off 78) put on 113 runs off 148 balls for the third wicket to put his team back on track, but the skipper's dismissal at a crucial juncture allowed India to fight back into the match.During his 146-minute stay in the middle, Portefield hit six boundaries and a six, while Niall O'Brien's knock included three hits to the fence.

Alex Cusack made 24 of 30 balls, but overall, the Irish line-up found Yuvraj too difficult to handle on a track where batting never looked the most hardest thing in the world,especially in the first innings.

After the two early blows, it was more about a battle for survival for Ireland. Portefield and Niall O'Brien both showed gumption during an asociation, which not just steadied what seemed like a sinking ship a little while ago, but also yielded runs on the board.

They did the sensible thing by not taking on Zaheer, who was moving the ball both ways, but more than made up for their cautious approach against the India spearhead by milking the spinners.Runs came at a healthy pace as long as the two were in the crease. Apart from an attack that lacked bite, the Irish duo was also helped by some sloppy ground fielding by the Indians, though Virat Kohli made for his few few lapses by running out O'Brien.

But before that, for 93 minutes and 148 deliveries,Porterfield and O'Brien made the Indians sweat with some calculative batting.

The ploy was to attack Piyush Chawla, the weakest link in the Indian attack, and the moment the legspinner was introduced just before the first drinks break, Porterfield signalled his intention with a towering six over deep mid-wicket.

Using his feet regularly, Porterfield not only negated whatever turn was on offer, but also forced Chawla to err in line. The leg-spinner was guilty of bowling too many extras in his first spell, including three wides and a no ball in a single over that left the Indians frustrated for a while.Soon Porterfield reached his half-century, a well-deserved one, with a drive through extra cover after Chawla dropped one too full and in the zone.

But just when things were looking bright for Ireland,came a steback. Kohli and Dhoni effected an O'Brien run out as it triggered a mini-collapse that saw Ireland lose four wickets for 40 runs, including the important one of Portefield.Andrew White, playing in place of Gary Wilson and who came in after the fall of Niall O'Brien, edged Yuvraj to Dhoni for five.

Last match's hero, Kevin O'Brien, was greeted with much anticipation from a packed Chinnaswamy crowd, but his nine-minute stay ended when Yuvraj had him caught off his own bowling.

The associate nation was dealt its biggest blow when Yuvraj, who was turning things around for the hosts, dimissed Porterfield just after the drinks break. The Irish captain rocked back after seeing a short delivery from Yuvraj but could not clear Harbhajan at cover.As is often the case with a set batsman, the break may well have disturbed Porterfield’s concentration.

India heaved a sigh of relief, thanks largely to Yuvraj.His performance with the ball might force the team management to think whethet it needs an off-colour Chawla in the XI for the matches ahead.

Earlier, barring Zaheer's opening burst during which he picked up the wickets of Paul Stirling and Ed Joyce, Dhoni kept rotating the other bowlers in the early part of the Ireland innings, with Munaf Patel being replaced twice withing the first 15 overs.

Zaheer gave India an early breakthrough when he went through Paul Stirling's half-hearted drive with a delivery that swung in off the track. The left-arm seamer struck again when Ed Joyce edged one to Dhoni after failing to read a ball that zipped inward on landing.What left the batsman foxed was that Zaheer, before that wicket-taking inswinger, were bowling away-going deliveries at will. PTI

Paes-Bhupathi Win Fifth Chennai Open Crown

2011-01-11T04:50:00.001-08:00

Chennai, Jan 9 (PTI) The Indian Express duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi survived a super tie break to clinch their first doubles title on their reunion and fifth at this venue at the ATP Chennai Open tennis tournament here tonight.

Paes and Bhupathi played with determination to start the season with a win ahead of the Australian Open, which remains the lone Grand Slam tournament that the duo has not won since their united effort on the ATP Tour from 1997 to 2002.

Having played a tough match last night to set up a final against the Dutch-American pair of Robin Hasse and David Martin, Paes and Bhupathi came out victorious with a 6-2, 6-7 (3), 10-7 win.Playing before a capacity crowd, the Indian duo raced to a 6-2 first set win. But the Dutch-American pair made amends with better coordination to take the second set.

It was a similar story to yesterday's semifinal as the Indians were not only surprised by their rivals aggression but the manner in which they excelled in service returns forpoints, especially Hasse, who also succeeded with net play,which is the Indians forte.

Hasse and Martin were a shade better to their strong rivals, but both dished out big tennis at vital times as ratio-wise they had 73 per cent success to hosts' 52 on points won on first serve returns.

All through the match, Paes returned to the body of Martin for decisive points whenever he tried to come up front for his returns, while Bhupathi was at his best with his backhand volley returns. PTI

KKR Buys Gambhir At Whopping Rs 11.04 Crore, No Buyer For Ganguly

2011-01-08T04:55:00.000-08:00

Bangalore, Jan 8 (PTI) Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was bought by Shah Rukha Khan co-owned Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping USD 2.4 million (approx Rs 11.04 crore) for the fourth edition of Indian Premier League to be held from April 8 to May 20.

The KKR dominated the first round of auction of nine marquee players as they also bought T20 specialist Yusuf Pathan for a staggering USD 2.1 million (approx Rs 9.66 crore).The first round of auctions certainly belonged to KKR although they have consumed half of their spending purse (USD 4.5 million) on two players.

It was intense bidding for Gambhir who was the first player under the hammer as Saha Pune Warriors and Mumbai Indians were involved in a bidding war before KKR joined the fray after it crossed the million dollar barrier.

Sahara Pune Warriors opened their account with Yuvraj Singh buying him for USD 1.8 million (Rs 8.28 crore apprx) after beating Team Kochi and Kings XI Punjab in the bid.Kings XI Punjab also lost the bid of Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene who was bought by Kochi for USD 1.5 million.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Zaheer Khan for USD 900,000 and dashing Lankan opener TM Dilshan for USD 650,000. However the VIjay Mallya owned franchise had a prize catch in talented South African AB de Villiers buying him for a big amount of USD 1.1 million (Rs 5.06 crore).

The Rajasthan Royals bought New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor for USD 1 million (Rs 4.6 crore).

However, for Kevin Pietersen who was one of the most sought after players in the second and third edition was bought by Deccan Chargers for USD 650,000 much less than his million dollar price in the earlier years.Petersen, alongwith Andrew Flintoff, was the most expensive player in the last edition with USD 1.5 million. PTI

India Continue To Be No.1 In ICC Test Rankings

2011-01-07T04:56:00.001-08:00

Dubai: India continued to dominate the ICC Test Championship table, holding on to the top spot in the latest rankings issued on Friday despite losing a rating point after the drawn three-match series against South Africa.

India lead South Africa by 11 ratings with 128 ratings points, the ICC said in a statement.

Third-placed England have narrowed the gap with South Africa after winning the Ashes 3-1. England, which entered the Ashes series on 112 ratings points, have jumped to 115 ratings points and Andrew Strauss's side now trails Graeme Smith's men by just two ratings points.

The Proteas, which started against India on 116 ratings points, have gained one ratings point and moved to 117 ratings points following the one-all draw against India.

For Australia, the news is not so good and their first Ashes defeat in 24 years on home soil has resulted in a drop to fifth on the table.

The defeat has cost Australia three ratings points, putting them two points behind Sri Lanka on 107. PTI

Ashes: England Clinch Innings Victory Over Australia

2011-01-06T21:53:00.000-08:00

Sydney, Jan 7 : England clinched its first test series victory in Australia in 24 years by wrapping up the fifth and final match by an innings and 83 runs Friday to take the Ashes series 3-1. The Sydney Cricket Ground triumph gave England an unprecedented third victory by an innings in a single series against Australia, which has been condemned in the domestic media as the country's worst ever test team. It was also the first time since 1978-79 that England had won back-to-back test matches in Australia and the first time since 1987 that the English have won a test series Down Under.

England captain Andrew Strauss praised his squad, which humiliated an Australian lineup which only four years ago swept the Ashes 5-0 at home. "We came over here desperately wanting to win the series. In Melbourne we retained the Ashes, but in Sydney we really wanted to finish with a bang," Strauss said. "We're delighted with what we've done. We're certainly going to enjoy this evening."

It was just a matter of time Friday for the series to be wrapped up on the last day, with England only requiring three wickets and Australia having no chance of leveling it. Steve Smith (54 not out) and Peter Siddle (43) prolonged Australia's resistance for an hour around a couple of suspensions for rain, but Graeme Swann broke the 86-run, eighth-wicket stand when he had Siddle caught on the boundary by Jimmy Anderson. Anderson (3-61) then had Ben Hilfenhaus (7) caught behind to collect his third wicket for the innings.

Chris Tremlett (3-79) picked off No. 11 Michael Beer (2), just as the trumpet player for the Barmy Army started "The Last Post" for the Australian team, to finish it off before lunch. In one of the few highlights for Australia, young allrounder Smith raised his second test half century with a stylish late cut to the boundary off Anderson. Critics have called for a complete overhaul of Australian cricket, starting with the administration and the national team. "Pretty disappointing and a hard pill to swallow," said Mike Hussey, Australia's leading batsman in the series. "But you've got to give credit to England. They deserved the 3-1 scoreline."

The English batsmen and bowling unit dominated at the SCG as they had done in the series. Only two Australian batsmen scored centuries in the series, while three English batsmen produced hundreds in this match, in England's highest ever total in Australia of 644. Alastair Cook became the most prolific English runscorer in an Ashes series in eight decades with his 189 in England's innings giving him 766 for the series — only Wally Hammond's 905 in 1928-29 has been better for England. Cook was voted player of the series. "To win man of the match in the final game of the Ashes is a dream come true," Cook said. "Our bowlers have been fantastic throughout the whole series. They've put some pressure on the Australians the whole series, made our jobs a lot easier. It was a major setback for Michael Clarke, who was playing his first test as Australia captain after Ricky Ponting was ruled out with a broken finger. He immediately retired from Twenty20 cricket to concentrate on his batting. "It's been a tough couple of months.

England has outplayed us in all facets," he said. "We're disappointed we haven't put on a good enough show. We need to get back to the drawing board and work our backsides off." Clarke said the Australian squad had the talent, but needed to be more consistent and said there was no reason for panic. Most commentators disagreed. As veteran analyst Peter Roebuck wrote on the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald, "Despair has descended upon Australian cricket. Embarrassment has become an acquaintance." "Humiliation has introduced itself. Calamity has piled upon calamity." On the back page, the usually conservative broadsheet highlighted: "After 135 years, 730 matches and 417 players Australia have finally fielded Our Worst XI." Greg Baum, columnist for Melbourne-based The Age, said Australia's defeats have been "as feeble and as abject as can be imagined.

The cricket community has a right to be angry. Heads must roll." Former test fast bowler Stuart Clark said the Australian attack needed more variety, and called for a tall paceman to be fast-tracked at the top level. Australia great Neil Harvey is never masks his opinion about players or administrators. His blunt assessment was that Australia had to "bite the bullet" and start from scratch. England great Geoffrey Boycott blamed selectors for chopping and changing the team. Officials opened the gates for free entry on an overcast final day, and a crowd exceeding 12,000 — most England's "Balmy Army" fans — soaked up the final hours of the series. AP

India Will Not Accept UDRS, Says BCCI

2011-01-06T04:45:00.000-08:00

New Delhi: The Indian cricket board has ruled out using the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) and also rejected an offer to travel to Australia and watch its Ashes application.

The clamour to use the technology aimed at reducing umpiring errors has been growing but India have opposed UDRS as they are adamant the ball-tracking tool is not accurate enough.

UDRS was not used in India's recent series against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary N Srinivasan said there was no real chance of the world's richest cricket body changing its stance.

"We don't accept this technology. We are not going to use it in any bilateral series," Srinivasan said.

Cricket South Africa could not convince BCCI to use UDRS in the ongoing series and an annoyed Proteas captain Graeme Smith said the International Cricket Council (ICC) should make it mandatory.

"The ICC needs to take responsibility and lead the way when it comes to the review system," Smith said after losing the Durban Test against India where a couple of dubious decisions hurt his team.

"They can't just let the boards decide and negotiate it. Using the UDRS once every seven series is not going to help anybody."

Australia's stand-in captain Michael Clarke shared Smith's view on uniformity.

"I'd like it to be 100 percent right but not many things in the world are," Clarke said in Sydney.

"I think it should be 100 percent used or not used at all." Clarke's words followed the controversial reprieve England batsman Ian Bell got in the fifth Ashes Test thanks to UDRS.

Batting on 67, Bell was adjudged caught behind but the decision was overturned after the batsman sought a review. However, the snickometer subsequently suggested an edge and Bell went on to score a century that further consolidated England's position in the match.

The BCCI is so convinced of the technology's limitations that they turned down an offer to travel to Australia where UDRS made its Ashes debut.

"Yes, they were supposed to take us to see its use in the Ashes series but I did not go. We have made our presentation to the ICC, saying we are just not convinced about the technology," Srinivasan said.

Asked if cost was the discouraging factor, he said, "That's another issue but we have got serious doubts about its accuracy."

However, the UDRS will be used in this year's World Cup, jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19.

"Well, World Cup is an ICC event and if ICC decided to use it, they obviously can," said Srinivasan, also the BCCI president-elect.

South Africa Reach 121 For Five At Lunch

2011-01-05T04:33:00.001-08:00

Cape Town, Jan 5: Harbhajan Singh claimed two early wickets as South Africa reached 121 for five in their second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the series-deciding third cricket Test against India here today.

Harbhajan was the pick of the Indian bowlers with four wickets while Zaheer chipped in with one as the hosts added 69 runs and lost three key wickets in an absorbing pre-lunch session.

Kallis, defying a rib injury, was batting on 33 and Ashwell Prince on 15 at the lunch break with South Africa having a lead of 119 runs.

Resuming at the overnight score of 52 for two, the South Africans plunged into trouble straightaway with Harbhajan Singh removing Alviro Petersen (22) and Hashim Amla (2) in quick succession.

The wily off-spinner struck in his very first over, second of the day, by getting rid of Petersen, with a ball that did quite a bit after landing on the rough just outside the off stump.

Petersen went on the backfoot and tried to defend the ball but missed it completely to be trapped leg before wicket.

Kallis, who did not bowl during India's first innings because of the rib injury, came into bat and immediately went into an attacking mode by playing his strokes.

Realising that Harbhajan was getting a lot of turn from the rough, Kallis used the reverse sweep to counter the spinner. He hit two boundaries by reverse sweeping, prompting Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to post a fielder for that shot.

The hosts suffered a big jolt when Amla, who has been in very good form, returned to the pavilion cheaply, falling prey to Harbhajan.

Amla went down on his knee to sweep but the ball hit the pad and went on to dislodge the stump. He tried desperately to push it away with his bat but he had no chance.

Kallis and AB de Villier tried to rebuild the crumbling innings by playing cautiously, though they played and missed a number of times.

The pair put on 34 runs for the fifth wicket before pace spearhead Zaheer Khan evicted de Villers (13) who was caught in two mind on how to deal with the ball.

de Villiers shouldered arm to an incoming delivery but the ball bounced, hit the bottom of the bat and crashed into the stumps, reducing the hosts to 98 for five.

Kallis and Ashwell prince ensured that there were no further setbacks for the team by holding fort till the lunch break. PTI

Pakistan Beats Kiwis By 103 Runs In Third T20

2010-12-30T04:55:00.000-08:00

Christchurch, Dec 30 : Pakistan have bowled out New Zealand for just 80 runs to win the third Twenty20 international by 103 runs, with Abdul Razzaq taking 3-13 and Shahid Afridi 4-14.

New Zealand lost its first four batsmen for ducks, slumping to 3-4 as Razzaq crashed through its middle order, giving Pakistan its first win of the three-match series.

At 11-5 after 4.4 overs, New Zealand had the lowest score for the loss of five wickets by any team in the history of Twenty20 internationals.

Scott Styris revived the innings slightly with a top score of 45 and was New Zealand's only batsman to reach double figures.

Earlier, Ahmed Shehzad made 54 and shared an 81-run opening partnership with 81 with Mohammad Hafeez (34) in Pakistan's 183-6.

Scoreboard:

Pakistan : Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Franklin 54, Mohammad Hafeez c Taylor b Franklin 34, Asad Shafiq c Mills b McCullum 8, Younis Khan run out 5, Umar Akmal c Brownlie b Milne 30, Shahid Afridi b Southee 14, Abdul Razzaq not out 34, Wahab Riaz not out 0, Extras (1b,3w) 4, Total (for 6 wickets) 183 Overs: 20.

Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-90, 3-100, 4-106, 5-136, 6-164. Did not bat: Tanvir Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman.

Bowling: Adam Milne 4-0-48-1 (3w), Kyle Mills 4-0-36-0, Tim Southee 4-0-53-1, Nathan McCullum 4-0-29-1, James Franklin 3-0-12-2, Scott Styris 1-0-4-0.

New Zealand: Jesse Ryder c Shehzad b Tanvir 0, Martin Guptill c Shehzad b Razzaq 0, Dean Brownlie run out 0, Ross Taylor lbw b Razzaq 0, James Franklin b Razzaq 3, Scott Styris b Afridi 45, Peter McGlashan b Rehman 7, Nathan McCullum lbw b Afridi 8, Kyle Mills b Afridi 7, Tim Southee b Afridi 0, Adam Milne not out 3, Extras (3lb,2w,2nb) 7, Total (all out) 80 Overs: 15.5.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-3, 5-11, 6-36, 7-58, 8-73, 9-73, 10-80.

Bowling: Abdul Razzaq 4-1-13-3, Tanvir Ahmed 3-0-13-1 (2w,1nb), Wahab Riaz 2-0-15-0 (1nb), Abdur Rehman 4-0-22-1, Shahid Afridi 2.5-0-14-4.

Umpires: Gary Baxter and Chris Gaffaney, New Zealand.

TV umpire: Barry Frost, New Zealand. Match referee: Roshan Mahanama, Sri Lanka. AP

England Retains Ashes With Emphatic Fourth Test Win

2010-12-29T04:57:00.001-08:00

Melbourne, Dec 29 : England retained the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years by completing an emphatic innings and 157-run win over Australia on the fourth day of the fourth test.

England travels to the final test in Sydney starting Sunday with a 2-1 series lead, but as the Ashes-holder, England needs only to draw the series to keep the urn.

Tim Bresnan claimed the final wicket and his fourth of the innings when Ben Hilfenhaus was caught behind for a duck to dismiss Australia for 258. Last batsman Ryan Harris could not bat due to a foot injury.

Brad Haddin brought up a gutsy half century in an 86-run eighth-wicket partnership with Peter Siddle, but they could only delay the inevitable. Haddin ended the match on an unbeaten 55 with four boundaries and a six.

After Australia resumed on 169-6, Chris Tremlett dismissed Mitchell Johnson in the second over of the day when the tailender edged a seaming delivery onto his stumps without adding to his overnight score of 6.

Siddle was caught by Kevin Pietersen at long-on off a Graeme Swann ball for 40. His aggressive innings came off 50 balls with four fours and a six.

The Australian lineup was reduced to ten batsmen after paceman Harris broke down with a stress fracture to his left ankle Tuesday. Harris, 31, is almost certain to require surgery.

Australia's loss looked inevitable from day one when it was dismissed for a paltry 98 in two rain-shortened sessions on the first day. A capitulation became inevitable early on the third day when England replied with a first-innings total of 513 for a massive 415-run lead.

Bresnan claimed the vital wickets of Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey after tea Tuesday to become the architect of yet another poor Australian batting performance.

Bresnan, who replaced Steven Finn in England's bowling attack for the fourth test, ended the innings with figures of 4-50. Tremlett had 1-71, Anderson had 1-71 and Swan finished with 2-59.

Shane Watson provided Australia's second highest score of the match with 54, while the England lineup featured knocks of 168 from Jonathan Trott, 85 from Matt Prior and 82 by Alastair Cook, proving the MCG wicket had plenty to offer the batsmen.

Siddle's bowling provided the only highlight for the Australians, taking 6-75. Johnson, who took 9 wickets in Australia's 267-run win at Perth in the third test, was far less effective in Melbourne, conceding 134 runs for his two wickets.

Australia captain Ponting's future has come under intense scrutiny in the light of the series loss, his failure with the bat, a finger injury and his unseemly remonstrations with the on-field umpires Monday after having a reviewed decision ruled not out.

After making just 10 runs in Australia's disastrous first innings, Ponting was unable to make amends and managed 20 in the second. (AP)

NZ Beats Pak By 39 Runs In Second T20

2010-12-28T05:03:00.001-08:00

Hamilton, Dec 28 : New Zealand beat Pakistan by 39 runs in the second Twenty20 cricket international played at Seddon Park here today.

New Zealand scored 185 for 7 with two good knocks of 44 runs by Martin Guptill and 40 runs by James Franklin with Saeed Ajmal taking 3 wickets for 35 runs.

In reply, Pakistan could make 146 for 9 in 20 overs as Nathan McCullum grabbed four wickets for 16 runs. Umar Akmal made 26.

The hosts are now up 2-0 in the current T20 series.

Scoreboard:

New Zealand Innings=

Jesse Ryder c Umar Akmal b Razzaq 0, Martin Guptill c Afridi b Ajmal 44, James Franklin c Umar Akmal b Afridi 40, Ross Taylor not out 30, Scott Styris c Shehzad b Shoaib 34, Peter McGlashan lbw Wahab 26,Nathan McCullum c Shafiq b Ajmal 1, Kyle Mills std Umar Akmal b Ajmal 0, Extras (1b,4lb,4w,1nb) 10

TOTAL (for 7 wkts) 185 Overs: 20.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-91, 3-94, 4-133, 5-175, 6-184, 7-185.

Did not bat: Luke Woodcock, Ian Butler, Tim Southee.

Bowling: Abdul Razzaq 2-0-12-1, Shoaib Akhtar 4-0-42-1 (1w,1nb), Umar Gul 3-0-47-0, Wahab Riaz 3-0-22-1 (3w), Shahid Afridi 4-0-22-1, Saeed Ajmal 4-0-35-3.

Pakistan Innings=

Mohammad Hafeez run out 46, Shahid Afridi b Mills 7, Ahmed Shehzad c Styris b Butler 15, Umar Akmal c McCullum b Southee 26, Younis Khan c McGlashan b McCullum 3, Asad Shafiq b McCullum 6, Abdul Razzaq c McGlashan b McCullum 14, Umar Gul c Guptill b McCullum 0, Wahab Riaz c McCullum b Southee 18, Shoaib Akhtar not out 5, Sajeed Ajmal not out 0 , Extras (5lb,1w) 6

TOTAL (for 9 wickets) 146 Overs: 20.

Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-68, 3-69, 4-76, 5-96, 6-114, 7-114, 8-141, 9-141.

Bowling: James Franklin 1-0-10-0, Kyle Mills 3-0-34-1 (1w), Tim Southee 4-0-26-2, Ian Butler 4-0-35-1, Luke Woodcock 4-0-20-0, Nathan McCullum 4-0-16-4.

Toss: won by Pakistan.

Series: New Zealand leads the three-match series 2-0.

Umpires: Gary Baxter and Chris Gaffaney, New Zealand.

TV umpire: Barry Frost, New Zealand. Match referee: Roshan Mahanama, Sri Lanka. AP

England Gets Big Lead With Trott's Ton

2010-12-27T05:07:00.001-08:00

Melbourne, Dec 27 : Jonathan Trott hit a masterful, unbeaten century to lead England to 444-5 at stumps and an emphatic 346-run lead after the second day of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia on Monday.

Trott will resume the third day on 141 with Matt Prior on 75, sharing a 158-run partnership. Trott brought up his second century of the series and third overall against Australia when he cut a Ryan Harris ball through mid-wicket for four. England will retain the Ashes with a win here.

Seam bowler Peter Siddle claimed three wickets and took two catches before tea to revive Australia’s slim hopes, but could only go part-way towards making up for the home side’s disastrous start to the match on Sunday when it was sent in to bat and bundled out for 98.

After dismissing openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss to start the day, Siddle (3-41) trapped a dangerous-looking Kevin Pietersen for 51 after lunch with his third delivery with the second new ball. Pietersen brought up his half-century an over earlier off 85 balls with seven boundaries.

Pietersen survived a brief scare while on 49 when Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin persuaded captain Ricky Ponting to call for a video review after an edged Ryan Harris delivery. The subsequent not out decision appeared to prompt an angry reaction from Ponting.

Mitchell Johnson (2-72) maintained Australia’s momentum by dismissing Paul Collingwood for 8, caught by Siddle at fine-leg. Siddle took his second catch off Johnson’s next over when he dived for a low chance at deep fine-leg to end Bell’s innings at just 1 run and leave England at 286-5.

Johnson appeared to have taken his third wicket shortly before tea when Prior was caught behind. Prior was on his way off the pitch as the Australians celebrated before he was called back by umpire Aleem Dar who made a protracted no-ball decision.

Resuming on the overnight score of 157-0, England lost its first wicket when Cook edged a Siddle delivery to Shane Watson at first slip in the fifth over of the day. Cook’s 82 included 11 boundaries in a 159-run opening partnership. The opener has now amassed a series leading 577 runs.

Siddle dismissed Strauss four overs later for 69 when he nicked a ball up to a leaping Michael Hussey, who caught him one-handed at backward-point. The England captain timed five boundaries in his 170-ball knock.AP

India Will Bounce Back, Says Yuvraj

2010-12-23T04:40:00.000-08:00

Kolkata: India made a disastrous start to the Test series against South Africa but middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh is confident that the number one side would bounce back in the remaining two matches.

India lost the series-opener by an innings and 25 runs at Centurion.

"India have lost the first Test but I am sure they will bounce back. We have been the number one Test team for the past two years," Yuvraj said during his visit to the city.

The left-hander, who will feature in the One-day and Twenty20 matches against the Proteas, said he is preparing well for the assignment.

"It's not going to be an easy tour for us. It's tough out there. The wickets will be different. So, we need to practice accordingly," Yuvraj said about one-day and Twenty20 series.

Yuvraj, who have had a forgettable 2010, battling with injuries and loss of form, said the series against New Zealand that India won 5-0 gave him a lot of confidence.

"The Ranji matches that I played before the New Zealand ODIs gave me a lot of practice. I played in three games, spent enough time on the wickets and got runs as well.

"It definitely helped me to prepare for the one-dayers. Hopefully, in the coming few weeks, I will be able to tune myself up for the ODIs in South Africa," he said. PTI

Piyush Chawla Surprise Inclusion In ODI Squad, Parthiv Patel Ignored

2010-12-21T04:32:00.001-08:00

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was a surprise inclusion in the Indian squad that will take on South Africa in the one-off Twenty20 and five match ODI series that starts on January 9.

Apart from Chawla, regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, senior-most player Sachin Tendulkar, dashing opener Virender Sehwag and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh - all of whom opted for rest during the New Zealand ODI series made a comeback.

Incidentally, the South Africa ODI series will be India's last assignment before the World Cup in sub-continent next year.

With a last chance to settle the core team before the World Cup, one can be rest assured that most of the players who will be playing against South Africa will be in the World Cup squad also.

Chawla's inclusion means that selectors want to check out what's in store in the slow bowling department after their experiments with Ravindra Jadeja hasn't exactly paid rich dividends.

Also surprising was Parthiv Patel's non-inclusion in the ODI squad after the player scored back-to-back half centuries against New Zealand being given chance in shorter form after six and half years. There is no second wicket-keeper in the team.

Among the ones who are with the Test squad currently, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Jadhav and Jaydev Unadkat will be boarding a flight back home.

In-form Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan also returned to the side to bolster India's batting department after sitting out of the Test matches.

The Indian pace department will be spearheaded by Zaheer Khan, who missed the first Test against South Africa due to an injury.

S Sreesanth also managed to retain his place in the fast bowling department which will have Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel.

In the spin department, Harbhajan will share the honour with Ravichandran Ashwin.

All-rounder Jadeja has been left out of the team, while Yusuf, who impressed during the home series against New Zealand, has been retained.

Middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma and Saurabh Tiwary, both of whom played in the ODI series against New Zealand, also failed to make the cut.

The squad comprises six batsmen, one wicketkeeper in Dhoni, one all-rounder in Yusuf and eight bowlers - five quicks and three spinners.

Indian team for Twenty20 and ODI series in South Africa: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, R Ashwin, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla S Sreesanth. PTI

South Africa Inflicts Innings Defeat On India In First Test

2010-12-20T04:13:00.001-08:00

Centurion, Dec 20 (PTI) South Africa took a little less than six overs on the final day of the first cricket Test to wrap up the last two Indian wickets and clinch the high profile series opener with a resounding innings and 25 runs victory here today.

But more than South Africa's convincing victory against the number one ranked side in the world to take a 1-0 lead, the match at the SuperSport Park here will go down in history books as the one which witnessed Sachin Tendulkar reach the coveted landmark of scoring 50 centuries in Test cricket.

After they finished the penultimate day staring down the barrel at 454 for the loss of eight wickets, India's hopes, more than Tendulkar's broad shoulders, rested on the weather gods.

While Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 111, there was no rain interruption on the fifth and final day as the South African pace duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel sealed the issue in their team's favour in no time.Resuming at 454 for eight, India could manage just five runs to their overnight total, four of them coming off Tendulkar's blade.

S Sreesanth was the first casualty of the day, falling vitim to Morkel's accuracy. The India pacer nicked one to a delivery that had a hint of away movement and AB de Villiers made no mistake at third slip.

Last man Jaidev Unadkat lasted just 10 balls for his one run before offering a simple catch to Ashwell Prince at gully as Steyn brought the curtains down on India's stiff second-innings resistance.After the collapse in their first innings, India rode on Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir's half centuries in their second essay.

But four quick wickets pushed the visitors on the brink again before Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni stage a recovery with a spirited 172-run partnership for the seventh wicket.It was Tendulkar's historic ton and his association with skipper Dhoni that helped India delay the inevitable.

While the batsmen dished out a much better performance in the second innings, India's bowling lacked the bite in the absence of spearhed Zaheer Khan.The two teams now move to Durban for the second Test starting December 26.

Rahul Dravid Becomes Third Highest Test Run-Getter

2010-12-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

Centurion: Rahul Dravid today overtook former West Indian captain Brain Lara as the the third highest run-getter in the history of Test cricket when he reached 11 in the first of the three-match series against South Africa in Centurion today.

Coming into the match needing 11 runs to surpass Lara's 11,953 in the all-time run-getter's list, Dravid reached the milestone with a double, clipping Dale Steyn off the back foot towards the square-leg region at the Supersport Park.

Dravid, who has an average of 53.31 before this Test, achieved the feat in his 148th match.

His team-mate and Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with 14,3666 runs from 175 Tests, followed by Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who till date has scored 12,332 runs from 151 matches.

Dravid is also just one short of becoming the first cricketer to take 200 catches in Test. PTI

Sachin Is A Great Ambassador Of The Game: Graeme Smith

2010-12-14T04:53:00.000-08:00

Johannesburg: South Africa captain Graeme Smith had termed Sachin Tendulkar as "great ambassador of the game" and said his desire to become a cricketer got wings after watching the Indian batting maestro during his childhood.

Smith was a 11-year-old kid when Tendulkar first toured the Rainbow nation following the country's readmission to the international fold after decades of isolation because of apartheid.

But on Thursday, Smith will lead South Africa in the first Test against India at Centurion in what could well be Tendulkar's last tour to the country.

"He (Tendulkar) is a world class player and a great ambassador for the game," Smith said as he reminisced at an official reception for the Indian cricket team last night.

"As a youngster I watched the games and that's where all my dreams started. You see the players (like Tendulkar) on TV and you think that I want to be like that one day, and here we are," he said.

India is presently touring South Africa for three Tests, five ODIs and one-off Twenty20 International.

Smith also lauded former South Africa opener and now India coach Gary Kirsten, saying he commands great respect in the cricketing fraternity.

"Gary (Kirsten) was one of my heroes while I was growing up, so obviously it was great to get the opportunity to play with him," he said.

"He's a guy that I respect a hell of a lot and I'm sure the Indian team itself respects him. That respect will also go onto the field. It's about playing well for South Africa, but that respect will always be there," the Protea skipper added.

India speedster S Sreesanth too was full of praise for his coach.

"He's (Kirsten) been a great motivator and a great friend to each and every player," Sreesanth said.

Sreesanth described as "spot on" Kirsten's recent comment that India could be a world class team only if they beat South Africa on their home turf.

Sreesanth spoke for the Indian team during the function after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to send the Kerela speedster up on the dais to join Smith.

He also said India will be benefited in the series by some of its players' previous experience of playing in South African conditions.

"I did not play play in the Champions League but other team members have played. They know how to acclimatise with the conditions.

"Dhoni lead Chenai Super Kings to Champions League title here earlier this year and he had also helped us in our preparation," Sreesanth said. PTI

Record Books Don't Lie, Says South African Coach

2010-12-13T04:48:00.001-08:00

Johannesburg, Dec 13 : "Record books don't lie", said South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl while reminding India of their rather unimpressive past performances here as the battle of wits continued between the two sides ahead of the Test series starting on Thursday.

India are the world's number one Test side but van Zyl said they just need to look at the record books to know what an enormous task awaits them here.

Even India coach Gary Kirsten has declared that without a series win in South Africa, the visitors cannot regard themselves as the best Test side in the world.

"We don't pay much attention to what the Indian goals are in the series, but rather concentrate on what is ahead of us," Van Zyl was quoted as saying by 'Sport24.com'. PTI

BCCI Owes Us Rs 40 Crore, Say Rajasthan Royals

2010-12-10T04:58:00.000-08:00

Mumbai, Dec 9 : A day after Bombay high court ruled in favour of Kings XI, the BCCI on Thursday began arguments in its appeal against the stay granted to Rajasthan Royals.

Board's counsel C A Sundaram said that the Jaipur team was not sharing its shareholding pattern with BCCI. He said BCCI had a right to know who it was "dealing with" and to drive home his point he even said, "what if Mr (Dawood) Ibrahim holds 5% stake in the company?"

He mentioned the "the most wanted person" as an extreme example of what could happen if BCCI does not know who holds shares in the holding and related companies of the franchise, reports Times of India.

He even said, "We are all aware of match-fixing and money laundering activities... " He was expressing his concern over why BCCI must employ KYC norms to know its franhchisee owners well.

Royals had been won by Emerging Media, a company registered in the United Kingdom in January 2008 for $67 million, $9 million less than the cost of the Punjab team.

Justice Shiavax Vazifdar was hearing the appeal filed by BCCI against an interim order passed by the arbitrator, retired supreme court judge B N Srikrishna, who granted Royals their interim relief.

BCCI had flown down its standing counsel from Chennai P R Raman too for these "crucial" hearings. The arguments on the point will continue on Friday.

Dhoni Signs Rs 29 Crore Endorsement Deal With Maxx Mobile

2010-12-08T04:53:00.000-08:00

New Delhi, Dec 8 : Riding on his popularity, Indian cricket team captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni has signed a Rs 29- crore endorsement deal with Maxx Mobile for a period of seven years.

"Maxx believes in Dhoni's potential and the performance that he has delivered over the years is a testimony to his talent. The seven-year deal reaffirms our belief in him and is undoubtedly a big reinforcement for the Maxx brand," Maxx Group CMD Ajjay Agarwal told PTI.

The deal comes within days of Dhoni signing Rs 26-crore deal with the world's second largest spirits firm, UB Group.

Maxx Mobile, one of the recent entrants in India's mobile phone market, has emerged as a force to reckon with after having sold millions of handsets in less than two years. It has already captured over four per cent market share and has set an ambitious target of having 10 per cent market share by March 2012.

Asked about the long periodicity of the deal (seven years), Agarwal said "this has been decided keeping in mind Dhoni's age and potential he has. He is 29 years old and the deal reflects his potential for the Indian cricket."

Dhoni's existing one-year contract with Maxx comes to an end on December 31, 2010. The record-breaking seven-year extension deal takes brand endorsement with cricket stars to a new high and provides Maxx Mobile, one of India's fastest growing brands the right connect with customers across the country.

As part of the deal, Dhoni will be associated with multiple marketing initiatives planned by Maxx Mobile to promote the brand. The deal includes print and television advertising, outdoor campaigns, promotional events and mass engagement programmes across India.

Dhoni is the face of 23 brands and charges over Rs 6 crore per endorsement. The pack of brands endorsed by Dhoni includes Reebok, Aircel, Godrej and TVS Motor.

Agarwal said number 7 is a lucky number for Dhoni and incedently the deal was signed for 7 years and December 7. Dhoni's birthday also falls on 7th. PTI

Superb Century By Yusuf Pathan As India Win By 5 Wkts

2010-12-07T21:29:00.001-08:00

Bangalore, Dec 7: Yusuf Pathan butchered the New Zealand bowlers as he struck a 79-ball century to guide India to a fantastic five-wicket victory in the fourth ODI here today.

Courtesy Yusuf's (123, 96 balls, 7x4, 7x6 and three for 49) all-round performance, India now lead the five-match series 4-0.

When Kyle Mills came on to bowl the 43rd over India needed 72 runs off 42 deliveries. The senior Pathan hit Mills for three boundaries and a huge six over mid-wicket. He took 21 runs from the over and brought equation down.

In the next over he hit Andy McKay for a flat batted tennis shot over long to complete a well deserved maiden century in ODIs.

The best of the seven sixes was the one off Mills which was hit more than 100 metres hitting the roof of the stadium and disappearing further.

Even an hour's delay due to rain couldn't stop Yusuf as he lifted Vettori for a huge six of the first delivery he faced after break.

Yusuf had two fruitful partnerships --- first with Rohit Sharma (44, 48 balls, 4x4, 1x6) when they added 80 runs in 13.5 overs and then 133 runs with Saurabh Tiwary (37 not out 3x4, 1x6) for the sixth wicket

This was incidentally the highest run-chase in an ODI at this ground. It was young Saurabh who finished the proceedings with a six off Nathan McCullum.

Parthiv Patel (53, 57 balls, 8x4) playing his first one day match after six and half years got his maiden ODI fifty. Along with skipper Gautam Gambhir (27, 24 balls, 4x4), he added 67 runs for the first wicket before Gambhir was out trying to cut a widish delivery from left-arm seamer Andy McKay.

Virat Kohli (0) who has been in splendid form was out when he mistimed a hook shot after McKay dug in one short and was holed out at long leg where Kyle Mills took a simple catch.

Patel whose innings was full of flashy shots through the third-man and point region completed his fifty in the company of Yuvraj Singh (20) who started off with a six but couldn't get elevation trying to hit off-spinner Nathan McCullum over mid-wicket as Jamie How took a smart low catch.

After scoring 70 in the previous match at Vadodara, Franklin hit 12 boundaries and three huge sixes today during his 88-minute stay at the wicket. The southpaw hit couple of sixes and boundaries each as 22 runs were scored off Ashish Nehra's over which was the 50th of the innings.

It was due to Franklin's mayhem that Black Caps managed 63 runs in the last five overs as they crossed the 300-run mark.

Along with Nathan McCullum (13 no), Franklin, who came to bat in the 30th over added 64 runs for the eighth wicket after the Indian bowlers were successful in stopping the flow of runs during the middle overs when it didn't look like the visitors would be able to cross 300-run mark.

Earlier, put into bat New Zealand openers Martin Guptill (30, 25 balls, 5x4) and Brendon McCullum (42, 42 balls, 8x4, 1x6) showed positive intent right from the onset as they went after both Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar who made a comeback in this match.

McCullum in fact stepped out and slashed hard for a six off Praveen while Guptill also hit a number of boundaries. However, Ashish Nehra had the last laugh when he got Guptill after being hit for successive boundaries with Yuvraj Singh taking a good catch in the cover region.

Nehra got his second wicket when Jamie How (4) poked at an away going delivery and Yusuf Pathan standing at widish second slip fumbled but ended up taking the catch.

McCullum who looked good for a big score was sent back by offie Ravichandran Ashwin when his mistimed aerial shot was smartly taken by Rohit Sharma standing at mid-wicket.

The score was 91 for three at that stage. Then there was a 78-run fourth wicket partnership between Ross Taylor (44, 73 balls, 3x4) and Scott Styris (46, 48 balls, 3x4, 1x6). The duo didn't take any undue risk as they took the score to 170 before Styris was holed in the deep by Saurabh Tiwary off Yusuf Pathan's bowling.

Pathan (three for 49) turned out to be the most successful bowler as he made good use of the bowling Powerplay as he was able to breach through the defences of rival skipper Daniel Vettori (17) and Kyle Mills (1). PTI

Sehwag To Leave With Dhoni, Sachin On Wednesday

2010-12-07T04:54:00.000-08:00

Mumbai, Dec 7: Opener Virender Sehwag changed his original plan to leave for South Africa with four other Indian cricketers yesterday due to viral infection and he will depart tomorrow, Cricket Board sources said today.

"Sehwag pulled out late as he was not well, down with viral infection, and will be leaving tomorrow morning with eight other cricketers and manager Ranjib Biswal," a BCCI source told PTI today.

"Those who are to leave tomorrow apart from Sehwag are captain (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni, Sachin (Tendulkar), Harbhajan Singh, (Pragyan) Ojha, (Shantakumaran) Sreesanth, Wriddhiman Saha, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma and manager Ranjib Biswal," the source said.

"Today Rahul (Dravid) departed for South Africa from Mumbai while VVS Laxman left from Hyderabad," the source said.

The remaining members of the Test squad, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Murali Vijay who are busy playing the ODIs against New Zealand that conclude on December 10, would leave on December 12.

The first batch of the touring party, comprising players Cheteshwar Pujara, Jaydev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav, left yesterday along with coach Gary Kirsten. PTI

Former Bengal Captains Want Ganguly In KKR Team

2010-12-06T04:40:00.001-08:00

New Delhi, Dec 6: Amidst reports of Sourav Ganguly's possible release from Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL4, former Bengal captains Sambaran Banerjee and Gopal Bose have said that the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise might lose its support base in Kolkata in absence of its most popular sporting icon.

"Sourav is the best option to lead KKR in the upcoming IPL. I don't understand the rumours about his possible release by the team management. It is really unnecessary and unwanted. Team needs him the most," Sambaran Banerjee, a former national selector and under whom Ganguly made his first-class debut told PTI Bhasha from Kolkata.

There are rumours that KKR have decided to let Kolkata's favourite son be up for auctions and not retain him. More importantly, they won't retain any player although they are keen on retaining explosive West Indian opener Chris Gayle.

"If Sourav is not there, KKR will lose the sentimental attachment that people of Bengal share with the team.

"I doubt whether they will be able to attract good crowd during IPL matches if Sourav is not there. KKR will face a lot of problems in his absence," said the veteran who was instrumental in Ganguly's comeback in the Indian team in 1996.

Similarly another former captain and staunch Ganguly backer Gopal Bose, has said that Ganguly is to Bengal what like Sachin is for Mumbai.

"We can not imagine the Mumbai team in absence of Sachin. Similarly Sourav is the face of Kolkata. He is the biggest sporting icon Bengal has ever produced. People are emotionally attached with him. The team management can conduct polls and more then 90 percent people will vote for Sourav," he said.

"He played well in the previous season and most amazing part was his fielding."

Banerjee has said that Ganguly does not need to prove anything to anybody. He also hoped that KKR can reach the semi-final in the coming season under his captaincy.

"It was under Sourav's captaincy that we saw a transformation in the Indian team. He has brought the aggression in Indian team as well as in KKR. As far as past failures are concerned there were several other reasons for that. I hope that team will reach in the semi-final in next season," he said.

Bose also blame team management's wrong decisions for the past failures. PTI

Gambhir Slams Second Ton To Give India Series-Clinching Win

2010-12-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

Vadodara, Dec 4: Skipper Gautam Gambhir cracked an unbeaten 126, his second century on the trot, to power India to a series-clinching nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third ODI here today.

The Delhi left-hander played a captain's knock that followed his match-winning unbeaten 138 in the second ODI in Jaipur on December 1 as India easily chased down the target of 225 in 39.3 overs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Gambhir, who smashed 16 boundaries with his flicks and drives in the 117 balls he faced, put on 115 runs for the opening wicket with Murali Vijay who made a slow 30 in 50 balls before being run out.

The solid foundation laid by Gambhir, who notched up his ninth ODI hundred in 103 matches, with Vijay was carried forward by number three Virat Kohli, who continued his form from where he left in the previous two matches.

Kohli, who had scored a match-winning ton at Guwahati and a half century in Jaipur, remained unbeaten on 63 in 70 balls with six fours and two sixes. He also hit the winning runs, a six over long on.

The second wicket duo of Gambhir and Kohli put on 114 runs in 125 balls without being separated to help the home team score a comprehensive victory in front of a weekend, capacity crowd.

Today's win, India's ninth successive ODI victory over New Zealand, left the remaining two matches in the five-match series in Bangalore (December 7) and Chennai (December 10) just mere contests of academic interest.

The hosts won the opening match at Guwahati by 40 runs and then took a 2-0 lead with a thumping eight-wicket victory in the second ODI in Jaipur.

Chasing New Zealand's modest score, built around James Franklin's unbeaten 72, India were on the offensive from the first ball thanks to Gambhir who raced to his 50 in only 30 balls with nine fours and then got his next 50 in 58 balls with the help of four fours.

He struck left arm Andy McKay for three successive fours after having dispatched the other new ball bowler Kyle Mills for two in as many balls previously.

Earlier in the morning, another left-hander, James Franklin, led New Zealand's revival with an unbeaten half century and helped the visitors recover from a poor start to post a fighting score.

The visitors made a disastrous start by losing their openers within the first five overs and were struggling at 106 for seven before Franklin (72 not out) and Nathan McCullum staged the recovery act with a stand of 94.

Left-handed Franklin batted sensibly after coming in at 49 for 4 in the 16th over even as continued to tumble from the the other end.

He top-scored for the Black Caps with the help of five fours and one six in 108 balls while McCullum made 43 in 53 balls with four fours.

Their eighth-wicket stand off 107 balls took the score to 200 after the Kiwis had lost half their side for 77.

Apart from the eighth wicket pair, only opener Martin Guptill (12) and Scott Styris (22) reached the double figures in a largely uninspiring display put up by the Kiwis after they were asked to bat first by the hosts.

For India, Zaheer Khan (2/31), Yusuf Pathan (2/37 and R Ashwin (2/49) shared six wickets among them while Munaf Patel chipped in with one scalp.

The pitch for the match was a major surprise at a venue that normally provides flat tracks. There was a lot of bounce for the pace bowlers and bounce and turn for the spinners.

New Zealand batsmen, having played on low bouncing tracks after coming to India in early November, were undone by the extra bounce.

Zaheer Khan utilized the bounce to the fullest extent in his splendid first spell of seven overs as he made early inroads into the Kiwi top order.

Coming off after a three-week lay-off, the left-arm paceman struck in the second legal ball of his first over when he prised out danger man Brendon McCullum, who also came into the series after missing the opening two ties because of a back problem.

McCullum was caught in second slip by Murali Vijay off a rising ball that moved away a shade.

Munaf bowled tightly to return with one for 28 while spinners Yusuf Pathan and Ashwin did their but in the middle overs to claim 2 for 27 and 2 for 49 respectively.

When India batted, Gambhir straightaway got into his groove by singling out Mills for special treatment. PTI

Don't Be Complacent, Gambhir Tells Team India

2010-12-03T05:02:00.000-08:00

Vadodara, Dec 3: India might be comfortably placed to wrap up the five-match series going into the third ODI against New Zealand with a 2-0 lead tomorrow, but skipper Gautam Gambhir today warned about the dangers of complacency creeping into the mindset of his team.

"I have always felt players need to be wary from becoming complacent. We are going to see it now as three-match series. New Zealand are a dangerous one day side and we are looking forward to the contest tomorrow," said the India captain at his pre-match media conference at the Reliance Stadium.

Gambhir, who would not be a part of the senior members team going to South Africa early for acclimatization, said his entire focus is now on the current series and in particular tomorrow's match.

"I am not thinking about South Africa. My focus is on the series at hand and tomorrow's match. I have been given a responsibility to captain the team and only after completing it I would think about South Africa tour," Gambhir said.

"I will fully utilise the time I will get after reaching there to acclimatise to the conditions," he added.

The Cricket Board has decided to send senior players - regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh -- well in advance of the opening Test against South Africa commencing on December 16.

The rest of the tour members, with the squad yet to be named, will leave after the conclusion of the ODI series against New Zealand.

He expressed similar views about the World Cup and said there was some time between now and the commencement of the mega event on February 19, 2011.

In the same breath the left-handed opener, who played a match-winning knock of 138 not out in the second ODI at Jaipur that India won by eight wickets, praised the decision of the selectors to include Zaheer Khan to play in the last three matches of the current ODI series.

Gambhir wanted the yet-to-fire Murali Vijay to be given some more time to prove his one-day credentials.

The Tamil Nadu opener made starts in his short career but couldn't convert them into big scores.

"Let us give him some more time and not condemn him after a few 20s and 30s. He's not too far off from converting them into big scores. We had some good opening partnerships," he said.

He also described Yusuf Pathan, the local hero who will be playing his first ODI in front of his home crowd, as a match-winner and said the big-hitting all rounder would benefit from playing more number of overs up the order with the absence of Suresh Raina who has been rested. PTI

India Eyes Series Victory To Stay At No 2 In ICC Rankings

2010-12-02T23:45:00.000-08:00

Vadodara, Dec 3: Bolstered by the return of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, India would look to stamp their superiority and clinch the five-match series against New Zealand with a third straight victory in the third cricket one-dayer here tomorrow.

A series triumph at the Reliance Stadium tomorrow would not only be a morale boost for India ahead of the forthcoming tour of South Africa and the World Cup after that but would also keep the team entrenched in second spot in the ICC rankings behind leaders Australia.

That India finds itself in this happy situation despite the absence of key players Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh, is an indication of the team's resilience and bench strength though they are playing at home.

Skipper Gautam Gambhir and in-form batsman Virat Kohli are certainties in the team, but the absence of the leading lights has allowed a few others like Murali Vijay, Yusuf Pathan and Ravichandran Ashwin to try and perform, and they have done with varied degrees of success.

The selectors are using the series to try out different players in the run-up to the 2011 World Cup and have rested Shantakumaran Sreesanth with an eye on the South Africa Test series starting on December 16 after the temperamental and injury-prone pace bowler seemed to have rediscovered his rhythm with a haul of seven wickets in the first two ties.

Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been brought back for tomorrow's encounter, which New Zealand must win to keep the series alive, to ease him back into big-time cricket following a spell of rest and recuperation from his injury.

Indian batting has clicked in stunning fashion in the first two matches, a day affair in Guwahati followed by a day/night one at Jaipur, and the bright aspect for the hosts is that it had achieved success both when setting and chasing targets.

The 40-run victory in the first ODI in the Assam capital, riding on Kohli's masterly hundred backed up by some good bowling, came after setting a target.

The thumping eight-wicket win in the Pink City was after a successful run chase with captain Gambhir providing the major spark with a superb 138 not out and Kohli providing his Delhi colleague with excellent support by striking a half century.

Vijay, especially, has been given a longer run after his failures to score big despite decent starts and the selectors' eyes would be on him to perform or perish in the run-up to the World Cup.

With Suresh Raina rested for the last three ODIs, a window of opportunity has opened up for young Jharkhand batsman Saurav Tiwary to make it to the playing eleven in the third tie as Rohit Sharma has been added to the team only for the last two encounters at Bangalore and Chennai.

In the bowling department, with Zaheer replacing Sreesanth, the pace attack would be left-oriented though Munaf Patel is there to provide the contrast with his nagging line.

It remains to be seen whether Praveen Kumar has recovered sufficiently from his bout of illness that kept him out of the opening two matches.

Ashwin has been expensive in the slow bowling department but has also taken a few wickets for India. But with Pathan's off breaks being ineffective and expensive, the option with the team management could be to give a look-in to Ravindra Jadeja with his left arm slow stuff.

The Indian bowling has so far restricted the New Zealand batting line-up that missed the explosive willow-wielding prowess of injured Brendon McCullum in the first two matches and the Kiwis are constantly monitoring the progress of the aggressive batsman at the top of the order.

Kiwi batsmen have done well though the team has lost both ties, leading to seven defeats in a row in ODIs, with Martin Guptill at the top of the order being in especially good touch, but they have sorely missed McCullum to give more meat to the line-up.

New Zealand were lacking the extra punch that McCullum, who also revels on Indian pitches, can give its top order and his back injury has severely dented the visiting team's chances of getting the better of the confident Indians. His return to the eleven for the under-performing Jamie How is being eagerly looked forward in the do or die match.

Their bowling is a cause of worry with only the experienced Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills coming up with decent performances in previous ties. Daryl Tuffey returning home due to a bicep injury has dealt a big blow to the visitors.

India have lost their last two encounters against Australia at this venue while New Zealand have not played here since 1998. PTI

Dont Want To Pressurize Bhajji As All Rounder, Says Dhoni

2010-11-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

Hyderabad, Nov 16: India spinner Harbhajan Singh might have struck back-to-back hundred in the last two Tests against New Zealand but captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said he doesn't want to put pressure on the spinner by calling him an all-rounder.

"Bhajji is still a specialist bowler, who can bat. I don't want to give him a tag of an all-rounder and put pressure on him," said Dhoni at the post-match presentation after the second Test ended in a draw here at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.

"But his batting surely gives us a cushion of having five bowlers in the team. It is good sign for our batting department," he added.

Harbhajan Singh, who saved the first Test at Ahmedabad against New Zealand by scoring a crucial hundred in the second innings, besides a half-century in the first essay, continued his fabulous run with the bat in the second Test as well.

During the Hyderabad Test here, Harbhajan came up with a fine 111 not out in the first innings to give India a healthy lead against the Black Caps.

India had a great chance of winning this Test as New Zealand started the final day only 115 runs ahead with six wickets in hand but the hosts failed to take early wickets and conceded the advantage.

Dhoni admitted that the Indian bowlers failed to create pressure on the kiwi batting line-up but said Zaheer's loss also left them with fewer bowling option.

"It was important to get early wickets and create panic in the opposition camp. We did manage to do that also but then we lost Zaheer (Khan), who got injured and it became difficult to play with three bowlers. I would say, bowlers did a good job," he said.

On a perfect batting strip, India could not take their chances even as Brendon McCullum's career-best 225 helped Kiwis set up an improbable 327-run target for India in the final session after the visitors declared at 448-8.

"There was bit of a grass on the first day and by the fifth day it grew and made batting easier," said Dhoni.

However, Man-of-the Match McCullum was happy with his batting irrespective of the track.

"I had a good start and I would like to try and build on it. So far, I am throughly enjoying my the opening slot in Tests," said McCullum.

McCullum was also all praise for Kane Williamson, with whom he shared a valuable 124-run stand for the fifth wicket that saw New Zealand cruise through the opening session.

"Kane took all the pressure off and played aggressive brand of cricket. He has been outstanding in the last two Test matches," said McCullum.

Skipper Vettori also heaped praise on the batters.

"I am extremely pleased with the top-order batting. It has taken away the pressure from us. Today, McCullum and Williamson set up the rest of the day for us," said Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori.

The two teams now head to the final Test in Nagpur and India would be desperate for a victory to avoid being held at home by their lesser-ranked opponents.

"The wicket at Nagpur assess the bowlers and specially the spinners. So, I am hoping to get a result in the last match," said Dhoni. PTI

Harbhajan Spoils New Zealand's Plans, Admits Taylor

2010-11-15T04:54:00.000-08:00

Hyderabad, Nov 14 (PTI) Ross Taylor credited Harbhajan Singh for turning the match in India's favour and said that the last hour, during which the off spinner went hammer and tongs with the bat, foiled New Zealand's plans on the third day of the second Test here.

"The last hour was disappointing but full credit to Harbhajan. (It) would have been better if we were 20 or 30 runs behind by the end," said Taylor, after New Zealand let India score 113 runs in the final session of play at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

"Plans didn't go as we have liked them to," the Kiwi added.

Harbhajan smashed the Kiwi bowlers to smithereens during his swashbuckling unbeaten knock of 85 off just 82 deliveries, and his unbroken 69-run last-wicket partnership with S Sreesanth helped India finish the day at a commanding 436 for nine, thereby enjoying a lead of 86 runs.

Asked about the team's chances in the last two days, Taylor said, "We will try and keep the lead to 100 and then bat the whole day tomorrow and score around 260 (till stumps on the penultimate day)."

Harbhajan's onslaught, after New Zealand gave themselves a chance by removing Pragyan Ojha with India's total at 367 for nine, almost put paid to their hopes of securing a famous win.

The off spinner had scored a century and a fifty in the first Test at Motera and his knock off 85 today, has taken his aggregate to 269 runs, one run short of Virender Sehwag.

Asked if the New Zealand team management had any specific plan or analysed Harbhajan's batting, Taylor said, "We have plans for every batsmen but Harbhajan has really improved his batting."

Harbhajan Slams Maiden Test Ton, Match Ends In A Draw

2010-11-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

Ahmedabad, Nov 8 (PTI) India found an unlikely batting hero in tailender Harbhajan Singh who produced a match-saving maiden Test century to steer his team to safety alongwith VVS Laxman as the first cricket Test against New Zealand ended in a draw here today.

The gutsy Harbhajan (115) notched up his only first class century and combined with veteran Laxman (91) as the duo dented New Zealand's push for victory with a solid 163-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Resuming their second innings at a precarious 82 for six, Laxman and Harbhajan saved India the blushes by batting cautiously before the innings folded up for 266 shortly after the tea break for an overall lead of 294.

The Kiwis were 22 for one in their second innings before both captains decided to call off play.

Zaheer Khan removed opener Tim McIntosh for a duck but Brendon McCummum (11) and Bradley-John Watling (2) ensured there were no further setbacks for the visitors who will take a great deal of confidence from their performance here.

The two teams will now travel to Hyderabad for the second Test to be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium from November 12 to 16.

It was Harbhajan who stole the spotlight on the final day's play and had it not been for his valiant batting effort, the story could have been quite different for the home team.

Harbhajan, who made his highest score of 69 in the first innings, achieved his dream of scoring a century in Test cricket. His 115 came off 193 balls and contained 13 boundaries and three sixes.

Harbhajan reached his maiden hundred in style with a six off Vettori and held his bat aloft to reciprocate the applause of his teammates in the dressing room.

The stylish Laxman, who has bailed India out of many a crisis, was a picture of poise and concentration as he held the innings together and kept guiding Harbhajan.

Laxman was wrongly given out leg before wicket to rival team captain Daniel Vettori by umpire Steve Davis as TV replays showed the ball had deflected on to the pad off the inside edge of the bat.

Laxman and Harbhajan took India from a difficult 65 for six last evening at the fall of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wicket and were not separated till close to the tea interval when Vettori won the verdict against the former. The duo was together for 10 minutes under four hours and faced 328 balls.

Gibbs Career Is Over: Kepler Wessels

2010-11-03T00:59:00.000-07:00

Johannesburg : Disclosures in Herschelle Gibbs' no-holds-barred autobiography titled 'To the Point', have brought the curtains down on the out-of-favour South Africa opener's career, feels former skipper Kepler Wessels.

"This surely puts an end to any hopes he had of playing for South Africa again," Wessels said.

"These are some serious allegations and making them doesn't help anybody. One can only wonder what his reasons are," Wessels, who is now South Africa 's batting consultant, was quoted as saying by 'The Times'.

Wessels said Gibbs could now expect some serious action from Cricket South Africa (CSA), with whom he is contracted until April next year.

CSA president Mtutulezi Nyoka was, however, guarded in his comments about Gibbs' book.

"I have only read what I have seen in the paper and, because I have not read the book, I cannot comment. I would prefer to read books that nurture the development of the youth, not books that focus on the bad," Nyoka told the daily.

"CSA advocates transparency, as I do. We have to, by the nature of transparency, take the good with the bad," Nyoka said.

The book, which contains stories ranging from Gibbs' sexual escapades, involving other South African players as well, to his fight against alcohol abuse, has created quite a stir in South African cricket circles.

In the tell-all book, Gibbs also accused senior players -- skipper Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and A B de Villiers -- of being part of a "clique" which created divisions in the side.

Makhaya Ntini Retires From International Cricket

2010-11-03T00:39:00.000-07:00

Johannesburg : Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has announced his retirement from international cricket but will play for South Africa one final time in a Twenty20 international against India early next year.

Ntini said on Tuesday he was retiring from all formats in internationals, but would continue playing for his provincial team.

The 33-year-old Ntini, who last represented his country in December 2009, said "Today is the day that nobody wants to happen in their careers and say goodbye to cricket."

Cricket South Africa insisted Ntini "will say goodbye in Proteas colors" in a sendoff game on Jan. 9.

Ntini played 101 Tests and 173 ODIs in an 11-year international career. He leaves as South Africa 's second highest wicket-taker in Tests with 390. AP

Vettori Aims At 4000 Runs, 400 Wickets In Test Cricket

2010-11-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

Ahmedabad, Nov 1: He is regarded as the best left-arm spinner in contemporary cricket, but New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori still yearns to improve and has set himself a target of 4000 runs and 400 wickets in Test matches.

"I think at times I have been a Test bowler but that is one part of my game which I would like to improve the most. I think that my batting in both forms of the game has come on well and also one-day bowling," Vettori told reporters during an interactive session here today.

"It is Test match bowling that I want to get better at. It is one of the goals that I want to achieve," he said when asked to comment on him being tagged as an ODI bowler rather than a Test material.

Vettori said his game has developed in the last few years and he has concentrated more on improving on his all-round skills.

Asked how does he viewed Sir Richard Hadlee's record of 413 wickets in Test cricket, Vettori said, "4000 runs and 400 wickets is something that I aspire to and it is not too far away."

"I look at that in 431 (Hadlee's record). I still see Sir Richard Hadlee as the greatest bowler," the 31-year-old Kiwi said.

Asked whether batting at number six was taking away his interest from bowling, Vettori said, "I like the responsibility. I like to contribute with the bat as well. I think it helps me in my bowling and keeps me going."

He described the series against India as the toughest challenge for the Kiwis, who were recently mauled 0-4 in a five-match ODI series by minnows Bangladesh .

" India is number one for a reason. They will be looking for a comprehensive win. It is up to us to maintain our standards because that's the only way we can compete with India ," Vettori said.

He said the Bangladesh debacle was the lowest his team could ever go.

"We have identified the problems and have improved on them. There is a World Cup in a few months time. We understand how we need to get back, but to understand the problem and solving it is a difficult thing," Vettori added.

"We are trying to improve our rankings in the Test cricket and trying to improve as a team. We want to start off with a mindset of getting draws. I want to take it from there and go forward," he said. PTI

Humiliation Of 5-0 Ashes Hiding Still Hurts: Strauss

2010-10-30T03:23:00.000-07:00

London: England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has said that the humiliation of the 5-0 hiding during the disastrous 2006-07 Ashes tour still hurts, and he would do his all to ensure it is not repeated.

Addressing his final news conference at Lord's before flying out for next month's series opener in Brisbane, Strauss said the England cause was not helped by some shabby umpiring decisions.

He even admitted it would do more harm than good to reflect too heavily on Australia's 5-0 whitewash the last time the Ashes were held Down Under.

''It was a gradual sort of erosion of confidence over the course of the tour for all of us. We went there with high hopes for all of us. We got outplayed in Brisbane, we played well in the match in Adelaide and then to lose that Test match was a bit of a kick in the teeth and from then on, once the Ashes were lost it is obviously quite a hard thing to keep going," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Strauss, as saying.

''I don't think it is particularly helpful for us to drag through the kind of details of the last tour. I think the lessons have been learnt from that and we will be better prepared this time,'' he added.

Can't Be Absolute Best Anymore But Neither Can Sachin: Ponting

2010-10-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Melbourne: Australian captain Ricky Ponting said he can no longer be at his "absolute best" with the bat but that should hardly be a surprise or concern as even an icon like Sachin Tendulkar is not at his peak anymore.

Responding to former Australian captain Mark Taylor's comments that his "best is behind him", Ponting said the assessment is correct but that does not mean he would become ineffective.

"I think what Mark had to say was that he probably didn't think I could get any better from where I am at the moment, " Ponting was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.

"It wasn't so much about saying that I'm past it. He just thought that it was going to be hard for me to get back to my absolute best again, and that's probably right.

"I think there is a period in every batsman's life where they are playing at their absolute best. Even Sachin Tendulkar now, even though he's scored nine hundreds last year, was probably not at his absolute best, either, " he added.

"So what Mark said may be right, but by no means do I think I can't play at the level I want to play at. And if I can't play at that level, I won't play the game anyway. I have said that for a long time, " said the 35-year-old right-hander, who has been rested from Australia's ongoing ODI series against India.

Ponting said he merely has to perform consistently to keep his place in the side.

"So I have just got to be a good, consistent contributor in the No. 3 role, and be the best captain and leader I can be for the next few months, and we will see what effect it has on the team, " he said.

Shilpa Shetty Wants Fair Inquiry

2010-10-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

New Delhi: Bollywood Actress and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty is distressed by the BCCI's decision to terminate the franchise and wants a "fair and balanced" inquiry into the allegations of irregular ownership pattern of her IPL team.

"Its been a very distressing time for us all at RR after al we've put in (passion n time), " Shetty said in her tweets in the social networking site 'Twitter.com'.

Rajasthan Royals, winners of the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), were expelled from the Twenty20 tournament last Sunday for alleged violations of rules, with seven years of their 10-year contract still to run.

The BCCI had said that Rajasthan violated the franchise agreement and there were irregularities in their ownership pattern.

However, Shilpa said it was untrue and the BCCI was fully aware about her husband Raj Kundra's introduction in the franchise.

"The only change to ownership was the introduction of my husband Raj Kundra, for which we had full BCCI permission and support at the time, " Shilpa tweeted.

She adds, "allegation is that our ownership has changed since 2008. Tht's Untrue. "

"All we ask is 4 a fair n balanced hearin on issues raisd, givn d adverse national n intnl impact on "Brand IPL" in d interests of fans n teams, " she tweeted.

The BCCI had also terminated the contract of Kings XI Punjab for a similar reason and next in line could be the new Kochi franchise, which has asked for some more time from the cricket body to sort out the ownership issues.

BCCI Rubbishes Talks Of 'Understanding' With Modi

2010-10-21T04:28:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, Oct 21: After turning down Lalit Modi's plea of reconstituting the disciplinary panel, the BCCI on Thursday refuted reports that it had reached an "understanding" with the suspended IPL Commissioner in the ongoing probe into charges of financial irregularities against him.

Reports in the media, quoting Modi's counsel Mohd Abdi, stated that probe panel member Arun Jaitley and another of Modi's lawyers Ram Jethmalani met last night to work out an understanding.

The BCCI said while the two did meet, no peace formula was on the agenda.

"Mr Arun Jaitley and Mr Ram Jethmalani met yesterday night for some other matter not connected to the BCCI. The statement made by Mr Mohd Abdi, General Counsel and Constituted Attorney of Mr L K Modi, regarding some understanding being reached is totally false and BCCI denies the same, " BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Prof R S Shetty said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Yesterday, BCCI had turned down the Modi's plea saying that the probe was in an "advanced stage".

"It is a fact-finding and an internal committee. We cannot have external members in it, " BCCI's counsel and senior advocate C S Sundaram told a Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices J M Panchal and Gyan Sudha Mishra, which wanted the Board to explore the possibility of reconstituting the disciplinary committee.

The Bench put out the question when Modi's Jethmalani repeatedly argued that there was a reasonable apprehension that the suspended IPL chief will not get a fair deal before the present committee which was biased against him.

Jethmalani said the people who had participated in the decision to issue showcause notices to Modi should not be a part of the disciplinary committee.

"I want people with a clean slate, " he submitted and contended that the Chirayu Amin, who was involved in the decision to issue showcause notices and later replaced Modi as the IPL Commissioner, cannot be a member of the disciplinary committee.

Modi has approached the apex court challenging the July 15 judgement of the Bombay High Court which dismissed his plea to stay the proceedings by a BCCI-appointed disciplinary committee probing allegations of financial irregularities against him.

He has sought the removal of Arun Jaitley and Amin from the three-member committee, which also has Jyotiraditya Scindia in it, contending that they are likely to be biased against him.

Rooney wants to leave Manchester United: Ferguson

2010-10-21T03:10:00.001-07:00

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday star striker Wayne Rooney wants to leave the club, expressing "shock and disappointment" at the player's stance.

"I had a meeting with him. He intimated to me in his own way that he wanted to leave," Ferguson said at a dramatic press conference ahead of United's Champions League tie with Turkish side Bursaspor on Wednesday.

Speculation about Rooney's future had raged for days after Ferguson dropped the 24-year-old England international for last Saturday's Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion.

It came after Rooney publicly contradicted Ferguson's claims that he was suffering from an ankle injury by telling reporters he was fully fit.

Ferguson finally broke his silence on the saga at an extraordinary press briefing on Tuesday, confirming that Rooney had requested to leave Old Trafford but denying any argument with the player.

A clearly shellshocked Ferguson said he had first been made aware of Rooney's desire to leave before the start of the new season, when informed by United chief executive David Gill.

"It was a shock. I couldn't believe it," said Ferguson. "In early discussions - in March I think - we had discussions with him, he intimated he wanted to stay, that he wanted a life contract with the club, that he was at the best club in the world.

"It was terribly disappointing to get the news. We couldn't understand it."

"We have to keep the door open because he is such a good player," Ferguson said, admitting he was baffled by the stance of Rooney, who he signed as a teenager from Everton in 2004.

"We have done nothing but help him since he came to this club, that is why this is such a mystery to us. We've helped him with his private life and other matters," Ferguson said.

"So we're as bemused as anyone can be because we can't understand why he would want to leave a club that is successful as we are in British football."

Media reports had said Rooney and Ferguson had fallen out after the publication of lurid tabloid reports about the player's private life, with Rooney complaining about a perceived lack of support from Ferguson.

With Rooney having only 18 months left on his existing contract, United will now likely be forced to sell their prized asset, valued at 50 million pounds, in order to recoup as high a price as possible for the player.

Manchester United's cross-town rivals Manchester City have emerged as the favourite to land Rooney, with the player's wife reportedly reluctant to entertain a move overseas.

The Guardian said any move by Rooney to Eastlands would represent the "most rancorous and staggering transfer of modern times."

The newspaper reported City would do everything they could to land the player, noting that City's administrator Brian Marwood has a long-standing association with Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford.

"We hadn't discussed signing Rooney until the last week because we never thought he would be available, just like we have never discussed signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona," a senior Manchester City figure told the paper.

A move to Manchester City would likely see Rooney become the highest paid player in English football, more than doubling his current salary of 90,000 pounds per week to as much as 250,000 pounds per week.

Virat Kohli, Raina power India to win

2010-10-21T02:42:00.000-07:00

The target of 290 appeared to be stiff, especially when India were wobbling at 35 for 2 in the ninth over, but Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh maintained their sang froid to get India close before the adventurous Suresh Raina sealed the win in style. Kohli, in particular, impressed.

He not only lost Yuvraj in the 34th over with India still 118 runs adrift of the target but also, by then, was suffering from severe cramps and was forced to bat with a runner. If those hurdles fazed him, he didn't show it and went on to clinch the game in the company of the Raina.

The chase mirrored Australia's innings to an extent. Australia too had started slowly before they consolidated, courtesy a fine 144-run partnership between Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey, to 205 for 3 from 45 overs, before exploding in the death overs.

Australia looted 84 runs in the final five overs and Cameron White whacked 70 runs in his last 24 deliveries. Australia might have felt they had enough in the bank but Kohli pulled off a cool heist.

Kohli's personal big moment came in the 42nd over when he brought up his ton with a crisp square-drive and screamed in glee. And the game was all but over in the 43rd over when Kohli swung Clint Mckay for two fours and a massive heaved-six over long-on.

Post that shot, even his limp towards square leg seemed to acquire a swagger. It was indeed a special night for Kohli who has now moved ahead of Rohit Sharma in the pecking order.

Kohli's nerves, if any, must have eased after Raina collected 17 runs from 38th over of the innings, bowled by James Hopes. He struck three fours -a glanced boundary preceded two mowed hits to wide midwicket boundary - to reduce the target to 81 from 12 overs.

And when Raina picked up two more fours in the 40th over, India required 66 runs from the final 10 and they did it without much fuss. Though India soon lost Kohli, who holed out to long-on, and MS Dhoni, Raina guided India home.

The chase stood out for India's calm approach. They initially chose to conserve wickets and reserved their assault for the second half of the chase. At the half-way mark they had reached 117 for the loss of the openers and required another 173 runs.

When McKay removed the openers with a double strike that included a second-ball duck for the debutant Shikhar Dhawan, the situation was similar to Australia's position at the corresponding stage. India's No. 3 and No. 4 - Kohli and Yuvraj - revived the innings with calm heads.

As you would expect with such a high asking run-rate, the Indian pair did play a few big shots to ease the pressure. Kohli pulled Mitchell Starc for a four before flicking and square-driving John Hastings for successive boundaries.

Yuvraj whiplashed Hastings over midwicket, lifted Starc to the straight boundary and swept Nathan Hauritz for another four.

Australia tried to keep it tight, with the seamers hitting the back of length and bowling as straight as possible. However, the errors started to creep in as the pressure increased and with the spinners proving to be ineffective, Kohli and Yuvraj cruised along.

The pitch had quickened up as the evening wore on and the ball started to come on nicely to the bat which also helped India's cause.

The change in nature of the wicket had helped Australia too in the end of their innings. It was ruthless violence in the end but the Australian innings had three distinct phases. They crawled to 16 for 2 in eight overs; they then consolidated to 205 for 3 from 45 overs, before finishing off in style.

White swung Praveen Kumar for two sixes to the straight boundary in the 48th over before he bossed Vinay Kumar in some style. There were four massive sixes against the hapless bowler spread over two overs.

He cleared the front foot and walloped a full-pitched delivery to the straight boundary for the first six. The second fell into the second tier over long-on and the third was swiped over the midwicket boundary.

The fourth, of the final ball of the innings, showcased his skill: It was yet another full toss and he swat-flicked it over the wide midwicket boundary.

It would be tempting to solely focus on the surge in the last five overs but it was all set up by a superb stand between Hussey and Clarke. It was Hussey who increased the run-flow with three crisp boundaries by the 10th over.

An inspired Clarke soon produced the shot of the afternoon: a classy on-the-up punchy drive past Praveen that defied the slow pitch.

It was a mature show from Clarke; there might have been a temptation to try taking risks and worrying about the ideal target to set but he seemed very clear in his head about the way ahead.

You felt all along the afternoon that Clarke was waiting for the batting powerplay and he cashed in style. He crashed Vinay to the cover boundary before nearly decapitating the umpire Billy Bowden with a powerful straight drive.

It was around this time that he handed the baton to White. Their efforts didn't prove enough, though.

Aussies To Be Without Bollinger, Hussey In Goa ODI

2010-10-21T02:33:00.000-07:00

Margao, Oct 21 : Still looking for its first win in the ongoing tour of India, the depleted Australian cricket team today lost two more key players in pacer Doug Bollinger and batsman Mike Hussey for the deciding third and final one-dayer here on Sunday.

While Bollinger has been forced out due to a stomach muscle strain, Hussey will have to be available for a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia as part of the Ashes preparations.Bollinger did not play in Australia's five-wicket loss to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men in Visakhapatnam last night.

"Bollinger reported some minor abdomen discomfort in an area unrelated to the original injury that ruled him out of the second Test and second ODI of the tour," Cricket Australia said in a statement.PTI

Kohli's Century Helps India To Resounding Win

2010-10-21T02:17:00.000-07:00

VISAKHAPATNAM: Virat Kohli struck a career-best 118 as India beat Australia by five wickets in the second one-day international on Wednesday.

Kohli was supported well by Suresh Raina (71 not out) and Yuvraj Singh (58) as the home side reached its target of 290 in 48.5 overs.

For Australia, captain Michael Clarke made an unbeaten 111.

He was associated in two big stands with Michael Hussey (69) and Cameron White (89 not out) that lifted the team to 289-3 after they were 16-2 in the eighth over.

The first match at Kochi was washed out while the third and final match will be at Margao in Goa on Sunday.

Australia lost the two-test series 2-0. AP

It Would Be A Change Of Role For Yuvraj: Dhoni

2010-10-19T06:09:00.001-07:00

Visakhapatnam: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said it would be a change of role for Yuvraj Singh in the one-day series against Australia.

Fighting with form and fitness, Yuvraj after being ignored for the Test series against Australia, has made a comeback for the ODIs in what appears to be a make or break series for the elegant Punjab batsman.

After the opener in Kochi being a wash-out, all eyes are on the second one-dayer in Vizag on Wednesday and Dhoni said they were expecting Yuvraj to play a vital role.

"Our batting has always revolved around him. He is a type of player who can change gears at any point of time and can take complete control of the game. At the same time, he has played over 250 ODIs which means he has got a lot of experience," Dhoni said on the pre-match media interaction.

Being the senior most cricketer of the side at a time when big guns like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are rested, Yuvraj will have a change in role.

"For somebody like Yuvraj Singh it will be a different approach of sorts. He will be one of the senior most cricketers along with Ashish Nehra. It's a change of role for quite a few players.

"His bowling is very important for us. If we decide for four bowlers and use part-timers as the fifth bowler, he is considered a bowling option. He has done quite well with the ball, he gets two-three wickets. We are expecting him to score runs," Dhoni said.

"If you do well in bowling it reflects in your batting and if you do well in batting it reflects in your bowling. He has got both the dimensions of the game," said the captain, praising Yuvraj. PTI

I Am Not At All Under Pressure, Says Stand-In Captain Clarke

2010-10-19T05:56:00.000-07:00

Visakhapatnam, October 19 (PTI) Under-fire Michael Clarke today said he deserved the criticism after a string of poor shows in their 0-2 Test series loss and the stand-in skipper said that it's time to look forward and return to winning ways.

Clarke, who scored just 35 runs from four innings in the two-Test series, said, "My performance in the Test series wasn't good enough so I deserved that criticism and I am very disapppointed about that."

But he said he was not under pressure to peform in the limited overs matches as they play the second ODI against India tomorrow.

The first ODI was washed out after a heavy downpour in Kochi.

"I am not at all under pressure. Everybody is entitled to voice their opinion. I can't change that. I'm training very hard as possibly as I can. I'm really excited about these two one-day games. My main priority is to win the two ODIs. We are really excited about the bright weather, hope it continues tomorrow."

Asked about the status of their frontline pacer Doug Bollinger, Clarke said they were yet to decide on him.

"He is going well, though he has not done enough bowling though. It's an important day for him today, he will have to bowl at the nets. Physio is happy with his improvement. But we need to make sure he bowls 10 overs for us tomorrow, otherwise I don't think it's worth a risk."

Bollinger had to pull out of the second Test in Bangalore because of an abdominal strain.

Asked whether they were short of match practice after the washout in Kochi, Clarke said both the teams did not get to bat or bowl so this could not be an disadvantage.

"We have no excuse, we have one day to get ready and give our best tomorrow. It's about getting what you can do today. It's a huge one-day series, there are a lot of new guys. It's going to be fantastic experience. It will be tough. India have got a young squad but there is a lot of talent out there," Clarke said.

The skipper said the Aussies always enjoy playing in India the youngsters would get a lot of experience.

"I enjoy coming to India. It's a wonderful place to come here. Apart from the Test series result, we had a really good time. I'm looking forward to match. Fans love seeing competitive cricket and we Australians bring that."

Clarke said they were yet to decide on the XI but stated that opener David Warner and rookie left-arm pacer (Mitchell Starc) might be drafted in.

Chris Gayle Sacked From West Indies Captaincy

2010-10-18T03:48:00.000-07:00

St John's (Antigua): Chris Gayle was on Monday dumped from West Indies captaincy and replaced by all-rounder Darren Sammy in a shake-up aimed at rebuilding the side which has been on decline for some years.

The West Indies Cricket Board announced the decision to sack Gayle, who has been skipper since 2007, while naming the squad for the three-match Test tour of Sri Lanka next month.

Sammy, though, has not been a regular member of the Test side having played just eight matches after making his debut in June 2007.

Gayle, who recently refused new central contracts with the WICB last month along with Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, is still in the squad as a batsman.

Gayle, Bravo and Pollard had refused central contracts which stipulated that they must make themselves available for the West Indies team at all times.PTI

Djokovic, Zvonareva Through To China Open Semis

2010-10-14T03:11:00.001-07:00

BEIJING (AP) _ Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has won through to the semifinals of the China Open by beating Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-2. The Serbian world No. 2 struggled to hold serve in the first game, but soon found his form against the French No. 43 and served out Friday's match with an ace. Djokovic next faces the winner of Friday's later quarterfinal between Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and American John Isner.

On the women's side, Russian second seed Vera Zvonareva won 6-0, 6-2 against French Open champion Francesca Schiavone. Next up for the world No. 4 will be the winner of Friday's match between new world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Serbia's Ana Ivanovic. AP

India Sits Pretty At ICC Peak

2010-10-14T00:58:00.001-07:00

Dubai: With a crushing 2-0 series win, India on Wednesday not only consolidated its position at the top of the ICC Test ranking table but also pushed Australia down to number five.

India, which came into the two-match series with 127 rating points, are now sitting pretty at 130 points, 11 clear of second-placed South Africa.

Australia had entered the series on 113 points and ended up conceding three ratings points, slipping to fifth position behind England (112).

Sri Lanka are placed third with 115 points. This is Australia's lowest ranking since the ICC Test Championship rankings were introduced in 2003.

However, Australia will have a chance to regain its fourth position when it goes head-to-head with England in a five-Test Ashes series which starts in Brisbane on November 23.

Sania's Family Confirms She Will Stay At Games' Village

2010-10-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, Sep 28: The family of the Indian tennis star Sania Mirza today dismissed as rumours the buzz that she may not stay at the Commonwealth Games Village here.

While the international stars have started coming to Games Village, the latest buzz at the sprawling athletes' facility was that Indian tennis stars Sania and Mahesh Bhupathi may not stay there.

It was said that Sania may prefer staying with husband Shoaib Malik -- a former Pakistan cricket captain -- and Bhupathi may stay with fiance Lara Dutta, a Bollywood actress.

When contacted, Sania's father Imran said she will surely stay at the Games Village.

"She will check in to the Village with the rest of the team," Imran told PTI.

Sania had recently come here along with Malik.

Bhupathi could not be reached for comment.

Tennis will make its debut in this edition of the Commonwealth Games, sheduled to begin on October 3. PTI

Ponting, Johnson, Watson Rested From ODI Series Against India

2010-10-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

Melbourne, Oct 5: With a packed international schedule awaiting them in the next few months, Australian captain Ricky Ponting, pacer Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson were today rested from the 14-member squad for the one-day series against India starting October 17.

"Player workload management is particularly important over the course of the next seven months as we prepare a squad to defend the World Cup in India and the subcontinent and to win the Ashes back from England," Australia's National Selection Panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch said in a statement here.

Hilditch said all the players would be rotated during the next few months to ensure that there is no burnout.

"Each individual player has a program developed in collaboration between the player, the coaching and conditioning staff and the NSP, which will get each player to the end of April 2011 in the best possible physical condition and, we hope, with plenty of Australian success on the field.

"With that in mind, Ricky Ponting will not take part in this one-day series. The NSP has decided as part of the ongoing management of Ricky's workload he should not take part in this series. The demands of back-to-back Test matches in tough Indian conditions have been taken into consideration," he explained.

"In addition, Ricky faces a very demanding domestic summer on his return to Australia and will have no other opportunity for a break from the start of the domestic season until after the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup in India and the subcontinent, which begins in February next year.

Johnson and Watson too would get a break after the ongoing two-match Test series, the first game of which India won today.

"Mitchell Johnson will also have his workload managed and not take part in the series. As Mitchell is now the leader of our bowling attack, and with numerous injuries to our fast bowling stocks at present, it is essential we manage his workload so he can get through the domestic summer and the ICC Cricket World Cup," Hilditch said.

"Shane Watson also will not take part in the series. The NSP considers it essential that he has a break to ensure that can fulfill his vital role during our domestic summer and of course the World Cup.

"It is essential to the balance of our side that Shane can open the batting and play the all-round role. Shane's playing and training program has been carefully managed over the last couple of years and we have decided the best way of ensuring he can play this role is for him to miss the one-day component of this series," he added.

Two uncapped fast bowlers in James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc join Clint McKay and Doug Bollinger as a four-man pace attack for the series starting in Kochi.

"Clint impressed in India last year and James and Mitchell have really impressed since joining the Test squad as standby players. The NSP is sure they will have an impact in international cricket and will seize this opportunity," Hilditch said.

The comeback men in the team include explosive batsman David Warner, Callum Ferguson and Steve Smith.

"Callum Ferguson makes his return to the Australian side after a serious knee injury. He has been in great form recently and richly deserves the opportunity to resume his position in the Australian one-day side where he performed so well prior to this injury.

"David Warner returns to the one-day squad. The NSP considers he has the potential to have a significant impact at the top of the order in sub-continent conditions and it is an ideal opportunity for David to perform in these conditions prior to selection for the ICC World Cup.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and pacer Peter Siddle remain unavailable due to injuries.

"Both Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle are making extremely good progress in their returns from injury and will resume playing state cricket while this one-day squad is in India. It was felt premature for them to return to international cricket for this series and they are expected to build workload through the beginning of the interstate season," Hilditch said.

The squad: Michael Clarke (c), Cameron White (vc), Doug Bollinger, Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Mike Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner. PTI

Laxman Special Takes India To A Memorable Win Over Australia

2010-10-06T00:46:00.000-07:00

V V S Laxman battled severe back pain to single-handedly take India to a memorable and miraculous victory over Australia with a gritty unbeaten 73 in a nail-biting first cricket Test here today.

Laxman, who reserved his best for the Australians, played almost a lone hand in India's run chase of 216 as his experienced colleagues fell to poor shot selection and umpiring error as he guided India to one of its most memorable Test victories.

Sachin Tendulkar was the second highest Indian scorer with 38 while young Ishant Sharma contributed an invaluable 31 in the Test which went down the wire.

With the victory today, India took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series and retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy with their seventh highest run chase in history.

The the two sides now move to Bangalore for the second and final Test starting in Bangalore from October 9.

Laxman, who used runners in both of India's innings, and Ishant shared an 81-run stand for the ninth wicket from 131 balls and that ensured India achieve what looked impossible when they were looking down the barrel at 124 for eight at one stage.

However with Ishant given a debatable leg before decision by umpire Ian Gould, it was a tense last 15 minutes for the Indian supporters at the PCA Stadium before Laxman and Pragyan Ojha (five not out) took India to the magic score of 216.

India sealed victory with two leg byes got by Pragyan Ojha off Johnson to the wild celebrations at the dressing room and the stands.

Laxman faced just 79 balls for his unbeaten 73 which he made with the help of eight fours while Ishant consumed 92 balls for his 31.

It was indeed a 'Very Very Special' knock from a man who who was not even being able to walk properly for the last two days due to back spasms. Each and every of those 73 runs he scored has worth its weight in gold.

Laxman batted only in the manner he is capable of. The backfoot punches through the cover, the short-arm pulls, extra second he takes while hitting those silken boundaries, those supple wrists and egging the Ishant Sharmas and Pragyan Ojhas to run the singles and twos was worth a sight.

But for Ishant, Laxman would not have completed the magnificent win. Having bowled 14 no-balls, being down with a hamstring injury, Ishant may have scored the most significant 31 runs in his career.

When some of the top-order batsman lacked stomach for fight, Ishant concentrated like a saint to give Laxman the necessary support that he needed to pull off a Herculean act. PTI

Mohali, Oct 5: V V S Laxman battled severe back pain to single-handedly take India to a memorable and miraculous victory over Australia with a gritty unbeaten 73 in a nail-biting first cricket Test here today.

Laxman, who reserved his best for the Australians, played almost a lone hand in India's run chase of 216 as his experienced colleagues fell to poor shot selection and umpiring error as he guided India to one of its most memorable Test victories.

Sachin Tendulkar was the second highest Indian scorer with 38 while young Ishant Sharma contributed an invaluable 31 in the Test which went down the wire.

With the victory today, India took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series and retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy with their seventh highest run chase in history.

The the two sides now move to Bangalore for the second and final Test starting in Bangalore from October 9.

Laxman, who used runners in both of India's innings, and Ishant shared an 81-run stand for the ninth wicket from 131 balls and that ensured India achieve what looked impossible when they were looking down the barrel at 124 for eight at one stage.

However with Ishant given a debatable leg before decision by umpire Ian Gould, it was a tense last 15 minutes for the Indian supporters at the PCA Stadium before Laxman and Pragyan Ojha (five not out) took India to the magic score of 216.

India sealed victory with two leg byes got by Pragyan Ojha off Johnson to the wild celebrations at the dressing room and the stands.

Laxman faced just 79 balls for his unbeaten 73 which he made with the help of eight fours while Ishant consumed 92 balls for his 31.

It was indeed a 'Very Very Special' knock from a man who who was not even being able to walk properly for the last two days due to back spasms. Each and every of those 73 runs he scored has worth its weight in gold.

Laxman batted only in the manner he is capable of. The backfoot punches through the cover, the short-arm pulls, extra second he takes while hitting those silken boundaries, those supple wrists and egging the Ishant Sharmas and Pragyan Ojhas to run the singles and twos was worth a sight.

But for Ishant, Laxman would not have completed the magnificent win. Having bowled 14 no-balls, being down with a hamstring injury, Ishant may have scored the most significant 31 runs in his career.

When some of the top-order batsman lacked stomach for fight, Ishant concentrated like a saint to give Laxman the necessary support that he needed to pull off a Herculean act. PTI

Dravid Says There 1st Test Will Have A Result

2010-10-04T05:27:00.000-07:00

Mohali, Oct 3: Senior batsman Rahul Dravid insists that India have not let advantage slip out of their hands and is hoping that the hosts spinners would be able to turn the first cricket Test in their favour.

The match is even balanced after day three as India conceded a small 23-run lead against Australia after being bowled out for 405.

"I see good chances of a result. It should be a good contest between bat and the ball," Dravid told reporters after the third day's play.

The wicket is good. There are a rough areas, however, from where an odd ball rises. We expect the wicket to crack a little bit and the two quality spinners (Harbhajan and Ojha) should be able to exploit the conditions tomorrow."

India were going great guns at one stage but a dramatic batting collapse dented their chances of taking a lead.

However, Dravid said, "I wouldn't say we let the game slip out of our hands, but you've got to give credit to the Australian bowlers the way they bowled in the last session. The game still is evenly poised and I think if we can restrict them to 250-260, it should be comfortable for us."

Dravid said the morning session would be crucial both the sides and whoever does well in the first two hours would reach an advantageous position.

"The Test is poised well. Tomorrow's first session is going to be quite crucial for us. We will need to take some quick wickets and restrict them for as less runs as we can so that we can put them under pressure. Obviously, if they bat well then they can put us on the backfoot," Dravid, who hit a 77-run knock, said.

VVS Laxman's absence from batting at his regular position also did not help India's cause.

"He had a back spasm, that was the reason he did not come out to bat. It was something which affected us a little bit because we lacked an expert batsman, especially when we had built the partnerships. That was one factor, but sometimes you cant help it, that's the way the game is," Dravid said.

He, however, rued that none of the well-set batsmen, went on to make a big score, which would have helped India take lead.

"Raina's partnership with Tendulkar (144 runs) was crucial for us and the way he played and moved on very quickly helped us. The game is still in balance and we have got a good chance tomorrow," Dravid said.

Dravid was happy to get some runs under his belt after not so impressive Sri Lanka series but said he was not under pressure.

"There was not any additional pressure on me. You want to keep scoring runs. Yes, I did not get many runs in Sri Lanka, but batted well here," he said. PTI

Chennai Beat Warriors By Eight Wkts To Win CLT20

2010-09-27T05:27:00.000-07:00

Johannesburg: Murali Vijay and Mike Hussey cracked a sparkling half-century each as Chennai Super Kings were crowned the Champions League Twenty20 winners with their eight-wicket victory over Warriors in the grand finale.

Vijay (58 off 53 balls), who was let off when on 34, cracked his third half-century of the tournament while the other opener Hussey played sheet anchor and remained not out on 51 as Chennai chased down the small target of 129 with one over to spare.

Spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (3/16) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/16) shared five wickets as Chennai restricted Warriors to 128 for seven after the South African champion side elected to bat at the New Wanderers Stadium. Vijay underlined his emergence as a fine Twenty20 batsman by becoming the highest run getter of the tournament with 294 runs from six matches, eight more than Warriors captain Davy Jacobs.

Vijay's 53-ball innings was studded with six fours and two sixes while Hussey hit only three fours from 46 balls in his unbeaten knock. CSK were richer by $2.5 millions for winning the second edition of the tournament, their second crown in five months after their IPL triumph in April.

Warriors received $1.3 million for finishing runners-up of the grand finale of the multi-dollar tournament, however, turned out to be a lopsided match with the Warriors bowlers failing to make any impact on the batsmen of the opposition who have beaten them in their last Group A league fixture four days ago.

The total of 128 was too small to defend and Chennai was always in control of the run chase though it got a bit tight with Suresh Raina, who was mainly responsible for CSK's semi-final win against Royal Challengers Bangalore with an aggressive 94, out cheaply for just two.

Hussey and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (17 not out), however, held on their nerves to pull off the win with a 25-run partnership for the unbroken third wicket. Dhoni hit the winning runs - a four off Juan Theron - as Chennai scored 132 for two in 19 overs to lift the title.

Vijay and Hussey did not need to take too much risk as they ran mostly in singles in their 103-run opening wicket stand in front of a capacity crowd. Vijay lived dangerously on a couple of occasions with an edge from his bat flying past wicketkepeer Mark Boucher and Justin Kreusch for a four.

He was also lucky to survive in the ninth over with wicketkeeper Mark Boucher missing a simple stumping chance off the bowling of Nicky Boje when on 34. But he made amends of these lapses later as he struck some fine shots, including two sixes off Nicky Boje.

Vijay fell to Boje in the 15th over after taking his side to the threshold of victory.

Tendulkar World's Best But He Too Is Vulnerable: Hauritz

2010-09-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

Chandigarh, Sep 24 : Australia spinner Nathan Hauritz on Friday admitted that it would be a "tough challenge" to bowl against Sachin Tendulkar in the upcoming Test series but said the champion batsman too is vulnerable to mistakes.

"He (Tendulkar) is the world's best batsman, he is unbelievable. I am looking forward to bowl to him, in what I know, is going to be a tough challenge. But people make mistakes and Tendulkar too can make mistakes," Hauritz told reporters ahead of the three-day practice match against Board President's XI starting here tomorrow.

Hauritz, who made his Test debut against India at Mumbai six years ago and took the prized wicket of Tendulkar in that match, will be leading the Australian spin attack during the two-Test series starting here on October 1.

"I would be looking to bowl in the right areas but lot depends on the wicket as it has been raining here. Generally, the wickets don't turn much here after the first two days," said the off-spinner, who is returning after an injury.

He also sees a "great challenge" in bowling to other Indian batsmen, including Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saying all of them play spin very aggressively.

"I know it's going to be a tough challenge, but my focus would be to see the ball comes out well out of my hands," said Hauritz, who has so far scalped 57 wickets from 15 Tests. Hauritz also heaped praise on his spin counterpart Harbhajan Singh and rated the temperamental Indian off-spinner as "one of the best spinners in the world".

Asked if he had made any special preparation for the strong Indian bating line-up, he said, "There is no different preparation as such. It's only a matter of adapting to the wicket." India go into the Test series as the number one side and Hauritz said the Aussies never take any team lightly, no matter who the opposition is.

"We respect every opposition. Once you start disrespecting your opponents, you will get beaten," he said. PTI

England Was Toughest Tour Of My Career, Says Shahid Afridi

2010-09-24T04:04:00.000-07:00

Islamabad, Sept 24: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said the tour of England was the most difficult of his cricket career and he struggled to cope with the fallout from the off-field controversies.

The Pakistan team returned early Friday after a scandal-filled tour in which spot fixing allegations against its cricketers overshadowed England's victories in the test and limited-overs series.

"It was tough because of the controversies and became very difficult to cope with. Every time we went out of the hotel people passed remarks against us," Afridi told reporters in the southern port city of Karachi on Friday.

The International Cricket Council suspended three Pakistan cricketers pending an investigation after a British tabloid accused the trio of accepting bribes to bowl no-balls at specified times in the Lord's test against England.

Another Pakistani cricketer, Wahab Riaz, was questioned by British police over the spot fixing allegations.

Riaz was also involved in a confrontation with Jonathan Trott just before the fourth one-day international at Lord's when, according to Afridi, the England player said Riaz was a match fixer and hit him on the face with the pads.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief chairman Ijaz Butt annoyed the hosts this week by suggesting England players could have been involved in match fixing.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has threatened legal action against Butt and demanded an apology.

However, Afridi, who led Pakistan in the limited-day series, said his players remained united which helped them to level the series 2-2 before losing the deciding match at Southampton on Wednesday.

"The best part of the whole tour was that the players showed unity even in difficult times and gave a good fight."

Pakistan started a long tour of England with two wins in Twenty20 internationals against Australia.

The spiral began when Afridi retired from test cricket after losing the first test to Australia in July and Salman Butt _ one of the three Pakistan cricketers who're now under suspension _ was elevated to the captaincy.

"I will think about it and if the team needs it, I may consider playing the test series against South Africa," Afridi said.

Pakistan Waqar Younis said he was pleased to win the twenty20 games against Australia and also draw the two-test series against Ricky Ponting's team, but it was difficult once the spot fixing allegations surfaced.

"We had success against Australia which was pleasing, but because of the controversies it was tough against England.

"You needed that extra effort to gee up the players when you see a report in the newspaper every other day."

Pakistan is scheduled to play test and one-day series against South Africa next month in the United Arab Emirates. AP

Rafael Nadal Gets Royal Treatment In Thailand

2010-09-22T05:41:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (AP): Thailand has given Rafael Nadal a welcome more suitable for royalty than a tennis player upon his arrival for a tournament in Bangkok.

Nadal will take part in the Thailand Open beginning Monday. Fresh from his U.S. Open victory, Nadal was greeted with flower garlands at the airport and was led through throngs of reporters by tennis officials and police.

The world's top player had been a late withdrawal from the tournament the previous two years, but is injury free for this year's event.

After a few days at a beach resort, Nadal will meet Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and visit Parliament next week before turning to tennis.

Pak, Eng Players Hurl Pads, Grab Each Other's Throat

2010-09-22T02:03:00.001-07:00

London: An ugly altercation between Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz and England batsman Jonathan Trott threatened to spoil cricketing ties between the two countries, reports the Mumbai newspaper DNA.

The report says, the two players grabbed each other by the throat amid continuing tension over match-fixing allegations. The incident took place a day after Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ijaz Butt said England players deliberately threw the third one-day international at the Oval.

Riaz, who was questioned by the Scotland Yard for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal, was walking past Trott during a training session when the England batsman reportedly taunted him. "How much are you going to make from the bookies today?" Trott reportedly asked Riaz.

An enraged Riaz reacted with a comment against Trott's family. The two players then threw their pads at each other before grabbing each other by the throat in public view. The squabbling pair had to be separated by England batting coach Graham Gooch, who pushed Trott away and put an arm around Riaz. Match referee Jeff Crowe summoned both the players to the MCC office along with England coach Andy Flower and his Pakistani counterpart Waqar Younis.

Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi said his team could have filed a police complaint against Trott. "It could have been a police case because it is crime to hit someone, but we showed a big heart and did not press for it," he said. Trott was also involved in an ugly war of words with Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal during the first one-day international on September 10.

The English selectors were preparing to choose a second team if the main squad refused to play Monday's fourth match against Pakistan at Lord's. However, such a possibility was averted at the last minute. Butt's comments have angered the English players so much that they threatened to boycott the remaining matches. They later relented and agreed to play. "Feelings have been high for the last 24 hours and we're not hiding that fact," said ECB CEO David Collier. "There were strong feelings caused by the comments (from Butt) and that is bound to spill over. It is a closed matter."

RCB Beat Lions By 6 Wickets, Reach Semifinals Of CL

2010-09-22T00:57:00.000-07:00

Johannesburg: Bangalore Royal Challengers' top-order fired in unison as they humbled the Lions by six wickets to reach the semifinals of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament here on Tuesday.

In a virtual quarterfinal, Royals first restricted the Lions to 159 for six and then achieved the target with six balls to spare to become the first IPL team to reach the last four stage of the T20 tournament.

Openers Manish Pandey (44) and Rahul Dravid (33) set the tone for a successful runchase with the former India skipper turning out to be the main aggressor. Virat Kohli then hit a whirlwind 29-ball 49 in pressure cooker situation to see the team through.

Earlier, Alviro Petersen smashed a 29-ball 45 while Robert Frylinck provided the late charge to help Lions post a competitive 159 after they decided to bat first.

Pandey started the proceedings for RCB, hitting Deacon for the first boundary. Soon Dravid got into the act and blasted consecutive boundaries off O'Reilly in the second over.

O'Reilly was treated with equal disdain in the next over by Dravid, who slashed him across the point boundary, before sending Frylinck on a leather hunt past mid-on.

Pandey then smashed O'Reilly through the covers to pick up another four, while Dravid sent Richard Cameron across the deep backward point boundary.

Looking for a boundary on the off-side in the eighth over off Aaron Phangiso, Dravid saw his stumps crashed as RCB lost their first wicket with 53 on the board.

Pandey then took the responsibility and picked up a boundary off Cameron, before smashing Phangiso for a four and a six in the 10th over.

The Karnataka batsman smashed Frylinck for another boundary at square leg but holed out to O'Reilly at long-off in the 12th over off Cameron as RCB slumped to 85 for two in 11.3 overs.

Out-of-form Ross Taylor (5) was the next to go. Trying to hit a Deacon delivery, he failed to clear the inside circle and was caught by Petersen.

Robin Uthappa (7) also got out cheaply while trying to steal a run as Lions clawed back into the game, reducing RCB to 112 for four in 15 overs.

Needing 48 off 30 balls, Kohli flicked O'Reilly for a six at deep square leg, before lofting one over the bowler's head for another six and then smashed a four through cover to bring RCB back in the contest.

Cameron White then put one across the square boundary, before Kohli flicked a de Bruyn ball for another four.

White then whacked one over mid-wicket to level the score and then picked up a single to bring up the winning run for the Royal Challengers.

Earlier, skipper Petersen clubbed three fours and two sixes and added 44 runs in 26 balls with Vaughn van Jaarsveld (24) for the third wicket.

Neil McKenzie (39) also played his part in the middle order but it was Frylinck's 22 runs in nine balls which took Lions across the 150-mark at the New Wanderers here.

Frylinck hit one boundary and two sixes in his cameo, adding 19 runs in seven deliveries with Thami Tsolekile (5) in the slog overs.

Petersen gave Lions a flying start as he blasted Kumar to square-leg, before smashing him for a four and a six in the next over.

Vandiar also played a wristy shot to bring up a four but Vinay Kumar struck twice in two balls to reduce Lions to 29 for two in 3.3 overs.

Vinay first got rid of Vandiar. Looking for a pull, the batsman ended up giving an easy catch to wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa.

The Karnataka bowler then induced an outside edge from Richard Cameron (0) as Uthappa collected another easy catch.

Petersen and Van Jaarsveld then got together and shared 27 runs between them for the fourth wicket, which was studded with four boundaries and two sixes.

Van Jaarsveld picked up successive fours in the fifth over when he blazed one along the carpet across the mid-off boundary and then clipped one behind square.

In the next over, Vinay was picked for a special treatment as both Petersen and Van Jaarsveld blasted him for sixes.

Petersen pulled one over the square leg boundary, while Van Jaarsveld heaved another over wide long-on boundary. The duo also cracked boundaries off Dale Steyn in the eighth over.

Finally, a confusion while running brought the curtains down on Van Jaarsveld's innings as Lions slipped to 73 for three in 7.5 overs.

McKenzie, then slashed Du Preez for a boundary, before lofting him over wide mid-on to bring another four for the Lions.

Petersen and Mckenzie brought up the 100 in the 13th over before the Lions skipper was cleaned up by his counterpart Anil Kumble.

McKenzie and Zander de Bruyn tried to keep the scoreboard ticking but runs were hard to come by. De Bruyn was dismissed by Du Preez in the 18th over, which brought Frylinck at the crease.

McKenzie also perished in pursuit of a quick run but Frylinck stood tall and used his long handle to perfection to help Lions cross the 150-mark. PTI

Chennai Super Kings In A Do-Or-Die Battle Against Warriors

2010-09-21T05:26:00.001-07:00

Port Elizabeth, Sep 21: Jolted out of their comfort zone by their super-over loss against Victoria Bushrangers, Chennai Super Kings face a do-or-die battle when they take on unbeaten Warriors in the Champions League Twenty20 Group A match here on Wednesday.

Chennai notched up two easy wins -- against Central Districts and Wayamba XI -- in their first two matches before losing to Victoria Bushrangers in the Super Over and they now need nothing less than a win in their last group match tomorrow to make it to the semifinals. Warriors, on six points after winning all their three matches, would also want to register a win though they may sneak into the last four in case of a narrow loss tomorrow.

With a net run rate of plus 0.975 as against plus 0.366 of Victoria, who also have six points from four matches, Warriors can make it to the semifinals in case of a narrow loss and in that case Victoria will be out of the tournament. In terms of net run rate, Chennai, on four points now, are sitting pretty at plus 2.567 courtesy the 57-run and 97-run wins over Central Districts and Wayamba XI.

With opener Matthew Hayden struggling, Suresh Raina would be the key batsman for Chennai. But captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also has Murali Vijay, who scored 73 in the last match, to bank on besides Subramaniam Badrinath and Anirudha Srikkant, who are also in fine touch in the tournament.

In the bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin has been consistent with seven wickets in his kitty from three matches though he will have to quickly forget the 23 runs he conceded in the Super Over against Victoria Bushrangers. Pacer Doug Bollinger and spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan can also stepped in when the chips are down.

On the other hand, the South African champion side are high on confidence after their three victories on the trot under the able leadership of Davey Jacob. Both batting and bowling looked solid so far in the tournament. In batting, besides Jacob, Ashwell Prince and veteran Mark Bouncher have been the main contributers.

Juan Theron has been the pick of bowlers with six wickets from three games. Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Nicky Boje and Johan Botha have also come up with some exceptional performances. Meanwhile, Wayamba XI take on Central Districts in an inconsequential match at the same venue earlier in the day tomorrow.

With no chance of making it to the semifinals after losing all their earlier three matches, each of the two sides would look to salvage some pride and bow out of the tournament with a win. PTI

Flintoff Retires From International Cricket

2010-09-17T05:35:00.001-07:00

London: England's Andrew Flintoff, regarded as one of the finest all-rounders of the game, today announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtains on a 12-year career which was marked by nagging injuries and controversies.

The 32-year-old Flintoff, who had announced his retirement from Test cricket after the 2009 Ashes triumph in the Oval Test, decided to quit all forms of the game with immediate effect because of a long-standing knee injury.

Flintoff, who played 79 Tests and compiled 3845 runs (ave 31.77) and claimed 226 wickets, was considered one of the most talented cricketers to emerge from England in recent times though there were some critic who felt he did not justify his immense potential.

In 141 one-dayers, Flintoff scored 3394 runs (ave 32.01) and took 169 wickets while he featured in seven Twenty20s claiming five scalps.

His achievements in the cricket field were at times overshadowed by a series of controversies, which ranged from waving his shirt during England's 2001-02 India tour to the infamous pedalo incident during the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

After quitting Test cricket, Flintoff underwent a series of knee surgeries and hoped to return to action this season, but that was ruled out last month.

The Lancashire cricketer then aimed for Twenty20 stints in Australia and the Indian Premier League, where he plays for Chennai Super kings.

But Flintoff didn't have any option but to quit after the latest meeting with his surgeon, who told him that his body won't be able to stand the wear and tear of cricket any more.

"It is with both disappointment and sadness that I am today announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket," said Flintoff.

"The decision to end my career came yesterday after consultation with medical advisers. I was told that the problems I have been trying to overcome in re-hab for the last year following the latest in a series of operations would not recover sufficiently to allow a comeback.

"Having been told that my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative but to retire," he added.

Flintoff said he would take a break before deciding his future engagements.

"I would like to thank my family, Lancashire Cricket Club, England, all my sponsors, friends and advisers for all the help and support they have given me throughout my career.

"Last, but by no means least, I am indebted to the encouragement and support I have always received from England's magnificent supporters. I will now be taking a break before deciding which future direction to take," he said.

In-Form RCB To Take On South Australia

2010-09-16T05:19:00.000-07:00

Durban : A battle of strategy is on the cards when in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore take on an impressive South Australia in the Champions League Twenty20 Group B encounter here on Friday (Sept 17).

Both the teams have started their campaign in the T20 championship on a winning note and would strive to register another victory tomorrow to consolidate their position on the points table.

Anil Kumble-led Bangalore side, who finished third in the Indian Premier League III earlier this year, started their journey in the tournament by crushing a low-profile Guyana by nine wickets.

On the other hand, South Australia first snatched an 11-run victory over Lions and then inflicted a humiliating five-wicket defeat on another IPL side, Sachin Tendulkar-led Mumbai Indians.For Kumble's men everything fell in place against Guyana and now they have to guard against complacency before tomorrow's tough encounter at the Kingsmead ground.

Experienced all-rounder Jacques Kallis commendably led Bangalore bowling attack, while pacer duo of Dale Steyn and Praveen Kumar had extended excellent support to him.

Kumble, who had managed just one wicket against Guyana, would now expect another all-round performance by his bowling department to break South Australia's batting line-up.

Kallis and Rahul Dravid had also clicked with the bat and produced a 78-run opening partnership, while at one-down Robin Uthappa cracked a quick unbeaten 25 off just eight balls to complete the task.

But other batsmen, including New Zealander Ross Taylor and Virat Kohli, whose mettle have not been put to test in the event so far, should also be ready this time make a decent contribution with the bat.Skipper Michael Klinger and his opening partner Daniel Harris have played crucial roles in South Australia's consecutive wins.

The duo had shared a 112-run partnership against Mumbai Indians to lay the foundation stone for their second win in the show-piece event.But their middle-order batsmen have not done much in the CLT20 so far and they have to show more consistency in the days to come.

Paceman Shaun Tait spearheads the South Australia bowling attack, while Klinger will have more options in the form of his new-ball partner Gary Putland and fast bowler Daniel Christian. PTI

Australia Takes Fifth Position In World Cup Women's Hockey

2010-09-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

Rosario (Argentina): Australia defeated South Korea 2-1 on Friday (10th September) to claim fifth place in the Women's Hockey World Cup in Argentina. In other playoff games, New Zealand defeated China 3-0 for seventh place whilst India beat South Africa 4-3 to claim ninth.

India took on South Africa for the battle for ninth place in the Hockey World Cup. The Indians swept into a 2-1 lead thanks to two strikes from Rani Rampal - her sixth and seventh of a productive tournament - but Vida Ryan equalled the scores for the African side. Saba Anjum then restored India's lead with a strike from a penalty corner before Jaseet Handa showed skill in the D to fire in India's fourth. Pietie Coetzee scored a third for South Africa but it was too little too late as India held out for a 4-3 win and ninth place.

There was some consolation for South Africa - 10th place was its best finish since 1998 when they finished seventh.

New Zealand took on China for seventh spot. Krystal Forgesson opened the scoring for the Kiwi's after she showed power to lose a player on the edge of the D, before firing in a low shot.

New Zealand were dominant and there was little surprise when Charlotte Harrison dived full length to double the score. Clarissa Eshuis added a third as the game approached full time to wrap up a 3-0 win and seventh place - the 'Black Sticks' best finish in a World Cup or Olympics.

Australia took on South Korea for fifth place. The Koreans took the lead in sensational style. With a player closing her down there seemed little on for Kim Young-ran, but she flicked the ball over the approaching player's stick before shooting powerfully home.

Australia seemed shocked but 10 minutes later they were level when Casey Eastham showed tenacity at a penalty corner to score from close range.

And the turnaround was complete in the 68th minute when Nicole Arrold powered in from another penalty corner. It ended 2-1 to the Australians as they took fifth - a good end to what has been a disappointing tournament for the former champions. AP

Clinical South Australia Demolish Mumbai Indians

2010-09-15T04:00:00.001-07:00

Durban: Openers Michael Klinger and Daniel Harris scripted a dramatic run chase as South Australia inflicted a humiliating five-wicket defeat on Mumbai Indians in a thrilling Champions League Twenty20 match on Tuesday.

Skipper Klinger (50) and Harris (56) shared an 81-ball 112-run opening partnership to set the foundation for the successful run chase as South Australia reached the target with three balls to spare and inched closer to the semifinal berth.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians recovered from a shaky start to post a challenging 180/7, courtesy a solid batting display by Saurabh Tiwary (44), Ambati Rayudu (38) and Kieron Pollard (36).

Mumbai Indians paid the price for their sloppy fielding and pathetic bowling to succumb to their second defeat in as many matches and now stands on the brink of elimination.

Chasing 181 to win, South Australia made a watchful start and reached 27 for no loss in the first five overs, with Michael Klinger and Daniel Harris hitting two and one boundary respectively.

Opener Harris (56), who was dropped twice -- at seven by Sachin Tendulkar and at 18 by Tiwary -- sent Ali Murtaza for a six over long-on in the sixth over before top edging one for a four at third man.

Klinger also got into the act and sweeped one hard over square leg for a flat six as South Australia slowly and steadily cantered to 69 in first 10 overs.

Klinger brought up two more sixes in the next over off Dwayne Bravo and Harris top-edged one for a boundary to frustrate the Mumbai Indians.

Harris hammered two more fours and a couple of sixes to take South Australia across the 100-mark.

But Murtaza brought MI back into the game, getting rid off Harris, who finally hold out to Duminy at extra cover.

An over later, Lasith Malinga dismissed the other opener Klinger, who had just reached his fifty.

Looking for a six, Klinger ended up giving a straight catch to Dwayne Bravo at long-on boundary as Mumbai fought back, reducing South Australia to 116/2 in 14.3 overs.

Murtaza struck again in the next over, dismissing Graham Manou (12), who found Tiwary at deep backward square leg.

Daniel Christian then hammered a four at extra cover but Malinga struck in the last ball, when he had Callum Ferguson caught by Murtaza in the 17th over.

Needing 41 runs from 18 balls, Christian picked up a boundary between long-on and deep midwicket, while new man Cameron Borgas clubbed two more fours as Bravo bled 16 runs to swing the match in South Australia's favour.

Zaheer Khan then removed Christian in the next over but Borgas blasted a four and a six to amass 14 runs to keep them in the hunt.

Needing 11 off the last over, Tom Cooper smashed a huge six over and a four of Harbhajan Singh to complete a much-deserving win at Kingsmead.

Earlier, Tiwary smashed 44 with the help of one four and four sixes to resurrect the Mumbai innings after they were tottering at 47/3 in 7.3 overs.

Electing to bat first, Mumbai Indians had a disastrous start as they lost opener Shikar Dhawan (2) in the second over with the scoreboard reading just 3.

Tendulkar (20) tried to break free and clobbered a six and a couple of fours to accumulate 14 runs off Daniel Christian's first over to take MI to 31/1 in 5 overs.

But left-arm spinner Aaron O'Brien dismissed Tendulkar in the last ball of the next over to leave Mumbai tottering at 35/2.

Trying to accelerate, Tendulkar stepped out of his crease and swung hard, only to see his stumps all over the surface.

Silent all this while, Ambati Rayudu (38) then smashed O'Brien straight over his head for a six but the spinner bounced back to caught and bowl J P Duminy (3) in the third ball of the eighth over.

With the South Australian bowlers bowling a tight line, Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary kept dealing in singles as boundaries dried up.

After three silent overs, Rayudu smashed a four bisecting the deep square leg and deep midwicket and followed it up with a six over deep extra cover to pick up 12 runs off O'Brien's over.

But the wicketkeeper-batsman couldn't stay long as Cullen Bailey sent him packing with Daniel Harris pulling off a brilliant catch to reduce MI to 73/4 in 12.1 overs.

However, unperturbed by the dismissal Tiwary blasted Bailey over long-off for a flat six, while new man Kieron Pollard also followed suit with another maximum.

Pollard fired another six over wide long-on off Daniel Christian to bring up the 100 for Mumbai Indians in 14 overs.

Tiwary went completely berserk in the 16th over, blasting a four and three consecutive sixes off O'Brien to amass 25 runs as MI reached 137/4.

With Tiwary looking unstoppable, Shaun Tait was brought back into the attack and the pacer struck in his first ball, removing Tiwary, who holed out to Callum Ferguson at mid-off.

Pollard and Dwayne Bravo then carried the innings forward adding 33 runs off 18 balls to take MI across the 150-mark, before being dismissed in the 20th over. PTI

Nadal Completes Career Slam By Winning Us Open Title

2010-09-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK: World number one Rafael Nadal completed a career Grand Slam title sweep on Monday by capturing his first US Open crown, defeating Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

The 24-year-old Spanish left-hander overwhelmed Djokovic with uncanny shotmaking to win the 1.7 million-dollar top prize as well as his third consecutive Grand Slam crown and his ninth Grand Slam title overall.

Nadal became the seventh man to complete a career Grand Slam sweep, joining Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Don Budge and Fred Perry in having won Wimbledon and the US, French and Australian Open titles.

Showers pushed the final to Monday for the third year in a row and halted the match for one hour and 48 minutes, but rain only delayed Nadal's reign on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts despite losing his lone set of the fortnight.

A ninth Slam title moved Nadal alone into seventh on the all-time list, passing Agassi, Perry, Ken Rosewall and Ivan Lendl and moving only seven shy of Federer's all-time record, three crowns ahead of Federer's Slam-title pace.

After winning Wimbledon and the French Open earlier this year, Nadal joined Federer, Laver and Pete Sampras as the only men to win three Slams in a row in the Open Era that began in 1968.

Nadal, third-youngest on the Slam sweep list, would join Laver and Budge as the only men to hold all four Slam crowns at once by winning the 2011 Australian Open.

No Spanish man had won the US Open title since Manuel Orantes in 1975 and the only other Spanish US Open champion was Manuel Santana in 1965. Not since John McEnroe in 1984 had a left-hander had won the US Open men's title.

Nadal was broken only five times in the tournament, matching the mark for fewest broken serves by a US Open men's champion set by Andy Roddick in 2003.

Djokovic, whose lone Grand Slam title came at the 2008 Australian Open, had won his three prior matches against Nadal, all on hardcourts, but has still never defeated the Spaniard in a final or at a Grand Slam event.

Nadal improved to 9-2 in Slam finals, his only losses coming to Federer at Wimbledon in 2006 and 2007, and 15-7 lifetime against Djokovic, who could not combat the top seed's relentless performance.

After dropping a set for the first time in the tournament, Nadal responded with exceptional shotmaking in the third set, breaking Djokovic for a 2-1 lead when the Serb sent a forehand wide.

Djokovic fought off three break points in the fifth game and five more in an epic seventh game as each man fired impressive shots time and again, those who stayed through the rain giving both men a standing ovation after Djokovic held.

Nadal held twice more to claim the third set, forced Djokovic to save a break point to open the fourth set and then broke Djokovic in the third game, his forehand winner setting up a break that came when the Serb's forehand hit the net cord and landed beyond the baseline.

Djokovic netted a forehand to surrender a break that handed Nadal a 4-1 lead but the speedy Serb kept fighting and had a break chance in the sixth game, missing long with a forehand, before Nadal held to reach the brink of history.

Nadal swatted a forehand on the baseline to reach match point and the magical moment came after three hours and 43 minutes when Djokovic hit a forehand wide.

The Spaniard put his face in his hands and fell to the ground on his back, then rolled over and savored the moment. After receiving congratulations from Djokovic at the net, Nadal dropped to his knees on the court and raised his hands in victory.

Nadal fired a forehand winner to break Djokovic in the opening game of the match, but Djokovic answered by breaking back to 2-2, the Spaniard swatting a forehand wide to surrender his serve for only the third time in the tournament.

Djokovic, who will rise to second in the world rankings, denied Nadal on five break points in the fifth game but succumbed on the sixth, the Serb smashing his racket in anger after Nadal's serve-swiping winner.

Nadal held his serve from there to claim the first set, an ominous note for Djokovic as the Spanish star was 107-1 in prior Grand Slam matches when winning the first set and 91-0 when taking the first two sets.

His urgency aroused, Djokovic broke Nadal at love for a 3-1 lead in the second set but saw his lead erased in a pivotal seventh game, Nadal denying him on two game points then firing a forehand winner on his third break chance.

The second set was at 4-4 with Djokovic serving at 30-all after one hour and 41 minutes of play when rains returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium, halting the match for one hour and 48 minutes.

When play resumed, Djokovic battled through deuce three times before holding to 5-4, then broke Nadal to claim the second set, the Spaniard spraying a backhand wide and netting a forehand for his first lost set of the tournament. AFP

Djokovic Stuns Federer In US Open Semifinal

2010-09-13T05:43:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic clawed his way back from the brink of defeat to beat Roger Federer in an epic semifinal at the US Open on Saturday and join Rafael Nadal in Sunday's championship.

Djokovic, who lost to Federer in New York the past three years, twice came back from a set down and saved two match points to win 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 after a match of unrelenting tension and incredible shotmaking from both players.

The Serbian world number three, who thumped himself in the head with his racket during the third set as the frustration began to build, jubilantly threw his arms into the air after sealing victory and planted a sloppy kiss on the court.

"It's one of those matches you'll always remember in your career. I'm so thrilled to be in the final," Djokovic said in courtside interview.

"To be honest, I was just closing my eyes and hitting forehands as fast as I can on the match points ... I managed to come back. I was very lucky."

Djokovic's nail-biting victory robbed the tennis world of what might have been the ultimate grand slam final. Federer and Nadal have played each other in the final at Wimbledon, the French Open and the Australian Open, but no two men have ever met in the finals of all four majors.

"I can only try to imagine the excitement around the two of us maybe playing," Federer said. "I would have loved to play against him here."

For Federer, a five-time winner of the US Open and a finalist last year, it was his earliest exit from New York since 2003, while Nadal moved tantalisingly close to completing his own career slam.

Only six men, including Federer, have won all four titles and the current world number one only needs the US Open to become the seventh.

"It's great for tennis and it's great for him at the young age," Federer said. "I won't watch but I hope he wins."

The absence of Federer and the exhausting way Djokovic got through has ensured that Nadal will go into Sunday's final as the overwhelming favourite after he thrashed Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final without dropping a set in the entire tournament.

Still just 24, he already has eight grand slam titles and a victory would see him become the first man since Australia's Rod Laver in 1969 to win the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles in the same season.

"To me it's a dream. I'm going to play for the first time in the final here in the biggest centre court in the world," Nadal said. "I have tried my best for a lot of years. So now after a lot of work I am here and I'm happy for that."

Nadal, armed with a stronger serve and more precise volleys, was in superb form against Youzhny, belting 23 winners and committing just 19 unforced errors.

His only moments of concern were late in the match when he dropped serve for just the second time in the tournament and had his left foot retaped and a bandage placed to ease discomfort from a blister.

Youzhny tried hard but the Russian was also battling fatigue after being pushed to five sets in his previous round.

"I was moving well, but my head was one step back (behind) my hand and my legs," he said.

Kim Clijsters defends US Open title

2010-09-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK: Kim Clijsters defended her US Open title on Saturday by crushing the challenge of a shell-shocked Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-1.

It was a blowout of a final with Clijsters clamping a stranglehold on the game from the start and never allowing the less-experienced Russian a chance to claw her way back into it.

The popular Belgian second seed clinched her third Grand Slam title after exactly one hour when she whacked another forehand winner past a bewildered Zvonareva.

"A little bit of experience definitely helps," she said. "It's tough (for Zvonareva), but it took me six or seven finals until I finally got one."

A distraught-looking Zvonareva said: "Kim just played tremendously well and she deserved to win."

The 27-year-old Clijsters was playing in her third US Open final, having won the title in 2005 and last year when she stepped out of a two-year retirement, during which she gave birth to a baby girl, to become the first wildcard to take the trophy.

Her tough three-sets win over Venus Williams in the semi-finals was her 20th straight win at Flushing Meadows spread over five years.

Zvonareva, a year younger at 26, reached her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in July, losing in straight sets to Serena Williams, after proving that she could control her volatile temperament.

She reached Saturday's final without losing a set and with a huge straight-set win over top seed and last year's runner-up Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the semi-finals.

The two finalists had played each other seven times, with Clijsters leading the series 5-2, but it was Zonareva who had won their last two encounters, including a three-sets victory in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Games went with serve until 3-2 for Clijsters when a Zvonareva double fault and two unforced errors set up a break point for the Belgian which she took when the Russian hit a forehand marginally long.

Zvonareva tested Clijsters with some big-hitting down both flanks in the next game, but the second seed more than held her ground and her serve to lead 5-2.

The defending champion then piled on the pressure to break Zvonareva to love in the following game for a one-set lead.

Clijsters won the first 10 points of the second set to jump out into a 3-0 lead with Zvonareva losing her cool and smashing her racquet in abject frustration.

Zvonareva finally broke a run of nine games in a row against her to get to 3-1, but she just could not live with the relentless pressure that Clijsters was applying with each rally.

The Russian did manage one break point in the following game, but Clijsters blasted that out of the way to take a 4-1 ahead.

A double fault from Zvonareva set up another break point which she saved with a timely ace, but Clijsters then hit a booming forehand winner and a second double fault from the Russian made it mission impossible for her.

Nadal, Youzhny Enter U.S. Open Semifinals

2010-09-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK: Following are the results of Thursday matches at $22.7 million U.S. Open :

Singles= Men= Quarterfinals=

Mikhail Youzhny (12), Russia, def. Stanislas Wawrinka (25), Switzerland, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Fernando Verdasco (8), Spain, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Doubles= Women= Semifinals=

Vania King, United States, and Yaroslava Shvedova (6), Kazakhstan, def. Cara Black, Zimbabwe, and Anastasia Rodionova (9), Australia, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Mixed= Championship=

Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan (1), United States, def. Kveta Peschke, Czech Republic, and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Pakistan, 6-4, 6-4.

Exhibition Doubles=

Pat Cash, Australia, and Mats Wilander, Sweden, def. Martina Hingis, Switzerland, and Anna Kournikova, Russia, 7-5.

Champions Team Tennis=

Team Kramer (Pat Cash, Michael Chang, Martina Navratilova, Chanda Rubin), def. Team Gibson (Tracy Austin, Mary Joe Fernandez, Todd Martin, Mal Washington), 14-11.

Junior Singles= Boys= Third Round=

Jiri Vesely (4), Czech Republic, def. Taro Daniel, Japan, 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-0.

Agustin Velotti (8), Argentina, def. Daniel Kosakowski, United States, 7-6 (4), 7-5.

Denis Kudla (10), United States, def. Evan King, United States, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-4.

Filip Horansky, Slovakia, def. Andrea Collarini, United States, 6-3, 6-4.

Marton Fucsovics (2), Hungary, def. Mitchell Frank (16), United States, 6-4, 6-1.

Victor Baluda (13), Russia, def. Tiago Fernandes (3), Brazil, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Jack Sock, United States, def. Damir Dzumhur (5), Bosnia-Herzegovina, 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Dennis Novikov, United States, def. Yasutaka Uchiyama, Japan, 7-5, 6-3.

Girls= Third Round=

Sloane Stephens (15), United States, def. Elina Svitolina (4), Ukraine, 6-4, 6-0.

Yulia Putintseva, Russia, def. Cristina Dinu, Romania, 6-2, 6-3.

Robin Anderson, United States, def. Laura Robson (8), Britain, 6-3, 6-2.

Karolina Pliskova (6), Czech Republic, def. Veronica Cepede Royg, Paraguay, 6-3, 6-0.

Daria Gavrilova (1), Russia, def. Tang Hao Chen (13), China, 7-5, 6-2.

Ons Jabeur, Tunisia, def. Eugenie Bouchard, Canada, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Monica Puig (5), Puerto Rico, def. Gabriela Dabrowski (9), Canada, 7-6 (3), 6-1.

Caroline Garcia, France, def. Sachia Vickery, United States, 6-4, 6-4.

Junior Doubles= Boys= Quarterfinals=

Oliver Golding, Britain, and Jiri Vesely (4), Czech Republic, def. Karue Sell and Bruno Semenzato, Brazil, 6-1, 6-3.

Guilherme Clezar and Tiago Fernandes, Brazil, def. Damir Dzumhur, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Mate Pavic (6), Croatia, 6-4, 3-6, 10-6 tiebreak.

Duilio Beretta, Peru, and Roberto Quiroz (3), Ecuador, def. Peter Heller and Kevin Krawietz, Germany, 6-1, 6-3.

Victor Baluda and Alexander Rumyantsev, Russia, def. Andrea Collarini and Jack Sock, United States, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-5 tiebreak. Girls= Quarterfinals=

Timea Babos, Hungary, and Sloane Stephens (3), United States, def. Nicole Gibbs and Kyle S. McPhillips, United States, 6-2, 6-2.

An-Sophie Mestach, Belgium, and Silvia Njiric, Croatia, def. Jana Cepelova and Chantal Skamlova (5), Slovakia, 6-2, 6-2.

Tang Hao Chen and Tian Ran, China, def. Robin Anderson and Monica Turewicz, United States, 1-6, 6-2, 11-9 tiebreak.

Daria Gavrilova and Irina Khromacheva (1), Russia, def. Ons Jabeur, Tunisia, and Yulia Putintseva (7), Russia, 7-6 (7), 6-4.

Wheelchair Singles= Men= First Round=

Stephane Houdet, France, def. Jon Rydberg, United States, 6-1, 6-4.

Maikel Scheffers (2), Netherlands, def. Stefan Olsson, Sweden, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Nicolas Peifer, France, def. Robin Ammerlaan, Netherlands, 6-0, 6-4.

Shingo Kunieda (1), Japan, def. Ronald Vink, Netherlands, 6-0, 6-0. Women= First Round=

Jiske Griffioen, Netherlands, def. Mackenzie Soldan, United States, 6-1, 6-1.

Daniela di Toro, Australia, def. Aniek van Koot, Netherlands, 6-3, 7-6 (2).

Sharon Walraven (2), Netherlands, def. Annick Sevenans, Belgium, 6-4, 6-3.

Esther Vergeer (1), Netherlands, def. Florence Alix-Gravellier, France, 7-5, 7-5. Quad= First Round=

David Wagner, United States, def. Nicholas Taylor, United States, 6-1, 6-0.

Peter Norfolk, Britain, def. Johan Andersson, Sweden, 6-2, 6-2. AP

Tainted Asif Might Take Political Asylum In Britain

2010-09-09T05:56:00.000-07:00

London: Fearing a violent backlash in Pakistan for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal, pacer Mohammad Asif is considering taking political asylum in Britain.

According to a report in 'The Daily Telegraph', Asif, who is currently in England for investigations into the scam exposed by a British tabloid, had a 35-minute meeting with an immigration lawyer last Friday.

"(Asif) said he feared the allegations of fixing certain events in a recent Test match against England could make him the target of dangerous criminal gangs linked to the illegal betting underworld," the newspaper reported.

The cricketer reportedly asked the lawyer "if there was a way to stay in Britain and discussed the asylum process."

"He didn't say anything about asylum at first," said the lawyer.

"He just said, 'What's the way to stay?' Then we told him there's the student way - you can come here to study - or you can apply for a work permit. But then he asked about asylum," he added.

Asif, along with Pakistan Test skipper Salman Butt and teen pacer Mohammad Aamer, has been interrogated by the Scotland Yard after it was alleged that the trio conspired to bowl no balls in the Lord's Test against England after taking bribes from a bookie.

The latest report said that Asif is waiting for "the results of investigations by Scotland Yard and the International Cricket Council, to which he expressed his innocence, before taking any asylum claim further."

Immigration experts said Asif had a good chance of getting asylum if he can prove a considerable threat to his life.

The lawyer, with whom Asif spoke, said the bowler looked "very anxious".

"I think he's just worried about the backlash at home, that's what he told me," he said.

"There's been a lot of talk and there are undercover betting mafias with a lot of power - that seemed to be what he was worried about.

"If he wants to go forward then we will see what we can do for him," he added. PTI

Finally, A Win For India In Women's Hockey World Cup

2010-09-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

Rosario (Argentina) : The Indian women's hockey team ended a three-match losing streak by upstaging Japan 2-0 in its penultimate pool match of the FIH World Cup at the Jockey Club here.

The team -- which was convincingly beaten in their first three matches against the Netherlands, Australia and Germany -- led 1-0 at half time with Rani Rampal scoring in the 14th minute. Jasjeet Kaur Handa accounted for India's second goal from a penalty corner in the 43rd minute.

With this result, India have leapfrogged Japan into fourth place in the Pool 'A' standings. The star of the Indian team was once again the 15-year-old striker Rani Rampal who scored her fifth goal of the tournament.

She finished off a slick attack with Poonam Rani and Saba Anjum to ensure that her name continued to be on the scoresheet of every match that India has played in this World Cup.

Japan had large spells of possession in the first half but were often frustrated by superb work from the Indian mid-fielders Asunta Lakra, Deepika Thakur, Ritu Rani and Kirandeep Kaur who made a number of important blocks just when their opponents threatened to score.

Japan were awarded a sequence of penalty corners on the stroke of half time, giving them the perfect opportunity to draw level. However, good anticipation from India goalkeeper Dipika Murty guaranteed India the advantage at the break.

Japan came out at the start of the second period with all guns blazing, but India soon found their rhythm and began to force their opponents onto the back foot.

A strike from Japan's Kaori Chiba caused problems for the Indian keeper a few minutes later, with the video umpire Claire Adenot being called into action to double check if the ball had found its way into the goal, but India's 2-0 advantage remained intact.

India will now play their last Pool match against New Zealand on Tuesday. India have three points and are placed above New Zealand and Japan who have one point each. PTI

Federer, Monfils, Djokovic, Soderling In US Open Quarter-Finals

2010-09-07T05:48:00.000-07:00

New York : Five time former Champion Roger Federer marched into the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday (Sept 6) with a 6-3 7-6 6-3 win over 13th seed Jurgen Melzer. Women's top seed Caroline Wozniacki also progressed to the final eight with an impressive 6-3, 6-4 victory over former champion Maria Sharapova.

Wozniacki will now face unseeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, who put out the number 11 seed and 2004 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 7-5, 7-6 (4).

Also through to the last eight is Vera Zvonareva who outclassed her opponent, Andrea Petkovic 6-1 6-2.

In the men's draw, Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils both progressed in straight sets, past Mardy Fish and Richard Gasquet respectively, while Robin Soderling recovered from losing the opening set to beat Spain's Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

Bright sunshine bathed the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Monday, as the 2010 US Open entered its second week with the completion of the fourth round in both the men's and women's draw. The number 11 seed and women's champion in 2004, Svetlana Kuznetsova, was up against the unseeded Slovak world number 45 Dominika Cibulkova.

The Russian threw away a multitude of chances to stamp her authority on the game - conceding the first set 7-5 after leading 4-2 - and doing something similar in the second.

Cibulkova kept her booming baseline game together under extreme pressure to overturn a 3-1 defecit and force a tiebreak, and closed out a 7-5, 7-6 (4) victory in two hours and six minutes, repeating the straight sets success she had in Sydney against the same opponent at the beginning of the year.

It was an all-French affair in the men's fourth round draw, as number 17 seed Gael Monfils took on Richard Gasquet, the conqueror of number six seed Nikolay Davydenko in round two.

But a match that was expected to go the distance lasted just three sets as too many errors crept into Gasquet's game and he blew his chances of making the last eight for the first time in his career. Monfils had too much finesse on the day and closed out a 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 victory in two hours and 35 minutes.

He'll next meet the number three seed Novak Djokovic, who cruised into the last eight with a consummate victory over Mardy Fish of the United States.This match was expected to be a closely-fought affair, with a partisan crowd firmly behind the number nineteen seed.

But in trying to take on Djokovic at his own game, the American floundered and was dismissed in just an hour and fifty minutes, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

Back in the top half of the women's draw, with the departure of seeds such as Jelena Jankovic and Anna Radwanska eariler in the tournament, there was a chance for either Belgian number fifteen seed Yanina Wickmayer or Estonia's Kaia Kanepi to take another step towards the latter stages of a grand slam tournament.

It seemed that the match was going firmly one way after Wickmayer pocketed the first set 6-0, but Kanepi got the better of a second set tiebreak and ran away with the decider to close out a strange-looking 0-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1 in two hours and 21 minutes.

The big match of the day pitched the young pretender to the women's US Open crown, top seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, against the deposed former champion, Russia's Maria Sharapova.

The 23 year-old Russian was fancied by many pundits to cause an upset here. But although there were flashes of the old Sharapova - who won three Grand Slams between 2006 and 2008 - 36 unforced errors, including nine double faults, virtually handed the match to Wozniacki, who closed out an ultimately comfortable 6-3, 6-4 win in an hour and 53 minutes.

One of those 'doubles' gave Wozniacki the crucial break in the second set and the Dane's campaign to go one better than her runners-up finish here last year remains on track.

The late game on the Louis Armstrong court saw the number five seed in the men's draw, Sweden's Robin Soderling, drop the first set of his fourth round match to Spanish number 21 seed Albert Montanes.

However, the beaten finalist at the last two French Opens fought back to level the match and then took complete control as Montanes' gutsy resistance petered out.

In the end it took just two hours and 15 minutes for Soderling to close out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 and book his place in the last eight - there he will face either Austrian 13th seed Jurgen Melzer, or his nemesis, Roger Federer.

In thirteen meetings with the former world number one, Soderling has won just once - but that did come at this year's French Open, when the Swede came out on top in four sets.

Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva faced Andrea Petkovic of Germany in the last fourth round match in the women's draw. The seventh seeded Russian overwhelmed her opponent from the outset, cruising through the first set to take it 6-1 and powering into a commanding 5-1 second set lead.

The only real hiccup of her performance came when serving for the match at 5-1 with Petkovic snatching a timely break of serve. But the Russian broke straight back, taking the next game to love with a brutal forehand on match point, to book her place in the quarter finals.

Five time former Champion Roger Federer took on Austrian Jurgen Melzer in the late match in Arthur Ashe arena. After a slow start, Federer seized control of the match and took the first set 6-3 with some clinical play.

The second set was significantly tighter with Melzer stepping up his challenge and forcing the number two seed into a tie break, when two net cords went Federer's way as he closed it out 7-6 (4) leaving his opponent with everything to do.

Melzer broke in the opening game of the third set to give himself a slim chance of forcing his way back into the match, but Federer always seemed to be in charge and broke back before edging a pulsating rally on match point to close out the 6-3 7-6 (4) 6-3 and reach his 26th consecutive Grand Slam quarter final.

He will face Robin Soderling for a place in the final four, doubtless hoping to atone for his loss to the same opponent at the quarter final stage of the French Open three months ago. AP

Yusuf Confident Of Return To Team

2010-09-07T04:03:00.001-07:00

Indore: Allrounder Yusuf Pathan is confident of regaining his place in the Indian squad and the dashing batsman said he is looking to put up a good performance in the forthcoming domestic cricket tournaments.

"I am leaving no stone unturned in practice. I am confident that I will return to Indian team after giving a splendid performance in the forthcoming domestic cricket," Pathan told reporters on the sidelines of an event last night.

The 27-year-old Yusuf, who has earned a name in one-dayers and Twenty20, said he also wanted to play Test Cricket for the country. "Every cricketer has a dream to play test cricket at the international level," he said. Yusuf declined to say anything on the recent match fixing episode involving Pakistani cricketers. PTI

Wozniacki Ousts Sharapova At US Open

2010-09-07T00:43:00.001-07:00

New York: Top seed Caroline Wozniacki stayed on course for her maiden Grand Slam title on Monday with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Maria Sharapova in a pulsating fourth-round tie.

In the end, it was Sharapova's vulnerability on serve at key points that proved to be the main difference, handing vital breaks to the Dane through double faults in each set.

Wozniacki will play unseeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia for a place in the semifinals.

"It was a tough match. She is a great player and I knew it wasn't going to be easy," last year's runner-up said.

"I got a lot of experience from last year and that helped me a lot today."

The world number two went into the match having dropped just three games in her first three outings in New York, the least in a Grand Slam event by any woman since Mary Pierce at the 1994 French Open.

She had also won three out of the last four WTA tournaments in the build-up to New York and had enjoyed a 17-1 win-loss record since Wimbledon.

But Sharapova, three years older at 23, had won their two previous meetings, both coming in 2008, and, after battling back from injury, had been showing glimpses of her best form in the last few weeks.

The match was expected to come down to Sharapova's explosiveness against Wozniacki's consistency, and so it turned out in the opening few games with the Russian facing the first break points in the second game before blasting her way out of trouble.

Two games later, though, Sharapova came out on top in a long, punishing rally to lead 40-30 on her serve, but then flung in three straight double faults to hand the break to Wozniacki.

The Dane held serve for 4-1 and had two further break points on Sharapova's next serve, but failed to convert them.

In the following game, Sharapova let slip five break points of her own, but finally converting at the sixth attempt using her big forehand to pound a hole in Wozniacki's solid defenses.

But once again, the Russian struggled on serve and was broken to love. This time Wozniacki held firm to take the set 6-3 on her third set point in 53 minutes.

In what was a top-quality encounter, both players battled hard to hold on to their serves in the second set and it was Wozniacki who found an extra gear in the seventh game to grab the break of serve she needed thanks to another double fault from Sharapova.

Wozniacki then served out twice to ensure one of the biggest wins of her career and clear her path for another run at the final in Flushing Meadows. AFP

ICC Asks Butt, Akmal For Phone Records During Asia Cup: Report

2010-09-07T00:07:00.000-07:00

London: The International Cricket Council has reportedly asked Pakistan's suspended Test captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to give their mobile phone records for an investigation into possible spot-fixing during the Asia Cup in June.

According to the 'Daily Mail', Akmal and Butt were contacted by the ICC after "suspicions arose during the Asia Cup. "

The ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit have told the duo to release details of their mobile phone records during the tournament in Sri Lanka.

"They expect the full cooperation of both players but have yet to receive a response from the Pakistan camp, " the newspaper reported.

The ICC reportedly wrote to them on August 21, days before a British tabloid's sting operation had Butt implicated in a spot-fixing scandal leading to his suspension pending an inquiry.

The newspaper also reported that 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir "will be told he could avoid a life ban if he gives evidence against his team-mates" in the ongoing inquiry into the spot-fixing charges against him, Butt and Mohammad Asif.

Murray Knocked Out Of US Open

2010-09-06T03:16:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK: Britain's Andy Murray was knocked out of the U.S. Open in the third round Sunday, losing 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3 to No. 25 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.

Murray alone bears the burden of Britain's hopes for its first male Grand Slam champion since 1936. He was a popular pick to go far at Flushing Meadows; he was the runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Open and at this year's Australian Open, also on hard courts.

"I have no idea whether I'll win a Grand Slam or not. I want to. But if I never win one, then what? If I give 100 percent, try my best, physically work as hard as I can, practice as much as I can, then that's all I can do," said the 23-year-old Murray, who was treated by a trainer for leg and elbow issues. "It's something I would love to do. It's a very difficult thing. I don't know if I'll win a Grand Slam or not. But I'll give it my best shot."

He served poorly against Wawrinka, putting only half of his first serves in and getting broken eight times.

Wawrinka will next attempt to solve the serve of American Sam Querrey, who hit 19 aces at up to 137 mph (220 kph) and never was broken in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over by 14th-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain .

It's been seven years since a man from the United States won the country's most important tennis tournament. Indeed, it's been that long since an American man won any Grand Slam singles title.

The 20th-seeded Querrey is all-too-aware of such statistics.

"The average sports fan watches the Grand Slams, and they watch on Saturday and Sunday and the semis and the finals," said the 22-year-old Querrey, the youngest man left in the field. "That's what we need to do. We need to get some guys there."

At the 2009 U.S. Open, no U.S. men reached the quarterfinals for the first time in the history of an event that began in 1881. This time, of 15 Americans that entered the tournament, there are two who are still around for the fourth round _ Querrey and No. 19 Mardy Fish _ after No. 18 John Isner lost to No. 12 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (5), 6-4 despite hitting 33 aces Sunday night.

Isner, best known for winning the longest match in tennis history at Wimbledon in June, got broken early in each of the first two sets, then was down 5-1 in the second, before making things interesting. But Youzhny came up with one of his five aces to end the third-set tiebreaker, then broke the 6-foot-9 Isner again early in the fourth. Youzhny heads to the U.S. Open's fourth round for the first time since he was a semifinalist in 2006.

Fish will take on No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the third round. Querrey never has been to the quarterfinals at a major tournament, nor has Wawrinka.

Wawrinka's win was the only significant surprise on a day that saw No. 1 Rafael Nadal and four other Spaniards advance: No. 8 Fernando Verdasco, No. 10 David Ferrer, No. 23 Feliciano Lopez, and unseeded Tommy Robredo.

"Probably the most difficult tournament for us, no?" Nadal said after beating Gilles Simon of France 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. "So that is very important news for Spanish tennis."

When Andy Roddick _ the American who won the 2003 U.S. Open _ briefly dropped to 11th in August, it was the first time since the rankings began in 1973 that there were no U.S. men in the top 10. That alone was enough to cue a new chorus of questions about the state of the game in a nation that produced Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe.

With Sunday's five Spaniards joining No. 21 Albert Montanes, who won Saturday, that country has six members of the last 16 _ tying the record for a country other than the United States at the U.S. Open.

"It's always nice to see all the Spanish winning and being in the last rounds, no?" said Verdasco, who eliminated 2002 Wimbledon runner-up David Nalbandian of Argentina 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Ferrer beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2; the opponents of Robredo and Lopez retired during their matches. The winners of Nadal vs. Lopez, and Ferrer vs. Verdasco will meet for a semifinal spot.

"I don't really care whom I'm playing against," Nadal said, "if they're all Spaniards."

There is only one American woman left, and it's seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who struggled with her serve and kept yanking at the hemline of her red, sequin-dotted dress but eventually beat 16th-seeded Shahar Peer of Israel 7-6 (3), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals in New York for the 10th time.

Williams put 48 percent of her first serves in, and was broken three times. She wasted her first six set points in the opening tiebreaker. And yet she improved to 6-0 against Peer. Williams next faces reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, a 6-3, 6-0 winner against 20th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Williams was the last woman to win the U.S. Open two years in a row, in 2000 and 2001, and defending champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium is trying to match that feat. Clijsters easily got past former No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 6-1 of Serbia on Sunday.

"The pressure is a privilege. It's something that comes because you've done well in the past, and I look at it in that way," said Clijsters, who will play No. 5 Sam Stosur of Australia a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (2) winner over No. 12 Elena Dementieva of Russia in a match that ended Monday at 1:35 a.m., the latest finish for a U.S. Open women's match. "I know how hard it is to try and win those seven matches and how much you have to be focused and work, especially on the details."

She won seven consecutive games in one stretch to seize control, and her deep groundstrokes and usually strong defense put pressure on Ivanovic, who made 28 unforced errors.

"I was on the big stage again," said Ivanovic, whose ranking dropped to 65th in July but now is back up to 40th. "Lots of emotions came back, and I just felt a little slow and just a little bit out of it." AP

Nadal Battles Past Istomin, Clijsters Progresses In US Open

2010-09-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

Defending champion Kim Clijsters progressed to the fourth round of the US Open with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic at Flushing Meadows on Friday (3rd September).

In other women's third round matches, Russia's Elena Dementieva had a comfortable straight sets victory over Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, while Australia's Sam Stosur beat Sara Errani of Italy 6-2, 6-3 and two-time winner Venus Williams easily saw of Luxembourg's Mandy Minella 6-2, 6-1.

In the men's second round, Great Britain's Andy Murray thrashed Jamaica's Dustin Brown 7-5, 6-3, 6-0, while world number one Rafael Nadal was given a stern test by Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin before coming through 6-2, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Play got underway on time at the US Open on Friday despite Hurricane Earl bearing down on the East Coast. Russia's Elena Dementieva was first up at Arthur Ashe Stadium in her third round match against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. The 12th seeded Dementieva, who was runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2004, won all six of her break points on the way to a 7-5, 6-2 victory.

Defending champion and number two seed Kim Clijsters also booked a place in the fourth round with a straight sets win over Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.

Clijsters made a rusty start and trailed 3-0 but then reeled off 12 straight games to wrap up the match 6-3, 6-0.

Sam Stosur had never previously reached the third round of the US Open, but the Australian is in the form of her life - entering the tournament as the fifth seed.

The French Open runner-up continued her impressive season by overcoming Italy's Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3 in the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

In the men's second round, Andy Murray had little trouble dispatching Jamaica's Dustin Brown. The fourth-seeded Scot, who was beaten in the 2008 final by Roger Federer, cruised to a 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 win.

Number 18 seed John Isner, the highest ranked American left in the men's draw, also progressed to the third round. Isner defeated Switzerland's Marco Chiudinelli 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, wrapping up the match with his 24th ace.

In the night session, Venus Williams easily eliminated 185th-ranked qualifier Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 6-2, 6-1 in the third round. Williams, seeded third, reached round four for the 12th time in 12 trips to Flushing Meadows.

The two-time champion's latest success saw her take 18 out of 21 points at the net and finish with a 29-5 edge in winners.

Rafael Nadal's encounter with Denis Istomin rounded off the action on day five. And Istomin, of Uzbekistan, proved no pushover for the world number one.

Having wrapped up the first set fairly comfortably, Nadal was taken to a second set tie-break. There, thrillingly, the Spaniard won six straight points, before going on to claim a 6-2, 7-6 (5), 7-5 victory following a late break of serve in the third set. AP

Pakistan Lashes Out At ICC For Suspending Trio

2010-09-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

London: Pakistan on Friday lashed out at the ICC for suspending three of its players facing 'spot-fixing' charges and sought to insinuate that its President Sharad Pawar had a hand in the decision.

Pakistan's High Commissioner to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan threatened to sue the ICC for its unethical decision of suspending the players and said it was trying to make Pakistan a "scapegoat" for its inefficiency.

"The three players met me requested me to ask the Pakistan Cricket Board not to consider them for the rest of the series because they wanted to clear their name and honour. Accordingly, I conveyed their requset to PCB chief Ijaz Butt who accepted it but all of a sudden the ICC came out with the notice," he said.

The Pakistan High Commissioner was particularly critical of ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and President Sharad Pawar, saying he sensed a "conspiracy" behind the suspensions.

"When Lorgat came to me I told him that the players themselves had opted out and how ECB chairman Giles Clarke was happy with their decision.

"I heard him (Lorgat) talking to Pawar. I don't know what transpired between them but immediately after that he left my office and prepared a 5-page notice and handed it to the players. There seems to be a conspiracy to keep Pakistan out," Hasan said.

"He (Lorgat) should have that courage to tell me that he was serving notices to the players."

"That shows how inefficient the ICC is. They did not hold any inquiry, do independent investigation. ICC is trying to make Pakistan a scapegoat because it is not able to run cricket efficiently," he said in a scathing attack on the world body.

Stating that the International Cricket Council had no authority to punish the players without conducting an independent inquiry, Hasan said if required Pakistan will take legal action against the game's supreme body.

"Pending an inquiry they (ICC) cannot take any action. Till the investigations of London's metropolitan police and the Scotland Yard are over, neither PCB not ICC can take any action against the players," he said.

"We have got the legal option open and we are looking into it," Hasan added.

Hasan's angry reaction came after ICC had charged Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer of corruption offences and provisionally supended the trio from all forms of the game pending a final decision on the charges.

"To take action now is unhelpful, premature and unnecessary considering the players had already voluntarily withdrawn from playing." he said.

Hasan, who met with the players for three hours in London yesterday, reiterated the trio was innocent and Indian bookmakers were involved in the whole murky episode.

"I found that all these three players were absolutely innocent. They were not involved, they have been taken for a ride and the agent (Mazhar Majeed) was the culprit, in the sense that he was responsible for defrauding some Asian bookies," Hassan said.

"The British press says Asian but if they were from Pakistan they (British media) would have called Pakistanis, which means some Indian bookies were involved in it. This Majeed allegedly defrauded these Indian bookies and so the newspaper investigated this sort of sting operation through their sources here," he said.

The suspensions came after a British tabloid alleged that that Amir and Asif deliberately bowled no-balls at predetermined points during last week's Lord's Test against England.

Incidentally, succumbing to all round pressure Pakistan had yesterday dropped the tainted trio from the ODI series against England scandal but strongly defended them and vowed full support.

Hassan had also raised serious doubts on the authenticity of the News of the World's expose, saying, "What is the reputation of those people who have brought us this story?" PTI

Azarenka Collapses On Court At US Open

2010-09-03T00:21:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) _ Defending champion Kim Clijsters and two-time winner Venus Williams advanced to the third round at the U.S. Open in straight-sets wins Wednesday that were overshadowed by a concussed Victoria Azarenka's collapse on the court.

Azarenka, a 21-year-old on the rise in the WTA rankings, paused about a half-hour into her second-round match against Argentina's Gisela Dulko , then staggered, stumbled and collapsed to the court.

The 10th-seeded Azarenka rolled over to rest her head on her arm, and a trainer rushed over. She eventually was helped into a wheelchair, her yellow visor askew atop her head, then taken to a hospital, where tests showed she had a mild concussion.

As a record-breaking summer suffocates New York, the temperature on the courts at Flushing Meadows topped 100 F (38C). But tournament referee Brian Early said Azarenka's problem did "not seem to be primarily a heat-related illness."

Indeed, Azarenka herself later revealed she fell in the gym while warming up before the match, banging her head and arm in the gym.

"I was checked by the medical team before I went on court and they were courtside for monitoring. I felt worse as the match went on, having a headache and feeling dizzy," said Azarenka, who is from Belarus but lives part of the year in Arizona.

Azarenka began wobbling early against Dulko, taking extra time between points and wincing occasionally, clearly in distress. Azarenka said she "started having trouble seeing and felt weak."

While that was the biggest news of the morning, there were surprises on the scoreboard throughout Day 3, including more than 12 hours later, when 2003 U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick bowed out in the second round with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (4) loss to 44th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic.

Roddick had difficulty dealing with Tipsarevic's serve and go-for-broke groundstrokes, but also got into a lengthy argument with a lineswoman over a foot-fault call in the third set. Roddick asked the official which foot crossed the baseline, and she told him it was his right foot.

"That's impossible," Roddick snapped. He continued berating the official between points, making a joke about "1-800-Rent-a-Ref." A TV replay showed Roddick did commit a foot fault _ but with his left foot.

No. 9 Roddick was joined on the sideline by two other seeded men, thanks to 18-year-old American qualifier Ryan Harrison's 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 15 Ivan Ljubicic, and Michael Llodra's 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-4 upset of Wimbledon runner-up and No. 7-seeded Tomas Berdych.

Winners included No. 4-seeded Andy Murray, the 2008 runner-up; No. 12 Mikhail Youzhny; No. 14 Nicolas Almagro; No. 18 John Isner, best known for his all-sorts-of-records-smashing Wimbledon marathon victory that ended 70-68 in the fifth set; and No. 20 Sam Querrey, who beat NCAA singles champion Bradley Klahn 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

At night, Clijsters reached the third round by beating 201st-ranked qualifier Sally Peers of Australia 6-2, 6-1.

Venus Williams, who counts the 2000 and 2001 U.S. Opens among her seven Grand Slam singles titles, struggled for a bit against 193rd-ranked qualifier Rebecca Marino of Canada before pulling out a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win.

Marino actually led 3-1 in the tiebreaker, before Williams took the next six straight points to steal the opening set.

"She started returning better, serving bombs. I think she definitely upped her level," Marino said. "I did notice at one point that she started to grunt pretty loudly. And it's like, 'Whoa, she's getting serious here."'

Harrison was the first U.S. male teen to beat a top-20 opponent at any Grand Slam tournament since a 19-year-old Roddick knocked off No. 11 Alex Corretja at the 2001 U.S. Open.

You don't have to go nearly as far back to find a female teen from the United States who pulled off that sort of upset, of course: Melanie Oudin was 17 a year ago when she reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals by beating two top-20 players. Oudin's 2010 stay in New York was shorter: She lost in the second round Wednesday to No. 29 Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 7-5.

"Definitely disappointing," Oudin said. "I still have, hopefully, like, 10 more years in my career, hopefully 10 more U.S. Opens ahead of me. So I'll definitely be looking forward again to next year."

Among the seeded women bowing out was No. 21 Zheng Jie, overwhelmed 6-3, 6-0 by 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, who used to be ranked No. 1 but is now ranked No. 40.

No. 13 Marion Bartoli, No. 28 Alisa Kleybanova and No. 32 Tsvetana Pironkova also lost. Pironkova was ranked only 82nd in June, when she shocked Venus Williams in the quarterfinals, and they could have met in the third round in New York. But Pironkova bowed out in straight sets against qualifier Mandy Minella of Luxembourg, who gets to face Williams instead.

Azarenka is an up-and-comer on tour, part of a group of young players seen as potential future Grand Slam champions. She beat Maria Sharapova in the final of a hard-court tournament in California last month and pushed Serena Williams to three sets before losing in the Australian Open quarterfinals in January.

Against Williams in the fourth round of the 2009 Australian Open, Azarenka stopped in the second set, dizzy and in tears, and blamed a virus.

Her frightening exit Wednesday caught everyone's attention. Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki wrote on Twitter: "Did anyone watch Vikas match?? I really hope she is ok!"

The match was halted with Azarenka trailing Dulko 5-1.

"It was terrible. It's not nice to see someone feeling bad, not nice to win a match this way. I hope she feels OK now," said Dulko, who walked around the net to check on the prone Azarenka. "I was worried for her." AP

Veena Hands Over Proof Of Asif's Links With Bookies To ICC

2010-09-02T00:40:00.001-07:00

Lahore: Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif's ex-girlfriend, actress-model Veena Malik, has handed over "proof" of his alleged links with Indian bookies to an official of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit.

Hasan Raza, who is a top official of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit for South Asia, met Malik at her residence here last evening after she alleged that Asif was involved in match-fixing and she had "ample" proof of this.

"I handed over Asif's voice recordings with the bookie and some other related information to the ICC official," Malik told a TV news channel.

"From head to toe, Pakistani players and officials are involved in match-fixing. I had gone with Asif to Bangkok before Pakistan's tour of Australia. Asif told me he was offered USD 40,000 by an Indian bookie to under-perform in Australia but he demanded USD 200,000.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board had evidence of this but no action was taken against him," she said.

Asif, his fellow pacer Mohammad Aamir and Test captain Salman Butt are at the center of an alleged 'spot-fixing' scandal exposed by British tabloid 'News of the World'.

The tabloid reported it had paid 150,000 pounds to a fixer for three no-balls bowled by Asif and Aamir during a Test match against England. PTI

ICC Official In Pakistan, To Meet Veena Malik: Reports

2010-09-01T23:48:00.000-07:00

Karachi: A senior official of International Cricket Council's anti-corruption and security unit has reached Pakistan in connection with the ongoing investigations into allegations of 'spot-fixing' against three members of Pakistan team in England, reports said.

Television channels reported that Reza Hasan, who is on the ICC ACSU, was in Pakistan to meet Federal Investigation Agency officials and also gather information from Veena Malik, the former girlfriend of Mohammad Asif, one of the tainted players.

" Reza Hasan will also interview film actress and model, Veena Malik a former girlfriend of pace bowler Mohammad Asif," one channel said.

Veena Malik in a television interview had claimed that she had evidence of links between Asif and an Indian bookmaker and that the Sydney Test between Pakistan and Australia was fixed.

She has alleged that Asif had personally told her about this and she had also met the Indian bookmaker.

Sources said that Reza Hasan was also in town to inquire into the location and activities of some bookmakers whose names had cropped up during the questioning of Mazhar Majeed who received 150,000 pounds from the undercover reporters of British tabloid 'News of the World' to do 'spot-fixing' during the fourth Test at Lord's against England.

"The interesting thing is that since this new scandal came up Pakistani bookies and punters have gone underground and suspended their business and their work dens anticipating a crackdown on them," one well-informed source said.

"These bookmaker mostly do their business through Lahore and some Indian cities and are under the supervision of an Indian bookie, Lal Chand who visited Lahore few months back when Shoaib Malik got married to Sania Mirza," he said.

Bookmakers and punters take small and big bets on cricket matches involving all countries but those involving Pakistan draw big bucks, the source said.

The source said that Lal Chand visited Karachi or Lahore after few months to meet the big bookmakers and guide them on 'business' rules and regulations and to clear up old debts. PTI