tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79602152160254661712024-03-12T16:35:43.826-07:00Cricket: News,Live Streaming and HighlightsThe site contains latest News happening in the World of Cricket.ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.comBlogger862125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-7063461853810707172010-03-13T07:25:00.000-08:002010-03-13T07:25:35.721-08:00The real kings of Chennai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLZ4B2lhJyawjXFAtze-wLT1rZRm9uq_gIhGCKKTXJlQ77RTtVgR3x-oSMY9ku1z5vioCTU1Yg_2drdU1hIMg2kktnAwpkeeCpJ_247Vgx0TJ3xkbgHH1M99gzHHgM8hQFeMx0Meg3AG0/s1600-h/dhoni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLZ4B2lhJyawjXFAtze-wLT1rZRm9uq_gIhGCKKTXJlQ77RTtVgR3x-oSMY9ku1z5vioCTU1Yg_2drdU1hIMg2kktnAwpkeeCpJ_247Vgx0TJ3xkbgHH1M99gzHHgM8hQFeMx0Meg3AG0/s320/dhoni.jpg" /></a></div>The amount of interest generated by cricket in Chennai is phenomenal. But you cannot call them cricket crazy, for they are the connoisseurs of the finest calibre. The abundant knowledge an average Chennaite possesses and his ability to understand and enjoy the finest nuances of the game separates him from the rest of the milling crowd who throng to watch a game of cricket.<br />
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It is often said that 'winners have several god-fathers but the losers are just but orphans'. Tamil Nadu is proud to posses two winning outfits. One is their state team and the other proud possession is the Chennai outfit of the Indian T20 championship. The former lost out at a strategic point, after promising a lot, in the Ranji Trophy but came out with flying colours in the Subbiah Pillai and Vijay Hazare trophy. Dheodhar trophy may be yet another fine feather in their illustrious cap. The latter came so near to winning the Indian T20 championship trophy but were not lucky enough. But this year it may be a different story altogether, if one were to go by the form of the players concerned.<br />
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At least four players -- Dinesh Karthik, Murali Vijay, Badrinath and Ashwin -- have put Tamil Nadu on the cricket map of India by finding a place in the national team. With two stalwarts -- BCCI Secretary Srinivasan and Chairman of Selectors Srikanth -- at the helm of affairs in Indian cricket, the people of Tamil Nadu are also looking forward to the glorious day on which the Indian T20 championship trophy will also find its way to the state.<br />
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Coach Stephen Fleming will spare no effort to remove the rough edges and sharpen the tools to the finest level. Battle scarred Mathew Hayden is arriving in the city fighting fit for a battle royal. With winning captain Dhoni out to prove yet another point of his captaincy prowess, one is in for treat par excellence.<br />
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Chepauk stadium, the home of the Chennai team, is being renovated. By the time the tournament starts one stand may be without a roof but Chennai people expect that the team will shroud it with their glorious victory.ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-80481965149568087572010-02-01T20:51:00.001-08:002010-02-01T20:51:53.805-08:00Jaffer rues lack of opportunitiesWasim Jaffer who wondered why the national selectors did not persist with him longer.<br />
It has been a long journey for Jaffer exactly ten years since he first played Test cricket for India against the visiting South Africans in the February of 2000.<br />
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Considered by many to be India’s answer against genuine pace bowling and movement, the Mumbai lad did not have an easy ride to the top. Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock were at their peak and Jaffer took time to get into the groove.<br />
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Once he did though, there was very little to complain about. In the course of his 31 Tests, Jaffer had cracked 1944 runs at 34.10, not outstanding but effective nevertheless.<br />
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As the Indian team prepares to take on the Proteas once again in a Test series at home, the out of favour India opener looks back at what could have been.<br />
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“I made my last India comeback in 2006 against England and did reasonably well in whatever opportunities I got. If only the selectors had persisted with me a little longer, things would have been different.”<br />
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Perhaps the telling blow came on India’s tour of Australia two years back when Jaffer struggled for form, managing a paltry 49 runs in three Tests and the seasoned Ranji campaigner admits as much.<br />
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“I know I had a poor series in Australia but I had been getting runs before that.”<br />
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In fact, a year before Anil Kumble led his team to that fateful Test series Down Under, Jaffer had played his role to perfection in India’s first Test series victory in the West Indies. <br />
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He had emerged a hero in a batting line-up studded with stars. A career best 212 at St John’s and a series high of 372 runs had catapulted the gentle Mumbaikar to new heights.<br />
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What might have worked against Jaffer was the sudden emergence of Gautam Gambhir as an able ally for Virender Sehwag at the top of the order.<br />
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While Jaffer lost hold of the opening slot in trying conditions in Australia, Gambhir seized all the initiative in the ODI’s in the Commonwealth Bank Series and not long after, the selectors had decided he was their man for all formats.<br />
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However, Jaffer has not given up hope and he stands clear on what he needs to do.<br />
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With Sehwag and Gambhir spewing fire at the top and Murali Vijay waiting in the wings, there is not much scope for an intrusion but Jaffer is eyeing a middle order berth.<br />
“If you look at the current Ranji season, I batted mostly in the middle order. I know it is difficult to open the innings for India now but I am ready to bat at any position.”<br />
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Away from the Indian dressing room for two years now, Jaffer has been working relentlessly not only on his game but also on young India hopefuls in Mumbai.<br />
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Under his captaincy, Jaffer has led the side to two successive Ranji Trophy wins- this time under difficult circumstances.<br />
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“The last two seasons have been different but successful. Last year, we had all our seniors- Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan and Rohit Sharma available in the semi-finals and the finals.<br />
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This time, they weren’t playing for us but the boys lifted their game at the right stage and look what that did for Mumbai.”<br />
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Jaffer is a traditionalist and that has been apparent from the way Mumbai played over the last two years- unrelenting, neat, hard-fought cricket.<br />
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The captain is proud of the team’s achievements and those of his men’s. <br />
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“Most of the youngsters have done well. It is not like they have had just one good season but they have done well constantly. <br />
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Ajinkya Rahaney for instance has been so consistent. He got 1100 runs last year and followed it up with 1750 runs this year.”<br />
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Dhawal Kulkarni and Abhishek Nayar have been in the national reckoning too with Rahaney and Jaffer empathises with them for the sheer lack of opportunities.<br />
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It is not easy sitting out in the cold after the nauseating heights of international cricket but Jaffer has done a commendable job, trying to put things in perspective. At 31, Jaffer knows, there is still more than a ray of hope.ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-74102880109014071282010-01-27T05:29:00.000-08:002010-01-27T05:29:21.490-08:00India storm to series win in Dhaka<a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Zaheer">Zaheer Khan</a> destroyed Bangladesh with a seven-wicket haul as India claimed a comprehensive 10-wicket win on the fourth day of the second Test in Dhaka.<br />
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Bangladesh had appeared well set to leave India chasing a sizeable target, but instead Zaheer triggered a dramatic collapse by snaring four wickets in eight balls as Bangladesh - nicely poised on 290 for three at one stage - were bowled out for 312, a lead of just one run over India's first-innings total of 544 for eight declared.<br />
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India then knocked off the two runs required to win without fuss, completing an astonishing win with a day and close to two full sessions to spare.<br />
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Night-watchman Shahadat Hossain had frustrated the visitors with a stroke-filled 40 and Mohammad Ashraful made 25, the pair batting well past the first drinks interval and adding 68 for the fourth wicket.<br />
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Shahadat's belligerent innings ensured the home side lost none of the momentum they had gained yesterday and left India frustrated.<br />
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With Ashraful holding up one end with a cautious approach, Shahadat was given license to go for his shots and he pegged India's bowlers on the back foot with an attacking display.<br />
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<a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Zaheer">Zaheer</a> and <a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Ishant%20Sharma">Ishant Sharma</a> opened proceedings for India, but the pair failed to secure the breakthrough in their first spells and Shahadat put Pragyan Ojha under pressure by hitting the left-arm spinner for a towering six in his first over.<br />
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Harbhajan was brought on in the final over before the first drinks break and Shahadat enjoyed a reprieve on 33 when Amit Mishra put down a simple catch in the deep, but that lapse did not prove too costly.<br />
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Shahadat attempted to hit Harbhajan over long-on, failed to find elevation and Mishra made no mistake with the catch.<br />
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Ojha then removed Ashraful in the next over, the batsman feathering an edge to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.<br />
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And the home side then showed familiar signs of imploding when Shakib Al Hasan fell cheaply.<br />
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The Bangladesh captain hit Ojha for a straight six off the first ball he faced, but perished in Ojha's next over, sweeping the left-arm spinner straight to Gautam Gambhir at short square leg.<br />
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Zaheer was brought back for his third spell just before the lunch interval and he made further inroads by bowling Raqibul Hasan, the batsman shouldering arms to a delivery that nipped back in and knocked back off stump.<br />
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Mahmudullah was then snapped up in the slips, Murali Vijay pulling off a one-handed catch low down to his left and Shafiul Islam was bowled first ball to another delivery that nipped back in.<br />
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Bangladesh were still seven runs in arrears at that stage but Mushfiqur Rahim ensured India would have to bat again by clubbing Harbhajan for two boundaries in one over.<br />
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But Zaheer returned to dismissed Rubel in the first over of the afternoon session, ensuring a minuscule target for India's depleted batting attack.<br />
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Zaheer finished with a career-best seven for 87, finishing the match with a 10-wicket haul.<br />
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"Yuvi will be out for a while. He would be struggling for the first Test (against South Africa). And for Dravid, he is also not sure. It is a bit of concern because we want a full strength side against South Africa," Kirsten said.<br />
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Dravid had his cheek bone fractured by a Shahadat Hossain bouncer after which he retired hurt. Yuvraj too has a ligament tear in his left wrist, which ruled out his further participation in the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh.<br />
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India's first Test against South Africa begins on February 6 in Nagpur.<br />
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"It is a difficult situation we are in. But you cannot do anything about injuries. It's out of our control. We have to wait and watch and what stands for these players in the few days ahead," Kirsten said.<br />
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The South African, however, assured that Sachin Tendulkar was fine.<br />
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"Sachin is all right, he is fine," said Kirsten.<br />
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Tendulkar came tumbling down while trying to catch Tamim Iqbal off Virender Sehwag.<br />
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Kirsten said despite their injuries, Dravid and Yuvraj would not be sent home. <br />
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"It was quite a nasty hit on Rahul and we have to see if he needs to consult a specialist. He is not going back now.<br />
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"Yuvi had torn cartilages on his left wrist and but he will also stay back," Kirsten said.<br />
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Dwelling on the match, Kirsten conceded his bowlers were not too impressive.<br />
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"We did not bowl as good as we can though the wicket is not easy for the bowlers. After taking 300-plus lead, you want early breakthroughs and knock the opposition down as soon as possible. There might have been some impatience," he said.<br />
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Bangladesh rode on the record 200-run stand between Tamim Iqbal (151) and Jumnaid Siddique (55) to reach 228 for three, having lost two quick wickets in the final session.<br />
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"We are happy that we got two quick wickets towards the close. We did well towards the close of play. Zaheer Khan was getting reverse swing from his final overs. The wicket will deteriorate tomorrow and hopefully it will assist the spinners," Kirsten added.<br />
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"We are leading by 83 runs and we want to get early wickets tomorrow morning. There are two more days to go and we are backing ourselves to win the game," he said.<br />
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Asked about Tamim Iqbal's aggressive 151, Kirsten said, "He is an aggressive player. We have Virender Sehwag like him.<br />
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It is good for your team. An aggressive player at the top of order can damage the opposition but knocking off quick runs early on.<br />
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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-45967814505631664132010-01-26T10:30:00.000-08:002010-01-26T10:32:12.180-08:00India in charge despite Tamim Iqbal fireworksBangladesh 233 and 228 for 3 (Tamim 151, Junaid 55) trail India 544 for 8 dec ( Tendulkar 143, Dravid 111, Dhoni 89, Gambhir 68, Sehwag 56) by 83 runs<br />
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<a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Tamim">Tamim Iqbal</a> unleashed an array of brilliant counterattacking strokes on his way to a splendid 151 as Bangladesh posed an injury-ridden Indian side some searching questions on the third afternoon in Mirpur. Having come to bat 311 runs in arrears, Tamim was severe on pace and spin alike as Bangladesh stormed past 200 with just one wicket down. Junaid Siddique provided a solid 55 at the other end and their record partnership was worth 200 when Zaheer Khan broke through just before stumps. And reverse swing was once again the key factor as Tamim too feathered one behind in the day's penultimate over.<br />
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India had declared at their lunch score of 544 for 8, after MS Dhoni's search for a century was ended by a smart stumping from Mushfiqur Rahim, but any hopes of a quick finish were blown away by the ferocity of Tamim's onslaught. He started off by steering Zaheer through the slip cordon for four and the loss of Imrul Kayes - he mistimed one to cover after being struck by a nasty bouncer - did nothing to hamper his progress. Ishant Sharma was slashed over slip and pulled for four, while Zaheer found his slower ball clouted down the ground. Pragyan Ojha was greeted with a saunter down the track and heave for four, and a deft paddle took him to 50 from just 49 balls.<br />
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Harbhajan Singh was the most economical of the bowlers on view, but even he wasn't spared, with Tamim swinging a four and a six over midwicket. The six brought up the hundred of the innings, and a lovely on-drive off Ishant followed. With Junaid clipping some neat strokes through midwicket, the partnership was worth 99 by tea. There was no respite for the Indians after the break either, with Tamim hitting Ojha out of the attack with two fours and a six slugged over midwicket.<br />
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A pull to fine leg off Zaheer took him to a hundred from just 101 balls, and he celebrated with two imperious straight drives. Harbhajan was then smeared through the covers twice, and sent a fair distance over long-on for six. The only blot came after he had made 138, an ugly heave off Virender Sehwag that Sachin Tendulkar couldn't quite latch on to at midwicket. He injured himself in the attempt and left the field, and India spent the final hour with the spinners bowling mostly wide of off stump in an attempt to entice the reckless stroke. It was Zaheer that finally gave Dhoni something to smile about, with Siddique getting a faint edge as he attempted to drive.<br />
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Earlier, India added 85 to their overnight total, with Dhoni's 89 quite similar in character to the innings he played against Sri Lanka at the Brabourne Stadium in December. With Rahul Dravid just discharged from hospital and about to head back to India, and Yuvraj Singh nursing an injured ligament in his left hand, India's batting resources were depleted, but with Bangladesh adopting confused tactics against the lower order, Dhoni was able to combine watchfulness with some typically brutal strokeplay.<br />
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His intentions had been clear when play resumed, with Shafiul Islam clubbed for a one-handed four over midwicket. And though Zaheer fell, miscuing a hook to fine leg, Dhoni was undaunted, walloping Shakib Al Hasan over long-off for six. By then, he had already changed his bat, and a wide offering from Shafiul was soon carved through the offside for four more.<br />
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Shahadat Hossain, who had troubled some of the top order with pace and bounce, was especially disappointing, with even Ishant putting loose deliveries away for boundaries. Dhoni combined clever deflections with powerful cleaves, and a loft over midwicket off Rubel Hossain took him to his half-century from 84 balls.<br />
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Ishant eventually edged Mohammad Ashraful behind, but the Bangladeshi ordeal was far from over. With a landmark in sight, Dhoni shielded Ojha and targeted the wayward balls. Mahmudullah was thumped over cover for four and then over wide long-on for six and with Ashraful's legspin also not making a dent, it was a depressing morning for the hosts. Fortunately for the vociferous crowd, Tamim's Catherine-wheel shotmaking changed the mood completely after lunch.<br />
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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-2609647558649497122010-01-24T07:44:00.000-08:002010-01-24T07:46:38.541-08:00Ishant: I learnt to be patient<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnkxvb_ULZPsezUUsg9XVX2mj4NcY02Sr4IovQrnM1QlbFCEmudRFFmSJvwROMzsKOXz57uT7YGMKqe8qQiOcfbOqh6p1A7ywPMtYC7pR0DZIvL7RXnf9YYPZQEMA-l-RLijmhOsIGjCj/s1600-h/ishanth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnkxvb_ULZPsezUUsg9XVX2mj4NcY02Sr4IovQrnM1QlbFCEmudRFFmSJvwROMzsKOXz57uT7YGMKqe8qQiOcfbOqh6p1A7ywPMtYC7pR0DZIvL7RXnf9YYPZQEMA-l-RLijmhOsIGjCj/s320/ishanth.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>India pacer <a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Ishant%20Sharma">Ishant Sharma</a> on Sunday said that after he was ignored for the Lanka series, he has become more patient.<br />
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Ishant said, even though it was hard for him to swallow the ignore from the home Test series against Sri Lanka late last year, the experience has taught him to be more patient.<br />
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Addressing the media after the opening day's play in the second Test against Bangladesh, Ishant said the selectors were also right in dropping him from the subsequent home ODI series against the Lankans as he did not deserve to be a part of the squad.<br />
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"It was a very hard time for me in those days (when he was dropped). I was desperate to play for the country. It was the first time I was experiencing that because for the last three years my career has been only on the up but off late I learnt that I should be patient in life as well as while bowling," said Ishant, who took four Bangladeshi wickets in the first innings.<br />
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"I don't think the kind of form I was in at that time I deserved a place in the ODI side (against Sri Lanka). I thank the selectors for that.<br />
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"I don't think I have any technical flaw. It (being dropped) is part and parcel of any cricketer's life. You have to face it. It was a challenge. I am happy that I learnt to be patient during the hard times," he added.<br />
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Ishant also thanked his Delhi teammate <a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Sehwag">Virender Sehwag</a> for his support during the lean period. Ishant feels the the dashing opener played a part in his comeback bid in the playing XI.<br />
"Moreover, all the senior players helped me a lot when I made my comeback. I want to thank Viru (Sehwag) as I think he had a role to play in my selection in the first Test in Chittagong," he said.<br />
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The gangling pacer said that the new bowling coach Eric Simons helped him in gaining back his rhythm.<br />
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"I think I have got back my rhythm. It is really good to get the rhythm back at the beginning of the season because a big series against South Africa is coming next month. It is good for me and for the team as we all are looking forward to the series," said the 21-year-old right-arm fast bowler.<br />
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"I am working on my bowling with Eric Simons. He tells me about my wrist and my bowling. So far it has been good. Let us see how it goes against South Africa," said Ishant.<br />
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Ishant said he was happy that Indian bowlers did a good job by bowling at the right areas.<br />
"It was a good toss to lose as the wicket was damp in the morning with some dew. We bowled at the right areas and we remained patient for the wickets. You need to be patient to get wickets," he said.<br />
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"We bowled at the right areas and kept applying pressure on them," he added.<br />
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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-36244854716318111002010-01-24T07:42:00.000-08:002010-01-24T07:49:18.735-08:00Dominant Australia cruise to 2-0 leadAustralia 6 for 267 (Watson 69, White 55, Aamer 3-53) beat Pakistan 127 (Yousuf 58, McKay 3-15) by 140 runs <br />
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Australia produced a commanding all-round performance to take a 2-0 lead with a 140-run demolition of Pakistan at the SCG. After being led by <a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Watson">Shane Watson</a> and <a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/Cameron%20White">Cameron White</a> in their 6 for 267, the hosts delivered a stinging bowling display to knock over the tourists for 127 in 37.3 overs.<br />
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Pakistan lost their first five wickets for 42 in an awful opening and the result added further to the troubles of the captain Mohammad Yousuf, who is being replaced after the series. Yousuf had mistakenly chosen to bowl first in the hope of getting an advantage from the overcast conditions in the afternoon, but all the support came for the fast men as the sun started to go down. The ball seamed and bounced dangerously for Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle and Clint McKay and the tourists could not cope.<br />
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Salman Butt (2) went in the fifth over nicking a shorter one from Bollinger and was taken at second slip by White. Three balls later the combination repeated the dismissal, dropping Pakistan to 2 for 7, when White dived to his left to catch the edge of Younis Khan.<br />
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Kamran Akmal was soon run out for 16 after chasing a quick single, having been sent back eventually by Yousuf and then beaten by McKay's direct hit in his follow through. Akmal's brother Umar joined him in the dressing room two deliveries later after his off stump was clipped by Siddle.<br />
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The hosts would not allow a recovery and lost their fifth man when Ricky Ponting leaped to his left at point for the superb one-handed take of Shoaib Malik (2). Yousuf was watching all the damage from the other end but was ultimately helpless, although he struck a strong six to long-on off Watson and was committed in his 58 off 94.<br />
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Rana Naved-ul-Hasan kept him company for an explosive 27 before being stumped off Nathan Hauritz, who caught Yousuf at short fine leg. There were few highlights for Pakistan on a night dominated by the hosts. Bollinger had 2 for 19 off nine, Siddle and McKay (3 for 15) also gave up less than three runs an over, and Hauritz collected 2 for 45.<br />
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Australia were challenged in Brisbane on Friday but they controlled most of match from the moment Watson struck the opening ball for four through point. While Watson lit up the innings with 69 off 71 balls and dominated a 100-run stand in 19.5 overs with Shaun Marsh, the chances of a massive total were upset by the frugal Afridi. In the end it didn't matter.<br />
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Afridi removed both openers and it was difficult for the hosts to increase the pace until White led the final thrust. White followed his century at the Gabba with 55 off 58 and benefited from delaying the batting Powerplay until the last five overs.<br />
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White belted a six and a four in an over from Naved-ul-Hasan and scrambled to the finish, bringing up his fifty with a drive over point. He departed on the fourth-last ball - the wicket went to Mohammad Aamer, who returned 3 for 53 - and Brad Haddin helped out with an unbeaten 27 off 14.<br />
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Afridi was central in regaining control for Pakistan after the opening burst and gave up only 35 from 10, including a crucial eight-over spell of 2 for 25 after coming on in the bowling Powerplay. He picked up Watson and Marsh while Saeed Ajmal and Malik were also tight, going at slightly more than four an over.<br />
<br />
Watson muscled nine boundaries and a six off Naved-ul-Hasan that landed not far from the dressing room at midwicket. After five overs he was 34 off 22 - Australia were soon speeding at 65 off 10 - and brought up his fifty from 42 deliveries before accepting a standing ovation.<br />
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Yousuf called for the bowling Powerplay as soon as possible and Watson was held back by the spin as Afridi arrived. Afridi struck when Watson tried for another clearance and was well taken by Malik at deep midwicket.<br />
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Marsh (41) also fell to Afridi when he attempted to hit to the leg side and got a leading edge to long-on in a troubling period for the home side. Ponting (13) lacked fluency for the second match in a row and Australia were 4 for 166 when Michael Clarke fell on 25. White rallied and the bowlers backed up his charge, giving Australia the chance to claim the five-match series in Adelaide on Tuesday.<br />
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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-68370649955833641342010-01-24T07:41:00.000-08:002010-01-24T07:41:10.176-08:00Seamers give India early advantageIndia 69 for 0 trail Bangladesh 233 (Mahmudullah 96*, Ishant 4-66, Zaheer 3-62) by 164 runs <br />
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An impressive unbeaten 96 from Mahmudullah rescued the Bangladesh innings from utter ignominy, but the starts squandered by other batsmen were threatening to haunt them by day's end, as India knocked off 69 runs from just 13 overs, with Virender Sehwag cruising to 41 not out. With the conditions likely to be most batsmen-friendly on the second day, Bangladesh were left to reflect on an opportunity squandered after winning the toss. Both Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan got out to appalling strokes, and it was left to Mahmudullah to lead Bangladesh to 233 all out, a significant improvement on the 51 for 5 that the scoreboard showed when Ashraful had his brain fade.<br />
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The last two wickets added 78, with Shafiul Islam defying India for 39 balls and Rubel Hossain keeping out 25 before Harbhajan Singh sneaked one through his defence to leave Mahmudullah stranded. He had struck two fours in a Harbhajan over to get within touching distance, but after nearly 30 overs of batting with No.10 and Jack, his luck ran out. As he walked off though, several Indian fielders ran up to shake his hand. It had been that kind of innings.<br />
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He had marked his guard after Mushfiqur Rahim, centurion in Chittagong, had been trapped on the crease by Ishant Sharma. He eased nerves with a neat glance for four off Zaheer Khan and then continued to go for his shots once Shakib had chased a wide one from Zaheer into the hands of MS Dhoni. Zaheer was then pulled and upper-cut for four and after Shahadat Hossain went, stumped off the bowling of Pragyan Ojha, he swept and reverse-swept Harbhajan to keep the Indians on their toes.<br />
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A cover-drive that Ojha couldn't stop at the boundary took him to his half-century from 71 balls, and he continued to sweep and cut as Shafiul offered stout resistance at one end. It was all a far cry from the morning, when one batsman after another appeared to be in a hurry to get back to the comforts of the pavilion.<br />
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They were not helped by the first decision going against them either. Ishant's first ball, the seventh of the innings, was heading down the leg side when it deflected off something on its way to Dhoni's gloves. The Indians went up in appeal, and so did Billy Bowden's crooked finger, though replays subsequently showed that the ball had brushed Imrul Kayes' thigh pad.<br />
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Tamim Iqbal had walked the talk on the eve of the game, but the only walking he did was on his way back, bowled off the pad after a statuesque waft against a Zaheer delivery that nipped back. Soon after, Junaid Siddique, who had replaced Shahriar Nafees at No.3, followed him, gloving a pull down the leg side for Dhoni to take. Troubled by the short ball, his attempt to hit his way out of trouble came to naught.<br />
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Ashraful was having a go at everything pitched up to him, and while there were a couple of fortuitous inside edges, he also played superb strokes off his pads and through cover. But the innings still lacked any hint of stability, with Raqibul Hasan's vigil ended by a thick edge off Ishant that Rahul Dravid took easily at second slip. Pushed back by a succession of short balls, Raqibul couldn't resist the one pitched up.<br />
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Ojha came on in the 13th over and Ashraful announced his intentions with a flail through the covers. This though is a batsman who shows no sign of maturity even after eight years as a Test cricketer, and a headless-chicken charge off the next delivery presented Dhoni with the simplest of stumpings. He had made 39 from just 31 balls.<br />
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Mushfiqur carried on where he left off in Chittagong with some pleasing drives and cuts either side of lunch, and Shakib followed suit, but it was left to Mahmudullah to surpass the 69 he made in Chittagong and bring something substantial to the proceedings.<br />
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Sehwag came out in typically forthright fashion, cutting, driving and working the ball off his toes as the runs accumulated at a fair clip. And after a sedate start, Gambhir joined in with some attacking strokes as the most prolific opening pair in world cricket set about showing Bangladesh's top order just how to build a Test innings.<br />
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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-23546179262217133512010-01-23T07:33:00.001-08:002010-01-23T07:33:47.097-08:00Miandad rejects PCB's offerFormer Pakistan captain and Director General of PCB Javed Miandad has rejected a Rs 100 million development project.<br />
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Miandad rejected the project saying that it is nothing but wastage of money.<br />
Wazir Ali Khoja, a member of the PCB's governing council on Friday announced that the project, which recently got board Chairman Ejaz Butt's approval, was aimed at renovating and upgrading National Stadium and build a five-star hotel with all facilities.<br />
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Miandad, however, rejected Khoja's claim as his relation with Butt soured yet again.<br />
"The governing council has given no such approval and enough is enough, I am not going to allow anyone to hurt Pakistan cricket anymore," Miandad said.<br />
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"I will soon meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also chief patron of the PCB and apprise him of the way things are being run in the board and how some people are damaging Pakistan cricket," Miandad said.<br />
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Despite being the DG Cricket in the board, Miandad has been given no major responsibility or authority by Butt who has kept him confined to domestic cricket matters.<br />
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Miandad had resigned early last year because of the differences with Butt but was later reinstated on government pressure.<br />
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Miandad said he had also met with the Defence Minister Chaudhary Mukhtar, who is also brother-in-law of Butt and apprise him of what was going on in the board.<br />
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"I am a technical man and I have given immense service to Pakistan cricket yet Butt is not utilising my experience or skills properly. Most of the times I have been kept in the dark about key issues and they are not willing to take any advice from me on important matters," Miandad said.<br />
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Miandad said that the development project planned in Karachi was a case in point.<br />
"I had given a plan for a similar project with a much lesser cost but it was rejected by Butt and now they have come up with this new idea," he said.<br />
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Miandad said he had no intention of resigning again from the board as the chief patron had appointed him.<br />
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When Butt was asked about Miandad's complaint that he was not given any big task in the board, the PCB chairman said that the former Test captain cost the board a monthly bill of Rs 1 million paid as his salary and other perks.<br />
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"But he does not do any work and also refused to become coach of the national team. So now I am trying to find something important for him to do," Butt said.<br />
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After electing to bat, the Bushrangers were restricted to 166 for seven. <br />
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The very first ball from Dirk Nannes proved to be too good for the Redbacks. Nannes had captain Graham Manou trapped in front and the Victorians went up in joy, and there was more to follow.<br />
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He continued his first ball brilliance with a maiden over. The fast bowler finished the day with one for eight at an economy rate of 2.00 - the best ever in the KFC Big Bash. <br />
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The Victorians capitalised on the good start, with James Pattinson packing off Tom Cooper for two runs in the second over, From thereon, the Redbacks never recovered.<br />
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At three for two, when the Redbacks were living their worst nightmares, Pattinson returned to pick up Daniel Harris for six runs. <br />
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Mark Cosgrove (22) and Kieron Pollard tried to provide some entertainment to the crowd, who had gone quiet after a sloppy start from the Redbacks. <br />
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The duo put up a 64-run stand before Andrew McDonald tasted success with a brilliant delivery which sent Cosgrove’s wickets all over the place in the 13th over. Two deliveries later, Pollard was caught by stand-in captain David Hussey at the ropes.<br />
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Though Pollard had hit it hard, Hussey plucked a blinder. Pollard scored a brave 44 off 33 balls which made him the highest run-scorer of the Big Bash season at 190.<br />
With Pollard’s departure, the Redbacks’ hopes of ending their 13 year trophy drought were also lost. <br />
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The next six batsmen managed to add 40 runs, restricting the Redbacks to 118 for nine. Pattinson and McDonald finished the day with a three wicket haul each. <br />
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Daniel Christian’s wicket in the 16th over took fast bowler John Hastings to number one spot in the most-wickets tally. He scalped 10 wickets from seven matches. <br />
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Earlier, Bushrangers’ opener Aaron Finch went for the leather, hitting 47 off 34 balls. He had a 47-run stand with Brad Hodge at the top, with most runs coming from Finch’s bat. Hodge tried to loft a delivery from Aaron O’Brien but the ball went straight to the bowler. He was caught for nine runs. <br />
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Finch began to rebuild a crucial stand with Rob Quiney, however, that did not last long, with the latter sent back for 12. Four overs later, in an attempt to clear the ropes, Finch was caught by Christian at long on. <br />
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A middle order debacle was caused partially by O’Brien who removed McDonald for 25 and Matthew Wade for 1. <br />
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But it was not over for the Bushrangers. Late fireworks were provided by Man-of-the-Match Aiden Blizzard. The explosive batsman hit 42 off jut 19 balls to take Bushrangers to a competitive total.<br />
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</div>Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladesh opener, has said the home team respects India but are not in awe of them any more. He also said that Bangladesh were slowly learning how to play Test cricket and their improvement would be evident the more quality opposition they played.<br />
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"Previously, you used to feel you are playing Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag and were in awe. Now, we just play each other as other players," he said on the eve of the second Test. "That is one of the positives and an improvement. The main factor for this turnaround in attitude is the coach Jamie Siddons. We truly believe in him. He was the main guy in changing the attitude. And obviously the more the matches we play, [the] better our cricket gets."<br />
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Certain sections of the media have been playing up the sledging issue - Mushfiqur Rahim had said he was called a "school boy" by the Indians in Chittagong - but Tamim sought to clarify his stand on the issue. "Let me make it clear that it's just part of the game," he said. "Both teams have a great relationship with each other and we get along very well off the field."<br />
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Tamim said he was learning and enjoying the challenge of playing Test cricket. "In ODIs, you can survive but in Tests need you to be on top of the game. It's a great challenge. I am a batsman who likes to bat less balls for more runs. And I am trying to change that for Tests. I am concentrating on batting long and I know if I stay there, runs will come."<br />
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Tamim got starts in both the innings of the first Test, but was done in by an incutter from Zaheer Khan in the first innings and edged an expansive drive in the second off Sehwag. "It was interesting. I always used to keep talking to myself just before I bat. It's a routine," he said on his learning curve. "The one ball I didn't do that, I got out. It's a matter of focus and concentration. I played 122 ball ... one ball I didn't say anything I got out. I like to attack the loose deliveries and its a matter of getting the balance right. I am learning and soon I will get it right. I really want to do well in Test cricket."<br />
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Tamim was also asked about the Bangladesh Cricket Board president's views that the players lacked commitment, but he chose to remain silent on the issue. "No comments. I really wouldn't want to say anything on that. Let's talk about something else."<br />
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He also rallied behind Shariar Nafees and Mohammad Ashraful who have been struggling for runs. "Nafees is just coming back after a long time. Its always difficult to come back. He needs some time. Ashraful too is a very good player. He has hit five hundreds and he will score very soon."<br />
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Tamim felt that if Bangladesh did not commit the mistakes they did in the first Test, they can expect a positive result in the second. "We are an inexperienced Test side and we are learning," he said. "Some days our batting clicks, some days our bowling clicks. We have to get more consistent."<br />
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It was another grim press conference where he initially refused to entertain any questions on his statement on Bangladesh's bowling, but eventually Sehwag decided to answer. "Next question," was his reply when the topic was first raised by a journalist. Finally he answered, albeit in monosyllables, when the issue was repeatedly brought up.<br />
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Asked whether he felt Bangladesh could now take 20 Indian wickets, Sehwag's answer came pat: "No. They can't. They still didn't get 20 wickets."<br />
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Bangladesh took eight second-innings wickets, an 18 overall, before India declared their second innings. The next question was whether the declaration was done so that Bangladesh did not take 20 wickets. "I had to declare because I wanted to win the game," Sehwag said before he let out a smile.<br />
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Sehwag was also asked his thoughts on Bangladesh's performance and he said, "They didn't bat well. They bowled well in the first innings because the conditions helped them. We batted well in the second innings and scored over 400 runs."<br />
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The talk moved to India's performance and about Ishant Sharma's bowling before it returned once again to the same issue. "You don't have a good record against Bangladesh. You said you wanted to score some runs this time. Are you satisfied with your batting in this Test?"<br />
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"Yes, I am," was Sehwag's short answer.<br />
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"He batted well," was his response when asked about Mushfiqur Rahim's innings today. Just before he came to the press conference, Sehwag was booed as he walked up to talk to Ravi Shastri in the post-match ceremony. "You are very popular here, aren't you," Shastri asked.<br />
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"Yes, Indian cricketers are popular here in Bangladesh," replied Sehwag.<br />
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Gill's statement was a reaction to claims of "discriminatory treatment" made by his counterpart Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, the Pakistan sports minister. "I have phoned the sports minister of India and recorded a protest over the unjust and discriminatory treatment meted out to the Pakistani cricketers," Jakhrani told AFP. "It is indeed a matter of disrespect of Pakistani heroes, who are the champions of Twenty20 World Cup.<br />
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"Pakistani ministries of sports, interior and foreign affairs had given political and security clearance to Pakistani players in time to play."<br />
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SM Krishna, India's foreign minister, echoed Gill's comment. "Government has nothing to do with IPL, on selection of players and various exercises that are connected with it. So, Pakistan will have to draw a line between where Government of India is connected and where Government of India is an actor," he said.<br />
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Eleven Pakistan players - several of whom have expressed outrage at not being picked - were shortlisted for the IPL auction in Mumbai. Pakistan's players had received NOCs from the PCB to participate in the tournament after the Pakistan government's various ministries had cleared them to tour India. However, the uncertainty over the strained relations between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 appears to have prompted franchises to wield restraint at the auction.<br />
<br />
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"Twenty20 cricket is a virus and if the ICC doesn't restrict matches of this format it will finish Test cricket, as leading players will no longer want to play for their country," Miandad told AFP. "With the introduction of Twenty20 leagues, the notion that 'country comes first' is also hit for six because when there is a choice between national duty and more money, players will choose money. Some of the Australian players could have represented their country longer but retired to play Twenty20 leagues two years ago.<br />
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"When Twenty20 cricket started, I had smelled this format will damage cricket. Now the game will not see quality players, as they are now more attuned to play the big-hitting game than the traditional and classical way."<br />
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Interestingly enough, Miandad's comments came at a time when Pakistan players were ignored for the third season of the IPL with none of the franchises bidding for the available 11 players during the auction in Mumbai on Tuesday. The apparent reason was because the teams were not sure of their availability due to visa and other problems.<br />
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However, Miandad said the players "should not be bothered" by the snub. "They must concentrate on their national duties as country always comes first."<br />
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He also expressed his concerns about India having a dominant say in world cricket affairs. "I fear a day will come when world cricket will be run by India alone," Miandad said. "So I fear if Australia, England, Sri Lanka and the West Indies don't realise this, world cricket will be at the mercy of India."<br />
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</div>India blew Bangladesh away with a strong display in the field, wrapping up a 113-run win over the hosts on the final day of the first Test in Chittagong.<br />
Ishant Sharma gave India early breakthroughs in the morning, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan chipped in with vital wickets and Amit Mishra completed a four-wicket haul as India cantered to victory with a session to spare.<br />
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Mushfiqur Rahim had delayed the end with a stroke-filled 101 after opener Tamim Iqbal bolstered the innings with a knock of 52, but the home side - 67 for two at the start of play - were bowled out for 301.<br />
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A diligent approach was required of the home side if they were to save the game, but instead their batsmen played into India's hands with an aggressive approach.<br />
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Zaheer opened proceedings for India and overnight batsman Mohammad Ashraful slashed the left-arm seamer for off-side boundaries in consecutive overs.<br />
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But that attacking intent was nipped in the bud when the former Bangladesh captain attempted to drive Ishant on the up, only for an edge to be neatly snapped up by Rahul Dravid at second slip.<br />
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Victory for India then seemed a foregone conclusion when Raqibul Hasan, who suffered a painful rap on the elbow, was trapped in front by Ishant with a delivery that nipped in.<br />
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Tamim helped Bangladesh recover somewhat from those early blows, the opener hammering a wayward Shanthakumaran Sreesanth for two boundaries in one over and reaching his third Test half-century with a reverse sweep of Mishra.<br />
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But Sehwag brought himself on just before the lunch interval and struck in his second over, luring Tamim into a wild slash and inducing the edge, Dravid completing the dismissal with a sharp catch at slip.<br />
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Shakib Al Hasan was Mishra's first victim of the day, the Bangladesh captain deceived by the googly, and Mahmudullah went shortly after, losing an entertaining - and at times verbal - battle with Zaheer.<br />
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Shahadat Hossain and Mushfiqur held up the end with a 60-run stand for the eighth wicket, but Mishra ended that stand, boring through Shahadat's defensives and bowling him through the gate.<br />
<br />
Mishra should have had another wicket soon after, but Yuvraj grassed a simple catch from Shafiul Islam, extending the tailenders stay.<br />
<br />
But that reprieve hardly proved costly as Mishra held a low return catch from Shafiul in the next over to send back the batsman.<br />
<br />
The home side had slipped to 258 for nine by then and the session was extended and the tea interval delayed.<br />
<br />
With an attacking field in place, runs were there for the taking and Mushfiqur cashed in, reaching his maiden century with a straight-driven boundary off Mishra, his 17th boundary.<br />
<br />
He had already smashed a six by then and had reached the milestone off only 112 deliveries, the fastest century by a Bangladesh batsman.<br />
<br />
Mishra, however, brought up victory by prising out Mushfiqur, the wicketkeeper-batsman lofting the bowler over the top, but only finding the fielder at long-off.<br />
<br />
Mishra finished the pick of the bowlers with four for 92 from 22.2 overs.<br />
The teams:<br />
<br />
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Raquibul Hassan, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (W), Shahadat Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam<br />
<br />
India: Virender Sehwag (C), Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik (W), Amit Mishra, Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma<br />
<br />
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<br />
The Indian Premier League is planning to take the mega event to that country to expand its global reach.<br />
<br />
According to a report in the 'London Times', IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi is planning to stage some future matches of cash-rich tournament in the US.<br />
<br />
"We hope to be able to provide the fans in the US the live experience of the IPL. We will start with a few matches in the US in the next 18 months or so," Modi was quoted as saying in the newspaper.<br />
<br />
The report also predicted that bringing the IPL to the US would be a hugely profitable move for the private league.<br />
<br />
"Modi has won plaudits and derision for taking the commercialisation of cricket to new levels. Two years ago, shortly before the inaugural season, he secured USD 1 billion for the television rights to the IPL," the report said.<br />
<br />
"His latest plans to extend cricket's ambit are also likely to be motivated by money. America is home to the world's most valuable advertising market and a large population with roots in cricketing regions such as India, Pakistan and the West Indies," the report added.<br />
<br />
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<br />
South Africa finished an epic four-Test series at home to England by retaining the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy. <br />
<br />
An innings-and-74-run victory in a sometimes fractious final Test at The Wanderers was built on Smith's first-innings hundred and 14 wickets shared between Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, in conditions that played to the two fast bowlers' strengths.<br />
<br />
Smith is encouraged by Sunday's outcome and South Africa's domination of two of the other three Tests in the drawn series.<br />
<br />
But he said: "It's a whole new world touring India. Not many teams go there and prove to be successful.<br />
<br />
"Last time we were there, we drew the series 1-1, and we've got a few challenges going into those conditions to perform well."<br />
<br />
South Africa faltered only in the second Test against England, losing by an innings at Kingsmead.<br />
<br />
Smith believes a short recovery period after a tough series, and then a confident approach, will be major assets on the sub-continent.<br />
<br />
"A good, aggressive mindset going into India is always crucial," he continued. "We'll prepare well. But it's been quite a heavy summer, so it's important that the guys recover - then we can switch on for India."<br />
<br />
South Africa, second in the world rankings just behind India, are likely to once again be playing under the International Cricket Council's decision review system, which was responsible for its share of controversy against England.<br />
But Smith appears to have warmed to DRS, despite his initial qualms.<br />
<br />
"As I said before the series, it was something I was sceptical about," he said.<br />
<br />
"But I think people are losing focus about what it is there for. Teams are certainly trying their luck a lot more but it really is there to take the shocking decision out of the game.<br />
<br />
"Maybe if you only had one review, you wouldn't take so many chances, and possibly that needs to be tightened up.<br />
<br />
"We need to keep trialling it and improving it but there were always going to be frustrations on either team. You have to view it in the right light and how it was meant to be used."<br />
<br />
There was no doubt South Africa were the team who finished the strongest against England, and Smith admitted a fifth Test, as there used to be between these two countries, would probably have appealed to him.<br />
<br />
"I wish there was a decider now," he said.<br />
<br />
"But, again, like the review system, we knew what it was before the series so it's pointless crying over it. I'm just really proud of the way the guys played. We had two debutants (in the final Test) who put in solid performances and we certainly were the team who were hungrier going into this game, and we played that way.<br />
<br />
"It shows this team wants to progress and, within the group, there is a real drive to be better."<br />
<br />
Steyn, who had to sit out the first Test with a hamstring strain and perhaps returned to full fitness only in time for the third, finished with a telling 15 wickets in only five innings.<br />
<br />
"England was the one side I hadn't really performed well against and I really wanted to put that right," he said.<br />
<br />
"After not playing at Centurion, I knew I had to lift my game for the remaining three and make a massive contribution. But watching Morne bowl throughout the series has been the highlight for me.<br />
<br />
"With Makhaya (Ntini) falling away, Morne has stepped up and he's bowled tremendously.<br />
<br />
"I think he deserves all the credit and I have actually been bowling behind him. He's been the spearhead."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-38023741916646433052010-01-18T07:48:00.001-08:002010-01-18T07:48:56.170-08:00Looking ahead to the great Mumbai saleThe buzz is building again, with as many as 66 players ready to go under the hammer in the auction for the third edition of the IPL on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
The stakes will be high, as high as they have ever been. Twenty20 cricket has changed its complexion since the lucrative Indian Premier League was first played two years back.<br />
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The ICC World Twenty20 has gripped the imagination of cricket followers across the globe, while the emergence of the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 also highlighted the immense charisma the latest format of the game has. It is here to stay.<br />
<br />
Teams are slowly but surely learning the art of how to win T20 games, and innovations have become the buzz word for captains and coaches alike.<br />
<br />
The IPL team owners, most of them top notch business captains and super stars in the film industry, are, for their part, coming to terms with the needs of their squads.<br />
<br />
Glamour and fashion have been incidental to the high quality of cricket played over the last two years in the IPL and not the other way round - players sought after more for their skills than their fan following.<br />
<br />
One franchise that has learnt their lessons the hard way has to the Kolkata Knight Riders. The team was, in theory, a dream come true for the faithful cricket buffs in the eastern Indian city.<br />
<br />
A Bollywood superstar combined with India’s most successful captain to produce a lean, mean, fighting machine that would not relent until they won. Shah Rukh Khan’s charm and Sourav Ganguly’s doggedness have, however, not paid dividends yet. So far, the side have looked ordinary with every game they have played.<br />
<br />
The time for change is now. With a completely new coaching staff (that includes former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram and star coach Dav Whatmore), KKR have a lot to look for in Tuesday’s auctions.<br />
<br />
Their batting woes have been compounded by the lack of a stable middle order batsman. Ricky Ponting did precious little in the first year before opting out in the next. Chris Gayle has been good at best. The mantle fell on Victorian ace Brad Hodge, whose blade was wider than most in Cricket Australia ever thought.<br />
<br />
With the likes of Kieron Pollard, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Darren Ganga and Umar Akmal up for grabs, KKR have a lot to choose from. With a purse of 750,000 USD attached to each team. SRK’s Riders will be banking on sealing a deal with Pollard and at least a stable all-rounder in Bangladesh skipper Shakib-al-Hasan.<br />
<br />
Considering the furious 20 minutes of bidding over Moshrafe Mortaza last year, Shakib would not be a surprise choice in the Kolkata camp.<br />
The most keenly watched biddings will be of the Australians. Phillip Hughes has been on fire for the New South Wales Blues and was a treat to watch in the Airtel CL T20 in India last year.<br />
<br />
Luke Pomersbach, who had a successful stint with the Kings’ XI Punjab in 2008, is back under the hammer, while Brad Haddin, Doug Bolliner and Clint McKay are also among some prominent stars from Down Under.<br />
<br />
With the Shiv Sena’s threat to Australian cricketers, Mumbai Indians might just feel a little crippled when they need to think of bagging a Baggy Green. Irrespective of how far Mumbai go in this edition, they will need to play seven matches at home and that might be a cause of concern for Mukesh Ambani’s team.<br />
<br />
What they will be looking for, though, is a quality seamer to partner Zaheer Khan with the new ball. Kemar Roach of the West Indies, Umar Gul of Pakistan and Shane Bond of New Zealand will go like hot cakes once the hammer comes down at the Trident. Mumbai Indians should settle for either Bond or Roach given their ability to keep it fast and furious.<br />
<br />
The King’s XI Punjab might have to take some tricky calls. Simon Katich, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Yuvraj Singh make a dream batting line-up but that was not enough to avoid a nightmare in South Africa last year.<br />
<br />
Punjab, much like Mumbai, would want to bolster their pace attack if you look at Sreesanth and Brett Lee’s poor fitness records. Again, for the northern giants, Gul might not be a bad idea with a good back up stacked up in Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla.<br />
<br />
The Chennai Super Kings will be ruing Andrew Flintoff’s continued absence from the IPL after he pulled out with an injury last year. With reports of the dashing England all-rounder sure to miss the 2010 razzmatazz trickling in, skipper MS Dhoni will have already pressed his bosses for a solid replacement.<br />
<br />
Lendl Simmons of the West Indies should be high on Chennai’s radar and so should Pakistan T20 all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who missed out on all the punch in 2009. <br />
<br />
The Deccan Chargers might not want to make too many changes to their winning outfit but would not mind shelling out a few extra dollars for a fine bowling all-rounder that Abdul Razzaq is.<br />
<br />
Kamran Akmal will be desperate to make it back to his old franchise, the Rajasthan Royals and get back to keeping wickets for skipper Shane Warne ,and repeat the aura of the 2008, when the rank underdogs stunned the nation by winning the championship.<br />
<br />
The Royal Challengers Bangalore turned it around in South Africa under an inspirational Anil Kumble and team owner Vijay Mallya will leave no stone unturned to find a formidable all-rounder just in case Jacques Kallis runs into poor form in India after a fine show at home.<br />
<br />
The Delhi Daredevils have little to worry about. Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Tillekaratne Dilshan and David Warner make a formidable batting line-up while New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori will be relishing the prospect of bowling in India again.<br />
<br />
Team owners and directors have been obviously non-committal about their strategies and moves going into the auctions. <br />
<br />
However, there is reason to believe that the Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals will be more pumped up than any other team to bring in some firepower.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-17642228391622165822010-01-18T07:47:00.001-08:002010-01-18T07:47:53.818-08:00Bowlers hand Australia 3-0 clean-sweepAustralia 8 for 519 dec and 5 for 219 dec beat Pakistan 301 and 206 (Manzoor 77, Siddle 3-25, Hauritz 3-30) by 231 runs<br />
<br />
Australia wrapped up their 12th consecutive Test victory over Pakistan on the final afternoon in Hobart, where Khurram Manzoor's fighting half-century was not enough to salvage a draw for the visitors. Nathan Hauritz added to his growing reputation as Test bowler by picking up the key wicket of Manzoor and finished with three, while Peter Siddle also grabbed a trio of victims.<br />
<br />
Despite showers being forecast, the only sprinkling of rain came during the lunch break and it wasn't enough to delay Australia's charge to a series clean-sweep and a fifth Test win of the summer. Australia have now equalled the record for the most consecutive Test wins by any country over any other nation, matching the 12-game streak currently held by Sri Lanka over Bangladesh.<br />
<br />
The only slight concerns for Australia came during a 66-run seventh-wicket stand between Manzoor and Mohammad Aamer. Manzoor, who came in for this Test at No. 3, enhanced his chances of keeping his place in the side with a patient 77 from 239 deliveries that gave Pakistan, for the morning at least, a tiny sniff of saving the game.<br />
<br />
Manzoor showed impressive resolve for most of his innings but it didn't hold, and soon after an injudicious swipe against Hauritz he slashed at a cut against the spinner and was caught behind. The rest of Pakistan's resistance fell away and Hauritz had Umar Gul brilliantly caught at slip by Michael Clarke for a duck, before Mohammad Asif (0) was bowled by Mitchell Johnson.<br />
<br />
Hauritz finished with 3 for 30 and was comfortably the leading wicket-taker for the series, with 18 at 23.05. Siddle was also happy with his 3 for 25, which was his best return of a lean summer, and he wrapped up the victory with the second new ball when Danish Kaneria played on for 1.<br />
<br />
Pakistan's victory target of 438 was not the issue for Australia, they simply needed to grab the remaining wickets while the weather held up. Showers had been tipped on the final day but the Tasmanian local Ricky Ponting, who was confident in his knowledge of the state's weather, had his decision not to enforce the follow-on vindicated.<br />
<br />
Australia began the day impressively wth Shoaib Malik caught behind off Siddle for 19, after adding only one to his overnight score. That was the key breakthrough for Australia as it opened the way into Pakistan's lower order, and the wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed finished his debut Test with a disappointing batting return when he was caught at slip off Hauritz for 5.<br />
<br />
Sarfraz departed in strange circumstances, when his edge clipped the gloves of Brad Haddin, went through the hands of Clarke and onto his boot before bouncing up for Clarke to complete the catch. If Pakistan had made their catches stick throughout the series it might have been a more enjoyable tour for them. Now they must wait until the two Tests in England in July to redeem themselves.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Bangladesh's collapse, like India's, started in the 15th over. India lost three wickets for six runs, Bangladesh lost three for five. India had 79 runs on the board before their collapse, Bangladesh 59. India continued collapsing, bad light granted Bangladesh stay orders. In fact the murky conditions allowed only 24.5 overs of play in the whole day, which means 90.1 overs have been lost on the first two days.<br />
<br />
After Sachin Tendulkar reached his 44th Test century, scoring 29 of India's 30 runs on the second day, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes provided Bangladesh a solid and quick start, reaching 38 in eight overs. The coming together of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma reduced scoring opportunities, the batsmen started playing and missing, surviving lbw shouts, and two runs in three overs resulted in Kayes slashing outside off, a shot that told the bowlers they were not far off a wicket.<br />
<br />
One more close lbw shout against Kayes later, Zaheer got one full and straight enough, and caught him on the crease. Shahriar Nafees, coming back from the ICL, top-edged a pull second ball, and then found Ishant to be too good for him. The ball landed on middle, back of a length, and then nipped away. Nafees had to play at it, and the movement squared him up, taking a healthy edge. In the next over, Zaheer, by now frustrated at missing the edge repeatedly, got one to nip in, squeeze under Tamim's bat, and take the off stump.<br />
<br />
In 11 balls, Bangladesh had gone from hoping to dominate India to hoping for a Tendulkar-like stay to carry their fledgling innings. Tendulkar it was who added some respectability to India's total, scoring 105 runs out of the 164 scored since he came to the crease. Resuming on 76 on the second morning, he manoeuvred the strike well and scored his 89th international century. Shakib Al Hasan and Shahadat Hossain reached five-fors - for Shakib, a sixth five-wicket haul in 15 Tests.<br />
<br />
Bangladesh came in with the mindset of attacking Nos 10 and 11, and hoping that Tendulkar wouldn't cause irreversible damage in the meantime. In the first four overs, Tendulkar let Ishant play just six balls, only one of which troubled him. And during those four overs, with the field coming up for the last two balls, Tendulkar hit 2, 4, 1, 4, and 6 to get into the 90s. Shahadat then moved round the stumps and the change of angle proved to be too much for Ishant to handle, who edged a delivery going across.<br />
<br />
Sreesanth got a single first ball, and Tendulkar reached his century off the last two balls of that Shahadat over - Shakib was seen applauding Tendulkar's effort. At the other end, Sreesanth didn't look overly comfortable against Shakib who got alarming turn, but somehow saw off one over. Shahadat did his bit by bowling a wide yorker and keeping Tendulkar at his end. In the next over, Shakib got a leading edge that ended India's innings.<br />
<br />
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</div>Andrew Strauss is calling for a major improvement from his England team as they bid to close out a famous series victory in South Africa.<br />
<br />
Strauss' men go into the fourth and final Test with an unbeatable 1-0 lead against opponents who have made no secret of the fact they are prepared to gamble for a win which would square the score.<br />
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An innings victory in Durban, which came either side of two last-gasp draws with nine wickets down each time at Centurion and Newlands, is responsible for England's favourable position.<br />
<br />
Strauss, however, is not glossing over the fact England got themselves into what looked a certain losing situation in Cape Town - before Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell and finally Graham Onions bailed them out on the last day.<br />
<br />
"You'd have to go quite a long way to improve on our performance in Durban," Strauss said.<br />
"But we certainly need to be better than we were in Cape Town.<br />
<br />
"We had opportunities there we didn't take."<br />
Confirmation from the home camp that a 'result' pitch is being prepared, on which pace bowlers are likely to be dominant, has been noted by Strauss.<br />
<br />
But England will not fall into the trap of pre-judging the conditions, on hearsay.<br />
"In all likelihood it isn't going to be a draw here this week," added the captain.<br />
<br />
"So we need to get ahead of them, put them under pressure and make sure we go on and win the Test.<br />
<br />
"But I think it's dangerous to have too many preconceptions about what the wicket is going to do.<br />
<br />
"My previous experience here was that it offered a little bit for the bowlers. But like a lot of the wickets here, it's going to be quite new-ball orientated."<br />
<br />
Strauss knows the battleground, more than ever, will be between top-order batsmen and 'gun' bowlers.<br />
<br />
"If you can get over the new ball, I fully expect there to be some runs to be scored.<br />
"But we need to be prepared. If the ball nibbles around a lot and offers the bowlers a lot, we've got to back our bowlers to be better than theirs."<br />
<br />
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Historically, when it comes to finals of triangular tournaments, Sri Lanka have had the upper hand over India, who in the last decade succeeded in winning just four in 21 finals. A familiar tale panned out in Dhaka, where a frenetic start was followed by an enthralling finish and the result was yet another tournament win for Sri Lanka over India.<br />
<br />
Of all the individual contributions that were spread across 96.5 overs of fluctuating cricket in Dhaka, the one that towered over all others was a 71. Those were the runs scored by Mahela Jayawardene, and it undermined the importance of his surprise call-up to the squad midway through the tri-series. Building on the good work of Sri Lanka's bowlers, especially the Man of the Match Nuwan Kulasekara, Jayawardene smoothed over two spin-induced wobbles and paced the chase precisely to steer them home with nine balls to spare on a chilly evening.<br />
<br />
Suresh Raina's first ODI century against serious opposition - his previous two were against Hong Kong and Bangladesh - had boosted India from 60 for 5 to a respectable 245 but they were a strike bowler short after Ashish Nehra took a wicket and left the field. Harbhajan Singh produced two openings with his tidy offspin yet Jayawardene was flawless in his match-winning effort. And to think he'd initially been ruled out of the series through injury.<br />
<br />
When India dismissed the well-set pair of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara in the space of 14 deliveries on a rare dew-free evening, their total seemed around 40 runs more than it actually was. India turned in a fighting performance after Sangakkara and Dilshan fell, but fittingly it was Jayawardene, Sri Lanka's most experienced player, who anchored the chase.<br />
<br />
After Nehra sent back Tharanga for his second consecutive duck, only to hobble off with a dodgy groin after bowling eight deliveries, Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth, especially, struggled with their bearings and Sangakkara, with very good use of the wrists, latched on readily. He was away with two expertly placed boundaries, just using the pace and putting width away through the off-side arc, and followed those up with two glorious drives past extra cover and point. With Sangakkara striking the ball sweetly, Dilshan set about erecting a platform that would see Sri Lanka through.<br />
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However, 93 for 1 soon turned into 109 for 3, with spin giving India some hope. MS Dhoni turned to Yuvraj Singh for the 17th over, and it took him one delivery to raise India's spirits. Dilshan, on 49, tried to cut but the ball stayed low and Dhoni made no mistake holding the bottom edge. In the 20th over Sangakkara, who had raised his half-century off just 48 balls, was tempted by a loopy one from Harbhajan Singh that forced him back and then drew the edge to slip.<br />
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Boundaries dried up and the tension was palpable, as was perhaps the batsmen's surprise at the minimal effect the dew had. Where cuts and glances had been abundant, suddenly hard-handed chops to backward point and inside edges off hurried drives became frequent. There was big turn for Harbhajan and Dhoni threw in a leg gully to go with a slip.<br />
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But Jayawardene is just the man you need to walk in with the asking rate under control and a batsman in good nick at the other end. He aided Sri Lanka's chase with customary effectiveness: a forward press here, a clipped single there, a deft boundary here, a cheeky two there. It was typical Jayawardene - aware of what the situation demanded and knowing which bowlers to take runs off and how.<br />
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Having eased the pressure with a lovely dab wide of backward point for four, Thilan Samaraweera failed to spot Ravindra Jadeja's arm ball and dragged it onto his stumps. That wicket snapped a 48-run partnership, but few circumstances ruffle Jayawardene and he ensured he was around till the end. Harbhajan's dismissal of Thilina Kandamby in his second spell didn't bother Jayawardene, who raised his fifty with a characteristic nudge off the pads. A drop by Harbhajan at point when Jayawardene was on 54 was as close as India came to dismissing him. Even the run out of Suraj Randiv with 18 needed from 21 balls wasn't enough. With three successive boundaries off Sreesanth, each played to different areas and with varying degrees of control, Jayawardene sealed the deal.<br />
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Jayawardene's innings overshadowed a splendid century earlier in the day. Raina's effort was the fourth-highest ODI score by an Indian at No. 6 and kept India afloat but Sri Lanka finished off well, taking the last four wickets for 32 runs in 5.2 overs. By bowling India out in 48.2 overs with some tight bowling at the end, they were always ahead in the match.<br />
<br />
For the first 11 overs of the game on an overcast and mildly chilly Dhaka afternoon, India's innings resembled an automobile ignition on a wintry morning in Denmark. A mishmash of indiscreet shot selection, accurate new-ball bowling, efficient left-arm pace and smart catching is often a recipe for a lop-sided contest and India so nearly made it one. The top order played without purpose - completely failing to make use of the chance to bat time at the crease - and wickets fell in a heap within the first ten overs.<br />
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Gautam Gambhir's first-over dismissal - bowled off the pads while trying to glance Kulasekara - set about a brief period of chaos where India's batsmen made the slightly nippy Chanaka Welegedara look like Jeff Thomson. Though hovering in the late 120 to early 130 kmph, Welegedara drew a tentative waft from Kohli and made Yuvraj - who had not batted so early in the innings since November 8 against Australia - look like a novice with two slips licking their lips.<br />
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Overconfidence did Dhoni and Virender Sehwag in after a mini-recovery, as both fell to the accurate Kulasekara, and with India struggling at 76 for 5 after 15 overs, this was threatening to be one of the quickest finals in recent memory. Luckily for India, Raina and Jadeja proceeded to buckle down and give the innings some substance.<br />
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Raina never allowed the situation get to him. He was alert to the singles, was skillful at finding the gaps, and ran well with Jadeja. A pull through midwicket in the 20th over changed the tempo from caution to slow acceleration, and an open-faced steer between mid-off and <a href="http://livecricket-highlight.blogspot.com/search/label/extra%20cover">extra cover</a> was the shot of the innings. Forty one of Raina's runs came behind the wicket, all through dabs, steers, glances and gentle maneuvering, but it was the crisply struck drives that had spectators cheering. The cover area was regularly threaded, especially as Raina made room to dominate the bowlers.<br />
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At 166 for 5 in the 35th over, India appeared on course for 250 but Dilshan trapped Jadeja (38) plumb in front. Raina's attempt to boost the tempo after reaching his century didn't come off, with India losing wickets cheaply. Despite facing 53 dot balls, Raina's strike-rate was a swift 92.17; marvelous considering the mess he had walked out to. His excellent contribution at least gave India something to bowl at, but 245 just wasn't enough to prevent Sri Lanka from securing their first tri-series success since the 2008 Asia Cup - against the same opposition.<br />
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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" style="border: 0;" /></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" rel="alternate" title="Subscribe to my feed" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-7627444352312150692010-01-09T19:15:00.000-08:002010-01-09T19:15:24.559-08:00Flower wants more of same from Bell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKn55nZ0Uf8bXyPGbdDwFzdBU2r8WPNXnLBg0N9HlbHcueSfv-Jl0nq2ZviqfHLrpTq3gk8bWHEwNb3p4OmcsbJ7Wfi9O5lk05cOxo02u5s7F2dRL148ecIN9JISjFWMN7hyphenhypheniy7pi2rEm/s1600-h/bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKn55nZ0Uf8bXyPGbdDwFzdBU2r8WPNXnLBg0N9HlbHcueSfv-Jl0nq2ZviqfHLrpTq3gk8bWHEwNb3p4OmcsbJ7Wfi9O5lk05cOxo02u5s7F2dRL148ecIN9JISjFWMN7hyphenhypheniy7pi2rEm/s320/bell.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Andy Flower is delighted with the new Ian Bell - but warns he must continue playing important innings for England.<br />
Bell has cast aside his once diffident deportment to play three hugely significant innings in his last four Tests, most recently a tour-de-force 78 at Newlands yesterday.<br />
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He was eventually ninth out with 17 balls to go but - principally in a century stand with Paul Collingwood which ate up 57 overs - did more than anyone to help salvage a stalemate which means England head for the final Test in Johannesburg in an unbeatable position.<br />
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Bell was following up an equally important 76 to help England clinch the Ashes at The Oval last summer, and 140 in their victory over South Africa in Durban over Christmas.<br />
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Flower is impressed but wants to see more of the same from one of England's most naturally gifted batsmen.<br />
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"It was an important innings from Bell - especially backing up the one in Durban," said the England coach.<br />
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"He contributed an innings that changed the course of the game - and he's been accused of not doing that enough in his career.<br />
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"He's done it twice, one to contribute to a win in Durban and here to a draw.<br />
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"Obviously we reap the benefits too as a team, and this is some evidence of it. But we are looking for him to make consistent and medium to long-term contributions, not just nip in with a couple.<br />
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"These have been fine contributions, but we are looking for a lot more from him. England have invested a lot with Ian Bell, and this is some of him paying England back."<br />
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In his 52nd Test, 27-year-old Bell could not have done much more - other than perhaps seeing the job through to the very end.<br />
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"He showed a lot of grit here and in different circumstances in Durban he played the situation well - so he adjusted the way he played," added Flower.<br />
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"But that determination and fight is what he should always have.<br />
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"His contribution at The Oval was huge - that 70 he made was important - but to see him back it up soon afterwards is excellent."<br />
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Whether Bell will ever move back up the order, to number five or even three, is a moot point - although Flower appears well aware the player himself aspires to do so.<br />
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"Certainly his record suggests that (he might be suited to number five or six)," he said.<br />
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"I know he would never want to be labelled as such, but his record is suggesting that."<br />
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Bell's work had to be completed last night by Graham Onions - who, for the second time in three Tests, blocked out the final over to close out a draw with nine wickets down.<br />
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It was another mighty scrape for England. But Flower nonetheless saw it as a major achievement to stop South Africa winning at a venue where they habitually do so.<br />
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"We feel a bit of both relief and pride - and I think when the guys reflect on this they will be very proud about achieving the draw," he said.<br />
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"South Africa have a very good record here, so to actually draw the game was a good achievement for us - considering the situation we were in."<br />
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England's lasting reward will come if they can convert their 1-0 lead into a series victory in Johannesburg.<br />
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In the meantime, they are staying in the lap of luxury at one of the best hotels in the world - near the famous waterfront in Cape Town.<br />
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It is an extravagance which does not perturb Flower, who nonetheless acknowledges a jarring contrast with the deprivation experienced by thousands living not far from the doorstep.<br />
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"I am comfortable with our players staying here, because I'm confident that this group of players can keep their feet on the ground," he said.<br />
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"But I'm not comfortable with the comparison with some of the poverty that you'd experience in Africa.<br />
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"Some of our families went out on the township tour Thursday - and if anyone needs to be brought down to earth that would be a great tour for people to go on."<br />
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<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/CricketLiveStreamingAndHighlights" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a>ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-88817010396379562762010-01-09T07:02:00.000-08:002010-01-09T07:02:25.983-08:00Stuart Broad 'astonished' by tampering charges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsJf_3P2dG01B-0BjMWdHO7_ZjMZ09LUDhNaCh2DGn-7X7nDQiOM43n8IzwoA4fRgx8jJjo46rmgtAltU_PfS5MAPL-DBmUS2rkoeznwzp6il2dosyuRBiOtJLcHSrhKhFNi-1jjtMzHw/s1600-h/borad_england_cricket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsJf_3P2dG01B-0BjMWdHO7_ZjMZ09LUDhNaCh2DGn-7X7nDQiOM43n8IzwoA4fRgx8jJjo46rmgtAltU_PfS5MAPL-DBmUS2rkoeznwzp6il2dosyuRBiOtJLcHSrhKhFNi-1jjtMzHw/s320/borad_england_cricket.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Stuart Broad and James Anderson, the two England bowlers at the centre of the recent ball-tampering controversy, have steadfastly defended their actions during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.<br />
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TV pictures showed Broad standing on the ball while Anderson was seen picking at the leather which led South Africa to "raise concerns" about the condition of the ball. However, the home side didn't take their complaint forward to official levels which prompted Andrew Strauss to call it "malicious" and England coach Andy Flower said if they'd had a problem it should have been raised in the formal way.<br />
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Broad has now said he took "great offence" at being implicated by the South Africans and wasn't impressed with the way they announced their concerns through a press conference.<br />
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"I find it astonishing that South Africa should walk into a press conference and say they had raised concerns about the condition of the ball and then not follow that up by making a formal complaint. That is very poor behaviour," he told the Daily Mail<br />
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"My actions in stopping the ball with my boot have been questioned but I am not the first bowler to stop a ball with his size 12s and I will not be the last.<br />
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"It was close to 40 degrees Celsius out there in Newlands at the time, and, if I was guilty of anything, it was just laziness in not bending down to pick up the ball. Ball-tampering? That's astonishing."<br />
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Former England captain Michael Vaughan was critical of England's part in the controversy, but Anderson is disappointed that he wasn't more supportive of players he led until 18 months ago. Anderson said he and Broad were nothing more than "a bit absent-minded and lazy."<br />
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"To be caught up in suggestions of ball-tampering was a huge disappointment," he told the Daily Mirror. "It led to a lot of comment and cast a shadow over me and Stuart Broad when we'd done nothing wrong except be a bit absent-minded and lazy.<br />
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"I know my old England captain Michael Vaughan is entitled to his opinion but I was a little bit hurt by some of the comments he made about me, because I'd like to think he knew me well enough to know I wouldn't do something like that.<br />
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"I've got a lot of respect for Vaughany as a team-mate and as a captain and I learnt an awful lot under his wing in the England side so he knows the sort of player I am."<br />
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South Africa's concerns over the ball stemmed from the fact that England have managed to find early reverse-swing during this series - often by the 15th over - while the hosts haven't had the same success. However, Broad said that instead of casting doubts over what the bowlers are doing they should be praised for their skill.<br />
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"Not too long ago, people were asking why English bowlers could not take wickets overseas on flat pitches with the old ball," he said, "but what someone like Jimmy has done is become highly skilled at the difficult art of reverse-swing and all people can do is question that."ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960215216025466171.post-19175291858925136342010-01-06T09:33:00.001-08:002010-01-06T09:33:32.501-08:00Late wickets derail England chaseClose England 273 (Prior 76, Morkel 5-75) and 132 for 3 (Trott 24*, Anderson 8*) need another 334 runs to beat South Africa 291 (Kallis 108, Anderson 5-63) and 447 for 7 declared (Smith 180, Amla 95) <br />
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For 36.2 overs and 101 runs, history appeared to be within England's grasp, but the loss of three key wickets in the final hour of the fourth day at Newlands left South Africa firm favourites to complete a comfortable series-squaring victory in the third Test. By the end of a riveting session, England were floundering on 132 for 3, with Jonathan Trott and the nightwatchman James Anderson digging in for all they were worth. England's victory target of 466, or 334 in 90 remaining overs with seven wickets still in hand, seemed a long, long way away.<br />
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South Africa know a thing or two about miraculous run-chases, having hunted down 414 to beat Australia in Perth last December, and England have proven quite adept at defending fourth-inning targets of late, as demonstrated by their Ashes victories at Lord's and The Oval. But today the roles were reversed, and while Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss made Graeme Smith sweat for two-and-a-half hours as they compiled their seventh century stand as an opening combination, both men had fallen by the close, along with the massive scalp of Kevin Pietersen, whose Midas touch continued to elude him as he was pinned lbw by Dale Steyn for 6.<br />
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In truth, England were up against it from the very start of play, when South Africa resumed on their overnight total of 312 for 2, a lead of 330, with their captain Smith bristling with intent on 162 not out. He eventually holed out for a magnificent 183, but thanks to a solid 46 from Jacques Kallis and cameos from JP Duminy and Mark Boucher, South Africa were able to declare 40 minutes after lunch on 447 for 7.<br />
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But in keeping with the pattern of the match, in which run-scoring has appeared to get easier with every passing day, Strauss and Cook completed the first leg of England's survival bid by reaching tea on 38 for 0, and in so doing they negotiated a hostile onslaught from Steyn and Morne Morkel to beat 16 overs-worth of shine off the new ball, and set a base from which they were able to flourish in an unexpectedly serene alliance.<br />
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Their opening gambit was not without alarms, however. Strauss, on 1, edged Steyn inches short of Smith at first slip before being pinned on the shoulder by a rapid bouncer that nearly knocked him into his stumps, but he eased the pressure both on himself and his team by driving Steyn handsomely through the covers for three fours in a row. Cook, meanwhile, resumed the watchful approach that had earned him a century and a fifty in his previous two innings, as he left diligently outside off, while picking off his runs with flicks, sweeps and aggressive pulls through the leg-side.<br />
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In the end, however, it was the pull that proved to be Cook's downfall. Friedel de Wet is considered to be a doppelganger for Steyn, but there's clearly something subtlely different about his approach, as he skidded down a bouncer in the first over of his second spell, and Cook's anxious flap steepled off a top-edge to give Boucher behind the stumps his 100th dismissal in Tests against England.<br />
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Three overs later, and Strauss was gone as well. Paul Harris had been comfortably played by both batsmen, with Strauss particularly willing to advance down the wicket in a sign of confidence and also of his lack of extravagant spin. But on 45, and closing in on his second fifty of a tough series, he attempted to flick an off-stump delivery to leg, but Hashim Amla under the helmet was on hand to intercept a bobbling inside-edge, and hand South Africa a massive boost going into the final phase of the day's play.<br />
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And as the shadows began to lengthen, South Africa bagged the big one. Pietersen's series has been among the quietest of his career, but such is his reputation, no opponent ever dares to discount his threat until he has been successfully dislodged. De Wet believed he had bagged him second-ball, when umpire Harper upheld an lbw appeal that was clearly shown on review to have taken an inside-edge, but Pietersen could not make his let-off count. He had added just five more runs in 20 balls before Steyn - recalled for a final burst - slipped in a full, flat, stump-to-stump delivery, and this time Pietersen realised there was no point in seeking a second opinion.<br />
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Anderson, on a king pair, came out as a reluctant nightwatchman, and dug out a series of yorkers at the death, while Trott continued to frustrate his former countrymen with his dallying between deliveries, as between them they ate up 3.4 overs before the close. But it'll take a massive effort from all of England's remaining batsmen to maintain their series lead as the finale in Johannesburg looms next week.<br />
<br />
The late cluster of wickets was vindication for an atypically aggressive declaration from Smith, whose forthright approach with the bat is not always matched by his instincts in the field. But he gambled on leaving England an attainable final-day target, and held his nerve as Cook and Strauss made the going look improbably easy. Sometime tomorrow, he ought to have squared the series, and in some style.ananthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492932792118786296noreply@blogger.com0