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Chennai ODI: Rain threatens India's dream 5-0 scoreline

2010-12-10T09:57:00.000+05:30

If rains do not play spoilsport in Chennai, cricket fans across India might see India completing a clean sweep in the five-match one-day series against New Zealand at the M Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. It will be India’s first clean sweep in a five- match ODI series. However, all depends on the weather conditions with the Met department saying there is possibility of rain and thunderstorm in the city in the next 24 hours.

India is leading the series 4-0 and has dominated the visitors in all aspects of the game. Though the Kiwis found some of their lost confidence and scored big in the last encounter, Yusuf Pathan’s all-round show dashed all their hopes of avoiding their 10th consecutive defeat. If the Indian players continue their devastating show in the final encounter on Friday, it will be New Zealand’s worst series defeat against India since the two sides played each other in 1975-76. And the hosts will look forward thrashing the men in black in the last ODI before leaving for South Africa.

The young Indian side has done remarkably well in the series in the absence of senior players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh who have been rested ahead of the tough tour to South Africa. A rampaging India has tested its bench strength in the last encounter and there is not much left to experiment in the final match. They just need to control their bowling which allowed J Franklin power the visitors to a mammoth total.

However, for the Kiwis, it’s their last opportunity for redemption. They need to deal with the top order which had crumbled in pressure throughout the series. The Kiwis have failed to capitalize on a good start. Williamson’s dismal show at number 3 might see Ross Taylor being promoted up the order. The Men in Black need to give their best before returning home to face Pakistan ahead of the World Cup.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Jamie How/Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Scott Styris, 6 James Franklin, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Kyle Mills, 11 Andy McKay

India (probable): 1 Parthiv Patel (wk), 2 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Rohit Sharma, 6 Yusuf Pathan, 7 Saurabh Tiwary, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Praveen Kumar, 10 Munaf Patel, 11 Ashish Nehra.

Bangalore ODI: Pathan plunders Kiwis into submission

2010-12-08T10:49:00.001+05:30

Bangalore: A super show by Yusuf Pathan on Tuesday gave India a 4-0 lead against New Zealand as the hosts romped home with five wickets to spare at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Chasing a massive 316, Yusuf Pathan powered the Indian chase with an unbeaten 123 off just 96 balls. The Vadodara all-rounder plundered seven towering sixes and stitched a match-winning 133-run stand with Saurabh Tiwary (37 not out).
After James Franklin's 98 guided the Kiwis to 315-7, the Indian chase slipped off track with regular setbacks. But after a rain interruption, Pathan unleashed a brutal attack that snatched the game away from Daniel Vettori's men.
Pathan reached his century in style, hitting a huge six to bring the required run-rate down to six. His brilliant knock included seven sixes including the one that sailed out of the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a feat first achieved by former wicket-keeper Sadanand Vishwanath.
The only nail-biting match of the series so far kept spectators on the edge of their seats when India began their chase of 316 runs. Indian openers gave a strong reply to New Zealand’s mammoth total before Andy McKay’s double strike dented their run chase.
McKay struck after openers Gautam Gambhir and Parthiv Patel put the Indian chase on track. Gambhir fell for 27 and soon man-in-form Virat Kohli, skied one from McKay to Mills at the fine-leg boundary for a duck.
Yuvraj Singh and Patel consolidated for a while before Nathan McCullm dented the chase by dismissing both the batsmen in quick succession. Parthiv made an impressive 53 before giving an easy catch to Williamson.
Yusuf Pathan and Rohit Sharma kept India’s hopes alive with a lively stand under pressure. But the visitors struck back, sending back Rohit (44) in the 34th over. Rain then gave India the scare as India were behind the required score. In the 36th over, they were 203/5 against the required 220, according to the D/L method.
However, after the game resumed Pathan came out with all guns blazing. The dasher in the stable company of Saurabh Tiwary ripped through the Kiwi bowling with complete disdain as the ball disappeared into the distant corners of the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
In the end, what looked like an improbable victory was achieved easily by Pathan with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, it was once again a ‘James Franklin show’ that guided New Zealand to a challenging total. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Franklin’s swashbuckling 98 in 69 balls guided Kiwis to 315. Franklin’s 98 was studded with 12 boundaries and three dazzling sixes.
A super start by openers set the base for a huge target for the Kiwis. Asked to bat first, Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum hammered Indian bowlers in the initial overs to add 62 runs on board for the first wicket.
However, Ashish Nehra’s double strike followed by R Ashwin’s magic spell left the Kiwis in despair at 91/3. This was followed by cameos from Scott Styris (46) and Ross Taylor (44) as they consolidated the innings and added valuable 79 for the fourth wicket.
But, Yusuf struck soon dismissing Styris. Taylor aslo joined Styris in the pavilion after being trapped leg-before by Ashwin. The loss of wickets didn’t deter scoring pace of the Kiwis as they kept the scorecard moving at an average close to 6 eyeing a mammoth total. Though Pathan’s twin strike, dismissing Vettori and Mills, reduced the Kiwis to 251/7 in 44 overs, Nathan McCullum played a supportive role, similar to Vadodara ODI and helped Franklin in ensuring New Zealand posted a huge total.

India v New Zealand 4th ODI

2010-12-08T10:43:00.001+05:30

New Zealand in India ODI Series - 4th ODI
India v New Zealand
India won by 5 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
ODI no. 3076 2010/11 season
Played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
7 December 2010 - day/night (50-over match)

New Zealand innings (50 overs maximum)
R
M
B
4s
6s
SR
MJ Guptill
c Yuvraj Singh b Nehra
30
42
25
5
0
120.00
8.4 124.8 kph, Gone! Too adventurous? Third aerial shot in the over. two of those were wide enough of mid-on, but this delivery was even wider, making him go into the crowded off side. Guptill went with the drive, and found Yuvraj Singh at cover 62/1

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BB McCullum†
c Sharma b Ashwin
42
67
42
8
1
100.00
13.2 83.7 kph, big, big wicket! McCullum was looking very good here. He tried to go over short midwicket here, but got too close to this full delivery, thus not getting enough elevation. Ashwin is jubilant 91/3

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JM How
c Pathan b Nehra
4
9
6
0
0
66.66
10.1 126.5 kph, No. 2 for Nehra in his second over. How, who looked loose outside off during the short stay, succumbs. It is a regulation delivery angled across him, but How hangs his bat out, away from the body. The edge is taken, and snapped low by Yusuf Pathan at a wide first slip 70/2

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LRPL Taylor
lbw b Ashwin
44
112
73
3
0
60.27
37.1 82.3 kph, plumb lbw first ball! A nothing shot really! Moves too far across, and also seems to have told himself to not play the forceful shot first ball. And the bat face closes too early, missing the ball, and he is caught dead in plumb. Tame end to what was shaping up to be an important innings of struggle followed by flourish 210/5

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SB Styris
c Tiwary b Pathan
46
64
48
3
1
95.83
29.4 66.9 kph, he is gone! Goes for the same chip over midwicket, but the ball is a bit too straight, and is also turning in, which makes him drag it a bit squarer than he wants and he finds Tiwary on the boundary 170/4

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JEC Franklin
not out
98
88
69
12
3
142.02

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DL Vettori*
b Pathan
17
24
19
2
0
89.47
42.6 77.9 kph, bowled him! Pathan is ecstatic. Vettori looks to pull this one from the leg-and-middle line, but it is not short enough. DV misses, YKP hits 249/6

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KD Mills
b Pathan
1
6
6
0
0
16.66
44.3 81.5 kph, No. 3 for YKP. He is over the moon. Mills goes for the big shot this time, the slog sweep, and Yusuf keeps firing them in. Mills misses, the ball hits the thigh pad outside the leg line, and then ricochets onto the stumps 251/7

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NL McCullum
not out
13
26
12
1
0
108.33

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Extras
(lb 8, w 12)
20
Total
(7 wickets; 50 overs; 219 mins)
315
(6.30 runs per over)
Did not bat TG Southee, AJ McKay
Fall of wickets1-62 (Guptill, 8.4 ov), 2-70 (How, 10.1 ov), 3-91 (BB McCullum, 13.2 ov), 4-170 (Styris, 29.4 ov), 5-210 (Taylor, 37.1 ov), 6-249 (Vettori, 42.6 ov), 7-251 (Mills, 44.3 ov)
Bowling
O
M
R
W
Econ
Z Khan-->
Z Khan
8
0
40
0
5.00
(3w)

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P Kumar-->
P Kumar
7
0
42
0
6.00
(1w)

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R Ashwin-->
R Ashwin
10
0
66
2
6.60
(1w)
13.2 to BB McCullum, 83.7 kph, big, big wicket! McCullum was looking very good here. He tried to go over short midwicket here, but got too close to this full delivery, thus not getting enough elevation. Ashwin is jubilant 91/3
37.1 to Taylor, 82.3 kph, plumb lbw first ball! A nothing shot really! Moves too far across, and also seems to have told himself to not play the forceful shot first ball. And the bat face closes too early, missing the ball, and he is caught dead in plumb. Tame end to what was shaping up to be an important innings of struggle followed by flourish 210/5

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A Nehra-->
A Nehra
9
1
70
2
7.77
(2w)
8.4 to Guptill, 124.8 kph, Gone! Too adventurous? Third aerial shot in the over. two of those were wide enough of mid-on, but this delivery was even wider, making him go into the crowded off side. Guptill went with the drive, and found Yuvraj Singh at cover 62/1
10.1 to How, 126.5 kph, No. 2 for Nehra in his second over. How, who looked loose outside off during the short stay, succumbs. It is a regulation delivery angled across him, but How hangs his bat out, away from the body. The edge is taken, and snapped low by Yusuf Pathan at a wide first slip 70/2

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Yuvraj Singh-->
Yuvraj Singh
3
0
21
0
7.00

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YK Pathan-->
YK Pathan
9
0
49
3
5.44
29.4 to Styris, 66.9 kph, he is gone! Goes for the same chip over midwicket, but the ball is a bit too straight, and is also turning in, which makes him drag it a bit squarer than he wants and he finds Tiwary on the boundary 170/4
42.6 to Vettori, 77.9 kph, bowled him! Pathan is ecstatic. Vettori looks to pull this one from the leg-and-middle line, but it is not short enough. DV misses, YKP hits 249/6
44.3 to Mills, 81.5 kph, No. 3 for YKP. He is over the moon. Mills goes for the big shot this time, the slog sweep, and Yusuf keeps firing them in. Mills misses, the ball hits the thigh pad outside the leg line, and then ricochets onto the stumps 251/7

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RG Sharma-->
RG Sharma
4
0
19
0
4.75

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India innings (target: 316 runs from 50 overs)
R
M
B
4s
6s
SR
G Gambhir*
c Guptill b McKay
27
41
24
4
0
112.50
9.4 125.2 kph, and what a way to get out after a missed run-out, an edge through slips! It was short, wide, juicy, and Gambhir has cut it straight to Guptill at point. Throat high. taken. Gambhir can't believe it 67/1

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PA Patel†
c sub (KS Williamson) b NL McCullum
53
87
57
8
0
92.98
19.3 78.4 kph, NMac is on fire here. Slows this one up, Patel comes down the track and goes for the big straight hit. Not quite close enough to the pitch of the ball and ends up skying it to long-on where substitute Williamson completes a tumbling catch 108/4

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V Kohli
c Mills b McKay
0
3
2
0
0
0.00
9.6 125.4 kph, McKay has two! Kohli is gone for a duck after having scored 50 or more in his four previous innings. McKay's energy shows as he bowls another bouncer, angled across Kohli, who goes for the hook, gets a chunky top edge to Mills at long leg. New Zealand are right back 68/2

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Yuvraj Singh
c How b NL McCullum
20
38
28
1
1
71.42
17.4 90.5 kph, and just when he started looking good, Yuvraj is gone! Goes for the pull again to a ball that is not quite short, gets zero elevation and finds short midwicket 103/3

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RG Sharma
c Vettori b Southee
44
56
48
4
1
91.66
33.2 112.2 kph, the crowd is stunned into silence! Slower ball, Sharma saw it early, and looked to go over mid-off, but ended up smashing it straight down his throat. Vettori did well to hold onto it because it was hit very hard at it. Just couldn't get the elevation there 188/5

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YK Pathan
not out
123
128
96
7
7
128.12

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SS Tiwary
not out
37
77
39
3
1
94.87

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Extras
(b 4, lb 3, w 8, nb 2)
17
Total
(5 wickets; 48.5 overs; 215 mins)
321
(6.57 runs per over)
Did not bat R Ashwin, P Kumar, Z Khan, A Nehra
Fall of wickets1-67 (Gambhir, 9.4 ov), 2-68 (Kohli, 9.6 ov), 3-103 (Yuvraj Singh, 17.4 ov), 4-108 (Patel, 19.3 ov), 5-188 (Sharma, 33.2 ov)
Bowling
O
M
R
W
Econ
KD Mills-->
KD Mills
10
1
65
0
6.50
(2w)

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TG Southee-->
TG Southee
10
0
64
1
6.40
(1w)
33.2 to Sharma, 112.2 kph, the crowd is stunned into silence! Slower ball, Sharma saw it early, and looked to go over mid-off, but ended up smashing it straight down his throat. Vettori did well to hold onto it because it was hit very hard at it. Just couldn't get the elevation there 188/5

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AJ McKay-->
AJ McKay
7
0
63
2
9.00
(1nb, 4w)
9.4 to Gambhir, 125.2 kph, and what a way to get out after a missed run-out, an edge through slips! It was short, wide, juicy, and Gambhir has cut it straight to Guptill at point. Throat high. taken. Gambhir can't believe it 67/1
9.6 to Kohli, 125.4 kph, McKay has two! Kohli is gone for a duck after having scored 50 or more in his four previous innings. McKay's energy shows as he bowls another bouncer, angled across Kohli, who goes for the hook, gets a chunky top edge to Mills at long leg. New Zealand are right back 68/2

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NL McCullum-->
NL McCullum
7.5
0
38
2
4.85
17.4 to Yuvraj Singh, 90.5 kph, and just when he started looking good, Yuvraj is gone! Goes for the pull again to a ball that is not quite short, gets zero elevation and finds short midwicket 103/3
19.3 to Patel, 78.4 kph, NMac is on fire here. Slows this one up, Patel comes down the track and goes for the big straight hit. Not quite close enough to the pitch of the ball and ends up skying it to long-on where substitute Williamson completes a tumbling catch 108/4

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SB Styris-->
SB Styris
4
1
27
0
6.75
(1w)

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DL Vettori-->
DL Vettori
10
0
57
0
5.70

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Match details
Toss India, who chose to fieldSeries India led the 5-match series 4-0
Player of the match YK Pathan (India)
Umpires RA Kettleborough (England) and AM SahebaTV umpire S AsnaniMatch referee RS Mahanama (Sri Lanka)Reserve umpire UV Gandhe
Match notes
New Zealand innings
Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 70 runs, 1 wicket)
New Zealand: 50 runs in 7.4 overs (46 balls), Extras 10
1st Wicket: 50 runs in 46 balls (MJ Guptill 22, BB McCullum 18, Ex 10)
Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0 (Bowling side - 27 runs, 2 wickets)
Drinks: New Zealand - 91/3 in 13.2 overs (LRPL Taylor 4)
New Zealand: 100 runs in 15.5 overs (95 balls), Extras 12
4th Wicket: 50 runs in 75 balls (LRPL Taylor 19, SB Styris 27, Ex 4)
New Zealand: 150 runs in 26.6 overs (162 balls), Extras 15
Drinks: New Zealand - 184/4 in 32.0 overs (LRPL Taylor 38, JEC Franklin 7)
New Zealand: 200 runs in 35.5 overs (215 balls), Extras 17
Powerplay 3: Overs 37.1 - 42.0 (Batting side - 36 runs, 1 wicket)
New Zealand: 250 runs in 43.2 overs (260 balls), Extras 18
JEC Franklin: 50 off 51 balls (7 x 4)
New Zealand: 300 runs in 49.2 overs (296 balls), Extras 20
8th Wicket: 50 runs in 30 balls (JEC Franklin 40, NL McCullum 13, Ex 2)
Innings Break: New Zealand - 315/7 in 50.0 overs (JEC Franklin 98, NL McCullum 13)
India innings
Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 68 runs, 2 wickets)
India: 50 runs in 7.4 overs (46 balls), Extras 1
1st Wicket: 50 runs in 46 balls (G Gambhir 21, PA Patel 28, Ex 1)
Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0 (Bowling side - 18 runs, 0 wicket)
PA Patel: 50 off 50 balls (8 x 4)
India: 100 runs in 16.6 overs (102 balls), Extras 4
Drinks: India - 100/2 in 17.0 overs (PA Patel 51, Yuvraj Singh 18)
India: 150 runs in 27.5 overs (167 balls), Extras 5
5th Wicket: 50 runs in 59 balls (RG Sharma 30, YK Pathan 20, Ex 1)
Drinks: India - 188/5 in 33.2 overs (YK Pathan 38)
India: 200 runs in 35.1 overs (211 balls), Extras 6
Rain: India - 203/5 in 36.0 overs (YK Pathan 48, SS Tiwary 4)
YK Pathan: 50 off 50 balls (3 x 4, 3 x 6)
Powerplay 3: Overs 38.1 - 43.0 (Batting side - 44 runs, 0 wicket)
6th Wicket: 50 runs in 44 balls (YK Pathan 34, SS Tiwary 12, Ex 4)
India: 250 runs in 42.2 overs (254 balls), Extras 10
YK Pathan: 100 off 79 balls (7 x 4, 6 x 6)
6th Wicket: 100 runs in 76 balls (YK Pathan 73, SS Tiwary 16, Ex 11)
India: 300 runs in 47.2 overs (285 balls), Extras 17

Injured Stuart Broad out of Ashes series

2010-12-07T12:56:00.000+05:30

England fast bowler Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the rest of the Ashes Test series and the one-day internationals against Australia with a stomach injury, team officials said on Tuesday.

Broad has torn abdominal stomach muscles from Monday's fourth day and will not take any further part in the second Adelaide Test, officials said.

The tall Nottinghamshire paceman left the field with the injury after his second bowling spell but returned after tea on Monday.

A team spokesman said Broad would return home shortly to begin rehabilitation and recovery ahead of England's ICC World Cup campaign in South Asia in February.

"Stuart has a torn abdominal muscle and as such will take no further part in the current Ashes tour of Australia," England team doctor Nick Peirce said in a statement.

"Given the nature of the injury Stuart has been ruled out of the forthcoming ODI series (in January) against Australia as well.

"Stuart will return to England shortly to commence a rehabilitation programme and we expect him to make a full recovery in time for the World Cup next year."

Broad, 24, said he was devastated by his injury setback.

"Playing for England in an Ashes series in Australia has been something I've dreamed of for a long time so to have that cut short by injury is devastating," Broad said.

"So far the series has been everything I had anticipated and knowing I'll play no further part is quite hard to take.

"Given the way we had started the series I was looking forward to playing a leading role in England retaining the Ashes but that's not to be.

"Injuries happen and there's nothing I can do about it other than make sure I get stuck into rehabilitation and come back stronger in time for the World Cup next year.

"This (northern) winter is a big one for the England team so my focus will have to shift to preparing for the World Cup."

Chris Tremlett and Ajmal Shahzad are in line to replace Broad for the third Test, starting in Perth on December 16.

England win 2nd Ashes Test by an innings

2010-12-07T12:53:00.000+05:30

Graeme Swann took three of the last six wickets to tumble on Tuesday as England dismissed Australia for 304 to complete a comprehensive innings and 71-run victory in the second Ashes Test.

England wrapped up the Test and a 1-0 series lead before lunch on the final day, with Swann, Jimmy Anderson and Steven Finn combining to claim the last six wickets for 66 runs after Australia had resumed at 238-4 with high hopes of salvaging a draw or being saved by forecast rain.

"We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but if we keep these standards we have a good chance of winning the series," England captain Andrew Strauss said.

The third Test starts Dec. 16 in Perth and England, which holds the Ashes after winning at home last year, could conceivably retain the old urn by taking a 2-0 lead ahead of the fourth and fifth Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

"We've been totally outplayed this game, there's no hiding that," Australia captain Ricky Ponting said. "Now we have to find a way to get better for Perth.

"No doubt it's a bad loss for us, there's no hiding that fact, an innings and 70 runs having won the toss on a good Adelaide wicket, probably just about says it all."

Australia rallied for a stunning comeback win at Adelaide in the previous Ashes series at home, and went on to complete a 5-0 series sweep to avenge losing the previous series in England.

But after a draw to open this series in Brisbane and the loss in Adelaide, Ponting's squad looks vulnerable to slumping to its first Ashes series loss on Australian soil in more than two decades.

After Michael Clarke was out on the last ball on Monday evening to part-time spinner Kevin Pietersen, Australia's hopes rested on Mike Hussey working with the middle order and tailenders.

But Finn made the crucial breakthrough when Hussey mistimed a pull to Anderson at mid-on to depart for 52.

Three wickets in four balls effectively ended Australia's chances of a draw. Anderson had Brad Haddin caught behind for 12 and trapped Ryan Harris lbw with consecutive deliveries.

Harris' exit gave him two first-ball dismissals, known as a "king pair." He is only the second Australian batsman after Adam Gilchrist in 2001 who has had that dubious milestone in Test cricket.

Two balls later, Swann had Marcus North trapped lbw for 22. England's appeal was initially turned down but the video umpire ruled that the ball had struck the Australian batsman in front of the stumps and would have gone on to dislodge the bails.

Swann then bowled Xavier Doherty and Peter Siddle to finish with a five-wicket haul and complete England's 100th Test victory over Australia.

Before the wickets fell, North had a reprieve on 3 when Swann struck his pad but he was adjudged not out by the video umpire.

A chance from Hussey was dropped in the same over. But England took the new ball and three overs later, the breakthroughs followed.

The only setback for England was the abdominal injury for Stuart Broad which will rule the paceman out for the serious.

Australia's woes continued with veteran opener Simon Katich injuring his Achilles and likely to miss the remainder of the series.

Kevin Pietersen was voted player-of-the-match after scoring a career-best 227 in England's 620-5 declared — helping the visitors to a 375-run first-innings lead — and taking the crucial wicket of Clarke to end the fourth day.

"It's pretty incredible, (England) having been so bad four years ago to be 1-0 up in the Ashes," Pietersen said. "If we keep doing the right things, we'll win the Ashes."

Unexpected reversals leave IPL preparations in disarray

2010-12-07T12:22:00.000+05:30

The BCCI has convened a special general body meeting (SGM) in Mumbai on Saturday to discuss the reappointment of the board's disciplinary committee. The tenure of the committee, which is investigating the conduct of former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, expired at September's annual general body meeting. The board, however, failed to reappoint or reconstitute it, technically stripping it of its existence. The BCCI secretary N Srinivasan told PTI news agency that the reappointment of the committee was "a minor thing" which had been pointed out by Modi's lawyer, Mehmood Abdi last month.

The SGM, ostensibly to tackle a "minor" issue, will be held in the backdrop of several major, unexpected reversals for a board that is usually used to getting its own way. One of the BCCI's more serious challenges is the stuttering preparation for IPL 2011.

The past six months have been dogged by the controversial termination of two franchises (Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab), and a protracted ownership-pattern dispute over a third, (the new Kochi franchise). As a result of the controversies, the player auction has been delayed by several months and going by the BCCI's legal battles, could well be held in the middle of the 2011 World Cup.

The confusion over the eventual number of teams that will be involved next season affects every component of the world's most lucrative domestic league: its teams/ franchises, its players and its very structure. IPL 2011 now faces several scenarios:

If both expelled teams take part in the player auction, it will become much harder to prevent them at a later date from playing in the IPL, as any players who sign with them would then be left without a team.
The league is currently slated to have eight teams playing each other home and away, just like in the first three seasons. A ninth team would naturally result in an unbalanced schedule, while 10 teams could increase the overall number of fixtures and once again rake up the issue of player burnout.
The board is considering delaying the player auction until March, by which time its legal issues are expected to be resolved, and it will know how many teams will be playing. That would, however, result in the player auction clashing with the World Cup and will prevent teams from being able to use their players in promotions and advertising campaigns, potentially causing them to breach their obligations to their sponsors.

Rajasthan are already back in the league less than two months after being 'terminated' due to an interim stay order from Justice Srikrishna, the arbitor in the case. While the board has appealed against Srikrishna's ruling to the Bombay High Court, legal opinion suggests it will be difficult to overturn his order. There is also believed to be a sentiment within the IPL governing council that the cases of Rajasthan and Punjab are "reasonably strong", and that the BCCI's leadership is going after too many people at the same time.

Srikrishna has restored Rajasthan's rights under the franchise agreement, including the right to take part in the player auction. Srikrishna also stated that the BCCI could not make any rules that would adversely affect Rajasthan, for example changing any of the league's rules, hampering the board's ability to alter its plans as the legal cases unfold. Srikrishna may have stepped down from the Punjab hearing, but it is believed that the stay in favour of Rajasthan could have a bearing on their case when it comes up for hearing.

Punjab accused the board of "deliberately" delaying its proceedings so that the December 6 deadline for the retention of select players in each team would expire, leaving Punjab looking in from the outside. The Bombay High Court ruled in Punjab's favour, and extended the deadline to December 8, handing the BCCI yet another setback, and suggesting Punjab has a case against the board.

The longer the cases drag on, the harder it becomes for the board, and the franchises, to plan for the 2011 tournament.

New Zealand need to kick the losing habit

2010-12-07T12:20:00.000+05:30

Match Facts

Tuesday, December 7
Start time 14.30 (0900 GMT)

Virat Kohli has tormented the New Zealand bowlers, scoring a century and two half-centuries in the three ODIs in the series so far © Associated Press

The Big Picture

August 10, 2010. The day New Zealand last won an international match. As much as winning, losing is a habit too, and New Zealand desperately need to get out of that rut. Dead rubber? Not for them.

What is worse than having lost the series in the first three matches is that they have never looked like winning any of the games. The only positive is, they know why they are not winning, and where they need to improve. Their bowlers haven't looked like getting past the Delhi duo of Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, who have scored 534 runs off 518 balls between them in three ODIs. The batsmen have been directionless: openers fail, middle order goes nowhere, and Scott Styris is left with too much to do. It hasn't helped that they have been without their regular opening pair of Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder.

Somehow, though, New Zealand need to find a way to get that winning feeling back against an India side that, on current form and confidence, will be backing itself to go unbeaten through the home season of 2010-11. It will be interesting if New Zealand can get Gambhir and Kohli out cheaply, and test the largely untroubled middle order so far. Daniel Vettori will tell his bowlers that's not asking for a lot.

Form guide

(completed matches, most recent first)
India: WWWWL
New Zealand: LLLLL

Watch out for...

Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson Williamson, batting at No.3, has aggregated 75 runs off 147 deliveries, getting off to a slow start each time, and with not too many big hits to count on, has put the rest of the batting under pressure every time. Surely Taylor, who has succumbed to the resultant pressure twice, has to move up to No.3 and take responsibility for the batting?

M Vijay has twice been the silent partner in opening stands with Gambhir, and has somehow failed to find the fluency he has in Tests and Twenty20s. A career strike-rate of 65 doesn't quite do justice to the way he can play. He will want to make the mental adjustment, and get past his personal best of 33.

Teams

New Zealand's fitness problems haven't made their job any easy. However, they will be hoping that Brendon McCullum can keep wicket, allowing them to add an extra batsman or an extra bowler to the XI.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Ross Taylor, 4 Kane Williamson, 5 Scott Styris, 6 James Franklin, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee/Grant Elliott/Gareth Hopkins, 10 Kyle Mills, 11 Andy McKay

It was strange to see India replace Suresh Raina with Ravindra Jadeja - who has been used as a specialist bowler by MS Dhoni - in the third ODI. Ideally, one out of Saurabh Tiwary and Rohit Sharma should get that slot. With Wriddhiman Saha having already left for South Africa so he can acclimatise himself to the conditions ahead of India's tour there, Parthiv Patel is all set to play his first international in two years and four months.

India (probable): 1 M Vijay, 2 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Yusuf Pathan, 6 Saurabh Tiwary/Rohit Sharma, 7 Parthiv Patel (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9, 10 and 11 three out of Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel

Stats and trivia

New Zealand have faced 502 dot balls to India's 417, which sums up New Zealand's approach - or lack of it - in the middle overs.
Virat Kohli has now scored 50 or more in four consecutive innings. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are the only Indians who have managed more - five. The overall record, a whopping nine, belongs to one of the finest one-day batsmen ever, Javed Miandad.

Quotes

"I've got to ask Ross Taylor [about the wicket] as he knows a lot more than I do. It has got a lot more grass on it and is probably not damp but a little sticky."

Daniel Vettori looks to use Taylor's experience of playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore

"I may just ensure that Yusuf gets to bat with the top-order so he can play enough deliveries and use his destructive batting to good effect."

Gautam Gambhir hints at a change in India's batting order

Swann bowls England to innings victory

2010-12-07T12:18:00.000+05:30

England 5 for 620 dec beat Australia 245 and 304 (Clarke 80, Watson 57, Hussey 52, Swann 5-91) by an innings and 71 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

James Anderson and Steven Finn combined for the first breakthrough, the big wicket of Michael Hussey © Getty Images

England have one hand on the Ashes after Graeme Swann bowled them to victory with a five-wicket haul in Adelaide, where neither rain nor the lower order could save Australia on the fifth morning. The significance of the win cannot be underestimated, as it gives England a 1-0 advantage heading in to the third Test in Perth, which starts in a week and a half.

The triumph came when Swann turned a ball through the gate to bowl Peter Siddle, completing his five-for and confirming the margin of an innings and 71 runs. It was a devastating morning for Australia, who began the day hopeful that they could survive for a draw with six wickets in hand, but it took England less than 90 minutes to skittle the remaining Australians.

Last time England took a series lead in Australia, it was 1986-87, and they did not give it away. And as the holders of the urn, Andrew Strauss and his men will retain the Ashes unless Australia can win at least two of the remaining three Tests, a monumental task given that they have now gone five Tests without tasting victory, stretching back to the series against Pakistan in England.

There will be changes for both teams at the WACA, with England forced to look to Chris Tremlett or Tim Bresnan, due to a series-ending abdominal injury to Stuart Broad. Australia will have to find a new opener as Simon Katich's Achilles tendon problem has ruled him out of the rest of the series, while Xavier Doherty and Marcus North will also face a nervous wait to see if they keep their places.

North could have saved his position by salvaging a draw for Australia on the final day, but he was one of the wickets to fall cheaply as England wrapped up the contest before lunch. The visitors knew a thunderstorm was expected later in the afternoon, and after they made the initial breakthrough by getting rid of the established Michael Hussey for 52, they tightened the noose on Australia's lower order.

Hussey and North resumed at 4 for 238 after the loss of Michael Clarke from the last ball of play on Monday, and it took only six overs for England to get a sniff of victory. Hussey was dropped by Matt Prior off the bowling of Swann but didn't survive a second chance when he top-edged a pull off Steven Finn and was comfortably taken at midwicket by James Anderson.

There was a roar from Anderson as soon as he had the ball safely in his hands, knowing that the in-form Hussey was the big breakthrough England required. Brad Haddin followed soon afterwards for 12 when he edged behind off Anderson, and England were in to Australia's long tail, with North carrying the home team's slim hopes at the other end.

Anderson quickly found himself on a hat-trick when Ryan Harris made unwanted history by completing a king pair, leaving a ball that swung back in and struck him in line with the stumps. Out of desperation more than belief, Harris asked for a review, but there was no way he was going to be saved, and neither were Australia.

There was no hat-trick for Anderson when he began his next over but he didn't really mind, as in the meantime Swann had removed North, the last of Australia's specialist batsmen, for 22. This time the review system did overturn a decision; Tony Hill gave North not out as he came forward with bat and pad close together, Swann wanted a referral, and the replays showed it was pad first, hitting the stumps, and a potentially career-busting blow for North.

Swann bowled outstandingly on the final day, and deserved his 5 for 91. In the absence of Broad for much of the innings, he sent down 41.1 overs, and collected the final two wickets when he sneaked the ball under the bat of Doherty for 5 and then finished off Siddle.

And it all happened under the most perfect, sunny skies. If Australia were hoping for storms, their prayers were not answered. In truth, they never recovered from the hurricane that struck on the first morning when they were 3 for 2. And now, England need only one more victory to retain the Ashes.

India V/S New Zealand Score Card

2010-12-04T22:24:00.001+05:30

New Zealand 224/9 (50 ov)

India 229/1 (39.3 ov)

India won by 9 wickets (with 63 balls remaining)

New Zealand in India ODI Series - 3rd ODI
ODI no. 3074 | 2010/11 season
Played at Reliance Stadium, Vadodara
4 December 2010 (50-over match)


New Zealand innings (50 overs maximum)		R	M	B	4s	6s	SR
MJ Guptill	run out (Gambhir)	12	24	15	1	1	80.00
4.5 from Khan, run-out, Guptill has to go, pushed firmly down the ground past the bowler to mid-on, Gambhir at mid-on picks it up and throws down the stumps at the non-striker's end, Guptill dives but is well short of the crease, India have struck again 19/2
BB McCullum	c Vijay b Khan	0	2	1	0	0	0.00
0.2 edged and gone! Good length outside off and moves away just a hint, McCullum pokes at it, fatally, gets a thick outside edge straight to Vijay at second slip, poor return from injury for the man, almost guided it to Vijay there 2/1
KS Williamson	lbw b Patel	21	71	50	1	0	42.00
15.2 given out lbw, swing for Munaf, came back in and Williamson has to go, good length on middle, landed around there, Williamson tried to drive it through the line, missed and it struck him on the back pad, appeared as though it would have struck middle and leg. It's umpire Kettlebrough this time, getting it right, or so it seems. Hit on the back leg, seaming in from just outside off. Dead plumb 49/4
LRPL Taylor	c †Saha b Khan	4	25	16	0	0	25.00
10.5 gone! Big appeal, and it's upheld. Lands on a good length and Taylor, quote subdued until now, decides to expand, trying to drive it on the up through the covers, gets a faint inside edge straight to Saha, no doubts about that one, Zaheer has struck again 34/3
SB Styris	c Yuvraj Singh b Ashwin	22	57	35	3	0	62.85
22.6 good catch by Yuvraj at leg slip, tossed up on middle and leg, Styris, who had struggled to pinch a single for the previous four deliveries, turned the face again to play it fine, and that he did but there was a leg slip in place, Yuvraj was alert there and snapped a sharp, low catch to send back Styris, who had been extremely fortunate to bat for as long as he did 77/5
JEC Franklin	not out	72	148	108	5	1	66.66

DL Vettori*	c Yuvraj Singh b Pathan	3	18	7	0	0	42.85
27.6 guided it to slip, quicker through the air, good turn and bounce for Yusuf, Vettori had shaped up to play the cut and just played it to slip where Yuvraj took another sharp one, straight onto his chest 96/6
GJ Hopkins†	c Yuvraj Singh b Pathan	6	7	6	1	0	100.00
29.3 another one to leg slip, Yuvraj is having a ball there, on middle and leg, turning further down, Hopkins is hunting for the single, turns the face and it's straight to Yuvraj who takes an easy one this time 106/7
NL McCullum	c Gambhir b Ashwin	43	71	53	4	0	81.13
47.2 the partnership is broken, makes room, turns in and he tries to smack that over extra cover but doesn't get the desired elevation, straight to Gambhir 200/8
KD Mills	run out (Kohli/†Saha)	15	13	9	1	1	166.66
49.6 from Nehra, run-out, digs it out wide of long-off and completes the single, calls for the second but Saha takes off the bails with Mills caught short 224/9
Extras	(b 1, lb 10, w 15)	26

Total	(9 wickets; 50 overs; 224 mins)	224	(4.48 runs per over)

Did not bat AJ McKay

Fall of wickets1-2 (BB McCullum, 0.2 ov), 2-19 (Guptill, 4.5 ov), 3-34 (Taylor, 10.5 ov), 4-49 (Williamson, 15.2 ov), 5-77 (Styris, 22.6 ov), 6-96 (Vettori, 27.6 ov), 7-106 (Hopkins, 29.3 ov), 8-200 (NL McCullum, 47.2 ov), 9-224 (Mills, 49.6 ov)


Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
Z Khan	8	2	31	2	3.87	(4w)
0.2 to BB McCullum, edged and gone! Good length outside off and moves away just a hint, McCullum pokes at it, fatally, gets a thick outside edge straight to Vijay at second slip, poor return from injury for the man, almost guided it to Vijay there 2/1 10.5 to Taylor, gone! Big appeal, and it's upheld. Lands on a good length and Taylor, quote subdued until now, decides to expand, trying to drive it on the up through the covers, gets a faint inside edge straight to Saha, no doubts about that one, Zaheer has struck again 34/3
A Nehra	8	1	38	0	4.75

MM Patel	10	0	28	1	2.80	(3w)
15.2 to Williamson, given out lbw, swing for Munaf, came back in and Williamson has to go, good length on middle, landed around there, Williamson tried to drive it through the line, missed and it struck him on the back pad, appeared as though it would have struck middle and leg. It's umpire Kettlebrough this time, getting it right, or so it seems. Hit on the back leg, seaming in from just outside off. Dead plumb 49/4
R Ashwin	9	1	49	2	5.44	(2w)
22.6 to Styris, good catch by Yuvraj at leg slip, tossed up on middle and leg, Styris, who had struggled to pinch a single for the previous four deliveries, turned the face again to play it fine, and that he did but there was a leg slip in place, Yuvraj was alert there and snapped a sharp, low catch to send back Styris, who had been extremely fortunate to bat for as long as he did 77/5 47.2 to NL McCullum, the partnership is broken, makes room, turns in and he tries to smack that over extra cover but doesn't get the desired elevation, straight to Gambhir 200/8
YK Pathan	8	0	27	2	3.37	(1w)
27.6 to Vettori, guided it to slip, quicker through the air, good turn and bounce for Yusuf, Vettori had shaped up to play the cut and just played it to slip where Yuvraj took another sharp one, straight onto his chest 96/6 29.3 to Hopkins, another one to leg slip, Yuvraj is having a ball there, on middle and leg, turning further down, Hopkins is hunting for the single, turns the face and it's straight to Yuvraj who takes an easy one this time 106/7
RA Jadeja	7	0	40	0	5.71	(1w)


India innings (target: 225 runs from 50 overs)		R	M	B	4s	6s	SR
M Vijay	run out (Vettori)	30	80	50	3	1	60.00
18.4 Styris to Gambhir, run-out, Gambhir dabs it into the off side towards short third man, Vijay calls for a single and it turns out to be a mistake, Vettori picks up and throws accurately at the stumps at the striker's end, and scores. Vijay is well short 115/1
G Gambhir*	not out	126	164	117	16	0	107.69

V Kohli	not out	63	83	70	6	2	90.00

Extras	(lb 5, w 5)	10

Total	(1 wicket; 39.3 overs; 164 mins)	229	(5.79 runs per over)

Did not bat Yuvraj Singh, YK Pathan, RA Jadeja, WP Saha†, R Ashwin, A Nehra, MM Patel, Z Khan

Fall of wickets1-115 (Vijay, 18.4 ov)


Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
KD Mills	6	0	39	0	6.50

AJ McKay	6.3	0	42	0	6.46	(5w)

JEC Franklin	4	0	34	0	8.50

DL Vettori	9	0	41	0	4.55

NL McCullum	8	0	36	0	4.50

SB Styris	6	0	32	0	5.33

Match details

Toss India, who chose to field
Series India led the 5-match series 3-0

Player of the match G Gambhir (India)

Umpires RA Kettleborough (England) and SK Tarapore
TV umpire SS Hazare
Match referee RS Mahanama (Sri Lanka)
Reserve umpire UV Gandhe

Match notes

New Zealand innings
Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 32 runs, 2 wickets)
Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 - 15.0 (Bowling side - 16 runs, 1 wicket)
Drinks: New Zealand - 49/4 in 15.2 overs (SB Styris 3)
New Zealand: 50 runs in 15.2 overs (92 balls), Extras 10
New Zealand: 100 runs in 28.4 overs (172 balls), Extras 15
Drinks: New Zealand - 115/7 in 31.0 overs (JEC Franklin 26, NL McCullum 4)
New Zealand: 150 runs in 38.2 overs (230 balls), Extras 18
8th Wicket: 50 runs in 61 balls (JEC Franklin 17, NL McCullum 26, Ex 7)
Powerplay 3: Overs 43.1 - 48.0 (Batting side - 40 runs, 1 wicket)
JEC Franklin: 50 off 92 balls (4 x 4)
New Zealand: 200 runs in 46.6 overs (282 balls), Extras 22
Innings Break: New Zealand - 224/9 in 50.0 overs (JEC Franklin 72)

India innings
Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 - 10.0 (Mandatory - 73 runs, 0 wicket)
India: 50 runs in 6.4 overs (40 balls), Extras 7
1st Wicket: 50 runs in 40 balls (M Vijay 5, G Gambhir 41, Ex 7)
G Gambhir: 50 off 30 balls (9 x 4)
India: 100 runs in 14.2 overs (86 balls), Extras 7
1st Wicket: 100 runs in 86 balls (M Vijay 21, G Gambhir 72, Ex 7)
Drinks: India - 112/0 in 17.0 overs (M Vijay 29, G Gambhir 76)
India: 150 runs in 27.3 overs (165 balls), Extras 7
G Gambhir: 100 off 88 balls (13 x 4)
2nd Wicket: 50 runs in 69 balls (G Gambhir 24, V Kohli 27, Ex 0)
Drinks: India - 191/1 in 34.0 overs (G Gambhir 114, V Kohli 39)
India: 200 runs in 36.2 overs (218 balls), Extras 8
V Kohli: 50 off 64 balls (6 x 4)
2nd Wicket: 100 runs in 118 balls (G Gambhir 48, V Kohli 50, Ex 2)

Vadodara ODI: India make it 3 in a row, beat NZ by 9 wickets

2010-12-04T22:18:00.001+05:30

Vadodara: It was a hat-trick win for India as they took an unassailable 3-0 lead over the Kiwis crushing them by nine wickets in the 3rd ODI on Saturday. Gautam Gambhir’s swashbuckling century and Virat Kohli’s brilliant fifty in the end helped India easily chase the target of 225 set by New Zealand and win series. The ninth century of Gambhir’s career was second in a row. He was declared man of the match.

Earlier, India won the toss and elected to field. It was a great start for India as Zaheer staged a come back with a bang dismissing Brendon Mcculum in the very first over of the game. McCullum’s return to the squad brought hope for the Kiwis but Zaheer dashed all their expectations.

New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular interval of time and were reduced to 7-106, when James Franklin and Nathan McCullm came for rescue. Franklin and McCullum displayed great commitment to help New Zealand cross 200-mark. While McCullum missed his half century, Franklin remained unbeaten on 72.

Spectators in Vadodara cheered local boys Zaheer and Yusuf Pathan as they claimed two wickets each. R Ashwin, though proved a little expensive, he finished with 2/49.

After a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hand of Bangladesh in the previous series, the loss in Vadodara has crushed the morale of Kiwis ahead of the World Cup. It was Kiwis' eighth consecutive defeat in ODIs. On the other hand, the young Indian side is enthused following the remarkable win.

क्या धोनी सेना दोहरा पाएगी 1983 का चमत्कार?

2010-12-02T11:59:00.001+05:30

आईसीसी क्रिकेट विश्वकप का 10वां संस्करण अगले साल एशिया में खेला जाएगा। जोश से ओतप्रोत टीम इंडिया इस खिताब का सबसे प्रबल दावेदार है। सब कप्तान महेंद्र सिंह धोनी से आस लगाए हैं कि वो साल 1983 का इतिहास एक बार फिर दोहराकर देश को दूसरा विश्वकप दिलाएं।

साल 1975 से शुरु हुए वनडे क्रिकेट के सबसे बड़े घमासान का इतिहास तस्वीरों में कुछ इस प्रकार है -

1975 - वेस्ट इंडीज विजेता

1979 - वेस्ट इंडीज विजेता

1983 - भारत ने तोड़ा विंडीज का वर्चस्व

1987 - ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने जीता पहला विश्वकप

1991 - पाकिस्तान ने जमाया कब्जा

1995 - श्रीलंका विजेता

1999 - ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने जीता विश्वकप

2003 - ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने फिर किया कब्जा

2007 - ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने लगाई विश्वकप की हैट्रिक

2011 - कौन होगा विजेता

Nagpur Test: India takes 1st innings lead

2010-11-21T15:03:00.000+05:30

After a terrific show by bowlers, it’s the Indian batsmen who have kept the Kiwis at bay in the Nagpur Test. After bundling out New Zealand for 193 in their first innings, openers Virender Sehwag and Gutam Gambhir gave a solid start to the hosts. The duo added 113 runs for the first wicket. Sehwag scored a brilliant 74, while Gautam Gambhir played a knock of 78.

Earlier, resuming the day from the overnight score of 148/7, New Zealand could add just 45 runs on the board as Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha dismissed the tail enders soon. McCullum scored 40 and remained second best scorer for the visitors after Ryder who made a valuable 59.

Buy ICC CWC Tickets Online

2010-11-20T15:28:00.001+05:30

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Schedules Of ICC CWC 2011

2010-11-20T15:26:00.000+05:30

Schedules

Upcoming

#	Date & Time	Match	Venue	Result
1	Sat 19 Feb 02:00 PM IST	IND vs BAN	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka	To be played
2	Sun 20 Feb 09:30 AM IST	KEN vs NZ	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)	To be played
3	Sun 20 Feb 02:30 PM IST	SL vs CAN	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota	To be played
4	Mon 21 Feb 02:30 PM IST	AUS vs ZIM	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera - Ahmedabad	To be played
5	Tue 22 Feb 02:30 PM IST	ENG vs NED	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	To be played
6	Wed 23 Feb 02:30 PM IST	KEN vs PAK	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota	To be played
7	Thu 24 Feb 02:30 PM IST	SA vs WI	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	To be played
8	Fri 25 Feb 09:00 AM IST	BAN vs IRE	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka	To be played
9	Fri 25 Feb 02:30 PM IST	AUS vs NZ	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	To be played
10	Sat 26 Feb 02:30 PM IST	SL vs PAK	R.Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo	To be played
11	Sun 27 Feb 02:30 PM IST	IND vs ENG	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)	To be played
12	Mon 28 Feb 09:30 AM IST	CAN vs ZIM	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	To be played
13	Mon 28 Feb 02:30 PM IST	NED vs WI	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	To be played
14	Tue 01 Mar 02:30 PM IST	SL vs KEN	R.Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo	To be played
15	Wed 02 Mar 02:30 PM IST	ENG vs IRE	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore - Karnataka	To be played
16	Thu 03 Mar 09:30 AM IST	NED vs SA	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - Chandigarh	To be played
17	Thu 03 Mar 02:30 PM IST	CAN vs PAK	R.Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo	To be played
18	Fri 04 Mar 09:30 AM IST	NZ vs ZIM	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera - Ahmedabad	To be played
19	Fri 04 Mar 02:00 PM IST	BAN vs WI	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka	To be played
20	Sat 05 Mar 02:30 PM IST	SL vs AUS	R.Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo	To be played
21	Sun 06 Mar 09:30 AM IST	ENG vs SA	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)	To be played
22	Sun 06 Mar 02:30 PM IST	IND vs IRE	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore - Karnataka	To be played
23	Mon 07 Mar 02:30 PM IST	CAN vs KEN	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	To be played
24	Tue 08 Mar 02:30 PM IST	NZ vs PAK	Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy	To be played
25	Wed 09 Mar 02:30 PM IST	IND vs NED	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	To be played
26	Thu 10 Mar 02:30 PM IST	SL vs ZIM	Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy	To be played
27	Fri 11 Mar 09:30 AM IST	IRE vs WI	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - Chandigarh	To be played
28	Fri 11 Mar 02:00 PM IST	BAN vs ENG	Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong	To be played
29	Sat 12 Mar 02:30 PM IST	IND vs SA	Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur	To be played
30	Sun 13 Mar 09:30 AM IST	CAN vs NZ	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)	To be played
31	Sun 13 Mar 02:30 PM IST	AUS vs KEN	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore - Karnataka	To be played
32	Mon 14 Mar 09:00 AM IST	BAN vs NED	Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong	To be played
33	Mon 14 Mar 02:30 PM IST	PAK vs ZIM	Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy	To be played
34	Tue 15 Mar 02:30 PM IST	IRE vs SA	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)	To be played
35	Wed 16 Mar 02:30 PM IST	AUS vs CAN	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore - Karnataka	To be played
36	Thu 17 Mar 02:30 PM IST	ENG vs WI	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)	To be played
37	Fri 18 Mar 09:30 AM IST	IRE vs NED	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)	To be played
38	Fri 18 Mar 02:30 PM IST	NZ vs SL	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)	To be played
39	Sat 19 Mar 09:00 AM IST	BAN vs SA	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka	To be played
40	Sat 19 Mar 02:30 PM IST	AUS vs PAK	R.Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo	To be played
41	Sun 20 Mar 09:30 AM IST	KEN vs ZIM	Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Calcutta)	To be played
42	Sun 20 Mar 02:30 PM IST	IND vs WI	MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras)	To be played
43	Wed 23 Mar 02:00 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C.	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka	To be played
44	Thu 24 Mar 02:30 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C.	Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera - Ahmedabad	To be played
45	Fri 25 Mar 02:00 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C.	Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka	To be played
46	Sat 26 Mar 02:30 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C.	R.Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo	To be played
47	Tue 29 Mar 02:30 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C. (1st Semi Final)	R.Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo	To be played
48	Wed 30 Mar 02:30 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C. (2nd Semi Final)	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - Chandigarh	To be played
49	Sat 02 Apr 02:30 PM IST	T.B.C. vs T.B.C. (Final)	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay)	To be played

'World Cup on my mind' - Gautam Gambhir

2010-11-20T15:25:00.000+05:30

It's been a frustrating period for Gautam Gambhir. A series of injuries, the latest being his knee strain during the first Test against Australia at Mohali, has seen Gambhir make the National Cricket Academy his base. The left-hander watched India record a historic wash out against Australia on TV. On the day he was named in the Test squad for the New Zealand series, Gambhir spoke to The Indian Express about his forced break and the excitement to be back with the boys. Excerpts:

How did you spend your time while being away from Team India?

It's frustrating for me to sit at home and watch cricket on television. I watched every bit of the Vizag game (against Aussies) and I missed being part of the team. To be honest, missing out on a game after being dropped feels bad but to sit out with injury and watch other people play feels even worse. But I had to look at the bigger picture. There's the South Africa series followed by the World Cup and I decided to rest my knee. I have spent considerable time at the NCA for injury rehabilitation and am feeling good about my physical condition.

So how have been your preparations for the New Zealand series?

I have spent a lot of time away from the field, so at this point it's just about getting back and hitting the ball from the middle of the bat. It's important to get back into the rhythm. I have increased my 'batting time' at the nets and am happy with my fitness.

How tough is it to return to international cricket after an injury lay-off?

I am just staring at another challenge. When you are in the middle of a great run and suddenly you get injured, you have to start from scratch. When you go out to bat in a match after a long break, you just try to test if you still have the old touch. When you come back from a break, you need time to get used to things around you. If you look, I haven't played much in the last three months. It's a challenge that I am now looking forward to meet.

Do you think you made the most of your purple patch? Is it enough to see you through when you are not at the peak of form and fitness?

Whether I have made the most of it or not is not for me to say. But I know that no one in the world has been able to sustain his scoring form forever. At least I have been able to sustain it for two years. Form is just a state of mind, you can be in-form or out-of-form in just one innings. From my point of view, I haven't done very badly.

You missed the cut for the World Cup in 2007. Now again there's a cloud of uncertainty with these injuries. How much does the World Cup mean to you?

I have never played the World Cup so obviously that's one thing that's right there on my mind. In the last three years, I think I have done consistently well to get a place in the World Cup side. But at the same time I am not saying that everything else is secondary. It's not just about playing the World Cup but it's about being in good form and being absolutely fit. I plan to build on it from this New Zealand series, then to South Africa series and so on...

For the first time ever, BCCI is mulling about a request to send few batsmen to South Africa a week ahead to get used to the conditions there before the Test series. What's your take on it?

I think it's a fantastic idea. India has never won a series in South Africa so it is a tough assignment. When you go to South Africa after playing in sub-continental conditions you need to adjust. The more time players get to acclimatise themselves in those conditions, it will be fantastic preparations.

S.Lanka squad close to settled for World Cup: Jayawardene

2010-11-20T15:23:00.000+05:30

Vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene said on Friday Sri Lanka's squad was close to what will be fielded in next year's World Cup.

The Sri Lankans will use Sunday's Twenty20 clash at the WACA Ground here as their final tour match preparation for a three-match one-day international series against the top-ranked Australians.

Jayawardene said Sri Lanka would use the three one-dayers, starting in Melbourne next Wednesday, to further develop the squad ahead of next February's World Cup on the sub-continent.

"There's a lot for us to gain in this series in trying a few different combinations and seeing what suits us, Jayawardene told reporters.

"I think (the squad we've brought over) is very close (to what we'll use at the World Cup).

"I think there's only two or three positions up for grabs.

"With a few of the younger boys here for us we want to give them a go against a tougher opposition and see how they come up."

Jayawardene said Australia's youthful T20 line-up possessed plenty of match-winners.

"Obviously the batting looks stronger with (David) Warner, (Shane) Watson ... Cameron White has been in pretty good form the last six months," he said.

"(But) anyone on their day can be crucial, especially Twenty20 cricket because if you make a mistake it's very difficult to come back into the game."

Coach Trevor Bayliss, who will quit his position following the World Cup, said he was satisfied with Sri Lanka's preparation for the tour, despite rain interfering in two of their three warm-up matches.

Sri Lanka beat Queensland by 112 runs in a one-day game in their first tour match but a 50-over fixture against New South Wales was abandoned without a ball being bowled, before they won a Twenty20 match against NSW on the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Brett Lee hopes for a World Cup comeback

2010-11-20T15:22:00.000+05:30

Lee Sunday expressed disappointment at being left out of Australia's Twenty20 and One-day International side for the series against Sri Lanka and said he is now aiming for the big event in the sub-continent.

'That is definitely what I am aiming for, that is the reason I am training so hard,' Lee was quoted as saying by the Sunday Telegraph.

In a comeback match after an elbow injury, Lee playing for New South Wales (NSW) picked up two wickets and was instrumental in his team's victory against Queensland in a one-day match Friday.

Lee next plays a one-day game not before Nov 26 and he says the long gap will not help his cause of getting back to being match-fit at the earliest.

'I have got a few weeks off, which is not ideal preparation,' Lee said.

'It is disappointing but it is the way it goes. They told me they wanted me to play some more cricket. Unfortunately, I do not have any more cricket to play. I would have loved to have been playing (for Australia) but I am not. So, it is back to the drawing board and keep trying to do well whenever I get the opportunity,' he summed up.

Younus wants to bow out on World Cup high

2010-11-20T15:21:00.000+05:30

Veteran Pakistani batsman Younus Khan has expressed the hope that his team would win a major ICC event before he hung up his boots, adding that it would be great if it would be next year's World Cup.

"It's in my mind that before I leave we win a major ICC (International Cricket Council) event and if that's the World Cup (50 overs) then it would be great," the Daily Times quoted Younus, as saying.

India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh host the World Cup from February 19 to April 2 next year, and Younus rates Pakistan as one of the favourites for the event.

"Pakistan is amongst the top four favourites to win the World Cup and I always give top ranking to my team. If we play to our potential we can win the World Cup like we won the World Twenty20," he said.

Younus, who hit a match-winning 73 in the fourth one day match which saw Pakistan to a narrow one wicket win here on Friday to level the five-match series against South Africa at 2-2, said he fulfils the senior batsman's job.

"I am one of the most senior players, so my job is to guide the team to safety and whenever I do that I am very happy and it adds to my confidence," said the veteran, who has so far played 63 Tests and 206 one-day matches for Pakistan.

"If senior players remain focussed and do their jobs then I am sure that Pakistan will make winning a habit and that's very important at international level," he added.

Younus hoped that Pakistan clinch the final match against South Africa to be played on Monday (today), saying, "We have not won a series for two years." Pakistan's last series win was against West Indies in Abu Dhabi in 2008.

"So it's important that we clinch this series and get more confidence before the World Cup," he added. (ANI)

Cricket World Cup on display as countdown begins

2010-11-20T15:19:00.000+05:30

Morkel and Steyn, who were later joined by members of the South African and Pakistani teams, dived into the aquarium to start the ceremony which was also attended by officials of International Cricket Council (ICC).

The opening ceremony of the World Cup will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 17. India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka jointly host the 10th World Cup from February 19 to April 2.

"It was spectacular to watch the 100-day countdown ceremony and the ICC and the three host countries are gearing up for the World Cup," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told reporters.

Pakistan were also due to co-host the 2011 party, but were stripped of their rights due to security concerns in the volatile nation in the aftermath of the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in March last year.

Lorgat said he feels for Pakistan's fans.

"Due to unavoidable circumstances we had to shift the matches from Pakistan and I welcome all the fans there to come to Sri Lanka and support their team as they always do," said Lorgat.

Pakistan will play all its group matches in Sri Lanka.

The 43-day, 49-match tournament will be played under a new format with India hosting a majority of matches (29), including the final at the new-look Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on April 2.

Lorgat said the ICC had learnt lessons from the past World Cup, especially the problem of low turn outs due to the high prices of tickets in the last event held in the West Indies three years ago.

"I hope lessons learnt from the 2007 event will help us and we have done everything to make this event in the sub-continent a special one," said Lorgat, who also hails from South Africa.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis hoped Pakistan do well in the World Cup.

"It was nice to begin the 100-day countdown here," said Waqar, who was Pakistan captain in the 2003 World Cup. "We still have one series to play in New Zealand and hope that we remain focused to win the mega event."

South African captain Graeme Smith said he hoped the World Cup will be a success.

"The World Cup is a prestigious event and being held in the sub-continent, where cricket is a passion, makes it a special event," said Smith whose country has never won the mega event since re-admitted to international fold in 1992 after a lengthy ban due to aparthied.

"Every team wants to win the World Cup and we will also make extra effort to win it," said Smith."

- Shahid Hashmi

Tendulkar named as the ICC's ambassador for the ICC CWC 2011

2010-11-20T15:18:00.000+05:30

Dubai: With exactly 100 days to go, the ICC today announced the appointment of India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar the official event ambassador for cricket's flagship event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Throughout his long and successful career to date Tendulkar has inspired hundreds of millions of cricket lovers around the world with his personality, skill, temperament and love for the game.

Since making his debut for India in 1989 at the tender age of 16, on the field he has scored more international runs than anyone else in history while also adhering faithfully to the spirit of cricket. Off the field he has always carried himself as a true champion, making him a perfect role model and one of the most recognisable and popular sportsmen of his generation.

In his role as ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 ambassador he will be called upon to promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives for the tournament, which is the third biggest sporting event in the world and will take place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from 19 February to 2 April next year.

"There are just 100 days to go and I am really looking forward to playing in another Cricket World Cup," said Tendulkar, who will join Pakistan's Javed Miandad as the only other player to take part in six World Cups.

"In terms of limited-overs cricket, the ICC Cricket World Cup is the highest level you can play so it is always a thrill to take part in such an important and widely followed event.

"The fact that the 2011 event will be staged here in the sub-continent makes it even more special for me and I am keen to ensure we play well. As a team we would be doing everything we can to win the world cup on home soil " he said.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "We are very lucky to have such an extraordinary player as Sachin supporting our flagship event.

"I don't think any other player has inspired a nation like he has and the respect and affection he enjoys goes way beyond his native India. Many other athletes and sports fans around the globe admire what he consistently achieves and what he does for cricket."

Ton will boost my confidence: Kohli

2010-10-21T11:30:00.000+05:30

Virat Kohli, who starred in India's five-wicket win on Wednesday, said he was under pressure to perform and the 118 against Australia would certainly give him a lot of confidence.

But the Delhi batsman feels this knock would still not guarantee him a place as the competition for the number three slot is quite tough.

"Honestly, I was struggling to get runs. I had not scored in last six-seven matches. I was under pressure... I was not hitting in the gaps. It was very satisfying and it gives you a lot of confidence when you score chasing under pressure," Kohli said about his third one-day century, which incidentally his best so far.

"I will not say my place is cemented. I have to keep performing well in few more chases... I have to be consistent," Kohli added.

Kohli hit a 121-ball 118 to help India register the win over Australia and take a 1-0 lead before the third and final one-dayer in Margao, Goa.

"It (the win) is a good sign, it shows we have a good bench strength. In fact, the competition to get into the side helps in developing the hunger and you score more runs," he said.

Asked whether he had matured as a batsman post his knock against the world number one, the Aussies, Kohli said, "I think, you try to learn a lot at international level.

"You try to learn from the mistakes... You tend to fail sometimes... This is part and parcel of the game... You do the basics right and train hard, it pay back."

"I didn't perform well in last two series. I could not convert my scores into big knocks. There was a struggle for a place," he added.

Kohli also thanked Yuvraj Singh who extended a fine support in building the Indian innings with a 137-run third wicket stand.

"I think, someone like him at other end helps you. He has so much experience. It takes a lot of pressure off you. I had that advantage. It was a good partnership and it set the pace for us to capitalise in the end," he said.

This was a third straight win for India in the coastal city and Kohli said, "I am really happy if it happened. and I could contribute in that."

"The mood in the dressing room was very good especially after beating them 2-0 in the Tests. It got us a lot of confidence."

Dhoni heaps praise on batsmen

2010-10-21T11:29:00.001+05:30

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday praised the batting department for scripting a five-wicket win over Australia in the second ODI, which also helped the hosts take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

"Yuvraj (Singh) and (Virat) Kohli got us back in the game and (Suresh) Raina supported Kohli well in the end. We wanted to see how much dew was around, I thought the spinners would get more turn but it turned out to be much flatter.

"(Cameron) White took the attack apart, but with Suresh Raina at the crease with one Powerplay to go I knew we had a chance. And Yuvraj, it was very important for him to get runs," Dhoni said after the match.

Kohli smashed a career-best 118, while Raina's 71 not out and Yuvraj's 58 also played crucial roles.

"Kohli has been often criticised for giving away good starts and he batted perfectly today. We'll look to win the third game as well. We have eight to 10 games before the World Cup and we want to achieve more than just winning the games," he added.

Dhoni's opposite number Michael Clarke also credited the Indian batsmen for making the difference.

"Cameron White's innings was unbelievable, I thought 290 was enough but India chased well. We'll try to rebuild. We are disappointed with the result. We'll try to do better in the first 15 overs in the second game," he said.

However, he was happy with the efforts of his bowlers and said, "John Hastings did a fantastic job, (Mitchell) Starc has a bright future for Australia."

Meanwhile, Man of the Match Kohli said he was struggling with cramps during the winning effort.

"I was struggling with cramps in my 70s and 80s. I just wanted to drag the game as much as I could to put my team in a winning position. (Murali) Vijay suggested that I just time the ball than hit it too hard. He helped calm me down.

"With Yuvraj batting at the other end, it's always helpful because he can score quickly and take the pressure off you. We just decided to build a partnership and bank on the Powerplay," he said.

Asked about batting at the number three position, he said, "The team has shown trust in me to bat at No 3 and I'll just look to capitalise. Once the dew came in, the ball was coming on quite nicely and we tried to take advantage of that."

India's young guns beat Australia

2010-10-21T11:23:00.000+05:30

Virat Kohli hit an excellent 118 off 121 balls while Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh contributed with solid fifties as India successfully chased down a target of 290 to take a 1-0 lead in three match ODI series at the floodlit Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy ADA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, here on Wednesday.

Chasing a stiff target of 290, India got off to a disastrous start by losing debutant Shikhar Dhawan for a second ball duck when he was clean bowled by Australian pace bowler Clint McKay.

Fellow opener Murali Vijay soon followed him back to the pavilion when he edged a McKay delivery to wicket-keeper Tim Paine. Vijay was looking solid but poor shot selection led to his downfall for 15 from 18 balls.

However, Virat Kohli changed the entire complexion of the match with a flawless century as he shared two crucial partnerships with Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina to put Indian on course for a magnificent win.

After missing the Test series against Australia, Yuvraj Singh answered his critics in stylish fashion by hitting classy 58 off 87 balls which included five boundaries.

Young Suresh Raina again proved that he has got the metal by finishing the things of with brilliant knock of 71 for just 47 balls. He thrashed the bowlers all over the ground and hit nine boundaries and one huge six in his innings.

There were some nervous moment at the end when India lost Kohli and skipper MS Dhoni in quick succession however Raina steadied the nerves along with Saurabh Tiwary helped India winning the match by five wickets and take an unassailable 1-0 lead in three match series. First ODI was washed out at Kochi without a ball being bowled.

Earlier stand in skipper Michael Clarke returned to form with his fifth century to help Australia post a challenging 289 for three.

Ashish Nehra evicted the opening duo of Shaun Marsh (0) and Tim Paine (9), but Clarke (111 not out from 138 balls with seven fours and one six) and Hussey (69) steadied the ship putting on 144 runs together.

Some big hitting by vice-captain Cameron White (89 from 49 balls with six fours and six overboundaries) -- with a couple of them straight ones through umpire Billy Bowden -- spurred the Aussie scoring as they scored 49 runs in the five overs of batting powerplay between 43rd and 47th overs.

Both White and Clarke were in a rampaging mood, Nehra, who had an impressive first spell of 4-1-3-2 had his figures destroyed towards the end as he returned with 57 runs from his 10 overs.

The Aussie scored 114 in the last 10 overs, something that speaks highly of Clarke's innings that had the shades of recovery and then the dominance.

Put into bat, Australia were clearly under pressure as the opening duo of Marsh and Paine were dismissed early by Nehra in an impressive first spell.

Skipper Clarke and Hussey -- the experienced duo of the new-look Australia side -- did the repair work, building their innings brick by brick, In the end Cameron White's big hitting helped Australia in reaching a fighting total of 289.

'Final order on Kings XI's service tax soon'

2010-10-12T08:49:00.000+05:30

Even after termination of the franchisee agreement with Kings XI Punjab by BCCI, KPH Dreams which owns the T20 team is still not out of trouble, it seems, as the Central Excise Department on Monday said it would pass an order within a month determining the company's total tax liability.

The department, which had slapped a notice on KPH Dreams for payment of Rs 5.38 crore as service tax, would be passing an order to decide the final tax liability within a month after giving the company a third and last opportunity for hearing on October 27.

"The order (for determining tax liability) will be passed within a month after hearing the final arguments of the company on October 27," Central Excise Commissioner HK Thakur told PTI on Monday.

The department had slapped a notice on KPH Dreams in February this year asking the company to pay up service tax to the tune of Rs. 5.38 crore for the payment received during the first season of IPL matches.

The department has already held two hearings of the company on September 22 and October 5. "During their replies filed with us, the company (KPH Dreams) claimed that it is not supposed to pay the tax. But we will go through their (KPH Dreams) replies before fixing the final tax liability," said Thakur.

Besides tax liability, the company may also face penalty on tax, which can be imposed by the Central Excise Department in its final order.

Under section 78 of Service Tax Act, the department has the power to impose penalty which starts from minimum amount of Rs 5,000 up to the maximum of 200 per cent of due tax.

According to the notice issued to KPH Dreams, out of Rs 5.38 crore, the department had raised a demand of Rs 3.89 crore as service tax for payment it received from BCCI-IPL in the shape of share of revenue, prize money and share of official beverages.

The department had asked the Kings XI franchise to pay Rs 9.17 lakh as service tax on Rs 74.24 lakh worth services provided by overseas companies under reverse charge basis.

Rs 1.02 crore service tax was demanded on the services provided by overseas players and another Rs 37.55 lakh was demanded on the payment of ticket sales classified under exempted services.

Besides facing tax liability, venturing into IPL has not been a profitable opportunity for the company as it suffered a net loss of Rs 25 crore in 2008-09.

Kings XI Punjab, which had committed to pay USD 76 million as franchise fee for over ten years, in January this year had said that it is hoping to break even by March 2011.

According to the shareholding pattern in the company, actress Preity Zinta and industrialist Ness Wadia have 23 per cent stake each while Karan Paul, Chairman of Apeejay-Surrendra Group, has 4 per cent equity stake. The balance 50 per cent is with M B Finmart and Windy Investments.

India Blues win Challenger series

2010-10-12T08:48:00.000+05:30

Opener Tanmay Srivastava scored a run-a-ball 103 while talented Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary smashed a quick-fire 84 to help India Blue win the NKP Salve Challenger Series with a thumping 140-run victory over India Green on Monday.

In reply to Blue's challenging score of 287 for seven, the Greens were all-out for 147 in 36.4 overs. India discard Rudra Pratap Singh took three for 20 for the winners.

For the second day in a row, India Blue captain Yuvraj Singh opted to bat after winning the toss.

Srivastava and in-form Shikhar Dhawan (44, 51 balls, 4x6, 1x6) added 67 runs before the Delhi batsman was caught by Ravichandran Ashwin at deep square leg off Abhimanyu Mithun's bowling.

Ajinkya Rahane (7) and Yuvraj Singh (12) were both dismissed off leggie Sarabjit Ladda. While Rahane mistimed a pull-shot, Yuvraj was done in by a googly.

At 118 for three, Srivastava was joined by Tiwary who was fluent from the onset, giving Srivastava a chance to score freely.

The centurion hit nine boundaries, while Tiwary hit seven fours and a six, adding 97 runs for the fourth wicket.

After Srivastava departed in the 41st over, it was Tiwary who single-handedly took the score close to 300 with some delightful strokes.

The Bengal batsman hit Mithun for a four and a six off successive deliveries before getting out.

When the Greens batted, they looked completely out of sorts as pacers Rudra Pratap, V Yomahesh and spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Piyush Chawla bowled well.

Robin Uthappa was the top scorer with 30, while S Badrinath, Kedar Jadhav, Aniruddha Srikkanth and Rohit Sharma fell cheaply.