ICC RANKING IN THE WORLD
1 AUSTRALIA
2 SOUTHAFRICA
SRILANKA
INDIA
5 ENGLAND
IF SRILANKA WILL WIN THE MATCH HE WILL BE THE ONLY TEAM IN NUMBER TWO POSITION.SRILANKA INDIA AND SOUTH AFRICA HAS 109 POINTS.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
WETHER IS THE TRUMCARD FOR ENGLAND.
SRILANKA COULD NOT BOWLED OUT ENGLAND BECAUSE OF THE WETHER. IT IS THE MEDICINE THAT CURETHE ENGLAND PLAYER.
ENGLAND HASN'T LOST A WICKET AFTER LUNCH.ENGLAND IS 237/5 IN 85.5 OVERS INCLUDING 24 EXTRA.
A.COOK HAS SCORED MARVOLOUS CENTURY AND STILL UNBEATEN ON 107*(259)
MATT PRIOR IS UNBEATEN ON 18*(75).IF THE MATCH WILL NOT START THEN SRILANKA WILL WIN THE SERIES 1-0
MATCH SUMMARY
SRILANKA FIRST INNINGS 499/8 DEC.
ENGLAND FIRST INNINGS 81
ENGLAND SECOND INNINGS 237/5
A.COOK 107*
ENGLAND ARE TRAIL BY 181 RUNS.
SRILANKA COULD NOT BOWLED OUT ENGLAND BECAUSE OF THE WETHER. IT IS THE MEDICINE THAT CURETHE ENGLAND PLAYER.
ENGLAND HASN'T LOST A WICKET AFTER LUNCH.ENGLAND IS 237/5 IN 85.5 OVERS INCLUDING 24 EXTRA.
A.COOK HAS SCORED MARVOLOUS CENTURY AND STILL UNBEATEN ON 107*(259)
MATT PRIOR IS UNBEATEN ON 18*(75).IF THE MATCH WILL NOT START THEN SRILANKA WILL WIN THE SERIES 1-0
MATCH SUMMARY
SRILANKA FIRST INNINGS 499/8 DEC.
ENGLAND FIRST INNINGS 81
ENGLAND SECOND INNINGS 237/5
A.COOK 107*
ENGLAND ARE TRAIL BY 181 RUNS.
THE MOST EXCITING DAY OF CRICKET HISTORY AT GALLE
ENGLAND VS SRILANKA 5TH DAY OF TEST MATCH
ENGLAND WERE 102/1 AFTER END OF DAY-4
AT THE START OF DAY-5 ENGLAND WAS LOOK LIKE VERY DETERMINE. BUT THINGS CAN CHANGE SO DRASTICALLY THAT BEFORE 16 MINITUTE OF LUNCH ENGLAND HAD LOST ONLY ONE WICKET OF IAN BELL AT THAT TIME ENGLAND WERE 200/2. 16 MINUTE BEFORE LUNCH THE M.MURLIDHARAN HAD DELIVERED A MARATHONE OVER AND PICKED UP 3 WICKET IN THE OVER. FIRST WAS K.PIETERSAN SECOND WAS PAUL COLINGWOOD WITH A RIPPER AND THIRD WAS RAVI BOPARA.
ENGLAND WERE 202/5 STILL 2 SESSION TO NEGOSIATE.
THE ONLY BASTMAN WHO IS COMFORTABLE AT THE CREASE IS A.COOK WHO IS UN-BEATEN AT 96*
(219) HE WAS DROPPED BY P.JAYAWARDHANE ON 54 HE HAS TAKEN 33 CATCHES AND 10 STUMPING HE MIGHT HAVE DROPPED FIRST CATCH SINCE HIS DEBUE.
CAN HE BAT WHOLE DAY WITH MATT PRIOR (REMAIN TO BE SEEN)
SCORECARD
A. COOK 96*(213)
M.VAUGHAN 24(57)
I.BELL 34(67)
K.PIETERSAN 30(66)
P.COLLINGWOOD 0(2)
R.BOPARA 0(1)
ENGLAND WILL HAVE TO PLAY TWO MORE SESSION TO DEFEAT THE INVESTEC SERIES 1-0.
ENGLAND VS SRILANKA 5TH DAY OF TEST MATCH
ENGLAND WERE 102/1 AFTER END OF DAY-4
AT THE START OF DAY-5 ENGLAND WAS LOOK LIKE VERY DETERMINE. BUT THINGS CAN CHANGE SO DRASTICALLY THAT BEFORE 16 MINITUTE OF LUNCH ENGLAND HAD LOST ONLY ONE WICKET OF IAN BELL AT THAT TIME ENGLAND WERE 200/2. 16 MINUTE BEFORE LUNCH THE M.MURLIDHARAN HAD DELIVERED A MARATHONE OVER AND PICKED UP 3 WICKET IN THE OVER. FIRST WAS K.PIETERSAN SECOND WAS PAUL COLINGWOOD WITH A RIPPER AND THIRD WAS RAVI BOPARA.
ENGLAND WERE 202/5 STILL 2 SESSION TO NEGOSIATE.
THE ONLY BASTMAN WHO IS COMFORTABLE AT THE CREASE IS A.COOK WHO IS UN-BEATEN AT 96*
(219) HE WAS DROPPED BY P.JAYAWARDHANE ON 54 HE HAS TAKEN 33 CATCHES AND 10 STUMPING HE MIGHT HAVE DROPPED FIRST CATCH SINCE HIS DEBUE.
CAN HE BAT WHOLE DAY WITH MATT PRIOR (REMAIN TO BE SEEN)
SCORECARD
A. COOK 96*(213)
M.VAUGHAN 24(57)
I.BELL 34(67)
K.PIETERSAN 30(66)
P.COLLINGWOOD 0(2)
R.BOPARA 0(1)
ENGLAND WILL HAVE TO PLAY TWO MORE SESSION TO DEFEAT THE INVESTEC SERIES 1-0.
Friday, December 21, 2007
ENGLAND VS SRILANKA DAY-4 OF INVESTEC SERIES
ENGLAND WERE 2/0 IN THEIR SECOND INNINGS AND 415 RUNS BEHIND AT THE END OF DAY-3
ENGLAND HAS VERY GOOD SESSION TILL LUNCH AT DAY-4
ENGLAND IS 102/1 TILL LUNCH. LUNCH HAS TAKEN 8 MINITE EARLIER THEN A LOCAL TIME BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.
M.VAUGHAN WAS THE ONLY BASTMAN OUT IN THE SECOND INNINGS.
THE LEADING SCORER OF ENGLAND IN THIS SERIES IANBELL HAS ARRIVED AT THE CREASE. HE IS UNBEATEN ON 17*(35) ALONG WITH A.COOK. HE IS UNBEATEN ON 53*(117).
ENGLAND IS TRAIL BY 316 RUNS. PLAY WILL START AT 12:33 IF THE WETHER IS FINE ENOUGH TO PLAY.
ENGLAND
SCORECARD
A.COOK NOTOUT 53*(117)
M.VAUGHAN CT.M.JAYAWARDHANE C.WELEGADARA 24 (57)
I.BELL NOTOUT 17*(35)
EXTRA-8 OVERS 33.5 102/1
LEADING SCORER OF THE SERIES
NAME RUNS MATCHES
M.JAYAWARDHANE 474 3
K.SANGAKARA 291 3
I.BELL 245 3
M.VAUGHAN 215 3
M.VANDORT 213
ENGLAND WERE 2/0 IN THEIR SECOND INNINGS AND 415 RUNS BEHIND AT THE END OF DAY-3
ENGLAND HAS VERY GOOD SESSION TILL LUNCH AT DAY-4
ENGLAND IS 102/1 TILL LUNCH. LUNCH HAS TAKEN 8 MINITE EARLIER THEN A LOCAL TIME BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.
M.VAUGHAN WAS THE ONLY BASTMAN OUT IN THE SECOND INNINGS.
THE LEADING SCORER OF ENGLAND IN THIS SERIES IANBELL HAS ARRIVED AT THE CREASE. HE IS UNBEATEN ON 17*(35) ALONG WITH A.COOK. HE IS UNBEATEN ON 53*(117).
ENGLAND IS TRAIL BY 316 RUNS. PLAY WILL START AT 12:33 IF THE WETHER IS FINE ENOUGH TO PLAY.
ENGLAND
SCORECARD
A.COOK NOTOUT 53*(117)
M.VAUGHAN CT.M.JAYAWARDHANE C.WELEGADARA 24 (57)
I.BELL NOTOUT 17*(35)
EXTRA-8 OVERS 33.5 102/1
LEADING SCORER OF THE SERIES
NAME RUNS MATCHES
M.JAYAWARDHANE 474 3
K.SANGAKARA 291 3
I.BELL 245 3
M.VAUGHAN 215 3
M.VANDORT 213
Thursday, December 20, 2007
VICTORIA VS INDIA PRACTICE MATCH ON 20/12/2007
INDIA WAS 110/3 AT THE END OF DAY ONE.
RAHUL DRAVID HAD OPEN THE INNINGS WITH WASSIM JAFFAR. SO RAHULDRAVID MIGHT OPEN THE BATTING IN THE FIRST TEST.RAHUL DRAVID HAD MENTIONED THAT HE DID NOT BOTHER ABOUT OPENING THE BATTING HE WILL DO WHAT TEAM MANAGEMENT WANTS FROM HIM.
INDIA WAS 110/3 AT THE END OF DAY ONE.
RAHUL DRAVID HAD OPEN THE INNINGS WITH WASSIM JAFFAR. SO RAHULDRAVID MIGHT OPEN THE BATTING IN THE FIRST TEST.RAHUL DRAVID HAD MENTIONED THAT HE DID NOT BOTHER ABOUT OPENING THE BATTING HE WILL DO WHAT TEAM MANAGEMENT WANTS FROM HIM.
THE THIRD ODI BEATWEEN AUSTRALIA VS NEWZELAND IN CHAPPEL-HEADLY SERIES ON 20/12/2007
AUSTRALIA HAS SCORED 282 RUNS WITH THE HELP OF RICKY PONTING
NEWZELAND NEED 283 RUNS TO LEVEL THE SERIES.
NZ. WAS NOT ABLE TO CHASE A GOOD SCORE. IN THE END LOST BY HUGE MARGIN OF 114 AND WIN THE SERIES 2-0
RICKY PONTING WAS BOTH MAN OF THE MATCH AND SERIES
AUSTRALIA HAS SCORED 282 RUNS WITH THE HELP OF RICKY PONTING
NEWZELAND NEED 283 RUNS TO LEVEL THE SERIES.
NZ. WAS NOT ABLE TO CHASE A GOOD SCORE. IN THE END LOST BY HUGE MARGIN OF 114 AND WIN THE SERIES 2-0
RICKY PONTING WAS BOTH MAN OF THE MATCH AND SERIES
STRANGE AND SPICY ABOUT M.MURLIDHARAN
M.MURLIDHARAN IS A HIGHEST WICKET TAKERS IN TEST CRICKET THE SPECIAL ABOUT HIM IS HE NEVER MARK HIS RUNUP AT TIMES IF HE THINK THAT IT IS FINE ENOUGH FOR ME THEN HE STARTS BOWLING FROM THEIR
RECORD
MATCHES WICKET 5WI
118 720 62
IMPACABLE PLAYER FOR SRILANKAN CRICKET
M.MURLIDHARAN IS A HIGHEST WICKET TAKERS IN TEST CRICKET THE SPECIAL ABOUT HIM IS HE NEVER MARK HIS RUNUP AT TIMES IF HE THINK THAT IT IS FINE ENOUGH FOR ME THEN HE STARTS BOWLING FROM THEIR
RECORD
MATCHES WICKET 5WI
118 720 62
IMPACABLE PLAYER FOR SRILANKAN CRICKET
THE FANTABULOUS HISTORICAL DAY OF SRILANKAN CRICKET
AFTER LUNCH DRAMA IS CONTINUE ENGLAND HAD LOST 2 WICKETS TILL 2'O'CLOCK AT THAT TIME THE MATCH HAD STOPPED DUE TO WETHER ENGLAND WERE 41/6 AT THAT TIME AFTER SOME TIME THE MATCH WAS STARTED AND ENGLAND COULD NOT ABLE TO GET A PARTNERSHIOP GOING. ENGLAND WERE ALLOUT ON 81/10 IT WAS ENGLAND LOWEST TOTAL AGAINST SRILANKA
ENGLAND WILL NEED ABSOLUTE MIRACLE TO GET OUT OF THIS TERIBLE POSITION.
ENGLAND WILL RAPUP THE SERIES 2-0.
SRILANKA HAD APPLIED FOLLOW-ON TO THE ENGLAND. IN THE SECOND INNINGS ENGLAND WERE 2-0 OVER HAD BEEN DELIVERED BY M.MURLIDHARAN HE HAD OPEN THE BOWLING 5TH TIME IN HIS TEST CAREER.
ENGLAND WERE 415 RUNS BEHID AT THE END OF DAY-3.
THE STAND OUT PERFORMER IN THIS TEST MATCH
M.JAYAWARDHANE 213*(433)
C. VASS 90(133) AND ALSO TAKEN 4 WICKET 9-2-24-4
AFTER LUNCH DRAMA IS CONTINUE ENGLAND HAD LOST 2 WICKETS TILL 2'O'CLOCK AT THAT TIME THE MATCH HAD STOPPED DUE TO WETHER ENGLAND WERE 41/6 AT THAT TIME AFTER SOME TIME THE MATCH WAS STARTED AND ENGLAND COULD NOT ABLE TO GET A PARTNERSHIOP GOING. ENGLAND WERE ALLOUT ON 81/10 IT WAS ENGLAND LOWEST TOTAL AGAINST SRILANKA
ENGLAND WILL NEED ABSOLUTE MIRACLE TO GET OUT OF THIS TERIBLE POSITION.
ENGLAND WILL RAPUP THE SERIES 2-0.
SRILANKA HAD APPLIED FOLLOW-ON TO THE ENGLAND. IN THE SECOND INNINGS ENGLAND WERE 2-0 OVER HAD BEEN DELIVERED BY M.MURLIDHARAN HE HAD OPEN THE BOWLING 5TH TIME IN HIS TEST CAREER.
ENGLAND WERE 415 RUNS BEHID AT THE END OF DAY-3.
THE STAND OUT PERFORMER IN THIS TEST MATCH
M.JAYAWARDHANE 213*(433)
C. VASS 90(133) AND ALSO TAKEN 4 WICKET 9-2-24-4
THIRD DAY OF THE MATCH BEATWEEN SRILANKA VS ENGLAND
SRILANKA HAS SCORED 499/6 DECLARED 8 OVERS BEFORE LUNCH. WHAT A MARATHON PERFORMANCED BY LEFT ARM SWING BOWLER HE HAS TAKEN 2 WICKETS TILL LUNCH IAN BELL WAS RUNOUT AND LATISH MALINGA HAS DELIVERED A PERLER TO THE KEVIN PITERSEN. HE WAS CT.BEHIND WITH THE QUICK BOUNCER FOR MALINGA.
AT LUNCH ENGLAND IS 24/4 AT LUNCH.
SRILANKA HAS SCORED 499/6 DECLARED 8 OVERS BEFORE LUNCH. WHAT A MARATHON PERFORMANCED BY LEFT ARM SWING BOWLER HE HAS TAKEN 2 WICKETS TILL LUNCH IAN BELL WAS RUNOUT AND LATISH MALINGA HAS DELIVERED A PERLER TO THE KEVIN PITERSEN. HE WAS CT.BEHIND WITH THE QUICK BOUNCER FOR MALINGA.
AT LUNCH ENGLAND IS 24/4 AT LUNCH.
FASTER PANKAJSINGH BEGAN HIS RUN-UP IN BANGLORE SHOP.
BANGALORE, December 20: It was like a Twenty20 match for him daily - dividing his time between practising cricket in the morning and working in a sweetmeat shop in the evening.
If you had visited Bangalore in 2003-04, you would have probably seen rookie paceman Pankaj Singh supervising sales at Anand Sweets on the upmarket Commercial Street. You may not have spotted his cricketing talent then; but Anand Dadu, proprietor of the shop, certainly had. "He is a sweet boy, and he deserves a place in the Indian side," said Dadu, who supported the fast bowler, now in Australia hoping to make a mark on his maiden tour.
The 22-year-old's inspirational story would definitely elicit a 'howzzat'. Born in a poor family in a small UP village, Pankaj first came to Bangalore with the Mohammadan Sporting cricket team from Kolkata for the Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy (BPCA) tournament in 2003-04. At the end of the tourney, Munawar Ali, the Sporting manager, requested Dadu, one of the sponsors, to take care of him.
"He had no money or basic education. All he could do was to bowl fast. I employed him in our Commercial Street shop and rented a small room for him. The boy didn't have a pair of decent cricket shoes. I bought him kit before he played the BPCA matches," says Anand.
Despite the continuous struggle, a determined Pankaj stuck to his task - playing at BPCA and working in the shop for over six months - before the Patel, then secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, spotted him. He had Pankaj sent to the MRF Pace Foundation, Chennai, for a two-month stint.
After impressing TA Sekhar at the MRF camp, Pankaj was sent to Rajasthan, who were looking for new pacemen. There, Pankaj earned his Ranji cap. He became the leading wicket-taker in the domestic league - with 25 scalps - before the call for the Indian side came.
"After he was selected, Pankaj called and thanked me. 'I will never forget Anand Sweets and the time I worked and learnt the ropes in Bangalore,' he told me," says a beaming Anand.
BANGALORE, December 20: It was like a Twenty20 match for him daily - dividing his time between practising cricket in the morning and working in a sweetmeat shop in the evening.
If you had visited Bangalore in 2003-04, you would have probably seen rookie paceman Pankaj Singh supervising sales at Anand Sweets on the upmarket Commercial Street. You may not have spotted his cricketing talent then; but Anand Dadu, proprietor of the shop, certainly had. "He is a sweet boy, and he deserves a place in the Indian side," said Dadu, who supported the fast bowler, now in Australia hoping to make a mark on his maiden tour.
The 22-year-old's inspirational story would definitely elicit a 'howzzat'. Born in a poor family in a small UP village, Pankaj first came to Bangalore with the Mohammadan Sporting cricket team from Kolkata for the Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy (BPCA) tournament in 2003-04. At the end of the tourney, Munawar Ali, the Sporting manager, requested Dadu, one of the sponsors, to take care of him.
"He had no money or basic education. All he could do was to bowl fast. I employed him in our Commercial Street shop and rented a small room for him. The boy didn't have a pair of decent cricket shoes. I bought him kit before he played the BPCA matches," says Anand.
Despite the continuous struggle, a determined Pankaj stuck to his task - playing at BPCA and working in the shop for over six months - before the Patel, then secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, spotted him. He had Pankaj sent to the MRF Pace Foundation, Chennai, for a two-month stint.
After impressing TA Sekhar at the MRF camp, Pankaj was sent to Rajasthan, who were looking for new pacemen. There, Pankaj earned his Ranji cap. He became the leading wicket-taker in the domestic league - with 25 scalps - before the call for the Indian side came.
"After he was selected, Pankaj called and thanked me. 'I will never forget Anand Sweets and the time I worked and learnt the ropes in Bangalore,' he told me," says a beaming Anand.
NEWZWLAND ALL-ROUNDER JACOB-ORAM POSTPONES WEEDING TO PLAY IN IPL
AUCKLAND, December 20: New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram has postponed his wedding to fiancée Mara to participate in the inaugural Indian Premier League next April.
The wedding was scheduled for late March but Oram said the US 200,000 dollar offer to play in a Twenty20 league in India in April was too good to pass up.
Oram let the cat out of the bag when he was asked whether there was any pressure from New Zealand Cricket not to sign with the IPL because April was supposedly a rest period for the all-rounder before the Black Caps tour England.
"The only pressure was for my wedding. "I've had to postpone it, it was a joint decision between us because the opportunity in India is so good," stuff.co.nz website quoted Oram, as saying.
Oram said he would withdraw from the IPL if his injury required rest before the England tour.
"I've spoken to the Indian people and I'm going subject to fitness. If I'm carrying an injury I'm not going to go over there and thrash myself so I can't play for New Zealand. I would rather play two months in England - it is the ultimate tour- than go to India," he said.
Oram added his decision had the blessing of national coach John Bracewell and New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan.
AUCKLAND, December 20: New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram has postponed his wedding to fiancée Mara to participate in the inaugural Indian Premier League next April.
The wedding was scheduled for late March but Oram said the US 200,000 dollar offer to play in a Twenty20 league in India in April was too good to pass up.
Oram let the cat out of the bag when he was asked whether there was any pressure from New Zealand Cricket not to sign with the IPL because April was supposedly a rest period for the all-rounder before the Black Caps tour England.
"The only pressure was for my wedding. "I've had to postpone it, it was a joint decision between us because the opportunity in India is so good," stuff.co.nz website quoted Oram, as saying.
Oram said he would withdraw from the IPL if his injury required rest before the England tour.
"I've spoken to the Indian people and I'm going subject to fitness. If I'm carrying an injury I'm not going to go over there and thrash myself so I can't play for New Zealand. I would rather play two months in England - it is the ultimate tour- than go to India," he said.
Oram added his decision had the blessing of national coach John Bracewell and New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan.
WARNE EXPECT SACHIN TO SCORE BULK OF RUNS IN AUSTRALIA
MELBOURNE, December 20: Sachin Tendulkar might be in the twilight of his career but spin legend Shane Warne believes the master batsman is still a force to reckon with and backed him to score heavily in his last Australian tour.
Warne, who mastered the art of leg spin but failed to solve an enigma called Tendulkar during his illustrious career, warned Australia to write off the "great" player at their own peril.
"I don't believe just because he is getting old, he is finished. Given the conditions, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide are going to be pretty flat, I expect Sachin to get lot of runs", Warne said.
"There is no doubt he will play one or two special innings in this Test series. Absolutely no doubt, he will play a couple of unbelievable breath taking innings.
Warne picked Tendulkar as the greatest contemporary batsman he played against and warned Australia not to ignore him.
"He is the best batsman I have played either with or against. You never write off a great player," said Warne as he backed the peerless Indian and the rest of his team-mates to score heavily in the next few weeks.
"Two of the Tests are in Sydney and Adelaide. Melbourne has been very, very benign and flat. If you don't take wickets with the new ball, you are in for a long day in the field."
Warne said the experienced Indian batting line-up will pile up huge runs, but for getting 20 wickets and winning against the Aussies, India will have to depend on its spinners.
"Can India take 20 wickets? I think it will be down to Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh."
"Two of the Tests are in Sydney and Adelaide. They are obviously spinning wickets. They will go in with two spinners and the wickets will help their batting.
"It will help their quicks, especially Zaheer Khan, with reverse swing in Sydney and Adelaide.
Warne expressed his admiration for skipper Anil Kumble for being a gentleman cricketer and yet being the most competitive of the Indian players.
"He is one of the gentlemen of the game, one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet but also one of the most competitive players going around in that Indian side.
"He is very, very competitive and I think he will make a great captain," said Test cricket's highest wicket-taker.
Warne hoped the present team management would not try the same methods as John Buchanan and Steve Waugh did during their reign in the 2003-2004 series.
"The great players you have to try and get them out, you can't just bore them out. That's what I believe was wrong with part of our tactics under John Buchanan and Steve Waugh. They wanted to bowl wide of off-stump and pack the off-side", he said.
"You just can't bowl to the great players like that. You have got to try and get them out otherwise they will bat all day. That's what happened early on in India. I was against those tactics," Warne said.
"I think the majority of the Indian players, you are not going to overdo the short ball, but there is going to be a lot of short-pitched bowling at the Indians on our wickets. That's not just to Sachin."
Warne also called former coach Buchanan a "goose" and somebody "who had no idea and lacked common sense."
"I don't think he has made one good point in a long time. He is living in a pixy land. We had to listen to his verbal diarrhoea all the time."
Warne chose the moment to criticise the present cricket set-up in Australia.
"Australian people, administrators, ex-players and coaches, also John Buchanan, have got to stop the arrogant mindset that Australia is so much better than anybody else.
"There is going to be a time in the next two or three years when Australia is tested."
Warne also gave an insight into what he intended to do with his life after cricket.
"I am looking to set up my own cricket academy where a lot of countries can send their captains and spinners and I can work with them. It's going to be more like a workshop than academy."
MELBOURNE, December 20: Sachin Tendulkar might be in the twilight of his career but spin legend Shane Warne believes the master batsman is still a force to reckon with and backed him to score heavily in his last Australian tour.
Warne, who mastered the art of leg spin but failed to solve an enigma called Tendulkar during his illustrious career, warned Australia to write off the "great" player at their own peril.
"I don't believe just because he is getting old, he is finished. Given the conditions, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide are going to be pretty flat, I expect Sachin to get lot of runs", Warne said.
"There is no doubt he will play one or two special innings in this Test series. Absolutely no doubt, he will play a couple of unbelievable breath taking innings.
Warne picked Tendulkar as the greatest contemporary batsman he played against and warned Australia not to ignore him.
"He is the best batsman I have played either with or against. You never write off a great player," said Warne as he backed the peerless Indian and the rest of his team-mates to score heavily in the next few weeks.
"Two of the Tests are in Sydney and Adelaide. Melbourne has been very, very benign and flat. If you don't take wickets with the new ball, you are in for a long day in the field."
Warne said the experienced Indian batting line-up will pile up huge runs, but for getting 20 wickets and winning against the Aussies, India will have to depend on its spinners.
"Can India take 20 wickets? I think it will be down to Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh."
"Two of the Tests are in Sydney and Adelaide. They are obviously spinning wickets. They will go in with two spinners and the wickets will help their batting.
"It will help their quicks, especially Zaheer Khan, with reverse swing in Sydney and Adelaide.
Warne expressed his admiration for skipper Anil Kumble for being a gentleman cricketer and yet being the most competitive of the Indian players.
"He is one of the gentlemen of the game, one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet but also one of the most competitive players going around in that Indian side.
"He is very, very competitive and I think he will make a great captain," said Test cricket's highest wicket-taker.
Warne hoped the present team management would not try the same methods as John Buchanan and Steve Waugh did during their reign in the 2003-2004 series.
"The great players you have to try and get them out, you can't just bore them out. That's what I believe was wrong with part of our tactics under John Buchanan and Steve Waugh. They wanted to bowl wide of off-stump and pack the off-side", he said.
"You just can't bowl to the great players like that. You have got to try and get them out otherwise they will bat all day. That's what happened early on in India. I was against those tactics," Warne said.
"I think the majority of the Indian players, you are not going to overdo the short ball, but there is going to be a lot of short-pitched bowling at the Indians on our wickets. That's not just to Sachin."
Warne also called former coach Buchanan a "goose" and somebody "who had no idea and lacked common sense."
"I don't think he has made one good point in a long time. He is living in a pixy land. We had to listen to his verbal diarrhoea all the time."
Warne chose the moment to criticise the present cricket set-up in Australia.
"Australian people, administrators, ex-players and coaches, also John Buchanan, have got to stop the arrogant mindset that Australia is so much better than anybody else.
"There is going to be a time in the next two or three years when Australia is tested."
Warne also gave an insight into what he intended to do with his life after cricket.
"I am looking to set up my own cricket academy where a lot of countries can send their captains and spinners and I can work with them. It's going to be more like a workshop than academy."
PLAYERS WILL ADHERE TO TAX LAWS SAID BY CHETAN CHAUHAN
MELBOURNE, December 20: Indian team Manager Chetan Chauhan on Thursday rubbished claims that players are miffed at being made to pay tax and said they would adhere to the tax rules in Australia.
Under the new laws of the Australia Taxation Office that came into existence in June 2004, all visiting sportspersons are to pay tax on money earned here and media reports claimed it had angered the Indian players, who would be required to cough up $1.5 million.
Dismissing the claims, Chauhan said the cricketers never avoided paying taxes even at home.
"Whatever fees the Indian players are getting, they are not getting any exemption. They are paying tax like any normal individual in India and they are in the highest tax bracket," he said.
"At the same time, the BCCI is taking up the matter with Cricket Australia and the matter would be sorted out. But let me make it very clear that the players in no way are holding back paying tax," Chauhan was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press .
MELBOURNE, December 20: Indian team Manager Chetan Chauhan on Thursday rubbished claims that players are miffed at being made to pay tax and said they would adhere to the tax rules in Australia.
Under the new laws of the Australia Taxation Office that came into existence in June 2004, all visiting sportspersons are to pay tax on money earned here and media reports claimed it had angered the Indian players, who would be required to cough up $1.5 million.
Dismissing the claims, Chauhan said the cricketers never avoided paying taxes even at home.
"Whatever fees the Indian players are getting, they are not getting any exemption. They are paying tax like any normal individual in India and they are in the highest tax bracket," he said.
"At the same time, the BCCI is taking up the matter with Cricket Australia and the matter would be sorted out. But let me make it very clear that the players in no way are holding back paying tax," Chauhan was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press .
SACHIN, DADA'S GESTURE FOR DON'S MUSEUM
MELBOURNE, Decemeber 20: The Don Bradman museum is all set to get richer in terms of Indian collections with cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly deciding to donate their memorable apparels to it.
Tendulkar will give a pullover that he wore while scoring his 30th Test hundred at Headingley, overtaking Don Bradman's record of 29 tons, to the Adelaide-based museum named after the Australian legend.
"Yes, they (museum authorities) wrote to me sometime back and I have decided to donate it when I am there in Adelaide for the final Test," said Tendulkar at the end of the first day's play against Victoria at Junction Oval here on Thursday.
Apart from Tendulkar, Ganguly will also gift his shirt that he wore during the epic Test win over Australia in the second Test in Kolkata in 2001. India went on to beat the Aussies 2-1 after clinching the third Test in Chennai.
MELBOURNE, Decemeber 20: The Don Bradman museum is all set to get richer in terms of Indian collections with cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly deciding to donate their memorable apparels to it.
Tendulkar will give a pullover that he wore while scoring his 30th Test hundred at Headingley, overtaking Don Bradman's record of 29 tons, to the Adelaide-based museum named after the Australian legend.
"Yes, they (museum authorities) wrote to me sometime back and I have decided to donate it when I am there in Adelaide for the final Test," said Tendulkar at the end of the first day's play against Victoria at Junction Oval here on Thursday.
Apart from Tendulkar, Ganguly will also gift his shirt that he wore during the epic Test win over Australia in the second Test in Kolkata in 2001. India went on to beat the Aussies 2-1 after clinching the third Test in Chennai.
HOWZZAT! NO TAKERS FOR BCCI WEBSITE SO FAR
NEW DELHI, December 19: For the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the richest cricket board in the world, it has been a long-standing dream to launch its official website. But recently, that million-dollar dream got a big jolt when four bidders - Reliance, Tata, Nimbus and an Australian company - failed to submit their bids for the web portal.
According to industry sources, BCCI floated its tender for the web portal last month with a base price of $50 million and the last date for submitting the tender was December 17. But to the BCCI's disappointment, none of the parties came forward to bid for the website. Reason? The reserve price of the tender is very high.
When TOI contacted BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi on Wednesday, he said: "We have extended the submission date of the bid till Janaury 24 and I am confident that we are going to get the right bidders for the website. It's too early to say that there are no takers for the Indian cricket website."
However, sources close to the bidders have something else to say. Two of the bidders found the proposal unfeasible at the price of $50 million, while the others want to take up the project on a revenue-sharing basis. Sources also say the BCCI indentified five sources of income from the website, whose rights are restricted to advertising and sponsorship, subscription, gaming, merchandising, sydication and contests.
Industry sources say that live streaming rights will take at least two-three years for genuine broadband to be available with users. Even with the merchandise rights, industry sources say that since the BCCI has sold apparel and sports goods rights, there is hardly anything lucrative. Also, the rights are restricted to online purchase, which anyway is not very popular.
"The web portal has a revenue potential of $15 to $20 million. Having said that, the site would require huge infrastructure and that will involve a cost of $5 to $6 million. Given this scenario, the BCCI should work out a more viable proposition," the source said.
NEW DELHI, December 19: For the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the richest cricket board in the world, it has been a long-standing dream to launch its official website. But recently, that million-dollar dream got a big jolt when four bidders - Reliance, Tata, Nimbus and an Australian company - failed to submit their bids for the web portal.
According to industry sources, BCCI floated its tender for the web portal last month with a base price of $50 million and the last date for submitting the tender was December 17. But to the BCCI's disappointment, none of the parties came forward to bid for the website. Reason? The reserve price of the tender is very high.
When TOI contacted BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi on Wednesday, he said: "We have extended the submission date of the bid till Janaury 24 and I am confident that we are going to get the right bidders for the website. It's too early to say that there are no takers for the Indian cricket website."
However, sources close to the bidders have something else to say. Two of the bidders found the proposal unfeasible at the price of $50 million, while the others want to take up the project on a revenue-sharing basis. Sources also say the BCCI indentified five sources of income from the website, whose rights are restricted to advertising and sponsorship, subscription, gaming, merchandising, sydication and contests.
Industry sources say that live streaming rights will take at least two-three years for genuine broadband to be available with users. Even with the merchandise rights, industry sources say that since the BCCI has sold apparel and sports goods rights, there is hardly anything lucrative. Also, the rights are restricted to online purchase, which anyway is not very popular.
"The web portal has a revenue potential of $15 to $20 million. Having said that, the site would require huge infrastructure and that will involve a cost of $5 to $6 million. Given this scenario, the BCCI should work out a more viable proposition," the source said.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
PROFESTIONAL CRICKET FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA
DATE:19/12/2007
SA HAS WON THE MATCH WITH SUCH EASY
DIFFICULT FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA TO GET 330 RUNS IN ALLOTED 50 OVERS THEY TRIED THEIR BEST BUT COULD NOT CHASE THAT SCORE.THEY NEED 264 RUNS TO PREVENT A BONUS POINT TO OPOSITION WA. CAN NOT REACH THEIR IN THE END ALLOUT ON 259 DEFETED BY 70 RUNS AND 5 TO AVOID THE BONUS POINT.
THE TURNING POINT WAS THE RUNOUT OF SHAUN MARSH HAD SCORED 68(73)
13TH SIX HAD BEEN PRODUCED BY BOTH THE TEAMS SO LOT OF ACTION HAD BEEN DONE IN THE GROUND. THE SPECTATORS HAD ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF THE MATCH.
WICKETS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RUNS: 6 108 137 148 163 182 205 212 219 259
DATE:19/12/2007
SA HAS WON THE MATCH WITH SUCH EASY
DIFFICULT FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA TO GET 330 RUNS IN ALLOTED 50 OVERS THEY TRIED THEIR BEST BUT COULD NOT CHASE THAT SCORE.THEY NEED 264 RUNS TO PREVENT A BONUS POINT TO OPOSITION WA. CAN NOT REACH THEIR IN THE END ALLOUT ON 259 DEFETED BY 70 RUNS AND 5 TO AVOID THE BONUS POINT.
THE TURNING POINT WAS THE RUNOUT OF SHAUN MARSH HAD SCORED 68(73)
13TH SIX HAD BEEN PRODUCED BY BOTH THE TEAMS SO LOT OF ACTION HAD BEEN DONE IN THE GROUND. THE SPECTATORS HAD ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF THE MATCH.
WICKETS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RUNS: 6 108 137 148 163 182 205 212 219 259
FORD RANGER CUP MATCH-20 WA VS SA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA HAVE WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO FIELD FIRST.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA HAVE POST MASSIVE TOTAL OF 329/3 IN 50 OVERS,COURTESY TO MATTHEW ELLIOTT WHO HAS SCORED 146(141) HIGHEST BY ANY SA. BASTMAN PREVIOUS BEST WAS 142 SCORED BY DAREL LEHAMAN.MATTHEW ELLIOTT HAS SCORED HIS 10TH CENTURY IN ODD CRICKET. 4TH AGAINST WA.
MARK COSGROVE HAS SCORED 70(68). THE PARTNERSHIP BEATWEEN MATTHEW ELLIOTT AND COSGROVE IS 156(138). WHICH MIGHT BE A MATCH WINNING ONE FOR SA.
SA. HAS SCORED HIGHEST SCORED OF THE SEASON. HIGHEST OF THE TOURNAMENT. PREVIOUS BEST WAS 325/5 TAS VS NSW.
C FERGUSON AND D.CHRISTIAN HAS PUT UP 61(38) IN LAST FEW OVERS.
CAN WA CHASE THE MASSIVE TOTAL OF 330 IN 50 OVERS?(REMAIN TO BE SEEN)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA HAVE WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO FIELD FIRST.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA HAVE POST MASSIVE TOTAL OF 329/3 IN 50 OVERS,COURTESY TO MATTHEW ELLIOTT WHO HAS SCORED 146(141) HIGHEST BY ANY SA. BASTMAN PREVIOUS BEST WAS 142 SCORED BY DAREL LEHAMAN.MATTHEW ELLIOTT HAS SCORED HIS 10TH CENTURY IN ODD CRICKET. 4TH AGAINST WA.
MARK COSGROVE HAS SCORED 70(68). THE PARTNERSHIP BEATWEEN MATTHEW ELLIOTT AND COSGROVE IS 156(138). WHICH MIGHT BE A MATCH WINNING ONE FOR SA.
SA. HAS SCORED HIGHEST SCORED OF THE SEASON. HIGHEST OF THE TOURNAMENT. PREVIOUS BEST WAS 325/5 TAS VS NSW.
C FERGUSON AND D.CHRISTIAN HAS PUT UP 61(38) IN LAST FEW OVERS.
CAN WA CHASE THE MASSIVE TOTAL OF 330 IN 50 OVERS?(REMAIN TO BE SEEN)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
ENGLAND VS SRILANKA 3RD TEST OF INVESTEC SERIES ON 18/12/2007
1ST DAY OF TEST MATCH:
ENGLAND WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BOWL FIRST.
SRILANKA HAS LOST BOTH THE OPENING BASTMAN FIRST WAS GONE AT THE SCORED OF 34 ANOTHER IS ON 44/2
AT LUNCH SRILANKA IS 71/2 IN 18 OVERS INCLUDING 4 EXTRA.
K SANGAKKARA AND M.JAYAWARDHANE IS UN-BEATEN AT LUNCH.
K SANGAKKARA IS LUCKY TO STILL AT THE CREASE.
UPEL THARANGA WAS LUCKY THAT PAUL COLLINGWOOD HAS DROPED ON 15. HE COULD NOT CAPITALIZED HIS CHANCE.HE WAS LBW OF HARMISSION HE WAS UNLUCKY BECAUSE OF THE DESISION.
M.VENDORT WAS REALY UNLUCKY BECAUSE THE BALL WAS HITTING THE TOP OF LEGSTUMP.
SRILANKA
Batsman Status Runs Balls 4s 6s FOW
MG Vandort lbw RJ Sidebottom 18 33 2 0 34/1
WU Tharanga lbw SJ Harmison 16 42 2 0 44/2
KC Sangakkara not out 25 27 4 0 -
DPMD Jayawardene not out 16 26 3 0 -
Total 2 wicket(s); 21.2 over(s) 80
England
Bowler Over MDN Runs Wkts Wide No
RJ Sidebottom 7.0 1 22 1 0 0
MJ Hoggard 7.0 2 31 0 1 0
SJ Harmison 4.0 0 15 1 0 0
1ST DAY OF TEST MATCH:
ENGLAND WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BOWL FIRST.
SRILANKA HAS LOST BOTH THE OPENING BASTMAN FIRST WAS GONE AT THE SCORED OF 34 ANOTHER IS ON 44/2
AT LUNCH SRILANKA IS 71/2 IN 18 OVERS INCLUDING 4 EXTRA.
K SANGAKKARA AND M.JAYAWARDHANE IS UN-BEATEN AT LUNCH.
K SANGAKKARA IS LUCKY TO STILL AT THE CREASE.
UPEL THARANGA WAS LUCKY THAT PAUL COLLINGWOOD HAS DROPED ON 15. HE COULD NOT CAPITALIZED HIS CHANCE.HE WAS LBW OF HARMISSION HE WAS UNLUCKY BECAUSE OF THE DESISION.
M.VENDORT WAS REALY UNLUCKY BECAUSE THE BALL WAS HITTING THE TOP OF LEGSTUMP.
SRILANKA
Batsman Status Runs Balls 4s 6s FOW
MG Vandort lbw RJ Sidebottom 18 33 2 0 34/1
WU Tharanga lbw SJ Harmison 16 42 2 0 44/2
KC Sangakkara not out 25 27 4 0 -
DPMD Jayawardene not out 16 26 3 0 -
Total 2 wicket(s); 21.2 over(s) 80
England
Bowler Over MDN Runs Wkts Wide No
RJ Sidebottom 7.0 1 22 1 0 0
MJ Hoggard 7.0 2 31 0 1 0
SJ Harmison 4.0 0 15 1 0 0
Monday, December 17, 2007
CRICKETERS GO TO AUSTRALIA TO CREATE HISTORY
MUMBAI, December 17: Skipper Anil Kumble and his team-mates on Monday left for Australia bidding to create history by becoming the first Indian team to conquer the Aussies in their own backyard.
Kumble and his men left by a morning flight to Singapore en-route to Melbourne, firm in their belief that they had the wherewithal to bring to the knees the mighty Australians on high-bouncing pitches against fiery speedsters.
"It's a tough challenge to play Australia in Australia but we are ready for the challenge. We have the potential and players to win the series in Australia," Kumble said here about the high-profile contest against Ricky Ponting's men.
"We had a very good series against Pakistan. We won the One-day as well as the Test series which is a confidence booster for doing well in Australia," proclaimed Kumble who will give way to One-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and return home at the end of the four-Test rubber.
"We have quality in the side. We have enough experience of Australian conditions to adjust to them which is a pre-requisite of international cricket. The potential in the side and the players' experience will help," he said, putting the onus on the array of quality batsmen in the team to set up the victory.
MUMBAI, December 17: Skipper Anil Kumble and his team-mates on Monday left for Australia bidding to create history by becoming the first Indian team to conquer the Aussies in their own backyard.
Kumble and his men left by a morning flight to Singapore en-route to Melbourne, firm in their belief that they had the wherewithal to bring to the knees the mighty Australians on high-bouncing pitches against fiery speedsters.
"It's a tough challenge to play Australia in Australia but we are ready for the challenge. We have the potential and players to win the series in Australia," Kumble said here about the high-profile contest against Ricky Ponting's men.
"We had a very good series against Pakistan. We won the One-day as well as the Test series which is a confidence booster for doing well in Australia," proclaimed Kumble who will give way to One-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and return home at the end of the four-Test rubber.
"We have quality in the side. We have enough experience of Australian conditions to adjust to them which is a pre-requisite of international cricket. The potential in the side and the players' experience will help," he said, putting the onus on the array of quality batsmen in the team to set up the victory.
Ashish Magotra, Mumbai Mirror: On the face of it, India's tour of Australia isn't anything out of the ordinary. The team is doing what it's supposed to do - going on tour to other countries.
But delve a little deeper and you'll notice that the players are filled with a manic, nervous energy because they are trying to accomplish something that no other Indian team has managed - win a series Down Under.
Alien pitches, a biased media, hostile crowds and a world champion team, all add to the challenge of touring Australia.
But this band of Indian cricketers knows what to expect and they are prepared for the worst. The Aussies will come hard at them but that doesn't scare Kumble and Co, rather it just makes the battle more enjoyable.
"Winning in Australia... well, winning always feels good no matter which team the win comes against but to beat Australia in Australia; to do something that no other Indian team has managed is indeed going to be special," said Kumble, just before the team posed for a group photo on the eve of their departure
Sunday, December 16, 2007
SECOND ODI BEATWEEN AUSTRALIA VS NEWZELAND
IN CHAPPEL-HEADLY SERIES.DATE:16/12/2007
NEWZELAND HAS LOST THEIR FIRST THREE BASTMAN WITHOUT CREATING ANY TROUBLE TO AUSTRAILIA. NZ. IS 30/3 AFTER 6 OVER.INCLUDING 4 EXTRA.
THE MATCH IS DELAYED DUE TO HEAVY RAIN IN SYDENY
scorecard
New Zealand: 30/3 (6.0 Ovs)
Scott Styris*12(13) Ross Taylor5(8)
Australia Brett Lee*3-0-12-2 Nathan Bracken3-0-18-1
Run Rate : 5.00 Current Partnership: 18(20)
Last Wicket: Brendon McCullum c Hogg b Lee 5(6) - 12/3 in 2.5 ov.
Previous Overs: Wd . 4 . . W . | 1 . 1 1 . . | . . . N1 2 2 . | . . 4 4 . 1
IN CHAPPEL-HEADLY SERIES.DATE:16/12/2007
NEWZELAND HAS LOST THEIR FIRST THREE BASTMAN WITHOUT CREATING ANY TROUBLE TO AUSTRAILIA. NZ. IS 30/3 AFTER 6 OVER.INCLUDING 4 EXTRA.
THE MATCH IS DELAYED DUE TO HEAVY RAIN IN SYDENY
scorecard
New Zealand: 30/3 (6.0 Ovs)
Scott Styris*12(13) Ross Taylor5(8)
Australia Brett Lee*3-0-12-2 Nathan Bracken3-0-18-1
Run Rate : 5.00 Current Partnership: 18(20)
Last Wicket: Brendon McCullum c Hogg b Lee 5(6) - 12/3 in 2.5 ov.
Previous Overs: Wd . 4 . . W . | 1 . 1 1 . . | . . . N1 2 2 . | . . 4 4 . 1
NEWZELAND WON THE TOSS IN THE SECOND ODI AND ELECTING TO BAT IN CHAPPEL-HADLEE SERIES
New Zealand KEEPER Daniel Vettori won the toss and chose to bat first in the second Chappell-Hadlee one-day international cricket match against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia lead the three-match series after winning Friday's opening game by seven wickets in Adelaide and can clinch the series on Sunday after losing the trophy 3-0 to the Kiwis in New Zealand in February.
Rain delayed the start of play by 45 minutes with more showers forecast throughout the course of the match.
Australia have named similar side while New Zealand have included Jeetan Patel and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins for Mathew Sinclair and Mark Gillespie.
Australia - Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Brett Lee, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson (12th man).
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Jamie How, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin, Gareth Hopkins, Mathew Sinclair (12th man).
Umpires: Mark Benson (ENGLAND), Steve Davis (AUSTRALIA)
TV Umpire: Bruce Oxenford (AUSTRALIA)
Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRILANKA)
New Zealand KEEPER Daniel Vettori won the toss and chose to bat first in the second Chappell-Hadlee one-day international cricket match against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia lead the three-match series after winning Friday's opening game by seven wickets in Adelaide and can clinch the series on Sunday after losing the trophy 3-0 to the Kiwis in New Zealand in February.
Rain delayed the start of play by 45 minutes with more showers forecast throughout the course of the match.
Australia have named similar side while New Zealand have included Jeetan Patel and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins for Mathew Sinclair and Mark Gillespie.
Australia - Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Brett Lee, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson (12th man).
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Jamie How, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin, Gareth Hopkins, Mathew Sinclair (12th man).
Umpires: Mark Benson (ENGLAND), Steve Davis (AUSTRALIA)
TV Umpire: Bruce Oxenford (AUSTRALIA)
Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRILANKA)
AUSTRALIA'S PITCH MIGHT SUIT DAZELING LOOKING YUVRAJSINGH
Yuvraj Singh can do no wrong these days. He creates magic everytime he strides out to bat and his gorgeous 169 in the Bangalore Test against Pakistan only highlighted what many experts have been saying for some time — that Yuvraj must play for India in all forms of the game. Now, as the Indian team embarks on the toughest assignment in world cricket — a trip to Australia — Yuvraj has an opportunity to cement his credentials as a reliable, high quality Test batsman. Yuvraj, though, is hardly deterred by the challenge and is eyeing to make a mark when it will matter the most. The stylish left-hander opens up in an exclusive chat with TOI :
So, a series win over Pakistan in India after 27 years and it coincided with your birthday. How did you and your team celebrate the feat?
The series win was very special. We had a small get-together where our captain Anil Kumble acknowledged the contribution of all the players. Everyone played his part in the victory and I'm sure it will raise our confidence level for the Australian series. As for my birthday, I had a quiet party with my close friends in Mumbai.
Did the team believe that they could have actually made it 2-0 against Pakistan?
It was a good day in office for all of us. The Test actually became very interesting at the fag end before bad light stopped the match. Yes, we were confident of wrapping up the Pakistan innings in a few deliveries. But under the circumstances, we couldn't have done better.
You seem to have got wild after getting Misbah-ul Haq's wicket...
Misbah had a tremendous run in the series and when I got through his gate, I felt as if I had bagged a five-wicket haul. I was very excited and we started sniffing victory. Whatever happened in the end is part of the game and we have nothing to complain about.
Do you think that Pakistan lacked grit to stage a fightback?
You can never underestimate Pakistan. They have very talented cricketers. Misbah was exceptional in the series. A player like Younus Khan is a braveheart. The way he motivated the guys was amazing. As a batsman, he can dominate any attack in the world. So, it's not fair to say that Pakistan lacked grit.
You must be relieved at the way the Bangalore match went for you?
It's really satisfying to score a hundred against the arch-rivals. And I'm generally happy with the way I'm striking the ball. In fact, time has come for me to concentrate harder in order to emerge a better Test batsman. To tell you to the truth, the other day when I went to the crease, I was a bit nervous because we had lost four early wickets. It was important for me to stay at the crease then. Thankfully, our gameplan fell into place and Sourav and I were able to bail the team out of trouble.
What are your observations on Sourav Ganguly's terrific recent form?
He is very positive and is showing the desire to stay at the wicket. He has changed his mind-set. In the forthcoming Test series against Australia, he is going to be a key figure along with Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.
How is your preparation going for Australia?
I prefer to bat on a wicket where the ball comes easily onto the bat and Australia wickets are like that. I've always enjoyed playing there. Right now, I am practising with hard plastic and synthetic balls in order to get used to the pace and bounce of the Australian tracks.
India team plays only one practice game before the first Test at Melbourne. Is the team okay with it?
If you are playing international cricket, you have to be prepared to play in any condition. Yes, we played the series against Pakistan on a wickets that were low and slow but we are ready for the faster tracks in Australia.
Are you looking to engage the Aussies in verbal warfare?
We want a quiet series and our focus is on playing good cricket. But if we are pushed around too much, there will be something from our side too. We are not going to take anything lying down.
How do you rate the Australian attack without Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne?
Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson are capable bowlers but if McGrath and Warne had been around, it would have been more difficult. But again, you cannot take anything away from the current lot.
Yuvraj Singh can do no wrong these days. He creates magic everytime he strides out to bat and his gorgeous 169 in the Bangalore Test against Pakistan only highlighted what many experts have been saying for some time — that Yuvraj must play for India in all forms of the game. Now, as the Indian team embarks on the toughest assignment in world cricket — a trip to Australia — Yuvraj has an opportunity to cement his credentials as a reliable, high quality Test batsman. Yuvraj, though, is hardly deterred by the challenge and is eyeing to make a mark when it will matter the most. The stylish left-hander opens up in an exclusive chat with TOI :
So, a series win over Pakistan in India after 27 years and it coincided with your birthday. How did you and your team celebrate the feat?
The series win was very special. We had a small get-together where our captain Anil Kumble acknowledged the contribution of all the players. Everyone played his part in the victory and I'm sure it will raise our confidence level for the Australian series. As for my birthday, I had a quiet party with my close friends in Mumbai.
Did the team believe that they could have actually made it 2-0 against Pakistan?
It was a good day in office for all of us. The Test actually became very interesting at the fag end before bad light stopped the match. Yes, we were confident of wrapping up the Pakistan innings in a few deliveries. But under the circumstances, we couldn't have done better.
You seem to have got wild after getting Misbah-ul Haq's wicket...
Misbah had a tremendous run in the series and when I got through his gate, I felt as if I had bagged a five-wicket haul. I was very excited and we started sniffing victory. Whatever happened in the end is part of the game and we have nothing to complain about.
Do you think that Pakistan lacked grit to stage a fightback?
You can never underestimate Pakistan. They have very talented cricketers. Misbah was exceptional in the series. A player like Younus Khan is a braveheart. The way he motivated the guys was amazing. As a batsman, he can dominate any attack in the world. So, it's not fair to say that Pakistan lacked grit.
You must be relieved at the way the Bangalore match went for you?
It's really satisfying to score a hundred against the arch-rivals. And I'm generally happy with the way I'm striking the ball. In fact, time has come for me to concentrate harder in order to emerge a better Test batsman. To tell you to the truth, the other day when I went to the crease, I was a bit nervous because we had lost four early wickets. It was important for me to stay at the crease then. Thankfully, our gameplan fell into place and Sourav and I were able to bail the team out of trouble.
What are your observations on Sourav Ganguly's terrific recent form?
He is very positive and is showing the desire to stay at the wicket. He has changed his mind-set. In the forthcoming Test series against Australia, he is going to be a key figure along with Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.
How is your preparation going for Australia?
I prefer to bat on a wicket where the ball comes easily onto the bat and Australia wickets are like that. I've always enjoyed playing there. Right now, I am practising with hard plastic and synthetic balls in order to get used to the pace and bounce of the Australian tracks.
India team plays only one practice game before the first Test at Melbourne. Is the team okay with it?
If you are playing international cricket, you have to be prepared to play in any condition. Yes, we played the series against Pakistan on a wickets that were low and slow but we are ready for the faster tracks in Australia.
Are you looking to engage the Aussies in verbal warfare?
We want a quiet series and our focus is on playing good cricket. But if we are pushed around too much, there will be something from our side too. We are not going to take anything lying down.
How do you rate the Australian attack without Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne?
Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson are capable bowlers but if McGrath and Warne had been around, it would have been more difficult. But again, you cannot take anything away from the current lot.
INTERVIEW OF THE PLAYERS
JAFFER WILL BE A INSPIRATION IN AUSTRALIA
MUMBAI, December 16: Opener Wasim Jaffer is hoping that India's top order batsmen can emulate those on the last tour of Australia by giving the visitors a solid foundation to setup big scores.
Considered one of the better players of fast bowling in the team, the 29-year-old may be on his first tour of Australia but expectations are very high that he will be a success in the four-Test series beginning on December 26.
"In 2003-04, the openers really played well... gave india tremendous starts which made it easier for the middle-order," Jaffer said.
Explosive Virender Sehwag and the resolute Akash Chopra shared in two century stands and two fifty partnerships as India drew a remarkable series one-all after going 1-0 up in Adelaide.
"(There is) a lot of responsibility on the top-order, especially the openers. If they (middle-order) get exposed to the new ball it can get difficult," said Jaffer, who recorded the second double hundred of his Test career in the recent series against Pakistan.
BATTING CONCERNS
"But if we get through the new ball it makes it easier for all the batting to come," added the Mumbai batsman, who has performed consistency well since he was recalled to the side in March last year.
However, India, aiming to snap top-ranked Australia's two-year, 14-match winning streak during the tour, have form concerns in the top-order.
Sehwag, recalled for the difficult tour because of his experience despite not figuring in the initial list of probables, has struggled for runs in domestic cricket.
Second wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik managed to hold his place as makeshift opener after hitting a fifty in the drawn final Test against Pakistan following a woeful run.
Meanwhile, matting mainstay Rahul Dravid has not been able to convert starts since quitting the captaincy in September.
"Rahul is too good a player to be out of form for long. He had a decent series against Pakistan... looked solid," said Jaffer who averages 51.18 this calendar year, scoring 819 runs from nine Tests with three hundreds and four fifties.
"Hopefully he'll turn it around in Australia. The opposition will be tougher and that will charge him a bit more."
On his first trip to Australia, Jaffer said he would call on the experience gained from the tour of South Africa, where he scored a century in the final Test in Cape Town in January.
"I have a fair idea of what to expect and their bowling attack. Until I get there, I don't want to think too much."
JAFFER WILL BE A INSPIRATION IN AUSTRALIA
MUMBAI, December 16: Opener Wasim Jaffer is hoping that India's top order batsmen can emulate those on the last tour of Australia by giving the visitors a solid foundation to setup big scores.
Considered one of the better players of fast bowling in the team, the 29-year-old may be on his first tour of Australia but expectations are very high that he will be a success in the four-Test series beginning on December 26.
"In 2003-04, the openers really played well... gave india tremendous starts which made it easier for the middle-order," Jaffer said.
Explosive Virender Sehwag and the resolute Akash Chopra shared in two century stands and two fifty partnerships as India drew a remarkable series one-all after going 1-0 up in Adelaide.
"(There is) a lot of responsibility on the top-order, especially the openers. If they (middle-order) get exposed to the new ball it can get difficult," said Jaffer, who recorded the second double hundred of his Test career in the recent series against Pakistan.
BATTING CONCERNS
"But if we get through the new ball it makes it easier for all the batting to come," added the Mumbai batsman, who has performed consistency well since he was recalled to the side in March last year.
However, India, aiming to snap top-ranked Australia's two-year, 14-match winning streak during the tour, have form concerns in the top-order.
Sehwag, recalled for the difficult tour because of his experience despite not figuring in the initial list of probables, has struggled for runs in domestic cricket.
Second wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik managed to hold his place as makeshift opener after hitting a fifty in the drawn final Test against Pakistan following a woeful run.
Meanwhile, matting mainstay Rahul Dravid has not been able to convert starts since quitting the captaincy in September.
"Rahul is too good a player to be out of form for long. He had a decent series against Pakistan... looked solid," said Jaffer who averages 51.18 this calendar year, scoring 819 runs from nine Tests with three hundreds and four fifties.
"Hopefully he'll turn it around in Australia. The opposition will be tougher and that will charge him a bit more."
On his first trip to Australia, Jaffer said he would call on the experience gained from the tour of South Africa, where he scored a century in the final Test in Cape Town in January.
"I have a fair idea of what to expect and their bowling attack. Until I get there, I don't want to think too much."
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