Recall best gift this christmas: Hughes

Melbourne, Dec 21: For Phillip Hughes, recall to the Australian squad for the Boxing Day Test is the best Christmas present.

The left-hander was named in the 13-man squad as cover for captain Ricky Ponting, who is still recovering from an elbow injury sustained in the third Test against the West Indies.

Hughes, the New South Wales (NSW) opener, shone with the bat in the last two Sheffield Shield games which include a 122 against Victoria in Newcastle this week and 75 in the Blues’ first innings against Queensland at the Gabba. “I can’t wipe the smile off my face,” Hughes was quoted as saying by ABC Monday.“I found out today off (Cricket Australia operations manager) Michael Brown that I got the call and I was just pumped.“The smile’s been on the face all day. I can’t wait to get on the plane tomorrow.”

The 20-year-old has scored 388 runs at 43.11 in his return to the domestic four-day game this season after starting his Test career in exciting fashion in South Africa in February, when he became the youngest player in history to score a century in each innings of a Test.

India moves ahead with 2-1 lead

Cuttack, Dec 21: India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the third One-Day International of the five-match series at the Barabati Stadium here on Monday. Chasing 240, India made 242 for three in 42.2 overs after Sachin Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 96.

Earlier, All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja produced his career-best four-wicket haul as India bundled out Sri Lanka for a modest 239 at Barabati Stadium here today.

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka made a rousing start before they lost way in the middle overs as Indian slow bowlers brought themselves back into the game.

Jadeja claimed four for 32 — his best from 12 ODIs — while Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma took two wickets apiece to bring an end to Sri Lanka innings in 44.2 overs.

Upul Tharanga (73) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (41) gave Sri Lanka a perfect start going with a run rate in an excess of 10. Captain Kumar Sangakkara (46) then stood in a 100 run partnership with Tharanga as the Lankans looked set for a big score before the Indians came back strongly.