NEW DELHI: Netherlands captain Peter Borren won the toss and chose to bat against India in their World Cup clash at Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi on Wednesday.
India have rested Munaf Patel and brought in Ashish Nehra.
Indian captain MS Dhoni said they would have batted first as the track is expected to go slow. But quickly added it is nice to get exposure for chasing runs. Regarding team change, he informed Nehra is back in the side in place of Munaf. Further he said that they would look to improve on their fielding and also added that they have to bowl well initially and in the Powerplay overs.
Dutch skipper Borren said that chasing has not been good for them and they will try to do the same thing that they did against England. Added they need to be disciplined in their bowling against the powerful Indian batting.
This match affords India just about the last chance to hammer out strategies and gameplans before big battles become the order of the day. After this tie, India play South Africa and West Indies, two formidable opponents, in their final group matches before the knock-outs begin.
India, who have eyes firmly fixed on the quarterfinal spot, would like to finish on top of the group to facilitate an 'easy' outing in the last eight. A victory over the Dutch, the underdogs, will serve that purpose nicely.
India are the only team who have yet to taste defeat in their group and that record is unlikely to be broken against the under-performing Dutch who have still to register a win.
A strong performance against the Dutch will not only give India a strong net run rate but also pave their way to the knockout round.
The only weak link for the Indians has been their bowling which has been exposed time and again.
India's frontline bowlers failed to find much success against a spirited Ireland and had it not been for a five-wicket haul by part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh, they could have been in trouble.
The home side are unlikely to be tested against the Netherlands, who ran England close in their opener, thanks to a sparkling 119 from Ryan ten Doeschate, but have since struggled.
The Dutch scored an impressive 292 against England but slumped to a huge 215-run defeat to the West Indies and lost by 231 runs against South Africa.
Teams:
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra.
Netherlands: Peter Borren (Capt.), Eric Szwarczynski, Wesley Barresi, Tom Cooper, Ryan ten Doeschate, Alexei Kervezee, Bas Zuiderent, Tom de Grooth, Bradley Kruger, Mudassar Bukhari, Pieter Seelaar.
TOI
Showing posts with label Scorecard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scorecard. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Ryder delivers as New Zealand post 311/7 against Pakistan
AUCKLAND: Jesse Ryder hit form with a century as New Zealand posted 311, their highest score of the one-day series against Pakistan, batting first in the dead rubber at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Ryder cracked six sixes and seven fours on his way to 107 off 93 balls for his second one-day century, while down the order Nathan McCullum with 65 and an unbeaten 58 from Scott Styris helped bolster the New Zealand total.
After being put in to bat, New Zealand produced their most impressive innings of the six-match series, and Ryder's performance was the best individual score, although too late to make a difference to the series outcome.
Pakistan took an unbeatable 3-1 lead when they trounced New Zealand by 41 runs in the fifth game in Hamilton on Thursday. The second game was washed out.
With nothing at stake but pride, New Zealand ditched the experiment of batting Brendon McCullum down the order, which had not paid off in the earlier matches, and restored the swashbuckling batter to his opener's role.
But he only made 12 before being outsmarted by Sohail Tanvir, who fired down a ball slightly wider than usual. McCullum's attempt to pull it over mid off resulted in him getting an edge off the toe of the bat to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.
Enter Ryder to join Martin Guptill and New Zealand took charge bringing up their 100 with a Ryder six in the 15th over and putting on 123 for the second wicket.
Guptill, as he has done throughout the series, made a sound start before throwing his wicket away with a rash shot.
He reached 44 when he tried to hit Abdul Razzaq out of the ground and was caught by Umar Gul at long on to start a New Zealand slide that saw them slump from 141-1 to 190-5 in 11 overs.
Ryder, who required a runner in the latter part of his innings, saw his innings come to an end when he skied part-time spinner Mohammad Hafeez and was caught at deep midwicket by Tanvir.
Styris and Nathan McCullum picked up the pace for New Zealand in the closing overs as they produced a 120-run stand for the sixth wicket in 14 overs.
Abdul Razzaq was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 2-23 off seven overs, while Hafeez, who was surprisingly called upon to bowl at the end, took 2-57 off nine overs.
TOI
Ryder cracked six sixes and seven fours on his way to 107 off 93 balls for his second one-day century, while down the order Nathan McCullum with 65 and an unbeaten 58 from Scott Styris helped bolster the New Zealand total.
After being put in to bat, New Zealand produced their most impressive innings of the six-match series, and Ryder's performance was the best individual score, although too late to make a difference to the series outcome.
Pakistan took an unbeatable 3-1 lead when they trounced New Zealand by 41 runs in the fifth game in Hamilton on Thursday. The second game was washed out.
With nothing at stake but pride, New Zealand ditched the experiment of batting Brendon McCullum down the order, which had not paid off in the earlier matches, and restored the swashbuckling batter to his opener's role.
But he only made 12 before being outsmarted by Sohail Tanvir, who fired down a ball slightly wider than usual. McCullum's attempt to pull it over mid off resulted in him getting an edge off the toe of the bat to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.
Enter Ryder to join Martin Guptill and New Zealand took charge bringing up their 100 with a Ryder six in the 15th over and putting on 123 for the second wicket.
Guptill, as he has done throughout the series, made a sound start before throwing his wicket away with a rash shot.
He reached 44 when he tried to hit Abdul Razzaq out of the ground and was caught by Umar Gul at long on to start a New Zealand slide that saw them slump from 141-1 to 190-5 in 11 overs.
Ryder, who required a runner in the latter part of his innings, saw his innings come to an end when he skied part-time spinner Mohammad Hafeez and was caught at deep midwicket by Tanvir.
Styris and Nathan McCullum picked up the pace for New Zealand in the closing overs as they produced a 120-run stand for the sixth wicket in 14 overs.
Abdul Razzaq was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 2-23 off seven overs, while Hafeez, who was surprisingly called upon to bowl at the end, took 2-57 off nine overs.
TOI
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Second Test: Australia 202/7 at stumps on Day 4
BANGALORE: Australian captain Ricky Ponting defied India's bowlers with a spirited half-century as his team fought a grim battle for survival in the final Test on Tuesday.
After Sachin Tendulkar had made 214 to give India a slender 17-run lead, the Aussies slumped to 131/5 in their second innings before recovering to post 202/7 by stumps on the fourth day.
Ponting made 72, his second half-century of the match, when seamer Zaheer Khan trapped him leg-before towards the end of the day's play to put India on top.
Australia, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Mohali by one wicket, start the final day's play 185 runs ahead with three wickets in hand.
India's spin twins, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha, wrecked Australia's top-order on a wearing wicket at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore that assisted turn.
Openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich put on 58, before both fell in the space of four deliveries without a run being added.
Watson was trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Ojha, while Katich edged a catch to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in off-spinner Harbhajan's next over.
Seven runs later, Michael Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha to reduce the tourists to 65/3, barely 48 runs ahead.
Michael Hussey put on 61 for the fourth wicket with Ponting, before he was leg-before to Ojha for 20 and first-innings centurion Marcus North was bowled by Harbhajan for three.
Tim Paine (23) added 50 with Ponting and when play ended Mitchell Johnson was on seven and Nathan Hauritz was on eight.
Earlier, India took their overnight score of 435/5 to 495 before they were all out at the stroke of lunch in reply to Australia's 478.
Tendulkar's dismissal at 486/5 triggered a lower order collapse in which the last five Indian wickets fell for nine runs.
Tendulkar, who was on 191 overnight, reached his double century 25 minutes after the start with a quick single off Ben Hilfenhaus.
It was the world batting record holder's sixth double-century and his second in four Tests, having made 203 against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in July.
The 37-year-old, who is in his 21st year in international cricket, has already notched up six three-figure knocks this year, besides making 98 in the previous Test in Mohali.
Tendulkar was dismissed in the second over after resumption of play when he edged an intended cut off fast bowler Peter George onto his stumps, giving the tall South Australian a treasured first Test wicket.
The Indian's vigil at the crease lasted nearly nine hours, in which he hit 22 boundaries and two sixes.
Hauritz claimed the last two wickets, including Dhoni for 30, to finish with two for 153 from 39.5 overs.
Left-arm fast bowler Johnson was the most successful bowler with 3-105, while George took two wickets.
TOI
After Sachin Tendulkar had made 214 to give India a slender 17-run lead, the Aussies slumped to 131/5 in their second innings before recovering to post 202/7 by stumps on the fourth day.
Ponting made 72, his second half-century of the match, when seamer Zaheer Khan trapped him leg-before towards the end of the day's play to put India on top.
Australia, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Mohali by one wicket, start the final day's play 185 runs ahead with three wickets in hand.
India's spin twins, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha, wrecked Australia's top-order on a wearing wicket at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore that assisted turn.
Openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich put on 58, before both fell in the space of four deliveries without a run being added.
Watson was trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Ojha, while Katich edged a catch to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in off-spinner Harbhajan's next over.
Seven runs later, Michael Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha to reduce the tourists to 65/3, barely 48 runs ahead.
Michael Hussey put on 61 for the fourth wicket with Ponting, before he was leg-before to Ojha for 20 and first-innings centurion Marcus North was bowled by Harbhajan for three.
Tim Paine (23) added 50 with Ponting and when play ended Mitchell Johnson was on seven and Nathan Hauritz was on eight.
Earlier, India took their overnight score of 435/5 to 495 before they were all out at the stroke of lunch in reply to Australia's 478.
Tendulkar's dismissal at 486/5 triggered a lower order collapse in which the last five Indian wickets fell for nine runs.
Tendulkar, who was on 191 overnight, reached his double century 25 minutes after the start with a quick single off Ben Hilfenhaus.
It was the world batting record holder's sixth double-century and his second in four Tests, having made 203 against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in July.
The 37-year-old, who is in his 21st year in international cricket, has already notched up six three-figure knocks this year, besides making 98 in the previous Test in Mohali.
Tendulkar was dismissed in the second over after resumption of play when he edged an intended cut off fast bowler Peter George onto his stumps, giving the tall South Australian a treasured first Test wicket.
The Indian's vigil at the crease lasted nearly nine hours, in which he hit 22 boundaries and two sixes.
Hauritz claimed the last two wickets, including Dhoni for 30, to finish with two for 153 from 39.5 overs.
Left-arm fast bowler Johnson was the most successful bowler with 3-105, while George took two wickets.
TOI
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sehwag, Gambhir guide India to easy win over Bangladesh
DAMBULLA: India's quest for the Asia Cup got off to a perfect start with the title contenders steamrolling Bangladesh by six wickets in a lop-sided match and also pocketing a bonus point on Wednesday.
Virender Sehwag emerged as India's unlikely bowling hero with his first four-wicket haul, while his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir (82) struck his 20th ODI half-century as India cruised to a facile win at a strikingly empty Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
Having skittled out Bangladesh for a meagre 167 inside 35 overs, India had a modest total to chase and they overwhelmed the target with 19.2 overs to spare to collect a bonus point from this resounding victory.
The Indians will have to beat either Pakistan (June 19) or defending champions Sri Lanka (June 22) by a convincing margin to qualify for the June 24 final.
India injected artificial life into the lop-sided match when Virat Kohli (11) and Rohit Sharma (0) fell to successive deliveries from Shakib Al Hasan in the 15th over.
However, Gautam Gambhir (82), who enjoyed a reprieve at 48 off Shafiul Islam, and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38 not out) ensured that four-time champions sailed home without much ado.
Sehwag (11 off 14 balls) failed to fire as a batsman on his return to international from injury but amply showed that he could be employed as an off-break bowler when either Harbhajan Singh or Ravindra Jadeja have a lean day.
Given the ball as Dhoni desperately needed a part-time bowler to cover up for an injured Ashish Nehra (2 for 28), Sehwag struck successive blows to decimate a listless Bangladesh.
He had Mushfiqur Rahim caught behind by Dhoni before picking up the scalps of Suhrawadi Shuvo, Shafiul Islam and Syed Rasel. His brilliant figures read 2.5-0-6-4.
Bangladesh, who took time off from their series against England to participate in the four-nation cup, disappointed as a batting unit.
Sitting pretty at 59 for one in 10 overs, they inexplicably lost nine wickets in 24.4 overs, barely adding 98 runs during their struggle at the square.
Opting to bat, Bangladesh got off to a brisk start with Tamim Iqbal (22) and Imrul Kayes (37) producing 35 runs in 17 balls. But once Tamim perished to a low catch by Suresh Raina at short extra covers off Praveen Kumar, they just could not force the pace against a disciplined Indian attack.
Zaheer Khan bowled with verve and zip while moving the ball disconcertingly to the bewilderment of Kayes and Mohammad Ashraful (20).
The left-arm fast bowler conceded 16 runs in his first over but had the batsmen in spot in the rest of his five-over spell.
Nehra struck twice in four overs before he limped off the field after four overs. Intriguingly, there was no clarification from the Indian team management about Nehra's fitness.
Harbhajan and Jadeja too bowled impressively in conditions that suited them but it was part-time tweaker Sehwag who stole the bowling honours.
Kayes, who mishit Nehra to Sehwag at short square, top-scored with 37. There were contributions from Mushfiqur Rahim (30) and Mahmudullah (23) but they weren't substantial enough to augment Bangaldesh's total, which India devoured without plenty to spare.
Virender Sehwag emerged as India's unlikely bowling hero with his first four-wicket haul, while his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir (82) struck his 20th ODI half-century as India cruised to a facile win at a strikingly empty Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
Having skittled out Bangladesh for a meagre 167 inside 35 overs, India had a modest total to chase and they overwhelmed the target with 19.2 overs to spare to collect a bonus point from this resounding victory.
The Indians will have to beat either Pakistan (June 19) or defending champions Sri Lanka (June 22) by a convincing margin to qualify for the June 24 final.
India injected artificial life into the lop-sided match when Virat Kohli (11) and Rohit Sharma (0) fell to successive deliveries from Shakib Al Hasan in the 15th over.
However, Gautam Gambhir (82), who enjoyed a reprieve at 48 off Shafiul Islam, and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38 not out) ensured that four-time champions sailed home without much ado.
Sehwag (11 off 14 balls) failed to fire as a batsman on his return to international from injury but amply showed that he could be employed as an off-break bowler when either Harbhajan Singh or Ravindra Jadeja have a lean day.
Given the ball as Dhoni desperately needed a part-time bowler to cover up for an injured Ashish Nehra (2 for 28), Sehwag struck successive blows to decimate a listless Bangladesh.
He had Mushfiqur Rahim caught behind by Dhoni before picking up the scalps of Suhrawadi Shuvo, Shafiul Islam and Syed Rasel. His brilliant figures read 2.5-0-6-4.
Bangladesh, who took time off from their series against England to participate in the four-nation cup, disappointed as a batting unit.
Sitting pretty at 59 for one in 10 overs, they inexplicably lost nine wickets in 24.4 overs, barely adding 98 runs during their struggle at the square.
Opting to bat, Bangladesh got off to a brisk start with Tamim Iqbal (22) and Imrul Kayes (37) producing 35 runs in 17 balls. But once Tamim perished to a low catch by Suresh Raina at short extra covers off Praveen Kumar, they just could not force the pace against a disciplined Indian attack.
Zaheer Khan bowled with verve and zip while moving the ball disconcertingly to the bewilderment of Kayes and Mohammad Ashraful (20).
The left-arm fast bowler conceded 16 runs in his first over but had the batsmen in spot in the rest of his five-over spell.
Nehra struck twice in four overs before he limped off the field after four overs. Intriguingly, there was no clarification from the Indian team management about Nehra's fitness.
Harbhajan and Jadeja too bowled impressively in conditions that suited them but it was part-time tweaker Sehwag who stole the bowling honours.
Kayes, who mishit Nehra to Sehwag at short square, top-scored with 37. There were contributions from Mushfiqur Rahim (30) and Mahmudullah (23) but they weren't substantial enough to augment Bangaldesh's total, which India devoured without plenty to spare.
Friday, September 25, 2009
South Africa back in Champions Trophy contention
Scorecard
CENTURION: South Africa bounced back into contention for 2009 ICC Champions Trophy glory with a five-wicket triumph over New Zealand at SuperSport Park on Thursday.
Upset by Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ODI tournament two days ago, the Proteas had to win and did so with relative ease before a large, holiday crowd.
New Zealand were all out for 214 in 47.5 overs and South Africa cruised to 217/5 in 41.1 overs and another win Sunday over England would virtually assure the hosts of a place in the knockout phase.
The 'Black Caps', who may have erred in excluding Jeetan Patel for a match on a spin-friendly pitch, face Sri Lanka and England at the Wanderers stadium and a couple of victories would bring them back into the frame.
AB de Villiers was a fitting match winner, sealing success with a four having top scored for the Proteas with an unbeaten 70 in 76 balls, including nine boundaries.
"This was a big day for us and we stood up to deliver a much improved performance. Our bowlers set the tone in the first 15 overs with good intensity and they hit the right areas hard," said South Africa skipper Graeme Smith.
"It was a clinical job well started and well finished and the result will improve our run rate. Now we are going to prepare well for our match against England."
Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori said: "Our batsmen got bogged down as we sought a competitive score of about 250 runs. Ross (Taylor) and Grant (Elliott) handled the spinners well but the partnership did not last long enough."
Once again Smith won the toss and once again he opted to field on a dry, slow, uneven early season track that gave the spinners assistance in warm, partly cloudy conditions.
Vettori stressed the need to build partnerships, but his plea fell largely on deaf ears with the 71-run stand between Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott a notable exception.
The stubborn 95-ball stand ended when South Africa-born Elliott chose the wrong line and his middle stump was pushed back by a deceptive delivery from spinner Roelof van der Merwe.
Taylor was the top Kiwi scorer with 72 off 106 balls before missing a low full toss and being trapped leg before by revitalised Wayne Parnell, who was voted man of the match.
Opener Brendon McCullum was the only other New Zealand batsman to make an impact, scoring 44 before trying a sweep off Johan Botha and getting a top edge to JP Duminy at short fine leg.
Parnell, rebounding from a nightmare outing against Sri Lanka, finished with five wickets, impressive Van der Merwe and speedster Dale Steyn claimed two apiece and Botha one.
Set a 4.30-runs-an-over target, Smith managed just seven before departing because he played a Daryl Tuffey too early and Vettori took a simple catch at mid-on.
Jacques Kallis was next to go, adding 52 runs for the second wicket with Hisham Amla before an attempted drive off Shane Bond was snapped up by wicketkeeper McCullum.
Although ahead on run rate, South Africa were also struggling to build big partnerships and much-improved Amla returned to the pavilion having made 38 after being trapped leg before by Vettori.
Duminy did not last long, scoring just 11 off 13 balls before becoming the victim of a spectacular McCullum catch after trying a cut that took a bottom edge.
TOI
Upset by Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ODI tournament two days ago, the Proteas had to win and did so with relative ease before a large, holiday crowd.
New Zealand were all out for 214 in 47.5 overs and South Africa cruised to 217/5 in 41.1 overs and another win Sunday over England would virtually assure the hosts of a place in the knockout phase.
The 'Black Caps', who may have erred in excluding Jeetan Patel for a match on a spin-friendly pitch, face Sri Lanka and England at the Wanderers stadium and a couple of victories would bring them back into the frame.
AB de Villiers was a fitting match winner, sealing success with a four having top scored for the Proteas with an unbeaten 70 in 76 balls, including nine boundaries.
"This was a big day for us and we stood up to deliver a much improved performance. Our bowlers set the tone in the first 15 overs with good intensity and they hit the right areas hard," said South Africa skipper Graeme Smith.
"It was a clinical job well started and well finished and the result will improve our run rate. Now we are going to prepare well for our match against England."
Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori said: "Our batsmen got bogged down as we sought a competitive score of about 250 runs. Ross (Taylor) and Grant (Elliott) handled the spinners well but the partnership did not last long enough."
Once again Smith won the toss and once again he opted to field on a dry, slow, uneven early season track that gave the spinners assistance in warm, partly cloudy conditions.
Vettori stressed the need to build partnerships, but his plea fell largely on deaf ears with the 71-run stand between Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott a notable exception.
The stubborn 95-ball stand ended when South Africa-born Elliott chose the wrong line and his middle stump was pushed back by a deceptive delivery from spinner Roelof van der Merwe.
Taylor was the top Kiwi scorer with 72 off 106 balls before missing a low full toss and being trapped leg before by revitalised Wayne Parnell, who was voted man of the match.
Opener Brendon McCullum was the only other New Zealand batsman to make an impact, scoring 44 before trying a sweep off Johan Botha and getting a top edge to JP Duminy at short fine leg.
Parnell, rebounding from a nightmare outing against Sri Lanka, finished with five wickets, impressive Van der Merwe and speedster Dale Steyn claimed two apiece and Botha one.
Set a 4.30-runs-an-over target, Smith managed just seven before departing because he played a Daryl Tuffey too early and Vettori took a simple catch at mid-on.
Jacques Kallis was next to go, adding 52 runs for the second wicket with Hisham Amla before an attempted drive off Shane Bond was snapped up by wicketkeeper McCullum.
Although ahead on run rate, South Africa were also struggling to build big partnerships and much-improved Amla returned to the pavilion having made 38 after being trapped leg before by Vettori.
Duminy did not last long, scoring just 11 off 13 balls before becoming the victim of a spectacular McCullum catch after trying a cut that took a bottom edge.
TOI
Friday, August 7, 2009
Siddle, Clark put Aussies on top in fourth Test
Scorecard
LEEDS (England): Peter Siddle took his Test-best figures and Stuart Clark marked his return to international cricket with three wickets as Australia bowled out England for just 102 at Headingley on Friday.
England, who won the toss, were routed on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test with Siddle taking five wickets for 21 runs in 9.5 overs and Clark three for 18 in 10 as Australia looked to level the five-match series at 1-1.
Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, then made 78, before falling short of his third hundred at Headingley in as many Tests, to help his side to 196 for four at stumps - a lead of 94.
Michael Clarke was 34 not out and Marcus North seven not out after Ponting and opener Shane Watson shared a second-wicket stand of 119.
Clarke was hit flush on the helmet by a Stephen Harmison bouncer on 27 and then, after several minutes of treatment, survived a huge appeal for caught behind following another short ball from the Durham quick.
Australia were on the verge of building an impregnable lead when fast bowler Stuart Broad took two wickets for four runs in six balls to have both Ponting and Michael Hussey lbw.
Australia, who had lost three wickets for 18 runs in 19 balls in total, were then 151 for four.
But that was nothing compared to England's collapse.
Clark took three wickets in quick succession as England, who won the toss, slumped to 72 for six at lunch before Siddle polished off the tail with four wickets for three runs in 14 balls.
Matt Prior (37 not out) and opener Alastair Cook (30) were the only England batsmen to make it into double figures in an innings that featuring four noughts and lasted less than 34 overs.
Clark, after Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, made a dramatic return in what was his first Test in nine months after an elbow injury and selectorial preference had kept him out.
The 33-year-old upheld his reputation for economical accuracy by taking three wickets for five runs in 21 balls.
England, already in trouble, succumbed to Siddle, in only his 11th Test, after lunch.
The 24-year-old Victorian, on a hat-trick when he bowls in England's second innings, surpassed his previous Test-best of five for 59 against South Africa at Sydney in January
Watson completed his third Test fifty in as many innings after being recalled during the drawn third Test at Edgbaston.
But fellow opener Simon Katich was out for nought when Harmison, in for Andrew Flintoff after the pace bowling all-rounder's knee injury ruled him out, struck fourth ball to have him caught by Ravi Bopara at short backward square.
Watson and Ponting took advantage of a succession of poor deliveries and played stylishly as they built a first innings lead before Watson was lbw to Graham Onions for 51.
Ponting, once again booed to the middle by some fans despite pleas by administrators, had previously pulled Onions's first ball for six and next ball struck him for four, with 17 runs coming off the Durham quick's first over.
But his tendency to play across his front pad undid him when he was lbw to Broad having faced 100 balls with a six and 12 fours in a dominating innings.
Earlier, England captain Andrew Strauss, fortunate not to be lbw first ball after having to request a toss delay when Prior suffered back spasms while playing football in the warm-up, fell for three when was brilliantly caught one-handed above his head by third slip North off Siddle.
And 11 for one became 16 for two when struggling No 3 Bopara carelessly guided Ben Hilfenhaus to gully.
Paul Collingwood was out for a duck after edging an away-swinger from Clark, in after Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and went with a four-man pace attack, to Ponting at second slip.
Left-hander Cook, who resisted for 104-minutes then fell to a good length Clark ball as Ponting's prediction that England's top-order would struggle without Kevin Pietersen, ruled out after the hosts' second Test win with an Achilles injury, came true.
England, who won the toss, were routed on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test with Siddle taking five wickets for 21 runs in 9.5 overs and Clark three for 18 in 10 as Australia looked to level the five-match series at 1-1.
Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, then made 78, before falling short of his third hundred at Headingley in as many Tests, to help his side to 196 for four at stumps - a lead of 94.
Michael Clarke was 34 not out and Marcus North seven not out after Ponting and opener Shane Watson shared a second-wicket stand of 119.
Clarke was hit flush on the helmet by a Stephen Harmison bouncer on 27 and then, after several minutes of treatment, survived a huge appeal for caught behind following another short ball from the Durham quick.
Australia were on the verge of building an impregnable lead when fast bowler Stuart Broad took two wickets for four runs in six balls to have both Ponting and Michael Hussey lbw.
Australia, who had lost three wickets for 18 runs in 19 balls in total, were then 151 for four.
But that was nothing compared to England's collapse.
Clark took three wickets in quick succession as England, who won the toss, slumped to 72 for six at lunch before Siddle polished off the tail with four wickets for three runs in 14 balls.
Matt Prior (37 not out) and opener Alastair Cook (30) were the only England batsmen to make it into double figures in an innings that featuring four noughts and lasted less than 34 overs.
Clark, after Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, made a dramatic return in what was his first Test in nine months after an elbow injury and selectorial preference had kept him out.
The 33-year-old upheld his reputation for economical accuracy by taking three wickets for five runs in 21 balls.
England, already in trouble, succumbed to Siddle, in only his 11th Test, after lunch.
The 24-year-old Victorian, on a hat-trick when he bowls in England's second innings, surpassed his previous Test-best of five for 59 against South Africa at Sydney in January
Watson completed his third Test fifty in as many innings after being recalled during the drawn third Test at Edgbaston.
But fellow opener Simon Katich was out for nought when Harmison, in for Andrew Flintoff after the pace bowling all-rounder's knee injury ruled him out, struck fourth ball to have him caught by Ravi Bopara at short backward square.
Watson and Ponting took advantage of a succession of poor deliveries and played stylishly as they built a first innings lead before Watson was lbw to Graham Onions for 51.
Ponting, once again booed to the middle by some fans despite pleas by administrators, had previously pulled Onions's first ball for six and next ball struck him for four, with 17 runs coming off the Durham quick's first over.
But his tendency to play across his front pad undid him when he was lbw to Broad having faced 100 balls with a six and 12 fours in a dominating innings.
Earlier, England captain Andrew Strauss, fortunate not to be lbw first ball after having to request a toss delay when Prior suffered back spasms while playing football in the warm-up, fell for three when was brilliantly caught one-handed above his head by third slip North off Siddle.
And 11 for one became 16 for two when struggling No 3 Bopara carelessly guided Ben Hilfenhaus to gully.
Paul Collingwood was out for a duck after edging an away-swinger from Clark, in after Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and went with a four-man pace attack, to Ponting at second slip.
Left-hander Cook, who resisted for 104-minutes then fell to a good length Clark ball as Ponting's prediction that England's top-order would struggle without Kevin Pietersen, ruled out after the hosts' second Test win with an Achilles injury, came true.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
West Indies stun India by 7 wickets
LONDON: Let down by their much-vaunted top order, defending champions India flunked their first Super Eight test and sunk to a seven-wicket defeat More Pictures
against the West Indies in the Twenty20 World Cup on Friday.
Dwayne Bravo scalped four Indian wickets with the ball and then returned to hit an unbeaten 36-ball 66, studded with three sixes, to seal the match.
Earlier, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's decision to bat first boomeranged as the Indian top order crumbled and it required Yuvraj Singh's (67) 43-ball blitzkrieg and Yusuf Pathan's (31) cameo to reach a competitive 153 for seven.
Bravo (4/38) and Fidel Edwards (3/24) shared seven wickets between them while laying bare India's frailty against short-pitch bowling.
India play England in their next Super Eight match here on Sunday.
Leading West Indies' chase, Chris Gayle (22) hit Zaheer Khan for two fours in the first over but had to exercise some caution when Irfan Pathan claimed the scoreless Andrew Fletcher with his second delivery.
Harbhajan Singh began with a maiden over to further straitjacket Gayle and the left-hander decided to go after Yusuf Pathan, only to manage a top edge and Zaheer positioned himself perfectly under the skier at short fine leg.
While Gayle featured prominently in India's scheme of things, few spared a thought about Bravo. But in the end, it was Bravo who hurt India most, adding 58 runs with Lendl Simmons (44) and then completing the formality in Shivnarine Chanderpaul's (18 not out) company.
Earlier, Yuvraj celebrated the news of his elevation as vice-captain with an electrifying innings to turn an utterly miserable Indian innings into a respectable score.
India were reeling at 66 for four in the 13th over when Yuvraj and Yusuf Pathan (31 off 23 balls ) combined to put on 64 runs off 35 balls for the fifth wicket to bring about a complete turnaround to the innings.
In all, 87 runs were scored in the final eight overs. Harbhajan Singh provided a thrilling finish with three fours off the final three balls to finish with 13 not out from four deliveries.
Yuvraj fell in the 18th over, becoming third victim of Fidel Edwards, but such was his influence on the game that West Indies were left ruing a dropped chance off him when the left-hander was on 32.
Yuvraj had then flicked Dwayne Bravo to deep square leg where Andre Fletcher made a mess of a simple chance and from then on the West Indians were made to pay a heavy price.
Most of Yuvraj's big hits were in his preferred onside area but none better than a little scoop of a hit off Bravo which cleared the midwicket fence for six. In all, he hit six fours and two sixes in his 43-ball electric knock.
India were helped in their mission by Yusuf Pathan. Pathan had hurt his shoulder badly when he dived to survive a run-out chance off only the second ball he faced. But a little help from physio and pain-killer spray and the right-hander played a critical innings for India.
Earlier, India's top batsmen had found the West Indian new-ball bowlers too hot to handle as they were peppered by searing pace and lifting deliveries.
All the first three batsmen - Gautam Gambhir (14), Rohit Sharma (5) and Suresh Raina (5) - were never entirely comfortable and India were clearly gasping for breath at 29 for three.
Edwards picked two of these scalps in his first two overs. Rohit was late on a hook shot and spooned it over at square leg and then Raina edged one to wicket-keeper.
Gambhir made it only worse for the Indians when his pull was brilliantly picked by Lendl Simmons who ran at least 30 metres backwards to claim the catch.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni struggled during his 23-ball stay to score 11 runs and it took Yuvraj and Yusuf Pathan not only to stem the rot but also to counter-attack.
Source:TOI
Monday, February 16, 2009
Andrew Strauss puts England in charge
ST JOHN'S: Skipper Andrew Strauss's 15th Test hundred helped England bury the double misery of their Jamaica humiliation and the abandoned second Test on the opening day of the third Test on Sunday.
Strauss hit 169, and there were half-centuries for Owais Shah and Alastair Cook, as England, sent in to bat by the West Indies, reached 301 for three in their first innings when stumps were drawn at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
Strauss turned his over-pitched 169th delivery from Daren Powell through backward square leg for two to reach the milestone to help make his team's 51 all out in the first Test, and Friday's aborted Test, a distant memory.
He put on 123 for the first wicket with Cook before Shah, who was replacing Ian Bell, joined him to add 153 for the second wicket before they both departed in the final period of the day.
But Strauss was fortunate. On 47, West Indies captain Chris Gayle dropped him at slip off Sulieman Benn before he steered Jerome Taylor to third man for two to bring up his 50.
Then on 71, he edged Ryan Hinds between wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and slip fielder Gayle for the 10th of his 24 fours before he reached triple figures.
Strauss and Cook had provided England with a firm foundation. They carried England to 58 without loss at lunch before Cook was caught at slip off Gayle for 52 after the interval.
Shah entered and immediately announced himself with a cracking back-foot drive off his first ball from Gayle.
They took England to 206 for one at tea before Shah was run out for 57, when he failed to beat a direct hit from Taylor on his follow-through going for a suicidal run.
Strauss continued to stroke the ball crisply, but Gayle claimed the second new ball with England on 291 for two after 87 overs and was rewarded with the prized scalp of the left-handed opener.
Trying to pull a short, rising ball from Fidel Edwards, Strauss only succeeded in giving the bowler a simple return catch.
He batted for five minutes short of six hours, faced 277 balls, and also struck a six, a lovely straight hit out of the ground off Benn.
The start had been delayed by 45 minutes, following overnight and early morning rain which affected parts of the parched outfield with an area straight behind the wicket at the northern end being the most troublesome.
West Indies made no changes to their 11 that took the field for the second Test, but England brought Steve Harmison and Graeme Swann in to replace Ryan Sidebottom and Monty Panesar.
The ARG was cleared to stage the match late on Saturday, following an inspection from ICC Match Referee Allan Hurst.
"I'm very happy with the ground," he told reporters. "I think in the 24 hours they've had to prepare the ground they've done a fantastic job.
"There are a few problems with the (outfield) and it is not perfect, but they've done as good a job as they could have and the pitch looks great."
The ARG is hosting a Test for the first time in three years, after the second Test at the nearby Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground was abandoned on Friday because of an unsuitable outfield after just 10 balls.
West Indies lead the series which now comprises five Tests 1-0, following an innings and 23-run victory in the opening match at Kingston inside four days.
The other two Tests in the series take place at Kensington Oval in Barbados from February 26 to March 2, and Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad from March 2 to 6.
Soruce: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Andrew_Strauss_puts_England_in_charge/articleshow/4134008.cms
Strauss turned his over-pitched 169th delivery from Daren Powell through backward square leg for two to reach the milestone to help make his team's 51 all out in the first Test, and Friday's aborted Test, a distant memory.
He put on 123 for the first wicket with Cook before Shah, who was replacing Ian Bell, joined him to add 153 for the second wicket before they both departed in the final period of the day.
But Strauss was fortunate. On 47, West Indies captain Chris Gayle dropped him at slip off Sulieman Benn before he steered Jerome Taylor to third man for two to bring up his 50.
Then on 71, he edged Ryan Hinds between wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and slip fielder Gayle for the 10th of his 24 fours before he reached triple figures.
Strauss and Cook had provided England with a firm foundation. They carried England to 58 without loss at lunch before Cook was caught at slip off Gayle for 52 after the interval.
Shah entered and immediately announced himself with a cracking back-foot drive off his first ball from Gayle.
They took England to 206 for one at tea before Shah was run out for 57, when he failed to beat a direct hit from Taylor on his follow-through going for a suicidal run.
Strauss continued to stroke the ball crisply, but Gayle claimed the second new ball with England on 291 for two after 87 overs and was rewarded with the prized scalp of the left-handed opener.
Trying to pull a short, rising ball from Fidel Edwards, Strauss only succeeded in giving the bowler a simple return catch.
He batted for five minutes short of six hours, faced 277 balls, and also struck a six, a lovely straight hit out of the ground off Benn.
The start had been delayed by 45 minutes, following overnight and early morning rain which affected parts of the parched outfield with an area straight behind the wicket at the northern end being the most troublesome.
West Indies made no changes to their 11 that took the field for the second Test, but England brought Steve Harmison and Graeme Swann in to replace Ryan Sidebottom and Monty Panesar.
The ARG was cleared to stage the match late on Saturday, following an inspection from ICC Match Referee Allan Hurst.
"I'm very happy with the ground," he told reporters. "I think in the 24 hours they've had to prepare the ground they've done a fantastic job.
"There are a few problems with the (outfield) and it is not perfect, but they've done as good a job as they could have and the pitch looks great."
The ARG is hosting a Test for the first time in three years, after the second Test at the nearby Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground was abandoned on Friday because of an unsuitable outfield after just 10 balls.
West Indies lead the series which now comprises five Tests 1-0, following an innings and 23-run victory in the opening match at Kingston inside four days.
The other two Tests in the series take place at Kensington Oval in Barbados from February 26 to March 2, and Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad from March 2 to 6.
Soruce: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Andrew_Strauss_puts_England_in_charge/articleshow/4134008.cms
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