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Sunday, July 5, 2009
Pakistan 120-4 vs. Sri Lanka
A responsible 50-run partnership between night-watchman Abdur Rauf and captain Younis Khan helped Pakistan reach 120-4 at lunch on Sunday's second day of the first test against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan resumed the second day at 15-2 but Rauf and Khan prevented a slide with their patient batting and the match was evenly poised at the interval.
At lunch Mohammad Yousaf (30 not out) and Misbah-ul-Haq (16 not out) were batting in an unbroken 40-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Rauf, making his test debut, belied his lack of experience, making 31 before nicking seam bowler Nuwan Kulasekera to wicketkeeper Tillakaratne Dilshan with the total on 55.
Debutant Sri Lanka seamer Anjelo Mathews then dismissed Khan (25) via a catch to Dilshan, claiming his first test wicket and leaving the visitors on a precarious 80-4 before Yousaf and Misbah steadied.
Kulasekera returned the best bowling figures with 2-25 while left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara and Mathews bagged a wicket each.
On the first day, Pakistan's three debutant bowlers _ Mohammad Aamer, Rauf and Saeed Ajmal _ held Sri Lanka's much-vaunted batting lineup to a modest 292 in the first innings, justifying Khan's call to bowl after winning the toss.
Opener Tharanga Paranavitana top-scored for the host team with 72 runs off 125 balls, hitting 11 fours.
Aamer, 17, returned the best figures for Pakistan with 3-74 while Rauf recorded 2-59. Offspinner Ajmal and Khan also captured two wickets apiece.
Sri Lanka hit back soon with Kulasekera bowling opener Sulman Butt in the second ball of the Pakistani innings and later his partner Thushara trapped Khurram Manzoor lbw for two runs to leave the visitors on 5-2.
The test is the first between the sides since a deadly terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team and its security convoy during a test in Lahore in March.
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Strauss unhappy over choice of Cardiff first Ashes Test venue
London : England skipper Andrew Strauss is unhappy over selection of Cardiff as venue for the first Ashes Test, as he wants to capitalize on the home advantage during the series. rauss last played a first-class game at Cardiff in 2002, and the ground was known as Sophia Gardens. It has undergone several changes of name, shape and structure since then - to the point where England's captain says his players "will be walking into the unknown".
The equivalent would be Ricky Ponting leading his side into a home series starting with an inaugural Test at Canberra, where he had batted, but only seven years before, The Telegraph reports.
"We are not entirely sure what to expect. Both teams will go there not knowing what to expect, and we can only judge when the Test match is over," said Strauss about Cardiff.
"In world cricket home advantage counts for a huge amount," Strauss said in the context of Cardiff as something of a neutral venue.
England is playing with home made Dukes balls, not the Kookaburras which the Australians are used to; and this year's batch have been swinging, according to Strauss. "We know our conditions better and should adapt to them better."
He won't be too nice, as some England captains have been in amateur days.
"We'd love to see the Aussies getting a hard time from the crowds," he said, referring to 2005 when the crowd acted like England's 12th man.| Search Here For More Information : |
Pakistan recover to 120-4 at lunch v Sri Lanka
GALLE, Sri Lanka - Pakistan staged a minor recovery after a poor start to their innings to reach 120 for four at lunch on the second day of a delicately balanced first test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
At the interval, Mohammad Yousuf was unbeaten on 30 on his return to international cricket and Misbal ul Haq was on 16.
Pakistan started the day on 15-2 in reply to Sri Lanka's 292 but despite losing two wickets in a keenly contested first session, the tourists added 105 runs in 26 overs to edge closer to the home side's total.
Fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara claimed the first victim of the day with the dismissal of nightwatchman Abdur Rauf for 31.
Rauf, who was caught behind, frustrated Sri Lanka's bowlers in the first hour and helped add 50 for the third wicket with Younus Khan.
All rounder Angelo Mathews then snared a wicket in his first over in test cricket, finding the outside edge of Younus's bat with an outswinger to dismiss the Pakistan skipper for 25.
Yousuf, selected in this series after the lifting of a ban imposed for playing in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League, steadied the innings with an assured 30 from 40 deliveries with four boundaries.
Kulasekara was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers, claiming 2-25 in 10 overs.
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South African cricket's Best Year 2008
Johannesburg, July 4 : South African cricket fans say 2008 was the most successful year for the country's cricket team, according to an internet survey.
The survey conducted by Cricket South Africa (CSA) found that 96 percent of the fans who took part in the exercise believe 2008 was the most successful year for the South African cricket.
The survey drew nearly 550 responses, Pakistan's Online news agency said.
CSA CEO Gerald Majola said the online fan survey demonstrated the kind of support cricket enjoyed among the people in South Africa.
'This support is graphically illustrated in the most positive response to the online fan survey conducted on CSA's website,' he said.
'We will study the results to ensure that we keep in touch with the fans. Their support was a critical factor in taking the Proteas to the world's top ODI spot and second in the Test rankings, and achieving the best results in South African cricket history over the 2008-09 season,' he said.
From May last year to April 2009, the Proteas achieved unparalleled success in the history of South African cricket, including the Test series triumph in England and Australia, Majola said.
The final report on the fan survey will be released in the next few weeks, he added.
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Pakistan 15-2 in Sri Lanka test
Sri Lanka hit back with two quick wickets after Pakistan's three debutant bowlers held its much-vaunted batting lineup to a modest 292 all out in the first innings of the first test Saturday.
Pakistan was 15-2 at the end of the opening day's play at Galle International Stadium. The test is the first between the sides since a deadly terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team and its security convoy during a test in Lahore in March.
Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Kulasekera bowled opener Sulman Butt in the second ball of the innings and later his partner Thilan Thushara trapped Khurram Manzoor lbw for two runs to leave the visitors on 5-2.
Captain Younis Khan and night-watchman Abdur Rauf were batting at the close.
Khan won the toss and opted to field. Mohammad Aamer, a 17-year-old left-arm seam bowler, provided Pakistan with its first breakthrough in the second over and eventually returned his side's best bowling figures of 3-74.
"I am happy with the way I bowled. I also bowled well in the Twenty20 but test cricket is the real game so I am particularly happy," he said.
He was confident that his team had enough batting to overtake the Sri Lanka total and said a 200-run lead would put pressure on the hosts.
Aamer bowled opener Malinda Warnapura (2) off the inside edge, and then shaped one away from the dangerous Kumar Sangakkara (9) to force a catch at second slip by Shoaib Malik to leave the host team struggling on 21-2.
Sri Lanka was steadied by a 75-run stand for the third wicket, with opener Tharanga Paranavitana batting calmly for his maiden test half-century.
Rauf, sight-arm seam bowler, claimed his first wicket when he dismissed Jayawardene (30) via a catch to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.
Thilan Samaraweera was dismissed for 31, caught by Akmal off Khan and Rauf returned to grab his second wicket when he had top-scorer Paranavitana caught for 72 by Misbah-ul-Haq at slip.
Paranavitana faced 125 balls, hitting 11 fours during his spell.
"I think this total is enough on this pitch, it's a bit hard to bat on because there is some seam movement," Paranavitana said. "I was able to go for some runs because I stuck to my basics."
It was the first time Paranavitana has played since suffering a chest wound in the Lahore attack.
"Though I received a gunshot I was lucky it did not affect my cricket. I was in hospital only for seven days," he said.
Anjelo Mathews, playing in his first test match, scored 42 runs.
Rauf recorded 2-59 while debutant offspinner Saeed Ajmal and Khan also captured two wickets apiece.
Pakistan handed first test caps to three players _ Aamer, Rauf and Ajmal _ while Sri Lanka allrounder Mathews played his first test for the hosts. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath replaced Muttiah Muralitharan, who was ruled out of the match with an injured knee.
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Chaminda Vaas to retire from Test cricket
Colombo, July 4 : Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Chaminda Vaas has decided to retire from Test cricket, chief selector Asantha de Mel said Saturday.
The 35-year-old left-arm bowler, who has served Sri Lanka at the top level for 15 years, will however be available for the One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Twenty20 cricket, the official said.
'Chaminda has told me he does not want to play Test cricket any more but he will continue in the shorter formats,' de Mel, a former Sri Lankan fast bowler, was quoted as saying by Online news agency.
Vaas, a 110-Test veteran, was overlooked for the Test series against Pakistan, which began at Galle Saturday.
The selectors did not pick him even after spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan was ruled out of the first Test due to a knee injury, leaving the Sri Lankan attack short of experience.
Vaas, who made his Test debut against Pakistan at Kandy in 1994, claimed 354 wickets at an average of 29.40 with 12 five-wicket hauls and twice took 10 wickets in a match.
He also has 400 wickets from 322 ODIs, including a hat-trick off the first three balls of the match against Bangladesh during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
Asked if Vaas will be picked for the ODI team after being ignored for the World Twenty20 in England last month, de Mel said no player could be guaranteed a place in the side.
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BCCI to reconsider Deodhar Trophy's fate after Sena threats
Mumbai, July 4 Stung by threats from the Shiv Sena, the Indian cricket board is contemplating to accommodate the Deodhar Trophy tournament in a cramped 2009-10 schedule.
Board of Control of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary N. Srinivasan said Saturday the fate of the Deodhar Trophy will be decided in the next working committee meeting.
The tournament didn't find a place in the 2009-10 schedule released by the BCCI's Tour Programme and Fixtures Committee Wednesday following which the Shiv Sena staged a demonstration in front of the Cricket Centre at the Wankhede Stadium against the dropping of the tournament.
Srinivasan told IANS that the tournament was never dropped.
Asked why the tournament was not mentioned in the schedule announced Wednesday, Srinivasan said: 'The BCCI press release is self explanatory and you can draw your own conclusion.'
Srinivasan's comments came after the Shiv Sena threatened that it won't allow any Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in the city if the tournament was cancelled.
'BCCI has planned IPL matches in Maharashtra at the cost of Deodhar Trophy tournament. The board has insulted Marathi pride by cancelling the tournament named after Prof D.B. Deodhar,' a Sena leader said.
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Bowlers dominate first day of Galle test
GALLE, Sri Lanka - The bowlers dominated the opening day of the first test on Saturday, with Pakistan slumping to 15 for two after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 292.
The visitors were on top for most of the day before Sri Lanka fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara picked up a wicket apiece before the close.
Kulasekara bowled Salman Butt for a duck when the opener shouldered arms to a delivery that cut sharply off the seam and left-armer Thushara trapped Khurram Manzoor leg before for two with another inswinger.
Earlier, Tharanga Paranavitana top-scored for the home team with 72 while all-rounder Angelo Mathews contributed 42 in 57 deliveries.
MAIDEN FIFTY
Opener Paranavitana's maiden test half-century rescued the hosts after 17-year-old paceman Mohammad Aamer had struck twice on his debut to leave Sri Lanka reeling on 21 for two on the first day of the three-match series.
The 27-year-old left-hander, who faced 125 balls and hit 11 fours, added 75 runs for the third wicket with former captain Mahela Jayawardene (30) who fell just before lunch when he was caught behind off another debutant fast bowler, Abdur Rauf.
Jayawardene's dismissal was a relief for wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who dropped the right-hander before he had scored.
After lunch Paranavitana put on 43 with Thilan Samaraweera (31), who was making his first-class comeback after being injured in the Lahore attacks four months ago.
Paranavitana then edged a rising delivery from Rauf to Misbah-ul-Haq before Samaraweera clipped a gentle outswinger from part-time medium pacer Younus Khan to the keeper.
Aamer was the pick of the attack with three for 74 while captain Younus, Rauf and debutant off-spinner Saeed Ajmal all took two apiece.
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Sri Lanka v Pakistan scoreboard - innings
Sri Lanka innings
M. Warnapura b Aamer 2
T. Paranavitana c Misbah-ul-Haq b Rauf 72
K. Sangakkara c Malik b Aamer 9
M. Jayawardene c Akmal b Rauf 30
T. Samaraweera c Akmal b Younus 31
T. Dilshan c Malik b Aamer 28
A. Mathews c Akmal b Gul 42
K. Kulasekara c Akmal b Younus 38
R. Herath not out 20
T. Thushara c Manzoor b Ajmal 10
A. Mendis st Akmal b Ajmal 5
Extras (b-1, lb-3, nb-1) 5
Total (all out, 81 overs) 292
Fall of wickets: 1-3 2-21 3-96 4-139 5-160 6-194 7-241 8-271 9-282
Bowling: Gul 14-3-45-1 (1-nb), Aamer 19-3-74-3, Rauf 14-1-59-2, Younus 7-2-23-2, Ajmal 24-4-79-2, Malik 3-1-8-0
Pakistan: Younus Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Abdur Rauf
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Sri Lanka 292 v Pakistan - innings
GALLE, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka were bowled out for 292 on the first day of the first test against Pakistan at Galle International stadium on Saturday.
Scores: Sri Lanka 292, 81 overs (T. Paranavitana 72) v Pakistan
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It was comforting to have Dhoni at the crease: Kirsten
Gros Islet (St Lucia), July 4: As nervousness gripped him during India's thrilling chase in the third one-dayer against West Indies, coach Gary Kirsten said he drew comfort from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's presence at the crease. "Someone like MS Dhoni can hit the ball out of the ground at any time so it was comforting knowing that we had him at the crease controlling the game," said Kirsten.
Man of the match Dhoni, hit an unbeaten 46-run knock to take India through in the rain-truncated third ODI and take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series. The wicketkeeper batsman hit a six in the last over when the team was needing 11 runs to win.
"He's had a magnificent series and he's played some really good one-day cricket for us. When it comes down to the wire it can go either way, the most important thing is that you have game breakers and match-winners in at that situation," said Kirsten.
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