19 Feb
India vs Bangladesh, Match 1
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
14:00 (IST)
20 Feb
New Zealand vs Kenya, Match 2
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
09:30 (IST)
20 Feb
Sri Lanka vs Canada, Match 3
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
14:30 (IST)
21 Feb
Australia vs Zimbabwe, Match 4
Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera
14:30 (IST)
22 Feb
England vs Netherlands, Match 5
Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
14:30 (IST)
23 Feb
Pakistan vs Kenya, Match 6
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
14:30 (IST)
24 Feb
South Africa vs West Indies, Match 7
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
14:30 (IST)
25 Feb
Australia vs New Zealand, Match 8
Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
09:30 (IST)
25 Feb
Bangladesh vs Ireland, Match 9
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
14:00 (IST)
26 Feb
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Match 10
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14:30 (IST)
27 Feb
India vs England, Match 11
To Be Confirmed
14:30 (IST)
28 Feb
Zimbabwe vs Canada, Match 12
Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
09:30 (IST)
28 Feb
West Indies vs Netherlands, Match 13
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
14:30 (IST)
01 Mar
Sri Lanka vs Kenya, Match 14
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14:30 (IST)
02 Mar
England vs Ireland, Match 15
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
14:30 (IST)
03 Mar
South Africa vs Netherlands, Match 16
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
09:30 (IST)
03 Mar
Pakistan vs Canada, Match 17
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14:30 (IST)
04 Mar
New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, Match 18
Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera
09:30 (IST)
04 Mar
Bangladesh vs West Indies, Match 19
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
14:00 (IST)
05 Mar
Australia vs Sri Lanka, Match 20
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14:30 (IST)
06 Mar
South Africa vs England, Match 21
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
09:30 (IST)
06 Mar
India vs Ireland, Match 22
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
14:30 (IST)
07 Mar
Canada vs Kenya, Match 23
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
14:30 (IST)
08 Mar
Pakistan vs New Zealand, Match 24
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
14:30 (IST)
09 Mar
India vs Netherlands, Match 25
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
14:30 (IST)
10 Mar
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Match 26
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
14:30 (IST)
11 Mar
West Indies vs Ireland, Match 27
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
09:30 (IST)
11 Mar
Bangladesh vs England, Match 28
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
14:00 (IST)
12 Mar
India vs South Africa, Match 29
Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
14:30 (IST)
13 Mar
New Zealand vs Canada, Match 30
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
09:30 (IST)
13 Mar
Australia vs Kenya, Match 31
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
14:30 (IST)
14 Mar
Bangladesh vs Netherlands, Match 32
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
09:00 (IST)
14 Mar
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Match 33
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
14:30 (IST)
15 Mar
South Africa vs Ireland, Match 34
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
14:30 (IST)
16 Mar
Australia vs Canada, Match 35
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Bangalore)
14:30 (IST)
17 Mar
England vs West Indies, Match 36
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
14:30 (IST)
18 Mar
Netherlands vs Ireland, Match 37
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
09:30 (IST)
18 Mar
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Match 38
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
14:30 (IST)
19 Mar
Bangladesh vs South Africa, Match 39
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
09:00 (IST)
19 Mar
Australia vs Pakistan, Match 40
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14:30 (IST)
20 Mar
Zimbabwe vs Kenya, Match 41
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
09:30 (IST)
20 Mar
India vs West Indies, Match 42
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
14:30 (IST)
23 Mar
A1 vs B4, 1st Quarter Final, C
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
14:00 (IST)
24 Mar
A2 vs B3, 2nd Quarter Final, D
Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera
14:30 (IST)
25 Mar
A3 vs B2, 3rd Quarter Final, E
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
14:00 (IST)
26 Mar
A4 vs B1, 4th Quarter Final, F
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14:30 (IST)
29 Mar
Winner C vs Winner E, 1st Semi Final
R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14:30 (IST)
30 Mar
Winner D vs Winner F, 2nd Semi Final
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
14:30 (IST)
02 Apr
SF1 vs SF2, Final
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
14:30 (IST)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Sehwag, Gambhir key to India's World Cup glory’
Senior batsman VVS Laxman today said that openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir will be key to India's campaign at the Cricket World Cup starting next month and the duo will have to fire if the co-host wants to lift the coveted trophy.
Laxman tipped India the hot favourites to win the World Cup given the favourable home conditions and the crowd support.
"Gambhir and Sehwag have been very important players for India. They have been doing well and they will have a huge role to play in the World Cup after coming back from the injury," said Laxman, who is not in India's World Cup squad as he is now considered a Test specialist.
"India have the best chance to win the World Cup. I don't want to put undue pressure to the players by predicting the favourites. But I think the team can touch the glory of 1983.
They have the potential and talent to lift the trophy. The team has been performing consistently over the last year and a half.
"The event is happening in India so we will have favourable conditions. With all the encouragement and crowd support, it will boost India's confidence," said the classy right-hand batsman. There will be pressure but they are professional players and they know how to handle pressure.
There is positive energy in the team," he said at the sidelines of the annual day function of Sumermal Jain Public School here.
While Sehwag is nursing a shoulder injury, Gambhir is recovering from an elbow injury.
Asked about the historic Eden Gardens being stripped of India-England World Cup tie on February 27 due to incomplete infrastructure-related work, the stylish Hyderabadi batsman said, "Eden is a very important venue but I am sure that the remaining matches would be held there and people will enjoy them."
Laxman said fitness issues of some Indian players will be sorted out before the World Cup and they will train at the National Cricket Academy.
"The fitness issues will be sorted out before the World Cup. They will go to Bangalore for training," he said.
Asked about being honoured the Padma Shri recently, Laxman said, "It is a great honour. Whatever contribution I have made to the country in the 10-15 years has been rewarded.
It's a very good feeling that I have been bestowed the Padma Shri."
Laxman said India will miss the services of South African coach Gary Kirsten when he quits after the World Cup.
"India will miss Gary. He has a huge influence on the Indian team and the last three years he has done a wonderful job. There is no doubt that it will be tough to fill in his shoes. The environment he has created during his stay will remain forever with the team but he will be missed," said the 36-year-old cricketer.
Kirsten took over as India coach in March 2008 and during his tenure, the team recorded Test and ODI series whitewash of Australia (2-0 and 1-0) and New Zealand (1-0 and 5-0) last year, both at home.
Source: Expressbuzz.com
Laxman tipped India the hot favourites to win the World Cup given the favourable home conditions and the crowd support.
"Gambhir and Sehwag have been very important players for India. They have been doing well and they will have a huge role to play in the World Cup after coming back from the injury," said Laxman, who is not in India's World Cup squad as he is now considered a Test specialist.
"India have the best chance to win the World Cup. I don't want to put undue pressure to the players by predicting the favourites. But I think the team can touch the glory of 1983.
They have the potential and talent to lift the trophy. The team has been performing consistently over the last year and a half.
"The event is happening in India so we will have favourable conditions. With all the encouragement and crowd support, it will boost India's confidence," said the classy right-hand batsman. There will be pressure but they are professional players and they know how to handle pressure.
There is positive energy in the team," he said at the sidelines of the annual day function of Sumermal Jain Public School here.
While Sehwag is nursing a shoulder injury, Gambhir is recovering from an elbow injury.
Asked about the historic Eden Gardens being stripped of India-England World Cup tie on February 27 due to incomplete infrastructure-related work, the stylish Hyderabadi batsman said, "Eden is a very important venue but I am sure that the remaining matches would be held there and people will enjoy them."
Laxman said fitness issues of some Indian players will be sorted out before the World Cup and they will train at the National Cricket Academy.
"The fitness issues will be sorted out before the World Cup. They will go to Bangalore for training," he said.
Asked about being honoured the Padma Shri recently, Laxman said, "It is a great honour. Whatever contribution I have made to the country in the 10-15 years has been rewarded.
It's a very good feeling that I have been bestowed the Padma Shri."
Laxman said India will miss the services of South African coach Gary Kirsten when he quits after the World Cup.
"India will miss Gary. He has a huge influence on the Indian team and the last three years he has done a wonderful job. There is no doubt that it will be tough to fill in his shoes. The environment he has created during his stay will remain forever with the team but he will be missed," said the 36-year-old cricketer.
Kirsten took over as India coach in March 2008 and during his tenure, the team recorded Test and ODI series whitewash of Australia (2-0 and 1-0) and New Zealand (1-0 and 5-0) last year, both at home.
Source: Expressbuzz.com
Thursday, January 27, 2011
India-England World Cup match moved to Bangalore
The India-England World Cup group stage match on February 27, which was moved out of Eden Gardens in Kolkata , will now be played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.
The International Cricket Council (ICC ) made the decision following delay in renovation work at the historic Eden Gardens, which boasts of a capacity of 90,000.
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of the decision, who selected Bangalore as the replacement venue though Chennai was also considered.
It must come as a huge sigh of relief for Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) as all the match scheduled in Bangalore included minnows.
India and England were both scheduled to play Ireland on March 2 and 6 respectively. World champions Australia also had a couple of easy matches at this venue, as they were drawn to play Kenya on March 13 and Canada three days later.
Lorgat pointed out that Kolkata had missed three deadlines already and as such they had to take the decision.
"All venues had ample time in which to prepare for World Cup matches. We had been understanding and had provided extensions to the deadline dates but unfortunately we are now at a point where we must carefully manage our risks.
"The COC had provided venues with a deadline of 30 November 2010 to complete all construction work and then to be match-ready by 31 December 2010. An extension was granted by the ICC for five venues, which were again inspected over the past week. Sadly, Eden Gardens in Kolkata was unable to meet the final deadline date of 25 January 2011.
"The expert report determined that Eden Gardens would not be ready within an acceptable time frame to host the India-England match on February 27," said the ICC chief in a media release.
The Eden Gardens is also scheduled to host three other matches -- on March 15, March 18 and March 20 and it remains to be seen whether those games would go ahead.
An ICC team, comprising stadium consultant Eugene van Vuuren, ICC's general manager-commercial Campbell Jamieson and ICC events manager Chris Tetley, had inspected the Wankhde stadium in Mumbai on Monday and then visited Eden Gardens the next day to check out its status.
The team also visited the three Sri Lanka venues -- Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele.
While the Wankhede and Sri Lanka venues, which also underwent renovation work, were cleared, the inspection team had reservations about the preparedness of the Eden Gardens.
Of particular concern was the fact that host venue obligations in relation to cricket operations, media, broadcast and sponsorship facilities were not finalized and/or confirmed by the venue.
Source: rediff.com
The International Cricket Council (ICC ) made the decision following delay in renovation work at the historic Eden Gardens, which boasts of a capacity of 90,000.
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of the decision, who selected Bangalore as the replacement venue though Chennai was also considered.
It must come as a huge sigh of relief for Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) as all the match scheduled in Bangalore included minnows.
India and England were both scheduled to play Ireland on March 2 and 6 respectively. World champions Australia also had a couple of easy matches at this venue, as they were drawn to play Kenya on March 13 and Canada three days later.
Lorgat pointed out that Kolkata had missed three deadlines already and as such they had to take the decision.
"All venues had ample time in which to prepare for World Cup matches. We had been understanding and had provided extensions to the deadline dates but unfortunately we are now at a point where we must carefully manage our risks.
"The COC had provided venues with a deadline of 30 November 2010 to complete all construction work and then to be match-ready by 31 December 2010. An extension was granted by the ICC for five venues, which were again inspected over the past week. Sadly, Eden Gardens in Kolkata was unable to meet the final deadline date of 25 January 2011.
"The expert report determined that Eden Gardens would not be ready within an acceptable time frame to host the India-England match on February 27," said the ICC chief in a media release.
The Eden Gardens is also scheduled to host three other matches -- on March 15, March 18 and March 20 and it remains to be seen whether those games would go ahead.
An ICC team, comprising stadium consultant Eugene van Vuuren, ICC's general manager-commercial Campbell Jamieson and ICC events manager Chris Tetley, had inspected the Wankhde stadium in Mumbai on Monday and then visited Eden Gardens the next day to check out its status.
The team also visited the three Sri Lanka venues -- Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele.
While the Wankhede and Sri Lanka venues, which also underwent renovation work, were cleared, the inspection team had reservations about the preparedness of the Eden Gardens.
Of particular concern was the fact that host venue obligations in relation to cricket operations, media, broadcast and sponsorship facilities were not finalized and/or confirmed by the venue.
Source: rediff.com
Kirsten may coach Mumbai Indians: Report
India coach Gary Kirsten is not in the running for a similar job in the South African side but could be involved with Mumbai Indians in the IPL, a report said on Wednesday.
According to the report, Kirsten's good rapport with Sachin Tendulkar could lead to the former South African opener being appointed in a top position in Mumbai Indians which is to appoint a director of coaching before the IPL IV.
"Indian cricket had hoped to persuade Kirsten to change his mind about not renewing his contract, but gave up on it this week. Future options for Kirsten could involve the Indian Premier League," a report in The Times said.
"The close relationship that Kirsten has with Sachin Tendulkar may lead to co-operation between the two at the Mumbai Indians, who are expected to appoint a director of coaching before the next IPL season," it said.
"Kirsten could easily take up such a position while still developing his international academy that is in the planning
stage at Claremont Cricket Club in Cape Town," it added.
Kirsten, who will quit as India's coach after the World Cup ends in April, is reluctant to take up the Proteas job when caretaker Corrie van Zyl steps down, also in April.
The report also said current India bowling coach Eric Simons could not be ruled out as a possible candidate to replace Kirsten.
"The Indian cricket board has not yet started a process to recruit a successor to Kirsten, but it is not unlikely that it will approach Simons as a candidate. Simons, a former Proteas all-rounder and national coach, was highly regarded by the Indian team when he came aboard this summer," the report said.
Meanwhile, the South African coaching job is likely to go to Duncan Fletcher. The former England coach has been advising the South Africans and it is understood he would be available.
Fletcher's coaching credentials would be hard to resist for Cricket South Africa, whose chief executive Gerald Majola recently promised a 'big name' for the job when Van Zyl's term ends, the report said.
Source: expressbuzz.com
According to the report, Kirsten's good rapport with Sachin Tendulkar could lead to the former South African opener being appointed in a top position in Mumbai Indians which is to appoint a director of coaching before the IPL IV.
"Indian cricket had hoped to persuade Kirsten to change his mind about not renewing his contract, but gave up on it this week. Future options for Kirsten could involve the Indian Premier League," a report in The Times said.
"The close relationship that Kirsten has with Sachin Tendulkar may lead to co-operation between the two at the Mumbai Indians, who are expected to appoint a director of coaching before the next IPL season," it said.
"Kirsten could easily take up such a position while still developing his international academy that is in the planning
stage at Claremont Cricket Club in Cape Town," it added.
Kirsten, who will quit as India's coach after the World Cup ends in April, is reluctant to take up the Proteas job when caretaker Corrie van Zyl steps down, also in April.
The report also said current India bowling coach Eric Simons could not be ruled out as a possible candidate to replace Kirsten.
"The Indian cricket board has not yet started a process to recruit a successor to Kirsten, but it is not unlikely that it will approach Simons as a candidate. Simons, a former Proteas all-rounder and national coach, was highly regarded by the Indian team when he came aboard this summer," the report said.
Meanwhile, the South African coaching job is likely to go to Duncan Fletcher. The former England coach has been advising the South Africans and it is understood he would be available.
Fletcher's coaching credentials would be hard to resist for Cricket South Africa, whose chief executive Gerald Majola recently promised a 'big name' for the job when Van Zyl's term ends, the report said.
Source: expressbuzz.com
Monday, January 24, 2011
Bharat Ratna for Tendulkar?
In the list of numerous accolades 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar has garnered over the years, one is missing.
However, the batting maestro my soon be honoured with India's highest civilian decoration -- the Bharat Ratna.
A strong case to the effect has already been made, declared Mumbai MP Sanjay Nirupam at an initiative 'Support My School', a movement to build healthy, happy and active schools in Mumbai, which Tendulkar is the campaign ambassador.
"We have strongly recommended your name for the Bharat Ratna, and we should know the result in a few days," said Nirupam, speaking on the occasion.
Sachin TendulkarThe demand for the same had first been made way back in 2003 when the then Human Resource Development Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi [ Images ], had seconded Shiv Sena's claims to bestow the honour on the prolific batsman.
Earlier in March last year, the Maharashtra state government had announced its decision to recommend the Master Blaster's name for the country's highest civilian honour.
The demands from various quarters - including politicians and ex-cricketers -- had intensified after Tendulkar became the first player in the history of cricket to score a double hundred in One-Day Internationals -- achieving the feat against at Gwalior outh Africa in February last year.
The demand attained gargantuan proportion late last year -- after he recorded his 50th ton in Tests - when many renowned names in Indian sports -- Vishy Anand, Kapil Dev [ Images ], Gagan Narang [ Images ], Vijender Singh to name a few, supported claims of Tendulkar receiving the honour.
The Master Blaster had reacted to the demands in an expectedly modest tone. "It is a rare honour but I am focusing on cricket," Tendulkar had been quoted as saying last year. "If it has to happen, it will happen," he had added.
If the 37-year-old eventually receives the honour, it will mark yet another first for him -- for he will become the first sportsman to be awarded the prestigious honour.
And looking at the manner the demand is getting significant, it won't take long before the Master Blaster attains yet another milestone.
Source: rediff.com
However, the batting maestro my soon be honoured with India's highest civilian decoration -- the Bharat Ratna.
A strong case to the effect has already been made, declared Mumbai MP Sanjay Nirupam at an initiative 'Support My School', a movement to build healthy, happy and active schools in Mumbai, which Tendulkar is the campaign ambassador.
"We have strongly recommended your name for the Bharat Ratna, and we should know the result in a few days," said Nirupam, speaking on the occasion.
Sachin TendulkarThe demand for the same had first been made way back in 2003 when the then Human Resource Development Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi [ Images ], had seconded Shiv Sena's claims to bestow the honour on the prolific batsman.
Earlier in March last year, the Maharashtra state government had announced its decision to recommend the Master Blaster's name for the country's highest civilian honour.
The demands from various quarters - including politicians and ex-cricketers -- had intensified after Tendulkar became the first player in the history of cricket to score a double hundred in One-Day Internationals -- achieving the feat against at Gwalior outh Africa in February last year.
The demand attained gargantuan proportion late last year -- after he recorded his 50th ton in Tests - when many renowned names in Indian sports -- Vishy Anand, Kapil Dev [ Images ], Gagan Narang [ Images ], Vijender Singh to name a few, supported claims of Tendulkar receiving the honour.
The Master Blaster had reacted to the demands in an expectedly modest tone. "It is a rare honour but I am focusing on cricket," Tendulkar had been quoted as saying last year. "If it has to happen, it will happen," he had added.
If the 37-year-old eventually receives the honour, it will mark yet another first for him -- for he will become the first sportsman to be awarded the prestigious honour.
And looking at the manner the demand is getting significant, it won't take long before the Master Blaster attains yet another milestone.
Source: rediff.com
Sunday, January 23, 2011
5th ODI: Pathan ton goes in vain as South Africa beat India by 33 runs, win series 3-2
Yusuf Pathan hit a blistering 68-ball century but could not stop South Africa from winning the series-deciding fifth and final one-day international against India at SuperSport Park on Sunday.
South Africa won by 33 runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis method, clinching a come-from-behind 3-2 series win thanks mainly to a century by Hashim Amla and four wickets by fast bowler Morne Morkel.
Opening batsman Amla made 116 not out as South Africa reached 250 for nine in a rain-interrupted innings.
Set to make 268 to win, India were headed for a heavy defeat when they slumped to 119 for eight with fast bowlers Morkel and Dale Steyn inflicting most of the damage.
But Pathan unleashed a ferocious assault on the South African bowlers during a ninth wicket stand of 100 with Zaheer Khan.
Pathan slammed eight sixes and eight fours as he made 105 before he top-edged another attempted big hit against Morkel and sent a catch spiraling to cover.
Khan got a reprieve when the stand was worth 20 when he top-edged a short ball from Morkel and was caught by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.
But umpire Simon Taufel asked television umpire Shaun George to check whether Morkel had bowled a no-ball. George ruled that Morkel had overstepped by millimetres and Khan batted on.
As the ball flew to all parts of the ground, South African captain Graeme Smith called on Morkel and the fast bowler finally induced a false stroke.
Morkel finished with four for 52 as India were all out for 234.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that South Africa deserved to win.
"It has been a disappointing series for the batsmen. We have not really performed as a batting unit. To say we wanted to win the final game just because Yusuf scored a hundred was asking too much," said Dhoni.
Looking ahead to next month's World Cup, Dhoni said the big lesson for India was that if they were able to keep wickets in hand they could chase down almost any target with a powerful hitter like Pathan in the side.
Smith said South Africa had finished the series strongly.
"We were 2-1 down and we played two good games."
He said South Africa had paced their innings well, despite a late collapse after a rain break, and had bowled "really aggressively".
South Africa's innings was interrupted when the hosts were strongly placed at 226 for three after 42 overs.
The rain caused a delay of more than an hour and the match was reduced to 46 overs a side.
South Africa lost six wickets for 24 runs in the remaining four overs of their innings, with a succession of batsmen falling to ill-judged strokes and two run-outs in a chase for quick runs.
Dhoni sent South Africa in, hoping to take advantage of expected early morning life in the pitch - and also to have the option of revising his team's strategy in the event of predicted rain interruptions.
Smith fell once again to left-arm opening bowler Khan - for the 11th time in international cricket - edging a catch to second slip in the third over.
But Amla played a calm innings, content to play the supporting role in a second wicket stand of 97 with Morne van Wyk, who made 56 off 63 balls, then picking up the pace in a fourth wicket stand of 102 off 98 balls with JP Duminy (35).
There were only four boundaries as Amla reached fifty off 72 balls, but he added another five fours as he needed just 41 more deliveries to reach the first century by a batsman of either side in the series.
India opted to play only two seam bowlers, bringing in leg-spinner Piyush Chawla in place of Ashish Nehra.
For the second match in a row, Dhoni used eight bowlers, mainly in short spells.
As in the fourth match in Port Elizabeth, left-arm spinner Yuvraj Singh was the most effective of the slow bowlers, taking two for 45 in eight overs - the longest unbroken spell by any of the players.
But when Yuvraj conceded nine runs off his eighth over Dhoni immediately took him out of the attack.
Read more: 5th ODI: Pathan ton goes in vain as South Africa beat India by 33 runs, win series 3-2 - The Times of India
South Africa won by 33 runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis method, clinching a come-from-behind 3-2 series win thanks mainly to a century by Hashim Amla and four wickets by fast bowler Morne Morkel.
Opening batsman Amla made 116 not out as South Africa reached 250 for nine in a rain-interrupted innings.
Set to make 268 to win, India were headed for a heavy defeat when they slumped to 119 for eight with fast bowlers Morkel and Dale Steyn inflicting most of the damage.
But Pathan unleashed a ferocious assault on the South African bowlers during a ninth wicket stand of 100 with Zaheer Khan.
Pathan slammed eight sixes and eight fours as he made 105 before he top-edged another attempted big hit against Morkel and sent a catch spiraling to cover.
Khan got a reprieve when the stand was worth 20 when he top-edged a short ball from Morkel and was caught by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.
But umpire Simon Taufel asked television umpire Shaun George to check whether Morkel had bowled a no-ball. George ruled that Morkel had overstepped by millimetres and Khan batted on.
As the ball flew to all parts of the ground, South African captain Graeme Smith called on Morkel and the fast bowler finally induced a false stroke.
Morkel finished with four for 52 as India were all out for 234.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that South Africa deserved to win.
"It has been a disappointing series for the batsmen. We have not really performed as a batting unit. To say we wanted to win the final game just because Yusuf scored a hundred was asking too much," said Dhoni.
Looking ahead to next month's World Cup, Dhoni said the big lesson for India was that if they were able to keep wickets in hand they could chase down almost any target with a powerful hitter like Pathan in the side.
Smith said South Africa had finished the series strongly.
"We were 2-1 down and we played two good games."
He said South Africa had paced their innings well, despite a late collapse after a rain break, and had bowled "really aggressively".
South Africa's innings was interrupted when the hosts were strongly placed at 226 for three after 42 overs.
The rain caused a delay of more than an hour and the match was reduced to 46 overs a side.
South Africa lost six wickets for 24 runs in the remaining four overs of their innings, with a succession of batsmen falling to ill-judged strokes and two run-outs in a chase for quick runs.
Dhoni sent South Africa in, hoping to take advantage of expected early morning life in the pitch - and also to have the option of revising his team's strategy in the event of predicted rain interruptions.
Smith fell once again to left-arm opening bowler Khan - for the 11th time in international cricket - edging a catch to second slip in the third over.
But Amla played a calm innings, content to play the supporting role in a second wicket stand of 97 with Morne van Wyk, who made 56 off 63 balls, then picking up the pace in a fourth wicket stand of 102 off 98 balls with JP Duminy (35).
There were only four boundaries as Amla reached fifty off 72 balls, but he added another five fours as he needed just 41 more deliveries to reach the first century by a batsman of either side in the series.
India opted to play only two seam bowlers, bringing in leg-spinner Piyush Chawla in place of Ashish Nehra.
For the second match in a row, Dhoni used eight bowlers, mainly in short spells.
As in the fourth match in Port Elizabeth, left-arm spinner Yuvraj Singh was the most effective of the slow bowlers, taking two for 45 in eight overs - the longest unbroken spell by any of the players.
But when Yuvraj conceded nine runs off his eighth over Dhoni immediately took him out of the attack.
Read more: 5th ODI: Pathan ton goes in vain as South Africa beat India by 33 runs, win series 3-2 - The Times of India
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Pathan powers India to thrilling win
A burst of powerful hitting by Yusuf Pathan spurred India to a thrilling two-wicket win in the third One-Day International against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 221, India were struggling at 93 for five before Pathan launched a savage assault against South African off-spinners Johan Botha and JP Duminy.
On a pitch where most batsmen found it difficult to play positive strokes, Pathan, making his first appearance in the series, struck 59 off 50 balls as India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Pathan and Suresh Raina (37) put on 75 for the sixth wicket but both were out in quick succession to set up a tense finish.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel took three for 26 and fellow paceman Dale Steyn claimed two for 31 but could not stop India from getting home with ten balls to spare. Harbhajan Singh made a crucial 23 not out, including two sixes.
The match changed dramatically in the 28th over of the Indian innings when Pathan, on six, edged Botha for a four between wicketkeeper AB de Villiers and captain Graeme Smith at slip. Pathan swept the next delivery and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, running in from the boundary to try to take a catch, misjudged the ball and it went for another four.
In the next over from Duminy, Pathan again swept in the air and Morkel also misjudged the ball in contemplating a catch and another boundary was the result. Then Pathan struck three sixes off four balls from Botha, all sailing over a fielder at deep mid-wicket.
On an untypical Newlands pitch, South Africa struggled to 220 all out with newcomer Francois 'Faf' du Plessis and JP Duminy putting on 110 as they rescued a floundering innings. Du Plessis made 60 and Duminy 52 on a pitch of inconsistent pace and bounce.
The pair came together with their side in trouble at 90 for four in the 24th over. They put on 110 off 129 balls before Du Plessis slipped as he went down the wicket to attack Munaf Patel and sliced a catch to cover.
Du Plessis, 26, a former schoolboy team-mate of de Villiers who has been signed to play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, made his runs off 78 balls. He showed composure at the crease and the only sign of nerves came when he needed treatment for cramps in his forearm.
Du Plessis was out in the first over of the batting powerplay, which was taken in the 45th over, and as in the second international in Johannesburg, the lifting of fielding restrictions heralded a flurry of wickets.
Duminy was bowled in the next over and the innings folded rapidly, the last six wickets falling for 20 runs. Zaheer Khan, with three for 43, and Singh led a superb Indian bowling performance, which was backed up by good fielding.
Khan repeatedly beat South African captain Graeme Smith with swing and movement off the pitch, although Smith survived to make a laboured 43 off 79 balls before falling to Harbhajan's off-spin. Khan also took a spectacular diving catch in the outfield to dismiss De Villiers.
Harbhajan mesmerised the batsmen, taking two for 23 in nine overs, helped by two diving slip catches by Virat Kohli.
Source: cricket.yahoo.com
On a pitch where most batsmen found it difficult to play positive strokes, Pathan, making his first appearance in the series, struck 59 off 50 balls as India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Pathan and Suresh Raina (37) put on 75 for the sixth wicket but both were out in quick succession to set up a tense finish.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel took three for 26 and fellow paceman Dale Steyn claimed two for 31 but could not stop India from getting home with ten balls to spare. Harbhajan Singh made a crucial 23 not out, including two sixes.
The match changed dramatically in the 28th over of the Indian innings when Pathan, on six, edged Botha for a four between wicketkeeper AB de Villiers and captain Graeme Smith at slip. Pathan swept the next delivery and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, running in from the boundary to try to take a catch, misjudged the ball and it went for another four.
In the next over from Duminy, Pathan again swept in the air and Morkel also misjudged the ball in contemplating a catch and another boundary was the result. Then Pathan struck three sixes off four balls from Botha, all sailing over a fielder at deep mid-wicket.
On an untypical Newlands pitch, South Africa struggled to 220 all out with newcomer Francois 'Faf' du Plessis and JP Duminy putting on 110 as they rescued a floundering innings. Du Plessis made 60 and Duminy 52 on a pitch of inconsistent pace and bounce.
The pair came together with their side in trouble at 90 for four in the 24th over. They put on 110 off 129 balls before Du Plessis slipped as he went down the wicket to attack Munaf Patel and sliced a catch to cover.
Du Plessis, 26, a former schoolboy team-mate of de Villiers who has been signed to play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, made his runs off 78 balls. He showed composure at the crease and the only sign of nerves came when he needed treatment for cramps in his forearm.
Du Plessis was out in the first over of the batting powerplay, which was taken in the 45th over, and as in the second international in Johannesburg, the lifting of fielding restrictions heralded a flurry of wickets.
Duminy was bowled in the next over and the innings folded rapidly, the last six wickets falling for 20 runs. Zaheer Khan, with three for 43, and Singh led a superb Indian bowling performance, which was backed up by good fielding.
Khan repeatedly beat South African captain Graeme Smith with swing and movement off the pitch, although Smith survived to make a laboured 43 off 79 balls before falling to Harbhajan's off-spin. Khan also took a spectacular diving catch in the outfield to dismiss De Villiers.
Harbhajan mesmerised the batsmen, taking two for 23 in nine overs, helped by two diving slip catches by Virat Kohli.
Source: cricket.yahoo.com
Monday, January 17, 2011
Ashwin, Chawla in; Rohit, Sreesanth out of WC 15
The five-member selection panel, headed by Krishnamachari Srikkanth , ignored Rohit Sharma and went for the tried and tested in India's final 15-member squad for the ICC World Cup, to be held in the sub-continent from February 19.
Most of the big names, including Sachin Tendulkar , Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir , who are down with injuries, were named in the squad.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the team while Sehwag will play in the role of deputy.
The selectors, who met for around 90 minutes in Chennai to finalise the team here, picked three specialist spinners, considering that the high profile-event will be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and four seamers. Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla made the cut along with R Ashwin, with Harbhajan Singh leading the spin attack.
It was heartbreak for S Sreesanth , who was overlooked in favour of Delhi pacer Ashish Nehra , while the big-hittng Yusuf Pathan also made the cut.
The team:
MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli , Suresh Raina , Yuvraj Singh , Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, R Ashwin, Zaheer Khan , Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel , Praveen Kumar , Piyush Chawla.
Source: rediff.com
Most of the big names, including Sachin Tendulkar , Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir , who are down with injuries, were named in the squad.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the team while Sehwag will play in the role of deputy.
The selectors, who met for around 90 minutes in Chennai to finalise the team here, picked three specialist spinners, considering that the high profile-event will be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and four seamers. Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla made the cut along with R Ashwin, with Harbhajan Singh leading the spin attack.
It was heartbreak for S Sreesanth , who was overlooked in favour of Delhi pacer Ashish Nehra , while the big-hittng Yusuf Pathan also made the cut.
The team:
MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli , Suresh Raina , Yuvraj Singh , Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, R Ashwin, Zaheer Khan , Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel , Praveen Kumar , Piyush Chawla.
Source: rediff.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
1st ODI: South Africa beat India by 135 runs, lead series 1-0
South Africa's fast bowlers struck early to set up a comprehensive 135-run win in the first one-day international against India at Kingsmead on Wednesday.
"We are a side that banks on a good start and having wickets in hand to chase eight or nine runs an over . . . it never happened."
Dhoni said the one-day specialists in his team had been restricted in their practice opportunities because of rain.
"As we go into the series we will get acclimatised more and hopefully make the series more interesting."
South African captain Graeme Smith, meanwhile, hailed 'a pretty complete' performance in the opening match of a five-game series, with particular praise for the bowlers.
"We were superb with the ball," he said.
Dale Steyn dismissed Murali Vijay in the first over and left-arm bowler and man of the match Lonwabo Tsotsobe picked up the key wicket of Sachin Tendulkar three overs later.
Morne Morkel, who came on as first change, took two wickets in one over as the Indian batsmen failed to come to terms with the pace and bounce of a Kingsmead pitch with a reputation for being more lively in the second innings of day-night games.
Tsotsobe went on to claim four wickets for 31 runs, while fellow pacemen Steyn and Morkel took two each and left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell took one.
Hashim Amla got the South African innings off to a fast start, scoring 50 off 36 balls with eight fours but the home side's total of 289 for nine was built around a 131-run fourth wicket partnership between AB de Villiers and JP Duminy.
De Villiers hit 76 off 69 balls, while Duminy scored 73 off 89 deliveries.
While they were together South Africa looked on target for a total of more than 300 but both fell to the part-time off-spin of Rohit Sharma instead of cashing in towards the end of the innings.
In a departure from their normal tactics, South Africa took the batting powerplay after 27 overs and it seemed to pay off as De Villiers and Duminy added 45 runs in five overs and forced India to use some of their better bowlers early.
But De Villiers holed out to deep midwicket and Duminy was leg before wicket when he missed an attempted reverse sweep, leaving South Africa without a specialist batsman for the last eight overs in which they were restricted to 45 runs while losing four wickets.
Opening bowler Zaheer Khan took two for 44, with both his wickets coming in the last over of the innings, while Sharma's seven overs brought him two for 30.
Source:- Times of india
"We are a side that banks on a good start and having wickets in hand to chase eight or nine runs an over . . . it never happened."
Dhoni said the one-day specialists in his team had been restricted in their practice opportunities because of rain.
"As we go into the series we will get acclimatised more and hopefully make the series more interesting."
South African captain Graeme Smith, meanwhile, hailed 'a pretty complete' performance in the opening match of a five-game series, with particular praise for the bowlers.
"We were superb with the ball," he said.
Dale Steyn dismissed Murali Vijay in the first over and left-arm bowler and man of the match Lonwabo Tsotsobe picked up the key wicket of Sachin Tendulkar three overs later.
Morne Morkel, who came on as first change, took two wickets in one over as the Indian batsmen failed to come to terms with the pace and bounce of a Kingsmead pitch with a reputation for being more lively in the second innings of day-night games.
Tsotsobe went on to claim four wickets for 31 runs, while fellow pacemen Steyn and Morkel took two each and left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell took one.
Hashim Amla got the South African innings off to a fast start, scoring 50 off 36 balls with eight fours but the home side's total of 289 for nine was built around a 131-run fourth wicket partnership between AB de Villiers and JP Duminy.
De Villiers hit 76 off 69 balls, while Duminy scored 73 off 89 deliveries.
While they were together South Africa looked on target for a total of more than 300 but both fell to the part-time off-spin of Rohit Sharma instead of cashing in towards the end of the innings.
In a departure from their normal tactics, South Africa took the batting powerplay after 27 overs and it seemed to pay off as De Villiers and Duminy added 45 runs in five overs and forced India to use some of their better bowlers early.
But De Villiers holed out to deep midwicket and Duminy was leg before wicket when he missed an attempted reverse sweep, leaving South Africa without a specialist batsman for the last eight overs in which they were restricted to 45 runs while losing four wickets.
Opening bowler Zaheer Khan took two for 44, with both his wickets coming in the last over of the innings, while Sharma's seven overs brought him two for 30.
Source:- Times of india
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Wasn't in right frame of mind in 1999 tour of Australia: Sachin
Sachin Tendulkar has for the first time admitted that the match-fixing episodes in 1999-2000 had initially affected his game and the Indian team had to go through a difficult and painful phase as "spectators looked at us with suspicion".
Tendulkar said he was not in the right frame of mind during India's disastrous tour of Australia where they were thrashed 0-3 in 1999-2000.
"I can tell you that I was never approached by anyone, neither we had any discussions about the same in the team meeting," Tendulkar told former South African Board President Dr Ali Bacher in an interview for Super Sport Channel.
"I remember that there was stage in 1999-2000 when it was very difficult as we were to play Australia. Before the series these things started making rounds. As a cricketer that's the last thing I want.
"You want your beloved game to be as clean as possible. I wanted the spectators to enjoy the contest and not look at us with suspicion. To play well, players need to be in right frame of mind and I can tell you that I was not in that frame of mind," Tendulkar said, recollecting the disastrous series.
The pain in his voice was evident as he gave the interview.
"Every match you play and people pass on loose comments. This was really hurting me and the whole team," said the maestro.
Tendulkar felt that their historic 2-1 series win over Australia at home was the turning point.
"I was sure that we needed to put up a very special performance against Aussies so that cricket lovers forget what has happened in the past and start enjoying the game again and move on. With grace of God we managed to do that.
"We lost the first match at Mumbai. But in the next match at Kolkata we fought back from very bad position and won that match to level the series. Last match was even harder. At Chennai while chasing small total we lost 8 wickets but won that Test match and series too.
"I was happy for the fact we forced cricket lovers to forget about that bad chapter and start following cricket again."
Recollecting the horror days of match fixing, Bacher revealed that the South African Board was indeed approached by bookmakers.
"We were directly approached by bookmakers to take their offer to the players through team meeting. Those were days when in couple of ICC meetings, I had raised this issue. The issue was not properly discussed and I was told to get evidence and proof," said Bacher.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Tendulkar said he was not in the right frame of mind during India's disastrous tour of Australia where they were thrashed 0-3 in 1999-2000.
"I can tell you that I was never approached by anyone, neither we had any discussions about the same in the team meeting," Tendulkar told former South African Board President Dr Ali Bacher in an interview for Super Sport Channel.
"I remember that there was stage in 1999-2000 when it was very difficult as we were to play Australia. Before the series these things started making rounds. As a cricketer that's the last thing I want.
"You want your beloved game to be as clean as possible. I wanted the spectators to enjoy the contest and not look at us with suspicion. To play well, players need to be in right frame of mind and I can tell you that I was not in that frame of mind," Tendulkar said, recollecting the disastrous series.
The pain in his voice was evident as he gave the interview.
"Every match you play and people pass on loose comments. This was really hurting me and the whole team," said the maestro.
Tendulkar felt that their historic 2-1 series win over Australia at home was the turning point.
"I was sure that we needed to put up a very special performance against Aussies so that cricket lovers forget what has happened in the past and start enjoying the game again and move on. With grace of God we managed to do that.
"We lost the first match at Mumbai. But in the next match at Kolkata we fought back from very bad position and won that match to level the series. Last match was even harder. At Chennai while chasing small total we lost 8 wickets but won that Test match and series too.
"I was happy for the fact we forced cricket lovers to forget about that bad chapter and start following cricket again."
Recollecting the horror days of match fixing, Bacher revealed that the South African Board was indeed approached by bookmakers.
"We were directly approached by bookmakers to take their offer to the players through team meeting. Those were days when in couple of ICC meetings, I had raised this issue. The issue was not properly discussed and I was told to get evidence and proof," said Bacher.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Thursday, January 6, 2011
India bat out final day to draw third Test
Gautam Gambhir hit a patient half-century to help India draw the third and final Test and end the three-match series at 1-1 against South Africa [ Images ], on Day 5 at Newlands in Cape Town, on Thursday.
Chasing 340 for victory, India were 166 for three in 82 overs before the two teams agreed for a draw.
Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 14 from 91 balls, while VVS Laxman was not out on 34 from 67 balls with the help of four boundaries as India managed to bat out the final day for the loss of just three wickets.
Gambhir, struggling with an injury on his left hand, battled hard to score 64 from 184 balls to register his second fifty of the match, before he was caught down the leg side off Dale Steyn The left-hander was involved in two slow partnerships to boost India's chances of drawing the match. He added 79 runs in 221 balls for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid who made 31 from 112 balls and then put on 14 from 82 balls for the third wicket with Tendulkar.
Jacques Kallis shone with the bat for South Africa as he hit two centuries in the match, while Tendulkar came to India's rescue with a fluent innings 146 in the first innings.
Harbhajan Singh shone with the ball, claiming seven wickets for 120 in 38 overs, his 25th five-wicket haul in Tests, but the rest of the bowlers failed to make an impact.
The pacers made most of the conditions early on in the match with Dale Steyn claiming five wickets while S Sreesanth took five for 114 in 29 overs.
Morning session: (53 runs, 28 overs, 1 wicket)
India looked content to play out the opening session with minimum damage and they achieved just that by losing only one wicket.
Gambhir, who was already suffering from an injury in his left hand, got off to a painful start when a sharp rising delivery from Morkel hit him on the elbow and went over the slips for a four.
South Africa tried to unsettle Gambhir by bowling a lot of short deliveries directed at his body, with the new ball, while they pitched it up to Sehwag.
Gambhir got his second boundary when he flicked a full delivery from Steyn through the square leg region, in the fifth over.
Sehwag was very watchful and keen to play out the new ball. He took 25 deliveries to get his first boundary – thumping a short delivery from Steyn through the covers.
After ten overs, India were 22 for no loss, with both openers not willing to take any risks and looking to leave as much as possible outside the off-stump.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe was unlucky not to have picked the wicket of Sehwag in his first over. The Indian opener (11) went after a short, wide delivery but was dropped by substitute fielder J P Duminy at point region, kept slightly deep.
But Sehwag didn't profit from that lifeline. He fell in the very next over when he edged an outgoing delivery from Morkel and was caught by Graeme Smith at first slip after a patient 11 from 40 balls.
The onus now lay on veteran Rahul Dravid, playing his 150th Test; thus far he has scored just 89 runs in five innings in the series.
Gambhir got his third boundary when he clipped a full delivery from Tsotsobe through square leg, in the 15th over.
Left-arm spinner Paul Harris troubled Gambhir right from the start as he pitched on the footmarks and got the ball to turn and bounce a great deal.
Just like was the case with South Africa's second innings, once the ball lost its shine it got a bit difficult for the bowlers to make an impression. And with Dravid and Gambhir intent on defending, South Africa's bowlers were made to toil extra hard to force the batsmen into committing mistakes.
After a quiet spell, Gambhir finally broke the shackles by stepping down the wicket to Harris and driving him through cover for a four, the first boundary after nearly 11 overs.
At lunch, India were 53 for one in 28 overs, still needing another 287 runs for victory.
Despite the injury, Gambhir showed great determination and was unbeaten on 32 from 80 balls, while Dravid, who was content defending, was on eight from 49 balls.
Morkel got the only wicket of the session but bowled a splendid spell, beating the bat on numerous occasions. Similar was the case with Steyn.
Another good session with the bat and India could well be inching towards a hard-earned draw in the final Test.
Post lunch session: (61 runs, 28 overs, 1 wicket)
India continued to defend. Gambhir led the way with a patient half-century. Slowly, but steadily, India were inching towards a draw, having lost just one wicket in the post-lunch session.
Smith continued after the lunch break and gifted Gambhir a full toss that he despatched down the ground for a four. Even Dravid helped himself to another four when he cut a short delivery through point in Smith's next over, forcing him out of the attack.
Gambhir also looked to lift the tempo after the break and hit a boundary each in successive overs off Steyn to move to 48.
The duo continued to frustrate the hosts with some steady batting as they brought up their 50-run partnership for the second wicket off 136 balls.
In the next over, Gambhir brought up his half-century from 103 balls when he cut a short delivery from Steyn through the point region.
With the pacers unable to make an impact and Harris getting plenty of purchase, Smith brought himself back on. But the move backfired as India broke the shackles somewhat with three boundaries in that over. Dravid drove him twice through the covers for two fours, while Gambhir despatched a full toss through mid-on, in the 43rd over.
Dravid, on 27, got a lifeline when he was struck right in front of the stumps by Harris but the umpire turned down the huge appeal.
But he was unable to make the most of that reprieve. He edged an outgoing delivery from Tsotsobe and was caught at third slip after a patient knock of 31 from 112 balls; he added 79 runs in 221 balls for the second wicket with Gambhir.
With 40 overs remaining in the day, South Africa still had time on hand to scalp the remaining eight wickets, while India were just hoping for survival.
Gambhir (62) also got a reprieve when his leading edge off Harris was dropped by AB de Villiers at silly point, in the 50th over. Harris then saw another catch being spilled, and once again it was de Villiers, who made a valiant attempt at leg slip but failed to hold on as Tendulkar got a thin inside edge.
At tea, India were 114 for two in 56 overs, still needing another 226 runs for victory. It looks unlikely they will push for it in the final session.
Gambhir continued to resist the South African bowlers as he scored 62 from 163 balls, while Tendulkar also adopted a defensive approach for seven from 22 balls.
Post tea session: (52 runs, 26 overs, 1 wicket)
In the end, it turned out to be a boring final session as India held on for a deserved draw.
South Africa started with Steyn and Morkel after the tea break hoping for an early wicket to force the issue, but the Indian batsmen continued to defend.
Steyn provided the important breakthrough when he got the wicket of Gambhir, who was caught down the leg side by Boucher off a short delivery. The left-hander, who was nursing an injured left hand, toiled hard to score 64 from 184 balls and stayed at the crease for 271 minutes.
But that was the only success for the hosts in the session as the Indians continued to defend resolutely.
Left-arm spinner Harris kept toiling from one end and occasionally troubled Tendulkar and VVS Laxman when he pitched on the footmarks, but still another wicket was hard to come.
The left-arm spinner kept bowling maiden over after maiden over as he conceded just 29 runs in 30 overs, inclusive of 19 maiden overs.
Laxman got a loud cheer when he flicked Morkel through the fine leg region for his first four and also the first after a long wait of 22 overs.
While Tendulkar was yet to hit a boundary after facing 75 balls, Laxman provided the Indians fans something to cheer at. The stylish right-hander hit Tsotsobe for two consecutive boundaries through the vacant cover region, in the 75th over.
South Africa made one last effort as they took the second new ball after 80 overs and called on their two best bowlers in Steyn and Morkel. But after a couple of overs with the new ball, the two teams agreed for a draw.
When the match ended, India were 166 for three in 82 overs, having hit just 19 boundaries through the day while scoring at just over two runs per over.
The three-match series ended in a 1-1 draw and India proved they were the deserved No. 1 team in the world.
ource: Rediff.com
Chasing 340 for victory, India were 166 for three in 82 overs before the two teams agreed for a draw.
Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 14 from 91 balls, while VVS Laxman was not out on 34 from 67 balls with the help of four boundaries as India managed to bat out the final day for the loss of just three wickets.
Gambhir, struggling with an injury on his left hand, battled hard to score 64 from 184 balls to register his second fifty of the match, before he was caught down the leg side off Dale Steyn The left-hander was involved in two slow partnerships to boost India's chances of drawing the match. He added 79 runs in 221 balls for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid who made 31 from 112 balls and then put on 14 from 82 balls for the third wicket with Tendulkar.
Jacques Kallis shone with the bat for South Africa as he hit two centuries in the match, while Tendulkar came to India's rescue with a fluent innings 146 in the first innings.
Harbhajan Singh shone with the ball, claiming seven wickets for 120 in 38 overs, his 25th five-wicket haul in Tests, but the rest of the bowlers failed to make an impact.
The pacers made most of the conditions early on in the match with Dale Steyn claiming five wickets while S Sreesanth took five for 114 in 29 overs.
Morning session: (53 runs, 28 overs, 1 wicket)
India looked content to play out the opening session with minimum damage and they achieved just that by losing only one wicket.
Gambhir, who was already suffering from an injury in his left hand, got off to a painful start when a sharp rising delivery from Morkel hit him on the elbow and went over the slips for a four.
South Africa tried to unsettle Gambhir by bowling a lot of short deliveries directed at his body, with the new ball, while they pitched it up to Sehwag.
Gambhir got his second boundary when he flicked a full delivery from Steyn through the square leg region, in the fifth over.
Sehwag was very watchful and keen to play out the new ball. He took 25 deliveries to get his first boundary – thumping a short delivery from Steyn through the covers.
After ten overs, India were 22 for no loss, with both openers not willing to take any risks and looking to leave as much as possible outside the off-stump.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe was unlucky not to have picked the wicket of Sehwag in his first over. The Indian opener (11) went after a short, wide delivery but was dropped by substitute fielder J P Duminy at point region, kept slightly deep.
But Sehwag didn't profit from that lifeline. He fell in the very next over when he edged an outgoing delivery from Morkel and was caught by Graeme Smith at first slip after a patient 11 from 40 balls.
The onus now lay on veteran Rahul Dravid, playing his 150th Test; thus far he has scored just 89 runs in five innings in the series.
Gambhir got his third boundary when he clipped a full delivery from Tsotsobe through square leg, in the 15th over.
Left-arm spinner Paul Harris troubled Gambhir right from the start as he pitched on the footmarks and got the ball to turn and bounce a great deal.
Just like was the case with South Africa's second innings, once the ball lost its shine it got a bit difficult for the bowlers to make an impression. And with Dravid and Gambhir intent on defending, South Africa's bowlers were made to toil extra hard to force the batsmen into committing mistakes.
After a quiet spell, Gambhir finally broke the shackles by stepping down the wicket to Harris and driving him through cover for a four, the first boundary after nearly 11 overs.
At lunch, India were 53 for one in 28 overs, still needing another 287 runs for victory.
Despite the injury, Gambhir showed great determination and was unbeaten on 32 from 80 balls, while Dravid, who was content defending, was on eight from 49 balls.
Morkel got the only wicket of the session but bowled a splendid spell, beating the bat on numerous occasions. Similar was the case with Steyn.
Another good session with the bat and India could well be inching towards a hard-earned draw in the final Test.
Post lunch session: (61 runs, 28 overs, 1 wicket)
India continued to defend. Gambhir led the way with a patient half-century. Slowly, but steadily, India were inching towards a draw, having lost just one wicket in the post-lunch session.
Smith continued after the lunch break and gifted Gambhir a full toss that he despatched down the ground for a four. Even Dravid helped himself to another four when he cut a short delivery through point in Smith's next over, forcing him out of the attack.
Gambhir also looked to lift the tempo after the break and hit a boundary each in successive overs off Steyn to move to 48.
The duo continued to frustrate the hosts with some steady batting as they brought up their 50-run partnership for the second wicket off 136 balls.
In the next over, Gambhir brought up his half-century from 103 balls when he cut a short delivery from Steyn through the point region.
With the pacers unable to make an impact and Harris getting plenty of purchase, Smith brought himself back on. But the move backfired as India broke the shackles somewhat with three boundaries in that over. Dravid drove him twice through the covers for two fours, while Gambhir despatched a full toss through mid-on, in the 43rd over.
Dravid, on 27, got a lifeline when he was struck right in front of the stumps by Harris but the umpire turned down the huge appeal.
But he was unable to make the most of that reprieve. He edged an outgoing delivery from Tsotsobe and was caught at third slip after a patient knock of 31 from 112 balls; he added 79 runs in 221 balls for the second wicket with Gambhir.
With 40 overs remaining in the day, South Africa still had time on hand to scalp the remaining eight wickets, while India were just hoping for survival.
Gambhir (62) also got a reprieve when his leading edge off Harris was dropped by AB de Villiers at silly point, in the 50th over. Harris then saw another catch being spilled, and once again it was de Villiers, who made a valiant attempt at leg slip but failed to hold on as Tendulkar got a thin inside edge.
At tea, India were 114 for two in 56 overs, still needing another 226 runs for victory. It looks unlikely they will push for it in the final session.
Gambhir continued to resist the South African bowlers as he scored 62 from 163 balls, while Tendulkar also adopted a defensive approach for seven from 22 balls.
Post tea session: (52 runs, 26 overs, 1 wicket)
In the end, it turned out to be a boring final session as India held on for a deserved draw.
South Africa started with Steyn and Morkel after the tea break hoping for an early wicket to force the issue, but the Indian batsmen continued to defend.
Steyn provided the important breakthrough when he got the wicket of Gambhir, who was caught down the leg side by Boucher off a short delivery. The left-hander, who was nursing an injured left hand, toiled hard to score 64 from 184 balls and stayed at the crease for 271 minutes.
But that was the only success for the hosts in the session as the Indians continued to defend resolutely.
Left-arm spinner Harris kept toiling from one end and occasionally troubled Tendulkar and VVS Laxman when he pitched on the footmarks, but still another wicket was hard to come.
The left-arm spinner kept bowling maiden over after maiden over as he conceded just 29 runs in 30 overs, inclusive of 19 maiden overs.
Laxman got a loud cheer when he flicked Morkel through the fine leg region for his first four and also the first after a long wait of 22 overs.
While Tendulkar was yet to hit a boundary after facing 75 balls, Laxman provided the Indians fans something to cheer at. The stylish right-hander hit Tsotsobe for two consecutive boundaries through the vacant cover region, in the 75th over.
South Africa made one last effort as they took the second new ball after 80 overs and called on their two best bowlers in Steyn and Morkel. But after a couple of overs with the new ball, the two teams agreed for a draw.
When the match ended, India were 166 for three in 82 overs, having hit just 19 boundaries through the day while scoring at just over two runs per over.
The three-match series ended in a 1-1 draw and India proved they were the deserved No. 1 team in the world.
ource: Rediff.com
Ashes: England seal famous triumph with Sydney win
England won the fifth Ashes Test by an innings and 83 runs on Friday to claim a first series triumph in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century.
The tourists, who had already ensured they would retain the famous urn, needed a little more than 17 overs to remove Australia's last three batsmen on day five of the final Test to win the series 3-1.
"We came over here desperately wanting to win the series. Obviously in Melbourne we retained the Ashes but we really wanted to finish with a bang over here in Sydney ," an ecstatic Andrew Strauss said on the podium.
"All credit to the guys, they've been outstanding again, the way the bowlers bowled on day one, the batsmen dipped their bread in it again and we got another victory.
"So we're delighted with what we've done and we're certainly going to enjoy this evening, that's for sure."
Australia have lost series by bigger margins but in more than 130 years of Test cricket they had never conceded three defeats by an innings or more in a series against any country.
Stand-in skipper Michael Clarke had been handed the unenviable task of leading a demoralised Australia side into the final Test after Ricky Ponting was ruled out with a broken finger.
"It's been a tough couple of months to be honest, we've been outplayed in all facets of the game," said Clarke, who like Ponting failed to inspire his team with the bat throughout the series.
"I think England have shown us what execution and discipline does with the ball and they've managed to go and make some big scores with the bat as well.
"Obviously I'm very disappointed like all the boys. We didn't perform as well as we'd have liked."
'AMAZING SERIES'
Free entry had ensured a half full house as the tourists performed the final rites but it was dominated by England fans with the Barmy Army's songs and chants echoing around the famous ground.
They celebrated wildly as England, just four years after suffering a first Ashes clean sweep in 86 years, matched the achievement of Mike Gatting's touring party of 1986-87.
Alastair Cook was named Man of the Match and won the Compton-Miller medal as Man of the Series.
The England opener made 189 in Sydney and 766 runs at an average of 127.66 over the fives Tests, the second highest by an Englishman in an Ashes series.
"Amazing, just that feeling when Chris Tremlett got that wicket will live long in the memory," said the 26-year-old.
"It's been an amazing series for me, I couldn't imagine this happening seven weeks ago."
Resuming their second innings on 213 for seven, still 151 runs behind England's gargantuan first knock of 644, Australia needed to bat out the last day if they were to claim an unlikely draw.
Morning rain showers looked like being their best hope but once they cleared after a delay of 40 minutes in the first hour, England's march to victory was only a matter of time.
Peter Siddle was the first to go, but not before he had notched his highest Test score of 43.
The seamer was furious with himself after spinner Graeme Swann tempted him into a sweep which James Anderson caught at the boundary in front of the massed ranks of England fans.
England took the new ball two overs later and Anderson soon made the second breakthrough with a fizzing ball that Ben Hilfenhaus , who had made seven runs in 14 minutes, got an edge on to be caught behind.
Debutant Michael Beer was the final wicket to fall, bowled by Chris Tremlett for two to leave Australia all out for 281 to add to their first innings 280.
Steve Smith had reached his second Test half century and was unbeaten on 54.
After a drawn first Test in Brisbane, England won the second in Adelaide by an innings and 71 runs before Australia fought back to claim the third in Perth by 267 runs.
England again dominated the fourth Test in Melbourne with an even more comprehensive victory, an innings and 157 runs, to ensure they would retain the urn they won back from Australia last year in England.
Source: Rediff.com
The tourists, who had already ensured they would retain the famous urn, needed a little more than 17 overs to remove Australia's last three batsmen on day five of the final Test to win the series 3-1.
"We came over here desperately wanting to win the series. Obviously in Melbourne we retained the Ashes but we really wanted to finish with a bang over here in Sydney ," an ecstatic Andrew Strauss said on the podium.
"All credit to the guys, they've been outstanding again, the way the bowlers bowled on day one, the batsmen dipped their bread in it again and we got another victory.
"So we're delighted with what we've done and we're certainly going to enjoy this evening, that's for sure."
Australia have lost series by bigger margins but in more than 130 years of Test cricket they had never conceded three defeats by an innings or more in a series against any country.
Stand-in skipper Michael Clarke had been handed the unenviable task of leading a demoralised Australia side into the final Test after Ricky Ponting was ruled out with a broken finger.
"It's been a tough couple of months to be honest, we've been outplayed in all facets of the game," said Clarke, who like Ponting failed to inspire his team with the bat throughout the series.
"I think England have shown us what execution and discipline does with the ball and they've managed to go and make some big scores with the bat as well.
"Obviously I'm very disappointed like all the boys. We didn't perform as well as we'd have liked."
'AMAZING SERIES'
Free entry had ensured a half full house as the tourists performed the final rites but it was dominated by England fans with the Barmy Army's songs and chants echoing around the famous ground.
They celebrated wildly as England, just four years after suffering a first Ashes clean sweep in 86 years, matched the achievement of Mike Gatting's touring party of 1986-87.
Alastair Cook was named Man of the Match and won the Compton-Miller medal as Man of the Series.
The England opener made 189 in Sydney and 766 runs at an average of 127.66 over the fives Tests, the second highest by an Englishman in an Ashes series.
"Amazing, just that feeling when Chris Tremlett got that wicket will live long in the memory," said the 26-year-old.
"It's been an amazing series for me, I couldn't imagine this happening seven weeks ago."
Resuming their second innings on 213 for seven, still 151 runs behind England's gargantuan first knock of 644, Australia needed to bat out the last day if they were to claim an unlikely draw.
Morning rain showers looked like being their best hope but once they cleared after a delay of 40 minutes in the first hour, England's march to victory was only a matter of time.
Peter Siddle was the first to go, but not before he had notched his highest Test score of 43.
The seamer was furious with himself after spinner Graeme Swann tempted him into a sweep which James Anderson caught at the boundary in front of the massed ranks of England fans.
England took the new ball two overs later and Anderson soon made the second breakthrough with a fizzing ball that Ben Hilfenhaus , who had made seven runs in 14 minutes, got an edge on to be caught behind.
Debutant Michael Beer was the final wicket to fall, bowled by Chris Tremlett for two to leave Australia all out for 281 to add to their first innings 280.
Steve Smith had reached his second Test half century and was unbeaten on 54.
After a drawn first Test in Brisbane, England won the second in Adelaide by an innings and 71 runs before Australia fought back to claim the third in Perth by 267 runs.
England again dominated the fourth Test in Melbourne with an even more comprehensive victory, an innings and 157 runs, to ensure they would retain the urn they won back from Australia last year in England.
Source: Rediff.com
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