3rd ODI: Zimbabwe to field vs Pak

HARARE: Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor won the toss and elected to field first in the series-deciding third one-day international against Pakistan at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Scorecard

Zimbabwe shocked Pakistan with a seven-wicket victory in the first match before the visitors roared back with a convincing 90-run win to level the series last Thursday.

The home team is eyeing an elusive series victory as it has not won a bilateral ODI series against a major team since beating New Zealand 2-1 twelve years ago.

Zimbabwe brought in fast bowler Shingi Masakadza, younger brother of opening batsman Hamilton, and middle order batsman Sikandar Raza in place of Brian Vitori and Timycen Maruma respectively.

Pakistan retained the same playing XI which won last Thursday.

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Sachin resumes training after surgery

MUMBAI: Senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has started batting in the nets and is looking forward to the Champions League Twenty20 after recuperating from a surgery for a hand injury sustained during the Indian Premier League this year.

"Yes. I had surgery on my hand for the injury I sustained during the IPL match in May. I have already started batting in the nets since last ten days and I am looking forward to the Champions League," said Tendulkar today when asked about news reports that he underwent a surgery in London last month.

Champions League T20 tournament is scheduled to be held in different Indian cities from September 21 to October 6, with the qualifiers scheduled from September 17.

The 40-year-old batsman, who has retired from ODIs and T20 internationals, has not played a game since injuring his hand on May 13 when batting and retiring hurt with an unbeaten 38 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He missed the Mumbai Indians' last five games.

In his absence, Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to their maiden IPL title when they vanquished two-time winners Chennai Super Kings in the final at Kolkata on May 26.

Tendulkar, now primed to play only Test matches, is all set to complete another milestone in his illustrious career when India visits South Africa at the end of this year.

The highest run-getter and century maker in both ODIs and longest form of the game is two matches adrift of appearing in 200 Test matches.

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Misbah, Shehzad carry Pakistan to 260/6

Steady half-centuries from Misbah-ul-Haq and Ahmed Shehzad allowed Pakistan to apply a late flourish and reach a competitive score in the third one-day international against Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday.

Scorecard

Misbah's 67 was particularly crucial to the Pakistani cause, as he battled through some early challenges before helping to lift his side to a total of 260 for six.

The series decider had been cast into doubt after Zimbabwe's players threatened to boycott the match over unpaid salaries and match fees, but the home side took the field after setting a new ultimatum for the first Test on Tuesday.

For a side with off-field distractions, the Zimbabweans started surprisingly well in the field after Brendan Taylor had won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat on a slow surface.

The tourists made a cautious start with openers Shehzad and Nasir Jamshed putting on 66 for the first wicket at a slow pace, and the innings became stilted when Jamshed departed and Mohammad Hafeez was forced to retire hurt soon after.

When Shehzad fell to part-timer Hamilton Masakadza for 54 in the 33rd over, Pakistan had just 119 on the board but Umar Amin lifted the scoring rate with a brisk 33.

Misbah reached fifty from 74 balls before opening up, while Sarfraz Ahmed and the returning Hafeez also weighed in as a late flurry brought 94 runs in the last 10 overs.

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2nd T20I: Oz elect to field against Eng

Australia captain George Bailey won the toss and elected to field against England in the second and final Twenty20 international at Chester-le-Street on Saturday.

Scorecard

England were unchanged from the side that lost the first T20 at Southampton by 39 runs on Thursday, with in-form Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry again left out of the side.

Australia made one change, with Nathan Coulter-Nile replacing fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood, as opener Aaron Finch looked to follow up his Twenty20 international world record innings of 156 at Southampton.

Teams:

England: Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Luke Wright, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler (wkt), Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Danny Briggs, Jade Dernbach

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wkt), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Fawad Ahmed

Umpires: Rob Bailey (ENG), Michael Gough (ENG)

TV umpire: Tim Robinson (ENG)

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama

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Sanga hits out for questioning loyalty

NEW DELHI: After preferring his domestic side Kandurata over IPL franchisee Sunrisers Hyderabad for the Champions League Twenty20, senior batsman Kumar Sangakkara has lashed out at the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials for questioning his loyalty to the country.

Sangakkara said he himself wanted to play for Kandurata after their qualification but his IPL team had initially refused to release him, saying he was an integral part of the side even if his place in the final XI was not certain.

Sangakkara's comments came after SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga had said that the board would prefer Kandurata's IPL players played "for their country" in the Champions League.

However, Sangakkara said no SLC official had asked him to play for the Lankan team until a meeting on Tuesday and statements made by them only put him in a bad picture.

"The first time I heard directly that they wanted me to play for Kandurata was on Tuesday - the same day I arrived from the West Indies. I was told that they expected me to play for Kandurata, and I said if that's the case, and if they are informing me at such a late hour, I'm happy for them to speak to the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise and also the Champions League, to see if that could be done in a respectful and amicable way, and I would await the outcome," he said.

"At the same time, SLC failed to mediate a workable solution, so I had to make a decision on my own. I decided to stay with Kandurata and absorb the considerable financial loss."

"I was quite upset that there were statements released by individuals in an official capacity, where my loyalty to the country was brought into question," Sangakkara said.

"The statements were made to put me at a disadvantage and to make me appear in a very bad light. Certain individuals' efforts to isolate me as a player misled the public and inflamed the issue further," Sangakkara said.

The former national skipper will lose $140,000 from his IPL salary due to his decision.

"...I think there is little or no comparison in the amounts lost. None of the board members or anyone else loses individually, but the player suffers," a displeased Sangakkara said.

"The real matter is not the financial penalty, but the issue of principle. This is not a country versus money issue, but it was created to be so, and I as a player was left alone to be caught in the middle of it."

Former Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga too had made similar statements the day Kandurata qualified for the Champions League two weeks back.

Sangakkara, who captained the Hyderabad team, said the day Kandurata qualified for the Champions League, he had approached his Indian franchise owners to allow represent him his native team.

"When I qualified with Kandurata on the 17th, I contacted Sunrisers through my representative and asked them if I was not an essential member of the squad and if they were looking to release me to play for Kandurata. Without making any bones about it, they said they can't release me because I'm going to be an integral part of the squad, even if they can't guarantee me a spot in the first XI," he said.

"Things after that took a very different turn. A very wrong image of the choice that was to be made was presented to the public."

Sangakkara said he managed to convince the Sunrisers management after speaking to them.

"I'm very happy to represent Kandurata. I have no issue with Sunrisers Hyderabad and, at the end of the day, this is my profession - this is how I make a living. I'm pretty happy to have made the decision that I did," he said.

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Ganguly condemns England celebrations

KOLKATA: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has condemned English players' alleged urination on the Oval pitch in the Ashes triumph euphoria but does not feel that they should be punished for the act.

"No doubt, England were a better side than Australia but they crossed their limits while celebrating the Ashes triumph. I just read it in the papers, it was nothing but hilarious. There is nothing wrong to celebrate but you should not get carried away. KPs (Kevin Pietersen and others) are matured enough, they would not be punished," he said.

"They are no more school-going children that they should be punished as a measure of reformation," the former captain told a television channel.

The former captain had made headlines when he took off his shirt and twirled it from the Lord's balcony after India won the Natwest final in 2002.

But Ganguly said their celebrations were confined to the dressing rooms always.

"We did not cross our limits after winning the Natwest final at the Lord's. It was no different at the Wanderers; in Pakistan, we could not do much because of high security alert.

"But our celebration was confined to the dressing room, never on the field. Those things cannot be compared with what the English players did," Ganguly added.

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SC notices to BCCI, Srini on probe issue

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the BCCI, N Srinivasan, his company India Cements which owns IPL team Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals on a plea challenging Bombay high court order refusing to appoint a fresh committee to probe IPL spot fixing scam.

A bench headed by Justice AK Patnaik agreed to hear the appeal filed by Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) against the high court verdict and clubbed it with the petition of BCCI which had challenged the judgement declaring as illegal the Indian cricket board's two-member probe panel set up to look into spot-fixing and betting charges in the IPL tournament.

The CAB pleaded that the High Court which declared the panel of two judges unconstitutional should have appointed a fresh panel to look into the issue.

The cross appeal filed by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and CAB will be heard by the apex court on September 11.

The apex court had earlier on August 7 refused to grant interim stay on High Court verdict, derailing the plan of Srinivasan to return as chief of BCCI.

He had stepped aside from discharging his duties as BCCI President in the light of spot fixing and betting scandal which allegedly involved his son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings team's former principal Gurunath Meiyappan.

The high court order had come on July 30 just two days after the panel, comprising two former judges of the Madras High Court Justices T Jayarama Chouta and R Balasubramanian, submitted its report giving a clean chit to all those against whom the probe was conducted.

The panel had gone into the charges against India Cements Ltd, owners of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, Meiyappan, son-in-law of BCCI's President-in-exile N Srinivasan and Raj Kundra, co-owner of Rajasthan Royals.

The panel was set up by BCCI and IPL Governing Council after surfacing of the betting and fixing scandal.

In a blow to BCCI and its president-in-exile Srinivasan, the High Court in its July 30 order held that the two-member panel was constituted in violation of the rules framed by the BCCI.

"The (probe) Commission was not duly constituted and was contrary to and in violation of the provisions of Rules 2.2 and 3 of Section 6 of the Operational Rules (of BCCI)," the High Court had said and also rejected Srinivisan's plea for a stay on its order to enable him move a higher court in appeal.

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Vijay Zol cracks ton on first-class debut

VISAKHAPATNAM: Stylish left-hander Vijay Zol carried his stupendous form at the U-19 level to first-class cricket, scoring a fluent century on debut as the three-day encounter between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw on Friday.

In reply to New Zealand's total of 310, India A scored a healthy 388 for seven courtesy Zol's 110 and skipper Abhishek Nayar's unbeaten 102.

The two umpires called time in the 94th over after Nayar (102 not out) reached his 12th first-class century. He faced 110 balls and hit 14 boundaries and a six.

The day, however, belonged to 18-year-old Zol, who hit 19 boundaries in his 153-ball knock. It looked as if the boy hailing from Maharashtra's Marathwada region is carrying his good form at the U-19 level, where he had successful tours of Australia and Sri Lanka.

For someone playing his first longer version match at the first-class level, Zol impressed one and all with his technique as well as temperament.

He found the gaps at will against seamers Mark Gillespie and Doug Bracewell and used his feet to good effect against leg-break bowlers Ish Sodhi and Todd Astle.

He shared a few fruitful partnerships of 77 runs for the third wicket with opener Jiwanjot Singh (48), 97 runs for the fourth wicket with Manpreet Juneja (43) and 60 with his skipper Nayar for the fifth wicket.

Medium pacer Carl Cachopa finally dismissed Zol as he played to a wrong line to get bowled.

Nayar found an ally in CM Gautham (16) as they added 56 runs for the seventh wicket with the India A skipper reaching half-century.

India's bowling hero Jalaj Saxena (10) was dismissed cheaply as India were 351 for seven but Dhawal Kulkarni (7 not out) provided support as Nayar inched towards his century.

On a slow track at the Port Trust Stadium, the two New Zealand leggies Sodhi (2/100 in 23.5 overs) and Astle (3/106 in 18 overs) accounted for five wickets while Bracewell (1/48) and Cachopa (1/56) got a wicket apiece.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 310 in 77.3 overs. India 388/7 in 93.5 overs (Vijay Zol 110, Abhishek Nayar 102 no, Jiwanjot Singh 48, Todd Astle 3/106, Ish Sodhi 2/100). Match Drawn.

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'Ishwar Pandey was find of S Africa tour'

MUMBAI: India A coach Lalchand Rajput says paceman Ishwar Pandey was find of the South Africa tour and many a young players stand a good chance to be selected when the national team will travel there later in the year.

The team, led by Cheteshwar Pujara, won the triangular one-day series featuring the A teams of India, Australia and South Africa and then drew the two-match 'Test' series against the hosts before returning home last night.

Pandey took seven wickets in the first Test and four in the second Test. In the preceding tri-series, he took five wickets in two matches.

"South Africa is always a difficult tour. It is challenging for the players and the support staff. It is very heartening that we did so well, because people never thought we would do so well in South Africa. The players responded very well and, overall, it was an excellent tour for us," Rajput told PTI here today.

"In bowling department, the find was Ishwar Pandey, who did well in one-dayers and 'Tests'. Jaydev Unadkat and Mohamad Shami also bowled well," he said.

"Most of the players have been impressive like Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suresh Raina, and as a wicketkeeper, definitely Wriddhiman Saha. "

Rajput, who was also coach of the 2007 T20 World Cup winning Indian team, said since the senior side is scheduled to tour South Africa, people had a lot of interest in this series.

"It was a tour where people had set their eyes on, since we are going there in November-December. Even selectors were having a keen look. One selector (Viram Rathore) was also there. So the players who have done well, definitely they (selectors) will start ringing (the players) for the Test and ODI series," the former India opener said.

Rajput, however, conceded the wickets that the team encountered were not as quick as they are expected to be.

"They were not as quick as we expect them to be in November-December (during the Team India's tour), but it was a fairly good environment to get used to."

Rajput also had special words of praise for opener Dhawan's performance and said the left-handed batsman simply tore apart the opposition attack during his whirlwind knock of 248, the second highest score in limited overs games, against South Africa in the round robin stage.

"The way he was batting, it was like he was butchering the bowlers. He is in tremendous form and is a man with a lot of confidence. He is growing from strength to strength.

"The way he played in one-dayers, it was heartening. In one-day cricket, he would have got almost 300 runs, the way he was batting. The main thing is that he is playing proper cricketing shots," Rajput said.

The former player also praised Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma and said the 26-year-old has started living up to his potential.

"He has got lots of talent and potential and now he is delivering that. He has got so much potential that he could be a consistent performer. That is what he is trying to do now, play and perform consistently."

On captain Pujara's performance, the coach said, "As a batsman he played well in both one-dayers and 'Tests'. He wants to score runs and values his wicket. Overall he did extremely well."

Rajput defended lukewarm display of opening batsman Murali Vijay, who failed to get a big score against his name in the tour games.

"He is a good player and has performed well in the national team. In one-dayers he got into 40s but could not convert them (in big scores). He was batting well but did not get a big score. He is a good player and just because he didn't get runs in one match does not mean that we should look beyond him," Rajput added.

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Sanga not to play for Sunrisers in CLT20

COLOMBO: Kumar Sangakkara has preferred Sri Lankan champion team Kandurata over his IPL team Hyderabad Sunrisers for the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

"I will play for the Kandurata team in the Champions League", the star left-hander said on Thursday.

The Kandurata team qualified in the recent Sri Lankan Super 4 league which was cobbled out as a result of the cancellation of this year's SLPL.

"This was an issue which ought to have been settled by Sri Lanka Cricket. They told me that I should play for Kandurata. If I had a free choice where I was not being penalised, my choice would definitely be Kandurata," the former Sri Lankan captain said.

Sangakkara's form dropped so much so in the last IPL, he stepped down from captaincy of the Sunrisers and was also dropped later as a batsman.

However he regained his form in the tri-nation series in the West Indies which followed the IPL, in the home ODI series against South Africa and while also steering the Jamaica Tallawahs to the final in the Caribbean Premier League concluded last week.

He said if the players ought to represent home franchises, the local board, IPL governing council and players must discuss the issue before signing the tripartite agreement.

Responding to the oft repeated accusation that players were money chasers leaving the national interests in the sidelines, Sangakkara said he had never claimed match fees for making appearances for his club and the province in the domestic competitions.

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Zaheer's return will not be easy: McGrath

NEW DELHI: Former Australian pace spearhead and MRF Pace Foundation director Glenn McGrath has said that making a comeback in the Indian team will not be easy for pacer Zaheer Khan.

Speaking to Times Now, McGrath said that coming back in a young side will be difficult for Zaheer, who has returned from a fitness-training stint in France.

Zaheer was dropped from the Test team in December last year, during the home series against England that India lost. His last limited-overs international was in October 2012.

McGrath also said that it's good to coach a player like Virender Sehwag and he will provide all necessary help to the Delhi batsman in regaining his lost form.

Eyeing a comeback in the Indian team, Sehwag is sharpening his skill under McGrath's guidance at the MRF Pace Academy.

Sehwag's inability against quality pace attack came under sharp criticism and the batsman lost his place in the national squad following series of poor performances.

Expressing concern about Australian team's poor show in England, McGrath said," Ashes defeat was Australia's worst show ever."

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Luke Ronchi century takes NZ A to 310

VISAKHAPATNAM: Veteran Luke Ronchi smashed a quickfire century as New Zealand A recovered from a precarious position to post a respectable 310 against India A on the second day of their three-day match on Thursday.

For India A, all-rounder Jalaj Saxena did the star turn with his off-breaks grabbing six for 106 in 22.4 overs, while left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruve got two wickets.

At stumps, India A were six for one having lost Unmukt Chand (4) cheaply. Friday is the last day of the first-class match.

New Zealand were in trouble at one point with the scoreboard reading 106 for six before Ronchi's swift counter-attacking knock of 125 off only 110 balls changed the course of the New Zealand A innings at the Port Trust Stadium.

The 32-year-old Ronchi struck 16 fours and four huge sixes and was involved in a 146-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Todd Astle (63, 157 balls, 7x4), who dropped anchor at the other end. Ronchi, in fact, reached his 50 with a huge six over long-on off Dhruve.

When Ronchi, who had made his international debut for Australia before shifting to his native country, was finally trapped leg-before by seamer Dhawal Kulkarni's incoming delivery.

"There was a bit of help for the spinners but basically it was a flat track. I took my chances and I am happy that it paid off," Ronchi told reporters at the post-match conference.

Earlier, opting to bat on the second day, Saxena impressed one and all with his control although Ronchi did take him on after the initial trouble. The MP all-rounder was not afraid to flight the ball and varied the length.

"I am happy that I could execute my plan perfectly as I have worked on certain variations. The caught and bowled dismissal (Derek de Boorder) that I got was the best among the six," Saxena said.

Left-handed opener Tom Latham (15) prodded at an off-break and was taken at silly point by Jiwanjot Singh.

Daryl Mitchell (0) was taken at first slip by Chand to give Saxena his second wicket.

Carl Cachopa (15) was done in a by a doosra as glovesman CM Gautham effected a smart stumping to give the bowler his third wicket. Jimmy Neesham (27) added 50 runs with Ronchi before he was caught at slip to become Saxena's fourth victim.

Wicketkeeper-batsman de Boorder was deceived by flight and offered a return catch to become Saxena's fifth scalp.

This was his third five-wicket haul in his 53rd first-class match.

Once the sixth wicket fell for 106, it took another 32 overs before the Indians got another breakthrough in the form of Ronchi.

Brief Scores: New Zealand A (1st Innings) 310 in 77.3 overs (Luke Ronchi 125, Todd Astle 63, Jalaj Saxena 6/106)

India A 6/1 in 3 overs (Unmukt Chand 4, Jiwanjot Singh 1 batting, Sarabjit Ladda 1 batting).

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Players apologize for urinating on pitch

England's cricketers have issued an apology for any offence caused during their celebrations of their Ashes series win over Australia at the Oval on Sunday.

The statement, released on the England and Wales Cricket Board's website, followed allegations that England players urinated on the pitch hours after the series had ended on Sunday night in a 3-0 win for the home side.

"The England cricket team would like to state that during our celebrations after winning the Ashes at no time was there any intention to disrespect Surrey CCC, the Oval or anyone else involved in the game we love," the statement on www.ecb.co.uk read.

"As a team we pride ourselves on respecting all things cricket including the opposition and the grounds we play at. We got carried away amongst the euphoria of winning such a prestigious series and accept that some of our behaviour was inappropriate.

"If that has caused any offence to anyone we apologise for that and want to reassure people that it was a simple error of judgement more than anything else."

The allegations arose following eye-witness accounts from Australian journalists, who were still in the ground while England celebrated their win.

Reports have since indicated the ECB has launched an investigation into the matter after being contacted by Surrey chief executive Richard Gould.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson has even been drawn in to making comment, telling the Daily Telegraph: "If it happened, it's not good behaviour."

Off-spinner Graeme Swann appeared to confirm the story when writing in Tuesday's Sun newspaper, but attempted to play it down.

"We did go out to the middle of the pitch, all the lads, drinking beers, singing a few songs and enjoying each other's company," he wrote.

"I think the call of nature might have come once or twice but it was nothing untoward.

"It was midnight, a private celebration in the middle of the pitch and the ground was dark."

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Players apologize for urinating on pitch

England's cricketers have issued an apology for any offence caused during their celebrations of their Ashes series win over Australia at the Oval on Sunday.

The statement, released on the England and Wales Cricket Board's website, followed allegations that England players urinated on the pitch hours after the series had ended on Sunday night in a 3-0 win for the home side.

"The England cricket team would like to state that during our celebrations after winning the Ashes at no time was there any intention to disrespect Surrey CCC, the Oval or anyone else involved in the game we love," the statement on www.ecb.co.uk read.

"As a team we pride ourselves on respecting all things cricket including the opposition and the grounds we play at. We got carried away amongst the euphoria of winning such a prestigious series and accept that some of our behaviour was inappropriate.

"If that has caused any offence to anyone we apologise for that and want to reassure people that it was a simple error of judgement more than anything else."

The allegations arose following eye-witness accounts from Australian journalists, who were still in the ground while England celebrated their win.

Reports have since indicated the ECB has launched an investigation into the matter after being contacted by Surrey chief executive Richard Gould.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson has even been drawn in to making comment, telling the Daily Telegraph: "If it happened, it's not good behaviour."

Off-spinner Graeme Swann appeared to confirm the story when writing in Tuesday's Sun newspaper, but attempted to play it down.

"We did go out to the middle of the pitch, all the lads, drinking beers, singing a few songs and enjoying each other's company," he wrote.

"I think the call of nature might have come once or twice but it was nothing untoward.

"It was midnight, a private celebration in the middle of the pitch and the ground was dark."

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Australia need Mitchell Johnson: Lee

Veteran fast bowler Brett Lee said Wednesday Australia must inject the fear factor into their attack and called for Mitchell Johnson to be recalled for the home Ashes series.

The former Test quick, who frequently delivered balls in the 150 kph (93 mph) range, wants to see Johnson back in the frame to add some genuine pace, along with Pat Cummins.

Australia lost the five-Test series in England 3-0 and Lee, who still plays in Australia's domestic Big Bash League, told reporters it had been disappointing.

"I think pace-wise we've done pretty well," he said. "The only negative thing you can probably draw upon, and listening to the commentary team over there, was that Australia chose all the same type of bowler.

"I want to see a Pat Cummins come in, I want to see Mitchell Johnson back."

Lee, who in an injury-marred international career played 76 Tests, 221 ODIs and 25 T20s, said he had been impressed with the sometimes erratic Johnson during the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

"I was surprised that Mitchell Johnson didn't get the opportunity, and that's nothing against the guys that went over, they all warranted their spot," Lee said of the Test squad.

"Get some pace in, get some pace back in the Australian team. Get some sort of fear factor going. 130 kms seam up is good. You need that."

Left-armer Johnson is part of the Australian one-day team in England but Cummins has a back problem and could miss much of the 2013-14 Australian summer season.

Australia have now gone nine Tests without a victory following a 4-0 loss in India earlier this year. The first of five Ashes Tests on home soil starts in Brisbane in November.

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'Tendulkar's wicket most memorable'

NEW DELHI: Aiming a comeback in the Indian team, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla still cheers the dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar, eight years ago, that changed the fortunes of his cricket career. In an exclusive interview to Wisden, Chawla said, "It is my most memorable wicket as a professional cricketer."

Chawla drew the attention of the selectors with that Tendulkar's wicket and, at 17, he made his Test debut versus England at Mohali in 2006.

"I was a 16-year-old kid playing against someone who had ripped apart almost all of the great bowlers. I went into the match with the mindset that I had nothing to lose. I thought if he hits me around, so what, he's done that to a lot of bowlers over the years. But before the match, I also dreamt of getting him out, which came true. He later told me 'Well bowled'. I think he was a little embarrassed at being dismissed by a 16-year-old," said Chawla.

However, the Uttar Pradesh spinner is today struggling to resurrect his international career.

"I never thought after my debut that seven years later, I would have only played (just) two more Tests. It hurts a lot but I am still learning and waiting for my next chance to play for India," added Chawla.

Chawla's last Test was against England in Nagpur last year, where he took four wickets. But the selectors have ignored him since then. Like Gautam Gambhir, Chawla too is trying to regain his lost form with some county experience. He will play for Somerset for the remainder of the Division One season. He has replaced Pakistan left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who is currently touring Zimbabwe with his national side.

"It is an exciting challenge and I have not set myself any specific goals or targets in terms of runs or wickets. I would like to do my best and enhance my reputation as a cricketer," said Chawla. This will be the 24-year-old's second stint in England after he featured for Sussex four years ago. "The spell with Sussex was a massive boost for my career. I want to do as well for Somerset as I did with Sussex."

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Lehmann to learn from Broad bust-up

LONDON: Australia coach Darren Lehmann has promised to learn from the Ashes controversy sparked by his scathing attack on England pacer Stuart Broad.

Lehmann, speaking in a radio interview last week, accused Broad of "blatant cheating" following the pace bowler's decision not to walk after edging a catch at Trent Bridge.

Lehmann, whose team were beaten 3-0 by England over the five-Test series, also called on the Australian public to make life so difficult for Broad during the Ashes rematch in Australia later this year that he will want to cry and go home.

The comments earned Lehmann a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee from the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval, which ended in a draw on Sunday.

But former Australia batsman Lehmann, who took over as coach at the start of the series following Mickey Arthur's acrimonious departure, says he has now spoken to Broad to draw a line under the incident and will look to make sure he chooses his words better in future.

"I've had a chat with him already. We just move on," Lehmann said. "It was a good learning curve for a new coach, wasn't it? "You know, it was a jovial setting but you've got to learn from that. I've got to learn and improve from that.

"The players aren't on their own in trying to improve. Coaches have got to improve so that's something I've got to get better at."

Despite the 3-0 defeat and the criticism received following the radio interview, Lehmann still has passion for the role and is looking forward to the remainder of the tour in England and then renewal of the Ashes rivalry in November.

"I'm still loving it, it's a great job," he added. "I'd like to win a Test match, though, but it's a fantastic job. I've seen all the players here, and the one-day and Twenty20 players are obviously starting Thursday, so you get to deal with them and look at how we're going in that format of the game as well.

"By the end of the tour I'll have a really good mindset on all the players which will be quite comforting for me as coach. The players seem to be enjoying it which is good but we also realise we need to win some games."

Having replaced Arthur just over a fortnight before the opening Test at Trent Bridge, Lehmann believes he has not had time to stamp his own philosophy on the Australian team but expects that to change when England arrive for the return series.

"It is really hard when you've just come into the set-up and the touring side's been picked," Lehmann added.

"When we're back home you'll probably see different things happen, but in terms of hearing a lot of things from outside and not being in that circle for many years, to come in and see how they're trying to improve all the time was impressive for me.

"Now it's just a matter of improving that skill level for us to compete better than we have."

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England players urinate on Oval pitch

LONDON: In a distasteful postscript to their Ashes triumph, three top England players were on Monday at the centre of a huge controversy following reports that they allegedly urinated on the pitch at the Oval hours after the fifth and final Test ended last night.

The allegations, which originated from Australian journalists who were at the press box as darkness enveloped the ground, involved Stuart Broad, Kevin Pietersen and Jimmy Anderson who had all made significant contributions to England's 3-0 triumph in the series.

The players are alleged to have taken turns to urinate on the pitch after they sat on the ground with their post-match drinks, according to an Australian journalist.

The three players relieved themselves on the pitch to the cheers of teammates as the England players celebrated the victory.

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior tweeted a picture of the players drinking beer on the Oval pitch in darkness, calling it the "best moment of the Ashes".

Britain's Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said that the allegations will be examined but England coach Andy Flower refused to comment.

Robertson said, "If it happened it is not good behaviour".

According to media reports, about five hours after the last Test was stopped due to bad light with England close to victory, the players gathered near the pitch to continue their celebrations.

While the centre of the ground was quite dark, lights were on in the grandstands with people still cleaning up after a late finish, which saw the game go beyond usual time.

The incident has for sure taken some sheen away from England's win over arch-rivals Australia who failed to rise to the occasion.

Curator Cam Sutherland said that it was not a "good look" and called it unfortunate.

The final Test match of the series ended in a dramatic draw on Sunday after umpires took the players off for bad light, with England needing 21 to win in four overs.

There was controversy surrounding the ending and the umpires, Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena, and Australian skipper Michael Clarke were booed by the home crowd.

However, the result did not seem to dampen English euphoria as the players celebrated in the most unusual manner.

The Ashes series had been dogged by controversies from the very first Test with the Decision Review System being the centre of intense debate.

Many of the decisions under the DRS came under sharp attack from both the teams, prompting the International Cricket Council to issue clarifications on the efficacy of the technology.

Stuart Broad's decision not to walk after clearly edging the ball in the very first Test created a lot of bad blood between the two teams and set the tenor for the remainder of the five-match series.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann lashed out at Broad saying the pacer would not be spared by the Aussies when England travel Down Under for the return series.

Lehmann had accused Broad of "blatant cheating" and called on fans to send the fast bowler home from the return Ashes series in tears.

Lehmann was fined 20 per cent of his match fee after pleading guilty to a charge of publicly criticising and making inappropriate comments against Broad in relation to an incident that occurred in a match.

Australian captain Michael Clarke was also jeered by the English crowd after the match yesterday.

An Australian daily wrote: "In one of the great ironies of the tour Clarke was booed by the crowd during the presentations despite his declaration saving a dead match. The team that deserved to be booed was England, which crawled along at two runs an over during the third day."

The incident of players allegedly urinating on the pitch came close on the heels of England discard Monty Panesar peeing on a bouncer following a heated argument in a pub. He was subsequently fined and issued an apology through his spokesperson.

Panesar, subsequently, was relieved by his county Sussex before the expiry of his contract. He was however taken by Essex.

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South Africa A reach 58 for 2 at tea

PRETORIA: Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem struck twin blows as South Africa A reached 58 for two at tea thereby taking their overall lead to 198 against India A on the third day of the second and final 'Test' match on Monday.

Earlier, India were bowled out for a modest 201 which ensured a sizeable 140-run lead for the hosts.

South Africans however have played sedately in their second innings so far as they consumed 33 overs to score those 58 runs. As they are trailing 0-1 in the series, it will be interesting as to when the declaration comes so that the bowlers have enough time to have a go at the Indian batsmen.

While the openers Reeza Hendricks (20) and Dean Elgar (34 batting) adding 53 for the opening wicket, Nadeem (2/7 in 8 overs) accounted for the former as he offered a catch to Dinesh Karthik. Left-hander Rilee Russouw (0) defended three balls before Nadeem breached through his defence.

Earlier, starting the day at 145 for six, India lost their last four wickets for 24 runs to get all out for 201 in 70.1 overs. Left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks was the wrecker-in-chief as he took five for 36 in 21 overs.

Parvez Rasool (32 no, 68 balls, 5x4) hit some lusty blows but ran out of partners after Ambati Rayudu (29, 93 balls, 3x4) was dismissed by offie Simon Harmer (4/74).

Tail-enders Nadeem (6), Ishwar Pandey (0) and Siddharth Kaul didn't have the capability to fight it out with Rasool as India lost their final three wickets for an addition of only nine runs.

Brief Scores: (At Tea)

South Africa A 341 & 58/2 in 33 overs (Dean Elgar 34, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/8).

India A 201 in 70.1 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 54, Ajinkya Rahane 36, Parvez Rasool 32 no, Beuran Hendricks 5/36, Simon Harmer 4/74). SA lead by 198 runs.

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Gautam Gambhir's lean patch continues

MANCHESTER: India discard Gautam Gambhir's woeful form in the county circuit continued as he failed to make a significant contribution for the third time in a row during a one day game for the Yorkshire Bank Pro 40 Championship.

Gambhir made only 2 after Essex captain James Foster elected to bat at the Old Trafford ground.

The left-hander, who is fighting to make a comeback into the Indian team had scored 31 in a first-class game against Northamptonshire and 21 in a Pro-40 game against Derbyshire.

Today Gambhir was the first batsmen to get out after facing nine deliveries as he poked at an away-going delivery of seamer Kabir Ali which was snapped up by veteran South African Ashwell Prince in the slip cordon.

Gambhir will still get a few matches to make a mark before the Indian domestic season begins.

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U-23: India thrash Pak by 9 wkts in final

SINGAPORE: The Indian under-23 team on Sunday lifted the ACC Emerging Trophy tournament after thrashing arch-rivals Pakistan by nine wickets in the final with opener Lokesh Rahul (93) being the star of a lop-sided chase.

One of cricket's most famous rivalries at the junior level was reduced to a one-sided contest as the Indian Colts chased down the 160-run target in just 33.4 overs at the Kallang Ground.

In the bowling department, Baba Aparajith shone with a three-wicket burst, while pacers Sandeep Warrier and Sandeep Sharma grabbed two wickets each.

Rahul missed out on what would have been a well-deserved century by just seven runs but stitched an unbroken 132-run stand for the second wicket with Manprit Juneja (51 not out) as India rounded off their impressive unbeaten run in the tournament.

India suffered an early blow in their run chase when former U-19 skipper Unmukt Chand was caught by wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps off Raza Hasan for 15 runs.

Unmukt smashed three boundaries in his knock as India took the lunch at 38 for one with 122 still required from 43 overs.

Rahul and Juneja then combined well and put up a fine batting display to take the team past 100 at the end of the 23rd over.

In the process, Rahul reached his half-century with the help of eight boundaries as the Pakistani bowlers looked clueless to defend a small total on a lively Kallang pitch.

Both showed maturity in their approach and never went for risky shots. They produced a magnificent show of batting which saw them mix caution and aggression.

Rahul even smashed spinner Hasan for a six in the 32nd over to clear the deep midwicket fence.

Juneja provided the fitting end to the proceedings with a hit to the maximum over deep midwicket as the Indian side celebrated its well-deserved victory.

All the Indian U-23s players took a victory lap after their triumph.

Earlier, Pakistan had an early advantage to score the runs after winning the toss but they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

Pakistan suffered early blows when openers Mohammad Rizwan (21) and Babar Azam (7) fell to pacers Warrier and Sharma respectively.

Usman Salahuddin (15) and Umar Waheed (41) steadied the ship with a fifty-plus stand for the third wicket but both fell in quick succession.

Pacer Suryakumar Yadav came up with a fiery spell as he removed the well-settled Waheed (41) and Salahuddin.

Pakistan never recovered from there on and lost five wickets in a heap to plunge to 107 for nine from 95 for four.

Right-arm offbreak Aparajith struck twice in back to back overs as he dismissed Hammad Azam (0) and Mohammad Waqas (5) back to the pavilion.

Pakistan lost three more wickets in Mohammad Nawaz (3), Raza Hasan (2) and Bilawal Bhatti (1) as there innings looked for an early pack-up.

Ehsan Adil and Usman Qadir showed some fightback as both tailenders stitched 52-run partnership for the last wicket to provide some semblance of respectability to the score.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan Under-23: 159 all out in 47 overs (Umar Waheed 41, Usman Qadir 33; Baba Aparajith 3/28, Sandeep Sharma 2/20).

India Under-23: 160 for one in 33.4 overs (Lokesh Rahul 93 not out, Manprit Juneja 51 not out; Raza Hasan 1/41).

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Passion has brought me back: Yuvraj

NEW DELHI: Eyeing an international comeback after falling out of favour due to poor form, Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh said his passion for the game has kept him motivated.

Yuvraj, who successfully battled cancer last year, came back to international cricket with the Twenty20 World Championships in the same year.

A drop in form saw the 31-year-old being left out of the post this year's IPL and he is now aiming for a return through good performances in the domestic circuit.

"Last one year was very difficult for me. I have seen ups and downs. Injuries before World Cup, then diagnoses with a cancer tumour after the 2011 World Cup, comeback in the team and then getting dropped, the challenges were very hard but it is my passion for the game that kept motivating me to make a comeback," Yuvraj told 'PTI Bhasha' in an interview.

"The inspiration to make a comeback and play for country was always there. It is in my system and it gave me the energy to face all the challenges. My never felt so good in last 2-3 years but now I am really feeling well. I have worked hard on off season training and hope to see the result in matches , be it domestic or international," said the batsman.

He has taken all the criticism in his stride and does not get affected by it now.

"I am OK with it. I have been playing for 13 years now and every player has highs and lows in his career. In India people criticise you the most when you are down. It is part and parcel of the game and I am prepared for that," he said.

Yuvraj now has to compete with the juniors to find a place in the team but his confidence remains high.

"Everyone has to work hard to find a place in team, whether it is a senior or junior. As I said that I have been for 13 years now and have full confidence on my abilities. I am confident making a comeback through good performance in coming season," he said.

He is eyeing on Challenger trophy to be held next month but is willing to play a few local matches before that.

"There is Challenger trophy in September but I will play a few local matches before that, if I get a chance. Then there is Duleep trophy in October and then the Australia series. If I do not get a chance to play Australia series, I will play Ranji trophy in October-November," he said.

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England avoid follow-on as draw looms

Ian Bell helped England avoid the follow-on as the fifth Ashes Test headed towards a draw on Sunday's final day at The Oval.

Scorecard

At lunch, England were 350 for seven in reply to Australia's first innings 492 for nine declared -- a deficit of 142 runs.

Matt Prior was 35 not out, his best score of the series, and Graeme Swann 24 not out, with England having already won the five-match Ashes at 3-0 up.

England, who'd scored at barely two an over on Friday -- Saturday's fourth day was washed out completely -- struck 103 runs at nearly five an over in Sunday's first session.

Earlier Bell, England's leading batsman of the series, had made 45 to frustrate Australia's hopes of a first win in nine Tests and to avoid a first Ashes without a victory since they lost 3-0 in England in 1977.

Australia's hopes of achieving that consolation success were already slim after Saturday's washout.

England resumed on 247 for four, needing 46 more runs to avoid the follow-on. Bell was 29 not out and Test debutant Chris Woakes 15 not out.

Bell drove fast bowler Ryan Harris for two fours as he raised a fifty partnership with Warwickshire team-mate Woakes.

But Woakes fell for 25 when he edged Harris, the tourists' best bowler of the series, to Australia captain Michael Clarke at second slip.

Prior, so often a useful middle-order contributor for England, came in having managed just 86 runs in the series.

The wicketkeeper was hit on the head as he failed to get out of the way of a Harris bouncer.

But next ball Prior guided the paceman down to third man for four. As the sun tried to break through the clouds in south London, Prior then stuck two fours in as many balls off Harris, a pull followed by a less convincing nick past the slips.

Prior's two off Peter Siddle then took England past the score of 293 they needed to avoid the follow-on.

However, Bell's hopes of becoming only the fourth batsman after Australia's Don Bradman and England's Herbert Sutcliffe and Walter Hammond to score four hundreds in an Ashes series ended when he was caught one-handed low down the legside by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin giving debutant left-arm seamer James Faulkner his first Test wicket.

Nevertheless, Bell could be pleased with a series return of 545 runs at 68.12 including three centuries.

Haddin's excellent catch was his 27th dismissal of this Ashes -- just one shy of the wicketkeeping world record for any Test series set by compatriot Rodney Marsh, now a selector, against England in 1982/83.

Before lunch, Australia struck again when the first ball of Mitchell Starc's second spell saw the left-arm paceman clean bowl Stuart Broad middle stump.

But Swann then thumped several boundaries, including a straight six off opposing off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

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India retain No. 3 spot in T20 rankings

DUBAI: India managed to retain their third spot among T20 teams while Virat Kohli has held on to his sixth spot in the ICC rankings for Twenty20 batsmen issued on Sunday.

India are placed at third with 121 rating points in the ICC T20 Championship table which is headed by Sri Lanka and followed by Pakistan.

Pakistan's 2-0 series win over hosts Zimbabwe have helped them gain one ratings points to finish at 125. Pakistan, which started the series in second place with 124 ratings points, have now reduced the gap with number-one ranked Sri Lanka to three ratings points.

The Indian batsmen figuring in top-20 list have also managed to cling on to their respective positions. Star India batsman Kohli has 731 points while Suresh Raina remains at eighth position with 719 points.

Other Indians in the list includes Yuvraj Singh (16) and opener Gautam Gambhir at the 19th position.

New Zealand wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum leads the T20 batting chart with 818 points, followed by England's Alex Hales (777) and Australia's Shane Watson (752).

In the T20 bowlers category, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, ranked 16, is the only Indian to have found out a place in the top-20 list.

West Indies' mystery spinner Sunil Narine leads the bowlers' table with 817 points followed by Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal (721) and his countrymate Mohammad Hafeez (689).

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5th Test: Rain delays start of fourth day

Rain prevented play starting as scheduled at 11 am local time (1000GMT) on the fourth day of the fifth and final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval on Saturday.

Scorecard
Persistent early morning rain saw the pitch and square fully covered, with the prospect of any play before lunch slim as officials announced they were bringing the interval forward by 30 minutes to 12:30pm (1130GMT).

England were 246 for four at stumps on the third day in reply to Australia's first innings 492 for nine declared,

That left England 245 runs behind and still requiring a further 46 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Ian Bell, who came into this match having scored exactly 500 runs in the series with three hundreds, was 29 not out and Test debutant Chris Woakes unbeaten on 15.

England have already retained the Ashes and won the series at 3-0 up.

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No play before lunch on Day 4 of finale

Rain meant there was no play before lunch on the fourth day of the fifth and final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval on Saturday.

Scorecard

Persistent early morning rain prevented play starting as scheduled at 11.00am local time (1000GMT) and the umpires brought forward the lunch interval by 30 minutes to 12:30pm (1130GMT).

Conditions worsened during the morning, the rain growing more intense under increasingly grey skies as the pitch and square remained fully covered.

The bad weather was especially frustrating for Australia, who were seeking a first win in nine Tests and trying to avoid their first Ashes series without a Test victory since 1977.

England, who at 3-0 up had already won the series and retained the Ashes, were 246 for four at stumps on the third day in reply to Australia's first innings 492 for nine declared.

That left England 245 runs behind and still requiring a further 46 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Ian Bell, who came into this match having scored exactly 500 runs in the series with three hundreds, was 29 not out and Test debutant Chris Woakes unbeaten on 15.

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I can play all formats, declares Yuvraj

GREATER NOIDA: India discard Yuvraj Singh declared that he is young enough to fit into the Indian team across all three formats in the coming days and is working hard to make a comeback into the national side.

"I am going to be 32 and I believe that I can still play in all the formats. I have had a good training during off-season and eagerly waiting for the domestic season to start. I have been training very hard and would now like to play a few local tournaments before the first-class season begins. I am really confident of making a comeback," Yuvraj told mediapersons during the inauguration of his new academy.

Yuvraj seemed happy that a lot of youngsters have been getting chance to play for India of late. "It's a great thing that youngsters are getting a lot of chances and they should utilize that too the fullest."

With India having a busy schedule with assignments to play all three formats, Yuvraj feels that pacers like Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma should be rotated so that they remain free from injuries.

"We have some good pace bowlers in Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma. Varun Aaron is also a good prospect. I believe that since we are playing in all three formats, these bowlers should be rotated and given enough rest."

After opening another branch of the 'Yuvraj Singh Centre of Excellence', the stylish left-hander stressed on the importance of having state-of-the-art academy for the budding cricketers.

"I didn't have all the modern facilities under one roof when I was training to become a cricketer. I would practise at one place, then head off to a gymnasium located at another part of the city and then go for a swimming session. Nowadays proper training is very important and kids should get the facilities under one roof."

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India A reduce S Africa A to 128/6 at tea

PRETORIA: All-rounder Parvez Rasool (2-17) and pacer Ishwar Pandey (2-35) bowled impressive spells as India A bowlers ripped through South Arica A top order to reduce the home side to 128 for six at tea on the opening day of the second unofficial Test on Saturday.

South Africa A's decision to bat first backfired as Indian pacers used the conditions well and bowled a stifling line and length to tie down the opposition batsmen at LC de Villiers Oval.

The home side were at a precarious 51 for four when lunch was taken after 19.4 overs and Jammu and Kashmir lad Rasool then grabbed two wickets in the space of four balls in the 34th over to reduce South Africa A to 97 for six midway in the second session.

He first removed wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile (13) with a short-pitched delivery and then dismissed Temba Bavuma (42), the highest scorer for South Africa A so far, LBW in the last ball of the over.

At tea, taken after 51 overs, Wayne Parnell (19) and Simon Harmer (12) were battling hard to rescue their side, having stitched 31 runs together.

South Africa A got off to a disastrous start as openers Dean Elgar (0) and Reeza Hendricks (2) were dismissed off successive deliveries.

Elgar was removed by youngster Siddharth Kaul off the last ball of the fourth over when the left hander mis-timed a short delivery and was safely caught by Shahbaz Nadeem at short mid wicket.

Hendricks too played a loose shot and fell prey to Pandey in the first ball of the very next over, to peg South Africa A at two runs for two wickets in the fifth over.

24-year-old Pandey dealt another blow to the South Africa A camp when he sent Rilee Rossouw (3) to the pavilion in his next over. The hosts were 11 for three in the seventh over with Rossouw adding just three runs to the team's total.

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Watson's 176 guides Oz to 307 for four

LONDON: Shane Watson's magnificent 176 put Australia in command at 307 for four on the first day of the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at The Oval on Wednesday.

Scorecard

The powerful right-hander started out all guns blazing and, after being struck on the head by a Stuart Broad bouncer, he dug in to post his highest Test score and share a fourth-wicket partnership of 145 with Steve Smith.

England, seeking to win a home Ashes series 4-0 for the first time, endured a tough day in the field after handing shock debuts to all-rounder Chris Woakes and left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan who conceded 53 runs in eight nervous overs.

Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat under clear blue skies on a wicket which traditionally offers little help to bowlers.

England made a breakthrough with the total on 11 when James Anderson drew David Warner into a loose drive and the opener, on six, edged a regulation catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled tight opening spells but there was precious little movement and captain Alastair Cook soon turned to off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Chris Rogers played out three successive maidens from Swann but runs flowed more freely at the other end, Watson hitting three fours in an over off Woakes who struggled to find a good length.

Watson pulled Woakes powerfully for another boundary and danced down the pitch to lift Swann over long-on for six before reaching his half-century with a single from Kerrigan's first ball in Test cricket.

Watson smashed the spinner for 28 runs off his first two overs and he had made 80 when Australia took lunch on a healthy 112 for one.

Broad bowled a hostile spell at the start of the afternoon session and Swann removed Rogers for a painstaking 23 off 100 balls, the left-hander edging a turning delivery low to Jonathan Trott at slip.

Watson, on 91, was struck on the side of the head by a ferocious short-pitched delivery from Broad and Clarke, after taking 39 balls to get to seven, was bowled by a fine delivery from Anderson which nipped back to bowl him off his pad.

It was Anderson's 326th Test wicket, moving him above Bob Willis to second in England's all-time list behind only Ian Botham on 383.

RAISING ARMS

After 41 minutes in the nineties Watson drove Anderson through cover for three to reach his third Test hundred and he celebrated by removing his helmet and raising both arms high in the air.

He should, however, have become Anderson's 327th victim when, on 104, he edged the ball to Cook at slip but the captain spilled a simple catch.

Woakes returned to the attack to bowl a much tidier second spell but Kerrigan's suffering continued, an embarrassing waist-high full toss easily dispatched to the boundary by Smith before Australia moved on to 183 for three at tea.

Runs continued to flow in the final session as Watson passed his highest Test score and reached 150 by flicking Broad for four.

Smith got to his half century, off 113 balls, and Watson survived an lbw appeal off Woakes, correctly reviewing the decision after being given out.

England took the second new ball and finally made the breakthrough when Watson pulled a short ball from Broad to deep backward square leg where Kevin Pietersen held a superb diving catch.

Watson received a standing ovation as he trudged back to the pavilion after nearly six hours at the crease, his first Test century for three years including one six and 25 fours.

Smith will resume on 66 in the morning with nightwatchman Peter Siddle on 18 when Australia will look to press on past 500 to lay the platform for a morale-boosting win ahead of the next Ashes series staring in Brisbane in November.

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Whatever I am is because of Zak: Ishant

Fitness is the new buzzword for Ishant Sharma. The 6'4" tall pacer is striving to shoulder the responsibility as India's bowling ace in the much looked-forward-to Test series against South Africa in December. The 24-year-old has gotten over his fitness troubles and right now is basking in the glory of his impactful performances in the Champions Trophy and the Tri-series in the West Indies. The lanky pacer spoke to TOI about his injury, the recovery, the highs and the lows.

Excerpts...

After recovering from the ankle injury that you had last February, you played non-stop cricket for almost six months. This break must have been welcome.

Usually people go for holidays during a break. Not for me. I have to concentrate on my fitness and regular training. Fast bowling is about having the requisite strength and I need to gain strength. I have to build on my speed and endurance. Fast bowling needs that and I am working on it.

What is your schedule these days?

I'm following the fitness regimen devised by the coaches at the National Cricket Academy and I am working quite hard. I go to the gym in the morning then break for lunch and return to bowling in the afternoons. I also go for swimming and take ice baths after rigorous training sessions.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Richard Hadlee recently said that something's missing from your bowling and you need to bowl the right length. Your comment.

Coming from a legend like him, I do value the suggestion. But then again, each one is entitled to his own opinion. I have tried to do what he is saying, but sometimes it has worked and at other times it hasn't. If I am performing well, I don't need to change anything. Bowling is more about situations and it is not easy. One has to see what he is good at. That said, it is always good to learn from the greats.

You emerged as a hero in the Champions Trophy final against England delivering in a crunch situation.

It was a tight situation and Dhoni surprised many by giving the ball to me. He told me to just stick to what I am good at and back myself. Dhoni has some kind of belief in me. It was a crucial call, but he told me that this is the over which is going to win the game for us.

There will be a lot of focus on you when India visits South Africa for the big Test tour this November.

I am keeping myself fit and in top shape. I love being the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack and it is a privilege for any fast bowler. At the same time it is better not to think about these things and stay focused. Yes, I have to be ready for India's big tour of South Africa, but before that we also have the Champions League T20 and the ODIs against the Aussies.

How is it to bowl in tandem with Bhuvneshwar Kumar?

Bhuvi is a different talent altogether. He has the ability to bowl at 140+ and he can swing the ball both ways. I like the way he bowls and we enjoy each other's success. We are a happy bunch.

Zaheer Khan is also training hard at the moment. Do you see him coming on that South African tour?

I love to play with Zaheer Khan. In my first three years of international cricket, I grew under Zak. Whatever I am is because of him. He taught me how to bowl. Everything that I do on the field is what I learnt from him. It will be great to have him back.

Ishant's Fitness Regimen
* Jogging twice to thrice a week for an hour.
* Swimming to relax oneself and the body muscles.
* Ice baths after training.
* Building endurance (20 minutes, thrice a week to build leg muscles).
* Regular strength and weight training once or twice a week. A balanced routine focusing both on the upper and lower body. Building flexibility to reduce chances of injury.
* Food and nutrition: Lot of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, lots of water.

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No play before lunch on Day 2 of finale

LONDON: Rain meant there was no play before lunch on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval on Thursday.

Scorecard

The umpires decided to take lunch 30 minutes early at 12.30pm local time (1130GMT), with the aim of starting play at 1.10pm following the standard 40-minute break.

At stumps on Wednesday's first day, Australia were 307 for four as they sought a consolation victory in a five-match series already won by England at 3-0 up.

Shane Watson's Test-best 176 was the cornerstone of Australia's imposing total. It was only his third Test hundred -- his first in 25 matches and 48 innings since his previous best of 126 against India at Mohali in October 2010.

Watson was especially severe on England debutants Chris Woakes, a medium-pacer, and left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan who ended the day with expensive combined figures of none for 105 in 23 overs.

Steven Smith was 66 not out overnight having helped Watson add 145 for the fourth wicket before the all-rounder was well caught at deep backward square leg by Kevin Pietersen after hooking a Stuart Broad bouncer.

Nightwatchman Peter Siddle was unbeaten on 18.

England have never won four Tests in a home Ashes series, while it is 36 years since Australia last went through an Ashes without winning a single Test.

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Play starts after rain delay on Day 2

LONDON: Play on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval started at 2.30pm local time (1330GMT) on Thursday after a rain delay of three-and-a-half hours.

Scorecard

The bad weather meant only 63 overs of the day's scheduled 90 were due to be bowled, with 27 lost to rain.

Australia, with The Oval floodlights shining brightly through overcast south London skies, resumed on 307 for four as they sought a consolation victory in a five-match series already won by England at 3-0 up.

Steven Smith was 66 not out and nightwatchman Peter Siddle unbeaten on 18.

Shane Watson's Test-best 176 on Wednesday was the cornerstone of Australia's imposing total.

It was only his third Test hundred -- his first in 25 matches and 48 innings since his previous best of 126 against India at Mohali in October 2010.

Watson was especially severe on England debutants Chris Woakes, a medium-pacer, and left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan who ended Wednesday with expensive combined figures of none for 105 in 23 overs.

All-rounder Watson was eventually out when well caught at deep backward square leg by Kevin Pietersen after hooking a Stuart Broad bouncer.

England have never won four Tests in a home Ashes series, while it is 36 years since Australia last went through an Ashes without winning a single Test.

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Australia elect to bat against England

LONDON: Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat against England in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval in south London starting on Wednesday.
Scorecard
England, who at 3-0 up had already retained the Ashes and won the series, gave Test debuts to Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes and Lancashire left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, with Tim Bresnan injured and struggling batsman Jonny Bairstow dropped.

Woakes replaced Bresnan, out for the rest of the season with a back injury after starring with both bat and ball in England's 74-run fourth Test win at Chester-le-Street.

Kerrigan, whose 47 wickets, albeit in the Second Division, at 20.23 make him the leading spinner in County Championship cricket so far this season, was included as a second spinner alongside off-break bowler Graeme Swann.

The 24-year-old was selected in a 14-man Test quad at the weekend after fellow left-armer Monty Panesar, England's longtime second spinner, was omitted following personal problems that have seen him leave Sussex.

The Oval pitch is renowned for taking turn but this was the first time England had played two spinners in a home Test since the opening match of the 2009 Ashes in Cardiff.

Bairstow was dropped after scoring just 203 runs in four matches this series at an average of 29.

England, who've now won a third straight Test series against Australia for the first time since the 1950s, also left out fast bowlers Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn from their final XI.

Australia, looking to end a run of eight Tests without a win and seeking to avoid a first Ashes without a victory since 1977, announced their team Tuesday.

It showed two changes from the Chester-le-Street side, with all-rounder James Faulkner given a debut in place of under-performing batsman Usman Khawaja, with Shane Watson taking Khawaja's place at number three.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc was recalled in place of Jackson Bird to complete a curious series that has seen the left-armer play in the first, third and fifth Tests while dropped from the second and the fourth.

Australia have now used 17 out of their 18-man squad this Ashes, with reserve wicketkeeper Matthew Wade the lone player to miss out.

Victory in this match would see England win four Ashes Tests in a home series for the first time.

Teams

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Chris Woakes, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Simon Kerrigan, James Anderson

Australia: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wkt), James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) TV umpire: Tony Hill (NZL) Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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Lehmann urges fans to make Broad cry

Australia coach Darren Lehmann urged fans to "get stuck into" Stuart Broad during the return Ashes series Down Under and send the England bowler home in tears because of his "blatant cheating" during the first Test last month.

Broad refused to walk - and escaped being dismissed - after clearly edging a delivery from spinner Ashton Agar to first slip during a Test at Trent Bridge, which England went on to win.

"I just hope the Australian public give it to him right from the word go for the whole (Australian) summer and I hope he cries and he goes home," Lehmann said in an interview with Australian radio station Triple M. "I just hope everyone gets stuck into him because the way he's carried on and the way he's commented in public about it is ridiculous."

Broad acknowledged this week that he knew he nicked the ball behind but still waited for the umpire's decision, which many believe is against the spirit of cricket. Australia couldn't challenge the decision because the team had used up its reviews.

"Certainly our players haven't forgotten, they're calling him everything under the sun as they go past," Lehmann said. "I hope the Australian public are the same because that was just blatant cheating. I don't advocate walking but when you hit it to first slip, it's pretty hard."

Lehmann was speaking ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. England is 3-0 ahead in the series and has already retained the urn.

The return series starts in November at the Gabba in Brisbane.

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Kohli at 6th position in ICC T20 rankings

DUBAI: Virat Kohli is the highest-ranked Indian batsman at sixth but there is no Indian presence in the top-10 of the bowlers' list in the latest ICC Twenty20 Rankings issued on Wednesday.

T20 Rankings: Teams | Batsmen | Bowlers | All-Rounders

At eighth, Suresh Raina is the second Indian batsman in the top-10 with Yuvraj Singh being a distant next best at 16th.

Off-spinner R Ashwin is the highest-ranked Indian bowler at 16th in the chart.

Elsewhere, Pakistan will begin their two-match Twenty20 International series against Zimbabwe on August 23 with an aim to reduce the gap with number-one ranked Sri Lanka.

The two-match series starts in Harare with the second match scheduled to be held on 24 August.

Currently ranked second with 124 ratings points, Mohammad Hafeez's side can gain one ratings point if it wins both the matches, to finish with 125 ratings points and thereby reduce the gap with number-one ranked Sri Lanka (128) to three.

Zimbabwe too have an opportunity to move up, and will jump one place to 11th if they win both matches in the series. Zimbabwe are currently ranked 12th with 48 ratings points, and can gain up to 16 ratings points to move into 11th with 64 ratings points.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez will start the series with an all-round presence in the rankings.

Hafeez is currently ranked second among all-rounders with a career-high 432 ratings points, and is also fourth in the bowlers list and 17th among the batsmen.

In the bowling table, Saeed Ajmal in second and Shahid Afridi in 11th are the other Pakistan players inside the top 20.

For Zimbabwe, spinner Prosper Utseya is the only bowler inside the top 10, in ninth position. The bowlers' list is still headed by West Indies' Sunil Narine, with Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis in third.

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Watson guides Australia to 112 at lunch

LONDON: Shane Watson was in sight of only his third Test hundred as Australia dominated the first session of the Ashes finale at The Oval on Wednesday.

Scorecard

Australia, who at 3-0 down were trying to avoid a first Ashes series without a Test win since 1977, were 112 for one at lunch.

Watson was 80 not out, his best score of a disappointing series where he'd previously only managed one other fifty, and opener Chris Rogers unbeaten on 21 after the early loss of David Warner.

Watson was especially severe on England's two debutants, striking six fours apiece off seamer Chris Woakes and left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, whose first two overs in Test cricket cost an expensive 28 runs.

It was no surprise when Australia captain Michael Clarke chose to bat first on a typically good Oval pitch, with sunny skies also in the batsmen's favour.

But England had an early breakthrough when left-hander Warner played a loose shot outside off-stump to James Anderson and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior for six to leave Australia 11 for one.

Anderson's 325th Test wicket saw him draw level with Bob Willis in second place in an England all-time list headed by Ian Botham with 383 wickets.

Warner's exit brought all-rounder Watson to the crease.

Having started the series as an opener, Watson later appeared at number six and this match saw him filling Australia's problem position of number three after Usman Khawaja was dropped.

Watson, who has scored just two hundreds in 45 previous Tests and has often been out lbw, survived an early leg before appeal from Anderson.

But with England's bowlers failing to gain much movement, Watson was able to hit through the line with confidence.

Meanwhile, the first-day pitch was not providing excessive turn for an England side featuring two spinners in Kerrigan and Graeme Swann.

Indeed, Watson advanced to drive experienced off-spinner Swann for six during a 61-ball fifty also including nine fours.

Both teams made changes following England's 74-run fourth Test win at Chester-le-Street, with the hosts missing injured all-rounder Tim Bresnan and dropping out-of-form batsman Jonny Bairstow.

Australia, looking for their first win in nine Tests, gave a debut to all-rounder James Faulkner in place of Khawaja, with Mitchell Starc recalled after Jackson Bird was dropped.

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We must try day-night Tests: Dravid

Former India captain Rahul Dravid wants cricket administrators to approach the introduction of day-night Tests with an open mind to bolster the dwindling popularity of the longer format among spectators.

The idea of floodlit Test cricket, possibly played with a pink, orange or yellow ball, in more spectator-friendly hours has found acceptance in a wide section of the cricketing fraternity in recent years.

While doubts still remain about its technical viability, the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year approved the idea of day-night Test matches but left it to member boards to decide on the hours of play and the colour of the ball.

Speaking at an event organized by ESPNcricinfo in London on Monday, Dravid highlighted the primacy of Test cricket and suggested ways for bolstering the acceptance of the longer format of the game across the world.

"If it means playing day-night cricket, we must give it a try, keep an open mind," Dravid, the third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, said. "The game's traditions aren't under threat if we play Test cricket under lights.

"I know there have been concerns about the durability of the pink ball, but I have had some experience of it, having played for the MCC, and it seemed to hold up okay.

"It could be an issue at places where dew sets in at certain times of the year, but scheduled at the right places at the right times, it could get Test cricket what it needs most: some more people in the stands."

Dravid, who also scored more than 10,000 runs in the 50-over format, felt Test cricket should not be sacrificed at the altar of the popular shorter formats and should be ready to adapt with changing times.

"Moving with the times does not mean embracing only T20 and trashing Test cricket," Dravid, who retired from international cricket last year, added. "It means finding a way to retain the best form of the game in a contemporary environment.

"Remember, while it did take long, there's even a roof over Wimbledon Centre Court these days.

"Day-night Tests remain a work in progress but we can start by sorting out the scheduling around Test cricket, to ensure that teams can complete their home and away cycles against each other over a four-year period."

Dravid, 40, also slammed the current trend of holding two-Test series between countries to accommodate T20 matches as "nothingness of a nothing" and backed a successful launch of the world Test championship.

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Clarke defends Australia selectors

LONDON: Australia captain Michael Clarke came to the defence of his embattled selectors on Tuesday, saying they weren't picking a side for a "charity tour" as the tourists looked to salvage a consolation win in the final match of their disappointing Ashes series in England.

Clarke's men head into the final Test at The Oval starting Wednesday 3-0 down in the five-match series and having failed to win any of their last eight Tests.

No Australia side have yet lost four Ashes Tests in England and none have lost the urn anywhere 4-0.

So far this Ashes, top-order batting has been Australia's greatest weakness with eight batsmen being tried in the first six spots of a team trying to fill the void left by the retirements of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey.

Not since the first two Tests of the tour of India earlier this year have Australia used the same top six in the same order in consecutive Tests.

Recently, former captain Steve Waugh, who didn't score a hundred until his 26th Test before becoming one of the leading batsmen of his era, urged the selectors to adopt a 'pick and stick' approach.

Waugh also criticised Australia coach Darren Lehmann for warning players their careers were in jeopardy after the latest in a long line of collapses saw the side suffer a 74-run defeat by England in the fourth Ashes Test at Durham.

But Clarke said the top order weren't making life easy for a selection panel headed by former Australia batsman John Inverarity and including wicketkeeping great Rodney Marsh.

"I know there's been a lot of talk back home about consistency of selection but the selectors are trying to do everything in their power to help us win and if guys aren't performing, unfortunately you can't select them," Clarke.

"We're trying, or the selectors, I guess, are trying to be as consistent as they can but we're also here to win the game.

"This is not a charity tour. It's not about giving blokes a go and hoping for the best," said Clarke.

"All the selectors can do is pick what they feel is the best XI but it's up to us as players to do our job and unfortunately our batting has let us down throughout the series so far.

"But, I've said it before, I'll say it again, we've got blokes with the talent there that can do it."

"Apart from Ian Bell (the England batsman who has scored three hundreds so far this Ashes) no-one else has really blitzed the batting.

"But you've just got to keep fighting. You've got to find a way to get as many as you can," added Clarke.

Meanwhile Alastair Cook, who has presided over a largely settled team during his time as England captain, hailed the benefits of stability.

"If one person doesn't have a great game, we've seen in the past how much continuity in selection helps people perform at the highest level," Cook said.

However, reflecting on an ultimately victorious 2-1 Test series win in India late last year, where England's defeat in the Ahmedabad opener was followed by an altered side's win in Mumbai, Cook said there were times when drastic action was required.

"We're not scared to make big changes to the team. When we were in India, the first game we played three seamers and one spinner and we got it wrong.

"We could have stuck to our policy but -- we held our hands up -- we got it wrong in that Test, so we changed it."

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We must try day-night Tests: Dravid

Former India captain Rahul Dravid wants cricket administrators to approach the introduction of day-night Tests with an open mind to bolster the dwindling popularity of the longer format among spectators.

The idea of floodlit Test cricket, possibly played with a pink, orange or yellow ball, in more spectator-friendly hours has found acceptance in a wide section of the cricketing fraternity in recent years.

While doubts still remain about its technical viability, the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year approved the idea of day-night Test matches but left it to member boards to decide on the hours of play and the colour of the ball.

Speaking at an event organized by ESPNcricinfo in London on Monday, Dravid highlighted the primacy of Test cricket and suggested ways for bolstering the acceptance of the longer format of the game across the world.

"If it means playing day-night cricket, we must give it a try, keep an open mind," Dravid, the third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, said. "The game's traditions aren't under threat if we play Test cricket under lights.

"I know there have been concerns about the durability of the pink ball, but I have had some experience of it, having played for the MCC, and it seemed to hold up okay.

"It could be an issue at places where dew sets in at certain times of the year, but scheduled at the right places at the right times, it could get Test cricket what it needs most: some more people in the stands."

Dravid, who also scored more than 10,000 runs in the 50-over format, felt Test cricket should not be sacrificed at the altar of the popular shorter formats and should be ready to adapt with changing times.

"Moving with the times does not mean embracing only T20 and trashing Test cricket," Dravid, who retired from international cricket last year, added. "It means finding a way to retain the best form of the game in a contemporary environment.

"Remember, while it did take long, there's even a roof over Wimbledon Centre Court these days.

"Day-night Tests remain a work in progress but we can start by sorting out the scheduling around Test cricket, to ensure that teams can complete their home and away cycles against each other over a four-year period."

Dravid, 40, also slammed the current trend of holding two-Test series between countries to accommodate T20 matches as "nothingness of a nothing" and backed a successful launch of the world Test championship.

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Kallis targets last shot at World Cup glory

CAPE TOWN: South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis is ready to return to the one-day international side for a last shot at winning the 50-over World Cup.

Kallis, who will be 38 in October, played the last of his 321 one-dayers against New Zealand in February 2012, opting instead to focus on his test and lucrative Indian Premier League careers.

But after a meeting with national team coach Russell Domingo and Cricket South Africa (CSA) officials on Tuesday, he confirmed his commitment to returning to the line-up as they build towards the 2015 World Cup in Australasia.

"Playing for my country has always been both a huge honour and a privilege," Kallis said in a statement released by CSA on Tuesday.

"It remains my aspiration to be available for the 2015 World Cup but, at the same time I know as an all-rounder approaching my 38th birthday, I will need to assess my future in the game season by season.

"At the moment I am feeling mentally and physically refreshed and I am looking forward to carrying on playing for my country as long as possible," said Kallis.

Domingo says they will not select the all-rounder for the one-day series against Pakistan in October but hope to have him in the side for the end of year series against India.

"We are scheduled to play 30 ODIs between now and the start of the World Cup and we cannot expect Jacques to play every match. If we were to do that we would limit his longevity and we don't want that," added Domingo.

"The plan is to bring him back into the ODI squad for the home series against India in November. At the moment we have a youthful ODI batting line-up and Jacques brings a maturity that will be invaluable in developing the new generation."

Kallis has already appeared at five World Cup tournaments, the first in 1996, all of which have finished in disappointment for South Africa.

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'Umpires should make all decisions'

BANGALORE: From a cricketer to commentator and from an author to administrator, Sir Richard John Hadlee has donned many hats since his retirement from international cricket in 1990. Hadlee, the only overseas invitee to grace the Karnataka State Cricket Association's platinum jubilee celebrations on Saturday, spoke about a range of issues...

How does it feel to be back at M Chinnaswamy stadium, the venue where you created a world record for most Test wickets?

The Chinnaswamy Stadium holds a special place in my heart with the world record wicket in 1988 and the fact that I've been invited to the 75th anniversary of KSCA. It is a sort of nice, kindly thing... 25 years ago that record (of 374 wickets) was confirmed and it is the 75 year celebration. No doubt it has changed considerably since I was here 25 years ago. It's been nice so far in my short stay to catch up with some of the players that I played against way back in 1976.

How did it feel to meet your rivals?

Last night I reminded Gundappa Viswanath of the time he got a hundred in Kanpur in 1976. It happened to be the last over of the day when he was on 99 not out. I wanted to make sure he wouldn't get a hundred and he'd have to come back and bat the next day. I did bowl a fair barrage of short-pitched deliveries. Mind you, they didn't have to be that short to get over his head, even my yorkers would go over his head so to speak! I just reminisced with Gundappa on that one. Even BS Chandra, batting at No. 11, he was always going to be a Test wicket. Chandra reminisced a little about what he's doing now. EAS Prasanna of course, I rated him as one of the finest ever off-spin bowlers of all time. It's just so good to catch up with these fellows.

When you completed a record 400 wickets, did you think people would go on to 700-800 wickets?

Once I got the world record 374, it made me the No. 1 bowler in world cricket. That was pretty special. When I got to 400 in Lancaster Park in Christchurch which is my home ground, Sanjay Manjrekar (was the victim). I have a lot of things happening with India ...Magic moments. When I got to 431 in England in 1990, I thought the benchmark had been set and that it was going to take a long time for somebody to get past my record. But I didn't envisage when I retired in 1990 that Shane Warne (Australia) would go to 700, and Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) to 800.

Your views on integration of technology in cricket?

When technology first came on to the scene, I was a bit skeptical because of the tradition and history. Umpires always made the decisions; they get some right, some wrong and you just accept it. My personal view is that I don't particularly like the captains or players questioning or reviewing the decisions. What I would like is that all the decisions should remain in the hands of the umpires. If the two in the middle are not sure, review it and the third umpire will hopefully make the right decision.

Your thoughts on match-fixing?

You have to look at the people who have been caught. I suppose the young players that are being brought into it are seeing an opportunity to pick up some quick, cheap money to bowl a wide or no-ball. Sometimes they get influenced, it's a shame that it goes on.

Your thoughts on the current New Zealand side?

We perform well in ODIs, T20 cricket. We win some games, we tend to make the semifinals of tournaments but it's becoming something of a mind thing that we get to semis but we can't make to the final and go on to win a major. Our Test cricket is of great concern now. What doesn't help us is when we travel overseas to play Test series. We invariably get a one-off Test match or two-match Test series. When we play in New Zealand we can generally schedule three Test matches. But India wants to play just two this time and that's disappointing.

How do you rate the current fast bowlers?

I see James Anderson (England) and Dale Steyn (South Africa) as the two top pace bowlers in the world. Very skillful. Broad is hitting his straps at the present. From the New Zealand point of view, our strength is our young pace attack. Inexperienced and young. Give five years, I think we will be knocking over sides quite regularly.

Your thoughts on ball-tampering?

You can use natural saliva, sweat on the ball. You can't use finger nails as it stands today. I made a statement many years ago asking for that to be legalised. It doesn't matter if the ball is changing its shape or condition. What you see with reverse swing, something is happening to the ball that allows it to do that. The batsman has to handle it and it's exciting to watch on TV.

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'Selection is not about scorebooks'

BANGALORE: Senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar feels selectors should focus on the players' ability to handle pressure instead of only considering their statistics while picking the national team.

"Selection is not about looking at the scorebook. A selector can pick up players who have scored heavily but that does not work out. I have seen players who are exceptionally good at the domestic level not being able to perform as well in international cricket," Tendulkar said.

"It's about vision. When it comes to selection, one has to analyse a player. Even if he fails in a few matches, one needs to see if he has the ability to withstand pressure and execute at the international level," he explained.

Tendulkar said the changes brought into cricket, including the much-criticised Twenty20 format, has made the sport more exciting and helped getting more results in Tests.

"Cricket is the only sport to have three formats and it's only getting more exciting not only for players but also for spectators.

"There is creativity and more results are coming by (in longer version of the game). The batsmen are willing to take chances," he said in an interaction at KSCA's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said Twenty20 has impacted the longer version of the game as players are becoming aggressive and there have been many results too.

"It has brought innovation to the game. When it comes to Test cricket you need to adjust and no two players are similar in technique wise. Players have to stick to their basics, that is important," he said.

Former Test captain Rahul Dravid said Twenty20 has made cricketers more flexible.

"You have to learn to play a few shots. You just can't block it which I did in Test cricket," he said.

"Good players learn to adapt and if we look Chris Gayle, Michael Hussey or an AB de Villiers in last IPL, these guys who sort of dominated are all really good Test players. So, we need to have our basics right," he added.

Talking about adapting to different technologies being used in the sport, Tendulkar said he was astonished to see a laptop in the dressing room for the first time in 2003.

"I wondered how technology would help us learn cricket but over a period of time, I figured out it's importance. It helped us plan our innings," he said.

Tendulkar said basics are more important in Test cricket than in the T20 format, in which players have to just go out and swing their bats.

"This is the only format in which in three or four deliveries you can become a hero," he said.

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Tendulkar gives fodder to critics

NEW DELHI: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has given fodder to his critics by suggesting that team selection should not be made just on the basis of scorebooks.

Selection is not about scorebooks: Sachin

During a media interaction at KSCA's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, Tendulkar suggested that selectors should focus on the players' ability to handle pressure instead of only considering their statistics while picking the national team.

"Selection is not about looking at the scorebook. A selector can pick up players who have scored heavily but that does not work out. I have seen players who are exceptionally good at the domestic level not being able to perform as well in international cricket," Tendulkar said.

"When it comes to selection, one has to analyze a player. Even if he fails in a few matches, one needs to see if he has the ability to withstand pressure and execute at the international level," he added.

The timing of the suggestion is not favorable for the ageing cricketer who has been struggling on the international arena, despite having a career record that any budding cricketer would dream of.

The man, who has scored most runs and centuries in the history of the game, is today in the line of fire. He has been a pale shadow of himself over the last couple of seasons both at home and away. Moreover, his style of dismissal in recent tournaments has raised serious doubts over his batting technique and also on his 40-year-old reflexes.

Tendulkar's inability to score runs and vulnerability against the weakest opponents, even in the sub-continent, has turned his fans into strong critics. He has scored just three half-centuries in last 23 innings. His last Test ton came way back in 2011 in South Africa. His Test average in last ten matches is below 25.

In the wake of such dismal performances, the suggestion made by him might backfire and raise question mark on his own presence in the national squad.

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India A reach 489/6 at tea on day 1

RUSTENBURG: Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina struck impressive centuries as India A reached a commanding 489 for six against South Africa A at tea on the second day of the first unofficial Test on Sunday.

Resuming the day at 281 for three, the two overnight batsmen -- Rohit Sharma, starting on unbeaten 70, and Suresh Raina on 11 -- hit hundreds to put the visitors on top.

At tea, Raina was not out on 132 and giving him company was Ishwar Pandey on 29.

Rohit added another 49 runs to his overnight score, and put on a solid 106-run stand with Raina for the fourth wicket before he got dismissed for 119, studded with 14 boundaries and two sixes.

It was J P Duminy who got the breakthrough on the day when he had Rohit caught at the short leg by Temba Bavuma.

Joined by Ajinkya Rahane (10) in the middle, Raina continued to play his strokes, even as the the former got out cheaply when Duminy added another wicket to his kitty.

Duminy struck once again to get rid of Wriddhiman Shah (1) as India were reduced to 418 for six from 376 for four.

But that did not deter Raina from scoring at brisk pace. He brought up his ton in the 141st over.

And despite Duminy's successive strikes, Raina in the able company of Ishwar Pandey continued to torment home bowlers. The duo has already put on an unbeaten 71-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Pandey hitting two fours and an equal number of sixes during his 29 not out, while Raina struck 14 fours and three sixes.

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Azad taught me to be honest on field: Dev

Without Desh Prem Azad, there would have been no Kapil Dev. He made me what I am. I am feeling really, really bad after hearing about the news of his death.

He was a central figure in bringing me up as a cricketer and without his presence, I don't think I would have been able to ever play international cricket. He gave me a good life and his influence on me remained even after I gave up playing cricket.

In recent years, he was not just a coach for me but a friend. I had huge, huge respect for him.

People have often asked me what it was about DP Azad that I liked. When I look back on my earliest days trying to make it as a bowler, and the way my coach kept egging me on...those were beautiful times. He was humble and stressed on the need for humility but he was very, very strict. More than technical coaching, he instilled this never-say-die attitude in me which I think was his single biggest gift.

So if I have to pick out one reason why without DP Azad there would be no Kapil Dev, I would say he taught me the value of discipline. He would say, "You have to be honest on the field." There were no shortcuts with him, and he made me realize there would be no shortcut to success.

(As told to Partha Bhaduri)

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Fawad Ahmed says he's no Shane Warne

SYDNEY: Australian leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed has asked people not to call him the next Shane Warne although he is determined to handle the pressure that comes with his elevation to international cricket and a probable Ashes debut in the return series in Australia.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the former Pakistani refugee and the only specialist spinner in the 18-man squad alongside spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell became an Australian citizen last month after Cricket Australia collaborated with the government to amend the citizenship laws so that he would be available for the Ashes.

The report further said that Ahmed was then rushed to England to play for Australia A, where he regained his rhythm with his bowling performance which earned him a call-up for the one-dayers despite his lack of wickets for the team.

Admitting that the experience was tough to handle, Ahmed said that even though people were comparing him with spin legend Warne, he is aware that he cannot be the next Warne even if he is a good player and can play good cricket for many years, adding that to be compared to Warne is not that easy.

However, Ahmed said that he was supported by his teammates, the coaches and the selectors which took of some of the pressure of performing up to expectations from his mind, adding that he is confident that he can prove that he belongs at international level following chairman of selectors John Inverarity saying that he was in contention for the return Ashes series.

Ahmed further said that he will try his best to catch the opportunity that he has been given this time and perform well as such chances do not come knocking to the door every time.

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