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Ian Bell wants to bat at number three

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 30 November 2013 | 21.24

ALICE SPRINGS (Australia): England's Ian Bell said Saturday he wants to bat at number three after Jonathan Trott pulled out of Thursday's second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide.

"I'm absolutely willing to go to number three," said regular number five batsman Bell, who with three centuries was the star of the last Ashes series in England.

"But that decision is probably out of my control. "We've got a number of options with the batting and balance of the side... but I put up my hand to go up the order."

The withdrawal of regular number three batsman Trott with a stress-related illness following the first Test in Brisbane has left a hole in England's top order.

Bell and number six Joe Root are vying to slot into first-drop. And Zimbabwe-born Gary Ballance, who was man of the match during Saturday's draw in Alice Springs for his first-innings 55, is pushing for his Test debut in Adelaide in the middle order.

Test offspinner Graeme Swann gained some confidence following his mauling at the hands of Australia's batsmen in last week's first Test by picking up four for 56 in the game against the Australia Chairman's XI.

Test hopeful Monty Panesar claimed three for 41. Trailing one-nil in the Ashes series, England may be tempted to recall Panesar in a twin-spin attack for Adelaide.

"It is a possibility. We've got that flexibility, two spinners, that he could play," Bell said.

England head to Adelaide on Sunday to prepare for the second Test.


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Bell 'willing' to fill in for Trott at No. 3

ALICE SPRINGS (Australia): England's Ian Bell said Saturday he wants to bat at number three after Jonathan Trott pulled out of Thursday's second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide.

"I'm absolutely willing to go to number three," said regular number five batsman Bell, who with three centuries was the star of the last Ashes series in England.

"But that decision is probably out of my control. "We've got a number of options with the batting and balance of the side... but I put up my hand to go up the order."

The withdrawal of regular number three batsman Trott with a stress-related illness following the first Test in Brisbane has left a hole in England's top order.

Bell and number six Joe Root are vying to slot into first-drop. And Zimbabwe-born Gary Ballance, who was man of the match during Saturday's draw in Alice Springs for his first-innings 55, is pushing for his Test debut in Adelaide in the middle order.

Test offspinner Graeme Swann gained some confidence following his mauling at the hands of Australia's batsmen in last week's first Test by picking up four for 56 in the game against the Australia Chairman's XI.

Test hopeful Monty Panesar claimed three for 41. Trailing one-nil in the Ashes series, England may be tempted to recall Panesar in a twin-spin attack for Adelaide.

"It is a possibility. We've got that flexibility, two spinners, that he could play," Bell said.

England head to Adelaide on Sunday to prepare for the second Test.


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'Tendulkar is the best I have seen'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Sri Lankan explosive batsman Sanath Jayasuriya said Saturday that Sachin Tendulkar is the best player he has seen.

"Everyone knows what Sachin has done for cricket and for India. He is one player who is dedicated, committed and played with passion. I had played along with him for three years in Mumbai Indians and found him to be a very simple man and easy to approach," Jayasuriya said.

The former Sri Lanka captain is here as the chief guest of a cricket tournament organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club.

Commenting on Twenty20 cricket, Jayasuriya said that the format has its own pluses and minuses.

"The good thing is that natural cricketers will grow fast while some others can find it difficult," said the 44-year-old.

The left handed batsman denied media reports suggesting there are ego clashes between the present crop of senior players in the appointment of former batsman Marvan Atapattu as the coach of the Sri Lanka side.

"This same issue was raised when I was appointed as chairman of selectors a few years back because there were several players with whom I played. There are no ego clashes in our team and it's not an issue if the coach should be a foreign one or from the country. The main thing is that there should be a proper coach," added Jayasuriya, who is currently a deputy minister in Sri Lanka.

The former all-rounder also wished that when it comes to cricket, there should be a line drawn when it comes to on-field activity and discipline.

"Yes, the present Australian cricket team is a determined lot after suffering defeats in the previous Ashes and hence they are aggressive. The line should not be breached as far as discipline on the field is concerned," said Jayasuriya.

On his new role as a politician, he said he is enjoying every bit of it and is coming to terms with the job.

"I am enjoying the job of working for my people as it's going to be three years now, I am getting used to it. I am helping my people and doing my best to see my area is developing," said Jayasuriya.


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SA seamers hold Pakistan to 179

CENTURION: Facing a whitewash, South Africa's seamers ran through Pakistan to bowl the tourists out for 179 in the final one-day international at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

Scorecard

Vernon Philander picked up 3-26 and Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell had two wickets each as South Africa attempts to avoid a first ODI series whitewash at home. Pakistan has already clinched the series by winning the first two games.

Seeking an historic sweep in South Africa, Pakistan struggled in its last game on tour, with only captain Misbah-ul-Haq (79 not out) holding off the bowlers. Misbah hit four fours and two sixes in his gritty knock after Pakistan was 97-7 at one point.

Opener Umar Amin scored 25 and Misbah and Abdur Rehman (22) shared a 51-run stand for the eighth wicket but South Africa was on top in the last game despite missing strike bowler Dale Steyn, allrounder Jacques Kallis and opening batsman Graeme Smith.

Pakistan also rested four players after sealing its first ODI series victory over South Africa on Wednesday.

In for Steyn, Philander removed Ahmed Shehzad for a duck in the first over and Tsotsobe (2-38) struck in the fourth to put Pakistan at 7-2. Philander returned to remove Anwar Ali as Pakistan slumped to 97-7 before Misbah and Rehman partially rescued the effort.

Saeed Ajmal was the last batsman out with over three overs to spare with South Africa's decision to bowl first paying off.


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Ranatunga not in favour of new ODI rules

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 29 November 2013 | 21.25

MUMBAI: Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga is apprehensive that the repeated changes in the rules of one-day internationals have shifted the advantage so overwhelmingly in favour of the batsmen that very few youngsters in future would opt to be bowlers.

"A lot of people say it (new rules) is good for the game, but as far as I am concerned, it is not. Young boys, when they are 8 or 10, will not pick up the ball, they will pick up the bat," said the 1996 World Cup winning captain on the side lines of a media conference on Thursday to announce the formation of "Wills Realtors" by 14 of that victorious squad's members.

"Lots of people think cricket is a batsman's game, but I feel it should be 60:40 if not 50:50 (in favour of batsmen) because otherwise the bowlers would be getting killed. Some of the greats are getting thrashed in this T20 thing. I don't know whether they (youngsters) can look up to people. Now it looks like 90:10 and sometimes it looks like 95:5 (in favour of batsmen)," said Ranatunga.

The former cricketer was of the view that the general bowling standards around the world have declined steeply.

"Apart from Pakistan and South Africa, general bowling standards have gone down very badly. If you take South Africa, in our days their bowling was much better than the present bowling. Generally I feel the bowling apart from one or two countries has gone down very badly. Even the wickets have been flat in most of the places. They cater for batsmen," he said.

He was of the view that there should be a contest between the bat and ball.

"The bowlers will not survive. The way they play, the junior cricketers will stop bowling and they will try to bat. Asia will face a huge problem in the future," he said.

On the two new-ball rule (one from either end in ODIs) he said, "When we started, we played with two balls but ultimately we as captains in a captains meeting could convince the ICC that two balls is not good for one-day cricket. And they changed.

"I feel depending on the places, sometimes when you play in sub-continent, the ball can be damaged within no time. It is the other way round when you go to Australia and South Africa and play on seaming tracks, the benefit will be for the fast bowlers."

Another former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya said he still prefers the old rule of using a single ball.

"The two new balls, I am not very happy. I think that is a big question mark for me. As personal opinion, I always think I would love to go with one ball," he said.

He felt with the new ODI rules, batsmen can score 200 runs with ease in the fifty over game.

"With the change of rules and also the (field) restrictions have been changed. Quite a few different rules have come into ODI. It is sometimes more in batsmen's favour. Most of the times now I think the batsmen can get 200," he said.

However, former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas was of the opinion that bowlers would adjust to the new rules.

"It is good for the fast bowlers that you have two new balls and can use it and pick wickets as well. But one-day is a different ball game now with the advent of T20. Most of the bowlers have learnt so many variations and they have learnt a lot of things and are doing really well," he said.

"The way they bowl in power plays is unbelievable. I have seen some of the bowlers have given 20-25 runs but they have learnt and come up with ideas," the former left-arm pace bowler added.

The 39-year old bowler admitted that the ball wouldn't reverse swing in the later stage of the game and said, "It won't reverse at the last 6-7 overs but still bowlers have a chance."

Asked if the game is increasingly becoming more in the favour of the batsmen, he said, "The wickets are suited for the batsmen. Most of the people come to see the game not for the person taking five wickets but the batsmen scoring runs. The bowlers will come up with a plan."

Ranatunga backed the controversial Decision Review System and said it is the best thing that has happened to cricket in the last 20-30 years.

"I am a great believer that DRS should stay. It should be more advanced than trying to get rid of it. Sometimes people will say it is not 100 per cent accurate, but at least it is some percentage accurate. If I get a bad decision, at least I have a chance to correct it. That is the best thing that happened to cricket in last 20-30 years," he said.

Taking pot shots at some powerful cricket boards like BCCI without naming them, the former batsman said that the ICC should try to protect the game instead of being get bullied.

"ICC should control the entire cricket in the world and they should not allow some of the countries to control. It has been happening for the last so many years. ICC, I always say, are the toothless tigers. They will get onto one small guy and they will punish him but when it comes to the big boys, they tend to take two steps back. It has been the normal case.

"Sometimes I feel whether ICC is there to protect cricket or ICC is there to support some countries. It is beyond control," he said.

On the recent Ashes incident where Australian skipper Michael Clarke was fined 20 per cent of his match fee trying to protect George Bailey from England bowler James Anderson's sledging, Ranatunga said he used to protect his own players as well.

"I always tend to protect my players. I didn't see the incident. It's about how you handle things, what the issue is. I don't know about this incident but I have seen in my own personal experience, some of the match referees have taken some awful decisions on players. I can't comment on this particular (incident). Whether it is a first Test or 100th Test, when you are a leader you should know how to control a player.

"As a leader your job is to protect. Sometimes when you go beyond control, you need to understand and know how to control that person. But if something goes on like (Cup-winning teammate) Muthiah Muralitharan, even a lot of people asked me if I did the right thing. I always say that my theory was to protect one of the greatest cricketers, which I did. It may not be the best thing for the game, overall you need to take some actions. You all know what happens in Australia, England and South Africa," he said.

Ranatunga had walked off with his team against England in 1999 in Australia, after Muralitharan was repeatedly no-balled by umpire Ross Emerson for his 'suspect' bowling delivery action.


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Vinod Kambli suffers heart attack

NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli has been admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, following a heart attack on Friday.

Kambli was taken ill while he was driving from Chembur to Bandra and suddenly stopped the vehicle.

A policewoman on duty, Sujata Patil noticed he could not drive and arranged to rush him to Lilavati Hospital.

Hospital sources say he is under observation and undergoing various tests to determine his health condition.

Kambli had undergone angioplasty on two of his blocked arteries in July 2012.

Kambli featured in the famous 664-run stand with Sachin Tendulkar for their school Shardashram Vidya Mandir in February 1988.

The flamboyant left-hander hit two double-centuries and two hundreds in his first eight Test innings after earning a debut in 1993, but another three-figure knock in Tests eluded him.

Kambli played the last of his 17 Tests in 1995 before he had turned 24, finishing with 1,084 runs at an average of 54.20.

He also scored 2,477 runs in 104 one-day internationals with two centuries. Kambli announced his retirement from international cricket in 2009 while he retired from first-class cricket in 2011.

(With input from IANS)


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Sachin was uncomfortable with computer

MUMBAI: Recently-retired Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he was not too comfortable with the idea of having a computer in the dressing room but came to accept the device after realizing how important an aid it was to plan and strategize better.

"I had already played for India for 12-13 years. This was in 2002-03, when computer was brought to our dressing room. We were told that computer is going to store all the data and you will have access to whatever you want to see. I asked what is the computer doing in the dressing room?" he recollected at the Aviva Life Insurance's 'what's your big plan' event.

"Computer is not going to bat for me, it is not going to bowl for Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan (Singh). But Over a period of time I realised that the data stored was accessible within seconds. If I wanted to see how I batted in Australia in 1999, in year 2007, it was available in five seconds.

"If I wanted to see all the straight drives, if I wanted to see all the balls I had left outside the off-stump, it was available. Then I accepted it," he added.

Tendulkar said adapting to the new technology helped him prepare better.

"Things have become different. It has helped us plan better against the opposition, whatever their weaknesses or strengths are, it has helped us. It is just about exposure and with time you learn to accept all these things. It has become a way of life for us," he said.

The batting icon interacted with children and encouraged them to follow their dreams and work towards realizing them.

"It is really important to have a big plan in life. I wouldn't say that when I was 10 or 11, I knew exactly what was going to happen for the next 20-25 years. But I did have a plan," he said.

He added that the level of satisfaction he got from playing cricket cannot be compared with anything else.

"Just be true to yourself. Don't try and fool around. It is important that you take life seriously. Yes, you need to enjoy. I played cricket for so many years, I had lot of fun. I enjoyed doing what I wanted to do in life. It gave me the kind of satisfaction which cannot be compared with anything else," he said.

Talking about his own kids, Tendulkar said his daughter Sara wants to be a doctor while his son Arjun is passionate about cricket.

"I have always told my children they should become what they want to be in life and they will have our full support. My daughter wants to become a doctor which is a fantastic thing. I am glad she is following her mother's footstep. My son, he is passionate about cricket," he said.

Tendulkar, the first sportsperson to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna after being a top cricketer for 24 glorious years, said people have become liberal in career choices and are encouraging kids to venture into unconventional territory.

"Things are changing and with time, thinking has also changed...20 or 30 years back, how many parents would have wanted their child to become a chef. Today we have seen fantastic programmes on television where children are cooking and it is fantastic to watch," he said.

The 40-year old advised children to persist with their dreams and not give up.

"Something you have got to remember in life, whatever you want to be in life, the journey is never going to be smooth all the time. There are going to be rough patches along the way but then you prepare yourself in such a manner that if any obstacle comes in your way, you are following the right path always.

"If you are on the right path, nothing can stop you. All you need to have self belief and determination and things will change. You can't be stopped at a red signal forever. Wait for your opportunity and don't give up," he said.

Tendulkar said his bi plan involved having belief, ignoring distraction and giving his best.

"For me big plans start with a B. B is belief. You have got to believe in what you want to be. And above all, you need to realize your passion in life and then you have got to fall in love with your passion. For me, I was passionate about cricket and I fell in love with cricket. I didn't think of anything else. All I wanted to do was go out there and try my best," Tendulkar said.

"I would move to I -- ignoring all the distractions. For a young child, it is but natural that you are going to have birthday parties, you would want to watch movies...For me, to stay away from distractions was really important. I wouldn't call it a sacrifice because I thought I was doing something I really enjoyed.

"The third one is G -- giving your best all the time. It doesn't matter who your opposition player is, it doesn't matter you play on which ground. For me I didn't need an external factor to motivate me. The ultimate dream was to play for India. I just thought of giving my best all the time and leave the rest to the almighty. That was my plan and try and keep things simple. The more you complicate them, the more complicated they will get," he said.

He told the kids to be serious about what they want to do and remain focussed.

"I dreamt and I chased my dreams. It applies to each and every child. There comes a stage where you have to become serious in life. You have got to dedicate, you need to have discipline, you need to have focus and if you want to succeed there has to be consistency in your concentration level.

"Your concentration level cannot have dips for a long period. There are professions where you need to switch on and switch off. But someone like a doctor, who is in the middle of the surgery, you cannot switch off," he said.


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Sachin was uncomfortable with computer

MUMBAI: Recently-retired Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he was not too comfortable with the idea of having a computer in the dressing room but came to accept the device after realizing how important an aid it was to plan and strategize better.

"I had already played for India for 12-13 years. This was in 2002-03, when computer was brought to our dressing room. We were told that computer is going to store all the data and you will have access to whatever you want to see. I asked what is the computer doing in the dressing room?" he recollected at the Aviva Life Insurance's 'what's your big plan' event.

"Computer is not going to bat for me, it is not going to bowl for Zaheer Khan or Harbhajan (Singh). But Over a period of time I realised that the data stored was accessible within seconds. If I wanted to see how I batted in Australia in 1999, in year 2007, it was available in five seconds.

"If I wanted to see all the straight drives, if I wanted to see all the balls I had left outside the off-stump, it was available. Then I accepted it," he added.

Tendulkar said adapting to the new technology helped him prepare better.

"Things have become different. It has helped us plan better against the opposition, whatever their weaknesses or strengths are, it has helped us. It is just about exposure and with time you learn to accept all these things. It has become a way of life for us," he said.

The batting icon interacted with children and encouraged them to follow their dreams and work towards realizing them.

"It is really important to have a big plan in life. I wouldn't say that when I was 10 or 11, I knew exactly what was going to happen for the next 20-25 years. But I did have a plan," he said.

He added that the level of satisfaction he got from playing cricket cannot be compared with anything else.

"Just be true to yourself. Don't try and fool around. It is important that you take life seriously. Yes, you need to enjoy. I played cricket for so many years, I had lot of fun. I enjoyed doing what I wanted to do in life. It gave me the kind of satisfaction which cannot be compared with anything else," he said.

Talking about his own kids, Tendulkar said his daughter Sara wants to be a doctor while his son Arjun is passionate about cricket.

"I have always told my children they should become what they want to be in life and they will have our full support. My daughter wants to become a doctor which is a fantastic thing. I am glad she is following her mother's footstep. My son, he is passionate about cricket," he said.

Tendulkar, the first sportsperson to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna after being a top cricketer for 24 glorious years, said people have become liberal in career choices and are encouraging kids to venture into unconventional territory.

"Things are changing and with time, thinking has also changed...20 or 30 years back, how many parents would have wanted their child to become a chef. Today we have seen fantastic programmes on television where children are cooking and it is fantastic to watch," he said.

The 40-year old advised children to persist with their dreams and not give up.

"Something you have got to remember in life, whatever you want to be in life, the journey is never going to be smooth all the time. There are going to be rough patches along the way but then you prepare yourself in such a manner that if any obstacle comes in your way, you are following the right path always.

"If you are on the right path, nothing can stop you. All you need to have self belief and determination and things will change. You can't be stopped at a red signal forever. Wait for your opportunity and don't give up," he said.

Tendulkar said his bi plan involved having belief, ignoring distraction and giving his best.

"For me big plans start with a B. B is belief. You have got to believe in what you want to be. And above all, you need to realize your passion in life and then you have got to fall in love with your passion. For me, I was passionate about cricket and I fell in love with cricket. I didn't think of anything else. All I wanted to do was go out there and try my best," Tendulkar said.

"I would move to I -- ignoring all the distractions. For a young child, it is but natural that you are going to have birthday parties, you would want to watch movies...For me, to stay away from distractions was really important. I wouldn't call it a sacrifice because I thought I was doing something I really enjoyed.

"The third one is G -- giving your best all the time. It doesn't matter who your opposition player is, it doesn't matter you play on which ground. For me I didn't need an external factor to motivate me. The ultimate dream was to play for India. I just thought of giving my best all the time and leave the rest to the almighty. That was my plan and try and keep things simple. The more you complicate them, the more complicated they will get," he said.

He told the kids to be serious about what they want to do and remain focussed.

"I dreamt and I chased my dreams. It applies to each and every child. There comes a stage where you have to become serious in life. You have got to dedicate, you need to have discipline, you need to have focus and if you want to succeed there has to be consistency in your concentration level.

"Your concentration level cannot have dips for a long period. There are professions where you need to switch on and switch off. But someone like a doctor, who is in the middle of the surgery, you cannot switch off," he said.


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Stop praising Sachin Tendulkar: Taliban

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 28 November 2013 | 21.24

ISLAMABAD: The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has asked Pakistani media groups to refrain from praising Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.

In a video message, Taliban spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid, flanked by two AK-47 wielding masked men, talks about Sachin's farewell to international cricket.

"There is this Indian cricket player Sachin Tendulkar. It was unfortunate to see Pakistani media go to great extent to pay tribute to him," Shahid said in the video message.

"On the other hand, it was sad to know same Pakistani media badly criticized captain Misbah-ul-Haq. No matter how good Tendulkar is, don't praise him because he is Indian. No matter how bad Misbah-ul-Haq plays, he should be praised because he is a Pakistani," the video shows the Taliban spokesperson as saying.

The Pakistan media had extensively covered Tendulkar and his farewell speech was covered live. Pakistan media praised Tendulkar after he retired from the game on November 16.

Newspapers paid rich tributes to Sachin saying "the game of cricket will surely be the poorer without him".

Dawn wrote Tendulakar's retirement marks the end of a truly memorable career that spanned nearly a quarter of a century.

Rated by critics and contemporaries as arguably the greatest postwar batsman to have played the game, Tendulkar continued to rewrite the record books with his brilliant batting skills since making his debut against Pakistan in Karachi way back in 1989, it had said.

The Express Tribune and Daily Times wrote Tendulkar is rightly considered the most complete batsman of his age, possessing every shot in the book and having the ability to both, tear apart bowling attacks and to control his natural aggression to suit the needs of his team.

Insaaf, an Urdu daily, wrote 'Tendulkar like cricketers are not born every day. His is widely loved and respected.'

His fans must be sad as "cricket without him is surely the poorer."


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I'll handle England myself, says Lyon

MELBOURNE: Australia's Nathan Lyon is confident he has the tools to spin England out in the second Test in Adelaide and will not need much help from teammates rolling over a few part-time overs.

Lyon captured key wickets in Australia's 381-run victory over the tourists in the first Test but question marks remain over whether the 26-year-old has the game to close out a victory.

Some of the doubt stems from last year's Test series against South Africa when Australia needed six wickets on the last day at Adelaide Oval to win on a deteriorating pitch.

Lyon took only one wicket that day, with paceman Peter Siddle taking the leading role with three wickets but South Africa, led by Test debutant Faf du Plessis, held on to save the game before routing Australia in Perth to win the series.

"I've learnt a fair amount playing a few Test matches down there," Lyon told reporters on Thursday.

"I've learnt a fair amount about my game and what I need to do and what I need to do to get better.

"Fingers crossed there's a little bit more spin down there and we'll see how we go."

Lyon is famous for having worked as a curator at Adelaide Oval in 2010 before being spotted by local coach Darren Berry and completing a remarkable rise to the Test team the following year.

The offspinner took five wickets on debut against Sri Lanka and has 89 wickets from 26 Test matches at a respectable average of 32.44.

He has often had a lukewarm reception from Australia's selectors, however, who left him out of the opening two Tests of the northern Ashes series in favour of an untried teenager in Ashton Agar.

Lyon will head into the second Test with his status as Australia's number one spinner in little doubt, however, though may have some part-time support from Steve Smith or captain Michael Clarke.

"In saying that if the bowling group does our job they (part-time spinners) won't have to bowl," he said.

"I'm more than happy to take on the responsibility of being the number one spinner and hopefully get a few overs under my belt."

Much has been made of the sledging on the field at the Gabba and Lyon was arm-in-arms with his teammates when he said the hosts would not be curbing the aggression at Adelaide Oval.

"We're not expecting anyone to roll over. We know the quality of the England cricket side," Lyon said.

"We're going to have to stand up ... and start that fight again.

"That's the way Australia play their best cricket.

"We know where the line is and we don't step over it ... We're going to continue to play aggressive, hard cricket."


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Rhythm takes time, says Umesh Yadav

MUMBAI: Back in the side after being sidelined for some months due to poor form, Umesh Yadav said he will focus on getting his line and length right in next month's Test and ODI series against South Africa.

"Mentally I will be ready to bowl to a length, which could be three-quarter and around the off stump. I am focused on this aspect. Bowling wicket to wicket is very important in Test match cricket," he said. The 26-year-old Vidarbha bowler will be representing his side in the Ranji match against Mumbai starting on Thursday.

Asked about his interaction with the host skipper and senior India bowler Zaheer Khan at the nets, Yadav said, "We met after a long time He enquired about my fitness and advised me to concentrate on line and length,"

All about match practice

"For every fast bowler match practice is very important. There will be lot of bounce on the South African wickets. So, this match against Mumbai will be a good preparation on a probably helpful wicket here," he said. "The Ranji games are good practice games for me to improve fitness," he added.

The speedster had a back injury which ruled him out for the Australia series but he said he is feeling fine now.

"Right now I am bowling well and feeling fine. I have already played two Ranji games. I am getting better and feeling better," he said. He admitted that he is not bowling at the same level right now.

"I have started playing after the injury. It takes time to get into the rhythm, but I am feeling much better. The more I play I will be able to get into top rhythm," he said.


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Wasim Jaffer slams 50th 1st class ton

MUMBAI: Seasoned opener Wasim Jaffer cracked his 50th century in first class cricket to rally champions Mumbai from a difficult situation on day one of their Ranji Trophy Group A clash against fellow-state rivals Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

The lanky Jaffer remained unbeaten on 133 at stumps after batting right thorough the day and guiding the 40-time champions from a precarious 39 for 3 to a close of play first innings total of 254 for 8.

The 35-year-old former India batsman showed immense patience and tenacity even as wickets fell from the other end. But for his 393-minute vigil, the hosts, who were asked to take first strike, would have folded up for a meagre score.

There were only two significant partnerships for Mumbai, who were rocked by the initial three-wicket burst by medium pacer Sandeep Singh whose victims included South Africa-bound Ajinkya Rahane who was caught in the slip cordon for one run.

Jaffer, who faced 261 balls and struck 13 fours and a six to remain unconquered with tailender Vishal Dabholkar (0), put on 64 runs for the fourth wicket in 98 balls with Abhishek Nayar (27) before the latter was bowled round his legs by off spinner Akshay Wakhre who grabbed 2 for 65.

Later the opener added 58 in 111 balls with Shardul Thakur (26) who was one of three victims snapped up by Rajasthan-born Vidarbha left arm spinner Ravi Jangid.

It was Jaffer's 34th hundred in Ranji Trophy and his tally of 50 hundreds in first class cricket includes five in Tests.

Vidarbha opted for the second new ball towards close after 87 overs but neither South Africa-bound Umesh Yadav, who went wicketless after six spells, nor Sandeep Singh could break through the ninth wicket stand which was worth 27 runs.

Yadav bowled six overs in his first spell and then was used in short bursts of three overs without success and the best bowler on view on a wicket that offered some bounce and movement was 32-year-old Sandeep who finished with 3 for 29.

Speaking to the reporters after the end of the day's play, Jaffer said his team has recovered well now in a good position to call the shots.

"We are in a good position though we would have liked it to be something like 270-6. It was a good recovery," he said.

Satisfied with his day's rescue work, Jaffer said the team's batsmen knew that the first session would be a tricky one with the ball seaming around a bit.

"It feels good to score a century. Someone had to stand there and make runs. Happy to have compiled my 50th first class hundred. The first session was very trying. We needed to hang around. There was not a big partnership at all but at the end of the day we are happy.

"They bowled well in the first session and the ball was seaming around and it was a very criticial period. We knew once we played out the first session the wicket will ease out.

"A few bad shots were played, but they will learn with time. The wicket was not doing much after the first session and at end of the day we have recovered well," he emphasised.

Asked about whether Umesh Yadav's pace has fallen a bit after his comeback from a serious back injury, Jaffer said it was the first time he had faced him and cannot make a comparison.

"He bowled all right. I have not played him before today and cannot compare," he said.

"Sandeep bowled all right. He does not have pace but swings the ball and bowls to his strength," he noted about Vidarbha's most impressive bowler of the day.

Brief Scores: Mumbai 254 for 8 (Wasim Jaffer 133 not out; V Dabholkar 0 not out; Sandeep Singh 3 for 29, Ravi Jangid 3 for 48)


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Will focus on line and length: Umesh

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 27 November 2013 | 21.24

MUMBAI: Back in the side after being sidelined for some months due to poor form, Indian pacer Umesh Yadav today said he will focus on getting his line and length right in next month's Test and ODI series against South Africa.

"I am not thinking too much. I will just focus on line and length. The conditions will be different there and the wickets too will be different there," Yadav told reporters here ahead of the crucial which features two Tests and three ODIs starting December 5.

"Mentally I will be ready to bowl to a length, which could be three-quarter and around the off stump. I am focused on this aspect. Bowling wicket to wicket is very important in Test match cricket," he said.

Yadav was part of the squad for the Test series against West Indies but didn't make it to the final XI and said he is keeping his fingers crossed to play against the Proteas in the upcoming tour.

"I will keep my fingers crossed. Anything can happen. We have spinners who can extract turn on any wicket. It would be good if I get a chance, but the composition and balance of the team is vital," he said.

The 26-year-old Vidarbha bowler will be representing his side in the Ranji match against Mumbai starting here tomorrow.

Asked about his interaction with the host skipper and senior India bowler Zaheer Khan at the nets, Yadav said, "We met after a long time today. He enquired about my fitness and advised me to concentrate on line and length."

Yadav, who has played nine Tests and 26 ODIs for India, said he is playing Ranji games to get some match practice.

"For every fast bowler match practice is very important. There will be lot of bounce on the South African wickets. So, this match against Mumbai will be a good preparation on a probably helpful wicket here," he said.

"The Ranji games are good practice games for me to improve fitness," he added.

The speedster had a back injury which ruled him out for the Australia series but he said he is feeling fine now.

"Right now I am bowling well and feeling fine. I have already played two Ranji games. I am getting better and feeling better," he said.

He admitted that he is not bowling at the same level right now.

"I have started playing after the injury. It takes time to get into the rhythm, but I am feeling much better. The more I play I will be able to get into top rhythm," he said.


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India beat Windies to clinch series 2-1

KANPUR: India clinched the ODI series against West Indies 2-1 with a comfortable five-wicket victory in the third and final match, riding on Shikhar Dhawan's sparkling century.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

The Indians first restricted West Indies to 263 for five and then overhauled the target with 23 balls to spare to lift yet another ODI trophy at home.

Dhawan stole the limelight with an attacking 119 that came off 95 balls, his fifth ODI hundred, while Yuvraj Singh notched up a 74-ball 55 to seal the issue for the home side at the Green Park Stadium which was hosting an international game after a gap of nearly four years.

It was a welcome return to form for Yuvraj, who cautiously put together 129 runs for the third wicket with Dhawan to set the platform for the easy win.

Earlier, the trio of Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo struck half-centuries to propel West Indies to a challenging total.

Powell (70) carried on his good form from the last match and registered his second fifty of the series. Together with Samuels (71), he shared a 117-run second-wicket partnership to lay the foundation for West Indies after the visitors were put into bat by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Towards the end, Darren Bravo (51 not out) and Darren Sammy (37 not out) played aggressively to take West Indies past the 260-run mark.

Comfortably placed at 137 for one at one stage, West Indies looked set for a big score but India staged a comeback with quick wickets to restrict West Indies to the manageable score.

For the hosts, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 45 from his quota of 10 overs.

India's chase did not start on a very good note even though Dhawan made his intentions clear in just the second over of the innings when he clobbered Jason Holder thrice to the fence.

The hosts lost Rohit Sharma in the fifth over with just 20 runs on the board. Rohit gave a straight-forward catch to Dwayne Bravo at the first slip while trying to push at an away going delivery from Ravi Rampaul.

Virat Kohli looked in great touch during his brief 19-run stay but he too was undone by Rampaul's probing length outside the off stump.

While trying to leave a delivery at the last moment, the ball just brushed Kohli's bat on to the safe hands of wicket-keeper Johnson Charles.

But from there on it was a Dhawan-Yuvraj show as the duo went about its business in style and shared the run-a-ball century partnership.

Dhawan was the aggressive one among the two. The hallmark of Dhawan's innings was his elegant drives through the extra cover region and short-arm pulls.

Dhawan sent the West Indies bowlers' on a leather hunt and found the fence at will. He completely dominated the Caribbean attack and hit as many as 20 boundaries during his fiery knock.

By the time Yuvraj and Dhawan got out, they had ensured the series-clinching victory for India.

Yuvraj was caught by Dwayne Bravo at the slip off Sunil Narine in the 31st over but not before the left-hander reached his fifty which was laced with seven fours.

Dhawan finally departed in the 38th over, caught by Dwayne Bravo of his own bowling as the bat turned in his hand.

Dhoni (23 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (2 not out) completed the formalities for India with consummate ease.

Dhoni's decision to bowl first after winning the toss did not yield the desired result as his bowlers could pick up just one wicket before Powell and Samuels joined hands to take West Indies forward.

Opener Johnson Charles (11) failed yet again when Bhuvneshwar Kumar went through his defence in the fifth over with a perfect inswinger leaving West Indies at 20 for one.

But thereafter Powell and Samuels got together and played sensibly, mixing caution with aggression to stitch a century stand for the second wicket and lay the foundation for a big total.

Both Powell and Samuels were cautious in their approach as they brought up the West Indies fifty in 11.3 overs.

Both the batsmen were content to see off the new ball in the morning. The duo kept rotating the strike with ones and twos and punished loose deliveries that came their way.

But once they managed to set in their eyes, both Powell and Samuels played freely and in the process brought up their 50-run stand in 53 balls.

Samuels finally opened up and welcomed off-spinner R Ashwin with a huge six over long-on as West Indies reached the 100-run mark in 21.2 overs.

Powell was the aggressor as he reached his half-century in 66 balls with the help of six boundaries. Samuels, on the other hand, played second fiddle and took 73 balls to score his fifty.

But just when it seemed the duo might run away with the initiative, both Powell, who scored 59 in the last match, and Samuels once again threw their wickets away.

Powell and Samuels, who was dropped on 60 by Virat Kohli at slip off Ravindra Jadeja, failed to convert their fifties into three-figure scores as Ashwin brought India back into the match by dismissing both the set batsmen in a span of 37 balls.

Ashwin broke the dangerous-looking 177-run partnership when Powell gave a simple catch to Shikhar Dhawan at short fine-leg trying to sweep the off-spinner.

He scored 70 runs off 81 deliveries and struck nine boundaries in the process.

A few overs later, Ashwin was once again in the thick of things when he went through Samuels' defence by luring the batsman with a tossed up delivery.

Samuels, who made 71 off 93 balls, laced his innings with seven boundaries and one six. Darren Bravo, on the other hand, started in an attacking fashion and hit Ashwin for a four and six in consecutive balls.

West Indies decision to take the batting powerplay in the 35th over backfired as the visitors lost two key wickets scoring just 26 runs.

New man in Lendl Simmons (13) too perished early in search of quick runs. He hit Jadeja for two boundaries in the 39th over before the left-arm spinner took his revenge when the batsman failed to negotiate extra bounce and edged one to Dhoni while going for a cut.

Skipper Dwayne Bravo (4) did not help his reputation either and holed out to Ashwin while going for his favourite extravagant lofted shot over extra cover off Mohammed Shami as West Indies slumped to 196 for five from a comfortable position.

But Darren Bravo and Sammy ensured a decent total for their bowlers to defend, stitching unbeaten 69 runs off 49 balls for the sixth wicket. Both Darren Bravo and Sammy used their long handles to great effect.


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Our bowlers have improved, says Dhoni

KANPUR: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday credited the 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies to team effort and said bowling performance has also improved a lot as compared to the recent contest against Australia.

Dhoni said while the top-order batsmen were in fine form, what was heartening was the improved show by the bowlers.

"If you compare the Australia series to the kind of death bowling we did today...even if we were missing the yorkers, it was not by much. They were ending up as low full tosses and that is a big improvement for us," he said, comparing the performance of his bowlers against the West Indies with the seven-ODI series against Australia, which India won 3-2.

"Also in the middle overs, the two spinners and Raina, is a big positive," Dhoni said after India beat West Indies by five wickets in the third and final one-dayer to win the three-match series 2-1.

On his batsmen's consistent performance, Dhoni said: "Rohit (Sharma) and Shikhar (Dhawan) gave a very good start, Virat has been as consistent as ever, and we have finished well with the lower order."

Dhoni was all praise of his bowlers for restricting West Indies to a gettable target on a Green Park track, which was more conducive to batting than expected.

"Once you win the toss and field, it is important to restrict the opponents. We bowled well, but were unlucky, some edges did not carry, there were lots of play-and-misses. 280 becomes quite a big score. I felt it was not a normal Kanpur wicket, it was much better to bat on. That is why 260 seemed just below a par score."

Man of the Match, Shikhar Dhawan, who hit 119 on Wednesday, said he was comfortable with the tract as he played on such kind of wickets in Delhi.

"We usually play on these kinds of tracks in Delhi and I am used to playing on them. I knew there would not be much bounce and the drives were on. Happy with my form, the team is doing great," he said.

"This year has been great and I hope to continue to play like this. In the previous two ODIs also, I was playing well but got out. So I wanted to score big today," Dhawan, who has scored five centuries this season, said.

Man-of-the-Series Virat Kohli said the series win augured well for the team but the real test would start with the upcoming tour of South Africa.

"We have scored a lot of runs...all the batsmen and that is why we are ODI number one side now. But the real challenge will begin with the South Africa tour. It's a challenge but this team likes challenges. I think we are good enough to stand up to it and we won't disappoint our fans," said Kohli, who scored 204 runs in three matches against the West Indies.

Asked about his current form, which has seen him score most number of runs in a calendar year, he said, "I am just trying to make the most of the sort of form I am in now. Trying to stay in the zone. Been coming off well.

"But the most important month for us is coming now in South Africa, so good to get a few runs before going there. I try to score as many as I can, staying in a nice happy space."

West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo felt his team was short by 20 runs but said they have fought well in the series and can hold their heads high.

"We did very well (with the bat), Darren Sammy played a fantastic innings, can't forget the innings of Marlon Samuels. We lost a few wickets at crucial times. (Lendl) Simmons and I got out at crucial times, we could have capitalized better," he said.

"So we were short by some 20 runs. Chasing 280 instead of 260 could have been a different ball game."

"We should have given a better bowling effort. But overall it was a very good performance by the team. Defeating India in India has been very difficult and we gave the number one ODI team a close fight. Our players can hold their heads high," Bravo added.


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Want to continue scoring tons: Dhawan

KANPUR: Shikhar Dhawan has been in the form of his life since his comeback into the Indian team last March and the dashing opener wants to continue with the "good habit" of scoring centuries and winning a lot more matches for India across all formats.

Dhawan smashed an attacking 119 off only 95 balls, his fifth ODI hundred, to clinch the ODI series with a comfortable six-wicket win over West Indies in the third and final match at the Green Park here today. Since his comeback to the Indian side, he has hit six international tons including his blazing 187 on Test debut at Mohali.

"I am really thankful to God that he has given me such a beautiful year. I am really happy that I have been scoring lots of centuries. It's a good habit and I want to continue this habit by winning lots of matches for my team," an elated Dhawan said at the post-match press conference after India clinched the ODI series with 23 balls to spare.

For Dhawan, the most satisfying aspect of his century is that it has helped the team win the match comfortably.

"I am very happy that I made a century and the team won. I have been getting starts in the last 2-3 matches but was not being able to convert them into big scores. It couldn't have been better that I scored a century in the series deciding match," Dhawan said.

India next assignment is the tough tour to South Africa starting next week and Dhawan is confident of his good showing in the Rainbow nation.

"It's always good to end a home series on a high note. This century is going to give me lot of confidence when I travel to South Africa."

A few months back, Dhawan went to South Africa with the India A team and scored a smashing 248 against South Africa A in a List A game.

"Of course, the last South Africa tour (with A team) is in my mind. It adds to my confidence because I scored lot of runs on South African pitches. That gives me a lot of confidence and I am really looking forward to the South Africa tour," he said.

Giving special importance to the series victory over the struggling West Indies, Dhawan said winning now has become a habit for the Indian team.

"It's a good win for us. We have been winning tournaments on a trot now. We want to continue the momentum and win as many tournaments we can," he said.

He also had words of appreciation for Yuvraj Singh, who returned to form today with a fighting 55.

"Yuvi Paaji was playing well when he came into bat today. He played a beautiful knock and we both had a good partnership. For me, it was amazing to bat with Yuvi paaji because I have learnt lots of things from him and look up to him," Dhawan said.


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India eye series win against West Indies

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 26 November 2013 | 21.24

KANPUR: Unfavourable bowling conditions had pegged them back in the last match but India will look to assert their supremacy and clinch the series against the West Indies when the two teams clash in the decisive third one-day international on Wednesday.

India have been a dominant force in this contest since West Indies' arrival to the country but the hosts suffered a surprise two-wicket defeat in Visakhapatnam, failing to defend a competitive total under difficult conditions.

That victory must have boosted confidence of the West Indies who would now aim to leave the country by pocketing at least the ODI series, following their debacle in the Tests.

They, for the first time on this tour, will approach a match with self-belief and confidence.

For India, it is last international match at home before they embark on a challenging tour against South Africa and they would like to finish this series on a high.

The Indian batting line-up sports a solid look. Barring a few individuals, the batting department is in great form in the recent past.

The top three -- Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni -- have been the real force behind India's batting.

With scores of 86 and 99 in the two matches played so far, Kohli, in particular, has been in scintillating form. But it is the form of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in the middle order which will be a cause of concern for Dhoni ahead of the series decider.

Both Dhawan and Yuvraj have some work to do as they have been throwing their wickets away after getting starts. But Dhoni, who struck a quick-fire 51 in the last to propel India to 288, backed Yuvraj to strike form in the upcoming matches, terming the left-hander as vital cog in India's middle-order.

"We want Yuvi to do well. He is someone who can bat well at No 4. Someone who can really dominate the oppositions. Last few games, he has struggled a bit. At times it happens when you're under pressure the 15-20 first deliveries become crucial," Dhoni had said after the second ODI.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been doing a decent job with his slow left-armers, too would be desperate to return among runs.

Barring the last match where dew played a major factor, the Indian bowlers have been pretty consistent in the series so far.

Pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma leaked runs in Visakhapatnam. Dew did not help their cause as they struggled to grip the ball and handed out loose deliveries to the West Indies batsmen.

And come Wednesday, the trio would be hoping to make up in better conditions.

The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja, as usual, has been miser with the ball and the two bowlers would like to carry on their good show to help India clinch the series.

Dhoni would also be hoping for an improved showing from fielders as they dropped as many as four catches in the last match.

West Indies, on the other hand, did just enough to secure the win in the second match.

Kieran Powell, who has replaced injured Chris Gayle in the playing eleven, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy scored crucial half-centuries to help the Caribbean side in securing their maiden win on the tour.

However, one thing which would be worrying skipper Dwayne Bravo is his batsmen's inability to convert the starts into big scores and come Wednesday he would be hoping for a substantial contribution from one of his top-order batsmen.

Even though bowling still remains a concern for West Indies, the visiting bowling attack played a key role in keeping the series alive with an improved showing towards the end of the last match to restrict India to 288, who at one stage were on 194 for 3 in the 36th over, with Kohli on course for an 18th ODI century.

Ravi Rampaul, Jason Holder and Sunil Narine pulled the visitors back. Narine bowled his last five overs in the last match for just eight runs, bowling two maidens while Rampaul took the wickets.

Despite Dhoni's assault towards the end, a total of 95 in the last 15 overs meant a manageable chase, which became easier as the dew got heavier.

With the series-decider being a day match, toss would play a crucial role and the team winning the toss would definitely like to exploit the early morning conditions of the Green Park stadium.

The two captains, however, would be cautious as they don't know what to expect from the pitch at the stadium, which is hosting an international match after nearly four years.

The last time Green Park hosted an international affair was a Test match between India and Sri Lanka in November 2009 which the hosts comfortably won.

Teams (from):

India: MS Dhoni (Capt.), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, R Vinay Kumar, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma and Amit Mishra.

West Indies: Dwayne Bravo (Capt.), Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Sammy, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Tino Best, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell and Denesh Ramdin.


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'Series win will lift morale before SA tour'

KANPUR: Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar feels a win in the third and deciding ODI against West Indies on Wednesday will raise the morale of the team ahead of a tough tour to South Africa, starting next month.

The third ODI at Kanpur holds great significance for both India and West Indies as the series is currently tied at 1-1 after the visitor's secured a close two-wicket win in the last game at Visakhapatnam. India had won the first match by six wickets at Kochi.

"Tomorrow's match will be a crucial one. It is important in the context of the South Africa series. Our morale would be high going into South Africa tour if we can win the series," Bhuvneshwar said at the pre-match press conference at the Green Park Stadium, which is hosting an international game after nearly four years.

Giving special significance to the match, Bhuvneshwar said he was eyeing a much-improved performance at his home ground on Wednesday.

"From my personal point of view, if I perform well tomorrow my confidence would be high going into the South Africa tour," the pacer from Meerut said.

"The stadium has changed a lot since I played here the last time. It feels proud to play in your home ground, at a ground from where you started your Ranji Trophy career."

West Indies have been completely outplayed by India in the tour till the last match which the visitor's won chasing a challenging a 289-run target.

Soon after West Indies levelled the ODI rubber 1-1, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said dew played a major factor in deciding the outcome of the match at Visakhapatnam.

"We accepted dew to be there is the last match but dew is not an excuse for our defeat," Bhuvneshwar said.

After complete dominance, India now face the prospect of a rare series loss at the hands of West Indies, but Bhuvneshwar said they are not under any pressure.

"We are not under any pressure because they (West Indies) came here to play and win. It is good for the series that it is tied at 1-1. Our morale is high because the last match was a close affair," he said.

After sitting out for nearly a year, Zaheer Khan made a comeback into the Indian Test squad for the South Africa tour and Bhuvneshwar welcomed the veteran pacer's inclusion.

"Zaheer's comeback is good for the team. He has been our main bowler for a long time. We can learn a lot from him (in South Africa)," he said.


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Win in Vizag gave us confidence: Bravo

KANPUR: The series-levelling win in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam gave a struggling West Indies the self belief that they can beat India at their own backyard, the visiting team skipper Dwayne Bravo said on Tuesday.

After the six-wicket loss to India in the first ODI at Kochi, West Indies pulled off a narrow two-wicket victory against the hosts in the next match to liven up the three-match rubber.

"Winning the last game gave us the confidence and the belief that we can actually beat India in India," Bravo said on the eve of the third and deciding ODI at the Green Park stadium, which would be hosting a international match after nearly four years.

"From our point of view, we are just focused on improving on our previous performances and try to play together as a team more consistently. In the last five encounters we've had with India in ODIs, we've won two and lost three.

"So, tomorrow's game will be very important to get even and of course win the series," said the West Indies captain.

Bravo conceded that it will take something "special" from the Caribbean side to beat the Indians in two consecutive matches at home.

"The Indian team will come back hard after the hurtful loss and since it's a day game, it will be very hot and humid. It's not going to be easy but I will keep reminding the team of the importance of beating the number one team in the world," he said.

The West Indies skipper said execution of plans is very important to win matches and they were focusing to do that on Wednesday.

"Before the last match we had a very good team meeting - it was very interactive and thorough. In all meetings we formulate our plans but never really executed them on the field, which we did well the other day. I will remind the guys of the good things we did in that match and encourage them to repeat them tomorrow," Bravo said.

The batting performance of West Indies in second ODI was a huge improvement from their previous matches on this tour, but none of the visiting team batsman has been able to play a big knock so far. But Bravo said it was not a concern for him as long as his batsmen were contributing to team's success.

"It is good they are getting starts, some of us are not even getting them. It is good for us as a team that some guys are getting fifties and building partnerships to put the team in winning situation. Rather than one person scoring a hundred and we losing the match, if four or five half-centuries can win us matches, I will take that any day," he said.

Bravo, however, wants his batsmen to learn from their Indian counterparts on how to convert starts into big scores.

"I encourage the young West Indies batsmen to learn from the Indian batsmen, particularly inculcate their appetite for runs. I want guys like Darren Bravo, Kieran Powell and Johnson Charles to learn from the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan," he said.

Darren Sammy, who was the man-of-the-match in Visakhapatnam for his match-winning unbeaten 63, has always been under scrutiny. Considered as a bits-and-pieces cricketer, Sammy's place in the West Indies team has often been questioned by the media and cricket pundits.

But Bravo backed the all-rounder and termed him as a "match-winner" for West Indies.

"The talks are on in media and outside that Sammy should not be part of team but for us he is a big part of our team. As captain, he is an important player for me, especially with likes of Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle out," he said.

"He is a main player in our side and will be an asset as long as he plays. If he is out of form, it's important for us as a team to give him all support and continue to encourage him because he is a match-winner on his day. He showed that in the last game. He also brings in a positive vibe in the dressing room and I would always want someone like him around at all times," Bravo said of the West Indies Test captain.

Bravo feels spinners will play a crucial role in Wednesday's day-game.

"I am happy to have two good spinners at my disposal in Sunil Narine and Veerasammy Permaul in Indian conditions. Tomorrow, it being a day game, they will play an even bigger role," he said.


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Zaheer gearing up for South Africa tour

MUMBAI: Veteran India pacer Zaheer Khan, who has made a comeback to the Test side after nearly a year, on Tuesday said he was gearing up for the challenge against South Africa next month.

"I have ironed out things I felt were pulling me back. I am ready to take on the challenge. It is great to accept challenge and to live up to it," Zaheer told reporters.

The 35-year-old has been selected in the 17-member Test squad after taking 13 wickets in three Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 19.84 this season. His last Test was against England in Kolkata in December 2012.

The senior pro said that incidentally his last comeback was also in South Africa.

"I have had some good memories of South Africa. My last comeback was there, so I am looking forward to it," he said.

Zaheer will be leading the Mumbai team in its Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha, which commences on November 28 and he said it would be good to get some match practice before the South Africa tour.

"Looking forward to join the team (Indian). I will be playing this Ranji game (against Vidarbha). It is going to be good to get some overs under the belt," he said.

The left-arm seamer, who had been battling fitness issues, said he expected to make a comeback after working hard on the physical aspect.

"I was expecting that. Last year when I sat down and was thinking about exactly how to go about, firstly if I want to make my comeback or no. That was the biggest question for me. When the answer was yes, I then chalked out a strategy. What exactly was needed and I did everything possible to make sure that I am there. Obviously, physical aspect was a big thing and I had to tackle that.

"In consultation with lot of trainers and physios I chalked out a plan and so far it worked," he said.

"Mentally there was no problem, physically there was a little (problem). It was important that I keep believing in myself, my abilities and just keep on putting the work. That's what I have always been doing so far in my career. This time it was no different," he said.

Zaheer said he progressed slowly and the spell against West Indies 'A' in Hubli last month helped his confidence.

"It has been a slow progress right from Shimoga. When I went to Shimoga I knew that I needed some overs under my belt and to progress gradually. I didn't want anything to happen suddenly and I was kind of progressing slowly but surely.

"As I bowled a few overs in that game, I have always believed that match practice is always the best practice, so that was on my mind and slowly things started picking up. The spell which I bowled in Hubli towards the end gave me lot of confidence and from there I just picked it up," he said.

He added that the spells in the Ranji games helped him to get into that zone.

"It was more to do with getting in that zone as far as matches are concerned. Those spells I was looking at it more from trying out different things. Once I had overs under my belt, I was comfortable being on the field, I was feeling that the recovery in between the spells was spot on.

"I was able to recover in between the spells and comeback the next day. So those were the things I was looking at. As far as Test matches are concerned, you have to not only put in effort on the first day, but the important thing is make sure that you are from ball one," he said.

Zaheer had a training stint at Bloemfontein, South Africa with fitness expert Adrian le Roux in September and he said it was a plan to get acclimatised to those conditions.

"That was the plan. Obviously, Adrian is someone with whom I have worked with before when he was with the Indian team. We have that rapport. I knew what kind of credibility he has. During the IPL, we had a plan that I would do my strength and conditioning base first in France and then join him for the cricketing skills there in Bloemfontein. Basically, I just stuck to the plan," he said.

Zaheer also said that he planned to start something in the country on the lines of what he did abroad.

"I have plans of start something here that I did abroad because lots of people get benefited. I had the privilege to go abroad and I could afford to do those things but I feel in India you need a setup like that in terms of physiotherapy and fitness. So hopefully instead of giving you a lowdown I will give you the real thing here," he said.

On leading the bowling outfit against the Proteas and helping the youngsters, Zaheer said, "That has come naturally to me. If I can help someone, I don't hesitate to go up to him and say what I feel. Being a bowler in sub-continent is never an easy task. You have to keep encouraging them, keep giving them confidence. And it is about just backing yourself and believing that. The thought process is very important I feel, especially when you are playing in sub-continent."

He was effusive in his praise for pacer Mohammed Shami and said it was a dream spell and a dream debut for him.

"The (bowling attack) is very promising. Shami produced a brilliant spell against the West Indies. It was like a dream spell and a dream debut for anyone. Considering sub-continent, it is hard to get wickets and he not only bowled well with the new ball but also with the old ball," said Zaheer.


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Pujara, Kohli retain spots in rankings

Written By Unknown on Senin, 25 November 2013 | 21.25

DUBAI: Cheteshwar Pujara retained his sixth position to be the highest-placed Indian batsman, while Virat Kohli also maintained his 20th spot in the in the latest ICC Test rankings issued, on Monday.

ICC Test rankings: Batsmen | Bowlers | All-rounders

Pujara and Kohli are the only two Indian batsmen to figure in the table, which is headed by South Africa's AB de Villiers.

England captain Alastair Cook made a comeback to the top 10 after he moved up a place to be at 10th.

Australia's David Warner, meanwhile, broke into the top 20 for the first time in his career as he has jumped 18 places to the 17th spot following his knock of 124 in the second innings of the Brisbane Test against England.

In the Test bowlers' rankings, Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha remained at fifth and ninth spots, respectively but Zaheer Khan has slipped two places to be at 20th position.

Dale Steyn of South Africa continues to rule the roost in the bowlers' list, followed by teammate Vernon Philander.

Mitchell Johnson, the star of Australia's 381-run win over England in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane, made a return to top 20.

Johnson finished with figures of four for 61 and five for 42 for which he has been rewarded with a jump of four places to be in the 19th position.

For England, the biggest mover was Stuart Broad, who gained four places to be at seventh.

In the all-rounders' chart, Ashwin continues to hold on to the top position.


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Zaheer's presence will help me: Umesh

NEW DELHI: Umesh Yadav is relieved that he is back in the scheme of things but the bigger reason for his happiness is that senior pro Zaheer Khan will be around during India's upcoming tour of South Africa to guide the junior bowlers.

"Zaheer has had a great influence on youngsters with his ability to guide us through the bump and grind of international cricket. I have got a lot of valuable tips on fast bowling and there is no better exponent of reverse swing than Zak. He is like mentor to us and it is an honour to play international cricket alongside him," said the 26-year-old Vidarbha pacer.

"Zaheer's advice in match situations are invaluable as he is a brilliant reader of opposition batsmen."

Yadav, who has played nine Tests and 26 ODIs for India, was confident that he will be selected in the Test team but to be recalled in the shorter format has been like an icing on the cake.

"I had a gut feeling that I will be selected for the Test series but I had kept my fingers crossed for the ODIs. I am really happy that selectors have shown faith in me by giving me a chance in the ODI squad as well," the fast bowler added.

"Since I have the pace, my bowling is suited to conditions where the pitches offer pace and bounce. I have also played in places like Durban in the Champions League T20 for Delhi Daredevils. So, I have the experience of bowling in South Africa."

Yadav had last played for India in the tri-series in West Indies last July, after which he was dropped following some ordinary performances in the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy.

"I have no complaints about being dropped from the squad. If I am honest to myself, I wasn't really bowling well during the Challenger Series and it was a fair enough decision. There were certain chinks in my bowling and I needed to take corrective measures," said Yadav seeming pretty forthright in his self-assessment.

Yadav went on to explain the specific technical problem that had cropped up in his bowling.

"For a fast bowler, the crucial aspect is one's non-bowling arm. After speaking to the coaches, I realised that the position of my left arm during my delivery stride is posing a problem. The left arm should remain firm and straight. The moment it wavers, the length of the delivery gets disturbed. That's what was happening with me," Yadav said.

"It was Eric sir (former India bowling coach Eric Simons), who had first told me about this aspect. During the period that I was out of the team, I worked with Subroto sir (former India pacer Subroto Banerjee) on this aspect.

"What we call hitting the right length is different for different bowlers. Along with my coach, I was trying to find the right length on the 'fourth channel' -- they are just outside the off-stump of a batsman. I have been working on hitting that right length and I am happy with my progress so far," he stated.

He has often been accused of being erratic despite being one of the fastest in India apart from Mohammed Shami but Yadav again reiterated that he is not compromising on pace.

"None of the coaches have told me to cut down on pace and neither did this kind of a thought cross my mind. If I can swing the ball at a brisk pace, it's only going to be an asset for me," said the speedster, who is unsure about playing Vidarbha's next Ranji Trophy away encounter against Mumbai, starting November 28.


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Ex-players rally round Jonathan Trott

LONDON: The sight of the normally obdurate Jonathan Trott swishing and missing with alarming regularity during his two brief innings in Australia was a telltale sign that all was not right.

England's number three, so often the rock of his side's batting order since making his Test debut in 2009, managed just 19 panicky runs in the 381-run humiliation that ended on Sunday and was clearly unsettled by the fired-up Australian pace attack.

Shaken by the ferocity of Mitchell Johnson's short-pitched bowling in particular, Trott crumbled and, to rub salt into the wound, his second-innings dismissal was labelled as "weak" by Australian opener David Warner.

Trott's performance was also criticized by former England players now working as television or radio pundits but after the announcement that he was leaving the Ashes squad on Monday with a stress-related illness there was widespread support for his predicament.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan went on Twitter to apologize.

"I do feel guilty for criticizing Trott this week," he said. "I wasn't to know what he was going through and I can only comment on what I see..."

Speaking to the BBC, Vaughan added: "I'm desperately sorry for him, he's made exactly the right decision.

"I think the hardest thing is that it's not visual. I don't know how long it's been going on but I criticized him in the second innings and you look back and I wish I hadn't now, I wish I'd have known he was going through troubles.

'SERIOUS ISSUE'

"An Ashes series away from home is so pressurized. It's going to be a really tough ask to come back from this.

"It's certainly around the cricketing fraternity, we've seen a number of players come out and talk about it. It's a serious issue because it's not visual and they hide it away."

Long stretches away from home combined with intense media scrutiny have taken a toll on international cricketers in the past with former England batsman Marcus Trescothick leaving the 2006-07 series in Australia because of depression.

"It's debilitating, it grinds you down and just gets to you non-stop. There's no hiding place from it, it's 24/7. He's got to just take a bit of time to get back on track and get back happy again," Trescothick said in a BBC radio phone-in on Monday.

Matthew Hoggard, who was part of Vaughan's 2005 Ashes-winning side, said many cricketers suffered from stress.

"If you know that people are suffering and you're not going to take them then you could be losing half your team because I don't think it's just an isolated incident," he told the BBC.

Another former England captain, Nasser Hussain, said the news had come as a shock.

"It's amazing news, no-one heard any whispers about it over here," Hussain, part of the Sky Sports commentary team, said.

"You just don't know what is going on in someone's mind and it's obviously a highly stressful situation and it just tipped him over the edge.

"He was the glue that held England's batting line together."

Sympathy also came from Trott's England team mates with bowler Stuart Broad saying on Twitter: "Love Trotty. Absolute champion of a man. He knows he has the support of all the people around him. Puts cricket in perspective."


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Selectors give rude shock to Gambhir

These are tough times for Gautam Gambhir.

The Delhi opener, who has been in good form in the Ranji Trophy this year, has been left out of the 17-member Indian Test squad that was selected on Monday for the South Africa tour.

In the six Ranji Trophy matches that he has played this season, Gambhir had an aggregate of 372 runs. But the selection committee, which met in Vadodara, decided to stick to only two specialist openers for the difficult tour.

Shikhar Dhawan might be in prime form, but Murali Vijay isn't proven material in Test cricket away from the country. The selection committee has chosen back-ups for every department, which meant that the team swelled up to 17, but for the crucial opener's slot.

Baroda's Ambatti Rayudu, who can also keep, could have been considered as the second keeper, but Wriddhiman Saha, too was given the nod. Ravindra Jadeja was also drafted in as an allround option, though it's common knowledge that his left-arm spin might not be a potent weapon away from India in Tests. Zaheer Khan's inclusion was a good one but the decision to keep Gambhir out of the fray does raise a few eyebrows.

However, the senior player will now get the entire Ranji season and if he is able to pile on the runs, the opportunity might come in New Zealand.


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1st ODI: Pakistan post 218/9 vs S Africa

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 24 November 2013 | 21.25

CAPE TOWN: Debutant tailenders Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali defied a strong South African bowling attack to enable Pakistan to post 218 for nine in the first one-day international against South Africa at Newlands on Sunday.

Scorecard

Bhatti (39) and Ali (43 not out) put on 74 for the eighth wicket after Pakistan's recognised batsmen struggled against a strong South African pace attack.

For the first time since South Africa began their rise to the top of the Test rankings, the hosts fielded all three of their leading fast bowlers - Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel - in the same one-day side.

With Jacques Kallis returning for his first one-day international since February 2012, South Africa applied relentless pressure as Pakistan struggled to 131 for seven in the 36th over. But Bhatti and Ali went for their shots to keep their side in the game on what looked a good batting pitch.

Steyn took three for 33 and Morkel three for 39, while Philander claimed one for 37.

Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad put on 49 for the first wicket but Steyn dismissed Jamshed in the 16th over and followed up with the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez, both caught in the slips.

Pakistan's leading batsmen were unable to build any substantial partnerships and could not lift the scoring rate. They looked to be headed for a low total when Shahid Afridi was bowled by Steyn in the first over of the batting powerplay.

But Bhatti and Ali, both playing in their first one-day internationals, put on 74 off 70 balls. Bhatti made his 39 off 25 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, while Ali hit six fours in a 55-ball innings.


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Cook charges Warner 'disrespectful'

BRISBANE (Australia): England skipper Alastair Cook slammed David Warner as disrespectful in a sour aftermath to a simmering Ashes opener won by Australia with a day to spare at the Gabba on Sunday.

Australia's huge 381-run victory was tarnished by constant sledging between the players and in one instance finger pointing by Australia captain Michael Clarke to England fast bowler James Anderson.

Cook took exception at comments Australian opening batsman Warner had made the previous day at his media conference when he said England were frightened and singled out batsman Jonathan Trott.

"It does look like they've got scared eyes at the moment. The way that Trotty (Jonathan Trott) got out today was pretty poor and weak. Obviously there's a weakness there and we're on top of it at the moment," Warner told reporters.

Cook said Warner had been disrespectful in his comments. "I think for any professional cricketer, really, yeah," the England skipper said.

"On the pitch it's pretty much a war, isn't it anyway? So there's always going to be a few words on the pitch. I think that's the way people want to watch cricket being played. Tough, hard cricket. On the pitch is fine."

Asked if the rival teams hated each other, Cook said: "I think when you play each other for quite a few games in a row, the niggles can increase. It's competitive cricket."

England and Australia are playing 10 Ashes Tests compressed into in seven months.

Counterpart Clarke said when asked if Australia have over-stepped the bounds of acceptability through their on-field actions: "Not that I've seen through my career.

"I think I've heard a lot worse said on a cricket field than what any of the Australian players or the England players have said throughout this Test match."

Clarke continued: "It's because both teams want to win so badly. I think we all respect the game, the traditions, the history.. Australia versus England has always been competitive no matter which team has won.

"I think that's great for the game. I certainly understand and respect that there's a line and both teams shouldn't over-step that line and I hope that hasn't been the case through this Test match but I think the rivalry and the banter on the field, it's give and take both ways.

"I think there's plenty that you don't overhear on stumps mike. They are meant to stay on the field, part and pacel of the game."

Clarke said there was no personal animosities among both sets of players.

"There is not one English player that anyone has a personal vendetta with or anyone disrespects as a cricketer," he said.

"It's about trying to help your team have success, pushing the line and not over-stepping it and trying to play your best cricket."

"Every player is so different that you need to work out what works best for the individual player, what makes them tick and get them to perform at your best.

"Whether it's David Warner, Shane Watson or Mitch (Johnson) they really love that competitive battle, love the opposition talking to them or having a crack back at the opposition, that's what drives them.

"I think there are plenty in the England team that feel that way too. I think Jimmy Anderson made that very clear that he likes that battle as well."


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Selectors to focus on Gambhir, Zaheer

VADODARA: Veterans Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan's names are set to be discussed when the Indian selectors meet here tomorrow to decide on the squads for the tour of South Africa, starting December 5.

Since BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel is the convener of the senior selection committee, the meeting is being held in his hometown.

While the Indian ODI squad is likely to be selected on the expected lines with almost all the members of the team playing against West Indies set to be retained, the Test squad can have a few interesting selections.

The attention will be entirely on Gambhir and Zaheer's entry into the squad as the additional opener and fifth pacer.

Gambhir, who led from the front in Delhi's win with a knock of 153, has so far scored 372 runs in six innings in Ranji Trophy this season at a healthy average of 74 plus. He also has a couple of half-centuries in the match against Mumbai.

With Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan having sealed the first XI openers' slot, Gambhir will be vying for that reserve opener's place as Ajinkya Rahane has been earmarked as a middle-order batsman in longer format.

While Virat Kohli is expected to be promoted as No 4 with Sachin Tendulkar's retirement, Rahane is likely to be inducted in the playing XI as No 6 batsman with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni coming in at No 7. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma are automatic choices as Nos 3 and 5 respectively.

Offie Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to be the lone spinner in the playing XI while fight for the second spinner's slot will be between Ravindra Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha. Ojha's last Test appearance in Mumbai recently got him a match haul of 10 wickets while Jadeja is a much better batsman of the two.

Axe could fall on leg-spinner Amit Mishra as India can't afford to select three specialist spinners in a country where pitches are conducive for fast bowling.

Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar have already sealed their spots in the playing XI with some good performances. Ishant Sharma is also in the fray after his 9-wicket haul against Haryana in a Ranji Trophy match.

Umesh Yadav has only got four wickets in two Ranji Trophy games for Vidarbha but his pace is something that Dhoni would be looking out for.

The fifth pacer's slot will be an interesting one as Zaheer's fate hangs in balance as he will fight it out with the likes of R Vinay Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat and Mohit Sharma for that slot. Zaheer's exclusion from the BCCI Annual Contracts may be an indicator that selectors are looking beyond the 34-year-old left-arm seamer.

The other interesting slot will be the 15th member which either be an additional batsman or a wicketkeeper. Wriddhiman Saha has been India's second choice in Test matches on away tours while Dinesh Karthik has donned the big gloves in the ODIs.

In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Karthik has scored only 85 runs in four innings without a single 50 while Saha has scored 266 runs from five knocks with three half-centuries.

In case of a specialist batsman, Suresh Raina, who has a Grade A contract could be drafted in as he is a certainty in the shorter version.

India are scheduled to play three ODIs in Johannesburg, Durban and Centurion on December 5, 8, 11 respectively.

This will be followed by a two-day practice match against South African Invitational XI at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The first Test match starts on December 18 at the New Wanderers while the 'Boxing Day' Test from December 26 will be played at the Kingsmead in Durban.


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2nd ODI: Ashwin scalps Bravo, Powell

NEW DELHI: Off-spinner R Ashwin got rid of Darren Bravo (50) after a solid 100-run stand for the third wicket with Kieran Powell in West Indies' chase of 289-run target in the 2nd ODI.

Scorecard | Match In Pics

The duo rescued West Indies from early wickets and took the side past 100 in 19 overs. Bravo reached his 50 in 53 balls but couldn't convert it into a big score and gave away a simple catch behind the stumps.

Powell got his half-ton just after Bravo's dismissal to keep Windies in hunt.

Earlier, Mohit Sharma scalped Marlon Samules while Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent back Johnson Charles (12) to give India a good start after the hosts posted 288/7.

Kumar took a stunning return catch to end Charles's challenge in the third over. Sharma then got Samuels caught behind to reduce the visitors to 23/2.

Virat Kohli missed out on a hundred by just one run before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's fiery knock propelled India to a challenging total.

Electing to bowl, unsure of how the wicket would behave after two days of incessant rains, the West Indies kept India under pressure for most of the time but the hosts scored 62 runs off the last five overs to steal the thunder from the Caribbeans.

Kohli showed calmness to soothe the nerves but only to fall victim to a rash pull as India were in danger after losing two wickets for 15 runs in the batting power-play.

But once again captain cool Dhoni stood to the task with an unbeaten 51, his 50th ODI half-century, to give India a decent total to defend.

Dhoni slammed three sixes and four boundaries in his 40-ball knock in an entertaining 47-run seventh wicket partnership with R Ashwin.

Earlier, Sharma had a rare off day at his mother's home town when he was taken at second slip to bring an end to a dream run, during which he scored one double ton, two 100s and an equal number of half-centuries in his last five outings.

After Sharma's dismissal India crawled to 48/1 in the first powerplay. The West Indies clearly had an upperhand dismissing the other opener, Shikhar Dhawan, with an addition of another 48 runs.

Included in place of Narsingh Deonarine, Veersammy Permaul made Indians sweat under the scorching sun reducing them to 69/2 after Dhawan miscued one against the turn to be caught at slip.

Having remained under cover with the ground under water, the outfield and the wicket was very much unlikely of the belter that the ACA-VCA Stadium used to offer.

The mighty Indian batting line-up had to fight for every run in the first 25 overs, in a phase where Permaul and Sunil Narine had put them the visitors an edge.

Kohli had a stroke of luck when on 64 when skipper Bravo dropped him off his own follow through.

Suresh Raina got an easy reprieve on 13 after being dropped by Lendl Simmons in an easy catch as the Windies fielding looked ordinary.


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Oz dominate after Warner, Clarke tons

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 23 November 2013 | 21.24

BRISBANE: David Warner and Michael Clarke scored dominant centuries to put Australia firmly in control of the first Ashes Test on Saturday and leave England needing an unlikely 537 for victory at the end of Day three at the Gabba.

Scorecard

The hosts declared at 401 for seven an hour before stumps and compounded their advantage by removing Michael Carberry and Jonathan Trott cheaply to leave England clinging on at 24 for two.

England would need to better the best ever fourth innings run chase in Test cricket by 143 runs to get the 561 runs for victory but more realistically will look to dig in and hope the rainstorms forecast for Brisbane materialise.

Barring a 15-minute rain delay before lunch, the weather failed England on Saturday and the day instead belonged to belligerent opener Warner and his cultured captain.

Put in the driving seat when their bowlers dismissed the tourists for 136 at the Gabba on Friday, the pair gleefully grasped the controls and raced away from England in a 158-run partnership for the third wicket.

Warner hammered 124 off 154 balls for his fourth test century and first against England, while Clarke's 113 came off 130 balls for the 25th hundred of his career and sixth in the Ashes.

Such days have been rare in a miserable year for Australia, who failed to win a single test in back-to-back series defeats in India and England, and the packed house at the Gabba revelled in the summer sunshine.

Australia had resumed on 65 without loss but Chris Rogers was gone, caught at point from Stuart Broad's first delivery, before Warner had the five runs he needed for his half century.

That was clearly never the extent of Warner's ambition, though, and with Clarke having weathered an early storm of short bowling and looking settled at the other end, he moved inexorably towards the first century of the match.

He had a nervous moment in the last over before lunch when England referred a failed appeal for leg before wicket to the TV umpire, but the replay showed Graeme Swann's delivery missed his front pad and clattered into the bat.

There were another nervous few moments on 99 before Warner found a gap in the covers for two runs off the bowling of Joe Root, the England player he infamously punched in a Birmingham bar before the first Ashes series of the year.

BROAD REVENGE

Warner continued in the same vein after passing the milestone but three balls after smashing Broad for his only six over the bowler's head, he nicked behind and the Englishman had his revenge.

Clarke, meanwhile, passed 1,000 runs at the Gabba and pushed his team's lead past 400 with a four off Broad before punching the ball through the onside for a couple of runs to claim his fifth century at the ground.

Off-spinner Swann ended up with figures of 2-135 after taking some serious punishment from Warner and Clark, including 16 runs in one miserable over.

He did get a measure of retribution, though, by tempting Clarke into stepping out only to miss the line for an ignominious dismissal the Australia skipper's innings did not deserve.

England also got the wickets of opener Chris Rogers (16), Shane Watson (6) and Steve Smith (0) cheaply but debutant George Bailey joined in the run spree with two sixes in his 34.

Brad Haddin, who made 94 in the first innings in his 50th Test match, inflated the score with a 54-ball 53 and Mitchell Johnson pitched in with an unbeaten 39 as even England's vaunted fielding lost its way.

While Carberry was unfortunate to guide a Ryan Harris delivery between his own legs and onto the stumps for a duck, Trott's decision to attack the short ball looked almost suicidal and resulted in him holing out in the deep for nine.

Kevin Pietersen, who almost ran Alastair Cook out on the first ball he faced, had reached three not out at the close of play with his captain set to resume on 11.


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India look to clinch series against WI

VISAKHAPATNAM: A dominant India would look to seal the one-day series by taking an unassailable 2-0 lead against a struggling West Indies, who are proving to be a complete mismatch to the World champions, as the two teams square off in the second match on Sunday.

After a listless performance in the Test series, losing explosive opener Chris Gayle to an injury has added to the woes and worries of the Caribbean side, who now face a do-or-die situation to save the series.

The West Indies were expected to do better in the short format but they have failed to put up a fight as their batsmen continue to struggle.

The reversal of fortunes has eluded the visitors as India cantered to a six-wicket victory with 88 deliveries to spare to take a 1-0 lead in Kochi.

The victory was soothing for the wounded Indian bowlers who were pulverised in the last ODI series against Australia as they could finally exert some pressure on the batting fraternity.

Back after given a rest to heal his shoulder injury in the Test series, Ravindra Jadeja led the spin attack by taking three wickets to bowl the Windies out for a paltry 211.

For a team that had chased down 350-plus totals thrice to win the ODI series against Australia not so long ago, it was a cakewalk as they cruised home by six wickets with 88 deliveries to spare.

Indian trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan have been the force behind the batting as they have shown no target is safe.

Man-of-the-Match Kohli struck 86 in the first ODI and in the process emulated Sir Viv Richards's feat of 5,000 runs from 114 innings as his 133-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (72) set up the chase against the Windies.

After six years of obscurity, it is the talented Sharma who has been a revelation since he was promoted to open against England at Mohali in January this year.

The figures say it all. In 26 matches as an opener, Sharma aggregates 1172 at 53.27, compared to his career total of 3121 (at 37.15), that is more than 37 per cent of the runs.

Sharma relished the role to perfection in India's Champions Trophy victory in June, became the third ever batsman to post a double century before finally getting the Test cap after playing 108 ODIs.

The Test debut too has been of a fairy tale kind as he has posted back-to-back centuries -- 177 and 111*, as he has five consecutive fifty-plus scores in International cricket. He would look to enthrall the spectators at a 'special' venue which is his mom Purnima Sharma's home town.

The ACA-VDCA Stadium has always been lucky for India who have won all the four matches here right from the very first one on April 5, 2005 when a long-haired Dhoni came into prominence with his 123-ball 148 to devastate Pakistanis.

Since then, Kohli with two consecutive centuries here -- against Australia and the West Indies -- has also made this one of his favourite venues as he would be looking forward to a hat-trick of tons.

Nestled on the backdrop of an idyllic Simhachalam range on the outskirts of the port city, the ACA-VDCA Stadium has always been a run-belter but it remains to be seen how the wicket behaves with the two days of incessant rains because of cyclone 'Helen' that hit coastal Andhra on Friday afternoon.

Both the teams opted out of practice to give the groundsmen ample time to get the stadium ready in time and avoid a second successive washout after the one against New Zealand in a T20I in September last year.

The rain has subsided after two days to brighten the hopes as there's no shower forecast for Sunday.

As for the ordinary-looking Windies, the gloom continues even as there has been a change to coloured clothing, a shift in captaincy with an addition of a few limited over 'specialists'.

Cast as 'drunk after a heavy T20 diet by World Cup winner Clive Lloyd, the Windies have a lot to do so as to make an impact. Their Batsmen are not showing the right temperament as was admitted by Test skipper Darren Sammy who too has been criticised for lack of contribution to the team as an all-rounder.

It remains to be seen whether the team think-tank will make any drastic change in their must-win match by dropping the Test skipper, while Kieran Powell may get a look-in after Gayle's unfortunate injury.

The team has been a shadow of their past that toured in 2011 as they had put up a strong fight.

Much would depend on their big-hitters as was shown by wicketkeeper batsman Johnson Charles in the last ODI at Kochi, while the Bravo half-brothers (skipper Dwayne and Darren) and Marlon Samuels too have to get into their act at the batting-friendly surface.

With mystery off-spinner Sunil Narine and pacer Ravi Rampaul joining the squad for the ODI mould, much would depend on the duo as well.

The series will conclude with the third and final one-dayer in Kanpur on November 27.

Teams (from):

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, R Vinay Kumar, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma and Amit Mishra.

West Indies: Dwayne Bravo (c), Johnson Charles (wk), Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Sammy, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Tino Best, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell and Denesh Ramdin.

Match starts: 1.30pm .


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Warner, Clarke put Test beyond England

BRISBANE: David Warner and Michael Clarke both smashed centuries to help stretch Australia's lead over England to a monumental 458 runs with a second innings score of 299 for five at tea on day three of the first Ashes Test on Saturday.

Scorecard

Warner hammered 124 off 154 balls before he was caught behind off Stuart Broad to break up a third wicket partnership of 158 with his captain, who went on to score 113 before his dismissal at the hands of spinner Graeme Swann.

Debutant George Bailey had joined in the batting pyrotechnics with two sixes in his 33 not out with Brad Haddin unbeaten on one as the rain that delayed play for 15 minutes before lunch stayed away and bright sunshine bathed the Gabba.

England, already facing an uphill task to save the Test after being skittled for 136 in reply to Australia's first innings 295 on Friday, got the cheap wickets of opener Chris Rogers (16), Shane Watson (6) and Steve Smith (0).

But they were rare highlights for the tourists in two sessions when they were distinctly second best with Swann coming in for particular punishment from Warner and Clarke.

A six and a one-bounce four were among 16 runs the Englishman conceded to the pair in one over and he finished the second session with figures of 1-113.

Australia had resumed on 65 without loss and Rogers was gone, caught at point from Broad's first delivery, before Warner had the five runs he needed for his half century.

That was clearly never the extent of his ambition and, with Clarke having weathered an early storm of short bowling and looking settled at the other end, Warner moved inexorably towards his first Ashes century.

He had a nervous moment in the last over before lunch when England appealed for leg before wicket and then referred the call to the TV umpire but the replay showed Swann's delivery missing his front pad and clattering into the bat.

Warner had another nervous few balls on 99 before finding a gap in the covers for two runs to claim his fourth test century, celebrating with a gleeful leap into the air.

The runs came of the bowling of Joe Root, the England player Warner infamously punched in a Birmingham bar before the first Ashes series of the year - one of a series of incidents which blighted his year.

Warner continued much in the same vein after passing the milestone but three balls after smashing Broad for his only six over the bowler's head, the Englishman had his revenge.

Clarke passed 1,000 runs at the Gabba and pushed his team's lead past 400 with two fours in one over off Broad before punching the ball through the onside for a couple of runs to claim his 25th Test century and his sixth in Ashes Tests.

Swann got a measure of revenge for the shellacking he had taken by tempting the Australia skipper, who hit his ton off 130 balls with 10 fours and one six, into stepping out only to miss the line for an ignominious dismissal his inning did not deserve.


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