The first Test match of the 3 match series between India and South Africa has been drawn on the final day at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, 30th March 2008. South Africa finished 331/5 with the help of unbeaten 155 from Neil McKenzie, and his solid 157-run partnership with Hashim Amla scored 81.
It's a match that all the bowlers will want to erase from memory as quickly as possible. Even on the fifth day there wasn't much assistance and McKenzie batted superbly to remain unbeaten on 155. Harbhajan finished the match with eight wickets and bowled an astonishing 78.5 overs.
This test match will be remembered for the memorable inning of India's Verendar Sehwag , hitting 319 in just 304 balls in the first inning, made the record of fastest triple century in the history of test cricket in just 278 balls. Rahul Dravid also completed 10,000 runs in test cricket in his inning of 111 runs, his 25th test century.
South Africa skipper Graeme Smith felt the match had provided his team with some much-needed time in Indian conditions ahead of the second Test in Ahmedabad.
"We always knew the quality of the South African batsman, they batted exceptionally well," admitted India captain Anil Kumble.
Match Summary:
South Africa 1st Inning - 540 All Out in 152.5 overs.
India 1st Inning - 627 All Out in 155.1 overs.
South Africa 2nd Inning - 331/5 in 109 overs.
Toss - South Africa, who chose to bat first.
Man of the Match - Virendar Sehwag (India)
Result - Match drawn.
Series - 3-match series level 0-0.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
India vs South Africa, 1st Test Drawn - Sehwag's Fastest Triple Century in vain
Thursday, March 27, 2008
India vs South Africa 1st Test day 2 update - SA 540, India 82/0
Hashim Amla posted 159 as South Africa reached an imposing first-innings total of 540 on day two of the first Test against India at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Thursday, 27th March 2008. India replied strongly with 82/0 in 21 overs at the end of day 2.
Amla's superb innings spanned 262 balls and ended only with a run out, but there was still time for Boucher, who made 70, and Morne Morkel, with a brisk 35, to flog sagging spirits before Harbhajan Singh returned to mop up the tail and finish with 5 for 164.
India has to go a long way on the 3rd day of the match in order to save the test. Sehwag is looking in fine touch with unbeaten 52 runs well supported by Jaffer playing on 25 runs.
India vs South Africa 1st Test Live Score - Hashim Amla hit a century, SA-371/5
Hashim Amla of South Africa hit a fabulous century on the second day of 1st test match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Thursday, 27th March 2008. South Africa is continue to dominate on the second day also.
India has tough task ahead to restrict visitors to below 400. Sreesanth took the only wicket of the morning of AB de Villiers caught by Dhoni on 44 runs.
Hashim Amla plying on 112 along with wicketkeeper Mark Boucher on 5 runs.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
India vs South Africa 1st Test Update - SA 304/4 at stump of day 1
South Africa in commanding position at the stump of day 1, having scored 304 for 4 after winning the toss of the first Test at Chennai. Kumble and Harbhajan did well to get India back into the match after a solid opening partnership between Smith and McKenzie. Kallis and Prince fell cheaply but Amla did well to carry on the good work.
The pitch had nothing for the new ball bowlers but RP Singh and Sreesanth were guilty of giving away too many boundary balls which allowed South Africa to build momentum with ease. All four wickets fell to the spinners - Kumble and Harbhajan - but the pitch has been extremely good for batting. India's fielding was sluggish and there were several appalling half-hearted attempts.
Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith led the way with a 132-run opening partnership, and Hashim Amla built on that with an elegant unbeaten 85 as South Africa seized the initiative on the opening day of this three-Test series.
India has a tough task ahead in order to take control of the match.
India vs South Africa 1st Test Live Score - SA elected to bat, 43/0
South Africa captain Graeme Smith has won the toss and elected to bat against India on day one of the first Test of the 3 match series at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Wednesday, 26th March 2008.
India are playing four specialist bowlers and Irfan Pathan misses out in favour of RP Singh and S Sreesanth. Wasim Jaffer has been retained as opener.
South Africa chose an expected line-up, with three fast bowlers and a lone spinner. Neil McKenzie, coming off a double-hundred in their previous Test, will be join Smith at the top of the order and the duo will hope to lead a strong batting charge.
India have lost only one Test at Chepauk in the last 23 years.
India's Playing Eleven:
Anil Kumble (Captain), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper), Harbhajan Singh, RP Singh, S Sreesanth.
South Africa's Playing Eleven:
Graeme Smith (Captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.
South Africa was 43/0 after 10 overs with Smith on 20 and McKenzie on 21.
England vs New Zealand 3rd Test - England won the series 2-1
England secured their first overseas series victory in three years with a convincing 121-run win on the 5th day of the 3rd and final test in Napier. Monty Panesar delivered a career-best performance as England completed a comprehensive 121-run victory over New Zealand.
New Zealand's impressive debutant, Tim Southee, who clubbed his country's fastest Test half century off 29 balls and finished on 77 off 40 deliveries with nine sixes. However, Monty Panesar was the final-day match-winner and ended with career-best 6 for 126 despite a late mauling from Southee.
The left-arm spinner claimed six for 126 as New Zealand were finally dismissed for 431 shortly after lunch on the final day of the third Test after being set an unlikely victory target of 553.
Match Summary:
England 1st Inning - 253 All Out in 96.1 overs.
New Zealand 1st Inning - 168 All Out in 48.4 overs.
England 1st Inning - 467/7 dec. in 131.5 overs.
New Zealand 2nd Inning - 431 All Out in 118.5 overs.
Toss - England, who chose to bat first.
Man of the Match - Ryan Jay Sidebottom (England)
Man of the Series - Ryan Jay Sidebottom (England)
Result - England won by 121 runs.
Series - England won the 3-match series 2-1.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
India vs South Africa 1 st Test Match Live Score at Chepauk, Chennai
1st test match of the 3 match series between India and South Africa will start on Wedesday, 26th March, 2008 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.
Anil Kumble's sights are firmly fixed on South Africa but at the back of his mind he's also thinking of the three top teams he will encounter later in the year. Graeme Smith remains totally focused on the challenge at hand but he too couldn't stop mentioning what a 'huge' year this is for him and his team.
Neither captain may admit it now but this series could be the start of a heated battle for No. 2. By this time next year one of these sides, if not both, could even be dreaming higher. India have South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia and England lined up in the next twelve months. South Africa have an equally challenging itinerary with India, England and Australia to think of. India is currently at No. 2 with South Africa just two points behind in fourth place. A consistent year for either could alter that.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st Test Live Score - SL lead by 350 runs on 4th day
West Indies has avoided follow on by just 4 runs on the 4th day of the 1st test match at Guyana. West Indies were 279/9 on stump of day 3 requiring 7 more runs to avoig follow on with 1 wickets remaining. West Indies' last wicket-pair of Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell played out 5.5 overs to avert the follow-on but a total of 280 meant Sri Lanka led by 196 before beginning their second innings.
Sri Lanka, in their 2nd inning, despite the loss of Michael Vandort, a thoroughly professional Sri Lankan top order scored at a good rate to extend their lead to 279 by lunch on day four at the Providence Stadium.
Eyeing a declaration late in the day, Sri Lanka's openers came out full of intent. Vandort began with a series of pleasing square-drives and one of his favourite shots, the steer past gully, but failed to press on. Hardly giving Chris Gayle a look as he brought himself on in the tenth over, Vandort tickled one to Denesh Ramdin down the leg side.
Malinda Warnapura played as he had on day one, scoring a lot of runs through point and cover-point. With no threat on a docile track he eased towards another half-century, taking Sri Lanka to 83 for 1 in the company of Sangakkara.
Eng vs NZ 3rd Test Live Score - England 5 wickets away from Series win
England is in the commanding position in the third and final test against New Zealand on the fourth day in Napier. England need just 5 wickets on the last day to win the match and the series. This is the last natch for former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.
Monty Panesar took over from England's quick bowlers as the main threat on the fourth day in Napier as he claimed three wickets to bring a series victory closer. Stuart Broad played his role with another extended spell that yielded two wickets against New Zealand's flimsy middle order and they will start the day five down in a forlorn chase of 553. For a while, as Matthew Bell and Stephen Fleming added 99, there was stubborn resistance in benign conditions but both fell to Panesar in quick succession after tea.
England had batted on for just 35 minutes this morning in the hope that Middlesex left-hander Andrew Strauss, who had resumed overnight on 173, would progress to the first double hundred of his career.
S ovation for former New Zealand captain Fleming, who strode to the crease for his final Test innings and was given a guard of honour by the England side. Fleming, who had needed 53 to finish with a Test average over 40, had achieved that objective and looked on course to claim the 10th century of his illustrious career. Just three overs later, however, Fleming attempted to cut Panesar and instead gave an edge behind to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose standing up to the stumps for 66.
On the final day New Zealand require another 331 runs with 5 wickets remaining.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Eng vs NZ 3rd Test Live Score - Pietersen hit a century, Eng-240/7
Kevin Petersen of Engkand hit a brilliant century 129 runs on the first day of the 3rd and final test against New Zealand on Sturday, 22nd March 2008 at McLean Park, Napier.Kevin Pietersen ended England's century drought and prevented a complete capitulation on day one of the third and deciding Test.
The Hampshire batsman hit a superb 129 after nearly five hours at the crease - becoming the first member of England's top six to hit a first innings century for eight Test matches - after New Zealand's inexperienced attack made a mockery of pre-match predictions.
The tourists' top order again failed to deliver and were reduced to four for three before Pietersen's brilliantly defiant ton, which included 12 fours and a six, helped a recovery to 240 for seven at the close at McLean Park, winning the toss and deciding to bat first on a flat-looking wicket. It was Pietersen's first century in six Tests and his first time past 50 in 10 Test innings.
England named an unchanged side and entered the final Test with all the momentum having won the second Test at Wellington.
New Zealand were without seamer Kyle Mills (knee) and all-rounder Jacob Oram (hip) forcing the selection of debutants Tim Southee and Grant Elliott.
Friday, March 21, 2008
India vs South Africa - 2008 Test Series Schedule
2008 South Africa Tour of India
South Africa tour of India will start with test series as the first test starting from 26th March, 2008. Find the complete schedule of Test Series with date, timing and stadium information.
Test Series Schedule:
1st Test Match:
Wednesday, 26th March - Sunday, 30th March 2008
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
2nd Test Match:
Thursday, 3rd April - Monday, 7th April 2008
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad
3rd Test Match:
Friday, 11th April - Tuesday, 15th April 2008
Green Park, Kanpur
Test Series will be followed by One Day Series.
England vs New Zealand Live Score - 3rd and Final Test Match in Napier
New Zealand have named two uncapped players in their team for Saturday's deciding Test against England in Napier. The teenage fast bowler, Tim Southee, and Grant Elliott, have both been called into the side at the expense of Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram. In addition, the offspinner, Jeetan Patel, has been recalled in place of Mark Gillespie, on a flat and hard pitch that is expected to favour the batsmen.
England, expected to name an unchanged side, although the captain, Michael Vaughan, said that they would wait until the morning to assess the fitness of Paul Collingwood and James Anderson.
For New Zealand, Southee's name had been in the frame ever since he was called into the squad as cover for Mills, who reported a minor tear at the top of his left calf in the aftermath of the Wellington Test. He performed impressively during the Twenty20 series against England that preceded the one-dayers, and then travelled to Malaysia for the Under-19 World Cup, where he was named Man of the Tournament for his haul of 17 wickets at 6.64, as New Zealand reached the semi-finals of the competition.
Teams for the 3rd and final test match:
England:
Michael Vaughan (captain), Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose (wk), Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.
New Zealand:
Daniel Vettori (captain), Matthew Bell, Jamie How, Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Mathew Sinclair, Grant Elliott, Brendon McCullum (wk), Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Chris Martin.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
India vs South Africa Test Series - Indian Team Squad
Murali Karthik has been included as the third spinner in the side for the first two Test matches after fast bowler Ishant Sharma was ruled out of the first Test following an injury. The squad apart from this one replacement remained unchanged from the one that toured Australia.
However, Murali twisted his ankle in a Deodhar Trophy match on Monday and leg spinner Piyush Chawla has been named as a back up spinner.
The team for the first two Test matches:
Anil Kumble (Captain)
MS Dhoni (wicket keeper)
Sachin Tendulkar
Sourav Ganguly
Rahul Dravid
VVS Laxman
Yuvraj Singh
Virender Sehwag
Wassim Jaffer
S Sreesanth
RP Singh
Irfan Pathan
Harbhajan Singh and
Murali Karthik
Dhoni and Harbhajan will have to undergo a fitness test on March 21. If Dhoni fails in the fitness test, he will be replaced by Dinesh Karthik.
Chawla has been kept as back up in case Murali is unable to recover in time for the first Test begiining from March 26.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Englan beat New Zealand by 126 runs in 2nd Test to level series
England won the 2nd test match by 126 runs against New Zealand on the fifth and final day of the match at Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Ryan Sidebottom ended England's long wait for an overseas victory by claiming a five-wicket haul to secure a 126-run triumph over New Zealand in the second Test.
After resuming on their overnight 242 for 6, their hopes had been invested in their last recognised pair of Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori, but Sidebottom dismissed Vettori for a duck with his sixth ball of the morning, and though McCullum blazed merrily for a boundary-laden 85, the match was wrapped up with half an hour to spare before lunch.
England were made to work hard for their win, however. New Zealand's total was the highest they had ever recorded in the fourth innings. McCullum had defied England for over three hours at the crease, hitting nine fours and three sixes.
The teams will now head to Napier for a series decider starting on Friday.
Match Summary:
England 1st Inning - 342 All Out in 107 overs.
New Zealand 1st Inning - 198 All Out in 57.5 overs.
England 1st Inning - 293 All Out in 97.4 overs.
New Zealand 2nd Inning - 311 All Out in 100.3 overs.
Toss - New Zealand, who chose to field first
Man of the Match - Raymond Ambrose (England)
Result - England won by 126 runs
Series - 3-match series level 1-1
Sunday, March 16, 2008
England vs New Zealand Second and Final Test Final Day Live Score
England is in strong position by restricting New Zealand on 242/6 at the stumps of fourth day of the second and final test at Basin Reserve, Wellington. England need 4 wickets to level the series and New Zealand require another 196 runs to win the series 2-0 on the final day of the match.
England inched closer to a series-levelling victory on a blustery fourth day in Wellington, reducing New Zealand to 242 for 6 at stumps, but they didn't help their cause in spilling at least five chances. Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram counterattacked with an aggressive sixth-wicket stand of 69 before Ryan Sidebottom removed Oram with the new ball shortly before the close.
Fielding aside, it was a fine performance by England's bowlers - led, of course, by Sidebottom whose stature grows with every match. He ought to have had five wickets to his name by the close, not 3 for 72, but continues to be Michael Vaughan's go-to bowler. Supporting him was Stuart Broad, the coltish young bowler drafted in with James Anderson to replace Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard. Broad improved upon an encouraging (if mousey) display in the first innings to produce fine figures of 2 for 38 from 16 tight, fast overs - though he was officially warned by Rudi Koertzen for stepping onto the pitch, a problem which afflicted him in his debut Test against Sri Lanka last year too.
New Zealand's last recognized pair Brandun McCullum and capatain Daniel Vittori are in the middle on 43 and 0 respectively.Friday, March 14, 2008
South Africa is No.1 in ICC ODI Ranking after clean sweep aginst Bangladesh
South Africa displaced Australia from the No. 1 Spot of ICC ODI Ranking after beating Bangladesh by 7 wickets (with 94 balls remaining) in the 3rd and final ODI on Friday, 14th Marcf at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
A comprehensive all-round rout of Bangladesh in the third and final one-dayer in Mirpur not only sealed a 3-0 series win for South Africa but also propelled them to the top of the ICC one-day rankings, displacing Australia. South Africa were handed the victory on a platter after another tepid batting display by Bangladesh, who folded up for a paltry 143. Bangladesh's trio of left-arm spinners made the South African batsmen work hard for the runs, but yet again, they just didn't have the cushion of runs to work with.
Bangladesh were let down once more by their batsmen, who persisted with their strategy of freeing their arms during the Powerplays, and refused to buckle down and build an innings while wickets fell in quick succession. Despite winning the toss in all three games, not once did they even come close to posting 200.
Series Summary:
Bangladesh - 143 All Out in 42.5 overs.
South Africa - 147/3 in 34.2 overs.
Result - South Africa won by 7 wickets (with 94 balls remaining)
Man of the Match - Albie Morkel
Man of the Series - Graeme Smith
Series - South Africa won the 3-match series 3-0
Sunday, March 9, 2008
BAN vs SA 1st ODI Live Score - Bangladesh 178 All Out
South Africa restricted Bangladesh to 178 in 49 overs at Chittagong Divisional Stadium on 9 March 2008 in the 3 match ODI Series in Bangladesh. For South Africa, a 3-0 sweep would be enough to take the Proteas back to the top of the ICC one-day rankings.
Tamim Iqbal played a lone hand with a measured 82 but lacked support from the rest of the batting line-up as Bangladesh ended on a disappointing 178 after opting to bat first in Chittagong. Andre Nel and Paul Harris gave little away and shared five wickets between them to give South Africa the upper hand in their bid to go one-up in the three-match series.
After losing the toss, the South African opening bowlers did their best to exploit whatever little juice there was on a pitch which was expected to play slow and low. Andre Nel and Charl Langeveldt bent their backs and got several deliveries to fizz past the left-handers, in particular Junaid Siddique, who for the most part was unsure of his off stump. Junaid was consistently beaten for pace by Langeveldt, and not surprisingly, he was the first to perish, miscuing a pull to Paul Harris at mid-on.
New Zealand won 1st test by 189 runs against England at Hamilton
New Zealand beat England by 189 runs in the 1st test at Hamilton with a session to spare to go one-up in this three-Test series. It was only their eighth win in 89 Tests against England.
The day started with both sides talking up their chances, and yet by lunch England were on their way to defeat after Kyle Mills blew away their top order with four wickets in five overs of hostile seam bowling while fellow seamer Chris Martin finished with three for 33. The tourists, who were harbouring hopes of victory at the start of the final day at Seddon Park, were dismissed in only 55 overs.
Daniel Vettori had batted on for half an hour this morning before declaring to set England a target of 300 in 81 overs.But even a spirited last wicket partnership of 33 spanning 12 overs between Bell, who finished unbeaten on 54 including five fours and two sixes, and Monty Panesar could not save England.
All-rounder Jacob Oram completed England's rout in late afternoon when Panesar's 44 minutes of defiance was ended when he edged behind to seal New Zealand's triumph.
Match Summary:
New Zealand 1st Inning - 470 All Out in 138.3 overs.
England 1st Inning - 348 All Out in 173.1 overs.
New Zealand 2nd Inning - 177/9 wickets dec. in 55 overs.
England 1st Inning - 110 All Out in 55 overs.
Toss - New Zealand, who chose to bat first
Man of the Match - Kyle Mills (New Zealand)
Result - New Zealand won by 189 runs.
Series - New Zealand led the 3-match series 1-0
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
India won CB Series, beat Australia in the 2nd Final at Gabba
In a thrilling match, the 2nd final of Commonwealth Bank (CB) Series, India survived the final hurdle and fightback against Australia to win a thrilling ODI by nine runs and claim the series 2-0.
Irfan Pathan took two wickets in the final over with Australia needing 13 to win, after a half-century from James Hopes had inspired the hosts' fightback.
Chasing 259 after Sachin Tendulkar posted a classy 91, Australia struggled to recover from the loss of Adam Gilchrist, who scored two in his last ever international innings, and skipper Ricky Ponting for one.
Matthew Hayden (55) and the middle order provided some resistance to set up a nail biting finish but the India bowlers skittle the tail to clinch victory.
India failed a higher total after Tendulkar's innings, Yuvraj Singh's 38 and 36 from Mahendra Singh Dhoni had set the platform. A lower order collapse prevented a more daunting total but in reply, Australia made a nervous start and lost Gilchrist in the first over.
Praveen Kumar once again put a brilliant perfomance took 4 wickets well supported by Harbhajan Singh.
Match Summary:
India - 258/9 in 45.5 overs.
- 249 All Out in 50 overs.
Result - India won by 9 runs .
Man of the Match - Praveen Kumar (India)
Man of the Series - Nathan Bracken (Australia)
Ind Vs Aus 2nd Final of CB Series Live Score - India elected to bat
India have won the toss and elected to bat in the 2nd final of CB Series Ishant Sharma is out with a finger injury that he had sustained in Sydney. S Sreesanth comes into the side in his place.
Australia also have made one change, bringing in Stuart Clark in place of Brad Hogg.
India looking forward to Australia is in danger of losing a tri-series that has been so important to the country over the past 29 years. It may be a last match for dynamic wicketkeeper batsman Adam Gilchrist and spinner Brad Hogg retiring from international will be a sad ending for them. By looking the current form of Australian team, an early and empty-handed exit would not be unexpected.
While Australia are low, India are on a massive high. The young team accepted many handshakes from local and Indian well wishers during their travel from Sydney to Brisbane on Monday and they were relaxed by their success. Tendulkar in his last tour of Down Under scored a century in the 1st final at Sydney, the environment in Indian dressing room is much happier than Australians.
Only three times have Australia lost the opening game of the home finals and come back to take a three-match series - twice against South Africa in the 1990s and once in 2005-06 against Sri Lanka.
Ishant Sharma (finger) and Tendulkar (groin) have nagging concerns - the batsman's injury has been troubling him for a while - but both are confident of playing.
India's Playing Eleven:
Mahinndar Singh Dhoni (Captain,W/K), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Shreeshant, Piyush Chawla.
Australia's Playing Eleven:
Ricky Ponting (Captain), Adam Gilchrist(WK), Matthew Hayden, James Hopes, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Brett Lee.
Monday, March 3, 2008
India wins ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia
India won the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia after beating South Africa in a thrilling final. Set a revised target of 116 to win from 25 overs after the second innings was reduced because of rain, South Africa needed 26 runs from the remaining two overs but despite the best efforts of captain Wayne Parnell and wicketkeeper Bradley Barnes, the junior Proteas fell just 12 runs short.
This is India’s second U/19 Cricket World Cup title. Dozens of India flags fluttered around the ground in support of the team with the 6,000 or so fans enjoying the festive atmosphere.
In the end they nearly descended into delirium as a smiling Virat Kohli accepted the cup from ICC President Ray Mali and lifted it above his head as the confetti fell from the stormy Kuala Lampur sky. His side was probably the most consistent during this tournament and with its talent, application and team spirit there can be no doubt the title was fully deserved.
But the runner-up must not be forgotten – South Africa contributed hugely to the success of the tournament and helped to make the final so enthralling.
Scores in brief:India - 159 All Out in 45.4 overs.
South Africa - 103/8 in 25 overs.
Result - India Under-19s won by 12 runs (D/L method)
Man of the Match - AK Argal (India Under-19s)
Man of the Series - TG Southee
Sunday, March 2, 2008
India won 1st Final of CB Series - Tendulkar hit Century
Sachin Tendulkar's magnificent unbeaten 117 and shared a 123-run fourth-wicket stand with Rohit Sharma, led India to a thrilling six-wicket victory over Australia in the 1st final of the Commonwealth Bank Series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.
Australia a victory target of 240 thanks to Matthew Hayden's 82, India secured the win in the 45th over when Mahendra Singh Dhoni found the boundary to hand the tourists the early initiative in the best-of-three final.
Tendulkar's masterly 117 - his 42nd ODI ton - came off just 120 deliveries and included 10 f0urs. The little master was well supported by youngster Rohit Sharma, who hit a brisk 66 off 87 balls put India on the path of success.
India reduced to 87/3 after 19 overs, the duo frustrated the Australian attack for more than 20 overs to lead the tourists from 87 for three to 210 before Sharma's innings came to an end just a few overs after he had registered his half-century from 70 balls.
Match Summary:
- 239/8 in 50 overs.
India - 242/4 in 45.5 overs.
Result - India won by 6 wickets (with 25 balls remaining)
Man of the Match - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Ind vs Aus 1st Final of CBS - India restricted Australia to 239/8
India restricted Australia at the modest total of 239/8 in the 1st final of CB Series at SCG, thanks to brilliant performance by Indian bowlers. Australia fight back as Hayden scored 82 0ff 88 balls after initial strike by Praveen Kumar, reduced Australia to 24/3 after 6 overs.
Australia reached 100 in just 17 overs, but India fight back strongly by spinners to restrict Australia to 173/6 after 39 overs.
For India Praveen Kumar took 2 wickets for 40 runs, Harbhajan Singh also took 38-2 well supported by Chawla conceded just 33 runs in 10 overs. Patahn and Ishant Sharma took 1 wicket each.
For Australia only Hayden and Hussey contributed some useful run with 82 and 45 runs respectively.
India has a good chance to win this 1st final at this stage as the target is 240 runs in 50 overs. All the Best India.
Ind Vs Aus 1st Final of CB Series Live Score, Aus- 115/3 in 21 overs
The first of the best-of-three finals of the Commonwealth Bank (CB) Series, between India and Australia, has started on Sunday, 2nd March 2008 at Sydney Cricket Ground SCG. Ricky Ponting's good form at the toss continued as he won his sixth in nine, exactly as many as his Indian counterpart has lost in this tournament, and decided to bat first.
The Australians went in with an expected line-up - Matthew Hayden replaced Brad Haddin from the previous game.
India sprung a surprise, bringing in legspinner Piyush Chawla for his first game in, and against, Australia. Sreesanth was left out, which meant Ishant Sharma would share the new ball with Praveen Kumar, with Irfan Pathan being the other medium-pace bowler in the side.
Australia's Playing Eleven:
Ricky Ponting (Captain), Adam Gilchrist(WK), Matthew Hayden, James Hopes, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee.
India's Playing Eleven:
Mahinndar Singh Dhoni (Captain,W/K), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Piyush Chawla.
After a rush of wickets, Australia are steadying the ship with Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds digging deep. Earlier, Praveen Kumar took the scalps of Adam Gilchirst and Ricky Ponting. Ishant Sharma removed Michael Clarke. Australia was 115/3 after 21 overs.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
India vs Australia - 1st Final of CB Series at Sydney
India's long and controversial tour of Down Under is in the final stages as the two fiercely competitive teams face off for the first of the best of three finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series (CBS), on Sunday 2nd March 2008, at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Despite losing to Australia twice in a row in the league phase, India are confident they have the advantage going into the CB Series finals. Much of that confidence comes from their two victories in the last three games, both against Sri Lanka, and their fight against Australia despite losing to them.
It has been a bitter campaign between the sides, especially since the second Test in Sydney in early January, but the Indians can gain revenge for their 2-1 loss in the Test series by upsetting the home side in the best-of-three finals.
India have enough batting strength to derail the Australian bowlers like Tendulkar, back in form with 63 against Sri Lanka in the last league game. Virendar Sehwag is inconsistent but he has worth to play in the finals.
Gautam Gambhir has been the highest run getter in the CB Series and the only Indian batsman besides Dhoni, who has looked to take the attack to the opposition. With two centuries, the last of which came against Australia in Sydney, the venue of the first final on Sunday. Yuraj is also back in form with Rohit Sharma and Uthappa gives strength in the middle.
The bowling looks good with Ishant Sharma's pace and Irfan Pathan's swing tormenting the Australian top order. Adding to their woes will be Praveen Kumar whose deadly out swingers swung the pendulum India's way in the match against Sri Lanka.
Hope it will be a good contest between two top ODI teams.
My Indian team for the 1st final:
Virendar Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Dhoni, Irhfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Munaf patel
