It will be tough for us on day five - Dhawan

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has admitted that Team India is in a tough position in the third Test and will find it difficult to save this game. His team was placed at 112 for 4 in their fourth-innings' in pursuit of 445 runs. "It is going to be hard for us tomorrow," said Dhawan, who scored 37 runs in the second innings. "It is not easy to bat out there," Dhawan said. "Sometimes it is keeping straight, sometimes it is turning. We are going to look to build a big partnership and spend time in the middle. England is in a good position at the moment."

Match fixing is a crime in New Zealand

New Zealand lawmakers have unanimously supported legislation which would make match fixing a criminal offense in time for next year's Cricket World Cup. A bill providing penalties of up to seven years in prison for those who try to influence the outcome of a sports event or race passed its first reading in Parliament and could become law by the end of the year. Justice minister Judith Collins cited the recent life ban imposed on New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent for involvement in match fixing as an indication New Zealand is not immune to corruption in sport. Collins said "match-fixing is a growing problem internationally and has been described as the number one threat to sport."

ICC allow India to appeal Jadeja's fine

The International Cricket Council has backtracked and allowed India to appeal Ravindra Jadeja's fine for an incident with England's James Anderson. Jadeja was found guilty of "conduct contrary to the spirit of the game" on a downgraded charge, and fined 50 percent of his match fee from the first test at Trent Bridge, where he and Anderson had a confrontation at lunch on day two. The ICC said then the fine could not be appealed, but changed its mind after India insisted its all-rounder was blameless. The ICC says in a release that Jadeja's appeal will be heard at the same time as Anderson's hearing on Friday. Anderson faces a higher-level charge of pushing and abusing Jadeja, and could be banned for up to four tests.

Match fixing is a crime in New Zealand

New Zealand lawmakers have unanimously supported legislation which would make match fixing a criminal offense in time for next year's Cricket World Cup. A bill providing penalties of up to seven years in prison for those who try to influence the outcome of a sports event or race passed its first reading in Parliament and could become law by the end of the year. Justice minister Judith Collins cited the recent life ban imposed on New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent for involvement in match fixing as an indication New Zealand is not immune to corruption in sport. Collins said "match-fixing is a growing problem internationally and has been described as the number one threat to sport."

England eyeing victory

England was closing in on a series-leveling victory in the third test after reducing India to 112-4 in its second innings and leading the tourists by 332 runs on day four at the Rose Bowl. Looking to end its worst run without a test win in 28 years, England was in its strongest position yet after declaring its second innings on 205-4 at an early tea for a lead of 444 runs. India, 1-0 up in the series, then lost a rash of key wickets in the final session. Murali Vijay (12) was run out with a direct hit by Stuart Broad from square leg after Shikhar Dhawan unnecessarily dashed for a single. Cheteshwar Pujara (2) fell to Moeen Ali, Dhawan (37) became Joe Root's first test wicket before Ali struck again when Virat Kohli was caught behind (28). India, needing to bat through day five for an unlikely draw, has Ajinkya Rahane (18) and Rohit Sharma (6) at the crease.

England captain Alastair Cook had earlier hit an unbeaten 70 in its second innings as the home side declared for a second time in the third test. Like the three previous days, the fourth went according to plan for the home side. Cook, whose captaincy and position in the side was under intense scrutiny ahead of the test due to his poor batting form and perceived leadership shortcomings, continued to look confident and assured at the crease after hitting 95 in the first innings. His resurgence with the bat was marked when he swept Ravindra Jadeja past short leg for four and his 37th test 50. Earlier, James Anderson quickly wrapped up India's first innings within 22 minutes at the start of the day. He dismissed India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (50) and Mohammed Shami (5) to finish with his 16th 5-for in tests. Both were caught behind by Jos Buttler. India, on 323-8 overnight, added only seven runs to its total. With a 239-run lead, England did not enforce the follow-on, deciding to give strike bowlers Anderson, 5-53 off 26 overs, and Broad, 3-66, a chance to rest before the second declaration, which was already anticipated to be around the tea interval.

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Root praises Cook

Alastair Cook, the English captain, was under the scanner for his poor form and shabby captaincy. However, things have turned in the third Test match. He has scored back to back half centuries in the match while his team is on the verge of defeating India. Joe Root has praised his captain for turning things around. "As days of cricket go, that's one that you want to have," Joe Root said. "A lot of credit has to go to Cooky, the way he set the game up there with the bat and the way he judged his innings was pretty much down to a tee. Then to go and take four wickets was fantastic. We wanted at least a couple but to make good inroads into their top order was really pleasing. Root smashed 56 off 41 deliveries, taking 38 to make 50, as England piled on the runs. Cook's 70 came from 114 balls. When Root was bowled by Jadeja, Cook walked off with him to the pavilion, prompting England's declaration. Jadeja also dismissed Gary Ballance for 38 off 48 deliveries, and Ian Bell, 23 from 21 balls. Opener Sam Robson made 13 before edging Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Dhawan at first slip.

Anderson in another confrontation row

James Anderson was involved in another flashpoint with an Indian batsman just three days before he learns if he will be suspended for his part in a confrontation during the first Test at Trent Bridge. At the end of a brilliant day for Anderson, coincidentally his 32nd birthday, he appeared to get involved in an exchange of words with Ajinkya Rahane after bowling the final ball of the last session. Rahane reacted to Anderson’s comment, leading the umpire, Australian Rod Tucker, to tell both players to calm down. Rahane was then ushered away by batting partner Rohit Sharma. Anderson is already on a level three charge for pushing and abusing Jadeja from the first test at Trent Bridge, an incident which England accused India of "making a mountain out of a molehill" about. Anderson's hearing regarding the incident is on Friday. If the charge is upheld, he could be banned for four test matches. "I wasn't aware that was at all the case, I'm sure it was absolutely nothing," Root said, while Dhawan conceded that verbal exchanges occasionally happen on the pitch. "That's normal. It is normal in cricket. It happens sometimes and you just go on with it," Dhawan said. Root believes that Anderson can lead the charge for England on the final day, as it looks to end its run of seven test defeats in nine.

"We have got six wickets to take tomorrow. If we can do that, we are right back in the series," Root said. "Hopefully he can play a big part along with the rest of the guys. We are really hungry for a win, obviously it has been a long time now and that is all we are really bothered about." “That is pretty average from Anderson after bowling so well,” said Rahul Dravid on BBC’s Test Match Special.

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Kallis retires from international cricket

South Africa's Jacques Kallis retired from all international cricket , as one of the game's greatest all-rounders admitted that a swansong at the World Cup next year was "a bridge too far." The 38-year-old Kallis retired from tests and Twenty20s in December but remained available for one-day internationals in the hope of making the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February at the age of 39. But he conceded that wouldn't happen, and said he came to his decision to give up all internationals after the recent ODI series in Sri Lanka, where he scored 0, 1 and 4 and didn't bowl. "I realized in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup was a bridge too far. Ï just knew on that tour that I was done," Kallis said in a statement released by Cricket South Africa. Kallis is widely considered South Africa's greatest player, and the best all-rounder of the modern era. "To say that we will miss him on the playing field is stating the obvious," CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said. "Each one of us from this day on will treasure the many fond memories of his awesome career."

Kallis gave up tests last year as the third-highest run-scorer behind India's Sachin Tendulkar and Australia's Ricky Ponting. He finished with a century in his final test to take his run total over an 18-year career to 13,289, one more than Rahul Dravid in fourth. He also made 45 centuries in his 166 tests, which is second on the all-time list to Tendulkar's 51 hundreds. His average of 55.37 is better than both Tendulkar's and Ponting's. As well as being a world-class batsman, Kallis also took 292 test wickets as a mean medium-fast bowler, placing him fifth on South Africa's list of most successful test bowlers. He played 328 one-dayers, having made his debut in January 1996, and was seventh on the list of all-time run-scorers in the 50-over format with 11,579 runs. His 273 ODI wickets is South Africa's second-best career return. Nicknamed "King Kallis" in his home country, his all-around ability even extended to fielding as he took 200 catches in tests — joint second all-time — and 131 catches in ODIs. "It has been an amazing journey," Kallis said. Only Kallis' outstanding career won't now end with a World Cup victory, the one accolade he longed for with South Africa yet to win the title.

Kallis said he would still play for Australia's Sydney Thunder on a two-year contract and hopes to appear in the Indian Premier League next year after winning it this season with Kolkata Knight Riders. Former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood wrote on Twitter "He scored runs for fun, swung it both ways, could hit you in the head and had hands like buckets. Congrats @jacqueskallis75 #TheBest." Former England captain Michael Vaughan called Kallis the greatest ever all-rounder. "Jacques is a legend," new South Africa test captain Hashim Amla said. "Sportsmen like him only come around once every five decades."


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Moeen banned by ICC from wearing wristbands

England all-rounder Moeen Ali was banned from displaying political messages on the field by the International Cricket Council, after wearing wristbands supporting Palestinians during the third test. Ali wore wristbands with “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” while batting against India at the Rose Bowl. Match referee David Boon told Ali, a Muslim, to not wear the wristbands anymore, an ICC release said. Ali was not cited. “Whilst he is free to express his views on such causes away from the cricket field, he is not permitted to wear the wristbands on the field of play, and warned not to wear the bands again during an international match,” the statement said. ICC clothing rules do not allow displays of messages relating to political, religious or racial activities during internationals. The England and Wales Cricket Board didn’t believe Ali was committing an offence for his act of solidarity with Gaza’s Palestinians, who are in an ongoing war with Israel.

SA regains top spot with series win

South Africa frustrated Sri Lanka’s spin attack with a defensive batting strategy to earn a draw in the second test and win the two-match series 1-0, launching them back to No. 1 in the world test rankings. South Africa finished the day on 159-8 as Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath bagged five wickets — the 18th time he has taken five or more in an innings. But Herath couldn’t prevent the draw after Sri Lanka set a 369-run target for the visitors on the final day of the test. The series win gives the South Africans 124 ranking points, one above Australia, according to the International Cricket Council. The South Africans were defensive from the start, scoring just 159 runs in 111 overs in nearly six hours of batting at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Sri Lanka hit back strongly in the last session by claiming three wickets, but could not quite get there. Herath finished with 5-40, while off-spinner Dilruwan Perera was 3-60. Sri Lanka made 421 in its first innings and declared its second innings on 229-8. South Africa scored 282 in its first innings. South Africa won the first test by 153 runs in Galle.

Phillip Hughes enters domestic record books

Phillip Hughes set a domestic batting record when he plundered an unbeaten 202 in Australia A’s one-day game against South Africa A. Hughes, who was dropped from Australia’s first XI last year, hit a six off the last ball of the innings to raise his double-century. It was the highest score by an Australian batsman in a List A one-day game, beating David Warner’s 197 for New South Wales against Victoria last October. The 25-year-old lefthander averages 32.65 in 26 tests and 36.66, with two centuries and a high of 138 not out, in 20 ODIs. His 202 against South Africa’s second-string lineup came off 151 balls and contained 18 boundaries and six sixes.

England, India teams observe minute’s silence

England players commemorated cricketers who gave their lives in World War I by wearing on their shirts the logo of Help for Heroes, a charity helping military personnel wounded in conflict. Along with Team India, they also stood for a minute’s silence before the start of play on day three.

Disappointed but confident

Ajinkya Rahane expressed his disappointment in the manner he got out playing in the first innings of the third Test match against England. He was dismissed by Moeen Ali. “I was really disappointed in the manner I got out. I was concentrating really well at that point of time. I thought it was a loose delivery and played it, but the shot was a miscued one. In the end, it was a bad shot. I just need to learn from this and bat well in the second innings,” he said. However, he was still confident that Team India can avoid the follow-on. “England’s bowlers bowled really well,” Rahane said. “They bowled in good areas and it was tough to get runs. We need a good partnership tomorrow, then anything can happen.”

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England in total control

England’s bowling attack reduced India to 323-8 in ideal batting conditions to leave the home side with a commanding lead of 246 runs at the end of day three of the third test at the Rose Bowl. India lost three wickets in the final session, with Stuart Broad removing Bhuvneshwar Kumar (19) shortly before the close, while Ravindra Jadeja was out lbw for 31 to James Anderson and Ajinkya Rahane fell for 54 in reply to England’s first innings total of 569-7 declared. Rahane was India’s highest scoring batsman and played elegantly for his third test half-century, until he scooped the ball up high off Moeen Ali and substitute fielder Sean Terry got underneath to dismiss him shortly after tea. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is unbeaten at the crease on 50, his 31st test half-century, alongside Mohammed Shami, who is 4 not out. Dhoni smashed Broad through the covers for four with a typically defiant shot to bring up the milestone from 103 balls after Kumar, who has made three half-centuries so far in this series, edged Broad low into Gary Ballance in the slips.

Anderson dismissed Jadeja with a low in-swinging delivery that rattled into Jadeja’s pads. It was a brilliant delivery and a simple decision for the umpire. Anderson also removed Virat Kohli (39) to add to his dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan (6) at the end of day two. Kohli fell at the beginning of the second session for 39, leaving India on 136-4, after Alastair Cook who took a neat low catch at first slip. Kohli’s wicket had already escaped England once on 32, when he edged Chris Jordan’s second ball of the session high towards Cook, who could get only fingertips to it on its way for four. But Kohli’s luck lasted for only seven more runs before Cook had an easier opportunity. Rohit Sharma then recklessly threw away his wicket shortly before tea to leave India struggling at 214-5. Sharma knew India was looking to bat for as long as possible but he undermined those hopes by wasting a great partnership with Rahane. They had combined for 74 from 110 deliveries, until Sharma heaved a tame delivery from spinner Moeen directly to Broad at mid-off in the penultimate over before tea. Rahane had reached his 50 with a quick single off Ali. It took 92 balls, and included five boundaries.

Earlier, fast bowler Broad removed overnight batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay in the opening session, as England begun the day the brighter of the two sides. Resuming on his overnight score of 4, Pujara settled quickly, drilling Anderson down the ground for four with a sublime on-drive. But he fell on 24 at 56-2, unable to get his glove out of the way of a Broad bouncer and giving wicketkeeper Jos Buttler his first test catch. After scoring 146 in the first test and 95 in the second, opening batsman Vijay was also looking in dangerous form, despite a tentative start to the opening session. He took 20 balls before adding to his total of 11, but did so by hitting Broad for four, guiding the ball behind Joe Root at gully. Vijay went on to reach 35 comfortably, before Broad agitated him with an out-swinging delivery he was tempted by, and then bowling him with his next delivery, getting an inside edge down into the stumps.

Dhoni hurt by ICC fine

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he was "very hurt" by the International Cricket Council's decision to fine RavindraJadeja 50 percent of his match fee after an incident with England bowler James Anderson. Dhoni put up a fierce defense of his teammate, who was fined by the ICC for a level one breach of "conduct contrary to the spirit of the game."Facing pressures of his own, England captain Alastair Cook said his teammates still want him to be captain but denied that leading his country had damaged his form with the bat.The incident involving Jadeja and Anderson happened as the players were walking off for lunch on day two of the drawn first test at Trent Bridge."I would not like to take any other individual name in this but we started walking and there is an individual (Anderson) who used foul language against Jadeja," Dhoni said. "I had to step in the middle and by the time we reached the ropes, I thought the thing had diffused. By the time we were through the members area I was ahead of Jadeja and again something happened. Something was told to him and he just turned to the individual and after that he was pushed and he barely gained his balance. On the basis of that, he is fined."

Anderson has a hearing for a level three charge of pushing and abusing Jadeja on Aug. 1, the day after the end of the third test. If the charge is upheld, he could be banned for four test matches."If somebody is saying something to you from behind and you turn and you look, that is not aggressive," Dhoni said. "I feel there were a lot of things that were neglected. I don't think there was a bit of aggression (from Jadeja) and that is the reason I am very hurt by the wording that has been given."When asked if he wants the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to appeal the sanction imposed on Jadeja, Dhoni replied: "Definitely."He also cautioned that the ICC fine could discourage players from reporting incidents to the match referee."I am better off abusing the guy or whatever because 50 percent of my match MONEY has gone because of the other guy abusing me," Dhoni said.

AllrounderJadeja blasted 68 runs off 57 balls in the second innings as India won the second test at Lord's to lead the five match series 1-0. Jadeja took the wicket of Anderson in the first innings and ran him out to win the match in the second."The more he plays, the better he will get," Dhoni said of Jadeja. "When he starts being himself, you can see he has got a lot of talent."Meanwhile, Cook believes his wretched batting form for England has not been influenced by his captaincy role."There is nothing worse when you don't score runs and feeling you have let the other 10 guys down," Cook said. "Nothing will give me more satisfaction if I do pull through it and score runs."Cook is without a century in 14 months, and his loss of form coincides with a terrible run for England, which has lost seven of its last nine tests.Despite the two trends appearing to be in tandem, Cook has not contemplated standing down as captain."I keep saying in every press conference at the moment that I am desperate to carry on," Cook said. "I just want to throw everything into it. Until that time comes where I do not feel I can carry on doing it or someone taps me on the shoulder, that is what I am going to do."

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Hashim Amla leads South Africa revival

Hashim Amla led South Africa's recovery to 98-3 in reply to Sri Lanka posting 421 on day two of the second cricket test. Mahela Jayawardene was run out for 165 on his home ground at Sinhalese Sports Club, hastening a Sri Lanka collapse from 385-5. Sri Lanka removed both South Africa openers within nine overs, but captain Amla held firm to reach stumps on 46 not out off 134 balls, with AB de Villiers on 11. South Africa trailed by 323 runs on the first innings. "The way South Africa batted today was interesting," Jayawardene said. "They scored only 90 runs in 50 overs. That's encouraging for us. We have to be patient, and we should not give them a big first-innings total." With Sri Lanka playing three specialist spinners, Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera claimed wickets in their first overs. Herath came into the attack in the second over of the South Africa innings and accounted for Alviro Petersen on 2, while Perera came in as first change in the sixth over and had Dean Elgar caught at short leg by Kaushal Silva for 1. Amla and Francois du Plessis added 58 runs off 30 overs before du Plessis was spectacularly caught by a diving Niroshan Dickwella down the leg side. The Sri Lanka wicketkeeper has been making a heady debut, having rushed from England where he was playing for Sri Lanka A.


Earlier, he contributed with the bat, adding 100 runs for the sixth wicket with the retiring Jayawardene. Jayawardene, who came to bat at 16-2, was finally dismissed midway through the first session. He was run out attempting a second run after playing a sweep shot to fine leg. He batted for more than seven hours for his 34th test hundred and 11th at SSC, and hit 17 fours and a six off 284 deliveries. This is his second-to-last test series, which Sri Lanka was hoping to square after losing the first test in Galle by 153 runs. Dickwella was also run out when he chanced wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock's arm. He made 72. He faced 116 deliveries and hit eight fours and a six. Sri Lanka lost its last five wickets for 36 runs, as Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and JP Duminy all finished with two wickets apiece. But some tight bowling by the Sri Lanka spinners brought them back into the game, as South Africa scored less than two runs an over.

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Battle continues between Anderson and Jadeja

The fallout continues after the confrontation between Ravindra Jadeja and James Anderson as they left the field for lunch on day two of the first test at Trent Bridge. Anderson faces a hearing on Aug. 1 for allegedly pushing and abusing Jadeja, which could lead to him being banned for up to four test matches. The Indian all-rounder, meanwhile, was fined 50 percent of his match fee for his part in the incident. The acrimony between the two has made for a riveting duel on the pitch. In the second test at Lord’s, Anderson was caught out trying to reverse-sweep Jadeja in England’s first innings. Jadeja then blasted 68 from 57 balls in a game-changing knock in India’s second innings before running Anderson out with a direct hit to win the test match.

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Veterans are lacking in performance against India

After a 1-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka in June and two underwhelming performances against India, England coach Peter Moores is also under scrutiny, just four months after taking the job for the second time. At Lord’s, he said the form of his veteran players was a major concern. In addition to the struggles of Prior and Cook, Ian Bell only managed 42 runs overall against India and bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad couldn’t stop India from batting through day one at Lord’s. “They will be desperate to make a big contribution going forward,” Moores said. “The senior players have got to look at their own games and decide how they can come back and play to the level needed to be in a successful England team.”

Buttler in playing XI

England made just one change to its 13-man squad for the third test, with the uncapped Jos Buttler in for injured wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Prior announced after the loss to India he was taking an indefinite break from the game to regain his fitness after struggling with Achilles, thigh and hand injuries. This paved the way for Buttler, England’s one day keeper, to enter the test team. Buttler, an aggressive batsman when not behind the stumps, says he will not be intimidated by making his debut for a team under intense pressure to end its winless streak. “I’m an England fan, as well, but I’m not coming in expecting to be the one person who can fix English cricket,” Buttler said. “I’m coming in determined to be authentic, to be myself and to enjoy the occasion helping England.”

Cook under the dock

After England’s last-day batting collapse against India in the second test at Lord’s, the pressure and scrutiny on captain Alastair Cook seems to be reaching its peak. England slumped from 198-5 to 225 all out as India won its first test away from home in three years, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-test series. The squads drew the first test at Trent Bridge. England’s captain is without a century in 14 months and his team has lost seven of its last nine tests. Immediately after England’s collapse against India, Cook said this run of poor form has been his “darkest time” as an England cricketer. He refused to step down as skipper after the embarrassing 95-run loss at Lord’s, though, saying he wants to “stay until my position becomes untenable.” One glimmer of hope for the opening batsmen is that while he only made 10 and 22 in each of his innings at Lord’s, his footwork was noticeably better and he hit the ball much straighter.

Jadeja fined for incident

The India cricket board wasn’t satisfied with a guilty verdict against Ravindra Jadeja for an incident with England bowler James Anderson, and still believed its all-rounder was not to blame. The International Cricket Council released the decision, after a hearing the previous night involving both players. Jadeja was found guilty of “conduct contrary to the spirit of the game” for a confrontation at lunch on day two of the first test at Trent Bridge, on July 10. ICC match referee David Boon found Jadeja not guilty of the original level two charge, but guilty of a lesser level one offence, and fined him a maximum 50 percent of his match fee. “I was in no doubt that confrontation did occur, and that such conduct was not in the spirit of the game and should not have taken place,” Boon said in an ICC release. A first level one offence cannot be appealed, although the Board of Control for Cricket in India said it reserved that right.

“The BCCI wishes to make it clear that it is not satisfied with the verdict,” honorary secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement. “The BCCI believes that Jadeja was not at fault, and supports him fully.” Anderson, facing a level three charge and a possible four-test ban, has a disciplinary hearing on Aug. 1. The third test starts in Southampton on Sunday.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is India’s star performer

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a revelation for India with both the bat and ball in the series. He managed figures of 5-82 on a lifeless Trent Bridge wicket, and followed it up with a career best 6-82 in England’s first innings at Lord’s. With the bat, he has made 209 runs from ninth in the order, including three half centuries. He did not win man of the match in either test, but has arguably been the player of the series so far.

Misbah hopes players quickly reach test speed

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hopes his players will quickly find their test match groove when they play the first match of a two-game series against Sri Lanka at Galle on Aug. 6. Pakistan hasn’t played a test since drawing the series 1-1 against Sri Lanka in January at Sharjah, where it sensationally chased down 302 runs in 57.3 overs on the last evening. In the meantime, Sri Lanka has won a first test series in England, and was trying to save the home series against South Africa. The Pakistan Cricket Board has overhauled the coaching staff, with Waqar Younis back as head coach, and Zimbabwe’s Grant Flower taking over as batting coach. The new coaches have been leading training for nine days at Lahore, where the players have been trying to reproduce match scenarios. Pakistan has not won a test series since beating England 3-0 in the United Arab Emirates in 2012.

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Dhoni to retire from Tests

MS Dhoni had stated long before that he won't play Test cricket beyond 2015 and now he has once again talked about his intention after leading India to a memorable win at Lord's. According to him, it was a "memorable" one for him because he does not foresee himself to play a five-day game again at the 'Home of Cricket'.MS Dhoni had stated long before that he won't play Test cricket beyond 2015 and now he has once again talked about his intention after leading India to a memorable win at Lord's. According to him, it was a "memorable" one for him because he does not foresee himself to play a five-day game again at the 'Home of Cricket'. India registered their first Test win at Lord's in 28 years -– only second win in 17 Tests here -– after 'Kapil Dev's team achieved the feat back in June 1986 winning by five wickets. "It is a special win here yes, but every Test win is special in its own way. I remember the 2007 series when the match ended in a draw because of bad light and S Sreesanth and I were batting at that time. We saved the Test and were victorious in that series. Every Test is special and it is great to win outside India. It will be my last Test at Lord's because I don't see myself coming back here in a few years. So yes, it is a very memorable victory," Mahendra Singh Dhoni said at the post-match press conference.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a street smart skipper

Steve Waugh has labeled Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as "street smart" who knows his limitations as a leader. In Mumbai for a charity event, the former Aussie Test captain praised India for their 95-run victory against England at Lord's. "He's a street smart guy," said Waugh.


Williamson suspended over illegal action
New Zealand all-rounder Kane Williamson has been banned from bowling because of an illegal action. Williamson, who bowls occasional off spin while predominantly playing as a top order batsman, was reported by umpires during the second test between New Zealand and the West Indies at Port of Spain, Trinidad on July 6. New Zealand Cricket said independent analysis of his action, conducted this month at Cardiff Metropolitan University, concluded his elbow extension exceeds the 15 degrees of tolerance permitted under ICC regulations. Williamson has been suspended from bowling until he has "submitted to fresh independent analysis and satisfied assessors of the legality of his action," NZC said. The 23-year-old, currently with Yorkshire, has 24 test wickets at an average of 40.

Amla backs Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir was selected in the Test team in order to dismantle Sri Lankan batting lineup on the spin friendly wickets of the rainbow nation but he struggled a lot, picking up just one wicket in the first five day game against the home team. However, his captain Hashim Amla has backed him. Imran is a quality performer. I am not concerned about him at all. He has been exceptional in the shorter format of the game," said Amla. He has only taken 37 wickets in 14 Tests at an average of 45.67. "Test cricket is a challenging place. He will come good, it will take a few good performances to get his confidence back. He is a wonderful bowler. I'd say he is one the most highly skilled leg-spinners in the world," he added.

Source-crictoday.com

Pushgate hearing on 1st Aug

The International Cricket Council has said that England bowler James Anderson will face a full disciplinary hearing on Aug. 1 on a charge of pushing and abusing India's Ravindra Jadeja. A preliminary hearing has set the date. Anderson is alleged to have pushed Jadeja when the teams were leaving the pitch at lunch on day two of the first test at Trent Bridge. If the level three charge is upheld, Anderson could be banned for four tests. The hearing is set for the day after the scheduled conclusion of the third test at Southampton. England responded to India's complaint with a level two charge against Jadeja. The ICC says it is still working out the details of Jadeja's hearing. Jadeja faces a one-test ban and a fine of 50 to 100 percent of his match fee.

Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe

Afghanistan kept its one-day international series against Zimbabwe alive with a two-wicket victory that left the tourists trailing 2-1 ahead of the final match. Hamilton Masakadza struck 84 as Zimbabwe reached 261-8 in its 50 overs, but the total was chased down with two balls to spare as Afghanistan rattled up 264-8, helped by a half century from opener Javed Ahmadi. Thursday's final match gives Afghanistan the chance to level the four-match series. "We were exceptionally poor today in the field and with the ball, we can't get much worse than that," Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor told The Associated Press. "It's a wake-up call ... Today we rested some of our better bowlers. They will come back on Thursday and make it tough for them."

Sharapova's comments not disrespectful

Sachin Tendulkar has said backed Maria Sharapova in the row which has seen Indian masses going after her. According to the master, he didn't find it disrespectful that Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova didn't know who he was as she did not follow cricket. "Sharapova's comments were not disrespectful. She doesn't follow cricket," a gentleman-like Sachin said in an exclusive interview to NDTV. Tendulkar fans reacted angrily on social media when Sharapova admitted during a post match press conference at the Wimbledon that she did not know who was Sachin Tendulkar.

Source- crictoday.com

All about Stuart Binny

Perhaps you missed it amidst the deafening trumpet of World Cup football bandwagon. Or, answer this question: Who holds the current Indian record for the best bowling figures in one day internationals (ODIs)? Hmm, Anil Kumble – six for 12 against West Indies in the Hero Cup final? Well, Kumble had held that record. Now, another man from Karnataka holds the record. His name is Stuart Binny.

Stuart Binny, that dibbly-dobbler who hurls the ball at a friendly pace? Yes, it is him. He took six wickets against Bangladesh, giving away just four runs at Dhaka the other day. The next time you read sports pages, don’t allow the larger-sized football to eclipse the tiny red cherry.

Chip of the old block
Stuart Binny is son of former Indian cricketer Roger Binny. If you have seen Binny senior in action in 1970s and 1980s, you could guess the relationship from Stuart’s bowling action. He could inspire a new scientific hypothesis that genes do carry the codes of bowling action. The similarity ends when the action stops. Binny senior was much quicker. But Stuart can truthfully claim that he is a better batsman, capable of hitting booming sixes and cheeky boundaries.
In India, having an influential parent is like holding a magic key that can open all the locks. It is true in politics and truer in Bollywood. But in Indian cricket, performing star sons are an exception rather than a norm –  Mohinder Amarnath is one notable exception, along with Sanjay Manjrekar and Ashok Mankad to some extent.

Stuart Binny’s is a case that proves the opposite can be true – that having a cricketer father has its own perils. In fact, Binny junior is a victim of the popular notion that papas always launch their sons’ careers.

Allegations of nepotism
Many so-called Indian cricket lovers are choosy in what they follow, what they see, and even what they know. Many of them ignore Ranji Trophy cricket, but follow the Indian Premier League (IPL) like a pack of hungry hyenas. Stuart Binny had a good IPL season with Rajasthan Royals in 2013, and that is why the franchisee bought him again in 2014. But in the 2014 season, he was well below his best. So, when he was chosen in the Indian team to tour England, for both test and ODIs, many brows were raised – primarily because Roger Binny was one of the selectors in the panel that chose the team.

Facebook walls and Twitter timelines emitted fury over the obvious case of nepotism. How can a one-season IPL wonder walks into the Indian test cricket team? Another 4-0 drubbing is on the cards. This happens only in India – thus went the reactions. They did not try to check his last season’s Ranji Trophy record. He played his part in Karnataka’s triumph in the Ranji Trophy, scoring handy lower-order runs and taking crucial wickets. That he had a celebrity wife, the pretty TV anchor Mayanti Langer, fuelled the allegations.

Roger Binny’s role
What is the procedure in the Board of Cricket Control in India’s (BCCI’s) selection panels if a selector’s son’s name comes up for discussion? There are clear-cut definitions and procedures to handle this obvious conflict of interest. The selector concerned must state this conflict of interest and abstain from the discussion over the player’s credentials and final decision-making.

Did Roger Binny follow this procedure when Stuart’s name came up for scrutiny? Not many people seemed to have checked this vital information. If they do, they will find out that Roger Binny did exactly as specified in the procedure. He stated his conflict of interest and stayed away from the proceedings.

Is that enough?
The questions do not stop by the mere absence of Roger Binny from the selection procedure? Isn’t it possible that he still influenced the decision by other means of lobbying with his colleagues? After all, in the long history of Indian cricket team selection, there were many instances of the you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours approach.

The truth about this allegation can never be verified. It is something that can neither be proved nor be refuted. Only Roger Binny and his colleagues know this. Sandeep Patil, Vikram Rathore, Rajinder Hans, Saba Karim and Roger Binny have been upright individuals who have never let any allegations taint their playing career or beyond. It is a subjective thing whether to respect their decision or not. But they have done well enough in their life and cricket to be eligible for a fair bit of benefit of doubt.

The proof of the pudding is in eating
In matters subject to speculation, it is always better to wait and watch. In just a couple of weeks after the selection controversy, Stuart Binny produced his best performance with the ball. He had been chosen for the Indian team that toured Bangladesh. Suresh Raina was the team captain. A number of regular stars had been rested. The tour that involved just three ODIs was so low profile that the BCCI found it difficult to find television sponsors. That the tour coincided with World Cup Football 2014 in Brazil did not help either.

There were only a few onlookers in the stands and some cricket tragics in front of television sets and cricket websites when the series got underway in Dhaka. Binny was not part of the rain-marred first match which Indian won by Duckworth–Lewis method. He got a chance to play in the second match, in which rain catalyzed a sensational Indian batting collapse. India were bowled for a paltry 105. It was then that Stuart Binny decided to offer his best pudding.

He produced an awesome spell of swing bowling and returned with six wickets while giving away just four runs. And Bangladesh were bowled out for 58 runs. The performance did not get the attention it deserved because Neymar and Messi were scoring all those goals in Brazil. Still, the performance was good enough to shut up a number of abusive mouths.

The third match was washed away due to rain, but not before he had made an unbeaten 25 in the India’s score of 119 for nine.
Controversies and setbacks are not new to Stuart Binny’s career. At the age of 30, he has only a few years’ cricket left in him. He is out there to make the most of it. He does not have much time to waste, as he has lost too much time getting caught on administrative cobwebs.

Stuart Binny’s fall and rise
As a son of an international cricketer, it was quite natural that Stuart had an early baptism with cricket. He managed to model his bowling action on his father’s, but never quite managed to capture his father’s speed and menace. He set out to make up for it with his batting skills. Soon, he gained some sort of reputation as a useful cricketer at college level. In 2004, he was selected to represent Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy.

He had a disastrous debut season. He appeared to have gone the way of many other cricketers’ sons who failed to do justice to their pedigree. However, the emergence of T-20 cricket changed his fortunes. He was terrific in shorter format, where his fearless hitting and clever bowling are of great value.

He was lured into the now banned Indian Cricket League (ICL), which was at that time considered an opponent of the IPL. He became one of the most valuable players in the ICL. The BCCI banned him and the other defectors for life. Unfortunately, the ICL failed to capture the public imagination and collapsed.

A couple of years later, the BCCI offered amnesty to the players who joined ICL. Among the few players who were drafted into the IPL from the rebel league was Stuart Binny. But unlike Ambati Rayudu, who shone in the very first season of the IPL after coming back from the ICL, Binny did not have a great debut. He was in Mumbai Indians in his first season. In the 2013 season, he joined Rajasthan Royals, where he had Rahul Dravid, who knows Binny’s game inside out, as the captain. Under Dravid’s stewardship, Binny’s game flourished. He became a fearsome and innovative hitter.

He also bowled his medium pacers with excellent control over line and length and clever variations. He was instrumental in Rajasthan Royals’ dream run to the play-offs. Good performance in the IPL elevated him to the Indian ODI team that toured New Zealand. But again he could not make use of the few opportunities he got in that tour.

A fruitful domestic season
He came back to the Karnataka Ranji trophy squad in the 2013-2014 season. He excelled with both bat and ball. He finished the season with 443 runs at an average of 43.22 and 14 wickets at an average of 32.64. More than once, he bailed the team out of difficult situations. The season culminated with Karnataka lifting the Ranji Trophy crown by beating Maharashtra in the final.

Flawed choice or inspired selection?
While his performance was good, not many expected him to make the cut to the Indian test team.  Still, it appears more of an inspired selection than a flawed choice. The English conditions will be favourable to swing bowling. Binny is someone who can swing the ball both ways. The matches are going to be played in the English summer. So, his effectiveness is somewhat doubtful. But if the English weather provides cloud cover and moisture, Binny can be lethal with his wicket-to-wicket line.

In addition, he can score quick runs. The Indian lower-middle order batsmen have had a history of doing well in overseas conditions, especially in England. Both Ajit Agarkar and Kumble have scored centuries in England. Binny is capable of continuing that tradition.

To sum up, when you get over the football hangover after the world cup and focus your attention on the India-England cricket series, don’t be surprised if Stuart Binny breaks a few more records.

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Cook retains captaincy

Alastair Cook was reconfirmed as captain for the third test against India despite England losing seven of its last nine tests. Even though England selector James Whitaker said it was "vital" the team arrived "refreshed and ready" for the test starting on Sunday at the Rose Bowl, only one enforced change was made to the 13-man squad, with the uncapped Jos Buttler in for injured wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Cook refused to step down as skipper after the embarrassing 95-run loss at Lord's, on a second-test pitch made to order for England. "I want to carry on," he said, though he conceded he was running out of time before the decision was taken out of his hands. Cook was averaging 23.6 in 27 innings since his last century 14 months ago, and his captaincy has been undermined by the lack of support on the pitch from his fellow veterans, particularly Prior and fast bowler Stuart Broad. "I haven't had any tougher times in my career than at the moment," Cook said. "But I don't think walking away from it would be the way to go. I'll stay until my position becomes untenable." While it was difficult to see Cook canned as captain in the middle of a series India was leading 1-0, his predecessors weren't uncertain. Former captains Michael Atherton, Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Ian Botham and Geoffrey Boycott all said it was time Cook gave up the captaincy and concentrated just on batting.

"The cruelest cut would also be the kindest cut, as it would be in this fine cricketer's best interests, so that he can find a way to score runs and enjoy his cricket game," Atherton, skipper for a record 54 tests to 2001, wrote in the London Times. Botham wrote in the Daily Mirror, "He's got to say, 'This is not working, it's running through the team now and I'm stepping down.' It is all well and good the captain standing there and saying, 'I'm trying very hard and giving it everything,' but when the brain is scrambled, it's scrambled.' It might just free him up, and it didn't do me any hard did it?" Prior announced he was taking an indefinite break from the game to resolve fitness issues, though it was regarded as the end of his 79-test career. Sloppy behind the wickets this summer, he said he has been struggling with Achilles, thigh and hand injuries.

England: Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Sam Robson, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

Resource-http://www.crictoday.com/news/196-slidenews/12386-cook-retains-captaincy.html

Cook retains captaincy

Alastair Cook was reconfirmed as captain for the third test against India despite England losing seven of its last nine tests. Even though England selector James Whitaker said it was "vital" the team arrived "refreshed and ready" for the test starting on Sunday at the Rose Bowl, only one enforced change was made to the 13-man squad, with the uncapped Jos Buttler in for injured wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Cook refused to step down as skipper after the embarrassing 95-run loss at Lord's, on a second-test pitch made to order for England. "I want to carry on," he said, though he conceded he was running out of time before the decision was taken out of his hands. Cook was averaging 23.6 in 27 innings since his last century 14 months ago, and his captaincy has been undermined by the lack of support on the pitch from his fellow veterans, particularly Prior and fast bowler Stuart Broad. "I haven't had any tougher times in my career than at the moment," Cook said. "But I don't think walking away from it would be the way to go. I'll stay until my position becomes untenable." While it was difficult to see Cook canned as captain in the middle of a series India was leading 1-0, his predecessors weren't uncertain. Former captains Michael Atherton, Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Ian Botham and Geoffrey Boycott all said it was time Cook gave up the captaincy and concentrated just on batting.

"The cruelest cut would also be the kindest cut, as it would be in this fine cricketer's best interests, so that he can find a way to score runs and enjoy his cricket game," Atherton, skipper for a record 54 tests to 2001, wrote in the London Times. Botham wrote in the Daily Mirror, "He's got to say, 'This is not working, it's running through the team now and I'm stepping down.' It is all well and good the captain standing there and saying, 'I'm trying very hard and giving it everything,' but when the brain is scrambled, it's scrambled.' It might just free him up, and it didn't do me any hard did it?" Prior announced he was taking an indefinite break from the game to resolve fitness issues, though it was regarded as the end of his 79-test career. Sloppy behind the wickets this summer, he said he has been struggling with Achilles, thigh and hand injuries.

England: Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Sam Robson, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

Resource-http://www.crictoday.com/news/196-slidenews/12386-cook-retains-captaincy.html

Historic feat for the lanky Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma, who was man of the match with figures of 7-74, is the first India player to take seven wickets in a test match in England. It is only India's second win in test cricket at Lord's but for England, Sharma's removal of Prior was particularly concerning. He had been repeatedly hooking and pulling short deliveries for singles and fours, so India adjusted its field and Sharma duly collected his wicket. His dismissal was predictable, not befitting of a player with 78 test appearances to his name. "It was a fantastic effort. He is our main strike bowler. He is tall, strong and can bowl long spells which helped him excel," Dhoni said at the post-match ceremony. "He did not want to bowl short initially but I told him to keep at it and keep attacking."

Releted New

Court orders new election

The Pakistan supreme court directed Najam Sethi to continue as the country's cricket board chief for one week before an acting Pakistan Cricket Board chairman can be appointed to oversee new elections. Pakistani cricket has been embroiled in administrative turmoil for more than a year with three chairmen taking the helm in the past seven months. A two-member bench of the supreme court heard the case for five hours in Lahore after which judges Saqib Nisar and Anwar Zaheer Jamali directed the government to appoint an interim PCB chairman within seven days. The temporary chief will also act as election commissioner. "The government will now follow the directions of the supreme court and will also implement the new constitution of the PCB," Irfanullah Khan, a government legal adviser said. Sethi told the court that he would not be contesting the elections but said he could be part of the new governing board, which will be announced later. The supreme court has also asked the government to implement a new cricket board constitution. Khan said the supreme court also set aside an Islamabad High Court order to reinstate Zaka Ashraf as PCB chairman. The power tussle at the top of the PCB started in May 2013 soon after Ashraf became the first elected chairman of the PCB.

Ashraf was suspended by the Islamabad High Court after a petition was filed by a former official of the Rawalpindi Cricket Association. The court described his election process as "polluted." The government appointed Sethi as interim PCB chairman before the IHC asked the country's election commission to conduct elections while overruling all the decisions taken by Sethi. But Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also patron of the PCB, dissolved the governing board and appointed a five-member management committee that later elected Sethi as PCB chairman. But Ashraf continued to resist and he was twice reinstated by the IHC this year before being replaced by Sethi within days. Earlier this month, the government appointed a retired judge of the supreme court as interim PCB chairman, who will also act as election commissioner, but a day later the supreme court reinstated Sethi.

Source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/12381-historic-feat-for-the-lanky-ishant-sharma.html
              http://www.crictoday.com/news/196-slidenews/12379-court-orders-new-election.html

India ends 28 years drought

England collapsed from 198-5 to 225 all out, with Ishant Sharma taking a seven-wicket haul as India won the second test at Lord's on the final day by 95 runs for a 1-0 lead in the five test series. Resuming after lunch on 173-5, Matt Prior made 12 before he was caught by Murali Vijay at deep midwicket off the bowling of Sharma. Ben Stokes followed for his third consecutive duck when he toe-ended Sharma to Cheteshwar Pujara, before Joe Root ended his brilliant 66 in indiscipline style, finding Stuart Binny at deep backward square leg, again off Sharma. All three dismissals came off short deliveries. Broad then gloved Sharma behind to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, before India completed the win when Ravindra Jadeja ran out James Anderson with a direct hit. Anderson ran for a single when one was never available, and it ended a farcical second session for England. Speaking before Prior's later withdrawal, England captain Alastair Cook backed his wicketkeeper but understood those who feel it is time for change.

"Matt has a serious amount of talent," Cook said. "I think he is the best wicketkeeper batsman in the country. When you lose games of cricket, there are always possibilities for people to come in and freshen things up. That's obviously the first thing you start looking at when you lose games. If the selectors feel we're playing the wrong team, they are meeting tomorrow to decide." For England, the scrutiny surrounding Cook's position as captain and other senior players' place in the side will only intensify. Ian Bell made 17 across two innings, and Cook has now gone 27 innings without a century. "The older guys aren't playing as well as their record suggests and that is hurting us. I've got to start scoring runs as well and that only happens with a lot of hard work," Cook admitted. "It has been tough for a while now. I've had some fantastic times as an England cricketer but now we are at the darkest times." Starting day five on 105-4, England had enjoyed a positive opening session, managing to stifle India's momentum until Moeen Ali was caught out on the final ball. Ali fended a fierce Sharma bouncer upwards off his glove, where Pujara took his first catch of the day at short leg, having made 39 runs. For England, it was a disastrous end to an otherwise ideal first session. Root reached his fifth test 50 in a knock that included three fours in one over off Sharma. He took 122 balls to bring up the milestone. It received an appreciative applause from the crowd, whose optimism was increasing as his defiant innings progressed. Ali and Root's fifth-wicket partnership, worth 101 runs, was ended by Sharma in his following over. And there is potential for more bad news to follow for England. Bowler Anderson will find out if he will be banned for four test matches after being charged with pushing Jadeja as the players went for lunch on day two of the drawn first test at Trent Bridge. The third test match starts Sunday in Southampton.

source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/194-slider/12377-india-ends-28-years-drought.html

Steyn, Morkel sets up win for SA

South Africa pace bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel grabbed four wickets each to lead the tourists to a 153-run win over Sri Lanka in the first game of their two-test series. Steyn grabbed 4-45 and Morkel 4-29 as the Proteas bowled out Sri Lanka for 216 after being set a target of 370 to win. The pace duo swung the ball effectively on a Galle pitch that usually helps spinners rather than pace bowlers. Sri Lanka slipped badly from 110-1 overnight, when a keen contest seemed to be in the offing with Kumar Sangakkara leading the charge. Sangakkara was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka with 76 but after he departed, there was little resistance. Steyn moved the ball late and all his dismissals in the second innings came off edges, with three of them taken by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock and one in the slips. He was named man of the match as he finished with a match haul of 9-99 after taking 5-54 in the first innings. Steyn was supported well by Morkel, who did not give away any easy runs, and claimed the last two wickets to ensure a quick end. Steyn and Morkel justified new captain Hashim Amla's decision to declare at tea on the fourth day, giving Sri Lanka a full four sessions to chase the target.

South Africa, which has not lost an away series since its last tour of Sri Lanka in 2006, will wrest back the No.1 ranking in tests from Australia if it also wins the second test. Sangakkara, who was dropped by de Kock off Morkel on 65, was out to a loose shot in the first session to effectively signal the end of a fight. He pulled a short delivery from Duminy straight to Hashim Amla at short mid-wicket. Sangakkara, 58 overnight, struck one six and nine fours. Earlier, Steyn had got the early breakthrough when he had Silva caught behind with a superb low one-handed catch by de Kock. The dismissal set the tone for the day as batsmen kept edging the ball behind the stumps with the bowlers getting sharp movement with the old ball. The second test of the series will be played in Colombo from Thursday. South Africa won a preceding three-game one-day series 2-1.

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Sikandar Raza leads Zimbabwe to big win

Zimbabwe opener Sikandar Raza made sure his first one-day international century was a memorable one as he smashed seven sixes in his 141 to power the home team to an eight-wicket win and a 2-0 series lead over Afghanistan. Raza was part of a record 224-run opening partnership with Hamilton Masakadza as Zimbabwe chased down Afghanistan's total of 256-7 with ease for a 2-0 lead in the four-match series. Masakadza made 93 as Zimbabwe cruised to 257-2 in 43.3 overs. The opening partnership was the highest for any wicket for Zimbabwe in ODIs. Raza faced just 133 balls and added 11 fours to his string of sixes as he punished Afghanistan's bowling at Queens Sports Club. Afghanistan had been hopeful of leveling the series after 17-year-old Usman Ghani made his first international century opening the batting for the visitors. But Ghani's 118 was the only major contribution for Afghanistan with the next highest score 23 not out from tailender Gulbadin Naib. Raza's outstanding day began with him taking 2-25 off five overs after Zimbabwe opted to bowl first.

Masakadza and Tinashe Panyangara also picked up two wickets each as Afghanistan couldn't build on the early platform laid by Ghani. Raza and Masakadza tore into the bowling in Zimbabwe's chase, with Masakadza hitting 10 fours and a six. The pair stayed together for more than 36 overs and scored at over six runs an over to leave captain Brendan Taylor (11 not out) and Sean Williams (2 not out) to complete the easy victory with 39 balls to spare. Raza almost batted through the innings, only falling the ball before Zimbabwe secured victory and at least a draw in the series. Afghanistan is playing its first one-day series against a test-playing nation. The entire series will be contested at Bulawayo, with the remaining two games on Tuesday and Thursday.

Source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/12374-steyn-morkel-sets-up-win-for-sa.html
             http://www.crictoday.com/news/12373-sikandar-raza-leads-zimbabwe-to-big-win.html

India takes control of 2nd test

India took control of the second test, reducing England to 105-4 at stumps and still needing another 214 runs for an improbable win with one day left. Chasing a daunting 319, England at one stage lost three wickets for two runs — including that of struggling captain Alastair Cook for 22 — on the fourth day at Lord's. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja scored 68 off 57 balls as India scored 342 in their second innings. Jadeja removed opener Sam Robson lbw for seven on the first ball of his first over to put England at 12-1. After recovering to 70-1, England was quickly reduced to 72-4. Gary Ballance (27) pushed into a delivery from Mohammed Shami, and was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the wicketkeeper's 250th catch in test cricket. Ian Bell (1) followed when he was bowled by Ishant Sharma, playing and missing a straight delivery, before Cook became Sharma's second wicket. Cook edged behind after making a patient 22 from 93 balls, as another innings passed without making a big score. Those three dismissals leave England facing the prospect of going 10 test matches without a win. Moeen Ali and Joe Root offered some resistance, finishing unbeaten on 15 and 14 respectively, but England will likely be hoping for rain on the last day. "There is no question today that Jadeja's innings has given them a big advantage, but it is up to us to show the fight tomorrow," England assistant coach Paul Farbrace said. "If Moeen Ali and Joe Root can give us a good partnership tomorrow, we have got people who can come in and strike the ball cleanly. It is a pretty straightforward chat tomorrow morning."

Earlier, Murali Vijay made 95 for India before Jadeja's 68, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed 52 as the visitors built up their imposing lead. Resuming on 169-4, Vijay and India captain Dhoni took the tourists to 202-4 before it lost two wickets for one run. Dhoni edged Liam Plunkett to Bell, before Stuart Binny fell for a duck. He rashly scooped a ball from Ali over midwicket where Cook took an excellent catch over his shoulder as he was running backward. Vijay's dismissal saw Kumar partner Jadeja at the crease on 235-7, and they forged an eighth-wicket partnership of 99 off 100 balls which allowed India's grip on the match to tighten. When he left, England wrapped up the innings soon after. Shami was caught behind for a duck off Ali and Kumar, who made his third half century in the series, edged Ben Stokes to Bell at second slip for 52. Sharma was 0 not out. Kumar was dropped by Root at fourth slip on only two runs off the bowling of Stuart Broad. While the opening session was edged by the home side, those 50 extra runs that Kumar made in the second session enforced India's already significant advantage. The first test of the five-match series was drawn.

Source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/194-slider/12370-india-takes-control-of-2nd-test.html

Steyn's five-for restricts Sri Lanka

Pace bowler Dale Steyn grabbed 5-50 to help restrict Sri Lanka to 283-9 in reply to South Africa's first-innings score of 455-9 declared on day three of the first test. It was the 23rd five-wicket haul in 73 tests for Steyn, who gained appreciable reverse swing to rip through the middle order after taking two wickets in the first session. Steyn took 3-8 in a five-over spell in the post-tea session as Sri Lanka slipped from 190-4 to 201-7 and stared at the prospect of following on. Steyn was spot on during that five-over spell as Lahiru Thirimanne (38) was caught behind, Dinesh Chandimal (8) pulled straight to short mid-wicket, and Dilruwan Perera (0) inside-edged one to be caught behind. At the close, Rangana Herath was not out on 12 with last man Shaminda Eranga due to come in as Sri Lanka was still 172 runs behind. Captain Angelo Mathews produced a fine counter-offensive to save home blushes with another staunch innings of 89 which came with the help of one six and 14 fours. Mathews once smashed Morne Morkel for five fours in an over to get past the 50-run mark for the 15th time in his career. He added 71 for the eighth wicket with Herath in what was the best partnership of the innings.

The Sri Lanka middle order had been struggling to capitalize on opener Upul Tharanga's innings of 83 before Mathews stepped up yet again. In sight of a century in a third straight test, Mathews mistimed a sweep of Imran Tahir and sent the ball onto his stumps. He'd played 182 deliveries, and gave legspinner Tahir his only wicket. Tharanga, 20 in an overnight score of 30 without loss, marked his return to test cricket after more than six years with his fourth half century The left-hander struck one six and 14 fours before he was stumped off spinner Jean-Paul Duminy after facing 155 balls. His was the only wicket to fall in the middle session. Earlier, Steyn and Morkel shared three wickets in the morning session to peg back the home side. Tharanga batted with confidence well past lunch, adding 59 runs for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara, who was out for 24. Tharanga passed 50 with two fours off an over from Duminy. He struck the off-spinner past point and two deliveries later, straight down the ground, to move from 45 to 53. But Sri Lanka was always under pressure from the early dismissals of Kaushal Silva and the experienced pair of Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in the first session. Silva was caught by Vernon Philander at the long-leg boundary without adding to his overnight score of 8 as he tried to hook Steyn. Sangakkara was out immediately after a brief 10-minute rain break as he shaped for a pull off Morkel but played the ball on to the stumps. Jayawardene, who has announced he will retire from tests next month, was trapped lbw by Steyn after making just 3.

source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/12364-steyn-s-five-for-restricts-sri-lanka.html

Bhuvi keep Eng in check

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was India's leading wicket taker with figures of 4-46 in the first inning of the second Test match. He kept things under control by bowling nagging line and length. However, the second day was also special for Gary Ballance, who scored his second century at Lord's. His knock of 110-run led England to 219 for 6, still trailing by 76 runs at the end of second day's play. Ballance came to the crease with England on 22-1, after captain Alastair Cook continued his wretched batting form by falling for only 10 to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Kumar, India's leading wicket taker with figures of 4-46, was pleased to keep the scrutiny on Cook. "He's the kind of batsman who, if he gets going, will score big runs," he said. "It is really important for us to keep him quiet. We tried our best to get him out." Cook's dismissal meant India barely had time to rue the dropped catch of fellow opener Sam Robson by Ajinkya Rahane two deliveries earlier, off the bowling of Mohammed Shami. The ball was nicked through to Rahane at second slip at a comfortable height, but it spilled out of his hands.

Robson made only nine more before giving his wicket away sloppily for 17. He tried to cover drive Kumar but instead flashed the ball to Dhoni for Kumar's second wicket. Kumar struck for the third time swiftly after lunch. Ian Bell (16) fended an in-swinging delivery off his glove to Ravindra Jadeja at third slip for a simple catch. Jadeja then provided a wicket, trapping unlucky Joe Root lbw on 13 at 113-4, as replays showed Root got an inside edge. Replays are unavailable to both sides in this series, with India a long-standing opponent of the technology. Criticized in the media for drinking in a nightclub following the first test draw, Ballance defiantly guided his side through a tricky afternoon spell. England moved from 51-2 at lunch to 125-4 at tea as Ballance and Moeen Ali put on a fifth-wicket partnership of 98. India fought back as Ballance was dismissed for 110, feathering behind to Mahendra Singh Dhoni from Kumar in the 83rd over after India took the new ball. The 24-year-old Ballance hit three fours off Stuart Binny's 10th over, the second of which was a flick through mid-wicket to take him into three figures. Two overs later, and only three runs before Ballance was out, Ali fell lbw to Murali Vijay for 32. Matt Prior (2) and Liam Plunkett (4) finished the day at the crease for England. Ballance believes that with Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes and James Anderson still to bat, the hosts can post a challenging first innings score. "If we can get two more partnerships and try and get a lead on this wicket, we can put India under a bit of pressure," Ballance said. "The third innings is always a crucial part of the game."

Earlier, Ballance brought up his half century, England's sole highlight of the second session, with a single punched through to point. But he was fortunate not to become Binny's first test wicket on 32 when he edged behind, only for Dhoni and Shikhar Dhawan at first slip to leave the catch for each other. It went all the way through for four. India's first innings was wrapped up in the second over of the day when Mohammed Shami edged Ben Stokes and Cook took his 100th test catch. Shami and India added five to their overnight total, Shami finishing with 19. Ishant Sharma was 12 not out.

Source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/196-slidenews/12362-bhuvi-keep-eng-in-check.html

Watson is running out of time

Failures can break any sports star and can play tricks even in the most assured minds. Shane Watson, the all-rounder from Australia, is going through rough days in his Test career. He is finding hard to score runs of his willow. The piece of wood which used to shine like samurai in his hands has gone quite. At 32, it has become clear that he is not going to live upto the expectations which he drafted at the beginning of his career. At this stage of his career, he should do what Jacques Kallis is doing for South Africa, but he is not even fifty percent of his South African opponent. With the passage of time, we have realized that he has already got enough number of chances with a belief of performing consistently one day. Alas that day is yet to see a light. On the other hand, Watson has on many occasions turned the match in the favor of the oppositions by getting out cheaply in crunch situations. The management did change his batting order but nothing is working for him.

He was removed from the openers slot in the Test series against India in 2013 but that didn’t help him by any means. The arrival of Darren Lehman as the new coach of the Australian team saw Watson being once again promoted to the opening slot for the Ashes but it has also ended in failure so far. Prior to Ashes, he was blazing all guns in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. The burly all-rounder was hitting bowlers out of the park and his team Rajasthan Royals were the biggest gainer because of his attacking display. But the memories have faded with Watson struggling to plant his foot in the five day version of the game. He is the one who has constantly tempted the Australian team and public with innings such as 161* against England in 2011 and 185* against Bangladesh (2011), in the one-day format that dare the fans to dream of something big in the Test arena. He even had the scores of 84, 60, 90 and 109 in his tour games leading up to the series with India and the Ashes this year but has only averaged a touch over 20 in actual Tests this calendar year. His last Test century came over three years ago. An average of less than 35, with two hundreds, from 44 Tests, is poor returns for a batsman who has every stroke in his batting arsenal.

The constant early dismissals have taken a toll on his confidence. The crispy cover drives on fast bowlers and big hits on the spinners have all diminished. The problem also lies with his technique as well. He is getting LBW regularly in the last few years and that all has to do with his foot movement. At the time of playing the shots, his foot straightens a lot which makes him perfect candidate for a leg before decision. He has to change his stance a bit in order to get rid of this problem. I know this change won’t happen in a day or two but he can certainly work on it with the help of Lehman, who was instrumental in solving the same flaw in Cameron White’s stance during his stint with now dissolved Deccan Chargers. Watson is not the only batsman who has been struck by technical deficiencies and this shouldn’t be a big deal for a player of his caliber. He needs to get back his confidence as he was scoring runs with the same stance prior to his current slump. A selfassured Watson can prove vital for his team’s chances and is a constant threat for any opposition. He just need one good inning under his belt. One good knock can give him a feeling that he is not in the team just because of his name. The meeting of the ball with the perfect spot on the bat could trigger his comeback. The right-hand batsman might not admit this but he is feeling the pressure as his position in the team is constantly hanging by weakest of the thread. The current coach and the captain Michael Clarke are standing by their struggling team mate but even they are finding it difficult to justify his presence in the team. It is for this reason one believes that Watson is running out of time and needs to turn the table as soon as possible.
source-http://www.crictoday.com/magazine/focus/11394-watson-is-running-out-of-time.html

Angelo Mathews warns against complacency

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has said they don't have an advantage just because South Africa has a new captain. "Changing the captain doesn't really matter because they've still got those players in the team," Mathews said. "They're a very strong team to beat. They've lost to us in the past but they've played some really good cricket in the recent past so we can't be complacent." Stalwart Mahela Jayawardene has declared this series to be his second-to-last in tests. Mathews conceded it will be difficult to make up for Jayawardene, who announced he will retire next month after playing two tests each against South Africa and Pakistan. "He's been tremendous for us in the past 15 years or so. It's going to be a loss and difficult to fill his shoes. When I walked into the national team he was my first captain, and I learnt a lot by looking at him, by what he is doing on and off the field, the way he handles situations," Mathews said. He indicated that left-hander Upul Tharanga, who was recalled to the test sid
e after six years, would open the batting with Kaushal Silva on a pitch expected to help slow bowling as the match progresses. The second test will in Colombo from July 24-28.

Squad:
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (captain), Kithuruwan Vithanage, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Chanaka Welegedara.

source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/12341-angelo-mathews-warns-against-complacency.html

Lively track at Lord's to suit English pacers

Trent Bridge groundsman Steve Birks had apologized before the first test for preparing a flat pitch, but that was partly to help Nottingham recoup expenses by trying to ensure the test lasted five days. Lord's counterpart Mick Hunt had some big-shot visitors, including England captain Alastair Cook, coach Peter Moores, managing director Paul Downton and board pitch consultant Chris Wood. None made a public statement about the conditions, but England batsmen Sam Robson and Gary Ballance were hoping for, more than expecting, a lively track. England seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled 113 overs at Trent Bridge, and won't be excited if Lord's is also placid. Anderson and Cook warned the fast bowlers won't be able to endure all five tests of the series if they aren't given pitches with more seam and bounce. "We need to have a contingency plan," Cook says. "We just need a pitch with a bit of life in it. Lord's looked green two days before the start, but its condition on Thursday morning will be what counts. It looked the same two days before the first Sri Lanka test in June."

The Real Player in the Corridors of Power

While the players and teams jostle for fame and glory in the IPL, on the sidelines another power struggle has been raging on in the courtroom. When observed closely, it would seem that the BCCI appears to be stuck in a proxy war as one man goes head-to-head with everything that represents truth, integrity and credibility about the sport. Fairy tale story of the Sleeping Beauty tells of a curse that befalls a beautiful princess at the christening upon her birth after a thirteenth witch in the guise of a fairy was not invited to the function. Cursed to die by the thirteenth witch, the decree is reduced to a long hibernating sleep by one of the other twelve benevolent fairies present at the christening. The only way to revive the young princess back to life and the break the curse of the dreaded sleep when time would stop still would have to be the pure heart of a man who would fall in love with her even as she lay asleep. The analogy of the tale of Sleeping Beauty is not that farfetched when one considers the s

cenario that Indian cricket finds itself in presently. If Indian cricket can be ascribed as being the Sleeping Beauty metaphorically speaking, it is not that deviant to imagine who would play the role of the thirteenth witch.

Indian cricket experienced something akin to a watershed moment when the Supreme Court had to shoot down the repeated plea by the BCCI counsel, AC Sundaram, to reinstate N. Srinivasan as the BCCI President by revealing that the incumbent president was the thirteenth name on the list of people under investigation in the sealed envelope prepared by the Justice Mugdal committee. Reiterating the fact that the thirteenth man on the list had twelve serious allegations leveled against him that required further investigations by the probe panel, Justice A. K. Patnaik, admonished the BCCI counsel on behalf of N. Srinivasan for showing callousness to the gravity of allegations and instead demanding reinstatement to the top post in the BCCI office without completion of the probe panel and due process.

Although the original intention of the committee was to protect the identity of the names on the list until the truth of the allegations was proved, the hand of the Supreme Court appeared to have been forced after the pressure put by the repeated requests on behalf of N. Srinivasan who is desperate to return to the post he was forced to step aside from following the appointment of the IPL probe committee set up by the Supreme Court with Justice Mukul Mugdal joined by Additional Solicitor General L Nageshwar Rao, and Nilay Dutta. The stance taken by the Supreme Court was with a view that while Srinivasan may consider himself clean of all allegations, he was in the know how about events but he refused to act on any of the allegations, lending further credence to the notion that perhaps of the many prominent players allegedly on the list, Srinivasan has turned out indeed to be the biggest player of them as it were and poised, rather appropriately some may say, on the dreaded thirteenth number on the list.

In the precise revelation that the sealed envelope supposedly comprising only of players under suspicion included the name of N. Srinivasan as the thirteenth player on the list, the scenario turned into something of a tragicomedy that perhaps best describes the situation that Indian cricket finds itself today. The off field drama has dominated the headlines so much that one had to raise the obvious question of whether the intent to carry on with the IPL despite the heavy cloud of suspicion and past malpractices was so much about the keeping the show going as much as whether it was being used as a diversionary tactic to deflect attention and intense scrutiny that has followed Indian cricket ever since the spot fixing scandal broke out during the IPL 6 season.

Furthermore, there seems to be something of a double standard in applying one rule to all involved. While the three players – S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan have been sidelined, the BCCI seems in no such hurry to ensure that the officials/ franchisees/teams involved be sidelined pending clearance from investigative agencies. If anything, the BCCI is believed to have fought to keep the two teams, the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals, in contention and it would not be unfair to state that perhaps the BCCI by way of proxy was more interested in saving one team in particular over the other for obvious reasons. The BCCI appears more than content merely by the fact that the IPL show has been allowed to go after evading the rather possible suspension of the two teams, the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals, after the court appointed Justice Mukul Mudgal committee was put into place to look independently into allegations of fixing and corruption associated with the son-in-law of the BCCI President, Gurunath Meiyappan, and the Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Ltd. that owns the Rajasthan Royals. Despite the Supreme Court’s best attempts to give BCCI the autonomy and opportunity to clean up its own system and set its house in order, the BCCI has shockingly and repeatedly suffered self-inflicted ignominy, showing an obvious cluelessness on the part of the members of the boards handcuffed by the overwhelming powers of one rather influential man. With the original IPL probe panel supposedly set up by the BCCI but plausibly with the instructions from N. Srinivasan alone already dismissed as invalid, the BCCI had the opportunity to learn quickly and seize the opportunity to show that it was shrewd not only with its own commercial interests but also, that it actually had the power to set the equilibrium once more as far as the integrity and credibility factor of the sport were concerned. It was not until the next court appointment was upon them that the BCCI board members called on an emergent meeting with a view to prevent the interference from an outside agency to probe into the allegations revolving around corruption and fixing by officials and players in the IPL match fixing scandal. However, once the names of those that were chosen on the BCCI new probe panel came to light, it soon became apparent that the Supreme Court would dismiss the appointment of such a biased panel and it did. The choice of the panel members as put forth by the BCCI, plausibly on behalf of Srinivasan, included former judge JN Patel, former director of the CBI, RK Raghavan and former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri.

It was not rocket science to decipher that amongst the three, the most obvious objection would come from the fact that not so long ago it was revealed that the cricketer turned commentator, Ravi Shastri, was on the BCCI payroll. For a BCCI employee then, no matter of what repute, to investigate into a matter involving the boss would seem selfdefeating in itself at the very outset. Additionally Raghavan himself owned a cricket club that operated under the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association over which N. Srinivasan holds administrative power. That said, it seemed that the BCCI had scored another self goal and the Supreme Court was left with no choice but to disallow another sham of an investigation and probe panel and instead decide to take matters into its own hands. Rather than have a new team look into the already opened cases and leave scope for further leaks and misinterpretation of investigation agency reports, the Supreme Court thought it only prudent to request Justice Mugdal to carry on the work that began in October, 2013 and finished on deadline in February, 2014.

That the BCCI would now stoop to the level of undermining the Justice Mugdal Commission on the grounds that its reports were erroneous – case was made for this by the BCCI counsel - is a new low for even the BCCI. One would be forgiven for assuming that this was the Indian cricket board’s attempt at self-preservation. However, the truth has been rather blatantly obvious for some time now and it had to do with the thirteenth name on the list. Ever since the IPL spot fixing scandal broke out with Gurunath Meiyappan’s hands getting increasingly dirty, all the attempts of the board have been directed either towards toeing the line assumed by Srinivasan out of fear or compulsion or towards protecting Srinivasan’s status quo as the most selfrighteous influential figure not only in Indian cricket but also, in world cricket for their own vested interests. The very fact that Srinivasan landed himself in Dubai for the ICC meet even as the Supreme Court was emphatic in stating that there was no scope for a fair probe, trial and resolution while Srinivasan continued to occupy the top spot showed that the lust of power knew no boundaries. In the latest evidence of the body being run at the behest of Srinivasan, it would appear the BCCI was acting out of vengeance and carried out its threat of suspending the functioning of the Rajasthan Cricket Association after Lalit Modi, who was banned for life from administrative duties following the IPL 3 season and the fall out with the BCCI, was declared elected president by an overwhelming majority in the elections whose results were withheld for the longest time at the BCCI’s insistence. Indian cricket is witnessing the disaster of the fallout of uncomfortable bedfellows which has turned into a messy divorce with the custody battle for power share in Indian cricket which has been most lamentable. In recent years, Modi and Srinivasan have been established as arch enemies and chief adversaries with their personal battles and conflicts coming in the way of the progress of Indian cricket towards greater accountability and integrity while establishing itself as a financial superpower in world cricket. While the BCCI may have well acted within its rules, it is not hard to see why it has come down as hard as it has given the current climate where power appears to lie primarily in the hands of one man who is in denial about his own responsibility as the president of the most powerful cricket body in the world. That power appears to have turned into intoxication. Yet ironically if Modi was accused of running the IPL singlehandedly and making the IPL Governing Council and its members virtually obsolete, the situation is not much different in that Srinivasan appears to be ruling autocratically with the BCCI’s working committee being made redundant as far as critical decision making is concerned. In an ironical twist, it would appear that the man under investigation will also head investigations at the world body level. According to the latest developments proposed within the ICC, the trio or the ‘big three’ of India, England and Australia will oversee the functioning of the independent investigative agency, the ICC Anti- Corruption Unit (the ACSU) with the agency reporting directly to the ICC chairman, the new post that Srinivasan is expected to chair in June. With the ICC also essentially turning a blind eye to developments back home, Srinivasan’s entrenchment in Dubai for the ICC meets is self-explanatory. How a man who has been forced to step aside from the top job in his own home board until his name is cleared by the top court in the country can be considerable tenable to hold a post at the ICC table is most baffling. Indian cricket is in a long slumber and the wake up calls have all been silenced with the snooze button. With the BCCI showing reluctance, unwillingness and sheer helplessness in being able to root out the problem that has directly reached right to the top of the administrative tree, much like Sleeping Beauty, only a true prince with his heart in the right place can save Indian cricket before it meets its inevitable fate if the status quo is maintained. While a prince could fall in love with a princess in deep sleep in the fairy tale, one wonders if there is anyone brave enough to do it in real life in these prevailing times?


For someone who claims to be as distanced as Srinivasan does about the whole fixing saga involving his son-in-law and the team that he is directly invested in, one would have thought that it would have been far more self-effacing had Srinivasan himself stepped aside, allowed for a fair probe and then reinstated himself as a man without no taint. However, his subversive, self serving attitude and approach became only too evident in his attempt to brush off his sonin- law as a mere ‘cricket enthusiast’, his brash sticking to his chair even as the world implored of him to bring integrity to the sport and his incessant interference in appointing a self-defeating probe panel to serve his own self-preservation interests. Ironically Srinivasan’s desperation to cling onto power has only in turn exposed him to the vulnerability of his own interests in Indian cricket. This blind lust for power alone, giving inadvertent authority to spread nepotism, cronyism and malice within the sport administration, could be the unraveling of the man on the unlucky number thirteen.

source-http://www.crictoday.com/magazine/focus/12254-the-real-player-in-the-corridors-of-power.html

Angelo Mathews: Leading from the front

Sri Lanka have been playing Test cricket for just over 30 years but in that relatively short period they have had the good fortune of having some really outstanding captains. Arjuna Ranatunga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara come immediately to mind. But if his record so far is anything to go by Angelo Mathews has it in him to surpass their feats and emerge as the best- ever Sri Lankan captain. There was never any doubt as to Mathews’ leadership qualities. A successful captain during his college days and subsequently when at the helm of the Sri Lankan Under-19 team he had given enough evidence that he was a future national captain. Fortunately the selectors were quick to realize this and adopting the sooner rather than later policy they elevated him to the captaincy at the age of 25 making him the country’s youngest Test captain. Mentally strong with sound tactical acumen and the ability to lead from the front Mathews has been an instant success as recent events in England have proved.  Victory in the
lone T-20 international was followed by a 3-2 win the ODI series and then came about arguably Sri Lanka’s greatest ever feat – a Test series triumph in England something that was reckoned as beyond the islanders given the fact that much of their cricket is played in the sub continent. Many of their batsmen have been dismissed as flat track bullies though as events have proved over the years this is not entirely true. In any case a historic triumph is always something special and Mathews must be given credit for instilling a sense of self belief in his generally young and inexperienced side especially where the bowling was concerned. Indeed Mathews is very much a cricketer of his times, tough, no nonsense in his approach, aggressive without crossing the limits. The manner in which he backed his bowler Sachithra Senanayake without hesitation in the Mankading episode in the ODI at Birmingham, the way he took on Joe Root during the confrontation on the final day of the second Test at Leeds and his calm, cool, assured handling of situations whenever there was a crisis marks him out as a master in man management. His tactical skills are best exemplified by the way he handled the bowling during the obdurate last wicket partnership between Moeen Ali and James Anderson that threatened to save for match for England. Even as things seemed to be slipping away with the pair batting out over after over fairly comfortably, Mathews never gave up. He maintained his composure and changed the bowlers over and over again in a bid to unsettle the concentration of the batsmen and the move finally paid off with Anderson falling to the penultimate ball of a pulsating Test. Outstanding too was his field setting as the shrewdly placed in and out field cut out all escape routes for the batsmen.

Mathews’ ubiquitous qualities make him an ideal player in limited overs cricket and his figures underline this – 2726 runs with 19 half centuries in 127 ODIs at a strike rate of 84 allied to 77 wickets at an average of 35 with a best of six for 20. His robust batting, nagging accuracy with the ball and athleticism in the field make him a priceless asset. All the same he is quick to leave the wicket taking in Tests to the four specialist bowlers that Sri Lanka generally field in the final eleven. In cricket’s traditional format his role is that of a specialist batsman and here he has improved by leaps and bounds.

Like Ray Illingworth the former England captain who scored both his Test hundreds after he was put in charge Mathews too thrives on responsibility. Three of his four Test hundreds have come as captain including centuries in both the Tests in England last month. Mathews has now scored 946 runs in nine Tests as Sri Lankan captain at an average of 78.83clear proof that he is enjoying the job, that he doesn’t feel any pressure and that leading from the front comes naturally to him. Incidentally his average as a non-captain for Sri Lanka was 39.71. Right now his career average has leapt past 48 and it will surprise no one if it crosses the half century mark soon. Also he is bound to add substantially to his current tally of 2614 runs.

As exemplary hundreds that have turned the tide in their side’s favour Mathews’s 160 at Leeds must rank very high. Sri Lanka were 108 runs behind on the first innings and were 176 for four when Mathews came in late on the third evening. A little before lunch on the fourth day Sri Lanka were 277 for seven and cricket followers were already discussing about when England would win and the margin of that victory. Instead Mathews turned the game around with a sublime knock and with the help of the tail he saw Sri Lanka reach 457. His record eighth wicket partnership of 149 with Rangana Herath was a major turning point. Mathews himself was ninth out for his highest Test score but not before he batted over five hours. The bowlers inspired by their captain’s courage responded by dismissing England in a thrilling finish setting the seal on a famous victory. For once Mathews was in the forefront as a bowler too for he had his Test best figures of four for 44 in the first innings.    

The just concluded enormously successful tour of England could well be the defining moment of Mathews’ rising career. Only 27 and with perhaps a decade of cricket still left in him Mathews has the potential to become one of the finest players produced by Sri Lanka as well as the most successful captain.

SOURCE-http://www.crictoday.com/