Rain stop England’s charge

Heavy rain and a huge puddle on the boundary controversially wiped out more than half a day’s play in the fourth test, frustrating spectators and damaging England’s attempts to build a substantial lead over India. After resuming the day at Old Trafford on 113-3, England reached 237-6 at stumps to lead India’s first innings total of 152 by 85 runs. Play stopped at 2.15 p.m. local time and day two was later abandoned without another ball bowled at 5.40 p.m. Umpires Marais Erasmus and Rod Tucker deemed the pitch unfit for play with a bogie outfield where the puddle had once been. “Parts of the outfield are dangerous, and I don’t think the Indians would want to bowl and see the ball keep disappearing into that area,” England assistant coach Paul Farbrace told Sky Sports. India had earlier fought back to take three wickets in the opening session. Night watchman Chris Jordan was the first wicket to fall, going for 13. He attacked a short ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar but Varun Aaron took a brilliant catch low to his right at midwicket for India’s breakthrough.

Ian Bell made his 42nd test half century off 63 balls with a single into the offside from Pankaj Singh. He went on to 58 before edging Kumar’s delivery just outside off stump behind to India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The delivery was a replica of the ball before which narrowly missed Bell’s bat on the way through. Moeen Ali (13) was then clean bowled when Aaron followed a short ball, which Moeen gloved for two, with an inswinging delivery that he could not react to in time. Joe Root and Jos Buttler reached 48 and 22 not out respectively before rain halted play 25 minutes into the second session. Despite the weather improving, one area of the outfield was ruined by the downpour and play could not resume. “This area of ground is constructed exactly the same as the rest of the field,” Mike Watkinson, director of cricket for Lancashire, which plays its domestic matches at Old Trafford, said. “There was new grass put down in April and our problem today is the grass isn’t as established as the rest of the outfield. There is still a bit of sand and top dressing showing through there, and that is where the water has settled. It’s a low point in the field.” But with the rest of the pitch clearly ready to be played on after the rain had passed, plenty of fans left disappointed. “This sort of thing hurts cricket. The evening is set, we could easily play on,” former England batsman and BBC commentator Geoffrey Boycott said. “Did the ground staff know about this? If so, they should have covered it or brought the boundary in. There’s a bigger picture. People play a fortune to watch. That’s bigger than a couple of cricketers slipping over.” With many paying at least 45 pounds ($76) to watch the day’s action, Farbrace sympathized with supporters, who had to wait for nearly 3 ½ hours before being told play would not restart. “It is a shame today,” he told Sky Sports. “People have come and want to see a full day of cricket.”

Related News of cricket

Sri Lanka on track

Kumar Sangakkara notched his 37th test century and Mahela Jayawardene crafted a fifty in his farewell series as Sri Lanka reached 252-2 on the rain-disrupted third day of the first test against Pakistan. Sangakkara was unbeaten on 102 and Jayawardene, who will retire after the second test, was not out on 55 before rain came down heavily at tea and ended the day’s play. Both the seasoned Sri Lanka batsmen thwarted Pakistan’s spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman and added 108 runs for the third wicket stand after Sri Lanka resumed at the overnight 99-1. The visitors lone success came in the morning when fast bowler Mohammad Talha had Kaushal Silva (64) caught behind. Sangakkara reached his seventh test century in the last 14 test matches just before rain intervened and has hit 13 boundaries in his 218-ball knock. Sangakkara, the stylish 36-year-old left-hander, is now fourth on the all-time list of test century-makers with India’s Sachin Tendulkar (51), South African Jacques Kallis (45) and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting (41) ahead of him. Rain twice intervened after lunch and allowed only 20 overs in the afternoon as Sangakkara and Jayawardene continued to dominate Pakistan bowlers without much trouble. Ajmal, who has bowled 29 wicketless overs, was watchfully played by both batsmen and the offspinner could not find the breakthrough on a flat wicket. In between showers, Jayawardene, playing at one of his favorites grounds, completed his half century when he paddled left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman to fine leg for two runs. Sangakkara, who has scored over 1,000 test runs this year, played some attractive drives on both sides of the wickets and raised his century off 216 balls by driving and cutting Rehman for two boundaries in one over.

Earlier, fast bowler Junaid Khan caused both seasoned batsmen some trouble after Sri Lanka lost Silva in the morning session. Children queued up and raised their bats in a guard of honor for Jayawardene as firecrackers exploded around the Galle International Stadium when he walked out to bat. Jayawardene successfully had English umpire Ian Gould’s lbw decision overturned when he was on 11 as television replays showed the ball would have just missed the off stump after pitching in line with the stumps. Sangakkara also escaped a confident appeal against Khan not long after — this time Pakistan went for the Decision Review System but the ball again appeared to be missing the line of off stump. Sangakarra resumed Friday at 36 and added a further 45 runs in the first hour with Silva. Silva completed his half century when he pulled Khan to the square leg boundary and Sangakkara raised his 50 by cutting Talha through the vacant slip region to the third man boundary. Talha finally broke the century-stand stand when Silva attempted a drive but got a thick outside edge that carried to diving wicketkeeper Ahmed Sarfraz.

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When the Cricketing Heroes Arrive on the set of Comedy Nights with Kapil

You know so much about cricket. You grew up watching the making of legends. You witnessed nail biting finishes. Controversies. Celebrations. Farewells. So much you have stored in your bank memory. However, there is a huge vessel of untold stories yet to be heard off. What’s that? Is there anything you always missed from our cricketers? I bet; you – being a cricket aficionado – know countless on-field tales. But – do you know the off pitch accounts? Do not know how Virat Kohli sells Pinky’s Lipstick? Do you know why Navjot Singh Sidhu was dropped for four years? Have you heard Irfan Pathan singing?

We all wish to know more about our cricketing heroes. Their life. Their experience. Funny incidents. And many other things apart from cricket. But how? Yes! The funny man, Kapil Sharma, is making it possible. Men in blue are flooring the audience with their humour on the sets of Comedy Nights With Kapil. And credit goes to the ace comedian Kapil Sharma who is creating the magic as the audience for the first time has been seeing the calm, comical and extremely different side of their cricketing Gods! Ready, Steady and Go…

It was one of the special episodes of Comedy Nights With Kapil which featured the legend of cricket, Sunil Gavaskar and Multan ka Sultan, Virender Sehwag who set the ball rolling.

The show started off fantastically when Sidhu, the permanent guest, hijacked Kapil’s seat and went on to welcoming the cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar on the show. It was a bit of emotional outburst as Sidhu remembered his childhood days when he used to follow the legend cricketer or “Sikandar” a name coined by Sidhu.

It was exceptionally amusing and a rare scenario to see Gavaskar who appeared on the show with cheer-girls around. His lips were parting a smile and he was dancing in sheer pleasure. He indeed brought smiles on countless faces.

The crowd roared into laughter when Gavaskar responded to one of Kapil’s questions related to cricket-craze all over the world. Referring to his question, “That’s the main reason I never bothered wearing a helmet. Because, without helmet, it’s easier to see and eye girls”, Gavaskar made some fun and amused the viewers of this episode.

On the other hand, it was Virender Sehwag whose batting style was compared with Sunny Deol, known for his electrifying, powerful voice and distinct style of dialogue delivery. Sachin’s statement, “that Sehwag is the only batsman who can hit a six for reaching three-hundred” was also added here…

Later on, it was Gavaskar’s turn to reveal a secret about Sidhu. “Sidhu got his test debut in 1983 but was not selected for next four years. He was performing well in the domestic circuit. However, I still remember; during his debut test he hadn’t changed his clothes for continuous five days, which caused several problems for other team members. Thus he was dropped for next four years”, Gavaskar disclosed, with witty remarks. Adding more spice, the legend cricketer went on to mimicking the super-duper hilarious incident which was initiated as well as concluded by the veteran, Javed miandad from Pakistan.

It was epic when they talked about Kapil Dev’s press conference when he had picked up nine wickets in Ahmedabad test. One of the foreign journalists had asked a question that why the country of 1 Billion cannot produce another Kapil Dev? Kapil Dev responded – “Ladies and Gentleman… My mother is very old and father died so you cannot produce another Kapil Dev”, the press conference took a humours turn. It ended there but this incident will be always told to the next generations. Thanks to the little big genius, Sunil Gavaskar, for sharing it with the world.

“Harbhajan and I were extremely scared of interactions. We always feared when somebody desired to talk. We used to find corners so that nobody can come and talk in English. But later on, there was a sense of realization that English is very important. We will have to speak English while receiving Man of the match awards or at other ceremonies”, Sehwag unveiled, remembering the under-19 tour.

It was a fun episode. They shared many anecdotes. Disclosed a lot of secrets. Moreover, Sunil Gavaskar mimicked the way Sidhu dances and walks.

It was a treat to watch!

What happened when the Indian cricket’s life – Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh – appeared on the show? Kapil endorsed them as Jai and Veeru of Indian Cricket team. Referring to his battle with cancer, Sidhu appreciated Yuvraj for his brave attitude.

Without wasting any further time, Yuvi shared an entertaining anecdote from New Zealand tour. He unfolded how Sehwag responded to an Indian who came to him and asked, “Are you Virender Sehwag?”

Sehwag was having a burger. He quickly looked up and said “Yup”…Seeing him responding politely, he asked another question, “How do you like New Zealand?” “Yupp..”, Sehwag again responded.

It brought smile on Yuvraj’s face while sharing an incident when he was travelling abroad with senior cricketers. They entered a local restaurant, and one of them ordered cold drink. Within a couple of minutes, the waitress arrived with a bottle of cold drink. Seeing the cold drink in her hand, one of the players uttered, “Sit-down”. The waitress sat down and looked puzzled. The moment she sat down the player quickly voiced. “Not you. I want the cold to be sat down” and everybody laughed out.

“I was in Chandigarh Academy for an event which was organized by Sports Authority of India. I was a young boy and listening to others while they were introducing themselves. I patiently heard their names, and observed the set of questions. First one from Hyderabad, the second one from Bihar, and then my turn came. Unfortunately, they asked questions in reverse order. “Where are you from?” “Harbhajan Singh”, I replied. “What’s your name?” “Jalandhar…”, Harbhajan shared this story on the set of Comedy Nights With Kapil. It made everyone laughed their lungs out.

This episode was a mixture of emotions, feelings and humour. Yuvraj became an inspiration for thousands and thousands of people who are suffering from cancer. And Harbhajan entertained everyone by making fun of his lack of proficiency in English.

On the other hand, Kapil concluded this episode by disclosing another secret that Harbhajan is a good singer. The viewers got to see a rare glimpse when they both – Kapil and Harbhajan – sang together.

Comedy Nights With Kapil is such a wonderful comic show that the fans eagerly wait for the next episode. It was an amazing experience when the veteran star of Indian cricket, Kapil Dev, appeared on CNWK with his wife and daughter. Kapil welcomed Kapil Dev on stage by saying – entire nation is proud of him, Cricket Legend, and the one who has made us win the cricket world cup for the first time. Kapil Dev came on the stag with a Chak De India movie song and got a standing applaud from the audience and Sidhu. The Haryana Hurricane was feeling nostalgic when Kapil Sharma showed him pictures of his cricketing times.

* Sidhu and the entire world laughed wholeheartedly when Kapil Dev imitated the evergreen Dev Anand. Kapil Dev has won millions of hearts, countless trophies during his cricketing career. However, very few knew that he can mimic celebrities. Everybody had a blast when he enacted a short conversation that took place between former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dev Anand during a match in Pakistan.

* It was a laugh riot when Kapil Dev enacted daddi’s (Ali Asgar as Dolly Daadi)”Ittu Sa” punch. It was hilarious, entertaining, and high voltage comedy dose.

* Funny anecdotes from the great legend didn’t stop here; he went on to sharing more incidents. In one of the tours to Australia, he remembered Dennis Lillee asking him – Have you come here today? And he misunderstood because of his not so good english as ‘Have you come here to die’? and gave a reply to Lillee that he had come to Australia to play cricket and live invoking a laughter…

* He also shared with the audience about his marriage and about his wife’s cooking in her early days after their marriage.

In another episode, Irfan and Yusuf joined the club of fellow cricketers who have all appeared on Comedy Night With Kapil. The episode was filled with entertainment as the Pathan brother interacted with the world-class stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma. It was an uproarious moment when Daadi appeared, and everybody knew Daadi would plant her infamous kiss on shy Yusuf.

You may have seen Yusuf sailing the ball out of the park. However, it was a different picture when you saw this serious batsman dancing on the beats of “Lungi Dance” song. On the other hand”, his brother – Irfan Pathan – sang a famous Bollywood track “Gulabi Aankhen Jo Teri Dekhi”

They all danced. Got into singing mode. Cheered together. Moreover, Kapil took a selfie with Pathan brothers. The episode was started with a witty remark on Maria Sharapova knowing Sachin or not. “Now Indians know who is Maria Sharapova” Irfan furthermore added in a light hearted manner that “Indian boys have no clue what sport she plays. They know her by her physical appearance. That’s it”

Virat Kohli, the vice-caption of the Indian cricket team was the most awaited celebrity who made an appearance on the show and entertained the audience with his funny side.

* Kohli publicized several interesting anecdotes on CNWK about his fellow cricketers in the national side, and went red in the face at the mention of his alleged lady love Anushka Sharma.

* “Ishant Sharma is the heaviest eater and Rohit Sharma sleeps the most”, the dashing Kohli informed the audience. However, Kapil rocked the show with his wit. He asked several questions, and the audience had a cheerful laugh at his jokes.

* ‘’Which Indian player is most shy when it comes to girls?”, Kapil asked. ‘’Cheteshwar Pujara,” Kohli said, adding that the batsman even prays five times in a day. ‘’Pujara! The name itself is devotional.”, joked Kapil. “Pujara’s wife’s name is in fact Puja”, Kohli also added

* Kohli also informed the audience that Rohit Sharma is the only player in the team who can fall asleep wherever, and wherever there is an opportunity. He also said that Mohammed Shami is another one who can sleep for endless hours.

Kohli entertained the audience by imitating Indian pacer Ishant Sharma and famous Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor.

“Did you go to Spain to watch the football World cup?” joked Kapil, hinting at Virat’s much-talked about reported romantic rendezvous with Anushka in Spain.

It never happened before. Nobody imagined that Kohli, the cricketing sensation, can also sell lipsticks. We didn’t know that Kapil Dev can mimic celebrities so well. We never thought that Gavaskar’s anecdotes would giggle our stomachs. Cricket and entertainment go hand in hand. However, there are many things which would have never come out without Kapil Sharma. This star stand-up comedian has been scripting the show in grand style.

No wonder why Kapil Sharma was awarded the Entertainer of the Year award for 2013 at CNN-IBN Indian of the Year awards by Amol Palekar in recognition of his contribution to the show.

Hats off to the champion comedian!

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Pakistan Cricket: Caught Between Judge and Political Flurry

When sport is a pawn in the hands of powerful adversaries, there is a dangerous game at play. One such game is being played on Pakistan turf – ironically the only play possible on Pakistan soil in recent years. On the opposite sides of the chess board are the Pakistan government and the judiciary. The pawns on the board represent the fate of Pakistan cricket, left hanging once more by the seemingly frivolous but deceptively treacherous moves on both sides of the board. A hung verdict though is not in Pakistan’s interests.
At the moment it is a coin toss as to who would become the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and one could place a wager on how long he would last before the decision is rescinded by either the Pakistan government or the judiciary depending on who one or the other has favoured. July saw a fresh round of circus that ensured that Pakistan cricket cannot be taken seriously unless the political establishment and the judiciary get their act together and work in the interests of restoring a sense of sanity and security about the functioning of the cricket board in the country.
To emphasis the gravity of the situation further, that Najam Sethi was removed and reinstated to the post of the PCB chairman for a third time while Jamshed Ali Shah served as the PCB chairman for barely a few hours without a written confirmation to his post says it all. Incidentally Sethi was elected only late last month as the fifth member and Pakistan’s representative to the newly formed International Cricket Council Executive Committee that includes permanent members in the form of India, Australia and England and will advise on matters pertaining to ethics, anti-corruption, constitutional matters pertaining to administration amongst other portfolios. It is a lamentable state of affairs really that once again news about Pakistan cricket is not dominated by headlines about the prowess of their team or their exploits but rather of the ongoing travail of feuding factions and powerful players off the field throwing Pakistan’s cricket administration into virtually insurmountable chaos. The churn in Pakistan’s cricket administration is appalling to say the least although it has to be said in the same breath that it is not altogether a new phenomenon given the shenanigans of the past fifteen months. The current circus has been meandering without meaning, making it one of the longest, most uncertain times when an administration has struggled to put one foot in front of the other, an amicable solution nowhere in sight.
That Pakistan cricket is in the midst of a crisis would be a gross understatement. That would also be a statement that would not surprise many and therefore, not bring forth an air of indignation. However, Pakistan cricket’s problems have been compounded by the deepening crisis within its administrative circles. Rarely has Pakistan cricket enjoyed calm in its domain, but the latest round of drama seems to suggest that there is no immediate solution to the crisis and cricket must suffer as a result of the deepening divide and bitter politicking between the government and the judiciary which find themselves at loggerheads with each other on the subject of the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, undermining Pakistan’s status at the world body level.
One would be forgiven for losing count of the number of times the position of the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman has exchanged hands between Zaka Ashraf and Najam Sethi. That would be precisely five times, making the former judge, Jamshed Ali Shah, the third man in the past year and a half to occupy the chair if only for a brief period that lasted about a day. Incidentally Shah was to hold elections in the period of one month to appoint the next official man for the top job. On the guise of restructuring the constitution towards a more democratic election-oriented set up, changing decrees, whims rather, from the Pakistan governments and the judicial bodies have virtually reduced the top Pakistan cricket job to a mockery, no less.
The events of the 10th and 11th July would have brought on another dizzying spell for the faint hearted following the functioning of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Najam Sethi found himself back in his role as the Pakistan Cricket Board less than twenty-four hours after he was ousted by the government of Pakistan. Sethi himself is be no stranger to controversy, finding himself removed from his post for a third time – in October last year for failing to hold elections to find the next chairman only to be reinstated again as has been the case – in the long standing game of musical chairs that has become Pakistan cricket’s top post. The Supreme Court while reinstating Sethi, a former journalist, is still hearing the matter of the removal of Zaka Ashraf as the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and his subsequent reinstatement by the Islamabad High Court that initially removed Ashraf that precipitated the crisis dating back nearly a year and a half, signaling a tenuous time as Pakistan cricket has been put through a rigmarole of floundering plans and confounding theories to back up those plans. Sethi himself was serving Pakistan cricket in a provisional capacity as the chairman with a view to shaping a new, more democratic constitution paving the way once more for an elected chairman’s position in collusion with the directives from the Prime Minister of the country, Nawaz Sharif.
Sethis’ predecessor, Zaka Ashraf, found himself out of favour within twenty days of his four year appointment as the first elected Pakistan Cricket Board chairman by the Pakistan president, Asif Ali Zardari, following amendments the ICC level to comply with government non-interference in cricket’s member boards which has since been questioned and set aside by Pakistan’s version. The Islamabad High Court rejected Ashraf’s reelection as dubious on the 28th of May, 2013. Najam Sethi was confirmed to the post of chairman after occupying the interim position between June and October after the patronage of the Pakistan cricket board fell into the hands of the Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, following amendments to the national constitution. However, the start of 2014 and the month of May saw hectic reshuffling again between the courts and the Pakistan government that saw Ashraf and Sethi rejected and reinstated twice respectively. The same Islamabad High Court that once denied Ashraf the chairman’s position reinstated him ruling that it found no valid ground for the government to oust Ashraf from the job. The July story was then merely an extension of the events that have troubled Pakistan for the past fifteen months.
Notwithstanding the drama revolving around the chairman’s chair, Pakistan cricket has already had several headaches to contend with. Chief amongst these has been the fact that the home turf has been starved of hosting rights as far as bilateral series are concerned and even missed out on co-hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011 alongside their sub continent neighbours – India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. What this has translated into has chiefly been a state of near bankruptcy where Pakistan cricket has had to operate on the benevolence of the ICC that decided to award Pakistan a fair share of the revenue despite being unable to host the prestigious ICC event.
The Pakistan cricket team has had to call the United Arab Emirates their home since 2009 when the visiting Sri Lankans faced the wrath of a terrorist attack on their tour bus on the way to the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore. The attack was the final straw amongst international circles as Sri Lanka were merely being neighbourly in acceding to tour Pakistan after India pulled out following the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Alienated by the rest of the cricket world and their cricketers deprived of making a decent pay package after being denied participation in the Indian Premier League after playing only the first edition of India’s premier Twenty20 tournament in 2008, Pakistan plunged in a dark hole that saw little light at the end of tunnel.
To make matters worse, three of Pakistan’s cricketers including the then captain, Salman Butt, were found guilty of spot fixing during the Test series in England in 2010, which meant subsequent bans on Butt and fast bowlers, Mohammad Asif and the young and upcoming Mohammad Aamer. Pakistan has since desperately tried to lower the degree of ban on the young, tear away bowler who is currently serving a five year ban and is expected to plead the young man’s case once more in a year’s time, an unprecedented petition and amendment being sought.
Pakistan has had to play its bargaining chip at the ICC table, eventually taking their plea to the new consortium of the ‘big three’ that includes the respective cricket boards of India, England and Australia whom Pakistan has accused in the past of undermining its cricket status in international circles. Ultimately Pakistan’s vote was pledged in favour of the ICC’s restructuring by signing Memorandum of Understanding with other Test playing nations to ensure home Tests to earn revenue that would bring Pakistan cricket back from the brink of bankruptcy. The estimated value: Rupees thirty billion or three hundred million dollars. That is huge money at stake which means Pakistan needs a degree of political stability in their own country before other boards are able to keep their promises pending their own government clearances about the security in the region, which has been the bone of contention in the past five years. Given the current political climate, the almost ludicrous flux of personnel makes it hard to see how the next ICC President in 2015 will come from Pakistan as has been generally agreed upon and it would even be harder to find acceptance from the international world when Pakistan continues to
undermine its own processes, people and policies.
Important Date:-
PCB Chairman’s Musical Chairs:
8 May, 2013: Zaka Ashraf officially elected although appointed PCB Chairman in October, 2011
28 May 2013: Islamabad rejects Ashraf’s election bid
23 June, 2013: Najam Sethi is interim PCB Chairman by Sharif’s appointment
15 January 2014: Ashraf reinstated by court
10 February 2014: Ashraf removed by Sharif, Sethi back as chairman
17 May 2014: Ashraf reinstated to post by Islamabad High Court
21 May, 2014: Ashraf’s appointment stayed by Supreme Court of Pakistan, Sethi back
28 June, 2014: Najam Sethi elected as Pakistan representative to ICC Executive Committee
10 July, 2014: Sethi removed; Sharif appoints Jamshed Ali Shah to post to hold election for new chairman
11 July 2014: Sethi reinstated by Supreme Court of Pakistan as PCB Chairman
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Six ducks at display

India had a dubious distinction of registering 6 ducks in the same Test innings. This unwanted record came today against England on the opening day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. MS Dhoni-led India were bundled out for just 152 runs in 46.4 overs and in this sorry scorecard included six batsmen departing to the pavilion without scoring. Paceman Stuart Broad was the wrecker-in-chief with 6/25 in 13.4 overs. This is only the fourth time in the history of 2,134 (including today’s) Tests that six batsmen have failed to open their account in the same innings. Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pankaj Singh were the 6 Indian batsmen who scored ducks.
Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh are the three other teams to be in this 6-duck club. Only consolation for India is that they registered the highest team score among the four. The previous worst for India was 5 ducks in the same innings. In overcast conditions, Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat. But his decision backfired as India were reeling at 8 for 4 (all four wickets fell at same score) in just 5.1 overs. Three in the top-four departed for ducks. Only Dhoni managed to defy the English bowling attack with a gutsy knock of 71 runs. He was the ninth batsman to be dismissed. He had walked into bat in the sixth over.
Related
Eng bowls India for 152
Stuart Broad ripped through India’s batting order with six wickets as the tourists were bowled out for just 152 on day one of the fourth test against England at Old Trafford. England reached 113-3 in a shaky reply before stumps as Alastair Cook’s woes with the bat returned, with the captain making only 17 before falling to Varun Aaron. Cook, who had looked comfortable at the crease following scores of 95 and 70 in England’s series-leveling third test victory at the Rose Bowl, pulled Aaron to Pankaj Singh at long leg. But the day still belonged to Cook’s side, with Broad embarrassing India’s batting order with 6-25 after Mahendra Singh Dhoni had won the toss and elected to bat on a hard wicket. It was a decision that Cook said he would have taken too, but with the start delayed by 30 minutes due to light rain and heavy cloud cover remaining for an hour when play began, Broad and James Anderson seized the advantage for the hosts. They demolished India’s top order, leaving the tourists on 8-4 after 5.1 overs.
Broad and Anderson’s blitz began when Gautam Gambhir (4), called into the starting side in place of Shikhar Dhawan as one of India’s three changes from the third test, edged Broad to Joe Root at gully for a routine catch, before Murali Vijay (0) nicked Anderson to Cook at first slip. Virat Kohli (0) followed in the exact same manner two balls later as Anderson enforced England’s advantage, before Chris Jordan dived to his right and held an edge from Cheteshwar Pujara (0) at fourth slip for Broad’s second wicket. Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane offered some resistance and made the scoreboard slightly more respectable for India with a partnership of 54, before Rahane (24) edged Jordan to Ian Bell at second slip shortly before lunch. Anderson then trapped Ravindra Jadeja (0) lbw swiftly after the interval before Broad took the next four dismissals. Ravichandran Ashwin (40), replacing Rohit Sharma in India’s team, was tempted by a short delivery from Broad and hooked high but not far as Sam Robson came in from deep square leg to catch. In Broad’s next over, he bowled Bhuvneshwar Kumar (0) with a delivery that crashed into off stump. Dhoni, who had made a defiant 71 as the only batsman pass 50, then picked out Jordan at deep backward square leg. Broad ended the innings three balls later, clean bowling Pankaj Singh for India’s sixth duck and sealing his six wicket haul. Varun Aaron, replacing Mohammed Shami, was unbeaten on 1. England’s reply did not begin strongly, as Robson’s poor form continued when he fell for 6 to Kumar. The opening batsman failed to protect his off stump, leaving a delivery that weaved inwards and sent his bails flying. Cook then fell and England were wobbling on 36-2. Gary Ballance and Ian Bell looked to have thwarted India’s early momentum with a third-wicket partnership of 77, but there was still one wicket left to fall. Ballance, who appeared comfortable on 37, was dismissed lbw to Aaron in the final over of the session. Nightwatchman Jordan saw out the final three balls without scoring alongside Bell, who was not out on 45.
Source- www.crictoday.com

Clarke to lead Australia

Michael Clarke will lead Australia on its first cricket tour to Zimbabwe in a decade for an international tri-series also involving South Africa starting later this month. The 14-man limited-overs squad is close to full strength, with Clarke, vice-captain George Bailey, veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, paceman Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson all included. Aggressive opener David Warner has been rested for the series and top-order batsman Phil Hughes didn’t make the cut despite his double-century for Australia A last week.

“Phillip Hughes, Xavier Doherty and Clint McKay can all consider themselves unlucky,” chief selector Rod Marsh said. “We would have loved to pick Phillip, but it’s quite difficult to find the spot for him with a strong batting line-up. He was in superb form during the recent Australia A one-day matches and the selection panel will certainly be continuing to watch him closely.” Spinner Nathan Lyon has been recalled to the ODI squad for the first time since 2012, while fast bowlers Ben Cutting and Kane Richardson forced their way into the team on the basis of performances for Australia’s second-string lineup. Australia could play 18 ODIs between late August and the start of the World Cup it is co-hosting with New Zealand in February, with the Zimbabwe series followed by series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and at home against South Africa and India. “This … is another important step in our preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup,” Marsh said. “So we are pleased that there continues to be strong competition for places. We have introduced a number of players into this squad who provide plenty of options with bat and ball.” Australia plays Zimbabwe on Aug. 25 and 31, and South Africa on Aug. 27 and Sept. 2, with the top two teams meeting in a final at Harare on Sept. 6.

Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson.

Related:-

Finn back in squad

Steven Finn is back in England’s squad for the fourth test against India. The Middlesex fast-medium bowler last played a test match in July 2013 against Australia. Finn replaces Liam Plunkett who is recovering from “some left ankle discomfort,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said on its website. The 25-year-old Finn has taken 90 wickets in 23 tests at an average of 29.40 runs. England and India are tied 1-1 in the five-match series with the fourth test starting at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Injury scare for Stuart

It is not only Team India, who is battling with injury concerns but England too have some issues regarding one of their premier fast bowlers. Stuart Broad might have to rest for the fourth Test against India because of his chronic knee problem. Broad was diagnosed with tendonitis in his right knee and it is believed that he required hot baths in the middle of the night just to help him sleep as the pain has been intense. Broad has had to miss ODIs against Sri Lanka and West Indies due to the problem.

Malik, Amir backs jail term

New Zealand government’s moves to enforce prison terms for players found guilty of spot or match fixing has reportedly been backed by banned Pakistani cricketers Salim Malik and Mohammad Amir. Malik, who is serving a life ban for match fixing, and Amir, who is in the fourth year of a five-year ban for spot fixing, said that prison terms would help curb the menace of corruption.

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

Former greats laud Eng for turnaround

Former England captains Geoffrey Boycott and Ian Botham have praised England for their triumph in the third Test. According to them, the home side looked much stronger than the tourists in every department of the game. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Boycott said: “England bounced back with an almost perfect performance. Whereas the seamers have been patchy all summer they finally bowled with energy, aggression and had more vibrancy in the field,“ he added. “From what was one of the worst performances I've ever seen from an England team at Lord's to one of the best in recent memory. The win at the Ageas Bowl was simply superb right from the off,“ Botham wrote in the Mirror.


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Using Jadeja as main bowler is wrong
Legendary off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna has questioned Team India's stand on using Ravindra Jadeja as their strike bowler. The former great has expressed his surprise over continuous omission of R Ashwin from the team. “Ravindra Jadeja should play in all Tests but only as a stock bowler. He is not a wicket-taker. Jadeja's capability as a spinner doesn't make him a strike bowler. Ashwin should have played in all three Test matches. I can tell you that if Ashwin plays at Old Trafford and the Oval he will come good," he said.

Sunil Gavaskar slams Team India

Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian captain, has slammed Team India for their pathetic display in the third Test. According to him, their old habit of getting complacent after a big win seems to have undone them. “We might have helped England to get back the momentum. Having beaten them at Lord's, we had them absolutely demoralized. But I don't know what we did in the five intervening days after that. We were sloppy on the first morning. We dropped Cook and let him get away. We need to look at our slip fielding and so many other things. There were so many misfields,“ the legendary opener told a TV channel from Southampton.

Sachin Tendulkar inaugurates shopping mall

Sachin Tendulkar, the former Indian captain and star performer, has a big fan following. He can still attract crowd despite his retirement from the game. The Indian icon recently inaugurated a shopping mall in Vijayawada. He greeted his fans, who were there to watch him live.

Drop in Test Rankings

The poor performance of Team India in the third Test against England has affected the rankings of their star batsmen as well. Cheteshwar Pujara, who is termed as the new wall of the Indian cricket, has slipped a couple of places to 10th but remained the best-placed Indian batsman, while the vice-captain Virat Kohli dropped one spot to 15th in the latest ICC Test rankings. India lost the third Test in Southampton by 266 runs, which helped England to make it 1-1 in the five-match series.

Source-http://www.crictoday.com

England ends barren run

With an emphatic end to its worst run of test cricket results in 28 years, England wasn’t quite ready to herald a turning point in the new era or say a home series victory against India was within reach. Not after a winless streak of seven losses and three draws since August last year. England wrapped up the third test at the Rose Bowl on the last morning, taking the last six wickets in 25 overs to bowl out India for 178 and win by 266 runs. It added up to a series tied at 1-1 with two to go, and England immediately named an unchanged squad for the fourth test at Old Trafford, starting in a week. But just when England’s spirits were soaring, celebrations could be muted within 24 hours when Anderson faces an International Cricket Council judicial hearing on a charge of pushing and abusing India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during the first test three weeks ago. Anderson faces a ban of up to four tests. If he is banned, England’s chances of beating India again will nosedive. England won this test thanks to the first-innings knock of 569-7 declared against poor India fielding. India’s batting reply cracked under the pressure twice.
Already in a deep hole at 112-4 overnight, India lost more early wickets and the necessary desire to bat out the fifth day for a draw. Anderson removed Rohit Sharma for 6 with his third ball of the day, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in his third over for 6, too. Ali then cleaned up the tail, giving him 15 wickets for the series, second overall only to Anderson, and tied with India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Ajinkya Rahane was left stranded on 52 not out, his second half century of the test, and Dhoni was frustrated that a team usually adept at playing spinners was so poor against Moeen Ali’s off-spin.
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Lanka drops Mendis
Sri Lanka has dropped spinner Ajantha Mendis and retained wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella for the two-test series against Pakistan starting next week. Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 15-member squad which also includes seam bowler Nuwan Pradeep, who was part of the squad for the concluded series against South Africa. Dickwella was called in to replace Dinesh Chandimal in the second test against South Africa concluded earlier this week. He scored a half-century in his debut innings and also impressed as a wicketkeeper. Mendis was one of three spinners used in that test but went wicketless in the match as the visitors snatched a thrilling draw to win the two-match series 1-0. Sri Lanka has also named five pace bowlers in the squad, with the inclusion of Suranga Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga in the playing eleven dependent upon their fitness. The first test will start on August 6.
Squad
Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Kithruwan Vithanage, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Welagedara, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep.
Back in form
Alastair Cook was at his best in the third Test match against India. He contributed with his bat as well as captain of the ship. Apart from him , James Anderson was another performer. Alastair Cook, whose captaincy and position was on the line, unfurled 165 runs and was vibrant and clever on the field, and strike bowler James Anderson took seven wickets to become leading wicket-taker in the series. There was a bonus, as part-time off-spinner Moeen Ali took 6-67 in the second innings to fill the hole left by the retired Graeme Swann.
Moeen Ali puts India in a spin
Moeen Ali was considered a part time bowler but his match haul of 8-wicket has certainly raised the bar. Indian batsmen are known for their ability to handle spin better but were undone by some clever piece of bowling from Ali. Cook, who was reluctant to bowl Ali in the lost Sri Lanka series last month, praised him. “His level of improvement as a bowler, I haven’t seen in such a short space of time,” Cook said. “To adjust from bowling county cricket to a holding role at international cricket with the lengths you have to bowl, the lines, the speed, he has learnt really well. When he got on a wicket that spun a bit, he proved he is an attacking option as well.”
Source-http://www.crictoday.com