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India, South Africa gear up for final Test

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amla

New Delhi: India aims to be “ruthless” in the final test against South Africa despite having taken a winning 2-0 lead in the four-game series,” captain Virat Kohli said on Wednesday.

“We want to be ruthless and will try to go 3-0 up,” Kohli said ahead of the match starting Thursday in Delhi. “We will not be experimenting just because we have won the series. We want to create a hard-working side with a winning culture. The team is in a good space and we will go all out for a win.”

India won the first test at Mohali by 104 runs, and the third at Nagpur by 124 runs. The second test at Bangalore was a rain-affected draw.

The Nagpur pitch, where South Africa folded for only 79 in the first innings, has been termed “poor” by match referee Jeff Crowe in his report to the International Cricket Council which awaits a reply from the Indian cricket board.

“I think the pitches have been discussed too much. No one talks about the Adelaide test (Australia vs New Zealand day-night game) which ended in two and a half days. People don’t talk about the number of times teams have been bowled out for less than 100 in South Africa but pitches are highlighted in India,” Kohli said.

Kohli, who will lead India for the first time on his home ground, said he was not giving a thought to whether the pitch at the Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium will also help turn as much.

“We’re confident of our abilities whether the game lasts three days or four or five. The pitch being different won’t change our mindset. We’ve come to win,” Kohli said.

South Africa captain Hashim Amla hopes to end the series on a high.

“Since we started this tour by winning the one-day internationals and Twenty20 series we would like to win this match and make it 2-1. We’ve got the England series very close, two weeks after we get back. It’s very important for us to get back to winning ways and cap it off well,” Amla said.

South Africa had won a five-game ODI series 3-2 and a three-game T20 series 2-0.

“It’s been a challenge against good bowlers on difficult tracks. It has been exciting with the games condensed into three days. But as a batsman, you are never settled,” he added.

Amla said pace bowler Dale Steyn would miss a third consecutive test owing to a groin injury he got during the opening test but that the team was not looking to experiment even though the series was already lost.

“It’s important to win and salvage some pride,” said Amla.

(IANS)

Ranji Trophy: Mumbai score 370/2 on opening day against Gujarat

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Unbeaten tons from young guns Akhil Herwadkar and Suryakumar Yadav helped Mumbai pile up 370 for 2 on day one.

Suryakumar Yadav stroked his way to 103 not out off 159 balls – studded with 3 sixes and 9 fours. (Source: Express Photo by Kevin D’Souza)

Suryakumar Yadav stroked his way to 103 not out off 159 balls – studded with 3 sixes and 9 fours. (Source: Express Photo by Kevin D’Souza)

Mumbai: Mumbai rode on unbeaten centuries from Akhil Herwadkar and Suryakumar Yadav to pile up 370 for 2 on day one of their Group B Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Gujarat’s hopes of securing at least the first innings lead to enhance their hopes of advancing to the quarters took a beating as the hosts, surprisingly asked to bat first by visiting team captain Parthiv Patel, scored at more than four an over to grab the advantage.

Left-handed opener Herwadkar remained unconquered at the end of the day with a patient knock of 143 off 257 balls, inclusive of 16 fours and a six.

He was lucky to be let off twice by wicket keeper and rival captain Patel before he reached 40s.

Yadav, at the other end, stroked his way to 103 not out off 159 balls – studded with 3 sixes and 9 fours.

The third wicket duo, who joined forces at the fall of one-down batsman Shreyas Iyer (75 off 69 balls with 10 fours and a six), had added 196 runs before stumps.

Earlier, put in to bat the home team – already assured of a berth in the last eight – raced to 74 before losing opener Jay Bista, edging left arm R P Singh to ‘keeper Patel, for a breezy knock of 44 that included six hits to the fence.

The ever-aggressive Iyer and Herwadkar then came together to stitch a partnership of 100 runs before the former lost patience and his wicket. In trying to glide Rush Kalaria over the wicket keeper’s head he managed only an edge to Parthiv.

To make things worse, the Gujarat captain let off Herwadkar when on 12, a difficult leg-side catch, and a regulation stumping when the left hander (39) rushed out to the first ball from left- arm spinner Axar Patel and got beaten.

Taking full advantage of these reprieves, Herwadkar reached his half century in 101 balls. He was more aggressive later and reached his second ton of the season in 196 balls.

Yadav, after the fall of Iyer, stroked his way to his half century before tea in 69 balls and then slowed down a bit to complete his hundred in 148 balls.

Brief scores: Mumbai 370 for 2 (A Herwadkar not out 143, J Bista 44, S Iyer 75, S Yadav not out 103)

Rayudu helps Baroda reach 242/5 on Day 1

Ambati Rayudu (70) and Aditya Waghmode (56) cracked twin half-centuries as Baroda reached 242 for 5 in their first innings against Uttar Pradesh on the opening day of a Group B Ranji Trophy match.

Rayudu’s 184-ball unbeaten innings was studded with seven boundaries and a six, while Waghmode hit six fours and a six during his 113 ball stay at the Greater Noida Sports Complex G round here.

At the draw of stumps, Rayudu was at the crease and giving him company was Irfan Pathan (18).

Brief Scores: Baroda 242 for 5 in 83 overs (A Rayudu 70; Praveen Kumar 2/34)

(PTI)

Australia beat New Zealand in Adelaide day-night Test

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Shaun Marsh's 49 helped Australia to victory

Shaun Marsh’s 49 helped Australia to victory

by BBC

Adelaide: Australia sealed a 2-0 victory in the three-match series against New Zealand with a three-wicket win in a gripping inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide.

Set 187 to win after bowling the Kiwis out in the first session on day three, the hosts were made to work hard for every run.

Trent Boult took 5-60 but Shaun Marsh’s 49 and 28 each from Adam Voges and Mitchell Marsh proved decisive.

Josh Hazlewood took a career-best 6-70 to help dismiss New Zealand for 208.

All of the real drama, though, was reserved for the evening when, for the third day running, the extra swing of the pink ball ensured a regular fall of wickets.

Boult was the main beneficiary, adding a five-wicket haul to the 2-41 he claimed in the first innings to keep an increasingly nervous home side and crowd on edge throughout what had seemed a straightforward chase.

Hazlewood shines with pink ball

In the absence of Mitchell Starc, who has been unable to bowl or field since injuring his foot on Friday, Hazlewood came to the fore, spearheading the Australia pace attack in impressive fashion.

The 24-year-old helped the home side dominate the first session, getting them off to the best possible start by dismissing BJ Watling – caught at slip by Steve Smith – before the Kiwis had added to their overnight lead of 94.

Hazlewood completed his five-wicket haul when he had Mark Craig caught behind for 15 to leave New Zealand 140-7.

After spinner Nathan Lyon had Mitchell Santner, the innings’ top scorer with 45, stumped and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh claimed a third wicket by having Tim Southee (13) caught pulling at deep backward square, Hazlewood finished New Zealand off by bowling Boult.

Doug Bracewell was the last man standing, his 27 not out helping the visitors set a modest target of 187.

Boult gives New Zealand hope

Wary of a repeat of the extra swing generated by the pink ball in the first two days of the Test, Australia set about their chase in an urgent fashion, amassing 34 runs in five and a half overs.

Their progress was checked, though, as Boult began to capitalise on the increased movement to trap Joe Burns lbw for 11.

The Kiwi seamer repeated the trick to dismiss Australia captain Steve Smith, shortly after David Warner had edged Doug Bracewell to Southee at second slip following a typically rapid 35 from 37 balls, to leave the home side vulnerable at 66-3.

Voges and Shaun Marsh steadied the ship with a resilient partnership of 49 – the third highest of a low-scoring match – before Boult struck again, dismissing the former by finding an edge that was again taken by Southee at second slip.

Marsh’s crucial innings

Having lost partner Voges, Shaun Marsh showed superb resilience to forge another important partnership with brother Mitchell.

The pair put on 46, taking Australia to within 26 runs of victory before Mitchell departed, caught off a top-edge by Kane Williamson from the bowling of Mitchell Santner.

Shaun Marsh added 15 more crucial runs with Peter Nevill before he too fell, caught at slip off Boult, to silence the crowd and bring Peter Siddle to the crease.

Boult provided one more twist, getting Nevill to nick one to a diving BJ Watling, but Siddle and the limping Starc finally saw Australia home.

New Zealand struggle against Australia as wickets tumble in day-night Test

by

Nathan Lyon

by Robert Smith, AFP

Adelaide: New Zealand held a tenuous 94-run lead in the absorbing day-night third Test after a second day of tumbling wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

The Kiwis, trailing 1-0 in the series, struggled to build a defendable total to present Australia in the fourth innings after another fast-paced day’s cricket of 13 wickets before 42,372 fans.

116 for five At the close, the Black Caps were finding batting difficult under lights and were 116 for five with a result looming on Sunday’s third day in the scheduled five-day Test.

New Zealand had lost their top batsmen and at the crease were B.J. Watling on seven with debutant Mitchell Santner not out 13.

“Definitely no figure. Whatever we end up with we’re just going to have to get some wickets but more importantly having that new ball as close to twilight as possible,” senior batsman Ross Taylor said.

“If we can keep them out there and keep our bowlers from bowling not as many overs tomorrow, then we give ourselves the best chance.”

Josh Hazlewood led the Australian attack with three wickets in the absence of injured spearhead Mitchell Starc as the pink ball again dominated the bat.

Hazlewood removed both openers with mesmerising ball movement under lights. Martin Guptill sliced to Mitch Marsh in the gully for 17 and Tom Latham was tempted by a wider delivery and was caught behind for 10.

Hazlewood had Kane Williamson dropped on one by Adam Voges in the slips but the star Kiwi batsman soon feathered a catch to Nevill off Mitch Marsh for nine to complete a low-scoring match.

Captain Brendon McCullum followed for 20, leg before wicket to Marsh and Perth Test double century-maker Taylor fell the same way to Hazlewood for 32.

“The wicket’s not that bad to have so many wickets taken in two days,” Hazlewood said.

“We had a middle-order collapse today. We should probably be still batting now. We’ll try and fix that for the second innings.”

The second day turned on a contentious challenge decision in Australia’s favour before dinner, enabling them to go on and grab a 22-run innings lead.

Nathan Lyon survived a review in which ‘Hot Spot’ revealed a mark on the back of his bat before he had scored.

The review was churned over for minutes before the TV umpire Nigel Llong decided there was not enough to go on despite the Hot Spot evidence to give Lyon out, caught off spinner Santner, with Australia reeling at 118 for eight and trailing the Kiwis by 84 runs.

Lyon walked three-quarters of the way off the ground believing he was out before he returned to continue batting and join in a record Australian trans-Tasman series 74-run ninth-wicket stand with Peter Nevill.

Lyon was eventually out for 34 as the Australians hit back to take an innings lead with incapacitated Mitchell Starc smashing two massive sixes off spinner Mark Craig.

Starc, who came into bat at No.11 after being diagnosed with a stress foot fracture on Friday, thrilled the home crowd with his prodigious hitting.

Nevill was the hero and was the last man out for his highest Test score of 66 leaving the hobbling Starc unbeaten on 24 which included two sixes and three fours.

Doug Bracewell finished his side’s best bowler with three for 18 off 12.1 overs.

It was rough justice for the Kiwis, who have been on the receiving end of some controversial umpiring decisions.

Australia were in dire trouble at 116 for eight at tea after a rampant Kiwi bowling performance in the first session.

The Black Caps snared Steve Smith’s prized wicket when he charged off-spinner Craig only to be caught by wicketkeeper Watling.

The Kiwis had the Australians well on the back foot with Peter Siddle out four balls later in the same Craig over and then Hazlewood was bowled by Santner for four in the final over before tea.

Just 62 runs were scored by Australia for the loss of six wickets in the first session off 29.5 overs.

India win third Test, clinch series 2-0

by

ashwin_india

Nagpur: India on Friday won the third Test by 124 runs, clinching the four-match series against South Africa 2-0 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here.

Resuming the day at 32/2, South Africa were bowled out for 185 in their second innings while chasing a target of 310 runs.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the star, scalping seven wickets for 66 runs in 29.5 overs. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra also chipped in with three wickets.

(Agencies)

India bowl out South Africa for 79

by

ashwin_india

Nagpur: India bundled out South Africa for just 79 runs on day two of the third cricket Test at VCA stadium, here today.

The hosts have taken a crucial 136-run first innings lead as South Africa posted their lowest total against India in Test cricket.

Brief Scores:
India 1st innings: 215 all out in 78.2 overs.(M Vijay 40, R Jadeja 34; M Morkel 3/35, S Harmer 3/78).

South Africa 1st innings: 79 all out in 33.1 overs.(JP Duminy 35; R Ashwin 5/32, R Jadeja 4/33).

(Agencies)

India bowled out for 215 by South Africa in first innings

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South Africa

Nagpur: South Africa bowlers removed both Indian openers as the hosts reached 85/2 at lunch on the opening day of the third cricket Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium here on Wednesday.

Cheteshwar Pujara (18) and skipper Virat Kohli (11) were at the crease for India when lunch was called.

Opting to bat first on a dry and slow pitch, the hosts got off to a modest start, taking time to settle down and assessing the nature of the pitch.

Both openers Murali Vijay (40) and Shikhar Dhawan (12) made sure they spent as much time at the crease.

But soon after their 50-run opening stand, left-arm spinner Dean Elgar brought the early breakthrough for the visitors by dismissing Dhawan inside first 15 overs of play.

Dhawan, who tried to come down the track and drive the ball away, only managed to hit the inside half of the bat which resulted in the ball going straight back at Elgar who took a good diving catch in front of the stumps to dismiss the left-handed batsman.

Pujara joined Vijay in the middle but just a few overs before the lunch the Proteas struck yet again to leave India at 69/2.

Seamer Morne Morkel bowled a terrific delivery at 142 kmph at Vijay who looked to play through the leg side but missed it and was struck right in front of the middle stump, thus helping the umpire to make an easy leg before the wicket (LBW) decision.

The hosts lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Mohali and the second having been washed out in Bengaluru.

(IANS)

Sri Lanka likely venue for Indo-Pak series

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The series is likely to be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals instead of the original two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals, according to top BCCI sources.

The series is likely to be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals instead of the original two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals, according to top BCCI sources.

Dubai: Sri Lanka has emerged as the likely venue for the much-awaited Indo-Pak bilateral cricket series and an official announcement may be made on November 27.

While the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) made it clear that they will not play in the United Arab Emirates and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refusing to play in India, the only feasible option left was the island nation, which will act as the neutral venue.

With only a month’s window available after India finish their Test Series against South Africa on December 7, the series is likely to be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals instead of the original two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals, according to top BCCI sources.

The proceedings had been fast-tracked once BCCI president and current ICC chairman Shashank Manohar met PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and senior official Najam Sethi here in presence of ECB supremo and chairman of ‘Pakistan Task Force’Giles Clarke.

Without divulging any details, both Sethi and Khan had said on Sunday that the meeting with Manohar was “fruitful” giving an indication that the deadlock on the marquee series was broken.

“Since PCB will need the permission of Nawaz Sharif before going official, Shaharyar Khan will need to go back to Islamabad and seek the Prime Minister’s permission. Once he gets the green light from the PM, he will again come back to Dubai and intimate his decision to Clarke. Clarke is likely to officially announce the series on November 27,” said the source.

It has been learnt that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they seem to be keen to host the series.

The two stadiums earmarked for the series are Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium) and Pallekele (Kandy). While the receding monsoon has hit the island nation badly, the weather forecast for the last part of December looks good.

While some T20 matches are scheduled at the Khettarama, the SLC will reschedule them at the first notice, once the official announcement is made.

This will be the first time that a Test playing nation has rejected playing a series in the UAE since it became Pakistan’s adopted home after the 2009 Lahore attacks.

(PTI)

Second Test called off after four days of washouts

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India South Africa

Bengaluru: Four days of washouts owing to persistent rain and wet ground conditions led to the second cricket Test being officially called off here today, with hosts India leading the four-match series against South Africa 1-0.

The on-field umpires called off the match after an inspection at 11.30 local time.

It is the first time in the history of Test cricket in India that four days have been completely washed out.

The last time a major part of a Test in India was washed out was almost a decade ago when play was held up for three days in a Test in Chennai between India and Sri Lanka.

Both teams will now travel to Nagpur for the penultimate and third game.

Though it only drizzled briefly on the fifth and final morning, overnight rain meant there could be no play.

Puddles had formed in a few uncovered areas near the edges of the ground at the Chinnaswami Stadium.

It is likely the umpires felt that patches of damp spots in some of the areas, caused by sweating under the covers, might not be safe for fielders.

Besides the super soppers, the groundstaffs also had in their disposal a machine called the Pro Core, but none could ensure resumption of play in South African batting mainstay A B de Villiers;’ 100th Test.

India were 80 for no loss in reply to South Africa’s first innings score of 214 on the opening day. Shikhar Dhawan (45) and Murali Vijay (28) were at the crease.

India skipper Virat Kohli said after the match, “The bowlers did a commendable job, bowling South Africa out in less than three sessions is something that’s very rare. A lot of people were surprised when we decided to field first. All credit to the bowlers, Bangalore is known for its runs, but our bowlers showed their character.

“It’s a pity that we lost four days when we were in such a strong position.

“Shikhar (Dhawan) is an impact player and he’s done the job in the past and it is great to have him back in form.

Nothing has changed in the series, we took the confidence from Mohali to Bangalore and we had a good day’s play. The team is in great mood and hopefully we don’t have any interruptions anymore and execute their skills in Nagpur.”

Rival captain Hashim Amla said, “We’ve had about seven days of Tests in 20 in the last four Test matches. Very surprised we have lost four days of cricket here. I really didn’t think four days would be washed out.

“AB getting 80-odd in his 100th Test was a highlight and we are glad to share the moment with him. Unfortunately we didn’t bat very well, but it was still in the balance with the time left.

(Agencies)

Fourth day’s play also called off in Bengaluru Test

by

India South Africa

Bengaluru: The fourth day’s play in the India-South Africa second Test match was called off without a ball being bowled due to rain at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday.

“The play has been officially called off. Another day lost to rain. If weather permits, tomorrow the play will start at 9:15 A.M. #IndvsSA,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wrote on Twitter.

There was no sign of rain till 1.40 p.m as the umpires announced the delayed start because of a wet outfield by inspecting the ground twice at 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. After the second inspection, they took the decision that the game can be resumed at 2 p.m.

But a light drizzle forced the ground to be covered, and the umpires to call off play.

Play was also called off on Sunday and Monday and with Tuesday too washed away, as many as nine sessions have been wasted because of rain.

India, at 80 for no loss, were trailing South Africa by 134 runs at the end of Day One with openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan batting on 28 and 45 respectively.

Earlier, India bowled out South Africa for 214 runs in the first innings.

(Agencies)

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