Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sehwag, Gambhir make bright start
http://www.cricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2010/content/current/story/479524.html
Zaheer takes five after Paine steers Australia to 428
india v Australia, 1st Test, Mohali, 2nd day
October 2, 2010
End of innings Australia 428 (Watson 126, Paine 92, Ponting 71, Zaheer 5-94) v India
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Shane Watson's resistance finally ended on 126 © AFP
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Bulletin : 1st day bulletin
Players/Officials: Harbhajan Singh | Zaheer Khan | Tim Paine | Shane Watson
Matches: India v Australia at Mohali
Series/Tournaments: Australia tour of India [Sep-Oct 2010]
Teams: Australia | India
Zaheer Khan finished with 5 for 94 after Tim Paine's fighting 92 pushed Australia to a satisfying first-innings total of 428 late on the second day. Paine was disappointed to miss a century after his determined innings built on the important 126 of Shane Watson and took Australia to a safe position.
Zaheer stepped up for the under-manned India with his 10th five-wicket haul while Harbhajan Singh collected 3 for 114 off 49 overs. Paine was dropped by MS Dhoni on 86 but VVS Laxman quickly made up for the mistake with a sharp catch low down at second slip to give Zaheer his fifth breakthrough.
The innings ended when Doug Bollinger holed out to provide Pragyan Ojha with his first wicket in his 52nd over. India were hindered by the long absence of Ishant Sharma, who has been battling an injured knee, and he delivered four unconvincing overs on the second day.
Tea Australia 390 for 8 (Watson 126, Paine 75*, Ponting 71, Zaheer 4-83) v India
Australia blunted India and then began to blossom under Tim Paine's guidance to reach a promising 390 for 8 at tea on the second day. Paine's maiden half-century - he was on 75 at the break - first stabilised his team before he lifted the pace in combination with Mitchell Johnson during a bright 82-run stand.
The gains came after Shane Watson's assured 126 set the platform while Zaheer Khan produced a fourth wicket to stop the tourists piling up a huge score. The total is difficult to judge and has taken five sessions to compile, but the Australians will be satisfied after some difficulties on both days. However, it is a target that India's batsmen could conquer by the end of tomorrow if they fire, although the lack of urgency from both sides appears to indicate everyone would be content with a draw.
Having crawled to 71 in the opening session, Australia relaxed through Paine and Johnson after lunch as they started to swing freely against the tiring spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha. Johnson skipped to 47, striking three sixes, and provided a necessary surge to take Australia to safer ground.
Paine also increased his rate, lifting Ojha over midwicket for consecutive boundaries in his most attacking phase, and showed his comfort at this level in only his third Test. Dropped by MS Dhoni on 0 yesterday, Paine refused to submit to the various tensions and played the sort of settling innings the injured Brad Haddin could not have managed.
At times it was easy to wish for some Haddin extravagance, but Paine provided an old-fashioned display, just as Watson had done so purposefully. After two sessions, Paine had struck 10 boundaries from his 179 deliveries, showing his ability off both feet and impressing with his determination.
Johnson edged Zaheer's first ball after the middle drinks break to Dhoni, leaving Paine to continue to organise the tail efficiently. Nathan Hauritz gave Harbhajan his third, with help from a sharp take from Gautam Gambhir, and at tea Ben Hilfenhaus was unbeaten on 9.
After resuming at 224 for 5, the Australians crept forward in the morning with a couple of aims. They didn't want to expose the lower order too soon, especially with India's spinners operating, and they intended to keep the under-manned local attack in the field for as long as possible. They were successful on both counts.
In the first hour Watson and Paine scraped 25 as they followed the extra cautious method of the previous afternoon. The early stress eased for Paine after drinks in the morning when he glanced his first four off his 61st ball, gaining confidence from the unshackling. He drove and late cut Zaheer for another couple of boundaries and was soon comfortable in the humid conditions and on the turning surface.
It was hard work but the plan was effective for long periods as they frustrated the hosts, who expected a quick end to the innings following their late surge on day one. Watson was again unflustered as he showed more steel, moving to a personal best before his concentration finally broke. He pushed at a flighted offspinner from Harbhajan and popped it to Gambhir at short leg, ending his 338-ball resistance.
Zaheer Khan (4-83) continued to work with the old ball - the new one remained unused after 145 overs - but could not gain the reverse swing that hurt the tourists on the opening afternoon. Harbhajan and Ojha were the main threats but were overused - they had to be - due to the injury to Ishant Sharma.
They were both attacked in the second session but were always capable of providing a scare. Harbhajan returned 3 for 114 from 49 overs while Ojha went at a touch over two runs from each of his 50 overs, despite receiving some punishment from Paine and Johnson.
There was some other good news for India with Ishant back on the field following a knee problem on the first day. He was given the ball late in the second session and delivered a couple of overs.
Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo
Feeds: Peter English
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
October 2, 2010
End of innings Australia 428 (Watson 126, Paine 92, Ponting 71, Zaheer 5-94) v India
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Shane Watson's resistance finally ended on 126 © AFP
Enlarge
Related Links
Bulletin : 1st day bulletin
Players/Officials: Harbhajan Singh | Zaheer Khan | Tim Paine | Shane Watson
Matches: India v Australia at Mohali
Series/Tournaments: Australia tour of India [Sep-Oct 2010]
Teams: Australia | India
Zaheer Khan finished with 5 for 94 after Tim Paine's fighting 92 pushed Australia to a satisfying first-innings total of 428 late on the second day. Paine was disappointed to miss a century after his determined innings built on the important 126 of Shane Watson and took Australia to a safe position.
Zaheer stepped up for the under-manned India with his 10th five-wicket haul while Harbhajan Singh collected 3 for 114 off 49 overs. Paine was dropped by MS Dhoni on 86 but VVS Laxman quickly made up for the mistake with a sharp catch low down at second slip to give Zaheer his fifth breakthrough.
The innings ended when Doug Bollinger holed out to provide Pragyan Ojha with his first wicket in his 52nd over. India were hindered by the long absence of Ishant Sharma, who has been battling an injured knee, and he delivered four unconvincing overs on the second day.
Tea Australia 390 for 8 (Watson 126, Paine 75*, Ponting 71, Zaheer 4-83) v India
Australia blunted India and then began to blossom under Tim Paine's guidance to reach a promising 390 for 8 at tea on the second day. Paine's maiden half-century - he was on 75 at the break - first stabilised his team before he lifted the pace in combination with Mitchell Johnson during a bright 82-run stand.
The gains came after Shane Watson's assured 126 set the platform while Zaheer Khan produced a fourth wicket to stop the tourists piling up a huge score. The total is difficult to judge and has taken five sessions to compile, but the Australians will be satisfied after some difficulties on both days. However, it is a target that India's batsmen could conquer by the end of tomorrow if they fire, although the lack of urgency from both sides appears to indicate everyone would be content with a draw.
Having crawled to 71 in the opening session, Australia relaxed through Paine and Johnson after lunch as they started to swing freely against the tiring spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha. Johnson skipped to 47, striking three sixes, and provided a necessary surge to take Australia to safer ground.
Paine also increased his rate, lifting Ojha over midwicket for consecutive boundaries in his most attacking phase, and showed his comfort at this level in only his third Test. Dropped by MS Dhoni on 0 yesterday, Paine refused to submit to the various tensions and played the sort of settling innings the injured Brad Haddin could not have managed.
At times it was easy to wish for some Haddin extravagance, but Paine provided an old-fashioned display, just as Watson had done so purposefully. After two sessions, Paine had struck 10 boundaries from his 179 deliveries, showing his ability off both feet and impressing with his determination.
Johnson edged Zaheer's first ball after the middle drinks break to Dhoni, leaving Paine to continue to organise the tail efficiently. Nathan Hauritz gave Harbhajan his third, with help from a sharp take from Gautam Gambhir, and at tea Ben Hilfenhaus was unbeaten on 9.
After resuming at 224 for 5, the Australians crept forward in the morning with a couple of aims. They didn't want to expose the lower order too soon, especially with India's spinners operating, and they intended to keep the under-manned local attack in the field for as long as possible. They were successful on both counts.
In the first hour Watson and Paine scraped 25 as they followed the extra cautious method of the previous afternoon. The early stress eased for Paine after drinks in the morning when he glanced his first four off his 61st ball, gaining confidence from the unshackling. He drove and late cut Zaheer for another couple of boundaries and was soon comfortable in the humid conditions and on the turning surface.
It was hard work but the plan was effective for long periods as they frustrated the hosts, who expected a quick end to the innings following their late surge on day one. Watson was again unflustered as he showed more steel, moving to a personal best before his concentration finally broke. He pushed at a flighted offspinner from Harbhajan and popped it to Gambhir at short leg, ending his 338-ball resistance.
Zaheer Khan (4-83) continued to work with the old ball - the new one remained unused after 145 overs - but could not gain the reverse swing that hurt the tourists on the opening afternoon. Harbhajan and Ojha were the main threats but were overused - they had to be - due to the injury to Ishant Sharma.
They were both attacked in the second session but were always capable of providing a scare. Harbhajan returned 3 for 114 from 49 overs while Ojha went at a touch over two runs from each of his 50 overs, despite receiving some punishment from Paine and Johnson.
There was some other good news for India with Ishant back on the field following a knee problem on the first day. He was given the ball late in the second session and delivered a couple of overs.
Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo
Feeds: Peter English
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
ipl
Tournament Fixtures
Deccan v Kolkata at Mumbai
Mar 12 (20:00 local, 14:30 GMT)
Mumbai v Rajasthan at Mumbai (BS)
Mar 13 (15:00 local, 09:30 GMT)
Punjab v Delhi at Mohali
Mar 13 (20:00 local, 14:30 GMT)
Kolkata v Bangalore at Kolkata
Mar 14 (16:00 local, 10:30 GMT)
Chennai v Deccan at Chennai
Mar 14 (20:00 local, 14:30 GMT)
Deccan v Kolkata at Mumbai
Mar 12 (20:00 local, 14:30 GMT)
Mumbai v Rajasthan at Mumbai (BS)
Mar 13 (15:00 local, 09:30 GMT)
Punjab v Delhi at Mohali
Mar 13 (20:00 local, 14:30 GMT)
Kolkata v Bangalore at Kolkata
Mar 14 (16:00 local, 10:30 GMT)
Chennai v Deccan at Chennai
Mar 14 (20:00 local, 14:30 GMT)
Deccan, Kolkata miss overseas stars in opener
Match facts
Friday, March 12
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)
Owais Shah canes the South African attack, South Africa v England, ICC Champions Trophy, Group B, Centurion, September 27, 2009
Kolkata's Owais Shah is set to make his IPL debut © Getty Images
Related Links
Matches: Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders at Mumbai
Series/Tournaments: Indian Premier League
Teams: Deccan Chargers | Kolkata Knight Riders
Big picture
It's the first of 60 matches: The defending champions taking on wooden-spoon winners, after a flashy opening ceremony, amid high security at a stadium neither calls home. What stakes does the first bout of IPL 2010 hold, when the contestants know they have 13 to follow? Not much in isolation, given the unpredictability of the format and the duration of the tournament, but Kolkata Knight Riders, who've won only nine out of 28 previous IPL matches during campaigns fraught with controversy, would love to hit the ground running.
Kolkata's build-up to Friday's opening game has been quieter than in the first two seasons. They appointed a coach who prefers to stay behind the scenes, and not quote Sun Tzu; they named one captain for the entire tournament rather than pass the responsibility around; and they've had fewer chest-beating advertisements on television. Their owner, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, has, by his standards, flown under the radar. One of the few off-field developments that made headlines was their new purple and gold strip. They were even involved in the few trades that took place during the transfer window, and used it to strengthen their batting. Could the toning down of the razzmatazz that made the Knight Riders the most flamboyant team despite horrendous results engineer an on-field reform?
For proof that it can be done, they only need to look at their opponents. Deccan Chargers finished last in the opening season, winning only two games and none at home in Hyderabad. They too made significant changes - a new captain and coach - for the second season in South Africa and were surprise winners. However, they are not among the most formidable teams this season: their squad contains overseas players, who are either out of form or short on match-practice; their bowlers had struggled to contain on India's flat batting surfaces and were more effective in South Africa.
Team talk
Kolkata have only six overseas players to choose from at the moment: Brad Hodge, Owais Shah, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Mashrafe Mortaza and Charl Langeveldt. The likes of Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, David Hussey and Shane Bond will join the squad only after their international commitments. It's likely that Mendis and Mortaza will be the ones to miss out on the opening game. Ajit Agarkar did not train on the eve of the match because of a calf strain and is likely to sit out as well. Kolkata signed up an Under-19 player, Mandeep Singh, 48 hours ago and he is reportedly in their scheme of things.
Deccan don't have a choice regarding their overseas players for the first game. They have only four in the squad so Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Chaminda Vaas will play. It's a bit of a concern since Gilchrist, Symonds and Vaas have been out of competitive cricket while Gibbs has been struggling for form with South Africa. They have a strong Indian contingent, though, with VVS Laxman and Rohit Sharma bolstering the batting, and RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha leading the bowling.
Previously…
Kolkata beat Deccan in both matches during the 2008 season: by five wickets at home and by 23 runs away. Deccan, however, won both matches during the 2009 season in South Africa, beating Kolkata by eight and six wickets.
In the spotlight
Charl Langeveldt v Deccan's openers: Adam Gilchrist has spent another year without playing much competitive cricket and his opening partner Gibbs isn't in prime form anymore. In Langeveldt, Kolkata possess a clever bowler capable of taking crucial wickets and Gilchrist's will be the prize scalp. Langeveldt played only one game last season so, if given an opportunity tomorrow, he'll be keen to stake his claim before Shane Bond arrives.
Owais Shah: Kolkata acquired Shah from Delhi this season, in exchange for Moises Henriques, to bolster a batting line-up that is missing McCullum, Gayle and Hussey during the early stages. Shah spent the entire season on the sidelines for Delhi in 2009 so he'll be desperate to make an impact in his first IPL opportunity. Those who watched his 72 off 48 balls in an ODI in Bangalore, and his 98 against South Africa in the Champions Trophy will know what damage Shah can cause with his innovative technique.
Prime numbers
# Kolkata possess the two highest run-scorers in Twenty20 cricket. Hodge has 2547 runs in 77 innings at a strike-rate of 129 and David Hussey has scored 2355 runs at a strike-rate of 139.
# Adam Gilchrist was the second highest run-scorer in IPL 2009 - 495 at a strike-rate of 152. RP Singh was the tournament's highest wicket-taker, with 23 at an economy-rate of just under seven an over.
The chatter
"Everyone team is affected by the international schedule. It is not a surprise. We are only one of the teams who are not full-strength as yet. But it is about the Indian contingent and how they perform that can often determine the results."
Adam Gilchrist isn't too concerned by the shortage of overseas players for the first game.
"It's a new set up at KKR. We have done the best in everything we can, hopefully we will deliver. I am not too keen to talk about the past. We have a good atmosphere."
Sourav Ganguly isn't dwelling on poor campaigns of the past.
Friday, March 12
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)
Owais Shah canes the South African attack, South Africa v England, ICC Champions Trophy, Group B, Centurion, September 27, 2009
Kolkata's Owais Shah is set to make his IPL debut © Getty Images
Related Links
Matches: Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders at Mumbai
Series/Tournaments: Indian Premier League
Teams: Deccan Chargers | Kolkata Knight Riders
Big picture
It's the first of 60 matches: The defending champions taking on wooden-spoon winners, after a flashy opening ceremony, amid high security at a stadium neither calls home. What stakes does the first bout of IPL 2010 hold, when the contestants know they have 13 to follow? Not much in isolation, given the unpredictability of the format and the duration of the tournament, but Kolkata Knight Riders, who've won only nine out of 28 previous IPL matches during campaigns fraught with controversy, would love to hit the ground running.
Kolkata's build-up to Friday's opening game has been quieter than in the first two seasons. They appointed a coach who prefers to stay behind the scenes, and not quote Sun Tzu; they named one captain for the entire tournament rather than pass the responsibility around; and they've had fewer chest-beating advertisements on television. Their owner, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, has, by his standards, flown under the radar. One of the few off-field developments that made headlines was their new purple and gold strip. They were even involved in the few trades that took place during the transfer window, and used it to strengthen their batting. Could the toning down of the razzmatazz that made the Knight Riders the most flamboyant team despite horrendous results engineer an on-field reform?
For proof that it can be done, they only need to look at their opponents. Deccan Chargers finished last in the opening season, winning only two games and none at home in Hyderabad. They too made significant changes - a new captain and coach - for the second season in South Africa and were surprise winners. However, they are not among the most formidable teams this season: their squad contains overseas players, who are either out of form or short on match-practice; their bowlers had struggled to contain on India's flat batting surfaces and were more effective in South Africa.
Team talk
Kolkata have only six overseas players to choose from at the moment: Brad Hodge, Owais Shah, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Mashrafe Mortaza and Charl Langeveldt. The likes of Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, David Hussey and Shane Bond will join the squad only after their international commitments. It's likely that Mendis and Mortaza will be the ones to miss out on the opening game. Ajit Agarkar did not train on the eve of the match because of a calf strain and is likely to sit out as well. Kolkata signed up an Under-19 player, Mandeep Singh, 48 hours ago and he is reportedly in their scheme of things.
Deccan don't have a choice regarding their overseas players for the first game. They have only four in the squad so Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Chaminda Vaas will play. It's a bit of a concern since Gilchrist, Symonds and Vaas have been out of competitive cricket while Gibbs has been struggling for form with South Africa. They have a strong Indian contingent, though, with VVS Laxman and Rohit Sharma bolstering the batting, and RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha leading the bowling.
Previously…
Kolkata beat Deccan in both matches during the 2008 season: by five wickets at home and by 23 runs away. Deccan, however, won both matches during the 2009 season in South Africa, beating Kolkata by eight and six wickets.
In the spotlight
Charl Langeveldt v Deccan's openers: Adam Gilchrist has spent another year without playing much competitive cricket and his opening partner Gibbs isn't in prime form anymore. In Langeveldt, Kolkata possess a clever bowler capable of taking crucial wickets and Gilchrist's will be the prize scalp. Langeveldt played only one game last season so, if given an opportunity tomorrow, he'll be keen to stake his claim before Shane Bond arrives.
Owais Shah: Kolkata acquired Shah from Delhi this season, in exchange for Moises Henriques, to bolster a batting line-up that is missing McCullum, Gayle and Hussey during the early stages. Shah spent the entire season on the sidelines for Delhi in 2009 so he'll be desperate to make an impact in his first IPL opportunity. Those who watched his 72 off 48 balls in an ODI in Bangalore, and his 98 against South Africa in the Champions Trophy will know what damage Shah can cause with his innovative technique.
Prime numbers
# Kolkata possess the two highest run-scorers in Twenty20 cricket. Hodge has 2547 runs in 77 innings at a strike-rate of 129 and David Hussey has scored 2355 runs at a strike-rate of 139.
# Adam Gilchrist was the second highest run-scorer in IPL 2009 - 495 at a strike-rate of 152. RP Singh was the tournament's highest wicket-taker, with 23 at an economy-rate of just under seven an over.
The chatter
"Everyone team is affected by the international schedule. It is not a surprise. We are only one of the teams who are not full-strength as yet. But it is about the Indian contingent and how they perform that can often determine the results."
Adam Gilchrist isn't too concerned by the shortage of overseas players for the first game.
"It's a new set up at KKR. We have done the best in everything we can, hopefully we will deliver. I am not too keen to talk about the past. We have a good atmosphere."
Sourav Ganguly isn't dwelling on poor campaigns of the past.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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