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Monday, July 23, 2012

C r i c H o t L i n e

C r i c H o t L i n e

Amla, Steyn crush England by an innings and 12 runs in 1st Test

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:10 AM PDT


South Africa beat England by an innings and 12 runs on Monday in the first test at the Oval.

Dale Steyn took 5-56 and Imran Tahir claimed 3-63 as England slumped from 203-5 to 240 all out during the afternoon session on day five.

Scorecard | Day 5 Highlights

Ian Bell and Matt Prior had given England hope of saving the match with a stand of 86, but England collapsed after Prior fell for 40 trying to sweep Tahir.

Steyn claimed the key wicket of Bell, who made 55 from 220 balls with six fours.

It was a bruising defeat for England, who had enjoyed the better of the first day to reach 267-3. South Africa dominated from then, however, led by an epic 311 not out from Hashim Amla, an unbeaten 182 from Jacques Kallis and 131 from captain Graeme Smith to give them a daunting 637-2.

England began day four on 102-4, realistically needing to bat through at least two sessions to save the match, but poor shot selection contributed to their first defeat in a home test since Pakistan beat them at this venue in 2010.

Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss had already gifted South Africa their wickets on Sunday with needlessly extravagant shots, and Ravi Bopara (22) followed suit just 30 minutes into the morning session. Bopara flashed at a delivery from Steyn that he could have ignored, dragging the ball onto middle stump.

Wicketkeeper AB de Villiers then dropped Bell, who was on 20, after he nicked a delivery from Tahir that he was trying to block.

Bell narrowly avoided being run out in the 62nd over when a direct hit from JP Duminy would have left him stranded by a foot, but he and Matt Prior otherwise batted with discipline to survive 90 minutes to the end of the session.

England whittled away South Africa’s lead after lunch until Prior, having batted sensibly for 132 minutes, tried to sweep Tahir and was caught at slip by Jacques Kallis for 40.

The game appeared to be up for England when Steyn removed Bell with his second delivery with the new ball. Bell tried to open the face, but merely guided the ball to Kallis at slip.

Stuart Broad was caught behind for 0 off Steyn on referral and Graeme Swann launched a doomed counterattack and was caught for 7 by Alviro Petersen.

The victory was sealed when James Anderson was lbw to Tahir for 4. Anderson referred the call, but replays showed the ball would have clattered his stumps.

South Africa leads the three-match series 1-0 and will replace England at the top of the ICC world rankings it wins the second test, which starts next Thursday at Headingley.

England vs South Africa Day 5 Highlights 1st Test The Oval 2012 #EngvSA

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:40 AM PDT


England vs South Africa highlights of the Day 5 of the 1st Test played at The Oval, England on 23 July 2012. South Africa are almost on the verge of their first victory on the tour. Hashim Amla became first South African to score a triple ton and in reply South African bowler supported very well. They picked up 4 wickets at the close of Day 4. So the no. 1 test team going to taste their first defeat of this season? Check out the Day 5 action of 1st Test in Highlights below:

South Africa vs England Day 5 Highlights 1st Test will be posted here. Match scheduled to start at 10:00 GMT or 15:30 IST.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Post Match

Check out the preview of 1st Test here and for live scores go here

England vs South Africa 1st Test Post Match Presentation 2012 #EngvSA

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:37 AM PDT


Amla: It has been a great experience to bat in this line-up. Nice to get a triple under my belt. I have learnt a lot from my seniors in the team. Batting with Kallis is an education. He is one of the best when it comes to batting, I have learnt a lot playing with him. Smith is another batsman with whom I enjoy batting. Swann was bowling very well and we wanted to make sure that he does not pick up early wickets. Batting is an art, it is all about constructing an innings. I hope that I will continue to bat well in the remainder of the series.

Hashim Amla is the MoM for his 311*

Graeme Smith: Extremely proud to have won the 1st Test in the series, especially after what happened on Day 1. I feel we did not bowl all that badly on the first day. Credit to our bowlers, they came back well after the first day. The conditions did help us, but we stuck to our task. We have a batting unit that can perform anywhere in the world. Hash was amazing, great job done by him. We know that conditions will be very different at Headingley, we are prepared for that.

Andrew Strauss: South Africa played some outstanding cricket after Day 1. They deserve all the credit. Smith, Amla and Kallis were outstanding. We did not make use of a good platform on the second day. We have lessons to learn and hopefully we will do so before the next Test. The wicket was pretty good even today, credit to their bowlers who kept constant pressure on us. We need to learn from this Test. I believe that we have an outstanding bowling attack, I am confident that they can take 20 wickets on any track (obviously, not on this). Their batsmen stuck to their task and did not give us much of a chance. Scoring 300 on any pitch is always a great job, Amla was fantastic. Our preparations were good, we have no excuses on that front. I believe that we can come back and win the next 2 Tests.

Preview: India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI #IndvSL Hambantota 2012

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:30 AM PDT


After starting the new season with a comfortable victory, favourites India will be aiming to keep up the momentum when they take on hosts Sri Lanka in the second cricket ODI on Tuesday.

India cruised to a 21-run win against the islanders in the opening ODI — courtesy the in-form Virat Kohli who smashed 106 and senior batsman Virender Sehwag who made a significant contribution with an innings of 96.

The strip at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium where the first ODI was played seemed to be a typical limited overs pitch where the batsmen have a field day once they get their eye in.

It is a wicket where ‘win the toss and bat first’ is the mantra for all captains and Mahendra Singh Dhoni was no different on the other day.

Although the windy conditions initially help the swing bowlers but primarily it’s the batsmen who dominate in these conditions.

For India, it will be an advantage of sorts as Sri Lanka’s most consistent new-ball bowler in recent times, Nuwan Kulasekara is out of the series with a groin injury sustained while trying to attempt a catch during the first ODI.

All eyes will again be on man-of-the-moment Kohli who has now scored four centuries in his last five appearances and is in the form of his life.

It would certainly boost his confidence that he has started the new season with a flawless century.

Ditto for Virender Sehwag, who had skipped the Asia Cup due to injury and was keen to get a headstart as it is supposed to be a long and hard season for Team India.

Gautam Gambhir will be keen to shrug off the disappointment of getting out cheaply in the first match and make amends in tomorrow’s game.

Suresh Raina and skipper Dhoni have always been pretty consistent in the shorter formats and their valuable contribution at the death overs certainly made a lot of difference.

Rohit Sharma’s indifferent form, however, sticks out like a sore thumb amid the good batting form of his teammates.

Having scored only two centuries in 81 ODIs certainly doesn’t do justice to his enormous promise. A poor average of 32-plus is something that should definitely worry Rohit as he goes about trying to transform talent into match-winning performances.

However, it is unlikely that the Indian team management would tinker with the playing XI for at least another couple of matches unless they are forced to due to injury concerns.

Skipper Dhoni will, however, want his bowlers to up the ante after being penalised for slow over-rate in the last match.

All-rounder Irfan Pathan’s presence in the side lends the necessary balance. Although his pace has dropped considerably but his ability to get movement with the new ball is something that adds dimension to the attack considering Sri Lanka has an attacking batsmen in Tillakaratne Dilshan at the top of the order.

The Indians will also have to counter Kumar Sangakkara who hit a splendid 133 in the last match but ran out of partners.

Dilshan and skipper Mahela Jayawardene are the players who are not known to go through prolonged bad patch and on their day can destroy any bowling attack in world cricket.(PTI)

Teams

India (probable): Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(c & wk), Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha.

Sri Lanka (probable): Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara(wk), Mahela Jayawardene(c), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Isuru Udana

Time: 14:30 local (14:30 IST)

Pakistan likely to recall Shoaib Malik for Australia ODI series

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:28 AM PDT


Pakistan selectors are planning to recall some discarded batsmen, including Shoaib Malik, to strengthen the national team’s batting line up, which they feel lacks firepower.

Sources close to the national selectors said that in the first stage the selectors were planning to recall discarded opener Yasir Hameed, middle-order batsman Fawad Alam and Malik in the one-day squad.

Malik has been named in the national T20 squad for the Australia series and T20 World Cup but the selectors are yet to announce the One-day squad for the Australia series.

Hameed has not been selected to play for Pakistan since 2010 and Fawad has also been out of favor with the selectors.

One source said the selectors were concerned with the inconsistent form of the batsmen barring the exception of youngsters Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.

“Their feeling is that the time is right to start planning ahead to stabilise the batting line-up in the ODI and Test formats,” the source said.

“Basically, the selectors feel that the batsmen are not scoring consistency and secondly they are not getting big scores as was the requirement of the team. The planning is to not only recall some discarded players like Yasir and Fawad but also give more responsibility to Malik and also try out some new faces,” the source said.

The source said the selectors were worried since Pakistan will travel to South Africa for a full series early next year.

“The idea is to start rebuilding the batting line up by adding fresh players. That is one reason why the selectors have also picked the top performers of the last domestic season to attend a conditioning camp at the national cricket academy,” the source said.

Hameed, who has played 25 Tests and 56 ODIs, was not considered for selection after he was involved in the News of the World interview when Pakistan were touring England in 2010.

The interview led to Hameed being banned by the PCB but later the ban was removed and he was fined half-a-million rupees.(PTI)

Nuwan Pradeep replaces Kulasekara in Sri Lanka squad for India series

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 07:55 AM PDT


Sri Lanka, on Monday, named pacer Nuwan Pradeep as the replacement for their injured bowler Nuwan Kulasekara for the remainder of the One-Day International (ODI) series against India.

Pradeep will join the team after returning from Zimbabwe, where he was travelling with Sri Lankan A team for a tri-series.

Pradeep has played three Tests but is yet to play in a One-day international.

Pradeep had made his Test debut against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in October 2011.

Kulasekara had strained his groin while attempting a catch in the first ODI against India on Saturday. He bowled only half of his quota of overs.

The two teams are set clash in the second ODI on Tuesday.(PTI)

Afridi, Gayle to play for Sydney Thunder in Big Bash league

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 02:41 AM PDT


Star West Indian big-hitter Chris Gayle and Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi have signed to play in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition for the Sydney Thunder, the team said on Monday.

Gayle is returning to the team where last season he smashed an unbeaten century off 54 deliveries, including 11 sixes, against Adelaide and who finished the competition with an average of 42 for the Thunder with 252 runs.

“After my experience last year, I always wanted to return,” said the West Indian who hit the most sixes in the Big Bash League last season with 22.

“I love Sydney, so I cannot wait to get amongst the guys again.”

Afridi played in the inaugural BBL last year with the Melbourne Renegades, finishing among the league’s top 10 wicket-takers and posting a respectable average of 23 with the bat.

“I was approached by a few teams in the BBL and opted for Sydney Thunder as I feel there is a real drive and passion to be successful this time around, and this is something I want to be part of,” Afridi said.

The eight-team BBL begins on December 7.

Chris Gayle returns to West Indies test squad

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:00 AM PDT


Having made peace with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), explosive batsman Chris Gayle on Monday returned to the country’s Test side after more than 18 months.

Gayle has been named in the West Indies squad for the first Test against New Zealand starting on Wednesday.

Gayle last played Test cricket during the tour of Sri Lanka in December 2010. Also back in the squad is Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who missed the final Test against England due to a side strain.

The selectors have left out an injured Darren Bravo from the 13-man squad. Bravo sustained the injury during the England tour.

The first Test against New Zealand will be played in Antigua before the teams head to Jamaica for the second and final Test. (PTI)

Squad: Darren Sammy (c), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Kieran Powell, Assad Fudadin, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Narsingh Deonarine, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Tino Best, Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine.

Kulasekara out of ODI series against India

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:30 AM PDT


Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara will miss the rest of the five-match one-day international series against India after injuring his groin in Saturday’s opener.

Team manager Charith Senanayake said on Sunday that the extent of Kulasekara’s injury was not yet known but confirmed the player will not take any further part in the series.

“We cannot get a scan here in Hambantota. We will get a scan done when we reach Colombo and see the extent of the injury and for how long he will be out,” he said.

A replacement for Kulasekara will be named shortly, added Senanayake.

Kulasekara injured himself while attempting to catch Indian batsman Virender Sehwag in the 11th over while fielding at mid-off during the first game, won by India.

The second match takes place on July 24 at Hambantota.

Amla triple ton takes South Africa close to win against England: 1st Test

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:03 AM PDT


Hashim Amla’s epic triple century that took more than 13 hours has South Africa poised to win the first Test against England, with the hosts trailing by 150 runs on Sunday with six second-innings wickets in hand.

Amla’s 311 from 529 balls lasted 790 minutes and contained 35 boundaries, and it broke AB de Villiers’ 278 not out as the highest test score by a South African batsman. It also has South Africa on the verge of leading 1-0 in the three-test series with one day’s play left at The Oval.

England had slumped to 102-4 by stumps with Ravi Bopara 15 not out and Ian Bell unbeaten on 14. Vernon Philander had the best figures of 1-13.

Amla and Jacques Kallis (182 not out) put on a stand of 377 after captain Graeme Smith was dismissed for 131. Kallis hit a six and 23 fours in 326 balls on a torturous and wicketless day for England’s bowlers.

Amla’s innings was remarkable for its style and quality.

The South African played few false shots against an England attack whose discipline never wavered – even after 13 hours in the field the run rate was only 3.37.

The only real chance Amla offered was on Friday evening, slashing at a delivery from Ravi Bopara only for England captain Andrew Strauss to miss a difficult catching opportunity at first slip when on 40.

Having already toiled for a day and a half, the torment continued for England’s bowlers throughout Sunday. The morning session amounted to little more than South Africa ticking off a succession of landmarks.

The 150 partnership came off 309 balls and Amla reached his 200 off 392 deliveries when he pushed a delivery from Stuart Broad for three through cover.

Kallis then steered Bresnan to third man to reach his century – his 43rd in Tests – from 227 balls.

Amla beat his previous best test score of 253 not out against India in Nagpur in 2010 when he drove Anderson for four early in the afternoon session. And he broke de Villiers’ record with a four off Tim Bresnan before Kallis strolled to 150 with a single from Graeme Swann.

Chances only came after South Africa started to accelerate toward a declaration.

Amla reached his triple century, off 515 balls, with a four off Bopara that just eluded the fielder at cover. Bopara then got a hand to a drive from Amla but couldn’t hold the catch.

South Africa declared during the tea interval and claimed a wicket in the second over of the evening session, when Alastair Cook was caught behind for 0 off Philander.

The Oval crowd broke into a spontaneous ovation when news broke that cyclist Bradley Wiggins had become the first British winner of the Tour de France, but otherwise they had nothing to cheer about.

Jonathan Trott fell in the 11th over, caught behind off Dale Steyn, but England was handed a lifeline when Kevin Pietersen wafted a ball from Morne Morkel and was dropped by Kallis at second slip.

It was a short-lived reprieve for Pietersen, who batted like a man playing a one-day innings. After 17 balls, Morkel bowled him middle stump and he was out for 16.

Strauss played an equally senseless shot when he tried to sweep Imran Tahir and was caught off a top edge by Philander at square leg for 27. But Bopara and Bell survived to take the game into a fifth day.
Posted by MohammaD IsmaiL at 1:05 PM

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