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Last Updated
Tuesday August
08, 08.00 Hrs IST
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Jayawardene takes Lanka close to win
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Strauss hits century, but Pakistan has the edge
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Balaji charts his rehabilitation and comeback plans
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Malaysia-Singapore tri-series from Sept. 12
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Pietersen packs a punch
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Sania out of Acura classic
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Dravid maintains top rank in LG ICC rating
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Hockey teams to be announced on Aug
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New Delhi to host 14th SAARC summit
Jayawardene takes Lanka close to win
Yet another ten-wicket haul for Muttiah Muralitharan
COLOMBO: Mahela Jayawardene hit an unbeaten 77 to take Sri Lanka within 90 runs of victory in the second cricket Test and a series sweep against South Africa.
Set 352 to win, the host ended the fourth day at 262 for five on Monday, leaving three sessions and five wickets to achieve the 90 runs required.
The Sri Lanka captain has so far added 61 for the sixth wicket in the company of Prasanna Jayawardene, with the wicketkeeper-batsman contributing 27 runs.
South Africa missed a chance to dismiss Jayawardene on two when he edged an Andrew Hall delivery to gully. But Herschelle Gibbs, one of the safest fielders in the team, failed to hold on.
It was a major reprieve for Sri Lanka. As long as he remains at the crease, Sri Lanka has a great chance of winning.
Sri Lanka's highest run chase in Test cricket so far has been 326 against Zimbabwe at the Sinhalese Sports Club in 1997.
South Africa resumed on Monday at 257 for seven and added 54 before Mark Boucher's rearguard innings finished at 65.
South African coach Mickey Arthur indicated that the game may have slipped away from his side a bit.
``We thought 350 was a good target to give them, but maybe we are 30-40 runs short at the end,'' he said. ``But the new ball is due after eight overs and if we can take a wicket early that'll open up things for us and we'll be in the game.''
Despite losing opening partner Upul Tharanga for a duck, veteran Sanath Jayasuriya started the chase aggressively for Sri Lanka with 73 from 74 balls.
The 37-year-old left-hander, who recently reversed his decision to retire from Test cricket, took the attack to the South African bowlers reaching his 30th Test half-century in style by hoisting veteran paceman Shaun Pollock for a big six.
He added a quick 82 for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara.
Pollock hit back by breaking the partnership with the total at 94, but Sri Lanka suffered a big blow when Jayasuriya was dismissed. Left-arm spinner Nicky Boje turned one from the rough and the ball brushed the batsman's glove, giving Hashim Amla a sharp catch at short-leg.
Earlier, off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan completed his 56th five-wicket haul when he picked up the last three South African wickets. He took seven for 97 and ended with 12 wickets, the 18th time he has taken 10 wickets or more in a Test match.
Strauss hits century, but Pakistan has the edge
Host 214 ahead with four sessions still remaining to decide the result
LEEDS: Captain Andrew Strauss became the third England batsman to score hundreds in successive matches — after Alastair Cook and Ian Bell — as the third Test swung slowly Pakistan's way on the fourth day at Headingley.
He needed plenty of luck on a faultless pitch as he hit his tenth century after only two years and 30 Tests but none of the other nine have been more valuable.
He reached three figures in almost four hours out of 220 for three.
At tea England was 237 for four — but with four sessions still to decide the result — but with Strauss out from the last ball Pakistan was in the driving seat.
The bookmakers believed that Pakistan was 6-1 to win but the whisper in the Pakistan dressing room was that there was enough spite in the pitch to allow Danish Kaneria to bowl England out with his leg breaks.
England took advantage as Pakistan had a distressing morning in which Kamran Akmal dropped two easy chances to add to the five he has spilled already in this series.
By lunch England had 121 without loss, not quite out of trouble but with some chance of making the score 2-0.
Akmal has always looked such a good wicket-keeper that his inept glove work on Monday was a shock. First, he tried to take a high catch off a leg glance with one hand, then he dropped a straightforward chance; both off Trescothick, both simple by club standards. He looked distracted as if he had something else on his mind. Perhaps he had lost faith in the umpires who might have given him three catches in the first innings if they had not been wearing earpieces which blocked out the noise.
Trescothick and Strauss soon realised it was their day — particularly after umpire Billy Doctrove failed to give an obvious lbw decision to Kaneria against Strauss — and went for their attacking shots. They scored run for run so that they had 54 apiece at lunch; thereafter Strauss received all the bad balls and was soon 78 to Trescothick's 56.
Meanwhile, Inzamam had gone for an X-ray to his chest; injured, alongside his pride, as he fell on his stumps on Sunday. It proved that there was nothing wrong a good night's sleep would not repair.
Half an hour of quiet concentration into the afternoon session with 158 on the board in 39 overs Trescothick edged Gul to second slip where Salman Butt picked up a low catch.
It was Trescothick's highest score of the series in which Pakistan have used four different openers and only Strauss can claim to be a success, even if he has played a number of short, brisk innings and left the heavy scoring to the middle order men.
For the next three quarters of an hour Alastair Cook and Strauss had little trouble but at 190 Cook pushed forward and nudged the ball straight to short leg, England was only 167 ahead when Pietersen strode to the wicket but with Strauss closing in on his century the forecast that "you will have to play badly to get out on this pitch" seemed to ensure a draw.
Pietersen immediately unsheathed his sweeping scimitar to whip the ball to the square leg boundary twice in successive overs.
But at 16 — soon after passing 1,500 runs in his 17th Test — Pietersen was bowled defending against Kaneria and it seemed that there was a lot of merit in Inzamam's forecast.
Strauss edged the last ball to the keeper and the prospect of England relying on its long tail had pushed the game in Pakistan's direction.
Balaji charts his rehabilitation and comeback plans
Alongwith Murali Kartik at the National Cricket Academy to evaluate progress
Bangalore: Much before his smile got frozen in camera lenses and Pakistani fans developed a fondness for him, L. Balaji had marked his early steps in the familiar environs of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
A stint here in 2002 and a subsequent visit to the Australian Cricket Academy as part of the Gavaskar-Border Scholarship, had pitchforked Balaji to the limelight. However a stress fracture on the lower back grounded him after eight Tests (27 wickets) and 29 one-dayers (34 wickets).
He is now back at the NCA, but there is no time for nostalgia. He has got a job to do — complete the rehabilitation process and chart his comeback plans.
"At this stage, I don't want to rush. I know I need to play a couple of matches, but I am waiting for the green signal from bio-mechanist Ian Frazer and physio John Gloster and once I get that I will play whatever matches I can in the forthcoming season," said Balaji, who last played for India in a one-dayer at Dambulla in August 2005.
Balaji, along with left-arm spinner Murali Kartik who is recovering from a shoulder surgery, are at the NCA to evaluate their progress and are also part of the cricket-skills camp that officially commenced here on Sunday.
While the players selected for the tri-series in Sri Lanka began to arrive in batches, Balaji and Kartik were already into their fitness sessions at the NCA while other early birds — Irfan Pathan and Suresh Raina — had a net-session at the KSCA (B) ground.
Patience and hard-work have been the twin guiding forces as Balaji charts his comeback plans. "My association — TNCA — consulted the board officials and sent me to Australia where they diagnosed my problem. It was a great step because initially I was worried over the exact nature of my injury. Then I played in the Duleep Trophy in November, took seven wickets and three months later I met physios Alex Kountouri and John Gloster, who guided me with the rehabilitation protocol. I worked hard — three hours in the pool and three hours on the ground and at the nets every day. Ramji Srinivasan also helped me a lot during these days and I should also thank Chemplast for all the support. Now I am a lot more mature in understanding my body and guide it accordingly," Balaji said.
On the road ahead, Balaji said: "I am in the final phase of my rehabilitation process and I am nearing my full run-up. I feel that I am getting back to a good line and length, but I need to fine-tune a few things.
I spoke with Frazer and he said there is nothing wrong with my action. The good thing is that I have had a good break, the fracture has healed and I am on the recovery path."
Balaji also stressed that he has not attempted to change his action. "You cannot change your action completely. And I don't want to loose my outswinger and in-cutter and anyway I am getting that from my short run-up.
What you can do is some fine-tuning in areas like gathering and finishing that will help you to take wickets. At the end of the day, you need to take wickets and for that you need to be in good rhythm. I am focusing on that and will not change my action completely," Balaji said.
The lanky seamer is also not perturbed about the competition from the latest duo of Munaf Patel and S. Sreesanth.
"I don't think I need to worry too much on that issue. I have performed at the highest level and will have to do that again. I know my ability and I know that I can do it. I think competition is good for Indian cricket and I just need to perform consistently and take wickets. I want to keep it simple. I didn't dream of playing for India so soon, it happened automatically. I just need to have some match practice and enjoy my wicket-taking ability. If I get into the team now, I know I can do better," Balaji said before leaving with Kartik for the team hotel.
Meanwhile at the team hotel, the players assembled in the evening and had a session on lateral thinking with De Bono expert Shiva Subramaniam. On Monday, the team will practice at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Malaysia-Singapore tri-series from Sept. 12
Ahmedabad: The Malaysia-Singapore tri-series, featuring Australia, the West Indies and India will be held from Sept. 12 to 24, the Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah said here on Sunday.
The boards of both Australia and West Indies have given their consent for the tri-series, which will be held under lights, Shah said. ``Seven matches will be played under lights during the series,'' Shah informed adding that three matches would be played in Singapore, while four matches including the final will be played in Kuala Lampur.
The television rights for this series have been given to Zee, he added. — PTI
Pietersen packs a punch
LEEDS: Kevin Pietersen hit his fifth century in his 17th Test at Headingley but had to retire hurt with cramp in his left arm. It was typical Pietersen; high drama in both his shots and his demands for medical attention. He loves centre stage but that does nothing to detract from his superlative batting. Without him England might have been in a sorry state and if the sporting gods had smiled on Pakistan on the first day of the third Test, its bowlers would have had five England batsmen out by lunch and — as the England tail starts at No. 8 — have had it all out before tea.
It was not the bowlers' fault that good bowling failed to break down the two escapees; umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove must take all the blame.
England won the toss and raced to 67 in the 16th over before Marcus Trescothick was caught and bowled by Mohammad Sami, already in his second spell. In the following over Shahid Nazir, drafted to make use of the seamer-friendly pitch had Andrew Strauss caught in the slips.
He had already been let off when he appeared to edge the ball to Kamran Akmal — who began the Test with 98 victims — and then in quick succession Kevin Pietersen nicked the ball on to his thigh and to Akmal and Alastair Cook provided an identical chance.
Three mistakes by the umpires and only 24 overs bowled. Pietersen, erratically and Cook, with more composure, took the score to 110 for two which would have been satisfactory had Cook not been caught and bowled off the last ball before the interval. The ball appeared to stop on him, as it had on Trescothick.
This day's play was full of repeat images but Paul Collingwood provided one on its own when he opened his score — off only his eighth ball — by pulling a long hop from Umar Gul into the scoreboard area for six.
It was such an extravagant stroke that for a moment I thought it was Pietersen but that extraordinary batsman was playing his own game: sometimes tied down but still able to leap like a tiger on to the loose ball.
Trescothick had begun with an off-drive but soon Pietersen had two on-drives and two cover hits that vied for shot of the day. He hit an extra cover drive so hard it was over the ropes before he could leave his crease and followed it up with another off Nazir that had the precision of a laser bomb.
Fifty-eight runs came in the third hour. Pietersen went to fifty — off 79 balls with his eighth four — then played his flap-wristed drive through mid wicket for two and four. It was not his most spectacular innings and Collingwood must have thought the score needed a boost for he swung one Gul ball for four and the next high to mid-wicket to make it four for 192 in 49 overs.
By tea England had 224 for four — Pietersen 82 from 110 balls — and it was clear Pakistan's attack relied too heavily on Nazir, called up even though he was not in the original party or the 25-strong tour squad.
Pietersen went to his hundred in an over which included three exhilarating fours and two visits from the physio. When he retired Ian Bell set out after his third successive century and Chris Read made 38 to nail down the wicket-keeping spot. At the close England was 347 for six with Pietersen to return on day two.
Sania out of Acura classic
Sania Mirza's singles run at the Acura Classic finally ended as she lost to fourth seed Elena Dementieva of Russia on Thursday.
Seen here losing to Dementiva at the Pacific Life Open in California earlier this year, Sania has been beaten thrice by the Dementieva this year.
In only her fourth 3rd round appearance this year, the Hyderabad hurricane lost 2-6, 6-3, 3-6 to the Russian.
While the 19-year-old had pulled off an upset win in round two at the Acura Classic as she beat 22 ranked Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia.
Dravid maintains top rank in LG ICC rating
Indian captain Rahul Dravid has maintained his second position in the latest LG ICC Test ratings.
However it is still Ricky Ponting who tops the list. Jacques Kallis despite missing out on the first test against Sri Lanka because of injury has climbed a spot to three.
Matthew Hayden and Mohammad Yousuf have also moved up one place each.
But the real movers in the top ten batting rankings have been Kumara Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
The pair put on a record partnership in the opening test against South Africa, and that means they have jumped up three and nine places respectively.
For Jayawardene his 374 also getting him into the top ten.
However, there are no major changes in the top ten bowling rankings with Muthiah Muralitharan keeping his stranglehold on the top spot after another 10 wicket haul in the Colombo Test.
Makhaya Ntini, Shane Warne and Glenn Mcgrath also remain in their positions with Andrew Flintoff climbing one spot to five despite having missed the first two tests because of injury.
Steve Harmisson who has been England's best bowler in the series against Pakistan so far jumps up a huge 11 places to six. For India the highest ranked bowler is Anil Kumble at eight.
Hockey teams to be announced on Aug
The Indian hockey teams to take part in the South Asian Federation Games and the World Cup will be decided on the performance of the probables at the four-match Independence Cup in Chennai from August 12 to 16.
Indian Hockey Federation Secretary K Jyothikumaran said that the selection committee members headed by Federation President K P S Gill will witness the performances of the probables in the Independence Cup.
Besides the Seniors and the SAF probables, the Indian under-18 team, that is presently competing in a tournament in Singapore, and a Tamil Nadu state team will play in a
round-robin format to decide the winners.
Meanwhile, 23 SAF probables coached by Clerance Lobo and Olympian Mohd. Riaz have already arrived here.
The Indian seniors, presently honing their hockey skills in Hyderabad, would reach here on August 11.
The IHF has also proposed to hold clinics for coaches and umpires during the Independence Cup.
Kuku Walia of the FIH Committee for Umpires will hold the clinic, while West Australian physical trainer Derick Knox, who joined the physical conditioning camp in Bangalore for the
seniors last Sunday last, development team trainer Ravi Kanakmetala would address the coaches.
The SAF Games is to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from Aug 18 to 27 and the World Cup from September 6 to 17 in Monchengladbach, Germany. (PTI)
New Delhi to host 14th SAARC summit
The 14th SAARC Summit will be held in New Delhi next year on April 3-4 it was announced after a meeting of the SAARC Foreign Ministers in Dhaka.
At the 14th summit, India will become the Chairman of the regional grouping for a year taking over from Bangladesh.
The last SAARC Summit was held in Dhaka in November last year.
At the next Summit, Afghanistan will be formally included as the eighth member of the South Asian grouping.
Afghanistan was the only country in South Asia, which was out of the SAARC, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan told reporters in Dhaka.
"Afghanistan's inclusion is a homecoming for the country."
Khan ruled out inclusion of more countries as members of the grouping.
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta attended the SAARC Foreign Ministers' talks, marking the first participation of the country in the high-level meeting of the grouping.
Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said SAARC has become a complete body with the inclusion of Afghanistan. (PTI)
Malaysia to host tri-series
After the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2004 Asian Cricket Council trophy, Malaysia will once again play host to the game of cricket.
The Kinrara Oval in Puchong has been announced as the venue for the Malaysian leg of the tri-series that will feature India, Australia and the West Indies should they agree to participate.
Singapore will host three matches. Each team will play the other twice in the league where the top two will advance to the final.
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